January 2024 Indie Next List
The Fury
Alex Michaelides (Celadon Books)
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“The Fury is a perfectly paced, charming, devious mystery novel to fall in love with. On a small, private, Greek island, mythology, history, and personal baggage put our small cast to the test. Intense, captivating, and satisfying.”
— Becky Doherty, Northshire Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, NY
January 2024 Indie Next List
Inspired Recommendations from Indie Booksellers
By Vanessa Chan
S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books
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“An incredible book from a strong new voice, focusing on the choices that a mother makes in the middle of colonial occupation during WWII. Vanessa Chan touches upon the murky grey areas of survival in a time of oppression and upheaval.”
— Jesse Hassinger, Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA
By Amy Jo Burns
Celadon Books
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“An extraordinary novel! Mercury is the lyrically written, unputdownable story of the Joseph brothers and the women who hold them together. I adored this family’s remarkable journey through love and loyalty, loss, and forgiveness.”
— Anderson McKean, Page and Palette, Fairhope, AL
By Rachel Hawkins
St. Martin's Press
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“This story has everything — a glamorous widow, a mountain top mansion haunted by the past, secrets, the power of money and privilege to corrupt — all woven into settings vividly painted. The perfect book to curl up with on a weekend retreat.”
— Emily Lilley, The Book & Cover, Chattanooga, TN
By Katee Robert
Sourcebooks Casablanca
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“Katee Robert delivers another stunning, scorching Dark Olympus installment. Orpheus, Eurydice, and Charon delve into growth and forgiveness alongside plenty of spice as threats of war loom in Olympus. I can’t wait for the next novel.”
— Emily Hall Schroen, Main Street Books (MO), St. Charles, MO
By Kimberly Lemming
Orbit
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“I had an absolute blast reading this book. It was laugh-out-loud funny with sass and banter for miles. If you’re in the mood for a sexy, light read, this is it. Kimberly Lemming throws you into such a fun romantasy world.”
— Chelsea Semonco, Four Seasons Books, Shepherdstown, WV
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“A ‘read in one sitting, think about for days’ book. Ray Nayler has once again made me realize how amazing animals are, and how awful and greedy people can be. It’s not all doom and gloom — there’s joy in imagining mammoths roaming the steppes again.”
— Laura Cummings, White Birch Books, North Conway, NH
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“What a vibrant beginning to a new historical romance series! Full of intrigue, stolen kisses, and London drama, this sweet queer love story follows two women who dare to hope in a world not built for them.”
— Vaughn Lachenauer, Main Point Books, Wayne, PA
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“Poor Deer is a fantastic reminder that only we can see the burdens we carry. Oshetsky writes about the way we shape our memories of trauma, guilt, and loss in order to cope an earnest, heartfelt way. This book will linger in the corners of my mind.”
— Lindsay Ryon, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA
By Katherine Min
G.P. Putnam's Sons
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“The Fetishist is an exploration of serious emotions, accompanied by a degree of absurdity and humor. Min expertly highlights the female Asian American experience of being fetishized with unforgiving, razor-sharp prose.”
— Stuart McCommon, Interabang Books, Dallas, TX
By Stephen McCauley
Henry Holt and Co.
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“Heartwarming, charming, and funny, You Only Call When You’re in Trouble has characters that will become imprinted on your heart. Stephen McCauley gives us a novel that will set the bar for your 2024 reading!”
— Mary O'Malley, Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, MO
By Stacy Willingham
Minotaur Books
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“Only If You’re Lucky is Stacy Willingham’s best work yet! I was immediately hooked by this tale of the tantalizing lure — and potential very dark side — of close friendships. And as always, Stacy’s Southern setting gives the perfect gothic vibe.”
— Emilie Sommer, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC
By Celine Saintclare
Bloomsbury Publishing
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“Make sure to put those pearls you’re clutching away before starting Sugar, Baby! This one is electric, jaw-dropping, and absolutely shimmers on the page. Celine Saintclare’s commentary on race and class is razor sharp. An excellent debut!”
— Jessica Nock, Main Street Books (NC), Davidson, NC
By Seanan McGuire
Tordotcom
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“Another perfect contribution to the Wayward Children series. Of all the worlds I would be happiest in is the Shop Where the Lost Things Go, so I love that we get to learn more about the Shop and Antsy in this book. Fans will love this one!”
— Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books, New Orleans, LA
By Julie Myerson
Tin House Books
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“A beautiful, blistering autofiction about a woman doing what she can, while unable to do very much, to look after a daughter, while reconciling her history with her own mother, her art, and the world. Fans of Rachel Cusk and Sheila Heti will love this.”
— Kelsey Ford, Powell's Books, Portland, OR
By İnci Atrek
Flatiron Books
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“Holiday Country is a gorgeous and poignant bildungsroman of womanhood, motherhood, identity, and the nuances that stitch them together set against the resplendent Aegean Coast. A book to keep close to your chest in the cold months ahead.”
— Lauren Abesames, Wind City Books, Casper, WY
By Abbott Kahler
Henry Holt and Co.
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“A very dark and intriguing thriller where one cannot rely on memory. After lies are uncovered, the twins still must work together to survive a cult. The pacing and character development are excellent and will keep you turning the page.”
— Stephanie Csaszar, Books Around the Corner, Gresham, OR
By Ashley Elston
Pamela Dorman Books
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“Con-artist Evie Porter has many false personas. When someone steals her true identity, she’s determined to shed her aliases and become herself again. Propelled by blackmail, double lives, and a touch of found family, First Lie Wins stands out.”
— Kate Howard, Brown University Bookstore, Providence, RI
By JENNY KIEFER
Quirk Books
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“Jenny Kiefer brilliantly pulls us into this story about a group of people who go out to discover a new cliff face to climb. But there is something very evil in the woods and it’s coming for them. Incredibly absorbing, you’ll be on the edge of your seat!”
— Marguerite Turley, The Doylestown & Lahaska Bookshops, Doylestown, PA
By Lauren E. Rico
Kensington
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“A transformative story about how we find ourselves and what makes family. It’s about how our advantages shape our lives and world view, a crime thriller in places, and a journey into a fractured sisterhood. One of my favorite books of the year.”
— Sara Crow, Crow & Co. Books, Hutchinson, KS
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“A once magnificent mansion is suffused with sadness. The lives of the tenants, past and present, have been destroyed by love. A young woman seeks assurance that love can be real and that real love can last. In gorgeous prose, Khan weaves a gripping tale.”
— Lisa Wright, Oblong Books, Millerton, NY
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“Teddy’s family fell apart when her sister disappeared. Her father never stopped searching, and ends his life on the ten-year anniversary. Against her best intentions, Teddy falls deep into the same search. A taut story of family and letting secrets go.”
— Andi Richardson, Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, VA
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“This is the most inventive thriller I’ve read in a while. I won’t say much so readers can fold down their own corners or tab the pages for clues and try to piece together the riddle, but I will say: the writing is stellar and the plot is crazy good.”
— Rani Birchfield, Front Street Books, Alpine, TX
By Erika Howsare
Catapult
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“I loved this rigorous, ceaselessly tender work of natural-cultural history. Through both archival research and immersive reportage, Howsare’s gaze remains questing and intimate. A must-read for fans of Robin Wall Kimmerer and Sy Montgomery.”
— Elisabeth Plumlee-Watson, Loganberry Books, Shaker Heights, OH
By Hisham Matar
Random House
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“Hisham Matar provides us a profound view of the experiences of those in exile. Readers accompany Khlaled’s journey through London as he sorts through 30 years of his memories. A powerful rumination on friendship, love, and loneliness.”
— Shane Grebel, Watermark Books & Cafe, Wichita, KS
Now in Paperback
Indie Next List Selections Come to Paperback
