Best Independent Books January 9
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 ReviewHonors: 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
The Ladies Playbook: How to Get Your Way with a Man
by Melanie Joy Vertalino
In this book, the author offers a captivating, no-nonsense guide for women ready to embrace their power, elevate their dating game, and create the extraordinary love life they've always craved. This isn’t about mind games; it’s about transforming into the magnetic, high-value woman who effortlessly draws men in, commands respect, and leaves them eager to win her heart.
The author explains how to strut into every first date with unshakable confidence, armed with insider dating etiquette and outstanding behavior. She shows how to master the secrets of emotional intelligence, staying cool, calm and collected in even the most intense situations. The book enables women to set new, elevated standards, attracting only high-quality partners who rise to meet their expectations.
This book is a personal roadmap to becoming a woman who captivates effortlessly. Women can bask in the power of knowing that they control their love life and can craft it into the fulfilling, passionate journey they've always dreamed of.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 979-8330624683
Overcoming Obstacles: From Elite Athletes To Everyday People, the Unlimited Possibilities of Modern Sports Medicine and Research
by Rakshith Srinivasan
This enlightening book offers a fresh perspective on the transformative power of sports medicine and research.
Communities around the world often exclude large sections of their populations from sports. Scientists and medical practitioners in the field of sports science are making a different choice. Pioneering work in the areas of neuromuscular disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, bionics, human kinesiology, injury prevention, biochemistry and orthopedics have been rewriting the statistics and equalizing the starting line.
This book details why people should be optimistic about a future world in which athletic excellence and peak sports performance are a life choice to make and not necessarily a gift people are born with. This book is a testament to the unlimited possibilities of modern sports medicine and research.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Science & Math
ISBN: 978-1637352267
Inevitable Revolutions
by Aaron Vick
In this book, the author, a serial entrepreneur, catalogs the repetitious growth cycles of business organizations worldwide.
By comparing this growth anthropomorphically to that of a human child, the author pinpoints the key leadership characteristics, as well as the organizational milestones, necessary to ensure continued entrepreneurial longevity. He identifies the telltale signs of each of a company’s unique growth-cycle metrics. He explains how the health of a company is often a reflection of the health of its foremost leaders. He teaches how to identify and mitigate bottlenecks and hazardous departmental silos. He describes the skills necessary to identify and implement a successful exit strategy ahead of the next professional opportunity. He discusses how emotional intelligence is the core characteristic of leadership today. He also provides guidance on how to hack a business model by leveraging the knowledge of its fluid, cyclical evolutions.
This is a comprehensive dive into the machinations of founding, growing, and ultimately leaving a company, provided, of course, that the timing is right.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637350218
10X Leader: How Great Leaders Multiply Outcomes through Transformational Learning
by Stephanie Ackley Crowe
This insightful book unveils the secrets of exceptional leaders who harness the power of strategic learning programs to achieve extraordinary results.
In the fast-paced world of business, visionary leaders understand that investing in employee learning isn’t just an expense; it’s the key to unlocking unparalleled returns on investment. The book provides a roadmap to transform employee education programs into profit centers with a 10-times return, or more, on investment. It shows how to navigate change strategically. The author teaches how to diagnose organizational needs and how to equip a team for successful transformations. She emphasizes the importance of aligning learning goals with performance metrics and leveraging an organization’s collective wisdom to enhance employee learning initiatives.
This book is packed with real-world success stories, offering insights from diverse industries achieving remarkable returns on investment through strategic learning.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352175
In case you missed the books featured in the last newsletter, here they are again:
NON-FICTION
Chaos by Design
by Kader Sakkari, Imran Karbhari and Trevor Macomber
This book explores the ways in which successful leaders motivate their teams, drive innovation, and propagate long-lasting digital transformations.
This book is a deliberately empowering tool that describes how to foster the leadership characteristics, mindset and company values required to implement a successful digital-first approach. The authors discuss how to harness the power of creative chaos to shift an organization from fragile to agile. They explain why the servant leadership style is uniquely suited to transformative processes.
In this book, the authors reveal how unyielding creative disruption promotes flexible, adaptable business models primed for growth. They explain how to position a business not just to survive a global crisis, but to thrive in the uncertainty; in other words, chaos by design.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637350041
Next Step: A Predicted Death Defeated by Love
by Sandra Poppenga
Told from his wife’s perspective, this is the incredible true story of how Dave Poppenga survived one life-threatening condition after another, supported by his will to live and the miracle workers of modern medicine.
When Sandra Poppenga learned that her husband was in the hospital, she traveled to be by his side as he battled a succession of near-fatal conditions and complications including endocarditis and staph infection. Acting as her husband’s advocate to hospital staff and medical professionals, she stayed by his side during his 50-day stay in intensive care. Sandra recounts how the doctors warned that his prognosis was very grim — equivalent to being on death’s door — on more than one occasion. In the end, Dave’s fierce will to live and the skilled medical care he received enabled him to overcome the immediate threat to his life. While the three-year recovery process that then ensued was long and grueling, Dave was encouraged by the presence of Sandra, who was there to help him each step of the way.
In addition to being a gripping story of survival against the odds, this book shines light on the value of patient advocacy. By speaking on her intubated husband’s behalf with the medical professionals caring for him, Sandra helped ensure he received the best care possible.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Biographies & Memoirs
ISBN: 978-1637352502
Own Success: A Proven Method to Succeed in Business with a Franchise
by Dan Citrenbaum
In this book, the author explores the key concepts necessary to actualize the dream of starting a business.
By conducting a high-level overview assessment of the characteristics, common pitfalls and requisite tools of success, the author explains what often seems inexplicable. He explores the inherent risks of traditional, salaried employment and why statistics showing this risk are only becoming more relevant with time. He outlines the resources and tools needed prior to purchasing a franchise or business operation. He shows how to evaluate current employment conditions against future earnings and financial milestones to create a clearer picture of personal business prospects.
This book contains the knowledge and insight for exploring franchise and other acquisition opportunities.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352533
How to Become an Effective Leader
by Michael Brainard
This insightful guide is not just another leadership manual. It’s a comprehensive exploration into psychological and positive behavioral conditioning.
The author uses his extensive experience developing and coaching leaders across the country to detail eight disciplines that enable leaders to create a sustainable platform for organizational excellence and propel their growth as leaders to new heights. He provides a prolific manifesto for becoming the type of leader that many people aspire to be.
The book explores the skills required to influence other people positively as leaders. It shows how to take leadership to the next level.
The author has added eye-catching and creative graphs and charts that made the book visually appealing to read, and the case studies he wrote were enlightening and educational. — Readers’ FavoriteHonors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637351697
Succeed the Right Way: What Every Compassionate Business Person Must Know
by Paul L. Gunn Jr.
This book is a game-changer in business management, offering a fresh perspective on leadership and success.
The author shares his insights on how empathy, compassion and kindness can be powerful forces in achieving success. He demonstrates how these qualities, often seen as weaknesses in business, can actually be some of the greatest strengths to have.
The book provides real-life examples and studies, focusing on how to live a successful life grounded in kindness. It helpfully challenges the aggressive nature of the business world and persuasively prescribes a more compassionate approach.
A definitive source on the use of empathy in business — Readers’ FavoriteHonors: Finalist, Non-Fiction Motivational, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637350942
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
