The July 2022 Indie Next List Preview

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

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

The 25 July Indie Next List Picks 

#1 Pick: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: A Novel
By Gabrielle Zevin
(Knopf, 9780593321201, $28, July 5, Fiction)
“I am deeply mourning finishing this book. Zevin has masterfully created a love story for friendship that will stay with me. While the characters were imperfect — so, strikingly human — following this span of 30 years left me wanting more.”
—Vina Castillo, Kew & Willow Books, Kew Gardens, NY

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy: A Monk and Robot Book
By Becky Chambers
(Tordotcom, 9781250236234, $21.99, July 12, Science Fiction)
“Just as wonderful and as tender as A Psalm for the Wild-Built. A sweet and earthy cup of tea to warm the soul. New and old characters to giggle with, cry with, and just flat out fall in love with. A book that I will return to again and again.”
—Allie Bisset, Third Street Books, McMinnville, OR

Fellowship Point: A Novel
By Alice Elliott Dark
(Scribner/Marysue Rucci Books, 9781982131814, $28.99, July 5, Fiction)
“Fellowship Point was a joy to read. Alice Elliott Dark has crafted unforgettable characters in a sweeping story of friendship, family, and life as a whole. I hit pause on the real world for a bit and fell deeply in love with this gem of a novel.”
—Kaitlin Smith, Copperfield’s Books, Healdsburg, CA

Lapvona: A Novel
By Ottessa Moshfegh
(Penguin Press, 9780593300268, $27, June 21, Fiction)
“Lapvona is a truly marvelous and original creation that walks the iconic Moshfegh line of stomach-churning and profound. This book has its underbelly exposed and its eyes to the heavens.”
—Ellie Eaton, Busboys and Poets, Washington, DC

Night of the Living Rez: Stories (Indies Introduce)
By Morgan Talty
(Tin House Books, 9781953534187, $16.95, paperback, July 5, Short Stories)
“Night of the Living Rez explores the way the past informs the present, and how each small moment makes a heartbreaking, funny, beautiful life. Talty’s characters live and breathe on the page. This book is a celebration of life and language.”
—Margaret Leonard, Dotters Books, Eau Claire, WI

The Lies I Tell: A Novel
By Julie Clark
(Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781728247595, $27.99, June 21, Thriller)
“Kat Roberts has waited a decade to expose con artist Meg Williams. Now she finally has the chance...The Lies I Tell is a masterful tale. The characters are so well written, the plot smart and fast moving. This is definitely not one to miss!”
—Rebecca Minnock, Murder By the Book, Houston, TX

Elsewhere: A Novel
By Alexis Schaitkin
(Celadon Books, 9781250219633, $26.99, June 28, Fiction)
“Timeless! Beautifully haunting! All of the comparisons are apt — this is a modern day ‘The Lottery’ penned in gorgeous prose, with an underlying mystery that is a thrill to untangle.”
—Chelsea Berry, Bull Moose, Portland, ME

A Mirror Mended (Fractured Fables)
By Alix E. Harrow
(Tordotcom, 9781250766649, $18.99, June 14, Fantasy)
“I was enthralled with Zinnia’s impeccable voice in this A Spindle Splintered follow-up. Harrow’s vast knowledge of fairy tales really shines in this installment. I’m happy to put my hands on anything Harrow writes — she’s a new favorite!”
—Amber Brown, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC

The It Girl: A Novel
By Ruth Ware
(Gallery/Scout Press, 9781982155261, $28.99, July 12, Thriller)
“This is the perfect summer read, it grabs you from the first few pages and engrosses you in its murder mystery. Problems and worries slip away as you delve deeper and deeper into the story. Isn’t that what we all need from time to time?”
—BJ Hegedus, Postalworks Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA

What Moves the Dead
By T. Kingfisher
(Tor Nightfire, 9781250830753, $19.99, July 12, Horror)
“Rarely do I come across horror novels with such witty and delightful characters. The dialogue made me want to sit down to tea with each person, but the creepy gothic atmosphere made me want to forgo the tea and run away screaming instead.”
—Anna Hersh, Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN

Upgrade: A Novel
By Blake Crouch
(Ballantine Books, 9780593157534, $28, July 12, Thriller)
“Blake Crouch is one of my desert-island authors. I had high expectations for this book, and he absolutely smashed all of them. Upgrade is fast paced — but most importantly, brilliantly written.”
—Kailey Fox, Kingfisher Bookstore, Coupeville, WA

Our Wives Under the Sea: A Novel
By Julia Armfield
(Flatiron Books, 9781250229892, $26.99, July 12, Fiction)
“A haunting meditation on relationships in all their messy glory. The descriptive language is beautiful and unforgettable. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.”
—David Vogel, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI

The Dead Romantics: A Novel
By Ashley Poston
(Berkley, 9780593336489, $17, paperback, June 28, Romance)
“I never thought I’d gush over a romance set in a funeral home featuring a ghost. In a plethora of romcoms, The Dead Romantics stands out for being light in humor but deep in feeling. It truly will linger long after you finish the book.”
—Chanpreet Singh, Eagle Eye Book Shop, Decatur, GA

Juniper & Thorn: A Novel
By Ava Reid
(Harper Voyager, 9780062973160, $27.99, June 21, Fantasy)
“A gorgeous story influenced by one of the Brothers Grimm’s darkest tales. At the center, two souls find a haven in each other while escaping evil worse than any monster under the bed. Juniper & Thorn is bewitching and utterly captivating.”
—Tarah Jennings, Mitzi’s Books, Rapid City, SD

Also a Poet: Frank O'Hara, My Father, and Me
By Ada Calhoun
(Grove Press, 9780802159786, $27, June 14, Biography)
“Ada Calhoun has given us a poised, magnificent memoir on family, her father, and of huge emotional and personal exploration. She delivers an unveiled perspective on capital ‘L’ literary New York. This one shines brilliantly for all to see.”
—Scott Abel, Solid State Books, Washington, DC

Grown Ups: A Novel (Indies Introduce)
By Marie Aubert, Rosie Hedger (Transl.)
(Pushkin Press, 9781782277088, $14.95, paperback, June 21, Fiction)
“I was hooked from the first line of Grown Ups, a wickedly fun novel about people behaving badly: ‘Other people’s children, always, everywhere.’ Sibling rivalry, midlife crises, and unease play out in this delicious train wreck of a book.”
—Jhoanna Belfer, Bel Canto Books, Long Beach, CA

Jackie & Me: A Novel
By Louis Bayard
(Algonquin Books, 9781643750354, $28, June 14, Historical Fiction)
“Lem Billings befriends Jackie Bouvier as she is sized up by the Kennedy family to become the wife of the up-and-coming politician. Told by an older Lem, it’s an insightful story of friendship, love, and sacrifice. Book clubs will love it!”
—Beth Carpenter, The Country Bookshop, Southern Pines, NC

The Angel of Rome: And Other Stories
By Jess Walter
(Harper, 9780062868114, $27.99, June 28, Short Stories)
“The first sentences in this astonishing collection dare you not to read further. Walter exposes his characters for what they are in subtle and startling ways. The stories are profound, hilarious, and suspenseful, leaving us wisdom.”
—Alice Meyer, Beaverdale Books, Des Moines, IA

Florida Woman: A Novel
By Deb Rogers
(Hanover Square Press, 9781335426895, $27.99, July 5, 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

The Mermaid of Black Conch: A Novel
By Monique Roffey
(Knopf, 9780593534205, $26, July 12, Fiction)
“Tragedy displaces pain after a curse born of a thousand-year-old jealousy exiles the beautiful Aycayia to a life in the sea. The Mermaid of Black Conch is a modern-day embodiment of our longing for community. Ruthless and beautiful.”
—Kayleen Rohrer, InkLink Books, East Troy, WI

American Royalty: A Novel
By Tracey Livesay
(Avon, 9780063084506, $15.99, paperback, June 28, Romance)
“A British Prince falls for an American Rapper? Yes, please! I adored the premise of this story and the characters were so lovable and fun. Highly enjoyed it and will be talking about it nonstop!”
—Jen Miller, Old Town Books, Alexandria, VA

Life Ceremony: Stories
By Sayaka Murata, Ginny Tapley Takemori (Transl.)
(Grove Press, 9780802159588, $25, July 5, Short Stories)
“Think Kelly Link, Ottessa Moshfegh, and a pinch of surrealism. You’ll find surprises in each story, and Murata’s voice is unique and so fun to read (if you don’t mind dark humor and disturbing themes)! Weird and absolutely delightful!”
—Rachel Brewer, Carmichael’s Bookstore, Louisville, KY

One’s Company: A Novel
By Ashley Hutson
(W. W. Norton & Company, 9780393866643, $16.95, paperback, June 14, Fiction)
“Where do I even begin? An original and poignant story of obsession, trauma and the desire to escape into another reality as a means of survival. This is one of the most bonkers books I’ve ever read, and one of my favorite books of 2022.”
—Gaël LeLamer, Books & Books, Coral Gables, FL

The Boys: A Novel
By Katie Hafner
(Spiegel & Grau, 9781954118058, $27, July 26, Fiction)
“Sometimes a novel just settles into your heart. Such is the case with The Boys. Sweet, heartbreaking, and completely original, this novel by Katie Hafner is wholly unforgettable.”
—Mary O'Malley, Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, MO

X: A Novel
By Davey Davis
(Catapult, 9781646220939, $16.95, paperback, June 28, Fiction)
“Dark, gay, hot, and exquisitely twisted — this is the gay lit I’ve been achingly ready for; lovingly authentic, lovingly grotesque, and utterly disinterested in being ‘good’ representation.”
—Kyra Rathmann, Letters Bookshop, Durham, NC

The 6 Now in Paperback Titles

Appleseed: A Novel
By Matt Bell
(Mariner Books, 9780063040151, $17.99, July 5, Fiction)
“This cross between a Shakespeare drama and a Grimm fairy tale is unsettling, attention-grabbing, and thought-provoking in the way stories do so well when reason often fails. A powerful read!”
—Helen Eddy, The Book Shoppe, Boone, IA

Filthy Animals
By Brandon Taylor
(Riverhead Books, 9780525538929, $16, June 21, Short Stories)
“These stories about human relationships range from those between lovers, friends, and family. How is it that Taylor can write so that we can see the interior crevices of these characters’ souls?”
—Rachel Watkins, Avid Bookshop, Athens, GA

How to Catch a Mole: Wisdom from a Life Lived in Nature
By Marc Hamer
(Greystone Books, 9781771649940, $17.95, June 14, Essays)
“Sublimely touching, this book has a balance that makes for good nature writing. Hamer’s memoir waxes and wanes, at times gruesome, sensual, violent, and awestruck. A book for fans of the way Mary Oliver lived and talked about her life.”
—Afton Montgomery, Tattered Cover Book Store, Denver, CO

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina: A Novel
By Zoraida Córdova
(Atria Books, 9781982102555, $17, July 5, Fiction)
“This story sparkles and enchants! It’s a rich and layered multigeneration saga featuring strong women and a mystery veiled in magical realism that will tease and feed your imagination.”
—Grace Rajendran, University Book Store, Seattle, WA

Island Queen: A Novel
By Vanessa Riley
(William Morrow Paperbacks, 9780063002852, $16.99, June 14, Fiction)
“Both sweeping and intimate, beautiful and painful, this novel based on the life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas is exquisite. Riley’s research is in the detail of each chapter, and readers will find themselves compulsively turning the pages.”
—Destinee Hodge, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC

Lightning Strike: A Novel
By William Kent Krueger
(Atria Books, 9781982128692, $17.99, July 5, Mystery)
“In this prequel to the Cork O'Connor series set in 1963, we meet 12-year-old Cork’s family as his father investigates a murder. Even as Cork believes he will never be a cop, we can see Cork’s inevitable future as an investigator.”
—Carol Blizzard Dunn, Northwind Book & Fiber, Spooner, WI