After a failed attempt to take her life, doctor-turned-author Neighbors finds herself a "prisoner in paradise," watching the serene Hawaiian waves crash in stark contrast to her internal misery. Desperate to break free from her tormented mind, she turns to the only lifeline she has left: writing her way out. With razor-sharp prose cutting the facade of her idyllic surroundings, Neighbors exposes the darkest moments of her life: her father's death, the sting of her mother's blame, a marriage in shambles, and an all-consuming battle with addiction. All this unfolds during her medical residency, a world "where people are allegedly supposed to heal each other" as Neighbors puts it, but which, in reality, is poisoned by harassment, cutthroat competition, and systemic discrimination.

Poignant, brutal, and unflinchingly honest words bleed onto every page as Neighbors spares nothing—recounting an affair with a married man, receiving unfair probation and false accusations, and struggling with bouts of depression and paranoia. Her disarming candor about her guilt and imperfections—having a privileged background, self-sabotaging, self-loathing—are often painful to read, but her straightforwardness offers a merciless clarity on how addiction and impulsive decisions are merely misguided escapes from a "never-ending battle" with oneself, so often rooted in trauma, familial neglect, misjudgment, and mistreatment.

The fragmented prose jumps from memory to memory and may confuse some readers, but it mirrors the mania, paranoia, and sheer magnitude of problems that Neighbors contends with, suggesting how healing is never linear. Her story, both a candid confession of the courage it takes to embrace life's imperfections and a fierce fight for the truth, proves how "everyone has a degree of mental illness," even those who seem to have it all. This unapologetically unfiltered memoir empowers, imparting resilience and a raw plea to be kind—to others, but most especially, to ourselves.

Takeaway: Razor-sharp memoir about battling mental illness amid heavy external pressures.

Comparable Titles: Kay Redfield Jamison's An Unquiet Mind, Jamie Blaine and Vicky Lanzone’s Life Is Crazy and We’re All Going to Die.

Production grades
Cover: B-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

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This delightful tale, based on Tacreiter’s real-life experiences, shares the story of a special cow herd that inspired Tacreiter to establish The Cow Sanctuary—a New Jersey farm serving as a sanctuary for livestock. The book follows Helga, a farmer who adores cows of every shape and size, as she caretakes the calves on her farm and mourns their loss every year when they are taken away to be sold. One year, when a storm strikes the farm, a group of cows are injured when the tree they’re sheltered beneath is downed by lightning. Helga takes six orphaned calves under her wing, promising herself she will give them “extra kisses, hugs, songs, and treats.”

The star of that herd turns out to be Harvey, a black calf who, after the storm, can’t seem to recuperate—his gait is off, and he can’t eat without help. Helga makes it her personal mission to nurse Harvey back to health, and her care is sweet to behold, as she hand feeds him, walks beside him to retrain his stride, and snuggles him into recovery. Young readers will treasure that close bond and cheer out loud when Harvey moos for the first time. Helga is soon motivated to “find a safe place” for Harvey and the other calves, launching her business idea to sew “cowches”—cow-shaped couches to fund her own farm. That takes off, and after a lot of hard work, Helga opens The Cow Sanctuary.

Denise Tremblay’s illustrations beautifully render the calves’ expressive eyes and playful antics, and the song refrain shared throughout—“Hey, hey, babies, I wish I could change the world"—transforms into a mantra for animal conservation by the book’s end. Tacreiter, with the help of PETA, closes with opportunities for readers to become animal stewards themselves, a fitting conclusion for this animal-friendly tale.

Takeaway: Conservation-minded tale of a farmer determined to save orphaned calves.

Comparable Titles: Jessica Stremer’s Lights Out, Zoe Tucker’s Greta and the Giants.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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Duncan MacEwan, a retired firefighter, faces the most bewildering phase of his life following his wife Deborah's sudden death in a fiery car crash. The initial wash of grief turns into shock and suspicion when Duncan finds a trove of spy gear in their attic: fake passports, a Sig Sauer pistol, wads of cash, a thumb drive, an old key, and a Bible bookmarked with a bizarre string of numbers. This spine-tingling revelation catapults him to an intriguing and paranoia-fueled investigation as Oster (author of The Sleeper List) explores themes of secrecy, betrayal, and the quest for truth, following Duncan's tortuous journey of discovering that the woman he loved may have been living a double life hidden from him.

Suspense builds as Duncan teams up with his tech-savvy friend, Tesla, who cracks open the doors to a world of international espionage and cyber warfare more intricate and dangerous than Duncan ever imagined. Oster's writing shines with its seamless integration of spy drama, geopolitical strife, and technological elements, with the inclusion of real-world cyber threats like the notorious Stuxnet virus and cameos from infamous CIA operatives Philip Agee and Aldrich Ames that lend the narrative a cinematic feel. The spy intrigue is top-notch, but Oster’s heavy lean on espionage framework and straightforward monologue sidelines the more nuanced emotional undertones of Duncan's grief and frustration. Still, it is that trade-off that ramps up the tension, as Duncan's persistent, no-holds-barred pursuit of answers leaves readers with the same gnawing question: was Deborah a hero or a villain?

Oster crafts a pulse-pounding, action-powered narrative, all while navigating the convoluted and deceptive world of espionage, the gray areas of morality, and the idea of complete transparency in marriage, making this high-stakes thriller both charged and contemplative. Readers will find themselves rooting for Duncan's clarity and closure until the end.

Takeaway: High-stakes spy thriller built on themes of marriage and betrayal.

Comparable Titles: Chris Pavone's The Expats, Olen Steinhauer's The Tourist.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

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Damon’s intriguing murder mystery debut (the author has previously written under the name Margaret Brownley) starts when the legal thrills come to an end: after the evidence is presented and the verdict is given on a high-profile murder trial, 12 jurors exit the courthouse together, certain they are headed back to their lives of anonymity. Three months later, four of them are dead, all from apparent accidents. Four of the remaining jurors—Harold, CeeCee, Alex, and Helen—believe it’s the work of a serial killer and, despite their somewhat dislike of each other, band together, vowing to catch the killer before they strike again.

Using alternating points-of-view, Damon concisely and efficiently introduces the four main characters, with quick, vividly detailed opening chapters that immediately draw readers in. None of the featured four are doing particularly well in their own lives—Harold is an insecure man with a failing business and a failing marriage, exotic dancer CeeCee just wants the funds to open her own spa, Alex is struggling as an actor and writer, and Helen, a curmudgeonly older woman, feels disconnected from a world that has moved on without her—but their common fear, that they could be next on the killer’s list, unites them. In addition to the external tension of jurors rapidly disappearing, the ensemble cast keeps readers on their toes, with constant bickering and infighting that make this band of unlikely sleuths strangely likable.

Between the zany moments, quick thinking to get out of sticky situations, and humorous gaffs of amateur detectives, readers will relish this roller coaster ride, though some of the story’s descriptions—references to CeeCee paint her as empty but conniving, with “eye-popping boobs, the size of melons” while Helen is branded a “titty bar reject” in one scene—distract from the central mystery’s flair. Still, this is an entertaining, worthwhile whodunnit with a truly enticing cast.

Takeaway: Quick, engaging mystery of amateur detectives tracking down a serial killer.

Comparable Titles: Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, Benjamin Stevenson’s Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B-
Marketing copy: A

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Carmody’s debut takes on the difficult topic of child sexual abuse in a story that centers on the victim’s healing. Running from the group home where young female residents have been groomed as “fresh meat” for sexual abuse at the hands of a gang connected to the facility, 14-year-old Megan Walsh is picked up by Joanne (Jo) McGloughlin, the Head of Youth Services who befriended her when the facility was first opened. Jo and her husband take Megan in to protect her while she begins to identify her abusers. As the investigation becomes increasingly complicated, Megan starts to integrate into their family as their four young adult children come home for a chaotic Christmas holiday.

Carmody is careful to balance enough description of Meg’s traumatic experience to feel authentic without focusing on graphic detail. This keeps the story from feeling prurient, as Carmody emphasizes Meg’s courage, growth, and new connections, even as she still faces danger from insiders in the scheme who would rather she not testify. Carmody makes Meg an extremely reliable witness who is believed by authorities. This humane, supportive treatment of abuse survivors is encouraging, though the thriller elements, seemingly by design, are never visceral nor especially tense or twist-y.

Where this story shines is in the scenes of home life at the McGloughlins, where the family deals with its own internal conflicts but ultimately comes in with love and support, Meg’s emotional arc in learning to trust feels satisfying. Though the Christmas and wedding planning vibes could have been turned up another notch, the nergetic family banter makes a strong contrast with the stress that Meg is escaping. Carmody’s background as a caregiver is clear in Jo’s gentleness and practical support.

Takeaway: Optimistic, family-centered thriller of justice and support for victims.

Comparable Titles: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s Fighting Words, Laurie Matthew’s Groomed.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

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Blending coming-of-age fantasy, impressive subterranean worldbuilding, a sense of the mythic, and the occasional dash of Chaucerian stories-within-stories, Finch’s surprising debut is set in a world recognizable as ours—but below it, in its strangest shadows. Lucas Devlin has never been a normal teen, even though he went to a regular Aboveworld school and believed he had normal friends. But in truth he has been training for the day that he would take over the “family business”—serving as a Seeker with the Darktouched. Just after his high school graduation, he finds his life shattering into pieces when Lightborne Reclaimers find his home and take his father. Lucas is guided underground into the Abzu Complex, an otherworldly city, where he must continue his training while discovering the past of the Darktouched (they once rode great serpents) and their terrifying battle with the Lightborne.

Along the way, Lucas—known as Arden, down below—finds himself facing Ancient beings, searching for an exile, and facing tense dangers and mysteries. Finch’s approach to fantasy emphasizes light and dark, underground and otherworldly explorations, and a surprising mix of science, technology, myth, multi-cultural practices, and folklore, with stories of the ancient conflict, covenants, and creatures, often shared in mythic monologues or archaic texts. Readers will appreciate the engaging tour of this strange new world as Lucas uncovers the stories of how he came to be a Darktouched, the origins of the Darktouched society itself, and where he belongs within it.

Despite the novelty of the setting, Finch creates a relatable life for Lucas, a Child of Shadow, in this world of Darknames and Abovenames, ferrybots and weird KALM gear for traveling in the dark, a long-ago “Reshaping,” and persuasively cool games and sports. As Lucas finds himself getting closer to the answers that not even the oldest living Darktouched know, he discovers that his purpose is bigger than any could imagine–but readers eager to know what will have to wait for book two.

Takeaway: Inventive YA fantasy of ancient conflicts and underground culture.

Comparable Titles: Roderick Gordon’s Tunnels, T. Kingfisher’s The Hollow Places.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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Authors Navarro and Thornton-Cornejo craft a loving tribute to their father, Walter Thornton—a pioneer in modeling during Hollywood’s glamour age—in this rich historical debut. Thornton, who launched the career of countless models and actors in the 1930s and ‘40s, was largely unknown to his family as a man “at the very top tier of show-business success and international fame” until after his death. His daughters recount their initial discovery of his celebrity status—during an impromptu viewing of the movie Seabiscuit—and their years-long journey to reveal the successful businessman behind the devoted father they cherished.

Readers will be swept into Hollywood’s golden age as Navarro and Thornton-Cornejo unpack their father’s mementos and reveal a vibrant family history. Whispers of Thornton’s grueling younger years as an orphan and work as a bricklayer build the memoir’s foundation, while his booming success establishing a modeling empire well into the ‘50s unfolds with an aura of mystery—who was this hidden man, the driving force behind the pinup girl craze of the Second World War, and why did his family never learn of his renown during his lifetime? The authors, from the start, acknowledge that Thornton wasn’t a fan of revisiting the past, focusing his energy instead on creating a warm, caring family in their hometown of Ajijic, Mexico.

The Merchant of Venus is a fascinating glimpse into early 20th century American entertainment, complete with remarkable photographs, engrossing looks at the New York ad world, and tidbits of the famous names Thornton discovered, like Grace Kelly and Lauren Bacall. The back stretch gets wrapped up in the legal troubles that ruined his reputation during the McCarthy era—the catalyst for his retirement and subsequent move to Mexico—but the book’s enduring legacy is a portrait of a passionate family man “who lived in the hearts of many people, but most of all his wife and children.”

Takeaway: Loving tribute to the life and legend of modeling pioneer Walter Thornton.

Comparable Titles: Graham Bannock’s Hollywood Lives, Sam Irvin’s Kay Thompson.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

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Mechanical Engineer Kalogiannidis debuts with a thorough, practical guide to mastering the inductive reasoning tests that are increasingly sprung on candidates for jobs at “top–tier employers/multinational companies” as part of a pre-assessment process. Kalogiannidis makes the case that, rather than being annoyed or intimidated by this new-ish step, job-seekers should see the tests as an opportunity, both to “obtain additional credentials—without any extra cost” by demonstrating one’s excellence and also to “practice and hone” the skills that such tests probe. The bulk of this volume is thirteen sample tests, with several hundred questions, presenting one test “task” on each page.

Each task, representative of the challenges on actual tests, presents a row or rows of shapes and patterns, with the final entry in the sequence left for the reader to determine based on what patterns and rules can be discerned. A row of possible answers is below, and Kalogiannidis offers clarifying explanations of why one answer is correct. The sample tests are varied and challenging, ramping up in difficulty, introducing a host of different types of patterns and rules—they’re also satisfying to work through, especially once one has become familiar with various types of form and sequence and confident in when to make an intuitive leap. Kalogiannidis’s claim, in an introduction, that “Anyone with no severe mental impairment” can excel at these tests may be impolitic, but readers will have ample opportunity to push themselves and improve. (The tests are polished, professional, and illuminating, though that introduction could use a copyedit.)

Supplementing these sample questions are Kalogiannidis’s clear-eyed tips for preparing for tests and avoiding common pitfalls, which offer both general and highly specific guidance, as well as a library of the patterns and rules that tend to appear in such tests. This is a sharply honed tool that will benefit anyone facing an inductive reasoning test.

Takeaway: Practical, clarifying guide to inductive reasoning tests, packed with sample questions.

Comparable Titles: How2Become’s Inductive Reasoning Tests.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: B

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Petunia is a superstar—she keeps her room neatly organized, studies hard for school, and never colors outside the lines. Even when she’s practicing her guitar, she’s careful to play every note perfectly; in fact, Petunia is so conscientious, it earns her the nickname “perfectionist” one day at school, when she overhears two classmates whispering that she’d never want to get messy enough to paint with them. At first, Petunia is proud of that name, but soon the realization sets in that being perfect may be more than even she can handle.

Bader (author of Stella’s Brave Voice) transforms a very real—and often hard to discuss—issue for younger readers into a problem that can be faced and handled in this polished book. Just about anyone can relate to Petunia: she’s desperate to do well and outperform herself in every way possible, but sometimes even the most careful attention to detail doesn’t pan out in the end. When she gets distracted during a music lesson and plays the wrong note, she’s devastated—but her wise teacher quickly turns that mistake into an opportunity, praising Petunia for “create[ing] a brand-new sound” and reminding her that “when we try too hard to be perfect, it’s like our strings are pulled too tight. But if we loosen our strings, Petunia, we can make beautiful music!” That beautiful imagery will resonate with readers of any age.

Ellie Beykzadeh skillfully captures Petunia’s nuanced facial expressions throughout the story, portraying her inner emotions with expressive eyes and subtle hints of movement, and the book’s textured backgrounds give it a warm, tender feeling—the ideal vehicle to teach kids that “nobody expects you to be PERFECT.” By the story’s end, Petunia is savoring the freedom that comes with being “perfectly imperfect” and learning the important lesson of self-love, flaws and all. This is a delight.

Takeaway: Delightful story on why it’s okay to be imperfect.

Comparable Titles: Anna Kang’s It Is (Not) Perfect, Brenda Li’s The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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Observing that “most of their money problems are just like ours,” wealth adviser Gorman probes the financial highs and lows of American presidents in this absorbing debut. From Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s passion for start-up ideas to John F. Kennedy’s penny-pinching, readers will find Gorman’s presidential revelations fascinating, delving into the most intimate of financial woes for powerful public figures in this “intersection where personal finance [meets] history.” She also examines socio-economic trends that have helped—and hindered—economic mobility, including the cost of a college education, healthcare, housing, and more.

Gorman asserts there are valuable lessons to be learned from studying the finances of these larger-than-life men who “started out as ordinary” and modeled some of the best, as well as some of the most questionable, monetary decisions. Many, like Thomas Jefferson, the Roosevelts, and John F. Kennedy, were born into wealth; others rose from poverty. Gorman relays their journeys in detail, sharing Barack Obama’s last student loan payment just eight years before he ran for president alongside Thomas Jefferson’s careless spending and lavish parties that culminated in shocking debt in his later years.

Gorman’s true rags-to-riches president—and one that she names as incredibly successful with his personal finances—was Abraham Lincoln. Unable to afford a college education, he was an enigma in many ways: a voracious reader, with a dislike of alcohol and gambling, who transformed himself into one of the most respected American presidents of all time—all while carefully growing his personal wealth. Examples like those form the basis of Gorman’s financial pointers sprinkled throughout, from her assertion that Jimmy Carter’s consistency with his money makes him an inspiration to the flawed financial decision-making that placed several presidents at risk. She closes with a briefing on the five presidents “to emulate in your personal finances”—and a warning that the American dream may not be as achievable as we think.

Takeaway: Fascinating briefing on the financial habits of America’s Commanders in Chief.

Comparable Titles: Cyrus A. Ansary’s George Washington Dealmaker-in-Chief, Charles Renwick’s All the Presidents’ Taxes.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

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Bridge, back with his second memoir, after Hope’s Boy, shares his experience working as an attorney for wrongfully institutionalized boys and girls, while reflecting on his own time spent in a “holding facility for foster children” and the trauma of being separated from his mother, starting at age six. Bridge explores his time at Harvard—where he worked "to forget being a boy who had been put in another institution”—as well as his role in one of America's longest-running court cases, against the State of Alabama, when, in his first case as a lawyer, he confronted the state’s Eufaula Adolescent Center for its “long and well-known history of violence” and “history of covering up that violence.”

Bridge’s writing is eloquent and impassioned, powered by deep empathy for the victimized children and parents he represents and welcome clarity and precision about the legal complexities. He never shies away from sharing his own life story as a catalyst for his work defending children’s rights, and this conviction serves as a gripping narrative throughline. Poring over files, striving to speak with uncooperative staff members, and suffering through false motions for protective orders filed against him by the state, Bridge details his efforts to stop Eufaula’s “abuse being inflicted on children.” His account of the devastating effects of institutionalization is shocking—and will ring alarm bells for readers.

Through comprehensive details on the history of injustice and legal battles against mental facilities—specifically in Alabama—Bridge constructs a moving story of corruption, abuse, and a hard-hitting call for reform: “The deliberate destruction of childhood would not be blotted out by time,” he writes, “All of it would be condemned. What Alabama had done would be written into history.” Bridge’s most inspiring task is his determination to give silenced children a voice, an opportunity for freedom, and hope for justice. Equally heart-warming and heart-breaking, this is a full circle story of triumph that readers won't soon forget.

Takeaway: Powerful story of justice, for children trapped in a failing mental healthcare system

Comparable Titles: Dorothy Roberts's Torn Apart, Alisa Roth's Insane.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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Adams makes her nonfiction debut with a comprehensive resource guide for authors, brimming with fun exercises and actionable advice to “draw out rich, imaginative stories even from the most reluctant of writers.” Using her seven-step method that focuses on different writing accomplishments for every day of the week—from generating ideas to creating drafts—Adams lays the groundwork for readers to learn, and practice, clever ideas and disciplined methods guaranteed to pay off, acknowledging that while one week is not enough time to complete a novel, readers who follow her advice will, at a minimum, understand the steps it takes to get there.

This is a resource that writers will consistently reference and return to, whether it’s to conquer writer’s block, gain new perspectives on character and plot development, or learn the value of rest when completing a novel. “Method, momentum, and motivation are what I believe you need whether you’re starting from scratch, hopelessly stuck, or deciding to get back to it” Adams writes, and each of her workshop days is structured for noticeable results: the guidance starts with a warm up exercise before moving on to core activities, and Adams closes each lesson with a writing cool down (referring to them as “stretches”).

The possibilities Adams presents will intrigue as much as they excite; one stretch exercise involves curating synonym lists for overused words, while Adams employs more involved methods when it comes to core assignments, like her 500/500 challenge to generate 500 new words a day, or the creative idea of a mini storyboard to better conceptualize the beginning, middle, and end of a novel. Adam's upbeat, positive tone removes pressure while inspiring creativity, and aspiring writers will take away fresh ideas sure to help them put pen to paper and move one step closer to completing their manuscript.

Takeaway: Fun, interactive writing resource to spark creativity and conquer writer’s block.

Comparable Titles: Matthew Salesses’s Craft in the Real World, Mur Lafferty's I Should Be Writing.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The One Week Writing Workshop

Cooper follows up Wages of Empire with this deep dive into the personal and political consequences of the First World War. Soldier Evan Sinclair—now grappling with amnesia after his ship heading for home was sunk by the Germans—remains at the heart of the novel, as does his father, Captain Clive Sinclair, whose relentless quest to find his son mirrors the larger search for meaning amidst the chaos of war. As Evan embarks on a journey to rediscover his past, Cooper expertly shifts between the war-torn battlefields of France, Jerusalem’s political intrigues, and the shifting alliances in the Arabian desert.

The novel's strength lies in its intricate, real-life characters and their interwoven stories, offering a fresh perspective on World War I’s lesser-known figures and events. Montagu Walker's sabotage of British efforts in the Middle East positions him as a rival to Faisal ibn Al-Hussein, who seeks British support for Arab independence; in Jerusalem, Anna Spafford shelters fugitives while Guido von List, a cunning envoy of Kaiser Wilhelm, hunts secrets within the American Colony. Clive’s search for Evan leads him to cross paths with the legendary Lawrence of Arabia, while Evan journeys from Lyme Regis to Rosslyn Castle, where his cousin Harry unveils the rich history of the Sinclair family.

Cooper’s meticulous research breathes life into pivotal historical moments, though the weight of detail occasionally overshadows the personal narratives at the story's core. Yet, it is this interplay of grand events and intimate character arcs that makes Crossroads of Empire compelling. The story culminates in a spiritual reckoning, as Evan regains his memories with help from his ancestor, Sir William Wallace, connecting his personal journey to the enduring legacy of fighting for freedom. Crossroads of Empire offers a richly layered narrative that sheds light on the human toll of conflict and celebrates an indomitable spirit of resilience amid overwhelming adversity.

Takeaway: Rich historical tapestry of self-discovery during the First World War.

Comparable Titles: Richard Aldington’s Death of a Hero, Willa Cather’s One of Ours.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Crossroads of Empire

To truly thrive, asserts Pokorny in this intriguing debut, humans must return to their evolutionary roots. In a nod to our earliest days as a species, he frequently uses the symbol of a mammoth as a metaphor for our hardwired need to function as a group, outlining his path to “build[ing] teams that are unstoppable” based on three interconnected foundations: People, Strategy, and Implementation. Good, person-centered leadership is vital, he notes, urging leaders to cultivate their own health habits, but so is an actionable strategy, one that can be executed calmly and in an organized fashion. To succeed in business, he writes, “you must face the good, bad, and the ugly—and evolve.”

It is in his experience-driven, boots-on-the-ground lessons where Pokorny most excels. When it comes to company culture, he notes it’s “a key factor in defining a company’s destiny,” but also acknowledges the difficulties in nailing down such a broad term in the everyday workplace. The answer, he asserts, is paying more attention to human behavior because businesses revolve around it. To emphasize the driving forces behind that human behavior, Pokorny dives deep into Charles Darwin’s theories, maintaining that our “early evolutionary instincts” still apply today, in examples such as the recent international cooperation efforts to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pokorny’s path begins with the individual, but quickly builds to that individual’s role within a team setting, concluding with a blueprint for maintaining stability, identifying and rooting out problems, and, above all, always functioning from a position of “humility and gratefulness.” Businesses succeed, Pokorny declares, when they’re built on the idea that each individual contributes meaningfully to the larger group to realize their full potential. Common-sense advice like that makes this an ideal handbook for leaders and entry level professionals alike.

Takeaway: Common sense business guide based on evolutionary principles.

Comparable Titles: Damon Stafford’s Believe in Better, Herbert N. Casson’s How to Apply the Principles of Evolution to a Business.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Mammoth in the Room

Skidmore’s first collection blends nostalgia with finely tuned social commentary and existential exploration. These seven vivid stories come together to offer a multifaceted and occasionally melancholic look at ordinary American lives in the 1970s through the 1990s. Although many of the stories do take place in the titular suburbs, they are not reflective of the stereotypically shallow, bland, uniform location that may come to mind. Instead, Skidmore (author of The Pursuit of Cool) explores deep themes of alienation, self-discovery and self-preservation in a complex social and economic landscape.

Skidmore demonstrates an impressive degree of versatility in his main characters: a freelance artist struggling against eviction, a yuppie on an errand in the rough part of town, a boy who bullies and a boy who is bullied. Despite their circumstantial differences, Skidmore’s incisive narration unites them in their vulnerability to ruthlessly constrictive social norms and tragedies beyond their control. In “Saunter,” Jim, a quirky yoga practitioner on a spiritual quest, pays a steep price for living outside the conformity of what he calls “The Zone,” while in “Life and Death in the American Suburbs,” Geoff is forced to make a dark choice after his father is diagnosed with cancer and needs expensive medication.

Taken together, the stories offer a critical examination of American culture infused with understated, often dark humor that calls out the absurdities of social norms. Ray Ray, the child protagonist in “Space Food,” is made to dress in formal clothes in the stifling heat to visit an elderly veteran who lives in squalid conditions, and in “Hank’s Place,” Bill has learned to beat his corporate warrior boss at his own game by employing his “elliptical language patterns”: “I’m positive about the target date, but I have concerns.” A nuanced balance between critique and compassion, this collection offers readers an insightful, poignant look at American life.

Takeaway: Gritty, vivid stories exploring identity and the constrictions of social norms.

Comparable Titles: RS Deeren’s Enough to Lose, Jamel Brinkley’s Witness.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-

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The triumph of good over evil is a classic theme for children’s stories, but the hero often achieves glory through battle. In Kizlauskas’ gripping reimagining of a classic Lithuanian fairytale, a young girl named Mildute saves her family and her kingdom by remaining silent and steadfast. When Mildute’s mother dies, her father unknowingly remarries an evil witch who turns Mildute’s twelve brothers into ravens. Mourning the loss of her siblings, Mildute sets off on a journey to find them, encountering unexpected help from an eagle with an injured wing. Together they climb the mountain where her brothers lived, an arduous trek that takes them twelve years.

At the top of the mountain, the happy family reunion is cut short when one of Mildute’s brothers announces that she has arrived too soon—“The curse was meant to last twelve years, then we would be set free. But if we’re found before that time, we’re doomed eternally!” To spare them this fate, Mildute must take a vow of silence, a condition she readily accepts. Despite this, she manages to lead a productive life, at least until her cruel stepmother tries again to undermine her happiness. Mildute’s resolute response demonstrates the power of unconditional love and staying true to her word, which will show children that fighting is not the only way to be strong.

The richly colored, detailed illustrations will fully immerse readers in this story’s wildly imaginative world. Along her way, Mildute encounters wonderful beings such as white-robed women who ride on the wind and anthropomorphic clouds that help her search for her missing brothers. Everything in this fairytale land seems almost tangible yet glitters with the promise of mystery and magic. No matter how difficult her circumstances, Mildute’s face remains soft and serene, driving home the story’s message about the power of her sacrifice and silent stoicism.

Takeaway: A young girl saves her family by remaining silent and steadfast in this Lithuanian fairy tale.

Comparable Titles: Dawn Casey’s Winter Tales, Gennady Spirin’s The Tale of the Firebird.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-

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