THE BRIDGE
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: A charming campus semi-romance set against the historical drama of the 1907 Quebec Bridge collapse, Andrew Palmer’s THE BRIDGE is a colorful and enjoyable novel packed with genuine heart and fascinating history.
FREEZE BEFORE BURNING
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: FREEZE BEFORE BURNING is a suspenseful, intriguing murder mystery with a gripping plot and all the relevant literary elements to make it a compelling read.
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THE COMPLICATION
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: THE COMPLICATION is a well-researched, entertaining and fast-paced mystery that is clearly and simply expounded; it introduces a character that fans of the genre will identify with and most likely will want to follow in subsequent novels in the series.
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WHERE NO MAN PURSUETH
Genres: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Combining a coming-of-age template with a meticulously crafted morality tale, WHERE NO MAN PURSUETH paints a vivid picture of a bygone era that resonates with the here and now.
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THE TICKLEFISH ADVENTURE
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: THE TICKLEFISH ADVENTURE is a beautifully illustrated seafaring tale featuring friendly fish, a hungry whale and a lost sea turtle. At its heart is a simple moral tale of how lending a helping hand, or fin, is always the right thing to do.
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ROOTS IN IRAN
Genre: Middle Grade
IR Verdict: A useful, informative, and inspiring text for preteens and teen, ROOTS IN IRAN offers a wide range of intelligent, creative, and determined female role models, plus relevant information on related topics, from chess to soccer to Nowruz celebrations, all beautifully illustrated and presented in attention-grabbing fashion.
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THE GLIMPSE
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: In THE GLIMPSE, Lis Bensley paints an incredibly moving and emotionally engaging story of an artist who is struggling to find her way. A sophisticated, unsentimental and beautifully written story of art, empowerment and the bonds of maternal love.
LOUSE POINT: Stories From the East End
Genre: Short Stories
IR Verdict: Shelby Raebeck’s latest short story collection LOUSE POINT brings readers deep into the lives of well-drawn characters struggling with grief and the disintegration of familial bonds, subjects he handles with studied mastery.
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REAL PROCUREMENT TRANSFORMATION
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: Alan Hustwick’s pragmatic, no-nonsense style makes for a slim, densely-packed manual that will be of interest to procurement professionals looking to overhaul their procedures. The real value of REAL PROCUREMENT TRANSFORMATION, however, may lie in the innovative vision and mindset the book offers senior leaders who can improve business performance and reduce costs by rethinking the role of procurement in their organizations.
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THE LEAN RECRUITING TOOLKIT
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: Like the best business books, Craig Brown’s recruiting manifesto THE LEAN RECRUITING TOOLKIT is focused, easy to understand, and immensely helpful to working professionals.
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THE ART OF SELF-SUPERVISION
Genre: Psychology
IR Verdict: THE ART OF SELF-SUPERVISION by Laurie Ponsford-Hill offers valuable insights for art therapists – or anyone – experiencing career exhaustion and burn-out, though the depth of detail and clinical approach may make it a tedious read for casual fans of self-help books.
HOT AIR
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: For those new to the town of Arnold Falls it might be as well to begin at the beginning with Charlie Suisman’s introductory debut. For those already onboard, HOT AIR is poignant, yet effortlessly amusing, and a worthy addition to what will surely become a much loved series of comic novels.
ANNIHILATION
Genre: Horror
IR Verdict: A romantic coming-of-age tale intertwined with a massive dark fantasy epic, Kaylin McFarren’s ANNIHILATION–a thrilling expansion of the Gehenna universe–will leave readers eager for the next chapter.
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A STREAM TO FOLLOW
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: A STREAM TO FOLLOW–Jess Wright’s emotional rendering of a front-line surgeon searching for meaning in post-WWII America–is engaging, well-paced, and has an excellent arc of character, theme, and plot.
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GABRIEL’S LABYRINTH
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: GABRIEL’S LABYRINTH: In the Midst of Darkness is a ferocious debut by Daniel Cauterucci, whose supernatural spin on the drug cartel thriller is sure to captivate fans of both crime and dark fantasy.
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SAINT PETER’S TEAR
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: SAINT PETER’S TEAR by Laura Giebfried and Stanley R. Wells has everything a mystery fan might wish for: a brilliant yet flawed protagonist, a twisted tale of murder and betrayal, and a glamorous 1950s setting.
CROSSING THE DIGITAL FAULTLINE (Second Edition)
Genres: Business
IR Verdict: CROSSING THE DIGITAL FAULTLINE doesn’t necessarily say anything that dozens of similar books haven’t already said but the book succeeds on the strength of author Sri Manchala’s engaging and accessible writing style—he is adept at making jargon-laden concepts digestible—and a solidly-organized analysis bolstered by easy-to-understand charts and infographics.
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SAD PAPAW’S HERITAGE
Genre: History
IR Verdict: Expanding on an internet meme, Kenny Harmon’s eminently readable book, SAD PAPAW’S HERITAGE, demonstrates how every individual has an interesting story to tell and that, in the telling, a wider history is revealed.
IMANI’S UNDERSEA ADVENTURE
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: IMANI’S UNDERSEA ADVENTURE is an entertaining, beautifully illustrated picture book that combines sharks, marine scientists and Black history in an educational and empowering way that will surely inspire any young reader.
FIRST PATIENTS
Rod Tanchanco
Genres: History
IR Verdict: In the current era, where a worldwide pandemic has increased our knowledge and awareness of the pace of medical investigations and innovations, FIRST PATIENTS–clearly written and beautifully presented–arrives as a particularly absorbing account of historic scientific success that serve to highlight the continued evolution of medicine and the advancement of science.
THE ART OF SENIOR DATING
Ravina M Chandra
Genre: Sexuality
IR Verdict: Ravina M Chandra’s THE ART OF SENIOR DATING is a helpful, easy-to-follow twelve-step program for those who are struggling and/or afraid to seek out a meaningful relationship and could potentially help people of all ages find a compatible partner.