by Carolyn Wooddall

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 Carolyn Wooddall, iPub’s Social Media Director.

Carolyn Wooddall is a lifelong believer in the magic of storytelling. A writer and advocate, she studied English and French in college and studied abroad in England and Scotland, fueling her passion for language and travel.

In 2023, Carolyn and her husband founded Hard Luck Animal Welfare Advocates, a nonprofit that provides medical care for shelter animals in need. Her debut picture book, A Shelter Is…A Dog’s Journey from Shelter to Home was inspired by her work at a shelter and celebrates hope, healing, and second chances.

She lives in Sacramento with her family, four rescue dogs, an ancient cockatiel, and a lively fish tank. Learn more at animalallybooks.com.

Children’s book: You Belong Here by M. H. Clark

You Belong Here by M. H. Clark is a perfect example of the beautiful partnership between an author (M. H. Clark) and illustrator (Isabelle Asenault). I read A LOT of picture books (I have a 7-year old daughter who loves them just as much as I do!), and You Belong Here is one of those rare picture books that feels like a lullaby wrapped in pages. From the opening line—“The stars belong in the deep night sky…”—the prose flows with a lyrical, soothing rhythm that makes it perfect for bedtime snuggles.

Isabelle Arsenault’s illustrations are beautifully moving, capturing animals in their natural worlds with such tenderness that each spread feels like a quiet moment of wonder. The pairing of text and art is almost poetic; they dance together in a way that feels both timeless and deeply comforting.

Whether for a new baby, an adoptive family, or any child who needs to hear that they are exactly where they belong, this book is a treasure.

Fiction: The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown completely swept me away. It’s one of those rare stories that feels wholly original—fresh, magical, and gripping from the very first page. I found myself perched on the edge of my seat, devouring chapters just to see what wonder (or danger!) waited on the other side of the next chapter. This is Brown’s debut novel, so I’m excited to see what else he writes in the coming years!

As a reader who adores contemporary fantasy with heart—think The Midnight Library, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, or The Night Circus—this book hit all the right notes for me. Magic, mystery, a dash of romance, and just the right amount of darkness. This is a story about possibility, courage, and the unexpected possibilities that life opens when we dare to follow wonder. I adored it—and if you love stories that blend the magical with the deeply emotional, I think you will too.

Nonfiction: Born Standing Up by Steve Martin

While I don’t read nearly as much nonfiction as I do fiction, Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin is one of my all-time favorite nonfiction reads. I first came to know Steve Martin as a writer through his book Shop Girl and then his brilliant play Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and I quickly found that I loved Steve Martin the writer even more than Steve Martin the actor/comedian (and for those of you who aren’t aware, he’s also a world-class banjo player…so, a man of many, MANY talents!)

Born Standing Up is so much more than a memoir—it’s an intimate, unexpectedly tender look at the making of an artist. Steve Martin writes about his early years in comedy with a blend of humility, sharp wit, and surprising vulnerability. I loved the way he peeled back the curtain on his creative process, showing how years of relentless practice, experimentation, and quiet determination shaped the artist we know today.

What struck me most was the honesty: the loneliness behind the spotlight, the discipline behind the jokes, and the quiet, reflective tone that carries the book from start to finish. It’s thoughtful, funny, and genuinely moving—a meditation on craft, family, and the long, winding road toward finding your voice. A truly wonderful read for anyone who appreciates creativity, perseverance, and the stories behind the artists who make us laugh and feel deeply.