The August 2022 Indie Next List Preview

Here are the 25 Indie Next List and 6 Now in Paperback picks on the August 2022 Indie Next List flier.

The August 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 July Indie Next List picks are available as a flier, along with past lists, on the Indie Next List page on BookWeb.org.                               

The 25 August Indie Next List Picks 

#1 Pick: The Many Daughters of Afong Moy: A Novel
By Jamie Ford
(Atria Books, 9781982158217, $28, August 2, Fiction)
“Jamie Ford explores the relationship of mind, spirit, and personal history in this gorgeous, multigenerational novel. The descendants of Afong Moy dig into their inherited pasts with astonishing results. A hopeful, beautiful read!”
—Beth Mynhier, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest, IL

The Bodyguard: A Novel
By Katherine Center
(St. Martin’s Press, 9781250219398, $27.99, July 19, Romance)
“The Bodyguard is the perfect comfort read. You’ll feel your shoulders drop in the safety of the world of this book. There’s great chemistry between the characters and it’s a joy to get to know them. I’m already rooting for a movie version.”
—Tiffany Phillips, Wild Geese Bookshop, Franklin, IN

The Last White Man: A Novel
By Mohsin Hamid
(Riverhead Books, 9780593538814, $26, August 2, 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

The Book Eaters
By Sunyi Dean
(Tor Books, 9781250810182, $26.99, August 2, Fantasy)
“How far will a mother go to protect a son that is hungering for more than books? Sunyi Dean’s work of fantasy is frighteningly real. Think Hannibal Lecter: sit back, grab ‘a nice dry Chianti,’ and get ready to devour this debut masterpiece.”
—Bill Reilly, The River’s End Bookstore, Oswego, NY

Calling for a Blanket Dance: A Novel (Indies Introduce)
By Oscar Hokeah
(Algonquin Books, 9781643751474, $27, July 26, Fiction)
“This is an incredible family epic in sleek, unpretentious form. Hokeah uses his characters as crisp prisms through which we see the nature of family: vicious and precious, mournful and joyful, everything in-between. A remarkable debut!”
—Amanda Qassar, Warwick’s, La Jolla, CA

Mercury Pictures Presents: A Novel
By Anthony Marra
(Hogarth, 9780451495204, $28.99, August 2, Historical Fiction)
“Mercury Pictures Presents is an utterly satisfying novel, full of rich characters and a beautifully choreographed plot told with wry humor, great love, and writing so smart you’ll want to underline every paragraph. Read it!”
—Kris Kleindienst, Left Bank Books, St. Louis, MO

The Rabbit Hutch: A Novel
By Tess Gunty
(Knopf, 9780593534663, $28, August 2, Fiction)
“The Rabbit Hutch is an inventive and lyrical tale of Midwestern decay, environmental destruction, and toxic masculinity. John Brandon meets Lauren Groff with the occasional experimental aside. An ambitious and assured debut.”
—Matt Stowe, Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn, NY

Properties of Thirst: A Novel
By Marianne Wiggins
(Simon & Schuster, 9781416571261, $28, August 2, Historical 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

Dirtbag, Massachusetts: A Confessional
By Isaac Fitzgerald
(Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781635573978, $27, July 19, Memoir)
“Isaac Fitzgerald’s empathy shines while his conversational prose enthralls. We hear a lot about ‘nature versus nurture,’ but neither explains that rare ability to be dealt a rough hand and say ‘I will do better than this.’ He’s a gem.”
—Amy Van Keuren, Charter Books, Newport, RI

The Last to Vanish: A Novel
By Megan Miranda
(Scribner/Marysue Rucci Books, 9781982147310, $27.99, July 26, Thriller)
“I really enjoyed the mystery and how it unraveled for Abigail and Trey, and how the disappearances are connected. Megan Miranda is a great writer and I am always eager to read her new books — this didn’t disappoint!”
—Stephanie Rivera, Chapter Two...a Bookstore, Lompoc, CA

The Kingdoms of Savannah: A Novel
By George Dawes Green
(Celadon Books, 9781250767448, $27.99, July 19, Mystery)
“Totally immersed myself in the deep south and long-standing family secrets with this delightful read. An engaging story with a wealth of history. Very much looking forward to more of Jaq and Ransom!”
—Kappy Kling, HearthFire Books, Evergreen, CO

A Map for the Missing: A Novel (Indies Introduce)
By Belinda Huijuan Tang
(Penguin Press, 9780593300664, $27, August 9, Fiction)
“A poignant exploration of home, love, and ambition, set against the backdrop of Cultural Revolutionary China. Tang has a keen eye for familial conflict, and portrays regret with deftness. This is a beautiful, bittersweet debut.”
—Ellen McLaren, Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, WA

Stories from the Tenants Downstairs
By Sidik Fofana
(Scribner, 9781982145811, $26, August 16, Fiction)
“From the first sentence, we are immersed in the cadence of Harlem. We are one of the tenants struggling with autonomy and groping for success. These engaging stories offer insight into the lives and aspirations of inner-city people.”
—Sarajane Giddings, Blue Door Books, Cedarhurst, NY

Husband Material (London Calling)
By Alexis Hall
(Sourcebooks Casablanca, 9781728250922, $15.99, paperback, August 2, Romance)
“Achingly romantic and laugh-out-loud funny. Luc and Oliver, who fell in love in Boyfriend Material, reach the stage where everyone seems to be getting married. Will social pressure unite them, or drive them apart? A delightful read!”
—Carol Schneck Varner, Schuler Books, Okemos, MI

Just Like Home
By Sarah Gailey
(Tor Books, 9781250174727, $26.99, July 19, Thriller)
“Just Like Home grabs you and doesn’t let go. Vera returns to the home where her father committed a series of gruesome crimes. With her dying mother in a hostile small town, Vera grapples with her past — and something moving under her bed.”
—Jo Swenson, Gibson’s Bookstore, Concord, NH

The Devil Takes You Home: A Novel
By Gabino Iglesias
(Mulholland Books, 9780316426916, $28, August 2, Thriller)
“The best authors are guides. If I’m going somewhere as dark and terrifying as this story, I’m glad Gabino Iglesias is taking me there. If you’re new to his work, get ready; he’s got both hands on the wheel and knows exactly what he’s doing.”
—Chelsea Bromley, Snowbound Books, Marquette, MI

Delphi: A Novel
By Clare Pollard
(Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, 9781982197896, $26, August 2, Fiction)
“Delphi is my first, surprisingly urgent, foray into the new ‘Covid World’ genre. Written in snapshot chapters, Delphi shows us a world from our nightmares through a lens of classical mythology. Sharp, labyrinthine, and unputdownable.”
—Scott Lange, The Bookman, Grand Haven, MI

Bookish People: A Novel
By Susan Coll
(Harper Muse, 9781400234097, $17.99, paperback, August 2, Fiction)
“Coll captures the loveable mix of quirky customers, booksellers, and writers who bring a bookstore to life. Fast-paced, hilarious, and insightful — it’s sure to appeal to anyone who works, owns, or shops in an indie bookstore.”
—Jan Danielson Kaiser, Beaverdale Books, Des Moines, IA

The Last Karankawas: A Novel
By Kimberly Garza
(Henry Holt and Co., 9781250819857, $26.99, August 9, Fiction)
“Galveston shimmers under the gifted writing of Kimberly Garza. Highly recommended for the richness of her characters — their community, hopes, dreams, and longings. I enjoyed the many voices necessary to create the book’s tapestry.”
—Nancy Scheemaker, Northshire Bookstore, Saratoga Springs, NY

Shutter: A Novel
By Ramona Emerson
(Soho Crime, 9781641293334, $25.95, August 2, Mystery)
“Rita Todacheene has seen ghosts since she was a child growing up in the Navajo Nation. Now a forensic photographer, Rita’s life is upended by spirits seeking justice for their murders. This thrilling mystery left me hoping for more of Rita.”
—Lia Lent, WordsWorth Books, Little Rock, AR

The Wild Hunt: A Novel
By Emma Seckel
(Tin House Books, 9781953534224, $16.95, paperback, August 2, Historical Fiction)
“Moody and atmospheric, the islanders are forced to confront tradition, ancient superstition, and the secrets submerged to preserve their normalcy. A taut tale full of otherworldly activities and the tension of daily existence.”
—Bill Cusumano, Square Books, Oxford, MS

The Work Wife: A Novel
By Alison B. Hart
(Graydon House, 9781525899768, $27.99, July 19, Fiction)
“Three women, a Hollywood high roller, and an explosive day set the stage for a novel that will blow you away. Any woman whose work has been overlooked, underestimated, uncredited, or unrewarded needs a copy of The Work Wife. Hear her roar!”
—Pamela Klinger-Horn, Valley Bookseller, Stillwater, MN

Dead-End Memories: Stories
By Banana Yoshimoto, Asa Yoneda (Transl.)
(Counterpoint, 9781640093690, $26, August 9, Short Stories)
“As far as I’m concerned, Banana Yoshimoto can do no wrong. I don’t think there’s anyone who can write a sweet love story about a charming oddball the way she can. If you’re a fan, you’ll find more of what you love; if you’re new, jump right in!”
—Jordan Pulaski, Small Friend Records & Books, Richmond, VA

Autoportrait
By Jesse Ball
(Catapult, 9781646221387, $20, August 9, Memoir)
“A fascinating work of art that will make you think. What things and experiences make us who we are? Is any one of those things more important than the other? Is any one sentence more important than the next? There is no one quite like Jesse Ball.”
—Hannah Harlow, Book Shop of Beverly Farms, Beverly Farms, MA

This Story Will Change: After the Happily Ever After
By Elizabeth Crane
(Counterpoint, 9781640094789, $26, August 9, Memoir)
“Elizabeth Crane’s memoir exploring the end of her marriage and the beginning of a new platonic relationship is gorgeous. Her forms capture what it’s like to revisit old memories that might not be accurate. A beautiful one-sitting read.”
—Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC

The 6 Now in Paperback Titles

All’s Well
By Mona Awad
(Scribner/Marysue Rucci Books, 9781982169671, $17.99, August 2, Fiction)
“Gloriously bananas, dark, weird, and so, so good. All’s Well is a big, messy, strange journey about chronic pain, Shakespeare, friendship, mental health, witchcraft, and work.”
—Rachel Barry, WORD Bookstores, Brooklyn, NY

Chouette: A Novel
By Claire Oshetsky
(Ecco, 9780063066687, $16.99, August 2, Fiction)
“From the beginning I was rapt, unable to look away from what is exactly the definition of awe: terrible and beautiful all at once. Absolutely one of the best reads of my year.”
—Chelsia Rice, Montana Book Company, Helena, MT

Harlem Shuffle: A Novel
By Colson Whitehead
(Anchor, 9780525567271, $17, August 9, Fiction)
“A love letter to 1960s Harlem that’s also a heist novel, a family saga, and so much more. Colson Whitehead proves once again that he’s always at the top of his game!”
—Alyssa Raymond, Copper Dog Books, Beverly, MA

Intimacies: A Novel
By Katie Kitamura
(Riverhead Books, 9780399576171, $16, July 19, Fiction)
“A cool and precise portrait of a woman and system on the verge of breaking, this latest literary thriller from Kitamura quietly insinuates itself into readers’ consciousness with subtle and haunting force.”
—Stephen Sparks, Point Reyes Books, Point Reyes Station, CA

The Reading List: A Novel
By Sara Nisha Adams
(William Morrow Paperbacks, 9780063025295, $16.99, August 9, Fiction)
“A beautiful novel about people connected by a local library and an amazing reading list. As the characters’ lives are revealed through interweaving storylines, readers will root for them, cry for them, and celebrate their victories.”
—Lisa Driban, Hockessin Book Shelf, Hockessin, DE

We Are Not Like Them: A Novel
By Christine Pride, Jo Piazza
(Atria Books, 9781982181048, $17, August 2, Fiction)
“Lifelong friends, one Black and one white, have their relationship tested after the tragic shooting of an unarmed Black teen. A thought-provoking and timely read.”
—Mary Kay Burnett, Buttonwood Books and Toys, Cohasset, MA