Concrete Dreamland, Patrick Dougher’s searing memoir about growing up in NYC in the ’70s and ’80s, is a winner of the 2025-2026 New York City Book Award, presented by the New York Society Library. This award, which annually honors a small selection of esteemed titles, is given to books “of literary quality or historical importance that…evoke the spirit or enhance appreciation of New York City.” To learn more about the award and to see this year’s and past winners, visit the New York Society Library’s website. To purchase your copy of Concrete Dreamland, visit a bookstore near you!

Seven Million Steps was featured on The View as part of a segment honoring the extraordinary life of activist and comedian Dick Gregory. This breathtaking picture book, written by National Book Award finalist Derrick Barnes with Gregory’s son Christian Gregory, and illustrated by Coretta Scott King Award-winner Frank Morrison, tells the story of Dick Gregory’s 3,000-mile run to raise awareness for the plight of the hungry. The View‘s audience members all received copies of the book; to find your own, make a visit to your local bookstore.

Congratulations to author and superstar film producer Will Packer on winning a NAACP Image Award for his book Who Better Than You?: The Art of Healthy Arrogance and Dreaming Big! In this New York Times– and USA Today-bestselling self-help guide, Packer harnesses his trademark humor and candor to share his tips for achieving your goals, no matter how lofty.