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Reviewer's Choice
Reconstruction Quest: A Neurodivergent Journey
John F. Gerrard
John F. Gerrard Publishing
https://www.johnfgerrard.com
9781778050138, $13.99, PB, 151pp
https://www.amazon.com/Reconstruction-Quest-Neurodivergent-John-Gerrard/dp/1778050131
Synopsis: With the publication of "Reconstruction Quest: A Neurodivergent Journey", John F. Gerrrard offers a deeply intimate memoir that explores the journey of living with a mind that works differently from the majority.
Gerrard skillfully recounts his experiences with altered states, psychosis, and depression, offering a raw and honest reflection on the complexities of mental health. He shares insights into the power of self-talk and the profound impact that language has on our behaviour and self-perception.
Gerrard acknowledges the delicate balance between acceptance and the pursuit of growth, while also examining personal responsibility, free will, and the ongoing challenge of self-improvement. Through candid storytelling, this memoir underscores the importance of perseverance, self-compassion, and community.
"Reconstruction Quest" is both a source of inspiration and a compelling call for greater empathy and understanding in how we approach mental health.
Critique: Candid, insightful, skillfully written, emotionally engaging, thoughtful and thought provoking throughout, "Reconstruction Quest: A Neurodivergent Journey" by John F. Gerrard is a unique, special and unreservedly recommended contribution to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Psychology/Mental Health collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for psychology students, mental health service providers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in schizophrenia, mood disorders, psychological pathologies, that this paperback edition of "Reconstruction Quest: A Neurodivergent Journey" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: John F. Gerrard is a multidisciplinary artist who merges mental health advocacy with his art and writing practice. In 2018, he became a peer support worker with the Canadian Mental Health Association, a transformative experience that greatly influenced his future writings about mental health and neurodivergence. His first book was "We Make Clocks, Not Time: My Lived Experience with Psychosis, Creativity, and the Ideas That Have Helped Me".
The American History Shelf
Commanders In Crisis
Joseph Collins
Night Writer Publishing
https://night-writer-publishing.ueniweb.com
9798227011794, $10.99, PB, 104pp
https://www.amazon.com/Commanders-Crisis-Psychological-Presidents-Throughout/dp/B0DGWV63CZ
Synopsis: With the publication of "Commanders In Crisis: The Psychological Battles of American Presidents Throughout History". author Joseph Collins dives right into the gripping psychological battles of American presidents
A seminal and groundbreaking study, this original and informative exploration unveils how the pressures of leadership have impacted the mental health and administrations of U.S. presidents across centuries.
"Commanders In Crisis" draws upon the diagnoses written by mental health professionals and the narratives of presidential historians and my own analyses. "Commanders In Crisis" effectively shines a light on the emotional challenges that have shaped some of the most critical moments in American history.
By distilling important lessons about mental health, "Commanders In Crisis" underscores the timeless importance of emotional well-being, informed self-care, and compassion in leadership without drawing broad political or partisan conclusions.
Critique: Original, exceptional, insightful, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Commanders In Crisis: The Psychological Battles of American Presidents Throughout History" by Joseph Collins is an extraordinary and eloquent treatise that is impressively timely given the current state of the American Presidency under Donald J. Trump against the backdrop of his predecessors who bore they twin burdens of being the President and also the Commander-in-Chief... Articulate and unique, this paperback edition of "Commanders In Crisis: The Psychological Battles of American Presidents Throughout History" from Night Writer Publishing is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library American History collection, as well as the personal reading lists of students, academia, historians, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
Editorial Note: Joseph Collins is also the author of "Broken Down in Butler Bridge", "When Lottery Dreams Run Dry", and "Crimes, Follies and Misfortunes: First Anthology of Historical Fiction Stories".
The World History Shelf
The Book. The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization
Hungry Minds, author
https://howtorebuildcivilization.com
Bad Idea Company Ltd.
https://www.badideacompany.co.uk
9780578377452, $119.00, HC, 400pp
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJCKGRW1
Synopsis: Now anyone can learn history easily with "The Book. The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization - Inspirational Science Books for Adults - Unique Artifact - Knowledge Encyclopedia with Over 400 Pages of Detailed & Catchy Illustrations" written by Hungry Minds Publishing and published in England by Bad Idea Company Ltd..
This world history ancient civilizations volume is comprised of 400 pages packed with discoveries in main areas: medicine, basic materials, mechanisms, military arts, hearth and home, farming, entertainment, musical instruments, and society. It combines a clear structure, high-quality texts, and detailed images to completely immerse you in the history of mankind.
Open to any beautifully illustrated page, and you will be carried away to another universe of amazing discoveries to be intellectually savored and appreciated.
Using this unique book of knowledge to study history with your children or to expand your own personal and intellectual horizons, there is nothing better than immersing yourself in some of the world's best stories after a long day. Readers of all ages and educational backgrounds will learn so much more about inventions that significantly influenced human history.
This Hungry Minds Publishing history book was created thanks to the tireless interest of a child. What would I make a bow string of if I lived in the Middle Ages? This is one of the questions that came to the founder when he was a child. He thought about it before bed and checked the facts in the morning. This unusual history volume combines research interests, scientific facts, and talented drawings, so that every child, regardless of age, can enjoy history.
Critique: With its elegant, museum quality artwork on every page, and with its large format (9 x 2 x 12 inches, 5.28 pounds), hardcover coffee table style edition, "The Book. The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization" from Hungry Minds Publishing is a unique and ideal pick for personal reading lists, as well as homeschooling family, highschool, community, and college/university library Human History collections. An ideal choice for anyone and everyone with an interest in history, how different mechanisms work, inspiring achievements in the past.
Editorial Note: Hungry Minds Publishing (https://hungryminds.com) is an English brand known for high-quality, entertaining products that spark curiosity about life. They are creating their literary products at the intersection of education, entertainment and art.
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
Kurt Cobain: Forever In Bloom
Kelly Catlin
Genius Book Publishing
https://geniusbookpublishing.com
9781958727584, $40.00, HC, 362pp
https://www.amazon.com/Kurt-Cobain-Forever-Kelly-Catlin/dp/195872758X
Synopsis: An American musician, Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20, 1967 - April 5, 1994) was the lead vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter, and a founding member of the grunge band Nirvana. Through his angsty song writing and anti-establishment persona, his compositions widened the thematic conventions of mainstream rock music and considered to be one of the most influential rock musicians of his generation.
With the publication of "Kurt Cobain: Forever In Bloom", Kelly Catlin redefines how we remember Kurt Cobain, moving beyond the cliches of a tortured artist or the tragic face of grunge. This compelling biography invites readers to see Cobain not as a caricature but as a deeply empathetic, fiercely creative human being who shaped music and culture in ways that still resonate today.
Starting with his early days in Aberdeen, Washington, "Kurt Cobain: Forever In Bloom" explores the complexities of Cobain's life-the struggles he endured, the love he shared, and the unyielding principles that defined him. It presents a Kurt Cobain who cared passionately about social justice, equality, and the power of art to connect and heal. Through intimate interviews, never-before-told stories, and poignant reflections, readers will discover the man behind the music-a father, a friend, and an artist who refused to let the world dictate his narrative.
Rather than focusing on the tragedy of his death as a suicide, "Kurt Cobain: Forever In Bloom" illuminates his lasting impact and enduring humanity. It is a celebration of his triumphs over adversity and a call to see beyond the myths, to understand the heart of a man who inspired millions with his voice and his vision.
Critique: Exceptionally informative and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, this detailed and in-depth biography of Kurt Cobain by Kelly Catlin is a 'must' for the legions of Cobain fans. "Kurt Cobain: Forever In Bloom" is especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library 20th Century American Biography/Memoir collections. This hardcover edition of "Kurt Cobain: Forever In Bloom" from Genius Book Publishing is also readily available for personal reading lists in paperback (9781958727409, $25.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99). It should be noted that author Kelly Catlin will be supporting a variety of charitable organizations, including children's advocacy groups, food banks, and suicide awareness and prevention organizations.
Editorial Note: Kelly Catlin (https://www.kellycatlinauthor.com) has always enjoyed writing. Here work appears in publications such as Ranker, House Digest, and Collider. She also been featured in newspapers such as The Daily World for my research and work as a Kurt Cobain chronicler. "Kurt Cobain: Forever in Bloom" is her debut as a biographer and was written for suicide awareness with a portion of the royalties going to charitable organizations.
I Don't Swim: A Memoir
Helen Miller
Waverly Avenue Press
9798218539894, $17.95, PB, 220pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Swim-Helen-Pitts-Miller/dp/B0DW13XYVQ
Synopsis: When Helen Miller was asked why she never joined her family in the water, she found herself contemplating the reasons she didn't swim.
Although Helen's parents were part of the Great Migration of Black families to the North to escape racism and poverty, they did not have access to public or private pools or beaches. She considered that her parents' and her inability to swim was related to something bigger: the history of Black Americans.
"I Don't Swim" is Helen Miller's personal story and reflects her life's journey against the backdrop of that history and the Civil Rights Movement. Despite the prevalence of racism in the United States, the love and support she received growing up instilled in her a vision of possibilities. Helen accomplished much in her lifetime, including the achievement of three degrees, practicing law, and serving sixteen years in the Iowa House of Representatives.
Helen's story describes not only what she's lived through and witnessed, but what she sees for the future: hope. As she tells her grandchildren, "Do your best because things have changed. You, too, can become president of the United States or anything else you want to be."
Critique: Remarkable, informative, exceptional, thought-provoking, inspiring, and impressively well written, organized and presented, "I Don't Swim: A Memoir" by Helen Miller is an inherently interesting read from start to finish. This paperback edition of "I Don't Swim: A Memoir" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library African American History, Biography & Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "I Don't Swim: A Memoir" is also available from Waverly Avenue Press in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Helen Miller (https://helenmillerauthor.com) is a retired lawyer and state legislator. She was born in Newark, New Jersey, and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Howard University, a master's degree from Our Lady of the Lake University, and a Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center. She served as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives for sixteen years and was the first minority to serve on the House Agriculture Committee. Additionally, Miller chaired the Iowa Board of Parole from July 2019 to July 2021.Miller shares the events of her life in the context of the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, during the times when Blacks were finding and projecting their voices onto the tapestry that was and is America.
Playing Hard: A Life and Death in Games, Sports, and Play
Peter Unwin
Cormorant Books
www.cormorantbooks.com
9781770867772, $24.95, PB, 198pp
https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Hard-Death-Games-Sports/dp/1770867775
Synopsis: "Playing Hard: A Life and Death in Games, Sports, and Play" by Peter Unwin is a tribute to the power of play in all its forms. It is also a searching and personal account of how play, games, and sports sanctify life and give it meaning. It is a moving and wide-ranging examination with which Unwin reflects on his life and relationships through countless acts of play and the many unexpected places it is found.
Through a shared love of games, Unwin is able to reconnect with his terminally ill father and is exposed to the complexities of his father's past, of his experiences with war and violence, and of a different but equally powerful commitment to a life of play.
From Snakes and Ladders to shooting pool, from an improbable soccer game in the Sahara to first memories of playing baseball under catalpa trees -- Peter Unwin examines the irresistible urge to have fun, reminding us that to live is to play, and to play hard is to live well.
Critique: Intimately personal and yet with a universal resonance, "Playing Hard: A Life and Death in Games, Sports, and Play" is a simply riveting memoir that also offers thoughtful and thought-provoking insights and commentaries on the role of all manner of sports related competition on his (and our own) life. Absorbing, entertaining, exceptional, original, and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library American Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of anyone with an interest in Soccer and Baseball biographies, as well as dealing with the subject of grief and bereavement through a prism of sports, that this paperback edition of "Playing Hard: A Life and Death in Games, Sports, and Play" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Peter Unwin (www.cormorantbooks.com/peter-unwin) is the author of ten books, as well as essays, short stories, and poems. He has been thrice shortlisted for the ReLit Award and his short story collection Life Without Death was shortlisted for the 2014 Trillium Book Award. His articles, essays, and poems have appeared in numerous journals and magazines. Peter recently completed a PhD in the Humanities at York University.
The Historical Fiction Shelf
Here with the Winter
J. Penrod Scott
Archway Publishing
www.archwaypublishing.com
9781665705233, $14.99, PB, 194pp
https://www.amazon.com/Here-Winter-J-Penrod-Scott/dp/166570523X
Synopsis: The year is 1960. The residents of West Emmette, Ohio welcome back Jessie Conrad, who moves to the newly constructed Meadow Drive. Jessie and her two young children join old friends and new in the challenging days of building a life without their husband and father.
They have left behind important friends but have the counsel of wise townsfolk, including Jessie's father, Henry, the town patriarch who collects clocks and rifles. Henry, however, is suddenly under the watch of the confused and jealous son of one of his long-time friends, a young man who is obsessed with acquiring one of Henry's most prized possessions.
Critique: Deftly crafting an original story set in the bustling Midwestern township of West Emmette, Ohio, author J. Penrod Scott has raised her novel to an impressive level of literary excellence with her genuine flair for her distinctive, narrative driven, and attention engaging storytelling skills. A fun and entertaining read from cover to cover, "Here with the Winter" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Historical Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Here with the Winter" from Archway Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Joanne Penrod Scott (https://jpenrodscott.com) grew up in Ohio, attended Ohio universities, and studied English literature. She has worked as a journalist for a national magazine and as a corporate writer. Scott has traveled the United States and enjoyed learning about each region. She enjoys her family, piano, pets, and nature.
The Literary Fiction Shelf
Bend, Don't Break
Julie L. Brown
JAB Press
https://www.jabpress.com
9781735475066, $15.99, PB, 454pp
https://www.amazon.com/Bend-Dont-Break-Julie-Brown/dp/1735475068
Synopsis: Drawing strength from their ancestor, Aisha, a slave born free on the west coast of Africa, four Black women will do whatever is necessary to succeed -- and will do even more to protect their daughters.
Aisha's granddaughter, Dinah, a plantation slave, fends off the advances of the master's son and vows to prevent the same mistreatment of her daughter, Sarah.
During the Harlem Renaissance, Augusta, an aspiring teacher, falls in love for the first time. Her mother, Julia, is determined to prevent her from getting hurt.
Attorney Olivia and her news producer daughter, Nicole, both seek success and equality in the white man's world of 1980s corporate life.
And in the present day, Sha, a tech company chief information officer, turns amateur detective after her daughter's assault.
Throughout the generations, these women encounter similar challenges but face them in different ways and survive and thrive through all of it, because they bend but do not break. They demonstrate that although generational trauma can be passed down like an inheritance, so, too, can healing and resilience.
Critique: "Bend, Don't Break" by Julie L. Brown is an absorbing, thought-provoking, emotionally engaging, and deftly scripted multi-generational historical novel that, although a work of fiction, accurately and aptly represents the all-to-common experience of Black women and their daughters in America over the last two centuries. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Bend, Don't Break" from JAB Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Julie L. Brown (https://www.julielbrown.com) earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the Stonecoast program at the University of Southern Maine. She is also the author of "No One Will Save Us" (winner of the Independent Press Award for African American fiction, a winner of the Reader Views Literary Award for Global-Africa fiction, and a finalist for the Reader Views Literary Award for historical fiction and CIBA Chaucer and Humor & Satire Awards). Julie, under the pen name J. L. Brown, is the author of the Jade Harrington series, political thrillers which include the novels, "Don't Speak", "Rule of Law", "The Divide", and the short story, "Few Are Chosen". She is a member of Black Women Write Seattle, Crime Writers of Color, the Historical Novel Society, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
The Passenger Seat
Vijay Khurana
https://vijaykhurana.com
Biblioasis
www.biblioasis.com
9781771966306, $17.95, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Passenger-Seat-Vijay-Khurana/dp/1771966300
Synopsis: Two teenagers leave their small town on a vaguely charted road trip through the northern wilderness, with little more than canned food, second-hand camping gear, and the rifle they buy for reasons neither can articulate.
The more they handle the gun, and the farther they get from their parents and peers, girlfriends and online gaming, the less their actions (and the games, both literal and metaphorical, they play) are bound by the usual constraints.
When one decides to harass a young couple they meet on the highway, the encounter leads them down a road from which there's no coming back.
Critique: A deft blending of psychological suspense, dystopian friendship, toxic loneliness, and 'coming of age' masculinity when released from social and familial constraints, "The Passenger Seat" introduces Vijay Khurana, an author whose distinctive and narrative driven storytelling skills raise his novel to an impressive level of literary excellence. Original, memorable, and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Passenger Seat" from Biblioasis is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Vijay Khurana (https://www.vijaykhurana.com) is a writer and translator based between Berlin and London. His work has appeared in NOON, The Guardian, 3:AM Magazine, The Erotic Review and elsewhere. He is currently completing a PhD in Creative and Critical Writing at Queen Mary, University of London, researching the disembodied voice and its effect on diaspora, long-distance relationships and loneliness. An excerpt from his translation of the German novel Red (Hunger) by Senthuran Varatharajah appears in the 2024 White Review translation anthology. The Passenger Seat, his first novel, was shortlisted for the 2022 Novel Prize.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Silent Film Star Murders
Melodie Campbell
Cormorant Books
https://www.cormorantbooks.com
9781770867833, $24.95, PB, 300pp
https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Film-Murders-Merry-Widow/dp/177086783X
Synopsis: Lady Lucy Revelstoke and her pickpocket-turned-maid Elf are once again embarking on a transatlantic crossing. Also on board are Renata Harwood, star of the silver screen, and her bitter rival, Stella Burke. Roy Armitage may be Renata's husband, but he used to be Stella's man.
Everyone expects these leading ladies to serve up delicious drama at dinner, but things take a tragic turn when Renata's little sister goes missing. Has she been seduced by a cad and hiding out in second-class, as Renata fears, or has the poor girl thrown herself overboard?
Then Elf's friend, stewardess to the Harwoods, is found brutally murdered while wearing Renata's evening gown. From the back, it'd be hard to tell them apart, so was Renata the intended victim?
Lucy's determined to investigate, proving once again that sometimes it takes a savvy woman to unravel the intricate relationships that lead to murder.
Critique: The second book in author Melodie Campbell's 'The Merry Widows' mystery series, "The Silent Film Star Murders" is a 'must' for the legions of cozy mystery fans. Original, clever, memorable, and a fun read from cover to cover, "The Silent Film Star Murders" once again showcases Melodie Campbell's genuine, distinctive, and narrative driven storytelling style. Simply stated, "The Silent Film Star Murders" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal cozy mystery reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Melodie Campbell (https://funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com) has over one hundred comedy credits, eighteen novels, and sixty short stories to her name, including The Goddaughter mob caper series. She is the winner of ten awards, including The Derringer (US) and the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence.
Black Camelot's Assassins & Conspirators
Darius Myers
https://dariusmyers.com
Fero Scitus
9798330472413, $30.95 HC, 358pp
9798330472185, $16.95 PB / $9.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Camelots-Assassins-Conspirators-Darius/dp/B0DQK46ST5
https://dariusmyers.com/products/black-camelots-assassins-conspirators
Synopsis: The action, suspense, and thrills go to new heights with the publication of "Black Camelot's Assassins & Conspirators", which is Book 6 of author Darius Myers' "The Black Camelot' action/adventure suspense thriller series. Now the war to kill the Black Camelots has paused momentarily. In its stead, the Digby Yates assigned kill teams continue their manhunt for Tyrone Wheeler.
His estranged wife, Flower, has passionately and publicly displayed her love and devotion to her new love, Wheeler. If she becomes collateral damage, so be it.
At the same time, the banker turned assassin, Skylar Andrews, is on the run. He's planning to re-emerge in his quest to kill Yates, his brother-in-law and the man responsible for his wife Blaine's death.
The Artist Hitman, a foe of Teddy Walker and The Voice, is holed up in Rio Dijanero. Rio is a hideout for several of the top hitmen in the world, one of whom is a mentor, Whit Smart. Billy One-Shot and a mysterious Brazilian are also there. A summit is convened to ensure that Rio remains a safe place.
Political old lion and family patriarch, Hardwick Bivens, Sr. against the expressed wishes of his granddaughter, Democratic presidential candidate, Janet Bivens, hired Billy One-Shot to assassinate Yates. The plan was abandoned until another could be conceived. This one with ramifications far greater than the assassination of Yates.
In Black Camelot's Assassins and Conspirators, the dark worlds convene. The conspirators use their considerable power and the assassins reassess. It leaves one of the world's most revered powers shattered.
Critique: Another deftly crafted addition to an original saga, and fun read from start to finish by skilled storyteller and novelist Darius Myers, "Black Camelot's Assassins & Conspirators" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of the emerging legion of Darius Myers fans that "Black Camelot's Assassins & Conspirators" from Fero Scitus is readily available in hardcover (9798330472413, $30.95), paperback (9798330472185, $16.95), and in an ebook format ($9.99).
Editorial Note: Darius Myers (https://dariusmyers.com) is a writer of masterfully scripted action/adventures that will have a very special appeal to fans of dystopian suspense thriller fiction.
Severed Echoes
DV Chernov
Heathen Press
https://heathen.press
9798986329819, $17.99, PB, 346pp
https://www.amazon.com/Severed-Echoes-Severs-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/B0B5KVJMZD
Synopsis: In the small town of Pine Lake, Colorado, Lisa Benoche is dead, and an audio recording threatens to turn what looks like a suicide into the first murder investigation the town has seen in many years. As the rookie detective Nick Severs digs deeper into the high-tech motives surrounding her death, he has no idea that a female hacktivist group have already set their sights on him, and that a dark chapter from his own past is about to catch up to him.
"Severed Echoes" is a twisty psychological ride through high-tech crimes for the #MeToo generation. Filled with unusual suspects, unsettling hacks and the Wild Western allure of the Colorado Rockies, this crime thriller will keep readers guessing till the end.
Critique: Original, riveting, and a fun read from cover to cover, "Severed Echoes" by DV Chernov is especially and unreservedly recommended for any and all fans of technothriller novels with a vigilante vengeance quest theme. Showcasing Chernov's genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that keeps the reader fully engaged from start to finish, "Severed Echoes" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Severed Echoes" from Heathen Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: D.V. Chernov (www.dvchernov.com) is an award-winning author of historical and crime fiction. His debut novel Commissar was named Finalist for the prestigious Hemingway International Book Award. D.V. Chernov was born in Omsk, Russia and grew up in the Soviet Union during the final decades of the Cold War before immigrating to the U.S. in 1991. After building a career in the high-tech industry, he decided to follow his long-time dream of writing his first novel.
Fried Chicken Castaneda
Suzanne Stauffer
Artemesia Publishing, LLC
https://www.apbooks.net
9781963832051, $16.95, PB, 300pp
https://www.amazon.com/Fried-Chicken-Casta%C3%B1eda-Suzanne-Stauffer/dp/1963832051
Synopsis: Prudence Bates finds bootleggers, murder, romance, and gourmet dining at the Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Bored with her conventional middle-class life, the 25-year-old librarian escapes Cleveland by heading west to train as a Courier for the Southwestern Indian Detours in Santa Fe. On board the train, she meets Navajo school teacher Jerry Begay. They feel an instant rapport, but he' s going on to Gallup.
In Las Vegas, she is befriended by Castaneda Harvey Girls Martha and Anne and desk clerk Clara. Then Martha's brother, Tom, is found murdered. Is it because of his bootlegging activities? Or his amorous activities with Liz Kearney, daughter of the richest man in the area and rumored mob boss? And was that really Jerry Begay whom Prudence saw meeting with Tom in secret the day before he was killed?
Critique: A deftly crafted masterpiece of the cozy mystery genre, "Fried Chicken Castaneda" by Suzanne Stauffer is a fun read for 'whodunnit' mystery buffs from cover to cover. Original, memorable, and solidly entertaining, Stauffer's eloquent and narrative driven storytelling style is distinctive and reader engaging throughout. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Fried Chicken Castaneda" from Artemesia Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Suzanne M. Stauffer is professor emerita, School of Information Studies, Louisiana State University. She is a cultural heritage scholar and historian of libraries focusing on the role of the public library in American society and culture -- and now a writer of cozy mysteries. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_M._Stauffer) She particularly enjoys film noir, the Golden Age of mystery (including hard boiled), Victorian literature (especially women authors), E.F. Benson and Dorothy Sayers.
The Business Shelf
The Psychology of Leadership
Sebastien Page
Harriman House
https://www.harriman-house.com
9781804090923, $29.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Leadership-principles-leadership-individuals/dp/1804090921
Synopsis: Witty, conversational, and personal in style, with the publication of "The Psychology of Leadership", Sebastien deftly blends research, fascinating true stories, humor, and self-improvement advice to deliver simple yet powerful principles to master the mental game of leadership.
Business leaders and corporate executives will develop what feels like mind-reading abilities for interpreting workplace personalities, hidden motivations, and group dynamics. They will learn how to inspire their organization to move mountains, improve their ability to listen, communicate and, when necessary, persuade.
Along the way they will dramatically improve their own mindset and resilience.
Critique: A thoroughly 'reader friendly' compendium of timeless principles to improve your leadership of individuals, teams (and yourself), "The Psychology of Leadership" is exceptionally well written, organized and presented for readers with an interest in business management practices, leader/motivational issues, and a business/communications oriented self-help/self-improvement. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format, this hardcover Harriman House edition of "The Psychology of Leadership" by Sebastien Page is especially and unreservedly recommended for professional, community, corporate, business school, and college/university library Business Management collection and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Sebastien Page is Chief Investment Officer and Head of Global Multi-Asset at T. Rowe Price. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastien-page) He has written two finance books: Beyond Diversification: What Every Investor Needs to Know, and the co-authored Factor Investing and Asset Allocation, and he has won six annual research-paper awards: two from The Financial Analysts Journal and four from The Journal of Portfolio Management. He appears regularly on CNBC and Bloomberg TV, and in 2022 was named a Top Voice in Finance by LinkedIn. He has been quoted extensively in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Barron's.
The Steady Leader
Schuyler Williamson
https://www.thesteadyleader.com
Ballast Books
https://ballastbooks.com
9781964934327, $27.99, HC, 308pp
https://www.amazon.com/Steady-Leader-Leadership-Models-Clarity/dp/196493432X
Synopsis: Lead yourself. Lead your team. Lead your company. -- Most people try to target one of these at a time, but the truth is, they all build off each other. Want to lead your team better? Learn how to lead yourself first. Want to lead your company well? Learn how to lead your team.
In the chaos of running a business, we can complicate what it means to lead. But at the end of the day, leadership really boils down to one clear tenet: taking care of people. It's about teaching others how to think so that they can get what they want. It's about enabling people to be and to do their best.
While there's no formula for great leadership, there are opportunities to "stand on the shoulders of giants," to follow the example of those who have gone before us, to mimic and adapt techniques that have worked for others. That's precisely what "The Steady Leader: Leadership Models That Bring Clarity to Chaos" by Schuyler Williamson is: a collection of models that will help you lead better.
Each chapter comprising "The Steady Leader" provides real stories and examples, leadership and business principles, and actionable items and advice with the goal of equipping you to lead yourself, your team, and your company better. "The Steady Leader" is a guide to unlocking your full potential as an individual, leader, and advocate -- both in and out of the workplace.
Critique: Exceptional, 'real world' practical, motivating, inspirational, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Steady Leader: Leadership Models That Bring Clarity to Chaos" by Schuyler Williamson is an optimal DIY instructional guide that will be of immense value to readers with an interest in business/corporate decision making and problem solving. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, and college/university library Business Management/Leadership collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for business students, managers, entrepreneurs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "The Steady Leader: Leadership Models That Bring Clarity to Chaos" from Ballast Books is also available for personal reading lists in paperback (9781964934341, $21.42, Amazon) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Schuyler Williamson (www.schuylerwilliamson.com) is a leadership expert, entrepreneur, and the founder of multiple successful businesses, including Williamson Group and Mission Home Builders, and leads the Corporate Battlefield Mastermind, helping high achievers build wealth and leadership. Schuyler's insights have been featured on his Money Mission YouTube channel, blogs, podcasts, and keynote addresses, inspiring audiences with his message that true leadership thrives in chaos.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Abundant Living
Jon Albert
https://gloryviewbooks.com
Good Comma Editing
https://goodcommaediting.com
9781964895031, $18.00, HC, 177pp
https://www.amazon.com/Abundant-Living-Guide-Rich-Others/dp/1964895030
Synopsis: As recorded in the New Testament -- I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10) Jesus offers the abundant life -- an adventurous, disciplined, and productive life.
He invites us to embrace the adventure of our relationship with God and with people. He shows us how we can live with discipline in order to give life to others. And our unity with Him enables us to have a productive, fruitful harvest of good works.
Reflecting on his life experience (from leading hikes to stewarding a ministry to raising three children with his wonderful wife, Kathleen) with the publication of "Abundant Living: A Guide to a Rich Life with God and Others", Jon Albert explores an essential question: Is the Jesus journey worth the effort?
Readers will appreciate and enjoy joining Jon Albert for a guided biblical journey of the abundant life -- and learn to experience the life Jesus has always wanted for us all.
Critique: Eloquent, thoughtful, thought-provoking, inspiring, "Abundant Living: A Guide to a Rich Life with God and Others" by Jon Albert is especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community, church, and seminary library Religion/Spirituality/Christianity collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of seminary students, ministers, and non-specialist general readers throughout the Christian community with an interest in personal spiritual growth, that this hardcover edition of "Abundant Living: A Guide to a Rich Life with God and Others" from Good Comma Editing is also readily available in paperback (9781964895024, $12.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.00).
Editorial Note: Jon Albert has been teaching and leading people of all ages since 1992. He has been a youth pastor, lead pastor, teacher in public and private schools, coach, and wilderness guide. He has been guiding people in wilderness settings for decades. All his guiding has been focused on connecting people to God through the testimony of creation. Most recently, he has been guiding in Grand Canyon National Park teaching the geology of Northern Arizona through a Biblical perspective. Jon and his wife lead a marriage, family, and youth ranch in Northern Arizona called Gloryview Ranch.
The Self-Help Shelf
Be Limitless, Be Love
Michael Toledo
https://belimitlessbelove.com
Independently Published
9798340450944, $14.99, HC, 197pp
https://www.amazon.com/Be-Limitless-Love-Michael-Toledo/dp/B0DJFTSRMQ
Synopsis: With the publication of "Be Limitless, Be Love", Michael Toledo maintains that we all have a "calling". That regardless of our age, race, sex, ethnicity, religious beliefs we all have "needs" that drive us as human beings. Much of the time, we aren't aware of how these needs drive our behaviors. The short stories comprising "Be Limitless, Be Love" will introduce his readers to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs through symbols:
In the story about "stars," you'll see how the younger brother of the basketball star showed his sister that he was just as much a star in his own way as she was. Having equal connections to others is a "need."
Near the end of the story about the monarch butterfly, Adam and his friend are in a courtyard filled with flowers and these insects and are touched by them. He feels what it must be like to be "self-actualized."
Why can't people in relationships compete to "out love" each other? See how one middle-aged couple spent their weekend trying to do just this.
There are more symbols and stories to share with you. "Be Limitless, Be Love" can be considered as the start of an awareness of the journey to find a personal calling and fulfill personal needs.
Critique: Original, insightful, thoughtful, thought-provoking, motivational, inspiring, and an inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, "Be Limitless, Be Love" by Michael Toledo is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. This hardcover edition of "Be Limitless, Be Love" is also readily available in paperback (9798340348272, $9.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99) for readers with an interest in the subjects of self-esteem and stress management.
Editorial Note: Michael Toledo is a second generation Mexican-American born in Topeka, KS. He was raised in the Hispanic community by his mother and extended family. His mother divorced when he was less than five years old. He and his four siblings lived on welfare and in public housing. He was able to lift himself out of poverty and received his Masters in Social Work. (https://www.centrohispano.org/message-from-the-director)
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