Best Independent Books October 23
We are delighted to recommend the following books from the independent publishing sector.
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
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
You Can Thank Me Later: Start-up Secrets I Wish I Knew
by Laura Sabia
In this book, the author traces her journey from accidental business owner to successful CEO of eight thriving companies. She shares the lessons she learned through tenacity, resilience and perseverance.
After unexpectedly falling in love with a Pure Barre franchise, the author took a leap of faith and purchased her first location. Despite limited business experience and resources, she worked tirelessly to get the studio up and running. She recounts the challenges she faced and the key decisions she made as she navigated the world of entrepreneurship. From securing financing and choosing employees to resolving partnership conflicts and turning setbacks into opportunities, she transparently shares both her mistakes and her triumphs. Her stories underscore the importance of passion, self-belief, calculated risks, supportive relationships and continual learning.
Filled with practical advice and relatable anecdotes, this book shows people how to pursue their dreams and build deeply fulfilling lives and careers. The author explains that with determination, resourcefulness and the willingness to step outside a comfort zone, anyone can turn a personal vision into a thriving business.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352571
Change the Story, Save the World: Efficiency Is the Name of the Game
by Moritz Davidesko
This thought-provoking work follows an introspective journey, examining the stories people tell themselves and the impact they have on the world.
With a focus on efficiency, the author urges people to reconsider their roles in the global narrative and the power they hold to alter the course of history. Through a blend of storytelling, historical analysis and a deep dive into the current ecological and humanitarian crises, the author presents a manifesto for change. He highlights the achievements of leaders driving positive changes and outlines the steps people must take to protect the world and rewrite the collective story.
This book is a movement, an invitation to shift our perspective, embrace efficiency, and take responsibility for the next generation of human history.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Politics & Social Sciences
ISBN: 978-1637351550
The Gift of Your Wisdom
by Alinka Rutkowska
This groundbreaking leadership book introduces a unique medico-corporate approach, blending clinical precision with executive prowess. That approach allows people to tackle business challenges with the acumen of a seasoned physician.
The book provides tools for diagnosing and systematically treating organizational issues. That leads to transformative outcomes and it emphasizes leading with purpose and precision. Key features of the book include accurate diagnosis of issues, transformative strategies and empowered leadership. Real-world case studies provide insights from the author’s extensive experience in both medical and corporate leadership.
The application of a medical mindset for business is a highlight of the book. By harnessing the power of medical thinking, people can achieve unparalleled business success.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Recognition for Author: Bronze Medal, Business/Finance, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, 2016
Category: Writing Skills
ISBN: 978-1637351444
In case you missed the books featured in the last newsletter, here they are again:
NON-FICTION
The Black Belt in Leadership: 20 Tested Lessons from the Dojo to the Boardroom
by Aslak de Silva
Leadership isn’t just about strategy or charisma — it’s about discipline, presence and the ability to perform under pressure. In this book, the author, a world-champion martial artist and an acclaimed business leader, draws from nearly 100 full-contact fights to deliver a powerful guide for leaders who want to sharpen their mindset and lead with purpose.
Through 20 tested lessons, the author blends gripping personal stories with practical frameworks and actionable exercises. He reveals how the principles forged in the dojo — resilience, focus, emotional control and clarity in conflict — translate directly into the boardroom. He teaches how to cultivate a fighter’s mindset, influence with empathy, and lead with calm confidence in high-stakes environments.
This book challenges leaders to embrace discomfort, push through adversity, and evolve beyond conventional approaches. Grounded in real leadership experience, not just theory, it’s a blueprint for leading with clarity, grace and unstoppable momentum.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-9528804901
Resilience Under Fire: From Breakdown to Breakthrough
by Jochen Schwenk
This book is a bold and practical guide to transforming chaos into clarity, setbacks into success and fear into forward momentum. Drawing from high-stakes experiences in military intelligence, special operations and corporate crises at Fortune 500 companies, the author shares a proven framework for leading decisively and rising up stronger.
This empowering book reveals how to identify a crisis and take swift, effective action. The author outlines mental models for navigating pressure, overcoming indecision, and making impactful decisions, whether time is scarce or abundant. He introduces innovative methods for thinking inside and outside the box to generate solutions that stand out, even in the most volatile situations. With expert insights and real-world scenarios, he shows how to transform stress into strategy. His step-by-step approach fosters resilience and confidence in the face of adversity, and equips readers to handle the unexpected with precision and strength.
Whether managing teams, steering a business, or facing personal upheaval, this book delivers the tools people need not only to survive, but to thrive. When everything feels uncertain, this is a blueprint for clarity, confidence and renewed purpose.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637353806
CIONET Cookbook No. 3: Recipes for Digital Success
by Hendrik Deckers and Roger Camrass
This book describes how trailblazing European CIOs address a challenge at the nexus of customer interests, digital transformation strategies and the modernization of information technology. Their secret is synchronizing the gearing between customer, business and technology to create a frictionless movement through the digital landscape.
This edition of the cookbook features the frontline experiences of digital leaders navigating the labyrinth of challenges magnified by this decade. The role transcends technology, embracing a purpose-driven narrative interwoven with social values and acute awareness of external factors, such as emerging technologies and the demand for sustainable business practices. The book shows how master chefs are not only innovating traditional business models but also championing digital ethics and education, becoming storytellers around the digital campfire.
For CIOs hungry for success in the digital revolution, this book unveils strategic approaches — from applying digital techniques that modernize existing frameworks to the adoption of entirely new business models. It guides leaders not only to survive but to thrive in the new digital era
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ASIN: B0CZK1CXHZ
No Regrets: What My Dad Tried to Teach Me and Now I Know
by Casel Burnett
There are no magic formulas for success, but there’s a template anyone can follow — commitment, hard work, belief, attitude, practice, preparation.
In this book, the author shares simple but striking lessons for continuous improvement toward achieving personal goals, however difficult they may be. Through his father’s dozen-word mantra “You can achieve anything if you set your mind to it” — a wisdom wrought from being a lifelong master mechanic — the author hammers a mindset deep within his psyche that helped him ascend the corporate ladder, eventually becoming a manufacturing executive at a prominent automotive company.
Make no mistake. This book isn’t a celebration of personal achievements but rather a testament to the power of continuous learning, unwavering belief and sheer perseverance.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 978-1637352403
Think like a Doctor, Lead like a CEO: The MD Brain for the CEO Strain
by Mary Mason
This groundbreaking leadership book introduces a unique medico-corporate approach, blending clinical precision with executive prowess. That approach allows people to tackle business challenges with the acumen of a seasoned physician.
The book provides tools for diagnosing and systematically treating organizational issues. That leads to transformative outcomes and it emphasizes leading with purpose and precision. Key features of the book include accurate diagnosis of issues, transformative strategies and empowered leadership. Real-world case studies provide insights from the author’s extensive experience in both medical and corporate leadership.
The application of a medical mindset for business is a highlight of the book. By harnessing the power of medical thinking, people can achieve unparalleled business success.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352649
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
