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

Click here for more about Speak Up! Tell Your Story to Influence Others

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

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-

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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

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

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

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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

​​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-

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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-

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Niami seamlessly transitions from her first memoir, Kissing Asphalt, in this continuation of her ResilientAF series, recounting her journey into young adulthood with a “raw, unvarnished truth of my ongoing battles.” Her brutal honesty about sexual abuse, being out as a lesbian in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, and a damaging relationship with a father who once kidnapped and then later abandoned her—and her siblings—is an inspiring testament to the unshakeable essence of the human spirit, a moving narrative of a young girl attempting to find her place in the world—and learning that home is where you can be true to yourself.

From graduating high school to moving into her first apartment, Niami chronicles a rollercoaster life in sunny California, as she makes lifelong friends and tastes the LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. Her foray into drugs and alcohol use is painful to watch, as are the tragic losses and startling family revelations that threaten her “inner fortitude and wisdom,” as she must learn to cope with—and heal from—the most heartbreaking betrayals and violations from people she once believed in—“trustworthy monster[s],” as she calls them. A true icon of resilience, Niami continues to push forward, working through her pain, mistreatment, and the complex relationships she endures with her abusers, all while echoing a resounding message for anyone who has suffered from sexual abuse: “You are never alone, and it's not your fault.”

"Through this journey, I discovered healing was not always about complete eradication of pain, but rather about finding moments of respite, small victories that punctuated the struggle,” Niami wisely observes. Her razor-sharp prose is both transparent and vulnerable, much like the author herself, and her willingness to hold nothing back empowers—and gives voice to the deep wounds abuse can cause. This will resonate with readers from all walks of life.

Takeaway: Razor-sharp memoir of resilience and self-love in the face of trauma.

Comparable Titles: Sarafina Bianco's The House on Sunset, Gemma Carey's No Matter Our Wreckage.

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

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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

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

Click here for more about Dare to Author!

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

“To attain health, happiness, abundance—or anything else you desire—you must turn within” writes Collins in this simple road map to finding balance amid life’s challenges. She first delves into trauma and its lasting impacts on the body and psyche, drawing from her own childhood experiences to help readers “remove and release [their] trauma.” Once trauma is worked through, Collins urges readers to “be. love.”—an abbreviated reminder to “[embody] love in all aspects of one’s life”—in supportive tones that hint at the inner strength and knowledge we all harbor as answers to “find[ing] our way back to self.”

Collins (Her Phoenix Rising) explores complex topics throughout this thought-provoking guide, including how generational transference can hinder healing but also serves as a reminder that we are interconnected to our ancestral history: “It underscores the importance of understanding our lineage, not just as a source of pride or identity but as a reservoir of potential healing” she writes. To heighten self-awareness, Collins provides readers with her “be.love. GPS,” a mnemonic—breathe, emotions, pause, let go, open heart, visualize, energize, prioritize—she uses to seek personal wholeness. She highlights key points of that GPS, such as why focused breathing can help readers stay present, how emotions convey whether “thoughts and actions are in alignment with our true desires and well-being,” and the ways that neuroplasticity reshapes the brain, reinforcing “positive emotions, resilience, and compassion.”

Receiving love is always more difficult than giving it, Collins writes, and she beseeches readers to make self-love a priority—to improve mental health, reduce burnout, and build self-esteem. She offers easy steps to implement that guidance, such as beginning each day with meditation or practicing gratitude, and refers readers to her website to access online exercises from the text. That concise approach makes this imminently relatable, a valuable resource for that “sacred union of self-discovery, compassion, and conscious living.”

Takeaway: User-friendly guidance on how to make love the framework of life.

Comparable Titles: Shannon Kaiser’s The Self-Love Experiment, Cindi Buckley’s Love Awakens You.

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

Click here for more about be. love.

This sweeping historical fiction debut finds Roman gladiator Cassius, known as the Golden Warrior, undefeated and unmatched, "renowned in the public as a gladiator and… a jewel of Rome.” When he begins to have dreams that foreshadow prophetic messages from his deceased father, he seeks counsel from the Priestess, who whispers that his gifts are greater than just those he has honed as a fighter. As those gifts begin to manifest more fully, Cassius realizes that he is destined for renown, outside of the arena and servitude he has always known.

Rose's writing is enveloping and entertaining, from graphic fight sequences between the gladiators to the arcing character development of the unflinching Cassius, who exudes heroic traits—he is a capable fighter, a loyal friend, and shrouded with the humble beginnings of hidden talents. Through triumphant performances, Cassius earns his freedom, but as his time in the ludus (gladiator home base) comes to an end, his prophetic dreams alert him to duplicity—and his mistrust of his master, Dominus, starts to grow. With the aid of new friends harboring special gifts of their own, Cassius begins to understand his talents, find his purpose, and trust his instincts. His story unfolds through a journey of self-discovery and stark realizations about the world, and the people, he has known all his life, immersing readers in an ancient saga of empires, politics, and social orders.

Rose’s narrative brims with suspense and action-packed violence, juxtaposed with the poignant emotional depth and exploration of Cassius as a warrior, a slave, and a man, lending a sense of humanity and complexity to the grueling brutality of his station in life. This stark story of slavery, oppression, the cost of freedom, and the suffering that often accompanies power exchanges will resonate with fans of Roman history and classic hero tales.

Takeaway: Gladiator gifted with prophetic sight fights a cause much larger than himself.

Comparable Titles: Natalie Haynes's The Children of Jocasta, Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles.

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

Click here for more about The Golden Warrior

In Dennstedt’s first pages, decommissioned robot One Shot “awaken[s] to the aftermath of war,” half-broken and unable to reconnect to Mother Grid, or “Mama G,” the supercomputer that once served as his guide. With barely functioning weapons and a hobbling gait, One Shot ventures into a ruined city and finds the last thing he expects—a human girl named Amy. Following his “prime directives,” One Shot immediately offers himself into Amy’s service as her protector. Soon, the curious, snarky, and headstrong Amy wants to learn what lies outside the ruins of her home, kicking off a post-apocalyptic road-trip to discover both the wider world and what it means to be human.

Though it soon becomes obvious that Amy and One Shot are in incredible danger—stalked by invisible murder machines that Amy dubs “wolfhounds”—the question of survival quickly gives way to musings on humanity and what constitutes happiness. One Shot struggles to balance his protective programming with his newfound desire to help Amy become independent, as Amy develops from a frightened orphan into a fearless lover of wild animals and a brave fighter. One Shot can only be who he is, making him the perfect foil for a growing girl—“I’m not sure how much of this protection I can take,” she says at one point. Their adventure, narrated through a robot’s eyes, offers a uniquely empathetic perspective on what it means to grow up.

Dennstedt (author of When Dolls Talk) allows Amy’s whims to drive the plot, which perfectly mimics the touch-and-go feel of her mission, though the arc of her quest to find surviving humans and reclaim the city from evil robots falls somewhat flat in its conclusion. Dennstedt’s AI-generated illustrations strip some of the novel’s emotional impact, but overall, readers will find I, Robot Soldier an enjoyable, albeit highly untraditional, father-daughter adventure story full of searching, heartwarming moments.

Takeaway: A tender, post-apocalyptic road novel of finding family and fulfillment.

Comparable Titles: Andrew Krivak's The Bear, Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun.

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

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