CAN’T STOP THE SUNRISE
Genre: Politics & Current Events
IR Verdict: In her thoroughly gripping book, CAN’T STOP THE SUNRISE, Vanessa Osage dives into the courageous and magnificent tale of her ongoing efforts to hold pedophiles and other sexual offenders fully accountable for their crimes–along with complicit, abuse-enabling school officials, elite institutions, etc.
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AFTER THE BALL
Genre: Horror, Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: AFTER THE BALL is a solidly-written sojourn into horror noir, balancing well-measured tension with a love of history and a well-drawn setting.
FORGIVENESS: Your Key to Harmony and Inner Peace
Genre: Self-Help
IR Verdict: FORGIVENESS is a refreshingly candid and engrossing memoir with a self-help angle that will resonate especially with readers who have struggled with unhealthy romantic relationships.
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THE LIVES OF LOWBROW ARTISTS: Vol 1
Genre: Biography
IR Verdict: Author Fritz Costa’s conversational storytelling brings life to biographic profiles of five Lowbrow artists in THE LIVES OF LOWBROW ARTISTS: Vol 1, illuminating their common philosophies while embracing deeply personal influences on their individual styles.
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THE ART OF FINDING TRUTH
Genre: Inspirational/Spiritual
IR Verdict: The biographical story Darice Cairns relates in THE ART OF FINDING TRUTH of Behzad Ghashghaee’s personal history is a powerful tale that cuts through society’s web of lies towards celebrating Life and the ability to tell the Truth despite a culture of engrained, deceptive, government-sponsored persecution.
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CALENDULA PROOF
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: With its fast pace, well-drawn characters, and tight delivery, CALENDULA PROOF will satisfy YA or adult readers who want to unravel an entertaining mystery over a few summer days.
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PROBLEMS OF THE MUHAMMADANS
Genre: Religion
IR Verdict: Author Mohammed A. Halim constructs a brilliant case for greater understanding of the ancient knowledge offered by Muhammad in the Koran in PROBLEMS OF THE MUHAMMADANS.
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HUMANS, GODS, AND HYBRIDS
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: HUMANS, GODS, AND HYBRIDS contemplates the whereabouts of alien abduction offspring and the issues of xenophobia and genetic engineering in the tidy package of an exciting, explosively paced thriller that puts a thought-provoking spin on the first contact trope.
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THE TURNING POINT
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: Julia Ash’s THE TURNING POINT boasts a seasoned protagonist and an impressively populated fantasy world whose status quo is about to be upheaved.
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THE FUTURE OF BUILDINGS, TRANSPORTATION AND POWER
Genre: Environment
IR Verdict: THE FUTURE OF BUILDINGS, TRANSPORTATION, AND POWER, by Roger Duncan and Michael Webber, is a fascinating glimpse into the possible future of technology, engineering, and the environment. The authors simplify complex concepts down into understandable parts, presenting them in three well-organized sections. The writing is crisp, clear, and is well-sourced where appropriate.
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STARK RAVING ZEN
Genre: Inspirational/Spiritual
IR Verdict: Kristy Sweetland’s memoir STARK RAVING ZEN–a vivid account of her “vision quest” through the American Southwest and her growing psychic abilities–is relayed through strong storytelling, self-awareness, and sense of humor that keeps the pages turning.
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SEASON OF WAITING
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: SEASON OF WAITING by Jim Christopher is a thoughtful thriller imbued with attention-grabbing other-worldly elements and emotive characters whose stories are skillfully intertwined to keep readers invested to the end.
WHEN A CONSCIENCE KNOCKS
Genre: Romance
IR Verdict: James G. Skinner’s WHEN A CONSCIENCE KNOCKS is a skillfully woven and engaging tale of romance set against a backdrop of global political intrigue and deep personal tragedy.
BROTHERS IN ARMS
Genre: History
IR Verdict: A stirring portrait of bravery and sacrifice, BROTHERS IN ARMS offers an emotional, heart wrenching perspective of World War II.
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GLORY DAYS
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: J.P. Michaels’ GLORY DAYS is a fascinating examination of the racism and turmoil in small-town southern America and its hostility to racial justice, told through a protagonist who is destined to confront rather than escape his past dealings with race.
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MAKING PHOTOGRAPHY EASY AND FUN
Genre: Photography
IR Verdict: MAKING PHOTOGRAPHY EASY AND FUN delivers on its premise, providing expert advice and interesting exercises that will delight burgeoning photographers.
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MOUSE’S SPLASHY TUESDAY
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: A cute, cheerful little book about a child enjoying herself in the rain, MOUSE’S SPLASHY TUESDAY will charm and entertain in equal measure.
NO MATCH FOR HER
Genres: Memoir, Health, Parenting
IR Verdict: Readers will need a box of tissues for this heart-warming story of how a family, their friends, church, and community all pulled together to help 12-year-old Lilli Hicks fight leukemia in NO MATCH FOR HER, a great read–not just covering the medical aspects of the journey, but also the emotional ones.