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Able Greenspan's Bookshelf
Fatal Abstraction: Why the Managerial Class Loses Control of Software
Darryl Campbell
W. W. Norton & Company
www.wwnorton.com
9781324078951, $29.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Abstraction-Managerial-Control-Software/dp/1324078952
Synopsis: Software was supposed to radically improve society. Outdated mechanical systems would be easily replaced; programs like PowerPoint would make information flow more freely; social media platforms like Facebook would bring people together; and generative AI would solve the world's greatest ills. Yet in practice, few of the systems we looked to with such high hopes have lived up to their fundamental mandate. In fact, in too many cases they've made things worse, exposing us to immense risk at the societal and the individual levels. How did we get to this point?
With the publication of "Fatal Abstraction: Why the Managerial Class Loses Control of Software", Darryl Campbell shows that the problem is "managerial software": programs created and overseen not by engineers but by professional managers with only the most superficial knowledge of technology itself.
The managerial ethos dominates the modern tech industry, from its globe-spanning giants all the way down to its trendy startups. It demands that corporate leaders should be specialists in business rather than experts in their company's field; that they manage their companies exclusively through the abstractions of finance; and that profit margins must take priority over developing a quality product that is safe for the consumer and beneficial for society.
These corporations rush the development process and package cheap, unproven, potentially dangerous software inside sleek and shiny new devices. As Campbell demonstrates, the problem with software is distinct from that of other consumer products, because of how quickly it can scale to the dimensions of the world itself, and because its inner workings resist the efforts of many professional managers to understand it with their limited technical background.
A former tech worker himself, Campbell shows how managerial software fails, and when it does what sorts of disastrous consequences ensue, from the Boeing 737 MAX crashes to a deadly self-driving car to PowerPoint propaganda, and beyond. Yet just because the tech industry is currently breaking its core promise does not mean the industry cannot change, or that the risks posed by managerial software should necessarily persist into the future.
Campbell argues that the solution is tech workers with actual expertise establishing industry-wide principles of ethics and safety that corporations would be forced to follow. Fatal Abstraction is a stirring rebuke of the tech industry's current managerial excesses, and also a hopeful glimpse of what a world shaped by good software can offer.
Critique: Of immense interest to readers with concerns about ever advancing and evolving computer technology and software development (now including AI) on the American business community (as well as upon government and popular culture), "Fatal Abstraction: Why the Managerial Class Loses Control of Software" by Darryl Campbell is a seminal and ground-breaking study, one that is an essential and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Technology & Business collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that his hardcover edition of "Fatal Abstraction: Why the Managerial Class Loses Control of Software" from W.W. Norton is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Darryl Campbell has worked at Amazon, Uber, Expedia, and Tinder, among other companies. His writing has appeared in The Verge, Vulture, and GQ. He lives in Dallas, Texas.
Able Greenspan
Reviewer
Diane Donovan's Bookshelf
52 Weeks a Party of One
Bianca Pensy Aba
Independently Published
9798991689700, $15.99 Paperback/$4.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Weeks-Party-One-Bianca-Pensy-ebook/dp/B0DJTDQ6Z7
In the opening chapter of 52 Weeks a Party of One, Aisha has just discovered that her best friend and her boyfriend are in a relationship. Usually she's known for a wicked tongue and biting candor, but this time she flees to a new state in search of peace and contemplative aloneness. What she finds there fuels a thought-provoking, memorable story of identify and growth that women will find powerful.
Readers might think that the events that follow her move will lead to ongoing growth - but, no. That would force Aisha to think too hard about not just her friendships and love, but family influences on her choices. Part of her desire to vanish is to also disappear from her life's patterns and previous influences. Thus she engages in distractions (nee: building a new life) on a mission to put the past behind her.
The problem is that the past is never far away, so Aisha's personal mandate to recreate herself falls short of the promise that distance introduced, and she finds herself falling back into too-familiar routines.
Of special note about this story is the time taken to describe the impact of being alone instead of connected to circles of friends or family:
Aisha was often in the corner of the room, looking at the different crowds and observing the changing dynamics. Sometimes, she stayed in the restaurant so long that the coffees became mimosas, then wine or liquor. She had learned to bring her laptop to give the appearance that she was working on something very important. The electronic device lessened the number of sympathetic looks typically thrown her way. If she was busy working on something, it apparently justified her being alone.
Bianca Pensy Aba's foray into one woman's identity crisis imparts more than new discoveries. It also covers how Aisha learns to be truly alone, landing at ground zero so she can grow again - albeit in a different direction.
Pensy Aba generously describes Aisha's entire process, whether it involves vivid new experiences or quiet desperation:
By the time she went to bed, thoughts were just a breeze. They came and went, gently caressing her with no real impact, and only leaving a faint trace of what they once were on their way to wherever they landed. And all Aisha did was smile because, at that moment, she couldn't see clearly and think straight. The fog was everywhere. And sometimes, the best thing to do when everything was blurry was to close your eyes.
The result is a novel that is especially highly recommended for women's reading groups and book clubs interested in contrasting a newly single life's ebb and flow with the process by which one young woman reinvents herself.
Libraries will find 52 Weeks a Party of One of broad interest to audiences attracted to novels of not just self-growth, but self-reliance.
Nana's Heartwarming Tales: Mighty Ripples
Vicki Johnpeer with Cory
CP Press
www.nanastales.com
9798990062573, $13.99 Paperback/$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Ripples-Childrens-Perseverance-Heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0F2Q4HN5G
Nana's Heartwarming Tales: Mighty Ripples adds to the two prior books in the series with more stories that emphasize themes of perseverance, adaptation, and, especially, cognizance of one's personal impact on the world.
The stories expand upon previous lessons, delving into topics of truthfulness, helping others, and hard work and positivity. Each tale presents another facet of understanding that adults and kids can use to open and promote dialogues about personal accountability and cooperative choices.
Vicki Johnpeer's engaging drawings illustrate stories equally attractive for their intriguing titles and adventures, where the basic theme of events is outlined before the tale even begins. One example is 'Baby Spiders,' which features insights about trust:
Friends trust. To trust is to feel secure that the people and situations you are in are safe, honest, and true.
The story evolves connections between children, nature, and the difference between observation and action as it reveals the children's efforts to spy on spider webs to learn more spider facts, only to field a dilemma that arises from looking too closely. How the Pals help one another and learn about trust pairs adventure with key life lessons that adults will be eager to pass on to young listeners.
Like others in the Nana's Heartwarming Tales series, Mighty Ripples offers many opportunities for interactive dialogue through its growth-oriented examples.
This is why Mighty Ripples is especially and very highly recommended. It also will attract elementary-libraries seeking educational opportunities woven into adventures that pair natural history facts with better understanding of human/wildlife connections and the qualities which lend to better thinking and reactions to life.
Pigeon Falls
Jeff Elzinga
Waters Edge Press
Watersedgepress.com
9781952526213, $24.00 Paper/$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Pigeon-Falls-Jeff-Elzinga/dp/1952526213
Pigeon Falls is a thought-provoking novel about surveyor Tom Bishop and his fellow wind turbine builders, who travel around the country installing turbines. Their final project of the season, in Wisconsin, should be as seamless as the rest - but becomes a whirlwind of challenge and controversy that pulls apart the well-oiled, experienced team in unexpected ways.
The story opens with the vivid first-person observation of the Wisconsin area called Driftless, where small family farmers struggle to survive the competition of mega-farms. Many places are for sale or in foreclosure.
Jeff Elzinga takes the time to create an atmospheric sense of place that Wisconsin residents will recognize, and those unfamiliar with the Midwest will find thoroughly immersive:
Birds travel with fewer burdens than we do. They envision no vast intentional design upon the earth. They don't worry over the future of small farms or wonder who will repair the ancient barns crying out to be saved. Birds assign no greater purpose to life than to live for the day. And a bird's eye view, high above the countryside, recognizes neither symmetry nor disorder below, only random geometrical shapes reveled in myriad colors... which in Wisconsin in late fall, with farm fields at rest and forests in full autumn splendor, always spark red and gold.
This sets the stage for the evolution of confrontations that emerge from new workday schedules as the season changes. Also vivid are observations of countryside and cautions that arise from navigating its unpredictability and the emergence of a dangerous relationship involving a married woman whose presence introduces new challenges to the formerly-tight team.
Themes range from family problems and loyalty to bosses, economic woes, and unexpected personal and social discoveries. Throughout Pigeon Falls, the first-person narrator's work is exquisitely described in detail to link the smallest of work endeavors to bigger-picture thinking about life and personal impact:
On my section of the dome, my flat tool continues into the night, coaxing roughness out of the moist concrete, the sharp metal edge shaping and re-shaping the flawed surface that's around me. In order to work the dome to a perfect shine, my labor becomes so meticulous that I'm also starting to believe the very future of everything that's yet to come in Pigeon Falls might largely depend on whatever imperfections my weak hand can remove.
Rural Wisconsin comes alive and reaches out to involve readers in its past, present, and possible futures.
All these elements create a story that libraries will find an excellent survey of changing times, jobs, morals and values, and interpersonal relationships.
Pigeon Falls will be easy to recommend to a wide audience, from book clubs seeking debate material about rural transformation to readers seeking evocative reflections set in the Midwest that come steeped with not just personal insight, but broader considerations of change.
More than ever before, I realize how fate enjoys irony.
Also more than ever, a story like Pigeon Falls will reach out to grab and shake readers who might have expected a laid-back, staid account, but will appreciate the thoroughly engrossing descriptions of events which impact narrator, environment, and crew alike.
Don't tell me about tomorrow or next year, I'm thinking. I don't want to hear it. Don't tell me if I'm early or late. It's meaningless now. If I'm going to be connected to anything, it's only to this moment, to right now.
Expect the unexpected, then go with the flow of self-discovery. It's a heady, enlightening, joyful ride through purpose, love, and facing life's biggest obstacles.
365 Quotes on Writing That Will Make You A Better Writer
Jerry Payne
https://sowhoisgodanyway.com
Five Boroughs Media and Publishing LLC
www.FiveBoroughsBooks.com
9798989474936, $TBA
There are plenty of writer advice guides on the market covering all kinds of "how-tos," from how to write fiction or nonfiction to how to fine-tune work. Jerry Pane has produced a winningly different work in 365 Quotes on Writing That Will Make You A Better Writer, which self-proclaims its prowess in offering "some of the best writing advice you'll ever receive."
Its quotes cover all aspects of writing, from inspirational wellsprings and a writer's psychological traits to issues surrounding the urge to write (or not), the business of writing, and more.
Another plus is that these quotes come from fellow writers who cover all kinds of topics, including such notable thinkers as Hemingway, Stein, Bradbury, and Didion.
Accessibility is important to Payne and is the key to why this book is organized in a daily inspirational format. Where fellow writer's guides tend to suffer from too much information that becomes a challenge to digest, 365 Quotes on Writing That Will Make You A Better Writer admonishes readers to take the time to reflect on one quote a day, digest it, read Payne's own take about the quote's underlying message or impact, then write about what the quote means (space is provided for this in the physical book. If reading an e-format, Payne encourages opening Word or using a spiral notebook to record such reflections).
This technique creates an immediacy and interactive attraction that goes well beyond the usual daily inspirational collection, connecting words of writing wisdom to the process of writing about them, in return. This encourages output and creativity to further enhance a writer's self-taught progression.
Libraries that choose 365 Quotes on Writing That Will Make You A Better Writer will find this invitation to follow up via writing in the book might be too inviting for book circulation - but obtaining an ebook version will preserve the inviting blank pages without encouraging patrons to put pen to lending copy.
Readers that select 365 Quotes on Writing That Will Make You A Better Writer will want to take advantage of the space provided to reinforce the crux of Payne's creation, which centers on learning new techniques and incorporating them into one's own creative process.
After all, as Margaret Atwood is quoted:
A writer must leave room for the reader to bring themselves into the story.
Payne's take:
Another admonition to stop beating things so hard. You'll never get a reader engaged by doing all the work for them.
Inspiring, succinct, hard-hitting, and infinitely applicable to the writer's creative soul ... there's much to love about the accessibility and invitations packed into 365 Quotes on Writing That Will Make You A Better Writer.
Whiskey Rebel
Jeffrey Dunn
Izzard Ink Publishing
www.izzardink.com
9781642281026, $17.95 Paperback/$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Whiskey-Rebel-Jeffrey-Dunn/dp/1642281026
American history and culture, veteran affairs, and literary flare combine in Whiskey Rebel, a novel set in Washington's high desert. The tale revolves around two drifters who join forces to both question American principles and produce tax-free whiskey as a forefather did, which they call Westcoulatum Good Goddamned 1794 Freedom Whiskey.
The recipe portends to be a formula for success - but what emerges from their effort are underlying beliefs, values, and concepts of liberty that reinforce ideals of freedom in unexpected ways.
Jeffrey Dunn's introductory explanation demonstrates some of the rich language to be found in Whiskey Rebel:
As for folks like me - ones who've grown up under blankets of Cascadian dank shade - coffee wakes us up, and alcohol puts us to sleep. Some say heroin also does the trick. I wouldn't know about that, though I've heard tell. What I can say is that I've seen enough to keep me from looking down the barrel of a needle. I've learned not to judge.
The review of early American history and the efforts of character Whiskey Chance, "...who cooked up and distilled the American Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, the first attempt to set America straight," dovetails neatly with present-day events. The a first-person reflective tone provides a succinct review of how narrator Punxie Tawney meets fellow drifter Hamilton Chance while panning for gold.
Reflections on bygone military years and the personal loneliness of a veteran set adrift back home bring to life not just wellsprings of personal inspiration, but the social, cultural, and Army experience which drive Punxie in an unexpected direction.
At all levels of the story, a gritty voice and candid reflections of past and present are juxtaposed with the atmosphere of high desert Washington. This creates a thoroughly compelling read that will touch readers on ethereal and realistic levels as Punxie participates in an endeavor that reawakens his connections to life, prompting new purposes and perspectives.
Dunn expands the playing field by injecting other personalities and quirky circumstances to create a vivid dance of discovery.
Important social reflection comes into play as the two characters evolve. This will provide particularly thought-provoking discussion material for book clubs and reading groups interested in American culture, history, and values:
"I don't know about the tax-free part, Hamilton, but I do like your whiskey business idea. Free enterprise beats slave enterprise any day, and I don't like how the John Nevilles always seem to rig the game against the Bobbi Lees. My dad said he never worked for the big timber companies because he didn't like making money for someone he couldn't look in the eye and have a shot and a beer with."
"Don't like free state, huh?"
"Not as much as whiskey business. Personally, I'd like to forget the idea of states altogether. My experience with states is entirely from the bottom. But like I said, the last time almost got me killed."
Libraries that choose Whiskey Rebel for its promise of vibrant social, psychological, and historical development will find the novel more than a cut above other historical fiction. It's highly recommendable to patrons interested in tales that take the time to build psychological and social dilemmas that are completely absorbing.
Readers will welcome Jeffrey Dunn's literary prowess in unfolding an endeavor that embraces shifting ideals of American enterprise and notions of success.
Steeped in dialogues and characters that forcefully turn their lives from anticipated trajectories, Whiskey Rebel is quite simply a delightful, highly recommended read.
The Legend of Mitch "Blood" Green and Other Boxing Essays
Charles Farrell
Hamilcar Publications
https://hamilcarpubs.com
9781949590814, $34.99 Hardcover/$21.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Mitch-Blood-Boxing-Essays/dp/194959081X
The Legend of Mitch "Blood" Green and Other Boxing Essays explores boxing legend/gang member Mitch "Blood" Green and how his achievement of four New York Golden Gloves heavyweight titles in the course of his career was quashed by his involvement in gang activities.
Rather than adopting a distancing third person usage, as one might expect, one of the strengths of this collection is the author's employment of the first person. This injects important observations, beliefs, thoughts, and assessments into his investigations of boxing "greats" and their behind-the-scenes stories:
Green's penchant for mayhem, for recreational drugs, for driving mishaps, as well as his unpredictability kept him popping up in the news, but torpedoed his boxing career... With fading options, he got pressured and hoodwinked into a bad deal to fight Mike Tyson, went to the ring unprepared and unmotivated, and lost a listless decision at Madison Square Garden. Not long afterward, Mitch returned to the tabloids as the result of a late-night street fight with Tyson at an after-hours boutique in Harlem called Dapper Dan's.
Then he disappeared from boxing.
Until I found him.
Readers who anticipate the collection will be a series of boxing world encounters may be surprised to find, juxtaposed with these encounters, such figures as Donald Trump. This, too, is presented in an unexpected manner to delight readers interested in surprise revelations:
Earlier in the evening, I'd been with that fighter and his trainer in a small room beneath the Convention Center. We'd have business upstairs in a little while.
Just past the perimeter of light, three figures huddled. They were conferring, hunched in an odd way that accentuated their collective bulk. These were overpadded men; trying to reduce the space they took up made them look unnatural and furtive. The Mafia not being what it once was, these guys had the general appearance of lower-level Mob muscle. I recognized Trump, of course. I'd seen him at a lot of AC fights, where his entrance into the arenas brought a volume of frenzied cheering commensurate with what Anna Nicole Smith, Hulk Hogan, or David Hasselhoff got when they walked in, and came from the same people.
These two examples are but several illustrations of the unexpected, compelling nature of this collection, which holds added value via its ability to appeal to readers whose interests normally lie far outside boxing.
Indeed, to limit The Legend of Mitch "Blood" Green and Other Boxing Essays to sports enthusiasts alone would be to do it a grave disservice. Its history, humor, political revelations, and social and philosophical reflections encourage readers to consider boxing in a very different light:
If you've worked creatively over twenty years to successfully convince people that you're the greatest fighter who ever lived, you really have to look like the greatest fighter who ever lived if you're against a beginner. How do you do that? What does it look like?
The greatest fighter who ever lived isn't a real person if that designation is bestowed during a boxing era where conditions don't allow for a viable chance to prove it.
Humor permeates stories that are driven by Charles Farrell's many personal encounters, questions, insights, and experiences as an observer of the sport. These add a multifaceted richness to the essay collection that makes it very highly recommendable to a wide audience.
Libraries pursuing essays on sports in general or boxing in particular will not only want to make The Legend of Mitch "Blood" Green and Other Boxing Essays part of their collections, but will want to point out its novel approach to book clubs, reading groups, and general-interest audiences.
Readers will find its vibrant psychological, social, political, and personal revelations are just the ticket for a read that is solid in its facts, unexpected in its focus and connections, and thoroughly delightful in its novel approach to boxing.
5: Book 2 of the Numbers Trilogy
a.a. clifford
HardBooks Publishing
https://www.hardbookspublishing.com
9798640944617, $24.99 Hardcover/$12.99 Paperback/$5.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/5-Book-Two-Numbers-Trilogy/dp/B0DX799CF4
Science and faith often seem polar opposites. But, are they really? 5: Book 2 of the Numbers Trilogy both compliments the prior book (4) and expands the concept of a world in which hard science and belief entwine.
The destruction of a major U.S. city by a terrorist, leading to an unprecedented evil force's appearance, causes some people to believe that Biblical apocalyptic predictions are coming true, and others to note that science has played a part in unleashing supernatural entities into the world.
Devout Catholic Dean "Deadman" Clarkson is one of those certain prophecy is at work... but that doesn't mean that disaster is inevitable. With faith at their side, he and his fellow fighters confront the demons of War, Pestilence, and Famine in a battle for world control that leads them to face the fourth Horseman, Death.
Even if the Horsemen and battles have been predicted, their outcomes can still be affected. Set in 2098, the world reels from a war that doesn't just consume humanity, but pits demons against humans in an ultimate battle.
a.a. clifford juxtaposes the thoughts of religious and non-religious people in an exceptionally intriguing manner. This invites discourse between all kinds of readers, from sci-fi audiences attracted to futuristic apocalyptic clashes to thinkers and believers interested in how evil is confronted and values preserved or altered.
Interactions between major players fuel a passionate story of faith and struggle that injects much food for thought, pairing the backdrop of a struggle for physical and spiritual survival with a story of clashing forces that hold a stake in the future of humanity.
a.a. clifford also poses some intriguing food for thought in the nature and history of the Four Horsemen themselves. One example lies in Pestilence, who is:
...just Hector, a simple country doctor brought to greatness. There are many demons in the world, and the best ones are so small, they cannot be seen.
Readers seeking action-packed scenarios will find them in droves ... but the real notable strength of this book (and its predecessor, 4) lies in a profile of the future that focuses on individual choice, reaction, belief, and consequences:
"So, you two are the new power couple of the apocalypse," said Levine. "You've both killed the unkillable."
Libraries will find the blend of hard science, deep faith, and altered states of understanding that is 5 to be more than a cut above ordinary. It's highly accessible to a wide audience of readers, whether they are sci-fi buffs, survivalists, Christians, or science promoters.
Heavy in action and thought-provoking reflection, astute in its contrast of beliefs and their incarnation in real circumstances, and intriguing in its buildup of psychological, spiritual, and social issues, 5 is a top recommendation, its hard-to-neatly-categorize features a plus in a literary world too often given to narrowed audiences and visions.
The Dreamer's Quarry
Michael A. Luksch
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798891325616, $12.99 pb, $7.99 e-book, $21.99 hardcover
https://www.amazon.com/Dreamers-Quarry-Michael-Luksch/dp/B0DWQJFGF1
The Dreamer's Quarry illustrates the quandary faced by writer and dreamer Warner, whose ambitions to be a literary and philosophical achiever are stymied by the everyday demands of work, family, and other disparate hallmarks of success.
It seems unlikely that his literary ambitions will be realized under such circumstances. But when Warner encounters Jameson, who introduces him to other aspiring creators involved in rising above their own daily life challenges, he begins to adopt a new perspective not just on time allocation, but the values which place financial compensation above creative endeavor.
Michael A. Luksch creates an intriguing interplay between art and financial pursuits as Warner's life expands. The language Luksch employs in tracing these changes is vibrant, evocative, and will certainly lend to individual food for thought and book club or reading group discussion. The perspectives not only come from Warner, but those who influence him and become part of his life - including his wife Rose:
She could see in his eyes a anger and a sadness, a once hopeful and spirited young man, now hardened and weathered with little more than accumulated disappointments and chips on his shoulder.
The basics of how Warner moves from idealism to ennui emerge as Luksch reviews past choices and present opportunities. The tale adopts a rich overlay of introspection as it explores deeper questions about becoming an adult and either letting go of dreams to conform to social standards, or striking out in an unexpected direction that may not be the optimum choice for supporting family and financial goals.
These experiences will prompt fellow writers and artists to reconsider their own perspectives about making a living versus living life to its fullest. This is encouraged by passages replete with thought-provoking insights:
He pondered his place in the world, his place in the never-ending sea of seemingly nothingness. He knew he had a place - somewhere - though it eluded him, and everyone in his life who ever thought a lick about him in the way that he was rightfully or wrongfully perceived had no comfort or compass to offer. It eluded them even further. Sometimes they would say things about it, and sometimes they would only think things about it in a rather obvious manner. Even acquaintances that were barely more than strangers had presumptions and skepticisms that he caught wind of. He found it frustrating - the weight of his little world and himself within it...
Anyone with an artistic bone in their body will readily relate to Warner's dilemmas and challenges.
Libraries will find The Dreamer's Quarry an inviting discourse about dreams and reality, and will want to highly recommend it to patrons and book clubs interested in probing the kernels of creative effort and social value.
Packed with introspective considerations of the best way to juggle artistic and life responsibilities, The Dreamer's Quarry is a compelling read that deserves slow, careful pursuit for maximum contemplative benefit and impact.
Holy Void
Yarek Alfer, author
Catherine Bogart, editor
GFB
9781964721507, $18.95 Paperback/$9.99 eBook
https://www.girlfridayproductions.com/titles/holy-void
HOLY VOID: Zero-Thought-Consciousness will attract new age, spiritual, philosophical, and health-concerned readers with a focus on not just mind/body connections, but underlying spiritual elements which take the form of nonverbal consciousness.
Yarek Alfer's objective is to tap into these elements to guide readers. He does so via an accessible series of questions and answers that readers can use to become more self-aware and enlightened.
Alfer's work is not just the result of research in libraries. He traveled through India, experienced the elements of Advaita philosophy at work in the world, and encountered numerous spiritual teachers along the way, including His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.
These personal encounters and inquiries led to HOLY VOID, highly recommended for readers similarly interested in pursuing their own spiritual and philosophical reflections:
Any form of practice is generated by the need of our mind. If you give in to mental demands, you will go on an unending journey in a conceptual maze that leads further and further away from the nonconceptual innate consciousness you already have. What you need is to become aware of it. Any practice takes you away from it.
How do I become aware of it? By asking the question who am I.
Each question builds on and expands the answer in a step-by-step way that readers will find easy to follow, even though the actual process of self-realization is challenging and requires attention and time for thought and action.
By now, it should be evident that an inquiring mind and an openness to new age thinking are not the only prerequisites to completely appreciating Alfer's journey. Of equal importance are the time, drive, and motivation to consider and incorporate these notions and ideals into everyday life.
Libraries seeking a reflective, accessible discourse which walks a fine line between philosophy, physical, mental, and spiritual health, and a how-to handbook of inquiry and growth will find HOLY VOID a fine choice.
Packed with enlightening considerations and questions that build logical pathways of discovery, HOLY VOID is a top pick for readers interested in developing better self-understanding and growing bigger-picture thinking processes.
Its employment of the question-and-answer format allows far more relevance and accessibility than most similar-sounding approaches, while its focus on nonverbal conversation explores a different set of possibilities that thinking readers will want to consider.
A Life in Frames
Leonora Ross
www.leonoraross.com
Independently Published
9781069082800, $7.99 Kindle, $24.99 Hardcover , $16.99 Paperback
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Frames-Leonora-Ross-ebook/dp/B0DW2Q8WNY
http://amazon.com/author/leonora.ross
A Life in Frames is set in Namibia and follows Lejf Busher, whose life involves clashes between his idealism and his father's viewpoint, and between dreams and stepping up into reality. The story's opening lines reveal the ten-year-old's early experiences which sets the stage for similar reflections about holding on and letting go:
Part of him wanted his bed, but the other part wanted to stay up all night and marvel at the starry spectacle, thinking about his secret.
Lejf's chosen profession introduces pain to his parents as their now-adult son tries to explain this idealism and his choices:
'I'm sorry if I've made you and Mom worry, Dad. This is what I do, and not everything about it is dangerous, but there are situations that can be. If you could have seen those young kids whose childhoods are wasted away digging dirt for the profit of big corporations... If I had to lose my life in bringing awareness about their plight, I'd do it. Those poor people in DRC die a little every day, under burdens they didn't choose, and one day, when they're dead and buried, there'll be no one to mourn them. Doesn't that make you want to weep?'
As close calls cause further worry to his parents, Lejf faces political realities that lead him to realize that:
All his wishful thinking couldn't change reality.
Or, can it?
Leonora Ross crafts a creative juxtaposition between art, politics, ideals, and "little people with big hearts" whose interests and efforts result in a thought-provoking series of clashes.
Libraries welcoming novels about Africa and individual evolution will appreciate the many opportunities Ross offers for patrons and reading groups to consider African traditions as they intersect with love, risk-taking, and growth.
Packed with "aha" moments of discovery and transformation,
A Life in Frames explores the awakening of a continent and a boy whose childhood provokes an uncommon path as an adult.
Readers will find this engaging and enlightening survey is filled with exquisite moments of wonder and reflection about states of mind and mindsets of Africans as they move into a Western-centric world:
'...when globalisation penetrates the world of Indigenous people, there's a common conflict that arises within those communities, between traditions that are upheld by the older generations versus the desire of younger generations to learn new things and to become modern. When I spoke with the Basarwa in New Xade, they told me they wish to live the way they have done for thousands of years. I don't know if they would feel different about it if their lives weren't so hard - if they had better opportunities. Perspectives change with circumstances. Yet they speak of their longing to roam the Kalahari. I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with who they are; how something in their spirits will always remain free and untouched.'
The Covid Coach
Paul D. Edwards
Independently Published
9798230466567, $14.99 Paperback/$5.99eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Covid-Coach-Paul-Edwards/dp/B0DSHHPC1L
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-covid-coach-paul-edwards/1146765082
The Covid Coach comes from a radiology technician whose medical job placed him in the crossfire of Covid. Paul Edwards documents the evolution of the pandemic not just from a patient or individual's perspective, but as it impacted the healthcare system. His first-person, eye-opening experiences thus offers a different perspective of the Covid years than the usual exploration of personal impact.
From the start, Edwards captures the moment-by-moment shifts in the medical community as they battled a blossoming novel condition that nobody really knew much about:
The call came in as a routine code blue. Cardiac arrest. Room 4. Nothing unusual there; we dealt with them regularly. What was unusual was the hushed whispers preceding the announcement, the almost furtive glances exchanged between nurses, the palpable tension that hung heavier than the sterile air. We were told, almost as an afterthought, that the patient was suspected COVID-19 positive.
Suspected. That word clung to me, a tiny, insidious seed of dread taking root in my chest. We still didn't have the robust testing capabilities we'd desperately need. Suspected meant we were operating in a fog of uncertainty, relying on educated guesses and prayers. And frankly, the flimsy plastic face shields and surgical masks we wore felt more like symbolic gestures than actual protection.
As Edward moves on to explain the particular challenge of a heart attack patient with Covid, the uncertainties of Covid's early years and its impact on medical team functions is captured in such a vivid manner. Sensitive survivors of the pandemic may be challenged by the intensity of these reflections:
This wasn't the methodical, almost clinical approach I was used to. This was primal. This was raw. This was fear in its purest, most visceral form. My heart pounded in my chest, mimicking the desperate rhythm of the patient's failing heart. The anxiety wasn't just about the patient's survival; it was about mine, about Mark's, about the team's. Were we doing enough? Were we taking the right precautions? The truth was, we were desperately trying to adapt to a situation that was completely outside of our established protocols. Our training didn't quite cover this level of uncertainty, this level of potentially lethal ambiguity.
It would be a shame, however, to set aside such a thought-provoking work as The Covid Coach due to its intensity. That same attention to "you are here" detail is what validates the medical community's perceptions, choices, and actions, transmitting information about Covid care in a manner that is too rarely covered in the typical memoir about Covid's emergence.
Chapters probe a series of related medical issues, from medical staff emotional wellbeing and safety to the unexpected benefits (yes, pluses!) Covid resulted in as its blows prompted new considerations of medical treatments, routines, values, and bigger-picture thinking:
The pandemic was a crucible, testing the resilience of our systems and the dedication of our people, leaving us stronger and more prepared for whatever the future may hold. The insights we gained are not just valuable; they are crucial for building a more resilient and equitable healthcare system for all.
Edwards charts a type of growth that rarely receives in-depth attention, but tailors this to appeal to general-interest audiences who may not have experience in the medical field, as well as medical personnel interested in the history and lasting impact of the pandemic.
Introspection influenced the steps Edwards took to conduct scientific research on resilience, stress, recovery, and long-term transformation. This, in turn, translates to a powerful consideration of changing paradigms and insights about control and resilience.
Libraries will find The Covid Coach a powerful memoir that neatly defies pat categorization. It will be of interest to both general-interest readers and medical field participants alike. Its self-examination points the way to drawing important links between experience and evolution, while its overall assessments of the medical system's responses and pros and cons will garner interest from an exceptionally wide audience.
Packed with the allure of personal examination and experience and the history and culture of Covid in medical circles, The Covid Coach is a page-turner. It goes beyond recounting history or personal experience to consider long-term changes and shifts in social, medical, and personal perception.
The striking descriptions and thought-provoking reflections make for a story that proves hard to put down.
We Never Took a Bad Picture
Ashley N. Roth
www.ashleynroth.com
April Gloaming Publishing
https://aprilgloaming.com
9781953932334, $19.99
https://aprilgloaming.com/we-never-took-a-bad-picture
We Never Took a Bad Picture is a hard-hitting novel about a fifty-five-year marriage, a broken pact, and the long-lasting impact of losing a child. A Golden Anniversary party is being planned, but in reality, Gloria is "poking the bear" by adding elements of the past that revolve around an agreement which has become detrimental to their relationship.
The party offers many shake-ups, from an estranged daughter's return to an effort to wake up husband Artie, who has been hiding (in his grocery business) from too many truths about the past and his choices.
Ashley N Roth juxtaposes past and present, skillfully weaving these shifts in a way that contrasts different generations, novel ways of recovering from grief and loss, and reflections on the concept of growing old together:
...locking eyes with him now, she didn't feel butterflies. She didn't even feel the tepid comfort they'd secured after a sprawling tapestry of highs and lows. Instead, Gloria's stomach thrashed with the quivering anxieties that should have dissolved ages ago. That's what forever did, right?
Through her efforts, Gloria is forced to answer the question of not only whether her husband is still alive in the depths of his grief, but if she really is, as well. As the Joyce family members each confront their separate choices' lasting impacts on one another and their lives, We Never Took a Bad Picture becomes a portrait of public image and private reflection that proves thoroughly engrossing.
Because We Never Took a Bad Picture is filled with thought-provoking reflection, sensitive readers also confronting their own losses and grief process may find its raw insights a trigger:
Gloria had been the type to shoot straight up at dawn since they'd gotten married. Even when the kids were babies, she took the shortest of naps - and kept those limited to slumping on the couch or even sitting in a chair... It was like she'd stopped existing except for the sibilant sobbing she stifled until late at night when she thought he was sleeping. He pretended to sleep through her night sobbing, and never asked if she was okay. He would do anything to avoid her asking how he felt about Denise.
As much as events might trigger, however, they also feature the hope of resolution, realization, and healing. This makes We Never Took a Bad Picture of special, recommended interest to reading groups tackling the bigger picture of loss, aging, shifting family dynamics and interpersonal relationships, and risk-taking, as time passes:
They carved out a shared, placid existence. It was safe and dull. Gloria insisted that's what she wanted, but she was the one who first shook it. She resurrected the dead without permission.
With its investigation of love, survival, adaptation, and newfound avenues for reviving connections, We Never Took a Bad Picture represents a vivid, glowing vision of change and hope that is especially needed in a world riddled with loss and angst.
Readers will find We Never Took a Bad Picture thought-provoking, engrossing, and worthy of a slow read for maximum absorption, while libraries can easily recommend it for many purposes - to women's groups, as a beach read, or for book clubs seeking passionate descriptions of life and death's ripples of change.
Russian Bride
Doc Richter
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798891325814, $16.99 pb, $7.99 ebook, $25.99 hc
https://www.amazon.com/Russian-Bride-Doc-Richter/dp/B0DWVPYZVF
Russian Bride opens in 1993 Moscow, where Natalia Melnikova and Jake Wilder meet through a correspondence service. She's looking for an American husband and new opportunities. He's seeking love. Neither is looking for trouble - but that's what they get.
Natalia is drawn into a dangerous plot when her son becomes a kidnapped pawn in a game that involves killing her new connection and gaining access to his life insurance so the mob-run agency can get rich.
It all seems cut-and-dried - until Jake finds out the truth and he and Natalia conspire to turn the tables on her son's kidnappers.
Jake's investigations lead to further realizations about foreign mob-influenced insurance plots that dovetail with his own experience.
As his discoveries and personal mandate emerge, readers receive a nice, sharply defined juxtaposition of psychological depth, thriller-style intrigue, and thought-provoking scenarios of marriage and murder. These qualities will not just pique interest, but thoroughly involve readers in this dangerous game.
Jake not only stands up to the challenge, but taps his rage over the plots to make a difference not just in his own life, but for victims who fall prey to such entities:
Jake stared out his window and thought of Natalia, Alexandr, and other anonymous victims. At that instant, he didn't know if he was more angry or afraid. No, rage outweighed his fear.
Doc Richter spins a plot that offers many twists and turns in the course of investigations which involve local police, international affairs, and the challenge individuals face when their quests for romance result in something deadly.
At each step of the plot, Richter creates moments of discovery and quandary that test his characters with life-or-death scenarios. Nonstop momentum contributes to a story that is hard to put down and satisfyingly complex.
Could he execute a man? He had killed Rublev in self-defense and suffered no regret, but killing someone in cold blood?
Can ordinary citizens become killers? Jake is about to test these waters as readers find Russian Bride a page-turner of possibilities that are hard to predict.
Libraries seeking novels that simmer with action, discovery, and international affairs will find Russian Bride a fine recommendation for patrons seeking stories that challenge the usual patterns of thriller writing.
Packed with eye-opening revelations and characters whose moral and ethical concerns are as complex as their reactions, Russian Bride is hard to predict and easy to love.
The Broken Fife
Gary C. Demack
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798891325609, $16.99 paperback, $25.99 hardcover; $7.99 e-book
https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Fife-Gary-C-Demack/dp/B0DT7TXRY5
Historical fiction readers who choose The Broken Fife for its promise of Civil War battle will find Gary C. Demack's novel thoroughly embedded with not just vivid military encounters, but close and powerful examinations of individual struggle, idealism, reality, and experience.
Teen Junius falls in love with Ruby, one of his father's slaves. But when their plot to escape via the Underground Railroad is exposed and Ruby is captured, Junius must find a way of tracking her kidnappers and freeing her.
What better way than to employ his talent as a fifer (which he learned from his grandfather) to join the Missouri State Guard and track her whereabouts? However, Junius didn't count on their unit becoming part of a bigger conflict, sparking its union with the Confederate Army.
As his newfound life and purpose begins to change, readers follow Junius into a vivid scenario in which initial romance morphs into a struggle for personal survival and an involvement in a battle that tests his moral values and future.
Demack weaves the better-known Civil War atmosphere and events into the blossoming of a teenager on the cusp of adulthood, who finds his choices and their consequences challenged by love and war.
Readers seeking a romance alone will find the protagonist's interest in locating Ruby against all odds, and the life-changing choice that supports his mission, to be vividly intriguing as the war's embrace both separates the characters and leads to more complex concerns.
These supersede individual vision with a bigger picture that emerges in response to struggle. The action doesn't end with the war's conclusion. Junius discovers some horrifying truths about Ruby and his future which lends further depth to the Civil War backdrop.
Of special interest (and notably outstanding for a Civil War-based tale) are dialogues that reinforce local lingo and perceptions:
"You call your paw Jim?" he asked. He marveled at the other information that she related to him, never imagining that her family history could be so interesting. It all made her that much more appealing to him for some reason. Was it normal for Africans to have their children call them by their given names?
The depth of war experiences and personal lives transformed by the Civil War are also especially noteworthy:
"These are good men, sir. They don't deserve to be treated the way they have been. The way we've all been treated. They deserve to live out their lives at home with their loved ones, unlike our fallen comrades, who will never be able to. We're probably walking over spots where our comrades fell for no reason."
Readers looking for historical fiction that embraces a "you are here" feel throughout will find the many challenges Junius faces, and his changing objectives and insights, makes for thoroughly engrossing reading.
Libraries will want to recommend The Broken Fife to Civil War fiction readers seeking a fuller-bodied emotional experience than most period pieces offer.
Packed with personal, political, and ideological growth, The Broken Fife brings the times to life with a powerful focus on individual transformation that adds a winning flavor of discovery. This approach invites readers to better understand war's potential for altering every fiber of ambition, perception, and experience.
One Year and a One-Way Ticket
Danika Smith
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798891325623, $18.99 pb, $27.99 hc, $8.99 e-book
https://www.amazon.com/One-Year-One-Way-Ticket-Five-Year/dp/B0DT7SQ39J
One Year and a One-Way Ticket: Ditching My Mother's Five-Year Career Plan to Travel Solo is a memoir of Danika Smith's journey away from her mother's control and a seemingly set future, which included becoming a veterinarian and taking a brief trip before she entered grad school.
Rejected by grad school and suddenly free of this possibility, Smith turned her short trip into a solo, adventure-filled journey of self-discovery. She departed from her hard-working course to regroup and consider new options for her future.
Smith begins this saga with the letter of rejection that suddenly upended the trajectory she and her mother had planned for her entire life. From the start, it's evident that this isn't the first time Smith had departed from ambitions and ideas - it's just the latest:
I flashback to five years ago when I gave up pursuing an unconventional career in the dance and art world. I told my high school dance teacher, Ms. Brown, that I was applying to study sciences.
"You'll be lost without dance," she replied as she stared through my eyes to my soul... I didn't listen to her. Studying science was the sensible option. Life would be easier. I would be successful. Except this letter from Guelph isn't a success. I'm not just lost now, I'm stuck.
As Smith shifts her focus from career-building to life-changing experiences, readers enjoy a heady mix of discovery and reflection as she makes friends around the world, encounters different cultures, and learns important life lessons from each country:
I hug her and thank her again for such a loving welcome to her home. It warms my heart to know that if I ever return to India, I have people eager for me to visit. My fears about coming to India six weeks ago seem silly now. I've never felt unsafe once since arriving. My main concern is how I'll ever repay and properly thank my friends and their families for opening up their homes and hearts to me.
Romances, emotional quandaries and connections, and reflections about life's forward momentum drive a travel adventure that is as much a story of awakening and growth as it is a romp through Asia, Europe, and self.
Readers seeking an armchair travel read that does more than observe other cultures, but immerses them in a traveler's life changes, will relish One Year and a One-Way Ticket's ability to bring all aspects of travel to life.
Flavored with growth and personal reflection, the memoir is a powerful, alluring, top recommendation for libraries, would-be travelers, those on the road, and readers who have been "set free" from expectation and convention, who contemplate their own transformative choices:
I didn't think it was possible, but a lot changes after a year of traveling across oceans. Besides all the memories collected and lessons learned, I've finally tuned into the power to follow my heart and found the courage to trust what the universe has in store for me.
Better Off Dead
Glenda Carroll
glendacarroll.com
Indies United Publishing House, LLC
https://www.indiesunited.net
9781644567951, $17.99 Paperback, $20.95 Audio, $4.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Better-Off-Dead-Glenda-Carroll/dp/B0DXKTJRK2
Better Off Dead is a Trisha Carson mystery that delivers intrigue with a delightful introductory punch:
"I really shouldn't be here," I complained to Lena as we drove up the long, pebbled driveway leading to an elegant home in an elegant community in Marin County. I never went to funerals. They made me itchy. That's right, itchy.
Open water swimmer and financier Andy Barlow's boating accident in the turbulent waters of the San Francisco Bay seems to be a straightforward tragedy. But amateur sleuth Trisha suspects that something more is involved. Her foray into the world of business, special interests, and motivations for murder turns up not just a scenario for revenge, but even more bodies.
From the start, Trisha considers the question of a swimmer's dedication and its impact on a struggling new business pursuit:
Andy's connection with reality had begun to slip. Swimming and not bringing in new clients were one thing. But attempting a marathon swim like the length or width of Lake Tahoe with little open water experience was nuts... so said the swimmer I talked to. While Marty attempted to keep their business moving forward, Andy swam and swam and swam. If I was Marty, I'd want control of their financial planning organization too. But would I kill for it?
Questions of investments dovetail with Trisha's personal life, which consist of a father, a dog ("The Babe"), and a dilemma that threatens to reach into her world with a dangerous twist that places her in the crosshairs of discovery and death.
The rolling whitecaps of the San Francisco Bay involves her in a boating investigation that leads her to the Coast Guard's search and rescue mandate, nautical insights, and considerations of whodunit.
Glenda Carroll well knows the San Francisco Bay Area, and takes the time to richly inject its atmosphere into Trisha's puzzle:
I sat there watching the fog play hide and seek with the Golden Gate Bridge towers. The occupants of the boat kept changing. Hatch either lied again or didn't really know who went out that day with Andy. I needed to look at this from a different angle.
Satisfying twists and turns keep readers guessing alongside Trisha as too many potential perps and not enough clarity challenges her problem-solving abilities.
Libraries looking for mysteries steeped in a sense of place (in this case, California), that take the time to build realistic characters who confront their own assumptions and future, will find Better Off Dead perfect reading for patrons seeking mysteries that embrace a whodunit while cementing events in a sense of place as well as purpose.
Loaded with thought-provoking twists that challenge both Trisha and her readers, Better Off Dead is a fine foray into both charted and uncharted territory that proves a real page-turner.
Too Much the Lion
Preston Lewis
Bariso Press
www.barisopress.com
9781964830087, $19.95 Paperback/$32.95 Hardback/$9.95 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Too-Much-Lion-Battle-Franklin/dp/1964830087
Too Much the Lion: A Novel of the Battle of Franklin is a historical Civil War novel that narrows its focus to the five days leading up to the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. Readers need no prior insights into this particular battle in order to appreciate the vivid "you are here" feel of the times, which gives Too Much the Lion a thoroughly absorbing attraction to Civil War buffs and general-interest history readers alike.
The saga opens on a Saturday and concludes six days later on a Thursday. Readers might initially think this short span of time will translate to a simple read - but they'd be wrong. Much action, many confrontations, and thought-provoking dilemmas take place within this short period of time, giving Too Much the Lion an extraordinary air of thought-provoking, fast-paced events.
Considerations move from the impact of battles under commanders who are less than stellar to the rising events at Franklin that introduced a new ferocity of clashing forces in the face of blunders that have intrigued Civil War historians to this day.
The characters in this novel stem from actual historical accounts. Its viewpoint shifts from soldier to civilian experience in a manner that helps readers better understand both the connections and disparate interests of those affected by the war in different ways.
The contrasts between different characters' perceptions and values extend to young and old alike as the battle moves towards Franklin, Tennessee, and delivers different generational insights:
"I don't care to become an old man who didn't do what he could for the cause. I want to see battle, Momma."
Tom slammed his book shut and glared at Hardin. When he spoke, his words carried menace. "If the gossip is true, you may see battle yet. Both armies must pass through Franklin on the way to Nashville. Attack my courage all you want, Hardin, but many courageous boys I once knew are now dead, twenty-seven by my last count. Whether the Confederacy wins or loses, Tennessee will need whole men to rebuild it."
Staying true to historical accuracy while building a fictional overlay of drama and everyday events is no light challenge, but Preston Lewis provides engrossing, thought-provoking passages that achieve both objectives:
Along the road, women, children, and old men welcomed the Confederates back to Tennessee, some civilians even sharing their sparse grub with the soldiers, providing apples, or biscuits, or fritters to men who ate them ravenously. But as always, more men appeared than apples, biscuits, and fritters to sate them. Most continued their march, hungry and tired. Cunningham asked several families if they had additional food to barter or sell, but they just shrugged, saying they had little to spare and still feed themselves as they were already sharing what they could.
Libraries seeking Civil War battle stories that eschew the general events of a bigger war to delve into lesser-known (but equally important) confrontations that immerse families, towns, and cultures in the war will welcome the power of Too Much the Lion.
Its ability to direct readers into the motivations, daily lives, values, and outcomes of one world-changing battle creates a vivid and memorable tale. Too Much the Lion is also highly recommended for book clubs seeking Civil War historical fiction that not only brings facts alive, but introduces many topics suitable for discussion about the times, the people, and the purposes of struggle.
Little Great Island
Kate Woodworth
Sibylline Press/ All Things Book LLC
www.sibyllinepress.com
9781960573902, $21.00 Paperback/$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Little-Great-Island-Kate-Woodworth/dp/196057390X
Little Great Island is a thought-provoking novel of a woman's return to her Maine island roots with her son Levi after defying a cult's leader. But to call the tale 'a return home' alone would be to do it a disservice, because Kate Woodworth has a bigger picture in mind.
She depicts the lifestyle and characters of a Down East Island, who are facing threats to their livelihood from climate change in its most difficult incarnation.
Now, world events and their impact ideally need a compelling character to bring headline news to personal levels. Such is Mari McGavin, whose flight has reintroduced her to island life. An added bonus is island summer resident and longtime friend Harry Richardson, who has also returned home, albeit to sell his family's summer home.
While the romance between these two may be all to predictable, what is delightfully surprising is how their newly entwined lives become buffeted by environmental changes that demand each character step up in novel ways different from any patterns they've followed in the past.
Woodworth adds more characters, from Sue Clatcher Greggs, who is on her fifth try at having a child, and her brother Reggie, who has managed to stay sober for five years. Each character adds a different perspective to broader dilemmas that connect them all.
Solutions to the immediate problems that threaten their lives and homes are juxtaposed with forces, both environmental and social, that seem to work against them:
Harry, as it turns out, has researched cult recovery just as she has. For children born in a cult, transitioning into society can take years. In a matter of months, Levi has made huge progress. "Stubborn might be a better word," Mari says.
"Tough, not stubborn. Women have to be more forceful about standing up to authority. Particularly male authority." He reminds her of how much she knows about farming, the factors at play in climate change and nutrition, and that she's come up with a good plan for her future and Levi's.
Drawn together by more than romantic opportunity, Mari and Harry face a myriad of issues. These include new alliances and challenges presented by Pastor Aaron, who is convinced that he holds the power and responsibility for those who believe in him:
There were the demands of the fields and the coffers and the spreading of The Word and a son who needed raising to be a good and faithful man. The behaviors of a woman who would not mind her tongue nor curb her actions were his fault, as her husband.
Woodworth's juxtaposition of faith, cult objectives and repressive devices, life within and outside of community influences, and more contributes to a full-faceted story filled with unexpected twists and life-altering results from climate changes that threaten island residents.
Libraries seeking the warm story of a community under siege in more ways than one will especially relish the down-home Maine atmosphere that Woodworth cultivates. This creates a realistic, thoroughly absorbing backdrop for explorations of interpersonal, political, religious, and social change.
Filled with moments of discovery, connection, and bigger-picture realizations, Little Great Island represents a microcosm of issues reflecting bigger concerns, delivered in a size that readers can easily relate to and find thoroughly engrossing.
Passion & Provocation
Judith Partelow
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798891321793, $18.99 / $8.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Provocation-Selected-Judith-Partelow/dp/B0CVQ8WBNR
Passion & Provocation: Selected and New Poems is a series of writings that embrace personal experience and women's issues, injecting poems into chapters that move from domestic themes to romance, realization, growth, and spiritual reflection.
With such a structure in mind, the progressive nature of Judith Partelow's life journey gives readers a thoroughly engrossing journey that opens with a bang of insight in "I Used to Write":
I used to write
when the lump in my throat
hurt so much
it splattered ink
all over paper.
I haven't written for a long time
but suddenly life seems summed up
and my throat aches
it aches.
From this, a steady pace and progression follows Partelow through life and growth opportunities, the free verse delivering a one/two punch of female experience. One example of this power and female-centric observations and relationships resides in "Asylum," where:
I move around inside
your discarded housedress,
dear ancient lady, reviving its tattered threads
with a strong heart and sinuous limbs.
We are linked now -
I to your ninety-five years
as you attempt to wrench free -
you, to my separation of another sort.
The challenge of this collection, to some sensitive readers, may lie in the heart-wrenching aspects of many of Partelow's observations and connections. These capture the emotional quandaries of family ties, aging, and philosophical and emotional realizations which emerge from as ordinary a life pursuit as in "Recycling":
My husband finds questionable
left-overs in the fridge
but has learned to ask before tossing -
I've cautioned him
it may still have some use.
I do not hoard
but I do hesitate
before disposal.
Could it have another life?
I certainly have.
Librarians who choose Passion & Provocation: Selected and New Poems for their collections will want to especially highly recommend it to women's groups and women's literature readers, who will find the collection as a whole a powerful, immersive experience.
Filled with insights evolving from the ordinary, Passion & Provocation: Selected and New Poems is best digested slowly, for maximum flavor and reflection. Every bite is worth the time spent on contemplation, rewarding readers of free verse poetry with many rich insights.
Eight Minutes: A Novel
Gregory N. Whitis
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798891325807, $19.95 pb, $8.99 ebook, $29.95 hc
https://www.amazon.com/Eight-Minutes-Gregory-N-Whitis-ebook/dp/B0DT4R9JV6
Imagine awakening to anticipate a sunrise that never comes.
Eight Minutes is a science fiction end-of-the-world experience that follows the aftermath of a massive solar flare that, in effect, ends civilization overnight.
Alex Tate and his team emerge from a protective bunker to embark on a wild, seemingly impossible mission - to restart the dead sun via a nuclear missile. The world has already vastly changed from anything they could have imagined mere months ago. This requires them to step up to a last-ditch survival effort that could either preserve the remnants of humanity or fail to save the world.
Other solar flare/EMP titles have offered similar-sounding survivalist themes, but what differentiates Gregory N. Whitis's gripping Eight Minutes from others lies in how it is delivered - via an initial normalcy transformed by heart-stopping experiences. These rest firmly on a cast of powerful, disparate characters and special interests that continually shoot themselves in the foot, flavored with an overlay of light humor for an unexpected result:
He snored lightly.
I could tolerate that. Her last one-night stand could out snore an idling chainsaw.
As she walked by two sergeants in the middle of their shift change, she purred, "He's sleeping like a baby now."
They'd have the rest of their shift to yak about that one.
As much attention is given to government and civilian contrasts of experience and perspective, as to the impossible plans themselves. This creates a realistic, involving atmosphere in which the potential saviors of humanity are, themselves, flawed and all too limited in their options and responses.
Whitis is especially adept at crafting a tale that injects the unexpected into action in many satisfyingly unpredictable ways.
There are psychological and political examinations, to be sure - but these are supplemented with a fast-paced urgency as characters make the final attempts to rectify a world that has literally changed overnight.
Libraries that choose Eight Minutes to add to collections strong in apocalyptic sci-fi will find the story thoroughly compelling. It's easy to recommend to patrons who enjoy stories of survival, adaptation, and social and philosophical inspection.
Packed with political, military, scientific, and survivalist perspectives, Eight Minutes represents an action-packed page-turner of a tale that is nearly impossible to put down.
The Lizard
Domenic Stansberry
Molotov Editions
www.molotoveditions.com
9781948596053, $18.95 Paperback/$34.95 Hardcover/$9.95 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Lizard-Domenic-Stansberry-ebook/dp/B0DXMKCC68
After the shootings I abandoned my car and wandered in the desert, in cave country, along the fault lines east of River side. I was feverish, on the brink of hallucination.
The Lizard is a mystery that opens with a rich first-person bang and keeps delivering disparate shots of discovery, murder, and politics. The story revolves around a dangerous conspiracy that involves political ghostwriter S.E. Reynolds, whose bilateral work encounters with activists and politicians changes his life.
Besides an ever-changing plot that introduces many satisfying twists and turns, Domenic Stansberry's metaphorical, atmospheric descriptions supercharge the first-person experience with reflections that contrast the safety of and longing for home with murders that keep the perp on the run:
This is the truth:
I miss Renee. I miss my children. I miss my house filled with light and the sounds of traffic rising from Belham Avenue next to the Canal. I miss the coyotes and the smell of wildfire drifting down from the hills. I miss the wrinkled ugliness of my parents, forever vanishing into the dementia of their front porch.
How does an investigative reporter assigned to cover a crime scene become a criminal murder suspect, himself? Stansberry creates important, hard-hitting ties between past and present events in chapters that are clear in both their timelines and contrasts between past life and future ironic dilemmas:
Everyone believes they're born to something special. You must remember that, use it to your advantage. That's what a newspaper editor told me twenty-five years ago, in his office in Sacramento. Idealists are egotists, he insisted; they think their opinions matter - and are likewise virtuous.
As Reynolds discovers, "everything circles back" as those he leaves behind move forward into their lives and sometimes death. As an apparent suicide is probed, personal decisions questioned, and fragile moments and connections captured via memorials, Reynolds navigates a world which seems to be breaking down in more than one way.
Stansberry's multifaceted, rich story is highly recommended for libraries seeking tales that stand out from the mystery genre crowd. Its seat-of-your-pants, edgy experiences keep protagonist and readers guessing.
Those who enjoy realistic, thoroughly engrossing mysteries that embrace journeys of discovery (both self-discovery and the outside world's connections) will relish the fast paced, absorbing characters, and myriad murder questions that makes The Lizard an absolutely compelling read.
Corporate Escapades
T.K. Ambers
https://tkambers.wixsite.com/author
Star Spirit Adventures
https://starspiritadventures.com
9798987866399, $14.99 paperback/$4.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Escapades-T-K-Ambers-ebook/dp/B0D38TK979
Corporate Escapades is a romance and romp through corporate politics all in one, giving readers a run for their money through arenas that create satisfyingly surprising connections between grief, loss, and ladder-climbing goals. These efforts also embrace wry humor, which adds to the absorbing descriptions of protagonist Paris DeMarce's life.
The story opens with "the first anniversary of the worst day of Paris's life." She and her coworkers are sitting at the corporate table across from their clients, who are involved in upcoming nuptials and wedding plans. Despite their focus on rebirth, Paris finds herself confronting death as soon as she leaves the room.
T.K. Ambers moves the timeline between past and present to help readers understand how Paris has arrived at this moment of final decision-making in her life, revealing both her downfall and the challenges she and playboy Vic face to regain what they have lost both politically and psychologically.
From rekindled friendships to being forced to re-climb the corporate ladder that embraces their lives and gives them a sense of home, Vic and Paris find themselves playing a very different game than the one they've inherited.
Ambers creates a novel that operates powerfully on many levels, from relationship-building and grief recovery to business decisions and family ties.
The scope of engaging, often surprising twists that send each character in unexpected directions reviews the nature of choices good and bad. This allows readers to consider corporate shenanigans, politics, and objectives in different lights.
Libraries that choose Corporate Escapades for profile and recommendation will find that it can attract a wide audience, from business novel readers (who will find the interpersonal connections and interludes surprising and compelling) to fiction readers seeking a novel that embraces romance and connection as the main players and game move into to elevated levels of personal and business discovery and recovery.
Astute in its interplays and fast-paced in its psychological revelations, Corporate Escapades is a multifaceted, winning novel.
Return to the Besieged Fortress
Jimmy Qi, author
Harvey Thomlinson, translator
Moongate Books
9781647759247, $6.95 Paperback
https://www.amazon.com/Return-Besieged-Fortress-Jimmy-Qi/dp/1647759242
Return to the Besieged Fortress comes from Chinese novelist Jimmy Qi, whose tale of 1990s Chinese social and political change will prove compellingly important reading for any with an interest in contemporary Chinese history and affairs.
The story opens in 1994 in Montreal, Canada, where Jimmy meets the offensive yet alluring Hugh, a South American sales rep responsible for managing regional agents in a manner that Jimmy, newly appointed to do the same for Asia, needs to learn.
Early on in the story, contrasts between the cultures of North America and China come into play as Jimmy navigates issues of tradition, status, and political influence during the course of his new position. As disillusionment sets in, Jimmy's encounters move beyond these two milieus to embrace and consider other nations and cultures, such as Cuba.
He may consider himself a "dodgy businessman and uneducated" in some circles, but Jimmy has a lot of odd quirks and powerful strengths going for him. He becomes a doctoral candidate, enters into studies that challenge not just his talents but his belief systems and self-perception, and forges a new life overseas, far from familiar habits and choices.
Readers may initially be confused by the appearance of author Jimmy Qi's alter-ego (by the same name) in this book, anticipating that this translates to a memoir or other form of nonfiction. But Qi's candid focus on this similar personality's movements in a world that expands from his Chinese roots and heritage to embrace global concerns and worldviews makes for a vivid novel that juxtaposes serious reflection with humorous encounters and thought-provoking moments.
Jimmy's move between his new persona as Teacher Qi and his evolving talent to "showcase the best of Chinese civilization to his foreign students" results in a story that embraces bigger-picture world encounters while considering how to bring these back home to familiar territory. There, they encourage change through new lessons of understanding about racism, discovery, and adaptation.
Libraries that choose Return to the Besieged Fortress will want to highly recommend it to patrons interested in engrossing inspections of Chinese personality, history, and global encounters.
Packed with wry, ironic humor and contrasts between cultures and people which provoke further insights perfect for book club discussion, Return to the Besieged Fortress is a winning novel. It pinpoints the hopes, dreams, and challenges of not just China and Chinese expats, but diverse cultures around the world.
Incredible, Legendary, Obvious
Orest Stelmach
www.oreststelmach.com
Penwood
9780999725351, $4.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSWPYM43
"One man with skills - no matter how extraordinary - is still just a man," Victor said. "He cannot possess capabilities beyond those of a human being." Or, can he?
Incredible, Legendary, Obvious is an intriguing mix of sci-fi, thriller, thievery, and military action. So many genres weave into the tale that libraries may find it both difficult to compartmentalize and easy to recommend to a wide audience, as a result.
Orest Stelmach's story opens with a showcase of unique ability. Nazarov, a worker for a Russian oligarch, watches a fete of impossible cliff-climbing skill, involving Adam and his Uncle Victor in the spectacle. Indeed, it seems to represent the transformation of mortal into superhero.
Victor is a Ukrainian (now an American citizen) whose private courier performs the impossible, which interests Nazarov. Is the Courier an ordinary man with extraordinary skills, or a superhuman force?
As the tale of international clashes, business interests, and herculean possibilities evolves, readers will appreciate the political and entrepreneurial facets which influence Victor, Nazarov, Adam, and other characters whose lives intersect with the Courier.
The man is not infallible, however, as is shown when a sensitive package is stolen from him. The thief proves to have unexpected past ties with the Courier, forcing him into an emotional and professional entanglement he never saw coming... especially from a dead woman.
As Adam becomes involved with the thief, the package, and high-stakes intrigue, readers will find the Russian-flavored atmosphere and encounters to be particularly unexpected and thoroughly exciting.
Fast-paced action considers professional codes of conduct, betrayal, tragic attacks that kill the innocent, and Russian perspectives. All receive delightful build-up and attention under Stelmach's investigative writing hand.
Strong characters, unexpected twists, and side notes about how ordinary people endure crushing political and military events create thought-provoking scenarios of action-packed encounters that contrast nicely with reflections about survival:
Another visitor might have wondered how these people survived during the best of times, let alone during the war. But as soon as he saw Luca's yard, Adam knew how he made a living - he was a scavenger. He acquired what he could and sold it to whoever would buy.
Libraries seeking thrillers blended with sci-fi components that fully embrace mystery, intrigue, and social issues will relish Incredible, Legendary, Obvious.
Its superpower stems from a special strength in unfolding human affairs and layers of political, social, and individual purpose. The story becomes a satisfyingly unpredictable page-turner, hard to put down and easy to recommend to all kinds of readers.
The Tales of Charlie Wags: Paris
Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay, authors
Sanna Sjostrom, illustrator
Kendam Press, LLC
www.charliewags.com
9798990005037, $14.99
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Charlie-Wags-Educational-Beautifully/dp/B0DKPD9V9H
The Tales of Charlie Wags: Paris is a dog-centric picture book fantasy story of a special puppy whose wagging tail translates to world travel opportunities.
In this story, Charlie is off to Paris. Young picture book readers and their read-aloud adults embark on a world-hopping journey brightened by especially fun illustrations by Sanna Sjostrom.
Kids follow Charlie to the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and more, touring Paris's most notable sights and history. The "you are here" feel embraces a traveler's feelings, reactions, and insights about the journey itself.
This creates many exciting moments for the very young, who will find the magic of a curious puppy's encounters bring the joys and discoveries of travel in general and Paris in particular right into their homes and lives.
Elementary-level libraries, as well as read-aloud parents seeking early introductions to Parisian sights, travel, and new experiences, will want to invite kids to take Charlie by the paw and join him in a tour de France which is especially nicely tailored to the interests of the very young.
The Shoulder Season: A Memoir of Fracture and Grace
Ann Campanella
https://anncampanella.com
The Bridge
9798307386170, $18.95
https://www.amazon.com/Shoulder-Season-Memoir-Fracture-Grace/dp/B0DZX3VCT2
On the face of it, Ann Campanella's The Shoulder Season: A Memoir of Fracture and Grace is a story about an empty-nester facing newfound opportunities while fielding an injury caused by something as innocuous as tripping over her dog.
Readers who pursue The Shoulder Season will find Campanella's survey of her accident, long recovery, and adaptation embraces many unexpected new ways of not just living, but viewing the world. This makes her memoir far more than an account of healing alone, but a documentation of the transformative process that life can introduce to set routines and expectations.
The paradox of moving from a particularly active lifestyle to one in which she faced a potentially life-altering sea change embraces survival and adaptation in a manner that anyone facing similar debilitation needs to know.
In a nutshell: hope lies at the bottom of Campanella's Pandora's box of depression and negativity - a message that needs to be absorbed by anyone facing their own life-altering moments:
...even if I never regained feeling in my right arm, I could feel things in my heart. At sixteen hours, I came to the conclusion I would be numb forever, my hand dangling useless by my side. For this moment, it didn't matter. I could still write; I could dictate my thoughts into a microphone; I would find a way to plumb the depths of emotion swirling within me; I could use my voice to illuminate the weave of darkness and light, I would journey through, whether I had the use of my limbs or not, and the process of writing would help me understand my place in the world.
How can she "transition back to normal"? She can't. Everything changes in the blink of an eye as Campanella tackles pain and a vastly revised future, employing spiritual reflection and other techniques for reinventing her life.
Sensitive readers mired in their own challenging recovery process may find these in-depth descriptions of surgeries, physical therapies, and setbacks to be both eye-opening and impactful. However, the hope that resonates at each step is something readers really need in order to fall into and maintain their own upward momentums in the face of impossible circumstances:
I started reading Uncharted, a memoir about a couple of empty nesters who buy a sailboat and begin exploring the Pacific Northwest. Joel and I weren't empty nesters yet, but we were close. Kim Brown Seely's honest account of the dangers of voyaging through a major life transition was what just I needed. Like the author, who faced changing tides and weather conditions each day, I had no idea what was ahead in the next phase of my recovery.
The result, like few other memoirs of healing and discovery, embraces all the moments of influence and discovery that are intrinsic to making a full recovery.
Libraries will find The Shoulder Season a captivating, ultimately positive, uplifting recommendation to readers facing debilitating accidents and recovery challenges - but the heart of this memoir lies not just in its empowerment opportunity, but in a survey that weaves in other life transitions to create a bigger picture of transformation.
In this effort Ann Campanella shines, creating an ultimately inspiring survey of life that encourages her readers to not just survive and overcome, but move into the light of self-realization and novel opportunities that might not have emerged without the Pandora's box of pain preceding hope.
The Enigma Grid
Craig S. Wilson
Networlding Publishing
https://networlding.com
9781959993049 $12.41 Paperback/$4.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Enigma-Grid-Abyss-Between-Lunacy-ebook/dp/B0DWLVXPZD
An ethereal universe exists between the rational and the mystical. It is a tapestry of the insanely improbable yet undeniable. Any attempt to unravel this incomprehensible web merely draws you closer like a moth to a flame.
The introductory promise of The Enigma Grid delivers both a warning and an attraction that sets up a Twilight Zone-style atmosphere from the start. This supports a short story collection that lives up to its subtitle ("The Abyss Between Logic and Lunacy") by contrasting realistic characters and situations with underlying puzzles and perceptions to challenge readers in novel, exciting new ways.
Take "Cosmic Karma: Justice," for example. Here, an astrophysicist on the International Space Station finds himself part of a mission to the Moon to set up a base camp. It's an endeavor riddled not just with physical and technological challenges, but a group chemistry that forms the "microcosm of humanity" by introducing conflicts nobody saw coming.
From accusations of creating space junk and notes that "everything happens for a reason" to discourses about combat situations, patriotism, Chinese spies, and an ironic demise, Craig S. Wilson excels in the kinds of concluding twists readers won't see coming. That's a rare talent, indeed.
Contrast this story with "A New Pair of Genes: The God Solution," in which the People's Republic of China, long involved in a genetic arms race with America, leads geneticist Ling Wei to participate in a dangerous concept of artificial population manipulation and reduction despite her own history, which has allowed her to survive when she should have been dead.
Over her protests ("Sir, we can't account for how God will counter our strategy. Life has a way of evolving beyond our control."), an experiment to halt reproductive ability turns into a nightmare affecting the future of humanity.
Shen Jie's opening salvo introduces unexpected issues of God and nature's manipulation which delivers a hearty bang of unexpected results as Ling Wei considers a very different impact from her work.
Each story embraces hard-hitting insights, the unexpected, and a juxtaposition of logic and odd results that is thought-provoking, whether it covers social impact, psychological choice, or technological oddities.
The Enigma Grid's wry irony will delight readers looking for exceptional short fiction that embraces literary and social prowess while maintaining accessibility for those who like to think and be surprised by unexpected outcomes.
Libraries that choose The Enigma Grid for their collections will find it simply outstanding. Its tantalizing discoveries and revelations are delivered in a succinct format that makes the tales all the more powerful with few wasted words and maximum impact.
Diverse, engrossing, and hard-hitting, The Enigma Grid is a top recommendation for a wide audience interested in eerie short stories that make them think.
The Jellybean Gospel and the Born-Again Bunny
Wanda Carter Roush
https://wandacarterroush.com
Ella's Pearl Publishing
9781732427242, $11.95 Paperback / $18.95 Hardcover
https://www.amazon.com/Jellybean-Gospel-Born-Again-Bunny-ebook/dp/B0DWKRJ71Z
Read-aloud Christian parents seeking appropriate spiritual teaching for the very young - one that invites with colorful illustrations (by Alicia Renee) and an adventure-filled approach to salvation - will welcome Wanda Carter Roush's The Jellybean Gospel and the Born Again Bunny.
A lovely rhyme introduces the tale:
The Easter Bunny first heard the gospel from a butterfly friend.
She learned about it tucked in her chrysalis around the bed.
The caterpillars hang their cocoons in Egg Land and, upon awakening as butterflies, help the Easter Bunny prepare for the season - all but one larvae, who:
...wandered off by herself
And hung the winter without her peers.
As she hangs from the window of a curious bad boy, he spreads his anger and chaos while attending weekly church with his parents, causing trouble everywhere he goes - until he hears the Jellybean Gospel, which unexpectedly stirs him.
Adults seeking a picture book that embraces spiritual thinking, psychological reflection, and big-picture themes - ranging from God's will to individuals' impact on the world and those around them - will welcome the revelations and insights in this colorful adventure. Its sense of whimsy will attract all kinds of young readers, while its message of being born again invites meaningful discussions between all ages about Christian rebirth.
Elementary-level Christian libraries, read-aloud parents, and church groups for the very young will welcome this early opportunity to introduce the concept of being born again - a message not often presented to this age group.
The adventure translates to an uplifting survey that presents spiritual insights on a level that is easily understood and thoroughly attractive, making The Jellybean Gospel and the Born-Again Bunny a fine standout recommendation for Christian parents and teachers alike.
Marco, Pablo, & Olivia: Futbol Tryouts
Ana Cortes
Independently Published
www.marcopabloandolivia.com
9798333687746, $7.99
https://www.amazon.com/Marco-Pablo-Olivia-One-Tryouts/dp/B0DS2GN42V
Marco, Pablo, & Olivia's graphic novel for middle-grade readers, Futbol Tryouts, is the first episode in a series of graphic novels revolving around the three siblings.
Marco Costa and his family have just moved to Guayaquil, a big city in Ecuador far from their familiar mountain town, Loja, and are anticipating a fresh new start. His younger brother Pablo and baby sister Olivia join him in an adventure that opens with an unexpected temperature change. This comes from moving from a cool mountain region to a lower, hotter elevation. But that's not the only discovery in store for them.
The siblings squabble about the impact of the long trip as Marco calls them "locos" and their father chides them for starting a fight before they're even in their new home.
From descriptions of moving from a small house to one in which each child gets his or her own room to fielding bullies and new peer relationships, Ana Cortes does an outstanding job of capturing the characters, nuances, reactions, and problem-solving challenges involved in adjusting to a new place.
It should be noted that the illustrations are quite realistic: Marco is slim, while his younger brother Pablo is somewhat overweight. Character dialogues juxtapose Spanish with English in a manner also true to life:
"You don't know when to give up, do you, serrano loser?"
Emotions are visually displayed, with dialogue boxes cementing these different characters and their psyches.
Marco, Pablo, & Olivia: Futbol Tryouts is packed with insights, experiences, and relationship wisdom designed to attract middle-grade comics readers interested in visual stories that contrast revised routines with the challenge of adapting to a new community.
With its powerful portrait embracing sibling relationships, differences, and experiences, as well, Marco, Pablo, & Olivia: Futbol Tryouts features an especially appealing series of insights and lessons. It will attract a wide audience of young graphic novel readers, as well as libraries building graphic novel collections to encourage middle grades to read and learn.
The Potusgeists
Will Worsley
www.willworsley.com
Hedgeland Press
9781735665245, $16.95 Paperback/$3.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Potusgeists-Patty-Pitypander-Will-Worsley/dp/B0DTZNC1JC
The Potusgeists is a novel that places a woman in the White House ... but it's not the presidential politicking one might expect. Not when there are White House ghosts involved.
This group of historical curmudgeons, The Potusgeists, aren't just around to cause trouble by raising specters of the past. They also desire to make the television work via a mysterious remote device which won't turn on via shaking or the usual early American approach to making things work.
Wry satire emerges from the start as the ghosts of Jefferson and Adams confront a dilemma more frustrating than their early experiences running America:
Jefferson chuckled. "It's a television, not a talking box, Mr. Adams. They've been using them for decades. You should at least try to keep up."
Adams scowled at it. "I know very well what it is, sir - a contraption that promotes sloth and witlessness in equal measure. And I have seen, to my horror and deep regret, how thoughtlessly they stare at it, for hours at a time! It is misnamed. They should have termed it a stupidifier. Television - bah!"
Newly-elected President Patty Pitypander could never have anticipated that ghostly encounters would be part of her new agenda. She has ambitious plans for her term in office, that don't include listening to the wisdom of the dead.
Patty's ability to ignore this advice and its deliverers despite the desperate specters' involvement in nearly every aspect of her family and leadership results in a situation that contrasts the personalities and insanity of past leadership with the special interests and purposes of present-day politics.
At each turn of events, Will Worsley builds unexpected scenarios of a White House Civil War battle that is captivating:
"Be serious," Nigel replied. "Jefferson was human once, but he's dead now. Besides, ghosts don't have rights, not the way we do."
That didn't sound very nice. "I disagree," said Patty firmly. "Even dogs and cats have rights. It doesn't seem very humane to me." "Think about it," said Nigel. "If we ever let Jefferson out of that little box, we'll never get him back into it. We won't be able to fool him twice."
He pointed out that catching just one ghost wouldn't solve their problem anyway. There were dozens more of them in the White House. Holding Jefferson hostage might scare the Potusgeists into leaving Patty alone, or it might enrage them. Who knew what havoc a mansion full of vengeful ghosts might wreak?
Readers expecting a serious scenario will find simply delightful the blend of paranormal and political that emerges from this confrontation with death.
Intrigue builds (aside from the ghosts) from mysterious letters, threats to Patty's reputation and leadership, and novel approaches to thwarting enemies that benefit from historical precedent and ghostly experience:
"You must prepare to be most viciously calumniated."
Calumniated. That meant they were planning to smear her. "If you are wondering how I know this," said Jefferson, "it is because I have seen the tactic used many times before. I myself was shamefully slandered while in office. Once, a disgruntled journalist even falsely accused me of keeping one of my slaves as a concubine. No president has ever been immune from the taint of slander, not even George Washington, whose conduct was above reproach."
Patty asked if there was anything she could do to protect her reputation.
"No, it is the awful price we Americans pay for our freedom of the press. Better to have newspapers without a government than a government without newspapers. You must simply endure their lies and have faith that truth will win in the end."
Thought-provoking reflections on the personal impact of holding office, solutions to problems every president has confronted since American came into being, and haunting encounters make for a rollicking journey through political purpose, while the plotting of spooks make for a thoroughly engrossing story.
Librarians seeking a combination of satirical spoof, supernatural intrigue, and thought-provoking considerations of American leadership and history will find The Potusgeists recommendable to a wide audience of fiction readers.
Packed with zany personalities and events based on real history and psychological intrigue, The Potusgeists brings history and many issues to life, adding a rich layer of discovery that readers and book club discussion groups will find especially inviting:
It was the day impossibility became possibility, in the country where nothing was impossible.
Where Eagles Fly Free
David A. Jacinto
Meadow Vista Corporation
9798218497729, $26.00
https://www.amazon.com/Where-Eagles-Fly-Free-Courageous/dp/B0DZY69F2J
In this second book in David A. Jacinto's Courageous Series, Tom, his pregnant wife Annie, and their entire family move to America. Their home has been destroyed and they've been driven from Britain by industrial aristocrats, so the move to America is more of a survival necessity than a choice.
Where Eagles Fly Free is packed with examples of understanding and ethical insights that will spark discussions among American history readers. From immigrant experiences to how ethical foundations are built from new discoveries, the story entwines the lives of newcomers with encounters that lead them to challenge their worldviews and ideals:
Tom knew one thing for certain: that slaver had shocked him into seeing his own flaws starkly. His own failings. The slaver had made him recognize he, and all good men, had some kind of obligation to spit out the abuse of his fellow man. If it left a bad taste in his mouth, then he must have the courage not to swallow it back and go on his way.
Jacinto's consideration of freedom, acts of inhumanity and charity, sacrifice, and collective joy builds believable characters and circumstances. His approach gives voice to both thought-provoking and celebratory moments of love, revelation, and appreciation that infuse the story with a sense of joy as well as purpose.
The characters grasp their new lives in both hands, face adversity with resolution and courage, and also embrace new insights and lifestyles that, when woven into their relationships, makes for a particularly attractive, revealing story.
Librarians will find Where Eagles Fly Free both a fitting expansion of the series and a fine stand-alone story of immigrant resettlement, American hopes and dreams, and fortune that brings with it heavy burdens of responsibility.
Filled with gripping connections and reflections, Where Eagles Fly Free is a masterful portrait of early American dreams realized, relationships consummated by love and change, and possibilities that redefine the concept of freedom and choice. These hard-hitting reflections create a story both realistic and thoroughly engrossing as America embraces and redefines its ideals of liberty.
The Visionary Leader
Bryan Smeltzer
BryanSmeltzer.com
Liquid Mind Publishing
https://liquidmindpublishing.com
9781737188124, $29.99 Hardcover/$4.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Visionary-Leader-Principles-Greatest-Visionaries-ebook/dp/B0DNKVZ72B
The Visionary Leader: The Success Principles of The World's Greatest Visionaries goes beyond most discussions of leadership to inject the concept of vision into the process. While this addition may initially seem like a small adjustment, in fact, it represents a big divergence from many books about leadership, in that it promotes visionary thinking as a major part of the leadership process.
Bryan Smeltzer's advice can be applied to a range of situations beyond the usual business focus of leadership, whether organizational in nature or introspective analyses of personal goals and dreams. Smeltzer clearly outlines the features that differentiate the visionary leader from one who adopts basic techniques for guiding others.
This dovetails nicely with case history examples of visionary approaches to leadership which lend excitement, specificity, and illustrative value to the pathways and choices Smeltzer outlines to his readers.
Some of these examples come from historical figures such as Michelangelo. Readers may be surprised at the inclusion and definition of a "visionary leader" in the form of an artist, but that's just one of the eye-opening differences between The Visionary Leader and traditional leadership approaches:
Michelangelo's visionary artistic talent transcended the conventions of his time... Michelangelo's commitment to his craft was marked by persistence and perseverance. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, he dedicated years to completing monumental projects, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his artistic vision. He was devoted to achieving artistic excellence in every aspect of his work. His meticulous attention to detail, dedication to perfection, and pursuit of the highest standards set him apart as a Visionary artist.
The broad spectrum of leadership examples serve as enlightening inspiration for all kinds of endeavors, drawing a wide audience of potential leaders into notions of growth and transformation that follow how these ideals translate to broader aspects of change and discovery.
Historical figures, practical applications, and how new Visionary Leaders should employ mentoring, seek collaborative opportunities, and absorb community evolutionary processes translates to not just influencing, but sparking enthusiasm among team members. The result is a hard-hitting, uncommon survey as vivid as it is enlightening.
Libraries seeking a blend of biographical examples, historical analysis, leadership roles and routines assessed and explored, and new definitions of visionary actions and choices will relish The Visionary Leader's guiding light of discovery and transformation.
Packed with examples of visions both honed and put into action, The Visionary Leader is suitable for many types of group discussion, whether in business circles, psychology or sociology groups, among new age readers, or between those who seek a more marked, impactful connection between growth, opportunity, and building "forces of meaningful change and transformation."
The Island
Kerri King
KK Publishing
9798992820300, $9.99
https://www.amazon.com/Island-novel-Kerri-King/dp/B0F24FM29L
Fantasy readers who like stories of discovery, mermaids, and surprises that alter perceptions of reality will relish the speculative nature of Kerri King's The Island, which delves into many watery realms of possibility.
The tale opens in 1980s New Zealand, where Lily and first-person narrator Mack observe pilot whales beaching themselves, and try to help them... to no avail. Three days later, Mack is working his job on a fishing trawler when a swarm of flying fish cover the docks. These omens portend ripples of change that impact Mack and Lily's relationship and world, introducing psychological challenges that erode their connections to one another.
Kerri King's astute story unfolds from the personal to bigger-picture thinking as the dilemmas of nature and humankind venture into the impossible. A sense of magical realism powers a story in which surveys odd behaviors and impacts that build disparate experiences in a picture-in-picture series of vivid descriptions:
"Screaming before pretending to drown herself was, she often said at dinners, her only true release from the arias repeating constantly in her mind."
Readers may not expect the philosophical examinations that entwine with this foray into deeper waters, but King creates self-inspections and challenges that force both characters and readers to navigate transformation and realization through revised perspectives on life and miracles alike:
She'd written about the water in such a way there was nothing else it could be, but some sort of calling. An ode to grief. And what was that, hiding between the lines? It was as if Lily had yet to learn all the parts of her own story, aware there was an element of irony planning to present itself only once the book had made its way into the world. Perhaps she hadn't been running away, but towards, chasing that irony with all her strength.
The literary strength of this novel lies in such descriptive "aha" moments of discovery, while an underlying stream of fantasy and artistry keeps the revelations believable, reflective, and often satisfyingly surprising.
Mack's ability to connect the dots to related mysteries add fine tension and thought to the inviting saga:
Vanished ships. Desert UFOs. Sightings of Sasquatch in the forest. Time travel. Unfound bodies. The haunting of frozen ghosts. If all the unexplainable was actually real, what did that mean for humanity?
Libraries seeking a literary work of speculative fiction that injects elements of magic, fantasy, and magical realism into a thought-provoking adventure will welcome the opportunity to highly recommend The Island to readers seeking both entertainment and enlightenment value from exceptional fiction.
Packed with haunting encounters with ghosts, an island's secrets, dreams that teeter on the cusp of insanity, and possibilities that pose edgy challenges to Mack and his world, The Island is breathtaking in its imagery and twists.
Take a deep breath before embarking on a slow, satisfying read ... and don't choke on the waters that draw readers into a deep-rooted foray into the nearly impossible.
The Regolith Temple
Roxana Arama
https://roxanaarama.com
Dhawosia Publishing
9798989873159, $14.99 paperback /$4.99 ebook
https://roxanaarama.com/books/the-regolith-temple
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZBZQ9TV
The Regolith Temple: A Sci-Fi Thriller lives up to its billing in spades, opening with an intriguing observation:
Whenever I ask Yamir to delete me, he always says, "Just give it more time, Y1. Unlike the rest of us, you have infinite time." But infinite time without my family is not worth having.
Set in the same universe as Roxana Arama's previous The Exiled Queen, this story features many of the same settings, vivid representations, and unexpected characters as her prior book. However, it expands that universe outward into quantum territory and work with artificial brains.
The first-person narrator, who used to be flesh-and-blood once, thought his work would support humanity's growth. But though Y1 has his origins in said humankind, in reality he now is disconnected from his original purpose, creation, and mindset; set adrift by circumstances of his own choosing and new nature.
Arama creates another mind-boggling intersection of high tech, human emotion, and possibility that lives up to the story's billing as a "sci-fi thriller."
Explanations of past events and drama are so subtly wound into this story's progression that prior fans won't feel they are involved in any lengthy recaps, while newcomers to Arama's world will easily slip into its dilemmas, challenges, and characters.
From A-brains locked into a lifetime sentence they never asked for to specters of demons, violent VR confrontations, Yamir's purpose-driven work efforts, and android issues that delve into moral and ethical conundrums, adding fuel to the fires, The Regolith Temple excels in creating techno twists and turns most readers won't see coming.
There are many reasons to love this thriller. Infused with a heady mix of action, insight, and the unexpected, The Regolith Temple delves deeply into not just the idea of the mind being uploaded into a computer, but what such an event would actually feel like ... and how this could pose impossible new dilemmas for all involved.
Libraries will want to display this book as a top pick for both thriller and sci-fi readers, but perhaps its best assignment will be for book clubs and discussion groups interested in debating the shadowy intersection between humanity and AI, and the special dilemmas that emerge from such connections.
Packed with riveting, on-edge reading that creates snappy, revealing scenarios of neural networks gone wild, The Regolith Temple deserves every ounce of attention a reader can give it. It rewards such time with vivid, thought-provoking scenarios of discovery and exploration that grow characters, AI possibilities, and reader mindsets with uncommon challenges and satisfyingly unpredictable results.
Sins of Liberty
Ron Seybold
Trampoline Press
https://trampolinepress.com
9798992419801, $18.95 Paperback/$9.95 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Sins-Liberty-Ron-Seybold/dp/B0DYBFFS14
Readers of early American historical fiction accounts that sizzle with high-octane drama yet unfold the threads of history so compellingly that one can't help but become immersed in the nation's early struggles will welcome Sins of Liberty's powerful saga loss, struggle, and one young woman's efforts to solidify a more powerful place and role in her world.
Nineteen-year-old Anna's newfound independence and journey to a new life becomes fraught with countless unexpected moves from the start when a seeming safe haven with Baltimore relatives falls through.
Spiraling through various job opportunities and challenges when she is set loose in an unfamiliar world, Anna moves from Baltimore to Philadelphia, Cleveland, Michigan and beyond in search of a safe place and a life.
From the beginning, Ron Seybold steeps his novel in impressive reflective language that draws readers in with the promise that Anna's journey will be extraordinary:
Sins led me to my truest love. Or something like that.
As she synthesizes her background in a sweeping moment so that readers may move on and into her American assimilation and challenges, her German roots are exposed and then evolve as she moves away from her homeland to become part of the American melting pot of 1898.
Anna's immigrant experiences are influenced by the many kinds of men who enter her life, from employers and well-meaning benefactors who try to help her to those more nefarious in their intentions.
The women's suffragist movement of the times emerges against this backdrop of immigrant and female encounters to add vivid dialogues and perspectives that bring Anna's times to life:
"Maybe you know God's ways better than some of us. Not the ways of the Church." I gathered myself with a breath. "But a woman whose husband is on his knee at her side has much to hope for."
"God is always on our side. It was the Church that kept peeling apart our love and our desire for life together."
"What do you wish for, Joe? What would a better husband bring to me on a night like this one?"
Seybold is masterful at capturing women's suffrage meetings which synthesize the motivations for a rebellion which grows into a movement against all odds:
"All this talk of marching and rotten eggs and temperance. Whatever comes of it?" Maude said.
"Enough, if we stay on course. We should set ours to help women who can't help themselves."
His special method of injecting history with personal perspective alternates Anna's first-person observations with the more dispassionate third person reflections of a narrator who ties together many strings of action, reaction, and the history of the times.
This paves the way for an especially evocative, heartfelt survey that explores reputations that embrace risk for the sake of building a better future for everyone.
Replete with subjects of women's and immigrant experiences that will certainly fuel book club and women's reading groups with fresh perspectives and thought-provoking insights, Sins of Liberty's compelling characters and lives drives a story that explores the idea of "doing the right thing" against all odds.
Libraries and readers will find it a solid work of high dramatic embellishments that sizzle with action, reaction, and the growing motivations of women to find new places and roles for themselves in America, whether the nation be their birthplace or their adopted home.
Given the renewed discussions about women's roles, God's will, and immigrant value that has re-arisen in modern times, Sins of Liberty's publication today could not have come at a better time. Its encouragement of discourse on historical precedence and experience is enlightening, empowering, and entertaining, all in one.
Unseen Chains
Corey W Carlson
Independently Published
9798230930402, $19.99
https://www.amazon.com/Unseen-Chains-Everyday-Oppression-American/dp/B0DXNBR9BC
Unseen Chains: The Everyday Oppression of American Life chronicles the ideal and evolution of the American Dream and how its allure resulted in successes and failures that actually overlaid a system rigged from the start. This should be the starting point for political science and history students of American history who are interested in the foundations and influences of socioeconomic forces that took an ideal and made it a cornerstone illusion for a nation.
Corey W Carlson draws on a combination of personal experience and insight and studied research as he builds the case for a different kind of history where politicians and the wealthy created and manipulated not just system rules, but consumer image and ideals.
Chapters evolve a series of surprises that will surely prove controversial food for thought and fodder for vivid classroom and reading group discussions. Carlson is clear about his analysis of these special interests that have kept American options and ideals under thrall:
The Democrats and Republicans have created a system where it's nearly impossible for any outside voices to gain traction. This isn't by accident; it's by design. Both parties understand that their power is best preserved by limiting voter options. If voters only have two choices, the parties can focus on winning over the center or energizing their base, without ever having to worry about losing to a truly disruptive political force.
His approach actually explains a lot, from voter apathy and the failures of the political system to address a wide range of social ills and transformative options to how selective retellings of American history pick and choose the narrative to redefine events on a broad scale that adds to illusions and supports special interests.
As a myriad of "unseen chains" are probed, readers may find many answers to why they feel duped, disillusioned, or confused about America's political past and present. The exploration becomes even more hard-hitting for its wide sweep and scope of seemingly disparate forces at work behind the scenes:
Hollywood also plays a key role in reinforcing American exceptionalism, the idea that the U.S. is unique in its commitment to freedom, democracy, and human rights, and that it has a special responsibility to lead the world. Historical films and biopics often present a sanitized version of American history that emphasizes the nation's achievements while minimizing or ignoring its darker aspects.
In short, although opinionated and controversial, Unseen Chains is also well-researched, essential reading for any thinking historian, economics student, or consumer interested in better understanding the interactions between and repressive efforts of forces that would control and direct the course of not just American lives, but ideals.
Gone to Ground
Morgan Hatch
https://www.morganhatch.net
Black Rose Writing
https://www.blackrosewriting.com
9781685136345, $22.95
https://www.blackrosewriting.com/thrillers/p/gonetoground?rq=gone%20to%20ground
Gone to Ground pairs suspense with witty observations to bring readers a special flavor of intrigue and irony as a Mexican-American high school senior becomes mixed up in a conspiracy that reaches into his Los Angeles community to threaten everything he loves.
Javier Jiminez is on the high road to college until corporate special interests represented by businessman George Jones enters his neighborhood with a vision of urban renewal that threatens to tear down his community. It's a world already buffeted by his feud with his brother Alex, who represents the darker side of choices in the Latino community and whose downhill slide into crime and chaos threatens to bring Javier with him.
As if Javier wasn't in enough trouble, local gang clashes and murders begin to change the face of his world as he comes to realize that business interests may be provoking and pushing their actions.
Author Morgan Hatch's background of some thirty years in the Los Angeles public school system lends to a realistic, powerful backdrop of classrooms, urban experiences, and Los Angeles culture that captures the atmosphere with descriptions that are on point and powerful:
Itchy always had on a pristine ball cap turned at a jaunty angle, a shiny decal still affixed to the bill, and Scratchy, hands shoved deep in his pockets, wore a hoodie that bisected his skull and swung off the crown of his head as if glued in place. Itchy would plop down next to Alex, stick one hand in the bag of chips, then drape an arm over Alex's shoulder, a telling combination of coercion and brotherhood that had grown over the first semester.
Also of special note are action-packed scenarios that sizzle with confrontation and insights as Javier finds himself sometimes on the wrong side of family and law alike:
The voice on the bullhorn came out like a net.
"Put your hands up!" Even without the cops, there was nowhere to go unless you wanted to go for a swim. There was only the pool and then a fifty-foot drop.
Javier was now the only person in the house, leaving him looking more like a suspect himself and less like the concerned brother.
The mesmerizing web of events that play out to pull Javier into circumstances he either never saw coming or wanted to avoid creates layers of intrigue and realization that will simply delight readers looking for realistic thrillers immersed in Los Angeles street culture, devious business visions of profit, and engrossing observations from an approach that takes the time to build atmosphere and insights into its tension and psychological revelations:
He could see across the tracks, a pickup soccer game, kids no older than himself, their shouts like sparks in the night. He went at the tequila, his throat no longer burning, a lust for action starting to fill his head.
Javier's journey from school shenanigans to life-altering encounters captures a Los Angeles encountering numerous scandals involving public officials alongside typical urban "crises" involving homelessness, gentrification, and immigration ... all an intrinsic part of the action.
Libraries, especially California collections seeking Southern California thrillers, will relish this intersection of social, political, and personal conundrums that drive an exquisite, tension-packed story of discovery and unexpected connections and consequences.
Readers that choose Gone to Ground for its promise of heady action, discussions of personal transformation and impact, and discovery will relish how Hatch brings all these influences home to explore Los Angeles culture from a very different perspective.
Diane C. Donovan, Senior Reviewer
Donovan's Literary Services
www.donovansliteraryservices.com
Gary Roen's Bookshelf
Jamaica Ginger And Other Concoctions
Nalo Hopkinson
Tachyon Publications
https://tachyonpublications.com
9781616964269, $16.95 pbk / $11.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Jamaica-Ginger-Other-Concoctions-Hopkinson/dp/161696426X
It is always nice to see works by authors from other countries in the world. For so long fans of science fiction held the view that most of the books were by writers in North America or England. Nalo Hopkinson dispels that belief with her newest collection of short stories "Jamaica Ginger And Other Concoctions." Sixteen pieces with interesting characters, strong writing, and many with twists of endings worthy of some of the best science fiction writers from the Golden Age. The author also provides information many readers like of the evolution of the story that so many of us find so interesting to add enjoyment. One of her best ones is Can't Beat Em where there is something very different a plumber finds at a home that must be prevented from is function as well as the customer has an overwhelming sexual attraction to the worker, is one of the weird wonderful stories in this fine collection. "Jamaica Ginger and Other Concoctions" is and enticing work for fans of the genre to discover a brand-new author to enjoy
L. Ron Hubbard Writers Of The Future Volume 41
Edited by Jody Lynn Nye
Galaxy Press
https://galaxypress.com
www.writersofthefuture.com
9781619868441, $22.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Ron-Hubbard-Presents-Writers-Future/dp/161986844X
The gang buster of science fiction short story collections continues to excel with the newest installment of Volume 41. The event for writers begun by Hubbard has also brought in more talent to the genre of science fiction than any other source, that continues to be a major force in the genre of science fiction. Other collections continue to be released, of short stories. Unlike them Writers Of the Future has always celebrated new talented authors who have gone on to bigger and better things. Some of the outstanding entries are Blackbird Stone by Ian Keith Something strange happens at a doctors office with two individuals, A boy defies the rules of society The Boy From Elsewhere. Nonfiction and fiction writings by Hubbard as well as articles by other authors add so much to appreciation this grandaddy event every year. The other portion highlights the talented Artists of the Future with their works displayed with the tales as well as by themselves on slick pages in color. L. Ron Hubbard was a visionary in the realm of science fiction by creating the contest a long time ago. "L. Ron Hubbard Writers Of the Future Volume 41" proves that the competition has long lasting legs that continue to grow.
Both Feet In: Navigating Relationships In A Flamingo World
Patti Ann, author
Tom Johnson, illustrator
Posh Pink Plumes Press
https://poshpinkplumespress.com
9781736634776, $8.95 pbk, $5.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Both-Feet-Navigating-Relationships-Flamingo-ebook/dp/B0CW1NHQ2K
We are all looking for certain things in this life. One facet. is a fulfilling relationship, with another person. So many of the books out there, overall are the same. "Both Feet In: Navigating Relationships In a Flamingo World" has so much to say in a unique way. Using traits of the Flamingo the narrator, compares its universe, to humans who deal with so many more things in theirs. There are commonalities like be the best you can be, knowing what you want, open to new things, are just a few of the items the rosy being offers. "Both Feet In: Navigating Relationships In A Flamingo World" is an imaginative approach to age-old situations, mankind is always seeking
Both Feet In: Navigating Life In A Flamingo World
Patti Ann, author
Tom Johnson, illustrator
Posh Pink Plumes Press
https://poshpinkplumespress.com
9781736634790, $8.95 pbk, $5.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Both-Feet-Navigating-Flamingo-World/dp/1736634798
"Both Feet In: Navigating Life In A Flaming World" the second volume, from a flamingo's perspective, delves into things humans can learn to make their lives better. Knowing about bullies, how to deal with them, even though things seem perfect prepare for the unexpected, never give up because you have not accomplished self-imposed goals in a certain time frame, and taking risks. The comparisons between birds and humans is interesting, and helpful. "Both Feet In" editions are witty compilation of things; we can all acquire to achieve our ambitions. "Both Feet In" titles are filled with beautiful artwork that adds to the enjoyment. hopefully there will be more flamingo publications in the future.
Enough is Enuf: Our Failed Attempts To Make English Eezier To Spell
Gabe Henry
Deyst
An Imprint of William Morrow
c/o Harper Collins
www.harpercollins.com
9780063360211, $28.00 HC $14.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Enough-Enuf-Entertaining-History-Spelling/dp/0063360217
"Enough is Enuf" traces the English language all the way back in time detailing its evolutions to the present day. Along the way are ways different scholars have tried to improve it to make it easier to understand because some say it's the most difficult one in the world to learn. Henry comically shows laugh out loud scenarios the development has taken by constant examples that often are very hard to grasp what is being conveyed because the words presented do not look anything like we are used to while others shown have added letters that are the norm in different speaking countries. "Enough is Enuf" is an educational resource to see how complicated the English language is and how difficult it is to change it to make it any better. Those of us who do crossword puzzles can enjoy "Enough is Enuf" for all the words it presents that fit in the pages of the brain teasers.
How to Negotiate like A Pro: How to Resolve Anything, Anytime, Anywhere
Third Edition
Mary Greenwood
http://marygreenwood.org
iUniverse
www.iuniverse.com
9781532031168, $13.99 pbk $5.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/How-Negotiate-like-Pro-Anything/dp/1532031165
How to Negotiate like a Pro has always been a wealth of information to teach people how to negotiate whatever they are trying to get done. Now with this latest version it is an even greater asset to individuals to heighten their abilities to use the forty-one principles listed here. This version has several new chapters including one on how to deal with difficult people. "How to Negotiate like a Pro" is the benchmark that all other titles of this type will have to live up to for its ground breaking sensible premises to negotiate anything you need to when properly followed.
Dion The Rock 'N' Roll Philosopher: Conversations on Life, Recovery, Faith, and Music
Dion DiMucci and Adam Jablin
Contributions by Paul Simon, Bishop Robert Barron, and Eric Clapton
Lyons Press
c/o Globe Pequot
c/o Rowman & Littlefield
www.rowman.com
9781493088027 $40.00 HC / $30.77 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Dion-Rock-Roll-Philosopher-DiMucci/dp/1493088025
The nineteen fifties and sixties ushered in new forms of music including, rock n roll, with new songs about new dancing incorporating Chubby Checker's The Twist while Elvis caused a stir with his gyrations and music on the major live shows on the 3 tv networks of the day. There were also people like Ricky Nelson, Fabian, Joey D and the Starlighters. Bobby Darin Buddy Holly, Riche Valens, and Dion among the most popular. Many of them ended in tragedy. "Dion The Rock 'N' Roll Philosopher" is the no holds barred life story of one of them. Dion was at the top of the charts with two hits The Wanderer, Runaround Sue in nineteen sixty-one, later eclipsed by The Beatles, Bee Gees and others who came along a little later. Dion now tells all, in his life story the highs and lows of dealing with instant fame, hit songs playing all the time on the radio, TV appearances on the big shows, concerts all over the world, to be a star so quickly then have it decline, He details his drug abuse finding how to overcome it with different ways including spirituality and religion that he practices today. "Dion The Rock 'N' Roll Philosopher" is filled with great pictures as well as writing that tells not only his story but of the music industry coming out of what was once called the beat generation to evolve into a whole new world. Many readers will love reminders of their own lives of that long ago time of music history.
Miracle on 34th Street: The Making Of A Christmas Classic
Jeffery Paul Thompson
Lyons Press
c/o Globe Pequot
c/o Rowman & Littlefield
www.rowman.com
9781493075249 $45.00 HC / $42.50 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-34th-Street-Christmas-Classic/dp/1493075241
We all love the Christmas classic and observe it yearly around the holiday to savor and enjoy it more each time. Now "Miracle on 34th Street: The Making Of A Christmas Classic" adds new appreciation for the beloved film. Author Thompson exposes so many things about the all time favorite as well as the numerous remakes through the years, that at best are ok, but do not have the class and charm of the original but are worth knowing about. Some of the tidbits that make for great trivia, are the actor who had contracts with 2 separate studios at the same time, not normal policy in that era of film making, the many versions of the screenplay that became the one filmed, the difficult progression to secure the players who were finally chosen, the only person to be the same character in both the original and a remake, how Macy's and Gimbels became part of the film. There are lots of other odds and ends pictures galore and lots of other unknown facts until now. "Miracle on 34th Street: The Making Of A Christmas Classic" is a smorgasbord of entertainment history for all who love this enduring film that captivates new generations of viewers every time it is shown
James Bond After Fleming: The Continuation Novels
Mark Edlitz
www.markedlitz.com
Independently Published
9798863381688, $34.99 pbk No Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/James-Bond-After-Fleming-Continuation/dp/B0CQ17R3XL
Bond James Bond is back, in the wonderful work "James Bond After Flemming: The Continuation Novels" Edlitz traces the history of the James Bond novels by Ian Fleming to some of the most recent including the current "A Spy Like Me." He gives insights into all the Fleming works then reveals so many other facts of the continuing ones that began with "Colonel Sun" by Kingsley Amis and "License Renewed" by John Gardner, who updated the character and wrote many new novels. "Blast From The Past" by Raymond Benson continued the trend with many novels; then there were many single works until Trigger Mortis by Anthony Horwitz, who took Bond back to the original books and time. Anthony Horwitz's works were special because they had unused portions originally penned by Fleming himself. Edlitz continues with the most current titles, "Double Or Nothing" and "A Spy Like Me." He includes the recent title "On His Majesty's Secret Service" by Charlie Higson. There are a lot of other books dealt with that are fun to learn about because there are so many of them. Edlitz has researched so much of the world of James Bond that should be pointed out, is not the film version but the original creation by Ian Fleming. All in all "James Bond After Fleming: The Continuation Novels" is a very detailed work that any Bond fan, would love to own as a wonderful coffee table book, about the world' number one secret agent.
Nearly Exactly Almost Like Me
Jennifer Bradbury, author
Pearl Auyeung, illustrator
Caitlyn Dloughy Books
c/o Atheneum Books For Young Readers
c/o Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
https://www.simonandschuster.com/kids
9781481417679, $19.99 HC / $10.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Nearly-Exactly-Almost-Like-Me/dp/1481417673
"Nearly Exactly Almost Like Me" is a beautify told story for all ages to enjoy. Today families come in all shapes and sizes. Blended together, to form a unit under the same roof. Some people though forget that. How many remember the groundbreaking tv show The Brady Bunch or the movie Yours, Mine And Ours. Two boys have nothing in common in how they look, while some people form opinions, based on what they see in front of them, Disregarding them the two brothers go about their business of getting ice cream from the local truck in the neighborhood and playing on the playground with other kids. Brilliantly told, "Nearly Exactly Almost Like Me" touches on social issues subtly to achieve its overall messages to remind us all we have different backgrounds that make up our country that should always be celebrated.
Gary Roen
Senior Reviewer
Helen Dumont's Bookshelf
Play Smart: Playground Strategies for Success in a Male-Dominated Workplace
Brigitte Gawenda Kimichik JD
The Sandbox Series LLC
https://www.thesandboxseries.com
9798990912618, $22.95, PB, 258pp
https://www.amazon.com/Play-Smart-Playground-Strategies-Male-Dominated/dp/B0DKFJ5SHS
Synopsis: "Play Smart: Playground Strategies for Success in a Male-Dominated Workplace" is the second book in Brigitte Kimichik's The Sandbox Series which is specifically designed to empower women, educating men, and changing the workplace culture.
This comprehensive guide is filled with valuable insights, practical advice, and actionable strategies to empower women and educate men in challenging work environments. With over 30 years of professional experience, Kimichik offers a self-help manual that covers a wide array of topics, including how to build a strong professional network, seek proper mentorship, advocate for yourself, educate your male colleagues and human resources for assistance, balance parenthood with career aspirations, negotiate salaries or raises, overcome gender bias and unequal pay, and confidently navigate the boys' club corporate culture - all with grace and confidence.
Through inspiring examples and real-life anecdotes, "Play Smart" is essential reading for any woman looking to advance her career and shatter glass ceilings.
Critique: "Play Nice - Playground Rules for Respect in the Workplace" (the first volume of her series 'The Sandbox') was Brigitte Kimichik's seminal and ground breaking study which is now aptly followed up with the publication of "Play Smart: Playground Strategies for Success in a Male-Dominated Workplace". Like the first volume, "Play Smart" is impressively well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. An ideal and 'real world' practical combination of motivational/self-help and Management/Leadership, "Play Smart" is especially recommended for personal, professional, community, corporate, and university library Business Management for Women collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for business students, women in management (or who aspire to be), and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this paperback edition of "Play Smart" from The Sandbox Series LLC is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).
Editorial Note: Brigitte Gawenda Kimichik, JD, (www.thesandboxseries.com) is a passionate advocate for addressing gender discrimination, bullying, sexual harassment, and other misconduct in and outside of the workplace. Through her website blogs, lessons, and books she aims to empower women, educate men, and drive cultural change in and outside of work. She has also dedicated her time to serving on several charity boards and in 2012, was recognized with the Most Powerful and Influential Women of Texas Award from the National Diversity Council.
The Rhetoric of Appalachian Identity
Todd Snyder
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9780786478026, $29.95, PB, 228pp
https://www.amazon.com/Rhetoric-Appalachian-Identity-Contributions-Southern/dp/0786478020
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Rhetoric of Appalachian Identity", Professor Todd Snyder presents a study of the various ways that social, economic, and cultural factors influence the identities and educational aspirations of rural working-class Appalachian learners are explored.
The objectives are to highlight the cultural obstacles that impact the intellectual development of such students and to address how these cultural roadblocks make transitioning into college difficult.
Throughout "The Rhetoric of Appalachian Identity", Professor Snyder draws upon his personal experiences as a first-generation college student from a small coalmining town in rural West Virginia. Both scholarly and personal, "The Rhetoric of Appalachian Identity" is a blending of critical theory, ethnographic research, and personal narrative for the purpose of demonstrating how family work histories and community expectations both shape and limit the academic goals of potential Appalachian college students.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking study that will hold immense value to readers with an interest in human geography and the social sciences, "The Rhetoric of Appalachian Identity"The Rhetoric of Appalachian Identity" is enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a Prelude (The Hillbilly Speaks of Rhetoric), and Introduction (The Ethical Appeal to Authority), a Postlude (The College-Educated Hillbilly), two pages of Chapter Notes, a six page listing of References, and a three page Index. Unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library collections, and supplemental Appalachian Studies curriculums, throughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, it should be noted for the personal reading list of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this paperback edition of "The Rhetoric of Appalachian Identity" from McFarland & Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Todd Snyder is an assistant professor of rhetoric, writing, and oral communication at Siena College in Loudonville, New York. He lives in Albany, New York.
(https://www.siena.edu/faculty-and-staff/person/todd-snyder)
Helen Dumont
Reviewer
John Taylor's Bookshelf
New Jersey Patriots
Joe Farrell, et al.
Sunbury Press
https://www.sunburypress.com
9798888192436, $14.95, PB, 95pp
https://www.amazon.com/New-Jersey-Patriots-Contributions-Founders/dp/B0DP4F6LQR
Synopsis: The team of Joe Farrell, Joe Farley, and Lawrence Knorr have traveled across the eastern USA to the graves of over 200 founding fathers (and mothers) responsible for the birth of the United States of America.
"New Jersey Patriots: Their Lives, Contributions, and Burial Sites " is special volume dedicated to identifying New Jersey patriots and includes those that lived, worked, and or died in Garden State. Included in this slender volume are biographies and grave information for 17 of these luminaries who made significant contributions to the Revolutionary cause.
The roster of the men showcased in "New Jersey Patriots" includes:
William Livingston: "First Governor of New Jersey"
William Alexander, Lord Stirling: "The Bravest Man in America"
Elias Boudinot: President During the Treaty of Paris
David Brearley: Judge and Master Mason
Aaron Burr: Rival of Hamilton
Abraham Clark: House burned, sons tortured
George Clymer: A Pennsylvania Patriot
Stephen Crane: "Bayoneted by Hessians"
Jonathan Dayton: Youngest Constitution Signer
John DeHart: The Mayor of Elizabethtown
John Hart: Washington Camped Here
Francis Hopkinson: The Patriot Renaissance Man
James Kinsey: The Jurist from Jersey
Nathaniel Scudder: "The Only Congressman to Die in Battle"
Richard Smith: Congressional Diarist
Richard Stockton: A Most Ingenious Fellow
John Witherspoon: President of Princeton
Critique: Included are B/W illustrations in support of the impressively informative and succinct summary descriptions -- making "New Jersey Patriots: Their Lives, Contributions, and Burial Sites" especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Revolutionary History/Biography collections. It should be noted for the reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this paperback edition of "New Jersey Patriots: Their Lives, Contributions, and Burial Sites" from Sunbury Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note #1: Lawrence Knorr has authored or co-authored over 20 books, mostly on history or biography. He is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), the Sons of the American Revolution, and numerous other historical organizations. He enjoys most writing about the formerly famous and his beloved Pennsylvania Dutch culture.
Editorial Note #2: Joe Farrell was born in Brooklyn and raised on the mean streets of Queens. He attended and graduated from Catholic schools in New York and went on to College at St. Vincent College where he graduated with a degree in Psychology. He studied Clinical Psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Public Administration at Shippensburg.
Editorial Note #3: Joe Farley is the author of "Trumpet Call to Victory: The Final Years of Hazleton Saint Gabriel's Basketball" and the Keystone Tombstone series with his coauthor Joe Farrell. To date, there are thirteen volumes in that series. Farley and Farrell have also authored Gotham Graves Volumes One and Two. Mr. Farley also penned "Song Poems in Search of Music" in 2014.
John Taylor
Reviewer
Mary Cowper's Bookshelf
Clara Peeters
Alexandro Vergara-Sharp
J. Paul Getty Museum
c/o Getty Publications
www.getty.edu/publications
9781606069509, $45.00, HC, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Clara-Peeters-Illuminating-Women-Artists/dp/1606069500
Synopsis: Clara Peeters (ca. 1587-1636) was a Flemish still-life painter and one of the most talented and creative artists among the early practitioners of this genre in Europe during the early seventeenth century. She specialized in paintings of food and was prominent among the artists who shaped the traditions of the Netherlandish ontbitjes (breakfast pieces) and banketjes (banquet pieces).
Not only was she part of the first generation to specialize in this type of still-life painting, Peeters was the only Flemish woman known to have focused on genre painting in the early seventeenth century. Indeed, she was one of only a few women to dedicate her professional life to painting in early modern Europe.
"Clara Peeters" is an impressively informative monograph in which Alejandro Vergara-Sharp discusses what is known of Peeters's biography while presenting the historical and cultural context behind her art, style, and techniques. "Clara Peeters" establishes the artist as a leader in her field by examining Peeters's artistry and the material culture reflected in her paintings. This timely volume sheds light on the limitations that Peeters encountered because of her gender, and how she responded to them in her art, while assessing her importance as a painter of still life.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated with perfectly reproduced examples of her paintings accompanied by an impressively informative commentary, this hardcover edition of "Clara Peeters" by art historian and curator Alejandro Vergara-Sharp will prove a welcome and prized addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Women Artist History/Biography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists and is part of the Getty Publications 'Illuminating Women Artists' series.
Editorial Note: Alejandro Vergara-Sharp is senior curator of Flemish and Northern European paintings at the Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid.
What She Wants: Poems on Obsession, Desire, Despair, Euphoria
Kim Dower
Red Hen Press
www.redhen.org
9781636282633, $19.95, HC, 136pp
https://www.amazon.com/What-She-Wants-Obsession-Euphoria/dp/1636282636
Synopsis: Following the commercial and literary success of her debut poetry collection, "I Wore This Dress Today for You, Mom: Poems on Motherhood", Kim Dower now delivers "What She Wants: Poems on Obsession, Desire, Despair, Euphoria".
In this latest volume of her verse she turns her keen eye, vibrant imagination, trademark insight, and humor to the intensity of obsessive love. These steamy and provocative poems, combining humor and heartache, run through the four phases of Limerence, the state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person: Infatuation, Crystallization, Deterioration, and Ecstatic Release.
From the opening poem, "She'll do anything for food," to the sexy title poem, "What She Wants," the painfully funny, "His Other Girlfriend," to the longing in "Visiting Baudelaire," and the sad, sweet final poem, "Fish's Lament," Kim Dower captures the essence of what it means to be stuck on someone -- even on a squirrel! Her eclectic, growing readership will savor these poems that can be read in one sitting, like a story with an arc, or separately, each one recalling the moment of falling in or out of love, the moment our hearts skipped a beat.
Critique: "What She Wants: Poems on Obsession, Desire, Despair, Euphoria" with its theme of obsessive love showcases Kim Dower's distinctive and engaging style when it comes to crafting emotionally engaging, resonating, and memorable verse. Her word smithing, poetry based storytelling skills are truly impressive, making "What She Wants" especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library Contemporary American Poetry collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for all poetry enthusiasts in general, and the growing legion of Kim Dower fans in particular that this paperback edition of "What She Wants" from Red Hen Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Kim Dower (http://kimdowerpoetry.com) is the former City Poet Laureate for West Hollywood, California. She is the author of five highly acclaimed collections of poetry, including the Los Angeles Times bestseller and 2023 Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist, I Wore This Dress Today for You, Mom; the 2020 Gold IPPY Awards winner, Sunbathing on Tyrone Power's Grave; Air Kissing on Mars; and Slice of Moon. Dower's poems have been featured on Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac and Ted Kooser's American Life in Poetry, as well as in many anthologies and journals, including Ploughshares, James Dickey Review, Plume, and Barrow Street. She teaches poetry workshops for Antioch University, UCLA Extension, and the West Hollywood Library.
Mary Cowper
Reviewer
Micah Andrew's Bookshelf
Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains! A Photo History of an American Icon
Roger Carp, author
John W. Schmid, editor
Project Roar Publishing
https://projectroar.com
9781933600079, $49.95, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Lights-Camera-Lionel-History-American/dp/1933600071
Synopsis: "Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains! A Photo History of an American Icon" is comprised of 100 stunningly presented and informative photo essays that reveal how Lionel electric trains became an American cultural and social icon of the 20th century. Those innovative and exciting toys defined what it meant to be a happy and fulfilled child while enabling celebrities in sports, show business, and politics to stay in touch with the innocence of their past.
Full-color and black-and-white photographs from archives and private collections tell the story of how one dynamic toy maker arose to influence life in the United States.
Train enthusiasts are certain to be entertained and informed by what Lionel historian Roger Carp writes about the dozens of rare and delightful pictures. And those images will nurture memories of the electric trains readers may have played with and/or seen in action on television and/or in motion pictures.
Critique: Written by Roger Carp and edited by John W. Schmid, this large format (11.25 x 0.81 x 8.75 inches, 2.86 pounds) hardcover edition of "Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains! A Photo History of an American Icon" from Project Roar Publishing is a 'must' for the legions of Lionel train fans. Impressively informative and a nostalgic pleasure to browse through, "Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains!" is an unreservedly recommended and enduringly welcome pick for personal, community, and college/university library Antique/Collectible - Toy Trains collections.
Editorial Note #1: Roger Carp has been fascinated by Lionel trains and the people who created them since he received a small steam engine and some freight cars as a youngster in 1956. His interest directed him, after earning a Ph.D. in American history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to Classic Toy Trains magazine, where he has served for 20 years as senior editor. Roger has written or edited more than 20 books and special-interest publications about Lionel -- its trains and accessories, its leaders and workers, its showrooms and displays, and its legacy. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/521391.Roger_Carp)
Editorial Note #1: John W. Schmid is the co-founder and President of Project Roar Publishing. He has been collecting trains with his father for as long as he can remember. "It was Christmas all year long" as the layout in the basement continually grew. While still actively collecting trains, John pursued a career in the software industry running sales divisions and organizations for companies such as Sage Intacct, Host Analytics, Siebel, Hyperion and NCR.
Micah Andrew
Reviewer
Michael Dunford's Bookshelf
Weed Empire
Adam Bierman
Matt Holt Books
c/o BenBella Books
www.benbellabooks.com
9781637746370, $32.00, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Weed-Empire-Gangsters-Investment-Department/dp/1637746377
Synopsis: Adam Bierman wasn't planning on selling weed -- or developing a network of cannabis stores, or safeguarding his money in shoeboxes, or facing off with gangbangers in dark corners of parking lots, or taking on the public markets and justice system itself to bring the world America's first public cannabis unicorn. But, of course, not everything goes according to plan.
"Weed Empire: How I Battled Gangsters, Investment Banks, and the Department of Justice to Build the Cannabis Industry in America" by Adam Bierman is an authentic inside look at the story behind MedMen, America's first cannabis unicorn and the world's first globally recognized cannabis brand.
It's also the underdog story of how a kid from the suburbs entered the cannabis scene and later reimagined weed for the mainstream, jumping at an opportunity to shift the conversation about legalizing marijuana. And additionally, it's the tale of how a one-room studio dispensary eventually turned into a public company valued at over $2 billion -- led by a CEO with no college degree, and with politicians, entertainment moguls, and Wall Street heavyweights on his team.
An unconventional but intensely revelatory memoir, "Weed Empire" is more than just an account of MedMen's colorful history -- it's also a cautionary tale of the high cost of ambition. Adam refuses to pull any punches in his tell-all story, documenting MedMen's decade-long rise as well as all the extraordinary behind-the-scenes moments, the slog of passing cannabis legislation, and the exhausting battle to start a public company, bring a dream to the world, and hold a family (and himself) together through the madness.
Critique: An absolutely fascinating read from cover to cover, "Weed Empire: How I Battled Gangsters, Investment Banks, and the Department of Justice to Build the Cannabis Industry in America" by entrepreneur and cannabis advocate Adam Bierman will be of immense value and attraction to readers with an interest in the increasingly legitimized cannabis industry, modern American entrepreneurship, and one of the most unusual and riveting contemporary memoirs every penned. Informative, candid, riveting, "Weed Empire" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Weed Empire" from Matt Hold Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Adam Bierman (www.theadambierman.com) is the co-founder and former CEO of MedMen, the first American cannabis unicorn and once the most recognized brand in the marijuana industry. In his decade at the helm of the company, he grew the business to five states, 33 retail stores and more than 1,500 employees. Today, Bierman is working with cannabis companies and investors to expand consumer access on a global scale in his continued effort to take the industry into the mainstream and continue to de-stigmatize cannabis and end its prohibition. As an authority and go-to thought leader within the industry, he has appeared on several news outlets including CNBC, Bloomberg News, Forbes, CNN, Time Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, U.S. News & World Report, and many others.
Michael Dunford
Reviewer
Paul Vogel's Bookshelf
Taming the Molecule of More
Michael E. Long
BenBella Books
www.benbellabooks.com
9781637746097, $28.95, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Molecule-More-Step-Step/dp/1637746091
Synopsis: Dopamine, "the molecule of more," is the chemical in our brains that drives us to seek out newer and better things -- the latest gadget, the coolest job, the perfect partner. But for many of us, it's easy to get stuck in a cycle of never being truly satisfied. Because dopamine can only promise happiness. It can never deliver. That part is up to us. A more fulfilling life begins with training your brain to overcome the dopamine chase -- and it's easier than you think.
With the publication of "Taming the Molecule of More: A Step-by-Step Guide to Make Dopamine Work for You", Michael E. Long (who was also the coauthor of the life-changing book "The Molecule of More"), provides a practical DIY solution to the problem. This thoroughly researched and encouraging instructional guide is based on the latest neuroscience. It can teach you to overcome the most troubling aspect of our biological programming.
"Taming the Molecule of More" shows how to:
Stop being held captive to the lure of social media
Reject an unhealthy obsession with work
Avoid the pitfalls that plague the dating life --and refresh interest in the romance you already have
Stop compulsive shopping, online and otherwise
Step back from social media -- and break the cycle of doomscrolling
Grow your creativity and call it up when you need it most
The ultimate goal is to harness our struggles and our triumphs toward satisfaction for a lifetime. To achieve this goal, "Taming the Molecule of More" delivers an effective method to begin a more fulfilling life right now.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented for the non-specialist genera reader with an interest in cognitive psychology, human biology, and the role of dopamine in human behavior, "Taming the Molecule of More: A Step-by-Step Guide to Make Dopamine Work for You" by Michael E. Long is an ideal and solidly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Taming the Molecule of More: A Step-by-Step Guide to Make Dopamine Work for You" from BenBella Books is also available in a digital book format, (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Trained as a physicist, Michael E. Long is coauthor of the international bestseller "The Molecule of More". As a playwright, he's had more than two dozen of his shows produced, most on New York stages. As a screenwriter, his honors include finalist for the grand prize in screenwriting at the Slamdance Film Festival. As a speechwriter, Long has written for members of Congress, US cabinet secretaries, presidential candidates, and Fortune 10 CEOs. A popular keynote speaker, Long has addressed audiences around the world, including at Oxford University. He teaches writing at Georgetown University, where he is a former director of writing. (https://wendylevinson.com/michael-e-long)
Paul T. Vogel
Reviewer
S.A. Gorden's Bookshelf
Whiskey Rebellion: (Addison Holmes Mysteries Book 1)
Liliana Hart
https://lilianahart.com
7th Press
9781470071691 $14.99
B0053HWAWQ $0.00 Kindle, 310 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Whiskey-Rebellion-Addison-Mystery-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0053HWAWQ
Whiskey Rebellion is a hilarious mystery tale. Addison Holmes is a protagonist who epitomizes the saying that if she didn't have bad luck she would have no luck at all. Every time Addison gets knocked down she either pulls herself off the ground or climbs off the hospital bed.
Addison needs money fast. Her current residence has been condemned and she needs a down payment on a new place before she is forced out in a matter of weeks. She sees an ad for exotic dancers and decides to try it. As she is dancing, she sees the principal of the school she teaches at watching her. The owner fires her and as she is walking out she stumbles over her dead principal. Her life gets even more messed up from there as more people she knows wind up dead. How long before the killer decides that she is going to be a problem?
Whiskey Rebellion is a very easy recommendation. Between laughing so hard your side hurts, you are trying to figure out where the mystery will be going next. The subplots are a mix of cute sweetness and wincing pain as Addison's life stumbles across her next misfortune. The biggest problem with the story is keeping yourself from laughingly spitting out your last sip of coffee while you are reading the tale.
Dicing Up Disaster: A Cozy Dog Mystery (Little Dog Diner Book 6)
Emmie Lyn
https://emmielynbooks.com
Tule Publishing
https://tulepublishing.com
9781964418063 $11.99
B0D23PGQ7K $4.99 Kindle, 282 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Dicing-Up-Disaster-Mystery-Little-ebook/dp/B0D23PGQ7K
Dicing Up Disaster is a soft cozy. The mystery is more a series of character studies that when finished solves a murder than an investigation that searches for clues and logic. The main protagonist is the catalyst for the detective skills of her friends. The mystery is a joint project.
Dani, the owner of Little Dog Diner in Misty Harbor, stops by her diner and finds a woman, soaking wet, with her Newfoundland dog, waiting for her. She claims she was on a boat in the harbor when she finds the man she was with murdered. She has jumped into the ocean to find Dani and ask for her help.
Dani and her Jack Russell, Pip, decides to help. The woman thinks she is also in danger so Dani finds a place to hide her while she and her friends look for answers. No one is telling the whole truth so everything learned has to be verified while keeping a dangerous killer at bay.
Dicing Up Disaster is comfortable read with a reasonable mystery and character development. It is recommended for readers who are more interested in comfort food than mystery.
S.A. Gorden
Senior Reviewer
Suzie Housley's Bookshelf
The Dream Lives On
Valeriya Goffe
Next Chapter Publishing
9798309859542, Kindle, $2.99, $10.99 PB, 250 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Lives-Valeriya-Goffe/dp/B0DWL667BZ
Synopsis: Valeriya Goffe's The Dream Lives On beautifully captures the essence of human resilience and the profound, transformative power of love amidst the chaos of life. Set against the heart-wrenching backdrop of the Ukrainian conflict, a contemporary issue that resonates with many, the narrative follows the intertwined fates of Viktor Yurchenko and Teresa Jameson, two souls from vastly different backgrounds who find their lives forever changed by unforeseen circumstances.
Viktor, a devoted father, faces the agonizing decision to leave his homeland behind, embarking on a treacherous journey to the United States with his three young children and elderly mother. His heart is heavy with the weight of his responsibilities, and the thought of love is far from his mind as he fights against displacement and uncertainty. His emotional journey, filled with the rawness of pain and the flicker of hope, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
On the other side of this emotional spectrum is Teresa, a high-ranking executive whose perfect life is cracking. As she navigates the complexities of her sixteen-year marriage, Teresa finds herself at a crossroads, yearning for something deeper and more fulfilling. Their emotional journeys, filled with pain, hope, and love, are at the heart of this narrative.
Their paths converge unexpectedly, igniting a connection that challenges them to confront their pasts and consider the possibilities of new beginnings. This poignant story is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, the transformative power of love can kindle the flame of hope and renewal, guiding us toward a brighter future.
Critique: The Dream Lives On showcases a world where borders often divide us; the stories of resilience and sacrifice that emerge from the refugee experience serve as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity, uniting us in our compassion and understanding.
Valeriya Goffe's exceptional storytelling invites us into the intricate lives of her characters, particularly Viktor, a single father bravely navigating the complexities of life in a foreign land. Accompanying him on his journey reveals the strength required to carve a fresh path amidst the surrounding chaos.
In much the same way, Teresa's introspection about her life choices encourages us to pause and reflect on our paths - prompting us to consider the adventures we embark upon and the lessons they impart.
The characters and setting of this book will make you see the world in a new light. It's a beautiful story that will not leave your mind long after turning the last page.
Flashes of a Dying Hour: A Liv Wilde Mystery #2
Lynda Allen
Living Heartfully Press
9781732255777, $ 15.99 HB, $7.99 Kindle, 265 pp
https://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Dying-Hour-Wilde-Mysteries/dp/1732255776
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228704624-flashes-of-a-dying-hour
Synopsis: Imagine if menopause brought not just hot flashes, but an extraordinary ability. Liv Wilde, a spirited woman, finds her life taking a surprising turn as she grapples with the emergence of psychic visions during her menopausal journey. In a twist of fate, Liv's newfound power unveils a chilling premonition - a dead body, and the unsettling realization that she may come face-to-face with the man before his fate is sealed.
Set against the backdrop of Fredericksburg, Virginia, a quaint town transformed by the arrival of treasure hunters in search of Edgar Allan Poe's elusive first poetry collection, Tamerlane, Liv finds herself embroiled in a mystery that stretches beyond her wildest imagination. With the support of her close-knit circle of friends, Liv embarks on a thrilling adventure, leveraging her psychic insights to outsmart a notorious treasure hunter known as The Falcon. But the stakes rise dramatically when a friend's daughter is kidnapped, pushing Liv to confront the harsh truth: not everyone is eager to be saved, and time is running out.
This tale weaves together themes of friendship, discovery, and the resilience of the human spirit. As Liv grapples with the weight of her visions and the moral dilemmas they present, readers are invited to reflect on the power of connection. Liv's journey is a testament to the strength that can be found in friendship, inspiring readers to believe in the courage it takes to step into the unknown.
Critique: Flashes of a Dying Hour is where an intricately woven mystery unfolds against an unexpected element - menopause. This innovative narrative not only keeps you on the edge of your seat with its suspenseful twists and turns but also invites you to explore the deeper layers of human experience and resilience.
Lynda Allen's unique contribution to the literary world redefines traditional narratives by weaving the theme of menopause into her captivating mystery novels. Her portrayal of this often-overlooked chapter of life adds depth and intrigue that resonates with readers, making her characters relatable and profoundly authentic.
Under Your Nails: Poems of Love, Loss, and Healing
Lauren Marelli
Little Ruth LLC
9798218568696, Kindle $4.99, $10.99 PB, 74 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Under-Your-Nails-Poems-Healing/dp/B0DT19Y5VR
Synopsis: Under Your Nails is a captivating collection of poetry that beautifully unravels the intricate tapestry of love, emotional pain, and the transformative power of personal growth. Marelli's verses are not just words on a page; they are an invitation to explore the depths of the human experience, where heartache and healing coexist.
Through her unique blend of vulnerability and strength, Marelli captures the tumultuous emotions linked to toxic relationships and the shadows of childhood trauma. Each poem acts as a mirror, reflecting the struggle and resilience that define our journeys toward self-discovery.
As readers navigate through the raw landscapes of emotional turmoil, they will find solace in Marelli's honest portrayal of the path to empowerment - one that resonates with anyone who has ever felt ensnared by destructive patterns or yearned for a brighter tomorrow.
Critique: Under Your Nails is more than just poetry; it's a source of comfort and inspiration. Marelli's work encourages introspection and a celebration of self-love. Each page invites readers to reflect on their own journeys, finding strength in the illuminating words.
Lauren Marelli is an exceptional author whose powerful collection of poems is a beacon of hope and inspiration. Whether you're seeking catharsis or a gentle nudge to reconnect with your inner strength, Marelli's words are the perfect companion for your unique healing path.
Each page invites you to embrace your journey, encouraging you to delve deeper into your emotions and experiences, ultimately guiding you toward a brighter, more empowered self.
The Mice of Dumpler: Jonah's Adventure
Chris Weld, author
Illustrated by Lovely
Independently Published
9798858190356, $5.99 PB, $17.99 HB, $4.99, Kindle, 90 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Mice-Dumpler-Jonahs-Adventure/dp/B0CFZFW14T
Synopsis: Welcome to the enchanting world of The Mice of Dumpler, where adventure awaits at every turn! This delightful tale invites readers of all ages to immerse themselves in a whimsical narrative crafted by Chris Weld. With a perfect blend of fantasy and relatable themes, this story captures the essence of bravery, friendship, and the unyielding spirit that can lead to remarkable journeys.
Jonah is a courageous young mouse. As he sets out on an epic quest to save his beloved home, Dumpler, from impending dangers he weaves through enchanted forests and encounters a host of magical creatures, Jonah discovers the true meaning of bravery. He learns the invaluable lessons of loyalty and the strength found in the community.
The vibrant descriptions of the bustling mouse city and its myriad challenges will spark your imagination and evoke a sense of wonder.
Critique: The Mice of Dumpler: Jonah's Adventure is a delightful tale, appealing to readers of all ages. The stunning illustrations beautifully complement the narrative, enhancing the overall reading experience.
Chris Weld's writing style is engaging and accessible, balanced with humor and heartfelt moments. The dialogue flows naturally, and the descriptive passages immerse readers in the enchanting world of Dumpler. With a well-structured pace, the reader remains invested from beginning to end.
Readers will find the characters in The Mice of Dumpler to be well-developed and endearing. Jonah stands out as a relatable protagonist whose growth throughout the story resonates with readers. Supporting characters, such as his friends and allies, add depth to the narrative, showcasing diverse personalities that contribute to the overall theme of teamwork.
Chris Weld successfully weaves a tale that is entertaining and imparts meaningful lessons about courage and community. This book is an excellent addition to any children's literature collection and will surely spark its readers' imagination. I highly recommend it for those seeking an imaginative adventure filled with heart.
Editorial Note: Suggested reading ages 6-9 years old. Part of the The Mice of Dumpler Series.
Baby Steps: A sing-along Bebop book for kids
Camille Harris
Leaf & Branch Press
9798991207409, $21.99 HB, 32 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Steps-sing-along-Bebop-book/dp/B0DWHB6S95
Synopsis: Step right up and get ready to groove with Baby Steps! This unique and delightful tale celebrates the joy of family bonding through music. It invites you to waltz into a world filled with rhythm, love, and shared experiences that will make your heart sing!
The Silly Jazz Band, inspired by John Coltrane's bebop masterpiece, Giant Steps, brings this enchanting story to life with original lyrics, celebrating the beautiful connection between babies and their special grown-ups.
Whether you're snuggling up for a cozy bedtime sing-along or gathering together for a family fiesta, this book is not just a story, but an interactive experience that will strike a chord with everyone, making you feel part of a more prominent musical family! It's the perfect way to turn your family time into a musical jamboree, creating memories that will resonate for years.
So, let's not skip a beat -- join us in this joyful musical journey that promises to be a toe-tapping adventure for all ages!
Critique: Baby Steps is not only a heartwarming tale but also a powerful tool that introduces young readers to the world of music and rhythm, fostering their cognitive development. Parents should note how beneficial this book would be for an introduction to their young one.
Camille Harris has written a delightful novel that offers an excellent gateway into the enchanting world of music for children. This book isn't just a story; it's an invitation to explore the rhythms and melodies surrounding us, unlocking a universe of creativity and imagination that will inspire young minds.
As young readers delve into the pages, they will discover how music can elevate their spirits, ignite their passions, and foster meaningful connections with the world around them.
Editorial Note: Recommended reading ages baby to 10 years old.
The Clock and the Boulder
Karin Fisher-Golton
Pacific Dogwood Press
http://www.pacificdogwoodpress.com
9780989614528, $16.99, 168pp, hardcover
9780989614504, $9.99, paperback
9780989614535, $7.99 e-book
https://www.pacificdogwoodpress.com/The-Clock-and-the-Boulder
Synopsis: In the spring of 2016, Kerstin Bellini, a sixth-grader, experienced a whirlwind of transitions as her mother's job constantly moved them across the United States. Tired of the relentless cycle of relocating, she adopts a strategy of emotional detachment, avoiding friendships she knows will only lead to heartache when it's time to leave again. However, the news of another impending move weighs heavily on her, amplifying her isolation. She felt like a leaf in the wind, constantly uprooted and never settling down.
Amidst this turmoil, a visit from her cousin, fresh from an adventure in Sweden, ignites a curiosity in Kerstin. She learns of a family farm that has stood for over three centuries, a place that feels like a connection to her roots. But the real twist comes when she unexpectedly wakes up on that very farm in 1755, a time when the world differed vastly from what she knew.
Confronted with an unimaginable challenge, Kerstin realizes she cannot navigate this unfamiliar world alone. This is where she meets Maja, a resourceful farm girl with dreams stretching beyond her quaint village's confines. Maja becomes Kerstin's guide and friend, helping her navigate the challenges of the past. Together, they embark on a quest to unravel how Kerstin can return to her own time - a quest that leads them into the depths of the woods, where solutions may lie hidden.
As Kerstin delves deeper into this historical adventure, she sheds her loner habits, discovering the immense power of trust and collaboration. By leveraging her passions for animals and sewing, she learns to believe in herself and fosters a meaningful connection with Maja. This journey underscores the importance of personal connections and the strength of friendship.
Critique: The Clock and the Boulder is a beautifully crafted time travel novel that promises to resonate deeply with readers. The characters within this enchanting tale are rich and complex, ensuring that they will attach themselves to your heart and leave a lasting impression. Meticulous crafting of each scene draws you into a world that feels both familiar and extraordinary.
Karin Fisher-Golton's fresh and appealing writing voice in The Clock and The Boulder offers a captivating exploration that resonates deeply with readers. Each descriptive passage breathes life into her narratives and immerses readers in the emotional landscapes of her characters' journeys. This vivid storytelling is a definite sign that an author is about to make a significant impact on the literary world.
Castaway on the Isle of Devils
Elisabeth Carson-Williams
Self-Published
978767736M0703, Kindle $9.99, 256 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Castaway-Isle-Devils-Elisabeth-Carson-Williams-ebook/dp/B0DVVD8Z21
Synopsis: Embark on an exhilarating journey with sixteen-year-old Alice Drinkard as she navigates the treacherous waters of adventure, survival, and leadership in the captivating tale Castaway on the Isle of Devils. This story is not just about a girl's quest for freedom from the constraints of her controlling parents; it's about the incredible resilience of the human spirit when faced with adversity.
As Alice and her fellow castaways find themselves stranded on an uncharted island after a devastating hurricane, they must band together, united in their struggle to confront the harsh realities of survival. The lush landscapes of the Isle of Devils serve as both a breathtaking backdrop and a formidable challenge, testing their resourcefulness and unity at every turn. The stakes rise as the group grapples with internal conflicts that threaten to tear them apart, leading to intense struggles for power and control.
Amid the chaos, Alice emerges as a beacon of hope, an unlikely leader whose voice rises above the tumultuous squabbles of the surrounding adults. Her insight and understanding of the proper drivers of conflict become crucial as she attempts to unite the group and ensure their survival. This narrative deeply resonates with those who yearn for adventure, inviting readers to reflect on their aspirations for exploration and the profound connections forged through shared experiences.
Critique: Castaway on the Isle of Devils is more than just a thrilling story; it reflects the adventurous spirit within all of us. The tale of the Sea Venture and its shipwreck reminds us of the unforeseen challenges that can arise during our journeys. Just as the shipwrecked crew faced adversity, we too encounter the unexpected, yet it's through these experiences that we grow, learn, and discover the world.
Elisabeth Carson-Williams captivates readers with her gripping story, which keeps them on the edge of their seats. Her vivid storytelling and dynamic character development draw them into unforgettable journeys that echo the thrill of exploration.
Editorial Note: Suggested reading ages 12-18 years old.
Lacinda the Lion is a Super Youneek Beast: Book 1 of 4
Beth Davis
Independently Published
9798351610009, Kindle $6.99, $13.70 PB, $19.99 HB, 28 pages
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1LMGC4Z
Synopsis: The enchanting tale of Lacinda the Lion is a Super Youneek Beast beautifully encapsulates the essence of uniqueness and self-celebration. Born in a quaint little town, Lacinda was not your average lion but a Super Youneek Beast! Her extraordinary qualities, which were unlike any other lion, not only amazed her friends and family but also set the stage for a remarkable journey of self-discovery and resilience.
As Lacinda steps into the world of school, she encounters challenges and curious glances, much like when we venture into new experiences. However, what unfolds is a tale of struggle and a decisive learning moment filled with comforting warmth and inspiring lessons. It teaches us that embracing our differences makes us truly special and that self-esteem flourishes when we celebrate who we are.
Critique: Vibrant, colorful illustrations characterize Lacinda the Lion is a Super Youneek Beast. Lacinda radiates warmth and charm, inviting readers of all ages on a delightful journey of self-discovery. In a world where everyone is searching for their place, Lacinda stands out not just for her striking looks, but for her heart and determination to connect with others.
Imagine embarking on a journey where every moment is a canvas, painted with the vibrant strokes of discovery and cultural immersion. Beth Davis's illustrations do just that; they breathe life into stories, capturing the essence of experiences that resonate deeply with the heart.
Davis's artwork invites readers to explore beyond the surface, encouraging a connection to the world that is as rich and layered as her illustrations. Her characters touch the reader's heart as they enter the reader's life, and the reader remembers them long after finishing the book.
Editorial Note: Suggested reading ages baby to 12 years old.
Mykal the Monkey is a Super Youneek Beast: Book 2 of 4
Beth Davis
Self-Published
9798359660105, Kindle, $6.99, $11.78 HB, $13.70 PB, 28 pages
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F3V6DPYQ
Synopsis: Meet Mykal, a young monkey whose physical challenges set him apart in a world that often values conformity. Yet, fueled by his family's unwavering support and a burning desire to follow in his father's adventurous footsteps as a treasure hunter, Mykal's story is a beautiful testament to the power of perseverance and self-acceptance.
As Mykal navigates his quest, he embodies the spirit of resilience, teaching young readers that it's not our differences that define us, but how we embrace them. This charming tale is significant as it offers representation for children with special needs, fostering empathy and understanding among all who read it. The vibrant illustrations bring Mykal's world to life, capturing children's imagination and connecting them deeply with his journey.
Mykal the Monkey reminds readers that exploration can be a transformative experience. Like Mykal, families can learn to embrace their unique qualities as they dive into new cultures and experiences, fostering connections that transcend boundaries. Each adventure is an opportunity for understanding and growth, encouraging families to celebrate their uniqueness while exploring the vibrant tapestry of the world around them.
Critique: Mykal the Monkey is a Super Youneek Beast invites readers on a delightful journey filled with heartwarming inspiration. The bright illustrations bring to life this beautiful story and celebrate the essence of self-acceptance and the beauty of being unique.
Beth Davis has created an enchanting tale that captures the essence of individuality and perseverance, making it a must-read for children and their families. With its educational and inspiring narrative, this book is not just a story; it's an invitation for young readers to embrace their uniqueness and celebrate the qualities that make them unique.
I highly recommend that every school library purchase a copy because it showcases how someone with a disability can overcome obstacles that the world has presented to them. Of the other books in this series, this is by far my all-time favorite.
Editorial Note: Recommended reading ages for baby to 12 years old.
Hanna the Hawk is a Super Youneek Beast: Book 3 of 4
Beth Davis, author and illustrator
Smith Davis Creative, LLC
9798374218541, $6.99 Kindle, $15.05 HB, $13.70 PB, 28 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Hanna-Hawk-Super-Youneek-Beast/dp/B0BSJ7G4SX
Synopsis: Welcome to the enchanting world of Hanna the Hawk, where the spirit of adventure and the power of friendship come together in a heartwarming tale that reflects the very essence of friendship.
Hanna, a Super Youneek Beast, lives joyfully in a cozy tree house with her beloved siblings, sharing countless moments of laughter as they play games, whip up delicious pizzas in their tiny kitchen, and practice their flying skills in the open space around their tree. However, as the day of their first significant flight approaches, Hanna faces a daunting challenge - her limited vision makes her hesitant to take to the skies.
When her dreams of soaring might be grounded, Hanna comes across a remarkable friend named Camo, a chameleon with an innovative solution. With his unique ability to see in every direction, Camo offers to ride on Hanna's back, creating a dynamic duo ready to conquer the skies. Their collaboration, their teamwork, teaches us we can overcome any obstacle when we work together and embrace our differences.
Critique: Hanna the Hawk is a beautifully illustrated book whose character leaps off the pages and into your heart. This delightful tale invites readers of all ages to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery, capturing the essence of connecting with both the characters and the adventures they encounter.
Beth Davis displays remarkable talent whose skills as an author and illustrator create an irresistible blend of storytelling and visual artistry. Turning each page invites you into a magical realm; the limitless imagination ignites a sense of wonder, beautifully mirroring the thrill of discovering a new place, a metaphor for the excitement her work evokes.
Editorial Note: Recommended ages: Baby -- 12 years.
Turbo the Turtle is a Super Youneek Beast: Book 4 of 4
Beth Davis
Self-Published
9798359660105, Kindle, $6.99, $14.99 HB, $13.70 PB, 28 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Turbo-Turtle-Super-Youneek-Beast/dp/B0C1J5GSWW
Synopsis: Turbo is a spirited turtle with a zest for life who loves to race through every activity at lightning speed. As Turbo zooms from one adventure to another - whether munching on his favorite snacks, chatting with friends, or mastering the latest video game - he embodies the vibrant energy that many children possess.
However, Turbo's journey resonates deeply with children facing unique learning challenges, such as ADHD and dyslexia. His spirited enthusiasm turns into frustration when he encounters tasks that require a slower, more thoughtful approach, like reading or jumping rope. We see Turbo struggle with letters and comprehension, leading him to shy away from activities that don't allow him to rush through. Yet, as the story unfolds, Turbo discovers that embracing his individuality is the key to overcoming these challenges.
The pivotal moment arrives when Turbo finds a book titled "How to Build a Mini Race Car." Driven by his passion and determination, he seeks help from his uncle, who owns a car shop. Through this supportive relationship, Turbo learns that, much like constructing a race car, some things in life require the invaluable qualities of patience and care to succeed.
Critique: Turbo the Turtle is a Super Youneek Turbo the Turtle, a delightful tale crafted with authenticity and heart! This charming book introduces readers to Turbo, a Super Youneek Beast who mirrors the experiences of children navigating the world at a different pace.
With an engaging narrative, Turbo's journey highlights that slowing down is not a sign of weakness, but a powerful strategy for success - especially for those with learning differences like ADHD and dyslexia.
In her latest installment of the Youneek Beast series, Beth Davis has truly outdone herself with Turbo the Turtle. This enchanting tale entertains and educates readers about ADHD and dyslexia, shedding light on the diverse learning experiences that shape each child's journey. The vibrant illustrations leap off the pages, inviting readers into a visually captivating world that perfectly complements Turbo's heartfelt story.
As you turn each page, you embark on an adventure that celebrates children's unique paths in their learning journeys. Turbo's experiences mirror many children's challenges and triumphs, making them relatable and inspiring for young readers and their families. This narrative serves as a reminder that learning is not a one-size-fits-all experience; it is a vibrant tapestry woven from individual strengths, challenges, and the joy of discovery.
Editorial Note: Recommended reading ages for baby to 12 years old.
Suzie Housley, Senior Reviewer
https://housleysliteraryservices.com
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
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