Here are the 25 Indie Next List and 6 Now in Paperback picks on the June 2026 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
Whistler: A Novel
By Ann Patchett
(Harper, 9780063511637, $30, June 2, Fiction)
“Ann Patchett is a master storyteller. She has given us the gift of another beautiful novel with layers of stories within stories. This is a tale about how the past never stays in the past and how we need to tell our stories to heal and change the narrative.”
—Amy Graham, The Vermont Book Shop, Middlebury, VT
The Shippers: A Novel
By Katherine Center
(St. Martin's Press, 9781250408051, $30, May 19, Romance)
“Convinced that only her first crush can solve her romance issues, JoJo enlists her childhood bestie, Cooper, into helping her in a love-trap. However, if she's not careful, she'll be love-trapped herself…with Cooper!”
—Jayme Case, Highland Books, Brevard, NC
Land: A Novel
By Maggie O'Farrell
(Knopf, 9780593320648, $32, June 2, Fiction)
“A sweeping and atmospheric novel of Ireland, whose people clung to their land in the face of colonialism during the days of the Great Hunger. O’Farrell focuses her lens on a family’s tragedy, trauma, guilt, and ultimately hope.”
—Betsy Von Kerens, The Bookworm of Omaha, Omaha, NE
The Children: A Novel
By Melissa Albert
(William Morrow, 9780063487437, $32, June 2, Gothic)
“Alternating between the otherworldliness of a gothic children’s story and a deceptively mundane narrative, Albert expertly weaves two timelines into a thoroughly creepy tale that teases like a cold breath on the back of your neck.”
—Heather Herbaugh, Mitzi's Books, Rapid City, SD
Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It: A Novel
By Brooke Averick
(Crown, 9798217088263, $28, May 26, Romance)
“I’ve never felt so seen in a romance novel. I was torn between taking my time and savoring this debut, and reading it as fast as I could. I found myself walking around during the day thinking about these characters and this book.”
—Mallory Melton, BookPeople, Austin, TX
Canon: A Novel
By Paige Lewis
(Viking, 9798217059362, $32, May 19, Fiction)
“A mind-altering book, on every level. Somehow classic and brand-new at the same time, Canon expands the possibilities of fiction, myth, and philosophy. What a joy to be alive at a time when a book can make you feel like this one does!”
—Drew Broussard, Rough Draft Bar & Books, Kingston, NY
Heather: A Novel
By Caitlin Mullen
(Celadon Books, 9781250400574, $28.99, June 9, Mystery)
“In the Pine Barrens of New Jersey a newborn infant is found dead in the woods and two teenagers go missing. 30 years later, Callie Hauser’s return as the Chief of Police brings the decades-old case back and threatens to destroy the lives of everyone she knows.”
—Karen Shenko, Newtown Bookshop, Newtown, PA
Daughters of the Sun and Moon: A Novel
By Lisa See
(Scribner, 9781982117054, $29, June 9, Historical Fiction)
“Lisa See opens a window to the hidden lives of women systematically erased through the lens of historical patriarchy. A unique story of three complex and interesting Chinese women from different backgrounds in post-Civil War Los Angeles.”
—Christina Lefleur, Alcott's Attic, Parker, CO
A Fortune of Sand: A Novel
By Ruta Sepetys
(Ballantine Books, 9798217093243, $30, May 26, Historical Fiction)
“Sepetys’ adult debut has all the twists and turns you’d want from a story set in the Gilded Age, yet it is incredibly well researched and deeply poignant, bringing to light a 1920s Detroit we rarely see.”
—Ashley Michael, Plenty Downtown Bookshop, Cookeville, TN
Villa Coco: A Novel
By Andrew Sean Greer
(Doubleday, 9780385551977, $30, June 9, Fiction)
“I never thought I would love a book more than Less, but Villa Coco proved me wrong. The story follows a hapless American man who travels to Tuscany for a job as he’s surrounded by eccentric characters and unable to speak the language. A joyous read.”
—Jennifer Kandarian, Books on the Square, Providence, RI
Dolly All the Time
By Annabel Monaghan
(G.P. Putnam's Sons, 9780593853979, $20, May 26, Romance)
“Dolly is a single mom, returning home to help her father and brother after a fire. When the wealthiest man in town offers her a deal she cannot refuse, she takes it and embarks on a very romantic summer with a man who may or may not break her heart.”
—Cara Dyne-Gores, The Bookshelf, Cincinnati, OH
Marion: A Novel
By Leah Rowan
(St. Martin's Press, 9781250416469, $29, June 2, Thriller)
“As a debut, Marion is fresh, daring, and immensely promising. A sharp, gutsy reimagining that delivers tension, atmosphere, and explorations of sisterhood, survival, and reclaiming narrative power.”
—Keri Matranga, Tide Turners Books & More, Poquoson, VA
Cat Love: A Novel
By Tomás Q. Morín
(Pantheon, 9780593702048, $27, June 9, Fiction)
“Cat Love is a touching exploration of our current cultural obsession with empathy and our ironic talent for prioritizing animal rights over human rights, set in a speculative, near-future dystopia seen through a poet’s eyes — rather, a cat’s eyes.”
—Devon Dunn, Book Culture, New York, NY
The Fake Divination Offense: A Magic & Romance Novel
By Sara Raasch
(Bramble, 9781250428790, $19.99, May 19, Romance)
“I absolutely loved this book! The worldbuilding is excellent, the characters are fabulous, and the Dungeons & Dragons Sports mashup was so clever and engaging. I haven't stopped thinking about this since I read it!”
—Christine Bollow, Loyalty Bookstores, Washington, DC
The Summer Boy: A Novel
By Philippe Besson, Sam Taylor (Transl.)
(Scribner, 9781668204047, $26, May 26, Fiction)
“A beautiful coming-of-age story that captures the vibrancy of youth and weight of adulthood. Everything about this book felt alive: the setting, the characters, the emotions. So much is said and reflected on in this short book.”
—Athena Varvarezis, Towne Book Center & Cafe, Collegeville, PA
The Midnight Train: A Novel
By Matt Haig
(Viking, 9780593833377, $30, May 26, Fiction)
“If you’re thinking The Midnight Train picks up from his thought-provoking The Midnight Library, this train departs from a different station. As train stops present Wilbur with the highlights of his life, he must ask: can he change where he went wrong? At what cost?”
—Rosemary Pugliese, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, Asheville, NC
Dog Days
By Emily LaBarge
(Transit Books, 9798893380477, $18.95, May 19, Memoir)
“Dog Days has everything I want in a book: a constellation of art history, film criticism, psychoanalysis, narrative disruption, and more all pulsing around the complex trauma of a life-altering incident.”
—Kar Johnson, Green Apple Books & Music, San Francisco, CA
The Burning Side: A Novel
By Sarah Damoff
(Simon & Schuster, 9781668085011, $29, May 19, Fiction)
“Reading The Burning Side made me a part of this family. Readers will experience the joys and pains of 50 years with these unforgettable characters we will all come to know and understand.”
—Nancy Pierce, Bookmiser, Marietta, GA
On Witness and Respair: Essays
By Jesmyn Ward
(Scribner, 9781668064269, $29, May 19, Essays)
“Jesmyn Ward’s language is vivid, florid, precise and beautiful all at once as she covers topics such as family, Katrina, Faulkner, representation, book banning, book reviews, movie reviews, justice, leaving home, and returning home again.”
—Doron Klemer, Octavia Books, New Orleans, LA
The Disaster Gay Detective Agency: A Novel
By Lev AC Rosen
(Poisoned Pen Press, 9781464252853, $17.99, June 2, Mystery)
“Rosen’s characters are always believably flawed but still endearing and fun, and we get them in all their glory in this satisfyingly zany caper. The shifting viewpoints keep the tension high, making it hard to know how reliable any of the narrators are.”
—Julie Schultz, This House of Books, Billings, MT
Pot Shot: A Novel
By Laura Piper Lee
(Union Square & Co., 9781454965558, $18.99, May 19, Romance)
“I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much while reading a book. Pot Shot deeply explores so many themes beyond a surface level grumpy/sunshine relationship. Both Nomi and Julian have a lot to work through, both on themselves and together.”
—Meredith Bryson, Peach Basket Books, Durham, NC
Puck: A Novel
By Samantha Allen
(Zando, 9781638933410, $18, June 2, Romance)
“A chaotic and queer loose retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Puck, a reality TV producer, returns to their best friend’s wedding intent on breaking up the happy couple, but the maid of honor is intent on seeing this wedding down the aisle.”
—Ashly Stracener, Underbrush Books, Rogers, AR
Hunger and Thirst: A Novel
By Claire Fuller
(Tin House, 9781963108729, $28, June 2, Horror)
“Equal parts psychological thriller and paranormal horror, Hunger and Thirst will make your heart ache and race with its tale of teenage desperation and an unsolved disappearance. This eerie page-turner never fully lets you catch your breath.”
—Jessy Blanchard, Carmichael's Bookstore, Louisville, KY
Dead Bees Still Sting: Tales of Life at the Edge of Nature
By Susan Cormier
(Greystone Books, 9781778402012, $19.95, May 19, Nature)
“The title grabbed me, but I stayed for the knowledge of bees and the love of nature on every page. It’s good to have books that strengthen your awareness, love, and respect for our earth; Cormier’s book is exactly that.”
—Tina Greene-Bevington, Bay Books, Suttons Bay, MI
The Last Human Bear: A Novel
By Greg Sarris
(Heyday Books, 9781597147071, $30, June 16, Historical Fiction)
“The Last Human Bear has as its center the life of Mary Hatcher from age 17 to mid-90s (nearly present day) as she learns to navigate her Pomo heritage in an environment unwelcoming to non-white people. This novel is so much richer than a few words can express. It is so very worth it to discover.”
—Sheryl Cotleur, Copperfield's Books, Sebastopol, CA
June 2026 Indie Next List Now in Paperback
Atmosphere: A Love Story
By Taylor Jenkins Reid
(Ballantine, 9780593158739, $20, June 9, Fiction)
“Emotional, thoroughly researched, and packed with characters navigating the demanding world of NASA, this book is all that you want from Taylor Jenkins Reid. Joan will make you believe in the goodness of humanity.”
—Cat Bock, Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN
Endling: A Novel
By Maria Reva
(Vintage, 9781984897596, $18, May 26, Fiction)
“Endling is a rich stew of the foreign bride industry, nearly extinct snails, familial disappointment, and war in a scabrous, blistering portrait of contemporary Ukraine that is as eye-opening as it is entertaining.”
—David Enyeart, Next Chapter Booksellers, St. Paul, MN
Katabasis: A Novel
By R. F. Kuang
(Harper Voyager, 9780063021488, $22, June 2, 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
The River Is Waiting: A Novel
By Wally Lamb
(Scribner, 9781668006405, $20, May 19, Fiction)
“A family’s life is shattered by addiction and trauma. Corby’s journey through the damage he has caused, incarceration, and his attempt to find mercy is a stark and sobering look at America and its response to crime and punishment.”
—Bill Cusumano, Square Books, Oxford, MS
The Satisfaction Café: A Novel
By Kathy Wang
(Scribner, 9781668068939, $19, June 9, Fiction)
“For fans of Jonathan Franzen, Kathy Wang delivers a stellar debut. Her keen observations on everyday life are on full display with Joan Liang and her unexpected life journey where she must seek the satisfaction that lies within.”
—Susan McBeth, Adventures By The Book, San Diego, CA
So Far Gone: A Novel
By Jess Walter
(Harper Perennial, 9780062868152, $18.99, June 9, Fiction)
“Retired journalist Rhys Kinnick thinks he can live out his days reading — until he must save his kidnapped grandchildren. Walter delves into our era’s most pressing issues with grace, humor, and humanity.”
—Yvette Olson, Magnolia's Bookstore, Seattle, WA