Best Independent Books October 30
We are delighted to recommend the following books from the independent publishing sector.
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
Finding A Perfect Audience: Cracking the Social Media Code
by John Edmonds Kozma
In this insightful guide, the author reveals proven strategies and timeless principles to help businesses attract and connect with the people who truly matter. Combining practical advice with innovative techniques, this book offers a universal approach to using social media content to build influence and collect meaningful data.
This book is a step-by-step roadmap to create powerful connections that can revolutionize business. The author teaches how to identify a perfect audience with clarity and precision and engage with it; to harness the law of attraction to bring in ideal customers or fans; and to master the tone and timing that resonate in today's digital world. The book provides valuable insights on leveraging demographics to unlock the full potential of a social media presence.
Complete with actionable advice and interactive exercises, this book empowers entrepreneurs, creatives, marketers and professionals to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637353691
Modern Leadership: Inspired by Mother Nature
by Funké Nnennaya Michaels and Ndeye Absa Gningue
This book reveals how principles of balance, resilience and adaptability in the natural world can empower female business leaders to navigate today's complex challenges.
In this book, the authors show how to cultivate resilience and adaptability by emulating natural systems. They disclose the secrets to fostering a thriving work environment through balance and harmony. The book offers practical strategies for leading with purpose and clarity inspired by nature's ecosystems and provides insights into sustainable leadership practices that drive long-term success.
By exploring how natural principles can be applied to modern business environments, this book serves as a game-changing guide for leaders seeking to align their strategies with the rhythms of nature.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637353677
The ESG Revolution: How Worker-Centric AI Is Transforming Industrial Sustainability
by Sandeep Pandya
In the groundbreaking book, the author unveils the transformative potential of worker-centric artificial intelligence in achieving industrial sustainability.
This compelling read challenges the long-held belief that businesses must choose between protecting the environment and maximizing shareholder returns. The author pioneers a new approach that harmonizes environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles with profitability. This book provides readers with a wealth of data and tools necessary to make informed decisions that safeguard workers’ health and the environment while also ensuring financial success. It explores how prescriptive analytics can save lives and money and how businesses can shift from focusing solely on total shareholder return to considering the total societal impact.
This insightful work is a call to action for business leaders to embrace ESG principles and reshape their operations using the power of AI and machine learning. It’s a manual for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of industrial sustainability in the modern world.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637351420
How to Live the Abundant Life
by Carl Grant III
In this book, the author shares his insights on what it takes to live an abundant life. By that, he means one that’s filled with meaningful activities and social connections, both professional and personal. He provides a step-by-step template for living the abundant life and teaches key principles:
Developing a positive mindset is vital to living with abundance. Helping others without expecting anything in return enriches life in many ways. Finding purpose and letting it guide our actions is critical. Seeking spiritual growth leads to a life of abundance. Challenging our assumptions and taking on difficult, risky tasks sharpens our ability to achieve our toughest goals.
While material wealth is not necessarily central to an abundant life, living this type of life — with an abundance mindset — can help us attain financial success. The contentment generated by such a life can be a powerful tool for achieving all of our objectives, whether they are centered on our work or our personal or financial activities.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Self-Help
ISBN: 978-1637351949
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
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
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
