HOME & CASTLE by Thomas Benz
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: With HOME & CASTLE, Thomas Benz sharpens the tools of earlier literary traditions into cutting—yet humane—observations of the hazards present in our culture of comfort and convenience, with striking clarity, insight, and an intimacy bordering on clairvoyance.
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EVERY DAY SPIRIT: A Daybook of Wisdom, Joy and Peace by Mary Davis
Genre: Inspirational/Spiritual
IR Verdict: This thoughtful, well-organized daybook offers theoretical and practical suggestions for living a peaceful existence.
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SPARROWHAWK ON THE HORIZON by A. Scholte
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: SPARROWHAWK ON THE HORIZON is a delightful historical novel that will engage and entertain both heart and mind.
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SOME RISE by Richard Snodgrass
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Richard Snodgrass’s gift for characterization, plotting, and dialogue make SOME RISE one of the most engaging family sagas/ literary mysteries we’ve read in years.
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EXILE ON SECOND AVENUE by James Walsh
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: A powerful, deliberate novel that tells a gripping and unique story about the marriage of privilege and despair through a dark story about suicide, love, and the courage it takes to face each new day.
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THE SHAMAN’S APPRENTICE by B. Muze
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: With THE SHAMAN’S APPRENTICE, B. Muze has crafted gripping story in an expansive world, which through its sympathetic and steadfast heroine, manages to explore the ever-present beauty and ugliness that exists in both human and divine.
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SECOND SON by Pamela Taylor
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Alfred’s tale is comfortable, familiar, and overwhelmingly admirable and author Pamela Taylor has done a marvelous job of combining fact, fantasy, and fun. Even though it might take the reader some time to bond with him, he eventually becomes a worthy hero in his own right.
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THE KOREAN WORD FOR BUTTERFLY by James Zerndt
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: James Zerndt’s story about struggling for cultural tolerance is a nonstop read that should be added to high school, college, and library book lists.
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THE KING OF PAWLEYS by David Bernstein
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: David Bernstein’s deeply rooted love for the coast of South Carolina, strong moral principles, and his ability to write from a middle grade perspective add layers of complexity to this coming of age novel about a young boy’s first foray into romance, making it a knockout debut novel for readers of all ages.
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DIVINE CHOREOGRAPHY OF REDEMPTION: Setting the Eternal Saga in Time by William E. Jefferson
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: William E. Jefferson creates a masterful look at technology’s influence on humanity in this modern-day allegorical adventure in which the narrator, Narrative, relates his unusual visions in his quest to write a new telling of the story of redemption.
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INCEPTION by Laxmi Hariharan
Genre: Paranormal Romance
IR Verdict: With its charismatic lead couple and sensuous storytelling, INCEPTION is a sexy, well-written romantic adventure.
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GENESIS II by Allen Ling & Christian Boe
Genre: Graphic Novel
IR Verdict: GENESIS II mixes familiar science fiction elements to offer a vividly rendered superhero tale with a cast of unique and memorable characters. An interesting take on a future America, this first installment promises adventure and high-stakes action.
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A LYLE SAXON READER: LOST STORIES OF THE FRENCH QUARTER AND BURIED TREASURE by Lyle Saxon, edited by James Michael Warner
Genre: Short Stories
IR Verdict: An excellent introduction aids reader understanding in A LYLE SAXON READER, an array of early 20th century work, previously difficult to access, by Louisiana writer Lyle Saxon.
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NO EASY MONEY by Delvin Chatterson
Genre: Popular Fiction
IR Verdict: Delvin Chatterson pens crime drama that is as fast-paced and involved as the archetypal L.A. potboiler, and deftly leaves open the possibilities for his characters to continue their stories in future adventures.
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WHERE THE DRAGONWOOFS SLEEP AND THE FADING CREEPS by A.J. Massey
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: Hints of beloved fantasy throwbacks and tons of excitingly one-of-a-kind ideas coalesce into an impressive, unmissable fantasy adventure in WHERE DRAGONWOOFS SLEEP AND THE FADING CREEPS.
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TARGET: Business Wisdom from the Ancient Japanese Martial Art of Kyudo by Jérôme Chouchan
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: In the current flood of books from entrepreneurial “gurus,” Jérôme Chouchan’s decades of evolving business and Kyudo practice reflect genuine hard-earned wisdom like moonlight on calm water.
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