During the summer months, we find most students wanting to rest and recoup from a long year of study. ‘Summer reads’ are often lighthearted, relaxing books that take you away from the day-to-day. While we appreciate and love that style, this year we want to challenge you. For our June book club, we have selected Diana West’s American Betrayal: The Secret Assault on Our Nation’s Character.

As the month of May opens, we find many young women in our circle graduating, moving for internships, or starting a summer job. These days are often full of new challenges and experiences. It can be hard to find your footing in these new life roles. To help engage and encourage during this process, we have chosen Senator Joni Ernst’s book, Daughter of the Heartland: My Ode to the Country That Raised Me, as our May book club choice.

A strange trend in media today is teeing up a surprising opportunity for independent authors and publishers.