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Here is the Indie SciFi/Fantasy Bestseller List based on sales at independent bookstores nationwide for the eight-week period ending June 23, 2024. 

“A super fun and queer space opera that follows a group of late twenty-somethings on a journey they never anticipated. This was a fun, engaging, and quick read. Any queer person out there will be able to see the roots of a found family in Cleo’s group — and the U-Haul lesbians U-Hauling at light speed. This was the book I needed to get out of a reading slump, so thank you Emily Hamilton for that and the group of queers that will be living rent free in my head for a while,” said Arden Harris of A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove, CA. 

“Each story in Zan is powerful, deep, and nuanced, providing a needed window into the complex lives of Iranian women today. A must-read,” said Kristin Saner of Fables Books in Goshen, Indiana.

“I loved this charmingly written middle grade inspired by Chinese mythology. Exploring themes of grief, growing up, and family, this novel grabbed me right from the first page and didn’t let go. Full of action-packed sequences and quiet, emotional moments alike, this book was a wonderful read. I know kids and fans of Percy Jackson, Aru Shah, and Amari and the Night Brothers are going to love it,” said Donna Liu of Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park, California.

“Indies Take The Gold” is an engaging marketing campaign designed to celebrate the spirit of community and excellence of independent bookstores during the Summer Olympics. 

This year for Juneteenth, indie bookstores put up displays, posted on social media, held events, and appeared at local celebrations. Here are how a few of our member stores celebrated Juneteenth. 

“This book is a powerful and thought-provoking read that skillfully blends the narratives of four distinct characters. It is a story about the importance of community, the search for belonging, and the heart-wrenching realities of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). If you’re looking for a book that will leave you on the edge of your seat, challenging you to see through the smoke and discover the killer, this book is a must-read,” said Kromeklia Bryant of Solid State Books in Washington, DC.

“The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is an action-packed pirate story full of adventure, and all things that pirates do... Debut author Briony Cameron did a marvelous job of writing a buccaneering novel that will keep you reading late into the night,” said Kelly Evert of Village Book & Paper Dreams in Bellingham and Lynden, Washington.

Today, the American Booksellers Association (ABA) and League of Women Voters (LWV) announced a new partnership to educate and empower voters in 2024. The collaboration is part of ABA’s member and community campaign, “Get Out the VOTE,” which aims to equip independent bookstores to engage with voters.