Personal anecdotes peppered throughout showcase the wealth mindset, plus the power of techniques such as gratitude practices, visualizations, and positive affirmations. Parker digs into some familiar success stories common to books in this genre, such as Helen Keller, Jim Carrey, and Oprah Winfrey, as exemplars of visualization and other techniques; more intriguing are celebrations of Roger Bannister (famed for running a mile in under four minutes in 1954) and Kobe Bryant. Parker urges readers to "acknowledge the wealth that can not be quantified" and push past the beliefs that financial wealth is the only wealth that can curate a wealthy, successful, and happy life.
"It is through action that we breathe life into our dreams, transform challenges into opportunities, and transcend the boundaries of what is possible," Parker writes, and that spirit of upbeat coaching keeps the book inviting. Though at times repetitive, each chapter provides building blocks to create positive habits. Through setting goals, time management, and ongoing learning, Parker shares the foundational knowledge to tap into one's potential and skill sets to take power over one’s life. Exercises, a host of practical lists (“Five Tips for Effective Affirmations), and other reader-friendly tools reinforce the lessons.
Takeaway: Motivational guide focused on wealth, mindset, and positive habits.
Comparable Titles: Neville Goddard's The Wealth Mindset, Arian Simone's The Fearless Money Mindset.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B
Thanks to the help of her friends, Elly lands in New York City, determined to dig up information about her past—and search for her grandfather, Ira Rabinowitz. That doesn’t go as planned, of course, leaving Elly high and dry, with no one to turn to. As with the other books in the series, Quaver plunges readers directly into action in this sixth installment (after Bird in a Gilded Cage), crafting adventure that comes at breakneck speed. Elly’s fantastic escapades take her to places peopled with colorful and interesting characters: standouts include Ursula the “angel,” Frau Moser, who unexpectedly finds the courage to stand up to evil, a porter named Thomas Jefferson with a heart of gold, and Paw-paw, whose world view is entirely in sync with Elly’s.
What makes this a page turner is Quaver’s unique skill at building adventure alongside realistic history; the World War I scenes, though authentic, are jarring in their realism, disrupting the charmed fictional universe of Elly’s ordeals, as when one character wisely reflects “I always thought that wars was fought for reasons. But what could be so all-fired important that men has got to die like squashed bugs for it?” Throughout it all, Elly’s the same courageous, unshrinking heroine, molding this into another series stunner.
Takeaway: Breakneck adventures of a young musical prodigy in the early 20th century.
Comparable Titles: Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle, Kirby Larson’s Hattie series.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
That’s just the beginning of Marielle’s troubles, as Homeland Security soon determines she’s in danger and whisks her into the Witness Security Program, altering her identity—and publishing her obituary in the New York Times. Utterly alone and unsure of what the future holds, Marielle starts to wonder who she can trust, including the government officials supposedly looking out for her best interests. Wolverton (Stealing Angel) skillfully crafts Marielle's downfall from a lovely life spent working on her latest novel to a woman at wit’s end with no one to turn to, a transformation that’s made all the more unreal when Marielle notices her publisher advertising her latest novel, posthumously of course—a novel Marielle is adamant she didn’t write.
Readers will sympathize with Marielle as she’s whisked into what feels like a fiction novel—but ends up being her own life—and cheer her on in the hunt for the truth. When the lid finally blows off completely, Marielle is left to pick up the pieces, wondering if the real “Marielle Wing was [ever] coming back.” Ultimately, the experience, though terrifying, allows her to view life differently, “meet]ing] each day as the thing she had once dreaded, an empty page.”
Takeaway: Appealing thriller showcasing a strong female lead determined to recapture her life.
Comparable Titles: L.T. Ryan’s Noble Beginnings, Cara Black’s Murder at the Porte de Versailles.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
Though Sarah’s tragic backstory consumes much of the novel’s first half, her journey takes off once she departs to study, first in a Parisian art school, and later through an art scholarship competition in Australia—where she falls deeply in love with fellow art student Hans Schuman. As Sarah changes, so, too, does the world around her: her father dies from complications of pneumonia, her relationship with Hans is haunted by old lovers, and a guided trip to Tanzania, meant to spark her creative juices, alters her in more ways than one. Purtee steers clear of the often-messy emotions that come with young adulthood, focusing instead on Sarah’s evolution as an artist—and the realities of female artists in the 1990s, trying to succeed in a classically male-dominated profession.
Purtee skillfully embeds strong female artists who inspire young Sarah into a narrative that shines most when describing the artistic process: intricate details, the elation of watching animal dynamics on safari, and the energetic explorations Sarah and friends make under the tutelage of Kenneth Patrick stand out—as does the underlying theme of Sarah as a phoenix, rising from the ashes of her tragic childhood. A side plot about political kidnappings slightly distracts, but Purtee rallies with a sweet conclusion that will give fans hope of future adventures with Sarah.
Takeaway: Friendship, love, and art intertwine in this sweet YA story.
Comparable Titles: Sandhya Menon’s From Twinkle, with Love, Kayla Cagan’s Piper Perish.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
Arama (Extreme Vetting) creates an imaginative world and kingdom that weaves in realistic themes of life as a royal, the duties of heirs, and the violence of war. Incorporating fantastical elements of ritual magic, supernatural deities, and a mystical bell, The Exiled Queen is a sweeping narrative of a young woman grasping for the love of a father she has never really known and her deep desire to fulfill her responsibilities as heir to a kingdom struggling to hold on to power. Looming over all of the tribal power struggles, of course, is the greatest of threats: the Roman Empire.
"I can't be a queen and have no scars," Andrada laments of her duty. In a story of betrayal, secrets, and sacred responsibility, one princess is at the center of it all. Readers who enjoy historical fiction, royal drama, and fantasy elements will be riveted by this chronicling narrative. Told from multiple engaging points of view, The Exiled Queen will thrill fantasy readers who favor strong women who find a way to take their own power.
Takeaway: Memorable historical fantasy of a princess turned queen claiming back her power.
Comparable Titles: Vanessa Riley's Queen of Exiles, Nancy Goldstone's The Lady Queen.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Smith's love for art culture is vividly depicted through anecdotes of his adolescent school years and trips to France. From the beginning, readers will surmise that the budding romance between François and Smith will be short-lived, yet Smith's reminiscence of his time in France—and their brief tryst—recounts the growth of a young man exploring the world and finding himself along the way. "Now that I’m about to turn 50, I’m inclined to ask myself, why bother saying anything about someone I knew for such a short period of time? Then I considered that I was young when I met François, and these encounters… have an immeasurable impact on our lives going forward," Smith writes.
Smith's search for acceptance from his family, friends, and potential love interests makes for a relatable and transparent memoir that readers will find as endearing as it is vulnerable. In finding daily inspiration through his writings, Smith passes on nuggets of wisdom and encouraging words to "survive the ordeal" that is life, in the process rediscovering joy in his day-to-day moments as well: "I had a new reason for writing these letters. I was falling in love with my own life," Smith muses.
Takeaway: Inspirational memoir that explores taking risks for love while finding one’s self.
Comparable Titles: James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room, Garrard Conley's Boy Erased.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
This is the fourth entry published but the first chronological chapter. It shares the swift pacing, spiritual seeking, twisty plotting, and sharply human dialogue of the earlier books, though its focus feels tighter. This time, Harvey surveys the act of creation, narrated by a well-meaning creator variously called The Great Being, The One Self, and—slightly apologetically—He. (“He had He and She inside of Him,” Harvey notes.) Despite surprises like Him creating Venus the Lovebringer and warning against the power of the ego, the cosmology of Harvey’s series draws heavily on Milton, with Lucifer endowed with free will as an experiment and leading a rebellion against the Great Being.
Here, that rebellion is fought on Earth, as Melchizedek and Layla are born time and again among the people, attempting to guide them forward. As the heroes nudge humanity forward (with cave paintings and other surprises) they face Earthly wars, Barbary Macaques, and Lucifer’s minions. They also must not become too human and forget their connection to the One Self. That’s dramatic and resonant, rich with spiritual implication. Seekers and lovers of mind-bending pre-histories will relish this.
Takeaway: Vital novel of creation, ancient people, and Agents nudging humanity forward.
Comparable Titles: William Bramley’s The Gods of Eden, Michael Flynn’s Eifelheim.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: N/A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
Foxworth, a self-proclaimed atheist, and Grant, who "hadn't made up his mind about God yet," connect with Bible scholar Marcy Cambridge, who shares some convincing scripture aligning with the recent events, but neither are sold on the spiritual side to the phenomenon. Still, the three team up to investigate, eventually landing them in the sights of a group that offers bribe money to skew their findings, then later threats of violence, putting their lives and the lives of their loved ones at risk. Bailey delivers a slow burn as this layered science fiction unravels more devastating changes on Earth: the sky and the ocean lose their blue pigmentation, plants die, and a drought threatens mass hysteria. As panic sets in worldwide, the three central characters must each rely on their areas of expertise to find answers.
This heart-pounding, "end of days" thrill ride takes readers on a speculative journey rich with scientific theories and evidence, paired with the unexplainable, unforeseen presence of a higher power. Bailey contrasts the factual position of science with faith’s perplexing beliefs, spinning an intricately complex tale that resonates as it delivers real world suspense. Readers who crave a cataclysmic race against the clock will be riveted by Bailey’s tension building.
Takeaway: Science and faith are at odds in this apocalyptic thrill ride.
Comparable Titles: James Rollins's The Seventh Plague, Demitria Lunetta’s In the After.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
In clear, inviting prose, Smolarski breaks down how different attachment styles—ambivalent, avoidant, and secure—affect the way individuals parent, love, and handle their emotions, and how understanding these can shape a healthy co-parenting partnership committed to a child or children’s needs. "Co-parents create certainty in the midst of change by committing to show up and be present for your child," Smolarski writes. Personal anecdotes, hard-won experience, and illuminating research demonstrate this, while the author provides tips, advice, and original tools like the six Cs of cooperative co-parenting (commitment, collaboration, clarity, and more) to help readers strengthen relationships and provide stability, safety, and clarity.
Smolarski also answers potential questions that may arise on the co-parenting journey at the end of each chapter. Touching smartly on the evolution of family foundations, Smolarski’s book is a valuable resource that faces all the sadness, fear, shame and anger that "can manifest" when household and family dynamics change and offers support and ways to move forward, such as making a clean romantic break and cooperating to become the "supporting base” for children.
Takeaway: Heartening, original guide for co-parents creating stability for children.
Comparable Titles: Mashonda Tifrere's Blend, Christina McGhee's Parenting Apart.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
The urgency of such reveries is emphasized in later sections that find the speaker caught back up in practical, desperate, and consumerist ways of living. In "Grinds & Flows," from a section titled "Suffering & Smiling," the speaker faces the competitiveness that motivates society: "They say work hard and play harder". She’s candid about refusing full conformity—"But I'm not fond of games," she adds—but of course must work despite inner turmoil at the pressure and disdain for expectations. “Summer Days” offers consolations: rind, birds, “the smell of fresh pasta,” dogs tussling at play.
Through such casually observant poems, Bioku skillfully ties personal crises such as health and body issues to the broader battlefield of capitalism and racism, linking individual experiences and issues of identity to societal and systemic constraints. The collection's strength lies in Bioku’s ability to capture the dichotomy of human existence—balancing the appreciation of life’s richness with its harsh realities and complexities. At the collection’s best, Bioku invites readers to feel their way through the tribulations people face each day–and toward relief from them as well.
Takeaway: Observational and pointed poems of facing society and wanting more.
Comparable Titles: Rupi Kaur's The Sun and Her Flowers, Claudia Rankine's Citizen: An American Lyric.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
That trust is the key, Diaz claims, as a team built on trust will be more cohesive, productive, and will quash the need for “difficult conversations”: “If changes need to be made or issues arise, these will merely be conversations among human beings'' he writes. With firsthand anecdotes from his own experience, and that of former colleagues, Diaz outlines what separates the bad from the great in leadership. “Real leaders don’t get bogged down and stuck on minute details,” he claims, opining that “you can hold all the team building and professional training events in the world, but if your managers are not decent people, this will just be a huge waste of time and money.”
Of particular note, Diaz is adamant that everyone, managers included, must be held accountable, citing that immense amounts of time, energy, and morale are wasted when inadequate managers are given a free pass. Though some of the concepts may feel basic to experienced managers, Diaz offers foundational building blocks that will make life more productive—inside the office and out. That, combined with the light, engaging tone, makes this compact guide a valuable tool for leaders in any profession.
Takeaway: Foundational management principles for leaders in any profession.
Comparable Titles: William Gentry’s Be the Boss Everyone Wants to Work For, Scott Mautz’s Leading from the Middle.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
The story jumps timelines quickly to 1969, introducing Salwa’s daughter, Jamil, who later changes her name to Jasmine. As time flows, in a mostly linear fashion, Jasmine rises from a “barefoot girl in a remote village” in Egypt to the 1970’s New York City modeling scene. Jasmine’s appeal is undeniable—“She was like a very subtle perfume, tangy and lingering, but light as a butterfly's kiss” —but the glamor of her new world can’t quite hide the lingering political turmoil of her birthplace. Sol, too, undergoes his own transformation over the years, as his family makes the trek from Egypt to the United States in search of safe harbor.
Sumptuous details, occasionally overly rich, treat readers to a feast for the senses, from the crowded, noisy bustle of Cairo to the cozy warmth of homes old and new, as Naggar both introduces and celebrates the fabric of culture in this character-driven story. The panoply of characters lends the work a vibrant flair, and each voice is unique, though the sheer quantity of names and relationships can become confusing. Jasmine’s development will resonate—both as a reflection of contemporary events and for the sweet, powerful story of human tenacity and family bonds.
Takeaway: A powerful reflection on politics, family, and human resilience in the wake of exile.
Comparable Titles: Abraham Verghese’s The Covenant of Water, Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A
Zeitler does a spectacular job of blending compelling true history, with these fictional lives, whose personal experiences stir a deeper, immersive understanding of the era and of what it takes to push back against humanity’s worst. With crisp prose and cultural sensitivity, the novel offers incisive perspective on the anger, fear, connections, and love that drive people to stand up against hateful ideologies.
Zeitler will also leave readers with a rich understanding of Ceylon, better known as Sri Lanka, the island nation colonized by the British. Through the eyes of Vernon’s family, once owners of a large plantation, and through the eyes of Saul, who knows very little about Ceylon but immerses himself in the culture, The Half-Caste conjures Ceylon with such persuasive power, charting the heartbreaking growth of racial prejudice and a movement, joined by the passionate Saul, who takes on his own nation’s colonial project—and will face terror and tragedy. Although the novel ends abruptly, and more could be told, readers will walk away satisfied, buoyed by these characters who risk it all for what’s right.
Takeaway: Heart-rending novel of standing up to fascism in 1930s Britain and Ceylon.
Comparable Titles: Edie Meidav’s The Far Field, Frank Griffin’s October Day.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
At that news, Daniel returns to his home in Indiana for the first time in over two decades, unable to ignore his mother’s pleas, who’s desperate for Daniel to “come and deal with [his] father in person.” While reluctantly taking over as caregiver, he discovers a connection between his father’s Vietnam-related nightmares and abusive behavior, allowing Daniel a chance to understand his father’s past—and the two men to come to a truce. Treakle immediately draws readers in, connecting Daniel’s abuse to his own life choices and exploring how it’s impacted his relationships, particularly the decimation of his marriage.
Treakle spotlights the apparent idyll of middle-America through Daniel’s mother, a preacher’s daughter who, for years, did little to stop the abuse, only coming forward to support her son when his own negative choices threatened to ruin his life. Yet the book’s heart is the life-altering events of Jerome’s military service, the violence he participated in there as a soldier, and his inability to come to terms with his actions. As Daniel searches for answers about his father’s time in Vietnam, he hones his journalism skills, leading him to unravel a mystery that grips until the final pages.
Takeaway: A father and son take on the demons of their past in this gripping story.
Comparable Titles: John Podlaski’s Cherries, Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
An environmental lawyer like Josh, Burcat (Strange Fire) has a pitch-perfect ear for the horrific and compelling interplay among attorneys in a major firm as well as the tense rhythms of a hospital caught up in an ongoing crisis. He proves equally good with the weather descriptions, elevating the storm system into something like a well-developed antagonist. The story moves at a fast clip, with a lot of action: as Josh and the other lawyers fight their way through the destruction, the book even takes on a Homeric tone. And although the frequent switch between first- and third-person can be jarring at times, the tale itself always keeps the reader's attention.
Although the emphasis is on the journey, Burcat’s characterization ensures that we see the personalities change along with the weather. Josh's first-person voice comes through clearly, especially his love for Keisha and weariness with his work. At the same time, we see Keisha fighting her own struggles, as what starts as a love triangle turns into some soul-searching. Most interesting is Diane, as Burcat shows just how deeply her soul has been damaged by her ambition. The ending is entirely unexpected—and yet satisfying, leaving the readers pleased they met Josh and the other characters, and hoping they weather whatever comes next.
Takeaway: A lawyer braves a hurricane and his colleagues to reach his pregnant girlfriend.
Comparable Titles: Taylor Adams’s No Exit, Samantha Jayne Allen’s Hard Rain.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
Charlotte’s side of this well-constructed story will be instantly relatable for readers, with themes of settling into a new place, and the sadness of losing her father touches without being overly visceral. Jeremy’s story will prove less immediately intuitive for young readers, as a Virginian father eager to fight for the North against slavery despite his wife’s religious objections is complicated, especially as slavery itself is not depicted in the story. Still, that setup illuminates the complexity of American identities, and the idea of a boy who wants to follow his own idea of manhood will resonate with adolescent readers.
In the past, the upsetting parts of the story, such as the killing of Jeremy’s beloved cow by soldiers, are also told with grace. Both Charlotte and Jeremy’s stories come to satisfying conclusions without loose ends, and the shift in Charlotte’s thinking about her dad at the end makes it clear she’s learned something from the experience.
Takeaway: Ghost mystery connecting present and past while gently exploring grief.
Comparable Titles: Claire LeGrand’s The Year of Shadows, Allison Mills’s The Ghost Collector.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A