Best Independent Books January 1
We are delighted to recommend the following books from the independent publishing sector.
FICTION
A Climate of Chaos: This Parched Earth
by Nawtej Dosanjh
In a near-future world in which water equals power, climate expert Mark Wells is running out of time. His revolutionary water-sharing network in East Africa offers hope to millions struggling to survive devastating droughts. When Wells stumbles upon a deep-rooted conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of global power, he finds himself in a battle not just for his project but for his life.
From Ethiopia’s barren landscapes to Washington’s corridors of influence, from desperate water refugees at the U.S.-Mexico border to Russian satellite deception, Wells must navigate treacherous international intrigue while dodging assassins and facing betrayals that threaten to unravel everything. As waves of climate refugees trigger worldwide instability, those determined to control Earth’s most precious resource will stop at nothing to maintain their grip on power.
Blending cutting-edge science with electrifying suspense, this gripping political thriller portrays a disturbingly plausible future, in which water is humanity’s most sought-after and deadly weapon.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Literature & Fiction
ISBN: 978-1637353776
Why They Run
by Zoey Wheeler
Some races are about speed. Others are about escape, identity and the courage to want more. This story centers on two runners chasing the same scholarship, each driven by very different fears and hopes. One runs to survive the weight of a secret that threatens to derail everything he has built. The other runs to step out from a legacy that has defined her before she ever set foot on the track.
For the two characters, every stride carries pressure, expectation and the promise of a future neither can afford to lose. As competition intensifies, the rivalry between them sharpens into something far more complicated. Ambition collides with vulnerability, and the pursuit of victory becomes tangled with emotions neither planned for. The tension on the track mirrors the stakes off it with winning being no longer just about crossing the finish line first.
Blending sports drama with a slow-burn romance, this novel explores resilience, identity and the quiet moments that define who people become when under pressure. It is a reminder that sometimes the hardest races are not the ones with spectators, and that the most meaningful victories often come when everything is on the line.
Honors: seen on ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1970584028
NON-FICTION
Your Book or Your Excuse:
why the 1% of leaders publish — and the 99% get forgotten
by Alinka Rutkowska
There are two kinds of business leaders: the 99 percent, who keep talking about writing a book someday, and the 1 percent who actually do it. Those in that 1 percent then use that book to dominate their field. In this eye-opening guide, the author reveals how top entrepreneurs transform a single book into a 24/7 salesperson.
The author describes the role of a business leader’s book in attracting high-value clients, securing $25K+ speaking engagements, drawing media attention, and building unshakable credibility. She dismantles the excuses that hold most leaders back — being too busy, being too uncertain, or believing they’re not ready — and uncovers the hidden ROI that publishing unlocks, from unexpected opportunities to multimillion-dollar deals sparked by one influential read.
Through real case studies from global brands, the author demonstrates how publishing becomes the ultimate authority builder and the key to staying relevant, visible and unforgettable.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637354049
Why They Buy:
a bulletproof method to closing any sale
by David Fuess
Companies spend thousands of hours and millions of dollars annually teaching their people how to sell instead of investing in answering the only question that ever matters to the bottom line — why they buy.
Whether selling goods or services, this play-by-play guide explains how to close any sale. In this book, the author describes how to become highly attuned to the people that are being sold to; how to present ideas to target customers in a way that they are inspired to sell themselves; and how that art of the sale creates customers for life.
This informative book shows how to take sales from where they currently are to where they need to be.
Honors: seen on ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1943386321
No EGO Policy: Culture Reimagined:
leading with love and authenticity
by Daniel J. Batty
Company culture is often treated as a set of policies or perks, but the truth is it is shaped every day by how leaders show up. This book reframes leadership as a deeply human practice, rooted in authenticity, accountability, and care for the people doing the work.
Drawing from decades of real-world experience across construction, operations and fast-growing national brands, the author blends personal stories with practical leadership lessons. The result is a grounded look at how trust is built, how teams stay aligned under pressure and why humility often unlocks better performance than authority ever could. Culture, as the book shows, is not enforced. It is modeled. Readers are guided through how to hire and develop people who reflect the mission, create transparency without fear, and build environments where wins are celebrated and growth is shared. The tone is honest and reflective, offering insights forged through experience rather than theory.
For leaders who want to move beyond ego-driven management and create workplaces defined by purpose and pride, this book offers both inspiration and direction. It is a reminder that when leadership is grounded in love and authenticity, culture becomes a powerful engine for innovation, loyalty and lasting impact.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637353905
In case you missed the books featured in the last newsletter, here they are again:
From Group to Team:
a guide to high-performing management teams
by John Ylander
In this book, the author presents a practical and insightful framework designed to help leaders build and sustain high-performing management teams. Combining clear theory with compelling real-world case studies, he illustrates what separates a simple working group from a truly aligned, collaborative, and results-driven team.
Through the Management Team Assessment Model, the author offers leaders a powerful tool to evaluate team effectiveness, identify performance gaps, and implement strategies that enhance collective capability. This book guides readers through the process of transforming team dynamics, shifting from fragmented efforts to coordinated excellence. The author demonstrates how trust, open communication and shared purpose create the foundation for collaboration and long-term success. He also emphasizes the importance of aligning the team’s mission with organizational goals, ensuring clarity, focus and measurable impact.
In an era defined by rapid change and uncertainty, this book equips leaders with the skills to navigate complexity while keeping teams resilient, adaptable and high-functioning.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-9153151340
Creating Golden Roots:
the seed of remembering
by Matthew J. Hall
This book brings an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the essence of a meaningful life. The first installment of a trilogy, it is a guide to stepping beyond the noise of daily routines and rediscovering the quiet strength that lies within.
The author weaves personal experiences with universal wisdom, offering profound yet practical insights that encourage resilience, balance and clarity. He shows how life’s obstacles can become stepping-stones for growth; how beauty can be found in the simplest daily moments; and how deeper connections can transform the way people live. His warm, conversational style makes complex ideas accessible, while his reflections provide a grounded path toward inner peace and renewed perspective.
This book is more than a guide; it is a seed planted for transformation. It is a reminder that individual choices have power, personal stories matter, and independent journeys are part of something far greater. Whether people are seeking purpose, balance or a fresh outlook, this book offers a starting point for cultivating strength and harmony.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 979-8999956408
Write and Grow Rich:
secrets of successful authors and publishers
by Alexa Bigwarfe, Amy Collins et al.
This book reveals the behind-the-scenes process for 24 authors who've used books to build lucrative, inspiring businesses. It contains advice for authors looking to turn books into a six-figure calling.
This book includes the inspirational success stories of a remarkable group of authors, marketers, teachers and trainers. By sharing their best practices, authorpreneurs, such as Bryan Cohen, Marc Guberti, Daniel Hall, Adam Houge, Kristin Joy Laidig and Caitlin Pyle, provide a roadmap to the steps aspiring authors need to take to join their ranks.
This is a jam-packed guide for self-publishing authors to making their words worth more than they ever dreamed possible.
Honors: seen on ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1943386260
Retirement Runway:
a story about family and legacy
by Joseph A. Clark
In this book, a wise grandfather and his 18-year-old grandson engage in heartfelt conversations about family, life and the bedrock for constructing a lasting financial legacy.
This isn’t a dry textbook. Within these pages, there is a personal story; a beacon illuminating the essential principles of personal finance, the celebration of family bonds and the roadmap for shaping the legacy people aspire to leave behind.
The author describes three phases of people’s financial journey. Accumulation is like loading onto an airplane and taking off. The preservation stage is like flying at 30,000 feet. The landing is the distribution phase when the assets that have been saved are put to use. Decisions made today will have an impact for generations to come.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 978-1637352700
Leadership DNA: shaping a thriving business culture
by Alinka Rutkowska, Deepak Bhootra, Brandon C. Blewett et al.
This book showcases the real stories, insights and strategies of successful leaders across industries. This compelling anthology explores whether great leaders are born or made and provides practical examples of how they overcome adversity to inspire change.
It features contributions from entrepreneurs, corporate executives and industry visionaries. Insights include how an entrepreneur revived her business by focusing on mental health and fostering resilience within her team, illustrating the importance of well-being in leadership. Another contribution tells how a co-founder scaled his startup from zero to $1 million in just six months by leading with adaptability and purpose, offering key lessons in rapid growth. One of the leaders describes how she broke through barriers in male-dominated industries, transforming challenges into opportunities with inclusive leadership, offering invaluable insight into overcoming adversity. The book also explains how corporate leaders turned disengaged teams into high performers, using empathy and values-driven leadership to create positive cultures that boost engagement and success.
This anthology brings together a diverse range of leadership experiences and real-world examples, offering readers actionable insights and tools for fostering innovation, navigating complex challenges and creating thriving business cultures.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 978-1637353493
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
