The May 2025 Indie Next List Preview

Here are the 25 Indie Next List and 6 Now in Paperback picks on the May 2025 Indie Next List flier.

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

The 25 May Indie Next List Picks

My Friends: A Novel
By Fredrik Backman
(Atria Books, 9781982112820, $29.99, May 6, Fiction)
“This coming-of-age story is funny, heartfelt, and wise. Four teens with fierce loyalty to one another bond over their unstable families and a painting done by one of their own. I could read this again and again.”
—Beth Mynhier, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest, IL

The Names: A Novel
By Florence Knapp
(Pamela Dorman Books, 9780593833902, $30, May 6, Fiction)
“A mother goes to register her baby son’s name on the birth certificate with three choices. The Names takes these three names and gives us three distinct stories of how life played out in a family living with domestic violence. Brilliant.”
—Mamie Potter, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC

The Lilac People: A Novel
By Milo Todd
(Counterpoint, 9781640097032, $27, Apr. 29, Historical Fiction)
“Focusing on the experiences of queer and trans people during World War II, Milo Todd tells stories of suffering, survival, and resilience without leaning into unnecessary trauma. A timely and powerful novel.”
—Hezekiah Olorode, Old Town Books, Alexandria, VA

The Road to Tender Hearts: A Novel
By Annie Hartnett
(Ballantine Books, 9780593873441, $29, Apr. 29, Fiction)
“How many bad decisions can one family make and still survive? What starts as the road trip from hell does, indeed, create tender hearts. Come along for a feel good read that takes no prisoners.”
—Anita Gett, Main Street Books, Davidson, NC

The Pretender: A Novel
By Jo Harkin
(Knopf, 9780593803301, $30, Apr. 22, Fiction)
“The Pretender reads like Kurt Vonnegut wrote Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall by way of Ken Follett! A cousin of princes raised as a farm boy discovers he is an heir to the throne…if only Henry VII would die. Terrific!”
—William Carl, An Unlikely Story, Plainville, MA

The Correspondent: A Novel
By Virginia Evans
(Crown, 9780593798430, $28, Apr. 29, Fiction)
“The Correspondent is an homage to the written word. As Sybil writes her letters, we journey through her life. Through her grief, her friendships, her family, her loves, and her regrets, we are gifted an indelible character.”
—Mary McBride, Monstera's Books, Overland Park, KS

The Emperor of Gladness: A Novel
By Ocean Vuong
(Penguin Press, 9780593831878, $30, May 13, Fiction)
“Ocean Vuong’s sophomore novel is a societal epic as seen beneath a microscope. A lonely young man meets a lonely older woman, and after that? Everything. This book is a quiet marvel.”
—Laurel Rhame, Phoenix Books, Essex Junction, VT

My Best Friend's Honeymoon
By Meryl Wilsner
(St. Martin's Griffin, 9781250873323, $18, Apr. 29, Romance)
“If you’re a sapphic who’s been in love with your best friend, have a seat. Wilsner paints a picture of exactly what that feels like and cranks up the spice. If you've ever been there, this book is beautiful catharsis.”
—Katey Salogar, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI

The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman (American Music Series)
By Niko Stratis
(University of Texas Press, 9781477331484, $27.95, May 6, Essays)
“Muddled by memory and alcohol, a picture of Niko’s life forms: she’s made you a mixtape in the form of an essay collection. The stories that make up her life gently remind us it’s never too late to recover or rebuild yourself.”
—Kitri Madera, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

The Original Daughter: A Novel (Indies Introduce)
By Jemimah Wei
(Doubleday, 9780385551014, $30, May 6, Fiction)
“It’s 1996 and Genevieve’s family lives in a tiny apartment in Singapore. Her grandfather had a secret family, and her family is saddled with an unwanted daughter to raise, changing Genevieve’s world. An accomplished and absorbing debut.”
—Robin Glossner, Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA

Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put
By Annie B. Jones
(HarperOne, 9780063411272, $26.99, Apr. 22, Memoir)
“Fans of Annie Jones will love this peek behind the scenes, but even for those unfamiliar with Annie’s story, these essays are deeply relatable. Perfect for people who stayed in their hometowns, who lead a quieter life, and who have struggled with their faith.”
—Claire McWhorter, River & Hill Books, Rome, GA

The Man Made of Smoke: A Novel
By Alex North
(Celadon Books, 9781250757890, $27.99, May 13, Thriller)
“Highly suspenseful, dark, and gritty, The Man Made of Smoke is a mystery and true crime must read. This explores how trauma informs and affects our present, and makes for a truly twisted, dark read.”
—Mirna Villeda, Timbre Books, Ventura, CA

Gabriële
By Anne Berest, Claire Berest, Tina Kover (Transl.)
(Europa Editions, 9798889660897, $28, Apr. 22, Fiction)
“A beautiful book about the talented French musician Gabriële Buffet and her tumultuous relationship with the artist Francis Picabia. A wonderful book for art and history lovers, and anyone who wants a novel about a strong woman.”
—Kelly Evert, Village Books, Bellingham, WA

The Manor of Dreams
By Christina Li
(Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, 9781668051726, $28.99, May 6, Fiction)
“I was immersed in this lyrical world where dreams hold power and the past lingers. With rich atmosphere and heartfelt characters, the story explores identity, family, and the balance between holding on and letting go.”
—Jessica Porter, Inklings Book Shoppe, Lakeland, FL

The Missing Half: A Novel
By Ashley Flowers, Alex Kiester
(Bantam, 9780593726983, $30, May 6, Thriller)
“Ashley Flowers’ knowledge of true crime has lent to her ability to tell crime based thrillers. Two women seek justice for their missing sisters and embark on a thrilling journey with many twists and turns.”
—Kristen Shidemantle, The Little Green Bookstore, Zelienople, PA

Old School Indian
By Aaron John Curtis
(Zando - Hillman Grad Books, 9781638931454, $28, May 6, Fiction)
“Curtis is a pugilist on the page, fighting tropes in a landscape that uses language to marginalize the Indigenous experience. Abe Jacobs wrestles colonization in the world and with the disease inside his body, forces that gnaw at his very existence.”
—Arvin Ramgoolam, Townie Books, Crested Butte, CO

Shopgirls: A Novel
By Jessica Anya Blau
(Mariner Books, 9780063052352, $30, May 6, Fiction)
“Shopgirls is a lovely and humorous coming-of-age story. Zippy experiences the ups and downs common to many young women as she learns more about her absent father, finds a partner, and navigates San Francisco in the age of AIDS.”
—Camille Kovach, Completely Booked, Murrysville, PA

Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame
By Neon Yang
(Tordotcom, 9781250357342, $21.99, May 6, Fantasy)
“A very well written knight’s tale about honor, oaths, and duty in the face of what is truly right. Subtle themes of geopolitics are set carefully alongside the disarming nature of real love. So easy to recommend.”
—Miranda Parman, Katy Budget Books, Houston, TX

No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding: A Novel (The Vacation Mysteries #2)
By Catherine Mack
(Minotaur Books, 9781250326133, $28, May 13, Mystery)
“Catherine Mack is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and this book series is quickly climbing to one of my favorite reads! Another 10/10 read for Mack in this hilarious wedding vacation romp.”
—Tammy Klawitter, Lykke Books, New Ulm, MN

The Amalfi Curse: A Bewitching Tale of Sunken Treasure, Forbidden Love, and Ancient Magic on the Amalfi Coast
By Sarah Penner
(Park Row, 9780778308003, $30, Apr. 29, Historical Fiction)
“One woman caught between love and duty, another between her father’s dying wish and the deceit of her company. Both will have to use their wits, and give up a part of themselves, to surmount seemingly impossible hurdles.”
—Ariel Hardee, Ruby's Books, Folsom, CA

The Staircase in the Woods
By Chuck Wendig
(Del Rey, 9780593156568, $30, Apr. 29, Horror)
“This creepy — or rather terrifying — novel connects everything one wants and needs from a great (if not horrific) read. Be prepared to find yourself tense all the way to the end! Not for the faint of heart!”
—Kirsten Hess, The End Bookstore, Allentown, PA

Open, Heaven: A Novel
By Seán Hewitt
(Knopf, 9780593802847, $28, Apr. 15, Fiction)
“Seán Hewitt washes away time’s silt to reveal cavernous torrents of desire long-withheld — now, blissfully, given voice. Open, Heaven captures the contradictions thrown into relief by first love, making this debut agonizing and euphoric and equally unforgettable.”
—Mathuson Anthony, Book Club, New York, NY

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng: A Darkly Funny, Gory, and Ghostly Horror Novel
By Kylie Lee Baker
(MIRA Books, 9780778368458, $28.99, Apr. 29, Horror)
“For anyone who enjoys 2000s Japanese horror movies. This is the only work of fiction I’ve read that has successfully incorporated the COVID pandemic without feeling contrived. The commentary about anti-Asian racism is poignant.”
—Jennifer Kirnec, Old Ways Books, Bluffton, IN

State Champ
By Hilary Plum
(Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639735433, $26.99, May 13, Fiction)
“When a doctor at a women’s health clinic is arrested for providing abortions post-Dobbs, Angela, the receptionist, goes on hunger strike in an attempt to free her. The angry, darkly funny prose hits like shards of shattered glass.”
—Grace Harper, Mac's Backs, Cleveland Heights, OH

The Sea Gives Up the Dead: Stories (Indies Introduce)
By Molly Olguín
(Red Hen Press, 9781636282718, $16.95, Apr. 29, Short Stories)
“There is no getting away from death here. However, there’s a subtlety that resonates throughout the wonderfully smooth and lithe prose that makes these tales a joy to read. Absolutely fantastic!”
—Randy Schiller, Left Bank Books, St. Louis, MO

The 6 Now in Paperback Titles

All Fours: A Novel
By Miranda July
(Riverhead Books, 9780593190272, $19, Fiction, May 13)
“A compulsively readable novel that follows a middle-aged artist as she undergoes a sexual and spiritual awakening. I loved this meditation on aging, restlessness, isolation, obsession, and the trials and triumphs of self-reinvention.”
—Caitlyn Lyles, Hooked Community, Lansing, MI

The Book of Doors: A Novel
By Gareth Brown
(William Morrow Paperbacks, 9780063323995, $19.99, Apr. 15, Fantasy)
“We all know books are metaphoric doors — what if they were literal doors as well? Full of fascinating characters, mystery, and magical books, this debut novel will appeal to fans of The Starless Sea.”
—Keith Glaeske, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC

Don't Swipe Right: A Novel (Previously published as Swiped)
By L. M. Chilton
(Gallery/Scout Press, 9781668045718, $17.99, May 13, Thriller)
“Twisty, smart, and kept me guessing until the very end — and the absolute skewering of dating apps is so entertaining. I felt breathless page after page as Gwen races around town to find a serial killer. Loved it!”
—Carolyn Hutton, Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary & Garden Arts, Berkeley, CA

Listen for the Lie: A Novel
By Amy Tintera
(Celadon Books, 9781250880338, $18.99, May 6, Mystery)
“Darkly witty and beautifully thrilling, Listen for the Lie is an amazing adult debut from Amy Tintera. This murder mystery is filled with comedy, drama, and a riveting pace that will make readers fall completely in love!”
—Sara Canelon, Adventures By The Book, San Diego, CA

Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel
By Shelby Van Pelt
(Ecco, 9780063204164, $19.99, Apr. 29, Fiction)
“Meet a hardworking widow, a lost soul, and a giant Pacific octopus (yes, an octopus) in this heartfelt story that reveals there’s still plenty of living to do for those with their eyes — and hearts — open to the unexpected. A bright debut!”
—Annie Romano, An Unlikely Story, Plainville, MA

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop: A Novel
By Hwang Bo-reum, Shanna Tan (Transl.)
(Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639736379, $18.99, Apr. 22, Fiction)
“Burnt out and drained, Yeongju fulfills her dreams of surrounding herself in stories and opening a bookshop. What starts off as a tidy, uplifting story of joy and redemption transforms into a choose-your-own-adventure of levity for readers.”
—Thu Doan, East Bay Booksellers, Oakland, CA