It is mindboggling that a relatively harmless social network in L.A. called the Mara Salvatrucha Stoners–bound by rock ‘n’ roll and born simply out of a survival instinct by El Salvadorean immigrants who fled violence in their native country–would become the street gang known as MS-13. But this definitive account is not a mere historical rundown of the gang’s roots–it is also the story of a former MS-13 member and (read more…)

We are delighted that environmental journalist Craig Pittman’s Cat Tale [Hanover Square Press, 1/21/20]–an in-house favorite, and an absolute heartwarmer–has earned its first star! Don’t miss the wild, weird, and wonderful true story of the resurrection of the Florida panther, set against the beloved, wacky Sunshine State. Not a nonfiction fan? No worries, we still recommend it, and so does Booklist: “ [A] delightful blend of scientific writing and good (read more…)

What do the first African American military pilot, a self-taught jazz musician, a Paris nightclub impresario, a friend of Picasso and Josephine Baker, a spy in the French Resistance, a colleague of Louis Armstrong, and an American civil rights pioneer have in common? They’re all one real-life man. [And that’s just scratching the surface.] Eugene “Gene” Bullard is the fascinating figure celebrated in All Blood Runs Red [Nov. 5, Hanover (read more…)

Readers can’t get enough of Mallory O’Meara’s The Lady from the Black Lagoon [Hanover Square Press]. The titular “Lady” is film trailblazer Milicent Patrick, whose classic Hollywood monster work was credited to a man. And now #HooplaBookClub invites you to be a part of the discussion!  Simply borrow the title on Hoopla in ebook or audiobook format, and gear up to start the conversation here! (PS. An extra treat for all (read more…)

They are just a few of the ragtag group of women from South Korea, Canada, and the U.S. recruited to form South Korea’s women’s Olympic ice hockey team last year. Add to that a blond haired, blue-eyed coach arriving with baggage of her own and something to prove, and you’ve got the ingredients of the great underdog story A Team of Their Own [Hanover Square Press, Oct. 1] by Seth (read more…)