Staff Picks
For more recommendations, check out:
Indie Bestsellers
Indie Next List
Kids Indie Next List
Reading Group Indie Next List
A fascinating look at the critical first year of a puppy's life and how it forms the dog they are to become. Anyone who has a dog can't imagine the family without them but we forget that they start their lives without us, in a family of their own. Slowly they begin to see, smell, and make sense of this world. It's this first year of experiences and interactions that make them who they are. The author follows the development of several pups including her own named "Quid". She takes the time to point out the physical, mental and emotional milestones in their journey to adulthood, and her writing easily transitions from the silly to the science. I give it two paws up!. (Bob)
Set in the late 1970’s in an affluent neighborhood, a well off wife & mother of two children seemingly has everything she could wish for. Then a mysterious man enters her life during a chilling string of serial child murders & Hannah’s life gradually becomes unmoored. I found this novel to be dark & engrossing; and it is very dark. Oates is great at building suspense & creating very human, unpredictable characters that sometimes make you want to wave them away from impending catastrophe or simply shake your head at their blithe ignorance. (Kim)
Even tight-knit families can be torn apart by secrets and there are plenty of those in the Brennan clan. Sunday, her three brothers, their father, and her ex-boyfriend who is part of the family are trying to keep the family's pub open while also opening a second pub in a new location. When a threat from their past returns and tries to bring them all down, they become a united front, but still each with their own agendas, things to hide, and past mistakes to to correct. The different personalities of the characters add a great dimension to the story and I enjoyed this read very much. (Sue)
Allison Parker is on the run with her teenage daughter, Hannah, and Colter Shaw has been hired by her eccentric boss, entrepreneur Marty Harmon, to find and protect her. As he searches for them, her ex-husband, a former police officer, has just been released from prison and he's looking for them too. A deadly game of cat and mouse this story had many twists and turns to keep the reader wondering who is the one who wants Hannah and her daughter dead and why. A fast, addictive read that will keep you guessing until the very end! (Lisa)
Jodi Picoult never disappoints, and this collaboration with Jennifer Finney Boylan exceeded my expectations. A rich family drama with elements of suspense and a profound commentary on love, secrets, and relationships. The two authors’ voices blend seamlessly into those of Olivia, Asher, and Lily, all of whom have moved to a small town in New Hampshire searching for a fresh start. Their overlapping stories unfold with the pace of a thriller, but also with emotion and insight into the characters’ feelings about the dynamics of their complex relationships, and their place in the world. I was hooked from the first page, and couldn’t put this one down. (Michelle)
With a new take on a fairly traditional fantasy romance trope, this book tells the story of Velasin and Caethari, pushed into a political marriage neither of them were expecting. This story is, all at once, an exploration of Byzantine politics, gender, identity, and self-worth. It caught me off guard in the best way possible. This is the first in a series to be called The Tithenai Chronicles, and I cannot wait to see where the story takes these dynamic and intriguing characters.(Carrie)
A fast-paced who-done-it about a very wealthy and extremely dysfunctional family that keeps you guessing to the end. The Merton family from Brecken Hill, NY had plenty of money, but no happiness or love amongst themselves and when the parents are found brutally murdered there are plenty of suspects, including their 3 adult children, that have been trampled on over the years and all have a motive. Great characters and deception that leave you cringing throughout. (Sue)
The story of the Demarest family told through 3 different time periods in their lives and set mainly in Haven Point, Maine, a small coastal community similar to the one I spent my summers at on the Jersey shore. If you weren't born there or spent the entirety of every summer there, you were an outcast and treated as such. While Oliver Demarest was secure in the folds of Haven Point, his wife and children were not, which causes great stress and major problems for the family as the years go by. A quirky cast of characters, a beautiful setting, and a very relatable family make this a terrific read. (Sue)
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I thought it was going to be all about this epic annual party at a Malibu mansion, but that turned out to be the secondary plot. The story is really about the Riva family, four siblings, their proud mother, and their deadbeat famous father. It is about their survival, despair, ingenuity, and many twisted relationships. It does culminate in the annual party that the oldest sibling Nina throws at her beach estate, which is everything you think about when you hear about an LA party. A fun, but very poignant read in which I found myself rooting for the Riva's happiness. You will have to read it to see if they get there. (Sue)
"The Second Mrs. Astor" is a beautifully written historical fiction novel about Madeleine Force, a young debutante, and Colonel John Jacob "Jack" Astor, a member of American royalty. Their scandalous courtship due her youth and his divorce from his first wife, their extended honeymoon in Europe and Egypt and their fateful sailing on RMS Titanic kept me riveted as Madeleine tells their story to her infant son. This heartbreaking, well researched story made me want to learn more about this famous couple beyond its tragic end. If you love reading about the Gilded Age, the Titanic or a just love historical fiction, you should read "The Second Mrs. Astor". (Lisa)
What a wonderful book! Every once in a while, you read a book about a place, job or business you'd love to be a part of Island Books from the delightful The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is one of those places. The story begins with a late-thirties aged man who is wallowing in grief after losing his beloved wife to cancer. All he wants to do is get fall down drunk at least once a week until their little bookstore fails, and he can move on. However, a theft of his rare book security cushion and an unexpected item left in his store change his life. I loved reading about A.J.'s journey back from despair to becoming a better person and better member of the community. My favorite part of the book is how the power of reading helps transform not only A.J.'s life but also the lives of those around him. They've made this into a movie but remember the book is always better! (Lisa)
As a little girl raised amid the hardships of Michigan's Copper Country, Fenna Vos learned to focus on her own survival. Ultimately, controlling her surroundings and eluding traps of every kind helps her keep a lingering trauma at bay. Recruited by British intelligence during World War II, she uses her skills of magic and misdirection to develop gadgets for prisoners of war and escapees to aid in the fight against the Nazis. I was drawn into Feena's journey from a young child being raised by her father to the resourceful, courageous woman she becomes using all her skills to save the lives of those she loves. Inspired by those inventive people behind the scenes who worked tirelessly to thwart the Nazis, Kristina McMorris weaves a riveting, action packed tale that kept me on the edge of my seat especially during Fenna's perilous mission to the Netherlands. One of the best historical fiction books I've read all year! (Lisa)
This story about a married couple who find themselves so at odds that they decide to take a yearlong break, with virtually no contact, is one that will tug at your heartstrings and make you think a lot about family, love, and commitment. It’s very character-driven, and I loved the characters, even when I questioned their decisions and actions. Although the topic is not lighthearted, it’s an easy read and a great escape from the world, as you’ll find yourself completely wrapped up in the ever-changing relationship dynamics. This was my first foray in Taylor Jenkins Reid novels, and it definitely won’t be my last! (Michelle)
This book captures the feel of a coastal Maine summer, while telling a captivating story about family. Louisa and her three kids are spending the summer with her parents at her family home in midcoast Maine, awaiting the arrival of her husband, whose work with his startup business has held him back at their NY apartment. Shortly after their arrival, they cross paths with newcomer to the town Kristie. As the story unfolds and the summer weeks fly by, secrets and past relationships come to light that threaten to unravel everything that Louisa has built and the future she has planned. A classic summer beach read, and will especially capture the heart of anyone who has spent time in the beautiful state of Maine. (Michelle)
A thrilling combination of history, personal drama, compelling characters, and suspense that will keep you absolutely riveted from the very first page. Actress Katie Barstow and her husband bring a group of their Hollywood friends to the Serengeti for what they anticipate will be a glamorous, luxurious adventure. Those visions evaporate when their camp is attacked, a kidnapping is botched, and the group is unwittingly thrust into the midst of an international incident. Every chapter of the book offers a different character's point of view, and the backdrop of the Serengeti becomes a character of its own. Bohjalian has a way of immersing you into the landscape and time period he's writing about, and he has done so especially masterfully in The Lioness-I may have been sitting on my couch reading, but almost found myself looking over my shoulder to check for hyenas a few times! The perfect combination of historical fiction and suspense, and the kind of book you can't stop thinking about, even long after you've finished it. (Michelle)
This young adult novel took me by surprise. The Centennial is here once more, and Isla, the ruler of the Wildling realm, must compete to break the curse put on all the realms and the island of Lightlark. After being kept hidden for most of her life because of a secret she must never reveal, Isla is more than excited to be on her own during the competition. Things go well until she finds out about the deadly secrets the other rulers have been keeping and is told by an oracle that she is surrounded by liars. A unique book with mildly mature content and a twist at the end that will have you wanting for the next book in the series. (Carrie)
I was instantly invested in this young adult novel by Sci-Fi author T.J. Klune. Nick and his group of friends are in high school when Before becomes After and everything changes. Suddenly there are superheroes in Nova City, and Nick finds himself infatuated with one of them. But what happens when he finds out who is behind the mask? Part of what has endeared me to this author is how he keeps his style of writing the same for both adults and young adults, he simply writes about different topics. His ability to create wonderfully flawed and realistic characters who identify as queer and neurodivergent will resonate with readers of all ages. (Carrie)
This book surprised me. I started it as something to wind down with at the end of the day, but quickly turned into something I looked forward to reading. Tyson discusses the different social issues facing us today and how they affect us as a species, a planet, and a universe.With compelling and easy to understand language, Tyson helps us all understand our place in the greater scheme of things. (Carrie)
A great sprawling tale about real life pilot Marian Graves & the actress, Hadley Baxter, who plays her in a film nearly 100 years after Marian's death. Along the way we learn about Marian's difficult start in life, her family in Montana, and her obsession with planes from childhood. We also learn about Hadley's life and how the two women, seemingly so different, share much in common. There are frequent digressions, too, concerning the natural history of Montana & the Graves family & the history of aviation. Plenty of action & great character development makes this a good one for long summer days. (Kim)