The June 2024 Indie Next List Preview

Here are the 25 Indie Next List and 6 Now in Paperback picks on the June 2024 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 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: Fire Exit: A Novel
By Morgan Talty
(Tin House Books, 9781959030553, $28.95, June 4, Fiction)
“A gorgeous and all-consuming novel, Fire Exit lays bare the consequences of one man’s decisions, and his resolve to reconcile his past by taking care of his aging mother and seeking a connection with his unknown daughter. Unforgettable.”
—Olivia Marchese, Author's Note, Medina, NY

The Rom-Commers: A Novel
By Katherine Center
(St. Martin’s Press, 9781250283801, $29, June 11, Romance)
“I adored this book: the Hollywood setting, the grumpy/sunshine romance, and the characters who felt incredibly real. Center nails the inner-world of her characters and kept me turning pages with genuine concern and fluttering hope.”
—Joanna Roddy, Roundabout Books, Bend, OR

Swift River: A Novel
By Essie Chambers
(Simon & Schuster, 9781668027912, $27.99, June 4, Fiction)
“Swift River will be canon for those who want to learn more about biracial experiences. Essie Chambers thoughtfully pulls the curtain back on coming of age with a parent who loves you but, due to race, is incapable of understanding your experience.”
—Destinee Hodge, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC

A Good Life: A Novel
By Virginie Grimaldi, Hildegarde Serle (Transl.)
(Europa Editions, 9798889660248, $28, May 28, Fiction)
“Can’t wait to introduce Agathe and Emma to our customers! Grimaldi takes us inside a family — delicately, expertly, and respectfully inside a bond between sisters. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you'll never forget their story.”
—Susan Reckers, Rakestraw Books, Danville, CA

Exhibit: A Novel
By R. O. Kwon
(Riverhead Books, 9780593190029, $28, May 21, Fiction)
“There is so much in this layered 200-page gem of a novel about a pair of new artist friends — a photographer struggling through a creative block, and a successful ballerina recovering from a serious injury — and their desires. Completely absorbing.”
—Kalani Kapahua, Third Place Books-Ravenna, Seattle, WA

The Guncle Abroad: A Novel
By Steven Rowley
(G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 9780593540459, $29, May 21, Fiction)
“Guncle fans rejoice: this sequel brings back all the wry humor, miscommunication, grief, and joy of connection. Patrick’s brother’s impending marriage reunites the family, even as it threatens to split them apart. A reader's delight.”
—Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books, Davidson, NC

Triple Sec: A Novel
By TJ Alexander
(Atria/Emily Bestler Books, 9781668021989, $18.99, Paperback, June 4, Romance)
“TJ Alexander is a master of writing interesting, believable characters in love; in this book, you get three instead of two! The characters have realistic struggles, but the book never gets mired down and remains charming throughout.”
—Shana Hausman, All She Wrote Books, Somerville, MA

Bright and Tender Dark: A Novel
By Joanna Pearson
(Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639732890, $28.99, June 4, Thriller)
“A literary murder mystery with unexpected twists. It’s been 20 years since Karlie, Joy's friend, was murdered. Will a long-forgotten letter Joy finds from Karlie help reopen the case? A great read for book clubs true crime fans.”
—Karin Pinto, Second Flight Books, Lafayette, IN

The Fireborne Blade
By Charlotte Bond
(Tordotcom, 9781250290311, $20.99, May 28, Fantasy)
“A sapphic fantasy full of lady knights, fiery dragons, and powerful magic. With chapters outlining historical dragon slayings and interlacing past and present chapters, this is a full and lively fantasy world that you won’t want to leave.”
—Kelly Orazi, Mysterious Galaxy Books, San Diego, CA

Swiped: A Novel
By L. M. Chilton
(Gallery/Scout Press, 9781668045701, $27.99, May 21, Thriller)
“Twisty, smart, and kept me guessing until the very end — and the absolute skewering of dating apps is so entertaining. I felt breathless page after page as Gwen races around town to find a serial killer. Loved it!”
—Carolyn Hutton, Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary & Garden Arts, Berkeley, CA

The Safekeep: A Novel
By Yael van der Wouden
(Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, 9781668034347, $28.99, May 28, Fiction)
“A suspenseful story of two women forced to stay in a house in the Dutch countryside. This novel gives tremendous insight on how the Dutch handled the repercussions of the Holocaust, and how a generation lost affects those who survive.”
—Josie Williams, Invitation Bookshop, Gig Harbor, WA

The Last Murder at the End of the World: A Novel
By Stuart Turton
(Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781728254654, $27.99, May 21, Thriller)
“A fast-paced thriller set on the last place humanity occupies on planet Earth. A murder has occurred, and the villagers must follow the evidence after all their memories of that night are wiped. A must-read for futuristic mystery fans.”
—Sarah Harmuth Letke, Redbery Books, Cable, WI

Just Some Stupid Love Story: A Novel
By Katelyn Doyle
(Flatiron Books, 9781250328090, $28.99, June 4, Romance)
“Just Some Stupid Love Story had me blushing, kicking my feet, and laughing out loud. We love an emotionally mature king and Seth is absolutely that. Molly’s sense of dry humor is every black cat’s inner monologue. A knockout debut rom-com!”
—Chelsea Semonco, Four Seasons Books, Shepherdstown, WV

One Perfect Couple: A Novel
By Ruth Ware
(Gallery/Scout Press, 9781668025598, $29.99, May 21, Thriller)
“This book is the perfect summer beach read! Ruth Ware has crafted a modern locked-room mystery. Imagine being picked for a Survivor/Love Island type of show — except instead of being sent home one by one, the cast is murdered!”
—Luana Collin, Highland Books, Brevard, NC

Summer Romance: A Novel
By Annabel Monaghan
(G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 9780593714089, $19, Paperback, June 4, Romance)
“I so thoroughly enjoyed this! Ali finds herself again after losing her mother and filing for divorce. Such huge losses in life that can affect you in such harmful ways — Ali rebuilds, rediscovers herself, and chooses a vibrant life again.”
—Becky Schlosser, Cherry Street Books, Alexandria, MN

When Among Crows
By Veronica Roth
(Tor Books, 9781250855480, $19.99, May 14, Fantasy)
“Veronica Roth masterfully blends myth, modern-day Chicago, and the magic of the old country in this enthralling tale. This was the fantasy novella I didn’t know I needed!”
—Sammie Virella, Anderson’s Bookshops, Naperville, IL

Soldier Sailor: A Novel 
By Claire Kilroy
(Scribner, 9781668051801, $26.99, June 4, Fiction)
“Compelling, incredibly readable, and brought me immediately back to all the overwhelming feelings of the earliest days of motherhood. This book is stunning.”
—Laura Sharp, Literally, A Bookshop, Gilbert, AZ

I Hope This Finds You Well: A Novel
By Natalie Sue
(William Morrow, 9780063320369, $28, May 21, Fiction)
“Absolutely loved this read. The characters and the situations are completely recognizable — I have worked with these people, I have been these people. They are at once funny, human, lovable, and cringe, but I rooted for them all the way through!”
—Amy Shaughnessy, Brazos Bookstore, Houston, TX

Tehrangeles: A Novel
By Porochista Khakpour
(Pantheon, 9781524747909, $28, June 11, Fiction)
“Porochista Khakpour’s turn to fiction is no less smart and biting. Couched in this larger-than-life novel about an uber-rich Iranian American family on the brink of reality TV fame, Khakpour’s satire doubles as deluxe, ridiculous, heartfelt fun.”
—Melinda Powers, Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

Cactus Country: A Boyhood Memoir (Indies Introduce)
By Zoë Bossiere
(Abrams Press, 9781419773181, $27, May 21, Memoir)
“A moving memoir that illustrates what it feels like to be othered when your way of being doesn’t align with societal norms of masculinity and femininity. Bossiere captures the hot, dusty wildness of Cactus Country, a wildness mirrored in young Zoë.”
—Bryanne Hoeg, Powell's Books, Portland, OR

Middletide: A Novel
By Sarah Crouch
(Atria Books, 9781668035092, $27.99, June 11, Thriller)
“Sarah Crouch’s descriptive debut puts the reader right into the outdoors. The initial investigation of a suicide evolves into murder. Dual timelines converge when Elijah is arrested. A gripping tale of love, revenge, and redemption.”
—Connie L. Eaton, Three Sisters Books & Gifts, Shelbyville, IN

I’ve Tried Being Nice: Essays
By Ann Leary
(S&S/Marysue Rucci Books, 9781982120344, $28.99, June 4, Essays)
“Snarky, honest, and thoughtful — maybe Ann should be the more famous spouse! This brilliant collection will have you smiling, wiping away a tear, and staring into the distance. A wonderful jaunt with an author you should get to know better!”
—Hilary Kotecki, The Doylestown & Lahaska Bookshops, Doylestown, PA

Service: A Novel
By Sarah Gilmartin
(Pushkin Press, 9781911590828, $16.95, Paperback, June 4, Fiction)
“Service is slender, devastating, both timeless and inescapably pertinent to life now. This is destined to become canon for books about the underbelly of the hospitality industry and a cornerstone book about people who prey on women.”
—Camden Avery, The Booksmith, San Francisco, CA

One of Our Kind: A Novel
By Nicola Yoon
(Knopf, 9780593470671, $28, June 11, Thriller)
“Building on a great tradition of suburb horror, Yoon’s suspenseful book is filled with page-turning terror and thoughtful, timely ruminations on race — what it means to be Black in America and how to survive, thrive and stay true.”
—Stefanie Kiper, Water Street Bookstore, Exeter, NH

Out of the Sierra: A Story of Rarámuri Resistance (Indies Introduce)
By Victoria Blanco
(Coffee House Press, 9781566896535, $19.95, Paperback, June 11, History)
“A delicately told account of the Rarámuri, a Native people of Mexico, that honors their history, traditions, and culture, and one family’s story as they adapt to modern Mexican life. Poetic yet journalistic, dramatic yet quiet, devastating but hopeful.”
—Luis Correa, Avid Bookshop, Athens, GA

The 6 Now in Paperback Titles

Beyond That, the Sea: A Novel
By Laura Spence-Ash
(Celadon Books, 9781250854391, $18.99, May 7, Fiction)
“When a family takes in a young British girl during World War II, she changes their lives and they change hers. Summers on a Maine island add to the wonder of the story. Told over decades and on both sides of the ocean, this story captured me.”
—Sue Boucher, The Cottage Book Shop, Glen Arbor, MI

The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man
By David Von Drehle
(Simon & Schuster, 9781476773933, $18.99, May 21, 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

Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea: A Novel (Indies Introduce)
By Rita Chang-Eppig
(Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639734085, $18.99, May 28, 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

Lucky Red: A Novel (Indies Introduce)
By Claudia Cravens
(Dial Press Trade Paperbacks, 9780593498262, $18, June 4, Fiction)
“Set in a late 1800s Dodge City, a young woman is caught up in other people’s expectations. Lucky Red is about carving your own way in a world that wants to keep you under its thumb. A thrilling western full of grit, passion, and whiskey!”
—Jen Steele, Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee, WI

Shark Heart: A Love Story (Indies Introduce)
By Emily Habeck
(S&S/Marysue Rucci Books, 9781668006504, $18.99, Jun. 4, Fiction)
“Shark Heart is fascinating. The premise — some people genetically mutate into wild animal species — is told through stunning, poetic prose. Wholly original, heartbreaking yet hopeful, it explores how one woman meets loss with love.”
—Alana Haley, Schuler Books, Grand Rapids, MI

You Could Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir
By Maggie Smith
(Atria/One Signal Publishers, 9781982185862, $19.99, Jun. 4, Memoir)
“Maggie Smith’s first memoir digs deeper into her life after divorce. The writer zooms in close and then offers wider shots, back and forth, to slowly reveal her heart, and in the process, she discovers her power to create something new.”
—Linda Kass, Gramercy Books, Bexley, OH