Indies Introduce Summer/Fall 2023 Titles

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Fiction

  • Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea, Rita Chang-Eppig
    Bloomsbury, 9781639730377, May 30, 2023 (Fiction)

    “A historical epic adventure featuring a fierce, ruthless Pirate Queen, interspersed with rich Chinese folklore? Yes please! Based on a real life person, this tale told in beautiful prose is the story of one woman’s path to survive against all odds.”

    —Alana Haley, Schuler Books, Grand Rapids, MI
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • And Then He Sang a Lullaby, Ani Kayode
    Roxane Gay Books, 9780802160751, June 6, 2023 (Fiction)

    “Heartbreaking yet hopeful, And Then He Sang a Lullaby is an incredibly powerful debut for fans of The Death of Vivek Oji. August and Segun are two young college students in Nigeria seeking intimacy and connection while fighting against internal and societal shame and homophobia.”

    —Christine Bollow, Loyalty Bookstores, Washington, DC
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • At the Edge of the Woods, Kathryn Bromwich
    Two Dollar Radio, 9781953387318, June 6, 2023 (Fiction)

    “Earthy, sensuous, and feminist. Through extraordinary nature writing, Bromwich addresses fertility, culture, class, illness, and community. Tense and witchy, this is a story of one woman who lives on her own terms. Glorious.”

    —Beth Shapiro, Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, MO
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • Lucky Red, Claudia Cravens
    The Dial Press, 9780593498248, June 20, 2023 (Fiction)

    “Set in the heart of the American West, Claudia Cravens’ debut novel, Lucky Red, is best described as True Grit by way of Sarah Waters. It’s a delightfully queer and sexy subversion of the western genre that puts a charismatic and hard-hearted harlot front and center.”

    —Rachael Conrad, PRINT: A Bookstore, Portland, ME
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • Banyan Moon, Thao Thai
    Mariner Books, 9780063267107, June 27, 2023 (Fiction)

    “Delicately expressed from the lenses of Minh, Huong, and Ann, three generations of fierce and enigmatic Vietnamese American women, Banyan Moon is a rich and sweeping narrative that shows us the complexities of family, the tenderness that humans owe to one another, and our determination to break toxic cycles.”

    —Thu Doan, East Bay Booksellers, Oakland, CA
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • The Militia House, John Milas
    Henry Holt and Co., 9781250857064, July 11, 2023 (Fiction)

    “A thrilling debut horror story and a commentary on the lasting impact of war on soldiers. Upon first glance, the story centers on a seemingly routine deployment for an American unit in Afghanistan, but everything changes the minute the soldiers step inside the militia house, an abandoned Soviet-era barracks.”

    —Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • I Will Greet the Sun Again, Khashayar J. Khabushani
    Hogarth, 9780593243305, August 1, 2023 (Fiction)

    “I am absolutely awestruck by this debut. A tale of sexual and cultural awakening that unfolds in slow time, with a beauty and easy lilt that instill a sense of great peace. Khabushani paints a compassionate portrait of youth with an immediacy and generosity that make this book universal.”

    —Wesley Minter, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • Shark Heart, Emily Habeck
    Marysue Rucci Books, 9781668006498, August 8, 2023 (Fiction)

    “A heart-wrenching look at loss and love, motherhood and growth. Featuring gorgeous prose and an intriguing magical realism approach, this novel was captivating and moving.”

    —Mallory Melton, BookPeople, Austin, TX
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • Every Drop is a Man's Nightmare, Megan Kamalei Kakimoto
    Bloomsbury, 9781639731169, August 29, 2023 (Fiction)

    “Overflowing with female sexuality and Hawaiian mythology, Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare punches out one fearless story after the next. Kakimoto gives us a raw, intense Hawai'i, one that exists far from the touristy, colonized romanticism often promoted.”

    —Beth Shapiro, Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, MO
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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Non-Fiction

  • Rivermouth: A Chronicle of Language, Faith, and Migration, Alejandra Oliva
    Astra House, 9781662601699, June 20, 2023 (Non-Fiction)

    “Rivermouth examines the immigrant journey from beginning to end. It is a personal, human centric account of our system, how broken it is, and how it fails us all. The author, herself Mexican-American, bi-lingual, with a foot planted in two worlds, is ideally suited to frame the discussion.”

    —Alana Haley, Schuler’s Books, Grand Rapids, MI
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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Middle Grade

  • The Kingdom Over the Sea, Zohra Nabi
    Margaret K. McElderry Books, 9781665931083, June 6, 2023 (Middle Grade)

    “An homage to 1001 Arabian Nights, Yara seeks answers concerning her late mother which leads her to the fictional nation of Zehaira and a magical quest for the truth. A fantastical story steeped in cultural folklore and myth.”

    —Gerard Villegas, Auntie’s Bookstore, Spokane, WA
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • I Am Kavi, Thushanthi Ponweera
    Holiday House, 9780823453658, September 19, 2023 (Middle Grade)

    “Sometimes our dreams come true in unexpected ways. Kavi wants to make a better life for herself and her mother, and to leave her stepfather behind. When her mother sends her to this ‘better life’ on her own, Kavi decides to reinvent herself with drastic consequences.”

    —Kathy Burnette, Brain Lair Books, South Bend, IN
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • Jawbreaker, Christina Wyman
    Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR, 9780374389697/9781250331021, October 24, 2023 (Middle Grade)

    “Layered with preteen angst, family dynamics, the power of friendships and allies, consequences, and self-confidence, this book was instantly relatable and down to earth. Jawbreaker gives an honest, raw look at everyday issues in an occasionally humorous way, but also candidly exposes a covert form of bullying and being ‘othered.’”

    —Zsamé Morgan, Babycake’s Book Stack, St. Paul, MN
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • Tagging Freedom, Rhonda Roumani
    Union Square Kids, 9781454950714 / 9781454950721, November 7, 2023 (Middle Grade)

    “A great introduction into social activism and using your voice in a positive way. You’ll cheer on and develop serious empathy for Samira and Kareem as they navigate dual cultures, cluelessly offensive classmates, and bullies.”

    —Susan Reckers, Rakestraw Books, Danville, CA
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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Young Adult

  • An Echo in the City, K.X Song
    Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316396820, June 20, 2023 (Young Adult)

    “An Echo in the City is a brilliant, moving, coming-of-age story about two teens on the opposite sides of the 2019 Hong Kong protests, trying to figure out their place in the bigger picture. A must read for young activists and fans of Like a Love Story.”

    —Abby Rice, Title IX: A Bookstore, Mystic, CT
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • Sing Me to Sleep, Gabi Burton
    Bloomsbury, 9781547610372, June 27, 2023 (Young Adult)

    “Sing Me to Sleep is a fantasy novel you can sink into and finish in a day. The will-they-won’t-they banter and chemistry between Saoirse and the Prince will give you goosebumps. Not to mention the non-stop fight to overthrow a corrupt kingdom is sure to have you frantically turning the pages and gasping at the twists and turns along the way.”

    —Jody Hardy, Mostly Books, Tucson, AZ
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • Give Me a Sign, Anna Sortino
    G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 9780593533796, July 11, 2023 (Young Adult)

    "Sortino seamlessly blends spoken & signed dialogue, highlights a myriad of systemic issues the Deaf community faces, and showcases community thriving around disability differences. A sweet, summery coming-of-age story (with a hint of romance) that’s equal parts fun and important!”

    —Talia Smart, Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, NC
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • Their Vicious Games, Joelle Wellington
    Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665922425, July 25, 2023 (Young Adult)

    “After Adina slips and risks her Ivy League chances by getting into a fight, she’s tapped to join the mysterious Finish to compete against other girls for a shot at the patronage of the Remingtons. Gripping from the first page to the last, Their Vicious Games is an absolutely thrilling read about female friendship, privilege, and just what we’re willing to do to get ahead.”

    —Abby Rice, Title IX: A Bookstore, Mystic, CT
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • The Borrow a Boyfriend Club, Page Powars
    Delacorte Press, 9780593568583, September 12, 2023 (Young Adult)

    “The Borrow a Boyfriend Club is an enemy-to-lovers rom-com at its finest. Filled with plenty of humorous and laugh-out loud antics, this book is sure to sweep you off your feet. The characters are authentic and complex as they all try to fit into high school as well as figuring out who they are.”

    —Jody Hardy, Mostly Books, Tucson, AZ
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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  • All the Fighting Parts, Hannah V. Sawyerr
    Amulet Books, 9781419762611, September 19, 2023 (Young Adult)

    “This novel in verse sucks you in with the fast flow and strong voice, a bull horn for those who have experienced SA and who cannot fight for themselves.”

    —Liz Decker, Caprichos Books, Ocean Pines, MD
    Additional blurb(s) available here

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