Best Independent Books December 25
We are delighted to recommend the following books from the independent publishing sector.
NON-FICTION
From Group to Team: A Guide to High-Performing Management Teams
by John Ylander
This book is a practical guide for leaders who want more than just a group of capable individuals. They want a management team that works together, thinks strategically, and delivers consistent results.
In this book, Ylander breaks down what truly separates high-performing management teams from those that struggle with misalignment, silos, and unclear direction. Drawing from real-world case studies and proven leadership principles, he introduces a clear framework leaders can apply immediately to improve trust, collaboration, and performance. Readers are guided through the shift from fragmented group dynamics to a cohesive team mindset, with tools that help clarify purpose, strengthen communication, and align leadership around shared goals.
A key highlight is the Management Team Assessment Model (MTAM), which gives leaders a practical way to evaluate team effectiveness and identify areas for growth. Whether you are building a new management team or strengthening an existing one, this book offers grounded insights for navigating complexity, leading through uncertainty, and creating lasting impact.
If you’re ready to unlock your team’s full potential, From Group to Team is a valuable place to start.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-9153151340
Write and Grow Rich: Secrets of Successful Authors and Publishers (Exclusive Tips from Publishing Experts)
by Alexa Bigwarfe, Amy Collins et al.
A practical, behind-the-scenes guide for anyone who wants to turn writing into real business growth. Now a USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-seller, this anthology brings together 26 successful authors and entrepreneurs who have used books to build profitable, purpose-driven careers.
Led by bestselling author Alinka Rutkowska, the book shares honest stories and proven strategies from authors, marketers, coaches, and publishers who have turned a single book into a powerful business asset. Rather than theory alone, contributors walk readers through what actually worked, what they would do differently if starting today, and how they navigated overwhelm, uncertainty, and common publishing myths.
Inside, readers will discover practical insights on book-based revenue models, positioning, audience growth, and long-term brand building across a wide range of industries. The book also highlights tools, skills, and mindsets that help authors move faster and build resilience along the way.
If you’re ready to make your words work harder for your career or business, Write and Grow Rich offers a clear, experience-backed roadmap to get started.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1943386260
The Seed of Remembering (Creating Golden Roots Book 1)
by Matthew J. Hall
An invitation to slow down, look inward, and reconnect with what gives life meaning. In a world that rewards constant motion and noise, this book offers a quiet but powerful reminder that clarity, purpose, and balance begin within.
Through a warm, conversational voice, Hall blends personal reflection with practical insight, guiding readers to rediscover a deeper sense of direction and presence. The book encourages a shift in perspective, helping readers see life’s challenges not as setbacks, but as opportunities for growth and understanding. Along the way, it gently highlights the beauty hidden in everyday moments and the importance of nurturing authentic connections with oneself and others.
The Seed of Remembering is both reflective and grounding, inviting readers to find equilibrium between effort and ease, action and stillness. Whether you are navigating change, searching for inner peace, or simply craving a more intentional way of living, this book provides a thoughtful starting point.
Begin the journey by planting the seed, following the thread, and allowing your golden roots to take hold.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 979-8999956408
Retirement Runway: A Story about Family and Legacy
by Joseph A. Clark CFP
Offers a refreshing approach to retirement planning by framing it through a heartfelt family story rather than charts and jargon. Told through conversations between a grandfather and his eighteen-year-old grandson, the book turns complex financial topics into relatable, meaningful lessons that resonate across generations.
Drawing from decades of experience as a financial advisor, Clark weaves practical guidance into a narrative that explores money, purpose, and long-term decision-making. Readers are introduced to essential retirement concepts, including planning with confidence, understanding investments and taxes, and preparing for life beyond work, all in a way that feels accessible and human.
What makes Retirement Runway stand out is its focus on legacy. Beyond financial security, the book encourages families to talk openly about values, priorities, and the kind of impact they want to leave behind. These conversations become a bridge between generations, strengthening relationships while building clarity and peace of mind.
Whether you’re early in your career, approaching retirement, or thinking about the legacy you want to pass on, Retirement Runway provides a thoughtful, engaging guide for planning a future that truly matters.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 978-1637352700
Leadership DNA: Shaping A Thriving Business Culture
by Alinka Rutkowska, Abdul Azize Hossen, Brandon C. Blewett, et al.
Brings together real stories and practical insights from leaders who are shaping strong, resilient organizations across industries. This anthology goes beyond theory, offering firsthand experiences from entrepreneurs, executives, and change-makers who understand what it takes to lead in today’s fast-paced business environment.
Through diverse perspectives, readers discover how leaders have navigated growth, adversity, and cultural transformation. The book highlights powerful examples, from rebuilding a business by prioritizing mental health and resilience, to scaling a startup from zero to seven figures through adaptability and focused leadership. It also shares stories of breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries and turning underperforming teams into high-performing, values-driven cultures.
What ties these stories together is a shared emphasis on empathy, clarity, and purpose. Leadership DNA provides actionable strategies for leading through uncertainty, building trust, and creating environments where people and performance thrive together.
Whether you’re an experienced executive, an entrepreneur in growth mode, or an emerging leader, Leadership DNA offers grounded guidance and inspiration to help you shape a business culture that supports long-term success and meaningful impact.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 978-1637353493
In case you missed the books featured in the last newsletter, here they are again:
FICTION
Manhattan: The Rising War (Studio Edition)
by Sal Cosenza
In this book, the author reimagines the iconic Manhattan skyline as a battleground of myth and power, blending epic storytelling with the visual grandeur of his acclaimed painting series. This unique edition invites readers to experience both the sweeping narrative and the creative process behind it.
Lady Liberty emerges anew as a colossal tower of hope, while the ancient deities Schist and Pegmatite embody life’s resilience and nature’s fury. Manhattan itself becomes a character — visionary, unyielding and ever-evolving — caught in a war of creation versus destruction.
Beyond the novel’s gripping battles, the studio edition unveils never-before-seen sketches, concept drawings and production notes along with five monumental paintings crafted over nearly two decades. This rare fusion of literature and art offers a front-row seat to the imagination that shaped this mythic world.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Literature & Fiction
ISBN: 979-8990118164
Camilla Learns To Shine
by Elizabeth Connell Lewis and Mark S. Lewis
Camilla is no ordinary cuttlefish. She looks different from the others and cannot swim as fast as the cuttlefish and squid around her. Worried about her appearance, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
Along the way, Camilla learns to appreciate her special body type and unique abilities as she meets new friends near her ocean home. As she navigates the vibrant underwater world, she encounters various sea creatures who teach her valuable lessons about self-acceptance and the importance of embracing one’s uniqueness. Through her interactions, she discovers that her differences make her special and that true beauty comes from within.
This charming tale not only entertains but also educates young readers about marine life, fostering a love for the ocean and its inhabitants. Camilla’s heartwarming story celebrates diversity, resilience and the joy of helping others.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Children's
ISBN: 978-1637353219
NON-FICTION
It's All About Your Team: One Team. Shared Success
by Michael Giaramita
This book delves into the essence of successful project management across various industries, emphasizing the indispensable role of collaboration and team alignment. It serves as a blueprint for building powerhouse teams capable of achieving extraordinary outcomes.
The author explores core principles of collaborative project delivery, providing historical insights and real-world case studies from diverse projects. He offers practical strategies for aligning team goals, integrating diverse skill sets and cultivating an environment in which every team member thrives. The book introduces advanced techniques to boost productivity and spur innovation, along with essential methods for quality control and timely project delivery. The author simplifies complex project management concepts, making them accessible and actionable.
The author’s approach in this book leverages the collective strength of a team to achieve exceptional results. This book is a guide to transforming a group of individuals into a cohesive, unstoppable team.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352670
Love Is the Foundation: unlock the healing power of love and discover your true self
by A'sha Love
Drawing on ancient wisdom and modern science, this book reveals how consciousness can shape the world.
The book offers mind-opening ideas and techniques that empower people to transform life in profound ways. It provides practical exercises and real-world examples to help people tap into the power of their thoughts, beliefs and emotions to create the reality they desire.
With insights from the author, a leading expert in the field of mindfulness and personal transformation, this book is a journey of self-discovery and transformation that has the potential to leave people inspired and empowered.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Religion & Spirituality
ISBN: 978-1637351970
Plainify AI: simple for a novice, useful for a pro
by Cupid Chan
This book explores the world of artificial intelligence, using relatable analogies and a mix of humor and insight. It turns complex AI ideas into everyday conversations, making artificial intelligence clear and practical for everyone.
The author helps leaders understand AI’s impact and how to apply it in the real world, delivering clear explanations and relatable examples. In the second chapter of the book, he even uses a food analogy to explain data feeding, making complex concepts easy to digest and fun to learn. For those who want to dig deeper, there are profound insights into the field.
This book masterfully demystifies AI, transforming intricate concepts into crystal-clear insights. This isn't just another technical manual — it's an enlightening journey that makes the transformative power of AI accessible to everyone.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637353455
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
