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!
Nostalgia at its finest, THE SEA TURTLE captures a coming-of-age summer of ‘74 set on a South Carolina island. Author Greg M. Dodd masterfully crafts a story of soon-to-be thirteen-year-old Ran as he contends with family drama, a series of firsts, and a coastal summer to remember. Readers transport through time and place via the well-written, succinct descriptions and raw emotions of a cast of lively characters.
BURNED OUT TO LIT UP by Cara Houser is a holistic guide to reclaiming your inner passion, becoming more empowered and renewing your well-being. The author includes practical advice for readers, including actionable steps and exercises to incorporate into your daily lives and navigate burnout. Furthermore, the personal experiences and stories interweaved throughout the book make it relatable for readers. The author also uses humour and an engaging writing style to immerse the readers into the narrative. This book will prove helpful for all readers looking to overcome burnout and achieve a healthier work-life balance.
MIDNIGHT ON FIREWORKS ISLAND by Christopher N. Ciko is about a young boy named Joey who has an unflappable skill for predictions, but a serious penchant for dangerous behavior. After his third inexcusable bad decision, he is arrested for vandalism, expelled from school, and sent to the Rockweiler Correctional Academy, a school for troubled youths. After arriving, Figgy, Joey’s roommate and only friend, figures out the game of the school right away – namely that all their behavior (good or bad) is reflected in a point system, and they need a certain number of points to graduate. The positivity throughout the book, despite the setting, is incredibly infectious. Joey finds a way to truly listen to the good Voice in his head and ignore the ones leading him astray. A great read for pre-teens and teens who may need a reminder that they can always change and become the best version of themselves.
Michael C. Higgins, Ph.D., author, photographer, and wine expert, writes a love letter in EXPLORING WINE REGIONS-CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST travel guide. Whether an armchair traveler or planning their next wine-centric adventure, each reader will find Higgins’ passionate educational recommendations for exploring this region most advantageous. Combining stunning photographs with personable stories, readers will want to visit every highlighted wine attraction.
COLLECT CALL TO MY MOTHER by Lori Horvitz is a poignant memoir full of essays that discuss the author’s life with a piercing vision. The memoir is honest and moving as it explores the author’s experiences with grief, her relationship with identity and the effects of family dynamics. Each story is different from the others, forming a cohesive and varied narrative that is colourful and relatable for readers from all walks of life. The author effortlessly combines sharp wit with emotional depth and amusing humour, interweaving all elements throughout her writing to keep the readers engaged. Readers who enjoy personal essays and memoirs will love reading about the author’s growth.
Set in a medieval world that is thoroughly detailed, Robert A Walker’s SIX MOONS, SEVEN GODS follows an extensive cast of characters including lowly stable boys, villainous thieves, and noble royal guards. The author keeps readers hooked with intricately woven subplots ranging from political intrigue over royal assassination attempts, light fantasy with foreboding visions, and complex relationships both romantic and platonic.
Michael Joseph Oswald created the Atlas of NATIONAL PARK MAPS as a tool to enjoy the splendor of these spectacular environments. Packed with informative recommendations of hikes, camps, and must-see features, any reader can find enjoyment at the U.S. National Parks. This atlas should be an integral part of planning all forthcoming expeditions.
In a memoir/self-help guide, Bala Kumar shares his personal experience in putting his type 2 diabetes into remission. DIABETES 21 is a 21-day program utilizing four principles: low-glycemic food, meditation/yoga, exercise, and intermittent fasting. Kumar is direct in his no-holds-barred motivation to help others with this diagnosis; only sincere lifestyle changes will reverse diabetes for life without medication.
Tied together with sprinkles of food and beverage details, the short stories in Karmen Špiljak’s PASS THE CYANIDE, the second in the depict imaginative murder mysteries with a varying range of motives that act as the spice in these quick, but engaging tales. Though there are hints of quirky humor throughout, the macabre themes portrayed may leave readers scared to try the included recipes after finishing the book.
Orphaned cousins Wil and Sophie have already been through so much together: namely, coming to live with their Aunts Violet and Rue in their hidden town of Middlegate, not to mention saving their new home several times over from various threats – and most recently conquering one of their biggest foes: final exams. But in THE KINGDOM OF TROLLS – the fourth installment in author Rae St. Clair Bridgman’s MiddleGate series – they are really put to the test. The Middlegate books are a delightful series of adventures for young readers with a penchant for fantasy. This entry is no exception as Bridgman delights with another quest for the cousins, and readers, to dive into. With plenty of laughs along the way, the characters are incredibly colorful and the story is continuously engaging; even adults can enjoy what this series has to offer.
Perseverance or fortitude would have been more apt names for author Alan Corcoran’s support sailboat rather than fate-tempting, UNSINKABLE; however, he has all three attributes in spades. In his attempts to open-sea-swim the length of Ireland, he proves it takes all three for his successful endeavor. In this inspirational story, he details the disappointments and triumphs of honoring his father and raising funds for charities
In TROLL, the hugely enjoyable first installment of his YA Norse Saga, A. F. Jansson introduces the reader to Ash, an orphaned stable boy in the Viking world of Midgard who dreams of joining the elite Jomsvikings. When his birthright is revealed, his wish is fulfilled, but it comes at a cost; something has roused the draugr, the undead. Ash swiftly needs to channel his destiny to discover the source before Midgard is plunged into the great battle of Ragnarok. Jansson effortlessly transports YA and older readers into the magical realms of Norse myth and legend in the well-written and wonderfully imaginative TROLL. Led by an engaging protagonist with a captivating collection of fantastical characters and a nicely twisty tale, TROLL is a spellbinding start to Jansson’s series.
DON’T F*CK WITH NARCISSISTS begins in a seemingly humorous tone, with a coming-of-age tale conveying the dating woes of a young woman from Texas that ventured abroad. Author Erin Bell engages readers by beautifully weaving subtly increasing tension as the story develops into unexpected dark mysteries.
Author Ann Conway writes so emotionally that there should be a trigger warning for LAURA, UNLOVED. The reader will empathetically feel the trauma as the main character, Laura, gets shockingly battered, bruised, and gaslighted. Thankfully, her wonderfully loving family supports her through this tormenting thriller.
PRINCESS ROURAN AND THE BOOK OF THE LIVING by Shawe Ruckus is a riveting fusion of science fiction and historical fantasy, following multiple protagonists as they time-travel back to ancient Egypt to save humanity and defeat the evil AI Pandorai. Through its blend of science fiction, historical fantasy and thriller, the book delves into many complicated themes, including the potentially destructive powers of artificial intelligence. Readers looking for well-developed and suspenseful historical and science fiction will enjoy this book.
STOP, DROP, GROW, & GLOW by Holly Swenson is a practical guide for new and seasoned parents and caregivers alike. By including topics such as self-care, conscious parenting, mindfulness and continued learning, the author helps parents prioritize growth through practice and flexibility. The book also highlights the importance of reflection and personal growth through anecdotes and exercises found at the end of each chapter. A book helpful for all who are looking for a holistic guide to parenting.
Grouping the National parks into seven distinct sections, THE DAYHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE NATIONAL PARKS guide offers 198 trail maps of over 280 trails. Author Michael Joseph Oswald details trail difficulty, length, and elevation gain and also packs the perfect amount of information to aid any level hiker. Reading this National Parks guide, day hikers can easily dream up their next adventure.
Julie Burnette Feingold’s sweeping historical novel, AN ISLAND LONG AGO, is a romantic family saga stretching from the late 19th century into the mid-20th century. When the Americans occupy the Philippines after the Spanish-American war, love between an American solider and a Filipina woman has generations’ worth of consequences. Add in a cruel family matriarch and a selfish choice made by a love-struck, guilt-ridden priest, and there are layers of drama and tragedy with a backdrop that is both dramatic and exotic. Feingold’s exploration of how the consequences of political decisions affect the daily lives of regular people, and, especially, create additional pain and chaos for the women, are well-depicted and often heart-breaking. AN ISLAND LONG AGO has echoes of love, loss, and hope that resonate.