IT IS ABOUT YOU: How the Government Works and How to Help Fix It by Deborah Cupples
Genre: Political Science
IR Verdict: IT IS ABOUT YOU: How the Government Works and How to Help Fix It is a lucid and clearly realized map for understanding our government and the forces that undermine it. A bird’s eye panorama of the federal system, it provides simple explanations and some lesser known and surprising facts about our voting system.
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WELCOME TO SUGARVILLE – A NOVEL IN STORIES by J.J. Haas
Genre: Short Stories
IR Verdict: Little sweetness or southern flavor exists in J.J. Haas’ mythical city of Sugarville, a bright-looking place that is actually a dark suburb of the twilight zone. Brief and taut, these tales mostly lead to frightful twists.
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THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT EDGEFIELD by Edna Gail Bush, Natonne Elaine Kemp
Genre: History
IR Verdict: Authors Edna Gail Bush and Natonne Elaine Kemp dazzle with compassion in illuminating the revered history of their enslaved ancestors through fascinating interviews and inquisitive research.
TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE by Loren M. Gelberg-Goff
Genre: Self-Help
IR Verdict: TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE endeavors to award caregivers the same compassion they give to loved ones in need. Gelberg-Goff provides peace of mind allowing readers to, truly, regain control.
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APE MIND OLD MIND NEW MIND by John V. Wylie
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Retired psychiatrist John Wylie’s thoughtful examination of human evolution and mental illness through the lens of Jungian psychology should intrigue readers with a working knowledge of, or an interest in, these subjects. And while he occasionally lapses into jargon, when the prose is personal, it’s practically perfect.
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GHOST BULLY by Brian Corley
Genre: Humor
IR Verdict: GHOST BULLY is a fun paranormal romp that balances witty humor with genuine heart.
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THE VICTORY PERSPECTIVE by E.J. Kellett
Genre: Popular Fiction
IR Verdict: THE VICTORY PERSPECTIVE is an alternative version of the biblical creation myth that, while largely derivative in plot, nevertheless soars in its power to move.
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M’S CELEBRITY by Alex Tsiatsos
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Offering an in-depth examination of one man’s descent into his own intense philosophical manifesto, M’S CELEBRITY is meant for readers seeking an out of the ordinary thriller.
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A CHICKEN IN THE WIND AND HOW HE GREW by Frank South
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Frank South’s memoir about the challenges of struggling with ADHD since his 1950s childhood is powerful. It’s insightful for anyone dealing with attentional disorders and should be on reading lists for those working in fields such as education, law enforcement or social services.
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WALKING ON EDGE by Reino Gevers
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Reino Gevers does a fine job in WALKING ON EDGE, a tale of a hiking trip-turned- journey of self-discovery. Although replete with mysticism, Gevers never lets the story descend into arcane mysticism and New Age babble.
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TWISTED THREADS by Kaylin McFarren
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: The latest in a series of thrillers based around a charismatic geisha turned assassin, TWISTED THREADS is perhaps the most conceptual work of Kaylin McFarren’s series, but nevertheless thunders along at a frantic, spellbinding pace and offers a truly memorable addition to the series.
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JUST WHERE THEY WANTED TO BE by Ellen Sollinger Walker
Genre: Biography
IR Verdict: Through author Ellen Sollinger Walker’s use of letters and ship logs, the poet paints a lyrical portrait of her fearless parents and their refusals to become couch potatoes in their fifties.
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CHAINSAW HONEYMOON by Steven Ramirez
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: Steven Ramirez impressively merges horror with light comedy and romance in CHAINSAW HONEYMOON and skillfully brings these genres together in a page-turning work.
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ANGELA CRAY GETS REAL by Dara Carr
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: ANGELA CRAY GETS REAL is gleefully sardonic and wonderfully convoluted and as hilarious a mystery novel as you are likely to find anywhere.
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BLOWOUT by Xingu Fawcett
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Author Xingu Fawcett has a journalist’s eye for detail, grounding BLOWOUT, his tale of greed among the rich and bent politicians in Brazil, in a satisfying authenticity.
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