The June 2023 Indie Next List Preview

Here are the 25 Indie Next List and 6 Now in Paperback picks on the June 2023 Indie Next List flier.

The June title list is also viewable as a collection on Edelweiss and on the Indie Next List page as an Excel file alongside PDFs for the month’s flier and shelf-talker templates. Learn more about ABA’s recent refresh for the Indie Next List program and visit Matchbook Marketing’s program page to sign up to send the free Indie Next List e-newsletter to customers.

Additionally, to mark the start of the new month, the May Indie Next List picks are available as a flier, along with past lists, on the Indie Next List page on BookWeb.org.      

The 25 June Indie Next List Picks

#1 Pick: Yellowface: A Novel
By R. F. Kuang
(William Morrow, 9780063250833, $30, May 16, Fiction)
“Equal parts modern satire, indictment of the publishing industry, and twisted ghost story, R. F. Kuang’s first foray into literary fiction pulls no punches and will have you reading late into the night.”
—Abby Bennsky, Old Town Books, Alexandria, VA

Good Night, Irene: A Novel
By Luis Alberto Urrea
(Little, Brown and Company, 9780316265850, $29, May 30, Fiction)
“In this WWII epic, Luis Alberto Urrea captures the catastrophic scale of war through the eyes of Irene and Dorothy, two Red Cross enlistees. Their spry banter, secrets, and tender care make a story and a friendship you won’t forget.”
—Sarah Hollenbeck, Women & Children First, Chicago, IL

Love, Theoretically: A Novel
By Ali Hazelwood
(Berkley, 9780593336861, $17, paperback, June 13, Romance)
“Love, Theoretically combines meme-based humor, sizzling romantic tension, soul-searching personal growth, and blazing critiques of the glaring disparities in academia. This book isn’t just awesome in theory — it’s a proven fact!”
—Sarah Knapp, Inkwood Books, Haddonfield, NJ

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women: A Novel
By Lisa See
(Scribner, 9781982117085, $28, June 6, Fiction)
“Another incredible historical fiction by Lisa See! I was jetted back to 15^th-century China, where I knew little of foot binding and a woman’s role in medicine. See dives deep into a perfect mix of historical facts and mesmerizing story.”
—Penny Weiland, Birchbark Books & Native Arts, Minneapolis, MN

Witch King
By Martha Wells
(Tordotcom, 9781250826794, $28.99, May 30, Fantasy)
“Martha Wells’ specialty is charming antiheroes who triumph with violence and ample dark humor. Witch King centers on a demon prince and a powerful witch as they escape captivity and search for the witch’s missing wife. Highly recommend!”
—Carol Schneck Varner, Schuler Books, Okemos, MI

All the Sinners Bleed: A Novel
By S. A. Cosby
(Flatiron Books, 9781250831910, $27.99, June 6, Thriller)
“This is an early favorite for the best crime fiction novel of the year. From the perspective of a town’s first Black sheriff and his descent into the mind of a serial killer, it’s riveting and explores issues of race, policing, and religion.”
—Jason Hafer, Reads & Company, Phoenixville, PA

Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea: A Novel (Indies Introduce)
By Rita Chang-Eppig
(Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639730377, $28.99, May 30, Fiction)
“A beautiful, meditative, fascinating read. This is exquisitely written and while I knew that the subject would be fascinating, I was still unprepared. Perfect for fans of Four Treasures of the Sky.”
—Cari Quartuccio, Shakespeare & Co., New York, NY

The Guest: A Novel
By Emma Cline
(Random House, 9780812998627, $28, May 16, Fiction)
“I love everything from Emma Cline! Delightfully uncomfortable, her writing perfectly balances lethargy and desperation. You’re pushed to the edge of your seat with one hand, while gently pushed back and given a drink with the other.”
—Nikki Siclare, Newtonville Books, Newton Centre, MA

The Late Americans: A Novel
By Brandon Taylor
(Riverhead Books, 9780593332337, $28, May 23, Fiction)
“With writing that is equal parts piercing and tender, this novel shifts through a cast of grad students and laborers, lovers and friends — many of them queer men — as they navigate sex, money, art, and uncertain modern life in Iowa City.”
—Owen Elphick, Main Point Books, Wayne, PA

George: A Magpie Memoir
By Frieda Hughes
(Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, 9781668016503, $28, June 6, Memoir)
“Frieda Hughes, poet, painter and home repair fanatic, moves to a broken-down home in Wales with a garden of despair. What more could a creative soul want? George, an endless source of fascination, as it turns out. What a wonderful tale!”
—Becky Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA

Leg: The Story of a Limb and the Boy Who Grew from It
By Greg Marshall
(Abrams Press, 9781419763601, $28, June 13, Memoir)
“Fans of David Sedaris and R. Eric Thomas will love this memoir of a man who loved creating and acting from a young age. The family is hilarious, and I loved that Greg being gay was no big deal — just one part of a moving, touching story.”
—Sissy Gardner, Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN

The Celebrants: A Novel
By Steven Rowley
(G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 9780593540428, $28, May 30, Fiction)
“Rowley pulls us in with humor and grace, tackling grief in precious ways. From Berkeley, Big Sur, Puerta Vallarta, and NYC, we become part of a special group of friends. All will be moved by this book and eager to plan their own living funerals.”
—Amy Traughber, pages: a bookstore, Manhattan Beach, CA

The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man
By David Von Drehle
(Simon & Schuster, 9781476773926, $26, May 23, Self-Help)
“Charlie White’s life of 109 years reads like fiction! A story, not without tragedy, of the wild, heroic, and sometimes dangerous adventures of Charlie White. He lived his own advice: Work hard. Spread joy. Take a chance. Enjoy wonder.”
—Jeri Kay Thomas, 2 Dandelions Bookshop, Brighton, MI

Maeve Fly: A Novel
By CJ Leede
(Tor Nightfire, 9781250857859, $26.99, June 6, Horror)
“Such a wonderful, bizarre read. Maeve loves hard, asserts her place in the world, and takes on the spirit of Old Hollywood to wow at Halloween parties. It’s a funky, gory, sexy thrill; I was disturbed, shattered, and totally in love.”
—Pax Romana, Books Are Magic, Brooklyn, NY

Everything’s Fine: A Novel
By Cecelia Rabess
(Simon & Schuster, 9781982187705, $27.99, June 6, Fiction)
“It’s hard to step away from this wonderful debut. Part romance, part office politics, Everything’s Fine addresses race, class, money, ethics, and identity for two twenty-somethings, Josh and Jess, out navigating the world as adults.”
—Terry Gilman, Creating Conversations, Redondo Beach, CA

The Memory of Animals: A Novel
By Claire Fuller
(Tin House Books, 9781953534873, $27.95, June, 6, Fiction)
“Claire Fuller never fails to deliver — The Memory of Animals is dark and hopeful all at once, with a hint of her trademark subversive humor added for good measure.”
—Pam Cady, University Book Store, Seattle, WA

My Murder: A Novel
By Katie Williams
(Riverhead Books, 9780593543764, $27, June, 6, Fiction)
“In My Murder, you are made to feel the deep struggles of ordinary life which are then abruptly amplified by the quest for a killer. A mesmerizing, completely original story with futuristic elements that don’t feel far off.”
—Sierra Hollabaugh, The Bookery Cincy, Cincinnati, OH

Crow Mary: A Novel
By Kathleen Grissom
(Atria Books, 9781476748474, $28.99, June 6, Fiction)
“In the late 1800s, Goes First was one of the most determined Crow women of her time. Her marriage to a white fur trader forces Crow Mary to balance between two worlds and cultures while trying to protect both her family and her people.”
—Shannon Alden, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI

The Lost Journals of Sacajewea: A Novel
By Debra Magpie Earling
(Milkweed Editions, 9781571311450, $26, May 23, Fiction)
“A much anticipated and gorgeous book from Debra Magpie Earling. The Lost Journals of Sacajewea is immersive and engaging, drawing the reader into a new way of seeing what we think of know of the story of Sacajewea.”
—Mara Panich, Fact & Fiction Downtown, Missoula, MT

Chef’s Choice: A Novel
By TJ Alexander
(Atria/Emily Bestler Books, 9781982189105, $17.99, paperback, May 30, Romance)
“The perfect fake dating book does exist, and it is Chef’s Choice. I absolutely loved their banter throughout. This book has the perfect balance of humor and heart.”
—Laura Kendall, Second Flight Books, Lafayette, IN

The Puzzle Master: A Novel
By Danielle Trussoni
(Random House, 9780593595299, $27, June 13, Thriller)
“Danielle Trussoni has written a page turner that I’m so excited to share with readers! The combination of the world of puzzles with beautiful writing, suspense, and fascinating characters make this a novel I can’t stop thinking about.”
—Sue Kowalski, The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn, IL

Ink Blood Sister Scribe: A Novel
By Emma Törzs
(William Morrow, 9780063253469, $30, May 30, Fiction)
“There is magic of all kinds on each page of Ink Blood Sister Scribe: grisly body horror magic; romantic, confectionary fairy tale magic; and the binding, consuming magic of family and what it means to belong. I am still under its spell!”
—Sarah Jackson, The Book & Cover, Chattanooga, TN

Killingly: A Novel
By Katharine Beutner
(Soho Crime, 9781641294379, $27.95, June 6, Mystery)
“From the very first page, there’s this amazing creepy vibe that envelops the reader. Katharine Beutner has written a stunning historical mystery, based on a true missing person case. Killingly hits all the high notes!”
—Jayne Rowsam, Mystery to Me, Madison, WI

The Road to Dalton: A Novel
By Shannon Bowring
(Europa Editions, 9781609459260, $18, paperback, June 6, Fiction)
“This beautiful picture of life and love in rural Maine kept me engaged from the first page to the last. The sense of place was as strong as the characters’ connections. A book you don’t want to finish because you don’t want to say goodbye.”
—Terri Schurz, Mockingbird Bookshop, Bath, ME

Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421 (A Novel)
By T. J. Newman
(Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, 9781982177911, $28, May 30, Thriller)
“This book should come with its own oxygen mask. Numerous times I had to remind myself to keep breathing as I raced through the heart-pounding pages. No one does suspense like T. J. Newman and Drowning makes this a fact.”
—Mary O'Malley, Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, MO

The 6 Now in Paperback Titles

Florida Woman: A Novel
By Deb Rogers
(Hanover Square Press, 9781335455031, $18.99, May 30, Fiction)
“Jamie is grateful to be able to live out her house arrest term at a monkey sanctuary in the Florida wilderness. The women there seem so spiritual and welcoming…but what’s really going on behind closed doors? I couldn’t put this down!”
—Suzanna Hermans, Oblong Books, Millerton, NY

Ghost Eaters: A Novel
By Clay McLeod Chapman
(Quirk Books, 9781683693789, $16.99, Jun. 6, Horror)
“A dark and chilling story about a group of friends who discover an addictive drug that allows them to see dead people. Well, more like forces, and it gets intense. This was impossible to put down, but please read it with the lights on!”
—Laura Harvey, Copper Dog Books, Beverly, MA

The Last White Man: A Novel
By Mohsin Hamid
(Riverhead Books, 9780593538821, $17, Jun. 13, Fiction)
“I loved this book! Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West stands up as one of my favorites, even years later. His newest delivers just as brilliantly. Themes of race and bigotry, couched in almost fable-like storytelling, feel timely, yet enduring.”
—Rebekah Rine, Watermark Books & Café, Wichita, KS

Properties of Thirst: A Novel
By Marianne Wiggins
(Simon & Schuster, 9781416571278, $19.99, May 30, Fiction)
“Words don’t do this book justice. A family tale, a moral novel of a shameful time in our history, and a love story built with care and humor. You won’t want to leave the Rhodes family when the novel ends. Grab this and fall under its spell.”
—Anne Whalen, Brown University Bookstore, Providence, RI

Tracy Flick Can’t Win: A Novel
By Tom Perrotta
(Scribner, 9781501144073, $17, Jun. 13, Fiction)
“A welcome return to a delightful character! Perrotta gives Tracy Flick the mic and allows her — and us — to reinterpret the events of Election. Deeply moving and incredibly funny, I never knew how much I needed this standalone sequel.”
—Shaun Manning, Booksweet, Ann Arbor, MI

The Two Lives of Sara: A Novel
By Catherine Adel West
(Park Row, 9780778387077, $18.99, Jun. 6, Fiction)
“A beautifully written, complex story of motherhood, found family, grief, reinvention, and redemption. West captures the challenges of fleeing a difficult past and explores profound questions about racial justice in the Jim Crow South.”
—Alyssa Raymond, Copper Dog Books, Beverly, MA