Inspiring, empowering, and heartwarming reads that captured hearts at The BookFest Fall 2024—and lit up Times Square.
Looking for your next unforgettable read? Look no further than this fabulous lineup of must-read titles that stole the spotlight at The BookFest Fall 2024—yes, these books are officially award-winners! From page-turning thrillers to heartfelt memoirs and soul-stirring stories, these selections aren’t just critically acclaimed—they were also featured in the bright lights of Times Square, sharing the stage with the biggest names in publishing. If you’re ready to fill your bookshelf (and your heart) with something special, these books are calling your name.
8 Essential Steps to Inspire Others & Build a Thriving Workforce by Tenia Davis, Ph.D.
At its core, 8 Essential Steps to Inspire Others explores how servant leadership fosters collaboration without compromising individual values or freedoms. This practical guide emphasizes the importance of helping people grow through shared experiences and supportive leadership. When leaders embody servant leadership principles, they cultivate a workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and engaged. The book outlines key strategies for selecting strong leaders, offering continuous development, and nurturing a service-first mindset. By shifting away from traditional hierarchies, it shows how organizations can thrive through empathy, trust, and purpose-driven leadership.
A Lesson a Day: A Child’s Way by Cheryl Williams
A delightful children’s book that imparts valuable everyday lessons through the adventures of colorful animals and inanimate objects, appealing to children’s imagination and playfulness. Each story is written in the format of a fable, offering a fun way to empower children with knowledge and problem-solving skills.
Learning to Love (Not Loathe) Me by Dr. Elizabeth Fulgaro
Are you haunted by thoughts that you’re not good enough, that you’ll never measure up, or that something is wrong with you? I’ve been there, too—trapped in a cycle of self-hate, shame, and silent suffering. For years, I believed those thoughts were the truth, not realizing they were the result of how I’d been treated, not who I really was. Learning to Love (Not Loathe) Me is my story of breaking free from those lies and reclaiming my worth. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not enough, this book is for you—because you are.
Escaping the Career Trap by Tammy Alvarez
A rallying cry for anyone stuck in a soul-draining career funk. If dreading Mondays has become your norm and you’re wondering how you ended up in a job that no longer excites you, you’re not alone—and it’s not too late to change course. Tammy guides readers through a no-fluff path to reignite their ambition and take control of their professional lives. You don’t need to be a genius or have superhero stamina to make it happen—just the willingness to say “hell no” to the status quo. This is your blueprint for turning burnout into breakthrough and rediscovering a career you love.
Grace and the Golden Rule by Negrita Smart
A children’s story that highlights the joy of putting others’ needs ahead of one’s own, reinforcing positive behavior in a relatable way for young readers. Grace learns a valuable lesson about how to treat other people, emphasizing the importance of empathy and kindness.
Craisie: Misadventures Around the World by Craisie Daze
A book about a young woman’s troubled childhood, and her determination to graduate from college and to travel the world. Follow her adventures around the world where she learns about new cultures, meets interesting people, and sometimes gets into sticky misadventures.
Under the Golden Rain Tree by Eileen Hobbs
Under the Golden Rain Tree tells the touching story of Lily, a ten-year-old girl from a village in Northern Thailand who is often bullied because of her disabled hand. While seeking shelter from a monsoon, she stumbles upon a sacred white elephant named Rambu beneath a golden rain tree. Their secret friendship gives Lily newfound confidence and joy—but it’s a friendship she must keep hidden, as white elephants belong to the king. When rumors spread and the authorities arrive to claim Rambu, Lily must summon extraordinary courage. With the help of a blind mahout and her English friend Sandra, she fights to protect her beloved companion from being taken away.
The Poop Factory by Lori Patterson
An entertaining children’s picture book that takes readers on a journey to discover what happens when poop gets stuck in our bodies, promoting healthy eating habits. With simple, easy-to-follow words and descriptions, the author educates children on the importance of digestion and health in a fun and engaging way.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road: Unveiling America’s Financial System by Don Kilam reinterprets The Wizard of Oz as an eye-opening allegory for the hidden mechanisms behind America’s economic system. In this symbolic journey, the Straw Man represents the legal fiction tied to our birth certificates, shaping our identity in ways we rarely understand. The Tin Man, driven by his Taxpayer Identification Number, becomes a metaphor for the soulless grind of labor in a system that demands everything but gives little in return. The Cowardly Lion, full of bluster but lacking real courage, reflects the fragile illusion of power and status in society. Kilam invites readers to peel back the curtain and see the financial world for what it truly is—structured, symbolic, and often unsettling.
Where Are You, Alfie? by Mary Jean DeSantis
A true story about a little dog who escapes from a doggie daycare, highlighting the power of community and perseverance in reuniting lost pets with their families. Alfie’s family reaches out to the community for help, and their collective efforts lead to a heartwarming reunion.
A Woman of Substance by Rosalinda Rosales Morgan
A Woman of Substance follows Maxima, a determined mother in 1928 Manila who is widowed at 35 and left to raise nine children on her own. With no money and no one to rely on, she draws on fierce inner strength to keep her family together. Refusing to accept defeat, Maxima rises to become a successful entrepreneur in a world dominated by men. Her journey is one of unshakable love, faith, and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. This is the inspiring true story of a woman far ahead of her time—bold, ambitious, and unforgettable.
Tap Dancing on Everest by Mimi Zieman
Tap Dancing on Everest is a powerful coming-of-age memoir and survival story that follows a young medical student as she serves as the only woman—and doctor—on a daring Everest expedition in Tibet. Attempting a new route without oxygen, Sherpa support, or the possibility of rescue, the team faces unimaginable risks. When three climbers go missing, Zieman must push past self-doubt and physical limits to fight for their survival. Interwoven with reflections on her upbringing as the daughter of immigrants in New York City, her story reveals a deep love for nature and a growing sense of courage. This is a vivid, emotional journey of one woman who defies expectations to discover her strength in the most extreme of environments.
Night of the Hawk by Lauren Martin
Night of the Hawk is a bold and deeply personal poetry collection by Lauren Martin that gives voice to the marginalized, the ill, the disabled, and the spiritually misunderstood. Drawing from her own lived experiences—including chronic illness and devotion to the Ifá religion—Martin writes with unflinching honesty about love, loss, aging, misogyny, and isolation. Her poems span continents and themes, from the wounded planet to the quiet resilience of those living on society’s edges. Yet this is not a book of despair—it pulses with power, reverence, humor, and defiance. With lyrical depth and emotional clarity, Night of the Hawk invites readers into a world that urges compassion, connection, and the courage to question.
The Silver Cowgirls tells the story of Presley, Rachel, Wheezy, and Gigi—four women in midlife grappling with betrayal, illness, loss, and reinvention. Feeling powerless and adrift, they reunite after decades apart, rekindling a bond through their shared love of horses. Determined to recapture the spirit of their twenties, they embark on a journey to chase the long-lost Silver Spur championship. With the help of reclusive former trainer Gertrude Steele, the women must confront their pasts and the doubts that still haunt them. This is a heartwarming story of friendship, resilience, and the healing power of second chances.
In Falling Star: The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart, sixteen-year-old pop icon Dani awakens at the scene of a car crash just moments before a major performance—her world shattered and a life lost. Her manager’s split-second decision in the aftermath sets off a cascade of events that spirals into scandal. As public scrutiny mounts, Dani faces an impossible choice: tell the truth and risk losing everything, or protect her fame by sacrificing the people who helped build it. The pressure of stardom, loyalty, and accountability collide in this gripping tale of ambition and consequence. It’s a raw and riveting look behind the curtain of fame—and the cost of keeping it.
