usa book reviews

Actress, playwright, and composer Marylee Martin examines the hidden, long-term effects of childhood covert sexual abuse in this award-winning themed memoir. Covert abuse, while solely verbal and mental rather than physical, is a less dramatic but equally damaging form of sexual abuse and is sadly common in all cultures and at every level of society. Children who escape ongoing sexual molestation or more violent forms of physical abuse still struggle in their adult lives and experience similar symptoms of confusion, uncertainty, anxiety, and depression—reactions familiar to victims of overt, hands-on sexual abuse. ... (read more)

The Journey

Author Jeffries recalls his personal history, expanding it to a broad vision of his nation and the world. Born during World War II, he recognized early on that men in his parents’ “Greatest Generation” were spurred by the trauma that all warfare can evoke and, therefore, strove to achieve more once they returned home, building new neighborhoods and aiming for meaningful employment. Similarly, American women who had contributed industrial efforts to the nation’s defense, symbolized by the popular image of “Rosie the Riveter,” resolved to be conscientious wives and parents while also starting to seek outside employment. The postwar years thus wrought numerous upswings in ordinary American life. Meanwhile, citizens of central Europe, where whole cities had been obliterated, were still grappling with extremely challenging aftermaths. One ominous signal was the burgeoning of Russian communism and its concomitant movements of socialism and similar, politically far-left movements. ... (read more)

Finding Truth

Long-time friends Thomas Pettigrew and Flinders Petrie run a detective agency together. Lately, their business has not thrived, so they have taken on second jobs to supplement their income. Pettigrew works as a physician, while Flinders is a curator at the British Museum. E.A. Wallis Budge, the head curator of the British Museum, hires Pettigrew and Flinders to find a small statue of Aphrodite that has been stolen from the Elgin Collection. Normally, Budge would have sought out the missing artifact, but he is swamped and wants the duo to take on the task. Pettigrew and Flinders accept the job, but as they delve deeper into the investigation, the case becomes increasingly dangerous. ... (read more)

Deeper View

When one thinks of President Richard Nixon, the Watergate scandal is usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, in this biography, award-winning author Paul Carter works relentlessly to bring the true essence of Richard Nixon to the forefront, a feat which he performs masterfully and with grace and simplicity. Audiences will gain exposure to Nixon’s humble roots in rural Whittier, California, and Yorba Linda, California—his birthplace—when it was just a fledgling Orange County city with hardly three hundred residents. What’s more, though, is that Carter truly shines a light on the kind of person Nixon was. The premise is that, for all intents and purposes, while the former president was a superb tactician, he transcended that and was a giant of a man. ... (read more)

Ride, Baby, Ride

If it takes twenty-one days to break a habit, then it certainly takes thirty-four to change a life. In Mortensen’s memoir, he simultaneously dazzles with his wit and inspires with an authentic portrayal of his journey biking from Minnesota to California. This isn’t a ride to glory by any stretch. On the contrary, it is one that provokes the human spirit, impelling both Mortensen and those who read it to dig into the innermost recesses of their being and pull out an unquenchable fire for life. ... (read more)

Cast of Characters

The relationships between instructors working in a dysfunctional sociology department at a fictional Florida university in the late 1980s are realistically explored in this novella by educator McNeill. While many workplaces, whether in government, the private for-profit sector, or even non-profit organizations, have these ego-driven, ideological clashes that create a hostile environment for some employees but provide unfair advantages to others, this story reveals the particular problems that arise in academic settings, and in this case, with dramatic, destructive results. The drama is also a cautionary tale determined by various departmental cliques that disregard the warning signs of trouble ahead for not only department faculty but for the entire university and the outside community as well. ... (read more)

Textured & Memorable

A jilted lover kills herself after learning that she can’t have the man she desires most. A target of bullies is granted magical powers to seek revenge from a strange, otherworldly entity. The angel of death watches in the wings, taking interest in order to stop a terrible and inevitable fate. An invading force known as The Loons is coming to consume and extinguish the Earth across all dimensions. All of these happenings intertwine and knot together to create an action-packed story of death, rebirth, identity, and destiny, with all of humanity hanging in the balance. ... (read more)

The book opens with a bold declaration that all forms of perfectionism are unhealthy. Collins and Molitor denounce the concept of “normal” perfectionists who are more productive and achieve greater success. As perfection is inherently unattainable, its pursuit is an inevitable path to frustration, which adversely affects mental and physical health, relationships, creativity, and productivity. Inspired by Kintsugi—the Japanese art and philosophy of “golden repair”—the authors advocate rejecting perfectionism and adopting the “Flawsomism” mindset of celebrating imperfection, striving for excellence, and embracing failure as an opportunity for growth. ... (read more)

Delightful Read

This work is an experience unto itself, one that takes traditional elements of fantasy and plants them into the modern world with supremely original results. Character-driven at its core, Carr’s work follows Trista, an orphan tunnel dweller who calls the depths of the New York subway tunnels her home. In every way, this is a classic coming-of-age story. The book revolves around a protagonist who recognizes that she is different but refuses the call and seeks to conform, to be ordinary, and to fit in. However, she must throw caution to the wind and erupt from her comfort zone or risk losing everything she holds dear. ... (read more)

Daily Trials

While the book begins with the murder of Professor Johnny Wharton, the murder itself is almost superfluous to this brilliantly written novel of intrigue that is primarily set in the mid-1980s. It explores the lives of five women. Four of the women are connected to Wharton, while the fifth becomes an integral part of the book later in the story. These four women include the following: Wharton's wife, Liz, who is an accountant and who volunteers at a dog rescue; their estranged and troubled daughter, Jenny; his grad student Jane (with whom he’s having an affair); and his closeted lesbian coworker, Maddie, who he holds in disdain, and who is the lover of Roz, the fifth woman. The book takes readers through the lives of these women, from the joy and beauty of existence to the trials and tribulations of daily life. ... (read more)

A spin on Henry David Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience,” Soling’s work focuses on eradicating compulsory schooling. A stark deviation from his graphic novels like The Jolly Elf and The Land of Plenty , this book still retains the same creative flair and humor of these other works while delivering stimulating discussions on the state of K-12 schooling. At a time when there are so many outlets to learn, Soling’s handbook embarks on a journey to conclusively prove that everything from the curriculum to the educators are cogs of a system that is not that disparate from prison. ... (read more)

Set against the backdrop of Vladimir Putin’s grab for power in Russia and a rash of global terrorist attacks in the late twentieth century, the novel delves into the complex world of covert counterterrorism. At the age of six, Maxym (Max) Mikhailovich Ivanov suffers an unbearable loss when his parents are killed and ten-year-old sister brutally raped and murdered by religious extremists. Escaping the cruel fate of his family, Max hides in a cupboard. He is rescued by the Russian army after being discovered by a Russian soldier, Leonid. The desire for revenge ignites in young Max after seeing the brutalized bodies of his family. Vowing to his rescuers to kill as many of these terrorists as possible, Max, at the young age of six, begins with those who murdered his family. Praised for his execution of the captured terrorists, Max is admired by the soldiers and given a home with Leonid. ... (read more)

Myths & Magic

Prince Khael Stratton is a mystic who seeks to deepen his knowledge of such arts to help those in need. Following a mission, he reports to the city of Cambridge—ruled over by his brother—and has a close encounter with a pickpocket who steals his signet ring. Alongside his bodyguard, Grant, the prince manages to track down the young woman, Vixen, who suffers from a foggy memory while demonstrating a great talent for skills associated with assassins. Prince Khael finds it an odd happenstance in a time when a terrorist group known as the Chelevkori are making active attempts to eliminate the royal family for a perceived wrongdoing by his grandfather, Loren, and it is further compounded by reports that tyrannical rule has seized the city of Skemmelsham over which he rules. Prince Khael forges a contract with Vixen, and with Grant, they go on a journey to liberate the city. ... (read more)

Transporting audiences into a riveting espionage thriller, Bornstein pushes the limits of science and technology to create a potentially cataclysmic outcome that is as plot-centric as it is character-driven. Loyalties are tested regularly, revealing the fortitude of the main characters and their determination to achieve their goals at all costs. Not your typical thriller, the narrative is tied to one’s roots, family, and being wronged in a way that can’t easily be forgiven. ... (read more)

Children Thinking

Most children adore a good animal story. This one will likely be fought over if there is only one copy on the home, school, or public library shelf. This true tale of a rescued baby otter shares concepts of kindness, hope, healing, and the life cycle. ... (read more)

Beautiful Bar Talk

Streitz dives into an impressive and expansive range of topics, tackling them head-on rather than tiptoeing around them as most normally do. In the process, audiences get to reflect on how they interact with their own lives and the stimuli they are constantly surrounded by. Above all else, however, it is the poet’s ability to use language, particularly metaphor, imagery, and satire, to create a remarkably relatable and universal connection with his readers. ... (rea d more)

Juhani Murros made an unexpected discovery during his visits to art galleries when he worked for an organization in Ho Chi Minh City in 1990. A small still life in an unobtrusive gallery commanded the Finnish physician’s attention. “It was an unpretentious oil painting, yet its dark, mysterious colors and the emotional tension of its disciplined composition set it apart.” Thus began a long journey of discovering the art and life of Van Den, a frugal and kind Buddhist of mixed Chinese and Vietnamese ancestry who studied in Paris for less than two years during 1950-52, a volatile period during the first French Indochina War. ... (read more)

Clear Philosophy

The free will debate has raged for over 2,000 years. Do individuals have control over their own actions and decisions, or are these actions and decisions predetermined by the gods, logic, nature or nurture, or many other forms of determinism? In this new work by Kral, he takes the reader on an intellectual journey that attempts to provide an alternative to the free will question. Upon initial inspection, the question, at its heart, seems to imply either a yes or no with explanations while excluding other answers. However, Kral manages to create a compelling third option, which posits that the question itself is flawed. He argues that “will” cannot be considered free or not free. His reasoning breaks down what the word means in the context of this question, and his results lead him to create an additional theory about the source of human behavior. which he has titled procirclism. ... (read more)

Within this poetry collection, Australian writer Rodden has arranged forty-one contemporary poems reflecting both urban and rural experiences. Within the first selection, the poem’s speaker is driven to “make for the trees,” an attempt to avoid indoor offices where everyone else seems to be. There arise suddenly throughout these poems vivacious, invigorating lines, such as “In the library I try and try / to cram in all the poets and storytellers ….” Other poems tell of the writer’s experiences working among crews fighting bushfires in the wild. And some selections—such as the slightly eccentric, dry-humored “dead chicken-meat day”—paint a rather zany picture in which “the sign says / two skinned chickens for 6 dollars” as the speaker finds herself panting past KFC en route to work. In “The Loaded Dog,” a rustic pub sporting “Depression swaggy” photographs of “romantic gold miners / in classic beards” offers Devil’s Choice beer—with raspberries. ... (read more)

Jazzy & Gritty

This collection by Streitz is the first of four Bar Bibles of Poetry authored by him. In this volume, his attention falls on subjects ranging from bartenders to civil rights leaders, E.D. to selfies. Several poems deal with sex and love, from the lofty heights of romanticism to the street level of strippers and masturbation. He spends time on drunk writers hiding in their homes, dancers who should have been writers, beetles rolling balls of dung, and fathers who find themselves protective and uncomfortable. ... (read more)

Beyond the Usual

D’Agostino, a psychiatric and behavioral health expert, offers his personal and professional opinions about the differences between racism, prejudice, and tribalism in his book. He clearly explains in the introduction that he is neither a sociologist nor a scholar of racism, nor has he spent years researching and writing about this issue. His interest stems from his viewpoint as a mental health professional looking through the lens of psychiatric concerns with the complex of “motivations and emotionally important belief systems.” To this end, the author primarily examines the trajectory of race relations in his lifetime as he experienced the black-white racial divide, although he also cogently covers the topic historically ... (read more)

Transcendent Tone

Divided into three movements to mimic an actual concerto, this book’s poems create a representation of the human emotional experience that makes its complexities accessible. Poems like “Early in Morning in Bethesda” examine a relationship’s tenderest moments. “Little Box” embraces an experimental form that is both peaceful and chaotic. “Grief at Full Moon” captures where loss compounds one’s interactions with not only the physical world but also the emotional one, and the memory of a loved one becomes a haunting force that controls one’s being. In other poems, the sanctity of nature becomes a healing, cleansing entity, while “the first grace of snow” offers a turning point in the speaker’s grief cycle. Fueling the musicality inherent in these poems are the experimental structures of lines and stanzas that form a concerto unlike any other. ... (read more)

Kind-Hearted Soul

Young Emmeline dreams of becoming a veterinarian or a biologist in the future. She is inspired by her father, who works as a naturalist and travels all over the world. When she convinces him to let her meet up with him on an expedition to the Falkland Islands, Emmeline travels on the Maria Christina , where she becomes friends with a crew member’s son named Demetrio. Disaster strikes when the boat comes under attack and sinks, leaving Emmeline alone when she washes up in the strange land of Pletonia. But she soon makes friends with many of its inhabitants, learning it is natural for them to get reincarnated as various animals. Further, during her journey to visit its rulers, Emmeline discovers that she has personal ties to this fantastical land. However, Pletonia comes under attack by the exiled Valdrimos Pish, who unleashes creatures that kill and stop the reincarnation process. Emmeline and her new friends must work together to find solutions to the crisis. ... (read more)

Transformation

Fred counts on his dad when his inability to keep a job and keep his weight in check causes conflict with his mom and sister. When Fred’s dad dies and his sister (his primary income buffer) moves away, Fred and his mom are on their own until Fred’s wrestling champion girlfriend, Mary Ellen, arrives, giving Fred the boost he needs to defend himself, literally and figuratively. ... (read more)

Effortless Storytelling

Soling’s out-of-the-box writing style is on full display, bursting with candor in this graphic novel featuring a jolly elf with magical powers who incessantly sings “Get up and Boogie,” among other seventies hits at 4 AM, much to the dread of his sleep-deprived neighbors. The story, set in a remote area of Cuba, is pure entertainment on the surface, a peculiar concoction of a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale that encountered the sublimity of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein . Digging deeper, however, there are a number of themes that emerge and beg to be contemplated, creating an unsuspecting but fulfilling read. ... (read more)

Eventful Life

The world of intrigue was not anomalous in John Meier’s life. His father, Herbert, was a German immigrant whose loyalty to the fatherland led him to risk his life in providing shelter to German spies during World War II. The web that Meier would find himself ensnared in would involve reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, the Nixon administration, and the CIA. Meier met Hughes in 1956 and was offered a position with Hughes Aircraft. Meier would maintain periodic employment with the Hughes organization for over fifteen years and would become privy to Hughes’ secrets and his political influence. Hughes’ largesse towards Richard Nixon and his family had allegedly cost Nixon the 1960 Presidential election, and Meier witnessed a larger payment to Nixon that may have triggered the Watergate burglary in 1972. As Nixon’s downfall began and chaos reigned in the Hughes organization, Meier retained the secrets that many were seeking. ... (read more)

Centered around the Euthanasia Law in Australia, Snow’s work is an incredibly comprehensive and multidimensional examination of what the “right to die” truly means and to whom it is applicable. From the Catholic perspective and the Arabic approach to Aristotle and Hercules references, the author is unyielding in her desire to inspire discussion at a global level. On a personal level, the author notes that she herself would have become a victim of euthanasia had it not been for her letter to the parliament. ... (read more)

Deep Listening

In this unique work of photography and writing, readers embark on a road trip unlike any other that spans 900 days and 93,000 miles. During the duration of this monumental trip, the author conducted 140 interviews in an effort to discover what interconnections exist between people in a world of disrupted relationships. The book follows the author’s cross-country journey after he and his wife sold their Minnesota home in order to spend their time on the road, interviewing people of various backgrounds and searching for stories of hope, healing, and resilience. The author emphasizes that one doesn't "have to drive 93,000 miles to find stories like these” because there is “wisdom and beauty all around us if we choose to see it.” ... (read more)

Emotional Repair

This book introduces readers to the various forms of trauma individuals encounter every day. It offers an individualized approach to understanding trauma. It asks important questions that help one understand how various forms have impacted and shaped one’s life. Readers also discover step-by-step guides for assessing and managing trauma as well as ways to reduce it. Throughout the book, a multitude of definitions are given that help one understand trauma and its emotional and psychological effects. Blended into the scientific analysis of trauma is a cultural analysis that examines the historical role of trauma in American society, especially after the September 11th terrorist attacks, which made counselors and psychologists realize they lacked the training and equipment to treat widespread trauma in America. ... (read more)

Cohesion & Conflict

Readers enter this tale on the cusp of deep change in Montauk as the traditional fisherman’s life is in jeopardy, and many residents contemplate the hard choices they must make to create balanced new lives. Clancy, a New Yorker who once enjoyed Montauk during his family-deprived childhood, revisits the peninsula. He rediscovers Otto, the man who mentored him in a program for disadvantaged orphans. This places Clancy in conflict with Theresa, Otto’s estranged daughter, who resented the boy during her childhood. She feels doubly betrayed in adulthood by her father after he cheated on and divorced her mother. Unfortunately, Otto is ill and soon passes away, leaving his legacy to Clancy because Theresa refuses to reconcile with her father or to receive any property. Clancy must balance sorting out Otto’s wishes and gaining Theresa’s trust while navigating Montauk’s social order and the community’s challenges with climate, housing, and open space. ... (read more)

Snoodles Return

The whimsical, rhyming world of Normal Noodle, Sally Stroodle, and their children— Ricky Rockadoodle and Briana Brainy Broodle—returns with another adventure full of silliness, absurdity, and intergalactic interference. Picking up after the events of the first book in the series, Grumpy Grimy Groodleman is upset over how the Snoodle vehicles have completely driven out the need for his business selling Groodlemobiles. When Evil Kidoodle comes from the planet Zoodle to Earth to meet with Grumpy Grimy Groodleman, he brings a plan to trick Ricky and Briana into eating some modified cake that will sap their intelligence. Seeing an opportunity to get back at the family that ruined his business and an opportunity to bring the Groodlemobile back to prominence, Grumpy Grimy wastes no time in agreeing to help out this evil alien invader. ... (read more)

Author, actor, and world traveler Darling offers a dynamic chronicle depicting his years walking thousands of miles in his native New Zealand and across the globe, sharing his understanding of the biblical Gospel of Mark. The choice to do so began in 2000, as he emerged from an astral dream with the words “Do Mark” resonating through his spirit. Taking this as an order, his diligent study and dramatizing of Mark’s words became his innovative template. And there was another call for Darling, who was then in his mid-fifties: he was to walk from venue to venue. His first foray was forty-two kilometers, while the second was an astounding nine-hundred and fifty. One episode illustrates the success of his inner calling: on the second visit to a prison in Ohio, Darling met a prisoner who had observed his presentation on the first occasion during a raging snowstorm. The man avowed to Darling that, “You saved my life,” declaring that he had seen “a light” despite the darkened skies outside. ... (read more)

Deep History

In any pedagogical program, educators are trained to promote inquiry, to encourage their students to probe deeper, and to ask who, what, where, when, and why. Momon’s work exhibits the same instructional tendencies as it challenges preconceived notions using a background in STEM, specifically math and science, alongside extensive research. At its core, though, this is the work of an inquisitive mind, an intensely curious individual who is unyielding in his intent to help both himself and his readers navigate through the labyrinth of human history to ultimately uncover hidden truths. ... (read more)

Bad for Good

An expert computer hacker, Sydney has been stealing from several employers for close to three decades, amassing over twenty million dollars. Nearing fifty, Sydney has decided to change direction. She starts a private investigator business and hires two young and highly talented siblings she knows about through a previous acquaintance. After coming clean about her criminal activity and having masked it so well over the years that no one wants the negative publicity that would come from admitting they were duped, Sydney avoids any charges and keeps the money. Interestingly, she is hired by an attorney she once worked for and robbed to work for a client needing someone who can find lost things, many of these things being criminals of some sort. The catch is the company, We Remember, is hiring these individuals, fixing their records and damages due, and paying Sydney extremely well for the work. Sydney and her two associates are well-suited to the tasks at hand and are having great success. However, Sydney and the attorney are both suspicious of the company. Sydney gives the business to her associates, and she and the attorney begin looking deeper into We Remember. ... (read more)

Everlasting Soul

Stories harbor the potential to stand the test of time, carrying over from generation to generation. In Harry’s work, themes of scripture are transposed onto a fictional canvas that gives audiences a unique vantage point of many biblical elements, with a particular emphasis on the end times. The Lord’s sacrifices for mankind, despite the darkest of sins committed unto him, are brought into the light through this narrative. More importantly, the work is about restoring peace, balance, and love, shattering the subverted agendas of humans who wear the guise of peacekeepers while only looking out for themselves. ... (read more)

Benjamin Simon is a twelve-year-old high school freshman on the autism spectrum who lives with his parents in Boston. He is a mathematics prodigy with an encyclopedic knowledge of dinosaurs. Unfortunately, his diminutive size, lack of social skills, and tendency to spout random dinosaur facts make it difficult for Benjamin to form friendships. He is frequently the victim of bullying. When stressed and overstimulated, Benjamin has meltdowns that include biting, pacing, and arm flapping, which only exacerbate his peers’ ridicule. When he receives an invitation from a classmate to play video games after school, Benjamin is cautiously optimistic that he may finally be making new friends. Instead, he suddenly finds himself a suspect in a murder investigation. Thrust into the custody of the Department of Youth Services, Benjamin maintains his innocence while navigating a system fraught with gangs, violence, subpar education, and jaded officials. ... (read more)

Compelling Drama

Set against the backdrop of the turbulent late 1960s, two twenty-two-year-old queer men find their lives publicly scrutinized by judge and jury in Chicago’s judicial system. Colin Doyle, the gay son and grandson of two of the CPD’s toughest and most corrupt cops, is indicted on a capital murder charge after his wealthy older patron, Oliver Bradford, dies of a heart attack while the pair have consensual sex. The death may not have been notable had Bradford’s angry nephew been included in his will, but Oliver had given Colin joint ownership of his property and his extensive financial fortune despite the relationship with his young personal secretary not being a conventional love affair. In a youthful, foolish decision, Colin moves Tyler Voight, his brand-new lover, into the home the day after Oliver’s death, making the older man’s demise look more sordid and suspicious and an intentional homicide. ... (read more)

Provocative

The intrigue of ancient Rome’s political landscape never fails to provide fascinating characters and interesting narratives. This novel, centered on the chaotic reign of Septimus Severus and his sons, is no exception. Caracalla and Geta came of age when Rome had acquired many distant lands. It was stretched thin, struggling to maintain control. When the emperor died, he left the two young boys as co-regents under the Domna’s purview. They inherit an unstable empire steeped in complex challenges to resolve. First on Caracalla’s list is to eliminate his enemies. This includes his brother. ... (read more)

Broad Appeal

The world that we live in has steadily progressed to a society that is beginning to understand and appreciate the various shapes and styles that people embody, creating more and more equal opportunities in business and professional culture. Though there are still many barriers to break down and more gaps to narrow, the most important step that can be taken is to find the support and the courage not to hide one’s personal identity in one’s work life. It is not a simple thing to ask, and there are those who will close doors based on their own prejudices, but this book aims to empower its readers to identify the unique qualities and perspectives they have to offer and prepare them to honestly present that realized self in a way that will improve their own mental health while making their organization more well-rounded and capable. ... (read more)

Wealth & Greed

In another rendition of satire and candid humor, Soling’s graphic novel has created a world where neighboring lands envy the Land of Plenty. Fitting to their name, these bordering lands are called the Land of Death, The Land of Pestilence, and the Land of Scarcely Anything at All Other than Misery and Depression. In this work, these lands are essentially the principal characters. They seek to dethrone the Land of Plenty and bring it to its knees. ... (read more)

World in a Day

Time offers the same potential and opportunity for everyone. While we may be alive and on this Earth for different lengths, we each experience the same twenty-four-hour cycle of the planet’s rotation. What changes is what we do with that time and what our outlook toward each rising of the sun may be. This collection of poems and prayers serves as a devotional that is focused on taking a moment at the beginning and at the end of each day to welcome in that potential, celebrate the opportunity, and let go of any disappointments or hurts incurred before beginning the next one. By reading along, absorbing the words, and even repeating them aloud, readers will be adjusting their mindsets toward a full appreciation of the temporary yet limitless nature of what can happen in a single day. ... (read more)

Funny & Brave

This poignant, personal book guides readers through the ins and outs of midlife dating after losing one’s soulmate. The book opens with an openly honest foreword about how Meehan met her husband, his cancer diagnosis, and the brave steps the author took to begin finding love again after the tragic loss of her spouse. As readers progress from chapter to chapter, they discover stories of intimidated men who scorn a woman who orders her own coffee, the strangeness of navigating dating apps, and the taboos that are broken when men decide a photo of themselves in a speedo is the best introduction. ... (read more)

Mind & Soul

Medical advancements and technology continue to grow and evolve, giving doctors more tools to diagnose and treat sickness and patients more ways to monitor their own health and make healthier choices. Care must also be given to conditions that are caused not by bacteria or viruses but by a lack of healthy love in a person’s life, leading to cycles of abuse, addiction, and dysfunction in relationships with others and the self. Combining the scientific expertise of a medical practitioner with faith-based methodology, this book blends science and the spiritual to find reliable, consistent causes and treatments for social ills that anyone can access without costly hospital visits or medical insurance. By fostering a more personal and full relationship with God, those who are suffering from these afflictions can find peace and happiness and break endless cycles of harm and hardship. ... (read more)

Eldwyn was quite unlike one’s typical fire-breathing, knight-battling dragon. He was instead entirely laid-back, snacking on cheese doodles, puffing on weed, and blurting out random, occasionally profound philosophical statements. Other evil dragons spent their time kidnapping princesses, while the protagonist simply “hung out,” smoking. Fellow dragon Dendryl abducts Princess Summerbliss, while Britsyl invades and runs off with Princess Cellulite. When they celebrate their conquests at the local Ye Olde Dragon Bar and Grille, Eldwyn just watches it all “glassy-eyed” and says that he digs it. ... (read more)

Consequences

In this colorful yet dark and twisted book, readers meet Boris the Dog, a furry friend who is ready for a big adventure. After Boris decides that he has had enough of his home life and wants to see the big city, he develops and executes a heinous and demented plan that will help him escape his owners. After Boris devours his owners’ child, he proceeds on a dark path of even more recklessness. His actions influence others to pursue dark and angry paths, and soon, unbelievable chaos unfolds. Nonetheless, Boris manages to reach the city, where the amount of buildings and people surprise him. However, the traffic and the large population are not the only surprises in store for him after he crosses into the city’s limits. ... (read more)

Cipherinf Strategies

At the root of all things in the cosmos is the word. The power of language, when observed astutely and from the right lens, is exponential and harbors the ability to reign in everything from religion and philosophy to mathematics and sociology. Through a combination of personal experiences and meticulous research, Johnson provides tools to observe how language is a universal connector that can decipher life’s greatest complexities. ... (read more)

Intentional Poems

The beauty and toughness of the Taíno culture are valiantly portrayed with equal parts force and grace, creating an energetic field made more vibrant through imagery. The sanctity and adulation with which Rodriguez regards his roots, especially the caciques—the tribal chieftains—shine through loud and clear, carrying a determined resilience to continue “caressing these roots fatigued by a half millennium.” ... (read more)

Driven Narrative

By 2041, the world’s oligarchs have reinstated white supremacy and chattel slavery in a caste-based society. The dystopian system rolls smoothly along for the vile oligarchs until the rebellious Citizen Cassandra IX, a patrician with an AI implant, questions the social order a century later. After her conviction and sentencing for insurrection in 2126 due to her sharing old black market books and revolutionary ideas such as those found in Joseph Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness , she is convicted and sent to prison. But after serving eighteen months, she is diverted to Mars on the spaceship Jefferson Davis . Earth is nearly unlivable, and the formerly stable colonies on Mars are going dark. ... (read more)

Celebration

From the poet laureate of Texas comes a new collection in which ordinary objects and instances inspire insights and wisdom. For example, in the title poem, a widow, with much reason to grieve, rejoices over an ice dispenser. Similarly, a belt in “Evening Dress” is both inert and dangerous to the one watching a man dress. Meanwhile, love is a connection so integral that there is “no room for even wax” in the poem “Sincerity.” ... (read more)

Crisp & Clean

For the first time in her life, Bethany will be attending a school where she doesn’t need to keep secret her powers as a witch. Although the move is difficult for fifteen-year-old Bethany, getting a larger house and being among other witches and hunters (males with powers) is exciting. Bethany quickly makes a couple of friends when she arrives at her new house: two normal children and a hunter. Also, she accidentally ends up texting a boy she thought was one of her new friends, but he turns out to be someone quite different. ... (read more)

Love & Suspence

Nijsha grew up in a desolate desert world of unbearable cruelty where having emotions is a crime punishable by death. She escapes, crossing the Jagged Edge into Anwar—a world of beauty and danger. Trained to be a warrior since she could walk, Nijsha finds it far easier to neutralize threats than to navigate the onslaught of new emotions and social interactions in this foreign land. She soon encounters Alec, a well-trained assassin on a mission to return an ancient scroll with an important prophecy to the monks at Nevia’s Temple. When Nijsha convinces Alec to serve as her guide, they embark on an epic journey across Anwar. Much to Alec’s dismay, they acquire an ever-increasing group of traveling companions as their journey continues, and Nijsha experiences the novelty of making friends. But Nijsha possesses secrets, a complex heritage, and an ancient paranormal ability that attracts danger and makes it difficult to differentiate friend from foe. ... (read more)

Intimate & Honest

Author Gasner looks back on a life of turmoil, discouragement, and challenge that led her, step by often painful step, to a sense of acceptance, enhancement, and courage. Her powerful, poignant memoir begins when, at age sixteen, she was forced to confront the fact that, in many ways, her physical abilities were weakening. She had taken a fall, which was presaged by a noticeable increase of swaying and staggering; she’d begun dropping things, and her handwriting had become unsteady, almost unreadable. Testing by neurological experts indicated Friedreich’s ataxia, a form of muscular dystrophy. There was no known cure, and life expectancy, as she would learn, was no more than the mid-twenties. ... (read more)

Pain & Beauty

This unique memoir is heartbreakingly poignant in its careful examination of the cycles of loss and grief that ultimately define life. Grief, however, does not entirely define it. Readers also find poems influenced by pop culture, the author’s Jewish identity, and Southern Californian culture. The author also bravely shares their experiences of navigating the superficial ideal society created for women that caused so many to embark on endless dieting trends and succumb to eating disorders. Music holds a paramount role in the text, and many of the poems lend a nod to unforgettable musicians like Jerry Garcia, Peter Frampton, Roger Daltrey, and Robert Plant. ... (read more)

Human Interconnectedness

Masterfully written and powerfully thought-provoking, this collection offers readers an attentive look into a world reshaped by climate change. It also offers them a glimpse into the emotional and psychological legacy of women and the power of generational fortitude. Readers learn lessons from “a mixed flock of birds” who “are content to be what they are.” They also find celebrations of romance where “beauty lies” in a couple’s “own fleshy story.” Other poems celebrate friendship’s intimacy and its manifestation in something as small as a t-shirt “ripped free from a slamming / screen door of an Ohio farmhouse.” ... (read more)

Fascinating

This fictionalized true crime story explores two murders in New England in the mid-1800s. The first murder is perpetrated against a popular schoolteacher in Vermont and later tied to the murder of a seventeen-year-old girl attending Pembroke Academy in Pembroke, New Hampshire. Both murders are exceedingly brutal, with the victims being raped and mutilated in a similar manner. Each is believed to have been accosted from behind in surprise attacks, and details of the murders reveal just how similar the two atrocities were in execution. ... (read more)

Dance Story

An artist of many talents from a young age, nineteen-year-old Marcia Weary opened her own school of dance in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1955. With an equal investment from her sister, the two bought a barn to serve as the school with the adjacent home to be used both as home and office. Heavily influenced by George Balanchine, often referred to as the father of modern ballet, Marcia would work tirelessly to grow children interested in learning to dance into real dancers. After twenty years of running the school as a small family business, the school was renamed in 1976 as the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and incorporated as a non-profit. Several people were instrumental in the success of the CPYB, including three men who originally started as fathers of students: Andre Drosselmeyer, Ken Laws, and Bob Gregor. Along the way, the school was supported by many others, including famous choreographers and costume makers. The school would eventually expand and partner with local colleges as well as being granted permission to perform exclusive dances choreographed by George Balanchine. Dancers from the school would work and dance all over the world, and many working, professional dancers were trained by Marcia Weary and the CPYB. ... (read more)

Rare Advice

Author and attorney Engel assumes an unusual and challenging yet much-needed task: to demonstrate, through his experience as a divorce attorney, the ways in which a determined woman might pursue and secure a future of genuine love and security after the trauma of legal separation and the inherent complications of divorce. In his long career, Engel became acquainted with and legally represented divorcing clients, the majority of whom were women, as they faced marital disentanglement, which can include hidden or overt rage, loss of financial support, unfaithfulness, unfulfilled ambitions, and in many instances, a sense of the inability ever to achieve a successful new relationship. Women often believe they can rely solely on their intuition, which can be a powerful motivator. But if it is not, Engel asserts, underpinned by pragmatic considerations and a truly open mind devoid of discouragements that follow divorce, it will not be a sufficient guide to new and better pathways. ... (read more)

Veteran nurse Lexi Burns is content with her life in the small town of Atherton, Missouri. She has a rewarding career, great co-workers, and a comfortable relationship with her long-term boyfriend, Scott. She also has Zelda Allen, the most amazing lifelong best friend anyone could ever hope for. Lexi’s tastes are simple—a good book, great food, a cold beer, and the occasional girls’ night out. But when she works a Code Blue on a teenage girl named Buffy Stephens, who dies of gruesome injuries following a vicious attack, Lexi is compelled to uncover the truth. When local authorities prove incompetent and cave under political pressure, Lexi and Zelda launch their own investigation into Buffy’s death. Soon the aspiring sleuths find themselves risking their careers as they come under fire from the police. While they uncover more and more clues, they are drawn deeper and deeper into a spiraling vortex of danger where the truth may cost them everything—including their lives. ... (read more)

Award-winning author Baltazzi has constructed an energizing treatise focused on the search for and acquisition of the experience of happiness, extracting it from what may sometimes seem like an impossibly complex morass of personal and societal restraints through her well-considered methodology. Based on her background as a noted television producer and director with the long-running and highly successful series Survivor , and drawing from perceptions of a multitude of realms—spiritual, social, and practical—she postulates eight core values needed for the process of attaining happiness: faith, love, health, gratitude, forgiveness, peace, detachment, and abundance. Each of these qualities, referred to collectively as “Happiness Essentials,” is explored using certain terms derived from the author’s background in cinematography. ... (read more)

Strange Harmony

In this fever dream of a novella, the protagonist takes a special interest in a prostitute who he is determined to help and protect. Other characters include Richard, an addict and the prostitute’s sometimes pimp, and Carpenter Wells, a violent man driven by impulse and hunger. This takes place in a city and country consumed by chaos. There are bombings, fires, a general malaise, and madness. The narrator uses vivid language and has a philosophical bent as he tells the story. He is an interesting man, describing himself as “I am not a violent man, but when it is called for it should be quick and to the point, what I think of as an efficient kindness, a concise use of language.” ... (read more)

Crisp Storytelling

Tiffany has big dreams. With her parents’ gift of a bus ticket to Los Angeles, Tiffany is taking the first step to becoming a prostitute. On the way, she meets a helpful older man who stresses the importance of following her dreams and not letting life get in the way. He tells her he always dreamed of becoming a serial killer, but marriage and children got in the way. When she arrives, she immediately sets out to find a pimp. However, she runs into a film agent instead. She doesn’t want to do something as sleazy as being an actress but takes his card, nonetheless. ... (read more)

A young squirrel named Wembley is lucky enough to make his home inside of a magnificent, huge oak tree. However, he lacks any humility about his fortune and often boasts to all of the other forest animals about the fact that his tree is the largest in all of Cayuga. This, of course, makes the other animals feel sad. When two “burly lumberjacks” arrive on the scene one day, they take notice of Wembley’s giant oak tree and begin to discuss its impressive nature. It must’ve taken “over three hundred years for nature to produce such a wondrous specimen,” they remark. They decide, as lumberjacks will do, to chop the tree down. First, though, they share a snack of crumpets and hot tea. ... (read more)

International Intrigue

This novel focuses on protagonist Leeha Ritsagin, a young woman caught up in political intrigue after being mistakenly given a top-secret document called “Guiding Light.” In this alternative nation of Cadona, it seems that a right-wing religious group called the Soldiers of God, a militant arm of the True Church of God, has listed one hundred women for “justice executions.” “Guiding Light” lists these women and also describes a new all-powerful weapon called Toxic Sphere. Kidnapped and taken to a secret base in a mountainside, government agents for the Freedom Party, the political party aligned with the right-wing zealots, subject Leeha first with a truth serum drug called Mind One and then subject her to weeks of more traditional torture. The rightist government shoots down a passenger airliner with an army captain who knows about Toxic Sphere and blames it on another nation. ... (read more)

Undying Devotion

This is historical fiction at its best. Newhouse describes Polish ghetto life circa the early 1940s. The book is accurate, fast-paced, and riveting. It reads like a mystery novel, making the horrors of the Lodz Ghetto easier to read and learn about. The story describes starvation, freezing temperatures, poor healthcare, and a hierarchy amongst the Jewish inhabitants/prisoners. ... (read more)

Loss & Recovery

This passionate, heartfelt memoir is a tribute to the love shared by mother and daughter amidst the insular beauty of Whidbey Island. Ronhaar writes of receiving a level of unconditional love that many readers will envy: “I honestly do not ever recall a time where Mom wasn’t anything but understanding, delightful, encouraging, attentive, overjoyed, or genuinely proud of me.” Despite receiving unconditional love, Ronhaar was no angel, and she balances her glowing narrative with explorations of her childish faults and incidents that foreshadowed her more serious negative behavior after the sudden loss of her mother. ... (read more)

Vivid Imagery

Caroline (CiCi) Marcum grew up in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, a fishing village on Cape Cod. She graduated high school, attended college, became a teacher, and married. But a tragic accident forever changed the course of CiCi’s life, and she fled to Chicago. Six years later, Caroline finds herself back in Wellfleet carrying for her ailing mother. Lonely and grieving, she reconnects with fellow Cape native Ridley Neal, a fourth-generation fisherman who inherited his father’s sea farm. While Rid is sympathetic to Caroline’s plight, he is embroiled in a legal battle to save his livelihood and cannot provide the emotional support CiCi so desperately needs. ... (read more)

Twisted Tale

In this twisted tale, a bomb follows a young boy home and causes chaos for the boy and his family. Readers also meet the boy’s eccentric neighbors, the Greenspans, who live a hermit-like life and threaten all who dare to tread on their lawn. Even though the boy’s parents emphasize to him that keeping a bomb requires a lot of responsibility, the boy insists that the bomb remains with the family—for about one day. Then, the boy realizes just how much attention owning a bomb requires. Soon, the boy and his family decide to give the bomb to the Greenspans, resulting in an explosive change of pace and lifestyle for everyone. ... (read more)

Cross-Country

Fast & funny.

This satirical dystopian novel takes place In the year 2053 when most people have forgone smartphones and computers for nanobots that live in their bloodstreams. Users experience the world with augmented reality (AR) programs that allow them to change their appearance, sit in on conference calls half a world away, or brush away pop-up ads like flies. AR usually only affects one’s vision until mild-mannered programming genius Spiro finds a way to influence users’ sense of smell. Spiro presents his idea to his company, but soon, what seems like a silly suggestion spirals into chaos involving the military, the CDC, conspiracy theorists, and scheming whistle-blowers. ... (read more)

Page-Turner

Written in the voice of Martin (Marty), this book explores the world of a company start-up and how Marty and his partner, Bo, chase money by meeting with venture capitalists to fund their business, Paladin. Things go significantly wrong with one meeting, resulting in mayhem—arson, art forgeries, theft, the Russian mob, kidnapping, broken relationships, marital issues, a strip club, police involvement, greed, and ongoing threats. Throughout the book, there are numerous twists and turns, and there is significant history regarding Russia and Germany, Hitler and WWII, the black market for art, and the search for Raphael’s missing painting, Portrait of a Young Man . And out of this chaos, what is this doing to the families of Bo and Marty, and what is happening to their business during this five-day span of chaos? ... (read more)

Existential

After waking with an axe stuck in his skull, Enrico gets picked up by Estaban. They stop for breakfast on the way to work, and Estaban becomes concerned about the axe. However, before much can be done, Enrico dies. Estaban calls for the check, but the waitress trips and impales him with a knife. Worried about not getting a tip, the waitress runs to tell her boss, who swings open the door, killing the waitress. These fatal accidents continue until a group of girls walking to a parochial school are crushed by a falling man. The nuns with them scold the dead girls for their sloth. Seeing all, God strikes the nuns dead before killing himself, ultimately leaving philosophers completely unsure of what to make of all that has happened. This ending leads the reader back into the story by asking them to reflect on the outcome of those involved, who it all ties to the title, and why it leaves others confused. ... (read more)

Fascinating Read

In this memoir, Musser reflects on a lifetime colored by his mother’s emotional and physical abuse that began when he was eight years old. Only in the writing of this memoir, in his sixth decade, does the author come to terms with the abuse he both witnessed and endured. Not only was he the victim of his mother’s mental illness, but Musser also saw his father being physically and emotionally abused by his mother during multiple unrestrained tirades in which she physically slapped his father. Musser himself was locked in a cold, outside basement where he would spend hours in the dark. Yet, this memoir delves more into the positives of his life, especially concerning the relationship between his grandfather and him. “My most important refuge would be my priceless unforgettable memories of my time spent on my Grandpa and Grandma Hoover’s farm.” Musser relates his mother’s mental illness and her abusive behavior to a tragic accident that occurred when she was five years old. His mother witnessed her mother being burned to death when the stove on which she was cooking burst into flames. He relates his mother’s illness and his own struggles with depression and anxiety to this singular tragic event. The author includes some of the information he discovered while researching mental illness and childhood trauma, which led to his being able to find peace with the years of abuse. ... (read more)

Serious Humor

Sniffles is an ogre with poor personal hygiene and a bad disposition, partly due to the pickaxe stuck in the back of his head. Rumors suggest that his mother placed a curse on the pickaxe so that anyone who removed the pickaxe would immediately perish. Sniffles meets another ogre even meaner than himself, likely because the new ogre, Lucky, has a pickaxe embedded in the front of his head. The two ogres commiserate about their misfortunes and the fate of the proletariat. They decide to embrace a bit of Marxism and overthrow the monarchy of the kingdom. The two quickly find other disgruntled workers, including six of the seven dwarfs, Rumpelstiltskin, the three bears, and the Big Good Wolf. The group trains hard to get into fighting shape, learn military logistics, and understand the philosophy of their movement. However, things soon begin to fall apart. Red Riding Hood’s grandmother disagrees on philosophical issues. Dopey, Tom Thumb, and Mama Bear are kicked out for not restricting all actions to the destruction of bourgeois culture. Wolf, leading the military, is in crisis as he sees the group becoming just like those he despised. Eventually, only Sniffles and Lucky are left. They are overwhelmed by a group of children who want to play ring toss. ... (read more)

Blessed Women

While works on faith and spirituality inundate the literary ecosystem, Ring’s work is rare in that it provides a nuanced dimension and perspective when interpreting biblical events. At a time when women were marginalized, Jesus’ love-centered approach led to numerous engaging interactions that, upon examination, paved the path for modern women to follow, thrive, and, even more so, connect with them at a deeper level. ... (read more)

History Alive

Even before stories were written, they were passed along from generation to generation, standing the test of time. Story is central to Romanowski’s memoir, one that delves deep into her Italian roots, how they’ve intersected and fused with American life, and the indelible impact family has had on her own life—and she on theirs. Through prose and poetry, the author meticulously and gracefully guides readers through her family genealogy, zeroing in on one particular figure, her grandfather, who unquestionably has the most profound impact on her worldview. ... (read more)

Like a Song

Lazlo grows up in a ramshackle house in Ontario that acquires the name “Bleak House” from a Dickens novel he discovers. Lazlo’s life is disrupted by the arrival of a thieving preacher who shows up one Saturday night to drink and play cards, bringing with him a beautiful young woman—his daughter, Lizzie. Before long, Lazlo falls under Lizzie’s spell and resolves to marry her. But the sadistic preacher—a man who boasted of wanting to poison a local pond so that all the frogs would die—learns of their budding romance and fires a gun at Lazlo, driving him away from home and on a journey that begins with a fortune teller named Mama Budda and ends in the Yukon, where he braves grizzly bears, the police, and unthinkable loss in the hopes of uncovering riches and winning the hand of Lizzie, whom he hasn’t seen in a number of years. ... (read more)

Preserving the Temple

Depending on one’s perspective and history of behaviors, the times and events described in the Book of Revelation can either be seen as a joyous reunion or a terrifying consequence. In both instances, it represents a point in the future that people can use as motivation for making positive changes in their lives before it arrives. This brief examination of the timeline and events described in Revelation looks into the symbology of numbers used in the Bible to help make sense of some of the more vague descriptions and also helps readers realize that acts of self-harm or careless consumption are equivalent to defiling a most important temple. Blending both scriptural analysis and personal experience, Williams offers much for the reader to reflect on and act upon before it is too late. ... (read more)

Stimulating Beauty

Culp, a respected plein-air painter, spent her early adult years studying art in New York. In the late 1970s, she moved to California and became captivated by the desert’s beauty. In the book’s forward, Stanley Lewis explains that the artist is able to capture the magic of stark scenery because “she is out there.” She takes all her equipment to remote sites, where she spends hours creating images. ... (read more)

Across the Globe

Reggie and his friend and colleague Ash Black are in Saipan to confront a terrorist plot that involves vengeful Iraqi terrorist Achmed and the Russian government. It’s also revealed that Reggie has figured out a way to set off explosives remotely by using radio waves. Meanwhile, the other members of the vigilante group are dealing with a Mexican drug cartel run by the ruthless Melania Cruz in Denver, Colorado, and a kidnapping plot in Italy that surprisingly involves a very real-life Italian politician—Marta Fascina. With several tense showdowns, not all of the operatives will make it out safely.  ... (read more)

Delightful Challenge

As COVID-19 begins its assault through America, the book’s narrator, a logophile and verbivore, is visited by the Masked One who “formulated out of the atmosphere” and implores him to follow and support the Diversity Officer, Basil Dekay, and “disrupt the dominant discourse.” But what is the dominant discourse? As the narrator surveilles Basil, her sexually confused husband, and her radical daughter, he expounds on the meaning and etymology of words, exchanges jokes with Portland’s elk statue, and comments on racism, queer theory, gender roles, social justice, and the Baboon President. As quarantine gives way to weeks of rioting in reaction to the murder of George Floyd, the narrator wonders if the looting and destruction in the city is indeed justice. But should he question the dominant discourse that says the anarchists are right? And what is the penalty for doing so? ... (read more)

Family History

Author Niedfeldt has created a lively tale concerning a Russian immigrant family battling the woes of the Great Depression as they settle into America. The narrator is fifteen-year-old Lisenka, who works hard at home, helping Papa, stepmother Taty, and several siblings. While preparing a simple supper, Lisenka hears her young brother Yurgi screaming for help. She rushes outside to find him fighting with another boy for possession of one of their family’s precious chickens. The boy trying to steal the bird protests that “we have to eat” but is called off and pulled away by a gruff, grimy man. After the two slip away, Lisenka concludes that they are homeless people and will gradually come to learn much more about those known as “hobos”—the jobless, homeless, renegade, and desperate. Lisenka’s family, by contrast, have been fortunate In their chosen residence in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, finding work, staying close, sustaining their religious faith, and maintaining basic cheer. ... (read more)

Uncommon Experience

Teresa Biano was devastated when her beloved father, Giacomo “Jack” Bianco, was murdered. A quick, spotty investigation closed the case with no suspect. Although she was a young girl at the time, her heart told her that something was wrong. She vowed to identify the killer and bring him to justice. ... (read more)

Chose Death?

The author of this challenging view of human existence explores the rationale for legally allowing people to choose their time and method of death. After many years of life, whether in sickness, health, or simple loneliness, anyone might ponder release from their earthly bindings. “A Human” postulates a “death card,” similar to current lawful stipulations that allow a person to give blood or donate an organ. As detailed here, the death permission would make it possible for even healthy individuals from whatever long-term outlook to choose the time and method of their own demise. ... (read more)

Health Care Guide

A registered dental assistant, the author has written a manual geared toward dental professionals, parents, and caregivers. Regulatory bodies such as the CDC, OSHA, and state dental boards establish laws and rules to ensure patient safety. The book opens with a detailed overview of the dental assistant’s duties, which contribute to practice compliance with these legal and ethical guidelines. One of the most important responsibilities is preventing the transmission of infectious diseases, and the book offers clear instructions on proper sterilization techniques. There is an in-depth discussion of dental anatomy, including teeth naming and numbering systems. ... (read more)

In this fast-paced novel, readers enter a future realm where the souls of the departed are intercepted and transported to a virtual existence. Readers meet Evie, a teenage girl who enters what can only be interpreted as Hell. However, like every virtual scenario, glitches and outages occur. As the virtual system where the souls reside threatens to crash, Evie takes readers on a wild adventure to save the souls whose eternal existence is threatened. Readers meet a cast of characters whose personalities and stories will leave a lasting impression as Evie works to deliver a special message and a unique offer that will forever transform their futures. ... (read more)

Psalm Study Guide

Author Greer draws inspiration and erudition from the Book of Psalms in the Holy Bible, sharing with readers across a wide range of needs—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—a guide to fuller, more confident life planning. Through this dynamic Twelve Week Program, readers are enjoined to create a journal in column format to record personal examination of issues raised, realistic resolutions, and envisioned successes. The opening section, for example, highlights Psalm 1, which depicts a ”blessed” person as one who avoids the ways of the wicked and meditates day and night on the “Law of the Lord,” becoming strong “like a tree planted by streams of water.” Greer invites readers to create their own “Law of Health” and begin practicing its tenets. ... (read more)

Grace Ann Sanchez is in legal limbo when she makes a call to the RAND Service. She has been detained by the Border Patrol and fears she will be sent back to Mexico. The RAND Service knows Grace along with her mother, Jaden Hawke. Hawke has friends in RAND and has been involved in recent adventures overseas that have involved RAND along with intelligence agencies. Jaden hasn’t seen her daughter in nearly fifteen years, as Grace’s father took her to Mexico. Jaden must rely on an old beau to help track down Grace. Jaden’s past with Stephan was steamy but also involved lies and murder. The other operatives brought in to assist are skeptical of Stephan, but time is critical the longer Grace is missing. ... (read more)

Humor & Inspiration

In this colorful book filled with rhymes and laughs, young readers meet Deondre and his brother, Devante. The story centers around Deondre and Devante’s pursuit of cookies for breakfast. However, their father insists that the boys cannot have cookies for their morning meal. Deondre and Devante beg and plea for chocolate chip, gingersnaps, and vanilla cream. Their father navigates the situation by offering alternatives such as cocoa and Apple Jax, but the boys continue pleading. Just when young readers and their parents think that Deondre and Devante’s father has won the morning battle, a surprise is received that will make everyone happy. ... (read more)

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A Bookish Tour Across America

Travel the united states—from california to florida—through these essential novels, memoirs, and mysteries..

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Thanks to the Virus That Shall Not Be Named, many of us are traveling closer to home these days—if we’re traveling at all. Whether you have a trip on the books (see what we did there?) or are solely traveling via literature, here are 10 novels, memoirs, and mysteries that will introduce you to surprising pockets of the United States.

“Sharks in the Time of Saviors” by Kawai Strong Washburn

Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn

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Lyrical and packed with myth, Sharks in the Time of Saviors follows Noa Flores, the middle child of a Hawaiian family, who is believed to be favored by the gods. After he’s saved by a shark during a boat tour—an act that nods to an ancient Hawaiian legend—Noa begins to demonstrate powers of healing. As Noa’s new abilities become a focal point of the family’s life, his older brother and younger sister must face life in his shadow.

Eventually, each child leaves for the mainland, aiming to forge their own path, separate from their family and Hawai’i. But, of course, the islands never really leave them—and ultimately, they must face their past. Told in chapters that alternate between each member of the Flores family, Kawai Strong Washburn’s debut novel is a supernatural saga that’s impossible to put down.

“The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

Mabel and Jack are two struggling, childless homesteaders in 1920s Alaska. One snowy winter day, the couple creates a snow child outside their home, inspired by a fairy tale that Mabel read as a young girl. Soon after, a girl, Faina, comes into their lives—the snow child come to life, or so Mabel believes. What unspools from that moment, as Mabel and Jack come to understand Faina and where she came from, is a story both about the beauty and harshness of the Alaskan wilderness and the power of survival and hope. The Snow Child was Eowyn Ivey’s debut novel and went on to be a finalist for the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

There are so many wonderful, iconic books about California. But this romp of a novel takes us to the Great Recession–era San Francisco, where an unemployed web designer, Clay Jannon, finds work in a puzzling 24-hour bookstore that seems to function more as a library. Clay quickly discovers that some of the books customers borrow are written in unintelligible code and pulls together a team of technologists to help him crack it. Technology—the specifics of it, as well our relationship to it—imbues the novel with a modern feel, but the Scooby gang quest to solve the mystery is as classic as it gets.

My Ántonia by Willa Cather

Told through the perspective of her childhood friend, Jim Burden, My Ántonia —considered one of the greatest American novels of the 20th century—follows the titular character from her childhood on the plains of Nebraska to Denver, back to Nebraska’s cornfields. Though Cather published the novel in 1918, its focus on Ántonia’s journey—a symbol of the country’s pioneering spirit, as well as the immigrant families who carved lives on the prairies—is as fresh and relatable as ever.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Yes, this is a YA novel. But Benjamin Alire Saenz’s meaty (359 pages) book presents universal struggles: making peace with who we are, understanding our families, charting our own paths. It revolves around two lonely Mexican-American teens growing up in El Paso, Texas. Aristotle, or Ari, has a distant father and a brother in prison. When he meets Dante, an artist, at the local pool, they seem unlikely candidates for friends. As their friendship deepens—and Ari becomes aware of his attraction to Dante—the two are led into a poignant exploration of sexuality, family, and identity.

Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country: Traveling Through the Land of My Ancestors by Louise Erdrich

Born in Little Falls, Minnesota, to a German-American father and a half-French, half-Ojibwe mother, Erdrich is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. (Ojibwe and Chippewa are used synonymously.) As an author, she’s best known for fiction that incorporates her Native American heritage. In Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country Erdrich is her own subject as she explores Lake of the Woods in Minnesota and Ontario with her then-18-month-old daughter.

Replete with shimmering lakes and sunshine, it’s at once a travel memoir and meditation on history and mythology. As a writer, Erdrich marvels at the small stuff, and that small stuff imbues the book with a sense of wonder over the natural world: the beauty of cattails rising out of deep water, glossy otters lolling on rocks, and shadows stretching long on a beach.

“The Yellow House” by Sarah M. Broom

Courtesy Grove

The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom

This expansive memoir from Sarah M. Broom—a 2019 National Book Award winner— shines a light on the New Orleans far beyond the booze and beads of Bourbon Street. Broom’s mother, Ivory Mae, bought a shotgun home in 1961, at a time of great promise for the Broom family. But as the years go by, the family—and the house—morph. Broom weaves the reality of New Orleans East, where the Yellow House is, with her forays into the New Orleans most tourists encounter. She threads it all with her familial history and her own desire to leave the city behind. Each chapter takes us further into the ways that home retains its grip on us, long after we’ve left—and even long after that home has disappeared.

“Transcendent Kingdom” by Yaa Gyasi

Courtesy Penguin Random House

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

At its core, Transcendent Kingdom is about a young woman—Gifty, a successful scientist—and her relationship with her mother, who struggles with depression. But it’s threaded with the themes of race, immigration, and belonging—also themes in Yaa Gyasi’s award-winning debut novel, Homegoing . As Gifty copes with her mother’s latest episode, she reflects on her childhood in Huntsville, Alabama—her family’s relationship with the city, her brother’s struggles with opioids—and the long shadows cast by the past. Ultimately, though, this is Gifty’s story and a powerful one about the choices we all make.

“Another Brooklyn” by Jacqueline Woodson

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

A novel of childhood and heartbreak, adulthood and trauma, Another Brooklyn takes readers to 1970s Brooklyn. August, an Ivy League–educated anthropologist who studies death around the world, is our protagonist. She returns home to Brooklyn to bury her father. Through a series of vignettes that feel part dream and part memory, we return to her girlhood, when she first moved to the neighborhood following the death of her mother and falls under the spell of Sylvia, Gigi, and Angela. Eventually, the four girls become friends, a tight, tumultuous bond that, for a moment, makes August feel whole.

“Swamplandia!” by Karen Russell

Courtesy Vintage Anchor Books

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell

Epic in scope, lush in detail, tragic through and through, Swamplandia! is gorgeous and gutting. The novel—a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for fiction—centers on 13-year-old Ava BigTree, who lives with her family on an island-slash-theme park in the Florida Everglades. Once renowned for their ’gator wrangling—especially Ava’s mother, Hilola—the family has been ruined by a bigger, more modern theme park on the mainland. When Hilola dies, her passing sets off a chain of events that splinters the family, forcing the children out into the world in various disturbing and mystical ways.

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The Indie Author’s Guide to Hitting the USA Today Bestseller List

by A. Rades | Sep 27, 2017

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a bestselling author?

It’s certainly possible, but not everyone who sells well makes it onto the list. As it turns out, you need to meet certain criteria to even be considered for a list like the USA Today bestseller list.

Earlier this year, I hit the USA Today bestseller list with a multi-author box set.

I then joined a second list-aiming set, and in June, I ran a large promotion on my own series bundle. I didn’t make it that time, but I did learn a lot about what it takes to become a bestselling author.

The USA Today bestseller list ranks the top 150 best-selling books using data collected from the previous week from online and brick-and-mortar retailers. They publish the first 50 in the print version of USA Today and publish the top 150 online every Thursday.

Making the list can mean exposure for you, and the privilege of adding the title of “USA Today Bestselling Author” to your credentials.

Think you might want to aim for the list? Here’s what indie authors need to know before running a promotion.

1. Run your promotion Monday through Sunday

Keep in mind that the bestseller lists only give a snapshot of what’s selling really well during any given week.

That means a book that sells well consistently but never sells thousands in one week may never hit the list.

Likewise, a book that sells really well one week but stops selling well later on — or even goes out of print — can still make it. Even books that are several years old can rise to hit the charts with a good promotional strategy behind them.

The USA Today list adds up sales from the previous Monday through Sunday to determine the bestsellers for that week. So if you’re going to make a go at it, plan your run for those days.

(See point #5 if you plan to make a list run on a new release.)

2. Sell on more than one platform

To be considered for the USA Today bestseller list, your reported sales have to come from more than one platform.

That means that if you’re digitally exclusive to Amazon in KDP Select, you don’t have a chance no matter how many copies you sell. (Unless you’re selling enough print copies, which is rare for indie authors.)

It’s also worth noting that the USA Today list doesn’t collect data from every sales platform. If you’re trying to hit the list by selling enough print copies through print-on-demand (POD) companies like Createspace, those sales won’t count. Furthermore, Google Play isn’t included on their list of contributors, so those sales won’t count, either.

(You can view a list of contributors here .)

That said, if you sell enough copies on platforms like Amazon, Nook, and iBooks, all those sales will combine to determine your book’s ranking. Indie authors typically focus on digital sales.

3. Aim for at least 500 sales on Nook or iBooks

Amazon is arguably the easiest platform to sell on for indie authors, especially when running a major promotion.

However, since you need sales on more than one platform, your best shot at getting enough sales as an indie is to focus on iBooks or Nook as your secondary platform.

However, these two retailers won’t report numbers to the list unless you’ve received 500 U.S. sales for the week. Be sure this goal is part of your promo strategy.

4. Shoot for 6K U.S. sales minimum

There is no real number needed to hit the list.

It all depends on what else is selling that week, and some seasons are more competitive than others. I’ve been told  summertime is a good time to aim for the list because there’s less competition.

However, 6,000 sales is generally a “safe zone” for making the bottom of the list (though it’s best to aim higher because that number is never a guarantee).

Also note that these sales have to be in the U.S. to count.

5. Consider a pre-order period to gather more sales

Any book can make the bestseller list no matter when it was released. However, many authors aim for the list with a new release. One of the benefits to this strategy is that you can set up digital pre-orders on platforms like Amazon, Nook and iBooks.

Note that your Amazon sales ranking is determined based on when a pre-order is placed, but the USA Today list counts your pre-order numbers when the book is released. A pre-order period gives you more time to gather those sales.

A word of warning: Due to time zone differences, pre-order numbers can sometimes hit the night before your scheduled release.

That’s why if you’re going to go this route, you’ll want to release on a Tuesday. That way if pre-orders do hit the night before, you still get those numbers on Monday, which is when the clock starts for your list run.

6. Give it all you’ve got

Make no mistake: Hitting the list isn’t easy, even when multiple authors are working together.

Expect to invest a lot of money into marketing. How much really depends on your genre since some books are easier to sell than others. I’m in the young adult genre, and several authors I know — including myself — didn’t make it with a $2,000-$3,000 marketing budget.

That’s just a marketing figure for the week. It doesn’t count the cost of publishing a book , such as the cover design, editing, formatting, etc. You’ll need all those aspects down first before you run a huge marketing campaign.

It also takes an incredible time commitment. I spent a month of daily work preparing for my solo promotion, but it’s pretty typical for authors to run three-month pre-order periods prior to a list run.

I won’t claim to be an expert on the USA Today list, and I’m sure much of this information is subject to change over the next few years.

However, after aiming for the list three times in the past year, I’ve learned a lot about what it takes, and I hope that other indie authors can learn something from it, too.

Do you plan on trying to hit the USA Today bestseller list within the next year? Tell us about your plans in the comment section.

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They helped me publish my book on…

They helped me publish my book on Kindle. Despite my limited funds, Tyler and Michael supported and believed in me. Now, you can find my book, Sexy Foods, listed as a bestseller. I couldn't have achieved this without their trust in my work.

Date of experience : September 09, 2024

I used USA Book Publishing's…

I used USA Book Publishing's ghostwriting services, and the results on Amazon have been incredible. You can check out my book, Have A Magical Day, on Amazon to see for yourself. I'm thrilled with the outcome and have already signed up for my next project!

Date of experience : September 04, 2024

I Charles Young

I Charles Young, am very pleased with how USA Book Publishing handled my book. If I write any future books, I would definitely choose them again, as they did an outstanding job with editing and printing. I've already shared my positive experience with family and friends and would recommend them to anyone.

Date of experience : August 12, 2024

Publishing my story has always been a…

Publishing my story has always been a dream of mine, and if it's yours too, I highly recommend USA Book Publishing. From my experience, working with David Harris and the team at USA Book Publishing made my dream a reality. They published my book, How the Hell that Happen, and guided me through the process with professional and friendly support, even for someone like me who wasn't very familier with the process. Their costs are reasonable, and they're dedicated to helping you achieve the best results. During a difficult time, having lost my husband and mom within three weeks of each other, their staff provided comfort and support by helping me tell my story. Everyone has a story to share, so consider USA Book Publishing and start your book today!

I didn't realize hw much work goes into…

I didn't realize hw much work goes into publishing a book until now. I have a much clearer understanding of the process. Initially, it was challenging to ensure that my narrative and perspective were accurately represented, but Michael was incredibly supportive and patient once we aligned our vision.

The dedication and insight shown by USA…

The dedication and insight shown by USA Book Publishing in handling the complex details of my narrative and transforming it into an engaging story were truly admirable. The ghostwriters surpassed my expectations with their skill in capturing the essence of my events. Great job!

USA Book Publishing has done an…

USA Book Publishing has done an absolutely fantastic job. To me, they turned a fairly ordinary plot into a masterpiece. I'm thrilled to be working on my next project with them. Their writers never disappoint!

Publishing my first book was quite the…

Publishing my first book was quite the adventure, and USA Book Publishing was incredibly helpful, insightful, and experienced throughout the process. We did encounter a minor hiccup with editing, but it was resolved efficiency. The only downside was that costs can add up with the various promotions, through I understand it's all part of the business. Despite this, their team is exceptional, with a strong work ethic. I highly recommend them to new authors looking to understand the business side of writing a book. I learned a lot from the experience.

Working with USA Book Publishing was a…

Working with USA Book Publishing was a fantastic! They took my book proposal and turned it into something far beyond what I had imagined, guiding my outline and ideas in a new and exciting direction. I'm thrilled to collaborative with them on a detailed plan to expand my book ideas!

I had been struggling for months to…

I had been struggling for months to finish my book chapters until I discovered USA Book Publishing. They really lived up to their reputation! Their talented team helping bring my vision to life, offering valuable insights and guidance all along the way. With their assistance, I was finally able to complete my chapters, and I'm thrilled with the final book. I highly recommend USA Book Publishing to anyone seeking top-notch ghostwriting services. Thank you for all your support!

Date of experience : August 08, 2024

The communication has been…

The communication has been exceptionally effective. The Project Scope Document was quickly created and sent back for my approval. The book outline was revised as needed. The timing of the full payment was discussed and resolved. Even the initial phone call happened as planned.

I've had a fantastic experience so far

I've had a fantastic experience so far; each program manager has been incredibly patient, which I value greatly when working with others. I'm excited to continue collaborating with this team as I progress on my book-writing journey. I'm very pleased with how things are going. Thank you for your graciousness and kindness. Thanks, Jennifer.

Working with USA Book Publishing on my…

Working with USA Book Publishing on my book was a total delight. Their team was so patient and helpful, always quick to respond to my questions. The writers were top-notch, making sure the book was both educational and entertaining. Thanks to their support, I'm now a published author, and I couldn't be happier!

The service

The service, whether it's sending proofs or the printing, have been quick and very accommodating. The quality of the books has been good, and any mistakes made have been on my part rather than on the part of the printing. And the prices per book have been affordable.

Date of experience : July 30, 2024

I recently published my first book with…

I recently published my first book with the help of USA Book Publishing, and I'm very grateful for the knowledge I've gained throughout this process and for the support from my project manager, Mike. USA Book Publishing made the experience both smooth and exciting, and I appreciate how they preserved the original language of my book while capturing the personalities of the characters. I'm looking forward to working with them again on the second series of my project.

Working with USA Book Publishings was a…

Working with USA Book Publishings was a dream come true. They not only published my book but also helped me with marketing strategies to boost sales. The personalized attention and dedication of their team are unmatched. I am grateful for the success of my book, all thanks to their expertise.

Date of experience : July 19, 2024

This was my first book which meant I…

This was my first book which meant I had many question. Your help to me was priceless. When making numerous phone to you, your response was always pleasant and you were able to solve my problem.

They are AMAZING to work with

They are AMAZING to work with. They are professional and timely, are detailed and big n communication. Great for those who wish to self-publish .

Exceptional service

Exceptional service! Our book soared to best seller lists thanks to their meticulous editing and publishing expertise. They didn't just polish our words; they breathed life into them, ensuring every page captivated readers. Their dedication and professionalism are unmatched, making them the go-to team for any aspiring author.

Collaborating with USA Book Publishing…

Collaborating with USA Book Publishing on my book was a real pleasure. Their talent for breaking down complex concepts into clear, understandable explanations made the whole writing process so much smoother. They were excellent communicators and provided invaluable guidance throughout. Thanks to their expertise, my book not only offers a deep understanding of the subject but also includes practical tips to enhance comprehension. I can't praise their professionalism and skills enough-I wholeheartedly recommend their services!

Suggested companies

Usa books publishing, us books publisher, pearson book publisher.

Usabookpublishings   Reviews

In the Book Publisher category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 4.6.

Most relevant

They helped me publish my book on…

They helped me publish my book on Kindle. Despite my limited funds, Tyler and Michael supported and believed in me. Now, you can find my book, Sexy Foods, listed as a bestseller. I couldn't have achieved this without their trust in my work.

Date of experience : 09 September 2024

I used USA Book Publishing's…

I used USA Book Publishing's ghostwriting services, and the results on Amazon have been incredible. You can check out my book, Have A Magical Day, on Amazon to see for yourself. I'm thrilled with the outcome and have already signed up for my next project!

Date of experience : 04 September 2024

I Charles Young

I Charles Young, am very pleased with how USA Book Publishing handled my book. If I write any future books, I would definitely choose them again, as they did an outstanding job with editing and printing. I've already shared my positive experience with family and friends and would recommend them to anyone.

Date of experience : 12 August 2024

Publishing my story has always been a…

Publishing my story has always been a dream of mine, and if it's yours too, I highly recommend USA Book Publishing. From my experience, working with David Harris and the team at USA Book Publishing made my dream a reality. They published my book, How the Hell that Happen, and guided me through the process with professional and friendly support, even for someone like me who wasn't very familier with the process. Their costs are reasonable, and they're dedicated to helping you achieve the best results. During a difficult time, having lost my husband and mom within three weeks of each other, their staff provided comfort and support by helping me tell my story. Everyone has a story to share, so consider USA Book Publishing and start your book today!

I didn't realize hw much work goes into…

I didn't realize hw much work goes into publishing a book until now. I have a much clearer understanding of the process. Initially, it was challenging to ensure that my narrative and perspective were accurately represented, but Michael was incredibly supportive and patient once we aligned our vision.

The dedication and insight shown by USA…

The dedication and insight shown by USA Book Publishing in handling the complex details of my narrative and transforming it into an engaging story were truly admirable. The ghostwriters surpassed my expectations with their skill in capturing the essence of my events. Great job!

USA Book Publishing has done an…

USA Book Publishing has done an absolutely fantastic job. To me, they turned a fairly ordinary plot into a masterpiece. I'm thrilled to be working on my next project with them. Their writers never disappoint!

Publishing my first book was quite the…

Publishing my first book was quite the adventure, and USA Book Publishing was incredibly helpful, insightful, and experienced throughout the process. We did encounter a minor hiccup with editing, but it was resolved efficiency. The only downside was that costs can add up with the various promotions, through I understand it's all part of the business. Despite this, their team is exceptional, with a strong work ethic. I highly recommend them to new authors looking to understand the business side of writing a book. I learned a lot from the experience.

Working with USA Book Publishing was a…

Working with USA Book Publishing was a fantastic! They took my book proposal and turned it into something far beyond what I had imagined, guiding my outline and ideas in a new and exciting direction. I'm thrilled to collaborative with them on a detailed plan to expand my book ideas!

I had been struggling for months to…

I had been struggling for months to finish my book chapters until I discovered USA Book Publishing. They really lived up to their reputation! Their talented team helping bring my vision to life, offering valuable insights and guidance all along the way. With their assistance, I was finally able to complete my chapters, and I'm thrilled with the final book. I highly recommend USA Book Publishing to anyone seeking top-notch ghostwriting services. Thank you for all your support!

Date of experience : 08 August 2024

The communication has been…

The communication has been exceptionally effective. The Project Scope Document was quickly created and sent back for my approval. The book outline was revised as needed. The timing of the full payment was discussed and resolved. Even the initial phone call happened as planned.

I've had a fantastic experience so far

I've had a fantastic experience so far; each program manager has been incredibly patient, which I value greatly when working with others. I'm excited to continue collaborating with this team as I progress on my book-writing journey. I'm very pleased with how things are going. Thank you for your graciousness and kindness. Thanks, Jennifer.

Working with USA Book Publishing on my…

Working with USA Book Publishing on my book was a total delight. Their team was so patient and helpful, always quick to respond to my questions. The writers were top-notch, making sure the book was both educational and entertaining. Thanks to their support, I'm now a published author, and I couldn't be happier!

The service

The service, whether it's sending proofs or the printing, have been quick and very accommodating. The quality of the books has been good, and any mistakes made have been on my part rather than on the part of the printing. And the prices per book have been affordable.

Date of experience : 30 July 2024

I recently published my first book with…

I recently published my first book with the help of USA Book Publishing, and I'm very grateful for the knowledge I've gained throughout this process and for the support from my project manager, Mike. USA Book Publishing made the experience both smooth and exciting, and I appreciate how they preserved the original language of my book while capturing the personalities of the characters. I'm looking forward to working with them again on the second series of my project.

Working with USA Book Publishings was a…

Working with USA Book Publishings was a dream come true. They not only published my book but also helped me with marketing strategies to boost sales. The personalized attention and dedication of their team are unmatched. I am grateful for the success of my book, all thanks to their expertise.

Date of experience : 19 July 2024

This was my first book which meant I…

This was my first book which meant I had many question. Your help to me was priceless. When making numerous phone to you, your response was always pleasant and you were able to solve my problem.

They are AMAZING to work with

They are AMAZING to work with. They are professional and timely, are detailed and big n communication. Great for those who wish to self-publish .

Exceptional service

Exceptional service! Our book soared to best seller lists thanks to their meticulous editing and publishing expertise. They didn't just polish our words; they breathed life into them, ensuring every page captivated readers. Their dedication and professionalism are unmatched, making them the go-to team for any aspiring author.

Collaborating with USA Book Publishing…

Collaborating with USA Book Publishing on my book was a real pleasure. Their talent for breaking down complex concepts into clear, understandable explanations made the whole writing process so much smoother. They were excellent communicators and provided invaluable guidance throughout. Thanks to their expertise, my book not only offers a deep understanding of the subject but also includes practical tips to enhance comprehension. I can't praise their professionalism and skills enough-I wholeheartedly recommend their services!

Best of 2022: See which books USA TODAY critics gave perfect reviews this year

A serial killer counting down the minutes on death row. A dystopian future where books by Asian authors are banned. The family of America's most famous assassin grappling with the aftermath. A sexy, sizzling summer on Cape Cod.

 They've little in common, except they're all subjects of some of this year's best books. 

The year delivered an embarrassment of literary riches: George Saunders, one of the world's best short-story writers, returned with a practically perfect new collection; Marianne Wiggins overcame a massive stroke to write a great American novel; and two fan favorites were reunited in what just might be the best "Star Wars" novel ever written. 

They are among the 18 books USA TODAY critics gave perfect ★★★★ (out of four) reviews. Here's the complete list of this year's best reads: 

'A Heart That Works': Rob Delaney 'started with anger,' ended with 'love' writing about 2-year-old son's death

'In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss'

By Amy Bloom

Bloom’s life, and that of her husband, Brian, was changed forever when an MRI confirmed the worst: Brian had Alzheimer’s. The couple then made the decision to go to Dignitas, an assisted-dying facility in Switzerland. "Bloom, a psychotherapist as well as an author, brings to her heart-rending task the skills of both professions: a clinician’s intimate knowledge of diseases of the brain and a novelist’s intuitive understanding of the human heart." Read the review .

'Star Wars: Brotherhood' 

By Mike Chen

Set just after the events of "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones," "Brotherhood" finds even-keeled Obi-Wan Kenobi and hotheaded Anakin Skywalker investigating a devastating explosion on Cato Neimoidia. As peace hangs in the balance, the master and apprentice must overcome the friction in their relationship to stand together as brothers. "'Brotherhood' is one of the best 'Star Wars' novels to date, exploring the familylike bond between two of the central characters in the Skywalker Saga." Read the review .

'Don't Know Tough'

By Eli Cranor

Billy Lowe is the star running back for the high school football team in Denton, Arkansas. When his troubled home life causes him to act out on the field, head coach Trent Powers is determined to save him. Think “Friday Night Lights” with a Southern Gothic twist. “A major work from a bright, young talent." Read the review . 

By Karen Joy Fowler 

The PEN/Faulkner Award-winning author of “We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves” returned with a novel about the family behind one of American history’s most notorious figures: John Wilkes Booth. “'Booth' doesn’t hold anyone in judgment; like all the best literature, it seeks to better understand the human heart in all its flawed complexity. It’s a haunting book, not just for all its literal ghosts, but for its suggestion that those ghosts still have not been exorcised from this country." Read the review .

Jerry Seinfeld: Why no joke is off limits, the 'Comedians' guest who made him 'most nervous'

'Notes on an Execution' 

By Danya Kukafka

A gripping story about a serial killer on death row primarily told from the perspectives of the women in his life as the clock ticks to his execution. "A career-defining novel – powerful, important, intensely human, and filled with a unique examination of tragedy, one where the reader is left with a curious emotion: hope." Read the review .

'Sea of Tranquility' 

By Emily St. John Mandel

The author of “Station Eleven” and “The Glass Hotel” returns with a fantastical novel that sweeps across time and space, taking readers from Vancouver Island in 1912 to a lunar colony 500 years later. " 'Sea of Tranquility' is full of grandeur, but without even a whiff of grandiosity. It’s transporting and brilliant and generous, and I haven’t ever read anything quite like it." Read the review .

By Ian McEwan

From the bestselling author of "Atonement" comes the epic but intimate story of one man's life over decades and set against historical events. "McEwan, who is steeped in the sounds and rhythms of English literature, and for whom novels and poems practically assume the importance of characters, has written a masterpiece of a novel that is simultaneously about the business of growing up and getting old, and the business of writing fiction." Read the review .

'Life's Work'

By David Milch

The creator of "Deadwood" and "NYPD Blue" reflects on his life and art as Alzheimer’s starts to take hold. "'Life’s Work' is a brave piece of writing, a taking of stock that digs uncommonly deep, from a man much closer to the end than the beginning. If all memoirs were this honest, it would serve the genre well." Read the review .

'Flight': Mom dies and Christmas get messy in Lynn Steger Strong’s dark domestic drama

'Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times'

By Azar Nafisi 

The author of “Reading Lolita in Tehran” returned with a book championing the power of literature to guide and galvanize in contentious political times. "Books have a rare power to generate empathy, to connect people on a level of humanity, rather than ideology. To many, especially those who live for power, this makes books dangerous. For others, it’s what makes them magic." Read the review .

'A Thousand Steps' 

By T. Jefferson Parker

In 1968 Laguna Beach, California, 16-year-old Matt Anthony’s big sister has gone missing. The cops mark her as a runaway hippie, but Matt knows better, especially after another missing girl is found dead on the beach. "A compelling coming-of-age thriller that will entrance you with its ’60s vibe and backdrop and captivate you with its engaging storytelling and a believable cast of characters – including one heroic kid you can’t help but root for." Read the review . 

'Our Missing Hearts' 

By Celeste Ng

In this dystopian tale set in the near future, when Asian Americans are marked by the government with distrust and their art is destroyed, 12-year-old Bird doesn’t ask too many questions after his mother, a Chinese American poet, leaves the family. But a mysterious letter sends him on a quest to find her. "Coupled with the humanity and sweetness of the unbreakable love between a mother and her child, it is a book you won’t be able to put down, nor stop thinking about long after you do." Read the review .

'Liberation Day'

By George Saunders

The  Booker Prize-winning author of “Lincoln in the Bardo”  returns with a new collection of short fiction, bringing his hilarious, absurdist prose and humane touch to subversive stories that get to the heart of what it means to be alive. "Through nine stories ranging wildly in tone and content, warping reality in the funhouse mirror of genre-bending high concepts, Saunders seems to ask over and over: What does it mean to be a good person? And how can you be one in a world that makes being good so very hard?" Read the review.

Matthew Perry: 'Friends' star talks Valerie Bertinelli kiss, near-death experience in tell-all book

'The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams'

By Stacy Schiff

The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer brings her masterful touch to an American revolutionary, bringing out the excitement in a subject too often viewed as dusty. "These pages contain great drama and constant motion; Schiff lets the stakes build and build until the dam is ready to burst. To read this book is to immerse oneself in a very particular and thrilling time and place." Read the review .

'The Church of Baseball: The Making of Bull Durham: Home Runs, Bad Calls, Crazy Fights, Big Swings, and a Hit'

By Ron Shelton

From the Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director of the 1988 Kevin Costner film “Bull Durham” is an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at the making of the baseball classic that’s arguably one of the all-time best sports movies from a writer who spent six years in the minor leagues. "Its ground-level tone and attention to detail strip away the romance of moviemaking, with only minimal rancor. In contemporary parlance, Shelton keeps it real." Read the review .

'The Summer Place'

By Jennifer Weiner

From the master of the summer beach read comes the story of a family in all its messy glory forced to face its issues – secrets, misunderstandings, regrets and unhealed wounds – as a Cape Cod beach house wedding looms. "With its Cape Cod setting that evokes seashells, cool water, melting ice cream and summer bliss, it's sure to be the must-have beach bag item this year." Read the review .

'Properties of Thirst'

By Marianne Wiggins

In Wiggins' sweeping WWII-era historical novel, the Rhodes family, who've long fought to protect their California ranch, are left reeling when the government builds a neighboring Japanese American internment camp. "This is a big, bold book, generous of spirit and packed with prose that gleefully breaks the rules." Read the review .

'Now Is Not the Time to Panic'

By Kevin Wilson

Romantic (and creative) sparks fly in the 1990s when 16-year-old aspiring writer Frankie Budge meets Zeke, a talented artist just as awkward as she is. Together they create a poster that goes viral before virality was a thing and sets their small Tennessee town abuzz. "Frankie and Zeke are wholly original characters, their lives painful and true, and while this is a novel you can read in a single sitting, it is best devoured slowly, a treat for the heart and mind." Read the review .

'To Paradise'

By Hanya Yanagihara

From the author of the celebrated “A Little Life,” a new epic spanning three centuries – with a trio of stories set in 1893, 1993 and 2093 – about life, love and the American experiment. "'To Paradise' is a novel of the highest order. Yanagihara writes with elegance, evoking emotion and rendering believable characters who move the plot. Her perceptive eye is evident in the three separate settings, placing the reader in each time frame through multiple narratives, which she orchestrates with great acuity." Read the review .