The November 2022 Indie Next List Preview

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

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

The 25 November Indie Next List Picks

#1 Pick: We Are the Light: A Novel
By Matthew Quick
(Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, 9781668005422, $27.99, Nov. 1, Fiction)
“Matthew Quick scores a perfect 10 in this deeply stirring, gorgeously hopeful novel that shines a brilliant beam on the path out of grief and toward healing. May we all learn the way to be such lights from this remarkable guide.”
—Beth Stroh, Viewpoint Books, Columbus, IN

Now Is Not the Time to Panic: A Novel
By Kevin Wilson
(Ecco, 9780062913500, $27.99, Nov. 8, Fiction)
“Now is Not the Time to Panic is a tender coming-of-age novel on the power of art, the short-lived innocence of adolescence, and the nostalgia of first loves. Wilson’s beautiful, funny, sad novel is one that I’ll recommend again and again.”
—Alex Brubaker, Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA

Signal Fires: A Novel
By Dani Shapiro
(Knopf, 9780593534724, $28, Oct. 18, Fiction)
“This book will most likely be my favorite of the year! Dani Shapiro weaves together two families’ lives, telling their stories and secrets in nonlinear time. Between the gorgeous writing and perfect plotting, I didn’t want this to end.”
—Sue Kowalski, The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn, IL

Demon Copperhead: A Novel
By Barbara Kingsolver
(Harper, 9780063251922, $32.50, Oct. 18, Fiction)
“Come for Kingsolver’s classic mastery of language and descriptions that leave you overwhelmed in the most soulful way. Stay for a heart-wrenching and compassionate story of survival that will go down as one of her best works of all time.”
—Libby Monaghan, Twice Told Tales, McPherson, KS

The Cloisters: A Novel
By Katy Hays
(Atria Books, 9781668004401, $28, Nov. 1, Thriller)
“An atmospheric masterpiece! Ann Stillwell becomes increasingly obsessed with the occult after discovering a hidden 15^th-century deck of tarot cards at The Cloisters. Hays creates a world so sinister that it is a character in itself.”
—Sharon Davis, Book Bound Bookstore, Blairsville, GA

Inciting Joy: Essays
By Ross Gay
(Algonquin Books, 9781643753041, $27, Oct. 25, Essays)
“The Book of Delights author returns with a new essay collection — a meditation on the ways ordinary life, and particularly a life of community and compassion, can spark joy. The writing is free-flowing and spontaneous — just as joy can be.”
—Barbara de Wilde, Frenchtown Bookshop, Frenchtown, NJ

Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes
By Travis Baldree
(Tor Books, 9781250886088, $17.99, paperback, Nov. 8, Fantasy)
“Legends & Lattes is the perfect low stakes, found family cozy fantasy. Viv, Cal, Tandri, and ESPECIALLY Thimble are such lovable characters. Who doesn’t want a latte from an Orc barista and a hot cinnamon bun from an adorable ratkin?!”
—Hannah Cloutier, The Bookery Manchester, Manchester, NH

Gilded Mountain: A Novel
By Kate Manning
(Scribner, 9781982160944, $28, Nov. 1, Historical Fiction)
“An epic tale! Sylvie Pelletier is the daughter of a mine worker in early 1900’s Colorado. She glimpses at how the wealthy owners live and is changed forever. A full-bodied historical novel relatable to today’s issues of wage inequality.”
—Paula Frank, The Toadstool Bookshop, Nashua, NH

Trespasses: A Novel
By Louise Kennedy
(Riverhead Books, 9780593540893, $27, Nov. 1, Fiction)
“When Catholic teacher Cushla Lavery & Protestant barrister Michael Agnew meet, the spark is immediate. Set in 1970s Belfast, Louise Kennedy captures a time of fierce loyalties, suspicion, and bigotry that smolders from the first page.”
—Diana Van Vleck, Bloomsbury Books, Ashland, OR

Liberation Day: Stories
By George Saunders
(Random House, 9780525509592, $28, Oct. 18, Short Stories)
“When I read this collection, I knew I was looking at one of the finest, most complete, most skillfully-created literary works I have ever experienced. A masterwork that will surely become one of the most noteworthy books of the decade.”
—Sophia Hardin, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

Even Though I Knew the End
By C. L. Polk
(Tordotcom, 9781250849458, $19.99, Nov. 8, Fantasy)
“Short, sweet, romantic, and full of secrets. This magical noir stars wonderful characters and so many twists and turns that I never knew quite what was going to happen next. A delightful ride, handbasket optional.”
—Lindsey Pattavina, RJ Julia Booksellers, Madison, CT

We All Want Impossible Things: A Novel
By Catherine Newman
(Harper, 9780063230897, $25.99, Nov. 8, Fiction)
“Catherine Newman’s writing brings poignancy, humor, insight, and joy to events both mundane and profound. For those who’ve lost a close friend or loved one in recent years, as so many of us have, this book is particularly meaningful.”
—Liz Whitelam, Whitelam Books, Reading, MA

Foster
By Claire Keegan
(Grove Press, 9780802160140, $20, Nov. 1, Fiction)
“Claire Keegan has a way of telling a story where the space between words counts as much as the words themselves. Atmospheric and moving, one finishes her novels and sits in admiration of them. Easily as good as Small Things Like These.”
—Sheryl Cotleur, Copperfield’s Books, Sebastopol, CA

Meredith, Alone: A Novel
By Claire Alexander
(Grand Central Publishing, 9781538709948, $28, Nov. 1, Fiction)
“Meredith spent over three years alone in her house — she was not isolated due to a pandemic, but this book put my feelings into words. She made me giggle, cry, and root for her. A story we need after such a numbing time. I feel alive again.”
—Tahlia Moe, Bound to Happen Books, Stevens Point, WI

A Restless Truth (The Last Binding #2)
By Freya Marske
(Tordotcom, 9781250788917, $27.99, Nov. 1, Fantasy)
“A sexy, mysterious romp at sea! It was exciting to be reacquainted with some characters from A Marvellous Light and to meet some phenomenal new characters. I had a blast reading this!”
—Danny Cackley, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC

The Passenger
By Cormac McCarthy
(Knopf, 9780307268990, $30, Oct. 25, Fiction)
“The Passenger is Cormac McCarthy’s best novel. Not his best since The Road, not his best since The Border Trilogy, not his best since Blood Meridian; his best, ever. It’s an astonishing work of art, and I feel grateful to be alive to read it.”
—John Duvernoy, The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA

Case Study
By Graeme Macrae Burnet
(Biblioasis, 9781771965200, $17.95, paperback, Nov. 1, Fiction)
“Such a great, satisfying, smart read. This has it all: a psychological drama between therapist and client; swinging ‘60s London; a writer fully enjoying the storytelling; sharply observed moments of family. One of my favorites of 2022.”
—Toby Cox, Three Lives & Co., New York, NY

Flight: A Novel
By Lynn Steger Strong
(Mariner Books, 9780063135147, $27.99, Nov. 8, Fiction)
“An intimate exploration of complicated family dynamics with nuanced, distinct characters. A perfect book for anyone who has ever felt out of place going home for the holidays, Flight explores the nature of belonging and community.”
—David Vogel, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI

White Horse: A Novel
By Erika T. Wurth
(Flatiron Books, 9781250847652, $27.99, Nov. 1, Horror)
“Such a great horror story about family, friendship, and facing your demons. After finishing this one, I have a strong desire to reread The Shining and blast some Megadeth. I’m excited to see what Erika T. Wurth writes next!”
—John Cauley, The Doylestown & Lahaska Bookshops, Doylestown, PA

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks
By Shauna Robinson
(Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781728246444, $16.99, paperback, Nov. 1, Romance)
“I love a book about a bookstore! This was cute and funny, but also showed that we’re never too old to figure out what we want to do with our lives — or to not know what the heck we’re doing at any age. Loved it!”
—Kristin Prout, Gathering Volumes, Perrysburg, OH

Partners in Crime: A Novel
By Alisha Rai
(Avon, 9780063119468, $16.99, paperback, Oct. 18, Romance)
“Partners in Crime is Alisha Rai at her very best! This is an action-packed, swoon worthy second-chance romance with humor, heart, and fun. Perfect for fans of The Lost City, Lovebirds, or Date Night; this book is an absolute blast!”
—Christine Bollow, Loyalty Bookstores, Washington, DC

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six: A Novel
By Lisa Unger
(Park Row, 9780778333234, $27.99, Nov. 8, Thriller)
“This has family drama, secrets and great characters — so clear your weekend. Every book establishes Lisa Unger as a fantastic thriller writer and storyteller. This will bring even more fans in her camp (or cabin?). She is in her prime!”
—Laura Taylor, The Oxford Exchange, Tampa, FL

And Yet: Poems
By Kate Baer
(Harper Perennial, 9780063115552, $17, paperback, Nov. 8, Poetry)
“Baer captures our children growing before our eyes and slow reminders of our inevitable deaths. These poems grip you from the start and refuse to let you go. She explores womanhood and wholeness and what that even means. I can’t get enough!”
—Brittania Anoai-Gonzalez, Napa Bookmine, Napa, CA

The Islands: Stories
By Dionne Irving
(Catapult, 9781646220663, $16.95, paperback, Nov. 1, Short Stories)
“The Jamaican diaspora is so diverse, far from the stereotypes of Bob Marley and marijuana. The Islands depict colonialism, migration, and the immigrant experience. For readers of Anthony Veasna So, Ye Chun, and Nicole Dennis-Benn.”
—Audrey Huang, Belmont Books, Belmont, MA

The White Mosque: A Memoir
By Sofia Samatar
(Catapult, 9781646220977, $27, Oct. 25, Memoir)
“Samatar weaves together myths, faiths, histories, and memoir to tell the story of a 19^th-century pilgrimage by Mennonites into Uzbekistan and her own trip along the same route. A wondrous book written by a writer whose sentences sing.”
—Sabir Sultan, Strand Book Store, New York, NY
 

The 6 Now in Paperback Titles

The Book of Magic: A Novel
By Alice Hoffman
(Scribner/Marysue Rucci Books, 9781982151492, $17.99, Oct. 18, Fiction)
“A wonderful conclusion to the series with a new generation of Owens to charm us. For fans who like their books with a good dose of magic, and readers who enjoy a family saga with characters that win you over. What a treat!”
—Laura Taylor, The Oxford Exchange, Tampa, FL

Brown Girls: A Novel
By Daphne Palasi Andreades
(Random House Trade Paperbacks, 9780593243442, $17, Nov. 15, Fiction)
“What an achievement this book is. Andreades gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of a tight-knit group of girls who are first-generation Americans growing up in Queens. Their stories announce the arrival of a major new talent.”
—Cody Morrison, Square Books, Oxford, MS

Girl in Ice: A Novel
By Erica Ferencik
(Gallery/Scout Press, 9781982143039, $17.99, Nov. 1, Thriller)
“I knew little about linguistics or the Arctic until I read Erica Ferencik’s fascinating book. Her style is fast, impossible to put down, and the landscape is beautifully written. This is my first Ferencik book; it will not be the last.”
—Connie L. Eaton, Three Sisters Books & Gifts, Shelbyville, IN

The Postmistress of Paris: A Novel
By Meg Waite Clayton
(Harper Paperbacks, 9780062946997, $18, Oct. 11, Fiction)
“This is a beautifully written story filled with nuanced and compelling characters. Clayton draws the reader into the harrowing world of a young American woman determined to help artists and others flee Vichy France.”
—Jean Forstner, Kepler’s Books, Menlo Park, CA

Reckless Girls: A Novel
By Rachel Hawkins
(St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250791573, $17.99, Nov. 22, Thriller)
“A tropical murder mystery perfect for mid-winter reading, this book is set on a sinister island in the Pacific, packed with Hawkins’ wonderfully gritty characters and a murderer amongst them. I devoured this one.”
—Samantha Ladwig, Imprint Bookstore, Port Townsend, WA

These Precious Days: Essays
By Ann Patchett
(Harper Perennial, 9780063092792, $18, Nov. 1, Essays)
“I’m a fiction reader, but the love I have for Patchett’s essays is absolutely incandescent. She’s the wise friend you wish you had, delivering life advice and hard truths. Patchett dazzles with her honesty, insight, and adroitness.”
—Emily Crowe, An Unlikely Story, Plainville, MA