Best Independent Books November 27
We are delighted to recommend the following books from the independent publishing sector.
NON-FICTION
Single-Minded Leadership: The Power of Focus and Determination
by Mark N. Harvey M.D.
In this compelling portrait of Ralph Harvey, a man who built a thriving oil-and-gas company not through shortcuts or charisma but through unwavering focus, grit and deeply held values, his son provides a rare, honest look at the real journey behind lasting success, complete with failures, betrayals and moments of profound generosity.
Through vivid storytelling and practical insight, the author shares leadership lessons forged over four decades in business. He describes how his father navigated tough decisions with integrity, built teams rooted in shared purpose, and created a legacy that extended far beyond profit. From funding a stranger’s medical procedure to standing firm when doing the right thing meant losing everything, his story is a testament to the power of conviction.
Much more than a biography; this book is a blueprint for leading with clarity, courage and compassion. Entrepreneurs, executives and changemakers will find inspiration and actionable tools to build something meaningful and enduring. It challenges readers to rethink success and reminds us that the most powerful legacy isn’t what you build; it’s who you build up.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637353646
Ordinary Founder: A Grit-and-Profit Playbook for Entrepreneurs
by Pavel Danek
This book is a brutally honest, no-fluff guide that every entrepreneur needs, but rarely gets. The author pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to build a business from the ground up, offering a raw, unfiltered look at the grit, heartbreak and hard-won victories that define the entrepreneurial journey.
This playbook isn’t about polished success stories or overnight wins. It’s forged from failure, perseverance and real-world lessons that actually work. The author shares how to rebuild after crushing setbacks, master finances while staying purpose-driven, and transition from solo hustle to aligned leadership. His insights are grounded in experience and backed by proven frameworks, tools and data that help founders grow smarter and stronger.
With powerful storytelling and practical strategy, this book empowers entrepreneurs to embrace discomfort, lead with clarity and build businesses that thrive. It’s a guide for those who want more than hype; who want results rooted in resilience.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-8011069674
Hi-Five to Winning: Why Winners Win
by Jermel D. Carr MBA
This transformative work is designed to inspire and guide readers on their path to victory.
The author has dedicated years to researching the essence of winning. In this book, he distills his findings into practical wisdom that can be applied to any aspect of life. Through engaging anecdotes and evidence-based strategies, he reveals that winning is more than just a result; it’s a mindset.
This book is not just a book; it’s a mentorship in paperback form, providing readers with the tools to tap into their inner confidence and turn aspirations into achievements.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 978-1637352458
Adapt: Your First Step Towards Success That Lasts
by Raghavan Venugopal
This book is a compelling guide that encourages readers to embrace change and foster a mindset of resilience and growth.
This book is not just about surviving change, but thriving in it. It's about learning to adapt and making adaptation a way of life. Packed with practical advice and actionable strategies, this book is an essential read for anyone seeking enduring success in a rapidly changing world.
This book is a first step towards a future filled with endless possibilities. The guidance is shaped around the tale of Ram, a senior manager learning about leadership. Witnessing Ram’s journey offers readers the opportunity to address any twists, turns and surprises in their own story, knowing everything that Ram had to learn along the way.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352199
Hire, Scale, Thrive: How to Grow Your Business Exponentially With Virtual Professionals
by Alinka Rutkowska and Gerald Pena
This insightful book provides a comprehensive guide on how to leverage the power of virtual professionals to grow a business exponentially.
The authors share their proven methods and strategies for hiring, scaling and thriving with a team of virtual professionals. They delve into the key aspects of managing a remote team, from hiring and onboarding to communication and performance management.
This book is an invaluable resource for business owners looking to scale their operations without the overhead costs of a traditional office setting. It offers practical advice and actionable steps to help build a high-performing virtual team that can drive a business to new heights.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Recognition for Author: Bronze Medal, Non-Fiction Anthology, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards
Category: Business
ASIN: B0CJ5F8B9S
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
NON-FICTION
Led by the Child: Unlocking the Power of Montessori for All
by Karen Chetwynd
This book is an important resource for educators, policymakers and advocates who believe in equity, inclusion and the transformative power of education.
In a bold and inspiring call to transform education by embracing the full potential of Montessori learning — everywhere, for every child — the author takes readers on a compelling journey into the heart of this child-centered approach, revealing why its proven benefits remain out of reach for so many and how we can change that. With clarity and compassion, the author explores the systemic barriers that limit access to Montessori education and connects them to urgent global challenges. Through vivid storytelling, practical strategies and a hopeful vision for the future, she shows how Montessori principles can empower learners of all backgrounds, nurturing curiosity, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.
The author offers a roadmap for amplifying young voices, building inclusive environments, and redefining success beyond rigid benchmarks, maintaining that “children who feel a sense of control over their educational experience feel greater enthusiasm for and interest in learning”.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1919183114
Wealth Simplified: The Secrets of Everyday People Who Retire Richer, Happier, and Earlier
by Robert F. Roby
Pension deficits, inflation, rising debts, increasing longevity, out-of-control healthcare costs, volatile stock markets, and a cornucopia of bad advice — the hard truth is that society is on the verge of a retirement crisis! Making matters even more tenuous is a financial industry mired in complexity, myths, and misconceptions.
The outcome is that many everyday investors either do not invest at all, or they invest in an inappropriate way. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. In this book, the author applies 35 years of expertise in wealth management and explains how to garner meaningful wealth and a great retirement.
The approach of this book is to show safe, simple and secure strategies that others have used effectively to prepare financially for retirement.
Roby puts together a well-structured, relatable and succinct book… — Readers’ FavoriteHonors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 978-1637351567
Stepping Beyond Intention: Creating Your Life on Your Terms
by Daniel Mangena
This book provides people with an innovative toolbox to get their world right, whether they are frustrated, discouraged, sensing personal failure or struggling to overcome depression and anxiety.
The author — a thought leader, radio host and podcaster — has helped thousands of people around the globe shift negativity into a positive mindset. Having battled his own lowest-of-the-low demons, he shares in this book how to get back on track and follow a happy, fulfilling and deliberate path.
The approach of this book is finely tuned, aligning the more esoteric elements of self-help into a strong transformational tool. The author presents a unique process developed by him over more than twenty years. Using it, people can identify how to set a purpose that actually works. By tapping into innate human powers and going far deeper than talking points, they will soon be filled with vitality and a zest for achieving all their dreams.
The author outlines an interesting process that promotes positive internal changes that radiate to positive physical outcomes. — The Book Review DirectoryHonors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 978-1999957117
The Ladies Playbook: How to Get Your Way with a Man
by Melanie Joy Vertalino
In this book, the author offers a captivating, no-nonsense guide for women ready to embrace their power, elevate their dating game, and create the extraordinary love life they've always craved. This isn’t about mind games; it’s about transforming into the magnetic, high-value woman who effortlessly draws men in, commands respect, and leaves them eager to win her heart.
The author explains how to strut into every first date with unshakable confidence, armed with insider dating etiquette and outstanding behavior. She shows how to master the secrets of emotional intelligence, staying cool, calm and collected in even the most intense situations. The book enables women to set new, elevated standards, attracting only high-quality partners who rise to meet their expectations.
This book is a personal roadmap to becoming a woman who captivates effortlessly. Women can bask in the power of knowing that they control their love life and can craft it into the fulfilling, passionate journey they've always dreamed of.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 979-8330624683
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
