Ready to refresh your To-Be-Read list for 2025? In this episode of Books That Make You, we explore 15 remarkable titles that will inspire, captivate, and entertain in the coming year. Whether you're into gripping dystopias like Suzanne Collins’ Sunrise on the Reaping, heartfelt memoirs like Terence Ang’s The Boy and The Man, or thrilling mysteries like Sara Winokur’s Ivory Bones, there’s something here for everyone.

For fans of the fantastical, Crossroads of Awakening Memory by M.D. House promises an epic journey, while Octavia Butler’s timeless classic Parable of the Sower offers a thought-provoking look at a dystopian future. Dive into speculative fiction with Saving KC by Grinnell “Buzz” Desjarlais, or laugh and learn with the playful Snoodles in Space: Episode 2 by Steven Joseph.

From Stephen King’s chilling Never Flinch to Kaitlyn E. Kenealy’s transformative Healing is Messy AF, these books cover an incredible range of genres and themes. Don’t miss From the Potato to Star Trek and Beyond by Chester L. Richards for a behind-the-scenes memoir, or Kaleidoscope of Secrets by Sandy Clements for a suspenseful thriller.

What will you add to your list? Find your next favorite read today!

Kieren-Paul-Brown is rewriting the rules of storytelling with his novel N-Word, a daring narrative intertwining historical fiction, spiritual exploration, and modern-day social critique. Meet Antonia, an 85-year-old white woman reincarnated as Cara, a young Black social media influencer. The story spans two timelines: the civil rights movement of the 1950s and Cara's tumultuous world in 2024, blending themes of love, identity, and reincarnation.

In this conversation, Kieren discusses the inspiration behind the book, his bold choice to write from a female perspective, and how his experiences as a British man observing American culture shaped the story. From spirituality and the sacred feminine to his critique of race as a social construct, Kieren dives deep into what makes N-Word a must-read.

Don’t miss this engaging discussion that challenges norms and encourages empathy.

Step into the shadowy world of Black Rose Cocoon, where a female serial killer defies some of the darker norms. 🖤 Award-winning author A.G. Flitcher shares the chilling inspiration behind his latest novel, diving deep into the psychology of fear, love, and madness.

What sets female killers apart? How do societal reactions shape stories of crime? A.G. Flitcher explores these haunting questions and more in this revealing interview. Plus, get a sneak peek into his next gripping tale, Wasp Oil.

Discover why readers can't put down his work, and learn what fuels his unique take on horror and human nature. 🕯️ If you're fascinated by dark fiction and serial-killer psychology, you won't want to miss this.

📚 Topics we cover:

• The psychology behind Black Rose Cocoon.
• What inspires a writer to explore fear and darkness.
• Writing tips for aspiring authors.

💀 Watch now for a deep dive into the sinister and the sensational.

#BlackRoseCocoon #AGFlitcher #DarkFiction #HorrorBooks #WritersLife #SerialKillers #Murder #CrimeFiction #CriminalPsychology

Dive into the world of family secrets, historical depth, and emotional redemption with Barbara J. Taylor, author of the Scranton Trilogy. From coal miners to vaudevillians, her richly crafted characters explore life’s complexities in early 20th-century Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Discover how tragedy sparks generational stories, how hope persists through Violet’s journey, and the mystical elements that tie it all together. Plus, Barbara shares her insights on writing courageously and crafting relatable characters. And as her stories are filled the likes of miners, evangelists, vaudevillians, nuns, gangsters, prostitutes, widows, musicians, dreamers, and even seers, you know she knows a thing or two about crafting a colorful variety of characters.

Rain Breaks No Bones is the final novel in Barbara J. Taylor's Scranton Trilogy, starting with Sing in the Morning, Cry at Night, followed by All Waiting Is Long. Though the novels are connected, they each stand alone.

Chelan's poetic journey began at just 21 after a profound, life-altering experience. She describes it as a creative opening—a mystical event where verses flowed through her, bringing comfort, hope, and a newfound sense of wholeness. Her captivating works, including Beloved, Wild Grace, and The Prophetess, The Return of The Prophet from The Voice of The Divine Feminine, serve as pathways for readers to embrace wholeness, find healing after trauma, and connect with the divine feminine. In this episode, Desiree dives into the heart of Chelan's work, exploring how poetry can serve as a balm for the soul, lifting us up, instilling hope, and encouraging personal growth. Discover Chelan's unique approach to writing, which speaks to the essence of the mystical and the power of vulnerability. Learn how trauma, hope, and the divine feminine weave through her poetic creations, offering readers a profound journey of self-discovery and peace.

Welcome to another exciting episode of Books That Make You. Join us as we dive into the world of podcasting with our special guest, Dave Campbell from True Media Solutions. Dave is a seasoned host and producer of several successful podcasts, and today, he's here to share his insights on how podcasting is revolutionizing storytelling.

In this episode, we explore:

• The transformative impact of podcasting on storytelling and content creation.
• Tips for authors and professionals looking to start their own podcasts.
• The potential of podcasting as a revenue stream and its future prospects.

Whether you're a narrative nerd, a bibliophile, or someone curious about the podcasting world, this episode is packed with valuable information and inspiration. Don't miss out on Dave's expert advice and the engaging discussion led by our host, Desiree Duffy.

True Media Solutions https://truemediasolutions.ca/

The United States has a very complex, oft-oversimplified past. Dr. Robin Bernstein—a Dillon Professor of American History and Professor of African and African-American Studies and Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality at Harvard University—unravels a bit of that past in her new book Freeman’s Challenge, a gripping story of murder, greed and race about a young man sentenced to five years of hard labor at Auburn prison in the early 19th century.

In the 19th century, as slavery gradually ended in the North, a village in New York State concocted a new form of unfreedom—the profit-driven prison, uniting incarceration and capitalism. Here, the village of Auburn built a prison that enclosed industrial factories, where “slaves of the state” were leased to private companies.

The book’s protagonist, an Afro-Native teenager named William Freeman, is convicted of horse theft and insists on his innocence. After demanding fair wages, a series of events leads to violence and social aftershocks that reverberate still in our society today.

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Books That Make You Consider the Social Dynamics of the South

As a place where race and identity exist in centuries-long tension—which, of course, reverberates to this day—the South holds a complex, multifaceted history.

The series “Lost and Found in Tennessee” by Stacia Moffett, featuring The Missing Girl and Jessa is Back, offers a gripping portrait of the South’s enduring legacy and rich history.

Born into a family of educators in Nashville, Tennessee, Stacia grew up on a nearby farm. In the early sixties, her academic journey to Mississippi further shaped her understanding of the South’s cultural and racial situation, eventually inspiring her historical fiction.

Find out more on Books That Make You. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Books That Make You Confront Fear—and Embrace Your Spiritual Gifts

When she was sixteen years old, Alejandra G. Brady awoke to someone she knew standing at the head of her bed. It was her first visit from someone who had died.

It wasn’t until she was 50 when someone would give her a name for these unusual experiences. Feeling as if something was missing in life and suffering from cervical compression, she consulted a Feng Shui master on her home.

The master told her that Alejandra would soon follow in her footsteps. When Alejandra began applying Feng Shui principles to her home, she noticed massive transformations in her health, her marriage and her financial outcome.

Alejandra’s new book, I Just Can’t Make This STUFF Up!, shows that everyone can experience true purpose, flow, bliss and awe at the incredible clues and symbols delivered by the Universe—if they fearlessly embrace their own spiritual journey.

Find out more on Books That Make You. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Books That Make You Select Your Own Ending for Your Life

Since no one gets out of life alive, we can at least decide how our own stories should end.

Saving KC is the new Historical Fiction novel by Grinelle “Buzz” Desjarlais, who deeply and compassionately explores addiction, and the connections we might find in unexpected places.

Set against the backdrop of post-Vietnam America, Saving KC follows a POW who comes home to find everything changed. In time, he meets a songstress in the midst of her own war. Saving KC addresses recovery, addiction and, ultimately, redemption.

Born on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation in Montana, also known as the Chippewa Cree Reservation, Buzz helped found the non-profit Native Project, which serves as an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center for Native youth. Presently, he is a business owner, father and grandfather who helps guide others on their own journey of recovery.

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