Nathan uses the existing controversies surrounding the Taj Mahal's purpose and construction and turns them into a surprising, exciting conspiracy thriller. Reluctant hero Vijay Kumar is asked by the Bureau of Archaeology to fulfill a bureaucratic request to provide specific data regarding the Taj Mahal, as the government of India has never conducted a full-scale official survey. The directive: separate fact from legend. Working in Agra, Kumar has to navigate the request with his team, which includes a UNESCO intern translator Soniya, tech wizard Samir, and grumpy local expert Chand Malik. Vijay is established as a brilliant and out-of-the-box thinker regarding ancient sites, making him crucial when the job grows more complex, involving a break-in at the Taj Mahal, a spare of mysterious murders, and a chase for a key research report that cost its original author his life decades earlier.

The tale offers hints of the supernatural and a handful of action sequences, yet this is a science-minded procedural through and through. The climax is essentially a long lecture in a committee meeting, yet the revelations it provides and the tense politics surrounding the investigation provide a satisfying capstone to the mysteries Nathan has established. The denouement, though, is more explosive, boasting some shocking betrayals, though that proves less gripping than Kumar's dazzling use of scientific inquiry to guide a thorough, government-sponsored investigation of the Taj Mahal's true origins.

The action sequences are icing for a meaty narrative that, for all the conspiratorial twists and turns, stands as a tribute to the power and appeal of science and the pursuit of truth in the face of superstition and politics. Nathan’s extensive research into the origins of this palace of secrets, as well as fascinating Indian politics and history, distinguish this thoughtful page turner, lending welcome verisimilitude to the story’s mysteries and inventions.

Takeaway: Fans of procedural thrillers and archeological mysteries will be delighted by this tale of the Taj Mahal.

Great for fans of: John Shors's Beneath a Marble Sky, DJ Niko’s Sarah Weston series, Devika Cariapa’s India Through Archaeology: Excavating History.

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

Click here for more about Raaz Mahal - The Palace of Secrets

Madow debuts with a simple but extremely relatable approach to investing and personal finance. Writing to readers who prefer being comfortable rather than rich, he presents his personal roadmap to financial freedom that he asserts “will work for you no matter what stage of life you are in right now.” Part manifestation journal and part personal finance guide, How to Become the Neighborhood Millionaire encourages readers to dream about their futures and solidify what wealth means to them in concrete, achievable terms. He details the ins-and-outs to becoming a “neighborhood millionaire,” including budgeting, the importance of emergency fund savings, eliminating credit card debt, investing, and more.

This straightforward guide is progressively organized, starting with understanding methods of setting realistic financial goals, how to determine net worth, and dynamic budgeting–Madow even offers recommendations for helpful planning apps to streamline organization.Unlike many personal finance guides, math formulas and statistics take a backseat to down-to-earth advice in this refreshing work: Madow cautions readers to avoid multi-level marketing companies (MLMs) and timeshares at all costs, and he recommends never co-signing on a loan. His advice is unflinching and straightforward: “Debt is a demon that will cripple your overall financial plan to fail,” he argues.

Deeper in the book, building on the basics from earlier chapters, he offers advice on choosing the right life partner, pursuing higher education without student loans, and making lifestyle sacrifices, all before moving, in the conclusion, to investing fundamentals, retirement accounts, and a breakdown of the best way to make your money work for you through compound interest. Madow isn’t shy about offering opinions that run contrary to much mainstream financial advice, such as his belief that good debt doesn’t exist and his preference for renting versus home ownership. Novice investors and readers wanting to eliminate debt or simply improve their finances will appreciate Madow’s uncomplicated and candid suggestions.

Takeaway: This guide is perfect for readers seeking a practical way to improve their finances and plan for their future.

Great for fans of: Dave Ramsey, Suze Orman.

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

Click here for more about How To Become The Neighborhood Millionaire

Odland, an artist, author (Taming the Tiger: How to Heal Your Past with EMDR Therapy) and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapist offers this original collection, a “meditation” in verse on “the trauma therapy taking the world by storm.” A nontraditional psychotheraputic method of treating PTSD and other trauma, EMDR has boomed in popularity in recent years, winning adherents (as Odland’s introduction points out) like Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey. Odland dubs the treatment “Emotional Surgery” in the collection’s first poem, and considers, over some 200 pages of verse and illustrations, the similarities between trauma and gravity, the responsibility of the EMDR therapist (“What if I rush/ To heal their pain/ And send them out raw”), the objections some express when first learning about the treatment (“There’s nothing I’m over sensitive about/ My emotional responses are/ Perfectly proportional in every situation”), and other concerns of the EMDR therapist, all in addition to paeans to the treatment’s efficacy.

Some of those are witty: “EMDR Would Wreck Movies” imagines Anakin Skywalker’s darkness “lightened” by treatment. Other celebrations of EMDR are more straightforward (“Eyes move rapidly left to right/As the walking wounded and wounded dreamers/ Stumble towards healing.”) Elsewhere, Odland faces the stress and tension of contemporary life, including some pandemic-themed poems, making the case that the urge to seek relief from stress and trauma is deeply normal.

What’s perhaps most surprising are the poems addressing the anxieties of an EMDR therapist, from the fear of not being taken seriously (“Twenty hours of wondering/ If they’ll see that I’m a fraud”), to pieces on burnout and conventions. Others concern Odland’s poetry and art: “Why the Art?” is self-explanatory, though its defense of Odland’s expressive, unpredictable sketches is persuasive, while “I Almost Stopped,” a poem about the temptation to abandon writing, links the act of creation to health and healing with incisive power.

Takeaway: A searching, self-examining collection of poetry from the perspective of an EMDR therapist.

Great for fans of: Tricia Williams’s The EMDR Years, Barb Maiberger’s EMDR Essentials.

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

Click here for more about EMDR Inspired Art and Poetry

Johnson debuts with an impassioned treatise on self-discovery and personal fulfillment. Contending that capitalism and organized religion have long instigated and reinforced the oppression of women, children, and minorities, she cautions readers not to assume that living “in a free country … automatically provides us with a free mind.” Instead, Johnson offers a path of enlightenment that calls for putting aside the judgment of others and reconnect with our creative “Self.” Drawing on her own life experiences as well as historical patterns, she explores the origins of chaotic contemporary living and asks the insightful question “what if we want to live and live well, rather than just exist?”

Readers will be intrigued by Johnson’s outraged analysis of past events that she claims have clouded our ability to perceive oppression: she covers the United States and Canada’s history of forcing indigenous children into residential schooling, witch hunts that were used as a tool to enforce patriarchal laws, and the Black Death’s decimation of the workforce, a catastrophe that she argues led to members of the ruling class targeting women and children by classifying them as the property of men. Some sweeping assertions may test readers, such as her contention that young male peasants were eager to be subservient to the upper class in exchange for the right to legally rape women, but overall she offers thoughtful reflections on the grim history of exploitation.

Johnson’s solution to escaping a life of “violence and hardship” is to forge our own path, casting aside fears of rejection and focusing on new habits that empower self-trust. She offers some concrete guidance in this process—including visualizing a “memory palace” to compartmentalize and store information from our achievements and personal resources to ineffective ways of thinking— that will give readers a starting point for taking ownership of their wellbeing. Readers feeling the weight of history and searching for against-the-grain answers to the afflictions of modern life will appreciate this read.

Takeaway: This eye-opening guide to alternative ways to lead a fulfilling life digs deep into the origins of oppression.

Great for fans of: Vicky Pryce’s Women Vs. Capitalism, James Davies’s Sedated.

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

Click here for more about The Great Self-Connect

An intelligence analyst squares off with the afterlife in Eichhorst’s ambitious debut. Marvin Fischer is bogged down in self-doubt and depression after the death of his religiously devoted wife. When an unfamiliar woman interrupts his morning routine to ask him to pray for her, Marvin assents, though he no longer believes in the power of prayer. He pledges to help Rubi Valdez and her son, Tony–but he’s shocked to witness Rubi’s death in a horrible accident just minutes after he intercedes for her. Both he and Tony notice a strange creature in the seconds before Rubi’s death, a baffling incident that sparks a deep connection between the two and sets them on a collision course with otherworldly danger and destruction–and, possibly, a rekindling of faith.

Eichhorst’s sprawling story bristles with an intriguing mix of Christianity and ancient mythology, alongside modern day adventure and a twist of romance. As Marvin and Tony set out on a crusade to bring Tony’s mother back to life, their paths cross a slew of legendary characters, including Gilgamesh the Wise and the ancient Toltec leader Topiltzin, also known as Quetzalcoatl, the god of wind, rain, and peace. Along the way, Marvin falls for renowned spiritual medium Doctor Amina Karimova, who gets swept into their quest as they fight to reach the afterlife and return home safely–all the while battling dark forces that threaten to overtake them at every turn.

Readers should come prepared for an abundance of religious and theological discussions. Narrative momentum diminishes in the finale as Marvin and his team face an ever-growing slew of supernatural characters to reach their happy ending, but for those who enjoy elaborate storylines and high-stakes mythology, this realm-spanning thriller will hit the spot, and the climax satisfyingly wraps up the story’s physical and spiritual themes.

Takeaway: A thriller mixing adventure, mythology, and theology that will please readers fascinated by questions of faith.

Great for fans of: Alix E. Harrow’s The Ten Thousand Doors of January, Shirtaloon and Travis Deverell’s He Who Fights with Monsters series.

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

Click here for more about The Tempest In Glass

With swashbuckling brio and more playful wit than you might expect in an epic tale of revenge in a war-torn land. Davis’s debut finds Charles Raptor—a “White Shield” mercenary—captured, betrayed, and disillusioned after 18 years of civil war between a half-orc queen and a human duke, “the Pretender,” whom Raptor has hunted for years “with nothing to show for it but a pile of dead friends and a soldier’s pension.” Despite that glum assessment, Raptor still has much to live for: his bride, Wren, and his dear mother, who now, thanks to the queen’s decree, quarters an orc in her home. After a dispiriting (and suspicious) defeat in a siege, Raptor returns home after years away, seeking new employment and the comfort of family. But an underworld job he grudgingly accepts goes wrong in the worst way, and Raptor’s punishment is enslavement in the mines of Trollheim, in the frozen north.

Davis blends contemporary epic fantasy of the gritty, proudly foul-mouthed variety with parodic elements, especially when it comes to the vicious politics of his realm. But the story’s heart is in classic adventure, as Raptor and an amusingly ragtag band of slaves endeavor to escape their dwarven captors, hatching a plot involving tunnels, skis, a boat, and well-executed surprises. Davis proves adept at imagining the rough world of the mines, the brutality of imprisonment, and the slightly goofy camaraderie of the prisoners undertaking a desperate, impossible mission.

The dialogue has a crackling, sometimes comic rhythm, which lightens the pulpy material yet occasionally proves distracting from the reality of this grim world, as characters indulge in patter routines. (The names, too, can inspire incredulity: Turd, Goldprick, Sir Fartus the Clown.) But the worldbuilding is clear and inviting, classic fantasy with some welcome surprises, and the story of Raptor losing everything yet still fighting on is compelling, and the crisp, inventive action will please adventure fans.

Takeaway: A fantasy epic offering compelling classic adventure storytelling—and some wild humor.

Great for fans of: Joe Abercrombie, Edgar Rice Burroughs.

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

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The second installment in A Charmer’s World, Roger’s rousing middle grade fantasy, follows up Shadows on the School Grounds as Miona, a human slave with a cat-like master, and her team–with “batteryrun” armor and battery sabers–accept the honor of attending the Great Games as one of the few cub teams to compete. What Miona’s teammates don’t know is that she and her friend, Selke, also have a secret mission to complete for the Renaissance, a group that fights for the rights of slaves. But the greatest challenge Miona and her team will face are her own teammates: Poisonohl and his gang refuse to play as one unit and instead focus on their hatred for the slaves–Miona especially–and will stop short of nothing to get her off the team.

Middle grade readers who are fans of made-up fantasy games will relish the details and excitement of the batteryrun competition, as Miona and friends battle on the field. Young girls especially will love that Miona is one of the best and toughest players on the team, and certainly not the only girl. Girls, both human and catlike and reptilian, here have their own strengths and talents that bring a unique diversity to the co-ed team. The tale also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and how poorly events can turn out for those who refuse to work with others.

Sports aren’t the only thing happening in Miona’s Great Games, of course, as Roger continues to offer the mystery, magic, and age-appropriate political discord the first book promised, with a spunky Miona in the middle of it all. Miona works to control—not always successfully—her newfound mindforce ability while trying to pull off a secret mission for the Renaissance during the games and figure out the identity of the man hunting her–and which of her enemies at school are helping him–making for a fun, action-packed fantasy of friends and courage.

Takeaway: A fun, action-packed fantasy chock-full of magic, mystery, and a brave young girl facing it all.

Great for fans of: Marie Lu’s Legend series; K.F. Breene and Shannon Mayer’s Shadowspell Academy.

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

Click here for more about Miona's Great Games

Miona Fortvallor may be a collared human slave in a world filled with feline masters, but that doesn’t stop her from dreaming of freedom. Roger’s sprawling (A New Day) fantasy adventure, the first book in the A Charmers' World series, introduces readers to Miona’s world where three species co-exist: humans, a catlike ruling race known as the Trowans, and a reptilian species called the Srilisses. The Trowans and Srilisses have just recently re-established diplomatic relations, and as Miona navigates her life as a slave, she finds herself wrapped up in a dangerous mystery involving her beloved Srilissi teacher. Now, she must risk her own safety to help another.

Roger’s creative and imaginative world invites readers to step into an alternate reality. Miona struggles to stay out of trouble as school bullies target and torment her, and there are several incidents where her physical safety is at risk at the hands of these aggressors. Though these plot points at times feel redundant, each instance helps build character, shoring up Miona’s resilience and revealing her potential to overcome obstacles, an important tool when she gets involved in a mystery that threatens her life and the safety of her friends and teacher. Unfortunately, despite the novel’s length, the story doesn’t build up the suspense readers might hope for in a tale of hoping for freedom, though Shadows on School Grounds does hint at some welcome tension to be explored later in the series.

Readers will appreciate Roger’s fantastical world building and the excitement and mystery of a feline-dominated society. Younger readers will enjoy Miona’s sword skills and defiance in the face of bullies, but much of the action stays on the surface instead of digging deeper into Miona’s sentiments. Those looking for a YA fantasy with a young female lead and a well-developed world will enjoy this selection.

Takeaway: Readers looking for a young adult fantasy with strong world building will enjoy this mystery adventure.

Great for fans of: Lloyd Alexander, Erin Hunt’s Warrior Cats, Diana Wynne Jones.

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

Click here for more about Shadows on the School Grounds

The ambitious kickoff to Abofsky’s Celoven Stormchaser series introduces four races living in uneasy peace on the planet Ankeros and the crisis that will force Celoven, Stone Maiden to Naruné, crown princess of Malenor, to rethink her loyalties–and everything she’s ever known. The peace quickly begins to unravel when the destruction of an Epion city also shows the instability of Ankeros’s core. Sun, the assistant to the Epion president, is convinced that the catastrophe was started by the Pelosians, but the First General Hirkain of the Pelosian military quickly produces evidence that the amalgans, a race looked down upon by the other three, are to blame–setting off discrimination and oppression of the amalgan people.

In his debut, Abofsky demonstrates rich world building. Epions, Pelosians, and Malens each have their own strengths that make them feel superior to each other and the amalgans, creating shifting alliances and dynamics that help move the story forward as First General Hirkain forms a relationship with Naruné that gives his people access to mines to build evacuation ships for leaving the planet. (Like her friend Sun, Celoven doubts Hirkain’s motives.)

Telling the story from the point of view of multiple characters gives readers a strong sense of the complicated relationships between individuals and the different groups, as well as the political and social dynamics. Ankeros’s leaders, coming from military, monarchical, and democratic societies, can either work together or fight separately for survival. Keeping up with everything can be a challenge for them and for readers alike, as the story’s scope and its large cast can be demanding, though Celoven makes a compelling central figure. Abofsky limits the number of unnecessary scenes, a wise decision given the complexity of the novel and its varied perspectives, and provides a nice conclusion to the story while setting up well for a second book in the series.

Takeaway: Sci-fi and fantasy fans alike will enjoy rich worldbuilding as four different groups must either work together or fight separately for survival.

Great for fans of: Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series, Sally Green’s The Smoke Thieves series.

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

Click here for more about Celoven STORMCHASER

A former Texas lawman battles to save his family, solve a murder, and make sense of his own damaged life in this gritty and gripping mystery. Working in private security for wealthy energy CEO, E.J. Kane is facing a broken marriage, a son killed in Afghanistan, and a troubled daughter. A storage tank explosion leads to a investigation involving the feds, the Texas Rangers, an untrustworthy sheriff, and the mysterious "Widow" Welchel, a femme fatale whose game isn't immediately clear. E.J. eventually discovers that a sovereign citizens group has a stake in the crime, and that he must uncover layer after layer to wrap up these complex investigations.

Jimerson has worked as a district attorney, and his knowledge of the milieu lends a powerful sense of verisimilitude, as when the aging E.J. muses over the changes over the years in law enforcement. The author does an equally fine job with the settings of his native East Texas: "The pallet of colors pouring out on the green hills and pine trees gave him pause." The sense of this tightly knit community is also strong, as a shared background connects E.J. more closely to an opponent than his supposed allies. Although the plot gets a little convoluted, individual scenes carry the story to a satisfying conclusion.

Best of all are the sharply limned characters—E.J. is no cardboard cowboy, but a complex figure with a difficult past and tangled family life. Jimerson does an especially effective job of showing E.J.'s sense of powerlessness as he watches his daughter’s life fall apart. E.J.'s relationship with his ex-wife Rebecca is both subtle and real: A series of sharp exchanges reveals both why they got married and why they got divorced. Readers will be heavily invested in E.J.'s odyssey, turning pages rapidly in hope that his journey ends in victory.

Takeaway: Richly drawn characters and a vivid East Texas setting highlight this noir-flavored murder mystery.

Great for fans of: Craig Johnson’s Longmire series, Jon Land’s Caitlin Strong series.

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

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Low’s (CoinciDATE) bold, rambunctious collection thankfully doesn’t live up to the title of Schlock. Taking on issues of culture, identity, and discrimination, each tale interrogates ideas of Russia and Russianness, with an emphasis on what Low describes as the “Russian soul.” Still, the stories range widely in milieus, and each proves more outrageous than its predecessor: Low begins with Japanese salaryman Takahiro, a workaholic with an abusive boss, judgmental parents, and a budding friendship with a new Tokyo arrival. Takahiro eventually loses touch with his group of acquaintances and is forced to realize that the best days of his life may have been watching the mysterious seduction of his former friend, Hirata, by the music of Russian rock star Victor Tsoi.

The satiric climax arrives in the third story, with a documentarian’s attempts to discredit a bioengineered robot, Russia Cop, whose duty is, “…to enforce Russian soul and patriotic sentiment throughout the nation.” Mighty enough to throw vehicles and withstand artillery shells, Russia Cop undergoes a jolting mental change throughout the narrative, and by the end has enlisted an army of orangutans, endorses Adidas as the best product material for his job, and is vying for the position of Russia’s premier, running on the platform that he “…will not rest until every citizen of the Russian Federation has become a homosexual.” Despite an ambiguous judgment on Russia Cop’s success, Low ends with the darkly funny note “we live in the age of Russia Cop.”

The final story muses on many of Low’s principal themes, told from the perspective of a podcast that addresses entrenched beliefs about Americans in Russia. Depicting Americans forced to pose as Australians in order to enjoy Russia in peace, Low illuminates how far individuals will go to feel accepted, an idea that exemplifies this collection’s chaotic familiarity, writing that mirrors contemporary reality at every turn.

Takeaway: Readers who love the absurd will be swept up by Low’s satiric collection examining the Russian soul.

Great for fans of: Ken Babbs’s Cronies, Max Barry’s Jennifer Government.

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

Click here for more about SCHLOCK Featuring Russia Cop

Building and rebuilding are at the heart of the thoughtful final novel in Senturia’s Martin Quint trilogy, which finds its protagonist still facing challenges both in his private and work life. Martin labors on establishing a new school at Bottlesworth college while satisfying the demands of his energizing yet challenging benefactor as well as the bureaucracy of his college, and on assessing a teaching method. At same time, he and his wife Jenny try to mend their marriage and broken trust. Through therapy, they realize how much the past afflicts their relationship, and strive to heal it. Despite their differences, the couple must pull together in order to deal with unexpected crises–including a shocking racial incident in the boarding school of Andrew, Martin's son from a previous relationship, that targets his best friend Lavelle, one of the few Black students at the school.

MIT professor Senturia doesn't just share a glimpse into the backstage of the academic world he knows so well, as through Martin and the kids he delves into urgent educational questions–from treatment of racial incidents in school to what would make a new program truly cutting edge. Such serious consideration of the realities of education is rare in contemporary fiction, even novels about academia, and his keen understanding of the complexities shine through, though at times narrative momentum is diminished by Senturia’s interest in technical matters.

Senturia also focuses on exploration of relationships, especially the reconstruction of damaged ones, observing through Martin: “This is what his entire career in science had led him to believe, that there were discoverable truths, objective truths that could be analyzed, verified. But life doesn’t offer those kinds of truths.” Such wisdom—and a welcome sense of humanity and hopefulness—distinguishes the novel, though at times a lack of nuance weighs on the story. The happy yet very open ending is satisfying, though it will leave fans of serious contemporary fiction eager for more.

Takeaway: In this striking, hopeful novel, a professor endeavors to build a new program– and rebuild his damaged marriage.

Great for fans of: John Williams’s Stoner, Jane Smiley’s Moo.

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

Click here for more about A Different Purpose

Alsever (Trinity Forest Series) builds steady tension and thrills with a paranormal revenge fantasy that explores teenage cliques and the perils of social media fame. In the sleepy town of Paonia, Colorado, high school senior Eva Flores is a TikTok star performing popular dance moves and receiving thousands of likes. Her mother criticizes her looks and her stepfather Manny manages her career, all to maximize Eva’s popularity and salary. Eva is a snob to everyone in town, especially to fellow senior Sophia Palmer, a poor girl working in a café after school to help bring cash into her single-parent household. Once friends but now enemies, Sophia becomes the primary suspect when Eva disappears.

Through clever prose, journal entries, and interview passages, Alsever pieces together a cautionary tale of hero worship, class struggle, wish fulfillment, and young people caught up in social media frenzy. After Eva’s especially cruel steps to destroy Sophia’s life, Sophia is at a breaking point. As part of a class assignment, she documents her frustrations and rage in a journal, believing that “imagination creates reality.” When her fictional revenge against Eva actually starts to come true, Sophia rejoices, until Eva, on a camping trip runs into the woods on a dare and doesn’t come back.

With teenage vernacular and an uncanny insight into teen angst, Alsever accurately captures the insecurities, bullying, class differences, and desire for popularity that plague teenage life. Despite the unfortunate cliché of a Native American curse and the (understandable, from the teens’ perspective) characterization of nearly every adult as either boring or bizarre, the elaborate adventure convincingly follows Sophia through her chaotic life, a newfound opportunity for riches, and reliance on her best friends. Young adult readers will appreciate the revenge fantasy aspects and how Sophia addresses the consequences when they actually happen. Alsever’s steady pacing and authentic characters will keep readers engaged until the satisfying ending.

Takeaway: Young adult readers will savor Sophia’s revenge fantasy and the revelations of what makes a good friendship.

Great for fans of: A.V. Geiger’s Follow Me Back, Michele Leathers’s They All Had A Reason.

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

Click here for more about Burying Eva Flores

Ruhland’s fascinating, conversational guide to all things champagne opens with a compelling question: “What if delivering bliss to someone were as simple as connecting a button to a wire?” That query’s inspired by a London diner that outfitted each booth with a button marked “press for champagne.” Press for Champagne–the culmination of a lifetime of “obsessively” sipping bubbly–explores the mystique associated with champagne and offers pointers on how to enjoy this quintessential celebratory beverage, from clarifying what, exactly, it is and how it’s made to the best ways to “unleash the great champagne drinker within you.”

Detailed and well researched, this book dives deep into the history and production of champagne, including the fact that, in the U.S., people often use the term to mean any “sparkling wine.” Ruhland points out the inaccuracy of this generalization in no uncertain terms: true champagne only comes from the eponymous region in France. To help readers discover the variety that best suits their tastes, he thoroughly examines available champagnes and why each is unique. His tone is acerbic at times, but his occasionally forceful language is rooted in love–he respects wine producers, and he worries about their future as climate change takes hold.

Ruhland has created an essential and informative guide for dedicated drinkers, though readers without at least a cursory interest in champagne might not be converted. He adeptly connects his impassioned arguments with anecdotes and obscure bits of knowledge that enhance curiosity and intrigue–for example, bubbles make people happy, but they also serve an important function in giving champagne–and sparkling wines–its flavor. Perhaps most importantly, Ruhland wants everyone to remember that champagne isn’t just for parties: “Drink champagne whenever you feel like it. Seriously, if there is only one thing you take away from this book, I hope that is it.”

Takeaway: Ruhland’s conversational guide examines all things champagne, especially the best ways to understand and enjoy it.

Great for fans of: Tilar J. Mazzeo’s The Widow Clicquot, Michael Edwards’s The Champagne Companion.

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

Click here for more about Press for Champagne

As a sequel to Notes from a Dying Planet, 2004-2006, Brown’s eye-opening and often terrifying survey explores what has happened to Earth regarding overpopulation, mass extinction, and climate change in the last two decades. Aiming to provoke action, Brown painstakingly–and unstintingly–lays out the evidence, drawn from hundreds of articles and studies, of what he calls the “planetary death,” detailing the uptick in extreme weather and climate-related catastrophes, the warning signs that too often languish unheeded, and the likely increasingly horrific disasters we can expect in the future. While he never sugarcoats anything, Brown also offers guidance to steps that readers can take to mitigate these compounding dangers—if we as a species really do want to continue living on the planet we call home.

Brown’s core message—that we have very little time to make massive, life-altering changes in order to save life on the planet as we know it—is delivered alongside copious links covering topics that range from media misinformation to political movements. He never shies away from his fears that we have gone too far as a species to be able to reign in the incredible damage already done, which means the book may prove too wrenching for readers who prefer a sunnier outlook.

Brown sounds a resonant alarm about what’s likely to come if immediate action is not taken, and his advice about alternative personal habits and choices that any of us can make are welcome, though some of the recommendations are challenging. Brown suggests humans stop procreating, arguing “there will be enough younger people to carry on due to accidental pregnancies and births,” and he advises an immediate end to mass tourism that results in unaffordable ecological damage. His writing will spark a fear for the future, but readers will walk away empowered to make personal changes to thwart some of the most dire consequences of resource waste and pollution.

Takeaway: A stark analysis of the threats to our planet, with a provocative call to action for environmentally aware readers.

Great for fans of: John Doerr’s Speed & Scale, Mike Berners-Lee’s There Is No Planet B.

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

Click here for more about NOTES FROM A DEAD PLANET

“C” isn’t just for “cookie” anymore. Well-loved recipes are paired with alphabet letters in this delectable, bakery-inspired picture book. Starting with the letter “A,” each member of the English alphabet is assigned a sweet treat—from apple pie to chocolate chips all the way to zucchini bread—with key ingredients for making each confection displayed alongside. Every page features an iconic dessert or savory treat (such as empanadas), combined with a cartoon figure decked out in a complementary outfit: pineapple parfait grins next to a figurine wearing a pineapple headdress, banana pudding is topped off with a miniature vanilla wafer character, and “L” features a winking toy positioned in between two flashy lollipops.

Young readers will be absorbed by the richly hued, mouth-watering illustrations. Aside from priming the sweet tooth, these diverse and educational pictures will also give kids plenty to discuss with adults, and the multiethnic figurines, add entertainment value with their fun expressions and engaging mannerisms. Novel words like “quince” and “granita” elevate the text’s vocabulary and will spark interest in new recipes and confections, and even tried-and-true favorites incorporate unconventional ingredients (think dark chocolate highlighted as a main component in doughnuts). The authors even make “X” interesting: “xylocarp cupcakes” are displayed, with an accompanying definition that clarifies, “xylocarp–a fruit with a hard outer shell.”

Although dessert is abundantly fêted, and readers will be intrigued and tantalized by the authors’ creative selections, this alphabet celebration is best consumed by young children just starting to show an interest in reading. The concept stays minimalistic throughout, and some older readers may wish for more detailed recipes. However, the educational value of unfamiliar culinary lingo will please adults (and possibly inspire some kitchen experimentation), and the book accomplishes the welcome goal of offering a fresh–and notably sweet–method of teaching the ol’ ABCs.

Takeaway: A bakery-inspired alphabet picture book, with innovative desserts featured for every English letter.

Great for fans of: Keith Baker’s LMNO Peas, Lisa Frenkel Riddiough’s Letters to Live By: An Alphabet Book with Intention.

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

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