GREAT INDIE READS
Join the Club
The Great Indie Reads section spotlights the work of exceptional independent authors as chosen by DartFrog Books.
This month's recommendations
Estrella Chavez Goes to Mystery School: Lesson 1—Water
Through murder, romance, fierce friendships, wild adventures, prophecy, transcendental meditation and blackmail, Estrella must learn how to unlock her code to purify and free the waters that run within, between and around us all.
Kismet's Gate: The Scarred and The Chosen
An epic fantasy of fate, forbidden power, and the glowing creature that binds a runaway girl and a scarred man to the same impossible path
Come September
With unforgettable characters and emotionally charged storytelling, this novel explores what binds us and what breaks us, the power of strength and perseverance, and how truth and forgiveness can be the key to reconciling the pain of our past and building a new life.
Recent Great Indie Reads Books
September, 2025
In Berlin: A Novel
In Berlin is a work of empathetic precision, exploring both the unpredictable nature by which geopolitics and scientific breakthroughs touch our lives, and the brave, bold, and sometimes quiet ways in which people reassert agency in the face of loss. Most of all, it taps a throughline of emotion that binds characters and readers alike across geographies, cultures, and ambitions
JULEBORD - The Holiday Party (Correlations Trilogy)
Much more whodunit than a diversified nordic noir novel, JULEBORD is laced with what life is like to work in a small rural hospital, where things and humans occasionally get dirty.
The Mystical Spirit of the Ol' St. Joe (The Old River Chronicles)
A tumultuous and evocative tale of human transformation and the power of belief, The Mystical Spirit of the Ol' St. Joe is a gripping sequel to A Boat Named Blind Faith that will leave readers questioning the boundaries between what is and what can be.
August, 2025
Arc of the Universe
An inventive and thought-provoking work of contemporary fiction exploring social justice, law, and moral courage.
Bell Hammers: The True Folk Tale of Little Egypt, Illinois
PRANKS. OIL. PROTEST. JOKES BETWEEN NEWLYWEDS.
AND ONE HILARIOUS SIEGE OF A MAJOR CORPORATION.
Blood Favors (Rob Chambers)
Nature isn’t the only lethal force to strike New Orleans in 1965.
July, 2025
Squirrel Pie: A Memoir
Squirrel Pie is a true story of the painful realities around abuse, addiction, mental illness, and generational trauma. It is also a success story; a story in which perseverance, resilience, compassion, and unexpected allies lead Debbie to a life of healthy connections and choosing joy.
Black Void: Nowhere to Run
In a world teetering on the brink of unimaginable chaos, can humanity survive the very power it sought to control?
Carrying the Tiger: Living with Cancer, Dying with Grace, Finding Joy While Grieving
Poignant, heartrending, and ultimately hopeful, Carrying the Tiger is a memoir for anyone hoping to find comfort in discomfort and embrace a new perspective on death.
About the Books
The Great Indie Reads is a collaboration between Bookclubs and Dartfrog to expose book clubs to new, independent authors and books! Dartfrog books are the best in independently published literature. DartFrog uses professional editorial standards to curate book store and book club worthy books from self-publishers, hybrid publishers, and smaller traditional publishers. We're bringing recommended DartFrog books to you, each with a book club discussion guide. Enjoy!
