SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books
After waking up in a daze in Phoenix, Tom’s life spirals out of control as he puts the troubled pieces back together. Stampeding through his own fresh shot at life, making rash decisions, and falling in lust, all while maintaining a very unhealthy buzz, Tom is a compelling and surprisingly relatable protagonist. While Tom is clearly still in crisis, with plenty of toxic […]
Elle Fox is a relatable and charming protagonist whose past and troubled present are slowly revealed through dual storylines set five years apart. Recounting a painful loss on one side and an unexpected reunion on the other, the execution is excellent, when it could be muddled or lose momentum. Bouncing between timelines is an ambitious choice, but it gives this story a great sense of dimension and emotional impact.
Kraft is also unafraid of dark […]
Young readers will be entranced by memory thieves and dragon saviors, professional pranksters and talking toads with wisdom to share. Between the space pirates, Zogs, and hungry lizards, this collection is unpredictable, to say the […]
For those unfamiliar with the plight and struggle for rights of the First Nations people in Australia, this passionate and deeply researched book shines a light on what Aboriginal really means, and the weight such a title bears. Delving into the political machinations, racism, and historical oppression in this oft-overlooked part of the world, the author is unabashed in her reporting on the past five decades, and […]
This colorful, multifaceted story details Levi’s journey from the streets to his exciting move to the United States on board a cargo plane, as well as the various steps of being adopted by the perfect family, and eventually finding a new calling as a therapy dog. With bright and energetic digital illustrations by Martin Peers, this inspiring story comes alive on the page, and contains plenty of lessons for both children and adults.
The story may be especially […]
Detailing her unique challenges and rewards as the mother of an autistic child, William, her story is unfiltered and fearless, giving voice to what millions of parents feel, but rarely express. For readers experiencing a similar diagnosis within their own family, this narrative will provide hope, as well as practical ideas and strategies for the tough or exhausting times ahead. As Venters leads readers through William’s early years, the […]
Michael Jean DuBois captures nearly two years of his life via phone messages with his sister in Texting Mia, an experimental memoir that grips the heartstrings with unvarnished honesty.
The vicissitudes of fate land the author and his sister, Mia, back in the home of their Haitian parents as they both try to find a new path forward. As expected, long-dormant wounds reopen and old family trauma bubbles to the surface. The author holds little back as he recounts the upbringing with his parents, and the brutality he and his sister experienced at their hands. As they did when […]
Felix’s initial recounting of her childhood in South Africa is both charming and compelling, as she weaves the painful tale of her humble family with early attempts at self-analysis and deeper understanding. Following an uprooting, however, that family life begins to crack and crumble, and her parents’ marriage falls apart. Readers are pulled into the psyche of the author as a vulnerable young girl trying to navigate the complexity of relationships, parenting, depression, […]