The February 2025 Indie Next List Preview

Here are the 25 Indie Next List and 6 Now in Paperback picks on the February 2025 Indie Next List flier.

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

The 25 February Indie Next List Picks

#1 Pick: Victorian Psycho: A Novel
By Virginia Feito
(Liveright, 9781631498633, $24.99, Feb. 4, Horror)
“Grotesque, wildly funny, and utterly weird, this novel will have you hooked as the new governess enters the dysfunctional halls of Ensor’s House. What’s her secret? Does she know? Feito takes the Gothic and tames it like a misbehaving charge.”
—Joshua Lambie, Underground Books, Carrollton, GA

This Is a Love Story: A Novel
By Jessica Soffer
(Dutton, 9780593851265, $29, Feb. 4, Fiction)
“This beautiful novel opens as Abe tenderly comforts his dying wife, Jane, reconstructing the life they shared. It includes the intimate stories of the people closest to them and beyond to Central Park, the backdrop for a fascinating array of human behavior.”
—Sheila Daley, Barrett Bookstore, Darien, CT

Three Days in June: A Novel
By Anne Tyler
(Knopf, 9780593803486, $27, Feb. 11, Fiction)
“Sixty-something Gail is suddenly without a job, her daughter is getting married tomorrow, and her ex shows up without a place to stay for the wedding (and he’s brought a CAT!). But, hey, a lot can happen in three days. An absolute joyride!”
—Barb Bassett, Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, MN

Black Woods, Blue Sky: A Novel
By Eowyn Ivey, Ruth Hulbert (Illus.)
(Random House, 9780593231029, $29, Feb. 4, Fiction)
“Black Woods, Blue Sky is dark, wild, gorgeous. Birdie and her daughter move to the isolated Alaskan wilderness with the reclusive Arthur in search of a better life. Blending fairytale with harsh reality, this is an achingly beautiful hymn to all of nature’s cruelty and allure.”
—Jude Burke-Lewis, Square Books, Oxford, MS

We Could Be Rats: A Novel
By Emily Austin
(Atria Books, 9781668058145, $27.99, Jan. 28, Fiction)
“In her latest novel, Austin captures the bittersweet heart of growing up and growing apart. Told over the course of Sigrid’s attempts at a suicide note, Austin guides the reader though Sigrid’s disenchantment with equal humor and heartbreak.”
—Alea Lopes, The Oxford Exchange, Tampa, FL

Isola: A Novel
By Allegra Goodman
(The Dial Press, 9780593730089, $28.99, Feb. 4, Historical Fiction)
“For those who loved Frozen River and The Mercies, this is a riveting historical fiction read — from court to a cave, from France to the St. Lawrence Seaway, from love to grief. Marguerite makes her way as a survivor, a tutor, a storyteller, a lover.”
—Sara Rottunda, Valley Bookseller, Stillwater, MN

The Bones Beneath My Skin
By TJ Klune
(Tor Books, 9781250890436, $29.99, Feb. 4, Fantasy)
“As a man facing the loss of his job and his family, he returns to a secluded cabin in the woods to find he is not alone. The characters, in true Klune form, were vibrant and the world is vivid. It is so easy to recommend this book.”
—Brady Parkin, The King’s English Bookshop, Salt Lake City, UT

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales
By Heather Fawcett
(Del Rey, 9780593500224, $29, Feb. 11, Fantasy)
“A conclusion to the trilogy that invites old friends back, shows us new parts of the beautifully bizarre and macabre Faerie world, and has Emily Wilde come into her own as a scholar, a partner, and a monarch. Fawcett concludes this series with a flourish!”
—Emily Gilbow, House of Books, Kent, CT

Tartufo
By Kira Jane Buxton
(Grand Central Publishing, 9781538770818, $29, Jan. 28, Fiction)
“Tartufo is the ideal breakout novel for readers who don’t know Kira Jane Buxton. Replace talking crows and apocalyptic futures with a Tuscan village that’s seen better days and a truffle of epic proportions. A book that’s sure to delight!”
—Susan Tunis, Bookshop West Portal, San Francisco, CA

First-Time Caller (Heartstrings #1)
By B.K. Borison
(Berkley, 9780593641194, Paperback, $19, Feb. 11, Romance)
“B.K. Borison climbed into my brain and pulled out my most vulnerable thoughts on love. I’ve never felt more called out by a romance in the absolute best way. The world needs more Sleepless In Seattle moments, and First Time Caller is truly the best!”
—Emily Morgan, The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, MO

Out of the Woods: A Novel
By Hannah Bonam-Young
(Dell, 9780593871867, Paperback, $18, Jan. 28, Romance)
“Out of the Woods is one of the best marriage-in-distress romances I have ever read. Not only do we get to see Sarah and Caleb work on things, but we also get to see where it all started. Have tissues handy — Bonam-Young’s writing is beautiful.”
—Preet Singh, Eagle Eye Book Shop, Decatur, GA

Memorial Days: A Memoir
By Geraldine Brooks
(Viking, 9780593653982, $28, Feb. 4, Memoir)
“Memorial Days is a beautifully written story of grief over the loss of a spouse. I appreciate how honest Brooks is with her grief, addressing her regrets as well as her intense love for her partner. This book will stay with me for some time.”
—Daniel Jordan, Pearl’s Books, Fayetteville, AR

A Forty Year Kiss: A Novel
By Nickolas Butler
(Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781464221248, $27.99, Feb. 4, Romance)
“Can a love be rekindled after forty years? Charlie has been living with regrets since the ending of his first marriage to Vivian. He arranges a meeting to find out if she’s still the one. A Forty Year Kiss is a tale of love, hope, and change.”
—Mary McBride, Monstera’s Books, Overland Park, KS

Blob: A Love Story (Indies Introduce)
By Maggie Su
(Harper, 9780063358645, $26.99, Jan. 28, Fiction)
“Sure, Vi finds a sentient blob outside of a drag show in her Midwest college town, and sure she tries to turn that blob into the perfect boyfriend.  But at its core, Blob is about falling back in love with the parts of yourself that you thought you lost forever.”
—Mikey LaFave, Avid Bookshop, Athens, GA

The Lamb: A Novel
By Lucy Rose
(Harper, 9780063374607, $27.99, Feb. 4, Fiction)
“A coming-of-age story meets the cabin-in-the-woods cannibalism trope. The senses are engaged for a moody, atmospheric ride spattered in blood and rot as Margot makes sense in a world of neglectful trauma and relative isolation.”
—Danielle Smith, Auntie’s Bookstore, Spokane, WA

The Harder I Fight the More I Love You: A Memoir
By Neko Case
(Grand Central Publishing, 9781538710500, $30, Jan. 28, Memoir)
“Electric, angry, joyful, scrappy, and full of life. The Harder I Fight the More I Love You is a powerful work that is moving even if you are not familiar with Neko’s music. A celebration of the power of art and being our true selves in the world.”
—Caleb Masters, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC

Mutual Interest
By Olivia Wolfgang-Smith
(Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639733323, $28.99, Feb. 4, Historical Fiction)
“Using a marriage of convenience as the framework for this layered portrait of queer love, Wolfgang-Smith’s historical fiction feels timeless yet speaks perfectly to the present. Mutual Interest feels new and unexpected in the best way.”
—David Vogel, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI

The Queens of Crime: A Novel
By Marie Benedict
(St. Martin’s Press, 9781250280756, $29, Feb. 11, Historical Fiction)
“Crime writer Dorothy Sayers gathers four actual female mystery novelists (including Agatha Christie!) to solve the murder of a young nurse. Through language, costume, and ambiance, Benedict once again brings the 1930s to life. Wonderful!”
—Mindy Ostrow, The River’s End Bookstore, Oswego, NY

Penitence: A Novel
By Kristin Koval
(Celadon Books, 9781250342997, $28.99, Jan. 28, Fiction)
“Penitence tells the story of a small town Colorado murder, woven with the guilt and anger of another loss from many years ago. Touching on youth incarceration, families, love, and trust, this debut makes me want to see what Kristin Koval will bring next.”
—Gail Dickson, The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn, IL

Idle Grounds: A Novel
By Krystelle Bamford
(Scribner, 9781668070451, $26.99, Feb. 11, Fiction)
“Prepare to be consumed by this eerie debut. A group of cousins venture into an impenetrable forest in search of a missing child from their group. Like many youthful escapades, their mystery is much more innocent than the one they uncover.”
—Melissa Sagendorph, Harvard Book Store, Cambridge, MA

Last Twilight in Paris
By Pam Jenoff
(Park Row, 9780778307983, $28.99, Feb. 4, Historical Fiction)
“Last Twilight in Paris is another incredible historical fiction novel by Pam Jenoff, detailing Lévitan, a department store in the middle of Paris during WWII that was used as a Nazi labor camp. Captivating, moving, and fast-paced!”
—Kathy Morrison, Newtown Bookshop, Newtown, PA

Too Soon: A Novel
By Betty Shamieh
(Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, 9781668046548, $28.99, Jan. 28, Fiction)
“Too Soon explores love and freedom in the confines of history through three Palestinian American women: Arabella travels to the West Bank to direct a gender-swapped Hamlet, her grandmother Zoya’s flight from the Nakba in 1948 Jaffa, and her mother Naya’s life in a forced marriage.”
—Olivia Marchese, Author’s Note, Medina, NY

Beartooth
By Callan Wink
(Spiegel & Grau, 9781954118027, $28, Feb. 11, Action & Adventure)
“Callan Wink has an ability to describe the look and smell of a setting like I’ve never experienced. This is the story of two brothers fighting to survive in a modern West by partaking in an illegal poaching trade. A suspenseful and timely family novel.”
—Josie Williams, Invitation Bookshop, Gig Harbor, WA

Waiting for the Long Night Moon: Stories
By Amanda Peters
(Catapult, 9781646222599, $27, Feb. 11, Short Stories)
“This short story collection is filled with stunning prose, ranging chronologies, and characters that will stick with you after even the shortest vignette. A beautiful homage and moving contribution to the lineage of Indigenous storytelling.”
—Camille Thornton, The Bookshop, Nashville, TN

elseship: an unrequited affair
By Tree Abraham
(Soft Skull, 9781593767853, Paperback, $19.95, Jan. 28, Autobiography)
“Tree Abraham’s elseship recounts a tale of unrequited love between her and her housemate via striking prose and mixed media visuals. This book serves as both an emotional autopsy of the heart and a case study of true unconditional love.”
—Emma Fong, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA

The 6 Now in Paperback Titles

Anna O: A Novel
By Matthew Blake
(Harper Paperbacks, 9780063314146, $18.99, Feb. 25, Thriller)
“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

The Book of Love: A Novel
By Kelly Link
(Random House Trade Paperbacks, 9780812986501, $20, Feb. 11, Fantasy)
“What can’t Kelly Link do? Seriously, this novel blew me away. It is brimming with magic and surrealism and weirdness (in true Kelly Link fashion), as well as the most heartfelt warmth and intimacy and sincerity. 10s across the board.”
—Amali Gordon-Buxbaum, Books Are Magic, Brooklyn, NY

Expiration Dates: A Novel
By Rebecca Serle
(Atria Books, 9781982166830, $17.99, Feb. 4, Fiction)
“I came for Rebecca Serle’s signature magical realism and romance, and stayed for the free will vs. determinism conversation. A quick, enjoyable read that I cried during. Love is a net. It can catch you long after someone is gone.”
—Lindsay Makowicki, Bank Square Books, Mystic, CT

The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson: A Novel
By Ellen Baker
(Mariner Books, 9780063351219, $18.99, Feb. 25, Historical Fiction)
“Rich, vibrant and full of atmosphere, The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson drew me in from the first page. An intricately layered portrait of family, identity, and survival. Cecily will steal your heart!”
—Maxwell Gregory, Madison Street Books, Chicago, IL

The Storm We Made: A Novel (Indies Introduce)
By Vanessa Chan
(S&S/Marysue Rucci Books, 9781668015155, $18.99, Feb. 11, Fiction)
“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

The Warm Hands of Ghosts: A Novel
By Katherine Arden
(Del Rey, 9780593128275, $19, Jan. 28, Historical Fantasy)
“If anyone is going to get me to read a WWI novel, it’s Katherine Arden, and thank goodness she did. The pages sparkle with grief and magic, heartbreak and love, death and life. This one will stick with me.”
—Margaret McCampbell, Reads & Company, Phoenixville, PA