Since the launch of BookLife in 2014, we’ve witnessed phenomenal growth in the self-publishing world. The quality of indie books is no longer in dispute. We are honored to remain at the forefront of the indie book world, to shine a light on quality works from across all genres, and to promote the voices and perspectives of unsung writers. For our inaugural BookLife’s Best feature, we share some standout titles we’ve read this year throughout our many channels. This includes BookLife titles reviewed in PW, BookLife reviews, the winner and finalists of the BookLife Prize Nonfiction Contest, and the semifinalists for our ongoing BookLife Prize Fiction Contest. (We’ll be announcing the finalists and winner in the coming weeks.) There’s clearly an opportunity for every indie author to have their work acknowledged and appreciated via our talented team of reviewers. Here’s to another year of celebrating exceptional self-published books!
BookLife Titles Reviewed in PW
Each month, PW selects a small number of noteworthy titles to review alongside traditionally published books. Here are a few of the best, with quotes taken from the reviews.
GENERAL FICTION
A Lot of People Live in This House
Bailey Merlin
“A heartwarming debut of found family during the pandemic.”
The Queen of the Platform: A Novel of Women’s Rights Activist Ernestine Rose
Susan Higginbotham
“A satisfying portrait of a figure worthy of more attention.”
MEMOIR
Pansy
Jasper Joyner
“A captivating ode to the constant work of becoming—and understanding—
oneself.”
MYSTERY/THRILLER
Chasing Money: A Marty and Bo Thriller
Michael Balter
“An enjoyable debut caper and series launch.”
Havana Hangover
Randy Richardson
“A nerve-wracking thriller whose surprises keep coming.”
ROMANCE
★ Brendan and the Beast
Fox Beckman
“A delightful queer reimagining of a beastly fairy tale.”
The Wolf and the Wallflower
Devin Harnois
“Readers are in for an adorable tale of queer hope.”
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror
Diet Riot: A Fatterpunk Anthology
Edited by Nico Bell and Sonora Taylor
“A refreshing anthology of 12 horror shorts centering fat protagonists.”
★ Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death
Maria Vale
“A moving, multilayered love
story between Death incarnate and his favorite mistake.”
SELF-HELP
Jesse J. Anderson
“Newly diagnosed readers in particular will find this a useful starting point.”
Whole Dog Parenting: Everything You Need to Raise and Train an Urban Pup
Jennifer Wheeler and Ovidiu Stoica
“A practical guide to helping canines thrive in big cities.”
You Get the Agency You Deserve: 20 Practical and Emotional Lessons to Maximize Your Agency and Partner Relationship
Jared Belsky
“Sound wisdom addressing a consequential topic rarely covered by other guides.”
BookLife Reviews
BookLife reviews dozens of independent books each month, in all categories. Here are eight of 2024’s very best. All quotes are taken from their BookLife reviews.
General Fiction
Deadpan
Robert Walter
“A sharp comic story of an antisemite transformed into a beloved Jewish comedian.”
Little Ships
Sandra Scofield
“A stellar novel of a grandmother holding a complex family together after tragedy.”
Comics/Graphic Novels
Black Defender: The Awakening
David Washington
“An exciting superhero debut pitting ‘Black Defender’ against corruption and kidnapping.”
MEMOIR
In This Altered Body: A Survivor’s Story of Resilience and Love
Charlene Pell
“Bold, inspiring testimony of resilience in the face of burns.”
The Punk Rock Queen of the Jews
Rossi
“A vital memoir of blazing new paths and coming-of-age in 1980s Crown Heights.”
PICTURE BOOKS
Petunia the Perfectionist
Marissa Bader
"Delightful story on why it’s okay to be imperfect."
Ruby’s Heart Song
Debbie Nutley
“A warm-hearted tale of a penguin who finds the courage to be herself.”
ROMANCE
Seven Days in Seattle
Rita A. Gordon
"Swoon-worthy romance indulges fantasies of wealth and seduction in Seattle."
SCI-FI/FANTASY/HORROR
Harriet’s Escape
N.D. Jones
“A fantasy reimagining of Harriet Tubman’s transformative journey.”
Self-Help
Where Tenderness Lives: On Healing, Liberation, and Holding Space for Oneself
Heather Plett
"Incisive essays on discovering tenderness in a healing journey."
YA
Ugly
Kelly Vincent
“A powerful, touching, and wise story of a gender-nonconforming teen.”
Val Vega: Secret Ambassador of Earth
Ben Francisco
"Teenager steps up as Earth’s ambassador to negotiate interstellar peace."
BookLife Prize Nonfiction Finalists
Here are the standouts from the nonfiction prize this year, including the grand prize winner. Quotes are drawn from their critic’s reports.
Business/Personal Finance
Men-in-the-Middle: Conversations to Gain Momentum with Gender Equity as Silent Majority
Kori Reed
“By interviewing high-powered men in the workplace, Reed is able to unearth an unusual perspective on gender equity.”
Memoir
Daughter of Korean Freud
Heawon Hake
“The blend of biographical content with a piercing perspective on trauma, family secrets, and psychological defense mechanisms, is fascinating.”
RELIGION/Spirituality
The Hijacked Conscience: An Informed and Compassionate Response to Religious Scrupulosity
Debra Peck
“This is an essential resource that successfully aims to help promote awareness of religious scrupulosity OCD. “
BOOKLIFE PRIZE NONFICTION WINNER
Stress Wisely
Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
“Stress Wisely is a practical, accessible, and beautiful guide for the stressful times we are all living through now. The author masterfully bridges knowledge, practices, personal narratives, and prompts, as well as offers tools for how we can make choices that allow us
to stay grounded amid the many storms.”
BOOKLIFE PRIZE FICTION SEMIFINALISTS
Here are the titles currently in the running for the BookLife Prize.
General Fiction
The Astronomer
Brian Biswas
Dancing with Dragons
Jenni Ogden
Helen Bonaparte
Sarah D’Stair
Mating Habits of Fireflies
M.C. St. Clair
Naked Girl
Janna Brooke Wallack
Mystery/Thriller
The Bluff
Bonnie Traymore
Death of the Ice Angel
J.C. Ceron
Murder in the Mangroves: A Pete Brown Mystery
Angie Ross
Shitamachi Scam
Michael Pronko
Valuing Only Us
Cory Desmond Wolfe
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror
Harriet’s Escape
N.D. Jones
The Limits of My World
Gregory Coles
Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death
Maria Vale
Ride the Snake Road
LeRoy Wow
Walking the Dusk
Mike Robinson
Romance
Bad Fae
Elizabeth Stevens
The Cruel Dark
Bea Northwick
The Exception
Marian Bruno
Flipping the Birdie
S.L. Woeppel
Not Quite a Scandal
Bliss Bennet
Middle Grade/YA
Awaken the Dawn
Ellis K. Popa
Becoming Carly Klein
Elizabeth Harlan
Eat and Get Gas
J.A. Wright
Falcon
Jane Singer
I Hunt for Stars Alone
Ricardo Quintana-Vallejo
