Book Awards, Editorial Reviews & More!
Book Awards, Editorial Reviews & More!
A heartfelt tribute to the craft of storytelling, the faces that inspire it, and the communities that nurture it. Weaving together flash fiction, memoir pieces, essays, and stories rooted in everyday encounters, The Long Red Hair and Other Short Stories by Nancy Martin is a fast-moving collection that peels back the curtain on ordinary events and […]
A vividly layered narrative that intertwines history and the complexities of identity. In My Family and ‘Them Languages’, Aline P’nina Tayar turns to the intertwined histories of her Maltese and Tunisian Jewish heritage to make sense of identity, migration, and the role of language in shaping belonging. The narrative begins in the wake of her
An extraordinary human interest story that demonstrates the power of fortitude, support, courage, and compassion.. Blending decades of resilience with transformative leadership lessons, The Unexpected CEO: My Journey from Gas Station Cashier to Billion-Dollar CEO by Shirin Behzadi plots an extraordinary path from personal hardship to high achievement. Shirin’s story begins as part of an
A story of resilience, hope, and the simple things that help us hold on and move forward together. Shaggy’s Cheeseburgers by Ron Ladner is a moving memoir about rebuilding a life, a community, and a sense of purpose in the wake of devastation. When Hurricane Katrina struck, Ladner lost not only his home but also
A raw and beautifully fractured exploration of grief. A Pleasant Fiction: A Novelistic Memoir by Javier De Lucia is a stark and intimate exploration of loss, memory, and the uneasy terrain of healing after tragedy. At its center is Calvin, a man reeling from the death of his family. Instead of collapsing into expected rituals
A brave debut that offers light to others still navigating darkness. Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir by Andrea Leeb is an unflinching story of childhood trauma, buried secrets, and the long, difficult journey toward healing. At just four and a half years old, Andrea’s life is shattered when her father begins to abuse her.
This biography has real heart and soul. James Dean: An American Icon by Thomas Brennan offers a compelling exploration of one of Hollywood’s most enduring legends. Born in 1931 in Marion, Indiana, James Byron Dean rose from modest beginnings to become a cultural icon in the 1950s. After studying theater at Santa Monica City College
A deeply relatable, never preachy guide that’s rich with real-life context. Mothers of Boys Survival Guide by Suzy Shaw is a non-fiction work that offers a heartwarming, candid, and delightfully humorous memoir-meets-manual on raising boys in the modern age. Everything here is taken from her real-life experiences raising two Gen Z sons, nicknamed “Earnest” and “Exuberance”.
A necessary contribution to pandemic literature that will bring comfort to many. Stolen: Love and Loss in the Time of COVID-19 by Elizabeth Jaeger is a raw, intimate memoir chronicling her father’s harrowing battle with COVID-19 in New York City at the height of the pandemic. The story is told through diary entries and poignant flashbacks, and
A heartfelt look at what it takes to confront the past and define the future. A parent’s care for a child should be instinctual, a natural extension of their love, and that love is usually reciprocated through the child’s trust and dependence. But what happens when parental love is tainted, twisted, or cruel? What
Geoffrey R. Jonas is no stranger to suffering, and his heartrending story will resonate with readers who have endured similar trials. Though many of us have family histories that are less than exemplary, Jonas chronicles a long record of violations, including Alcohol Use Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder in his compelling book,
Walk a Mile in My Shoes – Surviving Life’s Challenges is a dramatic first-person account of the wild twists and turns in Paul Bradford’s life. With roots as a Southern boy coming of age in the 1960s, Bradford’s heartwrenching story spans some seven decades of internal and external upheaval. For readers who can handle conflict,
An energizing story about navigating the disparities between expectation and reality. Across the globe, many lands boast incredible wealth, tremendous growth, and opportunities for diverse communities. Alongside these golden prospects, though, exist places with little chance for people to escape rampant poverty, injustice, oppression, and stagnation. Not one to be held back by limiting circumstances,
An upbuilding, honest account that takes readers on an invigorating journey of spiritual growth. Are you a Christian who wrestles with dark or shameful thoughts that can’t be eradicated with willpower? Does fear shape your interpretation of Scripture? Does happiness depend on others’ approval? Does lingering doubt persist? If so, you’ll appreciate the struggles of
A fresh and engaging perspective on life’s unpredictable moments. Party Animals is a modern collection of poems that offers readers an introspective look at our place in the grand scheme of things. Ethan Heusser explores everything from spirituality to the economy with style, brightness, and a golden tongue. The three main divisions, Phylogenetics, Cladistics, and
An encouraging account about fighting catastrophe and despair with resilience, faith, and gratitude. A hardship need not afflict the whole world to affect your entire world. For Ann Campanella, a single accident kicks off a torrent of trials that reshapes her life. Fresh off an invigorating conference, Campanella is a ball of energy with a
A sincere blend of love, sorrow, and reinvention. Loren Ridinger has lived a storied life. She co-founded a multimillion-dollar company, became a joyful wife, mother, and grandmother, has traveled the world, and has been known to rub elbows with celebrities. But even the greatest stories have challenges and uncertainties. Loren’s most formidable challenge came with
Kenny Loui is back for more plushy liberation in Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga – Vol. 2. With advice that hints at cosmic plotline destiny, Gerry’s rebrands Gerry’s Game Zone as Games R Us. Dr. Gerry is quick to accept change, but not everyone moves forward with such ease. He offers
A delight to read and a sumptuous gala for the heart. Dad vs. The World (Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga) is a witty and intriguing autobiographical manga and the latest offering by award-winning author, Kenny Loui. This graphic novel sheds light on the person who shaped much of Kenny’s formative years,
An empowering memoir that will inspire you to advocate for yourself and the ones you love the most. Educational Disobedience is an anguished tale of a mother’s love and determination in the face of tremendous heartbreak, ignorance, and discrimination. Dr Annise Mabry’s story begins generations earlier with her grandparents, a family navigating a landscape of
An indispensable resource for anybody thinking about taking guardianship of their elderly parents. Léonie Rosenstiel’s book Protecting Mama: Surviving the Legal Guardianship Swamp offers a startling account of her years-long battle with her ailing mother’s commercial guardian and protector-turned-manipulator and abuser. The struggle for justice and its consequences on her family as she attempts to
A captivating tale that anybody who feels anchored in pleasing others and losing oneself in the process should read. In Hope: A Journey of Self Love, Author Renee Louise describes her past, which was plagued by turmoil and confusion, as well as how she conquered the factors that permitted and conditioned her to spend half
A resonant journey that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Memoirs and biographies often captivate us with personal tales of extraordinary experiences that can inspire courage and hope. Though we don’t all sail the stars or overcome oppression, most of us have unique stories and interesting anecdotes worth sharing. Proof can be found in Mark Shaiken’s
Abyss of Tyranny by Justin Cook Few among us would relish time in prison, but if we found ourselves incarcerated, certainly that moment of freedom, our eventual release, would be a glorious affair, right? “If anyone tells you getting out of prison is easy or joyful, they’re full of it.” This pulls-no-punches outlook permeates Justin Cook’s second
