The Booksellers Association and Bookshop.org, working in partnership for the National Year of Reading, are delighted to announce Lessons in Harmony by Jonathan Coe (Viking) and Robin by Sarah Ann Juckes (Simon & Schuster Children’s Books) as Indie Book of the Month and Indie Book of the Month (Children's) for November. The year-long partnership brings together the Booksellers Association’s Books Are My Bag consumer campaign and Bookshop.org’s online platform to champion monthly Indie Book of the Month titles, supporting reading for pleasure and driving readers towards independent bookshops across the UK and Ireland. Each monthly selection benefits from coordinated promotion across the combined reach of the Booksellers Association’s and Bookshop.org’s social media channels, newsletters and digital platforms, ensuring independent bookshops remain central to reader discovery. Independent bookshops across the UK and Ireland will also promote Lessons in Harmony and Robin throughout November via in-store and digital promotional materials.
Lessons in Harmony by Jonathan Coe (Viking) is a powerful story of connection, music and friendship in Belle Epoche France. Narrated by one of his students, the novel follows young French composer Maurice Ravel and his burgeoning friendship with rising British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. With WW1 looming, the pair navigate their relationship to each other, national identity, music and art.
Jonathan Coe, author of Lessons in Harmony, said: "I’m thrilled that my novel Lessons in Harmony has been chosen as Indie Book of the Month. From my early years as a teenage reader to my current incarnation as veteran author (have Senior Railcard, will travel) I’ve seen the UK’s literary landscape change beyond recognition - but the independent sector has always played the central and most crucial role. Thanks so much for your support and for everything you do."
Robin by Sarah Ann Juckes (Simon & Schuster Children’s Books) is spirited winter tale, centred on a quiet, young boy named Eddie. Feeling invisible as his sister Scarlet battles illness, Eddie retreats into a frozen forest where a monster grows with every unspoken hurt and angry thought. Guided by a little red bird, he meets Mari, a mysterious girl who helps him find his voice, make friends and rediscover his love of music.
Sarah Ann Juckes, author of Robin, said: " I am over the moon that ROBIN has been picked as Indie Children's Book of the Month – particularly during the National Year of Reading. This campaign not only highlights the impact that passionate independent booksellers can make, but also the power in working together to inspire the next generation of readers. It’s my hope that through this, children can discover the joys of independent bookshops (as well as a new favourite book along the way!)" The Indie Book of the Month and Indie Book of the Month (Children's) titles are selected by panels of independent bookshops from publisher submissions.