Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN | One month before his college graduation, Paul Rousseau is accidentally shot in the head by his roommate and best friend. Friendly Fire is the raw, compelling true story of their friendship, the gunshot, and the aftermath.
The bullet ripped through two walls before it struck Paul’s skull. Mark had accidentally pulled the trigger while in the other room and—frightened for his own future—delayed getting treatment for Paul, who miraculously remained conscious the entire time.
Through phenomenal writing and gripping detail, Paul navigates the trauma of brain injury, the dehumanization of personal injury cases, and the pieces of a devastated relationship, revealing a compelling story that unfortunately is an illustration of contemporary American life.
Farm Family by Jane Lee Rankin
Charlotte, NC | The story of midlife reinvention and a “solo” mom’s pursuit of a dream to start an alpaca farm in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. At 37, Jane Lee Rankin receives news that upends her life: she’s pregnant. Lee is a cancer survivor eighteen months in remission. Her boyfriend won’t commit, and her father is unsupportive. Armed only with a dream and a toddler, Lee marches into Banner Elk, North Carolina, a place where she knows no one, to start an alpaca farm. With vivid storytelling, Farm Family features a cast of memorable animal characters-including alpacas, Millie, Celeste, Frosty, and Wildcard-and immerses readers into the not-always-pretty world of farming. At Apple Hill Farm, Lee trades fear for freedom. She trades disdain for dignity. She learns that her connection to animals is more vital than she knew, and with bravery and persistence, she creates a home—a farm family.
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Iron Dad by Paul Weigel
Phoenix, AZ | A powerful memoir about a dad fighting cancer, surviving, and thriving alongside the most important person in his life—his daughter. From day one, Weigel and his daughter shared an incredible bond. She was a constant source of peace and inspiration to him, and he was determined to give her the love and security he’d never had. His life and the family that he’d dreamed about seemed to be finally getting on track—that is, until a devastating cancer diagnosis. But this time around, Weigel chose hope. If you believe in the impossible, he told himself, the incredible can come true. Using this mantra, Weigel pushed forward, determined to show his daughter true strength and power. Facing the ups and downs of his illness and treatment with courage, he trained for and completed in an Ironman triathlon within six months of finishing chemotherapy, and he continued to be a dedicated father, especially through a divorce that happened shortly after.
Heidi Across America by Heidi Beierle
Bellingham, WA | Heidi Across America is a gritty story of homecoming and the power of an open heart to connect with people across the nation. With the divisive politics of America in 2024, this memoir offers consideration for others and respect for the spirit of place as bridges to encounter our country and its people beyond the rifts.
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Estrellas by Suzanne Maggio
Bay Area, CA | Estrellas is the unflinching story of Suzanne Maggio's walk along El Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. At 60 years old, Suzanne decided to walk the 500-mile Camino de Santiago by herself. As she started the journey, it wasn't the one she predicted. For Suzanne, the most challenging part of the journey was when she got back home and had to make sense of the experience.
The book follows Suzanne on her trip and introduces readers to the people she met along the way (including a group of nuns who inspired the name of her podcast, From Sparks to Light). In the days and weeks that followed, she realized that she had built a different kind of family on The Camino. It was one filled with people whose experiences, expectations, and beliefs were different from hers. It was a family of choice rather than blood, and, like her own family, she would come to depend on them. This book is for anyone who has ever thought about tackling a long journey/ hike, anyone who is familiar with The Camino, and anyone who wants a captivating read that is both entertaining and inspiring.
