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!
OUR BEAUTIFUL TRIBE is a touching children’s tale about belonging. Author Aaron Copeland and illustrator Melissa Lettis succeed in telling a simple yet compelling story of the importance of family, and about how, in spite of the differences in appearances, ethnicity, and culture between us all, we all ultimately derive from the same place, and that our richness lies in that diversity.
I’M THE ANSWER TO YOUR CONFUSION by Jim Lively is a gripping psychological thriller that immerses readers in the unraveling mind of Simon Steed. Through Simon’s mounting unease, spooky experiences, and desperate quest of clarity, the author deftly creates suspense. With its blend of legal drama and psychological tension, the book keeps readers questioning what is real and what is imagined.
NO BOUNDARIES by Kevin Geise features ‘60s and ‘70s history in Fort Wayne, Indiana, alternating with stories of teenagers in the Coldwater Creek community. No major news event or trend is spared, from desegregation and weed to comedian George Carlin and the Watergate affair. Each impacts the group in different ways: Bob Wills’ brother KIA in Vietnam, young love between Brian Johnson and Mindy, how parents like Ryan O’Connor cope (or not). Universal life struggles and resolutions are bound to appeal to a wide range of readers.
Struggling to process the loss of her mother ten years earlier and finding herself at an emotional crossroads, twenty-three-year-old Manon Rinsma, armed with a backpack and a pair of red Nikes, books a flight to Los Angeles. For the next six months, Rinsma navigates continents and cultures with no particular plan as she undertakes a journey of discovery, experience, and understanding. Part travelogue and part healing memoir, A FAR CRY FROM YESTERDAY is an immersive and inspiring read that proves difficult to put down. Rinsma is a candid, engaging writer who brings her travels wonderfully to life for the reader while exploring deeply personal issues without exclusivity or indulgence.
An intriguing proposition: What if a business purported to tell the absolute truth to potential customers – with virtually no holds barred? For one week, New York answer man Glen Evans opens shop to the curious and the anxious to help solve their dilemmas. As to be expected: The police, FBI, CIA, ACLU, and other authorities soon start sniffing around. Steven Taunton’s GOD, INCORPORATED is an engaging read that will keep minds whirring.
V-LIFE is a new, amusing take on the vampire genre, combining dark humor, incisive dialogue, and a captivating protagonist on a journey of self-discovery. Sugar Bernstein’s transformation is as captivating as it is entertaining because author Honey Parker skillfully strikes a balance between supernatural mystery and everyday hardships. This clever, action-packed journey has plenty to offer fans of genre-bending literature.
Author Mark Schaefer’s AUDACIOUS delivers exactly what the title promises: Ways to elevate marketing messages above the noise. It’s filled with examples, from a South By Southwest (SBXSW) drone show to a Netflix show unveiling on the Empire State Building. Of course, tenets of audacity are incorporated: awe, 3D, disruption/crowd funding, the necessity of viral moments, and word of mouth marketing (WOMM, for short), among others. A must-read not just for advertisers and marketers, but also for any executive working for attention and change.
THE FATE OF OUR UNION by Hildebrand Hermannson is an ambitious blend of historical adventure and high fantasy. Set against the backdrop of Roman expansion into Europe, the novel follows three unlikely heroes—Rufus, a Roman Stoic; Keresaspa, a Sarmatian warrior-priestess; and Sunu, a Saxon poet—brought together by a seven-headed horse to confront a looming threat sowing discord among tribes. Hermannson’s intricate world-building, drawing from a rich tapestry of mythologies and philosophies, creates a narrative that is both thought-provoking and action-packed. While the extensive glossary and dense references may be challenging for some readers, the depth and complexity add to the novel’s immersive experience. Fans of fantasy, do not skip this one!
Author, TEDx speaker and award-nominated podcaster Kimberly Spencer draws upon almost two decades of experience in her book, MAKE EVERY PODCAST WANT YOU, which offers an accessible yet clinical look at how to utilize the medium of podcasting to promote your business. Spencer uses straightforward, incisive prose to identify such important themes as the need to future-proof against an online environment that is increasingly saturated by AI, the necessity of a good story to tell, and the importance of choosing the podcasts you appear on with care.
CHAINED BIRDS by Carla Conti is a gripping exploration of the U.S. prison system’s underbelly, chronicling the decade-long legal battle to exonerate Kevin Sanders, wrongfully accused of a violent stabbing. Conti, a former journalist, offers a raw and unflinching narrative that takes a deep dive into systemic corruption, gang dynamics, and the arduous journey toward justice. Her evocative storytelling not only sheds light on the harrowing realities of incarceration but also critiques the broader criminal justice system which stands out for its meticulous attention to legal proceedings. While its detailed legal focus may appeal more to those interested in the intricacies of the justice system, the book’s compelling narrative definitely ensures a broad readership. Without any doubt, this impactful read lingers long after the final page.
In 1967, six-year-old Ana Hebra Flaster and her family, once proud revolutionaries now despairing of Castro’s government and the communist regime, were forced to leave their Havana barrio and seek refuge in the US. They settled in New Hampshire, and PROPERTY OF THE REVOLUTION is Hebra Flaster’s profoundly absorbing account of the three generations attempting to forge a new life as Cuban Americans while preserving their rich, unique heritage and culture. Hebra Flaster has produced an exceptional memoir that blends Cuban history with her family’s memories and stories. Beautifully written with warmth, pathos, and humor, she movingly describes her struggles and search for identity yet ensures PROPERTY OF THE REVOLUTION is also a celebration of matriarchal ties, familial bonds, and resilience, qualities that were birthed in the barrios and which became crucial to surviving and, eventually thriving in America.
CELEBRATING COMFY, COZY FOODS FROM NORTH AMERICA, Astrid Tuttle Winegar’s third cookbook in her Cooking for Halflings & Monsters series, focuses on North American cooking, especially that of her home region of the southwest. Winegar’s first cookbook was inspired by her love of fantasy, Tolkien, STAR WARS, etc. This cookbook was written during the COVID pandemic, dedicated to both those who survived and those who did not. The tone of the book is light and fun, with short asides and anecdotes around the recipes. The recipes themselves read clearly and cook up well as written. New Englanders will get a good chuckle from one of the ingredients in the New England seasoning mix. There’s a delightful array of cocktails. The chapters are built around either a holiday (Fourth of July, Thanksgiving) or a type of food (Lunchy Stuff, Pasta). There are multiple delectable versions of mac and cheese, including one with bacon. The chicken salad is particularly tasty, as is the Hidden Treasure Meatloaf. If you like a pan-sized cookie, the Chocolate Chips in a Pan resembles a pizza made of cookie dough (and is delicious). Winegar’s writing style is warm and conversational. It’s pleasurable reading, and cooking from the book feels like cooking with a friend. COOKING FOR HALFLINGS & MONSTERS VOLUME 3 deserves a place of honor on the cookbook shelf, and leaves the reader eagerly awaiting the next volume (which will focus on Europe).
Chloe Turner follows her short story collection WITCHES SAIL IN EGGSHELLS with her historical novel BLUE HAWK. The book is set in Gloucestershire in the 17th century, at the height of the area’s wool industry. Joan, a weaver’s daughter, has a fascination with color and the plants used in creating dyes. She befriends Mrs. Freme, whose garden contains a wealth of plants her tenant uses in his dyes. In spite of the harshness of her life, Joan follows her passion. When illness leaves her a widow, she must use all her strength as well as her talent to build a life for herself and her daughter, in spite of those who do not wish her well. Turner’s meticulous research adds layers of texture to the story. Joan’s determination, intelligence, and kindness make her a protagonist the reader cheers on, and her struggles and heartbreaks are involving and moving. The beautiful language enhances rather than distracts, and Joan’s struggles resonate with relevance even today.
UNDERMINING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION by Diane S. Vann presents a provocative analysis of the alleged influence of the Communist Manifesto on the Democratic Party, drawing parallels between historical ideologies and modern political movements. Through meticulous research and structured arguments, Vann builds a case for defending the U.S. Constitution against perceived threats. The book draws a compelling perspective at the ideological tensions that shape American politics making it a noteworthy read for those interested in constitutional debates.
RELIGION & SCIENCE offers a personal and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between faith and scientific inquiry. Author James Hillman invites readers to evaluate several points of view on long-standing arguments by presenting his comments in a conversational and curious tone. For anyone fascinated in the difficulties and links between religious belief and scientific discoveries, this book is an interesting read.
Delores J. Dillard’s memoir PAPUA NEW GUINEA, 1983 is a sincere account of the author’s spiritual journey, cultural interchange, and personal development. She describes her experiences as a missionary in great detail, navigating unanticipated hurdles, making profound connections with locals, and witnessing the power of religion in crossing worlds. Dillard’s frank observations and vivid images make this an engrossing read for anybody interested in cross-cultural experiences and spiritual development.
Renowned, Norwegian-born photographer Geir Jordahl pairs his powerful photographs with carefully chosen by poetry by Rolf Jacobsen (1907-1994) in the luscious volume THE ENDLESS SPHERE OF TIME. The poems (translated by Roger Greenwald) are presented in both their original Norwegian and in English translations, arranged in sections including “Beyond Death”, “Winds of Change” and “Eternity.” The design of the book is gorgeous. The photographs appear in circles, pulling through the design indicated by the “Sphere” of the title. The images themselves, in black and white with stunning composition, contain layers of meaning and symbols that encourage long periods of contemplation and exploration. Paired with the spare modernism of Jacobsen’s poems, the effect is luminous and resonating. The loving care and attention to detail by True North Editions (founded by the Jordahls) pays off with this gorgeous, slipcovered edition. THE ENDLESS SPHERE OF TIME is a book to savor, reflect on, and treasure time and time again.
Roberta Hartling Gates takes on difficult subject matter with a deft, sure hand in NUMBER 12 RUE SAINTE-CATHERINE AND OTHER STORIES, centered around Klaus Barbie, the Nazi known as “The Butcher of Lyon” to show how he grew from an abused boy into one of the evils of the regime, and then descended into a hunted old man. The stories do not shy away from brutality, yet use spare, carefully chosen details with powerful impact. Gates does the near-impossible, making Barbie an understandable, complex human being without trying to make excuses for the character or make him likeable. The use of language and imagery is both stark and poignant, and relevant today. The characters come alive, and the choice to show many facets of these characters through slow reveals over the course of the stories give the book a strong arc. NUMBER 12 RUE SAINTE-CATHERINE is not an easy book of historical fiction, but it is a powerful and worthwhile one.