USA Book News continues to showcase thousands of new books from the mainstream and independent press. Our 7th Annual “Best Books” Awards are going strong and we’ll have the full results from our panel of publishing industry judges in October.
Below you will find new and upcoming releases in many categories. So sit back and surf! We are sure you’ll find a must-read book for you or a friend!
“Author Todd Riemer delivers a must-read visionary novel. Dive into a rich world of human seduction, suffering and ultimately redemption. A dark imaginative narrative that takes the reader into the depths of human emotion. A highly recommended read for adults!” –USA Book News
The world as we know it has become a history hidden by layers of ash. The great Democracy of the Magistrates has spread itself far and wide. The sound of the anthem can be heard ringing across the desert wasteland. The promise of a world purified of the Red People, peals out from behind the High Magistrate's golden mask. The mantra: Civility, Justice, Strength, follows the metronomic march of the Black Boots as they police the Capital. Imprisoned as a traitor, Blum's one comfort is the memory of his beloved Isabelle, whose brutal execution haunts him in his waking hours and dreams. As the inferno burns within him, Blum makes an unholy pact, denouncing his mortal soul for an opportunity at vengeance. However, as his quest for revenge wages onward, he realizes that the price of his soul may not be enough to redeem her.
USA Book News Talks with Inferno Author & Publisher, Todd Riemer
What is Inferno?
Inferno is my debut novel! It is raw; it is visceral, erotic, and surreal; it is sinfully adult in its nature. In short, the story guides the reader through a post-apocalyptic future ruled by the despotic Magistrates. The hero, Blum, quests to overthrow their authoritarian regime in order to avenge the death of his lover, Isabelle. Blum makes an unholy pact with the Midnight Man, putting his soul on the line for the opportunity to kill those who have murdered his beloved. As he struggles through Wasteland and Metropolis, he learns that even the price of his soul may not be enough to redeem her.
Tell us more about Inferno’s hero?
Blum, Inferno’s protagonist, tells the story of how he became an enemy to the Democracy of the Magistrates. As a prisoner he traverses the savage desert dunes of the Wasteland and recalls the events that led him to participate in a revolution poised to overturn the Magistrates rule and bring a new world order. In memory the reader explores his inner thoughts, and his motivations for partaking in such a coup, primarily his love for the enchanting and deliciously charismatic Isabelle. Blum will do anything for Isabelle, and even after her death his desire for her only grows stronger. Yet, desire and vengeance ultimately teach Blum a lesson, as he is forced to weigh the benefits of fulfilling his quest for revenge or sparing his own soul and the souls of others that he loves. Through experiencing a type of transcendence Blum discovers his answer to his life’s question of: What is the price of a soul?
What themes does Inferno explore?
The themes that guide Inferno are the quest for revenge, spiritual enlightenment, and the meaning of justice, all set in the background of a classic dystopian novel. I like to challenge my reader’s boundaries by exploring the darker side of human nature and sexuality. In Inferno, I let characters fulfill sexual fantasies and explore mind-altering ways to connect with God. It is a trippy ride through a deeply layered man and his experiences in a cruel world.
What inspired you to write Inferno?
I was highly influenced by such classics as 1984, A Clockwork Orange, Brave New World, Waiting for the Barbarians, and Fahrenheit 451. I also use historical parallels to ground my vision of the future in a past that is frighteningly familiar to us all. I draw allusions to the Holocaust, recalling my own Jewish heritage, and other similar events that exist in the cultural psyche of our modern world. We are haunted, even today, by the legacy of the Holocaust and other such horrific displays of hatred, and I feel like it is my duty as an artist to remind society to never forget.
What has your voyage been like as an independent publisher?
Being an independent publisher has been a fantastic journey. It is a road that requires a lot of work and dedication, but as most would say about me, I do not lack energy or enthusiasm. I enjoy the level of control I can have over the visual branding of my career as well as being the bottom line in terms of what content to explore within my work. With the ever-expanding World Wide Web, it is incredible the kind of promotional opportunities there are available to authors these days. Digital distribution of e-books has also helped indie’s excel, as well as having the backing of an independent distributor such as Atlas Distribution. Inferno is just as well made, if not better, than other books you will find on the shelf and can be ordered at nearly any store nationwide and online. My biggest advice to would-be indie authors is to not be intimidated into thinking that you must sign with a big name publisher in order to make it in the literary world. It is possible, with work and collaboration, to create something out of nothing as I have done, after all isn’t that the role of the true artist in our society anyway, to create? So I’ll end with that message: go create.
The Kalahari Bushmen are the keepers of the world's oldest living culture. In spite of colossal challenges and never-ending crises, they have survived for over 60,000 years with joy and peace—yet their spiritual teachings, the source of their enduring wisdom, have never been fully presented. For the first time, these ancient oral traditions have been put down onto paper by a researcher so unique, he was featured in American Shaman: an Odyssey of Global Healing Traditions, which won a Best Spiritual Book award from Spirituality & Health magazine. Bradford Keeney takes the reader through the veil of original spirituality, connecting the fragments of world religions to a source that is unlike any other. Through this wisdom, readers can find the deepest meaning, fullest purpose, and highest joy in life.
The Bushman's Way to Tracking God is articulated through twelve original mysteries, including: activating the non-subtle universal life force (what the Bushmen call n/om), heightening emotional experience, vibratory interaction, direct downloading and absorption of sacred knowledge, extraordinary healing, activation of the ecstatic “pump,” spontaneous ways of rejuvenation, attending the spiritual classrooms, so-called telepathy, an uncommon range of mystical experiences, and last but not least, total bliss.
Most people understand homeopathy as a treatment for people, but as this book shows, our four-legged friends can benefit from it as well. First published in 1999, Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs quickly became a bestseller and an important resource for anyone looking for a more organic approach to caring for their cats and dogs. Using accessible language, author Don Hamilton gives readers an authoritative overview of animal homeopathy, covering history, treatment principles, homeopathic disease theory, and simple methods for using homeopathic remedies.
Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs offers expert guidance on home care and diet, how to obtain the information needed to choose a homeopathic remedy, how to dose remedies, how to choose the potency, and when to repeat remedies if necessary. The book lists organ systems by chapter, providing concise descriptions of symptoms, including how to evaluate patients’ illnesses and when to seek veterinary care. Remedy and supplement suggestions follow disease descriptions. Each section contains the principal remedies needed for treatment. The book ends with a materia medica, which gives more comprehensive remedy information for each medicine listed in the book. This updated edition contains a new chapter on the human-animal relationship, timely information on vaccines, as well as new remedy information in every chapter.
From the author of the acclaimed Buddhism for Mothers, a guide to discovering the path to meaningful, spiritual, and satisfying motherhood
A combination of personal narrative and stories gathered from mothers, this guide shows how spiritual and mindful parenting can help all mothers—Buddhists and non-Buddhists—be more open, attentive, and content. By guiding mothers on a spiritual path, this evocation also helps them cultivate wisdom, open-heartedness, and a better understanding of themselves and their children. The Buddhist teachings and principles help answer questions that all mothers face, especially those with young children: Who are my children? Who am I? How can I do my best by my children and myself? What to do about all that housework? and Is this all? Written in a clear and engaging style, this warm and simple meditation facilitates parenting with awareness, purpose, and love.
A great way to introduce children to classical music.
America’s first Children's Poet Laureate has written all-new verses to accompany the composer Camille Saint-Saëns’s The Carnival of the Animals, and the illustrator of the Harry Potter books has turned these rollicking rhymes into a picture-book fun fest. Included is a CD of the music and of Jack Prelutsky reading the verses. A note to parents and teachers by Judith Bachleitner, head of the music department at the prestigious Rudolf Steiner School in New York City, suggests ways preschoolers can act out the music—tromp like an elephant, hop like a kangaroo, glide like a swan—or, for older children, be creatively inspired by this joyful work.
When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.
But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.
With selected quotations from A New Earth and A Thousand Names for Joy, this stunning gift book combines selected wisdom from two of the most popular spirituality writers of this century with vibrant photos of nature's most colorful gift, the flower.
Conceived by award-winning photographer Michelle Penn, who was personally influenced by one of the central metaphors in Tolle's teaching--the flower, this volume contains over forty full-color photos of flowers wedded to the core teachings of Tolle and Katie. Each flower and corresponding quote provide valuable insight into such key concepts as living in the moment, gratitude, nurturing the soul, and much, much, more.
This is a gift book that will be embraced by those who have been touched by the teachings of both of these spiritual luminaries.
When a potentially career-ending shoulder injury left quarterback Drew Brees without a team and faced with the daunting task of having to learn to throw a football all over again, coaches around the NFL wondered, would he ever come back? After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, leaving 85% of the city under water, many wondered, would the city ever come back? And with their stadium transformed into a makeshift refugee camp, forcing the Saints to play their entire 2005 season on the road, people questioned, would the Saints ever come back? It takes a special person to turn adversity into success and despair into hope—yet that is exactly what Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees has done—and with the weight of an entire city on his shoulders. Coming Back Stronger is the ultimate comeback story, not only of one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, but also of a city and a team that many had all but given up on. Brees’ inspiring message of hope and encouragement proves that with enough faith, determination, and heart, you can overcome any obstacle life throws your way and not only come back, but come back stronger.
At long last, the owner of New York City’s legendary Fat Witch Bakery shares her top-secret recipes for decadent and delicious brownies, blondies, and bars
Patricia Helding’s rich, intensely chocolatey Fat Witch brownie is a New York obsession, an internet sensation, and arguably the very best brownie to be found on the planet. Unlike other bakeries that feature a range of desserts, Fat Witch, launched by Helding in 1998, specializes only in brownies—baking and selling over 2,000 each day. In Fat Witch Brownies, Helding showcases for the first time her favorite spins on the classic chocolate brownie with creations like the Banana Bread Brownie and the Breakfast Brownie, and she expands her repertoire even further with recipes for other scrumptious bar-shaped confections.
With over 50 recipes that can be baked in the same 9 x 9-inch pan and require fewer than 10 ingredients, Helding shows that baking from scratch is neither expensive nor time-consuming. All of her recipes include ingredients from local grocery stores, and are ready to serve in one hour or less. Beginning with tips on the proper tools, timing, and techniques, continuing with five chapters of recipes, and finishing with fabulous frostings, Fat Witch Brownies allows you to explore the versatility and richness of brownies and bars and create the incredible desserts in your very own kitchen that have made Helding’s bakery famous.
Over decades of consulting with corporations and the people who run them and 30 years teaching MBA students the nuances of organisational power, Jeffrey Pfeffer has watched numerous people suffer career reversals even as others prevail despite the odds. The most common mistake: most of us don't have a realistic understanding of what makes some people more successful than others. We tend to subscribe to the just world phenomenon, believing that life is fair, rendering us unprepared for the challenges and competition of the real world. Now, Pfeffer brings decades of research and incredible insights to a wide audience. Brimming with counterintuitive advice, numerous examples from a variety of countries, and surprising but research-based findings, his groundbreaking guide reveals the strategies and tactics that separate the winners from the losers. Power, he argues, is a force that can be used and harnessed for individual gain, but also for the benefit of organisations and society. Power, however, cannot be learned from those in charge - their advice often puts a rosy spin on their ascent and focuses on what should have worked, rather than what did. Instead, he reveals the actual paths to power and career success. Iconoclastic and grounded in the realpolitik of human interaction, "Power" is an essential organisational survival manual and a new standard in the field of leadership and management.
A healthy lifestyle is as easy as 1-2-3 with this ultra-practical collection of lists from the editors of America’s premier health magazine
The beauty of a list is that it makes even daunting tasks seem downright doable. Every item checked off is an accomplishment in itself, as well as another step closer to success. So what better format is there for delivering need-to-know information and advice to people who want to change their health for the better?
List Maker’s Get-Healthy Guide deftly distills the most relevant medical science and cogent expert opinion into a series of easy-to-understand, easy-to-use lists covering all kinds of health topics, including:
the best (and worst) organic foods
the germiest public places
the most effective belly-flattening moves
the must-haves for any medicine chest
There’s something for everyone in List Maker’s, no matter if their goal is to lose weight, get in shape, reduce stress, or otherwise create a healthier lifestyle. There’s even room for you to write and refine your own lists as you wish. And because it’s from Prevention, the brand synonymous with healthy living, List Maker’s is guaranteed to inform, entertain, and inspire.
A no-holds-barred, controversial exposvé of the financial profiteering and ambiguous ethics that pervade the world of humanitarian aid
A vast industry has grown up around humanitarian aid: a cavalcade of organizations—some 37,000—compete for a share of the $160 billion annual prize, with "fact-inflation" sometimes ramping up disaster coverage to draw in more funds. Insurgents and warring governments, meanwhile, have made aid a permanent feature of military strategy: refugee camps serve as base camps for genocidaires, and aid supplies are diverted to feed the troops. Even as humanitarian groups continue to assert the holy principle of impartiality, they have increasingly become participants in aid's abuses.
In a narrative that is impassioned, gripping, and even darkly absurd, journalist Linda Polman takes us to war zones around the globe—from the NGO-dense operations in "Afghaniscam" to the floating clinics of Texas Mercy Ships proselytizing off the shores of West Africa—to show the often compromised results of aid workers' best intentions. It is time, Polman argues, to impose ethical boundaries, to question whether doing something is always better than doing nothing, and to hold humanitarians responsible for the consequences of their deeds.
The full story of the once-great financial giant Lehman Brothers, from its modest start to its disastrous collapse
The collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008 sent shock waves through the financial industry and left people wondering how one of the largest and most respected firms in the world could fail.
Peter Chapman answers this question by examining the history of Lehman from its beginnings as a cotton-brokering general store run by a family of German immigrants in Montgomery, Alabama, to its dramatic exit from the world financial stage.
Chapman offers a sweeping narrative as well as a clear perspective on exactly what caused Lehman to fail. It is not only the story of a once- prestigious and well-respected firm but also an intimate portrait of the people who ran it-from Henry Lehman, who founded the firm, to Bobbie Lehman, who led the company into the world of radio, motion pictures, and air travel in the 1920s, to Dick Fuld, who ran the firm during its final days.
Chapman shows that despite its inglorious end, Lehman not only helped shape the face of American finance, but also American life.
From the author of The Last Mughal (“A compulsively readable masterpiece” —The New York Review of Books), an exquisite, mesmerizing book that illuminates the remarkable ways in which traditional forms of religious life in India have been transformed in the vortex of the region’s rapid change—a book that distills the author’s twenty-five years of travel in India, taking us deep into ways of life that we might otherwise never have known exist.
A Buddhist monk takes up arms to resist the Chinese invasion of Tibet—and spends the rest of his life atoning for the violence by hand printing the finest prayer flags in India . . . A Jain nun tests her powers of detachment as she watches her closest friend ritually starve herself to death . . . A woman leaves her middle-class life in Calcutta and finds unexpected fulfillment living as a Tantric in an isolated, skull-filled cremation ground . . . A prison warder from Kerala is worshipped as an incarnate deity for three months of every year . . . An idol carver, the twenty-third in a long line of sculptors, must reconcile himself to his son’s desire to study computer engineering . . . An illiterate goatherd from Rajasthan keeps alive in his memory an ancient four-thousand-stanza sacred epic . . . A temple prostitute, who initially resisted her own initiation into sex work, pushes both her daughters into a trade she nonetheless regards as a sacred calling.
William Dalrymple chronicles these lives with expansive insight and a spellbinding evocation of circumstance. And while the stories reveal the vigorous resilience of individuals in the face of the relentless onslaught of modernity, they reveal as well the continuity of ancient traditions that endure to this day. A dazzling travelogue of both place and spirit.
Nick Bunick fought his way up from the poor city streets to living the American Dream. Then astounding spiritual events occurred in his life that convinced him and hundreds of thousands of others that he had in fact lived 2,000 years ago as the Apostle Paul. His story was featured in the best-selling 1997 book The Messengers, and has dramatically changed the lives of people all over the world.
Time for Truth will take you on an incredible journey. It presents you with the true story of what happened 2,000 years ago in the time of Jesus, revealing how messages of love were distorted into messages of fear . . . messages of compassion into messages of guilt. Nick explains how the teachings that were designed to bring us together as brothers and sisters were altered to control the lives of the Christian church’s followers and polarize people, leading to centuries of suffering, violence, and war.
Nick has committed himself to sharing these extraordinary truths with you, which will have a truly transformative impact on your life. Along the way, you will be given a new and profound understanding of your true relationship with God, the spiritual world, and the purpose of your life. This book is your pathway to a wonderful and joyous new beginning!
