There are a handful of titles being reported on the top 10 lists by many independent booksellers around the country. While some of them are also being reported by chains, their rankings are usually lower. Twelve, a debut novel by Nick McDowell, published by Grove, is among the top 20 fiction titles at both Barnes & Noble and Borders; it's among the top 10 at many independent bookstores. PW's review of this "precocious writer" (he was 17 when he wrote the book) cited "the terse, controlled writing." Overseas interest is high—the book has already been sold in seven countries. A stellar review by Michio Kakutani in the daily New York Times, reports the publisher, got sales hopping and the book has received much media attention. Author events have been scheduled in 16 cities and his tour continues until the third week in August. There are now 60,000 copies in print after five trips to press.
A starred, boxed PW review of Arthur Phillips's Prague was just the beginning of good news for the Random House book. But what good news! PW called it "the most memorable fiction debut of the year" and ended with this praise: "This novel is so complete a distillation of its theme and characters that it leaves a reader wondering how on earth Phillips can follow it up." Prague is a Book Sense pick, and the author recently completed a 10-city tour. In his home town, Minneapolis, the Ruminator bookstore pulled in about 700 people and sold out its supply of 300 copies. There are 60,000 copies after four trips to press; first printing was 35,000.
Back in 1998, Iain Pears hit the national charts with An Instance of the Fingerpost. The Riverhead book spent seven weeks on PW's hardcover list and went as high as #12. His newest book, The Dream of Scipio, is enjoying good sales and is up to 65,000 copies in print. PW's review suggested that since this book is "less mystery-driven," it might not do as well as his mysteries. It's unlikely that it will see a seven-week bestseller run, but it remains on the indie radar screen.
