King Cal by Peter McDade is a captivating narrative that explores the life of Calvin, a young man confronting the complexities of personal relationships and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of his unremarkable job at a fast-food restaurant, the story reveals Calvin’s journey through love,...

Pretend by Jennifer Conklin starts with Kyle going to the city to pick up Robin, who has been badly beaten up by her very abusive stepfather. Despite the horrible injuries, Robin refuses to be taken to the hospital, and instead, they go to Kyle’s home....

Songs in the Key of DJ: When Ambition and Romance Hit All the Wrong Notes by Murray Weber seamlessly blends elements of coming-of-age, rock culture, and romance, delivering a delightful adventure. In 2007, nineteen-year-old DJ Martin is on a relentless quest for stardom, ready to...

Shattered Paths by Daniel Rolph is a captivating story that draws on Rolph's true experiences growing up in the foster care system in the UK. The narrative follows the life of Jack Hardy, a young boy who was taken into the foster care system after...

Bill's 5 Rules for Success by Bill Leinweber provides five key guidelines and Bill's reasoning for their effectiveness. In short succession, Rule One: Show Up states that attendance is essential for completing work, and employees should notify supervisors of unavoidable absences. Rule Two: Be On...

Set in 1920s Oklahoma City, Genevieve Morrissey's Thea follows the story of a teenage girl trying to find her place in the world. Raised by an alcoholic mother, Thea Carter longs for a life of normalcy where she doesn't have to change homes frequently and...

Some Species of Outsider-ness by Angela Grey and Paige Peterson is a poignant coming-of-age novel for young adult readers. Piper Quesenberry and Slater Hartmann are two teens who feel like outsiders for different reasons. Piper is battling bipolar disorder, and Slater is recovering from Guillain-Barré...

And Far Between by Alex Stearns follows Jimmy Stone's tumultuous summer as the pre-teen moves through a fractured relationship with his abusive, alcoholic mother, her partner Paul, and the cruel power imbalance of “friends” like Fred and Mike. Jimmy has dreams of an escape route...

Where the Guava Tree Stands by Leah T. Williams is a heartfelt work where the poems in the collection are set in a narrative style. We follow Mina’s emotional journey as she moves from her beloved St. Kitts to Orlando, Florida. Williams has a poignant...

La Ballona Creek by Brant Vickers follows Jorma, Yogi, and Sonny after discovering a hidden world through Tomer, a Tongva descendant, and their involvement in a conflict over the protection of Tongva ancestral lands. They undertake a mission to retrieve the Tongva ancestors' remains from...