The 2025 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition, held from June 26–30 in Philadelphia, was a powerful, high-energy gathering of over 14,000 librarians, educators, authors, and exhibitors from around the world. Taking place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the event pulsed with a sense of urgency and purpose. At its heart were timely conversations about intellectual freedom, democracy, and the evolving role of libraries in society, topics that felt especially resonant in the current political climate.
At the conference, ARPress made a memorable impression on attendees with a vibrant and inviting booth that celebrated the power of storytelling. Nestled among hundreds of publishers, their exhibit stood out for its emphasis on bestselling titles and authentic, diverse voices. Visitors were drawn to ARPress’ carefully curated collection, which spanned memoirs, self-help, children’s literature, and thought-provoking nonfiction. What truly brought the exhibit to life were the personal connections, librarians, educators, and book lovers engaged in meaningful conversations with ARPress representatives.
Among the most talked-about titles were inspirational memoirs that offered hope and perspective, empowering self-help books that resonated with both personal and professional audiences, and heartwarming stories that emphasized kindness, resilience, and diversity. Each of these reflected ARPress’ mission to publish meaningful stories that matter, books that stay with readers long after the final page.
The energy at ALA 2025 was unmistakable. From panels on intellectual freedom to networking across the bustling exhibition floor, the conference offered a platform for publishers like ARPress to connect directly with those who bring books into communities: librarians. For ARPress, the highlight wasn’t just showcasing bestselling books, it was building lasting relationships with the people who champion them in schools, libraries, and bookstores nationwide.
Amid the innovation, the emotional core of the conference remained clear: librarians are not just keepers of books, they’re frontline defenders of access, free speech, and community well-being. Whether through panels on book bans, hands-on zine workshops, or impromptu hallway conversations, the spirit of collaboration and resilience was ever-present.
From the cheesesteak-fueled streets of Philadelphia to the packed session rooms, ALA 2025 was more than a conference, it was a reaffirmation of why libraries matter. And with the 150th anniversary celebration already on the horizon for 2026 in Chicago, the momentum is only growing.
Looking ahead, ARPress is building on the momentum from Philadelphia and is set to appear at several other international book fairs throughout 2025. With an expanding catalog and a deepening connection to its readers, ARPress continues to bring powerful stories into the hands of those who need them most. ALA 2025 was more than just an exhibit, it was a celebration of books, voices, and the shared love of reading.
God Shall Wipe Away All Tears: A Mother’s Journal of Caregiving, Tragedy, and Hope by Colleen Curzon Openshaw is a deeply personal and emotionally honest memoir that recounts the author’s journey through motherhood, loss, and faith. Colleen, a woman of remarkable resilience, opens her heart and her journals to share more than thirty years of caregiving, grief, and spiritual searching.
A mother of nine children, three of whom, Jonathan, Michael, and Seth, suffered and eventually died from a rare genetic disorder called hyper-IgM syndrome, Colleen writes from the perspective of someone who has witnessed profound suffering while holding tightly to her belief in God’s plan. The book is written in a journal-style format, giving readers an intimate, day-by-day view of her life as she manages hospital visits, caregiving for children with terminal conditions, and ultimately, their deaths. Yet, it’s not just a chronicle of loss, it is equally a testament to enduring love, small moments of joy, and spiritual growth that occurred even in the darkest times.
Raised in Salt Lake City and educated at Brigham Young University, Colleen later earned a master’s degree in special education. Alongside her first husband Mike, she faced challenges that would shake any family: not only the medical crises with their children, but also the loss of their first baby to pneumonia and eventually Mike’s death from cancer. Her faith, rooted in the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave her strength, as did her commitment to education, service, and later, remarriage. The book also reflects her broader life story, balancing family, grief, education, and personal spiritual seeking. It includes not only heartbreaking accounts of medical trials and emotional turmoil, but also uplifting moments, including what she describes as messages of comfort from beyond the grave.
More than just a memoir, God Shall Wipe Away All Tears speaks directly to caregivers, mothers, and anyone facing long-term grief or overwhelming circumstances. While grounded in the author’s Mormon faith, the emotional truths it explores, endurance, love, loss, and hope, are universal. What makes the book especially powerful is its unfiltered vulnerability: Colleen does not pretend to have easy answers, but she offers her lived experience as a source of empathy and encouragement. Her story reminds readers that while sorrow may endure, it can coexist with spiritual peace, and that even through many tears, one can still find grace.
Jackie Mulcock
I have read and love this book. Your review represents beautifully it’s message. It is a book that you cannot put down. It is truly unbelievable that a Mother of 9 children could have her challenges and still end up with the faith, love and wisdom that she exemplifies. She is a mentor and a hero to me–her sister.