The December 2008 Indie Next List

"In The Hour I First Believed, Wally Lamb captures the essence of modern America through the events of the past decade. Though sweeping, the story resonates in a powerfully intimate and personal way, at once heart-wrenching and hopeful, with characters so deeply conceived that you will think of them and their lives long after you have finished reading the book." --Suzy Staubach, UConn Co-op, Storrs, CT

"American Buffalo is a fascinating, panoramic account of buffalo, their evolution, and the long history of their relationship with humans. Rinella's enthusiasm for his subject is evident as he skillfully juxtaposes his personal experience as a proficient and dedicated hunter with sections on archaeology and history, all accessibly and engagingly written." --Lynne Almeida, Spellbinder Books, Bishop, CA

"Jenna Woginrich writes an honest and humorous account of her efforts to bring more self-reliance into her life, and by not sparing us her beginner's mistakes, she really encourages the reader to plant a garden, raise some chicks, or learn to play an instrument. Woginrich provides amateur homesteaders an instructive start, and an entertaining read to boot!" --Sherri Gallentine, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA

"The scorpion tail of P.D. James' prose has lost none of its sting in this, her 17th novel. The setting is a lovely English manor in Dorset that has been converted to a surgical clinic, and the victim is a well-known investigative journalist who has come to the clinic. The suspects are as deeply complex as any characters James has created, and Commander Dalgleish exposes their motives with a surgical finesse. The Private Patient is intricate, novelistic, and engrossing." --Betsy Burton, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT

"Not your parent's book on leadership. Seth Godin outlines the many aspects of leading a tribe -- a diverse group of people with a shared interest, none of whom may work for you. This is a handbook for anyone who seeks to influence others, is considering starting a blog, or has a hard time explaining their job at a party." --Rich Rennicks, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, Asheville, NC

"Returning to Ballybucklebo, with its doctors and local life, is like slipping into your most comfy slippers and favorite robe. An Irish Country Christmas is winter reading at its most cozy and comforting." --Becky Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA

"Matt Royal, an ex-cop and retired lawyer, discovers in a bird sanctuary a dead body that will eventually be a clue in the case of his ex-wife's missing stepdaughter. I really enjoyed Blood Island and will be definitely recommending it." --Andra Tracy, Out Word Bound, Indianapolis, IN

"Dave Thompson has written a book for anyone who can remember being excited by an entire album and its artwork. Thompson is truly volcanic in his unadulterated contempt for modern pop/rock and goes to enormous and hilarious pains to explain why the classic rock of the late '60s - '70s is the Holy Grail of rock music." --Amjad Saleh Faur, Nightbird Books, Fayetteville, AR

"In 2005, multi-media artists David and Hi-Jin Hodge created an installation on 'Impermanence' for an exhibit honoring the Dalai Lama. This beautifully designed book -- which includes an interactive DVD -- features photographs of the various speakers, along with their often moving reflections, and wonderfully recreates the gallery experience." --Karl Pohrt, Shaman Drum Bookshop, Ann Arbor, MI

"The Better World Shopping Guide is an important little book that calls for changes in all our shopping habits. The book rates American companies based on 15 years' research of their records on the environment, human rights, community involvement, and other criteria. I'll soon be switching my credit card company, just one of the many changes I'll make to be a more responsible consumer." --Nancy Olson, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC