If you were to ask people today what integrity is, I think many of them would probably have no idea. This is tragic. We not only need to resurrect the word integrity in our culture, we also need to model it in our lives. Integrity is being honest, keeping our word, and having strong morals. It is also the state of being whole or undivided. In other words, people of integrity don’t say one thing and do another. They don’t live one life when people are watching and another when nobody is watching. Actually, God is always watching, and we should live with this in mind.

Those of us who have the privilege of teaching God’s Word should teach principles of integrity and help people understand the importance of it. Paul told Titus to set an example by doing what is good and in his teaching to “show integrity and seriousness” (Titus 2:7).

Consider what these scriptures teach us about integrity:

• According to Proverbs 20:7, righteous people who walk in integrity are blessed and so are their children (esv).
• David writes in Psalm 101:2, “I will walk within my house with integrity and with a blameless heart” (ampc). This means he walked with integrity in the privacy of his home, when no one was looking.
• Psalm 15:4 says that those who fear and honor the Lord keep their word “even when it hurts and does not change their mind.” This means to tell the truth even if it causes you to have problems.

Do you know Monty Roberts’ story?

Monty Roberts grew up around horses in California. His father was a horse trainer and Monty was riding before he learned to walk. This was during the heyday of Western Movies and as a child Monty rode horses in movies, often as a stunt double for child actors. He later got into rodeos and horse shows and earned a reputation as a great horseman.

Roberts always dreamed of being a horse trainer himself, and with a wife and a couple of kids to support he figured it was time to get serious, so he went into the business. In spite of his reputation as a great rider, Roberts was an inexperienced trainer, and had trouble getting clients. He had only 4 horses to train which wasn’t bringing in nearly enough money to support his family.

Roberts wasn’t sure what he was going to do when an opportunity was presented to work as an apprentice with Don Dodge, one of the most well-known and well-respected trainers in the area. He was told to bring two of his horses with him.

After 10 weeks the apprenticeship ended and Roberts met with Dodge. One of the horses he had brought with him was named Panama Buck. Dodge told Roberts that when he got home he should call up the horse’s owner, Lawson Williams, and tell him that he was wasting his money having Roberts train the horse because the horse was never going to amount to anything.

Roberts was understandably reluctant to do this, as that would eliminate a quarter of his already meager income. When he asked Dodge why he should do this, Dodge responded that the most important thing he could do was always tell owners the truth about their horses, and if he did this he would soon get more than enough business to replace the loss.

Roberts went home and did as instructed but Williams didn’t take the news well. He responded by berating Roberts, screaming “You useless son of a gun, you wouldn’t know a good horse if it leapt up between your legs. That’s the last horse you’ll ever get from me!”

Several days later Roberts’ phone rang. A voice on the other end said, “Hello, Mr. Gray here, Joe Gray.”  He went on, “I was having lunch with Mr. Williams yesterday. He was complaining about you, but from what I heard you must be about the only honest trainer I ever heard of. Well, I know that Panama Buck horse of his wasn’t any good, and I just want to take a chance on you. I have this horse I want to send to you; it’s called My Blue Heaven.”

From that point on things started to turn around for Roberts. He gained a reputation as not only a great trainer, but an honest one, and soon he had more than enough horses to train. Eventually he would even have the opportunity to train horses for the Queen of England. And it all started with following some wise advice from a mentor to always be honest, even when the price is high.

I wholeheartedly believe that following the principles of excellence and integrity is the reason God has blessed our ministry so much. I also believe that, as you follow them, your life will be blessed.

To keep reading, download the full chapter below!

The Pathway to Success

by Joyce Meyer

Renowned Bible teacher and #1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer shows readers how to realign their perspective on success to conform with God’s vision for the kind of life that brings us true purpose and lasting joy.

The world tells us that having a good job, owning your own business, money, fame, and influence are all important for a successful life. If we don’t have them, we feel like a failure. But even when we achieve them, we still end up unhappy, unfulfilled, or lonely.

God wants us to be successful, but His definition of success is not the same as the world's definition. The truth is, God’s way of achieving the dreams and desires that truly fulfill us and bring genuine joy to our lives is very different—and that is what we need.

In The Pathway to Success, you will discover a deeper understanding of what it means to seek success God's way. Through her practical, relatable insights based on God’s Word, beloved Bible teacher Joyce Meyer reveals how to actively pursue the keys to true, lasting success. Full of rich encouragement and timeless wisdom, The Pathway to Success will allow you to refocus your life and fulfill your God-given destiny as you walk out the purpose He’s planned for you.

Price

$26.00

Price

$34.00 CAD

Format

Hardcover

1. ebook
2. Hardcover (Large Print)
3. Audiobook Download (Unabridged)

This item is a preorder. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around February 6, 2024. This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control.

Also available from:

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• Barnes & Noble
• Books-A-Million
• Bookshop
• Target
• Walmart

Joyce Meyer

About the Author

JOYCE MEYER is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading practical Bible teachers. Her broadcast, Enjoying Everyday Life, airs daily on hundreds of television networks and radio stations worldwide. Joyce has written nearly 100 inspirational books. Bestsellers include God Is Not Mad at You; Making Good Habits, Breaking Bad Habits; Living Beyond Your Feelings; Power Thoughts; Battlefield of the Mind; and The Confident Woman. Joyce holds conferences throughout the year, speaking to thousands around the world.

Learn more about this author

What’s better than spending a few hours with your nearest and dearest friends? Spending a whole day—and night—with them! Sleepovers are what childhood memories are made of. Sleepovers are where you share everything with your pals; you can watch movies together, dance, draw pictures, and, most importantly, read stories! So, I’ve compiled a list of perfect picture books for sleepovers and most of them are about sleepovers! Meta, right? So, celebrate the joy of the sleepover with these adorable, cozy, sleepover reads.

Join Michelle Horton for an in-person book event to celebrate the launch of her new memoir, DEAR SISTER.

Dear Sister

by Michelle Horton

A breathtaking memoir about two sisters and a high-profile case: Nikki Addimando, incarcerated for killing her abuser; and the author, Michelle Horton, left in the devastating fall-out to raise Nikki's young children and to battle the criminal justice system.

In September 2017, a knock on the door upends Michelle Horton’s life forever: her sister had just shot her partner and was now in jail. During the investigation that follows, Michelle learns that Nikki had been hiding horrific abuse for years. Stunned to find herself in a situation she’d only ever encountered on television and true crime podcasts, Michelle rearranges her life to care for Nikki's children and simultaneously launches a fight to bring Nikki home, squaring off against a criminal justice system seemingly designed to punish the entire family.

In this exquisite memoir, Michelle retraces the sisters’ childhood and explores how so many people, including herself, could have been blind to the abuse. An intimate look at a family surviving trauma, Dear Sister is a deeply personal story about what it takes to be believed and the danger of keeping truths hidden. Ultimately, Horton turns her family’s suffering into hard won wisdom: a profound story of resilience and the unbreakable bond between sisters.

Price

$30.00

Price

$39.00 CAD

Format

Hardcover

1. ebook
2. Audiobook Download (Unabridged)

This item is a preorder. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around January 30, 2024. This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control.

Also available from:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Books-A-Million
• Bookshop
• Target
• Walmart

Michelle Horton

About the Author

Michelle Horton is a writer and advocate living in New York's Hudson Valley with her son, nephew, and niece. Through the Nicole Addimando Community Defense Committee, she continues to speak out her for sister and the countless other victims of domestic violence criminalized for their acts of survival.

Learn more about this author

I love audiobooks. If I ever wish my house was cleaner, I just put on a good audiobook, and because I don’t want to turn it off, in just an hour or so, I’ve done all the chores but the vacuuming—only because that’s so noisy it overrides the narrator. Anyway, I also love to give things that I personally love, especially when it’s a book, because then I get to have a special conversation, with someone I care about, regarding a book we both read and enjoyed. So, here are a few audiobooks I’ll be gifting this holiday season, and what type of reader I think might enjoy receiving them.

Mary Kay McBrayer is the author of America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster. You can find her short works at Oxford American, Narratively, Mental Floss, and FANGORIA, among other publications. She co-hosts Everything Trying to Kill You, the comedy podcast that analyzes your favorite horror movies from the perspectives of women of color. Follow Mary Kay McBrayer on Instagram and Twitter, or check out her author site here.

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But Wait, There's More!

• A three month subscription to KiwiCo!

While I don’t celebrate Christmas, I do love the holiday season! I love the colorful lights and how it gets dark outside a bit earlier and we can enjoy them longer; I love bundling up in my favorite hats and scarves; I love warming my icicle fingers on steaming mugs of cocoa with marshmallows and spiced apple cider; and most especially, I love curling up under a warm blanket with a good wintery book.

But you know what rivals my love of this festive season? ANIMALS! So why not just combine the two!!?

Usually, our selections for book club reads come easily. We’ll have a list a mile long on our TBR. But then… life happens. You read the book and have nothing to say about it but “I liked it.” Or you loved it, but you don’t think the group will like it, and you just can’t stand to watch the vipers rip it to shreds. Or, you look back over your TBR, and like with a menu at your favorite restaurant, sometimes—unthinkably—nothing really looks appetizing. If you’re finding yourself in any of these situations, worry not. We’re here to help.

Below is a short list of five books that are guaranteed to be thought

Mary Kay McBrayer is the author of America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster. You can find her short works at Oxford American, Narratively, Mental Floss, and FANGORIA, among other publications. She co-hosts Everything Trying to Kill You, the comedy podcast that analyzes your favorite horror movies from the perspectives of women of color. Follow Mary Kay McBrayer on Instagram and Twitter, or check out her author site here.

DYI Body Care Recipes, Rosemary Gladstar, herbal tea baths, plant-based punk rock and more!

Shawn Donnille, owner and President of Mountain Rose Herbs, one of the nation’s largest retailers of organic products and natural body care formulations. After formulating and developing countless wellness products for more than 20 years, he is considered an expert in the realm of natural living. He is both an avid outdoor enthusiast and an activist working to protect our wildlife and strengthen our wild spaces.  

Donnille's book, The Mountain Rose Herbs Book of Natural Body Care, is a must-have introduction to DIY natural self-care. Built specifically for the beginner in mind, it starts with foundation knowledge on tools and supplies, herbs and essential oils, and safe substitutions and modifications. 

How did Mountain Rose Herbs begin? How does its ethos influence the book? 

Mountain Rose Herbs’ roots began with Rosemary Gladstar, who is often referred to as the Godmother of American Herbalism. She started the company to supply her students with quality herbs for their studies, so the company was founded with education as a top priority and has never really deviated from that. However, the company really didn’t blossom into what it is known to be today until Julie Bailey and I took ownership.

My personal roots in activism are really engrained in Mountain Rose’s culture, and many of my personal convictions, including a deep aversion to big corporations, are amongst the core framework that Mountain Rose Herbs is built on.

My distrust of “big pharma” and major cosmetic companies has really driven the decision to carry only clean and environmentally friendly herbal products that people can use in good conscience.

With Mountain Rose Herbs’ focus on education and the drive to provide better wellness and personal care options, it was only a matter of time before this book would come to be. We’ve been building toward this for years, and this is an exciting new manifestation of the Mountain Rose Herbs philosophy and lifestyle.

How did you begin your journey as an herbalist and naturalist?

As you may have already gathered, my journey into becoming a naturalist and herbalist came from a distrust of corporations, specifically pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies. I am adamantly against testing on animals, and most of this unethical practice centers around synthetic chemicals that are not only harmful to humans but are also harmful to the environment. Synthetics wreak havoc on delicate ecosystems and are pollutants.

Even as a young punk rocker, I used plant-based dyes to color my hair because I knew the impact the alternative would have. I was committed to using only natural shampoos, soaps, salves, etc. and made sure that I wasn’t contributing to pollution or animal testing.

Even as a young punk rocker, I used plant-based dyes to color my hair...and made sure that I wasn’t contributing to pollution or animal testing.

What drove you to create The Mountain Rose Herbs Book of Natural Body Care book?

Truthfully, we have been creating recipes and sharing educational content with our community for decades, and we have been working toward this book for a long time.

A book is an experience, and the tangible form of information far exceeds the experience of reading and searching for things on the internet. When you pick up a book, there is a deep intention of learning or doing. Books don’t pull your focus away with notifications or ads.

A book allows you to be present, and for making natural body care recipes, it helps you create with intention.

What advice would you give someone just starting to explore a more natural lifestyle? 

I would suggest first remembering that the choice to live a natural lifestyle is about more than just your health. It’s about protecting our natural world and ALL of its inhabitants.

The choice to live a natural lifestyle is about more than just your health. It’s about protecting our natural world and ALL of its inhabitants.

I would also recommend that if you are not making it yourself, read the ingredient labels of all the products you use. If you can’t pronounce or understand the ingredients, it requires further investigation before using. And of course, read the Mountain Rose Herbs Book of Natural Body Care!

What inspired you to choose natural body care recipes as the topic for the first book?

Aside from herbs, natural body care products were among some of the first Mountain Rose Herbs offerings. Everyone uses body care products! Crafting DIY homemade skin care recipes was the most approachable—and frankly—the most fun subject.

How did you write The Mountain Rose Herbs Book of Natural Body Care to speak to both intermediary and beginner natural body care recipe creators?

We have always crafted our message to those who are just beginning to explore a more natural lifestyle, so our content is geared toward the beginner.

When we think about impactful ways to reach people, we realize that providing fun and inspiring ideas to those just starting to live a more natural lifestyle is the biggest opportunity for positive change.

With a strong foundation, we then weave in intermediary content so that learning may continue, and more creative and expressive skills and recipes can begin to develop.

How do herbalism and sustainability interact?

Sustainability is inherent in what we do as a company. Without a sustainable mindset, we don’t have a viable future in herbalism and we don’t have the ability to supply people with natural ingredients that help support a healthy life. We are not in the business of taking all we can, while we can, we are in the business of supporting and sustaining life for generations to come.

We are not in the business of taking all we can, while we can, we are in the business of supporting and sustaining life for generations to come.

How does integrating natural herbal body care products into our self-care routines benefit our relationships with ourselves and our relationship to the earth? 

This is a really thought-provoking question! When we practice self-care with the help of plants, we can fall into a natural rhythm with our environment.

Our bodies are always telling us what they need, and when we replace ingredients from nature with ingredients from labs, we begin to lose those signals. We are deeply connected beings.

We are always seeking ways to make the most meaningful and lasting impact, and when you blend practicality with fun, people become more engaged.

Our bodies are always telling us what they need, and when we replace ingredients from nature with ingredients from labs, we begin to lose those signals. We are deeply connected beings.

Are there recipes that you feel best reflect your philosophy of why herbalism is so beneficial? 

I love herbal tea baths—it’s like sipping tea but for the body. The exterior of our body gets to partake and intake the healing attributes of the herbs you are bathing in.

It’s an intentional exercise that allows you to be in the moment. It also requires no fancy equipment and there isn’t a lot of forethought needed.

What do you hope to inspire in people as they read this book and try these recipes?

My deepest hope is that this book inspires change and that more people will abandon conventional, chemical-laced products that are harmful to themselves and to the environment.

The Mountain Rose Herbs Book of Natural Body Care is intended to give people the resources they need to become more thoughtful in their everyday thoughts and practices.

Each month we ask our staff to share their latest reading recommendations and give us a peek into their reading habits by answering your favorite bookish questions. In December, we hear from Michelle Forde, Digital Marketing Manager, Marketing Strategy. Read ahead for Michelle's trusted recommendations, her sweet bookmark hack and more.

Michelle Forde, Digital Marketing Manager, Marketing Strategy

This was not only brought up during my interview as an example for Open Book, but it was written by a long-time friend of mine! I was privy to some of these stories as they were happening and let me tell you it was still shocking reaching them again years later!

I am a sucker for opposites attract. I'm also a sucker for horoscopes, eastern and western. There was no way I wasn't going to love this!

I learned about this at my very first Sales Conference and I counted down the days until it finally released. The art is gorgeous and the takes on the mythology of the cards is fantastic!

This book was so incredible. I got it for a friend questioning their gender and then noticed it was positioned not just for the gender non-conforming, but for their friends and loved ones. I grabbed myself a copy and was so glad I did.

This book was part of my first big sweepstakes I worked on but also, they're from my own home town! Shout out to the Bronx! I instantly connected to the feeling and the recipes in the book and was so happy to add a copy to my shelf.

What is the weirdest thing you have used as a bookmark?

Fruit leather. Yeah like the healthier fruit roll-ups. I had it one hand and when I was done with the book I had a snack ready to go!

If you owned a bookstore, what would you call it?

What is your favorite book cover from the past year and why?

That is so cruel to make me narrow it down to just one! I loved so many honestly, but I might have to go with The Princess of Thornwood Drive. The colors are just gorgeous and I'm still not used to seeing a Black woman on a cover surrounded by bright colors like that. Totally my aesthetic. 

On the first day of Christmas, LBYR gave to meeeee…. Not one, not two, but SEVEN Christmas countdown books! Thank goodness I have something to read in the achingly extensive days until my favorite holiday. If you, like me, enjoy building a red and green paper chain and ripping off each link the closer you get to opening those presents, then come along, my friend. LBYR presents: Counting! Christmas! Now we just need some cocoa.

📚❤️ Dive into the magic of the holidays with our handpicked family-friendly reads. From jingle bells to heartwarming tales, we’ve got stories that will make your spirits bright. It's the most wonderful time to read together! 📖🌟

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30 years of brain quest!

Stimulate the mind in a fun, approachable way. Celebrate 30 years of Brain Quest: check out the new look, new products, and new packaging with the same A+ content!

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From puzzles and games to oracle cards and temporary tattoos, we have something for everyone on your holiday gift-giving list!

Puzzles

Temporary Tattoos

Sticker Books & Posters

Cards & Games

Wall Calendars

Postcards & Greeting Cards

As the days grow shorter, the nights grow colder, and I long for that fuzzy feeling of sitting by my family’s fireplace with a cup of tea and a good book. I long for the traditions that make my family my family. Like watching The Thin Man movies, eating cracked crab on Christmas Eve, and arguing relentlessly with my siblings over inconsequential details. Traditions look different to every family, but every family knows that traditions are what make a place a home.

Dive into these cozy picture books that feel like home, and that celebrate a breadth of traditions, new and old.

Book lovers, we know how you appreciate a beautiful book or an opportunity to collect a few copies of your favorite books... here's a list of recommendations from authors you love and can share with friends over and over again.

Extra time around the table makes the holidays a special opportunity to bridge the gap between generations with books that educate and inspire.

We’re thrilled to share a selection of books along with conversation prompts that we hope will start conversations and create lasting memories for your family and friends this holiday season. ⁣

What are you grateful for today?

Why do you think it’s important to learn about lives and habitats of wild animals?

What’s the coolest thing you’ve seen on a walk?

What is your favorite fact about butterflies or other pollinators?

What is your favorite animal, and why?

What’s the best handmade gift you’ve ever received or made for someone? 

What’s your favorite recipe for the holiday table—is it a time-tested tradition or something sweet (or savory) you just discovered? 

What plants can you identify and appreciate around you?

How do plants and trees influence your holiday traditions?

How can you be a good ally and friend to the world?

Discover how the presentation of a gift can carry meaning beyond the gift itself with this step-by-step excerpt for wrapping a book with gratitude, creativity, and care from The Soul of Gift Wrapping.

I originally designed this style as a wrap for books and shallow boxes, but it works equally well for all box sizes, square and rectangular. It has become my all-around favorite tapeless wrapping method. I’m particularly fond of how it easily unwraps—like an unveiling—giving books, especially, a pleasurable reveal. Books are one of my favorite things to give and to wrap; I feel grateful to the authors who share their stories, creative skills, and perspectives, which I can then gift to others.

WHAT YOU NEED

• A sheet of paper to fit the gift
• Scissors

HOW TO MEASURE PAPER FIT

HOW TO WRAP

1. With the design side of the paper facing up (if your paper has a design), fold the right edge approximately ½" along the full length of the paper. Repeat to create a double fold.

2. Turn the paper over so that the double fold is facedown on the right side. Mark or crease the point at which the paper folds around the top and base of the book or  box.

3. Using these marks, strongly crease the top and bottom of the paper to match the length of the item. Place the item inside the top and bottom flaps, aligning it to fit within the crease lines. Turn the package so the left side is on top.

4. Pinch the paper at the top corners of the item at an angle, creating triangle shapes. The top flap will lift slightly, guiding you to the next step.

5. Fold the flap over the item and then repeat step  4 on the opposite side.

6. Insert the unfolded flap into the folded flap. Sharpen the creases at all edges for a clean, finished look.

Variations:

Step 1 offers room for a lot of creative variation. The downward vertical fold is what will be visible on the front of the package. Try:

• Tearing the paper’s edge
• Pleating the edge (note that you need to add width to the paper if pleating)
• Shaping the edge with scalloped, serrated, or other craft scissors

Excerpted and adapted from The Soul of Gift Wrapping © by Megumi Lorna Inouye.

Related Articles

Amongst my friends, I am known for my eclectic tastes, which is hopefully reflected in this gift guide. I’m an avid fiction reader that enjoys the speculative elements in Cursed Bunny and intimate character portraits in Dust Child. I also cannot put down books that explore finding the courage to be who you are, like in Thicker than Water and Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. On a less serious note, I’m also an avid tequila enthusiast and what better way to spread the love through a comprehensive guide like A Field Guide to Tequila. This list reflects a variety of interests and hopefully one (or more) will capture your eye! 

Emily Hoang is a writer and editor, who is obsessed with haunted houses, ghosts, and dreams. More info can be found on her website.

There’s very little in this world that’s as exciting as seeing your favorite book come to life before your very eyes as a movie or a TV series. Will the characters look the way you imagined them in your head? How will the events of the story play out in this new format? What new directions will the adaptation take the material. What new releases would you be excited to see adapted into movies or television series? Here are our picks!

Emily Martin has a PhD in English from the University of Southern Mississippi. She’s a contributing editor at Book Riot and blogs/podcasts at Book Squad Goals. 

🚀📚 Did you know December 6 - 12th is Computer Science Education Week? Dive into the wonders of STEM with our handpicked collection of books that make learning a blast for the whole family! Whether you're a budding scientist, a curious coder, or just love exploring the mysteries of math, there's something here for everyone. 🌍✨

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Click images to download full activities. Find more activities below at Brain Quest!

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Seasons Readings

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30 years of brain quest!

Stimulate the mind in a fun, approachable way. Celebrate 30 years of Brain Quest: check out the new look, new products, and new packaging with the same A+ content!

more family reads

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Our Open Book program celebrates authors from a variety of cultural experiences and backgrounds by sharing their stories, inspiration, writing process and more.

Learn more about Open Book at the 2023 National Book Club Conference here.

Get ready for a backdoor brag: I’m kind of hard to buy books for because I read so much.

Seriously: I’m a reader. It means I’ve tried almost everything. Twice. So I know what I like and what I don’t like. There’s also a good chance that if I want to read a book, I already have. And there’s an even better chance that I already own it even if I haven’t read it yet—because we all know that buying books, collecting books, and reading books are different skillsets, am I right?

That said, here are five books that are on my wishlist this year, and if you’re a picky reader like me—or just looking for something new—maybe you’ll be into them, too.

Mary Kay McBrayer is the author of America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster. You can find her short works at Oxford American, Narratively, Mental Floss, and FANGORIA, among other publications. She co-hosts Everything Trying to Kill You, the comedy podcast that analyzes your favorite horror movies from the perspectives of women of color. Follow Mary Kay McBrayer on Instagram and Twitter, or check out her author site here.

As the end of the year approaches, maybe you’re in a rush to meet your reading goals or get a good start for the next year. Put these books in your radar. From the lost tombs of Egypt to the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, you’ll be transported to a variety of destinations with characters whose stories that will grip your heart.

Emily Hoang is a writer and editor, who is obsessed with haunted houses, ghosts, and dreams. More info can be found on her website.

HERE YE, HERE YE!

Yes, you, valiant knight. Will thou help me on a quest?

The task is simple: Slay each dragon (book) in this list of knightly reads. Each book follows the Knight’s Code of Chivalry closely, teaching important values such as friendship, perseverance, and bravery. Should you choose to accept, adventure will abound.

On my honor, you will find these reads as enjoyable as sword fighting! 

Are you ready to escape from the real world and dive into a magical realm? These eight books are perfect for the fantasy reader in your life, whether they’re looking for a cozy whimsy vibe or romantasy—they (or you) will be be enchanted by these reads.

While the weather outside is frightful, reading a hot and spicy romance novel is oh so delightful. These romances are as far from closed-door as possible, so you’re guaranteed several satisfying and steamy scenes.

While we’re always rooting for the HEA in our romance novels, we know we can’t get by without a good crew supporting us (and giving us real talk) along the way.

Here are a few romances with BFFs we wish we knew in real life. Here’s to our BFFs in life and lit!

More About Welcome to the Opera

From the author of Welcome to the Symphony and Welcome to Jazz, this musical picture book introduces children to opera with 12 sound interactive buttons and an illustrated performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Join three adorable dogs for a performance of Mozart’s beloved masterpiece The Magic Flute in this illustrated introduction to opera—with 12 sound buttons! As the story unfolds readers learn about the essential parts of opera—voice parts like soprano and tenor; vocal techniques like recitative and melisma; arias, the orchestra, the chorus, sets, costumes, plot, and more.

Plus, 12 interactive sound buttons let readers hear examples of the musical concepts as they read: a soprano sings a heartfelt aria, a powerful bass sings recitative, and the chorus harmonizes during the dramatic finale! 

Welcome to the Opera is the third title in music educator Carolyn Sloan’s successful Welcome to… sound chip picture book series that introduces classic musical genres to young readers.

Buy the Book
Amazon | B&N | Bookshop | Hachette Book Group

📚November is packed full of reasons to give, to learn, and to celebrate. Not only is it Family Literacy Month, but it’s also Native American History Month. We’ve collected books on reading as well as books by Native contributors so that the whole family can read and learn together.📖

featured activities

Learn new words and meanings with these images from Indigenous Ingenuity!

Click images to download the full size versions.

Watch the trailer for Berry Song!

blog posts and articles

Seasons Readings

Shop our holiday gift guide and save big!

30 years of brain quest!

Stimulate the mind in a fun, approachable way. Celebrate 30 years of Brain Quest: check out the new look, new products, and new packaging with the same A+ content!

more family reads

Looking for the perfect read for the person in your life who is constantly texting you their mini-reviews of the latest Hallmark lineup? Heartwarming, sometimes silly, with lots of family and friends and merriment? We got ya with this list.

We are very lucky to have moved to the PNW last fall and while we do have four seasons, here is a view from my dining room looking out to the backyard, at the height of summer!

I have a pile of about 20 books, many related to work matters (diversity, inclusion, belonging, equity) many more related to women in history and BIPOC women in particular. But I am also really happy to just read some things that have nothing to do with either parts of my work life! Right now, I’m loving Europa Editions’ “The Passenger” series because it’s a way to dive deep into a new place without traveling. I already read "Paris" (a city I know very well as I lived there seven years in my 20s), but also just finished “Brazil,” (where I went with my mother six years ago). India and Japan are up next; places I hope to someday visit.

In 2019 when I was thinking of creating a journal and day-planner, I had a visitation spirit come to my dreamscape on that Christmas morning saying “tell my story". From there, I felt this foremother presence with me, inviting me to learn more, dig more, share more stories. It didn’t take long for me to amass over 500 portraits (and growing) in my collection; 100 of my favorite ones ended up in the book, but the others show up in social media, in the journals, and someday, another book.

Celebrating BIPOC she-roes.

My next area of focus is going to be writing about other amazing women of color from around the world. I can’t wait!

Many years ago, when I lived in Paris, I had this habit of making sure I finished the book before I saw the movie. I remember being in line at the theater to see “The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” with Daniel Day Lewis and Juliette Binoche – and being with my friends in line and telling them not to talk to me as I only had six more pages to finish! (And I will add, I read it in French). I finished it just as we were taking our seats!

I would love to sing opera. My husband just finished a run conducting the Pulitzer-Prize-winning opera “Omar” at the San Francisco Opera. I love French and Italian bel canto (that surprises folks, as I also love Afro Beat and Reggaeton!) and I try to sing along with Maria Callas. No one is enthused. 

If you’re trying to glimpse into the pulse of literature today, add these books to the list. An immigrant father and son try to find their place after 9/11. As a consequence of climate change and other crises, a girl finds an unlikely community on her way toward a new life. Four sisters must balance two cultures in a new place they’re trying to call home. Ultimately, these modern classics will tug at your heart strings and show us what it means to be human.

Emily Hoang is a writer and editor, who is obsessed with haunted houses, ghosts, and dreams. More info can be found on her website.

Spoiler alert: I’m getting everyone books, not just my nieces and nephews. Here are the books I’m most excited to give this holiday season, and the people who I think will enjoy them the most.

Mary Kay McBrayer is the author of America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster. You can find her short works at Oxford American, Narratively, Mental Floss, and FANGORIA, among other publications. She co-hosts Everything Trying to Kill You, the comedy podcast that analyzes your favorite horror movies from the perspectives of women of color. Follow Mary Kay McBrayer on Instagram and Twitter, or check out her author site here.

Are you going to be standing in long security lines this Thanksgiving season? Are you mentally preparing for flight delays? To help you cope with these and other travel woes, we’re making some titles available as Read Now on NetGalley!

No approval needed, anyone with a NetGalley account can download these titles from November 21 to November 24. Find the perfect book to read before, after, and maybe even during Thanksgiving dinner.

Read COLTON GENTRY’S THIRD ACT on NetGalley here.

Colton Gentry's Third Act

by Jeff Zentner

“A story of love, healing, and second chances ” (Emily Henry) following a down on his luck country musician who, in the throes of grief after a shocking loss, moves back home and rekindles a relationship with his high school sweetheart, from award-winning author Jeff Zentner.

Colton Gentry is riding high. His first hit in nearly a decade has caught fire, he’s opening for country megastar Brant Lucas, and he’s married to one of the hottest acts in the country. But he’s hurting. Only a few weeks earlier, his best friend, Duane, was murdered onstage by a mass shooter at a country music festival. One night, with his trauma festering and Jim Beam flowing through his veins, Colton stands before a sold-out arena crowd of country music fans and offers his unfiltered opinion on guns. It goes over poorly.

Immediately, his career and marriage implode. Left with few choices or funds, he retreats to his rural Kentucky hometown. He’s resigned himself to has-been-dom, until a chance encounter at his town’s new farm-to-table restaurant gives him a second shot at life: a job working in the kitchen with Luann, his first love, who has undergone her own reinvention. Told through perspectives alternating between his senior year of high school, his time coming up with Duane as hungry musicians in Nashville, and the present, COLTON GENTRY’S THIRD ACT is a story of coming home, undoing past heartbreaks, and navigating grief, and is a reminder that there are next acts in life, no matter how unlikely they may seem.

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Read THE PARIS AFFAIR on NetGalley here.

The Paris Affair

by Maureen Marshall

A queer historical romantic suspense novel about a young engineer working for Gustave Eiffel caught in a web of deceit that could destroy both him and the famous tower.

Fin Tighe is clinging to respectability by his nail-bitten fingers. He may be the illegitimate son of an English earl, but he hasn’t spoken to his father in a decade, and his engineer’s salary is barely enough to support him and his cousin Aurelie. A dancer in the corps de ballet, Aurelie is at constant risk from groping, leering men who assume any dancer is a prostitute in training.  And Fin’s evenings spent in the clandestine gay community may be legal through a loophole in the Napoleonic Code, but they leave him vulnerable.

So, when Fin’s employer, Gustave Eiffel, announces that he needs additional investors to pay for his pet project, a 300-meter tower that will dominate the city’s skyline, Fin jumps at the chance. If he raises enough money, the commission will earn him a fortune, and hopefully, some protection. 

Capricious stranger Gilbert Duhais appears to be a boon from the gods. Gilbert is handsome, wealthy, connected, and somehow privy to Fin’s background. Gilbert persuades Fin to masquerade as his father’s heir—which couldn’t be further from the truth—and introduces him to every nouveau riche speculator in the city. Each provocative interaction heightens Fin's risk of exposure. But also brings Fin closer to his dream of financial security.

When a dear friend of Fin’s is murdered above a clandestine gay club, the stakes rise even higher. Fin must untangle the disparate threads of his past—and his current romantic gamble—before they become his noose. 

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Read STILL SEE YOU EVERYWHERE on NetGalley here.

Still See You Everywhere

by Lisa Gardner

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner comes a harrowing new thriller: Frankie Elkin is an expert at finding the missing persons that the rest of the world has forgotten, but even she couldn’t have anticipated this latest request—to locate the long-lost sister of a female serial killer facing execution in three weeks’ time.
 
No man truly fears a woman. Not even one who is her father’s daughter.
 
The case was sensational. Kaylee Pierson had confessed from the very beginning, waived all appeals. She had called herself “death,” but people called her the devil. Despite the media’s chronicling of her tragic circumstances—the childhood spent with a violent father—no one could find sympathy for “the Beautiful Butcher” who had led eighteen men home from bars before viciously slitting their throats.
 
Now, with only twenty-one days left to live, Pierson has finally received a lead on the whereabouts of the sister who was kidnapped over a decade ago, and she needs Frankie’s help to find her. The Beautiful Butcher’s offer: 
 
When was the last time your search ended with finding the living?
 
Unable to resist the chance for a rescue, Frankie takes on Pierson’s request. Twelve years ago, five-year old Leilani went missing in Hawaii. The main suspect? Pierson’s tech mogul ex-boyfriend, Sanders MacManus. Now, on a remote island in the middle of the Pacific—the site of MacManus’s latest vanity project—fresh evidence has appeared. In order to learn the truth and possibly save a young woman’s life, Frankie must go undercover at the isolated base camp. Her challenge: A dozen strangers. Countless dangerous secrets. Zero means of calling for help. And then the storm rolls in…

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Read 60 SONGS THAT EXPLAIN THE 90s on NetGalley here.

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

by Rob Harvilla

ONE OF PITCHFORK'S BEST MUSIC BOOKS OF 2023

A companion to the #1 music podcast on Spotify, this book takes readers through the greatest hits that define a weirdly undefinable decade. 

The 1990s were a chaotic and gritty and utterly magical time for music, a confounding barrage of genres and lifestyles and superstars, from grunge to hip-hop, from sumptuous R&B to rambunctious ska-punk, from Axl to Kurt to Missy to Santana to Tupac to Britney. In 60 SONGS THAT EXPLAIN THE '90s, Ringer music critic Rob Harvilla reimagines all the earwormy, iconic hits Gen Xers pine for with vivid historical storytelling, sharp critical analysis, rampant loopiness, and wryly personal ruminations on the most bizarre, joyous, and inescapable songs from a decade we both regret entirely and miss desperately.

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Read THE ATLAS MANEUVER on NetGalley here.

The Atlas Maneuver

by Steve Berry

From celebrated New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry comes the latest Cotton Malone adventure, in which Cotton unravels a mystery from World War II involving a legendary lost treasure, worth billions, known as Yamashita’s Gold.

1945. In the waning months of World War II, Japan hid vast quantities of gold and other stolen valuables in boobytrapped underground caches all across the Philippines. By 1947 some of that loot was recovered, not by treasure hunters, but by the United States government, which told no one about the find. Instead, those assets were stamped classified, shipped to Europe, and secretly assimilated into something called the Black Eagle Trust.

Present day. Retired Justice Department operative, Cotton Malone, is in Switzerland doing a favor for a friend. But what was supposed to be a simple operation turns violent and Cotton is thrust into a war between the world’s oldest bank and the CIA, a battle that directly involves the Black Eagle Trust. He quickly discovers that everything hinges on a woman from his past, who suddenly reappears harboring a host of explosive secrets centering around bitcoin. The cryptocurrency is being quietly weaponized, readied for an assault on the world’s financial systems, a calculated move that will have devastating consequences. Cotton has no choice. He has to act. But at what cost?

From the stolid banking halls of Luxembourg, to the secret vaults of Switzerland, and finally up into the treacherous mountains of southern Morocco, Cotton Malone is stymied at every turn.  Each move he makes seems wrong, and nothing works, until he finally comes face-to-face with the Atlas Maneuver.

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Read THE ASCENT on NetGalley here.

The Ascent

by Adam Plantinga

When a high security prison fails, a down-on-his luck cop and the governor’s daughter are going to have to team up if they’re going to escape in this "jaw-dropping, authentic, and absolutely gripping" (Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author) debut thriller from Adam Plantinga, whose first nonfiction book Lee Child praised as “truly excellent.”

Kurt Argento, an ex-Detroit street cop who can’t let injustice go—and who has the fighting skills to back up his idealism.

If he sees a young girl being dragged into an alley, he's going to rescue her and cause some damage. 

When he does just that in a small corrupt Missouri town, he’s brutally beaten and thrown into a maximum-security prison.

Julie Wakefield, a grad student who happens to be the governor's daughter, is about to take a tour of the prison. But when a malfunction in the security system releases a horde of prisoners, a fierce struggle for survival ensues.  

Argento must help a small band of staff and civilians, including Julie and her two state trooper handlers, make their way from the bottom floor to the roof to safety. 

All that stands in their way are six floors of the most dangerous convicts in Missouri.  

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Read UNNATURAL DEATH on NetGalley here.

Unnatural Death

by Patricia Cornwell

Two mauled bodies in the woods. Top secret autopsies. The most chilling cases of Scarpetta’s career.

In this thrilling new installment of Patricia Cornwell’s #1 bestselling Scarpetta series, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta finds herself in a Northern Virginia wilderness examining the remains of two campers wanted by federal law enforcement.
 
The victims have been savaged beyond recognition, and other evidence is terrifying and baffling, including a larger-than-life footprint.  
 
After one of the most frightening body retrievals of her career, Scarpetta must discover who would commit murders this savage, and why.

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Read GET THE F*CK OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY on NetGalley here.

Get The F*ck Out Your Own Way

by MJ Harris

It ain’t easy getting your shit together, but this book is the solution. And Tabitha Brown says, “you can trust him.”

If any of this sounds like you, it’s best you start reading this book now!

• You seek more fulfilling relationships and dating experiences
• You’re ready to shake off shame about past mistakes and step into your power
• You want to say “see ya” to the toxic people and emotional gut-punchers
• Your “people pleaser” days are over and it’s time to learn how to effectively say no

MJ Harris has got a lot of “best friends”—over five million to be exact. His hilarious, straightforward, raw advice has made him the go-to person across social media for everything you need to know about getting your shit together. 
 
MJ knows you need help—whether financial, spiritual, or in a relationship—but because you never learned how to properly handle the hurt and anger you’ve experienced in the past, it has become the emotional trash in the way of being your best self. Don’t nobody want that!
 
Whether it’s fixing your family issues, relationships, situationships, money, or frenemies, MJ offers sage advice about how to stop blocking yourself from bigger and better.
 
This isn’t your gentle guide on breathing or journaling. MJ serves up no holds barred principles on how to navigate your emotions that will help you disrupt cycles of trauma, create boundaries, and transform into a goddess of emotional wholeness. Get the F*ck Out Your Own Way will help you learn how make better decisions that will set you on the right path for a happier emotional life once and for all.
 

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Read CIRCLE IN THE WATER on NetGalley here.

Circle in the Water

by Marcia Muller

A series of pranks turn deadly in the latest installment in New York Times bestselling author Marcia Muller's gripping Sharon McCone series.

San Francisco is home to more than 200 privately owned streets. Most are alleyways, but a select few look torn straight from the pages of a magazine. Lined with mansions and elaborate gardens, the properties are luxurious and perfectly maintained; security guards patrol the grounds to keep the curious at bay. Few know of these exclusive enclaves, but those who do prowl for availability, ready to make a grab for the precious real estate if opportunity strikes.

When several such streets are targeted in a series of so-called pranks, Sharon is hired by a coalition of concerned owners to investigate. But as things escalate—an attempt on Sharon’s life, an explosion at a meth lab, and a shocking murder—Sharon realizes far more is at play than a few misdemeanors gone wrong.

The case takes a sudden turn when one of McCone & Ripinsky’s most trusted employees is implicated, and Sharon will have to dig deep to save her agency—and her life.

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Read HOUSEWIFE on NetGalley here.

Housewife

by Lisa Selin Davis

Discover the complete social history of the housewife archetype, from colonial America to the 20th century, and re-examine common myths about the “modern woman.”
 
The notion of “housewife” evokes strong reactions. For some, it’s nostalgia for a bygone era, simpler and better times when men were breadwinners and women remained home with the kids. For others, it’s a sexist, oppressive stereotype of women’s work. Either way, housewife is a long outdated concept—or is it?
  
Lisa Selin Davis, known for her smart, viral, feminist, cultural takes, argues that the “breadwinner vs. homemaker” divide is a myth. She charts examples from prehistoric female hunters to working class housewives in the 1930s, from First Ladies to 21st century stay-at-home moms, on a search for answers to the problems of what is referred to as women’s work and motherhood. Davis discovers that women have been sold a lie about what families should be. Housewife unveils a truth: interdependence, rather than independence, is the American way.  
 
The book is a clarion call for all women—married or single, mothers or childless—and for men, too, to push for liberation.  In Housewife, Davis builds a case for systemic, cultural, and personal change, to encourage women to have the power to choose the best path for themselves.
 

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Read DEAR SISTER on NetGalley here.

Dear Sister

by Michelle Horton

A breathtaking memoir about two sisters and a high-profile case: Nikki Addimando, incarcerated for killing her abuser; and the author, Michelle Horton, left in the devastating fall-out to raise Nikki's young children and to battle the criminal justice system.

In September 2017, a knock on the door upends Michelle Horton’s life forever: her sister had just shot her partner and was now in jail. During the investigation that follows, Michelle learns that Nikki had been hiding horrific abuse for years. Stunned to find herself in a situation she’d only ever encountered on television and true crime podcasts, Michelle rearranges her life to care for Nikki's children and simultaneously launches a fight to bring Nikki home, squaring off against a criminal justice system seemingly designed to punish the entire family.

In this exquisite memoir, Michelle retraces the sisters’ childhood and explores how so many people, including herself, could have been blind to the abuse. An intimate look at a family surviving trauma, Dear Sister is a deeply personal story about what it takes to be believed and the danger of keeping truths hidden. Ultimately, Horton turns her family’s suffering into hard won wisdom: a profound story of resilience and the unbreakable bond between sisters.

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Read THIS ORDINARY STARDUST on NetGalley here.

This Ordinary Stardust

by Alan Townsend, PhD

A compassionate, vulnerable, and transformative exploration of the nurturing and spiritual power of scientific wonder, as illuminated through the tragic dual cancer diagnoses of author Dr. Alan Townsend’s wife and daughter. 

A decade ago, Dr. Alan Townsend’s family received two unthinkable, catastrophic diagnoses: his 4-year-old daughter and his brilliant scientist wife developed unrelated, life-threatening forms of brain cancer. As he witnessed his young daughter fight during the courageous final months of her mother’s life, Townsend – a lifelong scientist – was indelibly altered. He began to see scientific inquiry as more than a source of answers to a given problem, but also as a lifeboat: a lens on the world that could help him find peace with the painful realities he could not change. Through scientific wonder, he found ways to bring meaning to his darkest period. 

At a time when society’s relationship with science is increasingly polarized while threats to human life on earth continue to rise, Townsend offers a balanced, moving perspective on the common ground between science and religion through the spiritual fulfillment he found in his work. Awash in Townsend's electrifying and breathtaking prose, THIS ORDINARY STARDUST offers hope that life can carry on even in the face of near-certain annihilation.

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Read THE ASTEROID HUNTER on NetGalley here.

The Asteroid Hunter

by Dante Lauretta

A "captivating, behind-the-scenes account" of NASA’s historic OSIRIS-REx mission to return an asteroid sample and unlock the mystery of formation on life on earth braided with the remarkable life story of the mission’s leader, Dr. Dante Lauretta (Sara Seager).

On September 11, 1999, humanity made a monumental discovery in the vastness of space. Scientists uncovered an asteroid of immense scientific importance—a colossal celestial entity. As massive as an aircraft carrier and towering as high as the iconic Empire State Building, this cosmic titan was later named Bennu. Remarkable for much more than its size, Bennu belonged to a rare breed of asteroids capable of revealing the essence of life itself. But just as Bennu became a beacon of promise, researchers identified a grave danger. Hurtling through space, it threatens to collide with our planet on September 24, 2182.

Leading the expedition was Dr. Dante Lauretta, the Principal Investigator of NASA's audacious OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission. Tasked with unraveling Bennu's mysteries, his team embarked on a daring quest to retrieve a precious sample from the asteroid's surface — one that held the potential to not only unlock the secrets of life's origins but also to avert an unprecedented catastrophe.

A tale of destiny and danger, The Asteroid Hunter chronicles the high-stakes mission firsthand, narrated by Dr. Lauretta. It offers readers an intimate glimpse into the riveting exploits of the mission and Dr. Lauretta's wild, winding personal journey to Bennu and back. Peeling back the curtain on the wonders of the cosmos, this enthralling account promises a rare glimpse into the tightly woven fabric of scientific exploration, where technical precision converges with humanity’s profound curiosity and indominable spirit.

 

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Why does history move forward? Is it through the constant exchange of goods and ideas, the random forces of God and nature, and the social power of people united behind a cause— or is it because of people (men) who were simply born leaders and then go on to fulfill their destiny? 

That final idea, known as the “Great Man Theory,” emphasizes the importance of history’s big names, like Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and George Washington. By focusing on larger-than-life personalities, the theory has long captivated the popular imagination, but two prominent scholars of leadership think that it’s time for a different mental model. 

The first is Moshik Temkin, former associate professor of history and public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. In his latest book, Warriors, Rebels, and Saints: The Art of Leadership from Machiavelli to Malcolm X, Temkin shines a light on leaders who shaped the destiny of entire countries — but you’ve never learned their names. 

The second is Amanda Goodall, Director and founder of the Executive Masters in Medical Leadership at Bayes Business School in London. In her latest book, Credible: The Power of Expert Leaders, Goodall argues that choosing flashy CEOs over leaders with genuine expertise is wreaking havoc on the economy. 

In the conversation, Temkin and Goodall explain why the “Great Man Theory” is no longer useful and why an alternative can help us better understand the core principles of leadership. 

Their interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

PublicAffairs: Moshik, your book is called Warriors, Rebels, and Saints. Why did you choose those three categories to describe different leadership styles? 

Moshik Temkin: I’ve been teaching about leadership for a while, and I started to see patterns that broke away from an idea that Amanda brings up in her book, the idea of the “Great Man Theory.”

You’ll find this idea in a lot of the literature on leadership, but I'm interested in leadership not just at the top, but also in the middle of society and the bottom of society (though sometimes you can't even say bottom because certain people are outside any connection to power or authority).

So in the book, warriors represent people willing to stand up and fight for ideas that they believe in or the public or the institutions they represent. For example, these are the people fighting for independence against a colonial power or fighting for civil rights against an oppressive state. 

Rebels are the ones who reject the status quo. It’s not just a symbolic or figurative rebellion. It’s often very real, and people are willing to kind of leave everything behind and go underground, as was the case of the French resistance or the young women who fought against the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. 

Finally, we don't necessarily associate saints with leadership, but these people embody sacrifice. They’re leaders who understand that in order to bring about change, they have to give up what is most valuable to them. This could be someone like Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr. 

PA: I know these are your conceptual categories, but do you think that the leaders themselves would identify in the same ways? Like, would Gandhi say he was a saint and FDR would say he was a warrior? 

MT: It’s difficult to say for some, but for others that’s definitely the case. To go back to Martin Luther King Jr. and also his contemporary, Malcolm X, they both died very, very young. They were both 39 when they were killed, and they both knew that they were, in a sense, destined to die young. They talked about it, and it was part of their leadership message. So, it's not that they were saints in their behavior, necessarily, but we can consider them saints afterward because of how far they were willing to go in terms of leadership. 

PA: Amanda, as Moshik pointed out, your book wrestles with the idea of the “Great Man Theory.” Why do you argue against it?

Amanda Goodall: When it comes to leadership, it’s become troublingly common to put unqualified people into top jobs. I open the book with an example from the U.K., where I live. In 2009, the British Parliament questioned Andy Hornby, the CEO of HBOS, one of the largest financial institutions in Europe. At just 42 years old, Hornby was one of the youngest managers of a major bank on the continent, but he had what many people consider to be the golden ticket of credentials: an MBA from Harvard Business School. There was just one problem: Hornby had no formal banking qualifications. 

Instead of focusing on sound, long-term business goals, Hornby pushed the bank to pursue riskier loans to maximize short-term profits,which led to a £213 billion gap between loans and expenses and resulted in a £20 billion taxpayer-funded bailout. It also helped accelerate the global financial crisis. 

But Hornby wasn’t alone. Of the four senior bankers that were questioned that day, none had formal banking qualifications. From their resumes, you could argue that these were “great men,” but they were also stunningly unqualified for the jobs they had assumed, and that’s part of a larger trend of valuing generalists over all else. 

PA: Is this problem confined to a specific time and place? Meaning, was this just a problem in finance in the early 2000s? 

AG: No, this general slide toward generalists like consults and business school grads has been happening for decades and in industries as disparate as Formula 1 racing to aeronautical engineering to education. Over and over again, the same pattern emerges: generalists underperform compared to experts from those fields. That might be more palatable if these middle managers were particularly competent, but they aren’t. As one study found, the longer that uninformed executives stayed in their roles, the less they deferred to experts and the less they were able to identify competence in others. 

PA: Moshik, in the book you have a chapter on FDR, someone who many would consider a “great man.” How was your read of him different from the traditional way? 

I wanted to write about FDR as someone who made a lot of compromises from within. He and his wife both came from elite families, but they understood that they had to have a connection with the people outside of their world. They called it noblesse oblige, the responsibility of privileged people to help those less fortunate. To prevent the U.S. from going down the path of Nazi Germany or fascist Italy, they had to keep the social fabric at a basic level. They had to make sure that people had freedom from want and freedom from fear. 

During the Great Depression, I consider FDR a warrior in the sense of not just fighting a war, which he also did, but in the sense of fighting the entrenched power that was determined to prevent him from protecting the well-being of the people. In that way, it’s not hard to understand why FDR’s staunchest enemies and fiercest haters were usually people from his own socioeconomic background, which really speaks to what a warrior he was — and also a bit of a rebel. 

Learn how the Backpack Explorer experience on Roblox came to be through a fun Q&A with project leader Kimberly Thompson Panay. 

Q: How did the Backpack Explorer experience on Roblox come about? 

KIMBERLY: The short answer: It was inspired by my twin daughters, Lydia and Zoe! 

The long answer: I joined Storey back in December of 2020 in the throes of the COVID pandemic. My daughters were just about six years old and, like most kids, were spending significantly more time on screens than ever before. Communal activities were canceled, and playgrounds were closed. I found myself looking for ideas to keep them active and outside. We immediately fell in love with the Backpack Explorer series. Taking long walks in the woods with Backpack Explorer scavenger hunt downloadables in hand! 

Fast forward two years, Hachette announced its inaugural Innovation Challenge aimed at tapping into the collective creativity of its global workforce. The competition offered folks across nearly 200 imprints an opportunity to think big about how our books could reach new audiences, with winners receiving funding to bring their ideas to life. 

Meanwhile, as the pandemic progressed, my kiddos (and millions and millions more!) became increasingly enthralled with technology, spending many hours each week on Roblox. I thought, what if I could meet them where they are on Roblox to build nature curiosity with the goal of getting them outside—and the idea was born! 

Q: What was the process to take this from idea, to a fully launched experience on Roblox? 

KIMBERLY: Once my initial pitch made it past the first round, my Storey Publishing colleagues Deanna Cook (Executive Editor, Children’s Books) and Jessica Armstrong (Senior Art Director), co-creators of the Backpack Explorer series, and Alethea Morrison, our Creative Director and resident brand building expert, joined me to refine the idea. We fine-tuned and then pitched the concept to Hachette's International Executive Committee in a Shark-Tank style setting—and the rest is history!  

Once we received word we had won, Anna Lemp, Senior Project Manager of the Hachette Group’s Innovation department, joined us, and together as a team, we worked to translate key concepts in the book—like nature identification and discovery using a magnifying glass and stickers for recording in-person sightings—into a game plan. We then researched and identified our development partner, Dubit, to help us bring the Roblox Experience to life! 

Q: How does the Backpack Explorer experience on Roblox bridge the nature literacy gap? 

KIMBERLY: For a myriad of reasons, kids are less likely to spend time outside exploring. I grew up on a farm in rural Virginia. I have many fond childhood memories of long summer days spent roaming the countryside, with the only caveat being that “I be home by dark.” Now, as a mother of two nine-year-olds living in Los Angeles, I can’t fathom giving my kids the freedom to explore that I once had. 

In the absence of unfettered access to the outdoors, the Backpack Explorer experience on Roblox helps bridge the nature literacy gap by employing a virtual on-the-trail scavenger hunt to spark nature curiosity in kids. There are three central game mechanics that come into play: earning points for recording nature finds in a virtual Explorer Book, collecting habitat patches to adorn an in-game backpack, and leveling up as they gain experience and nature knowledge through gameplay.  

Q: What will children learn about nature through the game? 

KIMBERLY: At its most basic level, kids are taught facts about animals and their habitats through a gamified learning experience. But there is much more to it than that! 

Kids start by navigating the trail to find animals, birds, and bugs, earning points as they go. A quick, fun fact accompanies each. This virtual seek-and-find gaming mechanic develops foundational nature observation skills. While searching for animals, kids explore six unique habitats in the game environment. If they get lost, they can follow directional signposts or reference a virtual map to get their bearing as they would in real life.  

Finding and recording all the animals in each habitat unlocks a corresponding backpack patch and develops an innate understanding of how in-real-life field guides, like the Backpack Explorer books, function. An immersive environmental soundscape accompanies gameplay—footsteps echo in the cave and splash in the water, and real-world sounds accompany each animal, further enhancing the experience and related learning outcomes. 

Q: How will the game encourage kids to get outdoors? 

KIMBERLY: Roblox is an inherently social platform. Kids meet up and hang out online in Roblox experiences, like a virtual playdate of sorts. I’ve experienced this firsthand watching my kids play together over the past few years—and personally, as we’ve play-tested the Backpack Explorer experience together during development.  

We’ve designed the game’s core loop to encourage these interactions, giving kids the opportunity to pool their knowledge of the Backpack Explorer experience and share their navigation skills to complete the scavenger hunt together. Getting kids talking and excited about nature is key to getting them outdoors.  

Parents can foster this excitement and extend the game experience to real life by printing a free downloadable scavenger hunt available on the Backpack Explorer Series page on the Hachette Book Group website. 

Additionally, parents can claim an in-real-life Backpack Explorer patch reward for their child (or themselves!), then grab their favorite Backpack Explorer book (available wherever books are sold), and use their newfound nature observation skills and knowledge to hit the trail for an IRL adventure. 

Q: Where can parents and educators find the Backpack Explorer books? 

KIMBERLY: Backpack Explorer books can be found on the Hachette Book Group website, at participating online retailers, and wherever books are sold.