IndieReader Discovery Awards 2024 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2024 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
In DOUBT RIDING SHOTGUN (Learning to Recognize, Engage, and Love Your Doubt), author Dave Hill Jr. is frank about his battle with confusion and doubt over the years. He exposes its different forms and illustrates how to identify, appreciate, and eventually benefit from the feeling. This is a crucial mental well-being book that will help its readers re-frame and work through their distinctive form of doubt at a time when uncertainty is rising by the day.
RAISING OWEN by Suzanne Lezotte is a hauntingly beautiful memoir detailing one mother’s journey raising a son with Down’s syndrome. The narrative deeply explores the author’s journey in coming to terms with her son’s diagnosis, from denial and despair to acceptance and support, portraying her feelings and mental health at every step. Furthermore, the author includes anecdotes and real-life experiences from pregnancy and her son’s school experiences, detailing how she fought for her son’s well-being. There is clarity in the author’s words as she describes her biases and fears without artifice, using clear, concise, moving language. Readers looking for evocative and contextual lessons on parenthood will learn much from this memoir.
AWAKEN YOUR SOUL by Theodore Orenstein charts the author’s evolving relationship with spirituality in his journey towards enlightenment. The author approaches spirituality widely with an open mindset, thoroughly diving into facets such as meditation and finding a balance between the material world and spirituality. Furthermore, the book considers spirituality from diverse philosophical and religious angles and belief systems, positing an inclusive approach. The author includes personal anecdotes from his own life, as well as quotes from prominent historical figures such as Martin Luther King, and Ralph Waldo Emerson to elucidate his points on concepts such as Oneness. Readers looking to revive their faith spiritually and holistically will benefit from this book.
BOOMSTERS by David Marks revolves around an unlikely protagonist, retired David Blazen, and his journey into becoming an independent detective in Chicago’s thriving cityscape. The author draws in the readers from the start of the book with well-developed characters such as Mary and interweaves humor into the narrative alongside suspense. The plot is thrilling, containing multitudinous twists and turns as David works through cases, deciphering clues and defeating villains. As the book follows a unique protagonist, offering a perspective on beginning life anew, it touches on themes such as corruption, community, and the importance of purpose. This narrative will enamor readers who enjoy detective stories with fresh perspectives.
Tegan Anderson’s PAPER FORESTS introduces readers to captivating characters Oliver, Ansel, August, and Gracie, who together navigate a mysterious realm that exists between life and death. The narrative skillfully weaves suspense and darker themes into a heart-wrenching journey, addressing complex subjects with sensitivity. It’s an engaging read, particularly for readers drawn to suspense and darker themes, as well as those interested in exploring the complexities of mortality and possibilities of the in-between.
In a magical forest full of creatures big and small, two best friends Quizzle – a fairy – and Pinky Palm – an everyanimal, or a creature that can be/feel like any animal, but in this case mostly likes to be a gopher – love to hang out together experiencing all sorts of adventures. Over the span of several stories in THE MAGICAL ADVENTURES OF QUIZZLE AND PINKY PALM, author Teresa Mae Waterland takes readers along in their journey all about learning to believe in yourself and taking care of those around you. Kids eager for new modern day fairytales will be very interested in these adventures!
THE RIVENER by Garrett Godsey follows teen protagonist Kid, a courier for an underground organization, and Alice, a studious teen, as their fates intertwine due to a failed assignment, pushing them into a heroic, otherworldly struggle for survival. The story is initially immersive, bolstered with fleshed-out characters and a riveting plot combining elements of fantasy, science fiction, and thriller. The settings of the real world and fantastical parallel universes are sketched out with haunting visual imagery and attention to detail. The author weaves in diverse and complicated themes, ranging from the existential to the survivalistic. Readers who enjoy imaginative and unique fantasy will enjoy this book.
Autobiographies come in different forms, but the ones that detail the lives of “real people” bring connection and meaning to many who read them. REGARDING VICTORY: Adventures in Entrepreneurship Led Back to Love by Joshua Wallack ties family and financial success firmly together, showing that while having a lot of money is important to some people, the ultimate victory in life is that of loving and being loved. Well-written text filled with honesty, passion, and direction, REGARDING VICTORY is a reminder that, within all of one’s personal desires for determined success, it really means very little without the human connection.
JJ McNeice’s CORN STORIES: THE DETASSLER’S BIBLE is a collection of anecdotes from some memorable years detasseling summer corn in the U.S. mid-West. Largely memoir, with a cursory bit of how-to, McNeice’s nostalgia for the camaraderie and freedom of seasonal fieldwork are highlights.
EXTRACTING MAGIC, the first book in Isla Kinney’s Spellcasters’ Torment series, is an action-packed thrill ride of a fantasy novel. The pace and worldbuilding are both excellent as is the author’s ability to demonstrate how fear is manipulated in the name of good to be actually a far greater evil than what it fights. An excellent first book in this fantasy series that will leave readers eager for more.
Twists and turns, ups and downs, ins and outs—life has its way of bringing opposites together in unexpected ways. MIM AND WIGGY’S GRAND ADVENTURE by Jay Mckenzie features recognizable characters, amusing situations, and a ghostly few twists and turns to keep readers connected to the storyline making it an entertaining diversion for men and women alike.
A wondrous compilation spanning 1958 to 2015, Michael Glenn’s SELECTED STORIES, delves into the human experience and condition through delightful prose, as poignant as it is profound. From distressing glimpses of abandoning friendships to the turmoil within marriages and societal scuffles, Glenn’s tales, rich in psychological acumen, give evidence to the tremors of the global landscape during the past 50 years. This compilation —as a whole— cherishes the literary craftmanship of authentically setting up scenes capable of capturing the spatial and emotional ambience of the human struggle; whether in the debris of a street, a social crisis, or, even in the total internal collapse of a person —perhaps the reader— whilst assessing the image of the mirror.
THE APOCALYPTO KID GOES TO COLLEGE is about author Grant Harper Reid’s college life, as a black student at a predominantly white college. The opportunity brought with it unprecedented challenges that pushed his resilience and faith to the limit. His journey culminated with an amazing feat that demonstrates that anything is achievable for those who confront their shortcomings while focusing on the finish line with unwavering confidence. This tale hits all the right notes of an outstanding memoir written with deep dedication, blunt honesty, and solid prose with the reader’s delight and motivation in mind.
Dark. Full of deals – and death. João Cerqueira’s PERESTROIKA: EYE FOR AN EYE; TOOTH FOR A TOOTH (categorized as Historical Fiction) is a thinly veiled picture of the USSR before and after Gorbachev’s reign. Queues for food, corruption at the highest and lowest strata of government, basic decency hard to find in this country called Slavia. Though no one character stands out, most from Ionescu at the top to Tobias the drug seller, look at life as a hard scrabble, time to make a killing (literally and figuratively). Readers looking for redemptive qualities will find it in a well-written narrative that’s fast paced, with a few individuals seeking a better life.
BOY MEETS ANT by Munk Davis revolves around young protagonist Booker and his journey of personal growth through overcoming change. The book amalgamates horror, science fiction, and romance into itself as Booker uncovers the secrets behind a tragic incident while his relationship with Amity develops. The prose is witty, light, humorous, and suspenseful, keeping the reader engaged by combining technical subplots with compelling storytelling. The book’s themes are varied and relatable, ranging from existential identity crises to the ethical dilemmas of genetic manipulation. Readers who enjoy unique coming-of-age stories will enjoy Booker’s story.
When author Melanie Dragan was laid off during COVID she opted for an adventure and she, along with her husband and their dog, packed up an RV and plotted a route through the 48 states (and a quick trip to Alaska). THE DRAGON WAGON DIARIES follows their journey during which they spent time with old friends and made some new ones. Filled with evocative photos of the beauty and magic of each state, the book invites the armchair traveler to share in their experience.
An army of monsters plans to invade the Earth, but worse beasts are already in Cameron Poole’s innermost thoughts, in Mark Cheverton’s FACING THE BEAST WITHIN. In this high-stakes adventure tale perfect for middle-grade readers, Cheverton artfully includes proven psychological techniques and coping strategies to show Cameron’s journey from self-doubt and anxiety to an unlikely hero. A suspenseful and exciting read with a smart mental-health message!
In this intense, hard-hitting, and visceral memoir, trauma surgeon and ICU doctor, Cecilia Wang gives a forensic yet deeply human account of her life employed on the medical frontline in Hawaii, mainland America, and international relief missions working in war-torn or disaster-plagued regions. Dr. Wang shares her profound observations of the contrast in healthcare provision, ethics, and attitudes between domestic and international medical practice and examines the psychological effects of practicing trauma medicine. Additionally, she interleaves snippets of autobiography, especially reflecting on the complex relationship with her mother, which she examines with philosophical insight and straightforward honesty. NO CRYING IN THE OPERATING ROOM is a gripping, affecting, and quietly powerful narrative that deserves wide recognition.