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This document is a comprehensive list of 55 self-published books, organized by genre, with descriptions and purchasing information. The genres covered include fiction, mystery/thriller, science fiction/fantasy/horror, romance/erotica, and more. The descriptions offer a brief summary of each book's plot and themes. The purpose of this list is to showcase a diverse range of self-published authors and their works, providing readers with a wide array of options to explore. The document serves as a valuable resource for library patrons seeking books on various topics, including fiction, nonfiction, religion/spirituality, and children's/YA literature. Each book is briefly summarized, allowing patrons to quickly assess if they are interested in further exploration. [Extracted from the article]

Laura van den Berg, a writer and professor at Harvard University, uses speculative fiction as a way to explore uncertainty and make sense of her past. She has struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts, and the speculative genre has helped her process these experiences. Van den Berg's new novel, State of Paradise, combines speculative fiction and auto-fiction to explore themes of family, trauma, and the nature of writing. The novel is set in Florida during the pandemic and follows a ghostwriter who begins using a virtual reality device and experiences strange memories and bodily changes. Van den Berg's work is known for its darkness and levity, and she credits her husband, writer Paul Yoon, with inspiring parts of her latest novel. She has also found boxing to be a transformative practice in her life. Overall, van den Berg's writing aims to challenge fixed notions of reality and embrace the unknown. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the success of Stephen King's latest book, "You Like It Darker," which is currently the number one book in the country. The book is a collection of short stories and novellas, and it has received positive reviews. Despite a dip in sales for King's previous book due to the pandemic, the first-week print unit sales for "You Like It Darker" are back on track. The article also mentions other notable books on the bestseller lists, including "Heavenbreaker" by Sara Wolf and "Recipes from the Cedar Swamp" by Old Time Hawkey. [Extracted from the article]

The North American manga market is experiencing growth with the emergence of new publishers and imprints. Alien Books, Azuki Manga, Denpa Books and Kuma, Glacier Bay Books, Ize Press, Last Gasp, Mangasplaining Extra, One Peace Books, and Star Fruit Books are among the new players in the field. These publishers offer a diverse range of manga, including sci-fi thrillers, romance/mystery series, animal-centric mysteries, contemporary artistic comics, webtoons from South Korea, underground comics, dystopian sci-fi tales, fantasy adventures, slice-of-life boys'-love series, horror manga, and more. The expansion of these publishers reflects the increasing popularity and demand for manga in North America. [Extracted from the article]

"The Story of the Everything, the Nothing, and Other Strange Stories" is a collection of 18 short stories by Hungarian author Gyula Gábor Tóth, translated by Adam Z. Levy and illustrated by Norbert Nagy. The stories aim to expand the reader's imagination and provoke thought through intriguing titles and unexpected drama. The illustrations by Nagy add depth to the collection, with a mix of styles and colors. The translation by Levy maintains a playful tone throughout the work, offering opportunities for imaginative exploration. The book is recommended for children up to the age of 6. [Extracted from the article]

This study examines the reception of the Slovak contemporary fiction prose after 1989 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It scrutinizes the German translations, insofar as they have been published in book form, and describes the literary critic reactions in the media, especially in the press and radio. The main subjects of the received novels and collections of short stories are the totalitarian past of Slovakia, the processes of transformation and democratization aft er the Slovak nation gained freedom, as well as the current social situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vikas Parihar's debut short story collection, "The Modern Man: Short Stories," delves into the ways in which humanity inflicts violence upon itself, both on a personal and societal level. The stories cover a range of topics, from a retelling of Narcissus to a Holocaust survivor's reflections on their experiences. Parihar's writing style is poetic, with one-sentence paragraphs and repeated structures, although the editing and punctuation could be improved. The longest story in the collection, "The Daughter of Comradeji," explores the effects of colonialism in India and Nepal. While the stories are challenging to read, they offer powerful insights into genocide, colonialism, and humanity's capacity for abuse. [Extracted from the article]

"Who's There?: A Collection of Stories" is a gripping and unsettling collection of horror stories set in Indonesia. The author, Dimas Rio, explores both Asian folk traditions and the inner struggles of his characters. The stories are filled with tension and unexpected twists, keeping readers on their toes. The book also incorporates poetry and philosophy, adding depth to the narratives. While the setting may be specific to Indonesia, the themes of guilt, class concerns, and relationships are universal. This collection is recommended for fans of Intan Paramaditha's "Apple and Knife" and Adam Nevill's "Some Will Not Sleep." [Extracted from the article]

"Hair on Fire: Short Stories for Seekers" is an inspirational collection of short stories by Daniel McKenzie that explores the spirit realm, metaphysical concepts, human consciousness, and questions of identity. The stories focus on enlightenment, awakenings, and the truth of the human condition. Each story contains clear but subtle messages and spiritual lessons for readers to interpret and reflect upon. McKenzie's storytelling is inviting and positive, even when discussing the topic of death, and suggests that consciousness continues to thrive after the body ceases to exist. This book will appeal to seekers interested in spiritual stories of life, consciousness, and awakenings. [Extracted from the article]

The article features Hailey Piper, the author of horror novellas "The Worm and His Kings," "Benny Rose the Cannibal King," and "The Possession of Natalie Glasgow" and the short story collection "Unfortunate Elements of My Anatomy." Topics discussed include his view about horror genre, reason he finds horror to be fundamentally queer, and her motto about horror literature.

The article offers insight to the achievements of Fiona McCrae, Publisher, Graywolf Press. It mentions that Graywolf has emphasized poetry, literary fiction, short story collections, and memoir, and McCrae added literary nonfiction, essays, and more international offerings to its list, and much of the press's success can be attributed to this strategic diversification.