featured Archives - Independent Book Review https://independentbookreview.com/category/featured/ A Celebration of Indie Press and Self-Published Books Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:58:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/independentbookreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Untitled-design-100.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 featured Archives - Independent Book Review https://independentbookreview.com/category/featured/ 32 32 144643167 Literary Fiction Books That Are Punk AF https://independentbookreview.com/2025/06/10/literary-fiction-books-that-are-punk-af/ https://independentbookreview.com/2025/06/10/literary-fiction-books-that-are-punk-af/#respond Tue, 10 Jun 2025 11:33:00 +0000 https://independentbookreview.com/?p=87893 Indie lit has always been counterculture. Check out Nick Gardner's list of seven literary fiction books that are punk AF.

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]]> Literary Fiction Books That Are Punk AF

by Nick Gardner

Indie lit has always been counterculture.

It would honestly be nuts for a small press to open their door to submissions without the desire to fight the status quo. The very idea of indie lit is anticapitalist (small presses probably won’t get you rich), anti-establishment (the “Big Five” can eat it), and, for the most part, small presses like fiction that breaks the rules. But what makes a book punk-as-fuck goes beyond the author’s antiauthoritarian leanings. It must have some other pull. It needs music.

While this list is far from exhaustive, it focuses on books of literary fiction that don’t just have that punk fierceness, that blatant challenging of authority, but those that also have the music.

Think Bad Brains, Buzzcocks, Pere Ubu. You can get behind the lyrics, the message, the ethos, the power, but a punk group is nothing if the sound doesn’t make you want to mosh. That’s what makes these specific literary fiction authors stand out: not only the shared goal of challenging the way the reader sees the world, but also an understanding of the aesthetic necessary to keep a reader glued to the page. 

Here are 7 literary fiction books that challenge the status quo.

(Book lists on Independent Book Review are chosen by very picky people. As affiliates, we earn a commission on books you purchase through our links.)

1. Someone Who Isn’t Me

Author: Geoff Rickly

Publisher: Rose Books (2023)

Print Length: 258 pages

ISBN: 9798987581827



Okay, some can argue that he’s more post-hardcore than punk, but Geoff Rickly’s debut novel, Someone Who Isn’t Me, hums with musical prose that rivals the best lyrical writers of literary fiction.

A heroin addict and lead singer, the protagonist, Geoff, seeks sobriety through the psychedelic drug Ibogaine. His trip sends him on a psychic spiral through his guilt-laden past, forcing him to contend with the person he has become. Rickly depicts Geoff’s wild tour across the United States, not holding back on the bickering or the drugs. It’s a dirty novel in the way that addiction can be dirty. But it also breaks the trend of stories about addiction. Refusing to pause on the fallout, Rickly writes beyond into recovery and hope. 

2. No Names

Author: Greg Hewett

Publisher: Coffee House Press (April 2025)

Print Length: 352 pages

ISBN: 9781566897259


Greg Hewett’s No Names is by far the slowest moving of the works of literary fiction in this list. Think Sleep’s Dopesmoker. Okay, maybe it’s doom metal. Whatever the case, punk is the root.

As Hewett skips around from POV to POV, a large focus is a punk band called, of course, The No Names, and the sketchy European tour that ended the band. But there’s also quite a bit of classical music in the background, as well as a long exploration of friendships entangled with sexual experimentation. Maybe the end drags on a bit longer than expected, but the prose holds up, a song that slowly diminishes rather than ending with a crash. 

Looking for more literary fiction recommendations? Check out our best books of 2024!

3. Earth Angel

Author: Madeline Cash

Publisher: CLASH Books (April 18, 2023)

Print Length: 152 pages

ISBN: 9781955904698

Easy to read cover-to-cover in a single sitting, Earth Angel is all power chords, heavy and fast. Cash’s sentences are short and piercing and her endings cut to nothing rather than attempting a summation or even a meaning. Because everything is meaningless, right? 

Think Biblical plagues, Isis recruits, childless millennials and millennials with children that they’re not quite sure what to do with. Think designer drugs, broke city dwellers, homicidal fantasies, porn. Maybe Earth Angel is too modern to hold to the ‘80s DIY ethos, but it’s still counterculture AF. It still questions authority, culture, and god. It’s a witty collection for confused kids who definitely don’t want to grow up.

4. Scumbag Summer

Author: Jillian Luft

Publisher: House of Vlad Press (June 2024)

Print Length: 192 pages

ISBN: 9798320644059


More sex, more drugs, more blood and fallout, Scumbag Summer explores smoky bowling alleys and dive bars, the crass scenery of Orlando. Though she’s a college grad, the protagonist seems intent on continuing her nihilistic young-adulthood, refusing to settle into any kind of square, middle class grind.

Orlando for her is No Doz and 7 layer burritos, and as she lodges herself more deeply into the dumpster fire, she spots the pages with social commentary, a distrust of wealth and power and an understanding of  “trash culture,” of those stuck in on the lower rungs of the social hierarchy who sometimes can’t even imagine the climb. Scumbag Summer also contains one of the most punk lines I’ve ever read: “Love is a friendly butcher.”

5. Ghosts of East Baltimore

Author: David Simmons

Publisher: Broken River Books (2022)

Print Length: 202 pages

ISBN: 9781940885544

A Baltimore native with a deep understanding of the underground, David Simmons shrugs off the rules in his debut literary crime thriller. As with the other books on this list, there’s a unique and manic music behind Simmons’ prose. It’s rough music, blasted loud. I mean what’s more punk than a protagonist named Worm who gets out of prison to find that he’s the only one who can take out a drug ring smuggling dangerous chemicals into his community?

Simmons raises the bar for punk AF literature with his cutting social commentary, including “crack epidemic” history lessons and a deep understanding of Baltimore’s crime and corruption-ridden past. 

6. Hellions

Author: Julia Elliott

Publisher: Tin House Books (April 15, 2025)

Print Length: 272 pages

ISBN: 9781963108064

Witches, Cryptids, Ghosts, and other supernatural entities plague the pages of Julia Elliott’s strange collection of longer short fiction. No flash stories here. But just like when you enter a DIY venue and feel surrounded by like minds, the pages of Hellions is a comforting place for those who have normalized the weird.

In “The Maiden,” a community trampoline allows a witchy girl to show up the popular kids with her otherworldly acrobatics before disappearing to her woodland squat. And in “Hellion,” a tough twelve-year-old tames an alligator. Elliott’s stories are filled with loners and weirdos outperforming their normative peers and youngsters challenging their parents’ conservative ideals. What’s more punk than that?

7. Hey You Assholes

Author: Kyle Seibel

Publisher: CLASH Books (March 25, 2025)

Print Length: 272 pages

ISBN: 9781960988393

Seibel’s story of trying to publish this debut book of short literary fiction, Hey You Assholes is filled with almost as many bizarre twists as the book itself. It reminds me of a 21st century reenactment of ‘80s punk bands banging down doors to book a studio or distro a record. He couldn’t have found a better home for his book than Clash Books, a publisher of some of the strangest and most energetic fiction on the market. Energetic is the word, because even the longer stories don’t stop driving. ThinkLandowner Plays Dopesmoker 666% Faster and with No Distortion.

Hey You Assholes is a deep dive into the lives of unpopular people: soft-hearted alcoholics, wiley factory workers, and Navy veterans who feel forever lost at sea. None of Seibel’s characters have money or power and they definitely don’t have any respect for The Man. 

Want some thrills in your bookshelf? Check out the best indie thrillers!

About the Author


Nick Gardner is a writer, teacher, and critic who has worked as a winemaker, chef, painter, shoe salesman, and addiction counselor. His latest collection of stories from the Rust Belt, Delinquents And Other Escape Attempts, is out now from Madrona Books. He lives in Ohio and Washington, DC and works as a beer and wine monger in Maryland.

Thank you for reading Nick Gardner’s “Literary Fiction Books That Are Punk AF!” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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]]> https://independentbookreview.com/2025/06/10/literary-fiction-books-that-are-punk-af/feed/ 0 87893 The Best Books We Read in 2024 https://independentbookreview.com/2024/12/04/the-best-books-we-read-in-2024/ https://independentbookreview.com/2024/12/04/the-best-books-we-read-in-2024/#comments Wed, 04 Dec 2024 13:31:13 +0000 https://independentbookreview.com/?p=83725 THE BEST BOOKS WE READ in 2024 is a collaborative book list by the reviewers at IBR in which they review the best books they read this year irrespective of their publication date. It consists solely of books by indie presses and indie authors.

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]]> The Best Books We Read in 2024

by Joe Walters & the IBR Staff

“Unforgettable!” “Perfect!” The best books we read in 2024.

We do things a little differently here at Independent Book Review.

We review indie books only, and we throw publication date out of the window. This best of the year book list ranges from 1899 to 2025, because what matters most is quality. Relevance is wrapped up in that, regardless of release date.

In previous years, we’ve asked our reviewers to include 3-5 of their best books of the year, but we’re bigger now. Our reviewer list has grown, and we’ve got all the more reason to zero in on the best of the best.

21 reviewers, only 2 books to choose as their best reads of 2024 (with some honorable mentions thrown in for good measure). Did your favorite indie make the cut?

Here are the best books we read in 2024.

1. Fire Exit

Author: Morgan Talty

Genre: Literary Fiction / Native American & Aboriginal Fiction

ISBN: 9781959030553

Print Length: 256 pages

Publisher: Tin House Books

In which a life can transform in the quiet

Charles Lamosway watches his daughter live a better life across the river from him. One where she fits in. Where she doesn’t know she’s half-white, half-unwelcome. Should Charles tell her he’s her father, or does not knowing what runs through her blood provide more for her than the truth would?

Fire Exit is one of those novels that comes across as quiet, but in the context of these people’s lives, it is earth-shattering. What is more powerful than blood? I left this novel knowing real people, ones I was sad to say goodbye to. This is an exquisite gem and one I’m proud to place at #1 on my list.

2. Nothing Left to Lose, or How Not to Start a Commune

Author: Jeff Richards

Genre: Memoir

ISBN: 9781953639202

Print Length: 268 pages

Publisher: Circuit Breaker Books

All your favorite 70s stereotypes come to life in this laugh out loud hippie memoir

Memoirs can be about nothing and everything. Or they can be Nothing Left to Lose, one person’s story that represents so many people’s stories.

How could author Jeff Richards possibly have done all of what we imagine the 70s counterculture movement to do? Drugs, sex, road trips, communes, you name it. Jeff Richards has done it. Some memoirs are about the content; some about the prose. This is both.

I didn’t want to put a book with a 2025 release date in my best reading of 2024 list, but once I finished Nothing Left to Lose, I had no choice. Put this on your radar now before it floors it out of town.

Honorable Mentions:

1. Ohmigod!

Author: Aaron Asadi

Genre: Literary Fiction / Humor

ISBN: 9781399985819

Print Length: 234 pages

A funny, inventive story about a man with anxiety and the return of god

How many people have thought about what life would be like if their god came back to Earth as he’s promised? What would you say? What would you wear? Aaron Asadi takes the return to places you’ve never imagined (and won’t expect) in Ohmigod!

I’m still debating what I think everything means in this story—the mark of a damn good, thought-provoking novel. A couple times, my mouth hung wide open. I gasped. Laughed. And yet, the writing style is so casual that things feel calm right before they explode. It makes big reveals feel even bigger. 

I read Ohmigod! with haste and excitement. Asadi takes what could be a common or simple idea and transforms it into something creative and digestible and funny and kinda scary but also somehow super chill. I could talk about this book for a long time. Someone ask me!

2. Until the Streetlights Come On

Author: Ginny Yurich, M.E.d.

Genre: Nonfiction / Parenting

ISBN: 9781540903402

Print Length: 224 pages

Publisher: Baker Book House

The PERFECT read for parents looking to simplify their lives with the outdoors.

Slow down and enhance your natural rhythm from being outside more! There are so many parenting books to read as a new parent, but this has been far and away the most impactful one for me. Your kids need to go outside at any age. Matter of fact, I do too. Learn how and why in this supremely important, accessible book.

Give to yourself this holiday season! Here are the BEST gifts for book lovers.

1. Apocalypsing

Author: Jason Anderson

Genre: Science Fiction / Satire

ISBN: 9798990230972

Print Length: 308 pages

Publisher: Roadside Press

Death and the apocalypse is as good a time as any to take charge of your life.

Domestic foibles. Impending armageddon. Aliens in the transdimensional afterlife. Jason Anderson’s Apocalypsing is a quick-witted, pop-culture savvy, sci-fi satire that is equal parts absurd and introspective.

The apocalypse will not simply be a tragedy to live through, but an active verb of what the people will do to save each other’s souls in the end times. This book is hilarious, current, and—at times—tender. An excellent choice for fans of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Good Omens.

2. The Peril of Remembering Nice Things

Author: Jeffrey Wade Gibbs

Genre: Memoir

ISBN: 9781953932297

Print Length: 284 pages

Publisher: April Gloaming Publishing

A powerful memoir reminding us to find the truth in our stories when both history and memory fail us 

History is rarely captured in its nuanced entirety; the full truth often lies in the shadows of the stories left untold. Jeffrey Wade Gibbs’s memoir shines a light on repressed memories and warped histories through an investigation guided by the heart.

Well researched & beautifully written, this memoir is as much an ode to the American South as it is an indictment of it. Here, readers will come to see that to truly love something is to also be critical of its failings. 

Honorable Mentions:

1. Where When It Rains

Author: John F. Duffy

Genre: Literary Fiction

ISBN: 9798218456955

Print Length: 302 pages

Hedonism meets consequences in this sumptuously devastating literary novel. 

Where When It Rains is a devastating study of the consequences of living as though the world and everything in it is meaningless. While the characters are a lost, numbed, and nihilistic lot, there’s an underlying thoughtfulness to them that makes them feel incredibly authentic. These are people who have been disappointed by life time and time again, who don’t have the language for the emotions they’re feeling. So they brush them away with drugs and alcohol and the companionship of others who care as little as themselves.

While other novels explore this sort of hard-nosed cynicism, few show the raw vulnerability and deep humanity lying under the façade. As painful as it can be at times, Where When It Rains is lovely. Dark, bleak, and hopeless, but lovely nonetheless.

2. Whiskey Wars

Author: Sherilyn Decter

Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / Historical

ISBN: 9781777515171

Print Length: 358 pages

The stakes just keep climbing in this satisfying prohibition-era mystery series.

The thing I’ve admired in every one of the Moonshiner Mysteries so far is the fact that the formula changes so drastically. The characters grow in each novel; there’s no systematic paint-by-numbers plot line. The story follows whatever trajectory it needs to reach a satisfying conclusion.

This latest installment has all the charm and excitement that fans will expect and enough historical clout and action to hook new readers. It’s about a moonshiner in Montana whose moonshine still is destroyed, and she turns to prohibition icon Mickey Duffy for help.

Honorable Mentions:

  • The House on Constantinople by Howard Wetsman (Amazon | Review)

1. Glitches of Gods

Author: Jurgen “Jojo” Appelo

Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy

ISBN: 9789083423616

Print Length: 524 pages

A genius engineer cultivates the next big thing in AI and keeps rebooting himself into different realities

Julien may be my favorite fictional character of the year. I remain in awe of him like a professor whose work I just discovered, and I also really want to be his friend. Julien is laugh-out-loud funny even when he’s having miserable banter with his AI assistant. He’s just doing his best in an impossible situation. 

I can’t thank the author enough for Glitches of Gods existing as a reminder there’s always human-made art out there for those who seek it; that there are still people who care about humanity and who care about creating clever stories that convey a powerful message. I could not recommend this story more, especially if you love sci-fi and imaginative future-tech, but are feeling overwhelmed or disheartened by the current mainstream conversation around AI and how it has permeated the zeitgeist.

2. A Bitter Pill (The Bookshop Mysteries, 1)

Author: S.A. Reeves

Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / Cozy

ISBN: 9781068720932

Print Length: 306 pages

A charming, bookish modern mystery

Bitter Pill never loses focus from its charming setting and instantly adorable leading ladies: bookshop employees chasing leads and questioning potential suspects, while trying to brim up sales for their beloved Bookworm. 

I feel as though I’ve found my new favorite bookshop. Only caveat is that I’ll have to open Bitter Pill to visit it again and again. Fans of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building are a perfect match for this novel, as t is brewed with an intergenerational detective duo and a balanced blend of time-honored wisdom and considered insight from its older characters. 

Honorable Mentions:

1. The Wood Sprite

Author: James Dobie

Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / Paranormal

ISBN: 9798987133835

Print Length: 358 pages

About as wild as thrillers get

The Wood Sprite by James Dobie is filled with surprises. It drips with murder, horror, and strange family secrets straight out of a V.C. Andrews novel.

Each chapter in this alluringly dark novel is a cliffhanger. You’ll struggle to catch your breath, just as Dobie’s characters do. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but you won’t stop reading despite the heart-pounding trepidation. Paranormal thriller fans should definitely pick this up.

2. Mimic

Author: T. Kolodziej

Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / Supernatural

ISBN: 9781738779758

Print Length: 320 pages

An exciting paranormal adventure with a swirl of the macabre, mystery, and some downright creepiness

Content creator Damion Beck is last seen on a livestream playing with a spirit board. His whereabouts are unknown from the moment his camera malfunctions. Initially, people believe the culprit behind Damion’s death is an ordinary human criminal, but the more that psychic Dee King dives into the case, the more she realizes the murder suspect might be a multi-dimensional monstrosity. 

Mimic’s mystery and plot twists are its sparkling stand-out features, and this mystical creature makes it a real page-turner, especially once you venture through the puzzle of its purpose. 

A fun, fast-paced joyride. Mimic has it all.

Honorable Mentions:

1. A Sense for Memory

Author: R.H. Stevens

Genre: Science Fiction / Illustrated

ISBN: 9780645922424

Print Length: 371 pages

An unforgettable immersion—smart science fiction at its very best

Immersive details yield a great narrative experience for the reader in this collection of two novellas. The book’s worldbuilding is impressive, exquisitely detailed in every aspect from geography to biology to cultural norms. The individuals and societies portrayed would be called “alien” by humans, but we’re not there. While the conflicts are relatable to planet Earth, there are no Sol system explorers to weigh in with opinions.

A Sense for Memory raises important political and ecofiction themes too: How does society balance individual rights with society’s needs? What is cruel punishment? What are sentient beings’ responsibilities to the land and “lower” animal and plant life?

This book is a real pleasure to read.

2. Deluge

Author: Carolyn Watson Dubisch

Genre: Middle Grade / Graphic Novel

ISBN: 9781312369603

Print Length: 50 pages

Laura’s new town is cursed in ways both obvious and hidden.

In Deluge: The People That Melt in the Rain, a stranger comes to town. Yet it’s the town itself that’s strange; the new girl, Laura, appears to be perfectly normal. Laura and her mom move to Deluge for a new, perhaps too-good-to-be true, job. But they are immediately confronted by a frog-infested rain shower, a wonderful opening scene for the graphic novel.

Deluge’s illustrations are phenomenal. The drawings are realistic, with palettes ranging from muted to colorful, depending on the needs of the narrative. Deluge will appeal to readers young and old, both for its interesting story, appealing characters with real problems, supernatural and mysterious aspects, and beautiful graphics. 

Honorable Mentions:

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1. The Tower of Love

Author: Rachilde

Translator: Jennifer Higgins

Genre: Literary Fiction

ISBN: 9781962728003

Print Length: 176 pages

Publisher: Wakefield Press

Gothic, gorgeous, thrilling, unnerving, and deliriously ahead of its time 

The Tower of Love is a strange, 125-year old book by a transgressive French author who was known for cross-dressing (illegal in France at the time), spent two years in prison for the publication of one of her novels, and otherwise broke every imaginable rule. Given Rachilde’s undertakings, I was floored by the simple narrative force of this novel about two men locked in a lighthouse together.

There are echoes of Melville’s Ishmael in the shifting naivety of the lighthouse-keeping narrator Jean Maleux. But behind his naivety are reverberations of a knowledge he won’t share, histories we don’t have access to. Frankly, the book is as deep as a well and the definition of a must read.

2. Tap Dancing on Everest

Author: Mimi Zieman, MD

Genre: Memoir / Climbing

ISBN: 9781493078431

Print Length: 244 pages

A riveting memoir about the travails of growing up, the trauma of mountain climbing, and the elation of being in the great outdoors

Beginning at the dramatic climax of a years-in-the-making expedition to climb Everest’s east face without oxygen for the first time, Zieman’s memoir doubles back to trace the bumpy path that led her to become the team medical officer as a twenty-five year old medical school student. 

What materializes is a deep portrait of Mimi’s youth and milieu in New York as the ambitious daughter of two Holocaust survivors. 

The overall quality of the writing in this book is exceptional. The memoir’s many large and small vignettes, its minor characters and central ones all leap into focus. Whether Zieman’s haunted, psychotherapist father or a boy that she rescues in a climbing accident, personality and life abound. A beautiful, wrenching story about the trials that we endure and the rewards we reap.

Honorable Mention:

  • The Thinking-About-Gladys-Machine by Mario Levrero (Bookshop | Amazon)
  • The Hidden Power of Rising Dividends by Greg Donaldson (Amazon | Review)

1. No One Left

Author: Lisa Boyle

Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / Crime

ISBN: 9781736607794

Print Length: 348 pages

Deception and discrimination threaten life and liberty on a Navajo reservation in this stellar crime thriller. 

No One Left is an intricately plotted and action-packed sequel to In the Silence of Decay. As the first book makes clear, life in New Mexico in the late 1970s is far from paradise, especially for the Native American community living on the reservation near Sanostee.

The murder mystery at the heart of No One Left proves to be even more complex and convoluted than it initially appears, giving way for a number of twists and turns as the story progresses. The story imparts with some keen social commentary and historical insight along with its compelling thriller aspects.

A rip-roaring and conspiracy-filled crime novel with good characters and even better curveballs.  

2. Blood and Mascara

Author: Colin Krainin

Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / Detective

ISBN: 9798989986804

Print Length: 292 pages

A hard-boiled detective story set in the late 1990s but with more than a hint of classic noir like The Big Sleep and The Maltese Falcon

Colin Krainin’s Blood and Mascara traverses the seamier side of Washington, DC and exposes all the blood, gore, and corruption to be found there. Through pitch-perfect PI dialogue and a plot packed with political duplicity, sleaze, and casual violence, Krainin presents a fiendish murder mystery that shines a light on both the best and worst of humanity.

An old-school detective novel with modern sensibilities and a healthy dose of nastiness, Blood and Mascara pairs an engagingly flawed PI with an eclectic supporting cast and pits them against both a complex plot and a host of nefarious villains. 

Honorable Mention:

1. Patterns

Author: H.L. Gaydos

Genre: Memoir / Art

ISBN: 9798891321861

Print Length: 198 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

A beautiful take on how the moments that make up the story of a life can only be fully revealed with the perspective of time

In Patterns: The Mystical Journey of an Ordinary Life, visual artist, professor, and long-time psychiatric nurse Honey Lee Gaydos combines memories and collage art in a look back at pivotal moments in her life. 

Though to outsiders these moments would seem mostly unremarkable, they are laden with a rush of feeling for the author, and they lead to changes in her life that are at times small and at times large, from adjusting her outlook to uprooting her life and moving to another state.

Patterns is an exquisite combination of powerful art and evocative prose. It’s a journey into beauty and emotion by embracing one’s own complicated nature and the confounding forces of the world we inhabit. 

2. The Last Whaler

Author: Cynthia Reeves

Genre: Historical Fiction / Literary

ISBN: 9781646035083

Print Length: 326 pages

Publisher: Regal House Publishing

A dark, emotional tale about facing the harshness of grief while living through a brutal, sunless Arctic winter

Astrid thought she could do it. She thought she could accompany her husband, Tor, to his beluga whaling station for the hunting season. In some ways, she was right. In others, not quite.

Just as they think their trials in the harsh north are over, one miscalculation leaves them stranded, facing the long cold period of 24-hour darkness, when the sun doesn’t rise for months.

The Last Whaler touches on themes of isolation, faith, and storytelling to process life’s darker moments. It meditates on the effect humans have when engaged in large-scale hunting in delicate ecosystems. It’s about these big themes, but it’s also about the struggle of a single person to stay alive despite overwhelming grief. Then to stay alive despite overwhelming odds. It’s about how the dangers that lurk within us are as terrifying as those to be found without. And the dogged impulse of the living to keep on living. 

Honorable Mention:

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1. Bad Foundations

Author: Brian Allen Carr

Genre: Literary Fiction / Absurdist

ISBN: 9781955904865

Print Length: 256 pages

Publisher: Clash Books

A working-class White Noise, a story about family, crap jobs, paranoia, and an uncertain future

Cook works in crawl spaces, inspecting them for rot, but even when he emerges from the claustrophobic confines, driving across Indiana to the next client, the crawl follows him.

From the canon of working-class literature and literary family stories comes Bad Foundations, an unputdownable dive into the crawlspace sludge of a working man’s life and the inevitable rebirth that comes when he emerges to see his family in a not-so-blindingly-fluorescent light.

2. The Body Is a Temporary Gathering Place

Author: Andrew Bertaina

Genre: Essays

ISBN: 9781957392301

Print Length: 184 pages

Publisher: Autofocus Books

Bertaina is at his best in this collection of meditative essays on fatherhood, marriage, and self

Each essay is incredibly personal, holding nothing back, bearing all. It’s funny. It’s deep. It will glue you to your seat pondering your own life, finding those strange connections between the internal and external worlds that make up a life.

Honorable Mentions:

1. 1986

Author: Will Stepp

Genre: Literary Fiction / Short Stories

ISBN: 9798991503600

Print Length: 164 pages

Atmospheric & real—a recollective mood on childhood, family, and friends in the 1980s, coated with the nostalgia of times gone by

1986 is a collection of interlinked short stories following an unnamed boy—turned teen, turned man—and his ever-so-relatable childhood, filled with Nintendos, G.I. Joe’s, Garbage Pail Kid cards, and all the things they could get in trouble for when they’re bored and have friends they want to impress. 

This book is about the feeling. The atmosphere. The time. The things we can’t forget, well into adulthood. We can learn so much from kids, as long as we’re willing enough to listen. This is the only childhood they’ve got, and they’re doing things you’re too afraid to do. Jump back in time with your old self in this knife-sharp story collection.

2. What We Tried to Bury Grows Here

Author: Julian Zabalbeascoa

Genre: Literary Fiction / Historical

ISBN: 9781953387530

Print Length: 300 pages

Publisher: Two Dollar Radio

A dynamic tale built of different voices and the comprehensive struggles of war

In 1936, Isidro Elejalde leaves his Basque village in Northern Spain to join the combat against the fascist forces in the Spanish Civil War. While Isidro serves as the story’s central figure, his journey unfolds through a web of compelling voices, all telling of his life and simultaneously exposing the larger story. 

Zabalbeascoa’s debut is a sharply compelling exploration of complex war-time themes, featuring a propulsive narrative structure and a story that challenges readers to consider the need for human empathy in the most difficult times.

“I want this war to end,” I said, “but I want to preserve life. Are both things possible?”

Honorable Mentions:

1. Children of Madness

Author: Jarrett Brandon Early

Genre: Fantasy / Epic

ISBN: 9781734231489

Print Length: 684 pages

Stranger Things meets Lord of the Rings in a new generation’s classic fantasy epic.

Children of Madness is an epic adventure led by a new group of heroes that will capture even the coldest of hearts. Readers will fall in love with the Sour Flower Gang almost instantly. As a group, they’re whip-smart and skilled. They vote for things as a group, swear profusely, and often are filled with joy despite considerable circumstances. 

Early manages to balance light and dark throughout an immense journey, not only by including scenes where kids can be kids, but also by infusing supporting characters with some measure of both good and evil. 

With winning characters and fantastic creatures and locations, Children of Madness feels like it could be read straight from a leather-bound book with gold leaf edges and all. Timeless. 

2. Bomb Island

Author: Stephen Hundley

Genre: Literary Fiction / Coming of Age

ISBN: 9798885740258

Print Length: 224 pages

Publisher: Hub City Press

A tense coming-of-age tale about a boy’s last few weeks in a commune off the coast of Georgia

Fish lives on an island with his found family: Whistle, his “sage-mother;” Reef, the “young man;” Nutzo, “the old man;” and Sugar, a full-grown white tiger. But Sugar’s behavior becomes more predatory, and Nutzo goes missing. When Fish meets a girl on the mainland, he finds himself stuck between vastly different worlds. 

Bomb Island is packed with evocative symbolism and big-hearted character dynamics, making for a cataclysmic, fast-paced story that kept me reading through the night.  

Honorable Mentions:

1. Our Daughter Who Art In America

Editor: Mukana Press

Genre: Short Story Anthology / African

ISBN: 9798989694617

Print Length: 144 pages

Publisher: Mukana Press


Smart, heartfelt stories that challenge norms and spark important conversations

From the bustling and chaotic atmosphere of Lagos markets to the dark shorelines of South Africa to the hot territory of Kenya, Our Daughter, Who Art In America is a diverse, poignant, and engaging anthology that transcends borders and invites readers into the heart of human experience and African culture. 

The book—collectively authored by eleven talented African writers from different parts of the world—navigates the theme of grief with a nuanced and multifaceted approach. Across the anthology, grief is explored not merely as a standalone emotion but as an intricate part of the human experience, intertwined with other themes like motherhood, resilience, cultural identity, and societal norms. It’s a thought-provoking kaleidoscopic view of the human experience.

2. The Significance of Curly Hair

Author: Kara L. Zajac

Genre: Memoir / Grief & Loss

ISBN: 9798891322868

Print Length: 364 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

A poignant story about the bond between a granddaughter and her grandmother

The Significance of Curly Hair is a heartwarming and enlightening memoir that reminds us to cherish our time with our loved ones. Through a six-day account, author Kara L. Zajac takes us on a journey of grief, healing, family bonding, and hope.

The Significance of Curly Hair is more than a memoir of loss; it is a celebration of life, love, and family. It serves as a special reminder to appreciate the present and hold our loved ones close.

1. A Thousand Tiny Stitches

Author: Stephanie Claypool

Genre: Literary Fiction

ISBN: 9798891324183

Print Length: 314 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

A tender tale about making a late daughter’s dreams come true

After a tragedy takes the lives of her daughter Amanda and her son-in-law Matt, Lily Wolfe becomes the caretaker of her heartbroken eight-year-old granddaughter Emma. Lily is left to deal with Amanda’s estate, including the house she dreamed of turning into a quilt shop. 

A Thousand Tiny Stitches takes the mentality of “it takes a village to raise a child” and applies it to a bigger picture concept: it takes a village to make dreams happen. Throughout the novel, the compassion and aid from others is endless. I loved the emotion and interpersonal lives of her cast of characters, and I’m confident you will too. Stephanie Claypool pens a masterful story of grief, love, and hard work with this one. 

2. Not the Same River

Author: W.A. Polf

Genre: Short Story Collection

ISBN: 9798891323056

Print Length: 316 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Discover the profound within the ordinary with this impactful collection.

W. A. Polf’s Not The Same River explores the timelessness of the ordinary experiences that make life extraordinary. Polf’s stories traverse the terrain of turmoil and triumph, even when triumph looks a little more commonplace than you might expect.

Not the Same River exemplifies what depth of character and emotion can look like on the page. Each story will give you something real & genuine to think about. There’s something absolutely wonderful and haunting about these stories and how they make you look at life.

Honorable Mentions:

1. Strings

Author: Joseph Edwin Haeger

Genre: Literary Fiction / Speculative

ISBN: 9798325616952

Print Length: 295 pages

An intricately woven exploration of one man’s journey through the splintered possibilities of fatherhood

Fatherhood is redefined through speculative glimpses of love, fear, and uncertain futures in Joseph Edwin Haeger’s Strings. In the aftermath of an explosion, William, our protagonist, is consumed by an overwhelming fear for his unborn child, a fear that unravels his mind across three distinct narratives.

Despite the fear and uncertainty, despite the heartbreak that inevitably comes with bringing a new life into the world, William’s love for his child is the one constant across every reality. It’s a love that transcends the narrative and consumes and defines him, even as he struggles to reconcile it with his own sense of self.

Haeger’s portrayal of William’s fragmented realities offers readers a glimpse into the universal fear of parenthood—the fear of failing, of losing control, of not being enough. And yet, within this fear lies a quiet hope, a recognition that, while we may not be able to control the world around us, we can still choose to love fiercely, even when the future remains uncertain.

2. Angry Daughter

Author: Nanci Lamborn

Genre: Memoir / Religious

ISBN: 9798218372965

Print Length: 216 pages

A remarkable memoir where the path from resentment to redemption unfolds with stark honesty and unwavering faith 

Nanci Lamborn’s debut is an introspective exploration of forgiveness, redemption, and the transformative power of faith from a Christian perspective. Through her raw and poignant narrative, Lamborn invites readers into the tumultuous landscape of her past, where buried wounds of shame, rejection, and abandonment festered beneath the surface. 

Lamborn’s narrative serves as a testament to the transformative potential of compassion and empathy, offering readers a glimpse into the profound beauty that can emerge from the depths of pain and suffering. In the end, Lamborn’s journey toward forgiveness is an inspiring reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the boundless capacity for healing and reconciliation. 

Honorable Mentions:

1. Flicker

Author: Matthew J. McKee

Genre: Literary Fiction / Mystery

ISBN: 9798891321854

Print Length: 254 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Flicker ignites thrill and excitement while examining humanity’s chaos and despair.

The Northern District has an arsonist who is consistently burning down houses in the middle of the night. This arsonist is Flicker‘s narrator and protagonist, Heat Agaki, a teenage girl who dreams of setting everything aflame. 

The passion for fire lives within Heat, and soon that drive to burn it all down begins to take on a mind of its own. When the fireball within her takes more control, Heat continues to self-ignite and spin out of control. Her emotional turmoil feels intimate and raw, especially when she talks directly to the reader.

Flicker adeptly explores the human psyche—an additive thought-provoking layer to the novel. One thing’s for sure: It will leave you with a burning desire for the sequel.

2. Sacred Blood

Author: C.T. Clark

Genre: Science Fiction / Action & Adventure

ISBN: 9781962600002

Print Length: 367 pages

Fascinating technology, crazy schemes, and a bit of freaky science

Adam is part of a technically discontinued experiment: The Phoenix Elite Initiative. It is made up of seven individuals cloned from historical figures who are tasked with saving the world against nuclear destruction.

Lovers of of history, science, and military strategy will be floored at all of what this fast-paced, action-packed story does.

Honorable Mentions:

  • The Rookie Spellslinger by Patricia Harrington Duff (Amazon | Review)

1. No Good Deed

Author: Jack Wallace

Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / Crime

ISBN: 9798891320529

Print Length: 268 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

A novel with a soul that entertains as it educates about sex trafficking and the individuals sucked into its diabolical orbit

Inspired by true events, Wallace’s impressive sophomore novel No Good Deed examines the seedy criminal underworld of sex trafficking in the American South. It’s a compulsive story of everyday people selflessly sacrificing to help those in need among us. 

His protagonists are good people facing unspeakable brutality and evil; they are ordinary people thrust into becoming the heroes they never knew they were. No Good Deed is a superbly written and propulsive story with an unforgettable climax.

2. Half the World

Author: Leissa Shahrak

Genre: Historical Fiction

ISBN: 9798891323803

Print Length: 292 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

An enchanting historical novel set in a deeply suspicious society ripe for rebellion

In 1977, newlyweds Angela and Doug Weston arrive in Iran for an opportunity to build a nest egg and enjoy the beauty of Persian culture, but they are not prepared for awaits them in Half the World. 

This is an authentic story, lushly told, perhaps because Shahrak experienced the Iranian Revolution firsthand. Her depictions of pre-Revolution Iran with its walled gardens, majestic mosques, and the squalid living conditions of the have-nots of Esfahani society are well-drawn and compelling, painting a portrait of an oppressed society on the cusp of overthrowing the shackles of one regime, only to choose the shackles of another.

What makes Half the World so enchanting is not only Shahrak’s fertile prose and convincing characters, but her obvious love of Persian society and culture that blooms on every page, leaving a whiff of bittersweet nostalgia for a world that no longer exists.  

Honorable Mentions:

1. Chained Birds

Author: Carla Conti

Genre: Memoir / True Crime

ISBN: 9781964730066

Print Length: 436 pages

A compelling true crime exposé of a corrupt prison program and the lives forever changed when it was brought to light

Carla Conti is a true crime journalist and staunch prison reform advocate. In Chained Birds, Conti becomes part of the story herself. 

It all started with a snowball, and it would, pardon the pun, snowball into something more. One inmate launched a snowball at a corrections officer before assaulting him—the officer’s revenge led to an orchestrated rec cage assault that involved Conti’s subject, Kevin Sanders, through no fault of his own. This is the event that brought him to Conti’s attention, as well as the prison’s Special Management Unit, which turned out to be rife with abuse, corruption, and violence.

Conti writes with an endearing balance of humor and passion, and she is a driven and intelligent advocate for those without a voice. Without her assistance on Sanders’s case, he might have disappeared into the system and the SMU program may have gone unnoticed.

Chained Birds is like two great books in one: a captivating true crime story that exposes a deplorable prison program and an engrossing memoir of a journalist making a difference.

2. The Reverse Tower

Author: Fay Lanark

Genre: Fantasy / Dark

ISBN: 9798871588307

Print Length: 381 pages

A dark fantasy with lyrical prose, vibrant characters, and a harrowing mystery

The world of Asp is one of wonder, magic, and violence where mages can command bones, blood, and gore to their bidding. But as dark and ominous as Asp is, there is another land that pulls people into a hellscape. An endless desert stretching beyond the horizon and nothing in sight save a singular tower. A tower that hangs in the sky pointed downward with no apparent end. And all are drawn to it. 

The worldbuilding is intense, deep, and engrossing. The world of Asp has a fantastic but familiar feel to it, almost as if it were Earth but centuries beyond some apocalypse. The Reverse Tower is dark and fascinating, a building that’s part community and part otherworldly being. 

For every touch of normalcy, there’s a pool of unreal magic and wonder. It’s a dark tale of mystery and violence with broken people driven to survive under the watchful eye of a sentient tower hanging impossibly in the sky.

Honorable Mentions:

1. Taxonomic Vignettes

Author: Alan Cohen

Genre: Poetry

ISBN: 9798891324237

Print Length: 192 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

A powerful, well-crafted, and intelligent collection reflecting the realities of life and relationships

Taxonomic Vignettes dissects life and loss with genuineness. 

This poetry collection’s mastery is most evident in the portraits it paints of all the people who come and go in our lives. Peppered with pop culture and literature references, every stanza is smart and vulnerable simultaneously. Not only is it enjoyable to pick out all the references you’re familiar with, but the reference always adds a layer of deeper understanding to the surrounding stanzas. 

There’s such heartbreaking brilliance, vulnerability, and relatability in these poems.

2. Kat Girl

Author: Sarah Lahey

Genre: Literary / Romance

ISBN: 9780645835854

Print Length: 380 pages

A sexy romance that celebrates the power of second chances

Kat Girl gives all the romantic scenes you could hope for from the genre—from sweet to steamy—inviting us in on the action of a budding relationship. 

Still, it might be the focus on internal conflicts that attracted me the most. Kat’s still reeling from three failed marriages and an unspeakable loss. She’s trying to trust something good in her life while she’s facing her grief and baggage from her past to get the future she’s always wanted. 

On the Bridgerton scale of steamy, this one is definitely season three—except maybe a little steamier. Reach for Kat Girl if you’re looking for something hot to rev your power drill.

1. Tennis Players As Works of Art

Author: David Linebarger

Genre: Nonfiction / Sports

ISBN: 9798891324671

Print Length: 284 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press


Like a museum exhibit in a book—an impressive collection of art and prose celebrating tennis.

It took seven years for David Linebarger to assemble this collection of nearly seventy artworks by over forty artists, all directly connected to the sport of tennis. Each one is augmented by a brief page or two of original writing, with some quotes and excerpts creatively sprinkled in.

This book packs in a lot. Facts and biographical information mix comfortably with emotions spanning joy, anger, sadness, frustration, and even pathos. The common thread is a reverence for a sport anyone can play that comes across as genuine, not sentimental. 

Tennis Players as Works of Art is as rewarding as an absorbing museum exhibit, without having to leave your sofa or armchair. And not just for tennis aficionados.

2. The Sum of All Things

Author: Seb Doubinsky

Genre: Science Fiction / Satire

ISBN: 9781946154392

Print Length: 200 pages

Publisher: Meerkat Press

An intricately woven plot about saving Earth’s freedom with disparate, personable characters

In a not too distant future (the Internet and Google Translate are still current), Earth is on its way to yielding its freedoms to the Subliminal Empire. Other planets have already done this, and Vita is determined to not let Earth suffer her planet’s fate. 

The poetic economy of often very brief chapters amps up tension and propels the conflicts forward. Their symmetry brings cohesiveness in a prose showcase of the author’s apparent poetic talents.

This is a deftly packed & poetic novel that you’ll be glad you picked up.

Honorable Mentions:

What were the best books you read this year? Let us know in the comments!

About the Company

Independent Book Review is a celebration of indie press & self-published books. Founded in 2018, IBR now has over 30 readers with their noses constantly buried in badass indie books. Meet the Team | Get Your Book Reviewed | Instagram.

Thank you for reading The Best Books We Read in 2024! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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]]> https://independentbookreview.com/2024/12/04/the-best-books-we-read-in-2024/feed/ 2 83725 13 Witchy Books Perfect for Fall Reading https://independentbookreview.com/2024/10/14/13-witchy-books-perfect-for-fall-reading/ https://independentbookreview.com/2024/10/14/13-witchy-books-perfect-for-fall-reading/#comments Mon, 14 Oct 2024 12:10:00 +0000 https://independentbookreview.com/?p=82611 Ring in the spooky season with these magical fall reads. 13 witchy books to get you basking in the Fall vibes. Written by Carley Carver!

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]]> 13 Witchy Books Perfect for Fall Reading

by Carley Carver

Ring in the spooky season with these magical fall reads.

Autumn is here! Halloween is nipping at its heels. It’s time for witches, ghosts, and all manner of spooky creatures to arrive in our homes, on our screens, and in our books.

Some believe the supernatural veil is thinner this time of year. They go looking for inspiration. I’ve got it. If you just want a happy haunt to get into the spirit of the season, I’ve got that too. No matter your motivations, here are some spooky, witchy books I’d be glad to recommend.

And best of all, they’re all indie books!

Here are 13 witchy books to bask in Fall vibes.

1. Yew Hallow

Author: Alexandria Clarke

Subgenre: Paranormal / Romance

Print Length: 300 pages

ISBN: 9798339593270


Yew Hollow is a cozy mystery with a magical twist. Paranormal detective Morgan Summers hates working with ghosts, but she is tasked to work with one. When she gets entangled in the secrets behind the ghost’s untimely death, she herself is considered a suspect. And she’s going to have to work against town gossip to solve it. This book is quippy with just the right amount of mystery and romance woven in. 

2. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble

Author: HP Mallory

Subgenre: Witches & Vampires / Romance

Print Length: 245 pages

ISBN: 9798509712531

The first book of H.P. Mallory’s 39 part collection of magical romances, Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, feels like you’re hearing a story from your witchy best friend. Jolie, a witch living in Los Angeles, is hired by a handsome warlock to help a ghost. As they work together, they create more chaos when they accidentally raise the ghost from the dead.

This book has all the feels of a cozy romance with a generous amount of laughs along the way. 

What do you want for Christmas? Get these gifts for book lovers!

3. Fat Witch Summer

Author: Lizzy Ives

Subgenre: Witches / Friendship

Print Length: 318 pages

ISBN: 9780996232456

Publisher: Sounds True

Osmarra is a plus-sized witch about to come of age and receive her magical gifts, chosen by her mother. The only problem is that her mother is a slim glamor witch convinced that gifting Osmarra with the glamor gift will solve all their familial issues. Osmarra sets out on a summer road trip with other young witches on a mission to set their own destinies.

This is a light-hearted, comical book with body-positive messages and unexpected lessons. 

4. The Forgotten Witch

Author: Jessica Dodge

Subgenre: Romance

Print Length: 434 pages

ISBN: 9781737696650

Helen is burned out and tired of living in the city, so she makes a knee-jerk purchase and finds herself the new owner of a 500-year-old cottage in Scotland. In the cottage, she is introduced to a world of magic that she never knew was there. With the help of her handsome neighbor, she works to solve the mystery of this curious new home.

This book will keep you riveted! It’s got the right balance of genuine mystery and romance, and it’ll check all of your autumnal boxes. 

5. Dead Witch On a Bridge

Author: Gretchen Galway

Subgenre: Urban Fantasy

Print Length: 3388 pages

ISBN: 9781939872418

Another supernatural murder mystery to add to your reading list! Alma is a demon-hunting witch who finds herself at the center of a murder investigation thanks to some meddling fairies. In order to save herself, Alma must solve the murder and challenge a slew of unsavory (and dangerous) magical characters. 

6. The Last Witch of Scotland

Author: Philip Paris

Subgenre: Historical / World Lit

Print Length: 352 pages

ISBN: 9781785305245

Publisher: Black and White Publishing

This one is excellent for those always seeking more about real life witch hunts, as it follows the true story of the last person executed in the witch trials of Britain. Alia and her mother are left in pieces after a fire takes the life of her father. In an attempt to start over, they move to the small community of Loth. When a mysterious troupe of entertainers arrive, Alia is quickly drawn to them, churning up gossip from the people of Loth. 

Bedtime reading is the best time reading. Get yourself one of the best e-readers for the job.

7. The Sapling Cage

Author: Margaret Killjoy

Subgenre: Adventure / LGBTQ

Print Length: 321 pages

ISBN: 9781558613317

Publisher: Feminist Press

When a disease begins to kill trees in the forest, Lorel is keen to join up with the witches to find out why and how to stop it. But witches are all women, and Lorel was born a boy. Sapling Cage follows Lorel on her journey of identity, witchcraft, and covens in a novel Audrey Davis called, “a delight for anyone with a love of magical stories and high fantasy” [Review].

8. Burned: A Daughters of Salem Novel

Author: Kellie O’Neill

Subgenre: Historical / Salem

Print Length: 520 pages

ISBN: 9798989244348


A newly anointed witch, Eleanor, is balancing her normal life with witch lessons in the famed witchy town of Salem. When some of her fellow coven witches go missing, Eleanor teams up with her familiar to solve the mystery and in turn unearths a story that dates back to Salem’s infamous 17th century witch trials. Fans of Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will love this story. 

9. The Good Witch of the South

Author: T.C. Bartlett

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

Print Length: 354 pages

ISBN: 9781733908627

Publisher: Sandhill Publishers

Set in L. Frank Baum’s magical land of Oz, this story focuses on Samantha, daughter of Glinda the Good Witch. Samantha sets out on her own adventure to save the Land of Oz from a dark force rumored to be building an army to overthrow Oz. This book is great for any middle grade reader who is left wanting more from the world of Oz after Dorothy saves the day. 

10. I Escaped the Salem Witch Trials

Authors: Juliet Fry & Scott Peters

Subgenre: Historical / Adventure / Ages 8-12

Print Length: 118 pages

ISBN: 9781951019174

Another installment from the popular, “I Escaped” series, this 3rd grade level chapter book tells the story of Hannah, a young orphan who finds herself at the center of the suspicion and frenzy of her village’s witch hunt. Hannah, who is most certainly not a witch, must use her might and brains to escape her own witch trial. 

Surprise your kids with some of the best gifts for kids who love to read.

11. The Pomegranate Witch

Author: Denise Doyen

Subgenre: Spooky

Print Length: 40 pages / 4-8 year olds

ISBN: 9781452145891

Publisher: Chronicle Books

When a spooky tree begins to bloom juicy pomegranates on the property of the neighborhood witch, a group of children are tempted to harvest a few for themselves. By doing so, they invoke the great pomegranate war against their witchy neighbor. This story is silly and fun and perfect for readers looking for tricks and treats this Halloween season. 

12. Witchy Paths

Author: Cecily Ravenwood

Genre: Mysticism / Magic

Print Length: 52 pages

ISBN: 9798840474105

Half educational, half bedtime story magic, Witchy Paths introduces different types of witches to children in a fun and enlightening way. This quick read-aloud transports young readers into the world of magic and gently exposes them to all the ways of practicing their own magic. In addition to the storytelling, the watercolor art work is whimsical and breathtaking. 

13. The Witch’s Cat

Authors: Kirstie Watson & Magdalena Sawko

Genre: Picture Book / Ages 2-6

Print Length: 38 pages

ISBN: 9781914937064

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Sure-fire witchy fun for the littlest readers you know. This is a lighthearted rhyming story about a house cat who lives as a witch’s familiar and loves to stir up magic and mischief. A read-aloud story with quirky illustrations and fun imagery, you can bet any reader will be excited for Halloween after this one.

What are your favorite witchy books of all time? Let us know in the comments!

Author Bio

Carley Carver is an editorial lifestyle writer and aspiring novelist. She is based in North Carolina where she resides with her husband and their puppy, Daisy, and is a proud graduate of University of South Carolina. Carley is a lifelong bookworm who enjoys reading everything from the classics to modern romances. When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys traveling, getting outside and trying new recipes at home.

Thank you for reading “13 Witchy Books Perfect for Fall Reading!” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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]]> https://independentbookreview.com/2024/10/14/13-witchy-books-perfect-for-fall-reading/feed/ 1 82611 13+ Kids’ Books to Get Your Children Excited About Reading https://independentbookreview.com/2024/09/23/13-of-our-favorite-kids-books/ https://independentbookreview.com/2024/09/23/13-of-our-favorite-kids-books/#respond Mon, 23 Sep 2024 11:26:00 +0000 https://independentbookreview.com/?p=81404 Kids' books are like windows to a new world. Children enter this world knowing nothing, so how can we help them learn something? And have a great time while doing it? Read them these books!

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]]> 13+ Kids’ Books to Get Your Children Excited About Reading

by Toni Woodruff, Joe Walters, and Jaylynn Korrell

Kids’ books are like windows to a new world.

These little people are just trying to figure out this life on earth thing. They know only what they know, and we see why they know what they know, even how it differs or connects with our own understanding of the world.

That’s only one of the reasons why it’s so important to read kids’ books.

Sometimes it can be difficult to talk about certain subjects. Other times, they just never arise naturally enough for our little one to grow curious about it. Some books include topics we don’t even want to talk about to our kids yet, like death or brattiness, so which books are the ones you should get for your little one and the little ones around you?

This list includes picture books and board books, some suitable from ages 2-9. Some are nonfiction while others are about as fantastical as they come (I’m looking at you, Rainbow Goblins!).

If you’re looking to expand your little library or give an awesome kids’ book for your best friend’s baby shower, this list has you covered. And in true IBR fashion, they’re all indie books!

Here are 13 kids’ books that little ones love.

1. The Rainbow Goblins

Gorgeous paintings, creepy goblins, and a story of nature fighting back

Author: Ul de Rico

Subgenre: Fantasy & Magic

Print Length: 32 pages

ISBN: 9780500277591

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Recommended by: Joe Walters

Welcome to my absolute favorite purchase of 2024!

My daughter picked up The Rainbow Goblins in the Odyssey Bookstore in Ithaca, NY, and I was amazed with her quality control. And once you pick this thing up, you’ll see why.

The paintings are breathtaking, and it tells an oddly creepy (but not scary!) story about goblins who are trying to drink up all the colors of the rainbow until there’s nothing left. Everyone lives in fear of them, except for the Valley of the Rainbow. But when the goblins gather up their lassoes and set their sights on that, the roots of the trees and plants communicate to the nature around them that it’s time to fight back. And how!

Watch in absolutely gorgeous color as nature fights back against the rainbow goblins and ensures that rainbows are safe from their wrath once and for all.

It’s creative and long but not too long, and the pictures are a wonder to look at. A particularly good choice for book-loving, imaginative 3-year-olds all the way up to 9-year-olds.

–Joe Walters

2. My Father Once Told Me

Stellar! A Native Nations creation myth told with poetic language, magical illustrations, and love passed down

Author: Blas Telleria

Subgenre: Native American

Print Length: 54 pages

ISBN: 9798218417253

Recommended by: Joe Walters

Not often do I encounter kids’ books quite as beautiful as this one. I don’t want to exaggerate; don’t want to overdo it, make you think I’m being untrue for the sake of hyperbole. I just really want you and your kids to read this book. 

It’s a creation story that’s passed down from father to son about how the Great Spirit reached into the nothing of the universe and turned it into a Something. A big blue ball that his children—the animals of the sky—are enamored of. Oh, please, please, can we go in?

Salmon and Whale are the first to dive into the unknown blue. They are followed by Eagle and Crow taking to the skies, Tortoise and Turtle carrying mud on their backs from the ocean to build land to stand on. Moose, Water Snake, Wolf, beyond—the animals play and form the land in ways that are natural to them. Who else but Water Snake would form the rivers; who else but Beaver would create lakes and waterfalls? 

My Father Once Told Me is poetic but not in the sing-song way you’ve come to expect of children’s books. There are no rhymes here. But the story that the unnamed narrator father tells uses poetic techniques like repetition—“little” on the first page to contrast the one human against the big world—and personified language that floats through fire and air, up to sky, and moves stars around. 

The illustrations are equally magical. The animals and the land are freely flowing, like fluid movements akin to moving water, and the trees rise high and tall. Imprints of the animals’ bodies are even long like the trees. The water and the land and the lifeforms all flow together in soft palettes and pleasing tones of blue and green. And on the off-chance it’s not blue or green, orange and reds pop in eye-catching, still-fluid contrasts.

ut this isn’t all. It’s also got a deep conversation going on about myth as history. This story is passed down like all important stories are. It’s a father talking to a son like his father talked to him. Kids can gain access—maybe with a little help from their mom or dad—to the understanding of how history works. 

–Joe Walters

3. Fly High, Baby Dragon

A brave baby dragon and an encouraging yet patient mother star in Fly High, Baby Dragon—an easy choice for all-the-time reading.

Author: David Klochko

Subgenre: Dragons

Print Length: 26 pages

ISBN: 9798989991013

Recommended by: Toni Woodruff

Fly High, Baby Dragon checks all the boxes. It has a good story, good kids, good parenting, a good moral, great eye-popping illustrations, and, most importantly, it has actually captivated my little one. She wants to read it, and I’ll gladly open it again, knowing she’ll be learning about something relevant and encouraging while getting pulled in by the story. 

A baby dragon emerges from his shell excited to learn that he will soon be able to fly. But not before a little practice and a lot of patience after flying doesn’t come easily. Baby Dragon jumps off a cliff and falls and kerplunks and splats. He’s frustrated—he wants to give up—but he’s got one cool mom on his side, cheering him on when he gets back up again and taking him away to give him space and distract him from the problem at hand. She’s wonderfully patient, dances with him, feeds him delicious, big-bellied breakfasts, and allows him to make the decision to get back out there. To keep trying.

Riding a bike. Steering a scooter. Jumping at the trampoline park. Climbing the rock wall at the playground. My kid experiences failure at first attempt all the time. All I’ve ever wanted to communicate with her is in this book. Yes, you’re going to fall. Yes, it hurts to get hurt. But also yes, it can be worth it if you keep trying. And yet at the same time, it’s not worth panicking over. If you’re not ready to conquer it, try something else. Dance, eat. But don’t be afraid to try again when you feel ready.

–Toni Woodruff

Need more space for kids’ books? Here are our favorite kids’ bookshelf ideas!

4. Alphabreaths

A calming, fun tool to teach young’ins the power of breathwork

Author: Christopher Willard

Subgenre: Mindfulness / Alphabet

Print Length: 32 pages

ISBN: 9781683641971

Publisher: Sounds True

Recommended by: Joe Walters

It’s easy to take breathing for granted. It comes naturally and happens without us even thinking about it. But what about our little ones?

Breathing is one of my favorite parenting techniques: showing my babies that I’m focusing on breathing while they’re crying. This book brings the physical activity of breathing to the forefront and makes an alphabet game out of it.

Open your arms like an alligator on the in-breath, snap those jaws shut on the exhale. Flap your wings like a butterfly and breathe your way around the room. Envision you’re blowing out your birthday cake.

A great book to start your day with, one or two or three breathing and imagination activities to remind us that we are here on this earth and capable of conquering anything as long as we just keep breathing.

–Joe Walters

5. A Very Chilling Mystery

A creative and fun story that tests the limits of our imagination 

Author: Steve A. Erickson

Subgenre: Cooking & Food

Print Length: 52 pages

ISBN: 9781639882519

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Recommended by: Jaylynn Korrell

There’s a party going on in the fridge, and Erickson lets you in on it. It starts with an illustration of a little girl eyeing up the fridge from afar as the narrator invites us on a journey of confirmation that those delectables aren’t just lying around waiting to be enjoyed in there. 

Soon we’re taken through the shelves as foods and beverages go about their daily business, which includes things like playing baseball with a carrot bat, potatoes watching tv on a meatloaf couch, and beets rocking out on a drum set. In fact they’re doing everything but the nothing most people assume, and it’s awesome! 

The illustrations are what truly bring the book to life. As it takes place predominantly in the fridge, readers can look forward to a colorful display of fruits, vegetables, leftover dinners, and mysterious forgotten foods on each page. The illustrations are so inviting and professional but also look as if they’ve been done with crayon or colored pencil, giving them a youthful touch that matches the reading level perfectly. 

Children will enjoy Erickson’s rhythm and rhyme style of storytelling while adults will appreciate some of the more detailed aspects of the vegetable characters, like the half and half who can’t make up their mind or the beet who plays in a band called “The Beets,” written in the same font as “The Beatles.”

–Jaylynn Korrell

6. Over and Under the Pond

Take a dip beneath the boat in this calming and informative book on aquatic life.

Author: Kate Messner

Subgenre: Nature

Print Length: 48 pages

ISBN: 9781452145426

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Recommended by: Toni Woodruff

Part of a wonderful series, Over and Under the Pond follows a boy and his mother as they kayak over the water and talk about the life going on underneath them.

Talking about frogs, turtles, fish, beavers and even the animals who visit the water to get their meals and wash up (like moose!), this book is a trove of helpful information for kids who like to kayak and swim in natural waters.

While it can be enjoyed by younger audiences like 3 year olds, it can stay relevant in your bookshelves for years to come, maybe even as old as 12. Since it follows a mom and her son, it gives your story-loving little one something to cling to as they learn the nature lessons of the book.

–Toni Woodruff

7. The Boogie Barn Band

A fun, instructive tale about the impact that music has on people

Author: William Nephew and Natalie Neal

Subgenre: Music & Instruments

Print Length: 28 pages

ISBN: 9798989779727

Recommended by: Jaylynn Korrell

To me, the best kids’ books are the ones that entertain and teach. The Boogie Barn Band does both. On top of that, it gives kids the opportunity to be vocal and active. It’s a positive, upbeat story about musical barn animals and how they bring their community together. 

In the beginning, music beckons animals from all around town to a local farm. Soon the Boogie Barn has quite an audience on their hands—all excited to jam out. 

To get the concert underway, readers are introduced to each member of the band and the instruments they play. Each character has their own flare, and they do a great job explaining the role they play and the sounds each instrument makes.

The vibe is upbeat, exciting, and fun, and it’s reflected well in vivid illustrations and an array of your kids’ favorite animals. The happiness exudes off each character so the positive experience can be had by all. You won’t be able to resist smiling after witnessing how much fun they’re having and the audience is having. Backed by a beautiful barn on a bright sunny day, this book seems the epitome of positivity. 

The authors of The Boogie Barn Band do an excellent job of adding in informative bits about the technical pieces of each instrument as well as its role in the music-making process. The drummer of the band, Reggie the dog, is described as the one in charge of keeping the beat with his instrument. From guitar to piano to bass, we learn about how the instruments are played and are given examples of the sounds they make. It inspires an activity too—I can just imagine how many kids will be laughing as they try to sound out how the instruments are supposed to sound.

–Jaylynn Korrell

Celebrate your kids’ love of reading with some of the best gifts for kids who love to read.

8. Blink and Glow

A shining & bright kids’ book about the natural magic of real-life glowing animals

Author: Raven Howell & Ann Pilicer

Subgenre: Nature

Print Length: 36 pages

ISBN: 9781738219377

Publisher: Tielmour Press

Recommended by: Joe Walters

Leo and Lilly have show-and-tell at school tomorrow, and they want to have the best things to show off. And what better items than living ones!

Leo bottles up a firefly. While Lilly can’t catch her own, she spots another glowing creature—a salamander—near the pond! If you didn’t know that salamanders can glow in the dark, you do now.

But their light starts to diffuse the longer they’re kept in the jar. With the help of their grandmother, they learn that these animals, including the lunar moth flapping nearby, need to be free in order to shine their brightest light.

So while it feels special to have their own little bottled-up magic, they discover how important it is to let them live their own lives out in nature. Grandma keeps the fun going by showing them how they can make art inspired by these amazing critters. The book even lets you in on the fun by walking your kids through the steps of making their very own firefly suncatcher with tissue paper and a picture frame.

The art is lovely, natural, and magical. Parents who like to pair their books with art activities will relish what Blink and Glow has to offer.

–Joe Walters

9. Purple Ina

Myth, magic, culture, and color, Purple Ina is a sparkling gem of a picture book.

Author: Rafael Arzuaga

Subgenre: Fantasy / Culture

Print Length: 30 pages

ISBN: 9780692270516

Recommended by: Toni Woodruff

Ina lives on a beautiful purple island. It’s all she knows, until a fierce gust of wind sends her flying to new islands, all splashed in their own color. And along with the new colors, she meets new people, all appreciative of the way they do things on their island and sharing some of the magic with Ina before she takes off for the next.

Each page is clean with a minimal art, and yet there’s still so much beauty to look at. It entertains with just enough magic and fully-fleshed characters in a short amount of time. Experience a forever summer with Adonis on the pink island, shine bright at night with Light on the orange island, and play music with Esteban on a land draped in color.

It’s a subtle story of the lives of other people and other cultures, and it doesn’t state any morals overtly. Just shares the truth that there are other people and other places out there to love.

–Toni Woodruff

10. Ricky, the Rock That Couldn’t Roll

A caring, warmhearted book about supporting your friends no matter what obstacle stands in their way

Author: Mr. Jay

Subgenre: Rocks / Disabilities

Print Length: 28 pages

ISBN: 9780578198033

Recommended by: Joe Walters

I don’t know how you make being a rock look so fun, but this rhyming picture book does it in droves. Author Mr. Jay and illustrator Erin Wozniak team up to turn this group of rocks into personality-rich critical thinkers who see a friend being left out for the make-up of his body and do something about it.

While all his friends are rolling up and down a hill, Ricky can’t join in on the fun because one of his sides is flat. I absolutely love the parallels being discussed in this book of a rock and kids with disabilities of any kind.

This book is a stellar introduction to showing kids what they can do to help their friends, and it’s a warmhearted reminder to those with disabilities that people care about them and that they can achieve their goals.

–Joe Walters

Surprise your kids’ teachers with this handy list of great gifts for English teachers.

11. Immune Heroes

An entertaining, useful book to help kids learn about cuts, scrapes, and the healing process

Author: Namita Gandhi, PhD

Subgenre: Science

Print Length: 36 pages

ISBN: 9781917095211

Recommended by: Jaylynn Korrell

In Immune Heroes, siblings Mayu and Nimi are out riding bikes and enjoying the day when Mayu suddenly hits a rock and tumbles to the ground. His sister runs to comfort him while reminding him that the pain he’s currently feeling is a good thing, as it signifies the beginning of the healing process. And the beginning of the healing process couldn’t be cooler than the way that Gandhi tells it. 

This book packs in a lot of action in its 30 or so pages, as the process of healing isn’t always completed on the first try. Bacteria find their way in despite the tacky platelets creating a protective seal. Macrophages are called in to devour said bacteria as new intruders find other ways to wreak havoc. Gandhi’s story transforms healing into an epic battle that is sure to entertain. 

Parents who want to introduce big concepts like immunology to their kids in a way that they’ll understand will love this book. Gandhi writes about the experience in such a fun way that kids may not even realize they’re being taught a valuable, relatable science lesson. She explains things in an accessible way and pairs the prose with beautiful graphics that will keep little eyes glued to the page. I loved watching each new group of characters rush to the scene whether it be to attack or defend Mayu’s wound. 

–Jaylynn Korrell

12. Baby Loves Science (The Five Senses)

5 brightly colored, easy to understand kids’ science books in one neat package

Author: Ruth Spiro

Genre: Board Books / Science

Print Length: 110 pages

ISBN: 9781632890580

Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing

Recommended by: Toni Woodruff

Bombarding your kids with fun stories is a good thing. But no children’s library is complete without this resourceful & relevant 5-book series.

The five senses—hearing, sight, smell, touch, and taste—are a wonderful kid-friendly science topic. Not only can they count the senses on one tiny hand, but they have experience with each of them, whether they’re equipped with it or not.

This series does an excellent job of including those kids without the ability to see or hear in addition to discussing the science of how each of them work. From tiny molecules to their big, developing brains, this series could stick with your little one for years. Even by the time they hit school-age, they’ll be able to return to these educational resources in their bookshelf.

–Toni Woodruff

13. Hummingbird

A touching little story of familial connection over the wonder of hummingbirds

Author: Nicola Davies

Genre: Picture Book / Birds

Print Length: 32 pages

ISBN: 9781536205381

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Recommended by: Toni Woodruff

Any parent in love with the beauty and magic of hummingbirds will adore this children’s book. The lush green, natural surroundings of each page make for an eye-popping viewing experience, but it’s the sheer number of unique hummingbirds flying around that make it stand out most.

It’s about a young girl who hand-feeds hummingbirds with her grandmother in Central America, but she soon departs for New York City. And while she believes she leaves the magnificent little creatures behind, Granny tells her to keep an eye out. That they travel north too. Maybe even to Central Park for the very first time.

Hummingbirds emit a special type of magic. Bring the wonderment to your bookshelf with this gorgeously illustrated, moving story of connecting through generations by way of these amazing migratory birds.

–Toni Woodruff

What are your favorite kids’ books of all time? Let us know in the comments!

About IBR

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]]> https://independentbookreview.com/2024/09/23/13-of-our-favorite-kids-books/feed/ 0 81404 15 of the Best Mystery Thriller Books to Satisfy Your Inner Detective https://independentbookreview.com/2024/07/24/best-mystery-thriller-books/ https://independentbookreview.com/2024/07/24/best-mystery-thriller-books/#comments Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:38:45 +0000 https://independentbookreview.com/?p=80676 What is it with humans and their need to witness murder? Here are 15 of the best mystery thriller books to satisfy your inner crime solver.

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]]> 15 of the Best Mystery Thriller Books to Satisfy Your Inner Detective

Chosen by the IBR Staff

These mystery thrillers are to die for.

What is it with us and our interest in murder?

It’s in us to gaze through the fog, to look over our shoulder, to piece together the unknown. You’re telling me I can’t find out the truth? Challenge accepted.

Mystery thrillers are among our most popular reviews at IBR. We review tons of them. Why? Because the people who like them…they really, really like them. It’s one of those genres that can keep a reader for their entire life. Sure they might dabble in other spaces sometimes, but they always make their way back home…to murder.

Compiled by our mystery thriller team, this list includes murder mysteries, detective stories, psychological thrillers, paranormal mysteries, and beyond. And they’re all indie books!

Here are 15 mystery thrillers that’ll satisfy your inner crime solver.

1. Blood and Mascara

Infidelity, corruption, and murder on the mean streets of Washington, DC.

Author: Colin Krainin

Subgenre: Detective Fiction

Print Length: 292 pages

ISBN: 9798989986804

Recommended by: Erin Britton

What it’s about:

Former investigative journalist Bronze Goldberg is now a private eye who makes his living from seedy cases…Sufficiently shaken to take a modicum of action, Bronze reluctantly hits the streets to find out more about what happened to Billy Kopes, the “congressman who washed up on the banks of the Potomac.”

Given that Roger Haake, a political consultant, is “one of the most powerful unelected men in DC,” only someone incredibly brave or exceptionally foolish would consider having an affair with his wife. So which one was Kopes? And how much did Haake really know before he hired Bronze to tail Carolyn and find proof of her infidelity? 

Unfortunately, in addition to being downright despicable, Haake is murdered before Bronze can find out more from him, which makes for two bodies dropping in less than 24 hours. Clearly, something is seriously amiss.

Why you should read it:

A hard-boiled detective story set in the late 1990s but with more than a hint of classic noir like The Big Sleep and The Maltese Falcon, Colin Krainin’s Blood and Mascara traverses the seamier side of Washington, DC and exposes all the blood, gore, and corruption to be found there. 

Through pitch-perfect PI dialogue and a plot packed with political duplicity, sleaze, and casual violence, Krainin presents a fiendish murder mystery that shines a light on both the best and worst of humanity.

Luckily, despite being such a deeply flawed human being, Bronze is actually a top-notch private investigator, likely due to a combination of his journalistic training and his plain orneriness. And given the twisted, complicated murder mystery that Krainin has crafted for him to solve, he’s going to need all his skill and experience to stay alive long enough to discover who is trying to kill him. The answer to the puzzle is wrapped up in layers of sleaze, scandal, and corruption, and Bronze has to survive through a fair bit of bloody violence as he attempts to unravel the Kopes/Haake conundrum.

–Erin Britton

2. An Unclean Place

Real people, a compelling mystery, and damn good writing

Author: Barbara Barrow

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Print Length: 308 pages

ISBN: 9781941360736

Publisher: Lanternfish Press

Recommended by: Toni Woodruff

What it’s about:

Ms. Ella is a renegade teacher at Stillwater School, an experimental academy in Atlanta. Some students, like best friends Amber and Dawn, flock to her, and others are hurt by her. After she’s arrested and the school is closed due to scandal, Dawn stays on Ms. Ella’s trail.

But Dawn dies mysteriously years later. So Amber is the one who has to pursue the missing Ms. Ella, only to find more than she’s bargained for.

Why you should read it:

The writing is what pulled me in first. The third-person plural is a tough perspective to pull off, but Barrow does it with a flourish in the first section of this book, leaving an intriguing mythical feel to Ms. Ella’s impact on the students at the school.

The novel’s mysteries float through decades, and like the best of the psychological thriller genre, characters are complex and have agency. We find out who they really are only through sharp, subtle prose, and the mystery is well worth the wait.

–Toni Woodruff

3. Shitamachi Scam

Detective Hiroshi has to unmask scammers before the elderly in the city lose everything…including their lives.

Author: Michael Pronko

Subgenre: Detective Fiction

Print Length: 348 pages

ISBN: 9781942410317

Recommended by: Peggy Kurkowski

What it’s about:

Detective Hiroshi and his eclectic team of investigators are in the narrow lanes of shitamachi (“lower town”) Tokyo to unravel a devilishly complex scam scheme, where real estate has become the richest commodity and tradition just a stumbling block to “beautification” and progress. This is where thieving rings zero in on the most vulnerable—elderly women who are often widowed or retired. 

When a scooter zooms through the street and kills their informant, whilst her scammer barely flees the scene, police officers are left with a bag full of blank paper, wondering what went wrong and why.

The next day, a young, reclusive tenant is found dead in his room. Are the two deaths connected? Hiroshi and his crack colleagues begin to peel back the layers of this mystery as break-ins and violence increase.Pronko aces the granular gumshoe work necessary as the scam becomes the lesser of two evils—ruthless land developers may have a larger scam of their own, one that isn’t afraid of murder to achieve its aims. 

Why you should read it:

Shitamachi Scam is first-rate detective fiction that delivers a superb and timely plot with old school sleuthing and witty, compelling characters. Readers will want to see more of Hiroshi after this one.

The plot is intelligent and well-researched, reflecting as it does a current crime plague upon the elderly. For a crime disguising itself in white-collar clothing, Pronko dutifully approaches the narrative in a more cerebral manner, which makes the action sequences even more propulsive.

As Hiroshi and his colleagues—and Takuya and his—converge on the primary scammer(s) behind the deaths and mayhem, the climax is a cinematic set piece that rewards the readers’ patience in spades. 

–Peggy Kurkowski

4. From Sweetgrass Bridge

An enthralling prairie mystery with humor, heart, and an ingenious plot

Author: Anthony Bidulka

Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / LGBTQ

Print Length: 280 pages

ISBN: 9781988754543

Publisher: Stonehouse Publishing

Recommended by: Melissa Suggitt

What it’s about:

Set in the small town of Livingsky, Saskatchewan, the novel captures the essence of prairie life while unraveling the mysterious disappearance of a local hero, Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Dustin Thomson. The disappearance of Dustin, a beloved figure and role model for Indigenous youth, is a devastating reality for their community.

At the heart of the story is Merry Bell, a private investigator who has been back in her hometown for six months with little to show for it. Her business is floundering, her finances are strained, and she’s grappling with a sense of isolation. Just when Merry’s hope is nearly extinguished, Dustin’s cousin walks into her office, seeking her help to find the missing quarterback. If something bad happened to him out at the secluded Sweetgrass Bridge, she knows he didn’t do it to himself. 

Merry’s investigation is anything but straightforward. As she delves deeper, she uncovers startling truths that add layers of complexity to the case.

Why you should read it:

From Sweetgrass Bridge proves to be a multifaceted mystery that adeptly balances its tension, humor, and emotionally charged moments.

Merry’s experience as a trans woman is depicted with care, insight, and understanding—an enrichment to the mystery… The setting of Livingsky, with its close-knit community and prairie backdrop, adds a nostalgic charm to the story. As a prairie girl myself, I found the depiction of the landscape and community life to be authentic and heartwarming. Bidulka’s pacing is impeccable, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while allowing the characters’ emotional journeys to unfold naturally.

–Melissa Suggitt

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5. The Apologist

A taut non-linear thriller with satisfying twists and an array of complex characters

Author: A.A. Weiss

Genre: Spy Thriller

Print Length: 193 pages

Publisher: The Agency Books (Sunbury Press)

Recommended by: Joseph Haeger

What it’s about:

Patrick Allred has the best of intentions. He wants to use his English education for good, helping people who need it most. After graduation, he walks into the Peace Corps recruiting office before learning he doesn’t actually have any applicable skills. He pivots to teaching English abroad and is soon Beijing bound. Little does he know he’s actively getting pulled into a twisted web of espionage and Chinese politics.

Then, he suddenly drops off the map.

His disappearance prompts freshman congressmember King to put together an under-the-radar mission led by assassins who don’t want to kill anymore. Two disillusioned hit men team up to locate and retrieve the missing American, ideally without any bloodshed, and this makes us wonder: do these killers have what it takes, or will they revert to their old ways to complete the mission?

Why you should read it:

The structure of The Apologist is reminiscent of a Christopher Nolan film. It’s a jigsaw puzzle of sorts, where different moments in time are running concurrently and it’s up to us to pull hints from the chapters to build a larger linear timeline in our heads. I love this tactic because it further engages the reader with the mystery of the story, expecting us to participate in a small way.

But even then, you don’t have to piece the timeline together to have a great time. All the characters are written effortlessly as their own individuals. Their dialogue wouldn’t even need to be attributed because through the cadence and language we already know whose voice is speaking.

Throughout the book, we don’t know who to root for. At any moment, any one of the characters could be the bad guy and any could be the good guy. The effect this creates is that we’re kind of rooting for every single one of them at all times. This means regardless of the thread we’re following, we have an emotional investment in that specific part of the story.

This is a rare novel that balances both plot and characters with equal fervor. Had the characters been lesser, the plot would have made up for it; and conversely, if the plot would have been weakened, the characters could have carried me through. In the end, it’s a one-two punch that makes me giddy even thinking about.

–Joseph Haeger

6. You’ve Been Summoned

You've been summoned lindsey lamar book cover

An immersive, interactive mystery that keeps you on your toes

Author: Lindsey Lamar

Genre: Murder Mystery / Interactive

Print Length: 378 pages

Recommended by: Kristine Eckart

What it’s about:

Combining a modern-day mystery with an unsolved case from the 1940s, this book establishes a glamorous but secretive atmosphere and storyline to delight the likes of a millennial Agatha Christie.

You’ve Been Summoned revolves around two sets of sisters. Jane and Sillian Parks, the present-day set of twins, are at the center of an eerie visit to Sophomore Manor with their circle of friends. However, as arguments arise between the visitors and a man with an axe makes a startling appearance, the event turns from a costume party to an unsettling stay at a mansion with a past. 

To make matters worse, Sillian goes missing and Jane’s twin senses are telling her that her sister is in danger. Will Jane be able to save Sillian from a terrible fate? And why did Sillian insist on having her party at Sophomore Manor?

Mary and Macie Sophomore, Hollywood’s darling twins from the 1940s, are focused on their careers. When teaming up with jazz icons Josh and James to gain publicity brings attention to the rising stars, the couples decide to get married and make this business arrangement permanent. But when their honeymoon period turns into a horror story, will Mary and Macie be able to escape?

Why you should read it:

Using diary entries from Mary Sophomore and a verbal account from Jane Parks, the novel transitions back and forth between the present day and the 1940s…. It brings a sense of old Hollywood glamor to the present-day action in a wonderful nod to the iconic Golden Age of Detective Fiction.

The creative details are what truly shine. Everything from the list of liars and the list of case files that replace a traditional table of contents to the newspaper clippings to the character drawings, letters, and diagrams all serve as evidence to create an immersive and interactive experience for the reader. Complete with ink splotches, different handwriting, and torn pages, the reader is offered a variety of puzzle pieces to put together to solve the intriguing mystery. It will make you feel like you’re at a murder mystery party.

–Kristine Eckart

7. The Mill House Murders

A chilling locked-room mystery that unfolds within the ominous walls of a setting shrouded in secrecy and tragedy

Author: Yukito Ayatsuji

Genre: Locked-Room Mystery / Japanese

Print Length: 288 pages

ISBN: 9781782278337

Publisher: Pushkin Vertigo

Recommended by: Erin Britton

What it’s about:

When a killer strikes, brilliant amateur sleuth Kiyoshi Shimada sets about unravelling the complex web of secrets and lies that led to the perplexing crime. 

Why you should read it:

Ayatsuji builds a compelling tale of intrigue around the eccentric Fujinuma Kiichi, the consequences of his accidental disfigurement, and his annual house party for a very select group of guests….Ayatsuji is a master at combining the macabre with the mysterious, creating a tense work of crime fiction that is packed with alarming events, red herrings, and psychological insights. 

–Erin Britton

8. Midsummer Mysteries

An eclectic story anthology with some of the best mystery writers you’ll find

Edited: Martin Edwards

Genre: Short Story Anthology

Print Length: 416 pages

ISBN: 9781804177266

Recommended by: Toni Woodruff

Publisher: Flame Tree Publishing

19 compelling thrillers all wrapped up in one beautiful hardcover book. SJ Butler, William Burton McCormick, SJ Bennett, Judith Cutler–this anthology is chock-full of some of the best mystery writers I’ve ever read, fiction or nonfiction. A perfect gift for mystery-thriller & crime fiction lovers with names they know and stories they’ll die for.

–Toni Woodruff

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9. Lying in Judgment

A propulsive, easy, entertaining audio journey with an unforgettable premise

Author: Gary Corbin

Genre: Audiobook / Crime / Legal

Listening Length: 9 hrs 25 mins

Recommended by: Toni Woodruff

What it’s about:

In a jealous fit of rage, Peter Robinson tracks down his wife’s lover and beats him to death. Only problem is: he’s killed the wrong man.

And now, he’s being summoned to be on the jury of the case where he is the killer. Because he knows who really did it, he wants to get the accused off, but he’s got a tough motive to beat. We worry that Peter might be too close to the situation to let the wrong man go.

Why you should read it:

I listened to this audiobook years ago and haven’t forgotten a twist in it. The narration by the author is smooth and compelling, but it’s the premise that makes it so propulsive. A sure-fire “What would you do if this happened to you?” thriller with never-ending curiosity to find out what will come of the flawed protagonist.

–Toni Woodruff

10. Murder Under Redwood Moon

An energetic and suspenseful witchcraft-filled murder mystery

Author: Sherri L. Dodd

Genre: Supernatural Mystery

Print Length: 290 pages

ISBN: 9781685133887

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Recommended by: Chelsey Tucker

What it’s about:

In the small mountain town of Boulder Creek, beautiful young girls begin to go missing. Even worse: they show up in the river. 

The entire town is on edge, but for Arista and her friends, it hits closer to home; they knew some of the victims. As a serial killer lurks in the shadows, danger continues to ramp up with snakes and upside down pentagrams signaling dark times.

A family relic that her Great-Aunt Bethie shows her may be the key they need to help solve these murders. “Our Ouija is rich with a past of providing details about serial killers—which is coming, my dear, you watch!” It soon comes to light that she may be in more danger than most, and her great-aunt knows why. Family is supposed to protect and care for one another, so how could they hurt you instead?

Why you should read it:

Murder Under Redwood Moon’s story structure provides the perfect pacing to nail the suspense factor. The author handles multiple viewpoints well and provides a macro-picture with micro-details—an essential piece to telling a captivating murder mystery. The reader is led to believe that they know more than they do, and just when they start piecing some things together, the point of view switches and we venture off in a new, enticing direction.

Murder Under Redwood Moon is going to be a fun read for mystery junkies as much as for fans of modern fantasy fiction and witchcraft. Dodd provides a refreshing tale while still including some staple lore conventions like the witch’s cat and broomsticks. The pages really fly by. 

–Chelsey Tucker

13. Lost Grove (Part 1)

Strong paranormal elements really make this mystery pop.

Author: Charlotte Zang & Alex Knudsen

Genre: Paranormal / Mystery

Print Length: 357 pages

ISBN: 9798989796212

Recommended by: Alexandria Ducksworth

What it’s about:

When the corpse of Sarah Elizabeth Grahams winds up on shore, it throws the entire town of Lost Grove into a frenzy. Secrets long kept under wraps are slowly reaching their tipping point. 

As they attempt to solve the mystery of Sarah’s death, sergeants Seth Wolfe and Bill Richards fall deeper and deeper down a rabbit hole that gets more shocking with each step they take. 

Meanwhile in town, two psychic siblings attempt to start anew in a new high school to escape their past. A group of teenagers attempt to figure out if changelings truly exist.  This mix of the paranormal into our recognized reality fits so well in this creepy atmosphere. There’s a whole world to uncover in this first book of the Lost Grove series.

Why you should read it:

Readers start Lost Grove by discovering Sarah Elizabeth Grahams washed up on the beach. It’s a common opener for an mystery until readers soon discover this is set in a place with witches and strange, bloodthirsty creatures. Lost Grove is what would have happened if the TV show Twin Peaks (1990) had taken a more supernatural path. 

What makes Lost Grove such a compelling read is the town’s secrets. Many events are happening in Lost Grove besides the Grahams’ case. For instance, one of the townspeople, Mary Germaine, becomes obsessed with eating raw meat and drinking blood after a strange creature bites her. One coffee shop owner believes a ghost haunts her business. And even more.

Because of the unraveling threads, this book can get addictive quickly. The city’s lore will grip any reader’s attention, and there is so much alluring strangeness going on. 

–Alexandria Ducksworth

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11. Blame It on the Moon

Blame it on the moon lou pugliese book cover

A mysterious haunted house story with plenty of heart

Author: Lou Pugliese

Genre: Haunted House

Print Length: 278 pages

ISBN: 9798990072602

Recommended by: Kristine Eckart

What it’s about:

Richard Craft, a widower in North Arlington, Virginia, moves into a spacious home passed down from generation to generation in his family. Still, his family is present in more ways than one. Mysterious sounds, appearances, and occurrences soon reveal the house is haunted—and Richard is determined to find out why. 

As Richard digs into the lives of the house’s previous residents, including his deceased wife and child, his brother Bob, and more dating back to the Civil War era, Richard starts to discover secrets that have remained hidden for years. With each new discovery, Richard is one step closer to putting all the puzzle pieces together, but he also may be in more danger. Will he be able to help the spirits of the house find peace before it’s too late?

Why you should read it:

This is not your typical haunted house story. Blame It On The Moon by Lou Pugliese is a ghost story, murder mystery, steamy romance, and Indiana Jones archeology mission all rolled into one. These little twists are pleasant surprises that add a lot of nuance (& fun!) to the reading experience. 

There’s a believable world in this novel with real-feeling characters who, like many readers, have reservations about believing in ghost stories, even if they enjoy them. From scientific equipment and experienced academic teams to Ouija boards and opal amulets, there’s a little something for every reader in this book. 

–Kristine Eckart

12. Simon’s Dream

An inspiringly fresh take on the traditional crime thriller with coming of age romance and supernatural twists

Author: Jeremy Howe

Genre: Supernatural / Noir

Print Length: 256 pages

ISBN: 9798218222574

Recommended by: Warren Maxwell

What it’s about:

Ever since his step-father, former police chief Doug Lewis, threw him out of the house, Simon Verner has been forced to fend for himself, working his way into a tiny apartment through a strict routine and a job collecting golf balls at the local golf course. Regular therapy, a goldfish named Hank (rhymes with tank), and two loyal friends keep Simon content as he slowly discovers himself inside the parameters of his newly stable existence. 

However, everything is turned upside down when uncanny dreams of a cop’s decade old murder begin visiting Simon. Thrust by these visions into Chicago’s corrupt underworld, Simon finds himself compelled to investigate a cold case that no one wants reopened. 

Why you should read it:

The novel pushes boundaries with its exploration of the supernatural, but remains settled in the distinct realm of crime fiction. Simon’s quest to understand himself and the meaning behind his dreams is aided by Loretta, a fortune teller. Indeed, the dreams are windows into the past, giving Simon access to memories of his previous lives. From an African tribesman to an English queen, his life is indelibly linked to lives already lived, all of which are tainted by a millennium’s old curse. This heady theory of the soul deepens as the central mystery unfolds, adding exciting new dimensions to the straight-forward pleasures of mystery fiction. The writing is workman-like and entertaining, with sweeping descriptions and blow-by-blow action sequences frequently tipping into the cinematic. Shifts between dreams, reality, and the distant past are united by a tactile specificity that readers will be eager to visualize. 

The thrilling story of a golf-ball fetcher who reinvents himself as a dogged agent of justice, Simon’s Dream abandons worn-out tropes in order to create a fresh new take on noir fiction.

–Warren Maxwell

14. The Mystery Next Door

Whatever kind of literary magic Michael Rodney Moore has conjured up, it’s working.

Author: Michael Rodney Moore

Genre: Middle Grade / Historical

Print Length: 259 pages

ISBN: 9798393679699

Recommended by: Alexandria Ducksworth

What it’s about:

Moore’s book begins with young Zoey Morganton as she moves into a small town with her mother in North Carolina. It isn’t long until she learns about the mysterious plantation not too far from her home: Oak Harbor. The house is covered with many secrets, ranging from a crazed slaveowner to a secret pirate treasure. Zoey can’t help her growing curiosity as she finds herself exploring Oak Harbor. There’s more to the plantation and the original owner’s history than she realizes.

Why you should read it:

The Mystery Next Door becomes addictive when Moore brings out old tales of piracy and long-lost treasure. It’s the type of adventure one would recognize from movies such as The Goonies (1985) and Tom & Huck (1995). Whose inner child didn’t wish they could find secret treasure in their own backyard?

One of the most captivating aspects of The Mystery Next Door is its exploration of Oak Harbor’s history. Moore delves into the complex dynamics of the 19th-century South, addressing topics such as slavery and the Civil War without it being too much for younger readers. 

As Zoey Morganton delves deeper into the history of Oak Harbor, readers are treated to an alluring journey through time. Readers become engaged with the golden age of piracy and life in the South (before and after the Civil War).

The Mystery Next Door is a fun & delightful read. Middle school readers who are exploring the American South in other classes and those who relish in satisfying mysteries and adventure are going to love this story. 

–Alexandria Ducksworth

15. Assassins Are Us

Action, heart, and laughs in equal measure. 

Author: Kimberly van Sickle

Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / Humor

Print Length: 164 pages

ISBN: 9781639889433

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Recommended by: Melissa Suggitt

What it’s about:

Hedy isn’t your average teenager. She’s next in line to inherit her family’s centuries-old legacy as secret assassins. Picture this: deadly skills, killer charm, and a hint of rom-com magic. With Hedy and her family at the helm, you’ll want to prepare yourself for this unique combination of snort-inducing laughter and heart-pounding action. 

Balancing a budding romance with Dave, a student in her class and the weight of her family’s destiny, Hedy’s journey is quite the complicated one. Is she meant to carry on her family legacy? Will pursuing Dave affect her focus and put herself, her family, and Dave in danger, potentially exposing their family’s sordid past? Assassins Are Us is a seamless blend of high school drama and covert ops, served with a side of chaotic family dinners that’ll make you grateful for every mundane gathering.

Why you should read it:

Buckle up for a wildly entertaining ride through family secrets, flirtatious encounters, and dangerous missions in uproariously captivating ways. Hedy Hinterschott is a protagonist you’ll wish was your best friend. 

Don’t be fooled by the laughs; author Kimberly Van Sickle has a knack for tugging at heartstrings too. The bonds formed among Hedy and her quirky crew ooze authenticity, adding warmth to the story’s action-packed and slightly outlandish core. This book doesn’t just capture the essence of being a teenager; it catapults you into a world where family, romance, and thrilling twists intertwine constantly.

Hedy’s quick thinking, intelligence, and sassiness will win you over faster than you can say “undercover operation.” Just when you think you’ve cracked the code, Van Sickle throws curveballs that leave you gasping and grinning simultaneously.

–Melissa Suggitt

What are the best mystery thrillers you’ve read? Let us know in the comments!

About the IBR Staff

Independent Book Review is your source for the best in indie books. With 25 readers on staff, we aim to show the reading world why they can put their trust in independently published lit. Meet the team or follow on Instagram & Twitter.

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]]> https://independentbookreview.com/2024/07/24/best-mystery-thriller-books/feed/ 1 80676 The 17 Best Book Apps for Every Kind of Reader https://independentbookreview.com/2024/05/15/17-best-book-apps-for-avid-readers/ https://independentbookreview.com/2024/05/15/17-best-book-apps-for-avid-readers/#respond Wed, 15 May 2024 14:53:17 +0000 https://independentbookreview.com/?p=78999 Which book apps are you using? Check out some of our most recommended options for reading, social media, logging, kids, and more.

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]]> The 17 Best Book Apps for Every Kind of Reader

by Jaylynn Korrell

best book apps

Technology and books: Friends or enemies?

If there’s one thing that book lovers love, it’s books! More of them. No matter how they find them. Ebooks, audiobooks, paperbacks. The more chances to read the better. And with the right book apps, they can be totally free!

You don’t have to worry about feeling like you’re betraying your beloved paperbacks! Think of these apps as an extension of your love of literature or a portal into even more literary engagement!

But not all of these book apps are simply for reading books.

There are apps that allow you to browse & buy brand new titles, read reviews, log your reading, track your patterns, and even keep your kid reading. The options are all endless so long as you have the right digital resources.

So check out these awesome book apps!

(Everything on Independent Book Review has been selected by a very picky group of people. As affiliates we may earn a commission on items you purchase through our links.)

  1. BookBub
bookbub is a great book app for discount books

There’s no better place to start than my absolute favorite cheap & free eBook app! BookBub’s got unbeatable deals with author updates, handpicked recommendations, and truly some of the best indie & big-five books available. If you haven’t tried BookBub yet…you’re welcome.

  1. Amazon Kindle
bookbub is a great book app for downloading new ebooks

The Kindle is definitely one of my favorite e-readers, but it’s also a great app to have on your phone or iPad. Not only can you find & download nearly every eBook on the internet, but it’s extremely readable as well. You’ll always have access to your favorite books with the Kindle app, and the app will keep track of where you left off on a different device and save it in the cloud so you’ll never lose your place.

  1. Goodreads
bookbub is a great book app for social media

Ummm…you’ve heard of Goodreads already? No surprise! This is the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations. Readers can search their database of books to find people’s honest reviews before buying anything. Or, they can join the conversation and write their own reviews!

  1. Serial Reader
bookbub is a great book app for classic books

Classic books are classics for a reason. People have loved reading them forever. But a lot of people find them difficult to get through, even if they end up loving them. Serial Reader gives readers a more digestible way to read Classic books by dividing them up into 20 minute sessions. You can read an unabridged 20 minute portion of these books daily with this free book app, and slowly but continuously check some classics off of your “to be read” list.

  1. Scribd

Find yourself too busy (or homebound) to take a trip to the library? Check out this extensive digital document library! Book apps like Scribd provide readers with access to over 170 million documents, while also allowing people to upload their your own documents. It allows readers to keep a number of useful audiobooks and ebooks in one place: a truly great learning and sharing resource for readers and writers.

  1. Hoopla
library book apps

Finding this app was a game-changer for me. If you’ve got a library card, you’ve probably got access to Hoopla (or Libby). Hoopla allows you to access books found in your library’s database, as well as audiobooks, comic books, and even movies. So much free content!

  1. Wattpad
book apps for writers

Looking for somewhere to read original works of fiction? Wattpad has over 90 million subscribers who are reading and uploading fiction works and connecting with other readers and writers. This may just be the place to find your next favorite author before their writing career takes off. These are not always published books like you’d find on Kindle, so you’re finding some real hidden gems here.

Love poetry? Check out these gifts for poets & poetry lovers!

  1. Audible
book apps for audiobooks

There are ways to read books without opening your eyelids or flipping a page. Audible the dominant force in audiobooks. This app offers monthly membership subscriptions or individual purchases so that you can listen to new, old, and bestselling audiobooks while doing household chores. Try a free trial!

  1. Bookly

How long does it take you to read? This book app is a valuable tool in helping you reach your reading goals by tracking your reading progress, maintaining an organized catalog of your completed books, and helping you set monthly or even yearly reading goals. It even provides you with personalized stats in real-time so you can track your progress. People who are trying to develop a good reading habit will like this!

  1. Blinkist

Blinkist caters to those who don’t have the time or maybe even the interest to read an entire book. With this book app, you can get a summary of thousands popular nonfiction books in 15 minutes or less. So if reading isn’t your thing but you want the information from some of the best nonfiction books, Blinkist is the way to go.

  1. StoryGraph

Have you ever wished for a better way to pick the perfect next book? StoryGraph might be the way to do it. This app takes tracking to the next level by taking into account your mood and the mood of the books you’re usually reading (emotional, lighthearted, relaxing, etc). You can also view how your stats progress overtime to give you more insight on what books you should pick up next.

  1. Summary Z
the best book apps

Unlike Blinkist, Summary Z provides a short summary of fiction books as well as nonfiction. So if you’ve got work to do for class and could use a refresher on a novel, check this one out! Summary Z is a great reference.

  1. Poetizer

Poetry lovers, unite! Apps like Poetizer allow people to read, write, publish, and buy poetry. Poetry collections can be delivered to your doorstep and then promoted on your personal Poetizer platform. It’s an excellent app for writers & poets.

  1. Litsy

After you read a really great book, it’s hard to not want to talk about it with everyone you come in contact with. Having the community to do that with is rare. But it doesn’t have to be! Litsy is a place to share blurbs, reviews, your favorite quotes, and more. It’s my preferred social media account for book lovers!

  1. BookClub by Book Movement

Make your book club experience a lot easier by downloading this essential bookclub app. This app is excellent for those looking to simplify every aspect of being in a book club, from setting up meetings to picking your next book club book. Look up top book club books of the week or use their discover tool, and don’t forget to ask good book club questions!

  1. Epic
book apps for kids

Book apps aren’t just for adults. Kids book apps like Epic exist just to engage readers 12 and under. Epic is the largest digital library just for kids who love to read. It has over 40,000 kids titles to choose from, and they have audiobooks and learning videos available too. This app is free for educators and students to use during the school day.

  1. Aardvark Book Club

A book subscription box is a great way to gain access to new releases easily. Aardvark Book Club’s app allows subscribers to choose three new released books from a curated list of 4-5 newly published books to have delivered to their doorstep each month. Then you can discuss your favorites on their app in their discussion community. It’s just like having a bookstore and a book club in your pocket!

So which of these book apps will you be downloading? Let us know in the comments, and tell us if there are any you think we missed!

About the Author

Jaylynn Korrell is a nomadic writer currently based out of Pennsylvania. In addition to her writing and reading for Independent Book Review, she curates lists at GoodGiftLists.com.

Thank you for reading Jaylynn Korrell’s “17 Best Book Apps for Avid Readers” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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]]> https://independentbookreview.com/2024/05/15/17-best-book-apps-for-avid-readers/feed/ 0 78999 32 Impressive Indie Press Books from 2020 https://independentbookreview.com/2020/12/10/indie-press-books-from-2020/ https://independentbookreview.com/2020/12/10/indie-press-books-from-2020/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2020 14:08:11 +0000 https://independentbookreview.com/?p=7003 "32 Impressive Indie Press Books from 2020" by Joe Walters is a book list of some of the most impressive independent press books from the year. It includes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and books for younger readers.

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]]> “32 Impressive Indie Press Books from 2020”

Curated by Joe Walters

Make room on your bookshelves. It’s time for our list of impressive indie press books from 2020!

Every year, independent presses put out acclaimed and award-winning work. More often than not, they are doing this with a lower budget and fewer staff members than many of the big five publishers and their imprints.

So I think it’s about time we celebrate these awesome indies–with a big old end-of-the-year book list!

I’ve seen a whole lot of great books flash across my inbox and social-feeds this year, and I’ve flown through my fair share of pages, too, so I decided to stop being so stingy and curate this year’s list of impressive indie press books. I hope you enjoy it.

I’ve chosen my list with care, almost like a book-nerd mixtape. There are stories in here that’ll send you somewhere new, that’ll amaze you, thrill you, make you sad and make you happy at the same time; by my including these books out of the thousands in indie press lit, I’m saying they’re worth a shot. If you think the cover and the description sound awesome, make sure to head on over to Bookshop and support your indie bookseller in the process.

In no particular order, here’s our list of 32 Impressive Indie Press Books from 2020!

Fiction

#1. Virtuoso

by Yelena Moskovich

book cover for virtuoso by yelena moskovich, for indie press book list

Publisher: Two Dollar Radio

Genre: LGBTQ Literary

About the Book:

As Communism begins to crumble in Prague in the 1980s, Jana’s unremarkable life becomes all at once remarkable when a precocious young girl named Zorka moves into the apartment building with her mother and sick father. With Zorka’s signature two-finger salute and abrasive wit, she brings flair to the girls’ days despite her mother’s protestations to not “be weird.” But after scorching her mother’s prized fur coat and stealing from a nefarious teacher, Zorka suddenly disappears.

Meanwhile in Paris, Aimée de Saint-Pé married young to an older woman, Dominique, an actress whose star has crested and is in decline. A quixotic journey of self-discovery, Virtuoso follows Zorka as she comes of age in Prague, Wisconsin, and then Boston, amidst a backdrop of clothing logos, MTV, computer coders, and other outcast youth. But it isn’t till a Parisian conference hall brimming with orthopedic mattresses and therapeutic appendages when Jana first encounters Aimée, their fates steering them both to a cryptic bar on the Rue de Prague, and, perhaps, to Zorka.

With a distinctive prose flair and spellbinding vision, Virtuoso is a story of love, loss, and self-discovery that heralds Yelena Moskovich as a brilliant and one-of-a-kind visionary.

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#2. A Girl Is a Body of Water

by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

Publisher: Tin House

Genre: Coming of Age & Womanhood

About the Book:

In her thirteenth year, Kirabo confronts a piercing question that has haunted her childhood: who is my mother? Kirabo has been raised by women in the small Ugandan village of Nattetta―her grandmother, her best friend, and her many aunts―but the absence of her mother follows her like a shadow. Complicating these feelings of abandonment, as Kirabo comes of age she feels the emergence of a mysterious second self, a headstrong and confusing force inside her at odds with her sweet and obedient nature.

Seeking answers, Kirabo begins spending afternoons with Nsuuta, the local witch, trading stories and learning not only about this force inside her, but about the woman who birthed her, who she learns is alive but not ready to meet. Nsuuta also explains that Kirabo has a streak of the “first woman”―an independent, original state that has been all but lost to women.

Kirabo’s journey to reconcile her rebellious origins, alongside her desire to reconnect with her mother and to honor her family’s expectations, is rich in the folklore of Uganda and an arresting exploration of what it means to be a modern girl in a world that seems determined to silence women. Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi’s unforgettable novel is a sweeping testament to the true and lasting connections between history, tradition, family, friends, and the promise of a different future.

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#3. Anthropica

by David Hollander

Publisher: Animal Riot Press

Genre: Literary Science Fiction

About the Book:

A Hungarian fatalist convinced that the human race is a blemish on God’s otherwise beautiful universe; a statistician who has determined that we completely exhaust the earth’s resources every 30 days; a failing novelist whose nihilistic fiction has doomed her halfhearted quest for tenure; an Ultimate Frisbee-playing man-child who has discovered a fractal pattern contained within all matter, but is nevertheless obsessed with the chase for a National Championship; a banished race of mole people preparing for a violent uprising; a factory filled with human heads being mined for information; a former philosophy professor with ALS who has discovered, as he becomes “locked in,” that he can make things happen simply by wanting them badly enough; and a trio of vengeful, superintelligent robots secretly imprisoned in an underground hangar in Iksan, South Korea, patiently waiting for some gullible human(s) to release them.

This is a partial cast of Anthropica, a novel that puts Laszlow Katasztrófa’s beautiful vision of a universe without us to the test. Because even if Laszlow believes that he is merely an agent of fate, a cog in God’s inscrutable machine, he’s nevertheless the one driving this crazy machine. And once he has his team assembled, it turns out that he might-against all odds and his own expectations-actually have the tools to see his apocalyptic plan to fruition.

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#4. Fiebre Tropical

by Juliana Delgado Lopera

Publisher: Feminist Press

Genre: Hispanic American Literature & Fiction

About the Book:

Lit by the hormonal neon glow of Miami, this heady, multilingual debut novel follows a Colombian teenager’s coming-of-age and coming out as she plunges headfirst into lust and evangelism.

Uprooted from her comfortable life in Bogotá, Colombia, into an ant-infested Miami townhouse, fifteen-year-old Francisca is miserable and friendless in her strange new city. Her alienation grows when her mother is swept up into an evangelical church, replete with Christian salsa, abstinent young dancers, and baptisms for the dead.

But there, Francisca also meets the magnetic Carmen: opinionated and charismatic, head of the youth group, and the pastor’s daughter. As her mother’s mental health deteriorates and her grandmother descends into alcoholism, Francisca falls more and more intensely in love with Carmen. To get closer to her, Francisca turns to Jesus to be saved, even as their relationship hurtles toward a shattering conclusion.

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#5. Temporary

by Hilary Leichter

Publisher: Coffee House Press

Genre: Magical realism

About the Book:

In Temporary, a young woman’s workplace is the size of the world. She fills increasingly bizarre placements in search of steadiness, connection, and something, at last, to call her own. Whether it’s shining an endless closet of shoes, swabbing the deck of a pirate ship, assisting an assassin, or filling in for the Chairman of the Board, for the mythical Temporary, “there is nothing more personal than doing your job.” 

This riveting quest, at once hilarious and profound, will resonate with anyone who has ever done their best at work, even when the work is only temporary.

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#6. The Enlightenment of Greengage Tree

by Shokoofeh Azar

The enlightenment of the greengage tree is in our impressive indies.

Publisher: Europa Editions

Genre: Family life

About the Book:

FINALIST for the 2020 INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE

From the pen of one of Iran’s rising literary stars, The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree is a family story about the unbreakable connection between the living and the dead.

Set in Iran in the decade following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, this moving, richly imagined novel is narrated by the ghost of Bahar, a thirteen-year-old girl, whose family is compelled to flee their home in Tehran for a new life in a small village, hoping in this way to preserve both their intellectual freedom and their lives. But they soon find themselves caught up in the post-revolutionary chaos that sweeps across their ancient land. Bahar’s mother, after a tragic loss, will embark on a long, eventful journey in search of meaning in a world swept up in the post-revolutionary madness.

Told from the wise yet innocent gaze of a young girl, The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree speaks of the power of imagination when confronted with cruelty, and of our human need to make sense of trauma through the ritual of storytelling itself. Through her unforgettable characters, Azar weaves a timely and timeless story that juxtaposes the beauty of an ancient, vibrant culture with the brutality of an oppressive political regime.

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#7. Little Feasts

by Jules Archer

Publisher: Thirty West Publishing

Genre: Feminist short fiction

About the Book:

Following her successes from All the Ghosts We’ve Always Had, critically-acclaimed flash fiction writer, Jules Archer, returns to the dinner table with Little Feasts, her debut short story collection. The stories are a table-long buffet of femininity, a lying tree, childhood innocence, toxic masculinity, and a 20-pound cast-iron skillet. Works within have been featured in Five:2: One, SmokeLong Quarterly, Maudlin House, PANK, and more.

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#8. The Dark Heart of Every Wild Thing

by Joseph Fasano

Publisher: Platypus Press

Genre: Literary

About the Book:

Deep in the mountains of British Columbia, across an unforgiving landscape, one man’s pursuit of a fabled mountain lion leads him into the furthest reaches of himself. As he struggles to confront the wilderness surrounding him–from the baying hounds to the relentless northern snows–he journeys into his own haunted memories: a life of wild horses and ballet, fishing skiffs and blizzards, tropical seas and dolphins. Through wind, snow, and the depths of grief, he asks what price he is willing to exact on a world that ravages what we love, and whether redemption awaits those who learn to forgive. A tender story of love and a modern-day parable, The Dark Heart of Every Wild Thing, the debut novel from acclaimed poet Joseph Fasano, guides us into the deepest territories of the human heart.

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#9. She Is a Beast

by Christina Rosso

Publisher: Apep Publications

Genre: Feminist fairy tales

About the Book:

She is a Beast is an illustrated collection of feminist fairy tales published by APEP Publications in May 2020. Some are re-imaginings of the classic tales we know, such as Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, while others are completely original. This collection is about women reclaiming their stories and finding agency by embracing their beastly natures and adopting monstrous appetites deemed inappropriate by society. In their wildness they find freedom. 

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#10. Collective Gravities

by Chloe N. Clark

Publisher: Word West

Genre: Genre-bending short fiction

About the Book:

In Collective Gravities, something magical is always just beneath the surface–the zombie apocalypse happens, but the world stays relatively the same; a woman begins to feel the earth moving beneath her feet. In this fantastical, genre-bending collection, Chloe N. Clark launches readers from Iowa, to outer space, and back again. Lyrical, funny, and full of transcendent beauty, Collective Gravities is a cause for celebration: an astronomically gifted writer, who, in twenty-six stories, shows us an entire world (and beyond) full of heartbreak, hope, redemption, and wonder.

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#11. Elegy for the Undead

by Matthew Vesely

Publisher: Lanternfish Press

Genre: Literary Science Fiction

About the Book:

Jude and Lyle’s newlywed life is shattered when a vicious attack leaves Lyle infected with a disease that transforms him into a violent and often incomprehensible person. With no cure for the “zombie” virus in sight, the young husbands begin to face the last months they have together before Lyle loses himself completely. Fond remembrances of young love meet the challenges of navigating a partner’s terminal illness in this bittersweet tale that explores both how we fall in love and how we say goodbye when the time comes far too soon.

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#12. The Hole

by Hiroko Oyamada

Publisher: New Directions Publishing

Genre: Absurdism

About the Book:

Asa’s husband is transferring jobs, and his new office is located near his family’s home in the countryside. During an exceptionally hot summer, the young married couple move in, and Asa does her best to quickly adjust to their new rural lives, to their remoteness, to the constant presence of her in-laws and the incessant buzz of cicadas. While her husband is consumed with his job, Asa is left to explore her surroundings on her own: she makes trips to the supermarket, halfheartedly looks for work, and tries to find interesting ways of killing time.

One day, while running an errand for her mother-in-law, she comes across a strange creature, follows it to the embankment of a river, and ends up falling into a hole―a hole that seems to have been made specifically for her. This is the first in a series of bizarre experiences that drive Asa deeper into the mysteries of this rural landscape filled with eccentric characters and unidentifiable creatures, leading her to question her role in this world, and eventually, her sanity.

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#13. The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment

by Therese Doucet

Publisher: DX Varos, Ltd

Genre: Historical fantasy

About the Book:

Violaine, a devotee of books and learning, is sold by her father to a mysterious nobleman to become his companion. Fearing herself at the mercy of a monster, Violaine instead succumbs to the seductive spell of her magical new home, and the love of a man she has never seen, who comes to her only in the darkness of night.

The Château de Boisaulne is a place of many mysteries, but also a refuge for children of the Enlightenment in a time when Europe still languishes under the repressive chains of monarchy and superstition. But modern thought meets ancient lore, as the castle borders the forest lair of the roi des aulnes, an ogre said to be the ancestor of Violaine’s unseen lover … or are they one and the same?

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#14. What Shines from It

by Sara Rauch

what shines from it by sara rauch

Publisher: Alternating Current Press

Genre: Literary Short Fiction

About the Book:

The eleven stories in Sara Rauch’s What Shines from It are rife with the physical and psychic wounds of everyday life. In “Beholden,” girl meets boy meets the unsettled spirits of post-9/11 New York City, but her future can’t hold them all. In “Kitten,” a struggling veteran and his wife argue over adopting an abandoned kitten, deepening their financial and emotional rifts. In “Abandon,” a ghost-baby ravages a woman’s body following a late-term miscarriage, marring her chances for new love. And in “Kintsukuroi,” a married potter falls for a married geologist and discovers the luminosity of being broken.

What Shines from It is populated by women on the verge of transcendence—brimming with anger and love—and working-class artists haunted by the ghosts of their desires. Abiding by a distinctly guarded New England sensibility, these stories inhabit the borderlands of long-established cities, where humans are still learning to embrace the natural world. Subtly exploring sexualities, relationships, birth and rebirth, identity, ghosts, and longing, Rauch searches for the places where our protective shells are cracked and, in spare, poetic language, limns those edges of loneliness and loss with light.

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Nonfiction

#15. The Magical Language of Others

by E.J. Koh

Publisher: Tin House

Genre: Memoir, Mothers & Daughters

About the Book:

A tale of deep bonds to family, place, language―of hard-won selfhood told by a singular, incandescent voice.

The Magical Language of Others is a powerful and aching love story in letters, from mother to daughter. After living in America for over a decade, Eun Ji Koh’s parents return to South Korea for work, leaving fifteen-year-old Eun Ji and her brother behind in California. Overnight, Eun Ji finds herself abandoned and adrift in a world made strange by her mother’s absence. Her mother writes letters, in Korean, over the years seeking forgiveness and love―letters Eun Ji cannot fully understand until she finds them years later hidden in a box.

As Eun Ji translates the letters, she looks to history―her grandmother Jun’s years as a lovesick wife in Daejeon, the horrors her grandmother Kumiko witnessed during the Jeju Island Massacre―and to poetry, as well as her own lived experience to answer questions inside all of us. Where do the stories of our mothers and grandmothers end and ours begin? How do we find words―in Korean, Japanese, English, or any language―to articulate the profound ways that distance can shape love? Eun Ji Koh fearlessly grapples with forgiveness, reconciliation, legacy, and intergenerational trauma, arriving at insights that are essential reading for anyone who has ever had to balance love, longing, heartbreak, and joy.

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#16. The Names of All the Flowers

by Melissa Valentine

Publisher: Feminist Press

Genre: Race & Loss

About the Book:

Set in rapidly gentrifying 1990s Oakland, this memoir—”poignant, painful, and gorgeous” (Alicia Garza)—explores siblinghood, adolescence, and grief in a family shattered by loss.

Melissa and her older brother Junior grow up running around the disparate neighborhoods of 1990s Oakland, two of six children to a white Quaker father and a black Southern mother. But as Junior approaches adolescence, a bullying incident and later a violent attack in school leave him searching for power and a sense of self in all the wrong places; he develops a hard front and falls into drug dealing. Right before Junior’s twentieth birthday, the family is torn apart when he is murdered as a result of gun violence.

The Names of All the Flowers connects one tragic death to a collective grief for all black people who die too young. A lyrical recounting of a life lost, Melissa Valentine’s debut memoir is an intimate portrait of a family fractured by the school-to-prison pipeline and an enduring love letter to an adored older brother. It is a call for justice amid endless cycles of violence, grief, and trauma, declaring: “We are all witness and therefore no one is spared from this loss.”

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#17. A History of My Brief Body

by Billy-Ray Belcourt

a history of my brief body from indie press list from independent book review

Publisher: Two Dollar Radio

Genre: Sexuality, Race, & Colonial Canada

About the Book:

The youngest ever winner of the Griffin Prize mines his personal history in a brilliant new essay collection seeking to reconcile the world he was born into with the world that could be.

For readers of Ocean Vuong and Maggie Nelson and fans of Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot, A History of My Brief Body is a brave, raw, and fiercely intelligent collection of essays and vignettes on grief, colonial violence, joy, love, and queerness.

Billy-Ray Belcourt’s debut memoir opens with a tender letter to his kokum and memories of his early life in the hamlet of Joussard, Alberta, and on the Driftpile First Nation. Piece by piece, Billy-Ray’s writings invite us to unpack and explore the big and broken world he inhabits every day, in all its complexity and contradiction: a legacy of colonial violence and the joy that flourishes in spite of it; first loves and first loves lost; sexual exploration and intimacy; the act of writing as a survival instinct and a way to grieve. What emerges is not only a profound meditation on memory, gender, anger, shame, and ecstasy, but also the outline of a way forward. With startling honesty, and in a voice distinctly and assuredly his own, Belcourt situates his life experiences within a constellation of seminal queer texts, among which this book is sure to earn its place. Eye-opening, intensely emotional, and excessively quotable, A History of My Brief Body demonstrates over and over again the power of words to both devastate and console us.

“Book Review: A History of My Brief Body”
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#18. The Incredible Shrinking Woman

by Athena Dixon

Publisher: Split/Lip Press

Genre: Memoir in Essays

About the Book:

A quiet retelling of a life in the background, Athena Dixon’s debut essay collection, The Incredible Shrinking Woman, is a gentle unpacking of the roles she learned to inhabit, growing up as a Black woman in a small Midwestern town, to avoid disruption. But after the implosion of the life she’d always wanted, Dixon must explore the implications of her desire to hide as she rebuilds herself in a world that expects freedom to look boisterous. As Dixon presses the bruises of her invisibility, these essays glide between the pages of fan fiction, the rush of new panties, down the rabbit hole of depression, and reemerge on the other side, speaking with the lived authority of a voice that, even when shaking, is always crystal clear.

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#19. Before and After the Book Deal

by Courtney Maum

Publisher: Catapult

Genre: Writing & Publishing

About the Book:

“Like sharing a coffee with a kind and witty mentor, Before and After the Book Deal is an ideally conversational guide to traditional publishing.” – Independent Book Review

There are countless books on the market about how to write better but very few books on how to break into the marketplace with your first book. Cutting through the noise (and very mixed advice) online, while both dispelling rumors and remaining positive, Courtney Maum’s Before and After the Book Deal is a one-of-a-kind resource that can help you get your book published.

Are MFA programs worth the time and money? How do people actually sit down and finish a novel? Did you get a good advance? What do you do when you feel envious of other writers? And why the heck aren’t your friends saying anything about your book? Covering questions ranging from the logistical to the existential (and everything in between), Before and After the Book Deal is the definitive guide for anyone who has ever wanted to know what it’s really like to be an author.

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#20. Suppose Muscle, Suppose Night, Suppose This in August

by Danielle Zaccagnino

suppose muscle suppose night suppose this in august book cover

Publisher: Mason Jar Press

Genre: Poetic memoir

About the Book:

SUPPOSE MUSCLE, SUPPOSE NIGHT, SUPPOSE THIS IN AUGUST explores how anxiety and escape can shape a life from childhood to adulthood. This hybrid of lyrical essays and poetry weaves a delicate thread across the country, through dreams and nightmares, euphoria and fear, and intimacy and distance, always with particular attention to form and language. With dreamlike imagery, a unique inventiveness, and emotional clarity, the collection dissects that which we are too afraid to touch in our waking hours.

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#21. High Cotton

by Kristie Robin Johnson

Publisher: Raised Voice Press

Genre: Race, Family, & Womanhood

About the Book:

Kristie Robin Johnson has lived nearly her whole life in small town Georgia, as did five generations of African American women before her beginning with a slave, her oldest known ancestor. In High Cotton, Johnson explores the social and economic consequences of her lineage, drawing on pivotal moments from her own experience to illuminate the lived reality of a daughter of the Deep South.

Johnson unapologetically describes a life that falls below the standards of black respectability, that of an unmarried young mother, an addict’s daughter, a college dropout, welfare recipient, and willful sinner. The voice in High Cotton is a cry from within the masses. Johnson stretches out long brown fingers as far as they will reach to barely skim the first, crucial rung of the ladder to success, that so-called American dream. She exposes the soft underbelly of black girl magic, celebrating black life in all its glorious vulnerability.

The essays in High Cotton contain all the complication of a post-civil rights era, post-women’s liberation, pre-millennial black woman living in the modern South, conjuring universal truths every reader will recognize.

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#22. An Ambiguous Grief

by Dominique Hunter

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Genre: Grief & Loss

About the Book:

“An Ambiguous Grief is a beautiful, unflinchingly honest, poignant and wistful memoir, written with humor, and a graceful sangfroid that is admirable. One thing Dominique Hunter has done extremely well is to reveal her son Dylan’s story in the exact right way: readers know upfront that she has lost him, but they don’t know how. By the time we find out what happened to him, we know enough about his struggles and hers to understand how he came to that point in his life. Although the story is about Dylan, in the end, it tells the story of a mother’s journey through coping with a devastating loss and moving forward – not “getting over it,” but facing it by using her intelligence, humor, honesty, and humanity to deal with it in all its messy, sad, loving, ironic, despairing, hopeful, ambivalent ways. And to survive that journey, she takes us into an imaginative realm where past, present and future align to give her the space to heal.”

— Susan Edwards

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#23. A Fish Growing Lungs

by Alysia Li Ying Sawchyn

Publisher: Burrow Press

Genre: Mood Disorders & Health

About the Book:

At age 18 Alysia Sawchyn was diagnosed with bipolar I. Seven years later she learned she had been misdiagnosed. A Fish Growing Lungs takes the form of linked essays that reflect on Sawchyn’s diagnosis and its unraveling, the process of withdrawal and recovery, and the search for identity as she emerges from a difficult past into a cautiously hopeful present.

Sawchyn captures the precariousness of life under the watchful eye of doctors, friends, and family, in which saying or doing the wrong thing could lead to involuntary confinement. This scrutiny is compounded by the stigmas of mental illness and the societal expectations placed on the bodies of women and women of color. And yet, amid juggling medications, doubting her diagnosis, and struggling with addiction and cutting, there is also joy, friendship, love, and Slayer concerts.

Funny, intelligent, and unflinchingly honest, Sawchyn explores how we can come to know ourselves when our bodies betray us. Drawing from life experience, literature, music, medical journals, films, and recovery communities, each essay illuminates the richness of self-knowledge that comes from the act of writing itself.

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Poetry

#24. $50,000

by Andrew Whitehead

Publisher: Publishing Genius

About the Book:

$50,000 is a long poem that allows Andrew Weatherhead the space to search everything–his cubicle, his relationships with coworkers and friends, and the worlds found in literature, sports, economics, and history–for something more meaningful than mere facts. What arises in these 116 pages is the pure drama of life: the unrelenting passage of time, the inevitable need to make a living, and the foreboding beauty of numbers, names, and friendship. In hundreds of standalone lines that align with Mike Tyson’s peek-a-boo style, this long poem moves like prose but sticks with all the weight and heft of poetry.

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#25. When My Body Was a Clinched Fist

by Enzo Silon Surin

Publisher: Black Lawrence Press

About the Book:

“Back in the day when KRS-One intoned–The Bridge is over!–he did not prefigure a poet from Queens of the fierce attitude and intellectual magnitude of Enzo Silon Surin. WHEN MY BODY WAS A CLINCHED FIST gives the Heisman to such a refrain with lyrical power-packing poetics that settles the score with a succinct–Not! No the Bridge is not over, for Surin’s Queens is alive and well and under the gaze of a master observer who eulogizes lives that though at times are battered have always mattered. Enzo Silon Surin’s poems get you caught up in the deeply personal experiences of growing and visceral all-encompassing knowing from an acute witness of every breath and follicle of Black life from palm trees, sand and sea to street corner projects, suburban houses and fistfuls of black water.

“Surin writes about the confused and disconnected, trigger happy wannabes trapped by outdated notions of masculinity, the cracked head crackheads all held in the clutch of society’s clinched fist through which the trauma that comes with being of color, addicted, broke, lost and tossed, is itself a clinched fist of black bodies caught in the Russian nesting doll America’s clinched fists make. WHEN MY BODY WAS A CLINCHED FIST is an elegy for ‘the premature exits.’ It is a blues for the black-on-black black and blue. Surin yields his pen like a microscopic scalpel whereby an autopsy of possibility is performed to un-clinch the remarkable bone gristle poetry in these unflinching heart-wrenching pages.”

— Tony Medina

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#26. Ways We Vanish

by Todd Dillard

one of the indie press books in this listicle is ways we vanish by todd dillard

Publisher: Okay Donkey Press

About the Book:

WAYS WE VANISH, Todd Dillard’s debut poetry collection, navigates the grief following the loss of a loved one while also starting a new life and becoming a parent. It peels back the layers of everyday living to reveal the impossible landscape flourishing underneath—one fraught with sorrow, want, and pain, but also filled with hope, joy, and flight.

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#27. Travelers Leaving for the City

by Ed Skoog

Publisher: Copper Canyon Press

About the Book:

Travelers Leaving for the City is a long song of arrivals and departures, centered around the murder of the poet’s grandfather in 1955 in a Pittsburgh hotel, exploring how such events frame memory, history and language for those they touch. The poems probe the anonymity of cities, and the crucible of travel. The historical impact of arousal, rage, regret, and forgiveness is seen in visions of interrogations and hotels. These poems explore how family bonds, and disruptions shape, the mind and language, all the while urging the reader to listen for traces of ancestors in one’s own mind and body.

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#28. Praise Song for My Children

by Patricia Jabbeh Wesley

Publisher: Autumn House Press

About the Book:

Praise Song for My Children celebrates twenty-one years of poetry by one of the most significant African poets of this century. Patricia Jabbeh Wesley guides us through the complex and intertwined highs and lows of motherhood and all the roles that it encompasses: parent, woman, wife, sister, friend. Her work is deeply personal, drawing from her own life and surroundings to convey grief, the bleakness of war, humor, deep devotion, and the hope of possibility. These poems lend an international voice to the tales of motherhood, as Wesley speaks both to the African and to the Western experience of motherhood, particularly black motherhood. She pulls from African motifs and proverbs, utilizing the poetics of both the West and Africa to enrich her striking emotional range. Leading us to the depths of mourning and the heights of tender love, she responds to American police brutality, writing “To be a black woman is to be a woman, / ready to mourn,” and remembers a dear friend who is at once “mother and wife and friend and pillar / and warrior woman all in one.”

Wesley writes poetry that moves with her through life, land, and love, seeing with eyes that have witnessed both national and personal tragedy and redemption. Born in Tugbakeh, Liberia and raised in Monrovia, Wesley immigrated to the United States in 1991 to escape the Liberian civil war. In this moving collection, she invites us to join her as she buries loved ones, explores long-distance connections through social media, and sings bittersweet praises of the women around her, of mothers, and of Africa.

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Younger Readers

#29. Surrender Your Sons

by Adam Sass

Publisher: Flux

Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller

About the Book:

Connor Major’s summer break is turning into a nightmare.

His SAT scores bombed, the old man he delivers meals to died, and when he came out to his religious zealot mother, she had him kidnapped and shipped off to a secluded island. His final destination: Nightlight Ministries, a conversion therapy camp that will be his new home until he “changes.”

But Connor’s troubles are only beginning. At Nightlight, everyone has something to hide—from the campers to the “converted” staff and cagey camp director—and it quickly becomes clear that no one is safe. Connor plans to escape and bring the other kidnapped teens with him. But first, he’s exposing the camp’s horrible truths for what they are—and taking this place down.

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#30. Camper Girl

by Glenn Erick Miller

Publisher: Fitzroy Books

Genre: YA road trip

About the Book:

While her friends head off to college, Shannon Burke is stuck with a dead-end job and the responsibility of saving her mother’s business. The only bright spot is her upcoming birthday and a visit from her eccentric Aunt Rebecca. But before Shannon can blow out her candles, she receives devastating news: Rebecca is dead. When she learns that her aunt has gifted her a beat-up camper, Shannon decides to sell it for cold, hard cash.

Then she loses her job and finds a mysterious map in the glove box, and in a moment of desperation, she jumps behind the wheel and hits the road. Following Rebecca’s maps, Shannon journeys deep into New York’s Adirondack Mountains where she faces her greatest fears and navigates a new reality that is as unpredictable as the wilderness itself. During her scavenger hunt of self-discovery, Shannon experiences the healing power of nature, uncovers a stunning family secret, and comes to realize that a person’s path through life is never clearly marked.

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#31. David Tung Can’t Have a Girlfriend Until He Gets Into an Ivy League College

by Ed Lin

Publisher: Kaya Press

Genre: YA coming of age

About the Book:

In David Tung Can’t Have a Girlfriend Until He Gets Into an Ivy League College, novelist Ed Lin conjures up “a fast-paced, acid-tongued, hilarious teen drama for our age,” says Marie Myung-Ok Lee, acclaimed author of Somebody’s Daughter and Finding My Voice. Both playful and wryly observant, Ed Lin’s YA-debut explores coming-of-age in the Asian diaspora while navigating relationships through race, class, and young love.

David Tung, our nerd-hero, is a Chinese American high-school student who works in his family’s restaurant, competes for top grades at his regular high school located in an upscale, Asian-majority New Jersey suburb, and attends weekend Chinese school in NYC’s working-class Chinatown. While David faces parental pressures to get As and conform to cultural norms and expectations, he’s caught up in the complicated world of high school love triangles―and amid these external pressures is the fear he will die alone, whether he gets into Harvard or not!

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#32. The Candy Mafia

by Lavie Tidhar

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing

Genre: Middle Grade Mystery

About the Book:

When notorious candy gangster Eddie de Menthe asks for her help to find a missing teddy bear, Nelle Faulkner is on the case. But as soon as the teddy turns up, Eddie himself goes missing! As a seemingly innocent investigation unravels into something more ominous, Nelle and her friends quickly find themselves swept up in a shady underworld of sweets smugglers, back alley deals, and storefront firebombs.

If Nelle has any hope of tracking down her missing client, first she’ll have to unmask the true faces behind the smuggling ring. Can Nelle and her friends find a way to take the cake? Or will they come to a sticky end…?

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets Bugsy Malone in this page-turning mystery from World Fantasy Award-winning author Lavie Tidhar. With moody illustrations by Daniel Duncan, readers will be sucked into the action-packed narrative as Nelle pulls the curtain back on black-market candy rings.

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And that’s all you’re getting out of me this year. Which books from indie presses were your favorite this year?

About the Curator

Joe Walters is the editor-in-chief of Independent Book Review and a book marketing specialist at Sunbury Press. When he’s not doing editorial, promoting, or reviewing work, he’s working on his novel and trusting the process.

Thank you for reading “32 Impressive Indie Press Books from 2020” by Joe Walters! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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]]> https://independentbookreview.com/2020/12/10/indie-press-books-from-2020/feed/ 7 7003 The Group Beta Reading Giveaway https://independentbookreview.com/2019/03/20/the-group-beta-reading-giveaway/ https://independentbookreview.com/2019/03/20/the-group-beta-reading-giveaway/#respond Wed, 20 Mar 2019 13:47:36 +0000 https://independentbookreview.com/?p=2310 To celebrate the launch of the IBR Group Beta Reading service, we have decided to offer one random winner the opportunity to receive 5 professional beta readers' feedback on their unpublished manuscript.

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]]> IBR Group Beta Reading giveaway awards one lucky author

This giveaway has expired.

To celebrate the launch of our brand new IBR Group Beta Reading service, we decided to spread around some literary love. As writers ourselves, we know first-hand how difficult it is to receive enough quality opinions on our manuscripts prior to submission or publication. And we also know how important it is.

So we decided to bring an end to the struggle. And this time, for one lucky writer, the end of that struggle is free. The winner of this giveaway will receive 5 professional beta readers’ feedback on their full manuscript (40,000 to 110,000 words) within 5 weeks.

If you have finished a draft of your fiction or creative nonfiction manuscript, this giveaway is for you. Fill out the boxes below to enter for a chance to win. You have until 11:59 PM (EST) on Sunday 3.24.2019 to enter. The winner will be announced via email and social media on Monday 3.25.2019. We’d really love to see your name in there.

Submit a form.
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About the IBR Group Beta Reading Service

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]]> https://independentbookreview.com/2019/03/20/the-group-beta-reading-giveaway/feed/ 0 2310 Laura Morrison Wins IBR Book of the Month Contest https://independentbookreview.com/2018/07/19/laura-morrison-interview/ https://independentbookreview.com/2018/07/19/laura-morrison-interview/#comments Thu, 19 Jul 2018 16:13:29 +0000 https://independentbookreview.com/?p=952 This interview with author Laura Morrison is about her fantasy novella Come Back to the Swamp, finding a publisher, and writing creepy fiction.

The post Laura Morrison Wins IBR Book of the Month Contest appeared first on Independent Book Review.

]]> Laura Morrison Wins IBR Book of the Month Contest

Interviewed by Joe Walters
This is the book of the month announcement for Laura Morrison's Come Back to the Swamp.

Laura Morrison wins the IBR Book of the Month Contest with her thrilling, spine-tingling, and wonderfully weird novella Come Back to the Swamp!

IBR’s editor-in-chief Joe Walters sat down with the author to discuss main characters, evil swamps, the “don’t go in there!” trope, and more.

 Interview with Laura Morrison

What Readers Want to Know:

IBR: Laura, thank you so much for writing Come Back to the Swamp. It enthralled us from beginning to end, proving to be an excellent choice for IBR’s Book of the Month. The book’s strange plotline and even stranger characters created a truly unique experience for our readers. What made you first begin this project?

LM: About ten years back when I lived in New Jersey, I worked at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge removing invasive plants. One day, out of nowhere, this crazy old lady rose out of the muck. This chance encounter started me down a terrifying, supernatural, life-changing journey that I just had to get it down on the page so the world could know terror that dwells within the swamp. And that’s all a lie except that I worked at Great Swamp NWR. 

Really, it’s just that when I was out in the swamp getting all scratched up by thorny plants and getting eaten by mosquitos and ticks, I started thinking what a great setting a swamp would be for a story that was unsettling or scary in tone. It took me a few years to get started on it, but eventually I sat down and began writing, and Swamp just sorta happened.

IBR: As you may remember from our review, we admire Bernice for her ability to embrace her conflicts and drive this entertaining story forward. Not only does she approach her issues with bravery and strength, but she also does it with humor. If you could compare her to a few real-life and fictional characters, who would they be and why?

LM: As far as real-life individuals who inspired Bernice, first and foremost is Jane Goodall. I love her bravery, strength, and curiosity. A woman going off to research gorillas in the middle of the jungle when she was in her 20’s–in the 1960s no less–was quite a thing. 

Another real-life influence is myself, of course. I’m an environmental scientist by training, I worked with invasive species, and I like space operas. My younger sister was also an influence for Bernice. She studies snakes and turtles, and her stories about her fieldwork were often in the back of my mind when I was writing.

As for fictional characters, I’d say Bernice is a mix of Hermione Granger, Westley from The Princess Bride, and Marina Singh from State of Wonder. Hermione has Bernice’s determination, intelligence, and bravery. Same for Westley, except he’s not exceptionally bright–sorry, Westley! I call it like I see it. He does, however, know a thing or two about swamps, seeing as how he got Buttercup through the Fire Swamp alive. State of Wonder is one of my absolute favorite books, and the main character, Marina Singh, is a pharmacologist who goes down to the Amazon and has a pretty hellish time; she only manages to get through it as well as she does due to her strength of character.

None of them really have Bernice’s sense of humor, however. My sister and I are the only people in this list of influences who are very funny.

IBR: Come Back to the Swamp opens with a riveting passage describing the invasive species in the swamp and how they illustrate “the sad downsides of globalization.” Because this opens the novella, we consider the environmental aspects of the novella to be quite important. What else do you believe that readers could take away from Come Back to the Swamp from an environmental standpoint?

LM: While I didn’t intentionally plant an environmental message in the story, my opinions definitely bleed through in this book and everything I write. For instance, the swamp in this story has a very definite power. I love the idea that no matter what people do to the natural world, and no matter how much they encroach on it, in the end nature will always be able to bounce back in some capacity–perhaps not in the way it has evolved to be through the millennia, but nature really does have a powerful ability to keep on going.

IBR: What is one thing you would like readers to know before they start Come Back to the Swamp?

LM: Be prepared to be nervous next time you’re out in the wilderness alone. It’s probably rather evil of me, but I love the feedback I got from beta readers that after they read Swamp they found themselves looking over their shoulders when they were out hiking, and wondering what might be lurking behind the trees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpDZ38Hm3-o

What Writers Want to Know:

IBR: Like any good horror film, your book has the ability to urge readers to yell out, “Don’t go in there!” at any moment. But with your book, you make it clear why the character feels like he/she must “go in there.” Do you have any advice for how writers can effectively move the plot forward in such a believable way?

LM: I find that it’s helpful having thoughtful characters who go into the “Don’t go in there” situations with their eyes wide open. They see why they shouldn’t do it and they also see why they might want or need to. They weigh the consequences of both options and make their decision. It’s the characters who stupidly go running from safety and into obvious danger with no thought at all that I feel are unrealistic. The more they have a spirit of “Yes, I know this is dumb but here are reasons A, B, and C that I need to do it anyway” the better it is because the reader can then see that though the character is still doing a stupid thing it at least makes a bit of sense on some level.

Also, my main character Bernice clings quite tenaciously to science and logic, even in the face of what most others might see as the blatantly supernatural. Consequently, she finds it very hard to accept the supernatural, and her mind is quite good at finding ways to explain it away. Once she has pushed herself sufficiently far into denial, it’s easier for her to go into supernatural-related danger than it would be for a person who accepted the supernatural things.

IBR: Writers love to hear about a published writer’s early struggles, and unfortunately for you, we do too. What was the most difficult aspect of writing or publishing this book?

LM: If we were talking about general writing struggles I could rant for hours about the difficulties, but since we’re talking about Swamp specifically I have to honestly say the whole process was oddly easy. Usually I have to jam a bit of writing time in between parenting and gardening and beekeeping and all the other non-writer aspects of my life. But when I wrote this particular book I happened to be visiting my in-laws; when my kiddos are visiting grandparents they want nothing to do with their parents anymore because grandparents are much more fun, so I had an entire week where I had unlimited writing time. Since Swamp is only about 33,000 words, I was able to finish it in a week. It was amazing. I haven’t had as easy a time of writing a book before or since.

One of the characters, Kevin, did give me a lot of trouble, though. He was a headache in edits. I couldn’t make him a consistent character. I was only able to sort him out with the help of two of my writer friends who gave excellent advice.

As far as finding a publisher, there aren’t that many places that take novella-length stories so I didn’t have many places I could query, especially when I discounted the ones who turned up their noses at speculative fiction and humor. When I found Black Spot Books’ website I fell in love. They felt like such a perfect fit. I’m still stunned and grateful that they felt the same. Once Swamp was in their hands it was smooth sailing. The editing, the design, the marketing. Swamp and I are very, very lucky.

IBR: Before you leave us to create your next scintillating thriller, could you share some specific advice for an author looking to get published?

LM: In my case, all I had to do was go to the nearest crossroads at midnight and wait until this mysterious, dark figure materialized out of thin air before me. I asked, “Hey, will you give me a writing contract?” and he intoned in a voice to chill the marrow, “Sure thing, but the price is your soul.” Since getting published is really hard, I was like, “Cool, let’s do this,” and the next day Black Spot Books contacted me!

But also, write a book you love and believe in, share it with a few writers whose writing you respect, get their opinions, fine tune the manuscript, and begin hunting for a publisher. If you don’t personally know any writers whose writing you respect, join a writing group and find a few people; it takes a while and a lot of reading to make meaningful connections, but it is so, so worth it; finding a good group of writing friends is hands down the thing that has helped my writing the most, and with the magic of the internet any writer can find like-minded people, no matter how obscure their genre of choice or style. Never, ever give up. If you give up, you’ll certainly never get published. The more you try, the greater your chances.

Laura Morrison lives in the Metro Detroit area with her husband, daughters, cats, and vegetable garden. She has a bachelor’s degree in applied ecology and environmental science from Michigan Technological University. Before she was a writer and stay-at-home mom, she battled invasive species and researched wood turtles. Come Back to the Swamp is her first novella and second book.
Website: Laura Morrison
Pre-order Come Back to the Swamp from Amazon: Here
Twitter: @PonyRiot
Goodreads: Come Back to the Swamp
Facebook: Writer of Stuff
Other Review:  Publishers Weekly
Author Interview: Black Spot Books
Independent Book Review: Come Back to the Swamp

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]]> https://independentbookreview.com/2018/07/19/laura-morrison-interview/feed/ 1 952 3 Tips for Writing Realistic Dialogue—From Jane Austen https://independentbookreview.com/2018/07/10/3-tips-for-writing-realistic-dialogue-from-jane-austen/ https://independentbookreview.com/2018/07/10/3-tips-for-writing-realistic-dialogue-from-jane-austen/#comments Tue, 10 Jul 2018 16:33:10 +0000 https://independentbookreview.com/?p=1012 Holly Tri (Imperative Editing and Services) uses Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice to provide 3 tips for writing realistic dialogue.

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]]> “3 Tips for Writing Realistic Dialogue—From Jane Austen”

By Holly Tri

3 Tips for Writing Realistic Dialogue--From Jane Austen.

Writing realistic dialogue is a key element to successful fiction. Done right, nothing reveals the natures and relationships of your characters more honestly than dialogue: it is where your characters get to speak for themselves.

Nothing ruins a book faster than poor dialogue. Maybe it’s too flowery or redundant, or maybe it’s cold or completely unintelligible. Whatever the reason, you feel your heart sink every time the characters speak.

With regards to dialogue, readers crave realism. Books are our escape, and we want to believe in them.

The key for me has been learning techniques from one of literature’s masters of writing realistic dialogue, Jane Austen. This brief conversation, from Pride and Prejudice, between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy—undertaken while they’re dancing at a ball, no less—will set you on the right track.

“That is exactly what I should have supposed of you,” said Elizabeth.

“You begin to comprehend me, do you?” cried he, turning towards her.

“Oh! yes—I understand you perfectly.”

“I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful.”

“That is as it happens. It does not necessarily follow that deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours.”

1. Keep Attributions Simple (and Avoid Adverbs)

Notice how simply Austen attributes the dialogue to the character speaking in the excerpt above. First she says, plainly, “Elizabeth said,” and then just, “cried he,” for Mr. Darcy (we already know who Elizabeth is speaking to, so it isn’t necessary to use his name). After that, three more lines of dialogue follow without specific attribution, and it works because the reader already knows who’s talking. This allows for a quick back and forth between the characters, heightening the wit and keeping the reader’s attention.

In addition, Austen doesn’t use adverbs (words that describe verbs) to embellish her dialogue. She lets the dialogue speak for itself. It’s not, “Elizabeth said wittily”—her words are witty without the author having to tell the reader so. And using Mr. Darcy “cried” says quite enough about the state of his reaction. Adding any other description would have been overkill. Austen leaves the interpretation to the reader’s imagination.

Go to that piece of conversation that’s been bothering you. Now remove the adverbs (I know you used them). Try also changing all attributions to “said” (or removing them completely), only leaving verbs such as “cried” where absolutely necessary. How’s the dialogue sounding now?

Want to know how to write great animal characters in your fiction? Rabbit Cake author Annie Hartnett shares what she thinks in our original interview here.

2. Avoid the Name

How would this dialogue have sounded if Elizabeth and Darcy continually used each other’s names?

“That is exactly what I should have supposed of you, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth.

“You begin to comprehend me, do you, Elizabeth?” cried he, turning towards her.

“Oh! yes—I understand you perfectly, Mr. Darcy.”

Do you say someone’s name every time you speak to them? Probably not. I imagine there are people who do so, but it’s not common, and definitely not conducive to realistic dialogue. This is a mistake beginning writers make often, but luckily, it’s easy to fix:

Go back to that same piece of dialogue you revised earlier. If any of the characters speak the name of the character he or she is talking to, remove the name. Now reread it aloud. How does it sound? Better?

Did you know that Jane Austen self-published too? Well, you do now. Read more about her publishing experience here.

3. Tell the Truth

If the dialogue is realistic, it should reveal truth about both the characters and the scene.

First, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are dancing, so short snippets of dialogue are all they’re able to manage as they weave around the dance floor. Long monologues wouldn’t be appropriate in this circumstance.

Second, both characters are well-read members of British gentry, and this can be clearly gleaned from their witty exchange. There’s no vulgar language or direct insults, and their vocabulary fits their social class.

Finally, from this small exchange, we can infer their relationship. Darcy frets slightly at having his character read so easily by the woman he (hesitantly) is falling in love with, while Elizabeth, who has no love lost for Darcy, playfully teases her adversary.

“I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful.” [Mr. Darcy]

“That is as it happens. It does not necessarily follow that deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours.” [Elisabeth]

“I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful.” [Mr. Darcy]

“That is as it happens. It does not necessarily follow that deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours.” [Elisabeth]

This application isn’t as easy as the previous two, but read through the dialogue you’ve been making changes to again and write yourself a list of what you learn from the conversation. Does it fit the scene? If you read only that conversation, will you learn at least something about the characters and their relationship? Is what you learn true to the story? If not, consider rewriting or (heaven forbid, I know) removing the conversation completely.

Expand this exercise to your entire work and you’ll be on your way to writing realistic dialogue too.

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About the Author

Holly-1

Holly Tri is the owner and founder of Imperative Editing & Services. For more than a decade she has worked one-on-one with writers to copy edit their work and produce a professional product. Holly has a master’s of fine arts degree in creative writing from Goddard College and is a published fiction author. Originally from Northern Minnesota, she now finds herself enjoying the rain forests and Pacific beaches of western Oregon.

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