Blake's love for her work and animals pulses through this memoir that reads like journal entries as she covers "14,000 miles in eight months" as a traveling horse trainer "promoting a kinder method of training." Delving into the development of “Affirmative Training,” her empathetic method, and also how the pandemic changed the trajectory of her life's work, and the "special connection" horses and their humans share, Undomesticated Women offers much that will engage seekers and animal lovers. "Sometimes I refer to myself as a couple's therapist for horses and humans,” Blake affectionately writes, and her stories back this up as she demonstrates a passion for her career path that is infectious and inspiring.
This spirited memoir focuses on travel, human-animal relationships, and what it actually feels like to live an adventurous, nomadic existence. Blake mourns her losses, celebrates her husband, tends to the animals she loves, and frankly addresses issues of mental health—“My depression sat next to me in broad daylight, like an evil twin with poor hygiene”—she writes, as this candid, memorable memoir finds her hitting the road, leaving domesticity in the rearview.
Takeaway: A horse trainer’s intimate nomadic journey through pandemic-era America.
Comparable Titles: Lisa Wysocky's Horseback, Courtney Maum's The Year of the Horses.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
While Joi’s focus is on practical, original steps to organize and perform work anniversary celebrations, the broader theme is the creation or improvement of healthy, “intentional” workplace culture, especially through demonstrating that employees are valued, appreciated, and remembered for their work. "Work anniversaries can play a significant role in helping you craft an intentional workplace culture," Joi writes. Joi likens work anniversaries to birthdays, with the distinction that work anniversaries are to be celebrated inside of the workplace, while birthdays are personal. Touching on the importance of celebrating both in-person and remote employees, the nuts and bolts of how much to spend and how elaborate to get, and the value of framed certificates and other acknowledgements of employees’ contributions, Inspiring Work Anniversaries makes a compelling, positive case for the power of celebrating employee milestones.
A wealth of clear-eyed advice will help avoid awkward scenarios and ensure celebrations for a host of different types of employees resonate, including guidance for honoring remote employees, writing celebratory speeches, and navigating limited budgets. Business leaders looking for a simple way to acknowledge their employees and curate actionable positivity into their workplace culture will find the ideas and advice here inspiring and easy to implement.
Takeaway: The power and practicalities of celebrating employee anniversaries.
Comparable Titles: Donna Cutting's Employees First, Cindy Ventrice's Make Their Day!.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
The dynamic plot, marked by constant shifts in mission objectives, offers continual unpredictability as the scope and stakes—and the playful strangeness of an Earth full of dino-lizards and mega honey badgers—become clear. Jonas's initial objective is to find the all-knowing hermit Siegfried. Persistent bounty hunters Necrat and Tarsus complicate things, relentlessly pursuing Jonas and Siegfried. The narrative gains momentum as Jonas encounters Siegfried, triggering an onslaught by the skeleton god Khapre-Tum’s army on Earth's city of Heliopolis. The revelation that Khapre-Tum plans to unleash a world-shattering weapon on Earth forces Jonas to shift his focus to confronting a literal Demon-god, which of course is a bit much for a first-year agent. Fortunately, in a twist of destiny, Jonas is bestowed with additional power and responsibilities by the celestial being Garud, elevating him to the position of a Savior. It all builds to a high-octane final act of infiltrating the underworld.
The swift resolution of conflicts through Ashtar or Garud's interventions, such as the use of a prophecy, occasionally lessens the tension and challenges faced by Jonas, and the novel’s length is demanding, exacerbated by a tendency to explain in narrative what’s already clear from dialogue. Still, the ending is satisfying, and the narrative's strengths lie in its diverse characters, constant surprises, and jolting reimagination of an ancient Earth.
Takeaway: Wildly inventive SF adventure sending a far-future rookie to a changed Earth.
Comparable Titles: Pittacus Lore’s Ashfall Legacy, Rebecca Coffindaffer’s Throne Breakers.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B+
A Map of the Edge: Coming of Age in the Sixties
Rick and Lincoln straddle the cusp of adulthood throughout—a taxing gig that’s reflected in Lincoln’s flippant assessment of Yucaipa, their isolated Californian city: “I like it here…the edge is where everything happens. Ask any chemist. Ask any historian.” The story takes its cue from there, as the boys construct a new world for themselves at “the edge of nowhere,” a world that’s scattered with fitting references—literary, musical, and political—that signal the ‘60s fringe culture shaping their capering. Isaak takes pains to showcase that culture, whether it’s Rick’s assessment of I Am Curious (Yellow) as “vague [and] unfocused” or the veiled references to the helpless horror of the Vietnam War.
Isaak is careful to treat the story’s evolution with a light, humorous touch, avoiding the pitfall of taking coming-of-age revelations too seriously, but the characters of Rick and Lincoln are neither glorified nor treated dismissively: they’re portrayed as impressive but ultimately ingenuous young boys doing the best they can to navigate the treacherous waters of becoming an adult. Isaak’s deft merging of teen angst with of-age awakenings makes this a treasure.
Takeaway: Teen boys navigate America’s 1960s fringe culture in this stellar coming-of-age.
Comparable Titles: Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake, Ellen Meeropol’s Her Sister’s Tattoo.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
The Real Gatsby: George Gordon Moore: A Granddaughter's Memoir
Rathbun tells this story with verve and real historical research, including a robust detailing on sources as well as photos that grounds the characters and setting. Far beyond the historical value, this is a compelling and deeply intimate portrait of her own grandfather: his fascinating life shapes her own, from her mother’s alcoholism to her family’s fascination with horse racing to the irrevocable stain the Depression left on her mother’s psyche. She doesn’t shy away from Moore’s “shadowy business dealings,” and just how he made his millions is never quite clear. From Rathbun’s telling, his life before the fall consisted of lavish parties, hunting for wild game, and machinations with the British aristocracy.
Rathbun’s commitment is admirable: she travels from North Carolina to California to find people with knowledge about her grandfather, in addition to extensive archival research, and the anecdotes she shares add color and pathos to the narrative, such as when she forces herself to eat wild boar meat or when she reconnects with her Uncle David. The result is an unflinching portrait of a somewhat scandalous transformation from “a low-born immigrants’ son into a celebrated international financier who lived the American Dream.”
Takeaway: Irresistible memoir of early 20th century extravagance, scandal, and family heritage.
Comparable Titles: Nathan Miller’s New World Coming, J.R. Ackerley’s My Father and Myself.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
So, with certification from one Basic Sailing Course, Rebecca takes part in one of the great international sailing challenges, facing all the danger, thrills, glory, camaraderie, and hard work, all of which Wyatt describes with crisp clarity, convincing accuracy, and a teacher’s zeal for explanation. Simple sketches clarify the route, nautical maneuverings, and finer points of sails and jibs. Not all of the team approves of Rebecca, and Wyatt pairs the journey of the Gallivant with Rebecca’s own route toward confidence and healing. Nobody is as hard on Rebecca as she is on herself, in the form of hectoring inner voices that, ever since her childhood in the foster system, have told her she will fail.
“The romance and adventure” are real, Rebecca muses after much hard work, “but they came with sore muscles and wet hair.” They also come with real danger, which Wyatt dramatizes with precision and power, capturing Rebecca’s breath-by-breath confrontation with possible death. The novel, though, is a pleasant breeze, attentive to history, wildlife, and everything an attentive novice would feel and discover on the voyage of a lifetime.
Takeaway: Spirited novel of a novice sailing in a race around Vancouver Island.
Comparable Titles: Hannah Stowe’s Move Like Water, Victor Suthren’s Canadian Stories of the Sea.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: B+
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Warning of the worst of government overreach, Isaak deftly immerses stranger Toby in a truly strange land. Extrapolating from laws of the 1990s when the DEA could confiscate a drug lord’s assets, and when everyone demanded that their taxes be lowered, by 2088 the government’s sole source of revenue is the confiscation of property. Jam-packed prisons are privatized, and government agencies arrest citizens with highly desirable skills on trumped-up charges, forced to work off their sentences performing slave labor in prisons that supply the government with goods. High on the government’s list of criminals is hacker Boots DeVore, who exposes the truth to the oblivious citizenry addicted to mandatory drugs. To help work off his obscene debt, Toby, with his hacker skills, is recruited to hunt down Boots. But whose side is Toby on?
With a diverse cast and polished prose, Isaak captures the startling extent to which government can debase humanity for its own economic benefit. It’s a world of segregated communities, children of prisoners losing their civil rights, government fines if you get fat, and an elite class exempt from all crime. Readers will be enthralled by the meticulous descriptions, relatable protagonist, and wide-eyed revelations of the slippery slope we’ll be headed for if we’re not vigilant.
Takeaway: A 20th-century hacker confronts a dystopian future with skepticism and hope.
Comparable Titles: Cory Doctorow; Agustina Bazterrica’s Tender Is the Flesh
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Body of Origin
Body of Origin is an entertaining, thought-provoking read with a touch of romance and a commitment to investigating how the fantasy of switching bodies would work out in real life, especially when thrown into the life of a high school student who forges her own path—school dances, she notes, aren’t her thing. Smith captures the laughter and camaraderie of teen friends, but it’s not all fun and games. The darker elements, though, prove resonant and relatable, from the tragedy that takes away Jamie’s ability to run, a passionate fight for human rights, the “big brother” political aspects, and the prejudice that switcherbornes face. Calliope was born with a great gift—so why does she feel so terrible being who she was meant to be?
Smith proves thoughtful about the wealth of issues (consent, human rights, sexuality) that come with switching, as the story expands beyond Calliope’s friends to encompass events that will shock the world. Through it all, though, this is a novel about being true to yourself, standing up for what you believe in, and understanding that, while everyone is different, we’re all just human.
Takeaway: Smart, speculative slice-of-life about a powered teen staying true to herself.
Comparable Titles: Mary E. Pearson’s The Adoration of Jenna Fox, Joma West’s Twice Lived.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
After Asani is captured during a village raid, Jimmy works with Asani’s explorer-turned-fisherman friend, Ro, to help free her from detention, and, later, her activist father from a work camp, daring moves with the distinct possibility of ending in disaster. Once he has the transporter back, Jimmy struggles to find the ideal moment for utilizing the magic device and returning to earth while not betraying his new friends. Readers will empathize with Jimmy’s emotions as he soldiers on, attempting to right wrongs and come out of the adventure unscathed, despite outwitting the skull hoarders (a dreaded legion of pirates) and Istara’s dreaded Council, which makes the planet’s rules and regulations and jails those who don’t agree with them.
Nipun does a fine job of describing Istara’s otherworldly atmosphere (“a group of six legged creatives that had been basking in the sun… had slender bodies covered in hard, spiny scales and large, menacing heads”) abounding with blue-beaked and pink-tailed megafauna, human-sized bloodsucking beetles ,and dastardly pirates. Spirited Asani, practical Ro and imaginative Jimmy make an excellent team, with each’s strengths complementing the others. Young readers who love larger-than-life interplanetary adventures will devour Nipun’s fantastical tale.
Takeaway: Imaginative other-planetary adventure in the spirited classic vein.
Comparable Titles: John David Anderson’s Stowaway, Erin Entrada Kelly’s We Dream of Space.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: B
Frangipane paints a picture-perfect portrait of Paris in his observations of ancient architecture, such as the abbey of Jumièges and the Luxembourg Gardens, and luscious French fine dinings and pastries, to his admiration of Impressionist paintings—of Monet’s “Impression, Sunrise,” he writes “I could almost hear the water lapping on the edge of the boats"—and his own burgeoning efforts at artistic creation. Heidi became his devoted guide and travel buddy, revealing the historic wonders of the city and the labyrinthine Parisian streets. As an American, he of course faced the challenge of learning and adapting to cultural differences and language barriers, especially in pursuit of a job.
While the narrative may lack dramatic crescendos, a surprising revelation in the final chapter leaves readers mirroring Barry’s own introspective life and its paths. Frangipane's narrative, occasionally reminiscent of a detailed travelogue with its accompanying photographs and sounded emotional content, enticingly transports readers to the cobblestone streets of the iconic city. Through his eyes, readers witness the daily tribulations and delights of being an American in a foreign land, where every interaction and street corner presents a potential cultural clash or fusion. For Paris enthusiasts, this memoir serves as a literary passport, inviting them to vicariously indulge in the enchantment of the French capital.
Takeaway: An American traveler's spontaneous life in 1970’s France.
Comparable Titles: Suzy Gershman’s C'est La Vie, Janice MacLeod’s A Paris Year.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Unfortunately, Maya has an almost pathological phobia of scooping dog poop, which she relates in her wry voice that is both funny and relatable. When Uncle Puddin’ Head roars off to work in his monster truck, Maya and Lily go on an all-day journey searching for somewhere Waggers can relieve himself safely, meeting several wacky neighbors in the process. During these adventures Lily comes to realize that Puddin’ Heads are not as evil as she’s been led to believe, and Maya figures out how to be a better pet owner.
One of the most effective scenes is when the two girls are snacking on what Maya calls “puddin’ berries” and Lily calls “sweet berries,” and they realize these delicious fruits are one in the same. The exaggerated strife between the Puddin’ Heads and Sweeties will help kids notice the absurdity of many real-world conflicts, as well as what they have in common with people who have different beliefs. While this lighthearted tale’s focus on Waggers’s bathroom habits, including talk of “fart tarts,” will overwhelm readers who tire of potty jokes, Maya’s acceptance of her responsibility offers a positive example for kids as they take more initiative in their own lives.
Takeaway: Humorous story about a girl overcoming her fears and learning to care for her pet.
Comparable Titles: Carolyn Crimi’s Secondhand Dogs, Carlie Sorosiak’s I, Cosmo.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
The stakes: “War will be upon us if we do not stop Icelos.” Lightsey deftly intermingles an assortment of world religions, ethnicities, mystical symbols, folklore, and ancient wisdom from Celtic, Hindu, Christian, and Mesopotamian, along with literary references from Dostoevsky to the I Ching—enough so that even dedicated readers of folklore and ancient religions will be Googling the many symbols, languages, and personages that pepper this multilayered journey. But the quest itself is engaging and exciting, and Helena is a rousing hero, armed with wonders like a staff topped with the Strophalos, the symbol of the labyrinth of truth, plus Hecate’s magic mirror, and an infinite bag of holding.
Helena is accompanied by bickering, bumbling thieves Catiana and Dogett, who can find the Fortress of Caffa, Icelos’s lair. The first stop on their quest is a visit with the volatile ancient witch Baba Yaga, who poses riddles in a tense standout of a scene. Helena is a gritty, whip-smart leader who accepts her mission with attitude, grace, and exuberance. There is plenty here for readers who enjoy mystical adventures blended with historical details.
Takeaway: This impressive magical quest blends mysticism gleaned from folklore and history.
Comparable Titles: Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore’s The Witch and the Tsar.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
Pivnik—whose curiosity was initially sparked after hearing about an employee’s triathlon competition—acknowledges his outside chance of becoming a world class athlete, describing his early self-limiting beliefs and less-than-stellar physical condition that made triathlons an unlikely dream; however, through goal setting, planning, and consistency, he was transformed, “building endurance and strength for the marathon of life, business, and sport." Starting from that base, Pivnik offers readers insights on business management, tips on becoming an effective leader, and pointers on handling—and recovering from—mistakes and failures.
Like all valuable business guides, Built to Finish is an engaging balance of inspiration and wisdom, bolstered by Pivnik’s actionable advice and hands-on examples of how to achieve a healthy work/life balance. From rookie mistakes that cost millions to owning one of the fastest growing companies in information technology, Pivnik breaks down his well-worn steps to business success, never losing sight of his belief that “more than anything else, life is about having fun.” Takeaways include the power of positive thinking, practical goal setting, and more, as Pivnik urges readers to stretch beyond their comfort zones: “There is no finish line in life” he advises. This is the perfect kick-off to achieving your dreams, whether in business, sports, or life.
Takeaway: Creative business guide based on lessons from triathlon training.
Comparable Titles: Mark Cuban's How to Win at the Sport of Business, Larry Miller's Jump.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
The predatory nature of the men she encounters during the summer—including her own father—pushes Jezebel into developing her interests in feminism and following her dream of learning jazz and the piano. Waite has created a bold, relentlessly questioning protagonist whom readers of character-driven coming-of-age stories will empathize with, especially those who understand how it feels to burn to speak truths to a world disinclined to hear them. The city and era are vividly evoked, from Jerry’s Diner to anti-Nixon rallies on the Common to jazz broadcasts on WBCN, as is the touching blend of uncertainty and utter conviction of a bright teenager figuring out her place in the world. When Jezebel gets curious about the possibilities of LSD helping her chart a course, she—what else?—writes a letter to Timothy Leary.
Jezebel is a moving narrative, rich with everyday detail, that conjures its milieu without wallowing in nostalgia. Despite its setting in the past, there’s much here that will resonate with young adults currently facing the transition into adulthood, including a violent confrontation with a drunk man. Waite surveys, with heart and power, the end of adolescence and the challenge of discovering the woman this girl will become.
Takeaway: Touching story of finding strength, feminism, and herself in 1970s Boston.
Comparable Titles: Misa Sugiura’s This Time Will Be Different, Crystal Maldonado’s Fat Chance, Charlie Vega.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Fidelman breaks his approach down into his TICK TOCK formula, a classic self-improvement rubric offering actionable steps for embracing hard work, networking, and a balancing work and play. "Focus on moving forward, one day at a time," Fidelman writes, urging readers to invest in themselves and offering insight into time management, financial responsibilities, and the benefits of being well-traveled. Young readers will take away a wealth of practical advice that they can implement into everyday life, especially a focus on positivity and success, choosing a mentor or role model in a field of interest, finding a true passion to fuel success, cultivating healthy habits, and building lasting beneficial relationships.
Through personal narrative, Fidelman shares how he shed "a negative mindset" and pushed himself to be disciplined and accomplish his goals to change his life. Young readers will gain encouragement and wisdom from a peer as well as "billionaires, world champions, and creative geniuses,” with straight talk and a lot of heart, especially from his interviewees, whose quotes are all original to this project, rather than—as in so many books offering life guidance—pulled from secondary sources. Fidelman exemplifies the ambition he encourages.
Takeaway: Original guide to achieving success for teens.
Comparable Titles: Sydney Sheppard’s A Growth Mindset for Teens, Claude Larson’s The Power of Choice.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Debut author Pascarella presents a frightening view of Las Vegas, far from the glamor and glitz of the Strip. This is a world of terrified prostitutes and men who cheat on their wives and batter their mistresses. Against this dark background, Pascarella has set a hauntingly vivid cast of characters, such as Maria's father Dominic, a tough retired cop with a secret soft side. Maria's fraught relationship with the troubled Carla is beautifully handled, and leaves the reader cheering for them. The plot gets overly complex at times, and even seasoned mystery readers will have to pay attention to the time jumps, but the so-real characters ensure that they won't put down the book until the last page.
Although set up as police procedural, the book delves into far grimmer territory than most. Maria isn't hunting the merely greedy; she's facing some true psychopaths. A fight scene with one of them will leave even the most jaded readers breathless, and the denouement, especially Maria's impossible ethical choice, will leave her fans waiting for the promised sequel. But be warned: on the last page, a character sums up to Maria the horrific tragedy that's unfolded: "There’s not enough therapy for anyone to get over this one."
Takeaway: Noirish, hard-edged, and memorable Las Vegas procedural.
Comparable Titles: Faye Kellerman’s Moon Music, Leslie Wolfe’s Baxter and Holt series.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
