That zeal for justice carried with him into his Air Force service, where in 1980 he was told nonsense like “Black pilot candidates are often disqualified from fighter pilot training because of their intellectual inabilities and they were afraid of water.” He proved them so wrong that he broke base records in some pilot categories—and dedicated himself, in his own teaching and business endeavors later, to help people. That sense of justice also shaped his later career, where as a federal Contracting Officer he reports blowing the whistle on corruption—at great personal cost. Considerations of the future of commercial aeronautics, some excerpts from his reading, and some inspirational quotes supplement a narrative that is direct and plain-spoken.
Battle recounts the facts without the niceties of novelistic memoir scene craft, favoring the bluntly declarative. Of his becoming an adjunct professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and then branding himself “The Aerospace Professor,” he writes: “With a lack of opportunities in the aviation and aerospace industry, I decided to develop my own opportunities.” This book both documents that motivation and stands as an inviting example of it.
Takeaway: Upbeat memoir of reaching for the skies despite adversity.
Comparable Titles: Diana Jean Schemo’s Skies to Conquer, Ivan Thompson’s The Air Force's Black Pilot Training Experience.
Production grades
Cover: B-
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A-
Once the story moves past media appearances and Chris’s initial dismissal of the case, Wood, a longtime attorney, keeps the pace brisk, only faltering in some info dumps about the psychology and modus operandi of serial killers. As Chris begins to know more about the killer through disturbing conversations on the encrypted-messaging app Signal, he suspects that the killer must be a woman Shakespeare enthusiast who is wealthy, intelligent, and tech savvy. But as a colleague points out, Carla fits all those criteria, too, besides being Chris’ love interest and intellectual sparring partner.
Chris remains a compelling protagonist, and Wood deftly handles the uneasy relationship between feds and the media. The story, laced with references to Shakespeare’s plays, takes surprising detours, from the small Kansas town that is the home of 20th century American literature’s most famous murder to an engaging sojourn to Italy. Seasoned procedural fans may pick up on red herrings that could have used more development, but Wood’s brisk dialogue, vivid detail, and deep familiarity with the world of criminal defense keep the pages turning. Stories of profilers and killers may be familiar, but Wood brings welcome authority to the material, while exploring ethical questions about the defense of people who commit unspeakable crimes and sometimes go free on the basis of technicalities.
Takeaway: Arresting thriller pitting a profiler against a Bard-loving killer.
Comparable Titles: Tami Hoag’sAshes to Ashes, Simon Toyne’s Laughton Rees series.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Likely incomprehensible to readers who have skipped earlier entries, the plot involves dangerous treks, inventive robots, a murderous gameshow, and a witty AI riff on mountaintop oracles. At the story’s heart are a pair of unexpected arrivals at compounds in different regions. In Raleigh, a long lost and mentally troubled man named Warrick turns up, and Cecile is charged with an urgent, classic quest: Warrick’s of the bloodline of the family that created the Sentinel, which will shut down unless the family’s blood—that is, Warrick—is brought to a distant facility. Meanwhile, in an Aspen ruled by a gameshow host and a mysterious “network,” Pyke, an official in charge of shaking down visiting outsiders for gifts, encounters a man who warns that Aspen may be infected.
For all its drone massacres, mega robots, and jolting betrayals, Otto’s series remains deeply invested in the human: in how we organize our societies and our lives. It’s also much smarter about artificial intelligence than readers might expect, a dystopian series with roots in both science fiction and character-driven literary fiction. That means the pacing can be slow, especially in this hefty volume, but these well-drawn people and Otto’s shrewdly plotted surprises reward reader investment.
Takeaway: Intelligent and inventive epic of dystopia, AI, and a divided humanity.
Comparable Titles: Charles Stross’s Accelerando, Daniel H. Wilson’s Robocalypse.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

That process compelled her to write this inviting, clarifying book, a guide that’s frank about how books on these topics often promise more than they deliver: “none of the changes you are hoping for will show up and become commonplace simply by reading about them or reciting a mantra,” she notes. Hardis argues that although many of us know what to do when life gets hard, how to actually do it confounds people—and that “toxic positivity” and inspirational quotes don’t cut it. Just Do Nothing makes the case that healing and lasting change come from learning to tolerate the discomfort of feelings and differentiating between “I can’t” and “I can’t yet.”
Each chapter is titled for a self-help true-ism (“Choose a Positive Thought”; “Let it Go”) that Hardis explores with wit and good sense, offering healthier advice, exercises, and strategies instead. Transitions take time, effort, and repetition, and the original action steps at each chapter’s end steer the reader to build new habits at their own pace. Hardis acknowledges that this takes effort. Building distress tolerance demands practice, and she demonstrates how to treat emotions like waves which build, peak, and then pass, so that we learn to ride the current.
Takeaway: Inspiring, original guide to facing hurt, gaining confidence, and letting yourself feel.
Comparable Titles: Susan David’s Emotional Agility, Marc Brackett’s Permission to Feel.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Highlighting the “long term perspective that history affords” is an admirable goal that Kelley attacks with verve, clear and inviting language, and an eye for the telling detail, especially when following the ripple effects that led to political transformations. By focusing so intently on biographies of particular people, Kelley can tell a complex story about international history, with surprising correspondences between different countries and situations, while also emphasizing his subjects’ individual choices and humanity—and a strong sense of the tensions of how power was wielded.
The broad scope of the project, though, and the many countries he covers means that this reads as a sweeping survey rather than the definitive account of any single subject. Photos in the chapter headings of the person being profiled also humanize his subjects, though the nature of many of his sources (Wikipedia, Quizlet) will limit the book’s utility beyond an introduction for interested lay readers. Nevertheless, readers of Asian and 20th century eager to learn more about dissenters and the differences they could have made will feast on this.
Takeaway: Sweeping survey of dissidents in Asian Cold War history.
Comparable Titles: Jian Chen’s Mao's China & the Cold War, Charles R. Kim’sYouth for Nation
Production grades
Cover: C
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
Rogers’s humanity and love for detail come at the expense of narrative momentum, as the story detours into some surprising perspectives, like the innermost thoughts of a shop clerk. When Tommy, who is obsessed with the idea of being a vampire, is treated by June to a coffin to sleep in, Falling Stars devotes two pages to its description and modifications. While the story moves slowly, it’s highly original: Tommy’s equally obsessed with the serialized “Bad Blood” story, which describes the life of Claudius as he settles in June’s hometown, a vividly rendered Eureka Springs, Ark. When they move back, June connects with and falls for the real vampire upon whom the story is based, leading Tommy to figure out his secret and demand, upon his deathbed, to be turned.
That’s a new, rich vein to explore, and this often contemplative novel grapples with love and death and our common humanity. The language is often dense, and the narrative circuitous, but for readers with patience, it offers a unique exploration of the convergence of grim reality with the supernatural realm.
Takeaway: Sprawling, family-driven novel of a dying boy who aches to be a vampire.
Comparable Titles: Suzy McKee Charnas’s The Vampire Tapestry, Sara Flannery Murphy’s The Wonder State.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A-
Alternating viewpoints offer readers a well-rounded, fleshed out love story fueled by family dynamics, relationship drama, and heartfelt character interactions between lovers and siblings. Though at times repetitive in character descriptions (Liam is forever the "overprotective" big brother) the plot moves at a rapid pace, and romance readers will find the characters relatable and entertaining. As Teresa finds herself in life-threatening situations and facing surprising attacks, Liam becomes an accidental guardian. The intrigue and mystery that Liam adds to the story creates intriguing tension, propelling the narrative forward and building a searing anticipation for the sparks to ignite.
Teresa has no shortage of suitors—from her maybe fiancé to her handsome yoga instructor—throughout their "courtship," but the banter and mutual draw between her and Liam jumps from the page. The Guardsman is a light read that will make romance readers swoon. As more of Liam's back story is explained and Teresa's brushes with death become too frequent to be considered coincidence, the tension keeps building and their bond deepens, all leading up to climatic and satisfying conclusion.
Takeaway: Light, mystery-shrouded romance that creates a page-turning anticipation.
Comparable Titles: Jill Shalvis’s Lucky Harbor series, Talia Hibbert’s Guarding Temptation.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

After Viggo’s partner was killed by a Necromancer, he developed a deep hatred for them—so when Wren meets Tyran, a Necromancer who seems to be fighting for good rather than evil, Viggo is extremely hostile and distrusting. But it’s soon evident that Wren and Tyran have an electrical connection, able to read each other’s thoughts—and Tyran proves that he is trying to help on the side of good rather than the side of evil. Bliton skillfully leads both Wren and Tyran through an unending rollercoaster of adventure and fighting for the light to prevail.Outstanding supporting characters—especially night watch and wizard in training Oona, spunky caretaker Endora, and Tyran’s lifelong friend Gunnar—add heart and heft to the story.
Bliton’s painstakingly intricate world-building is imbued with surprising emotion, and the detail is engaging, inviting readers to revel in this world’s magic, tensions, relationships, and fearsome beasts without slowing narrative momentum. She also builds to some spectacular plot twists that will keep readers on their toes. A touch of romance is woven throughout, although nothing at all beyond the bedroom door. While written for young adults, this well-written, deftly plotted story will appeal to adults who relish fantasy, too. Readers will eagerly await Bliton’s next entry in this projected series.
Takeaway: First-rate YA fantasy debut with spectacular world-building and lovable characters.
Comparable Titles: Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s The Girl of Ink & Stars, Margaret Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
The result may pleasingly jolt readers who favor poetic squalor, as Lad—in prose that varies from tightly controlled to squalling freakouts—faces weird surgeries, ugly encounters, mob violence, and sundry miscellaneous offenses: sleeping in his own excrement; his grandfather’s relationship with an underage girl; his own abusive relationship with Lass. Despite all he endures, Lad would do anything for Lass, and amid their sufferings they still cling to life. He notes that both know how to hang themselves, and the fact that they haven’t, yet, must mean something.
“Do I even exist without the acknowledgment of others?” Lad asks, late in the novel. That’s a fascinating question for any narrator, especially one in a book that does everything it can to inspire readers to stop reading before they get to it. As Charlton lays bare Lad’s mind—and offers un-edifying updates on Lad’s farts and penis size—the novel leaves it to readers to make sense of how the world got to this point, and what to make of a bleakly beautiful climax.
Takeaway: Bleak, filthy dispatch from the gutters of a near-future dystopia.
Comparable Titles: Charles Bukowski, Chuck Palahniuk.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Treadgold’s background in acting and vocal performance shines through, adding credibility to her richly hewn depictions of music industry life and politics, right down to the incessant pursuit by the paparazzi to get the latest scoop on the most popular entertainers. While the romance between Ali and Joe is the primary focus of Treadgold's plotline, gripping the attention of readers who will want to find out whether they find their happy ever after, Treadgold also excels at creating intriguing supporting characters, such as Joe’s brother Jake, who jealously decided to date Ali after learning that she was the subject of Joe’s song, and Teresa, Joe’s sister, who seems to hold her own as the only girl in a family with four brothers and a domineering mother.
The use of the 1990s as a setting for her narrative offers more than a chance for nostalgia, as it magnifies the interactions between characters who don’t have instant access to news and social media that today skew the perceptions of reality. The relationship compels, the story moves fast, and the ending satisfies, with a door open for intriguing future installments.
Takeaway: Polished story of a remote cabin, a hit song, and a second chance for love.
Comparable Titles: M.J. Fredrick’s Two Step Temptation, Arie Ray’s Forever Country.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
With crisp, wised-up prose and a talent for capturing what it feels like when situations spin out of control, Juliano (author of Triple Overtime, another Billy Winslow misadventure) sets this caper apart through the voice and perspective of Billy, an engagingly shiftless protagonist who clearly needs a healthy creative outlet—here, he chronicles the high-stakes kidnapping through the perspective of a crime-fighting alter ego called Flash. Excerpts from Flash’s manuscript A Kidnapping in Paradise give the novel a playful edge, even as they reveal much about Billy’s sense of self: “Flash wasn’t the beast he’d once thought. He had a softer side.”
Kidnapping Steve recounts the efforts of so-called friends as they scheme, each with their own motive, to get what some simply want and what others deeply need—money. The tension comes from uncertainty: about how far they’ll go, how bad things can get, and whether Rita will be the one left to pick up the pieces of her and Billy’s life, especially once Keller, a true criminal and condescending jerk, takes over the operation, and what seemed like dark fun and games becomes something more.
Takeaway: Betrayals, desperation, lost love, and dark comedy power this kidnapping caper.
Comparable Titles: Gretchen Allen’s Death Rolls In, Steve Higgs’s The Kidnapped Bride.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
At the top of the list of people uncertain whether they’re Magni is Art, who will lose much of what he loves in life during his time at Locksley. Eventually, he and Rox and the others will even see their lives threatened, as company politics turn nasty. Unwin makes Locksley’s machinations tense and surprising without pushing this bold premise too far into the fantastical, and his sharp prose, convincing dialogue, and understanding of business culture all keep the pages turning and the twists as plausible as they can be for a story in which one character might be the clone of Albert Einstein.
That brisk pace and the story’s compact page count at times work against the premise, as revelations that should jolt (such as Rox’s glimpse of a photo of Marie Curie, or Art’s recognition of the source of the company’s name) come so quickly that readers haven’t had a chance to immerse themselves in the mysteries. Questions surrounding Art’s identity and the founder’s son’s vision for the company are more effective, revealing themselves over pages of suspense and occasional action. Throughout, scenes are fast, strong, and memorable.
Takeaway: Brisk novella of corporate cloning and mind-bending twists.
Comparable Titles: Jane Gilmartin’s The Mirror Man, D.T. Wilby’s Ringer.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
The team at the Played Much Gaming Company continually finds itself cheering about the abundant research it’s conducted or exciting new technologies it might implement—and again and again, Turetsky depicts the most clear-headed leaders stepping back to make sure someone actually utilizes that research or dares to ask “Maybe we think about business questions to solve then figure out what kind of Big Data will be useful for us.” Throughout, the characters, usually in meetings, go from proposing big new ideas (build a proprietary tool for data analysis!) to realizing that crucial questions haven’t been asked and vital work hasn’t been done. Amusingly, one team, eager to hire new developers for a new game, decides that rather than do the hard work of writing up job requirements and salary information, maybe they could develop an app to do so instead.
Many of Turetsky’s strips, mostly presented in four panel grids with appropriately jargon-heavy office dialogue, emphasize the need for clear visions, for taking the effort to get on the same page, and for talking about data and analytics after identifying what problems to target. That message shines through despite some tricky-to-follow placement of word balloons—the order in which to read the dialogue is often unintuitive. As office satire, these “doodles” are warm and incisive.
Takeaway: Warm comics celebration of HR and data analytics teams.
Comparable Titles: Doug Savage’s Savage Chickens, Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas’s Humor, Seriously.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: B+
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A-

With an impressively mature voice and brisk, assured storytelling, Freeman immediately draws readers into a world where the glitz and glamour are slightly tarnished and the stars are simple, down to earth, and approachable. The narrative unfolds in a dual timeline, but that risk pays off with each section proving a critical building block to demonstrate the architecture of the relationships. At times, some characters’ reactions to difficult situations may come across as a bit too idealized—Roman as the perfect high school boyfriend, for example. He’s the young jock, a member of the popular crowd, and Aspen is the bullied, quiet one who suddenly finds herself the focus of Roman’s attentions, seemingly out of nowhere.
The slight lack of subtlety and nuance carries through into some of the characterization, especially of the secondary characters—Rina, Sierra, and Millie, specifically. But even though these creations have the whiff of stereotypes, they work beautifully as foils for different aspects of Aspen’s personality and experiences. Overall, the novel will speak to a new generation of romance lovers while also delighting veterans of the genre with a fresh, vibrant voice.
Takeaway: A fresh new voice celebrates second chance romance in the harsh lights of celebrity.
Comparable Titles: Christina Lauren’s Twice in a Blue Moon, Jacquelyn Middleton’s A Smile in a Whisper.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
After discovering that the missing man was involved with the Black Fist, a powerful cartel, Ellis meets a foreboding cast who bring danger and violence to the investigation. The case turns personal, as Ellis discovers a surprising family connection, but the storytelling always is, as Ellis narrates in crisp, wry, fleet-moving prose—and faces friends and loved ones who are beginning to distance themselves from the spiral Ellis has chosen to ride out. His secretary, Reshma, is especially compelling, a character readers will hope secures a happier ending than her beginning would suggest.
Before an ending that offers welcome promise, Ellis’s own future doesn’t look much brighter than his present, as for most of the book he seems to have made his decision to wallow in the memory of all the big breaks and moments that haven't gone his way, despite the pain this brings to those he cares about. The title suggests Dorothy B. Hughes’s marvelous In a Lonely Place, but Vaughn’s Los Angeles is less dreamy, its sunsets shining on dog waste. Vaughn’s especially good at conjuring made-up cultural product, the junk that Hollywood would rather make than anything Ellis ever pitched, and frequent mentions of real shows and songs, including a disquisition on 1991 hits by Bryan Adams and Swing Out Sister, find Ellis drowning in pop. Here’s hoping this promising series soon finds him in a better place.
Takeaway: Promising series starter of a reluctant detective embroiled in L.A. noir.
Comparable Titles: Phoef Sutton’s Heart Attack and Vine, Timothy Hallinan’s Nighttown.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Steeped in myth and adventure like the series’ earlier entries, the Scottish Knight boasts plenty of action and historical lore. The Young Explorers are quickly ensnared in the curses plaguing the MacGregors, as the renovation unearths an eerie suit of armor that turns up missing shortly after it’s discovered. When the armor later goes on the hunt—taking down Lord MacGregor in the process—it seems that ancient curse has some truth to it, especially when Morag foretells that it’s the Scottish Knight, returned to enact death on the MacGregors because “evil runs in [their] veins.” The curse—traced back to one of the early MacGregor lords who murdered a local woman accused of witchcraft—soon poses a threat to the entire group, when the ghostly knight turns on them all.
Cameron evokes the steadfast loyalty of young friends throughout the story’s deadly chases and chilling attacks—and that camaraderie eventually saves the day, of course, in a savvy and unpredictable plan hatched by the Young Explorers. The ending, though suspenseful, becomes cumbersome in its plotting, but middle grade readers will still relish this spirited escapade.
Takeaway: Ancient curses and intense action keep this adventure’s pages turning.
Comparable Titles: Shannon L. Brown’s The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries series, Jonathan W. Stokes’s Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A-