WHAT IT COST US
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: Like all great short story collections, WHAT IT COST US: Stories of Pandemic & Protest in D.C. is more than the sum of its parts. Come for the authentic, thought-provoking perspectives; stay for the fresh, genre-bending writing.
Read the full review here.
LAKETOWN
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: With themes of self-acceptance and connection to others, Gerald DiPego’s expert, artful storytelling divulges the deepest yearnings of his small-town characters in the extraordinary LAKETOWN, a gorgeous and memorable set of four novellas.
AVĪCI SAGGA
Genres: Paranormal
IR Verdict: An intense page-turner, AVĪCI SAGGA by Mary Romasanta tosses around excellent plot-twists in a compelling, absorbing reading experience from beginning to end.
Read the full review here.
BETTING ON BERNIE
Genres: Memoir
IR Verdict: In BETTING ON BERNIE: A Memoir of a Marriage, Martha Marks touchingly details her 50-year marriage with businessman-turned-fine artist Bernie, both before and after his contraction of a life-threatening disease.
Read the full review here.
COLD PEACE
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: The first in Helena P. Schrader’s trilogy that retells the dramatic story of the Berlin Airlift, COLD PEACE draws the reader in with the author’s rich cast of characters, engrossing human drama, and impressive historical research.
Read the full review here.
SUN EYE MOON EYE
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Author Vincent Czyz’s SUN EYE MOON EYE proves an engaging discourse on isolation and identity with gorgeous, imagery-saturated prose.
THE STRANGE TWINS OF BEN MORE
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: Unique and lushly illustrated, Anthony Spaeth’s graphic novel THE STRANGE TWINS OF BEN MORE draws on Scottish myths and will appeal to readers of all ages.
Read the full review here.
THE MAY QUEEN
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Equal parts fairy tale and grief narrative, Michelle Tocher’s THE MAY QUEEN blends familiar stories with one family’s larger-than-life drama. A heavy but worthwhile read.
Read the full review here.
TOO MANY STONES
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Rodney Nelsestuen’s TOO MANY STONES is an emotionally powerful novel about how the collision of sexual ignorance and teen rape shapes life opportunities and family development.
Read the full review here.
QUIET DESPERATION
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: QUIET DESPERATION is a well-written literary novella. Author Rodney Nelsestuen has created a memorable central character who, for all of his many flaws, will eventually garner some sympathy from even the most hard-hearted reader.
THIRTY-EIGHT DAYS OF RAIN
Genre: Women’s Fiction
IR Verdict: Eva Asprakis is a gifted writer, and THIRTY-EIGHT DAYS OF RAIN deserves attention for its focus on the problems of young-adult émigrés.
SOULSCAPES
Genre: Poetry/Fiction
IR Verdict: By navigating the contradictory aspects of life with grace and acceptance, Lee Woodman’s SOULSCAPES invites readers to question, consider, and delight in the mysteries of the soul.
Read the full review here.
CREATING YOUR FIRST NOVEL
Genre: Self Help
IR Verdict: In CREATING YOUR FIRST NOVEL, Hank Quense discusses fiction beyond the prose and gives helpful lessons based on his extensive publishing experience. This is an essential companion for the novice writer, demystifying the multifaceted nature of the creative journey.
Read the full review here.
GUILTY OF STEALING HIS HEART
Genre: Romance
IR Verdict: Nancy Lynn White’s GUILTY OF STEALING HIS HEART is a compelling and uplifting read that seamlessly blends historical elements with romance and inspiration.
Read the full review here.
MORAL FIBRE
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: After refusing to fly because his best friend was killed in a raid on Berlin, RAF flight engineer Christopher “Kit” Moran is given the opportunity to retrain as a pilot. With his loyal crew, Moran pilots a Lancaster bomber on vital missions as WWII reaches its climax.
Read the full review here.
RETURN TO THE LION’S DEN
Genre: Popular Fiction
IR Verdict: G.S. Treakle’s RETURN TO THE LION’S DEN is a powerful debut novel that will resonate with anyone who has struggled to make peace with a painful past and forge a new path forward.
Read the full review here.
THE MANIC MISSION
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Through an interplay of characters facing shadows of organized crime and personal turmoil, C.J. Simone’s THE MANIC MISSION: CHILDREN OF THE MOB combines suspense, romance, and societal commentary into a compelling literary tapestry.
Read the full review here.
SIMULATION
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: Featuring love, loss, drama, and moments of quiet contemplation—Angelica Mensah’s SIMULATION has an oddball alternative universe with obvious movie potential. Its characters have complex angles, perspectives, and grievances that convey the confusion of transitioning into adulthood.
Read the full review here.
EMPOWERMENT (A Journey of Discovery)
Genre: Self Help
IR Verdict: Erudite and witty, fully indexed and meticulously referenced, Warren Pennicooke’s EMPOWERMENT (A Journey of Discovery) is a thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining investigation of the cultural history of empowerment. A serious philosophical book with the easy reading charm of a novel.
Read the full review here.
AND ALWAYS ONE MORE TIME
Genre: Self Help
IR Verdict: Margaret Mandell’s AND ALWAYS ONE MORE TIME: A MEMOIR is a brave and moving portrayal of grief and love, confronting the messiness and beauty of life.
Read the full review here.
THE EXTRAORDINARY IMAGINATION OF JENNY FIGMENT
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: THE EXTRAORDINARY IMAGINATION OF JENNY FIGMENT by Jennifer Hayes is a fun book for classroom read-alouds and will likely win over its young readers.
Read the full review here.
MORI
Genre: Action/Adventure
IR Verdict: MORI: The Lost Ones Volume 1 by Michael Seagard is a fast-paced, genre-bending comic novel that entertains while offering poignant insights into the vulnerabilities of the human condition. Combining almost too many genres to keep track of, MORI is thoroughly absorbing.
Read the full review here.
YELLOW BUTTERFLIES
Genre: Inspirational/Spiritual
IR Verdict: Author Maryanne J. Kane combines humor with the right amount of pathos in YELLOW BUTTERFLIES, a moving meditation on faith, family, and redemption.
Read the full review here.
THE HERMIT
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: In THE HERMIT, Katerina Grishakova crafts a compelling character study of one man’s midlife journey to rediscover purpose and meaning beyond his outwardly successful but soulless career on Wall Street.
Read the full review here.
THE LAST REFUGE
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: For a debut novel, THE LAST REFUGE bodes well for Christina Bacilieri’s future work—not least this promising YA fantasy saga. The novel’s prose is assured, with vivid world-building, strong characterization, and a very well-paced plot.
Read the full review here.