March is here. We’ve made it through the winter, the birds are coming back to greet us, and we are starting to wear shorts and t-shirts far too early for the realistic temperatures. But you know what else Indy in March means…. Indy Indie Book Crawl!
Mark your calendars for March 22-26 for the Third Annual Indy Indie Book Crawl! If you’ve never been, this is your time. My first book club crawl, I remember walking down 16th street toward Loudmouth Books with my favorite book bestie, Kasey, and passing other passionate groups of book nerds with their totes filled to the brim with new reads and thinking “this was the event of my dreams!”. With 37 (EEK!) participating shops this year, it’s bigger than ever, and I’m so ready.
Join me in adding these great reading recommendations from some of our local booksellers to my TBR pile.
1. I Who Have Never Know Men by Jacqueline Harpman, Ros Schwartz, and Sophie Mackintosh
A fantastic stand-alone feminist novel that explores what a woman’s life, relationship to others and the earth, and her worldview could be without the influence of the patriarchy. While not a newly released book, this novel is a translation released before the new millennium that has been gaining popularity and traction over the last couple of years, and I believe it is more relevant now than ever! – Katherine, Bookstore Manager of Indy Reads
Indy Reads Book Club is reading I Who Have Never Know Men for our March book club, meeting March 29 at 2pm.
2. Hemlock by Melissa Faliveno
“Hemlock, a queer gothic novel, led me to interrogate my deepest fears and prompted self-examinations I wasn’t expecting. When Sam finds herself in a cabin in the woods, she is haunted by more than just what can be found in the dark corners. While working through the disappearance of her mother at a young age and the inheritance of addiction in her family, Sam finds that she must determine an uncharted path through a gnarled literal and metaphorical wood to find her way in the world. Faliveno’s voice felt like that of a trusted friend, and the prose in this book will stick with me for a very long time. Hemlock is not one you want to miss!” – Amy, Bookseller at Loudmouth Books
3. Art of the National Parks by Owen, Pierno, and Boneyard et al.
“I love this book because it is perfect for armchair travelers and daydreaming adventurers alike. These bold, vintage-inspired posters in this book capture the beauty of America’s national parks in colors so vibrant they practically say, “Let’s go outside.” A joyful, wanderlust-filled pick for your coffee table.” – Sara, Owner of Persma Books
4. By the Bootraps by Alexa Martin and The Starter Ex by Mia Sosa
“Alexa Martin’s first cowboy romance will have us all swooning this Spring, right alongside the official release of The Starter Ex by Mia Sosa, which promises nothing but comedy, banter, and a slow-burning fake-dating story! Alexa Martin and Mia Sosa are both iconic writers who always deliver a great time when you pick one of their books. If you are suffering from a reading slump, I assure you, their books will help greatly!” – Gyalene, Owner of Lovers Corner Bookshop
5. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
“A love story, an eternity in the summer of life, and a reminder that it’s in change where beauty is truly created.” – Elysia, Owner of Irvington Vinyl and Books
6. Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin
“Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin explores the cost of hubris, even when acted upon under the guise of one’s best intentions. Reconciling what’s important to us with what we feel is our life’s work can feel like a sisyphean task that evolves alongside us as we grow. Celestial Lights interrogates what we choose to remember at the end of our lives when faced with the questions: “Was everything I did worth it?” and “Am I enough?” This book feels like a modern classic to me, and I imagine it’ll make me cry for different reasons each time I revisit it.” -Vik, Bookseller at Loudmouth Books
7. Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
“We recommend Razorblade Tears because it’s a powerful, fast-paced novel that pulls readers in from the very first page. The story follows two fathers, very different men who come together after the tragic loss of their sons, and what unfolds is a gripping journey of grief, redemption, and unexpected growth. This book is especially great for someone who used to read regularly or for someone looking to get back into reading. The pacing is cinematic, the chapters move quickly, and the emotional depth keeps readers engaged. It’s the kind of story that jump-starts your reading engine and reminds you why you fell in love with books in the first place.” – Anna, Owner of The Garden of Readin’ Book Closet
8. Every Happiness by Reena Shah
“Every Happiness is a stunning and unflinching debut! Amidst its luminescent prose, you will find complex, flawed characters you can’t help but root for and themes that come alive on the page. The longing Reena Shah infused into every word is so painfully potent that it blurs the line between reader and character.” -Cassie, Lead Bookseller at Loudmouth Books
9. A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Lee Onhwa
“A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang is a Korean translated work recommended for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. This book is a perfect cozy, comforting and bittersweet novel filled with magical realism, grief and healing. It takes the cultural comfort of food and combines it with the reflective meaning of life and the trajectory of those life choices.” – Ash, Bookseller at The Whispering Shelf
10. Crux by Gabriel Tallent
“Crux is the perfect way to welcome spring weather and inspire getting back outdoors! Following Dan and Tamma through rock climbing pursuits and gnarly coming-of-age challenges, Tallent wonderfully builds characters and writes viscerally about the outdoors. A great novel to get you outside again! “ – Jake, Co-Owner of Tomorrow Bookstore
11. You Deserve to be Rich: Master the Inner Game of Wealth and Claim Your Future by Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings
“I recommend You Deserve to Be Rich because the storytelling makes complex wealth-building principles easy to understand and apply in everyday life. Beyond the book, readers have immediate access to the Earn Your Leisure podcast, live events, and community, creating a direct pathway to continue learning and implementing what they read.” – Le’Deana, Owner of Midwest Leak Reading Room
12. The Fury by Alex Michaelides
“A murder mystery set on the Greek islands? Say no more. Glamorous, sun-soaked, and packed with twists, this bestseller delivers tension with Mediterranean flair. A perfect read for an upcoming spring break trip!” – Sara, Owner of Persma Book Company
13. Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae
“So many of us grew up with this song on repeat, and I’m sure our customers have heard it playing on our bus from time to time. The story follows Bea as she spends Sunday going through records and learning all about her Great Aunt Portia’s favorite music, and I love the intergenerational thread woven throughout. This beautifully illustrated picture book reminds children that there’s a song for every emotion. Whether they’re feeling joyful, sad, or anything in between, music can help them move through it, encouraging us all to slow down, listen, and find our own rhythm in the world.” – Natalie, Founder/CEO of Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore
14. Leave Your Mess at Home by Tolani Akinola
“A kaleidoscopic look into the aftermath of dysfunctional family dynamics, Leave Your Mess at Home by Tolani Akinola gives us a glimpse into the reckoning that occurs when adult siblings come home carrying the baggage of their individual and shared truths. This book will beckon to your own heartbreak and yet leave you with a gleaming seed of hopefulness.” -Cassie, Lead Bookseller at Loudmouth Books
Well, I don’t know about you, but after reading this list, I am already strategically plotting my crawl to maximize peak bookshopping. And did you see the beautiful artwork on these covers? And as a reminder, while Book Crawl is a wonderful annual event for our bookstores around Central Indiana, these are businesses that create critical third spaces for our community year-round. Sign up for a book club, gift a book to a fellow nerd, or just spend the warm Saturdays pursuing their shelves.
Allison Barkel is a lifelong bookworm who is passionate about positively contributing to her local community, including exceeding her budget at local, independent bookstores!
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