Tom Sauer's 2 Weeks in the Desert with Dad was an interesting departure from my usual reading fare. The author had a difficult and strained relationship with his now eighty-four-year-old father. His father had spent his entire life penny-pinching and worrying about money, devoting his...

Spiritually Homeless follows Kris Girrell’s examination of how people register moments that feel significant outside religious structures, beginning with his own mountaintop event and moving through accounts of individuals who found their lives were redirected by inner prompts they could not ignore. Girrell traces how...

Barry Robbins's 6-3 and 5-4: Betrayal From Within tells the story of modern America through twenty-five Supreme Court rulings that speak for themselves. Each chapter gives a case a voice, turning decisions like Dobbs, Bush v. Gore, and Salinas into narrators that react to the...

Half-Jew—Full Life by Georgette Bennett shares the inspiring story of Gerd "Pips" Philipsohn, a Holocaust survivor who faced extraordinary challenges with courage and determination. The book begins with his early years in Berlin, describing his escape from Nazi persecution and his survival during one of...

Dangerous, Black and Notorious tells the true story of Mary Ellen Pleasant, a powerful Black entrepreneur who lived during the 19th century. The book follows her journey from childhood to her rise as one of the most influential women in San Francisco during the Gold...

Mark Elberfeld’s Sour Cherries at Buc-ee’s is a collection of essays that examines the complexities of human connection, memory, and the interaction between place and identity. With a sharp eye for detail and a reflective tone, Elberfeld guides readers through his experiences, blending personal stories,...

Straight Outta Skokie by Al Krockey is an absorbing memoir that had me engaged from the first page to the last. The author brought to life the social and cultural challenges of 1968 through the eyes of a young man. The book follows Krockey’s journey...

Don’t Call Me Widow: How to Support Someone Who Has Lost Their Spouse by Samina Bari is a self-help book that every adult should read to be ready to handle tragedy in someone else’s life, a tragedy we all are bound to encounter sooner or...

Positive Actions: Transforming Education, Shaping a Better World by Valter Martins explores the role of education in shaping human conduct and creating a better society. The book dives deep into understanding why people act the way they do, focusing on behaviors that lead to happiness...

In God Is Not an Information Desk, T.G. Owens drives multiple passengers in London and discusses life, faith, and personal awareness with each of them. Among them is Virginia, an American woman with whom Owens chats about loneliness and obstacles while explaining limiting beliefs and...