June 2024 Indie Next List
Fire Exit: A Novel
Morgan Talty (Tin House Books)
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“A gorgeous and all-consuming novel, Fire Exit lays bare the consequences of one man’s decisions, and his resolve to reconcile his past by taking care of his aging mother and seeking a connection with his unknown daughter. Unforgettable.”
— Olivia Marchese, Author's Note, Medina, NY
June 2024 Indie Next List
Inspired Recommendations from Indie Booksellers
By Katherine Center
St. Martin's Press
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“I adored this book: the Hollywood setting, the grumpy/sunshine romance, and the characters who felt incredibly real. Center nails the inner-world of her characters and kept me turning pages with genuine concern and fluttering hope.”
— Joanna Roddy, Roundabout Books, Bend, OR
By Essie Chambers
Simon & Schuster
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“Swift River will be canon for those who want to learn more about biracial experiences. Essie Chambers thoughtfully pulls the curtain back on coming of age with a parent who loves you but, due to race, is incapable of understanding your experience.”
— Destinee Hodge, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC
By Virginie Grimaldi, Hildegarde Serle
Europa Editions
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“Can’t wait to introduce Agathe and Emma to our customers! Grimaldi takes us inside a family — delicately, expertly, and respectfully inside a bond between sisters. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you'll never forget their story.”
— Susan Reckers, Rakestraw Books, Danville, CA
By R. O. Kwon
Riverhead Books
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“There is so much in this layered 200-page gem of a novel about a pair of new artist friends — a photographer struggling through a creative block, and a successful ballerina recovering from a serious injury — and their desires. Completely absorbing.”
— Kalani Kapahua, Third Place Books (Ravenna), Seattle, WA
By Steven Rowley
G.P. Putnam's Sons
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“Guncle fans rejoice: this sequel brings back all the wry humor, miscommunication, grief, and joy of connection. Patrick’s brother’s impending marriage reunites the family, even as threatens to split them apart. A reader's delight.”
— Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books (NC), Davidson, NC
By TJ Alexander
Atria/Emily Bestler Books
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“TJ Alexander is a master of writing interesting, believable characters in love; in this book, you get three instead of two! The characters have realistic struggles, but the book never gets mired down and remains charming throughout.”
— Shana Hausman, All She Wrote Books, Somerville, MA
By Joanna Pearson
Bloomsbury Publishing
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“A literary murder mystery with unexpected twists. It’s been 20 years since Karlie, Joy's friend, was murdered. Will a long-forgotten letter Joy finds from Karlie help reopen the case? A great read for book clubs true crime fans.”
— Karin Pinto, Second Flight Books, Lafayette, IN
By Charlotte Bond
Tordotcom
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“A sapphic fantasy full of lady knights, fiery dragons, and powerful magic. With chapters outlining historical dragon slayings and interlacing past and present chapters, this is a full and lively fantasy world that you won’t want to leave.”
— Kelly Orazi, Mysterious Galaxy Books, San Diego, CA
By L.M. Chilton
Gallery/Scout Press
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“Twisty, smart, and kept me guessing until the very end — and the absolute skewering of dating apps is so entertaining. I felt breathless page after page as Gwen races around town to find a serial killer. Loved it!”
— Carolyn Hutton, Mrs. Dalloway's Literary & Garden Arts, Berkeley, CA
By Yael van der Wouden
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
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“A suspenseful story of two women forced to stay in a house in the Dutch countryside. This novel gives tremendous insight on how the Dutch handled the repercussions of the Holocaust, and how a generation lost affects those who survive.”
— Josie Williams, Invitation Bookshop, Gig Harbor, WA
By Stuart Turton
Sourcebooks Landmark
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“A fast-paced thriller set on the last place humanity occupies on planet Earth. A murder has occurred, and the villagers must follow the evidence after all their memories of that night are wiped. A must-read for futuristic mystery fans.”
— Sarah Harmuth Letke, Redbery Books, Cable, WI
By Katelyn Doyle
Flatiron Books
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“Just Some Stupid Love Story had me blushing, kicking my feet, and laughing out loud. We love an emotionally mature king and Seth is absolutely that. Molly’s sense of dry humor is every black cat’s inner monologue. A knockout debut rom-com!”
— Chelsea Semonco, Four Seasons Books, Shepherdstown, WV
By Ruth Ware
Gallery/Scout Press
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“This book is the perfect summer beach read! Ruth Ware has crafted a modern locked-room mystery. Imagine being picked for a Survivor/Love Island type of show — except instead of being sent home one by one, the cast is murdered!”
— Luana Collin, Highland Books, Brevard, NC
By Annabel Monaghan
G.P. Putnam's Sons
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“I so thoroughly enjoyed this! Ali finds herself again after losing her mother and filing for divorce. Such huge losses in life that can affect you in such harmful ways — Ali rebuilds, rediscovers herself, and chooses a vibrant life again.”
— Becky Schlosser, Cherry Street Books, Alexandria, MN
By Veronica Roth
Tor Books
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“Veronica Roth masterfully blends myth, modern-day Chicago, and the magic of the old country in this enthralling tale. This was the fantasy novella I didn’t know I needed!”
— Sammie Virella, Anderson's Bookshops, Naperville, IL
By Claire Kilroy
Scribner
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“Compelling, incredibly readable, and brought me immediately back to all the overwhelming feelings of the earliest days of motherhood. This book is stunning.”
— Laura Sharp, Literally, A Bookshop, Gilbert, AZ
By Natalie Sue
William Morrow
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“Absolutely loved this read. The characters and the situations are completely recognizable — I have worked with these people, I have been these people. They are at once funny, human, lovable, and cringe, but I rooted for them all the way through!”
— Amy Shaughnessy, Brazos Bookstore, Houston, TX
By Porochista Khakpour
Pantheon
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“Porochista Khakpour’s turn to fiction is no less smart and biting. Couched in this larger-than-life novel about an uber-rich Iranian American family on the brink of reality TV fame, Khakpour’s satire doubles as deluxe, ridiculous, heartfelt fun.”
— Melinda Powers, Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
By Zoë Bossiere
Abrams Press
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“A moving memoir that illustrates what it feels like to be othered when your way of being doesn’t align with societal norms of masculinity and femininity. Bossiere captures the hot, dusty wildness of Cactus Country, a wildness mirrored in young Zoë.”
— Bryanne Hoeg, Powell's Books, Portland, OR
By Sarah Crouch
Atria Books
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“Sarah Crouch’s descriptive debut puts the reader right into the outdoors. The initial investigation of a suicide evolves into murder. Dual timelines converge when Elijah is arrested. A gripping tale of love, revenge, and redemption.”
— Connie L. Eaton, Three Sisters Books & Gifts, Shelbyville, IN
By Ann Leary
S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books
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“Snarky, honest, and thoughtful — maybe Ann should be the more famous spouse! This brilliant collection will have you smiling, wiping away a tear, and staring into the distance. A wonderful jaunt with an author you should get to know better!”
— Hilary Kotecki, The Doylestown & Lahaska Bookshops, Doylestown, PA
By Sarah Gilmartin
Pushkin Press
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“Service is slender, devastating, both timeless and inescapably pertinent to life now. This is destined to become canon for books about the underbelly of the hospitality industry and a cornerstone book about people who prey on women.”
— Camden Avery, The Booksmith (CA), San Francisco, CA
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“Building on a great tradition of suburb horror, Yoon’s suspenseful book is filled with paging-turning terror and thoughtful, timely ruminations on race — what it means to be Black in America and how to survive, thrive and stay true.”
— Stefanie Kiper, Water Street Bookstore, Exeter, NH
By Victoria Blanco
Coffee House Press
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“A delicately told account of the Rarámuri, a Native people of Mexico, that honors their history, traditions, and culture, and one family’s story as they adapt to modern Mexican life. Poetic yet journalistic, dramatic yet quiet, devastating but hopeful.”
— Luis Correa, Avid Bookshop, Athens, GA
Now in Paperback
Indie Next List Selections Come to Paperback
