NOTHING SACRED
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: NOTHING SACRED (Outspoken Voices in Contemporary Fiction) is a finely edited, well-designed anthology of contemporary fiction. A bright start for a bold, small press.
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A MIRROR FOR THE BLIND
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: At once foreign and familiar, Jeong Mu’s A MIRROR FOR THE BLIND provides keen insight into both the traditional and technological forces weighing on young adults in modern South Korea.
YOU PROMISED TO DO NO HARM
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Jonnie Ramsey Brown’s YOU PROMISED TO DO NO HARM (A True Story of Love, Loss, and the Horror of Healthcare Disparity for One African-American Family) is no corrective to any of this. Rather, it fulfills the crucial job of bearing witness to an unforgivable failure.
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MY TIME WITH YOU HAS BEEN SHORT BUT VERY FUNNY
Genres: Memoir
IR Verdict: Radio listeners in Quebec are already familiar with the wit and wisdom of Robert McBryde. The non-fiction collection, MY TIME WITH YOU HAS BEEN SHORT BUT VERY FUNNY, gives the rest of the world access to the author’s inimitable style.
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NUNS WITH SHOTGUNS
Genres: Memoir
IR Verdict: P.H. Mountain was a lovable scumbag in his early years, and NUNS WITH SHOTGUNS is a hilarious romp that follows this immature young man as he slowly comes to grips with his place in the universe.
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RISE OF THE WARRIOR LEADER
Genre: How-To
IR Verdict: With its focus on South African leadership culture and a clarity of purpose, Claudio Chistè’s RISE OF THE WARRIOR LEADER offers enough new ideas to justify its place in the burgeoning business book sector.
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CRANKY SUPERPOWERS
Genre: Inspirational/Spiritual
IR Verdict: Though Steven Joseph’s CRANKY SUPERPOWERS seems rather too idiosyncratically arranged to be read as a self-help tome, the book is consistently funny and perhaps best enjoyed by dipping in and out of at random—whenever light relief from the petty troubles of the world is required.
ELLA SAYS: Let’s Have a Giving Christmas
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: Written and beautifully illustrated by Anu D. Misa, ELLA SAYS: Let’s Have a Giving Christmas is a charming book for older preschoolers and early year school kids, putting a traditional and anti-commercial spin on Christmas with a focus on giving.
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NO CRYING IN THE OPERATING ROOM
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Dr. Cecily Wang’s NO CRYING IN THE OPERATING ROOM is a compelling, heart-rending memoir that will captivate readers with its honesty and gut-wrenching detail.
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BUSINESS BUILDERS
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: Direct yet provocative, BUSINESS BUILDERS (How to Become an Admired and Trusted Corporate Leader) by Dan Adams explains how the right match of leader and company can unlock real value.
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SELECTED STORIES
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Michael Glenn’s SELECTED STORIES profoundly transform apparently mundane experiences into revelations about human nature.
THE ETHEREAL JOURNEY TO NOTHINGNESS
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: A provocative, thoughtful exploration of a man’s spiritual experiences, Vincent Leuzy’s THE ETHEREAL JOURNEY TO NOTHINGNESS: Peeking Into The Beyond offers hope, solace, and peace in the face of deep loss.
FACING ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA HEAD ON
Genre: Health
IR Verdict: Caroline de L. Davies and Marguerite Boychuk’s FACING ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA HEAD ON is a comprehensive guide to caring for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Written in clear prose and full of useful tips learned from real world experience, the book is recommended for anybody who wishes to know more about the conditions or is seeking practical advice on caring for a loved one.
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INSPIRING WORK ANNIVERSARIES
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: Writing in a simple but arresting style, workplace consultant Rick Joi argues that celebrating the anniversaries of employees’ hire dates is the key to unlocking company value in INSPIRING WORK ANNIVERSARIES.
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FROM ALLY TO ACCOMPLICE
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: Seena Hodges’s FROM ALLY TO ACCOMPLICE: How to Lead as a Fierce Antiracist offers an invaluable opportunity for growth and serves as a meaningful contribution to the cause of justice.
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CROSSING DARKNESS
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: In CROSSING DARKNESS, Alexander C. Juden delivers a fast-paced historical thriller that deftly incorporates post-WWI politics, European espionage, and complicated personal relationships.
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