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Able Greenspan's Bookshelf
Pink Floyd in Comics!
Nicolas Finet, Tony Lourenco, Thierry Lamy, et. al.
NBM Publishing
www.nbmpub.com
9781681123363, $32.99, HC, 232pp
https://www.amazon.com/Pink-Floyd-Comics-NBM-Biographies/dp/1681123363
Synopsis: Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experiments, philosophical lyrics, and elaborate live shows. They became a leading band of the progressive rock genre, cited by some as the greatest progressive rock band of all time. (Wikipedia)
"Pink Floyd in Comics!" (part of the NBM Comics Biographies series) is graphic novel style documentary that retraces the history of the group, from their meeting to the solo adventures of the artists. This is a great opportunity for Pink Floyd fans to revisit famous episodes in the life of the mythical group and explore what made their approach to music absolutely inimitable.
Comprised of 28 comprehensive chapters, "Pink Floyd in Comics!" explores all of their musical and cultural heritage. A mix of articles illustrated with photos providing the facts and comics chapters providing the feel of the group, "Pink Floyd in Comics!" features behind-the-scenes real stories and a trip on Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Wish You Were Here, Money, Time and so many other ex-temporal albums and hits which simply never fade!
Critique: Simply stated, this graphic novel style biography of the British band Pink Floyd is a simply 'must have' for the legions of their fans. A fun and informative read from start to finish, this large format (7.5 x 0.7 x 10 inches, 1.8 pounds) hardcover edition of "Pink Floyd in Comics" will prove an immediate and enduringly popular pick for personal, community, and college/university library Music Biography/History collections.
Editorial Note #1: Nicolas Finet (https://nicolasfinet.net/biography-2), is an author, publisher, filmmaker, journalist, curator, speaker and translator who has worked in comics for more than three decades. He is the author of more than half a dozen reference works on it. In music, he has just made a documentary on the blues and comics, "Mississippi Ramblin," devoted to bluesman Robert Johnson. NBM has brought out his works on Prince, David Bowie and Janis Joplin (Love Me, Please).
Editorial Note #2: Tony Lourenco, born in Paris in 1976, Tony Lourenco alias Nyt has been exploring and expressing his artistic sensibility for a long time. He did this first through singing and piano at the Paris International Conservatory of Music, then, seduced by imagery, he created a photo studio in a Parisian barge. At the same time, he paints and writes short stories, scenarios, tales and travelogues. NBM has published his co-authored bio of Prince.
Editorial Note #3: Born in 1962 in Chateaubriant, France, Thierry Lamy is a scriptwriter for many graphic novels and biographies in comics, including co-authoring NBM's David Bowie in Comics.
ERASED: An Actor of Color's Journey Through the Heyday of Hollywood
Loo Hui Phang, author
Hugues Micol, illustrator
NBM Publishing
www.nbmpub.com
9781681123387, $24.99, HC, 200pp
https://www.amazon.com/ERASED-Colors-Journey-Through-Hollywood/dp/168112338X
Synopsis: Maximus Wyld had his heyday in 1940s-50s Hollywood. Of mixed race Black, Chinese and Native American descent, he was "the actor with a thousand faces", essentially interpreting ethnic roles: Indian chief, Mexican revolutionary, oriental dandy... A veritable reinterpretation of the myth of American cinema through the prism of minorities,
"ERASED: An Actor of Color's Journey Through the Heyday of Hollywood" reveals the political and social dimension of Hollywood productions.
Maximus Ohanzee Wildhorse (renamed "Maximus Wyld" by Hollywood) was a talented, prized, admired comedian. His filmography is an anthology of cinema: Vertigo, the Maltese Falcon, Sunset Boulevard, the Prisoner of the Desert, Rebecca.
Copper faced and with unprecedented beauty and animal presence, he paved the way for colored stars in a segregationist climate. After him, Sydney Poitier, Harry Belafonte and Yul Brynner, were able to reach the rank of stars.
His charisma ignited white cinema and shamelessly swayed its racial hegemony. Maximus Wyld was a pioneer. However, no credits mention his name. On celluloid there is no imprint of his face. Maximus the precursor rests in the graveyard of Hollywood amnesia. "ERASED: An Actor of Color's Journey Through the Heyday of Hollywood" reveals what event pushed him into limbo and what occult and superior force has stored his career in a kind of cinematic Bermuda Triangle.
Critique: Brilliantly illustrated in B/W and in a graphic novel format by the artistry of Hugues Micol, the large format (8.5 x 0.8 x 11 inches, 1.85 pounds) hardcover edition of author/biographer "ERASED: An Actor of Color's Journey Through the Heyday of Hollywood" Loo Hun Phang is a seminal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and college/university library Cinematic History/Biography collections. This graphic novel edition from NBM Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note #1: Loo Hui Phang was born in 1974 in Laos. She has written plays, children's books with Jean-Pierre Duffour, as well as scripts for short films, cartoons and comics.
Editorial Note #2: Hugues Micol was born in 1969 in Paris. Hugues Micol keeps his promises. Spotted with Chiquito la Muerte, an offbeat western, this emerging talent then distinguished himself by drawing animal comics, crazy thrillers, a Japanese historical series... So much proof that this artist has a rich graphic culture. It was with a twilight western, Scalp, that he won the International Topffer Prize from the city and county of Geneva.
Able Greenspan
Reviewer
Diane Donovan's Bookshelf
Miracle at Angels Bend
R. Christian Bohlen
https://rchristianbohlen.com
Carpenter's Son Publishing
9781956370287, $17.99 (paperback)/$6.89 (ebook)
https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Angels-Bend-Contemporary-Finding-ebook/dp/B0D6NBFYXD
Miracle at Angels Bend: A Contemporary Tale of Finding Joy through Jesus Christ presents Biblical thinking with a creative approach, artfully tailored to our times while preserving traditional Christian teachings.
While some might initially anticipate that this story will require a special mindset and background, in reality, Miracle at Angels Bend's guide to faith provides insights for new and lifelong Christians. It probes how the Holy Spirit guides and works in lives. Readers learn about the life of Jesus and compare it to their own.
Themes of healing, hope, and growth permeate this contemporary presentation of Biblical values and concepts, with an emphasis and value on finding joy within Jesus Christ. The book truly stands apart by marrying a metaphorical tale with spiritual insights not to be found in many other fictional pursuits about living Christian values.
R. Christian Bohlen injects this sense of joy and purpose throughout his story, giving readers an uplifting feel of rejuvenation and realization that is unique, juxtaposing a contemporary twist with insights suitable for Bible discussion groups:
"Nate was the last person he wanted to be thinking about. The poster child of selfishness. The complete opposite of anything Jesus ever taught. For the first time, Josh viewed him as pathetic, absolutely blind, and someone to be pitied. In the past, Josh had envied his utter lack of care for anyone, seeing how it freed him to throw himself - swan dive - into pools of indulgence of every kind. Josh just kept walking, angry, not caring about anybody, bitter in the realization of who he had become and the idiots that surrounded him. He wandered the streets of the neighborhood, still hearing the beating drums and blasts of bass guitar in the distance."
The town of Angels Bend, via four main characters, comes to life. Hispanic culture, mental illnesses, and addiction are presented with respect, allowing readers to follow these characters and perspectives into new Biblical perceptions and studies:
"Church doctrine was not her thing. She enjoyed the energy and emotion of a good sermon, and she loved the music, friends, and positivity in the air. The chapter began: 'Tonight, for the last time, Jesus and His apostles are gathered for a supper - the yearly Passover meal... Just as Moses led the Israelites out of physical slavery, Jesus was preparing to deliver all mankind from spiritual bondage and oppression into a spiritual promised land.' Hannah paused to consider this comparison which she had heard about often and knew was important. Spiritual bondage. Addictions, for sure. But what about the quicksand of her emptiness, guilt, and grief - and her increasing hopelessness of escaping them."
The special dilemmas Hannah faces, for example, from guilt and a loss of identity to pill-stealing habits which fly in the face of faith and commitment enliven the story with contemporary facets that contrast well with reflections on Jesus's message.
Forced to reconsider her relationship with Marcus and reject some of the choices he's brought her to, Hannah finds her identity crisis entwined with choices that have forced her away from her beliefs and values.
Miracles unfold in different ways and spiritual brains are educated during the course of unfolding events. Readers receive thought-provoking insights on growth and revelation which fuel many of the characters, sparking enlightened thinking on their parts, as well.
Miracle at Angels Bend's contemporary Christian perspective is highly recommended for individual Bible study and Christian reading groups. It examines the nuts and bolts of faith, placing character interaction and education into a realm of essential insights about applied Christian thinking and behaviorial choices.
It's certain to spark many a spirited discussion in Christian minds and reader groups.
Cancer Moon: How I Survived the Best Years of My Life
Jenna Tico
She Writes Press
https://shewritespress.com
9781647427627, $17.95
amzn.to/4aC1kkC
Cancer Moon: How I Survived the Best Years of My Life is a memoir about expectations, life's nuances, unexpected challenges, and recovery and growth. It comes from a woman who faced vast changes in her twenties, the "best years of her life."
Readers expecting the typical approach to survival may be surprised at the exuberance and vivid experiences that are delivered with a lively embrace of life and its value:
"For me, the twenties represented phases of the moon: the only constant being change and the amount of light visible. At the start, I waned - shrinking away from the person I'd constructed to survive childhood and launching straight into an ego death, or whatever you want to call the time when we feel the compulsive need to cut our own bangs and bang people who make us feel shitty about ourselves.1 After that ran its course, I went fully dark - at least to the naked eye - in the shadow of partners who had not tackled their pain and, in my survival, became new. Then I grew..."
The relationships Jenna Tico cultivates in an effort to match her energy level each give her (and her readers) important lessons about adaptation and growth:
"Other than the part of myself who came into the world believing I deserved more from lovers than the polite reciprocity one might give a bartender or to a particularly well-trained dog? Somewhere in the course of longing for Phantom and accepting his fame as an excuse for treating me like yet another thirsty fan, I had lost the thread of myself. Standing in front of the elevator, I thought I wanted Phantom to sweep me up in his arms, to choose me. In retrospect, what I actually wanted was confirmation I wasn't crazy for feeling our synergy, which seemed to run so fiercely beneath the marrow of time."
Sexual explorations, attitudes and ironies, and especially candid, revealing insights about relationships and personal growth permeate an evolutionary story filled with vivid encounters with all kinds of people.
Cancer Moon is about a process of discovery that drives Tico's psyche and soul. It also will provoke questions and discussions among women's and book reading groups about the nature of male and female encounters and the kinds of experiences that lend to not just opportunity and romance, but growth.
Tico packs her story with relationship-building examples that move from personal experiences to bigger-picture life questions:
"Just how far out into the middle of the road do we have to go for a girl to walk home in the middle of the night and not dwell on the footsteps behind her? To scan the internet and not find one single word about blacking out at a party; piecing together the story of the night by the pieces of clothing which don't quite line up, aren't quite where she left them, wasn't quite what she planned."
In contrast to many women's memoirs reflecting on life experiences, Cancer Moon offers a supercharged atmosphere with its engrossing forays into action, reaction, and transformation. This allows plenty of room for contemplation and consideration of the impact of relationships and expectations on life's chosen pathways and byways.
Libraries and readers that choose Cancer Moon for its rollicking ride through growth-inducing situations good and bad will find it raises many questions about challenging relationships, right and wrong moves, and the shades of gray which lie in-between to define them.
Lines of Force
Steve Bellinger
Independently Published
9798335272407, $12.00
https://amzn.to/4dEsvMR
Lines of Force: The End of the World as We Know It will delight readers of apocalyptic fiction who look for scenarios of global catastrophe and survival.
When a scientist stumbles upon a forty-mile-wide cosmic ice mass, the Skyler-Bernard ("Sky Burner" becomes its popular name), it's at first believed that its close passage to Earth will afford little more than spectacular views. The fact that this comet holds an iron core and a strong magnetic field gives light cause for concern; but as it draws closer, its potential for wrecking planet-wide havoc becomes apparent.
Steve Bellinger juxtaposes this scientific phenomenon with the lives of various characters who never expected to become disaster survivors. These ordinary people are just living their lives until their relationships, ambitions, and hopes collide with planetary changes that demand they set aside everything they have ever known or believed in.
These hosts of characters slowly come to understand the nature of these changes, even though at first they resist the insights on geo-magnetism, which scientific inquiry offers as a heads-up on events to come:
"I do believe this is just the beginning."
"I suppose it's possible," Ty shrugged. "But there's no point in alarming people."
"The beginning of what?" Stephanie said.
From adjusting radio signal detection devices to perceive magnetism to Rocky, Birdie, Stephanie, and Oscar's roles as eyewitness observers and survivors of the super-tornados, flooding, wildfires and volcanoes that emerge in response to this close contact, Bellinger juxtaposes a sense of discovery with paradigm-changing, transformative planetary changes.
Their role as reporters and witnesses brings a renewed sense of purpose to the survival process as they view the devastating calamities and wonder if they will live through them, and if humanity as a whole can navigate such a changed world.
A renewed sense of purpose and resolution comes with a sense of GAIA philosophy and revised approaches to reporting that include proactive problem-solving and thinking on levels no human has previously attempted:
"Somewhere in here is a strong vortex. It got many times stronger when the pyramid was damaged. We need to neutralize it."
"And how in the hell do we do that?" Rocky shook his head.
"We need a lodestone. A special lodestone. Gaia will tell us where to find it," Oscar said. "We need to get to the American Southwest. And I must come with you."
The tension, sense of purpose and revelations, and choices that revolve around utilizing magnetism in new ways creates a fine contrast between personal perspective and applied science. These are perfect formulas, when combined with character-testing and development approaches, for a vivid read that will simply delight those who look for the perfect blend of science and psychology in their disaster fiction.
Libraries seeing interest in this genre will find Lines of Force: The End of the World as We Know It an excellent choice that should be highly recommended to patrons looking for the latest global disaster scenario.
Spoiler alert: the cliffhanger ending doesn't promise continuation... but it more than hints at this possibility.
Beyond the Bukubuk Tree
Loretta Goldberg
https://lorettagoldberg.com
MadeGlobal Publishing
9788412232585, $4.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Bukubuk-Tree-World-Novel/dp/8412232585
World War II novels abound and quite often include love stories amidst battles - so what makes Beyond the Bukubuk Tree different and attractive over others? It's Loretta Goldberg's attention to building a story replete with secrets on the parts of participants, who prepare for inner and outer battle in different ways.
Young Jewish physician Jake Friedman believes he's inadvertently caused the death of a colleague. Veteran Alex Whipple has never quite recovered from his stint in World War I, and is haunted by specters from his past as he reaches for redemption by battling bullies in his present world.
Both are assigned to duty with the Lark Force battalion, a group which suffers from a lack of support and respect. Charged with defending the port town of Rabaul, the odds tip against them when the Japanese unexpectedly invade.
Loretta Goldberg incorporates many unexpected elements into her story, from a growing attraction between the soldiers to the secrets in their hearts that they struggle with even amidst the rigors of attraction and confrontation.
Goldberg is especially adept at crafting almost poetic descriptions of pivot points and moments that lend to each character's self-realization and growth:
With his blood a frozen river of bleakness, Wip gazed at the man he thought he knew. Jake's hazel eyes - when they shone with joy, when they focused in intense thought, or burned with disapproval, when they clouded with an unshared thought; he'd ruffled every strand of Jake's bushy hair, and seen Jake pat it down for inspection; and the wanting curve of his lips, Wip had thought he could interpret - all these he'd charted, and internalised as the one who meant the most to him, ever. And now, this body inhabited a world of possibilities unavailable to Wip. Jake's body was a liar, and he, Wip, a sucker, his 'forever' dream gone.
The vivid descriptions and equally thought-provoking psychological dilemmas that force the characters both together and apart creates an ebb and flow of plot to keep readers engaged and guessing about outcomes.
Also especially notable are issues of moral and ethical values which are also tested in the heat of battle and the passion of love.
Libraries interested in World War II novels that depart, sometimes radically, from the usual backdrop of military might will find Beyond the Bukubuk Tree worthy of acquisition. It's not often that sensual love scenes contrast so powerfully with life-changing portraits of survival struggles and death.
Sacrifice: The Final Chapter
Ron Farina
Lagrange Books
9781957780030, $36.95
https://lagrangebooks.com/our-books/nonfiction/sacrifice-the-final-chapter
https://www.amazon.com/Sacrifice-Final-Chapter-Ron-Farina/dp/1957780037
Sacrifice: The Final Chapter concludes the trilogy begun in Who Will Have My Back and continued in Out of the Shadows, completing Ron Farina's powerful inspection of disabled American veterans and their sacrifices. It is not a fictional story, but a nonfiction exploration and assessment that captures their experiences and stories in a manner key to a better understanding of military life and the special challenges faced by enlisted people and their families.
No library or individual interested in veteran's affairs should be without each and every book in this set... but especially Sacrifice: The Final Chapter, whose powerful conclusion and experiences drives home the emotions of men and women who have served their country in different ways, whether they be soldiers or contractors.
Farina's focus on daily, moment-by-moment experiences and reflections lends his collection a sense of immediacy and 'you are here' connections that most books about veteran affairs fail to create.
His language is vivid and embracing:
In the instant that the lead Humvee fitted itself above the bomb, the spotter, his hand steady, his fingers curled around the detonator, pushed his thumb down on a nickel-sized button. Windows of nearby buildings shattered. Dust and smoke billowed high above the convoy. Fragmented steel pierced the Humvees. Chunks of pavement rained down on everything. The turret gunner, a big soldier who everyone called "Big Mac," blasted by the explosion, jack-in-the-boxed out of the turret. His body, splintered bone and ripped flesh, lay on the ground in a crumpled heap. He was alive. Barely.
Via this and similar descriptions, now is a good time to note that Sacrifice: The Final Chapter could trigger readers who harbor their own special struggles with PTSD or military memories. Audiences unfamiliar with these milieus, however, will find the uncommon and important approach to documenting these lives and experiences is worth the pain of living alongside, for a little while, the individuals who struggled to survive and made a difference on so many levels.
Farina explores the aftermath of service and its impact on families, as well:
Christmas came and went. Family scattered again. Lorenzo turned three. A few months later, May, Hayden' first birthday, just days after Nicole's, a time Nicole would have loved more than anything. There's no sell-by date on grief; life goes on. Misty dove headlong into her new career, her babies, her husband, a new house, the aftermath of Nicole's passing. But she still has conversations with Nicole, one-sided now, sometimes even talking out loud.
The entire experience of serving one's country thus comes to light in a series of encounters driven by passion, military and social issues, and psychological circumstances of recovery and growth. The stories recreate dialogues and personalities with an eye to personalizing the hopes, dreams, and fears of those who served in different capacities.
The result is not only a fitting conclusion to the trilogy, but a set of insights that would do well to see the light of book club, classroom, or service group discussions.
That's why libraries should consider Sacrifice: The Final Chapter an essential collection addition, whether they're looking to build a focus on military personnel experiences or a better civilian understanding of what such service demands from individuals and families, no matter what war or battle they're fighting.
Invitations
Bruce Ballard
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798891323285, $16.99 Paper/$8.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Invitations-Fiction-Poetry-Life-Writing/dp/B0D6TMRR6P
Invitations: Fiction and Poetry From A Life of Writing will attract literary audiences interested in collections that reflect on health in general and the experience of living with Parkinson's in particular. As such, it embraces elements of both memoir and health guide as Bruce Ballard investigates the progression of his condition in a very different way than most medical surveys.
Literature readers will find the structure of the book features longer fictional pieces juxtaposed with shorter poems about Parkinsons which take the form of sonnets and haikus.
Another surprise is that the collection is more about life than Parkinson's. Readers who anticipate a survey of all facets of living with the disease will find refreshing Ballard's focus on all facets of living life in a milieu where Parkinson's challenges are but one aspect of these experiences.
Whether he's describing the intense experience of a visit to the sex club Elixir or exploring Parkinson's in a dozen haikus that reflect that milieu, Ballard's voice is alternately stark, candid, reflective, and immersive.
Examples of these hard-hitting poems include:
A moth fluttering
Its wings makes more noise than me
When my voice goes soft.
And:
After two hours at
The gym, I leave, breathe deeply,
And exhale the Moon.
It should be cautioned that sometimes the sex scenes are steamy. This only lends to the attraction of a collection that explores the disparate themes of love, sex, life, and death in a manner that pulls no punches and delivers no disappointment.
Libraries and readers looking for literature that operates on the thin line of memoir, philosophical reflection, life experience, and health challenge will welcome Invitations: Fiction and Poetry From A Life of Writing for both its literary backbone and its ability to serve as a thought-provoking read for individuals and book clubs alike.
Sarita
Natalie Musgrave Dossett
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798891323131, $18.99 Paper/$27.99 hc/$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Sarita-Natalie-Musgrave-Dossett/dp/B0D72JLQH3
Historical thrillers typically lean towards thriller elements more than historical backdrops, but Naralie Musgrave Dossett's Sarita does an outstanding job of blending both in a story that simmers with descriptive tension from its opening paragraphs:
As I pushed the .410 shotgun into the saddle scabbard, I paused, sensing a subtle change in the air. The insects had fallen silent; even the chortling of the white-winged doves roosting in the high branches had stopped. The hair on the back of my neck prickled. Buster raised his head, ears swiveling. Turning in a circle, I searched the heat-wobbled horizon.
Her employment of the first person and her engrossing story of how a young woman is pulled into struggles that are unexpected experiences for her gender in the 1920s creates a plot that rests firmly not just on revenge and redemption, but on a determined young woman's decisions to transcend her gender's limitations to cross the Rio Grande in search of a killer.
Murder mystery, thriller, and Western elements come into play as Sarita's singular mission evolves into something far greater, and more deadly, than she could have envisioned.
Dossett's ability to drive readers into this milieu translates to a thoroughly engrossing story spearheaded by a strong female protagonist whose interests, abilities, and determination shine.
The tension is so finely tuned that the pivot points in Sarita's endeavors prove captivating:
I'd prayed Mozo's suspicion had been right, and I'd find something at Santa Rosa to guarantee the Rangers would come after Javier, but what I'd found was more than I'd dared to hope for, and more than I'd thought to fear.
From childbirth tragedy to the rigors of tracking a killer that leads to even more secrets and challenges, Dossett creates a vivid tale that leads readers through a frontier world with allusions almost poetic in their atmospheric observations:
Mama had said getting bit by a snake was like being vaccinated with a vial full of bacteria.
Libraries and readers seeking powerful elements of history and thriller that share equal billing in their depth and deployment will find Sarita an exceptional acquisition.
Asayi
Sharon Curcio
Fifth Wind Publishing
9798990035829, $12.99
https://www.amazon.com/Asayi-Autistic-Journey-Topple-Medieval/dp/B0D3LTHRRL
On the face of it, Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan is a medieval Japanese saga - but, look deeper to note that its underlying themes about ghosts, autism, politics and political unrest, and changing social mores that buffet tradition are as deeply present as the historical backdrop the plot embraces.
Asayi's world is filled with magic, whether it lies in the brushstrokes of the art she employs with precision or the sweeping gestures of art and social consciousness which permeate her life.
It should be cautioned that, despite Asayi's age, this is not a story for young people. From violence and explicit descriptions of a new husband's rape to Asayi's proclivity for getting into trouble with those who are unfamiliar with her autism and mannerisms, the story contains an undercurrent of stark, graphic revelation that is highly impactful (and might even trigger adults struggling with their own issues related to autism or violence).
Because Sharon Curcio pulls no punches in her descriptions of Asayi's abilities, disabilities, and trials, readers receive a hard-edged, thought-provoking tale immersed in vivid scenarios as Asayi's bids for freedom continually results in threats to her life and wellbeing:
"What can you tell me about the girl who chips ore here?Kiyo said you rescued her from the Eta."
"I did. They were beating her, so I bought her. Traded two blades to the Eta woman for her release. When we arrived here, Kiyo bathed the girl. Kiyo said that the girl had brand
marks on her legs."
"Umm. Branding as punishment. The mark of the Shogun who speaks in fire."
Curcio's ability to bring Asayi's perceptions to life while simultaneously exploring the culture and politics of Shogun Japan and the various social stratas that operate within it enhances a story powered by her equal attention to building Asayi's strong character.
The result is a novel of ghosts, family ties, autism, and Japanese history and culture that is very highly recommended for libraries seeking memorable collection additions for patrons interested in either autism or Japanese history, as well as general-interest readers seeking a powerful good read.
What Was Lost
Melissa Connelly
www.melissaconnelly.com
She Writes Press
https://shewritespress.com
9781647427849, $17.99 Paper/$12.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/What-Was-Lost-Melissa-Connelly/dp/1647427843
Many novels review circumstances that revolve around returning home, but What Was Lost provides a different milieu, contrasting victims of abuse with the social systems that support or thwart them between the decades from 1970 to 2000.
Marti is in her early forties before she returns to her small Vermont town to face her demons. Described as a "scurrying rat searching her way out of a maze," Marti has kept secrets for far too long. Is she finally tapping into her courage by returning to the town she fled so long ago, or is she embarking on a fool's journey that will cast her back into the hell that shaped her life?
Even Mari admits the potential folly of her quest:
It made no sense: this compulsion to see Mrs. Colgan in order to correct past lies, all while creating new falsehoods.
But the urge to confront and confess drives her to also acknowledge the vast social changes that have taken place since her original crisis. It's a milieu readers will find exceptionally vivid and thought-provoking as Marti's journey home influences her future prospects as well as family and past connections.
Melissa Connelly creates a story that follows a fourteen-year-old's trials and the ongoing impact her experience has held over her head for decades. More so than many novels about such events, Connelly evolves a sense of place, changing times, and characters that operate differently in reaction to various social challenges.
She's been burned. Why would she play with fire?
As readers absorb Marti's proclivity to move within and beyond her past patterns, reactions, and challenges, the novel spins an enticing story. It will especially attract book clubs looking for discussion points about survivors, victims, and the impact of changing social values.
People who aren't triggered by Marti's struggles will find the evolution of her empowerment to be particularly engrossing as she navigates relationships and returns to the past to confront her aggressor in a new way.
Libraries and readers interested in stories that simmer with social reflection will relish the journey through time and place that Connelly experiences and transmits in What Was Lost, which features several surprises in twists and turns of plot for added depth.
Downriver
Jennifer M. Lane
www.JenniferMLanewrites.com
Pen & Key Publishing
9781736669129, $16.99
https://www.amazon.com/Downriver-Poison-River-Jennifer-Lane/dp/1736669125
Downriver begins in a 1900s Pennsylvania coal town, where young Charlotte Morris is orphaned when her parents die of poisoning. Sent to a Maryland fishing village to live with strangers doesn't mitigate her passion for justice and vengeance against the coal boss who orchestrated pollution in the name of profit, and so she returns like a fiery phoenix to exact both.
As boss Nel Prichard's many transgressions emerge, so his influence stretches from Pennsylvania to her new home in Chesapeake Bay as pollution stretches to affect residents there, too.
Charlotte faces much more than a singular objective and challenge. As she learns to deal with bullies and sinister threats that shake her determination and life, Charlotte finds that the politics of profiteering holds a long arm and a dangerous attitude towards moral and ethical beliefs.
She also hones attitudes and talismans that support her ability to confront and survive:
I have no need for a mermaid's purse, for magic or fairy tales, but I can't let it go. A good luck charm never hurt anyone. It sure wouldn't hurt Emmett, who could use all the luck he can get. And I could use a bit of renewal, even if I didn't want a new life. I examine the little black pod as I walk back to the post office tucked inside the train station. Rebirth and renewal, indeed.
The key to appreciating Jennifer M. Lane's story lies in an interest in history, justice, and problem-solving. This places protagonist Charlotte in the heart of a swirl of special interests. The blend of social, political, and business interest arrives with psychological inspections designed to encourage readers to think about adversity, love, redemption, and vigilante-type justice pursuits.
Wise accomplice Emmett helps temper the mood and Charlotte's dogged pursuits through well-done dialogues that also reinforce strong characters involved on different levels:
"I still don't think this is a good idea," he says. "The world is full of things you're better off not knowing. You can't put the cork back in this thing, Charlie."
Lane also weaves in astute portraits of other issues of the times, reinforcing the historical backdrop and setting which are both so essential to the plot's progression and atmosphere:
Emmett clings to the pigsty fence with one hand, doubled over with a coughing fit while our cousin Sophie looks on in horror. They're just months apart, both of them fifteen. Emmett's too young to be falling apart like this, and Sophie's too young to be losing so many people.
Again: the astute psychological depth of this story gives it an attractive countenance even for readers not normally given to choosing historical fiction.
Libraries that choose Downriver for their collections will find it easy to recommend to a wide range of readers interested in stories of feisty young women, pursuits of justice and vengeance, and the psychological and political atmospheres of the 1900s that surrounds them.
Book clubs, as well, will find much fodder for a variety of discussions ranging from women's lives and the evolution of proactive thinking to how solidarity and change emerge from seemingly powerless situations.
Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea
Jim Gulledge
https://jimgulledge.pubsitepro.com
Koehler Book Publishing
https://www.koehlerbooks.com
9798888243886, $19.95 (paperback)/$26.95 (hardcover)
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Forest-Red-Earth-Blue/dp/B0D4B6FQHC
Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea is a novel embracing the sweeping family saga genre. It follows the evolution of generations of a North Carolina family that experiences the ebb and flow of changing life experiences through the legacy of an heirloom that is passed down between families.
Presented in the form of stories that each build a portrait of these lives and connections, Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea embarks on an epic journey through communities different from one another, yet central to the unified countenance that is North Carolina as a whole.
Readers need not have a familiarity with the region in order to appreciate the setting, atmosphere, and lives lived within it. Jim Gulledge provides all the background necessary to easily understand and absorb this state's culture and diversity as events unfold.
Part of the reason why these North Carolina regions come across so realistically is that, in fact, they are real, based on Gulledge's personal familiarity with the settings he describes. While not having lived full-time in any of them, he's obviously absorbed enough of their culture and history to be able to reflect their strengths in engrossing manners in the course of this story.
As for the tale itself - anticipate a saga that moves from Reconstruction to modern times, contrasts the very different cultures of Scots Irish pioneers, cotton farmers, Native Americans, fishermen, and pirates, and creates dialogues which embrace dialect differences to cement the realistic countenance of all involved:
"Lamb, you saw what you saw. Won't no ghosts or no haints. Sometimes, the curtain gets thin between this world and the other one. They ain't forgot you. He's never going to leave or forsake you. You can count on that."
From Jule Elliott's lies to her child to White-man wars, aging challenges, and social clashes, Gulledge's story embraces and juxtaposes various forces at work in changing the nature of family connections, relationships, and social structure as the years pass and life goes on.
The result is evocative, thought-provoking, strong in cultural contrasts, and especially highly recommended for libraries and readers seeking realistic and thoroughly engrossing sagas set in the Tarheel State. This journey simmers with tension, personal and social issues, and a sense of discovery and recovery that join all the characters in life's dance.
The Adventures of Bunny and Fawn
Michael Lingo
Michael S. Lingo Books
9798990348905, $14.99 Paperback/$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Bunny-Fawn-Michael-Lingo/dp/B0D3BHJ613
The Adventures of Bunny and Fawn opens to a new day's beginning in the forest. The day awakens with singing birds as it introduces best friends Bunny and Fawn, who have lived together all of their lives.
Picture book readers will be delighted with the lovely forest scenes of artist Damien Hall, who enhances Michael Lingo's gentle adventure stories about two friends who are nicely settled in comfortable, predictable lives and relationships... until everything changes.
The friends help one another and also impart wisdom and support as potential scenarios for disaster evolve ("Take a deep breath and try to remain calm," says Fawn).
Between storms and a home that is falling apart to issues of being separated, stuck, and threatened, Fawn and Bunny find ways to not just survive, but learn and thrive from the adversity which shakes their home.
Lingo's ability to embed mindful thoughts about choices, solutions, and independence into his story of friendship gives read-aloud adults plenty of opportunities for encouraging social understanding in the very young.
The Adventures of Bunny and Fawn's juxtaposition of insights with adventure makes it the perfect item of choice for elementary-level libraries and read-aloud parents seeking stories that prove inspirational and different.
Icons
Jonathan Reeve Price
The Communication Circle
9780971995482, $14.95 Hardcover/$9.95 Paperback/$5.98 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Icons-Poems-Jonathan-Reeve-Price/dp/0971995486
Icons is not your typical poetry collection. It lives up to its title and promise by delivering observations on computer icons reflecting not just programmer code, but the powers of practicality. An icon condenses lines of potentially confusing code into a tappable, one-hit-solves-all image that acts (to the author's mind) as a "small poem."
The author doesn't begin with his poetry. He sets the stage with reflections on his background, the evolution and importance of icons, and details about visual and philosophical connections which meet and marry in the field of computer worlds and human lives.
The icons he surveys don't just lie in computers, but in the greater world at large. Here, they are condensed into single words and accompanying singular descriptions, as in the poem '360':
This icon launches code,
Spins the Earth around its axis,
Turns a city street into a whirl,
And races like an angel around a volcano.
The unexpected marriage of computer-generated processes (such as the code 'border_none,' designed to avoid putting a box around content) and broader life perspective (as in 'Download,' defined as "the process of bringing content and code from the cloud") creates a synthesis of poetic, social, and IT wonder that will especially attract programmers and those unused to an art form reflecting and connecting engineering and life connections.
Budding philosophers, too, will find in reflective pieces such as 'Insights' a fine sense of revelation and connection that invites discussion and contemplation:
When you look within, is this
What realization brings? Has wisdom
Hit so hard that you see stars?
Enlightenment comes cheap when an icon
Promises to turn numbers into second sight.
Libraries seeking poetry collections that hold a seemingly-singular focus, but branch out from that approach to embrace meanings and reflections firmly rooted in worldview and experience will find Icons an attractive enhancement of not just contemporary poetry collections, but suitable for top recommendation to non-art and engineer types who will be happily surprised at how relevant their insights and focus actually are.
The Paper
John K. Addis
www.johnkaddis.com
AE Press
9780998365640, $24.95 Hardcover/$17.19 Paperback/$5.95 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Paper-John-K-Addis/dp/0998365645
Michigan's milieu comes to life once again in The Paper, a novel about two 12-year-old boys whose new paper route takes them into the mystery and danger of the dark house down the block.
Perhaps the surreal/realistic atmosphere is especially compelling because of its roots in real-life events... or maybe it's because Addis personalizes narrator Jimmy Logan's memories as he reflects on the events of the 1980s that changed his young life's trajectory.
Either way, the allure of The Paper is unquestionable. The story blends elements of thriller, psychological inspection, and small-town events with the clarity and precision of a seasoned writer more than lightly familiar with his subjects and environment. Added value lies in unexpected developments which careen two boys into the realm of the supernatural.
All these elements coalesce to produce riveting, superior tension backed by strong characterization as shifting friendships and perceptions are revealed. Embedded within these experiences are notes of maturity and realizations that invite teen readers to think:
"...next time, we'll tell German jokes back, deal?"
"Well, no," she said. "I think that's mean. I don't want to be mean."
"But they were mean to you first."
"I know," she admitted. "But bullies are the bad guys. I don't want to be the bad guy. Otherwise I'm no better than them."
These elements of moral and ethical contemplation may come as a surprise - especially since the story's entertainment value lies in the areas of intrigue, mystery, and discovery. However, challenging family and interpersonal relationships inject just the right added value of psychological insight to keep the plot both vivid and thoroughly engrossing.
With so much high-octane action and intrigue, powered by Jimmy's personality and strengths and the supernatural mystery which layers all events, it's easy to relish the action and attraction of The Paper, which should be on the acquisitions lists of any elementary to middle school library interested in attracting leisure readers.
The Decision: A Novel of Germany
Karen A. Wyle
Oblique Angles Press
9781955696357, $16.49 Paperback/$3.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Decision-Novel-Germany-Karen-Wyle/dp/1955696357
The Decision: A Novel of Germany belongs in any fiction collection where readers are interested in the experiences of Jews living in Nazi Germany. The story starts and concludes with a bicycle incident that, in fact, really happened. The events that lead to that culmination have been fictionalized to embrace drama and conjecture - but, under Karen A. Wyle's hand, what a journey it is!
The bicycle accident embroils three boys and their families in a direct confrontation with the regime, which holds unexpected results for and impact on all their lives.
The juxtaposition of daily living and the rise of social and political changes that will ultimately affect the boys' lives are nicely done, involving readers in realistic scenarios that are thoroughly engrossing as well as thought-provoking. The frightening sentiments that are on the rise in the nation are eerily similar to modern events:
"You know, they're only letting your precious Hitler give speeches again because the Nazis did so badly in the last election. He's a loser, wasting his time with a bunch of losers."
Hans clenched his fists. "There sure were a lot of those losers, marching and lining the streets and waving and then cheering at what Hitler said." At everything he said, even the parts Hans hadn't much agreed with, but this was no time to mention that.
"Is he crazy, or just ignorant? Doesn't he know everything Jews have done for Germany?"
Despite the plethora of books on the market about Nazi Germany and Jewish treatment, few cement the lines of how prejudice, racism, and conflict evolve as does The Decision: A Novel of Germany.
Although its title adopts the singular (The Decision), in fact a cascade of decisions and underlying influences act and react to bring Hitler to power and justify his process of returning validity and pride to the German psyche and experience.
Wyle presents this story from the point of view of a Christian boy growing to manhood in Berlin during and after World War I. This focus on providing insights about these events from a young person's viewpoint allows her to narrow the focus from the broader adult-oriented spectrum of attention usually afforded to novels of Nazi Germany to the impressions and growth of young people, both German and Jewish, raised under the cloak of rising struggles and national pride.
This is why The Decision both stands out from the crowd as an important examination of how attitudes are changed and friendships buffeted by clashing ideologies, and lends to classroom or reading group discussion about all kinds of subplots intrinsic to a complete understanding of the Jewish and German experience.
It's also why libraries should not only consider The Decision: A Novel of Germany an important acquisition, but should highlight its contents to drive it to audiences who will study it for more than entertainment value alone.
The Psychology of Dungeons and Dragons
Jamie Madigan PhD
Leyline Publishing Inc.
9781955406277, $19.99 Paperback & eBook
https://shop.geektherapeutics.com/products/the-psychology-of-dungeons-and-dragons
https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Dungeons-Dragons-Engaged-Happier/dp/1955406278
The Psychology of Dungeons and Dragons: How to Be a Better, More Engaged, and Happier Player or Game Master is an essential read for both seasoned and new game players, as well as psychologists and game designers who seek to understand why this classic role-playing game has become the gold standard in gaming. The book also appeals to teen players who are curious not only about the game itself but also about the psychological and social impact of participating in such group-based endeavors centered on action and problem-solving.
Dr. Jamie Madigan begins with a fundamental question: why do we play? This question sets the tone for the chapters that follow, which delve into new territory in exploring the psychosocial significance of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and its players. Throughout the book, Dr. Madigan consistently formulates and answers 'why' questions, from examining how the game's open-ended freedom of choice resonates deeply with its players to understanding the role of imagination in both individual pursuits and cooperative ventures.
To fully appreciate the depth of this analysis, readers should have at least a basic understanding of how D&D operates. Dr. Madigan skillfully avoids the pitfall of over-explaining the game's mechanics, instead diving into the psychological impact, analysis, and insights that lie within the dragon's lair of D&D. His observations and conclusions offer valuable advice not only for fellow gamers but also for game designers who want to understand what makes D&D so uniquely compelling and how to leverage these insights to create other impactful game systems.
The book covers a wide range of topics, from building a sense of individual heroism and empowerment to insights from the game's content creators. Readers who want to build upon D&D's success - whether in creating their own games or applying the game's principles to life - will find specific guidance that can be applied to many gaming and life endeavors. For example, Dr. Madigan advises not to deny players the opportunity to do awesome things and feel competent. Instead, he suggests presenting them with these opportunities while challenging them on other fronts in the same encounter or activity.
The book also explores how games influence behavioral changes and how psychological analysis can illuminate the mechanics of making choices, understanding consequences, and grappling with the intention to rescue, do good, or solve seemingly impossible problems. Each chapter concludes with practical advice on how to apply the chapter's insights to your game, synthesizing specific strategies for players who want to go beyond merely considering the psychological impact, motivations, and behavioral conditioning that are integral to D&D's appeal.
Dr. Madigan's clear and engaging writing style makes complex psychological concepts accessible to everyday readers. He addresses strategy, dilemmas, and personal growth in a lively manner that not only explains the psychological aspects of the game but also invites readers to celebrate them. From the application of Self-Determination Theory in a gaming context to the relevance of Moral Foundations Theory in understanding the choices and scenarios presented by D&D, The Psychology of Dungeons and Dragons is a fascinating exploration for a wide audience.
For these reasons, The Psychology of Dungeons and Dragons should be included not only in psychology collections but also in general-interest libraries that cater to a broad range of patrons. Book clubs interested in gaming insights will find plenty of material for contemplation and discussion. This book is highly recommended for its ability to bridge professional psychological analysis with everyday experiences, making it a valuable resource for both gaming enthusiasts and those interested in the intersection of psychology and play.
Integrating Geek Culture into Therapeutic Practice
Anthony M. Bean, Editor
Leyline Publishing
9781955406321, $45.00 Paperback/$29.99 eBook
https://shop.geektherapeutics.com/products/integrating-geek-culture-into-therapeutic-practice-the-clinicians-guide-to-geek-therapy-2nd-edition
https://www.amazon.com/Integrating-Geek-Culture-Therapeutic-Practice/dp/1955406324
The second, updated edition of Integrating Geek Culture Into Therapeutic Practice: The Clinician's Guide to Geek Therapy revisits and expands upon its 2020 predecessor, offering a fresh perspective on the concept and role of the 'geek' in contemporary American society. This edition delves deeper into how clinicians and scholars alike can effectively utilize games and gaming in therapeutic sessions to build rapport with clients and encourage their progress.
Contributions from various therapists and analysts from diverse professional backgrounds enrich this work. The articles explore a wide array of topics, from Matthew J. Fellows, MA, who discusses how comic book characters can convey values and emotions to Ph.D. Shane Tilton's exploration of comic book conventions and fandoms, examining the emerging values and support systems within geek culture. Each article emphasizes the crucial connections between geek culture, its participants, and the therapist's role in harnessing this environment to promote growth, connection, and deeper understanding:
It is important not to condemn the concept of being a geek or the activity being enjoyed based on rating, time spent, or games played (as seen in the past definitions of geek), but to see through the play itself into what the player is experiencing, what drives them to a certain character or avatar, or the individual's experience of the virtualized and fantasy worlds.
Individually, these articles both analyze and create a portrait of what constitutes 'geek culture.' However, their collective impact is where the book truly shines, offering psychologists and mental health clinicians a comprehensive understanding and a powerful tool to incorporate into their therapeutic practice.
As geek culture continues its ascent into the mainstream, bolstered by the ever-expanding internet, Integrating Geek Culture Into Therapeutic Practice evolves from a niche resource to an essential read for practitioners aiming to better comprehend the lives, motivations, and aspirations of their clients.
Psychology libraries focused on contemporary intersections between psychology, social environments, and therapeutic approaches will find this book an indispensable addition. The definitions of geek culture presented here, along with its ongoing relevance and practical applications, make it a critical resource.
Integrating Geek Culture Into Therapeutic Practice is highly recommended for psychology reading groups and therapists' gatherings, especially those interested in exploring client identity and cultural connections.
Ojo
Donald Mengay
Saddle Road Press
www.saddleroadpress.com
9798990054325, $25.00
https://www.amazon.com/Ojo-Donald-Mengay/dp/B0DDR966XP
Ojo is a work of literary fiction that explores the 1980s experience of youth, love, discovery, and transformation. Its powerful metaphorical, descriptive language is evident from its opening passages:
Tommy impregnates me with the idea, gasps in my ear, jerks to present matters, our heads drifting toward drunk divines showering the world - with autumn. Or is it fall? My fall. From grace to this. Cheek to earth. Soil around. In my nose. Tommy hovers with a mouthful of dirt while glass lengthens from the two of us, mirroring up. Watercolors sit, a day gone amiss. What a thing to say. To think of drunk divines gilding the earth. With - this guy takes liberties. Does he think he's a god or is he on some kind a kick?
Readers who join Tommy's journey will find its quasi-poetic love story of gay experiences and events are steeped in social and cultural observation. Jake arrives in Ojo after the death of his lover Peacoat in a gay-bashing confrontation.
The town of Ojo represents a refuge, an opportunity, and a new beginning. It also lies in the heart of cowboy country, so its culture also represents a dichotomy.
Jake's reaction to violence is to run and escape from his past - including a bewildered mother who can't understand either his distance or his very different life. The pain he causes during his flight is not only internal to his psyche and experience, but affects everyone he leaves behind. His mother writes of this alienation with a pain-laden hand that speculates about the rationale behind his silence:
If it has anything t do with that boy that died some people are sayin he got murdered by that quack minister you were followin i tried to tell you. the last i heard theirs two ladies say he did it he may even end up in the slammer. It seems like you should be over the death a that boy by now I mean thats a part a life.
Hurting and searching for a safe and loving place in a gay-hostile world, Jake meets Mexican-American youth Tommy. Their mutual attraction turns out to be far more than a fling.
Mengay explores the very different cultural milieu of the town of Pandemoniam and its impact on Jake's evolving sense of self:
By what chance am I here? To think of the first time I set eyes on Pandemonium, a town that ironizes its own name in its current state, masking its beginnings, tents thrown like discarded bones in the bowl of a valley, now so prim and orderly, just below the switchbacks that carry you skyward in a series of hairpins, up and over Guanella Pass to Grant. The town shrinks the higher you ascend until it disappears, a place that at eye level is as inviting and impenetrable as a fortress.
These and similarly evocative descriptions form the backbone of a story that captures a sense of the times and the presence of gay culture and connection as the "two hombres" pursue their romance while facing the reactions of Ojo's working-class residents:
At the Ojo Diner, kitty-corner from the trailer, Tommy peers into Jake's eyes from dark-roasted beans. The clatter of dishes is enough to wake the dead or the never-slept. Neither notices the glances of the locals as Tommy fondles Jake's hand.
The experience of being blue collar, queer, and fielding the slings and arrows of small-town thought come to life through many subplots. These embrace the experiences of the HIV years during the 1980s before moving to modern pandemic times, focusing on the influence of church and community which ebbs and flows through Tommy and Jake's love story.
Its special blend of coming-of-age story and the challenge of being a survivor when one's entire disparate, chosen family dies creates heady personal connections between historic events and psychological growth.
It's hard enough to be a young adult moving into adult circles. Add homosexual identity into the mix, then move into a working-class milieu for further immersive complications. These elements build three-dimensional characters that are not only believable, but attractive in their struggles to not just survive, but love and thrive against all odds. Their efforts to reconcile past, present, and future objectives is particularly well written, as are the reactions of relatives and strangers around them.
Ojo will resonate within the queer community, but also will reach beyond it to engross and educate traditionalists and those who also come from mixed roots and small towns. Its perspective shifts from white working-class culture to Mexican-American experiences, lending further food for thought about being gay and simultaneously facing cross-cultural challenges. Passages in Spanish reinforce the differences between Tommy and Jake's family, origins, and community.
It should be noted that sexual encounters are graphically portrayed, at times. Libraries and readers shying away from explicit gay love scenes should thus choose differently. But those acknowledging the realistic scenarios, encounters, and processes of both casual and committed sexual relationships won't be stymied by the candid descriptors which emerge during the course of Jake's story.
As the two struggle to create a sense of home, the juxtaposition of different environments is particularly thought-provoking and nicely rendered:
He sighs deeply as the two stroll northward around the lake under sycamores set when landscape architects, in an effort to replicate a giant green back east, sought to stage the concept here in the west, transfer it from the Big Apple to the Queen City, a desert at the time, a history lost on Jake and Tommy...
Libraries looking to add to their queer literature shelves will find the story's capacity for reaching into a wider audience than LGBTQ+ readers alone makes Ojo a powerful recommendation.
Ojo will appeal to gay audiences, readers of modern literature, and college-level creative writing and literature classrooms where stories that hold beautifully descriptive language, solid characterization, and supportive dialogue are of particular interest.
Devolution of Power
William L. Kovacs
Paperback-Press/A & S Publishing
9781960499790, $9.99 Paperback/$2.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Devolution-Power-Rolling-Preserve-Republic-ebook/dp/B0CWSXX2F1
Devolution of Power: Rolling Back the Federal State to Preserve the Republic offers a lesson in preserving the republic by returning power to the states from the federal government. As a method of addressing state differences and preventing a new civil war, William L. Kovas makes proposals that are central to important discussions about what divides or unites the nation.
Kovacs avoids the usual method too many authors employ of critiquing current events to focus on the heart of solutions that can preserve the democratic process and freedoms. His wide-ranging proposal of how to restructure America offers a heady blend of powerful ideas married to practical considerations of just how federal power may be rolled back and transferred to state control.
This proposal of devolving and moving power structures is no idealistic theory or easy venture, but documents a well-reasoned approach that students of civics and American politics and history would do well to debate and consider.
Chapters offer many specific historical examples of the abuse of power, policies that hide agendas to control society, and the transformation of all democratic institutions to better achieve the ultimate goals of managing, not controlling, political and social structures:
If Congress is to reclaim its role as the nation's lawmaker, it must reclaim its legislative authority over spending, emergencies, and wars. If Congress begins to reclaim these
powers, it will realize the federal government, as structured, is too big and too complex to manage all the laws, policies, and programs it has accumulated over the last century. When it does, it will seek to form a governing structure that allows the federal government to manage issues of a genuine national and international nature and transfer domestic matters to the respective states. At that time, discussion over the devolution of power to the states will begin.
Kovacs provides a reasoned assessment of political and social influences, the decaying state of modern America, and how the revised status of the federal government may return it to being an entity the people trust.
All these topics and more, supported by reasoned historical and political analysis and facts, make Devolution of Power a highly recommended, powerful survey that should take its place at the top of political science reading groups, classrooms, and individuals interested in the nature and future of America.
Libraries will want to acquire and recommend Devolution of Power as not just a study in American ideals and structure, but a proactive, positive statement of formulating a new direction for the nation, detailing exactly how to get there.
The AI Glossary
Richard R. Khan
The AI Glossary Publishing Corp.
www.theaiglossary.co
9781738383429, $27.99 Hardcover/$19.99 Paper/$6.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/GLOSSARY-Demystifying-Essential-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1738383423
The AI Glossary: Demystifying 101 Essential Artificial Intelligence Terms for Everyone is a reference highly recommended not just for teens and students, but for adults who may lack the background knowledge to understand the emerging AI environment.
Contrary to what might be popular belief, AI is not infallible. It is as subject to built-in bias and mistakes as humans are, and requires special consideration in use and an understanding of its processes that applies critical thinking to any AI support or decision-making.
Enter The AI Glossary. It is designed to alleviate the linguistic challenges affecting such understanding, offering readers of all ages an appropriate methodology for demystifying AI jargon to better understand its techniques and operations.
Richard R. Khan delves into different forms of AI and its architecture, considering the concepts underlying its processes. Policymakers, technologists, and students alike will find this glossary does more than define terminology. It operates as an interface between AI and human pursuits, offering invaluable tips to understanding AI's basic vocabulary to better assess its potential and pitfalls, for bigger-picture applications.
From defining and understanding cross-validation techniques to how data is divided, tested, and applied to real-world endeavors, for one example, The AI Glossary encourages lively dialogues between students as well as a deeper understanding of AI's applications.
Examples of each term in actual use reinforces and supports Khan's intention of going beyond a mere dictionary of definition to consider in-depth subjects related to AI's evolution and use.
Libraries and readers seeking practical books that also inject wit and black-and-white visual comic relief into the very serious subject of AI will find The AI Glossary surprisingly accessible because of Khan's attention to creating a lively survey instead of a dry discourse, as most computer books tend towards. It's thus an essential reference for all manner of audiences and collections that not only demystifies AI, but returns its use, control, and operations to the milieus of the general public.
Gray Wrath
Terrence Poppa
Demand Publications
9780966443080, $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Gray-Wrath-Terrence-Poppa-ebook/dp/B0DB2M6JWV
Gray Wrath is billed a 'thriller', but its subject and approach also lends to its attraction to sci-fi audiences interested in alien encounters and world-threatening events.
The tale opens with renegade assassin Michael Kendon's incarceration and interrogation. As he faces torture by the security directorate, one of the keepers of the secrets of the Collaboration, an organization he once was committed to and a part of, he also contemplates the bigger picture involving the future of mankind.
As an asteroid diverted by aliens to obliterate the human race looms in the background, Michael is the sole person who may be able to stop it - if he can overcome the attacks and restrictions from fellow human beings.
Terrence Poppa employs a masterful hand at dovetailing tension and revelation throughout the course of a story that probes varying political intentions in the face of an overwhelming threat:
When the sound of boots faded, Kendon leaned back against the granite wall. He could not bear to look at Meller. His tortured body was clear evidence of what the plot to defeat the Breeder agenda had come to: nothing. After all those years of secret effort and quiet hope, it was a complete failure.
This is no straightforward struggle with aliens, however. Kendon's personal experiences, confrontations, and interactions also play a major role in questions of humanity's survival or demise, with issues of trust, special abilities, proactive thinking, and loyalty between killer and victim coming into play to inject satisfying thriller and psychological components into evolving events.
As facedowns with snipers, massacres, and conspirators evolve, Kendon's mandate shifts in satisfyingly unexpected manners to draw readers into a story as embedded in personal confrontation as it is in alien/human struggle.
Poppa's dance between thriller and sci-fi lends to a read that is exciting, unpredictable, and thoroughly engrossing. Lethal abilities combine with an adventure that blossom to incorporate healing into its milieu.
The psychological tension and action blend seamlessly in a plot designed to prove gripping on more than one level.
The result is a heady adventure that will reach beyond one genre to involve audiences interested in action-packed events, unexpected twists, interpersonal relationships, and considerations of what constitutes a healing journey.
Libraries seeking exceptionally vivid thrillers that arrive with the added attraction of insights into redemption, survival, and recovery will find Gray Wrath a finely-tuned, top recommendation.
Doctor Fearless
Lili Anne Dean
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798891322318, $17.99 paper/$8.99 ebook/$26.99 hardcover
https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Fearless-Lili-Anne-Dean/dp/B0CZJ9DBVG
In Doctor Fearless, charismatic, rich surgeon Victor represents a countenance of narcissism and ability that proves a dangerous attractor to women - three, in particular, who become ensnared by his looks, charm, and financial prowess.
Lili Anne Dean alternates points of view between Victor, Susan, Priscilla and Amelia as she explores Victor's efforts to "become a better man" against all odds, and the impact these attitudes and efforts hold for the women in his life.
As exposes, public judgment, and better understanding emerge, boundaries are traversed, ideals reconsidered, and lives broken and pieced back together against a backdrop of excellent tension and psychological draws.
Dean's ability to bring to life the shifting perspectives of all participants lends a healthy analytical and revealing quality to the events which embroil all (including the reader) in a tale of redemption and growth that mirrors that of the fictional the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.
Victor's journey from a man "driven by professional ambition to someone who valued empathy and human connection" is one which also changes those who love or resist him.
Doctor Fearless excels in unfolding a struggle for redemption that transmits heartbreaking moments and choices to those affected by Victor's ripples of change.
Book clubs and psychology groups interested in closely inspecting the roots of narcissistic beliefs, how they affect and infect the around the narcissist, and how they color perceptions and reactions will be especially attracted to the book's ability to outline all these elements as more in the lives of interconnected individuals.
The result is a satisfying blend of romance, psychology, and suspense that, libraries will find, attracts patrons from wide walks of reading interest, from thriller fans to those who just want an eye-opening read about impact and transformation.
Dying of Lassitude and Ennui
Phil Fletcher-Stokes
Independently Published
9798879399707, $13.00 Paperback/$6.00 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Dying-Lassitude-Ennui-Phil-Fletcher-Stokes/dp/B0CVLGJ8W5
Dying of Lassitude and Ennui is a poetry collection by a 77-year-old who reflects on social and psychological oddities and ironies of life. Whether he's tackling lesbians, Ukraine's situation, or depression, Phil Fletcher-Stokes writes free verse with a hand inspired:
I can't see anyone crying any tears over me unless it's tears of joy that there's one less 'old boy' to put a drain on the planet's dwindling human resources. Who's going to wipe my ass and clean up after me if I can't make it to the toilet in time after suffering a stroke all alone in my pokey little condo? The answer is NOBODY...
A sense of jaded angst runs through these works like a river, prompting a cautionary advisement for sensitive readers who react over 'trigger topics' or atmospheric reflections. Those seeking joyful inspiration from their poetic reads need look elsewhere, because if the tone and presentation of these reflections leans more towards explorations of sources of misery than focus on lighter subjects:
The misery gene is obscene and has no meaning.
Its only purpose is to demean your quality of life
to the point where you find yourself leaning over
high ledges keening to jump.
As distain, despair, and determination to reveal the failings of literary precedent move readers from poem to poem with pointed and often ironic reflections in which Fletcher-Stokes is "trying to undermine the mainstay of the poetry establishment with my bitter scathing disdain," readers will come to appreciate the underlying social and literary themes that lend to a thought-provoking survey of discovery.
Libraries seeking poetry collections that depart from many of the traditional devices of the genre to reveal a purposeful exploration of the 'golden years' that encompass hell as much as the promise of any heaven will find the dark allure of Dying of Lassitude and Ennui especially suitable for patrons interested in powerful explorations of the force and perceptions of depression.
Anyone But Her
Cynthia Swanson
www.cynthiaswansonauthor.com/anyone-but-her
Columbine York
9798990807426, $17.99 Paperback/$5.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Anyone-But-Her-Cynthia-Swanson/dp/B0DBBD2YH7
Anyone But Her opens in 1979, when teen Suzanne's mother has been killed during a robbery at her record store. No ordinary teen, Suzanne is a psychic who experiences her mother's return and absorbs the warning she brings about her father's new girlfriend.
Fast forward to Suzanne as an adult, with a family of her own. Her return to Denver leads to the unexpected as she rents the space her mother's old store resided in, only to find that past reaching out in unexpected new ways that even a psychic cannot foresee.
Cynthia Swanson excels in creating evocative, compelling scenarios in which Suzanne is buffeted both by her uncommon abilities and the results of her choices that stem from her special circumstances.
Swanson builds excellent characterization, presenting a feisty, determined, intelligent woman whose life becomes mired in dubious connections as Suzanne's mandate to break up father James and fiancee Peggy results in deals and decisions which challenge her present and resonate into her future and family.
Intrigue marries with hidden agendas to create a riveting story that surveys Suzanne's shifting mission and discoveries that move her into realms of danger as well as discovery.
Libraries seeking stories that are absolutely spellbinding as they probe family secrets, hidden pasts, and future impacts will find Anyone But Her an excellent acquisition, highly recommended for novel readers seeking disparate characters and twists and turns that are not easily predictable.
Untertauchen
Arthur M. James
www.artmjames.com
Fulton Books
9798889825449, $29.95 Paperback//$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Untertauchen-Historical-Novel-Arthur-James/dp/B0CZMFWQVL
Untertauchen is a historical novel based on the true story of a Jewish couple who survived Hitler's Thousand-Year Reich, living underground in Germany in a manner that challenged not just physical survival, but mental connection and acuity.
The story opens with a prologue set in 1910, long before the events of the Third Reich that are the focus of this story. It sets the stage with an introductory portrait of Jewish community neighborhood and interactions in Germany, moving through family experiences in a small German village from 1910 to 1911, providing succinct snippets of personal and cultural flavors before moving to the main event in the first chapter, which opens in 1932.
It is a world which is "not too big"... yet. And still, prejudice between Jewish immigrants and native Germans abounds, as Sophie's vacation turns into a nightmare realization of the prevalence of anti-Semitism.
Leopold, Sophie, and their family face even more trials as Germany evolves and SA tactics arise. As the underground "Jewish grapevine" reveals increasing danger, young Hans and Anna face a hierarchy determined to obliterate all the Jews at any cost.
Arthur M. James injects tension into a story that comes not just from political and social undercurrents, but forces within and outside the family. Developments which at first appear small hold deep and lasting implications for conflict and rifts between individuals, families, and German and Jew alike:
"Unknown to Hans and Anna, these and similar developments portended consequences that would alter their lives forever."
The decisions that mandate physical and mental survival place these characters in increasing danger that traverses physical and psychological blows to affect and challenge moral and ethical visions of the world and their place in it.
At each juncture of change, James succeeds in communicating both the weight of oppression and the promise of transformation of a nation that has experienced defeat and is determined to rise up again, against all challenge and no matter the moral cost.
The losses mount in many different ways:
"Bronze was not the only metal missing. Germany was in short supply of everything the fighting demanded. A house-to-house collection would start the following week. Citizens would have to turn over every scrap of copper, tin, nickel, steel, and iron."
From the howling winds of the Russian steppe and the winters which buffet Berlin and Europe with relentless force to the equally daunting psychic injury that emerges from decisions made by desperate people, James attends to integrating all the conflicting facets of the German experience through the eyes and hearts of those who both experience and promote dehumanization processes.
Acts of defiance and survival encompass and mark Hans and Anna's life as their concerns shift and life continually challenges them to survive.
James brings to life all the facets of living underground in a society marked by storms of oppression, promises of revitalization, and those who pit Germans against their Jewish neighbors.
There is no easy overlay of experience, here. James takes the time to fully explore and express the lives of these characters as they take ever-darker turns and demand more and more just for survival.
This attention to building character, detail, and history is why the novel comprises almost six hundred pages. It may look daunting to some readers, but the depth of the characters and the attention given to capturing the overt and subtle nuances of their life experiences and changes sets Untertauchen apart from simpler explorations of the same era and subject.
This is why libraries seeking more meat, depth, and involvement from World War II fiction about the Jewish experience in 1930s Germany need this book. Its insights about survival, married with fine intrigue and tension, creates a captivating historical saga that is sweeping in its nature and thought-provoking in its countenance.
Its focus on the basics of survival and the shifting forces that continually provoke the characters to reassess in order to survive will attract general book club reading groups as well as Jewish reading circles revisiting and discussing the daily experience of an underground existence.
Spirit Sight
Ross Hightower
Black Rose Writing
www.blackrosewriting.com
9781685130275, $16.95 Paperback/$.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Sight-Song-Trilogy/dp/1685130275
The first book in the Spirit Song trilogy, Sprit Sight, places accompanying maps and supporting info online, accessible by a scan code, freeing the story to begin properly with the impact it needs to form a one-two punch of attraction from the start.
Minna has lived in the mountain village of Fennig for her entire short life. Against the backdrop of an unexplored wilderness, the little town has prospered despite being on the edge of a corrupt empire. Minna's ability to see and commune with spirits is in direct opposition to that empire's edict, but her remote location affords her a sense of connection and opportunity that few others in the land can claim.
Perhaps predictably, the long arm of the empire reaches out to touch and destroy her peaceful life and threaten her connection to the spirits. Branded a witch, Minna and her similarly-endowed sister are condemned to isolation and worse, but their story doesn't end here.
The Inquisition captures her sister, forcing Minna on a journey far from everything she loves and into situations which ensnare and embrace her on very different levels, testing her skills, expectations, and abilities.
As the two sisters separately grapple with their spirit connections, threats to their lives, and the ultimate purpose and nature of their abilities, readers are treated to a vivid story that sizzles with action, adventure, and revelation. The "you are here" feel is powerful whether the perspective is from Minna, her sister, or other characters:
Stiff and sore, she struggled into a sitting position and sat shivering, staring blearily around at the men as they prepared to depart. They gave her some dried meat and a bit of water for breakfast, then replaced the hood and hoisted her onto a horse while she was still chewing. When her thighs contacted the saddle, she gasped, ejecting the contents of her mouth, which slithered down her neck and lodged in the collar of her dress.
Ross Hightower gives equal consideration to the other side of the story, probing the experiences, motivations, and characters involved in the Inquisition process:
While every brother was required to have a certain sensitivity to Daga's essence, for most, it was only enough to stand in the presence of a witch with minimal discomfort. Inquisitors were chosen for their ability to detect witches.
As he weaves quests, journeys, strange encounters, and shifting perspectives into a thoroughly compelling saga, readers from new adults to adults who are attracted to coming-of-age fantasies will find Hightower's ability to juxtapose his characters' growth, special interests, and rationales makes for a story that takes its time to develop compelling characters on all sides, yet proceeds with an excellent tempo through events that don't rush, but simmer with possibility and intrigue.
As Minna and her sister struggle with their abilities, their fates, and their destiny, readers will become as immersed in their quandaries and growth as in the world that dictates their freedoms and imprisonment.
Libraries seeking fantasy quest stories that cross the line from young adult to new adult and adult readership will find much to enjoy and recommend in Sprit Sight's revelations about dreams, abilities, and employing magic and legacy in a manner that supports the greater good.
Spirit Sight, Volume 2
Ross Hightower
Black Rose Writing
www.blackrosewriting.com
9781685133108, $16.95 Paperback/$3.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Sight-Two-Song-Trilogy/dp/168513310X
Fans of the first story in the Spirit Sight trilogy will find Volume 2 an equally powerful effort that continues to play out the cat-and-mouse moves between the Empire which would keep Minna from stepping up to her full powers and the spirit world which would imbibe her with a spirit guide able to overcome much adversity.
There's only one thing the Empire can do after Minna makes such a connection: set a trap to make sure it can't come to full fruition. There's only one problem with this concept... Minna faces being alone and lost, once again, as she faces her greatest challenge to date and finds herself wandering instead of connected by love and new possibilities.
Once again, Ross Hightower crafts a powerful vision of possibility buffeted not only by social and political tides, but by the growth of Minna and characters around her that are all forced to step into personas and abilities they'd barely acknowledged. Loyalties are tested, goals reset or strengthened, and Minna faces new challenges as she solidifies all kinds of connections and goals.
One of the great values in this story lies in the fact that Hightower takes the time to consider the smallest of experiences, reveling in the moment to strengthen the realistic sense of Minna's life and encounters. This lends a sense of immediacy to this second effort which is every bit as strong as the first, even adding wry bits of humor into the mix:
Minna sighed, picked up her spoon and took a bite. It was wonderful! She closed her eyes and forced herself to chew slowly. It had chunks of venison, potatoes, carrots and a small fruit and spices that she couldn't identify, all in a thick gravy. Lost in the sensory experience of eating, the world faded away, small involuntary moans escaping her throat. When she swallowed, she opened her eyes to find Aron watching her, eyebrows arched.
As perspectives shift between Minna, her sister Alyn, friend Aron, inquisitor Harold, and the subjects of traitors and witches which drive their world, readers enjoy a full-bodied story that emerges from different perspectives to coalesce on the subjects of a shifting world paradigm and the changed lives of characters who find their purposes dovetailing and changing in unexpected ways.
Especially intriguing are the underlying motivations and changing lives of characters who find these intersections unexpected and challenging, leading them to question their own motivations as well as the changes of those around them:
Minna felt awkward, not sure how to approach what she wanted to ask. Not only was this woman a stranger, she was one of the most powerful women in the Empire until a few days ago. Why would such a woman agree to help a Alle'oss girl from a small, remote village?
Libraries and readers who enjoyed the first book and who seek a continuation of Minna's saga and discoveries will find Spirit Sight, Volume 2 a worthy addition that supports the first book and takes Minna and her readers in new, unexpected directions.
The cliffhanger ending portends further action and trials.
Spirit Light
Ross Hightower
Black Rose Writing
www.blackrosewriting.com
9781685134556, $19.95 Paperback/$5.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Light-Song-Saga/dp/1685134556
Spirit Light is the third book in the Spirit Sight Saga centering on Minna and her sister, and provides returning readers with a vivid, unexpected continuation to their saga.
The Empire is newly cognizant of just how dangerous Minna and Alyn Hunter are. Armed with this knowledge, the ante between them is upped as the sisters represent an underlying yearning for freedom which ripples through the Empire like a virus.
Minna and Alyn still need to fully embrace and expose their mother's plan if they are to gain headway in their battles, however. Underlying that goal are equally powerful draws to resolve conflicts not only outside, but within them.
Once again, Ross Hightower creates an utterly compelling quest saga that embraces the special interests of empire and individual alike.
Between coming into not just their abilities but their family's history and legacy and confronting an impossible regime armed with knowledge, foresight, and strength, the sisters rise into their abilities with the charm and character of driven young women.
Theirs is not the only perspective cultivated, here. As in former books, other characters step up with their own perspectives and concerns. Ulf, Minna's love, adds his own insights as events unfold. Minna longs for a quiet life with him with home, family, and freedom a part of their lives:
They fell silent again until Minna asked, "Do you think we'll ever be able to have a normal life?"
Ulf chuckled. "What would a normal life be like for you?"
Minna pulled her head back so she could look up at him. "A house in the forest. A cozy, warm house. Two children, a boy and a girl." She looked at his chest and gave a small laugh. "Hunting, teaching my children to hunt. Festivals, stories by the fire, crisp autumn days and those snowy winter days when the forest is so quiet." She fell silent, her smile fading. Then she laid her head back on his chest. "All of that."
As Minna struggles with trust and how to shape the world she ultimately wants to raise a family in, readers receive a vivid story of a mother's legacy, a daughter's mandate, and a host of characters whose changing lives and special interests intersect on a field of personal and political struggle.
Hightower is especially adept at bringing these new characters into Minna's milieu to expand the purposes and perceptions of this world, resulting in an engrossing study in transformation and world-changing that will delight fantasy readers interested in sweeping epic journeys firmly rooted in personal experience and change.
Without the spirits' gifts, what was she? That is the concluding question.
Libraries seeing popularity with the other books in Hightower's series will certainly want to add Spirit Light to their collections, recommending it above many others to patrons seeking series fantasies replete with elements of revelation over final battles won and lost.
The Independent
Brad Goodwin
www.bradgoodwinauthor.com
Sweet Briar Press
9798991031509, $16.99 Paperback/$4.99 eBook
The Independent is a political thriller whose prologue opens in 2040, where D.A. Jack Sanborn is shamed by his failure to protect a teen victim.
After introducing the dilemma, the story fast forwards four years. Jack is now a law professor facing his greatest challenge not from legal battle, but from his wife's stillbirth and near-death experience.
Jade Xu is a prickly DC reporter whose bloodhound-like tendencies to pick out the truth and deceptions have earned her a reputation. She always works alone. But an upcoming presidential election is slated to dovetail and transform both their lives as intrigue and danger unfold to embrace Jade and Jack in a deadly game.
Readers who choose The Independent will find many of its contentions and circumstances familiar, eerily akin to modern times (albeit with higher tech) as Jack finds himself moving from legal snafus into political possibilities he'd never dreamed of.
Jade's newfound associations and purposes emerge against the backdrop of political opportunity which raises questions very similar to modern American experiences. Brad Goodwin brings these to life through dialogues and encounters that highlight special interests and disparate group ideals:
"I'm surprised that someone of your convictions would take up with someone who stands for... nothing at all, really."
"If you want to call the dismantling of a destructive two-party monopoly nothing."
"And what would that leave in its place, Jade, other than utter chaos?"
"Oh, I don't know. How about a Congress that actually works together to solve America's problems?"
Jack's experiences, too, clarify the interests and approaches of special players participating in his upward trajectory:
"...this isn't about your country. This is about you. And that's the difference between us."
Readers of political thrillers may be surprised by the novel's near-future setting and some of the avenues it takes to probe situations of discovery and change. The fact that the story is driven by the hopes, psyches, and experiences of not one but two major players (Jade and Jack) creates a satisfying synthesis of disparate experience that is strengthened by twin forays into dangerous ideas and territory.
Goodwin creates disparities in character ideals, responses, and revelations, then pulls them back and forth like puppets on a political string. This lends to a more intense, involving story than thriller readers usually receive, based as much on character development and political irony and involvements as it is in moves that force each character away from preconceived pathways of growth and resolution.
Embedded with the fire of promise, the passion of purpose, and a moral and ethical compass that changes with new influences and discoveries, The Independent is highly recommended reading for fans of political thrillers, in particular, who will find its shifting sands of opportunity to be thought-provoking and surprising.
Libraries that select The Independent will welcome the opportunity to recommend it to a wide audience... even patrons that ordinarily eschew thriller genre reading for its often-too-predictable plots.
There is little predictable here - Brad Goodwin's debut thriller is full of eminently satisfying twists and turns.
The Golden Age of Red
Doug Villhard
Mabel Publishing
https://mabelpub.com
9798986537849, $15.99 Paperback/$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Age-Red-Grange-Galloping/dp/B0D6R73L9M
In The Golden Age of Red: A Novel of Red Grange, The Galloping Ghost, college football player Red Grange is tired of being known for his sports prowess. All he wants to do is get his business degree and settle down into a calm, predictable life.
He is on track to achieve this dream when a particularly notable game thrusts him into a limelight he never wanted. The football industry declares him the greatest player ever and wants him to support his extraordinary single-day plays with a career based on repeat performances that further his fame and achievements.
Shot down by his own abilities, Red struggles to not disappoint others and loved ones while remaining true to his course.
Doug Villhard sets Red's life and achievements against the backdrop of the Roaring 20s, when sports enthusiasm by the general public reached an unprecedented climax.
"What are we to each other?" Red asks Polly (who is not only not his girl, but is not really anyone else's, either). This query dovetails with his own drive to accept fame's benefits and wealth while redefining his own goals, which go beyond sports to enter into realms of family, friendships, and vastly revised life circumstances.
Comic relief permeates events to add the value of giving pause to the story's serious considerations of outcomes and choices:
Just as Red flies into the end zone and the ball is landing safely in his grip... the dog, having run out on the field, trips him. Red Grange and Wildcat Wilson slam into the ground without the ball. They both look down to see the little dog's jaw locked onto Red's pants. "Cut! Cut!" the director, Sam Wood, yells. "That damn dog. Reset everyone. Dammit. Reset all the cameras." Red and Wilson burst out laughing. They look ridiculous lying there, both wearing lipstick with makeup smeared all over their faces, wearing their famous jersey numbers."
The biographical and historical components that power this work of fiction add elements of reality and insight into not only football culture, but the 1920s milieu that propelled it to new heights in American eyes.
Doug Villhard creates a delicate dance between discovery and the evolution of the NFL and its social, sports, and political ties as Red considers the intersection and consequences of professional and special interest behaviors and choices.
Of special interest to history and sports fans is the psychological components of Red's relationships and changes, which evolve as a result of his talents, involvements, and ambitions.
This is why libraries seeing patron interest in historical fiction about 1920s America, or football history in particular, will find The Golden Age of Red of special interest. Its strengths in depicting the life and environment of a football player whose strengths prove more diverse and challenging than even he could have predicted makes for a story that pits romance and relationships against professional and moral considerations. Sports enthusiasts and those interested in college football are in for a real treat as they absorb Red's story.
The Scotty!
Eric J. Hildeman
Msffl
9798869367365, $16.00 Paperback/$5.00 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Scotty-Eric-J-Hildeman/dp/B0D4C5JXMW
The Scotty! is an interlocking series of quirky sci-fi stories revolving around the invention of an instantaneous transportation device that gives its user god-like powers. It's a device named for Star Trek's engineer Scotty, which will especially attract and delight Trekkies.
Opening in the year 2073 with a private journal entry, it's evident from the start that Eric J. Hildeman attends to adding underlying ironic, satirical humor into the mix:
My latest government assignment ordered me to the Peace Frog, which was a Mary Jane establishment in Pasadena, California. The air inside was filled with a thin haze caused by constantly smoking patrons and, because nearly all the gonge was flavored, the indoor fog smelled of berries, peppermint, chocolate, vanilla, as well as cannabis. It was a candy-chronic conglomeration; a reefer redolence; a pot-pourri.
From quests for answers and gullible participants in a zany excursion to the consequences of employing the Scotty, these threads of humorous inspection give the stories a marked degree of fun. This helps the entire effort stand out from the crowd, while remaining serious about the subjects of power and control:
I remember that while we were all at our usual watering hole one night, I overheard hazelnut Barbara and macadamia Latona gossiping about Paulo, the Brazil nut. He was kind of religious, so the conversation somehow got coded in Jesus-talk, but it was clear enough what the subject matter was.
As training in using the Scotty proceeds, with various governments attempting to fine-tune who gets to use it and how it impacts the world, Eric J. Hildeman creates a series of adventures that swirl around the fact that "the fate of the entire planet is now constantly at stake."
As the Scotty is employed for such dubious efforts as world-changing and spying on naked women alike, the follies and failures of humanity come to light in the forms of seemingly disparate characters whose own special interests influence the Scotty's use, promise, and impact.
Libraries will welcome a sci-fi story replete with elements of wry social inspection, literary strength, moral and ethical considerations. Attempts to Scotty personalities and ethical concerns with high-tech transformations make The Scotty! worthy not just of individual patron recommendation to readers within and outside of the sci-fi genre, but book clubs and reading groups interested in the many debates which will likely arise from a community consideration of technology employed for the "greater good."
Secrets of the Blue Moon
Jan Heidrich-Rice
https://www.janheidrichrice.com
NDY Press
9798990977112, $16.99 Paperback/$4.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Blue-Moon-Heidrich-Rice/dp/B0DD6TTRJD
Readers seeking a fictional portrait of the South replete with marital discord and a search for family legacy will enjoy reading Secrets of the Blue Moon, the story of Marnie Putnam, who seeks respite from her marriage in a small Georgia town, only to find herself haunted by more than her own past and choices.
Two women died in the house where she is temporarily boarding. Years earlier, their deaths under a blue moon caused ripples of shock throughout the community, changing more than a few lives.
Marnie's move seems to have reactivated consequences of that night, along with the ghosts of her own past. Marnie finds herself buffeted by events that include her own mother's death years prior and the mysterious protective orb that followed her to keep her safe thereafter.
In addition, she's now also plagued by eerie noises and visions at night, a dive-bombing crow, and questions about some of the quirky town residents' honesty and intentions. When another blue moon rises and yet another heinous death takes place, the spirits deluge Marnie, demanding she help them find answers and justice.
At every step, Heidrich-Rice embeds her characters' questions and self-examinations with the atmosphere of Southern manners and ghosts. Can friends brainwash friends to commit horrendous crimes? Could certain individuals have benefited from all three deaths, that transpired under two separate blue moons, years apart?
As secrets emerge and evolve, readers are pulled into Marnie's investigations with an atmospheric aura and strong literary presence that proves hard to put down.
Libraries seeking Southern ghost stories, tales of fractured relationships and legacies of murder, and fiction about women who stand up to past and present adversity will welcome Secrets of the Blue Moon's haunting countenance. It's a top recommendation for patrons ranging from women's fiction readers to those who enjoy supernatural elements, intrigue, and psychological revelation in their stories.
A Life, In Letters
Rodney Rhoda Taylor
Crestingwave Publishing
https://gocwpub.com
9781956048247, $14.99
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Letters-Story-Resilience-Sequins/dp/1956048243
What began as a college assignment evolved to this book, a collection of interlaced personal letters composed through years of Rodney Rhoda Taylor's life about the rigors and joys of life, from growing up to coming out as gay and conquering the fear of rejection that comes with this act.
Unlike most memoirs or letter books, it is delivered with the overlaying feel of hope and the opportunity for an interactive experience with its reader, as Taylor adds blank pages at the conclusion of each letter that encourage readers to add their own experiences, revelations, and insights into the mix.
By encouraging journaling and reflective insights on the reader's part, Taylor has created more than the typical coming out memoir, expanding his focus from the personal to the community as he creates opportunities for dialogues in his readers' lives.
The collection kicks off with 'The Innocent Years' reflected in letters to Santa written over the years which detail an early interest in dolls, inclinations that spark the anger of a concerned father and the meanness of an older brother, and changing awareness that, even at a young age, observes socially correct toys and those deemed unacceptable:
For Christmas, can I have the six million dollar man toy? He's a boy doll, so my daddy should like that. I like how he has powers and can run really fast and see things with his eye. Can I also have Barbie and her camper and a Play dough set?
The young writer's age is not noted in these Santa letters, which might have proved intriguing to readers interested in connecting the dots between gender awareness and youth, but the progressive growth of the writer makes for intriguing insights into the perspectives of gay youth about the world and the attitudes shaping their lives.
Each letter represents a building block of this awareness which goes where few autobiographies, memoirs, or diaries provide in detailing big and small pivot points of experience.
The young writer's wisdom also evolves:
PS I'd also like a Cher doll. She is pretty and I love her dresses. Can you leave her in my room instead of by tree? That's so I won't get in trouble asking for a doll.
Lest readers believe Taylor remains mired in childhood or lingers there too long, it should be stated that the adult writings are even more powerful as he absorbs prejudice, religious attitudes, and reflects on the disparities between contentions of love and expressions of disrespect at best and hate at its worst:
You've even gone as far as to say we'll "burn in Hell" for our "lifestyle." What exactly do you mean by "lifestyle"? I ask as we live our lives pretty much the same way you do. We are born, go to school to achieve an education for a better way of life, date, marry, create lifelong friendships, divorce, and pursue hobbies that interest us and make us happy. The only difference I can see between us is that you insist on telling us how to live and how disgusting you find us. I find this very perplexing as we don't do this to you or yours.
Through this growth process, it is hoped that readers will not just be fellow gay audiences who will likely nod with recognition over every letter's expression, but those who are straight or live well outside the colorful zone of gay pride who need the insights and revelations of these letters.
Sadly, that is too seldom the case... but in any event, A Life, In Letters encourages dialogue, self- and community-wide reflection, and thought-provoking reflections. Book clubs, in particular, will find it packed with fodder for all kinds of discussions, from coming-of-age and awakening gender realizations to navigating prejudice, hate, and the impact of attitudes and opinions about gay lifestyles.
Libraries interested in adding a book that departs from most memoirs or LGBTQ+ writings to address issues and lives from a deeper reflective perspective will find A Life, In Letters attractive, inviting, and well worth acquisition and recommendation.
Another Dance
Angela Youngers
Bookpress Publishing
www.BookpressPublishing.com
9781960259035, $28.95
https://www.amazon.com/Another-Dance-Angela-Youngers/dp/1960259032
Another Dance isn't just about ballroom dancing, though that's one of its themes. It's also about love, loss, grief, recovery, and moving forward.
This is what Annie Obless faces a year after her husband's death. Mired in emotions that lead her to eschew the usual grief group method of healing, Annie instead opts for a ballroom dance class as a method of mitigating her emotional pain.
This choice leads her to dance instructor Milo Warner, who taps her to be his dance partner in the course of teaching ballroom dance moves.
What could have proved a too-predictable, familiar story assumes different qualities under Angela Youngers's storytelling ability, which adds unexpected insights into Annie's narrative:
The screams of my children used to elicit in me the natural parental reaction: concern whether someone is hurt, frustration over the same dumb sibling fight they're always having, annoyance at the high shrieked peels of my daughter and even higher yips of my son. But now, when I hear their screams, I fall into an even darker place. I think about my husband's last night with us. Is this the sound that sent him over the edge? Were the kids and I too much to handle? Did he not love us enough to stay? When I hear my children scream - no matter if it is from laughter, anger, fear, or hurt - all I can think about is Jason and how he will never hear those screams again. And how maybe... he didn't want to.
This is a good point to mention that suicide and its aftermath and impact are among the many threads running through Annie's life and experiences. This may trigger readers who struggle with their own feelings after a loved one's death, but ultimately points out paths of healing which can emerge from unexpected life encounters.
These emotional insights add powerful psychological complexity to the novel as Annie both recovers and discovers new moves for her life and perceptions of the past.
They prove involving and revealing surprises in a story that shifts through and contrasts past and present perceptions and expectations:
I expected to be with Jason until we were old and gray. I expected him to be the last person I ever kissed, ever slept with, ever fell asleep beside. I never expected to be a widow before forty, raising two children on my own, and living with my younger brother. I never expected to be so familiar with loneliness.
Another Dance unfolds a warm series of revelations that are revealing, dramatic, educational, and alluring, all in one. These elements make the novel highly recommended for libraries and readers seeking realistic accounts of recovery from a loved one's suicide. Book clubs, too, will find its many insights worthy of discussion and debate.
Moonshine by Moonlight
Ann Hanigan Kotz
Bookpress Publishing
www.BookpressPublishing.com
9781960259219, $28.95 Hardcover/$19.95 Paperback
https://www.amazon.com/Moonshine-Moonlight-Ann-Hanigan-Kotz/dp/196025913X
The setting of Moonshine by Moonlight takes place in 1923 Carroll County, Iowa, where prohibition leads farmers to turn their livestock farms into much more profitable illegal moonshine production facilities. While this places them on the wrong side of the law, leading to efforts to constantly thwart federal regulators like enthusiastic new agent Alvin Truly, it also gives them a stability and livelihood they'd never managed as traditional farmers.
As it becomes harder to evade the law, the distillers form a syndicate led by a particularly clever bootlegger, who builds a whiskey empire by crossing state lines. It's an effort Agent Truly can't allow to continue, but the cat-and-mouse games employed by two clever adversaries immerse many other lives in an effort that forms the crux of not just one, but many social and legal dilemmas in Moonshine by Moonlight.
Ann Hanigan Kotz is notably adept at juxtaposing these different sides of the law and the individuals who hold convictions central to their support or defiance of the times:
"I'm the lone Protestant among these beer-drinking Catholics. I've heard their priest even defies the law!" It felt good to speak his mind even if he still held back about his anonymous calls to law enforcement.
"I feel for you, pal. I know what it feels like to be the only one who cares. That's why I joined a group of fellas who share my feelings. It isn't right to break the laws. If we all did it, we would have anarchy on our hands. As a patriot, we must obey and support our government."
As a myriad of disparate characters join in the fray of social and political clashes, the 1920s come to life in a manner that personalizes both citizen and governmental perspectives. This will prove as educational as it is compelling.
The characters that participate in Carroll County's underground whiskey industry test not only unfamiliar waters, but acknowledge differences in the melting pot of America that keep them apart and occasionally, unexpectedly, bring them together through shared special interests:
"Where you from, Bill? I don't recognize you."
"Brayburn," he said. "It's on the edge of Audubon County. You heard of it?"
Finn hadn't. He knew that area was Danish country rather than German. And they were Protestant. "You said something about fellas you meet with? What's that all about? Friends of yours?" Finn could feel excitement rising. He had never fit in with those around him. To have compatriots who were like-minded would be a relief. He could be himself, say what he wanted.
Moonshine by Moonlight will thus prove of special interest to historical novel readers interested in tales of 20th century regional America, who will find the social, political, and psychological depth of the story to be an alluring introduction to Prohibition years in general and Iowan culture in particular.
Libraries interested in stories that arrive embedded with regional attraction will want to choose Moonshine by Moonlight for its ability to outline 20th century American history in a personal, revealing manner.
On the Front Lines of Democracy: An Election Official's Story of Protecting the Vote in 2020
Jackie Wu
www.jwuconsulting.com/book
Golden Torch Press
9798991122801, $14.99 Paperback/$7.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Front-Lines-Democracy-Officials-Protecting/dp/B0DCRRPYKB
On the Front Lines of Democracy: An Election Official's Story of Protecting the Vote in 2020 presents a month-by-month survey of events in 2020 America that melds insights into Jackie Wu's life and status as a first-generation American, the child of immigrant parents, with observations of democratic processes - specifically, voting rights, which are intrinsic to a fair and free democracy.
While its focus is on what it's like to be an election official making decisions and overseeing this right to vote, On the Front Lines of Democracy even more importantly documents the daily struggles and wars for preserving rights that have been eroded or vanquished in other countries.
Readers interested in election administration processes receive all the nuts and bolts of such efforts as experienced by Wu in 2020, opening with the health challenges COVID posed to election workers and voters alike.
Wu's ability to candidly assess the work of an election team and officials, their motivations of tackling hard questions and work that leads them away from their families, and the impact of their actions and beliefs creates an engaging account that will attract even readers who largely operate outside of political and electoral systems:
The reason why election workers can devote so much of themselves to their work is because of their loved ones. Nothing matters more than making sure that everyone has a chance to vote and that the election is administered accurately, effectively, and efficiently. They are exhausted, but they do not give up. Elections are heavily scrutinized, and the public and media's attention is squarely focused on election results on Election Night, which never seems to come fast enough.
The tone is enthusiastic, analytical, confessional and revealing as 2020's elections and special array of challenges are probed. The personal involvements, experiences, and perspectives lends more of an interactive atmosphere to the stories which draws readers with heady questions about political and social commitments and actions.
From experiences managing pop-up voting to processes created to reinforce voter rights even in the midst of what proved to be a pandemic, Wu captures the special nuances of 2020's events with an eye to outlining the efforts involved in maintaining voter integrity and freedom.
Wu's book explores a special sense of duty and democratic ideals that reinforce behind-the-scenes experience of voter system management as well as front-line public relationships and connections which emerge between election officials and voters.
The personal touch evident throughout lends a sense of drama and insight to this story which personalizes the entire experience.
All these nuances are why On the Front Lines of Democracy is very highly recommended for libraries seeking personal and political works covering democratic processes in general and voting in particular, for readers interested in absorbing insights about democracy backed by the power of personal experience, and for book clubs and reader groups seeking debate and discussion materials about the nature and preservation of voter rights in America.
The Kingfisher and the Crow
Tim Diaz and Peter Marino
Bookpress Publishing
www.BookpressPublishing.com
9781960259226, $28.95 Hardcover/$19.95 Paperback/$9.95 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Kingfisher-Crow-Peter-Marino/dp/1960259156
The Kingfisher and the Crow blends mystery into a political thriller replete with elements of crime, murder, and investigative conundrums.
New Congressman Jerry Sharpe suspects that Mildred Hawthorne murdered his mother decades ago. Now he's finally in a position to exact revenge, and so he embarks on a campaign to similarly impact her life. He has her loved ones murdered one by one to make her suffer as he did, but there's one thing standing in his way: crime reporter Skylar Nicholson, who is struggling to save her career. A juicy story of a vengeful congressman would be just the ticket to propel her to notoriety, but can she risk becoming the eye of his powerful storm?
Her second motivation is that she holds connections with her Aunt Millie, who is now an elderly victim despite her checkered past and their relationship. Motivated to gain answers and expose secrets, Skylar finds her own family history getting in the way of her work and a powerful new enemy standing in the path of achievement and the truth.
Viewpoints shift between Skylar and Jerry. While chapter headings identifying these changes might have contributed quicker clarify, it's fairly evident whose perspective is unfolding.
The juxtaposition of these lives, their motivating interests, and the conjoined professional ambush Skylar experiences when Frank Bergeron, her nemesis from the Times, and her ex-husband, Chip get together to publicly diminish her exposes and determination.
As murder and political relationships emerge, so do undercurrents of social observation, including insights on the double standards and repression surrounding women by political powerhouses:
The Good Samaritan was full of men who could forget to wear their pants and the political circles would think it was cute, but if she forgot her face, no one would take her seriously. And if no one took her seriously, no one would talk to her.
With her investigation hampered by personal and political struggles, Skylar finds herself ever deeper in a mire of good old boys, family skeletons, and intrigue which moves ever closer to drowning her in the secret circles of the political special interests she is set upon exposing.
Jerry's astute manipulations and considerations create a particularly intriguing and excellent juxtaposition of character and purpose to Skylar's efforts, involving readers equally in the choices of disparate individuals who find themselves not only at odds with one another, but playing dangerous special and political games.
Like chess pieces, they try to outmaneuver one another against the bigger picture of American politics and special interests. There is no clear winner in this game - just monsters wearing the guises of ordinary citizens or passionate politicians.
Tim Diaz and Peter Marino are particularly adept at building characters whose divergent special interests both clash and illustrate deeper moral and ethical conundrums. Revenge, cruelty, suffering, and redemption all circle around the drain of political special interests in a manner that adds intrigue and unexpected twists to the evolving story.
Between well-developed tension, strong characters, and a realistic social and political atmosphere of behind-the-scenes manipulation and interests, The Kingfisher and the Crow successfully crafts a multifaceted, riveting story that is highly recommended for libraries, book clubs, and individuals that seek more than a simple whodunit, but an expose of why and how suffering begets cruelty even at the highest levels of social and political achievement.
Tender Paws
Wendy Lyons Sunshine
Health Communications, Inc.
www.hcibooks.com
9780757324956, $14.93 Paperback/$12.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Tender-Paws-Science-Based-Parenting-Relationship/dp/0757324959
Tender Paws: How Science-Based Parenting Can Transform Our Relationship with Dogs crosses a line. It's not a moral or ethical line - it's a behavioral line between how we treat people and how we treat animals, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine illustrates how the connection between these attitudes and behavioral choices affect strategies for both childrearing and pet management.
This unusual association may at first seem odd to readers used to books that deal with one or the other topic but not both together, but it doesn't take many paragraphs of reading to understand that Sunshine is outlining key strategies, perceptions, and connections that are intrinsic to successful outcomes, whether they be with puppies or children.
Take, for example, her juxtaposition of science-based and parenting principles. Sunshine doesn't just rest her findings on idealistic viewpoints. She delves deeply into the world of science to find supportive research conducive to better choices for puppy training and addressing fears with better insights about their origins and management:
Creating positive associations is a powerful way to shift a dog's behavioral and emotional reactions. We can use this technique intentionally to help dogs feel confident in situations that might otherwise cause stress, as discussed in the example on the previous page. This approach can also be helpful in reducing dogs' fear of fireworks and thunderstorms. Studies suggest that playing with dogs and offering special treats during these noisy events can significantly reduce and prevent their phobic responses to these situations.
Augmenting the research and Sunshine's own personal experiences are those of others whom she interviews and illustrates:
"If, on class one, we'd walked in and all he was doing was alarm barking the whole time, I would have hit pause on this. If he had shown me that the class was overwhelming, I would have not come back, or maybe we would have spent the whole class walking around the fields outside." Her priority was keeping him under threshold and creating comfortable associations.
The particularly intriguing and notable themes of Sunshine's survey lie in psychological connections between humans and dogs which often underlie training and behavioral choices, in turn affecting relationships and interactions. One example comes from noted therapist-turned-dog-trainer Andrew Hale:
To truly be available to the emotional experience of another, we have to be in a well-regulated state. That's one of the golden rules of therapy from my days of working with humans. There's no point in me turning up all hot, flustered, angry, upset, and tired because then I'm not listening to you, I'm not available now. Our own trauma, our own belief systems, our own unconscious biases can also be barriers to acknowledging a dog's care and support needs.
And now, to the challenge of library subject categorization. Yes, on the face of it, this is a dog training manual offering a decidedly new age approach to understanding and better methodology, flavored with research and tried-and-tested approaches.
Look deeper, however, to discover that the book is every bit as important for parents or self-help readers considering psychological impact and relationship-building as it is for animal lovers seeking better ways of interacting with their pooches and understanding the dynamics affecting them.
This is why libraries will want to not just categorize Tender Paws in the dog or animal section, but point out to potential readers that its invaluable lessons apply as much to parenting and general life interactions as they do to dog trainers.
It is very highly recommended because of its blend of new age and research-based insights, its ongoing connections between kids and dogs, its specific dog-training alternative thinking, and for its case histories which offer both entertainment and much food for thought.
Thought Choice Power
Plebeius
Plebeian Publishing Company
thoughtchoicepower.com
9798218486266, $17.35 Paperback/$14.99 eBook
Thought Choice Power is a sociological survey that holds special and important applicability to modern-day politics and social conditions, and thus comes highly recommended for readers of political, governmental, and social affairs who would choose this book for its intense discussions on leadership, political ideals and processes, and the power of developing guiding principles that lead to better choices.
What causes society-wide meltdowns? What would our country's past leaders think about present-day events? And how can individual thought translate to actions that result in better options and choices?
These questions and more form the crux of a survey that rides a heady wave of history and psychological discovery. These elements will prove perfect for readers who are given to inquiring minds and examining ideals of happiness, safety, and the foundations of the "more perfect union" that America's founders envisioned.
At this point, it should be noted that capitalization is employed to identify major players in these political and social games. This may disturb followers of proper English grammar, but adds emphasis where it's needed and reveals the power of language in the bigger picture of examination:
Are We not yet familiar with how those starved for Power carry out their business? Time it is for us to acknowledge how the various Creatures of Control use disputes to turn our attention away from their actual plans because they have proven themselves eager to divide us into more manageable groups far less likely to be concerned with any idea involving "the perfection of policy". In other words, We need open our eyes to the fact that the Creatures of Control understand humanity's intrinsic desire to organize around shared interests, habits, and lifestyles - they realize We are instinctively tribal, and they always stand ready to push the buttons, flip the switches, and turn the knobs of fear and distrust.
As relationships between understanding, status quo, and the logic of Thought and Choice are explored, book clubs and classrooms will find plenty of material for debate and discussion as the history and social survey unfolds.
Libraries will thus find Thought Choice Power of special interest and importance to developing collections strong in examining social and political ideals with an eye to pointing out underlying assumptions, relationships, and, ultimately, strategies for change. By reviewing the history of such developments, Thought Choice Power creates new opportunities for social reflection which are especially highly recommended given the atmosphere and events of modern life in America.
The Velvet Hammer
Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. and Amy Mitchell
Post Hill Press
www.posthillpress.com
9798888455012, $19.99 Paperback/$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Velvet-Hammer-Belvin-Capital-Murder/dp/B0CTYGH2Y3
The Velvet Hammer: Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.'s Capital Murder Cases and Memoir belongs in libraries and on the reading lists of those attracted to memoirs in general and legal insights on murder cases in particular. It marries both subjects in a vividly wide-ranging story of death penalty cases in which Judge Perry, Jr. occupied a key position, offering readers a 'you are here' atmosphere of legal, moral, and ethical insights that will prove particularly interesting to students of legal history and judicial conduct.
Perry does more than chart top cases from his bench. He provides an overall assessment of judicial processes as a whole, considering the arguments that buffet America's justice system over the presence, applications, and management of the death penalty.
Numerous books offer condemning views of the death penalty, so it's especially important that this judge's perspective receive widespread attention and classroom and reading group assignment, here.
The specifics of how the death penalty applied in different ways to capital murder cases he prosecuted or presided over are particularly enlightening reading for those either involved in the justice system in any way, or general-interest readers that hold special attraction to death penalty coverages and issues.
The memoir portion of his story surveys his childhood as an African American coming of age in the Deep South, and his progression to a position of power in the justice system. This adds an extra dimension of interest to memoir readers as well as those seeking autobiographical sketches of African American life and experience.
Footnoted references to legal cases and legislative statutes support the information with opportunities for further reading, but within Perry's experiences lies the kernels of understanding how these laws are applied in a courtroom, contrasting past and present methods:
The jury unanimously voted to put the defendant to death. I waited for Judge Kaney to make the final decision. He was a middle-aged man with glasses and light brown hair parted to the side. He was well-regarded in the legal community, but I had a feeling he would not agree with the jury's vote. At that time, judges were not bound by the jury's decision. From what I remembered, Judge Kaney had not sentenced anyone to death.
In this case, Perry explores how the judge's independent ruling impacts all involved:
Judge Kaney sentenced Joseph to life in prison, overruling the jury's unanimous vote.
"Were this a ball game or a soccer match, it would be possible to say it was a close match, but death wins 1-0," he said. "The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that death sentences must not be 'a counting process, but a reasonable judgment.'"
The victim's mother turned pale as she sat quietly in the courtroom. Imagine how horrible she must have felt knowing her only daughter was murdered in such a terrifying way, but now her killer would get to live.
While The Velvet Hammer bring a variety of contrasting capital murder cases to life (sparking a trigger alert for readers who eschew absorbing violent scenarios), its real value lies in a deeper probe of how death penalty decisions are formulated, applied, and resonate with impact on victim and murderer alike.
For all these reasons, The Velvet Hammer is highly recommended reading and a top pick for libraries interested in acquiring memoirs of African-American lives, works that probe moral and ethical boundaries, and books that can serve as debate and discussion sparks for classrooms and students of criminal justice as well as reading groups and book clubs.
Rhoda Rage and the Goldfish Letter
Charles Baran
Line by Lion Publications
www.linebylionpublications.com
9781948807425, $27.99
https://www.amazon.com/Rhoda-Goldfish-Letter-Charles-Baran/dp/1948807459
Mystery readers seeking a story as steeped in gay culture as it is in intrigue will find Rhoda Rage and the Goldfish Letter a study in contrasts and color that eschews the usual plot around a P.I. for a story even more attractive for its South Florida gay community setting.
Rhoda Rage is a drag performer who has achieved much local notoriety, but one workday is different. She arrives to chaos, a murder, and a missing favorite wig maker, all of which spiral her into P.I. mode as a strange note leads her on a personal mission to find out not only whodunit, but why.
Charles Baran excels in creating a vivid set of characters set against the backdrop of the gay community. Just as unexpected as Rhoda's flamboyancy paired with murder intrigue is the sense of humor which heavily runs through the story, offering many laugh-out-loud moments as events play out and bring the drag community to life:
"Okay, here we go! Everybody ready? As drag-queen-of-the-peace, I, Rhoda Rage, using the fabulous powers vested in me, now pronounce you husband and husband."
To Rhoda's surprise, Alfredo had found a track of Mendelssohn's wedding march on Spotify and played it at full volume while the crowd banged their drinks on the table and yelled, "Kiss! Kiss!"
These colorful moments create a backdrop of authenticity, fun, and thought-provoking insights, building the intrigue with the added value and flavor of various characters who each play a part in Rhoda's investigation, and often wind up on her growing list of suspects and possibilities.
As Rhoda delves deeper into the mysterious goldfish message that was Big Molly's last note to her, she edges ever closer to understanding the events that brought many of her ambitions to a standstill.
Charles Baran's mission to craft a story well steeped in gay lifestyles, disparate characters, and murder investigations that are anything but formula or staid succeeds in a read that is powerfully diverse and refreshingly novel, from its main protagonist Rhoda to the cast of colorful characters that swirl around her.
This attention to community-building detail moves Rhoda Rage and the Goldfish Letter far beyond the usual murder mystery and into matters of impersonation efforts, acts, and choices that marry Rhoda's circle of players with bigger-picture impacts.
Libraries seeking mystery additions that operate well out of the box of predictability will find Rhoda Rage and the Goldfish Letter a particularly attractive addition for holdings seeking to expand backdrops of gay community subsets, activities, and color.
Readers seeking added value from these strengths will find Rhoda Rage and the Goldfish Letter a compelling winner and a standout in both murder mystery and gay fiction genres.
Holding IT Together
Robert MacNeil Christie, PhD
www.TheHopefulRealist.com
Bear Claw Press/Omega Publishers
www.BearClawPress.com
9798990777903, $18.95 Paperback/$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Holding-Together-Social-Control-Transformation/dp/B0D9NLFRBZ
Holding IT Together: Social Control in an Age of Great Transformation offers a thought-provoking probe into the mechanisms of social control and their impact on humanity's ability to survive dilemmas of its own making. It's an important discussion point not only about systems of control and manipulation, but how chaos and creation are chosen, enacted, and juxtaposed by human ideals and social networks.
Dr. Robert MacNeil Christie embeds history surrounding social deconstruction and construction with the kinds of modern references that readers will relish. These include such solution-oriented observations as:
Instead of growing reliance on external energy sources to drive automated equipment managed by just a few technical workers, appropriate technology would engage workers in creative ways. Such ways would inherently involve more labor, not less; it would also call for more learning, creativity, and craft. Economic de-growth goes hand in hand with developing technologies and production processes that enhance human creativity and wellbeing because craft and high purpose would drive production instead of immediate efficiency and short-term profit.
Christie's different contrast between social systems, perceptions, economic approaches and philosophies, and environmental and social impacts of such systems allows for a much greater flexibility and understanding than most books about either social systems or climate change.
In defining the nature and terms of great transformations and applying them to underlying systems of control, manipulation, and idealism, Christie offers an unprecedented opportunity for readers to apply the basics of economic understanding to the major issues facing humanity's survival today.
Especially intriguing is the manner in which Christie points out disparities, possible solutions, and major revisions of ideal and insight that will lead humanity away from the dark edge of destructive impulses and towards goals that promote not just better choices for environment and world, but which revise the opportunities and approaches of individuals who operate under such systems and assumptions.
Hope is embedded throughout his approach:
By a great transformation, I mean two things. First, the two hundred years or so of "industrial progress" have so disrupted the entire Earth System that the conditions for many life forms on the planet put them into immediate jeopardy - a great transformation emerging. Second, the Industrial Era has also caused fundamental changes in the structure of society itself, resulting in an extreme hierarchy of social control from a financialized political economy, which has come to dominate society itself. We cannot yet determine the outcome. It depends on whether or not, and to what extent, we humans respond effectively to subdue the disruptive Earth-System changes we have caused - a great transformation either way. The New Great Transformation of society is well underway.
Libraries seeking treatises on the major dilemmas of modern society and living, who look for well-researched blends of and contrasts between different viewpoints and behavioral and idealistic impact, will find Holding IT Together especially relevant and important to book clubs and college-level discussion groups interested in a survey that is delivered with the one/two punch of historical precedent and the special challenges involved in building a new 'ecological civilization.'
The challenge in doing so is clear: The determination of that direction depends entirely on human awareness and, above all, radically different human actions.
Diane C. Donovan, Senior Reviewer
Donovan's Literary Services
www.donovansliteraryservices.com
Gary Roen's Bookshelf
Just Brooke (No Stage Name Needed)
Sunshine Rodgers
Rwg Publishing
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com
9781088256787, $27.99 pbk / $2.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Brooke-Stage-Name-Needed/dp/1088256783
A title by Sunshine Rodgers ensures flawless writing, well developed characters and a story that holds interest all the way through. "Just Brooke" has all those elements and more for a pleasurable tale in the entertainment world. Since she was a child Brooke has always wanted to sing and create her own music. Through a series of events she has been prevented from her goal until a friend suggests she enter a competition like America's Got Talent. Once enrolled, she adapts against so many contestants. For them its all about getting the recording contract, becoming famous, or other priorities that are not anything like the totally different motivation of Brooke. "Just Brooke" reveals the high stakes world of a reality show that has so much to offer to its participants, for the ultimate prize, while exposing practice, or assumptions its in the bag. Brooke surrounds herself with people who will enhance her talent while others maintain shallow relationships because they feel superior to anyone else. "Just Brooke" is an enjoyable page turner for anyone to enjoy a character driven story.
Don't Let the Devil Ride
Ace Atkins
William Morrow
c/o Harper Collins
www.harpercollins.com
9780063293380, $30.00 HC $14.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Let-Devil-Ride-Novel/dp/0063293382
"Don't Let The Devil Ride" is more than a good mystery, it's a rollicking suspense tale by a master. Addison McKellar knows something is going on with her husband Dean who has disappeared, for no reason. She finds out his office has been shut down reinforcing her beliefs, something is going on. Not happy with the police response she talks to her dad who suggests she contact private detective Porter Hayes who believes her and takes her case. Porter is not your usual investigator while the novel is filled with many different characters like a, British actress who worked with Elvis, her adult daughter, a Deacon of the church, Russians, and other criminal elements, as well as the city of Memphis and Graceland, that add to the thrilling story. I was most impressed with the Actress and daughter, to wonder if Atkins based the two on a woman I knew before her death. She was in an Elvis film and like the character was supposed to be in another one with him. The writing is superb holding readers interest to the very last surprising page ending. "Don't Let The Devil Ride" is a complicated, whirlwind of tension filled page turner magic.
Misjudged: A Legal Thriller
James Chandler
Severn River Publishing
https://severnriverbooks.com
9781648754487, $17.99 pbk, $4.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Misjudged-Sam-Johnstone-Legal-Thrillers/dp/1648754481
"Misjudged" is the first of a series of legal crime novels of attorney Sam Johnstone. Sam is a disabled veteran struggling to make a life for himself after returning home from combat. After law school he sets up shop for a while in Washington, D.C. He later gets in touch with a friend in a small town in Wyoming where he sets up in his comrades law firm. Things are going nicely until Sam decides to defend a fellow veteran in a big murder case. Now he is on his own in a case that is a difficult one to win because so much is stacked against him. "Misjudged" is a tense nail biting suspenseful page turner for fans of the genre.
Waterborne: A Jake Bendel Thriller
J. Luke Bennecke
Jaytech Publishing
www.jaytechpublishing.com
9780965771597, $19.99 pbk, $6.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Waterborne-Jake-Bendel-Thriller-Thrillers/dp/0965771598
"Waterborne" takes off like a guided missile on a mission of complete suspense. Jake Bendel and a team of scientists are working on a project to provide fresh water to millions of residents in California. Terrorists have other ideas with a devious plot to undermine their progress through sabotage in a very creative way. "Waterborne" is a rocking good thriller that guarantees exciting reading.
Storm Warning
David Bell
Berkley
c/o Penguin Random House
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
9780593549995, $18.00 pbk / $12.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Warning-David-Bell-ebook/dp/B0CJTFN7F7
"Storm Warning" David Bell's newest novels rapid pace to the satisfying ending. Residents of a South Florida apartment complex are preparing for a hurricane that is bearing down on them. Many like Jake Powell have decided to stay and ride out the storm. As the story unfolds there are many complicated conflicts including someone is killing them one by one causing them to distrust each other.
No Safe Place
Michael Ledwidge
Hanover Square Press
c/o HarperCollins
https://www.harpercollins.com
9781335000415, $30.00 HC / $14.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/No-Safe-Place-Michael-Ledwidge/dp/1335000410
Ledwidge is at the top of his game, with his newest Michael Gannon thriller in "No Safe Place." Michael Gannon decides to enjoy some well-deserved rest time in New England trout fishing and relishing his time in the great outdoors. While there he runs into a former girlfriend who is an investigator on a case to find out what killed a college student of a nearby university. As they now work together a person close to it all comes forward to reveal to the two sleuths what happened. "No Safe Place" is a cat and mouse game between the detectives and the perpetrators of incredible crimes that rolls along into a shattering direct confrontation guaranteed to please suspense fans.
A Stranger In The Citadel
Tobias S. Buckell
Tachyon Publications
www.tachyonpublications.com
9781616963989, $17.95, pbk, $10.49 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Citadel-Tobias-Buckell/dp/1616963980
Science fiction has always tackled social issues very well and "A Stranger In The Citadel" masterfully does so, on a very familiar turf that is relevant today. The Citadel is a place in the future where books are forbidden. Lillith the youngest royal of Ninetha has no idea what a book is until an outcast man from another providence, enters her life. What he brings with him, gets him a sentence of death by the courts of the land. Something nags at Lillith to find out more about this mysterious person. She meets him in prison to study who he is and why he has come to Ninetha. What she finds out will change her relationship with everyone she knows that will also lead to chaos where she will have to leave everything her once comfortable world. "A Stranger In The Citadel" brilliantly shows the motivation of people who want to censor what people read, see, and think with the statement by one of the characters. "Literature is like an infectious disease... spreading ideas through a city. You may feel pity for the disease carrier, but you cannot let them through your door. "A Stranger In The Citadel" is a beautifully written story that is memorable reading
And Tango Makes Three
Justin Richardson and Peter Parnall, authors
Henry Cole, illustrator
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
c/o Simon & Schuster
https://www.simonandschuster.com/kids
9780689878459, $19.99 HC / $8.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Tango-Makes-Three-Justin-Richardson/dp/0689878451
As long as there have been humans that could read, there has been censorship. Over the years it spread to movies, television shows, songs of music, and many other nonsensical things, have seen groups attack them wanting items to be removed. A short time after it was originally published "And Tango Makes Three" was the target of many groups throughout the nation to ban it from library shelves and other outlets. Luckily the negative people have not been successful. The sad truth of the matter is that "And Tango Makes Three" a true story of two male penguins Roy and Silo in the Central Park Zoo. They've always done things together. So when the Zoo Keeper presents them to be parents, they jump at the chance to become parents. "And Tango Makes Three" is a beautifully told story that celebrates a lot of things all of us should be proud to commemorate.
Bear Finds Eggs
Karma Wilson, author
Jane Chapman, illustrator
Margaret K McElderry Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
https://www.simonandschuster.com/kids
9781665936552, $18.99 HC / $10.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Bear-Finds-Eggs-Books/dp/166593655X
"Bear Finds Eggs" is a beautifully told story of friends coming together to help another one through a bad time. Bear and friends in the woods, find several different eggs in nests. To celebrate the eggs Bear offers presents to the soon to hatch chicks. A mother Meadowlark bird lets the friends know hers are missing. All the animals mobilize to find the lost eggs. "Bear Finds Eggs" is a beautiful blend of prose and art with many underlying premises for people to follow to lead better lives.
I Want to Read All the Books
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
c/o Simon & Schuster
https://www.simonandschuster.com/kids
9781481416306, $18.99 HC / $10.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/I-Want-Read-All-Books/dp/1481416308
A young girl has a question, she would like to know the answer to. Her mom hands a title to her, on the subject, that launches a thirst for books that Hana decides she wants to read every book in the world. She finds many different sources including her local library. She is fascinated with many different types to enjoy. "I Want to Read All the Books" is a wonderful story for all ages to encounter the love of reading as well as pass on to others.
Gary Roen
Senior Reviewer
Helen Dumont's Bookshelf
Highway to the Sky: An Aviator's Journey
Lola Reid Allin
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9781647428006, $18.99, PB, 344pp
https://www.amazon.com/Highway-Sky-Lola-Reid-Allin/dp/1647428009
Synopsis: "Don't be silly! Girls can't fly", seven-year-old Lola's father admonishes her as they fly across Canada on a commercial flight in 1962. She is crushed -- but decides he must be right. She's only ever seen male pilots, after all.
"Highway to the Sky: An Aviator's Journey" by Lola Reid Allin begins during the empty zone of women in aviation, a three-decade drought following WWII when men reclaimed the jobs that had been performed by women during the war and then forced women back to diapers and dishes, where they "belonged" when the war ended.
Despite Lola's childhood desire to avoid the straitjacket of traditional female roles and become a pilot, her desperate need for unconditional affection after a lonesome childhood sways her determination. At age twenty, she leaps into marriage and motherhood. Four years, one toxic relationship, and one private pilot license later, she leaves her husband, even though she knows she'll be censured by friends, family, and 1970s society at large.
Lola's head-on battle with tradition continues as the lone female pilot in her advanced flight training program and on the job as a flight instructor, bush pilot, charter pilot, and commuter airline pilot between 1979 and 1993. Flying is challenging at times, yes -- but her true obstacles are the hostility, sabotage, and discrimination she faces in her industry. She perseveres, however. Ultimately, flying is what gives her the courage to regain control of her life -- and helps her find personal happiness and fulfilment.
Critique: With females making up just 5% of the world's pilots, this memoir crosses genres to combine aviation history, the Lola Reid Allin's journey from unwanted child to successful pilot, and the feminist experience, and will appeal to multiple aviation communities. An inherently fascinating, impressively insightful, and ultimately inspiring memoir, "Highway to the Sky: An Aviator's Journey" is the extraordinary story of an extraordinary woman who pursued her life dream and succeeded against all odds as a woman in what was considered 'a man's world'. Exceptionally well written and fully engaging from start to finish, "Highway to the Sky: An Aviator's Journey" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library Contemporary Women's Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted that "Highway to the Sky: An Aviator's Journey" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Lola Reid Allin (www.lolareidallin.com) is a commercial airline transport pilot, flight instructor, SCUBA divemaster, and an award-winning author and photographer whose work has appeared in national newspapers and publications and in juried national and international shows. Her professional aviation affiliations include Women in Aviation International, The 99s: International Organization of Women Pilots, and the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.
The Healthy Bones Plant-Based Nutrition Plan and Cookbook
Dr. Laura Kelly, Helen Bryman Kelly, and Jummee Park
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
www.chelseagreen.com
9781645022268, $34.95, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Bones-Plant-Based-Nutrition-Cookbook/dp/1645022269
Synopsis: Can you have healthy bones while following a diet of more, mostly, or entirely plants? Is lower bone density an inescapable price even young people must pay for choosing plant foods?
Dr. Laura Kelly, a specialist in precision medicine for bone health, hears these questions from patients and colleagues who cite studies showing that as a group, vegetarians and vegans can have lower bone density than do people who eat animal food.
With the publication of "The Healthy Bones Plant-Based Nutrition Plan and Cookbook: How to Prepare and Combine Plant Foods to Maintain Optimal Bone Density and Prevent Osteoporosis" Dr. Kelly puts these questions to rest, offering readers the same expert guidance she provides to her patients who are on a plant-forward or vegetarian diet, ensuring they have a plan to meet their nutritional needs for healthy bones or working toward reversal of bone loss. She explains why people on plant-forward, vegetarian, or vegan diets sometimes struggle with low bone density; identifies the environmental factors that can influence bone health; and explains how to minimize the risks while setting out the steps anyone can take to restore, improve, and maintain bone density.
Co-authors of The Healthy Bones Nutrition Plan and Cookbook, Laura and Helen Kelly specialize in explaining science to nonscientists, and this book is a must-have for anyone who is giving plant foods a bigger share (or a full share) of their daily diet. The co-authors guide readers to learn about the wide variety of plant foods and how to select, prepare, and cook with them, as well as best food combinations in order to achieve optimum bone health.
Critique: Enhanced with a series of palate-pleasing, appetite-satisfying, kitchen cook friendly, and health bone building/maintaining recipes by Korean cuisine expert Jummee Park, "The Healthy Bones Plant-Based Nutrition Plan and Cookbook: How to Prepare and Combine Plant Foods to Maintain Optimal Bone Density and Prevent Osteoporosis" is graced throughout with beautiful full color photos of finished dishes in support of an impressive compendium of information about the relationship of diet to bone growth and healing. Of special interest and value to readers concerned with the prevention of osteoporosis and other musucloskeletal diseases, "The Healthy Bones Plant-Based Nutrition Plan and Cookbook" is an essential pick for family and community library cookbook and physical health collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Healthy Bones Plant-Based Nutrition Plan and Cookbook" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $37.95).
Editorial Note #1: Dr. Laura Kelly is a Traditional Chinese Medicine physician-scientist, CEO, activist educator, and the coauthor of The Healthy Bones Nutrition Plan and Cookbook. She takes a hybrid approach to diagnosis, disease care, and wellness, drawing on principles and practices of precision medicine, integrative medicine, and Chinese medicine to investigate and treat malfunctioning mechanisms in the body. To make her approach more widely available, in 2019 Dr. Kelly developed Opal, a protocol that offers the public access to testing and specifies treatment in the form of a personalized nutrition plan. In 2022, Laura founded O-Co, a company built to provide sexual wellness care for women, especially women 50+.
Editorial Note #2: Helen Kelly writes about health, medicine, and management topics for a variety of publications. She has worked as international editor for The Working Manager, as an editor for McGraw Hill, and served as a writer for Yale University's Medical School, Child Study Center, and Joint Program in Medicine and Public Health, which earned her a US Education Press Association Award for a series on children and television. Since the 2016 publication of The Healthy Bones Nutrition Plan and Cookbook, Helen has taught bone health as an adult education instructor.
Editorial Note #3: Jummee Park is a food shaman, wellness consultant, and the founder of Jummee's Bliss Kitchen, where she has developed authentic Korean food remedies that cater to Western palates, including a line of kimchi. After decades of studying Western and Eastern knowledge of longevity and health transformations, Jummee offers preventive medicine through food, integrated with her roots in Korea's ancient food culture and philosophy, where she seamlessly transforms traditional recipes into easy, accessible, everyday, delicious and highly nutritious dishes.
An Elephant on My Chest: Or, Why Heartbreak Is Worth It
Lucia Zamolo
Tra Publishing
www.trapublishing.com
9781962098045, $19.99, HC, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Elephant-My-Chest-Heartbreak-Worth/dp/1962098044
Synopsis: Have you been hit right in the heart? Is your heart crying? Do you feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest? That particular elephant is called heartbreak and can be big and heavy, small and light, very present or just a memory.
With the publication of "An Elephant on My Chest: Or, Why Heartbreak Is Worth It", author Lucia Zamoto wants to help you in a very horrible -- no, important -- time.
Spunky, humorous, tender, honest, (and at times angsty), young German author Lucia Zamolo talks about heartbreak with so much clarity that reading "An Elephant on My Chest" is like a cure for cloudy thoughts. No matter what age, this endearing rumination suddenly works better than any medicine.
Critique: Enhanced by a distinctive style of illustration deftly combining with the text, "An Elephant on My Chest: Or, Why Heartbreak Is Worth It" by German author Lucia Zamolo is a fun, thoughtful, and thought-provoking read from start to finish. Instead of taking two aspirin and calling your doctor in the morning, sit down, settle down, and read "An Elephant on My Chest: Or, Why Heartbreak Is Worth It"! This edition of "An Elephant on My Chest: Or, Why Heartbreak Is Worth It" from Tra Publishing is enthusiastically endorsed and recommended for personal reading lists and community/public library Self-Help/Self-Improve collections.
Editorial Note: Lucia Zamolo is the author of Red is Beautiful, Elephant on the Chest, and Every Day Spaghetti. A freelance illustrator and graphic designer, her titles have been translated into 15 languages.
Helen Dumont
Reviewer
John Taylor's Bookshelf
Island (Object Lessons series)
Julian Hannah, author
Ian Bogost & Christopher Schaberg, series editors
Bloomburg Academic
c/o Bloomsbury Press
www.bloomsbury.com
9798765102367, $14.95, PB, 184pp
https://www.amazon.com/Island-Object-Lessons-Julian-Hanna/dp/B0CPHL12CD
Synopsis: Darwin called the Galapagos archipelago "a little world within itself," unaffected by humans and set on its own evolutionary path -- strange, diverse, and unique. Islands are repositories of unique cultures and ways of living, seed banks built up in relative isolation.
"Island: Object Lessons" is an compendium of ideas by Julian Hannah, drawn from research and first-hand experience living, working, and traveling to islands as far afield as Madeira and Cape Verde, Orkney and Svalbard, the Aran Islands and the Gulf Islands, Hong Kong and Manhattan.
Islands have long been viewed as both paradise and prison -- we project onto them our deepest desires for freedom and escape, but also our greatest fears of forced isolation. "Islands: Object Lessons" asks: what can islands teach us about living sustainably, being alone or coexisting with others, coping with uncertainty, and making do?
"Island: Object Lessons" explores these and other questions and ideas, but is constructed above all from the stories and experiences gathered during a lifetime of island hopping.
Critique: Object Lessons is a series from Bloomsbury Academic of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things and is published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic. "Islands: Object Lessons", written by Julian Hanna and co-edited by the Ian Bogost and Christopher Schaberg, is an eloquent, thoughtful and thought-provoking read that will have a very special appeal and value to readers with an interest in Philosophical Aesthetics, Geography, and Literary Criticism/Theory. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Islands: Object Lessons" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.45) as well.
Editorial Note #1: Julian Hanna (https://speculativeedu.eu/interview-julian-hanna/) is a sessional Lecturer in the English department at the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Editorial Note #2: Ian Bogost (http://bogost.com/) is an author and an award-winning game designer. He is Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences, Director of Film & Media Studies, and Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. Bogost is also Founding Partner at Persuasive Games LLC, an independent game studio, and a Contributing Editor at The Atlantic. Bogost is author or co-author of ten books, including Alien Phenomenology (2012)and Play Anything (2016).
Editorial Note #3: Christopher Schaberg ( is Director of the Program in Public Scholarship at Washington University in St. Louis, USA, and the author of The Textual Life of Airports (2012), The End of Airports (2015), Airportness (2017), The Work of Literature in an Age of Post-Truth (2018), Searching for the Anthropocene (2019), Pedagogy of the Depressed (2021), and Adventure: An Argument for Limits (2023), all published by Bloomsbury. He is also the founding co-editor (with Ian Bogost) of Bloomsbury's Object Lessons book series. (http://cas.loyno.edu/english/bios/christopher-schaberg)
An American Tragedy
Dan Flanigan
Arjuna Books
9798985561487, $24.98, HC, 442pp
https://www.amazon.com/American-Tragedy-Peter-OKeefe/dp/B0D7S54YQN
Synopsis: In the scorching summer of 1988, amidst the frenzy of the Satanic Panic gripping the nation, private detective O'Keefe finds himself thrust into a trial like no other. As he strives to establish his fledgling agency, the last thing he anticipates is being drawn into a harrowing legal battle. But when Virginia Montrose, "Miss Ginny" to her students and his daughter Kelly's most beloved teacher, is accused of heinous crimes against her current and former students, O'Keefe faces a moral quandary unlike any before.
Despite the risks and the overwhelming stigma, O'Keefe's encounter with the shadowy child protection figures driving the prosecution sparks a fierce determination to seek truth and justice.
"An American Tragedy" is gripping tale of courage and conviction, O'Keefe's resolve is put to the ultimate test as he confronts the darkest facets of human nature and dares to challenge the prevailing hysteria. O'Keefe must summon every ounce of his strength to uncover the shocking truth while struggling to reverse the relentless tide of injustice.
Critique: A carefully crafted and riveting read from first page to last, "An American Tragedy" showcases author Dan Flanigan's genuine flair as a novelist for a narrative driven and distinctive storytelling style. While also available in a paperback edition (9798985561463, $14.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99), "An American Tragedy" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal and community/public library Private Investigator/Vigilante Justice themed suspense thriller mystery collections.
Editorial Note: Dan Flanigan (https://danflaniganbooks.com) is a novelist, playwright, poet, and practicing lawyer. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Rice University and J.D. from the University of Houston. He taught Jurisprudence at the University of Houston and American Legal History at the University of Virginia. His first published book was his Ph.D. dissertation, "The Criminal Law of Slavery and Freedom, 1800-1868".
John Taylor
Reviewer
Mary Cowper's Bookshelf
Fix Your Marriage Without Counseling
Ziba Graham Jr.
Wheatmark
www.wheatmark.com
9798887471815, $19.95, PB, 156pp
https://www.amazon.com/Fix-Your-Marriage-Without-Counseling/dp/B0D1TYV1RL
Synopsis: If you've ever experienced significant marital problems, you may have gone to a therapist to get to the root of your conflict and deal with it in a healthy way. But counseling isn't always as helpful as you might imagine. Venting every week about how your spouse has wronged you can supercharge your anger and encourage you to see yourself as a victim.
With the publication of "Fix Your Marriage Without Counseling: A Practical Method Men Will Appreciate", couples therapist Ziba Graham Jr. shares the strategies that have dramatically improved his clients' lives, giving you the tools you need to create genuine, lasting change.
"Fix Your Marriage Without Counseling" will show how to:
Communicate effectively
Avoid laying blame
Help improve your partner's behavior without nagging
Leave the past in the past
Critique: "Fix Your Marriage Without Counseling: A Practical Method Men Will Appreciate" is a thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly resource for husbands and wives wanting 'real world practical' DIY solutions to the problems arising in the marriages without the necessity of a third person arbitrator, counselor, or therapist. Insightful and thought-provoking "Fix Your Marriage Without Counseling" from Wheatmark is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Marriage Counseling collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that "Fix Your Marriage Without Counseling" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Ziba Graham Jr. has an MBA from Indiana University, a master's in social work from the University of Louisville, and an associate degree and substance abuse certificate from Vincennes University. In addition to writing numerous articles on relationships, he is the author of two previous books, Better Than a Stick in the Eye and God, Church, Life, and Other Essays. Before his retirement, he was a marriage and family counselor in Evansville, Indiana. Mr. Graham currently spends winters in Tucson, Arizona, and summers in Conway, Michigan. He is married with three grown children and six grandchildren.
The Little Deck of Dreams
Tzivia Gover
Smith Street Books
c/o Rizzoli
www.rizzoliusa.com
9781923049178, $24.95, Card Deck, 51pp
https://www.amazon.com/Little-Deck-Dreams-Sleeping-Telling/dp/1923049178
Synopsis: "The Little Deck of Dreams: What Your Sleeping Mind Is Telling You About Your Waking Life" by Tzivia Gover is a beautifully illustrated deck of 50 cards provides insight into the symbolism and meaning behind common dream themes and types, including recurring dreams, nightmares, and lucid dreams.
Each individual card features a vivid image and accompanying description of a common dream symbol and its significance, helping you to interpret the messages your subconscious mind is sending you, as well as tools for addressing each meaning in your waking life.
Whether you're seeking clarity on a specific dream or simply curious about the meanings behind your nighttime adventures, "The Little Deck of Dreams" is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to better understand the mysteries of the dreaming mind.
Critique: A 'user friendly' deck of beautifully illustrated cards, Tzivia Gover's "The Little Deck of Dreams: What Your Sleeping Mind Is Telling You About Your Waking Life" from Smith Street Books is an ideal DIY guide to interpreting the hidden messages of your dreams. Fun, informative, thought-provoking, "The Little Deck of Dreams" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library New Age Reference and Dream Interpretation collections.
Editorial Note: Tzivia Gover (www.thirdhousemoon.com) is the author of several books including Dreaming on the Page, The Mindful Way to a Good Night's Sleep, and Joy in Every Moment. She offers Dreaming on the Page workshops internationally, domestically, and online, and offers keynotes and classes about dreams, mindfulness, and writing. Tzivia is an executive board member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, and she has served as the educational director for the Institute for Dream Studies. She is a Certified Dreamwork Professional, a Certified Proprioceptive Writing instructor, and she has an MFA from Columbia University in creative nonfiction.
My Heart Overflows
Compiled by editors at Paraclete Press
Paraclete Press
www.paracletepress.com
9781640609617, $21.99, HC, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/My-Heart-Overflows-Treasury-Gratitude/dp/164060961X
Synopsis: "My Heart Overflows: A Treasury of Readings, Poems, and Prayers on Gratitude" is a beautifully presented and artistically designed Christian gift book, deftly weaving together some of the most cherished literature, scriptures, poems, and songs celebrating the season of Thanksgiving.
With its diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary voices (from the immortal words of Hopkins, Chesterton, Dickinson, and Alcott, to the more recent contributions of Mother Teresa, Angelou, and Sandburg) "My Heart Overflows" is inspiring compilation of beloved works of art and texts appeals to every generation.
Artistic expression, in both word and image, gives an authentic, vulnerable glimpse into the human experience, and infuses gratitude and thanksgiving for the Creator.
Featuring stunning works by artists throughout the centuries, this collection enhances the text and provides for meditative reflection. Artists represented include Giotto, Monet, Matisse and Homer, along with lesser-known artists from around the world.
The anthology contains three sections, each with its own poignant and profound reflections on the practice of gratitude: Gratitude for the Little Blessings: the beauty of life's simple joys and everyday miracles; Gratitude for the Saints Among Us: gratitude for "the gardeners who make our souls blossom"; Giving Thanks to God: prayers and meditations expressing gratitude for the abundant blessings bestowed upon us by the Creator.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, meditative and reflective, this magnificent and highly prized hardcover edition of "My Heart Overflows: A Treasury of Readings, Poems, and Prayers on Gratitude" from Paraclete Press is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community and church Christian Studies collections and reading lists.
Editorial Note: Paraclete Press offers spiritually enriching literature grounded in Scripture and Biblical principles, fostering spiritual growth, igniting imaginations, and supporting various educational endeavors. Paraclete's books reflect the full expression of Christian traditions, including Catholic, Evangelical, Protestant, and Orthodox.
Mary Cowper
Reviewer
Micah Andrew's Bookshelf
Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway, 2nd Edition
Kirk Johnson, author
Ray Troll, illustrator
Chicago Review Press
www.chicagoreviewpress.com
9781641609159, $30.00, PB, 216pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cruisin-Fossil-Freeway-Scientist-Ultimate/dp/164160915X
Synopsis: "Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway: An Epoch Tale of a Scientist and an Artist on the Ultimate 5,000-Mile Paleo Road Trip" by author/storyteller Kirk Johnson and artist/illustrator Ray Troll is an epoch tale of a scientist and an artist who take an ultimately 5,000-mile paleo road trip in search of fossils in the American West.
Throughout their journey, they encounter "paleonerds" like themselves -- people dedicated to finding everything from suburban T. rex to killer Eocene pigs to ancient fossilized forests. This updated and expanded second editions brings"Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway" up-to-date on new discoveries, new realizations, and new places, along with new art.
Critique: An inherently fascinating and impressively informative travelogue, "Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway: An Epoch Tale of a Scientist and an Artist on the Ultimate 5,000-Mile Paleo Road Trip" shows the reader that fossils are everywhere if you learn to look for them -- even when traveling the highways at 65 miles per hour. This large format (10 x 0.6 x 10 inches, 2.05 pounds) paperback edition of "Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway" from the Chicago Review Press is a fun and informative read from start to finish. A phenomenal 'Ecotourist' travel guide, "Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway" is a guaranteed popular pick for community and college/university library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) as well.
Editorial Note #1: Kirk R. Johnson is a paleobotanist and the Sant Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. He is the host of two recent PBS series, Making North America and The Great Yellowstone Thaw. He has written ten books including Prehistoric Journey, Cruisin' The Fossil Coastline, and Ancient Wyoming.
Editorial Note #2: Ray Troll is an artist who has illustrated ten books, including Cruisin' the Fossil Coastline, Sharkabet, Rapture of the Deep, and Planet Ocean. He and his wife, Michelle, own and operate the Soho Coho Gallery in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Mastery: How Learning Transforms Our Brains, Minds, and Bodies
Arturo E. Hernandez
Prometheus Books
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
www.rowman.com
9781633889408, $27.95, HC, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Learning-Transforms-Brains-Bodies/dp/1633889408
Synopsis: To the outsider, an expert seems as if they are doing everything effortlessly. A master chess player, an expert golfer, and a prolific writer seem to be able to quickly home in on what needs to be done and execute flawlessly over and over again. How do we master new skills? How do our brains and bodies transform performance from novice to expert?
With the publication of "Mastery: How Learning Transforms Our Brains, Minds, and Bodies", Arturo E. Hernandez shows that new skills are not built but rather bloom from the combination and recombination of small parts that come to represent a new whole.
The process by which smaller things are blended over and over again is one that is not just restricted to high-level experts. Uniting the latest research findings from a cross section of disciplines and case studies with compelling storytelling, "Mastery" shows readers how the blooming of abilities can work in their favor and lead them to achieve much more than they thought was possible.
Whether mastering a new language, learning to play a musical instrument, improving your tennis serve, or sharpening your memory, Hernandez teaches readers how to take advantage of our adaptability and open our minds to their fullest potential. Rather than hyperfocus and overspecialization, moving our focus from rigid perfection to a form of flexible adaptation can lead to unexpected improvement.
This approach to skill sheds light on how to better harness our talents so that we can accomplish things that are seemingly out of reach.
For anyone looking to learn a new skill, teach someone else to do the same, or to better understand how our brains evolve and excel, "Mastery' offers a fascinating tour of cognition that will reveal to the reader the path to surprising potential.
Critique: Arturo E. Hernandez's "Mastery: How Learning Transforms Our Brains, Minds, and Bodies" from Prometheus Books is informative enhanced for the benefit of the reader with the inclusion of an informative Preface, a Conclusion (Five Priciples of Mastery), a twelve page Bibliography, occasional B/W photos, and an twelve page Index. Informative, thoughtful, potentially life changing/improving, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Mastery: How Learning Transforms Our Brains, Minds, and Bodies" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Memory Improvement collections and supplemental Cognitive Psychology curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for interested readers tht "Mastery: How Learning Transforms Our Brains, Minds, and Bodies" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Arturo E. Hernandez, Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at the University of Houston specializing in the brain bases of bilingualism. He is the winner of the Wilhelm Bessel Research Award from the Humboldt Foundation in Germany and a Fulbright Global Scholar award, among other awards. He is the author of The Bilingual Brain and has written more than 80 journal articles. (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=HUn5TD8AAAAJ)
Micah Andrew
Reviewer
Michael Dunford's Bookshelf
Alone At Home
Bob Adamov
Packard Island Publishing
https://packardislandpublishing.com
978985359367, $20.00, PB, 112pp
https://packardislandpublishing.com/product/shenanigans
Synopsis: In Southport, North Carolina, a Christmas tale unfolds when 80-year-old George Ivers is left alone at home while his wife visits a sister for five days. George has to watch the cat he dislikes, resulting in a series of comical escapades. Picture a man who's a blend of the gruffness of Archie Bunker, the stone-age charm of Fred Flintstone, and the nearsighted blunders of Mr. Magoo, and you've got George.
His days are filled with hilarious mishaps, from a battle of wits with a cheeky seagull to the relentless interruptions by neighbors. George's quest for peace is perpetually sabotaged by the precocious grandson of the lady next door among other uproarious incidents.
"Alone At Home" by Bob Adamov is a heartwarming story of redemption. As George grapples with a haunting memory, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery. It's a Christmas classic in the making, peppered with wit, the resilience of the human spirit, and the transformative power of forgiveness.
Critique: A senior citizen version of the Christmas Classic 'Home Alone' story, "Alone At Home" is a delightfully fun read from start to finish and showcases author Bob Adamov's genuine flair for the kind of narrative storytelling style that is compulsively entertaining. With its underling themes of self-discovery and redemption, "Alone At Home" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections.
Editorial Note: Bob Adamov is a prolific author and one page of "Alone At Home" is a complete listing of his published stories to date.
Alum, More Precious than Gold
Sydney Thorne
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781036101084, $36.95, HC, 232pp
https://www.amazon.com/Alum-More-Precious-than-Gold/dp/1036101088
Synopsis: Alum is a type of chemical compound, usually a hydrated double sulfate salt of aluminum. (Wikipedia)
Never heard of alum? You're not alone.
Yet, for centuries, alum was vital to the production of colored cloth. Alum was needed to fix dyes and colors to the cloth. Without alum, the colors ran and faded. With alum, they shone and were fast. As a result, as the Italian scientist Vanoccio Biringucci put it in the 16th century, alum was as 'essential to dyers as bread is to man'. Corner the market in alum, and you could make a fortune.
Manufactured from a rock called alunite that was mined in China, Egypt and Turkey, alum contributed to the fabulous wealth of the Chinese emperors, the Pharaohs, the Byzantines and the Ottomans. A prized commodity in international trade, alum funded the opulence of Genoa, Bruges and late Renaissance Rome. Henry VII cannily exploited it, but it nearly ruined Elizabeth I.
But alum also allowed crooks to make debased coins and to adulterate bread, and was at the heart of one of the most spectacular bankruptcy scandals of the 18th century. And the Black Death used the shipping routes of the alum trade to spread through Europe.
"Alum, More Precious than Gold: The Amazing Influence and Trade of Alum Across the Ages" by Sydney Thorne is a fascinating and seminal study. Thorne has picked out quirky and exciting stories of alum that range across the centuries and across the world, shedding new light on topics ranging from the slave trade to female entrepreneurs while re-discovering a fully-fledged industrial complex on the Yorkshire that was thriving two hundred years before the industrial revolution.
Critique: A unique, seminal, deftly written, documented, and ground-breaking history, "Alum, More Precious than Gold: The Amazing Influence and Trade of Alum Across the Ages" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library International Economic History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
Editorial Note: Sydney Thorne (https://sydneythorne.co.uk/books) is also the author of "Mary Ward: First Sister of Feminism" (Pen & Sword History, (2021).
Michael Dunford
Reviewer
Paul Vogel's Bookshelf
Tom & Huck Sitting in a Tree
Gregory Fletcher
www.gregoryfletcher.com
Independently Published
9798867270940, $16.99, HC, 166pp
https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Huck-Sitting-Tree-Americana/dp/B0CRKJT5VZ
Synopsis: "Tom and Huck Sitting in a Tree" by Gregory Fletcher is an Americana gay rom-com novella in which Mark Twain's Tom and Huck are gay teenagers stuck in the shabby, little village of St. Petersburg, Missouri, 1850.
Surrounded by familiar characters (Aunt Polly, Becky, Sid, and more) Tom searches for love in all the wrong places, Huck learns to show initiative when it comes to matters of the heart, and Sid (destined to be an out-performance artist) struggles to survive all forms of shame.
But as romance blossoms, Aunt Polly won't have no more of the boys' antics: "Nobody breaks the law in my house!" That is, until the ultimate deal is made.
In the spirit of Mark Twain, (only much more gay and romantic), these alternative adventures of Tom and Huck are familiar but quirky, sweet but dark, and Americana but inclusive.
Critique: A new and unexpected retelling of the Mark Twain stories of Tom, Huck, their friends, family and foes, "Tom and Huck Sitting in a Tree" is a fun read from start to finish and will prove to be of particular and very special interest to fans of deftly crafted LGBTQ fiction. While also readily available for personal reading lists in a paperback format (9798865992790, $11.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.95), "Tom and Huck Sitting in a Tree" is a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library LGBTQ literary fiction collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: A native of Dallas, Texas, a resident of New York, and a graduate with three theatre degrees from California State University at Northridge, Columbia University, and Boston University. Gregory Fletcher is a playwright, author, director, stage-manager, and former theatre arts professor who won the Mark Twain Prize for Comic Playwriting from the American College Theater Festival for his play Cow-Tipping and Other Signs of Stress.
Cowpuppy
Gregory Berns
Harper Horizons
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9781400338801, $29.99, HC, 248pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cowpuppy-Unexpected-Friendship-Scientists-Journey/dp/1400338808
Synopsis: When Emory University neuroscientist Gregory Berns and his wife decided to venture into sustainable farming in rural Georgia, they knew that cows were a key part of a successful operation. But that was where his knowledge of cattle ended.
As Berns and his small herd of three miniature zebus acclimated to each other and Berns received a crash course in being a cattleman, he turned his powers of scientific observation and innovation on his new charges. This wasn't the first time he'd studied animals through the lens of neuroscience; years earlier, Berns had applied his knowledge to man's best friend, resulting in two books and important advances in how we understand dogs' thoughts and emotions. Now it was time to see what he (and all of us) could discover about the interior worlds of cows.
"Cowpuppy: An Unexpected Friendship and a Scientist's Journey into the Secret World of Cows" is moving and captivating memoir in which Berns weaves together his hands-on experiences with his growing herd, accessible scientific explanations of animal behavior, and evocative portraits of the animals at the center of his study: the original bull, Ricky Bobby; the two mamas, Lucy and Ethel; and their sweet and spirited calves: BB, Cricket, Princess Xena, Luna, Walker, and Texas Ranger.
Whether cows are a familiar part of your experience or you're a city dweller longing for life in the country, "Cowpuppy" offers a deeper understanding of these complex creatures and what we humans can learn from them.
Critique: Fun and informative, "Cowpuppy: An Unexpected Friendship and a Scientist's Journey into the Secret World of Cows" is an inherently fascinating read from start to finish. Of a special relevance to readers with an interest in animal behavior/communication, "Cowpuppy" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary Memoir and Animal Science collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Cowpuppy" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) from Harper Horizons as well.
Editorial Note: Gregory Berns, M.D., Ph.D. is the Distinguished Professor of Neuroeconomics in the Psychology Department at Emory University, where he directs the Center for Neuropolicy and Facility for Education and Research in Neuroscience. He pioneered the use of brain imaging technologies to understand human motivation and decision-making. Now, he uses MRI techniques to study the brains and minds of both humans and a wide range of other animals. Dr. Berns is the author of What It's Like to Be a Dog, the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, How Dogs Love Us, Iconoclast, Satisfaction, and The Self Delusion. Dr. Berns and his wife live on a farm outside of Atlanta with several dogs, chickens, and some very special cows. (http://psychology.emory.edu/home/people/faculty/berns-gregory-s.html)
Paul T. Vogel
Reviewer
S.A. Gorden's Bookshelf
Bad Luck and Trouble
Lee Child
Dell
c/o Penguin Random House
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
9780593725498, $9.99, 499 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Luck-Trouble-Movie-Tie/dp/0593725492
Bad Luck and Trouble is the typical Jack Reacher action novel. Child's character Jack Reacher is what makes the stories standout from the profusion of other action/adventure tales.
Reacher has retired from the military years ago and now hitchhikes across the country trying to reconnect with the rest of the world. When Jack withdraws money for living expenses from his bank, he finds a large amount of money has been deposited. At first the number of dollars don't make sense until he realizes that they are a military code for trouble. He contacts one of the members of his old unit and finds out that another from the unit has been murdered and the local police seem to have bungled the investigation. Jack and the remaining members of his old team head out for revenge. Soon they find that three other team members have been murder and they are also on a hit list.
Bad Luck and Trouble is a solid addition to the Jack Reacher series. But it isn't the best. Child has worked in too many additional characters and the core mystery is too easily discernable early in the tale. Bad Luck and Trouble is still an easy recommendation. Child has created a character and series that is so fun that even a weaker story is still better than most other action tales.
The Investigator: A Letty Davenport Novel
John Sandford
G.P. Putnam's Sons
c/o Penguin Random House
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
9780593714805, $18.00, 392 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Investigator-John-Sandford/dp/059332868X
Technically The Investigator isn't a true detective mystery but it reads like one. It is an action mystery. Sandford's books are mysteries and most follow various detectives. The Investigator follows Lucus Davenport's daughter Letty as she works as an investigator for U.S. Senator Colles and Homeland Security. Since she is young, the reader gets to learn the details of investigating dangerous individuals as she does. This technique brings the reader deeper into the story than many mystery/thrillers.
The Investigator starts with Letty quitting her job with Senator Colles but being talked into working an investigation with Homeland having to do with oil thefts and a possible link to right-wing terrorism. Letty and her Homeland partner Kaiser head to Texas and stumble into a disappearance and possible murder. The terrorists have connections with the local police and soon get on the on the trail of Letty and Kaiser. The terrorists are planning more killings and are willing to add the investigators to their targets.
The Investigator is an easy recommendation for action/thriller readers. Sandford brings his rich characters and detailed storylines that he is noted for to the tale.
S.A. Gorden
Senior Reviewer
Suzie Housley's Bookshelf
You'll See
Suzanne S. Groves
Black Rose Writing
www.blackrosewriting.com
9781685134037, $18.95 PB, $5.99 Kindle, 355 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Youll-See-Narcissistic-Survival-Understand/dp/1685134033
Synopsis: In the tapestry of life, the threads of our experiences weave together to form a complex narrative often filled with beauty and pain. With the publication of "You'll See: A Story of Narcissistic Abuse, Survival, and My Journey to Understand" the author recounts her fifty-six-year journey characterized by a deep-seated longing for love and acceptance from her narcissistic father.
For so long, she believed that meeting his elusive standards would provide her with the safety and protection she yearned for. Yet, it was only through the lens of reflection that I, a woman, came to understand the true nature of the threats she faced, those that stemmed not from the outside world but from within her own home due to his personality disorder and addiction.
To the casual observer, her life may have appeared idyllic, filled with family vacations, a solid education, and a string of accomplishments such as academic awards and career successes that painted a picture of privilege.
However, beneath the surface lurk the invisible wounds of a specific type of narcissistic abuse, such as emotional manipulation and gaslighting, scars that run deep and echo long after the abuser has departed. These emotional injuries can be as profound and life-altering as those resulting from physical harm, leaving a lasting imprint on one's psyche.
She was learning how to navigate through the complexities of this reality with unwavering courage. Each chapter she wrote became a stepping stone towards healing, a chance to redefine her sense of self and her place in the world.
Critique: You'll See: A Story of Narcissistic Abuse, Survival, and My Journey to Understand is a courageous narrative that highlights the emotional struggle of a woman who faced adversity from someone who was supposed to love and cherish her. This powerful account serves as a reminder of the strength it takes to overcome life's challenges and emerge stronger on the other side.
In her transformative book, Suzanne Groves sheds light on the often-hidden scars left by narcissistic abuse, acting as a powerful wake-up call for those who have endured its destructive grip. Her insights resonate deeply with many, reminding us we are not alone in our struggles.
The healing journey is not just a solitary path but a collective experience we all share. Each story of survival is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and through these narratives, we find comfort and connection.
Maybe She Will
Gina Andrew
https://ggandrew.com
Privately Published
9781419757372, $4.99 Kindle, $19.99 PB, 388 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Maybe-She-Will-Gina-Andrew/dp/B0D1K2HKXJ
Synopsis: In the whirlwind of daily life, Josephine embodies the quintessential busy mom, her heart and hands constantly occupied with the demands of her teenage daughter and her autistic son, Jackson. Each day blends into the next, filled with school meetings, therapy sessions, and the occasional pajama-clad showdown with the school's special education department. Amidst this chaos, the last thing on her mind is romance. Yet, when she crosses paths with Gavin, a school coordinator, her heart unexpectedly ignites with a spark, leading to a romance neither of them saw coming.
Gavin, a former sales professional who discovered his calling in education, finds himself in a world he never expected - surprised by Josephine's charm and resilience. As they navigate the complexities of Jackson's needs, their connection deepens, revealing the profound beauty of shared struggles.
Their unexpected connection inspires hope and shows the potential for love that transcends their differences. Together, they create a tapestry of laughter, understanding, and stolen moments that remind us of the importance of connection, even in the busiest of lives.
Critique: Maybe She Will beautifully illustrates how a person's life can take a direction they never expected, and the prospect of finding new love gives them renewed energy.
Life is full of surprises, just like in the heartwarming narrative, reminding us that every new experience holds the promise of fresh perspectives and connections.
Gina Andrew has written a captivating story that beautifully weaves together themes of overcoming obstacles, embracing challenges, and the blossoming of newfound love. Their journey resonates deeply with the essence of how life can take a direction that no one expected.
Peaches
Gabriele Davis, author
Kim Holt, illustrator
Abrams Children's Books
c/o Harry N. Abrams
www.abramsyoungreaders.com
9781419757372, $18.99, HC, 40pp
9781419757372, $10.45 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Peaches-Gabriele-Davis/dp/1419757377
Synopsis: This delightful story beautifully encapsulates the essence of family traditions and the joy of shared experiences. Just as the young girl in the book carries on the cherished ritual of making peach cobbler with her loved ones.
It invites the reader to reflect on family traditions and the moments that bring them closer together. It also encourages sharing family traditions, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences.
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to forget the importance of connection and the healing power of love that arises from shared experiences.
Critique: Peaches reminds us that with each scoop of dough and every sweet peach, we are not just making a dessert but weaving the fabric of our family history, a treasure to be cherished and passed down through generations.
Gabriele Davis' enchanting book is a beautiful reminder of how small, everyday moments can blossom into cherished memories. Gabriele Davis's enchanting book, through each page, infuses warmth and illustrates that cherished memories can be created not only by grand gestures but also by the simple tasks we undertake with loved ones. It's a testament to the beauty of sharing simple moments with family.
Editorial Review: Recommended reading ages 4-8 years.
Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship
Julie Ryan McGue
https://juliemcgueauthor.com
Muse Literary
9781958714805, $25.99 HC, 280pp
9781958714812, $15.99 PB, $2.99 Kindle, $0.99 Audio
https://www.amazon.com/Belonging-Matters-Conversations-Adoption-Kinship-ebook/dp/B0C8W4254W
Synopsis: Belonging is not just a feeling; it's a fundamental part of the human experience that shapes our identities and connects us. Through the lens of the adoption community, we see the beauty in diverse narratives and the strength found in shared stories.
Belonging Matters is a powerful initiative that not only invites us to explore what it means to be part of a family, a community, and a larger narrative, but also calls us to action. It encourages us to reflect on our journeys, embrace every facet of who we are, and recognize the importance of those we connect with along the way.
Critique: Belonging Matters is rich with compassion and wisdom, offering profound insights that not only provide guidance but also resonate deeply with all who seek to navigate the intricate tapestry of family relationships, personal identity, and the art of adaptation.
Julie Ryan McGue has written an inspiring book. Finding acceptance is not merely a personal journey, but a transformative gateway to exploring the world. It fuels our spirit and ignites our passions, encouraging us to step outside our comfort zones and embrace new experiences.
Each adventure, as depicted in the book, offers a chance to discover breathtaking destinations and a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. It's a journey of self-discovery that is both intriguing and introspective.
Speak To Me
Ben Raterman
April Gloaming
9781953932259, $18.85 PB, 264 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Speak-Me-Ben-Raterman/dp/1953932258
Synopsis: Step into the enchanting world of Caroline Street, where history whispers through the walls of a 200-year-old house that has seen generations come and go. As you cross the threshold, the air is thick with stories waiting to be uncovered. A friendly realtor may greet you, eager to share the home's rich legacy, but if you take a different path through the rear door, you might find yourself amid a thrilling adventure. Here, amidst the wild embrace of an overgrown garden, a ghostly presence, the former mistress of the house welcomes you with an ethereal smile, inviting you to explore the echoes of her past. The importance of the house's history will make you feel deeply connected to the narrative.
Imagine the curiosity of young Justine and Joseph, descendants of the house's long-ago maid, Jannie. With hopeful hearts, they approach Katy, a local historian, filled with dreams of unearthing hidden treasures; jewelry said to be enough to lift them from their trailer park existence. Their plight resonates deeply, an echo of the universal quest for a better life and the longing for connection to one's roots. As they crawl through a cellar window, their adventure takes a dramatic turn when they stumble upon a skeleton buried beneath the dirt floor, sparking intrigue beyond mere riches. Their emotional journey will resonate with you, evoking a sense of empathy and understanding.
Captivated by the mystery, Katy dives into the rich tapestry of the house's history, revealing secrets that time had cloaked in shadows. With the sudden appearance of a diary on her laptop, the story unfolds further, intertwining past and present lives. This journey is not just about material wealth; it's a heartfelt exploration of family, heritage, and the unbreakable bonds that tie us to our ancestors.
Critique: Speak To Me threads of mystery, love, and the relentless pursuit of justice intertwine to create a tapestry rich in emotional depth and intrigue. This captivating tale unfolds against the backdrop of a century's worth of family strife, lost jewelry, and the powerful bonds that unite seekers of both jewels and justice. As we delve into the lives of the characters, we find ourselves not just witnessing their journey, but feeling the weight of their struggles and triumphs.
Ben Raterman is an exceptional author. In this beautifully woven narrative, figures from the past, reaches across time to influence the present, reminding us that the echoes of our history shape our future.
The characters' emotions run deep as love blossoms amidst chaos, and redemption is sought by unraveling long-held secrets. This story is more than just a quest; it's a heartfelt exploration of the connections we forge with one another, even when faced with the most daunting challenges. The resilience of the characters will inspire you to remember their heartfelt past challenges and embrace their stories for future generations to enjoy.
Sor Juana My Beloved: The Poetry, The Passion, That is Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz
MaryAnn Shank
Dippity Press
9781733581936, $7.99 Kindle, 320 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Sor-Juana-My-Beloved-Passion-ebook/dp/B0D7V18D9Z
Synopsis: In the vibrant tapestry of 17th-century Mexico, one woman soared above the rest, a beacon of intellect and creativity: Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. This astonishingly brilliant poet and dramatist, who embraced the life of a nun, chose her path not out of constraint but to cultivate her insatiable thirst for knowledge and expression. With no dowry to secure her future, Sor Juana found freedom within the convent walls, where she could write and engage with the most fascinating minds of her time. Her words danced through the halls of Mexico City, echoing the passions and intellect that defined her.
When a captivating presence entered her life, a woman with violet eyes, the new Vicereine Maria Luisa, Sor Juana's world, transformed in unexpected ways. Their bond, forged in the fires of intellect and creativity, transcended the political landscape of their time, developing into a profound connection that neither had expected. As the two most powerful women in Mexico City, they navigated the complexities of their roles, creating a sanctuary of inspiration and romance.
When Maria Luisa returned to Spain, she became a champion of Sor Juana's work, taking her writings to distant shores and publishing them for the world to see. Mexico City's adoration enveloped Sor Juana, yet this acclaim came with peril. The watchful eyes of the demonic Archbishop sought to silence her voice, leading her to stand before the Inquisition to answer for her perceived transgressions.
Critique: Sor Juana My Beloved is a testament to the power of connection, exploration, and the beauty of relationships that transcend societal norms. This story enlightens us about the potential of these elements in our lives.
Welcome to a world where every journey is a canvas waiting for your unique brushstrokes! Join the talented MaryAnn Shank as she takes us on an enchanting adventure inspired by Sor Juana, inviting us to delve deep in love and creativity. It's not just a historical biography; it invites us to delve deep in love and creativity, inspired by Sor Juana, and guided by the talented MaryAnn Shank on an enchanting adventure.
Finding New Life After the Death of My Son
Mark Bodnarczuk
Breckenridge Press
9781963461206, $34.95, HB, 408pp
9781963461213, $20.00, PB, 408pp
9781963461213, $9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-New-Life-After-Death/dp/1963461215
Synopsis: In the heart of every parent lies an innate desire to protect their children from the world's harsh realities. Yet, many experience unimaginable challenges that test this instinct.
Mark Bodnarczuk's poignant memoir, "Finding New Life After the Death of My Son: Grace and Forgiveness in the Age of Counterfeit Pills and Fentanyl Poisoning", offers a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the depths of grief that follows an unspeakable loss - the sudden death of his eighteen-year-old son. Navigate through the pages of his narrative and experience a profound sorrow that envelops a family torn apart by tragedy.
Through his heart-wrenching account, Bodnarczuk not only recounts the harrowing moments that led to his son's untimely death, but also bravely opens up about the emotional turmoil that ensued.
Critique: Finding New Life After the Death of My Son: Grace and Forgiveness in the Age of Counterfeit Pills and Fentanyl Poisoning is a story of anguish, confusion, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that seems irrevocably altered. Yet, amidst the pain, Bodnarczuk illuminates the transformative power of love, resilience, and hope, inspiring us with his courage.
Mark Bodnarczuk takes us on a profound journey through the depths of human emotion, illuminating the heartbreaking experience of a family grappling with the unimaginable loss of a child. His story resonates with anyone who has faced the raw, unfiltered pain that accompanies grief, particularly the shock that comes with losing a loved one to the dark crime of fentanyl poisoning.
This poignant exploration not only sheds light on the struggles of coping with such a devastating loss, but also emphasizes the importance of connection and support during our darkest times.
Destiny Re-Do
Skip Press
Independently Published
ASIN: B0D155SNR8, $2.99 Kindle, 83 pages
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D155SNR8
Synopsis: Skip Press, known for his extensive contributions to the arts and as a mentor to aspiring writers, has embarked on a transformative journey with his latest book.
This thought-provoking guide delves into the profound concept of reshaping destinies through self-reflection, visualization, and strategic planning.
This book offers insights into turning failures into freedom and presents a unique "Destiny Re-Do" formula that resonates deeply with those seeking personal growth and fulfillment.
Press's work is a testament to the power of a global perspective. Drawing inspiration from diverse religions and philosophies worldwide, he has crafted a masterpiece that promises to inspire and empower readers on their paths to self-discovery.
Critique: Destiny Re-do is not just a book; it's a practical guide. It allows readers to envision the possibilities of transforming their destiny through introspection and visualization, guiding them toward overcoming life's obstacles.
Skip Press is a master of self-discovery. He understands the power of personal growth and overcoming obstacles. Skip's book is a testament to self-reflection's profound impact on our lives, guiding us toward improvement and fulfillment.
Press's fascination with religions and philosophies from around the world mirrors our ethos of exploring different cultures to understand ourselves and the world better. His thought formula for overcoming life obstacles resonates with our commitment to curating tailored and meaningful travel experiences.
Something About Lizzy: Family Secrets Post-Pride and Prejudice (Book 5)
Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi
Independently Published
9781736786659, $3.99 Kindle, $15.99 PB, 186 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Something-About-Lizzy-Post-Pride-Sofia-Elisabete-ebook/dp/B0D3X4NF6N
Synopsis: Step into the picturesque setting of Derbyshire in the summer of 1826, where the young Sofia-Elisabete embarks on a journey of discovery and friendship with her cousin-in-law, the esteemed Elizabeth Darcy of Pemberley. Amid the sophisticated charm of their world, Sofia finds herself drawn into the intimate circles of family ties and hidden truths.
As Sofia and Lizzy forge a deep bond against the backdrop of Pemberley's lush landscapes, the allure of uncovering secrets within the folds of familial relationships beckons. Despite initial hesitations from Sofia's father, their friendship blossoms, revealing layers of complexities beneath the facade of domestic bliss.
Amidst the trials of parenthood and hints of discord in Lizzy's marriage to Mr. Darcy, Sofia's keen observations unveil a tapestry of emotions and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. The whispers of past wrongs and unexpected connections only deepen the intrigue, weaving a tale of intertwining lives and concealed truths under the summer sun. This emotional journey is a testament to the power of familial relationships and the human spirit.
Critique: Something About Lizzy is a heartwarming narrative, where familial bonds and unwavering spirit intertwine to create a captivating tale.
Embark on an emotional voyage and discover a world where warmth, friendliness, and welcoming embrace await. Let Sofia’s narrative inspire readers to explore the possibilities.
Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi is an outstanding author whose fifth book in the Sofia-Elisabete Stories promises a captivating standalone experience while seamlessly fitting into the enchanting series. The characters within these pages are not just words on paper; they are soulful companions that will warm your heart with their depth and charm.
By meticulously crafting the setting, the author creates an ideal backdrop that invites you to immerse yourself fully in the story. Join us on this journey, where every page is a delightful escape into a world of heartwarming characters and picturesque settings.
Editorial Note: Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi is an award-winning author. Something about Lizzy is the fifth book in the Sofia-Elisabete Stories series. Visit the author's page to learn more about this exciting series: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robin-Elizabeth-Kobayashi/author/B06XHHHGTM
On the Mad River
Lucrecia Guerrero
Mouthfeel Press
https://www.mouthfeelbooks.com
9781957840260, $18.00, PB, 254 pages
https://www.amazon.com/MAD-RIVER-Lucrecia-Guerrero/dp/1957840269
Synopsis: Immerse yourself in the unique setting of a Midwestern town, a vibrant canvas that breathes life and authenticity into a story that explores themes of love, resilience, and human connection.
Rosa Linda and Donnie Ray's intertwined lives offer readers a chance to witness a tale of profound yearning for genuine bonds amidst the turbulent currents of gentrification and personal struggles.
Critique: On the Mad River is a suspense-packed book that promises a high-adrenaline ride with well-developed characters that blur the lines between reality and fiction. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world where suspense reigns supreme, and every page leaves you on the edge of your seat, craving more.
Lucrecia Guerrero masterfully crafts a narrative that mirrors the complexities of our journeys, highlighting the power of love and resilience in the face of adversity.
Join this unforgettable exploration where every page is a testament to the beauty of personalized connections, a joyous celebration of the unique bonds we form, and the enduring spirit of human connection.
Popsicles in Space
Marlo Neuhaus-Franks, author
Natia Gogiashvili, illustrator
Snip Snap Polish
9798990512610, $5.99 Kindle, $22.99 HB, $12.99 PB, 42 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Popsicles-Space-Out-this-World-Adventures/dp/B0D64Q8N2F/r
Synopsis: Embark on a unique journey into the whimsical world of Popsicles in Space, a bedtime story that's as refreshing as it is imaginative. Join Landon as he ventures into his enchanting bedtime escapades, fueled by his love for frozen treats and his boundless imagination.
Landon's dreams are a kaleidoscope of wonder and excitement, from soaring through the stars to facing mythical creatures as brave knights. When faced with mundane pajamas, Landon discovers the magic of creativity as he weaves his fantastical journey.
Each night brings a new chapter of exploration and discovery, showcasing bedtime's endless possibilities.
Critique: Popsicles in Space celebrates the boundless power of imagination and the sheer delight of bedtime adventures that resonate with young readers and dreamers.
As a parent, you play a crucial role in fostering your child's imagination. Enter this delightful tale today and let your child savor the sweetest dreams in the galaxy, complete with popsicles in hand. Set their imaginations free and watch as their dreams take flight to the stars and beyond!
Marlo Neuhaus-Franks is a talented author where children and adults alike can immerse themselves in a beautiful bedtime ritual. With charming characters that come to life on the pages and illustrations that spark the imagination.
This book will indeed create lasting memories for readers of all ages. Like how a bedtime ritual brings comfort and joy, Marlo Neuhaus-Franks' book offers a cozy and delightful experience that will warm your heart.
Editorial Note: Recommended ages 3-6 years old
The Lost Town of Garrison
Eric T. Reynolds
Hadley Rille Books
hrbpress.com
9781735093888, $29.50 HC, 9781735093802, $16.00 PB, 352pp
B0CJDLNDYZ, $5.99 Kindle, B0CYNCTK46, $27.32 Audio
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Town-Garrison-Eric-Reynolds-ebook/dp/B0CJDLNDYZ
Synopsis: Are you ready to embark on a journey like no other? Step into the shoes of Professor Katie Robbins as she embarks on a desperate bid to save Blue Valley from impending doom, whisked back to the 1930s town of Garrison, Kansas.
In this enthralling Historical Fantasy, Katie's expertise plays a crucial role in the battle against the Army Corps of Engineers, who intend to flood ten towns to construct a reservoir. However, when both sides discover a mysterious time travel device, the conflict escalates, and the stakes reach a whole new level.
Will Katie be strong enough to defeat the Army Corps of Engineers, or will she put herself in a pathway of destruction?
Critique: The Lost Town of Garrison is a captivating time travel book that explores the Army Corps of Engineers, a topic not often explored in literature.
Talented author Eric T. Reynolds brings history to life by taking the reader back in time. For history buffs, The Lost Town of Garrison is a must-read. It is a great way to learn more about our country's history and the important role played by the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor
D.R. Berlin
Publisher: TBD
ISBN: TBD, $TBD
Synopsis: Are you prepared for a heart-pounding journey of secrets, peril, and unforeseen turns that will leave you in suspense? Look no further than Berlin's thrilling new novel, the first in the Secrets of the Manor series.
In this gripping tale, Cadet Sophie Allard finds herself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with her adoptive mother's killer. As she delves deeper into her family's past, Sophie realizes she must confront the shadowy organization, The Third Estate. Berlin's masterful use of classic genre techniques, such as suspenseful cliffhangers and unexpected plot twists, keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Sophie on her quest for answers.
But it's not just the plot that makes this book a must-read. The characters are complex and well-developed, adding intrigue to the story. Sophie is a determined and relatable protagonist, while Colonel Mitchell and the Professor bring conflicting motivations and allegiances. The dynamic and compelling interactions between these characters add depth to the narrative and keep you engaged from start to finish.
Critique: The Third Estate - Secrets of the Manor is an exciting journey full of twists, turns, and obstacles that will keep you engaged from start to finish. Immerse yourself in a world of intrigue, mystery, and excitement.
D.R. Berlin is an exceptional author who has crafted a story that is sure to be unforgettable. You won't be able to put it down as you're taken on a journey through adrenaline-pumping scenes packed with excitement and suspense.
From the very first page, the well-crafted scenes and the intricate plot unfolding will hook you. D.R. Berlin's gift for storytelling shines through in this latest work, and readers will be captivated by the world that she has created.
The Door in the Stone
Rob King
Publisher: TBD
ISBN: TBD, $TBD
Synopsis: This unforgettable tale follows the journey of Vic and Em, a couple burdened by financial struggles and societal prejudices. Their fortunes turn unexpectedly when a mysterious woman named Adelessa, with eyes that seem to hold the wisdom of the ages, reveals that she has been observing their family for centuries.
Led through a magical Door in the Stone, Vic and Em find themselves in the realm of Laketown in the world of Kavenland - a place unlike any they have known. There, they join forces with an unlikely group of allies - Noll, Ariana, and Larkin - on a perilous quest of utmost importance: to save Kavenland from the invading force while braving the forbidden and mysterious forest.
As readers get swept up in Vic and Em's adventure through this world of magic and mystery, they will find themselves captivated by a narrative that not only explores themes of courage and friendship but also showcases the profound self-discovery that Vic and Em experience, as they emerge as stronger and more resilient individuals.
Critique: The Door in the Stone is a masterful exploration of the transformative power of adventure and self-discovery. Each scene will keep readers on the edge of guessing what will transpire next.
King's characters are not mere players in a narrative, but individuals wrestling with profound and intricate internal struggles that mold their relationships and decisions. Their emotional depth will draw you in and keep you invested in their journey.
Rob King is a remarkable author who has penned a truly compelling book that grips you from the very first page. Filled with elements that set it apart from the rest, this book is not just another fantasy novel, it's a work of art!
The Evil Inclination
Daniel Victor
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9781639888443, $4.99 Kindle, $12.34 PB, 326 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Evil-Inclination-Daniel-Victor/dp/1639888446
Synopsis: Lev Levitski is a devoted son and upright young man who has faithfully followed the path of Jewish observance all his life. However, his comfortable existence takes a turn when he meets Angela Pizatto, a captivating dark-haired beauty, during college.
Suddenly, the things that once held the utmost importance for Lev are no longer enough. Angela draws him out of his structure lifestyle and into a passionate romance. Still, their relationship must remain a secret because of their conflicting religious backgrounds - Angela is Catholic, while Lev is Jewish.
As the young lovers explore the streets of Brooklyn together, they deepen their commitment to one another and recognize that they are nearing a critical crossroads. They must now confront whether they can overcome the impossible differences in their backgrounds to have a shared future, a journey filled with emotional turmoil and self-discovery.
Critique: The Evil Inclination is not just a love story, but a narrative that delves into the societal challenges faced by individuals from different religious backgrounds. It explores the burdens of tradition as they collide with the power of passion, chronicling the struggle to understand how the people we fall for can transform us in profound and unexpected ways.
Daniel Victor has crafted an intriguing and emotionally charged novel that delves into the complexities of love denied by social injustice. The novel's emotional depth, coupled with Victor's masterful prose, guides readers through passages imbued with substance and intense emotion, offering deep insights into the human experience.
This thought-provoking work examines how the weight of tradition can clash with the pull of the heart, challenging protagonists to navigate the uncharted waters of transformed identity and desire in the face of societal pressures, a burden that weighs heavily on their hearts and minds. Victor's skilled storytelling invites readers to ponder on the transformative nature of love and its ability to transcend perceived barriers.
The Goblin King's Mischief
D. Lieber
Ink & Magick
9781951239329, $TBA print / $6.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Goblin-Kings-Mischief-D-Lieber-ebook/dp/B0DF5RBP8M
Synopsis: Step into a world where fantasy intertwines with the most profound emotional truths and embark on a journey alongside Lady Melody Piobaire and Aodh, the enigmatic Goblin King.
In this enthralling tale, we witness Melody's heart-wrenching quest to reclaim a love that feels forever lost. Devastated by the reality that her first love no longer remembers her humanity, she finds herself caught in a web of duty, promised to the powerful sidhe king. Her heart yearns for Aodh's affection.
As Melody navigates her internal conflicts and the expectations of her world, she experiences struggles, of the obstacles she is encountering. The dynamic between her and Aodh is not just a simple love story but a profound exploration of love's complexities, showcasing the delicate balance between desire and disappointment.
Aodh, too, is a character steeped in emotional depth, grappling with the remnants of a marriage born from deception and the unsettling allure of Melody's confidence and charm. Their struggles make their journey a deeply relatable one.
Lieber's narrative invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of love and loss, making it a poignant journey of self-discovery and connection. With every twist and turn, Lieber's narrative reminds us of the intricate tapestry that love weaves, filled with tension, hope, and the relentless pursuit of understanding one another.
Critique: The Goblin King's Mischief is like uncovering the layers of this compelling narrative, where every page turned is a step further into the hearts of its characters. Dive deeper into Melody and Aodh's story and experience the magic of rekindled affection amidst the enchanting backdrop of fantasy. This adventure will resonate, inspire, and perhaps even mirror our journeys in search of love and belonging.
Enter the mesmerizing realm crafted by D. Lieber, where every page turns into an adventure that pulls you in and refuses to let go. Lieber's storytelling invites you to escape into a narrative filled with rich details and emotional depth. Each character resonates with the warmth and authenticity that echoes the personalized journeys we strive to provide. Lieber's work will allow the reader to transport to new horizons, creating lasting memories along the way.
Poetic People Power: Three Spoken Word Shows for Social Change
Tara Bracco
Cornerstone Press
www3.uwsp.edu/english/cornerstone/Pages/CORNERSTONEPRESS.aspx
9781960329233, $21.69, PB, 182 Pages
https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-People-Power-Spoken-Social/dp/1960329235
Synopsis: Poetic People Power, a dynamic force in the New York City's spoken word scene for two decades, has left an indelible mark with its unique perspective and creativity in addressing social and political issues. This book, a testament to its impactful work, will enrich your understanding of environmental heroes, women's voices, and human rights abuses.
Through the power of spoken word, Poetic People Power offers insights and solutions to issues that affect our everyday lives and the world. This anthology is not just a book; it's an exclusive and invaluable collector's item, a treasure for fans of spoken word and social justice.
Critique: Poetic People Power: Three Spoken Word Shows for Social Change is a powerful book that showcases how our world is being affected by social challenges. Each page will inspire and empower you to affect the world positively.
Tara Bracco is a writer with a powerful voice of substance and meaning. Her work illuminates essential issues and encourages readers to adopt and incorporate a new mindset.
The Big Healing
Christopher McKeon, M. Div
Toteppit Press
https://toteppitpress.com
9798986470733, $12.99, PB, 234 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Big-Healing-Fantastical-Liberation-Empower/dp/B0D8Z71DGT
Synopsis: Are you ready to shatter the paradigms of magical thinking and open your mind to a new reality? Embark on a transformative journey with Chris, Ayako, and El, renowned spirit mediums who offer a unique and intriguing approach to guide you on a path of healing and self-discovery.
In their book, you'll learn how to tap into your reality and find profound relief from trauma, pain, and suffering. Through stories, vignettes, testimonies, and information-packed endnotes, you'll better understand your life experiences and the world around you, fostering a sense of hope and optimism.
Chris, Ayako, and El also introduce you to the developing worldwide energy testing community. In this global network, you can get answers from Mina the builder of Earth, angels, your spirit family and guides, and willing spirit persons. There is no need to take their word on faith - you can experience it yourself, feeling connected and part of a larger community.
Critique: The Big Healing is not just a book, it's a powerful tool for transformation. It's a beacon of hope for anyone seeking personal growth and healing. It offers insights and perspectives that can help you overcome obstacles and find greater peace and fulfillment in life.
Christopher McKeon is a master of new-age teachings. He offers a refreshing and enlightening perspective on personal growth and transformation. I have long been interested in the New Age, and I found this book to be fascinating!
In this book, I discovered how to understand myself better and think with a higher purpose. With McKeon's guidance, you'll learn to tap into your inner wisdom and intuition to create a life that aligns with your true purpose.
Snow on Magnolias
Betty Bolte
www.bettybolte.com
Mystic Owl Publishing
c/o City Owl Press
https://cityowlpress.com
9798986045054, $12.99, 216 pages
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Snow-Magnolias-Betty-Bolte-ebook/dp/B0D4FN36PT
Synopsis: The end of the American Civil War brings hope and joy to Magnolia Merryweather, a backyard horse breeder who dreams of a peaceful and prosperous life. She looks forward to celebrating Christmas and continuing to grow her business while following in her mother's footsteps as a matriarch in their community. However, her secret lover, Bryce Day, returns home and asks tough questions that threaten to shatter her plans, disrupting her life.
Bryce Day, a former First Alabama Cavalry USA soldier, returns home with a heavy heart. He knows his neighbors will not accept his Unionist views, and he fears that the woman he loves, Magnolia, will never forgive him for his silence during the war. Bryce had kept quiet about his true feelings for Magnolia in case he didn't survive the conflict.
As Bryce and Magnolia navigate their complicated relationship, they both struggle with guilt and the fear of rejection. Their emotional journey, filled with love, regret, and forgiveness, is so deeply portrayed that it will resonate with readers, making them feel deeply connected to the characters. They must decide whether to confront their past mistakes, take a chance on love, or live in silence and regret.
Critique: Snow on Magnolias is a heartwarming tale of love and redemption set in post-Civil War Alabama. Its vivid characters and captivating, emotionally charged storyline will not just captivate, but also deeply engross readers, making it hard to put the book down.
Snow on Magnolias stands out with its unique setting and deeply emotional storyline. Betty Bolte is an exceptional author whose historical romance novel transported me back to the excitement I felt when I first discovered the genre in my younger years.
Her delightful characters and well-structured storyline, crafted with exceptional skill, create a genuinely captivating reading experience. Bolte's skilled craftsmanship makes her book perfect for historical romance fans.
Editorial Note: Betty Bolte (www.bettybolte.com) is the talented, award-winning author of historical fiction with heart, and haunting, bewitching love stories.
Simple Pleasures: Haiku From The Place Just Right
Elizabeth Gauffreau
Paul Stream Press
https://paulstreampress.com
9781735929293, $12.99 PB / $2.99 Kindle, 70 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Pleasures-Haiku-Place-Right-ebook/dp/B0D6P8SXYY
Synopsis: Synopsis: Welcome to a journey where nature's beauty intertwines with poetic expressions in Elizabeth Gauffreau's captivating haiku collection. Each of the 53 haikus, complemented by a stunning nature photograph, beckons you to immerse yourself in the serene landscapes of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
With her heartfelt verses, born from her personal connection with these landscapes, Gauffreau invites you to share in her love for these cherished places. Each haiku she writes is a lyrical reflection of her experiences, with some steeped in nostalgia and others freshly discovered.
Critique: Gauffreau uses the minimalist form of haiku to its best advantage to create a profound connection between nature, travel, and memory that will resonate long after you close the book.
Simple Pleasures is akin to the gentle caress of fresh dew on a spring morning, aiming to rejuvenate your soul and nourish your spirit. Each haiku, like a brushstroke on your life's canvas, can transform moments into lasting impressions and unforgettable memories.
Elizabeth Gauffreau's haikus create a symphony of emotions that resonates deep within your being. Each haiku is a brushstroke of beauty, painting breathtaking scenes that stir the soul and linger in your memory like cherished keepsakes.
Experience the transformative power of haikus as they weave a tapestry of emotions. Let her words lead you to a place where you can reflect on the meaning of your own experiences in nature. Immerse yourself in Dive into the enchanting world of Gauffreau's haikus and let them leave an indelible mark on your heart.
The Cottage Industry
Edward McSweegan
The Wild Rose Press
https://wildrosepress.com
9781509254316, $12.99, 324 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Cottage-Industry-Edward-McSweegan/dp/1509254315
Synopsis: After serving in the French Army during World War I, David Enders returns to Connecticut, but he is not the same man he was before. He suffers from a condition similar to shell shock, and he must face a strict father, a sister in a mysterious coma, and a volatile country still in the grips of wartime paranoia and civil liberty restrictions.
Seeking solace, he finds himself in Old Lyme, a picturesque summer town known for its bootleggers, rumrunners, flappers, clammers, crooked deputies, and the famous Old Lyme Art Colony.
The impressionist painters in the colony are determined to preserve their rural landscapes from being marred by cookie-cutter cottages. But amidst this idyllic setting, Enders falls in love with one of these artists, and the town's darker underbelly puts their romance to the test. Encircled by suffocating customs, illiberal laws, and petty criminals, Enders and his love interest seek an escape.
Critique: The Cottage Industry is a heartwarming journey of healing and adventure. The book's two characters, bound by a captivating adventure, embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
Edward McSweegan is an excellent author whose book has pierced this reader's mind and soul. I quickly got immersed in the captivating storyline as the characters find solace in each other's arms while exploring new destinations and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Mit Out Sound
Rick Lenz
Chromodroid Press
9780999695375, $16.99 PB, 379 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Mit-Out-Sound-Rick-Lenz/dp/0999695371
Synopsis: Step into a world where legends come to life and love weaves its intricate tapestry in our upcoming movie production. Join Emily Bennett, a determined movie producer, as she embarks on a journey to unravel the mystery of a lost film starring icons James Dean and John Wayne. Witness the serendipitous meeting of two extraordinary impersonators, Jimmy Riley, and Tom Duke Manfredo, as they bring their uncanny talents to the screen.
As Emily delves deeper into the enigmatic world of Showdown, she discovers a courage within herself she never knew existed. Her journey of self-discovery, filled with emotional highs and lows, will inspire you. Amidst the excitement of filming, intricate relationships unfold, revealing a complex love triangle with echoes of the past. Doubts surface about the enigmatic director, Solange Borugian, while friendships are tested and family dynamics come to light.
Experience the captivating beauty of Arizona's landscapes as our cast navigates Apache holy grounds and the mystique of day-for-night shooting. The blend of past and present creates a compelling narrative that promises to immerse you in a world where every frame tells a story, where the rugged beauty of Arizona's landscapes and the artistry of day-for-night shooting combine to create a visual masterpiece.
Critique: Mit Out Sound is a cinematic adventure filled with passion, intrigue, and the timeless allure of the silver screen. Assuredly, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat as you revisit the legends of the silver screen.
Rick Lenz presents an enchanting reading experience. Where heroes once reigned, and triumphs echoed through the ages of cinematic history. This book invites you to relive these legendary figures' victories and challenges.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through nostalgia and captivating storytelling. Enjoy a literary adventure that explores the past and immerses the reader in the magic of a bygone era.
American Salvation - How Immigrants Made American Great - Book 3
Gregg Coodley
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9798891324145, $17.99 PB, $5.99 Kindle, 382 pages
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Let-Me-Keep-You/dp/1685134882
Synopsis: American Salvation is a history novel, which stands out with its unique approach of intricately weaving together the stories of various immigrants in the United States' early years.
Through a rich tapestry of ideals, conflicts, and vibrant personalities, this narrative shed light on the political rivalries of the time. It offers profound insights into the shaping of our nation.
Join these immigrants on their intertwined journeys towards freedom, and feel the weight of their political challenges, revolutionary fervor, and the vision for a new nation.
Critique: American Salvation promises an enlightening and thought-provoking exploration of a pivotal era in American history. Witness how immigrants profoundly impact society and be humbled by the power of each individual's story in shaping our collective history.
Gregg Coodley's vivid prose and meticulous historical research in this book promises an enlightening and thought-provoking exploration of a pivotal era in American history. The research in this one book is outstanding! Being a history buff, all this book enchanted me revealed.
Suzie Housley, Senior Reviewer
https://housleysliteraryservices.com
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
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