Editorial Reviews

A compassionate companion read for those struggling through the pain and trauma of divorce, Divorce Bucket List by Jennifer Harris is a brutally honest and vulnerable memoir – as well as an invaluable guide. Walking readers through some of the most common crises of separation and divorce – self-doubt, fear, anger, desperation, and mental overload – the book offers commiseration and confession, not a lecture. While many other instructional books on overcoming trauma are dry or formulaic, Harris’ voice is funny, self-aware, original, and transparent; no emotion is left unexplored, nor are personal failings. Despite the casual tone, the editing […]

Focused on the mind-body connection and how self-love and general life improvements can help with healthy living, Summerlin Conner’s Losing the Weight: Loving Yourself, Living Your Best Life, and Losing the Darn Weight is a funny, relatable guide to working off the pounds. Conner offers advice on breaking out of the diet/binge cycle, the importance of meditation, and the value of discarding a dieting mindset with a balance of good humor and seriousness about the task at hand. While the manual can sometimes seem repetitive, Conner’s practical recommendations about plant-based recipes are an essential resource for readers.

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Unlikely heroes rise to counter the encroaching tide of a world shattered by idolatry, greed, fear, and blight in As Vaan Made Us by Jonathan Sobe. This uncertain, dystopian future is richly detailed – a carnival-mirror reflection of today’s petty squabbles and increasingly inevitable collapse. Thick with themes of salvation, redemption, and liberation, the book offers sharp social critiques and an undeniably dark escape into a borderless, barely recognizable world. Though some light proofreading would clear up a few sloppy errors, the prose buzzes with confidence and prophecy, supporting a spiraling narrative that is both suspenseful and addictive.

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Encouraging readers to embark on a spiritual journey and cultivate a personal relationship with the universe, Soulwork by Elizabeth Radcliffe is a mind-expanding introduction to spiritual development. Patiently expounding on the need for and benefits of soul work, the common obstacles one will face, and practical approaches for your own efforts, this book is both nuanced and universal. Philosophy, dogma, theory, and anecdotal experience blend in a heady and inspiring read that evokes confidence without arrogance, and is compelling without proselytizing. Radcliffe has struck a balance that so many self-help and spiritual advisors miss, which makes this guide a true […]

Introducing cartoonishly out-of-this-world villains and navigating the beautiful puzzles of LGBT love, Athens Ophelia The Partitioner: Dusk by Zachary Aneiress is a bold, uncompromising, and inspiring YA read. In this fifth installment of Aneiress’ series, the new-age mythological hero must once again balance between the dramatic trials of teenage life and the shadowy threats he and his crew of quick-witted comrades must face down. While the rapid-fire storytelling is engaging, the prose is peppered with easily fixable errors, incomplete or unclear sentences, tense disagreements, and unnatural syntax that regularly interrupts the reading experience. The thematic choices are timely, the plot […]

An intimate and unfiltered look at the immigrant experience, the horrors of war, and the human capacity for transformation, A House in the Wild Berry Tundra by Akram Didari is a remarkably captivating tale. This short story is an intoxicating dive into Iranian culture and tradition, as well as a heartfelt examination of personal growth, familial grief, adaptation to new worlds, and the unifying power of community. A chronological and geographical puzzle in terms of narration, Didari weaves this straightforward yet powerful narrative with the skill of a master storyteller. Every short chapter adds more depth, introduces a new character, […]

Endless royal intrigue, the uprising of an oppressed people, and a young warrior determined to step out from his father’s shadow make A Sun Going Down by A.C. Aerie a powerful and provocative read. A foiled assassination attempt leads the would-be victim on a quest across the sea to carry out his own murderous mission, but the journey opens his eyes to much harder truths about his own future kingdom, and the deeds carried out in its name. Boasting a rich cast of well-developed characters and a patient storytelling style, this plot transcends the classic road journey premise for a […]

A desert quest to meet a CIA legend turns into a deadly and surreal bid for survival in Ghost Town by A.J. Thibault. The fabled spymaster is up to his old tricks of deception, and has lured the sharp-tongued protagonist, a CIA operative himself, into a twisted experiment that could turn the tide of the Cold War. Through a mind-bending plot that has both characters and readers questioning the nature of reality, this Wild West spy novel is far from your average mystery, western, or paranormal thriller. The dialogue doesn’t always crackle with authenticity, but the storytelling is rich and […]