Best Independent Books January 22
We are delighted to recommend the following books from the independent publishing sector.
NON-FICTION
Outsource Your Book: your guide to getting your business book ghostwritten, published and launched
by Alinka Rutkowska
This book shares the secrets of a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author on how to hire experts to write, publish, and launch your bestseller.
The author describes the 17 steps involved in going from a book idea to a six-figure funnel. She explains numerous aspects of the process, including how to position a book so that it’s a bestseller; where to hire a pro to craft a clever book outline; the three different types of editing; how and where to hire for interior layout and formatting; where to hire a designer for an attention-grabbing cover; and how to reach libraries and foreign markets.
This book enables business leaders to become recognized as authorities in their field, to build credibility, to prepare for a consultancy, and to leave an appreciable legacy.
Honors: seen on ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1943386406
CIONET Cookbook No. 2: recipes for digital success
by Hendrik Deckers
Digital sits at the heart of every successful organization, whether in the public or private sector.
For digital leaders, the requirement for constant change brings opportunities and challenges. Modern technology chiefs — be it CIOs, CTOs or CDOs — need exceptional skills to overcome any obstacles they encounter and to deliver a brighter future for their businesses. Help comes in the form of this book, which showcases the very best in European digital leadership.
The recipes within this book reveal the unique stories of digital leaders. They show how successful technology chiefs use an eclectic and enticing set of ingredients to produce delightful and delicious digital transformations.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352021
Lead To Disrupt: 7 keys to success in the changing world
by Kumar R. Parakala
In a world transformed by disruptive forces such as rapid technological advances, geopolitical tensions, climate change and demographic shifts, the very foundations of business and society are being reshaped in unforeseen and unpredictable ways. Traditional leadership models are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of this dynamic environment.
The author asks what kind of leaders are needed to navigate the relentless pace of such changes. He delves into this urgent question, offering profound insights and practical strategies for thriving amidst constant transformation.
This book is a clarion call for a new paradigm of leadership — one that not only adapts to disruption, but also harnesses it to drive meaningful change. It provides essential tools to master the art of disruptive leadership.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352618
InvestPreneur: real estate lessons for the determined investor
(Book Two of the I Can. I Will. Watch Me! series)
by Kristin Cripps
This book lays out the proven track that the author — a former bartender and massage therapist — followed to become a real-estate mogul and a millionaire before her 30th birthday.
The author explains the first crucial step toward investing. She describes some out-of-the-box ways to save for the first down payment. She explores different types of loans available and discusses the common investments that can result in a loss. When deciding on properties, she points out those that should be avoided like the plague, but also shows the right way to fix up a fixer-upper. There is also guidance on when and why to sell properties and an insider’s scoop on what buyers are likely to be looking for.
The author has built an empire from the ground up. She’s spent years learning the ins and outs of real-estate investing. In this book, she shares her hard-earned knowledge so that others can follow her lead.
Honors: seen on CBS and NBC
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1943386857
FICTION
Sweetie, That's Not Sweets!
by Kathleen Humel
This book teaches children the importance of only taking medicine as directed by a healthcare provider, parent or guardian to ensure safety and proper treatment.
The author, a pharmacist, uses verse to deliver the educational message in an engaging and accessible way. At the center of the story is the parent-child relationship, pointing children to trust the advice of their parents in relation to medicine.
The book contains valuable insights and tips for parents and caregivers from an expert in the field. It puts safety at the heart of the conversation about medicine.
The story follows a relatable dialogue between a mother and daughter, explaining the dos and don’ts of medicine use in a way that’s accessible and memorable... — The Review Universe
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Children’s
ISBN: 978-1637351734
In case you missed the books featured in the last newsletter, here they are again:
NON-FICTION
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: 978-1637353929
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
The Learning Revolution:
AI's influence on intelligence and education
by Sarah Chardonnens
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we learn, think, and adapt. In this book, the author explores the intersection of AI and cognitive science, offering a groundbreaking perspective on how education must evolve in the digital age.
This book provides an innovative framework for understanding the synergy between AI and human cognition. The author examines the differences between human and artificial intelligence, introducing the Synapse model — a fresh approach to how the brain learns and adapts. She offers practical insights into how AI impacts sensory input, memory and emotional regulation, while exploring strategies to foster self-regulation, motivation and curiosity in AI-driven education.
Beyond learning techniques, the author delves into the ethical implications of AI in education, questioning its effects on creativity and cognitive diversity. As technology reshapes the way people acquire knowledge, this book empowers educators, students, and tech enthusiasts to rethink the future of learning.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Education
ISBN: 978-3952422076
FICTION
Zero Two Hundred Hours:
a fact-based military thriller
by Eric Wentz
To avenge the death of his father, a Navy SEAL leads a counterstrike against Al-Qaeda.Saudi-trained Al-Qaeda operatives launch an attack on Camp Delta, the terrorist prison facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The assault mirrors not only the brutality and sophistication of the assault that killed his father but mimics the SEAL’s own tactics. Lieutenant Commander Grant Chisolm must outsmart Shakir Amir, the head of the fanatical movement.
Chisolm prepares his men to stop an attack he’s expecting to come from the water. When he realizes he’s about to clash with Al-Qaeda forces coming from all directions and wearing suicide vests — 2:00 a.m. is the scheduled detonation time — he crosses international borders and confronts Cuban forces as well as the terrorists. Hours later, his forces slaughtered, Amir, badly wounded, bleeding and delusional, floats off the coast of Guantanamo.
A veritable crash course in world history, military strategy and the psychology of warfare, the narrative is so fast-paced and electrically charged, it will leave readers’ hairs standing on the back of their necks.
Wentz teaches as well as mesmerizes... Intensity of writing pervades the pages of this stunning story. — Goodreads
Honors: seen on CBS and Fox
Recognition for Author: Bronze Medal, Thriller – Terrorist, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, 2013; Honorable Mention, Thriller – Terrorist, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, 2017
Category: Mystery & Thriller
ISBN: 978-1637350553
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 MarketWatch
Category: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-1970584028
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
