by Elyse Draper

For years, our iPub Picks shelf has celebrated the stories that move us, challenge us, and reflect the diverse world in which we live. Now, we’re bringing that tradition online with a new blog series written by our very own team members. Each week, one staffer will share three books—one children’s, one nonfiction, and one fiction—that embody iPub’s mission to amplify underrepresented voices and celebrate powerful storytelling.

We invite you to follow along, discover something new, and maybe even find your next favorite read!

This week’s iPub Picks are provided by Elyse Draper, iPub’s Marketing Director.

A native of Colorado, Elyse Draper is an accomplished author, editor, and creative visionary whose evocative storytelling bridges the emotional and the intellectual. Her work—spanning dark fiction, poetry, and nonfiction—has earned acclaim for its lyrical style, insight, and emotional resonance. Despite losing much of her eyesight over a decade ago, Elyse continues to “paint with words,” crafting vivid, compassionate narratives that explore the beauty and complexity of the human experience. Grab a copy of Elyse’s book, FreeWill, through iPub today!

Beyond her role at iPub, Elyse champions accessibility and creativity as the founder of the V.I.&B. Creatives Workshop, supporting blind and low-vision artists and writers in sharing their voices with the world.

Children’s Book: The Sign of the Seahorse by Graeme Base

The Sign of the Seahorse: A Tale of Greed and High Adventure in Two Acts by Graeme Base. This jaunty romantic mystery, where a trout falls in love with a soldier crab, is a delight for the imagination and a feast for the eyes. I highly recommend taking a look at this book; Graeme Base’s illustrations are some of the best I have ever seen. 

Nonfiction: When Rabbit Howls by Truddi Chase

When Rabbit Howls by Truddi Chase. Truddi Chase began therapy to discover why she suffered from blackouts. What surfaced was terrifying: she was inhabited by ‘the Troops’-92 individual personalities. This deep dive into mental health explores what savages us, and how we find a peace that speaks with unapologetic truth. 

Fiction: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. Hands down, my favorite author. Do you ever wonder what it would be like to walk in someone else’s shoes? Octavia E. Butler writes with a branding iron, an indelible stamp on your mind, imagination, and soul that changes how you perceive the world and the people around you. She writes with a form of empathy that is delivered with a baseball bat.