IndieReader Discovery Awards 2026 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2026 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
Chief Ethics Officer John Greenburn knows the Big Pharma company he works for is morally bankrupt, but is failing miserably to make his voice heard. He recognizes his reticence stems from the emotional abuse he was subjected to by his mother, Frances, who projected an intense need to overcome her family’s legacy onto John and his once-promising tennis career. As Frances’s health begins to deteriorate, John is forced to confront their toxic dynamic and the buried trauma beneath it. LIFE CLOSE TO THE BONE unfolds a powerful, hard-hitting story exploring generational stigmas, unspoken shame, and, ultimately, forgiveness. Finely written, relentlessly compelling, and utterly gripping, Spake has produced an absolute gem of a debut novel.
WHO NUKED SILICON VALLEY? by Mike Donoghue is a razor-sharp techno-thriller that follows Katie, Livingstone, and the AI cat Auggie as they uncover layers of conspiracy behind a nuclear strike. With its inventive blend of near-future technology, espionage, and survival tactics, the book stands out for its vivid worldbuilding and tense, character-driven intrigue.
THANK GOD FOR THE SINNERS by Eric Magun is an unfiltered plunge into the chaos of a man torn between loyalty, addiction, and survival, told with biting humor and startling self-awareness. Rick Price’s voice, with equal parts bravado and vulnerability, makes even the darkest scenes impossible to look away from.
LA FÊTE DE LA VIE by Jacqueline Miller Bachar is a moving reflection on loss, memory, and celebration, set against the elegance of a Parisian evening. With vivid details—like the author’s black dress, the sorbet dessert, and the emotional parallel between dinner and a loved one’s final moments—this story captures the fragile, beautiful intersection between grief and joy.
WE THE MEN by Jill Elaine Hasday provides an engaging and painstaking analysis of how our perception of gender equality is distorted when women’s legal battles are left out of historical accounts. Hasday highlights the pressing need to address legal erasure in order to create a future that is truly inclusive by examining the ways in which courts, culture, and politics selectively remember advancement. This work is notable for its relevance and clarity, which make difficult historical and legal analysis both compelling and approachable.
GRAMPY, THE RHINO, AND THE SODA by Todd Cardin is a lively and playful story about a grandpa whose wild side turns an ordinary day at the zoo into something unforgettable. The rhyming text and bold illustrations keep the energy high, and while things get a little out of hand, Grampy ends up saving the day in his own surprising way.
What begins as a routine undercover job at The Phoenix, an exclusive hotel, turns into a far darker operation for PI Cally Simmonds when a bride-to-be is found dead at the luxury venue, and a well-known actress is kidnapped shortly after. Cally begins to realize that the incidents are related, but struggles to find the missing connection until she digs deeper into the actress’s past. The cozy tone of THE TANGLED MANE disguises harrowing topics and a complex, gripping plot that stretches back two decades and is sprinkled with intriguing half-hints, semi-reveals, and a couple of killer emotional twists. Author Charlie Tyler has penned an accomplished opener in her Welland Valley Murders series and created an engaging and nicely tenacious protagonist in Cally Simmonds.
PLUS-SIZE: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change by Mekdela is an exciting collection of essays that spin together personal narrative with cultural critique to examine the pervasive nature of fatphobia in society. Drawing from her experiences as a plus-size Ethiopian-American woman, Mekdela delves into how media representations—from 1990s sitcoms to contemporary reality TV—have shaped public perceptions of body image. The book explores the intersections of fatphobia with racism, misogyny, ableism, and capitalism, offering insights into how these systems collectively impact marginalized bodies. The memoir’s accessible prose and thought-provoking commentary make it a valuable contribution to discussions on body positivity and social justice. At under 100 pages, it’s a concise yet impactful read that encourages reflection on societal norms and personal biases.
AEGOLIUS CREEK by Micah Thorp is a powerful drama of a family’s fight to protect their Oregon homestead when a newly discovered endangered species turns their land into a battleground. Don Karlsson and his children—each torn between loyalty, justice, and environmental conscience—find themselves at the heart of riots, courtroom showdowns, and clandestine power plays that threaten to destroy their legacy. Thorp’s richly drawn characters and vivid sense of place create a multifaceted tale of love, conviction, and the true cost of claiming what’s “ours” in a changing world.
Mic Lowther’s WHAT MOM & DAD NEVER TOLD US (book 3 in The Moorhouse Trilogy) is a creative and poignant examination of identity, legacy, and the unexpected truths concealed in everyday lives. Lowther creates a captivating book that emphasizes the strength of curiosity and rediscovery through vivid writing and an inventive fusion of mystery, family dynamics, and humorous history.
Sydney Bridgewater, a former thief who is now a private investigator, embarks on a daring and unusual adventure in Mic Lowther’s brilliant and character-driven thriller, THE UNLIKELY REDEMPTION OF THE THIEF SYDNEY BRIDGEWATER. Lowther creates a gripping story about Sydney’s high-tech misdeeds, her search for atonement, and her creative ways of giving back to society with a dash of humor and rich description. For readers who prefer redemption stories with a twist, this is a fun read.
Set against the backdrop of the Sexual Revolution, Sam L. Feldman’s HOOKUPS, HICCUPS, AND HAPPENSTANCES is a daring and unapologetic collection of sensual short stories. Feldman offers readers an intriguing trip through the intricacies of desire and identity by fusing historical facts with sensuous exploration through colorful writing and well realized characters.
An action-packed fantasy with a touch of young love, POWER WEALTH & COURAGE by Susan Hoddy exemplifies found family through its tight-knit cast of supernatural characters who must learn to work together to thwart continuous hostile takeover attempts by an exiled troublemaker.
MY WINGMAN marks a heartfelt debut from Tessa King—following Clover as she flees overwhelming loss and finds solace in a charming town where new friendships ignite and the memory of her soulmate, Elliott, still flickers through ghostly visions. Between warm coffee shop camaraderie with Sadie and unexpected sparks with Elliott’s brother, Everett, Clover faces the tender challenge of honoring her past while daring to embrace a future brimming with possibility. With gentle humor, poignant moments, and a cast of endearing characters, this novel beautifully captures the journey from grief to hope and proves that sometimes the greatest wingman is the one who helps you rediscover your own heart.
ECHOES OF US by N. L. Silver delivers a moving tale of love, time travel, and second chances. The novel shines in its exploration of identity, grief, and the complicated ways we learn to love both the best and worst in others, set against the richly atmospheric backdrop of Yale’s academic world. While the premise is irresistible and the emotional stakes are high, the execution at times holds back from fully embracing the depth of the story’s twists and complexities, yet the warmth and poignancy of the story make it a truly memorable read.
BEHIND THE MIRROR by Bridget Budd is a deeply introspective novel that is told with humor and honesty. Budd masterfully presents how self-reflection, painful reckonings, and the courage to face one’s past can transform shame into self-love. Equal parts gritty and redemptive, the book feels less like fiction and more like sitting across from a friend who’s brave enough to share the whole messy, beautiful truth, leaving readers reassured that even in life’s hardest moments, self-acceptance and inner peace are within reach.
THE DRAGON AND THE NIGHTINGALE by Miranda Poteet is a lyrical and emotionally resonant fantasy debut that traces the quiet but powerful journey of Mara, a Siren whose extraordinary voice has been suppressed by those who sought to control her. As she approaches the possibility of freedom, the novel gently explores whether she can reclaim not just her voice, but her sense of self and autonomy. Poteet’s storytelling is subtle and atmospheric, weaving themes of oppression, rebirth, and inner strength into a richly imagined world. The pacing favors introspection over spectacle, making it a perfect fit for readers who savor emotional nuance and character-driven transformation.