Best Independent Books January 23
We are delighted to recommend the following books from the independent publishing sector.
FICTION
The Golden Manuscripts (Book Six of the Between Two Worlds series)
by Evy Journey
Clarissa has roamed through seven countries, yearning for a place she can call home. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when an unusual sale of rare medieval manuscripts leads her and Nathan — a doctor who moonlights as an art journalist — into the shadowy world of stolen art. These manuscripts, reminiscent of the picture books her mother once read to her, ignite her passion for art.
Inspired by the true story of an American soldier who stole illuminated manuscripts during World War II, this literary tale weaves together elements of self-discovery, art mystery, travel and love. As they delve deeper into their quest, they uncover clues that whisper of ancient thieves and unravel secrets that prompt more questions than answers about the esoteric and sometimes unscrupulous art world. For Clarissa, each discovery is a step closer to understanding where she belongs.
Clarissa's quest is not just about recovering lost art; it's about finding a sense of belonging and home. Will this journey grant her the peace she longs for, or will it lead to more questions and mysteries?
Expertly blends well-crafted romance and high-stakes adventure... — Self-Publishing Review
Honors: Silver Medal, Historical Fiction-Medieval, Global Book Awards; Finalist, Cross-Genre Fiction, International Book Awards
Recognition for Author: Gold Medal, Contemporary Fiction, Global Book Awards, 2021
Category: Literature & Fiction
ISBN: 978-0996247498
NON-FICTION
How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes: Survival Guide for the Frequent Business Traveler
by Brandon C. Blewett
Written with well-traveled professionals in mind, this book is a hilarious take on the trials and tribulations of frequent flying.
The author, who has driven more than $210 billion in global transactions and boasts "Million Miler" status, draws from his extensive travel experience and impressive career to offer witty observations and practical advice. From identifying the six habits of highly annoying travelers to turning those encounters into professional growth opportunities, this guide is filled with hilarious anecdotes and reflective questions. He describes the nuances of air travel and its parallels to professional life through real-life examples of patience, readiness and humility paying off.
Packed with valuable lessons on leadership and career advancement, this book offers guidance about the importance of building strong teams and seeking critical feedback.
Blewett’s book is most entertaining when it’s at its snarkiest. — Kirkus
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 979-8339626329
The Happy Leader: A Leadership Fable About Transformation in Business and in Life
by Shawn Sukhraj Johal
This book is a captivating story about a successful CEO who faces a personal and professional crisis.
The protagonist meets a mysterious mentor who guides him through a journey of self-discovery and transformation. Along the way, he learns the secrets of happiness, forgiveness and leadership. This book is more than just a fable. It is a practical guide that offers valuable insights and tools for those who want to improve their well-being and performance.
At its heart, this is a story that teaches that happiness and success are within reach. All that people need is for someone to nudge them in the right direction.
An inventive, impactful book on leadership — Readers’ Favorite
Honors: Finalist, Business/Finance, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637350515
The CyberSecurity Leadership Handbook for the CISO and the CEO: How to Fix Decade-Old Issues and Protect Your Organization from Cyber Threats
by Jean-Christophe Gaillard
The book features a collection of articles written between 2015 and 2022 on the topic of how organizations can improve their ability to counter threats to the security of their data.
Throughout the book, the author provides extensive advice to help CISOs and other executives bring their companies into compliance with the latest cybersecurity principles and plug any gaps in their defenses. The author explains how a common thread in many of the highly publicized data security breaches that have rocked the corporate world in recent years is the neglect of basic cybersecurity practices.
The author doesn’t merely cover how security lapses occur; he also describes concrete steps organizations can take to bring their information security procedures in line with modern best practice. This guidance makes the book an indispensable manual for individuals and organizations interested in boosting their knowledge of what it takes to protect their data against a growing threat.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637351864
Work Done Right: Using Systems Thinking to Guide Your Digital Transformation
by Matthew Kleiman
This book provides a practical path forward for the built world to take advantage of a systematic approach to amplify personnel bandwidth and ensure that all work is always done right.
The book is a concise primer of problem-solving techniques and contains a crash course on how to use systems thinking. The author uses his expertise to help readers understand how to digitalize and improve their productivity by boosting their ability to detect and prevent errors and reduce rework.
The book is a guide for those seeking a systematic approach to problem-solving, including industrial facility and construction project owners and managers, for those responsible for quality, productivity or efficiency at their job sites and for individuals seeking to improve their operational efficiency.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352915
In case you missed the books featured in the last newsletter, here they are again:
NON-FICTION
South Dakota Crusader: Francis Case's road to Congress (Book One of the South Dakota Patriots series)
by Stephen L. Wilson
This is a vivid portrait of Francis Case, a principled and accomplished man who spent the first half of his life preparing for national public service. This book takes readers on an in-depth journey through his life up to the day before he officially becomes a U.S. congressman.
It begins by exploring his family background and early years as one of five children born in rural Iowa, where his Methodist-minister father served ten pastorates before moving to South Dakota’s Black Hills. The author describes his time in high school, college, the Marine Corps and graduate school, providing a comprehensive view of his formative years. The narrative then shifts to his newspaper endeavors in Rapid City, Hot Springs and Custer, highlighting his role as a civic leader and passionate Black Hills promoter.
The book recounts his three attempts to be elected to Congress, culminating in his eventual success. The epilogue offers a summary of his congressional career, while the unfolding story provides short updates about his close-knit family.
A compelling biography that sheds light on an often-overlooked figure in American political history — Readers’ Favorite
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Biographies & Memoirs
ISBN: 978-0978960018
The 80 Percent Project
by Andy Allen
Success does not have to mean sacrifice. In this insightful guide, the author reveals how intentional actions can lead to high-level success across all areas of life without compromising what matters most.
This book shows how to create quantifiable, inspiring and realistic goals for career, finance, health and relationships. The author explains how to cultivate discipline and confidence through practical strategies and mindset shifts. His own life stories and actionable advice demonstrate how to live a fulfilling life without sacrificing commitment to family, dreams or purpose. He also describes how to teach children by example, passing down lessons that shape generations to come.
Through his compelling narrative, the author empowers people to take control of their future and succeed in every area of life. It enables them to begin building a future in which success and happiness go hand in hand.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637353608
CIONET Cookbook No. 2: Recipes for Digital Success
by CIONET
Digital sits at the heart of every successful organization, whether in the public or private sector.
For digital leaders, the requirement for constant change brings opportunities and challenges. Modern technology chiefs — be it CIOs, CTOs or CDOs — need exceptional skills to overcome any obstacles they encounter and to deliver a brighter future for their businesses. Help comes in the form of this book, which showcases the very best in European digital leadership.
The recipes within this book reveal the unique stories of digital leaders. They show how successful technology chiefs use an eclectic and enticing set of ingredients to produce delightful and delicious digital transformations.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352021
Strides to Blissful Leadership: How to Succeed in Business and Life
by Arvind Sharma
This insightful guide goes beyond a typical leadership manual. It focuses on the principles of integrity and respect, and points to a service-oriented mindset that has brought success on many levels.
The author shares how following high principles enabled him to find immense professional and personal satisfaction. In this short book, he teaches how to gain confidence in dealing with difficult people and situations. He explains how to organize priorities in line with personal principles, how to understand the perspective of others and how to use respect to foster teamwork and strengthen family relationships for a generational impact.
Using examples from his own life and career, the author provides sage advice on how to navigate the challenges of leadership in a cross-cultural environment.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637351758
Trade Works: The Trade Finance Investor
by Andreas Schweitzer
This book is a comprehensive guide to investing in trade finance, an asset class that offers attractive returns, low risk and high social impact.
In this book, the author shares his insights and the results of two years of intense research. He covers topics such as the history, mechanics and benefits of trade finance; the current market situation and opportunities; and the best practices and strategies for investors.
The book has a simplicity and clarity of writing which is perfectly crafted for anyone interested in finance. The author teaches readers how to reap the rewards of this financial trade gap.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352328
We trust that your readers will enjoy our hand-picked selection.
For more bestselling and award-winning books from the independent publishing sector, please go here.
Warm regards,
Alinka Rutkowska
CEO, LibraryBub