IndieReader Discovery Awards 2025 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2025 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
THE NEW HUSBAND’S SURVIVAL GUIDE by Rick Resnick is a humorous and lighthearted exploration of the realities of married life, offering witty advice and playful insights for newlyweds. With its tongue-in-cheek tone, the book addresses common challenges—from sharing bathrooms to navigating communication pitfalls—making it a relatable and entertaining read for husbands-to-be.
Energetic, puckish, and surprisingly hopeful, Daniel Lawrence Abrams’ IMMORTALITY BYTES is portrait of a society on the brink of collapse – or of transcending the limits of the physical world entirely. Chock-full of winks to pop culture and history, with a self-consciously textual structure encouraging hyperlinking and non-linear engagement, IMMORTALITY BYTES feels like a book both of and about information, technology, and humanity in the 21st century.
Jeffrey M. Feingold’s A FINE MADNESS AND OTHER MAD STORIES is a captivating collection of short stories that fuses sharp wit, surreal scenarios, and profound insight into human nature. With eccentric characters, inventive narratives, and a perfect balance of humor and thoughtfulness, these stories explore life’s absurdities while offering universal truths about love, identity, and connection. Both entertaining and reflective, this collection is an exceptional choice for readers who appreciate inventive storytelling and cleverly crafted satire.
THE FINAL ACCOUNT is the second book in Jeff Cooper’s Jack Collins suspense series. Jack uncovers financial discrepancies by one of his lawyers handling estate and will management and can’t let it go as worried about the repercussions for his recently founded law firm. Set in the well-heeled regions of Greenwich, Cos Cob, and Stamford, CT., Jack has to juggle a lot: his law firm, his wife’s complicated pregnancy, his young son, the need to move to a larger (and more expensive) home. Challenging the status quo puts everything in jeopardy, but there are also consequences in turning a blind eye. Careful not to tie the corruption to a named political party, the book sets out how one bad choice paves the road to others. Fans of the first Jack Collins suspense novel, AFTER THE FACT, will enjoy this one, and be intrigued by the hints of what’s coming next.
The compelling memoir COINCIDENCE, YOU SAY? by Patrick Hogan offers a distinctive viewpoint on life’s unforeseen turns by fusing historical insights with personal tales. Resilience and self-reflection are demonstrated by the author’s detailed account of his experiences, which range from combat in Vietnam to interactions with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This work is notable for its provocative fusion of introspection and more general philosophical inquiry.
THE SCARLET D by Kirsten Pursell is a heartfelt and empowering story about finding love, rediscovering oneself, and starting afresh later in life. Set in Sullivan Island, SC, this novel captures the struggles and triumphs of Scarlet, a recently divorced woman redefining her identity after a thirty-year marriage. With richly developed characters and a relatable emotional depth, Pursell weaves a tale that celebrates resilience, second chances, and the courage it takes to embrace the unknown, making it a relatable and inspiring read for anyone facing life’s transitions.
Alfredo Botello’s SPIN CYCLE deftly and sympathetically navigates the emotional maze of caregiving. Botello creates a profoundly poignant story that addresses the difficulties of dementia while emphasizing the tenacity of familial love through evocative words and real characters. The author’s personal depiction of forgiveness, guilt, and patience will resonate deeply with readers.
Social scientist Marta Lenartowicz challenges readers to navigate their own minds and dreams in her surreal novella THE MINISTRY OF DREAMS, a unique and unusual exploration of the inherent human artistic capacity through a surreal and fantastical lens.. In this world, dreams are collected and curated like art, on several floors, and navigating the journey is anything but linear. Based in the philosophy that any potential answer opens up more questions, it makes this theory tangible with physical doors and floors. Written in the second person, with the use of “you” throughout, it turns each reader into the central protagonist of the piece. It uses the idea of mind/personality as a house – or is it an escape room? It’s an experiential read, where trying to explain what it’s “about” dilutes the experience of the read itself, and each reader’s experience will be as unique as their own minds, hearts, and questions.
Reenita M. Hora’s VERMILION HARVEST skillfully blends romance and history, giving readers a poignant glimpse of young love amidst the intricacies of India’s freedom movement. Hora portrays the ambiance of early 20th-century India and the tenacity of its people with detailed accounts of cultural customs and complex characters. During difficult times, this moving story offers a distinctive viewpoint on identity and patriotism.
In JOURNEY OF THE BROKEN VESSELS, a unique and unputdownable novel, author Ashten Duncan draws on his personal experiences woven with subtle allegorical and literary allusion to unfold the moving experiences of four young physicians selected to train on a three-year family medicine residency program in the scenic environs of the East Coast town, Frieden Bay. Within a short while, heartbreak, loss, and self-doubt plague the trainees who have formed an unbreakable friendship group. But will their profound bond be enough to overcome the psychological demons each begins to experience? JOURNEY OF THE BROKEN VESSELS is a forensic yet deeply human, emotive story written in beautifully precise and beguiling prose that lingers long after the final page.
Anyone wishing to expand their understanding of nonfiction writing will find Anne Janzer’s THE CURIOUS READER’S FIELD GUIDE TO NONFICTION to be an interesting and perceptive companion. By breaking down storytelling techniques, curiosity hooks, and attention-earning techniques, Janzer enables readers to recognize and appreciate the skill that goes into nonfiction writing. For those who wish to become more astute and knowledgeable genre readers, it is a must-read.
OUR GLOBAL CRISIS by Brian D. McLean offers an incisive examination of the vulnerabilities of modern society by drawing parallels with past civilizations, such as the Incas and the Rapanui. Through compelling analysis and detailed examples, the book explores humanity’s impact on the environment and presents actionable solutions in its final chapters, making it a thought-provoking read for those concerned about the sustainability of our global future.
A modern detective novel with retro noir undertones, Delvin Chatterson’s BAD BOYS IN BOSTON follows two unorthodox partners reuniting to rescue a girl that’s fallen into the clutches of human traffickers. The depth of the characters’ background is artfully interspersed with the thrill of pursuit as the partners leverage classified technology and mafia connections while attempting to stay on the right side of the law.
High school can be tough, especially when teens are in their senior year, getting ready for “adulthood,” and learning about their own family histories. BECAUSE OF YOU by Fiona Brands travels in different directions of reality and what seems like fantasy—or is it? Trauma, drama, confusion, and life-altering decisions come together in this gentle introduction to what could be classified as friend-based science fiction.
Dr. Davis K. Brimberg’s memoir, TEACHINGS FROM THE GATEKEEPER, explores parapsychology through a blend of personal experiences with the paranormal and scientific research. Brimberg’s narrative not only captures the struggles of academic and personal growth but also underscores the importance of introspection and empathy in navigating life’s complexities. The engaging writing and wealth of information make it a valuable resource for those curious about the paranormal and human potential.
L.R. O’Brien’s 2028 TOMORROW IS THE DAY is a gripping science fiction thriller that expertly blends a high-stakes story with significant ethical themes about technology and humans. Dr. Ray Stone, the story’s central character, is a smart but troubled protagonist who uncovers the Hydrans’ terrible secrets while dealing with his estranged sister Deanna’s commitment to their enigmatic leader, Jordan Taylor. O’Brien’s intriguing investigation of alien AI, the appeal of utopian promises, and the emotional weight of familial relationships make this a thought-provoking book for speculative fiction enthusiasts.
Sandra Tyler’s THE NIGHT GARDEN: OF MY MOTHER is a heartfelt memoir that touches on the complex relationship between mother and daughter through the lenses of caregiving, bereavement, and perseverance. Tyler’s evocative writing style offers a very personal yet approachable story, capturing profound moments of love and frustration. The memoir is a poignant ode to a life well-lived and enduring relationships via contemplations on memory, art, and family dynamics.
Patrick Garvey’s novel, THE HEIR TO ACHILLES, mixes political thriller with mythological and fantastical elements in unique and intriguing ways. In 2022, when Russian soldiers overcame the defiant Ukrainians on Snake Island, they discovered relics tied to Achilles that give them enormous power, but with enormous consequences. Back in the US, CIA analyst Noa Banks gets a call from her ex-boyfriend, an archaeologist, that ties current worldwide political strife with ancient myth. How they unravel fact from fiction is an engaging and often surprising web of intrigue, suspense, science, myth, and history. The characters are strong and engaging, the plot keeps twisting as new layers are revealed, going not just to Achilles and Troy, but to Alexander the Great and ancient Egypt. The heightening stakes and tightening net are paced well to ratchet up the tension. The meticulous research is well integrated into the story and the Garvey includes some of his sources and research at the end, giving interested readers a foundation to go deeper into the elements they found most intriguing. Fans of history, myth, and archaeological suspense will enjoy THE HEIR TO ACHILLES.