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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
You're Telling My Kids They Can't Read This Book?
Andrew Laties
https://www.andrewlaties.com
Rebel Bookseller
c/o Book & Puppet Company
https://bookandpuppet.com
9798990844858, $14.00, PB, 116pp
https://bookandpuppet.com/browse/filter/t/%209798990844858/k/keyword
https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Telling-Kids-They-Childrens-Literature/dp/B0F7JTFG3S
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/youre-telling-my-kids-they-cant-read-this-book-andrew-laties/1147388678
Synopsis: With the publication of "You're Telling My Kids They Can't Read This Book?: Our Hundred-Year Children's-Literature Revolution and How We'll Keep Fighting to Support Our Families' Right to Read", Andrew Laties has written timely broadside against censorship.
In the pages of "You're Telling My Kids They Can't Read This Book?", Laties deftly weaves together stories from his fifty years as a bookseller, activist, and parent, while sharing tales from authors, librarians, publishers, journalists, and customers.
Laties' comments on events as recent as the May 2025 firing of the Librarian of Congress and the June 2025 Supreme Court LGBTQ+ storybook decision. With a conversational style presentation, "You're Telling My Kids They Can't Read This Book?" reveals patterns in the history of book challenges, while teaching resistance tactics.
"You're Telling My Kids They Can't Read This Book?" is an essential read for parents, librarians, educators, and everyone committed to intellectual freedom.
Critique: Informative, articulate, insightful, thoughtful, iconoclastic, compelling, inherently fascinating, and a thought-provoking read from cover to cover, "You're Telling My Kids They Can't Read This Book?: Our Hundred-Year Children's-Literature Revolution and How We'll Keep Fighting to Support Our Families' Right to Read" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Anti-Censorship collections and supplemental curriculum studies list. It should be noted for students, academia, governmental policy makers, Free Speech political activists, authors, publishers, bibliophiles, and non-specialist general readers who support democracy and oppose authoritarianism, that this paperback edition of "You're Telling My Kids They Can't Read This Book?" from Rebel Bookseller is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.30, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Andrew Laties (https://www.andrewlaties.com) co-founded the Easton Book Festival, Book & Puppet Company, Vox Pop, The Children's Bookstore, Chicago Children's Museum Store, and The Eric Carle Museum Bookstore. He shared the 1987 Women's National Book Association's Pannell Award for bringing children and books together. His book "Rebel Bookseller: Why Indie Businesses Represent Everything You Want to Fight For-From Free Speech to Buying Local to Building Communities" won the 2006 Independent Publisher Award.
The Judicial Studies Shelf
The Worst Supreme Court Decisions, Ever!
C. Evan Stewart
Twelve Tables Press
https://www.twelvetablespress.com
9781946074447, $26.95, HC, 282pp
https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Supreme-Court-Decisions-Ever/dp/1946074446
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-worst-supreme-court-decisions-ever-c-stewart/1146149046
Synopsis: In our current hyper-charged political environment, the Supreme Court (which Alexander Bickel once called "the least dangerous branch") has come under increased public scrutiny. Not for the first time in the country's history have there been cries to "pack" the Court (i.e., to change its structure to affect an outcome desired by some).
As readers go through the various chapters comprising "The Worst Supreme Court Decisions, Ever!" they will see that the Court has made numerous, consequential mistakes over the course of our country's history -- mistakes that include and transcend all political views, parties, and factions. That being said, the readers will gain new insights into how the Court (even with these terrible decisions) has endured as a critically important institution that has contributed to the basic stability of our legal processes.
As an "extra" to the decisions themselves, Professor C. Evan Stewart has added several chapters on fascinating, little-known vignettes involving the Court and famous Americans.
Critique: Original, informative, fascinating, "The Worst Supreme Court Decisions, Ever!" by Professor C. Evan Stewart is a seminal and erudite evaluation through the history of the United States Supreme Court and how today's court turmoil has been experienced by earlier generations of its nine judicial office holders and their decisions. Exceptionally well written for both professional and non-professional readers, "The Worst Supreme Court Decisions, Ever!" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library Judicial Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for law students, academia, members of the justice system, judicial reform activists, governmental policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "The Worst Supreme Court Decisions, Ever!" from Twelve Tables Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: C. Evan Stewart is a senior partner in a New York City law firm. Mr. Stewart is also a visiting professor at Cornell University and an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School. In addition, he is a contributing columnist for the New York Law Journal, New York Business Law Journal, and the Federal Bar Council Quarterly; he has published approximately 300 articles on a variety of legal subjects, and is frequently featured in the national media and regularly speaks across the country on securities, professional responsibility, and complex litigation issues. In 2016, he received the Sanford D. Levy Award from the New York State Bar Association for his contributions to the field of legal ethics.
The Political Science Shelf
What in the World?: Brief Observations of the Human Condition, second edition
Edwin Jay Sparkes
Grosvenor House Publishing Limited
https://grosvenorhousepublishing.co.uk
9781836150442, $9.99, PB, 54pp
https://www.amazon.com/What-World-Brief-Observations-Condition/dp/183615044X
Synopsis: Locally, nationally, and internationally, we are in a state of constant conflict, environmental destruction, cruelty, and misery for many. Clearly, a new direction is needed and must not be delayed.
In this newly updated second edition of "What in the World?: Brief Observations of the Human Condition", author Edwin Jay Sparkes extends his commentaries as he adds the fundamental question "Where do we go from here?" beyond 2024 -- if we are to move towards a more peaceful and sustainable future for all.
In this brief but wide-ranging collection of political essays and commentaries, Edwin invites his readers to question the world we find ourselves in, and to seek choices that may give ordinary people more control over our lives and world.
His graphic signpost image frames our world and key choices - war or peace, disease or cure, poverty or wealth and other essential dimensions of the human condition. He also includes reflections from others who have asked these basic questions and offers suggestions in an unusual manifesto for the 21st century.
Critique: Exceptional, insightful, thought-provoking, and occasionally iconoclastic, this new second edition of "What in the World?: Brief Observations of the Human Condition" is extraordinary reading from start to finish and is especially recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary Political Science collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, governmental policy makers, political activists/reformers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this trade paperback edition of "What in the World?: Brief Observations of the Human Condition" from Grosvenor House Publishing Limited is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.24, Amazon).
The Money/Finance Shelf
Smart Money Moves
Amy Rose Herrick
Independently Published
9781960427342, $29.99, HC, 80pp
https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Money-Moves-Mastering-Replacement/dp/1960427342
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/smart-money-moves-amy-rose-herrick/1147816076
Synopsis: With the publication of "Smart Money Moves: Mastering Replacement, Irregular Expense, and Property Ownership Budgets" by money management expert Amy Rose Herrick, interested readers will discover the life-changing results of taking control of their personal and professional finances, avoid, financial stress and experience confidence with this practical DIY guide to managing your cash flow, avoid debt, and make smart financial choices for the future.
"Smart Money Moves: Mastering Replacement, Irregular Expense, and Property Ownership Budgets" will enable even the most novice of money managers to immediately take charge of their, finances feel empowered, and learn/apply 'real world' practical strategies that actually work for both individuals and businesses.
"Smart Money Moves: Mastering Replacement, Irregular Expense, and Property Ownership Budgets" covers:
Planning ahead for big purchases with Replacement Budgets to avoid relying on loans or credit cards.
Being prepared for life's surprises with Irregular Expenses to stay on budget.
Handling mortgages, maintenance, and long-term costs the smart way with Property Ownership Budgets.
Critique: Impressively informative, and expertly organized and presented for the non-specialist general reader with little or no experience at professional money management and finances, "Smart Money Moves: Mastering Replacement, Irregular Expense, and Property Ownership Budgets" is exceptional, thoroughly DIY 'reader/user' friendly and an ideal pick for personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Money/Finance Management & Planning collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, entrepreneurs, business managers, corporate executives, and anyone else with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Smart Money Moves: Mastering Replacement, Irregular Expense, and Property Ownership Budgets" is also available in paperback (9781960427304, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: Amy Rose Herrick is a Chartered Financial Consultant, Author, Tax Professional, and Educator. With over three decades of expertise, she has dedicated her career to empowering entrepreneurs, professionals, and families to build profitable businesses, reduce tax burdens, and create comprehensive financial strategies for long-term success.
The Business Shelf
Employment Ethics
Dr. Travis Schachtner
FTS Leaders
9798992830910, $19.99, PB, 184pp
https://www.amazon.com/Employment-Ethics-Redefining-Employer-Employee-Relationship/dp/B0FB6KFRVH
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/employment-ethics-travis-schachtner/1147495210
Synopsis: What makes a job ethical? Who truly holds power in the workplace? And why does it matter now more than ever?
With the publication of "Employment Ethics: Redefining the Employer-Employee Relationship", Travis Schachtner answers these questions while offering a fresh perspective on modern work.
For too long, ethical responsibility has been unfairly placed on workers, while employers-driven by profit and protected by power-often avoid accountability. "Employment Ethics" challenges that imbalance by redefining employment as a transactional relationship, not a personal favor or moral crusade.
Drawing from real-world examples, historical context, and foundational principles such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs, "Employment Ethics" offers a clear, accessible guide to understanding what ethical employment should look like in practice.
"Employment Ethics" covers:
The four core pillars of work ethic-and how they're often exploited
Why employers are not inherently leaders-and shouldn't be treated as such
The hidden cost of toxic and imbalanced workplace dynamics
What employer ethics are-their history and why they matter
Practical tools for evaluating your current employment relationship
Whatever your form of employment, "Employment Ethics" will empower you to recognize unethical practices, demand better, and understand your value in any workplace.
Employment ethics is more than just fair wages and inclusion. It is employee well-being, employer legacy, and community sustainability.
Critique: Exceptional, informative, inspiring, and impressively well written, organized and presented, "Employment Ethics: Redefining the Employer-Employee Relationship" by Travis Schachtner is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, union hall, corporate, and college/university library Business Ethics collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Employment Ethics" from FTS Leaders is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Travis Schachtner is a leadership expert, educator, and thought leader in the field of industrial education.
Power of Surge
Holly Rollo
Advantage Media Group
https://advantagemedia.com
9781642258110, $24.99, PB, 380pp
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Surge-Supercharge-Software-Business/dp/1642258113
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/power-of-surge-holly-rollo/1144623293
Synopsis: With the publication of "Power of Surge: Five Ways to Supercharge Your B2B Software Business and Unleash Hidden Value", Holly Rollo provides CEOs and investors in small to midsize B2B software companies a clear DIY blueprint for transforming their marketing to unleash hidden value, especially leading up to a transaction or exit event.
Based on over thirty years of experience leading major technology company transformations, Rollo outlines a strategic approach to marketing using the Power of SURGE -- Strategy, Unity, Reputation, Gains, and Efficiency. Readers will learn how to develop a customer-centric strategy tailored to their unique business situation, achieve radical alignment across sales, marketing, and customer success, establish a compelling competitive market position and brand reputation with customers, unlock hidden revenue streams, and build a modern marketing engine for scale and ROI.
"Power of Surge: Five Ways to Supercharge Your B2B Software Business and Unleash Hidden Value" also covers common disconnects between CEOs and CMOs that undermine execution, along with advice for finding and keeping the right marketing leader in a competitive talent market. Readers will discover proven methods for driving growth, lowering customer acquisition costs, shortening sales cycles, and boosting valuation.
With practical advice from other industry leaders, "Power of Surge: Five Ways to Supercharge Your B2B Software Business and Unleash Hidden Value" is step-by-step playbook that provides the key steps to transform marketing activities for a competitive advantage and transaction success.
Critique: Drawing upon years of experience and expertise, with "Power of Surge: Five Ways to Supercharge Your B2B Software Business and Unleash Hidden Value" Holly Rollo has provided an impressively well written, organized and presented instructional guide that is informative, practical, effective, insightful, and inspiring. While this paperback edition of "Power of Surge: Five Ways to Supercharge Your B2B Software Business and Unleash Hidden Value" from Advantage Media Group is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Business Management/Software collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for MBA students, academia, corporate executives, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Power of Surge: Five Ways to Supercharge Your B2B Software Business and Unleash Hidden Value" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Holly Rollo (https://www.surge-strategies.com/experience) is a B2B technology veteran with over three decades of experience leading major turnaround, transformations, and transactions. She founded Surge Strategies (www.surge-strategies.com), a strategic marketing advisory firm helping B2B software CEOs drive growth and scale. She is a passionate mentor to aspiring CMOs and women in technology.
The Humor Shelf
Damn English!
Gary Sherbell
Black Rose Writing
www.blackrosewriting.com
9781685136109, $14.95, PB, 143pp
https://www.amazon.com/Damn-English-Gary-Sherbell/dp/1685136109
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/damn-english-gary-sherbell/1147123408
Synopsis: With the publication of "Damn English!", novelist and screenwriter Gary Sherbell take the reader on a fun and funny survey of the English language that ranges from wierd (weird) spellings, to idiomatic expressions, to modest proposals for suggested changes in contemporary English language and colloquial sayings such as:
Did sh*t ever actually hit a fan?
Once and for all, who's the smartest: brain surgeons or rocket scientists?
Which is the more persuasive: having someone over a barrel or by the balls?
What difference is there, if any, between an old coot, an old fogey and an old geezer - and while we're on the subject, do we still need to employ the adjective "old"?
When is it wiser to go with "I don't give a rat's a*s" over "I don't give a flying f*ck"?
Taken together, are "No way Jose" and "Yesiree Bob" racist?
What's the point of saying "It is what it is" when in all of human history it's never once happened that something is what it isn't?
Critique: Of special and particular attraction to readers with an interest in English language-based humor, idiosyncrasies and eccentricities, "Damn English!" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Damn English!" from Black Rose Writing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Gary Sherbell (http://garysherbell.com) is the author of three published novels. Also a screenwriter and a playwright, his stage play version of Two Suspects was produced in 2016 at the prestigious Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC. A graduate of NYU Law School, he has been a NYC Administrative Law Judge for over 20 years.
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
Living Dangerously
Irwin Gabriel Katsof
Beverly House Press
https://www.beverlyhousepress.com/homepage
9781957466156, $16.99, PB, 452pp
https://www.amazon.com/Living-Dangerously-Struggle-Without-Losing/dp/1957466154
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/living-dangerously-irwin-gabriel-katsof/1146798962
Synopsis: At 35, Rabbi Irwin Katsof had everything figured out. Or so he thought. Driven by an insatiable hunger for financial success and tired of watching from the sidelines as others built empires, he made a dangerous decision: to infiltrate the world of ultra-high-net-worth donors, global diplomats, and power brokers who shape our world behind closed doors.
What began as an ambitious quest to master the art of wealth-building quickly spiraled into something more treacherous. Katsof entered the opaque world of high-stakes diplomacy and elite philanthropy, learning the unwritten rules of influence and money from billionaires and power players. That knowledge expanded his world -- and nearly cost him everything.
Soon, the very ambition that propelled him forward began tearing his life apart. Crushing debt mounted. His marriage strained under the weight of sleepless nights and endless schemes. The insomnia that plagued him wasn't just from financial stress; it was his conscience warring with his desires. Every victory in the material world felt like a defeat of the spirit.
Then came the crossroads that would define everything: a moment when the path to unimaginable wealth lay before him, requiring only that he abandon the values that had shaped his entire identity. Sell out-or surrender to a purpose he'd nearly lost touch with.
"Living Dangerously: My Struggle to Get Rich Without Losing My Soul " is far more than just the memoir of financial ambition gone wrong -- it is also a raw, unflinching examination of what it truly costs to chase the American Dream when you're willing to risk everything. It is the story of a man who dared to live on the edge between faith and ambition, only to discover that the most dangerous territory of all lies within the human heart.
"Living Dangerously" reveals:
Behind-the-scenes glimpses into global diplomacy and the hidden world of ultra-wealth
Hard-won lessons on maintaining integrity when everything you've worked for hangs in the balance
The ancient wisdom of Emuna (divine faith) applied to modern struggles with purpose and success
Hard-won insight into how to pursue success with your soul intact
Proof that sometimes the greatest risk is not taking one-it's forgetting who you are in the process
For anyone standing at their own crossroads between ambition and authenticity, between financial dreams and spiritual truth, "Living Dangerously" offers both a cautionary tale and a roadmap to redemption. This is what happens when faith collides with the relentless pursuit of more-and what emerges when a man finally learns that the most valuable currency isn't money. --
It's integrity.
Critique: Absolutely essential reading for anyone who is considering having wealth as their goal in life, everyone who has every aspired to be a millionaire, or to be wealthy enough to be 'set for life' by the time they retire, "Living Dangerously: My Struggle to Get Rich Without Losing My Soul" by Irwin Gabriel Katsof is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library Money/Finance, Venture Capital Investment, and Business/Industrialist Biography/Memoir collections. While also recommended for supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that this trade paperback edition of "Living Dangerously" from Beverly House Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Irwin Katsof (https://www.irwinkatsof.com) is a former rabbi, global entrepreneur, and trauma healing facilitator who has spent decades bridging the worlds of faith, business, and personal transformation. He founded Trademissions (dot org) to help U.S. fund managers connect with global capital and has co-led over 89 trade missions in 20+ countries.
Triumphs of Tenacity
Yusra Mariyam
Independently Published
9781805416678, $21.99, PB, 302pp
https://www.amazon.com/Triumphs-Tenacity-Yusra-Mariyam/dp/1805416677
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/triumphs-of-tenacity-yusra-mariyam/1147452120
Synopsis: "Triumphs of Tenacity" is an inspiring memoir by Yusra Mariyam that chronicles her remarkable journey from a young girl in Bangladesh to becoming a UK graduate.
At seven, Yusra faced the daunting challenge of adapting to a new culture and language. Despite numerous setbacks, including academic failures and personal heartbreaks, she never lost sight of her dreams.
Yusra's transformation is profound. From a homemaker with no qualifications, raising six children, she emerged as a First-Class Honours graduate in International Business Management.
Her story is one of relentless pursuit of empowerment and education, detailing both the practical challenges of her course and the emotional battles she overcame. Balancing her professional life with academic pursuits at Anglia Ruskin University, Yusra juggled full-time work while striving for success in adult education.
Her experiences offer valuable lessons in positivity, resilience, and self-belief. Yusra's narrative also encourages readers to face adversity head-on, emphasizing that with determination, support, and a strong will, any challenge can be overcome.
Critique: Eloquent, insightful, informative, engaging, inspiring, "Triumphs of Tenacity" is both intensely personal and has a universal resonance -- especially for women readers of all ages and backgrounds.
"Triumphs of Tenacity" is an inherently fascinating and articulate account of Yusra's laborious journey to confirm her identity through grit, growth, and determination, sharing how she balanced motherhood, career, and education in pursuit of self-empowerment. Her voice is honest, unflinching, and ultimately hopeful -- inviting readers to see obstacles not as dead ends, but as turning points.
While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Triumphs of Tenacity" is also currently available in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Yusra Mariyam (https://yusramariyam.com) is a London-based Business Growth Executive, writer, and mother of six. Born in Bangladesh and raised in the UK from the age of seven, she brings a rich cross-cultural perspective to her writing. Before entering the corporate world, she devoted many years to raising her children full-time, without ever imagining she would have the chance to pursue higher education.
She hopes her journey inspires everyone - regardless of gender, age, or background - to believe that it's never too late to redefine their path and pursue long-held dreams.
The Silence They Left Behind
Evelyne Gilles
Independently Published
9798290408361, $22.78, HC, 158pp
https://www.amazon.com/Silence-They-Left-Behind-Memoir-Guided/dp/B0FGJ6KNS9
Synopsis: When love ends, it's not just the relationship that's lost, it's the version of ourselves we built around it.
In the silence that follows heartbreak, we can feel unworthy, invisible, or incomplete. But what if that silence holds more than absence? What if it's the quiet space where healing begins, and a new, more grounded version of you starts to take root?
With the publication of "The Silence They Left Behind: Healing After a Breakup: A Memoir-Guided Journey to Letting Go and Reclaiming Your Self-Worth", Evelyne Gilles presents a deeply empathetic, memoir-guided journey through the pain, confusion, and loneliness that followed a breakup.
With raw honesty and compassionate insight, "The Silence They Left Behind" offers not only comfort but a gentle, steady path forward, helping you untangle your own grief, reconnect with yourself, and reclaim your power from within.
"The Silence They Left Behind" will show you how to:
Embrace grief without shame and give your heart space to heal
Let go with compassion, even when closure is missing
Use solitude as a space for growth and self-reconnection
Forgive for your own peace of mind, not for reconciliation
Set healthy boundaries and cultivate nourishing self-care
Challenge the myth of incompletion and reclaim your wholeness
Transform heartbreak into clarity, resilience, and deep self-love
Alongside intimate reflections from my own healing journey, "The Silence They Left Behind" also includes:
Journaling prompts to explore your emotions with honesty and self-compassion
Gentle rituals and self-care practices to soothe emotional pain and restore calm
Practical tools for rebuilding your sense of worth and living a life that nourishes you
Affirmations to reconnect you with your inner strength and peace
Whether you're facing the pain of a new heartbreak or gently rebuilding your life, "The Silence They Left Behind" offers gentle guidance, helping you move through grief with compassion and toward a steadier, more empowered self.
Critique: An original and unique approach to a self-help/self-improvement instructional guide, "The Silence They Left Behind: Healing After a Breakup: A Memoir-Guided Journey to Letting Go and Reclaiming Your Self-Worth" by Evelyne Gilles offers the reader an informatively insightful, motivatingly inspirational, and memoir-guided journey to letting go of heartbreak and loss, while in the process of reclaiming your own self-worth and identity. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Silence They Left Behind" by Evelyne Gilles is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Contemporary Biography/Memoir and Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Silence They Left Behind" is also available in paperback (9798290408057, $14.74) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.75).
Editorial Note: Evelyne Adeline Gilles is a seasoned educator with over 20 years of experience working in British secondary schools, Her passion for writing my educational books stems from her experiences as a Black student in a predominantly White environment, and later from her commitment to improving educational outcomes for Black boys while navigating the challenges of the UK education system.
Property of the Revolution
Ana Hebra Flaster
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9781647428266, $17.99, PB, 312pp
https://www.amazon.com/Property-Revolution-Barrio-Hampshire-Town_A/dp/1647428262
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/property-of-the-revolution-ana-hebra-flaster/1146297979
Synopsis: Ana Hebra Flaster was six years old when her working-class family was kicked out of their Havana barrio for opposing communism. Once devoted revolutionaries themselves but disillusioned by the Castro government's repressive tactics, they fled to the US.
The permanent losses they suffered (of home, country, and loved ones, all within forty-eight hours) were to haunt her multigenerational family as they reclaimed their lives and freedom in 1967 New Hampshire. There, they fed each other stories of their scrappy barrio (some of which Hebra Flaster has shared on the national radio show All Things Considered) to resurrect their lost world and fortify themselves for a daunting task: building a new life in a foreign land.
Weaving pivotal events in Cuba - US history with her viejos' (elders') stories of surviving political upheaval, impossible choices, and "refugeedom", "Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town - A Memoir" celebrates the indomitable spirit and wisdom of the women warriors who led the family out of Cuba, shaped its rebirth as Cuban Americans, and helped Ana grow up hopeful, future-facing American citizen.
But what happens when deeply buried childhood memories resurface, demanding an adult's reckoning?
"Property of the Revolution" shows how the fiercest love, the most stubborn will, and the power of family put nine new Americans back on their feet.
Critique: Candidly eloquent, emotionally engaging, exceptionally well written, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, "Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town - A Memoir" by Ana Hebra Flaster is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library Cuban-American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Property of the Revolution" from She Writes Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Ana Hebra Flaster (https://anacubana.com) has written about Cuba and the Cuban American experience for national print and online media including The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and the Boston Globe. Her commentaries and storytelling have aired on NPR and PBS's Stories from the Stage. Ana writes about the ongoing struggle for freedom and human rights in Cuba in her popular Substack, CubaCurious.
Pack Faith First, Suitcases Second
Amy Rose Herrick
Independently Published
9798705371358, $19.99, PB, 163pp
https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Faith-First-Suitcases-Second/dp/B08VYMSS11
Synopsis: "Pack Faith First, Suitcases Second: A Decade of Miracles After 50" by Amy Rose Herrick is the true story of how one family left everything behind to start over on a tiny Caribbean island, and how their journey can inspire and change your life forever.
Those who give "Pack Faith First, Suitcases Second" a careful reading will:
Find the courage to take risks and pursue your passions
Experience the excitement and adventure of starting over in a new place
Learn how to navigate unfamiliar territory and adapt to a new way of life
Discover the unexpected beauty and challenges of living on a tropical island
They will also discover:
The modern-day miracles that shaped our journey
The challenges, surprises, and joys of starting over from scratch
How we navigated island life -- sight unseen
And just what Mark Twain, lost parrots, African Tulip trees, and penguins on the beach have to do with it all!
Critique: "Pack Faith First, Suitcases Second: A Decade of Miracles After 50 " is not just Amy Rose Herrick's personal memoir, it also is her invitation to her readers to believe in what she aptly describes as 'the power of new beginnings'. Original, exceptional, informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Pack Faith First, Suitcases Second: A Decade of Miracles After 50 " will inspire, empower, guide and motivate new beginnings in all aspects of life and living. While a highly recommended pick for community/public and senior citizen center libraries, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Pack Faith First, Suitcases Second: A Decade of Miracles After 50" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: Amy Rose Herrick is a Chartered Financial Consultant, Author, Tax Professional, and Educator. With over three decades of expertise, she has dedicated her career to empowering entrepreneurs, professionals, and families to build profitable businesses, reduce tax burdens, and create comprehensive financial strategies for long-term success.
The General Fiction Shelf
Not Alone At Home: Southport Thanksgiving Mischief
Bob Adamov
Packard Island Publishing
https://packardislandpublishing.com
9798292954392, $20.00, PB, 154pp
https://www.amazon.com/Not-Alone-Home-Southport-Thanksgiving-ebook/dp/B0FKHMNT8P
https://packardislandpublishing.com/product/notaloneathome
Synopsis: All 80-year-old George Ivers wanted was a quiet Thanksgiving with his wife in their cozy Southport, North Carolina home. Instead, he gets a bevy of unexpected (and very much uninvited) guests ringing his doorbell like a game show buzzer, with each guest more hilariously eccentric than the last.
George is a comical mix of Archie Bunker's sass, Fred Flintstone's stubborn streak, and Mr. Magoo's oblivious charm. A master of sarcasm and low-key sabotage, George cooks up schemes to send his guests packing, but they just keep coming.
Between wrestling with a temperamental dishwasher, having awkward conversations, and a reluctant but mishap-filled run to the grocery, George's holiday quickly spirals into chaos. And the more he tries to reclaim his house and sanity, the more it becomes clear: this Thanksgiving has a mind of its own.
"Not Alone At Home: Southport Thanksgiving Mischief" is a wonderfully entertaining and unique tale of holiday havoc, cringe-worthy relatives, and one grumpy old man doing his best to survive it all.
Critique: The second title in author Bob Adamov's comedic 'George Ivers' series, "Not Alone At Home: Southport Thanksgiving Mischief" is original, clever, witty, deftly crafted, and a fun read from cover to cover. The hilariously funny sequel to "Alone At Home: Southport Senior Shenanigans" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library Contemporary Humor/Comedy collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Not Alone At Home: Southport Thanksgiving Mischief" from Packard Island Publishing is also currently available on Amazon in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: There is a complete listing of the books by Bob Adamov online at:
https://packardislandpublishing.com/bookstore
The Heir of Scandal
D. C. Anda
https://dcandaauthor.com
DCA Enterprise
9781068664700, $12.50, PB, 276pp
https://www.amazon.com/Heir-Scandal-Cryptic-Pregnancy-Threatens/dp/1068664703
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-heir-of-scandal-d-c-anda/1146140300
Synopsis: "The Heir of Scandal" by novelist D. C. Anda is about a British aristocrat whose life spirals into depression after a cryptic pregnancy from an adulterous affair.
As her husband returns from Afghanistan, unaware of the deception, tensions rise. The child, rejected by the mother but adored by her twin sister, becomes the epicenter of family turmoil.
How will the husband react to his wife's inexplicable moods? Can the family maintain their aristocratic image amid this scandal? And what will become of the relationships between the twin sisters, torn by secrets and betrayal?
Critique: Inspired by real events, "The Heir of Scandal" by D. C. Anda is a compelling and deftly crafted novel about a family saga rife with love and guilt, pride and passion. The enduring question to be resolved is whether the truth destroy the family, or if can they find forgiveness, restoration, and salvation. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library General Fiction, Family Saga Fiction, and Women's Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Heir of Scandal" from DCA Enterprises is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: After a career that took her to various decision-making levels in Africa and Europe, DC Anda eventually caught the writing bug. A passionate book lover and reader, she has a deep interest in realistic works. Her fictional style is based on real-life events and current affairs, blending (https://dcandaauthor.com)
The Literary Fiction Shelf
At the Millennium: Paradise Crossed
T. Awdry Winks
T. Awdry Winks Press
9798989127504, $36.99, HC, 444pp
https://www.amazon.com/At-Millennium-Paradise-Awdry-Winks/dp/B0DMF73S21
Synopsis: With the publication of "At the Millennium: Paradise Crossed", author T. Awdry Winks offers his readers a modern mythology of allegorical characters serving up ancient, social critique, tragedy, and comedy.
This is a contemporary story set in a community where lust and reckoning is the contemporary millennial American experience including racial, immigrant, sexual, and gender identity oppression. Millennial Americans living in a capitalistic warmongering epoch -- all the while striving to celebrate the infinite potential of human kind
Critique: Original, eloquent, deftly crafted, compelling, emotionally and intellectually engaging from start to finish, the narrative driven and authentic storytelling skills of author and novelist T. Awdry Winks has raised "At the Millennium: Paradise Crossed" to an impressive level of literary excellence. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers of literary fiction that this hardcover edition of "At the Millennium: Paradise Crossed" from T. Awdry Winks Press is also readily available in paperback (9798989127511, $26.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: T. Awdry Winks (https://tawdrywinks.com) is also the author/poet of "The Garden of Earthly Delights: Poems".
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Lucifer's Tipple
Leo Millier
Spines
https://spines.com
9798896912507, $22.99, HC, 260pp
https://www.amazon.com/Lucifers-Tipple-Leo-Millier/dp/B0DZ6GQNS2
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lucifers-tipple-leo-millier/1147085153
Synopsis: Rebecca is selfish. There is no other way to say it. Those who were once her friends now despise her. Their hatred of her is passionate and raw. So as her birthday party looms, tensions mount -- threatening to boil over into rage and revenge.
When a brutal murder occurs in the middle of the party. This starts a journey where a web of jealousy, resentment, ambition, love and desperation is revealed. As the secrets and lies of those present are exposed.
Sebastien, an outsider who has been dragged along to the party, is fascinated by the puzzle he sees before him. Who had the opportunity to kill her? Why did they do it?
Finding the clues and piecing them together. Can Sebastien discover the terrible truth behind it all?
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, clever, and a fun read for 'whodunnit' mystery fans, "Lucifer's Tipple" is all the more impressive when considering that it is author (and long time reader of mysteries) Leo Millier's debut as a novelist. Carefully scripted plot twists, memorable characters, and a featuring the kind of narrated story telling style that holds the reader's full attention from cover to cover, "Lucifer's Tipple" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Lucifer's Tipple" is also readily available in paperback (9798896912491, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Leo Millier is a graduate of Medical Science from the University of Exeter. He lives in Hampshire in the United Kingdom and currently works in Education. Since his late teens Leo has loved crime fiction, leading him to begin writing.
The Secrets of Foxglove Lodge
David L. Tank
Planert Creek Press
https://planertcreekpress.com
9798986730561, $16.99, PB, 222pp
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Foxglove-Lodge-Blackbird-Mystery/dp/B0FLJL3NR7
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secrets-of-foxglove-lodge-david-l-tank/1148011238
Synopsis: Tony and Megan are a retired couple with a cabin hidden in Wisconsin's Northwoods. They agree to help put together a murder mystery dinner at an old lakeside lodge to raise funds for the local library's expansion project.
Surprisingly, the quirky collection of dinner guests discover more hidden clues than the game creators had planted.
Who are the dinner guests, really? Where's the key to the Library? What happened in the Tunnel of Love? And why is Rudy and the Rockets' '57 Stratocaster guitar so important?
When the elderly resort owner goes missing, the curious couple takes on the challenge of figuring out what really happened at Foxglove Lodge.
Critique: Original, clever, and a deftly crafted cozy mystery, "The Secrets of Foxglove Lodge" is the sequel to "The Secret of Blackbird Cabin" by David L. Tank. A fully reader engaging and fun read from cover to cover, this paperback edition of "The Secrets of Foxglove Lodge" from Planert Creek Press is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of all cozy mystery fans and a choice acquisition for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: David L. Tank is an author and photographer living near Rhinelander, Wisconsin. He operates Planert Creek Press, an independent book publisher.
Murder in Milan
Avery Caswell
https://averycaswell.net
WayWord Books
https://waywordbooks.com
9781735962283, $TBA, HC, 226pp
https://waywordbooks.com/youre-invited
Synopsis: "Murder in Milan" is the story of Vanne Smith, a dog-over-cat, pie-over-cake, chemist on the run. During a brief stop in Milan, Ohio, she discovers that successfully disappearing requires more than changing your name and leaving behind every single thing you ever owned or loved.
It's August and she has traveled cross country, towing her tiny house from Oregon to Ohio, pulling into Milan just a day before the wedding of her best friend's daughter. Her arrival coincides with that of a quintet of argumentative musicians, a couple of Las Vegas thugs, and an enigmatic private investigator from Chicago.
Milan, the birthplace of Thomas Alva Edison, is a sleepy, small town with an idyllic town square, a lively business district, and two museums. But then a would-be benefactor of one of the museums dies, and the following day, the town square is the site of a suicide.
Some townspeople suspect these deaths were actually murders, and Vanne fears she knows who may have played a hand in at least one of them.
When a third death occurs and Milan's sheriff names her a suspect in his investigation, Vanne resists the urge to flee and sticks around to uncover the real culprit.
"Murder in Milan" is alive with music, seasoned with a dash of science, and filled with memorable characters, from Annaliese, the glass-half-empty owner of the Inventor Cafe and Inn, to Earl, the xenophobic proprietor of the Trea$ure Trove, not to mention the dueling directors of the town's museums, Harriet Gertzner and Alicia Boatwright.
In the midst of multiple murders, Vanne comes to realize that successfully disappearing also requires trust -- and that sometimes cats aren't all bad!
Critique: Original, compelling, and a mystery lover's delight from start to finish, "Murder in Milan" by novelist Avery Caswell is a deftly crafted, reader engaging, and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections and the personal reading lists of all dedicated 'whodunnit' mystery fans.
Editorial Note: Avery Caswell is an award-winning writer and designer. She studied at Iowa Writers' Workshop and holds MFAs in both creative writing and design. An interest in the blurred edges between religion and magic, along with a love of history, inspire much of her writing.
The Christian Studies Shelf
How to Read & Study the Bible for Yourself
Benjamin Windle
www.benjaminwindle.com
Independently Published
9798218617257, $16.99, Imitation Leather, 180pp
https://www.amazon.com/How-Read-Study-Bible-Yourself/dp/B0F6RTW54F
Synopsis: Most Christians want to grow in their faith -- but feel stuck, unsure how to approach the Bible on their own. "How to Read & Study the Bible for Yourself" by Benjamin Windle is an ideal and instructive guide for anyone seeking to read the Bible with more clarity, confidence, and consistency.
With "How to Read & Study the Bible for Yourself" the reader will learn how to open the Bible (whether a physical copy or an app) read it, study it, and apply it to real life. In this practical, step-by-step guide, Benjamin Windle removes the confusion and builds your confidence as you discover how to engage with Scripture on your own.
"How to Read & Study the Bible for Yourself" reveals:
How to start daily devotions that stick
The 4 essential principles for reading the Bible
The 5 cultural challenges that sabotage Bible reading - and how to overcome them
The 6 deeper methods of Bible study
How to hear God speak personally through His Word
Of special note is the inclusion of a 40-day Bible reading plan with guided prayers and journaling prompts to help you build consistency.
Whether you are new to the Christian faith or a seasoned believer, "How to Read and Study the Bible for Yourself" will give you the tools, structure, and spiritual insight to develop a habit of personal Bible reading that changes everything.
Critique: The fundamental basis for the Protestant Revolution against the Roman Catholic Church was their insistence that the Bible was meant to be read from all members of the Christian community -- and not be the sole province of priests. Yet today, the average Christian spends (on average) 3.5 minutes a day reading the Bible -- and 6 hours a day on Social Media. It is the hope and intent of "How to Rad & Study the Bible for Yourself" to significantly change these statistics. Eloquent, erudite, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "How to Read & Study the Bible for Yourself" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists including clergy, seminary students, and all members of the Christian community regardless of denominational affiliations.
Editorial Note: Benjamin Windle (https://www.benjaminwindle.com) is an author, speaker, and cultural guide for today's generation of Christians. With over 20 years as a trusted pastor, Benjamin is a thought-leader and cultural expert on the next generation and the church, with work published through Barna Group and featured by leading Christian ministries worldwide. Benjamin is also the host of the brand-new 'Dear God' podcast on K-Love. As an entrepreneur with an MBA and Executive Education from MIT Sloan, his academic journey complements his authentic, conversational style.
The Travel Shelf
Unfiltered
Amanda Quintero Aguerrevere
Independently Published
9798317207540, $14.00 PB / $6.00 Kindle 139pp
https://www.amazon.com/Unfiltered-feed-page-stories-wanderlust-ebook/dp/B0F7CGLCX2
Synopsis: "Unfiltered: From the Feed to the Page -- Stories of Wanderlust" is a fascinating and entertaining collection of 30 bite-sized stories and 6 poems from years of chaotic, beautiful, bittersweet travel undertaken by Amanda Quintero Aguerrevere.
Some started as Instagram captions. Others lived in Amanda's Apple Notes under "TBD." All of them are 100% real.
These little commentaries are a kind of timestamp for our times -- when we lived our best lives online, filtered and captioned, curating public personas one hashtag at a time.
Readers will encounter suspicious border officers and wholesome strangers, magical rickshaw drivers, unruly pigeons, sidewalk theatre troupes, surprise flings, and iconic over-heards. They will also witness awkward, absurd, and occasionally borderline-illegal travel moments -- recounted with contagious humor, and sometimes with the bittersweet poetry of the human condition.
Critique: Original, unique, deftly crafted, inherently interesting, thought-provoking, occasionally iconoclastic, and a fun and funny read from start to finish, "Unfiltered: From the Feed to the Page -- Stories of Wanderlust" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for both the personal reading lists of dedicated armchair travelers and community/public library Travel & Travelogue collections.
Editorial Note: Amanda Quintero Aguerrevere is a French-Venezuelan economist and writer. Her work blends humor, heart, and cultural insight, often drawing from over a decade of navigating life between borders as an "expat" working in international relations. She writes to make sense of it all -- and to entertain anyone who's ever felt a little lost (geographically or otherwise).
The Self-Help Shelf
How to Survive and Thrive in an Impossible World
Steve Carter & Steve Bonham
Artisan Creative
https://www.artisan-creative.com
9781738403530, $20.99, PB, 249pp
https://www.amazon.com/Survive-Thrive-Impossible-World-second/dp/173840353X
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-survive-and-thrive-in-an-impossible-world-steve-bonham/1147542747
Synopsis: In this 'regenerated' second edition of "How to Survive and Thrive in an Impossible World: Liberate Your Natural Resilience" co-authors Steve Carter and Steve Bonham offer a bold new DIY guide to life in uncertain times. Instead of clinging to the old ways, "How to Survive and Thrive in an Impossible World" invites you to rewild your spirit, reclaim your resilience, and embrace your own fierce resourcefulness and diversity.
Comprised of vividly illustrative stories, mischievous wisdom, and practical DIY tools, "How to Survive and Thrive in an Impossible World" shows you how to meet chaos not with fear, but with curiosity, courage, and a deep sense of joy. "How to Survive and Thrive in an Impossible World" is not about fixing the world -- rather it is about re-imagining how you live in it, fully and freely.
This new second edition also introduces vital ideas such as the Rewilded Self, Psychodiversity, and Natural Resilience -- powerful concepts that awaken the forgotten strengths within us, helping us adapt, flourish, and live with greater depth, flexibility, and authenticity.
Critique: Exceptional, inspirational, aspirational, and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation, "How to Survive and Thrive in an Impossible World: Liberate Your Natural Resilience' is a life-changing, life-enhancing, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "How to Survive and Thrive in an Impossible World: Liberate Your Natural Resilience" from Artisan Creative is also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: The visionary behind HTSAT Lab, Steve Carter is an award-winning psychologist who has dedicated his career to exploring the intricacies of human behavior and personal development. His profound insights have paved the way for the creation of HTSAT Lab's transformative questionnaires and quizzes. Alongside the esteemed Crossroads CT team, Steve's mission is to guide individuals towards resilience and personal growth in an ever-changing world.
Editorial Note #2: Steve Bonham is a storyteller, a published author, an inveterate traveller, for decades a songwriter, performer and musician, and an award-winning psychologist. Born in Derbyshire, England, Steve studied psychology and philosophy at university. He has recorded more than 10 albums; written two musicals; and several books including his latest: Stumbling Over Eden He is the author of the Vagabond Philosopher blog and proud member of The Long Road playing 'renegade Americana' all over the world.
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
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