Recounting her childhood wounds of growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father, and her later brushes with near-death experiences, like a pulmonary embolism that caused a heart attack or her surgery for a ruptured duodenal ulcer, Hodges recounts, with candor and self-knowledge, how she moved from living and making decisions based upon fear to using her traumatic life events "to be better prepared for whatever may come.” Through patients, co-workers, family, and friends, Hodges explores "how the ripples of trauma" spread but also her conviction that there is always still beauty to be found in the world. That holds true even as her stories as a first responder touch on harrowing events, from search and rescues at plane crash sites to burning men running through traffic, and more "terrible days in people’s lives.”
With humor, hope, and raw honesty, Hodges explores those days, including stories of patients who recover and those who don’t, and her awareness of "that ticking clock" that looms over us all. "My time around death,” she writes, has “allowed me to build up my defenses against the horrors in our world." Readers will take away the resounding message that no matter what one endures, life offers the choice to hold out for hope until the last breath.
Takeaway: First responder’s memoir exploring darkness, trauma, and the hope in second chances
Comparable Titles: Tim Booth's You Called an Ambulance for What, Janice Hudson's Trauma Junkie.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Arnold’s detailed descriptions of NENH life include charming anecdotes, such as going skating with friends in winter, only to later realize that the sweet liquid given to them by a friend’s grandmother to keep them warm was actually brandy. Arnold also pens a touching paean to her stamp collection, and she fondly recalls her summers at Camp Bovey—a northern Wisconsin escape for NENH children—where she progressed from camper to kitchen aide, crafts counselor, and finally cabin counselor. Moreover, her transition from living in a settlement house to moving to her family’s own house offers insight into how challenging it is for children to uproot themselves from a community and start again.
Settlement House Girl is engaging, tracing Arnold’s growth from a young girl to an adult journeying into being a writer in her later life, but it’s also a valuable contribution to the social history of 20th-century America, offering urban history enthusiasts a wealth of information about the daily lives of families living in mid-century cities. The detailed accounts of Arnold's experiences provide a unique glimpse into the fabric of community life during this era, highlighting the interactions and shared experiences that defined the settlement house environment.
Takeaway: Touching, informative account of life in a Minneapolis settlement house in the 1950s.
Comparable Titles: Ellen Snyder-Grenier’s The House on Henry Street, Jane Addams’s Twenty Years at Hull House.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
As that duo learns to work together, Valletta immerses readers in a chilling, complex mystery that will entice lovers of dark investigations, bloody forensic discoveries, and detectives dancing their own backstories. The initial suspects are diverse and intriguing, from deranged fans of Carson to Isabelle’s ex-husband, the couple’s best friends, and more. Sifting through these potential murderers is further complicated by solid alibis, dual identities, DNA evidence, and the pasts of both the detectives and the victims. Isabelle, described by a friend as “a cross between an angel and a devil,” endured “a nightmare of pain and anguish” before her surprise marriage, and that suffering is explored with sympathy. Throughout,Valletta evokes the contrasts of San Diego, from the unhoused to coeds wolfing down burritos to the upper echelons of the real-estate biz.
Expertly paced, with a balance of plot advancement and character development, Let Me See Them will keep procedural lovers engaged. Valletta imbues Carson’s luxurious home with horrific darkness, creating a stark contrast that heightens the prevailing unease, as the detectives face confounding clues, looming threats, and revelations that readers won’t see coming.
Takeaway: Sharply crafted mystery of a double homicide that shakes San Diego.
Comparable Titles: Elizabeth Breck’s Anonymous, Curtis Ippolito’s Burying the Newspaperman.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
The Art Of Strategic Communication: A Police Chief's Guide To Mastering Soundbites, Storytelling, And Community Engagement
This clear and concise guide is an informative resource to building relations with media, while responsibly keeping the public informed. Cook offers easy-to-remember acronyms to help law enforcement communicate, such as FACTS (forecast, assess, coordinate, tell your story and social media) and SOCIAL (strategy, outreach, creativity, inform, actions, and legitimacy). Writing with practical clarity and some passion, Cook tethers the importance of informing the public to communicating effectively with and through the media, highlighting “media terms worth knowing” and the importance of “soft skills” such as “proper etiquette when writing an email” or “having tough conversations with journalists.” The result is a clear-eyed, upbeat communications and public relations playbook, loaded with practical tips and food for thought.
Tips such as maintaining eye contact during conferences, having a prepared exit strategy, and trying not to “spin” offer clear dos and don’ts for building trust, image management, and moving the “narrative” along during critical moments. Cook acknowledges that media relations can always be tricky, but this guide introduces and explicates actionable steps that bridge the gap between law officials, the media, and the public .
Takeaway: Practical, upbeat guide to media relations and communications for law enforcement.
Comparable Titles: Jane Johnston's Media Relations, Amy Rosenberg's A Modern Guide to Public Relations.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Lamp’s new experiences range from slicing up a whole pineapple to taking a sewing class to doing a police ride-along, and she relates their results with charm, humor, and candor. But she doesn’t go on this journey of self-discovery alone: she invites her readers along throughout by offering her own experiences as a jumping off point for theirs. At the end of each section of the book, she makes space for readers to brainstorm possibilities for novel activities in their own lives, offering a variety of ideas and resources for gaining new skills, making new friends, and breaking out of old and often limiting patterns and mindsets.
Lamp’s suggestions and tips are practical and inclusive, encouraging readers to look for small opportunities to broaden their horizons. Though she is positive and upbeat, she is also honest about her experiences, acknowledging that not all of the new things she did had significant or lasting impacts. However, she emphasizes with inviting power the value of trying new things, no matter what their outcomes. Though readers of retirement age may benefit most from Lamp’s reflections on her experiences, all readers can benefit from Lamp’s gentle, supportive push to experience new things in order to grow.
Takeaway: Fun, practical guide to expanding horizons and seizing possibilities.
Comparable Titles: Julia Cameron; Susan Jeffers’s Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Caldwell provides readers with a persuasive, in-depth look at the justice system, plus behind-the-scenes dealmaking at the upper echelons of power. As Jake fights to be heard as the principled new guy on the board, Caldwell builds suspense with convincingly detailed scenes from the life of a trial lawyer. From getting witness accounts and making deals with informants to making sure that those being persecuted are receiving a fair deal, Cost of Malice, for all its sweep and attention to the complexities and breakdowns of systems, boasts ample tension, plot twists, and feeling. Caldwell keeps the focus human, even when the legal wrangling gets complex, especially in the most wrenching of Jake’s cases, that of an 11-year-old who has seemingly been kicked to death.
Justice, compassion, an insider’s knowledge, and a conversational tone power the narrative, as Jake tries to balance between his personal and professional life and morals. The story’s length and richness sometimes come at the cost of narrative momentum, but the court scenes move with brisk authority.
Takeaway: Rich, sweeping legal thriller of a prosecutor striving to do good.
Comparable Titles: Robin Peguero’s With Prejudice, James Chandler’s Sam Johnstone series.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Nic is still the same lovable, unwavering hero that she was in Vincent’s last book, despite the cost she suffers for simply trying to be herself. That cost is painful to watch, as Nic’s self-confidence—always intimidating for any teenager—takes blow after blow when people around her are unaccepting and judgmental. Things pick up when Nic meets Mack, a cute boy she instantly connects with, until a local bully picks a hurtful way to tell Nic that Mack was a girl when he was younger, leaving Nic to wonder why she didn’t realize he was trans—and how she can make up for the damaging way she handled the news. Nic’s journey is paralleled with Mack’s in many ways, affording the two several beautiful opportunities to explore themselves—and each other—with empathy and warmth.
As always, Vincent handles character transformations brilliantly, touching on their experiences with grace and a deep understanding of gender fluidity. Nic’s evolution at boarding school is a true rebirth, gifting her with gentle, compassionate friends, a chance to explore her love of art (and even apply for a coveted mentorship), and, most importantly, that elusive self-acceptance that helps her grow into a more confident, assertive teen—culminating with their final realization that they’re agender. Readers will be eager for more of Nic in the future.
Takeaway: A gender nonconforming teen comes into their own in this moving story.
Comparable Titles: Mason Deaver’s I Wish You All the Best, Jules Machias’s Both Can Be True.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Ugly: An honest and heartfelt YA novel about a gender nonconforming teen
But one day Sam, too, is taken from her. Further complicating matters: Nic has told no one that, when she was younger, a friend of the family repeatedly molested her. As she receives just one message from the world—that everything about her is ugly—Nic’s confusion is explored with rare empathy and power. Is she a lesbian? Transgender? Bisexual? Her journey toward understanding and a personal blossoming will involve an overseas trip to visit Sam plus her thoughtfully presented research into other people who have some of the same feelings she does. This brings her to the term "gender nonconformity."
With frankness and wisdom, Vincent has written an inviting, open-hearted coming-of-age story that’s always true to Nic. At no time does Nic mistake people’s cruelty for something that is her fault, and Vincent avoids YA makeover solutions—lose weight, wear makeup, be silly and flirty, or other stereotypical gender expectations. Instead, Nic is always herself, even when she suffers for it. Her steadfastness in knowing that she simply cannot give people what makes them comfortable because it makes her so incredibly uncomfortable is revelatory.
Takeaway: Powerful, touching, and wise story of a gender nonconforming teen.
Comparable Titles: Mia Segert’s Somebody Told Me, Robin Talley’s What We Left Behind.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
According to Tremaine, a healthy “puzzle of self” is composed of interconnected pieces—such as professional fulfillment, relationships, and physical health—that all share edges and influence one another, making it crucial to spend time on giving each piece “its due attention and care.” Disruptive habits, mental health issues, and fear can “blur the lines… making it challenging to see the bigger picture we are striving to create.” Tremaine is resolute that any puzzle—regardless of the damage its pieces have sustained—can be repaired, and he offers suggestions like time management, mindfulness, support groups, and more to assist with that healing.
In an effort to give readers tangible takeaways, Tremaine concludes each chapter with reflection exercises guaranteed to inspire readers to not just build and repair their puzzles, but also to engage in constant adjusting and rearranging of the pieces. “Life is unpredictable, and our needs and circumstances change” he writes, a sentiment that echoes strongly in contemporary times. For those who value nuanced guides to making sense of the human experience, this debut will spark an understanding that “each piece [of your puzzle], whether bright or dark, clear or confusing, contributes to the richness and depth of who you are.”
Takeaway: Nurturing guide that presents puzzles as a metaphor for growth.
Comparable Titles: Kristin Neff’s Self-Compassion, James Clear’s Atomic Habits.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Blending lessons learned while fighting for change with a diagnosis of why the American system seems stubbornly stagnant, The Reformer’s Dilemma explores the challenges and political costs of making change, with clear eyes and an emphasis on the practical. The “dilemma” of the title refers to the Catch-22 of those with political power daring to implement novel solutions to entrenched problems: politically, there’s a “crisis if you do, crisis if you don’t,” he notes. With illuminating accounts of a life spent pushing for change in a colonial territory facing rampant debt, a pension crisis, and the no-longer-hypothetical impacts of climate change, Rosselló proves a clear, engaging storyteller, building to a host of takeaways to help other reform-minded politicians maximize their potentially fleeting time with power. (He even draws lessons about crafting a narrative from friendly if frustrating encounters with President Trump.)
Rosselló calls for organizing and empowering a “disjointed middle” into a movement for “rationality, clarity, dialogue, fact-driven approaches, and innovative thinking.” Steps he suggests for making that happen are less convincingly pragmatic than the advice for achieving reform, but he’s convincing in arguing that accepting the status quo only makes things worse.
Takeaway: A Puerto Rico governor’s pragmatic lessons for effective changemaking.
Comparable Titles: Robert B. Reich’s The System, María Padilla and Nancy Rosado’s Tossed to the Wind.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
As McCarty navigates not only being a first-time parent, but also the myriad medical treatments her son must endure, she’s forced to cope with the well-wishers—or “optimism bullies” as she terms them—and others, who “rel[y] on platitudes and clichés” to make sense of her situation. She acknowledges ways to help as well, encouraging readers to be better listeners and, when all else fails, “if someone is going through a difficult time, give them a small gift” to help ease the pain. McCarty’s advice is a direct line of hope to other parents treading NICU waters, as she offers insight on tapping into God, faith, and prayer for support, while allowing grace when things take a turn for the worse.
This triumphant story of enduring, adapting, and keeping the faith will resonate with any parent, but is particularly meaningful for those whose children have serious medical conditions. In a nod to the exhaustion and time deficits that accompany NICU life, McCarty includes a summary of her main points, along with reference pages, at the end. Her raw honesty is refreshing, and the snapshots of day-to-day living in the NICU invaluable. Readers will immediately connect with this inspiring anthem of a woman who was “utterly broken for a long time… [but] God fixed me… and made me whole by His grace.”
Takeaway: Inspiring memoir that serves as a valuable resource for NICU parents.
Comparable Titles: Sarah DiGregorio's Early, Jennifer Degl's From Hope to Joy.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
The Gilded Cage of Woman
Seasoned with feminist observations of 18th and 19th-century norms and traditions, the narrative dives into the plight of womanhood through Margaret's intellect and independence, showcasing the patriarchal stumbling blocks that often block women’s progress and stymie the full expression of their genius. "It is ridiculous the games women must play to achieve anything of their own in this world," Margaret’s friend Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire, muses, as she insists on having Margaret's textbook published without using a male pseudonym—but must do so under the pretense that Margaret is domesticated and has children of her own, contrary to her reality of being childless and unmarried.
The narrative’s sprawling style and loosely tied plot—the fates of some admirable characters are conveyed with an air of detachment—may hinder reader connection at times, but this engaging debut entertains with its first-hand peek at royal class gossip, digressing into betrayals and infidelities that star an upper echelons cast, going so far as to include Princess Caroline, the wife of Prince George IV. At its core, this vivid portrayal of Margaret Bryan's life shows the strength of a determined woman who dares to live a life of the mind.
Takeaway: Empowering tale of Margaret Bryan living the life she chooses in Georgian England.
Comparable Titles: Jessie Burton's The Miniaturist, Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Drawing on Cinderella stories, wuxia melodrama, Street Fighter slugfests, and a host of other inspirations, the plot of this series starter focuses on Lilly and Cindy’s rivalry and Lilly’s surprising rags to riches arc, which is kicked off when an unhoused man who has knowledge of Lilly’s late father—and remaining family on his side—becomes a proverbial fairy godmother to Lilly, bringing the children’s tale archetype into the kind of YA action melodrama where a young man boasts he could “punch a hole through a brick wall” using his genitals.
Blending over-the-top action and comedy with down-to-Earth emotions, Maxwell paints strong, memorable scenes and is never afraid to embrace the theatrical—in the first scene, Lilly kicks a friend through a bus stop. These big moments only escalate as the novel builds to a cliffhanger, suggesting a graphic novel or animated series in text form. Briskly told, at times a touch reckless, and anchored by a relatable “fulltime disconnected malcontent, with a dash of cayenne pepper,” D.O.L. celebrates friendship, challenges genre expectations, and embraces a spirit of powers and fun.
Takeaway: Quirky action story set in 90s New York as a teen discovers her powers.
Comparable Titles: TJ Klune's The Extraordinaries, David Beem’s Edger.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A-
The Triumph of Elly Robin
In prose that maintains the joyous sparkle of the previous books, Quaver ties up loose ends neatly, building a satisfying end to the mystery running through the whole series: whether Elly’s parents are alive or dead. Elly’s continued conviction that they may still be alive is moving, as is her heartwarming generosity towards her paternal grandfather, Ira Rabinowitz. As with the other books in the series, a colorful cast of characters populates the pages, and the narrative is richly allusive, touching on fascinating aspects of history and culture. There aren’t many new additions but Wanda Ballantine, Elly’s teacher and Hermes Lipchitz are fascinating.
Quaver invests a lot of attention to Little Elly and Elliot, Elly’s godchildren, telling the story sometimes from Little Elly’s perspective. Though nuanced and engaging, this slows down the pace considerably and does not add to the forward movement of the plot, coming off as mere filler. The author’s depiction of early feminist movements–especially through the invented Robinettes, who support Elly while sporting “hats and frocks of a ‘robin red-breast’ hue,” is heartening while showcasing what women, even if phenomenally talented like Elly and Wanda, were (and still largely are) up against. A satisfying conclusion to a highly entertaining series.
Takeaway: Winning final entry in a highly entertaining series of early 20th century historical novels.
Comparable Titles: Carol Edgarian’s Vera, Paul Yoon’s Run Me to Earth.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
No Way Home
Narrated in an intimate, fiercely visual style, Davenport’s stories leave readers with an almost cinematic feeling, transporting them to the brink of brokenness alongside characters who damage, chafe, and, ultimately, surprise, with their capacity for treading water in the midst of horrifying situations. The stream of consciousness narration in “Stations of the Soul” unites all of its disparate characters into a single thread, utilizing London streets and cafes—where “the faces come and go… flowing up to the glass divide and receding like an endless tide”—as connective tissue in a string of brief, heightened interactions, a close-up shot of the pandemonium of a megalopolis and the chaos that makes up life itself.
“Cut Out and Keep” is the cheerful offering of the bunch, recounting a tale of unrequited love in hushed, lyrical tones, where Jack longs for the object of his affections from afar, “watch[ing] her, enraptured, like a man seeing beauty for the first time.” To cope with his rejection, he fashions a cardboard cutout of his heart’s desire, frequently talking to it, and inadvertently opens a window into his emotions that produces an unexpected impact. This is an evocative collection, alive with portraits of people caught in the strands of life’s bewildering web.
Takeaway: An immersive collection that illuminates life’s most intense moments.
Comparable Titles: Ramona Ausubel’s Awayland, Jenny Zhang’s Sour Heart.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Noting that most of us are taught to go out and build wealth but that very few are taught how to manage it, Begina demonstrates how poor decisions frequently have ramifications that go far beyond the financial, causing many to become anxious, insecure, and distrustful. To that end, Begina outlines “six transformational concepts” to help readers “be as good with money as they are in the rest of their lives.” Begina’s guide has a lot going for it. The style is honest and refreshing, and Begina demonstrates throughout the ability to communicate seemingly complex concepts with inviting clarity.
Begina demonstrates key financial topics through storytelling and basic psychology—like self-sabotage, which, the author notes, arises from an “imbalance” between two “universal human needs: belonging and autonomy.” Be Good with Money is a starting point rather than a roadmap to money management, i.e., tax or retirement planning, insurance, budgeting. The rousing attitude adjustment introduced in those first pages is likely to inspire new starts among readers, and the book that follows introduces the basics with wit, clarity, and a welcome sense of fun.
Takeaway: Inviting guide to changing one’s attitude about money and financial well-being.
Comparable Titles: Jake Cousineau’s How to Adult, Jean Chatzky’s How to Money.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
