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The Thousand-Year Spy: A World War II Suspense Novel
Jeff Wallace
An intimate epic of Second World War espionage, Wallace’s slow-burn thriller finds the Allied Powers impressing an American intelligence analyst into tense, tricky spy work: posing as a Russian NKVD officer who, under the nose of the Gestapo in a Stockholm hotel, must re-activate a high-ranking Nazi who reportedly used to spy for the Communists under the identity GALILEO. The operation is a false flag, though, and the target, Admiral Constantine Diefenbach, must be convinced he’s spying for the Russians rather than the Allies. At stake is nothing less than “the details of German plans to repel the Allied invasion of the European coast.”

But for all Wallace’s rich depictions of the work of intelligence agencies, analysts, spy handlers, and more—including a suspenseful thread about a reluctant Nazi officer trying to make sense of interrogation reports that read like gibberish—the heart of this engaging novel is Linnea Thorsell, the multi-lingual young woman tasked with pulling off the deception. Linnea saw enough devastating conflict and loss. Now, this Dostoyevsky-quoting analyst fluent in Swedish and Russian but untrained in spycraft would prefer a quiet life. But, as she puts it, “I wasn’t asked, merely informed.”

Much of the novel’s first half concerns her rushed training, over 12 days, from boxing to role-playing, and Wallace (author of The Man Who Walked out of the Jungle) deftly charts her development, fears, incisive insights, and relationships with the men in charge. “The last thing you want is to let that fickle imp serendipity out of her box,” one of those handlers snaps at her when, in the field at last, she demonstrates savvy initiative. Worse than serendipity: the fact that the Nazis have wind of something in Stockholm. Wallace stages hair-raising but convincing setpieces and surprises, plus fascinating context about the trade, various nations’ operations, and how life felt, in the everyday and when facing great danger, for people with secrets on all sides of the war.

Takeaway: Superior spy thriller sending an American woman undercover in 1944 to turn a Nazi.

Comparable Titles: Ken Follett, Ben Macintyre.

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

Click here for more about The Thousand-Year Spy
Telling A Thumper
Paul M. Fleming
This gripping and atmospheric mystery blends the coming-of-age narrative with supernatural elements, following Colin, a blind college freshman grappling with his father's mysterious disappearance, his mother's remarriage, and an unexpected ghostly presence in 1970s Philadelphia. Fleming (author of When Courage Comes) crafts a believable and intriguing dynamic between the living and the dead through Colin’s supernatural companionship with Pete, a spirit unaware of his past but clearly belonging to a former time, who functions as a guide and protector for Colin, but has a “hot and cold personality [that] can be exhausting.” Fleming uses Colin’s blindness to create a unique channel of perception, making the ghostly interactions feel organic and integral to the story.

Pete's limited knowledge about his own past adds an extra layer of mystery, turning him into both a source of information and a puzzle to be solved, and Fleming expertly balances multiple threads of intrigue—Colin's missing father, Pete's hazy past, and the secrets lurking in Colin's family—to create a complex web of clues and revelations. The pacing of these revelations is particularly well-handled, with each new piece of information raising as many questions as it answers, keeping readers engaged and guessing until the final pages. Fleming generates depth for the investigative aspects of the story with the addition of Colin’s cousin, Katie, and the pair’s collaborative efforts to unravel the story’s mysteries—a realistic and engaging approach to amateur sleuthing, grounded in the limitations and resources available in the ‘70s.

The novel's exploration of "telling a thumper"—a clever lie with serious consequences—adds a moral dimension to the mystery that elevates it beyond a simple whodunit. This thematic element intertwines with the plot in unexpected ways, challenging readers to consider the long-term impacts of deception and revenge. The ending is shocking, the perfect culmination for this electric story.

Takeaway: Richly textured mystery exploring the sometimes murky path to truth.

Comparable Titles: John Connolly's Charlie Parker series, John McMahon’s The Good Detective.

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

Click here for more about Telling A Thumper
Words
Katherine Davis-Gibbon
Readers will fall in love with the power of words in this delightful offering by Davis-Gibbon (author of My Old Friend, Then) that explores how we use words to communicate, express emotions, and interact with the world around us. A lively park forms the setting, filled with energetic kids, parents, and, of course, oodles of words springing around the playgrounds and park benches. Some of the words are purely for fun—like the cool-as-can-be “zig and zag,” sporting awesome sunglasses and sneakers as they skateboard around the park—while others carry more serious connotations, as in the swarm of angry bees forming words like “mad” and “mean.”

Based on the idea that “words are a lot like people… each one is awesome just as it is,” this colorful story will open a new world for younger readers. Anne Berry’s soft, textured illustrations are the perfect medium, showcasing words carved out of the natural surroundings—such as the caterpillar whose body spells out “understand,” or the tree branches shaped into “sorry”—alongside those fashioned into characters who interact with children in the book. Those still learning to read will relish hunting for, and sounding out, new words as they browse the story, and adults will appreciate Davis-Gibbon’s attention to how words can both hurt and heal.

The ending empowers youth to have a voice, with a young girl “speak[ing] those words that you know tell the truth,” and Davis-Gibbon reminds readers that voicing their emotions is often the first step to understanding them. Some of the word characters are challenging to decipher, but still, this is a unique approach to instilling a love for language in children—and a friendly reminder for readers of all ages that “words can be tricky but they’re always here waiting for you… to help you shine YOUR special light into the world.”

Takeaway: Delightful story illustrating the power of words.

Comparable Titles: Peter H. Reynolds’s The Word Collector, Lisa Chong’s When Words Have Power.

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

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The Strictest Teacher in All of France
Thomas Van Every
Federico, “a naughty boy whose manners [will] not do,” gets a rude awakening in this entertaining picture book debut by Van Every. When he refuses to follow the rules at home, Federico’s father finally loses it—and sends him to the infamous Madame Giroux, “the strictest teacher in all of France.” Madame Giroux, who lives in a foreboding mansion perched on the pinnacle of a hill in the town of Vence, definitely looks the part: her lips are pursed, she’s hopping mad, and her face is fixed into a permanent scowl. Unfortunately, that gruff exterior doesn’t have the desired effect on young Federico, who insists on learning this lesson the hard way.

Jason Doll’s bold illustrations flawlessly channel the mock seriousness of Federico’s situation, painting his time at Madame Giroux’s boarding school in cool, somber shades, broken up by the occasional bright splash of color—as when Madame Giroux, without her trusty eyeglasses thanks to Federico’s endless pranking, concocts a serious mess in the kitchen, a scene that hums with shades of viscous green goo and an array of ominous cooking utensils. That prank, of course, backfires on Federico, who quickly finds out a madame who can’t see is a disaster waiting to happen—especially when it comes to his mealtimes.

Natural consequences eventually teach Federico the manners his family’s been hoping for, and astute readers will speculate just how much of that lesson Madame Giroux may have planned out. The end result is a Federico who “says his please and thank yous, just like all children should,” a valuable exercise in the appeal behind social graces. Kids will especially appreciate the imminent relatability of Federico—a young boy too focused on having fun, who doesn’t quite think ahead to the aftereffects of his actions. This is sure to be a hit with readers of all ages.

Takeaway: An impeccable celebration of good manners.

Comparable Titles: Jane Yolen and Mark Teague’s How Do Dinosaurs Show Good Manners?, Pat Zietlow Miller’s Be Kind.

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

Click here for more about The Strictest Teacher in All of France
Speak Up! Tell Your Story to Influence Others: A Guide to Storytelling with a Multicultural Approach
Susana G Baumann, MAA, MALS
Baumann (author of Hola, Amigos! A Plan for Latino Outreach) offers a timely, optimistic overview of the efficacy of using a multicultural storytelling framework to improve workplace conditions, hone leadership abilities, hire and interview well, and build pathways to success, both for business leaders and anyone eager to present their best self in the workplace. A film buff, Baumann often uses movie references to illustrate the power of narratives to drive home themes and messages, while also drawing on a hearteningly diverse range of cultures and examples—global soap operas, vigilante thrillers, American dramas about “the rich and the ruthless”—and always taking care to note that “your culture of origin might define how you approach these themes.”

Among much practical advice on honing and delivering a message, Baumann also weaves her own story into the guide, revealing a tale of “living through over 20 years of military dictatorships in Argentina” and immigrating to the U.S., the narrative persuasively exemplifying the techniques Baumann lays out. These methods are rooted in authenticity. Baumann demonstrates how to use a persona to shape a personal brand, develop characters in one’s story, and develop and demonstrate individual leadership styles and one’s connection to an organization’s culture. Prompts, questionnaires, and thought experiments offer actionable steps towards the construction of their own “personal brand statements,” which act as anchors for their narrative frameworks. Throughout Speak Up, Baumann also offers incisive social commentary on navigating and dismantling systems of oppression in the workplace.

Touching on microaggressions related to racism, sexism, ageism, cognitive biases related to stereotypes, and the ways systems of oppression like patriarchy and white supremacy affect the success of marginalized people in the workplace, Baumann offers a refreshing methodology on how to turn differences into assets. Baumann encourages entrepreneurs to show their clients, coworkers, and customers who they are through authentic storytelling, sharing “the stories that can help us all heal.”

Takeaway: Wise guide to multicultural workplace narratives that make assets of differences.

Comparable Titles: Elaine Welteroth’s More Than Enough, Nely Galán’s Self Made.

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

The Monarch's Message
Amy Rebecca Kaufman
Kaufman’s beautiful tale of a young monarch butterfly on its maiden journey from her home in North America to the Transvolcanic Range near Mexico City for the winter is resplendent with hope and the brilliance of the natural world. The story starts with the butterfly’s birth, as she learns to unfurl her wings and leave her “leafy jungle” to seek shelter for the night. From there, she undertakes the daily activities of monarchs, including sipping nectar, keeping company with bees, and joyously taking to the sky, “spread[ing] her wings like an eagle and spiral[ing] up in a tunnel of warm air.” But when the weather turns colder, the young butterfly realizes she has an arduous, uncertain journey ahead.

Nature’s stunning synergy is on full display here, as readers learn the intricacies to monarch survival, from their need to find a warm place at night to their innate sense of direction that guides them yearly to a toasty volcanic region in Mexico for safe harbor during North America’s changing seasons. Kaufman emphasizes the monarch’s fascinating resilience throughout, as she follows other butterflies to her winter destination—and manages to reconnect with the group even after she’s blown off course, into a desolate desert. Always, the story’s star depends on her community for survival, and Kaufman’s depiction of this balanced harmony will speak volumes to younger readers.

Natural photography created by various artists dots the landscape of Kaufman’s debut in an effort to bring the monarch’s journey to vivid life: a curious-eyed ocelot provides a safe place for the monarch to pass a chilly night, fir trees are carpeted in tangerine waves of monarchs seeking heat, and wildflowers are rendered in flashy colors across lush meadows. The butterfly’s journey starts anew at the book’s close, when she carefully places her own eggs, knowing “Her young would find their way. They came into the world knowing many things.”

Takeaway: Delicate rendering of a monarch’s maiden voyage to Mexico for the winter.

Comparable Titles: Carrie A. Pearson’s Stretch to the Sun, Katherine Pryor’s Home Is Calling.

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

Click here for more about The Monarch's Message
Found: Book One of the Vinyi Chronicles
Lesli Weber
Weber’s brisk, engaging SF debut, the inaugural novel in the Vinyi Chronicles, plunges readers into a vividly imagined future where humanity has extended its reach to Mars. During the third wave of colonization, linguist Michelle Arensen moves to the red planet for a “romantic reunion” with her husband, Dave, plus her mouthy teen brother, Phil. But Michelle’s life is upended when she encounters (and seems to be kidnapped by) a sentient and menacing alien species with advanced technology, propelling her into a harrowing struggle for survival within the enigmatic Vinyi empire.

Weber crafts a gripping narrative, rich in descriptions of Mars’ alien terrain and the minutiae of daily life but also powered by Michelle’s amusing, slightly over-it voice (“The lithe purple bastards were stronger than they looked”), effectively setting the stage for this otherworldly adventure. Found further humanizes the interplanetary saga through Michelle’s personal relationships, exploring themes of loss, and the new bonds of solidarity she forms in the alien world. This is as much a journey of shifts in Michelle’s surprising experience as the first human to have alien contact as it is about grappling with the loss of her family and the life she once knew. The novel stands out for its deft incorporation of Vinyi terminology and socio-political structures, which add depth to the narrative and help readers empathize with the characters.

As Michelle navigates life-threatening challenges that keep the tension high, the intricacies of Vinyi society come to the fore, especially during the Council proceedings, where Michelle seeks asylum—a sequence that highlights underlying themes of immigration and animal testing, all reframed within a planetary context. This thematic depth, combined with the fast-paced action, makes Found a refreshing and thought-provoking read. This promising series starter blends compelling SF adventure, social commentary, and strong characterization.

Takeaway: Fleet, smart, character-rich SF debut, exploring an alien society.

Comparable Titles: Ada Palmer’s Tera Ignota series; Ann Leckie.

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

Click here for more about Found
The King and the Monster: Let's Talk About Addiction
Kathi Lockwood M.Ed.
To help young readers understand how addiction affects families, interfaith minister Lockwood spins a tale of a troubled king, harboring a “shadow of sadness” that casts a terrible pall on his life. The king, who loves his queen, children, and even his “spunky little dog,” is desperate to cast off his shadow; so desperate, he falls prey to a dangerous new pastime: playing at the quicksand pit with some ill-intentioned friends. Though he reassures himself that “nothing bad can happen to me,” he soon realizes even a king’s not immune to the monster lurking in the pit—a monster that feigns friendship but quickly takes over his entire life.

The king’s downward spiral is painful to behold, and younger readers would benefit from adult support when reading this pensive story. As he transforms into a monster himself, his family suffers, and the king slides further into the abyss, eventually crying “I miss my happy life! I want my family back… Somebody, please help me get away from this Monster!” Lockwood accompanies the heart wrenching text with stark renderings of the king’s monster, a black, sinister cloud that infiltrates his world, swelling in size until it consumes the entire page.

Just as the king reaches his breaking point, his Guardian Angels—who have watched over him since he was young—step in with a lifeline, sending him to the kingdom’s Wisdom Tree for help. That help means the king must move to a Healing House to recover, an important sobriety step that Lockwood skillfully portrays through sketches of his family’s sadness and bewilderment at his absence. Lockwood ties in other well-known Alcoholics Anonymous tenets as well, including depending on a higher power, as the king eventually heals and learns skills to keep his monster at bay, returning home to his joyful family. This is a heartbreaking—but necessary—read for any families facing addiction.

Takeaway: Powerful introduction to the impact of addiction, for younger audiences.

Comparable Titles: Laura Washington’s A Sickness You Can’t See, Anthony Curcio’s Critters Cry Too.

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

Click here for more about The King and the Monster
Love and Other Cages
Emilia Ares
Tense, surprising, and powered by grand surges of feeling, Ares’s hefty follow-up to Love and Other Sins finds her Los Angeles young couple, Mina and Oliver, relishing a few moments of happiness after having helped each other, in the first book, put the past in the past and face what’s coming, together. What’s coming, though, is something neither anticipated. While Oliver tries to stay on the right side of the law despite his involvement in a somewhat shady electronics resale hustle, Mina faces sudden, savage danger: her father has earned the enmity of Russian gangsters, who burst into her home, guns blazing. Mina’s mother is shot in the encounter, and soon is hospitalized and comatose, while Mina reels with fresh trauma—to save herself and her mother, she had to kill.

Ares favors steely protagonists who, in spite of past trauma, make hard choices, and what her heroes go through here is wrenching but exciting, especially in the propulsive first half. After a consultation with a mysterious lawyer, Mina is forced to make two unthinkable choices: first, to allow herself to be kidnapped by this RBOC (Russia-Based Organized Crime Group.) Second: to push Oliver away, for his protection. Of course, after some lushly romantic stolen moments, Oliver is on the case despite her protestations, even as Mina is captured and jetted off to parts unknown, where she endures torture, attempted sexual assault, and the pain of not knowing how her mother’s doing. Ares brings real power and fear to these scenes.

Mina’s resilience and savvy gamesmanship in her captivity scenes offer thriller thrills, and Ares keeps the pages turning with brisk dialogue, frequent twists, and a smart dual-perspective structure, switching from Mina to Oliver. The novel is long, though, and in its second half it feels that way, especially as the story edges into a different thriller subgenre with an expanded cast, milieu, and spy tech, all introduced late in the game. The urgency returns, though, in a strong climax.

Takeaway: Sprawling romantic thriller of a young couple, hard choices, and Russian gangsters.

Comparable Titles: Mia Sheridan; Karin Slaughter’s Pieces of Her.

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

Click here for more about Love and Other Cages
Smudges
Lauren Emerson
Everyone has something that makes them special, even if it’s not immediately apparent. In Emerson’s encouraging picture book for young kids, a little girl named Haley considers what makes her unique. When Haley’s teacher asks her class to write down what they think makes them stand out, her diverse group of peers gets excited and starts naming their favorite attributes—one boy celebrates the fact that he speaks both English and Spanish, while other classmates joyfully point out that they wear colorful glasses, have red hair, are originally from Nigeria, or have a twin. Haley, meanwhile, can’t think of anything unique about herself, which causes her to become dejected and retreat into her beloved sketchbook.

Finally, Haley realizes that the smudges always covering her hand after she draws or writes a story are the key to her distinctive quality. She gains this new point of view when one of her classmates comments on her artwork and says the smudges look cool, which Haley has never considered before—she’s always seen them as messy. Unlike most of her classmates, Haley is left-handed, which means the side of her hand drags over the pencil marks she makes in her notebook. Watching Haley’s perspective shift from frustration to pride will help kids reconsider how their own challenges and differences can also be strengths.

Kim Soderberg’s expressive illustrations follow Haley on her journey from discouragement to enthusiasm, with her emotions clearly visible on her face in each scene. Wearing a purple striped sweater, Haley appears most relaxed and happy when she’s doodling, writing jokes, or imagining stories in her favorite notebook. The smudges in Haley’s drawings seem to lovingly enhance her colorful sketches of unicorns, butterflies, and bees, which will give kids and adults the opportunity to discuss and celebrate their own one-of-a-kind qualities.

Takeaway: A little girl named Haley considers what makes her unique.

Comparable Titles: Cale Atkinson’s Where Oliver Fits, Laura Gehl’s Except When They Don’t.

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

Click here for more about Smudges
The Inheritance of Amaya Montgomery
Geletta Shavers
Amaya Montgomery seemingly has it all—a life of luxury, elegant dinners, a stunning home, and a devoted husband. Her heart aches to have children of her own, unlikely given her endometriosis, but Amaya nurtures that loss by searching through adoption websites and dedicating her time to people less fortunate. Despite her superficially perfect life, Amaya struggles with anxiety and a deep, abiding sense that she’s never truly been accepted by others—as well as a tenuous relationship with her addiction-ridden parents. Lurking beneath her facade is a web of dark secrets and shocking revelations that eventually turn Amaya’s world—and all she holds dear—inside out.

Shavers’s debut is more than a chilling story of love gone wrong; it’s one woman’s therapeutic journey to overcome traumatic events, in scenes that feel as if they were ripped from a horror movie. Readers will suspect early on that Amaya’s husband, Quentin, is harboring ulterior motives closely tied to her immense fortune, though the true depth of his greed is revealed gradually. Shavers places a strong emphasis on personal relationships, particularly those surrounding Amaya’s grandparents' legacy—extending beyond the mere material inheritance she receives from them. Dialogue is filled with glimpses of Amaya’s relationship dynamics, offering insight into her naive nature, but as the plot thickens, these exchanges take a darker turn, revealing the complexities of the characters.

In a nod to her life experiences, Shavers acknowledges Amaya’s story was born out of her desire to heal from her own past trauma, and, in many ways, the narrative feels as if it’s delivered by an omnipresent observer, weaving through the lives and minds of each character. Readers will piece together crucial information ahead of Amaya, who eventually must harness her inner strength, with the help of unexpected friends, to escape, making this an intriguing, character-driven study on the healing power of telling your story.

Takeaway: Twisty psychological thriller with character revelations around every corner.

Comparable Titles: Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid Is Watching, Leila Slimani’s The Perfect Nanny.

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

Click here for more about The Inheritance of Amaya Montgomery
George the Duck and His Day of Big Grief
Alison P Cook
​​In this charming, emotional story of best friends and healing after loss, George, a young duckling, and Jack, a fluffy white pup with a “great big WOOF,” enjoy playing under the massive oak tree on their farm, picking and eating blackberries, and rolling around in muddy puddles. But one winter day tragedy strikes, and George is forced to cope with the loss of his best friend, confidant, and protector. George discovers, as he faces grief, that some days he is very sad about Jack's absence, and some days he can find happiness in the memories of fun they shared together. A compassionate story about the healing effects of time and new friendships, this a moving introduction for young readers to bereavement and finding the heart to carry on.

With warmth and welcome delicacy, Cook, a grief coach and counselor, introduces these topics to young readers through the endearing central friendship, showing how George navigates stages of grief and the heavy emotions that come with them. Anastasia Merzlaya’s touching illustrations suggest life’s passages with clarity and everyday understatement, capturing the animals’ connection, George’s loneliness, and at last—after a simple but resonant spread charting the turn of the seasons through the silhouette of that oak–—healing and a rousing embrace of life. “He would want you to be happy and find another friend,” a human says to George, who at first just shakes his head.

Eventually, though, George learns how to work through his pain from his human companions who loved Jack just as much as he did. George the Duck and His Day of Big Grief is an impactful story that is equal parts moving and endearing, centered on animal friends whose relationship shines through on every page. Perfect for young readers struggling with grief or loss, or parents wanting to expose their children to the heavy subject of death, George's story is informative and a sensitive exploration of an uncomfortable topic.

Takeaway: Touching story of friendship and loss, introducing young readers to handling grief.

Comparable Titles: Patrice Karst's The Invisible String, Debi Gliori's No Matter What.

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

Iceapelago 3
Peter Brennan
The thought-provoking climax to Brennan’s climate-thriller trilogy offers a nuanced exploration of human resilience and societal challenges in a post-catastrophe world. As the title suggests, the series has centered on frozen islands, specifically “thirty ice-covered islands that were once Ireland” after the tsunamis of 2061 and the melting of polar and Greenland ice caps drastically raised sea levels. At a time when “young people are a minority,” this final entry finds hope in the third generation of survivors to be born since that “Eriador event,” as they grapple with the complexities of a changing environment, the pressures of external migration, and all that it takes to survive.

Brennan's world-building continues to impress, painting a vivid picture of an Iceapelago slowly recovering from climatic upheaval. The author skillfully balances the optimism of improving conditions with the underlying tensions of a world forever altered. The contrast between the recovering Iceapelago and the losses endured in less fortunate regions adds depth to the global context of the story, and Brennan creates a compelling conflict involving climate refugees from the Principality of Ria Formosa, in Portugal, and elsewhere. While always emphasizing the lived human experience, Brennan explores territorial rights, resource scarcity, and the moral implications of exclusion in a world reshaped by climate change. The character of Rory, the Iceapelago Commander, serves as a practical focal point for these ethical dilemmas.

While the novel's pacing may be slower than traditional post-apocalyptic thrillers, this allows for a more considered, empathetic examination of long-term societal adaptation, with an incisive emphasis on how each generation faces the future. Brennan's prose is clear and descriptive, effectively conveying his characters' physical landscape and emotional terrain. Brennan generally provides enough information to make the story accessible to newcomers—though for full context they are advised to start with the first entry—while satisfying long-time readers with continuity, character development, and a strong sense of how people and societies adapt over time.

Takeaway: Humane climate novel prioritizing societal questions in a ravaged future.

Comparable Titles: Kim Stanley Robinson's New York, 2140, Margaret Atwood's MaddAddam trilogy.

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

Click here for more about Iceapelago 3
Inland
Kate Risse
Risse’s tense but thrilling cli-fi debut scrutinizes communication and connection during climate collapse. When the government bans smartphones, Billy’s mother Juliet, skeptical of the ban, hides his smartphone in the basement, allowing the teenager to secretly use it. While Juliet is visiting her mother in Florida, Billy emerges from a trip to the basement to find his Boston home deluged by a sudden flood. With his father and brother missing, Billy’s only connection to the world is through frantic text messages with his mother on their illicit phones. Despite the worsening chaos, Juliet is determined to make her way back to her son, and Billy is determined to survive.

Risse’s attention to detail vividly captures the devastation the massive flood brings to the Eastern seaboard. As Juliet searches desperately for a way home through submerged towns and broken infrastructure, Billy—forced to retreat to the upper floors of the house to escape the waters—sees his neighborhood turn into a “brown-green stew” of floating cars, swirling debris, and rotting corpses. Though often disturbing, the haunting descriptions of the flood’s fallout will keep readers on edge as they follow Juliet and Billy’s attempts to navigate the cataclysmic aftermath of a major environmental disaster.

The fractured texts between mother and son, frequently stalled by the failing telecommunications network, underscore their deep bond and heighten their sense of alienation. Though the banned phones provide their only tenuous connection, they also tempt those around them: tensions within the complex relationship between Juliet and her impromptu traveling companion Martin are heightened when he tries to use her phone for his own ends. The nuanced complexity of the relationships among characters shines even against the tumultuous backdrop of the environmental catastrophe. The story’s relentless intensity can be emotionally exhausting, but the characters’ resilience in the face of disaster offers a sobering but hopeful vision of the future.

Takeaway: Powerful story of survival and connection amid climate catastrophe.

Comparable Titles: Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, Stephen Markley’s The Deluge.

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

Click here for more about Inland
Lost Seeds: The Legacy
Teresa Mosley Sebastian
The gripping second installment of Sebastian’s Brisco family saga (following Lost Seeds: The Beginning) finds the lives of the Brisco family—especially estranged brothers Dub and Tim, both born at the dawn of the century and now facing the upheavals of the 1960s. Dub and Tim, two of Tuttle and Betsey Brisco’s fourteen children, embody the struggle to reconcile the brutal past of slavery and segregation with the harsh realities of their present. A now-retired mine supervisor, Dub has managed to carve out a stable life, building a home and community for his large family, while Tim lives in a shack on Dub’s property. Tim, though, has long seemed mired in drink and joblessness, watching life from the outside. Neither is comfortable with changing times. “I’m a realist about the current state of Blacks,” Dub declares to impassioned Civil Rights Movement change-makers, after worrying out loud about Civil Rights leaders “stirring things up in the South.”

This poignant exploration of historical trauma, resilience, and tragedy quickly upends the brothers’ pained dynamic as Tim cleans himself up, fixing up 1946 Renault, and seems to engage with the world again. Tensions reach a boiling point when Dub’s daughter, Loretta, and her husband, Waylon, challenge local segregation by enrolling their three children in a swimming class in the nearby town of Hickory Hill. Their defiance sparks an explosive confrontation and a harrowing crime.

Sebastian paints a detailed, vivid picture of a family trying to reconcile with a history that continues to haunt them, with an emphasis on the mental and emotional scars—and what it takes to dare to make change. Lost Seeds has a wide array of characters, which adds to the richness of feeling, culture, and history, though that at times comes at the expense of narrative momentum. However, the novel pulses with love, family, and hard-won wisdom.

Takeaway: Urgent historical saga of a Black American family in the shadows of racism.

Comparable Titles: Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half, Ayana Mathis’s The Twelve Tribes of Hattie.

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

Click here for more about Lost Seeds
Dare to Author!
Greenleaf Book Group
Arussy (author of Next Is Now) challenges readers to take charge of their own lives, by “taking the facts that were sometimes not according to your plan and transforming them,” crafting a narrative that never glosses over mistakes or painful moments, but instead celebrates them as a springboard for “future strength, resilience, and elevated performance.” Throughout, he pays homage to the power of stories as catalysts for revamping life’s more volatile moments, reminding readers that “authoring your life challenges is the one power you have control over, no matter what.” The result, he urges, will be more than therapeutic—and possibly life changing.

Acknowledging how painful it can be to revisit childhood memories, Arussy encourages readers to always err on the side of honesty, concede their shortcomings, and avoid blame, a toxic force that, he writes in a chapter rebuking the pitfalls of “blame culture,” can destroy relationships as much as damage personal wellbeing—“life starts when we stop blaming others” he asserts. Each chapter concludes with simple, direct questions that echo Arussy’s steady, pragmatic advice, a friendly yet professional tone that reliably guides readers and candidly clears a path towards personal improvement, while not falling prey to criticism or harsh judgments.

That warm but direct tone is arguably the book’s strongest asset, and Arussy is at his best when he urges readers to “move on and focus on your ownership and lessons… on the power you have within the situation and own it.” His smart, uncompromising style forms the backbone of the guidance here, but that savvy is elevated by the book’s refreshing ideas, like avoiding the pitfalls of “living life under the constant scrutiny of strangers” on social media, facing fears head on, or transforming envy into a motivation instead of a roadblock. Telling your story is the ultimate accomplishment, Arussy argues—it’s “a choice to love the life you have.”

Takeaway: Refreshing, candid look at how personal stories can fuel success.

Comparable Titles: Leslie Leyland Fields’s Your Story Matters, Matthew Dicks’s Storyworthy.

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

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