Here are the 25 Indie Next List and 6 Now in Paperback picks on the September 2025 Indie Next List flier.
The September 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 August Indie Next List picks are available as a flier, along with past lists, on the Indie Next List page on BookWeb.org.
The 25 September Indie Next List Picks
#1 Pick: Katabasis (Deluxe Limited Edition): A Novel
By R. F. Kuang
(Harper Voyager, 9780063021471, $35, Aug. 26, Fantasy)
“I'd follow R. F. Kuang anywhere — and that includes hell! Deep, dark, and atmospheric, Katabasis balances academia and danger perfectly, solidifying Kuang as an expert in the genre.”
—Kassie King, The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, MO
Hemlock & Silver
By T. Kingfisher
(Tor Books, 9781250342034, $28.99, Aug. 19, Fantasy)
“A wholly unique take on Snow White, with Kingfisher’s quirky wit and ordinary characters having unordinary adventures. A quintessential mix of sweet love story, creepy plot, and unusual animal companions.”
—Christy Peterson, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA
Buckeye: A Novel
By Patrick Ryan
(Random House, 9780593595039, $30, Sept. 2, Fiction)
“Buckeye’s got an indelible cast of characters, a propelling narrative, and combines the plainspoken with the mystical, the American everyday with the implacable sweep of history, and unspeakable tragedy with hope.”
—Robert McDonald, The Book Stall, Winnetka, IL
Mother Mary Comes to Me
By Arundhati Roy
(Scribner, 9781668094716, $30, Sept. 2, Memoir)
“After reading Mother Mary Comes to Me, you’ll likely feel cracked open. Roy will leave you awash in a swirl of grief, admiration, and deep recognition of the tangled cords that bind us to those who shape us most.”
—DJ Johnson, Baldwin & Co., New Orleans, LA
Hot Desk: A Novel
By Laura Dickerman
(Gallery Books, 9781668081099, $29, Sept. 2, Fiction)
“Part romance, part comedy, part multi-generational story of women in publishing, this was a fun and engaging read. Light and humorous, but also touching on themes of gender and power in the workplace.”
—Vanessa Gengler, The Galaxy Bookshop, Hardwick, VT
The Book of Lost Hours: A Novel
By Hayley Gelfuso
(Atria Books, 9781668076347, $29.99, Aug. 26, Historical Fiction)
“This inventive adventure is a rumination on how those who write history decide who and what is remembered. Part historical fiction, part time travel thriller, and ultimately about the power of love to transcend time.”
—Alana Haley, Schuler Books, Grand Rapids, MI
Mona's Eyes
By Thomas Schlesser, Hildegarde Serle (Transl.)
(Europa Editions, 9798889661115, $30, Aug. 26, Fiction)
“Mona’s Eyes is about the beautiful unique relationship that a grandfather and granddaughter build with each other by observing one work of art each week for a year. A book to savor as we take this memorable journey with Mona.”
—Mindy Ostrow, The River's End Bookstore, Oswego, NY
Life, and Death, and Giants: A Novel
By Ron Rindo
(St. Martin's Press, 9781250375339, $29, Sept. 9, Fiction)
“Rindo weaves a thoughtful tale about the Amish and English communities in Wisconsin with football, professional wrestling, and what it means to understand who we are, where we come from, and what we want.”
—Lisa Baudoin, Books & Company, Oconomowoc, WI
A Land So Wide: A Novel
By Erin A. Craig
(Pantheon, 9780593686805, $28, Sept. 2, Fantasy)
“Greer’s maps instantly ground you in this eerie world of forests and the myths that haunt them. As a horror lover, I’m obsessed with the gothic vibe. This book has the lush fantasy and romance readers crave as well.”
—Laura Kendall, Second Flight Books, Lafayette, IN
A Truce That Is Not Peace
By Miriam Toews
(Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639734740, $26.99, Aug. 26, Memoir)
“In this brilliant memoir, Toews explores her grief and guilt about her sister’s suicide. As in her fiction, she balances profound sorrow with humor, reflecting the contradictions we all encounter as we traverse life.”
—Nancy Sims-West, Raven Book Store, Lawrence, KS
Happiness and Love: A Novel
By Zoe Dubno
(Scribner, 9781668062951, $27, Sept. 2, Fiction)
“The stream-of-consciousness format intrigues as much as the premise of this novel. A dissection of the superficiality of the ‘art world’ that tenderly reminisces after a dear friend's death.”
—Emily Huettl, Avant Garden, Anoka, MN
To the Moon and Back: A Novel
By Eliana Ramage
(Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, 9781668065853, $30, Sept. 2, Fiction)
“This novel tossed me into outer space and then sent me plummeting back to Earth. Following Steph, the most determined wanna-be astronaut, hot mess lesbian, avoidant Cherokee, was such an incredible ride.”
—Gennys Moulton, Maria's Bookshop, Durango, CO
Clown Town (Slough House #9)
By Mick Herron
(Soho Crime, 9781641297264, $29.95, Sept. 9, Thriller)
“Cover ups, scandals, lies, brushes with death, and real bullets are coming their way in this newest entry in the Slough House series. This is a series everyone should read. Amazing!”
—Mary Patterson, The Little Bookshop, Midlothian, VA
Forget Me Not: A Novel
By Stacy Willingham
(Minotaur Books, 9781250887979, $29, Aug. 26, Thriller)
“This thriller was exactly what I needed! I kept wanting to know more and how everything was tied together. So many good reveals and things you won't see coming!”
—Brooke Reno, Spellbound Bookstore, Sanford, FL
People Watching: A Novel
By Hannah Bonam-Young
(Dell, 9780593871881, $19, Sept. 9, Romance)
“I cannot express how deeply I love these characters, this story, and the families we are folded into. There is a courage that exists in the ability to stay. It is brave to plant roots and dig into your people.”
—Taylor Smith, Left Bank Books, St. Louis, MO
You Weren't Meant to Be Human: A Novel
By Andrew Joseph White
(S&S/Saga Press, 9781668038079, $29, Sept. 9, Horror)
“Andrew Joseph White’s adult debut is possibly his best book yet. In the blood and guts is the very real fear behind loss of abortion access, written with all the severity the situation requires. I devoured this book.”
—Elle Dunne, Wellesley Books, Wellesley, MA
Discontent: A Novel
By Beatriz Serrano, Mara Faye Lethem (Transl.)
(Vintage, 9798217006762, $17, Sept. 2, Fiction)
“Serrano proves that Millennial ennui transcends countries and languages. She so deftly captures the ‘what are we doing here?’ vibes of this moment, and then throws an unexpectedly hilarious and dark curveball (or two).”
—Kelly Brown, Magic City Books, Tulsa, OK
Hot Wax: A Novel
By M.L. Rio
(Simon & Schuster, 9781668070024, $29, Sept. 9, Thriller)
“Hot Wax is the story of a woman trying to run from, while trying to make sense of, her dark past. She gets lost on the open road, but her husband isn't willing to let her go so easily. A dark, mysterious, captivating story.”
—Maddie Rasbold, The End Bookstore, Allentown, PA
Middle Spoon: A Novel
By Alejandro Varela
(Viking, 9780593835173, $30, Sept. 9, Fiction)
“A beautiful exploration of heartbreak, polyamory, and life. Varela’s inventive novel is a collection of emails sent to the main character’s ex, therapist, and anyone who will provide relief from the pain of loss.”
—Reid Ransom, The Little Gay Shop, Austin, TX
Dominion: A Novel (Indies Introduce)
By Addie E. Citchens
(Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 9780374609337, $27, Aug. 19, Fiction)
“Authoritarianism can be found at all levels of our society. In Dominion, Mississippi, it’s found at the Seven Seals Baptist Church, in Rev. Sabre Winfrey. With a twist you likely won't see coming, it all begins to unravel.”
—Linda Bond, Auntie's Bookstore, Spokane, WA
The Book of I (Indies Introduce)
By David Greig
(Europa Editions, 9798889661276, $24, Sept. 9, Historical Fiction)
“The Book of I conjures the lonely, lush landscape of Iona during Viking raids and Gaelic monasticism. Examining love, death, and the mysteries of faith and myth, The Book of I reduces the 1,200 year distance between it and the reader.”
—Hannah DeCamp, Avid Bookshop, Athens, GA
The Most Unusual Haunting of Edgar Lovejoy
By Roan Parrish
(Sourcebooks Casablanca, 9781464238741, $17.99, Sept. 9, Romance)
“A pinch of hurt/comfort, a dash of queer romance and a splash of ghosties and ghoulies — the perfect spell to conjure up your favorite Fall read. Parrish’s latest release is a spooky delight.”
—Katie Garaby, Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN
Epic and Lovely: A Novel
By Mo Daviau
(West Virginia University Press, 9781959000624, $19.99, Sept. 1, Fiction)
“A dark and beautiful book about motherhood, disability, and the sweetness of life inherent in its all-too-briefness. Mo Daviau’s writing is smart, engaging, profound — I fell in love with her narrator from the start.”
—Gigi Little, Powell's Books, Portland, OR
The City Changes Its Face
By Eimear McBride
(Faber & Faber, 9780571384211, $29, Aug. 26, Fiction)
“The City Changes Its Face is the story of a struggling romance, of Eily’s and Stephen’s inability to resolve misunderstandings. A beautiful reflection on modern love. Once you start, you will not be able to stop.”
—Lori Feathers, Interabang Books, Dallas, TX
Hothouse Bloom
By Austyn Wohlers
(Hub City Press, 9798885740500, $24, Aug. 26, Fiction)
“A tremendously lush, stylistic novel enlivened by the push and pull between our main character’s interiority, and the natural world to which she attempts to escape from her own head. A calming, quietly alluring read.”
—Bryan Seitz, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI
September 2025 Indie Next List Now in Paperback
American Rapture
By CJ Leede
(Tor Nightfire, 9781250857941, $18.99, Sep. 16, Horror)
“In lesser hands, American Rapture would feel like well-trodden apocalyptic ground; here, it feels fresh and bleak. CJ Leede is really doing the horror lord's work! American Rapture will rip your heart (and throat) out!”
—Audrey Kohler, BookWoman, Austin, TX
The Author's Guide to Murder: A Novel
By Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White
(William Morrow Paperbacks, 9780063259874, $19.99, Sep. 16, Mystery)
“Such a refreshing take on a mystery/thriller. Williams, Willig, and White have formed what feels like the ultimate ‘dream team.’ From page one, I was hooked — laughing out loud one minute and glued to the edge of my seat the next.”
—Kate Seng, Poe & Company Bookstore, Milton, GA
Banal Nightmare: A Novel
By Halle Butler
(Random House Trade Paperbacks, 9780593730362, $18, Aug. 26, Fiction)
“Banal Nightmare crackles with humanity. You may hate these feckless — at times ugly — characters, or recognize yourself in them (and still hate them). But it’ll thrill you in its fearlessness. Either way, this will leave a mark on you. It blisters.”
—Matt Nixon, A Cappella Books, Atlanta, GA
I Might Be in Trouble
By Daniel Aleman
(Grand Central Publishing, 9781538766354, $18.99, Sep. 9, Fiction)
“Daniel Aleman nailed his adult debut. This book was funny, relatable, heart-wrenching, and heart-stopping. I’d recommend this book to damn near anyone — especially anyone who feels adrift and is looking for a book that will make them feel hopeful.”
—Renee Becher, The Crowded Bookshelf, Fort Collins, CO
The Life Impossible: A Novel
By Matt Haig
(Penguin Books, 9780593489291, $19, Sep. 2, Fiction)
“Matt Haig’s wonderful book about climate change, aging, and recovering from guilt. Widowed Grace is left a house in Spain by a friend she hasn’t heard from in over 30 years. She heads out on an adventure where new friends and life-altering changes await.”
—Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Tehrangeles: A Novel
By Porochista Khakpour
(Vintage, 9780525564706, $19, Sep. 2, 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