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The US Review of Books connects authors with professional book reviewers and places their book reviews in front of subscribers to our free monthly newsletter of fiction and nonfiction book reviews. Learn why our publication is different than most others, or read author and publisher testimonials about the USR.

Recent Reviews Focus Review Featured Reviews Author Spotlight US Review Blog   Author Spotlight Grace Zacaroli The Carpenter and The Apprentice is the first book in a five-novel series set in the ancient ... (read more) Author Spotlight Idalah Womack I started writing when I worked for the federal government when I was eighteen years old. After I... (read more)

Recent Book Reviews

 

Focus Review

The Iberian Table: Healthy Cooking Secrets from the Land of Longevity by Robin Keuneke Bay of Roses Books "For the chefs know the embracing of simple sustenance and the dignity that lies therein, is the soul of Spain's greatest cooking." Keuneke's work transcends the traditional cookbook structure, entering a realm of culture and cuisine that provides a comprehensive experience that will likely be relished by all audiences. A delectable fusion of health and wellness, memoir, and recipes, the work offers an unrivaled sensory experience, complete with timely health advice, origin stories galore, and recipes delivered with such authenticity and simplicity that they create a homely feel throughout. The same awe the author experiences while standing with her mother atop the highest ridge on Salt Island is imbued within the presentation of every recipe and every travel destination. ... (read more)

• 1 True College Money Since 1978 - Seventh Edition by Idalah D. Womack, M.S.W., P.T.S., L.C.S.W.
• ABC's of Fitness by Anthony Baker
• Adventures of Birdfrog, The by Robert LoDolce - RECOMMENDED
• Alzheimer's Disease by Nellie Kidd-Madison
• And It Only Took 100 Years... by Alan Shayne
• Ash Land by Matt Harry
• Beaverville by Ronald Paul Stassens
• Biblical Events from Assyria to America by Nathanyel Ben Israel
• Big Picture of Climate Change on Planet Earth, The by Herbert A. Hutchinson
• Blood Moon and the Black Mountain of Sorrow, The by R. A. Murdock
• Chronicles of the Gods: Book Two by L. Scott Cisney
• Council Ford Insurrection by J. Thomas Bowne, JD
• Cultivate Creativity by Linda Richichi - RECOMMENDED
• Dance Through Chaos, A by Anusha Fotedar - RECOMMENDED
• Diverging Streams by Earl L Carlson
• Dordogne Deception, The by Sherry Joyce
• Dying to Meet the Newcomer by Judith Fournie Helms
• Easy Way or the Hard Way, The by Terry Wayne Williamson Sr. - RECOMMENDED
• Echoes of Time by Anthony P. Mauro Sr. - RECOMMENDED
• Edge of the Golden Moon by Ron Morris
• Elevate by Christina Lim
• Emotional Brain, The by Kathleen Ho - RECOMMENDED
• Energy Literacy for Climate Action by Francis M. Vanek, PhD - RECOMMENDED
• Eunuchs by N. A. Rogers
• Fables of Maui and Momma Cat, The by Dr. Walter R. Hoge - RECOMMENDED
• Five Major Stressors to Your Body, The by Dr. Patricia L. Yoder
• Forward—Giving Up is Not an Option by Eugen Ehrenberg - RECOMMENDED
• Good Neighbor, The by Peter B. Unger - RECOMMENDED
• Grief, Forgiveness, Acceptance, and Rejection by Dr. David Brubaker
• HAL...lelujah by Jane Brown
• Hello, Rest of My Life by Rick Lenz - RECOMMENDED
• How Many Threes Are In Your Life? by E. Spirit Greenwood, III
• Hunting Armed Men by J. M. Erickson
• I Am Not Your Boy by Ronek Patel
• In Darkness and Light by Tudor Alexander - RECOMMENDED
• Into The Eye by James Houston Turner - RECOMMENDED
• Jehovah the First Godfather by Carlton Morris
• Lazy Lab by Jessica Kern
• Legacy of Principles, A by Jeffrey Bernard Hicks
• Mariner of Destiny by Roberto de Haro - RECOMMENDED
• Math Heals by Tiffany Suson - RECOMMENDED
• MidLife Health Guide for Men, The by Chris G. Rao, M.D.
• Mintaka by J.J. Gozzi
• Murder on Knollwood by Marshall Prescott
• My Dream, My Destiny by Mahendra Jagir
• Open Architecture Curricular Design in World Language Education by Andrew R. Corin, Betty Lou Leaver, and Christine M. Campbell, Editors - RECOMMENDED
• Opportunity by William Tucker - RECOMMENDED
• Over the Wall by Catherine Kramer
• Platonomy by Chester H. Sunde, Psy.D.
• Pro Deo, Rege et Patria by Stuart McDouall - RECOMMENDED
• Real Estate CRM Mastery by Scott Schmitz
• Real Estate CRM Secrets by Scott Schmitz
• Reality of Everything, The by Lindsey K. Ham Sr.
• Redemption Story, The by Rev. Werner Trapp - RECOMMENDED
• Rübezahl by M. Laszlo - RECOMMENDED
• Quantum Mortality by Jenesis Prioleau
• Raised by Strangers, Rebuilt by Love by Tina Pierre Strambler - RECOMMENDED
• Russia's Final Destination by Abraham DeAlmeida, PhD - RECOMMENDED
• Seashell Safe Harbor, Friendship, The by Sherrie Schmidt - RECOMMENDED
• Shooting Up by Jonathan Tepper - RECOMMENDED
• Sinner's Prayer by Dwain Lee
• St. Paul Phantom, The by Gerard Gibbons - RECOMMENDED
• Sustained by Hanna Marmalich
• T.V. Holiday's Vendetta, Vol. 3 by T.V. Holiday
• Through the Eyes of This Black Woman Legacy Edition by Dr. Thomasina M. Portis - RECOMMENDED
• To Kill a Public Crook by Steven Stewart
• Twilife by Lane Jennings
• Ultimate Question, The by Peter Swanson PhD
• Walk Thru The Mind, A by Sneha Bandaru
• Word That Loves You, The by Allen Thompson Brillhart III
• Your Nonprofit’s 360Win by Patricia Rachel Schwartz, MA, MCC

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Featured Book Reviews

 

Hope

Highlight Review Shooting Up: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Addiction by Jonathan Tepper Infinite Books book review by Boze Herrington "Lewis was the guiding light for my father, proving to us all that you could believe in God and not be an illiterate fool." Tepper, chief investment officer at Prevatt Capital, writes movingly of his youth as a son of missionaries living in Madrid in the 1980s. His father, seemingly destined for a career in business, had left Harvard after seeing heaven and hell in a vision while under the influence of LSD. While the family was living in Spain, the author's father devised a plan to bring drug addicts to Jesus by deploying his sons (Jonathan, David, Peter, and Timmy) to meet them and bring them home—a strategy that met resistance from his wife's parents, who thought him insane, and the missions organization for which the Teppers worked. ... (read more)

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Social Pressures

Todos Los Santos Middle School is a chaotic Arizona educational institution where students spend more time filming online challenge videos and fighting each other than learning anything. George Shelf is a seasoned, grizzled security monitor doing his best to help these kids stay out of trouble and stop from attacking each other, within the confines of being a modern-day mediator for pre-teens. Every day is both an adventure and a nightmare filled with pranks, violence, immorality, immaturity, and the occasional heartwarming moment. George, known as Mr. George to the children, is often tasked with intervening or supporting them, although he has the experience to know when to step back and protect himself from the chaos or an angry parent. ... (read more)

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Formidable Character

Highlight Review Mariner of Destiny by Roberto de Haro Gatekeeper Press book review by Nicole Yurcaba "Martin recalled what his father told him about talking with a friendly California congressman several years before over a glass of whiskey. The congressman asked if Martin might be interested in attending the US Naval Academy." This book is a fictional tale of a Latino named Martin Talavera, who, in 1910, embarks on a career in the US Navy after graduating from the US Naval Academy. Martin attends the academy despite originally wanting to attend Princeton or Brown. His educational and career choices were "an intriguing option," and like his father, "Martin wanted a life at sea and to become a merchant marine ship's captain." During his time at the Naval Academy, Martin proves himself as a dedicated student and midshipman, so much so that he graduates in the top ten midshipmen of his class. ... (read more)

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Realism & Life

Johann Gutenberg is a skilled artisan in Germany in the 1400s. He is a gem cutter, engraver, and smelter, among other things. His talent helps him stand out, and he is soon approached by a friar who wants him to embellish a book with some silver adornments and stamp a long Latin phrase on the cover. Gutenberg becomes engrossed in the work and begins to form ideas in his head for improving the stamping method. These ideas will eventually lead him to dream up a new idea—a printing press. Books are currently made only by painstaking hand copying, mostly by religious orders. A single book can take a year to copy, and the price is exorbitant. In order to pursue his dream, Gutenberg must give up his job and constantly borrow and worry over money. Also, he meets a young woman named Ennelin, and the two begin a passionate relationship. He plans to marry her, but when his finances crumble, he insists on breaking the engagement, convinced she deserves better than to be tied to a man constantly in fear of debtor's prison. Through years and years of hardship along with trial and error, Gutenberg eventually realizes his dream. However, old debts and misfortune are not finished with him. ... (read more)

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Betrayals

Marian and Jason have been married for over twenty years and have two adult children, Olivia and Mark. Marian discovers that Jason cheated on her during a business trip to Sydney, a realization triggered by hearing the laughter of another woman on a phone call. Feeling deeply betrayed, Marian still decides to take a trip with Jason to Paris in the hope of saving their marriage. They have visited the city several times before. While working on their relationship, Marian is confronted with painful memories, including the loss of their unborn child many years ago. During this time in Paris, she is also organizing a vernissage with her art colleague and friend, Stephanie. As Marian navigates her marital issues, she finds herself juggling both personal struggles and professional responsibilities. ... (read more)

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Urgency

The proliferation of artificial intelligence is everywhere. Nearly every commercial break, every website a person visits, and every app they use will include some discussion of artificial intelligence, how it is used, and the benefits it offers an individual. While AI has long been a goal of many in the field of computing and a mainstay in science fiction, the cultural saturation point seems to have passed us completely by and is now ever-present. But what does this mean for the average person? What can they do with it, how can it help them, and what does it mean for their careers, livelihoods, and sense of purpose in life? Who holds the leash on this technological movement, and how can we expect those who profit most from it to govern its use and adoption properly? ... (read more)

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Resonant Sorcery

This collection of poetry is arranged in four parts loosely based on the stages of transformation from alchemy. They have an intrinsically modern feel and address themes such as psychology, modern technology, and the desire for connection. There are poems about the relationships between lovers as well as parents and children, discussions on society, observations from nature, a playful verse about verse, and several looks into the life of the mind. One thread that runs through most of the work is the tension between wanting better connections with others and the desire for isolation from the world. Most of the poems are confessional in tone, but the persona isn't always considered to be that of the poet. ... (read more)

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Spiritual Journey

This book is an in-depth exploration of one of the best-known sections of the Bible—the Book of Ecclesiastes, specifically Chapter 3, verses 1-12. Its chapters challenge individuals to consider not only how they interpret this set of scriptures, but also how they apply them. It also asks them to consider how they perceive, utilize, and approach their faith. These chapters also provide insight into how to cope with life's difficult circumstances, particularly the negativity one may encounter from others. Other chapters provide personal narratives about incidents that may test one's faith. The author shares how her faith guided her through both difficult and easy circumstances. Other chapters remind readers that they must take care of their spirits as well as their bodies and minds. ... (read more)

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Stormy Lives

Best friends Mikaila and Chara love each other like sisters or soulmates, sharing family struggles, high school drama, and premonitions about each other that bind them. But they argue over Asa, the bullied boy who has been infatuated with Mikaila since she befriended him in elementary school. A chess player, Asa strategizes to win Mikaila away from her boyfriend by hitting on Chara, then humiliating her. ... (read more)

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Get Fit

Obesity is arguably the most chronic and universal condition of the human species. At a time when obesity has reached record rates globally, society is being inundated with an infinite amount of content pertaining to getting healthy. In Mispireta's cookbook, audiences are given a tool that is not glamorous, not an overnight fix, but undoubtedly sustainable in the long run. Varying nutrition programs are dime-a-dozen, but the author's low-carb approach stands the test of time, both scientifically and experientially. While Mispireta talks about science, the technical elements are distilled in a way that even the layman can comprehend the guidance. ... (read more)

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Smart Food

Author Mispireta, a medical practitioner and an expert in the field of food processing and preparing, here offers his extensive knowledge not only of preparing delicious foods but of the basic chemistry that each preparation entails. He begins with an explanation of each method, urging the reader, whether "a curious beginner or an experienced cook," to use the recipes he offers and to understand the science that will increase one's competence across a unique array of cultural roots, modern additions, and inventions. ... (read more)

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Vivid Portrait

McVeigh's sequel to Sense and Sensibility picks up three years after Austen's ending, following Marianne Brandon as a young widow trying to find her place in London society, while her sister Margaret is accused of stealing lace from a shop. The story unfolds through Marianne's journals, Margaret's diary entries, and third-person narration, giving readers multiple viewpoints on the same events. This structure keeps the story dynamic and lets readers see how Marianne's personal struggles ripple through her family and friends. Margaret's voice stands out with a perfect mix of teenage drama and self-awareness as she pens her own Gothic novel from her cell in Spitalfields. ... (read more)

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A Good Life

Shayne's memoir covers 100 years of his remarkable life. His parents wanted different things for him: his mother wanted fame so it would reflect on her, while his father felt he needed to be grounded and find steady employment, like in the insurance business. It also recounts early sexual trauma, which forever changed his view of his older brother. We learn of Shayne's sexual curiosity and his confusion about his own sexual orientation and what that might mean for him in the mid-1900s. We see the courage it takes for him, as a teenager, to go to New York and pursue an acting career, through the highs and lows, and the amazing cast of Hollywood's elite he would meet. His interactions with young Marlon Brando are fantastic and help highlight both of their flaws and personalities. He speaks about his marriage and near-marriage with women he dearly loved, but the passion was never what it should be between a couple. He also describes the moment someone he respects tells him he'll always be able to get acting jobs, but he'll never have what it takes to make it big, which hurts him but helps him change direction in his career. This move will lead him to help create some of the biggest shows on television. But more than anything, we seem him try to find work he respects, and a love that can last. ... (read more)

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Vet Tales

Author Hoge here shares his poignant, personal remembrances and professional acumen focused on his contact with animals, tightly centering on vivid portraits of a cat and a dog whose long lives he had the good fortune to oversee. At the outset, his colorful volume tells of encounters, observed by him and his wife, between a feral kitten for which he had been caring and a mourning dove who had landed in his backyard. The traits of the dove are arrayed in simple but highly informative detail: where they live, what they eat, how they forage, and how they protect themselves from potential stalkers like the kitten by feigning injury to distract intruders. The kitten was part of a feral family that had accepted a place with Hoge, who set up a trap called Havahart—a significant title for such a device, denoting the caring convictions of his veterinary collocation. Hoge obtained this and other devices necessary for animal care from his worksite, Camden Pet Hospital. ... (read more)

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Teen Better

This enlightening guidebook packs a powerful amount of information into seven chapters and less than one hundred pages. Despite its brevity and simplicity, the book reduces a complex topic into basic definitions and steps that will aid teens to better understand their emotions, to foster control over their emotions, and to create happier lives. Educator Kathleen Ho has worked extensively with teens in high school and college settings and has produced this volume to support young people to become more self-aware and to better understand their emotional states. Each chapter builds upon the material in the previous chapter in a logical way, fostering easy comprehension of the topic. The chapter endings recap the material in helpful boxed charts. The book has a robust bibliography, but lacks an index. Overall, this guide is well-developed, well-focused and quite useful for anyone curious about emotional intelligence. ... (read more)

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Multilayered & Dark

The Bohemian city of Iluze is under siege, and there are but two people who understand that the fiendish source of the problem is Rübezahl. The winged old man has lived in captivity in the garret of Professor Kašpar's townhome for decades. When Waltraud Schlüsselblume, a beautiful seventeen-year-old gifted with telemetry and enslaved as a child by Rübezahl, hears his cries and exhortations for release, she is puzzled to discover that only she can hear him. Her refusal to assist Rübezahl's escape results in the monster's revenge: a spell cast over the city in the form of rain, hallucinations, and a strange apathy. Even worse, Rübezahl exacts personal torment for Waltraud by entering her body and mind at critical junctures. ... (read more)

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Supernatural

The Iron Warrior has vowed to defend the city of Carnage Coast, secretly the battleground between good and evil for humanity's ultimate fate. Luc's (the devil's) forces have already inflicted heavy damage on the Warrior and his friends, including causing the Warrior to give in to his own darkness. Now, after regaining his faith, the Warrior finds the city being ravaged by Candace Loveless. Her homicidal personality was formed from her upbringing under a very strict and conservative aunt, as well as being traumatized and scarred in one of the Warriors' first battles in the city. Candace sets about destroying the Warrior's name, sowing doubts in the hearts of the citizens, his allies, and his own family. But where is she getting all this inside information on him? Also, it appears he is making immoral business decisions and cavorting with other women besides his own. There are even videos. Sitting in a dark prison cell, with lives and souls on the line and his allies full of doubt, the Iron Warrior's toughest fight might be against his own despair. ... (read more)

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Common Sense

Author Trapp offers predictions, probabilities, and propositions regarding neo-evangelicalism, always focusing on the history and practice of Christianity. He grounds his assertions in the text and context of the Holy Bible, which he has diligently studied over many years. Central to his thesis is the gradual rejection by scientists at many levels of the Darwinian theory of evolution, which holds that the earth as we know it came about through a series of evolutionary stages. Modern thinking, such as cosmology, physics, and astronomy, emphasizes intelligent design, which aligns with the biblical view of theism, which holds that God created and sustains the universe. ... (read more)

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Experience & Wisdom

Over the past several generations, the cost of higher education in the United States has risen to the point that it may be considered the expectation, rather than the norm, that students and prospective students need to secure outside funding for their academic pursuits. While loans are often available and eager to generate mountains of student debt, there are also plenty of grant programs and other sources of support that students can access based on their field of study, demographics, religion, community, or military service, among other factors. With this book, students of all ages will not only learn how many such opportunities are available to them but also the best strategies for reaching out and securing these grants to help with tuition, books, and living costs. ... (read more)

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New Perspective

Vanek, a longtime climate expert, explains the necessity and challenges of transitioning from a fossil-fuel-dependent economy to one powered by sustainable energy. Climate change threatens to render much of the Earth uninhabitable. The Earth is rapidly warming due to emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas, making it all the more urgent that nations of the world build infrastructure to support renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, along with geothermal and hydropower. ... (read more)

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Pastor Slueth

The construction project seemed destined to go off without a hitch, that is, until human remains were discovered. Dan Randolph is the pastor of a suburban Louisville Presbyterian church, and the headache posed by the finding of a dead body is not something he needs. The detective informs Dan that the body's interment dates back to the 1980s, which causes Dan to ponder the victim's identity. ... (read more)

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Thought-Provoking

Climate change is a serious topic, and everyone has an opinion. Hutchinson's mission, it seems, is to keep the facts straight and to leave out the outdated goals set in the middle of the twentieth century. Hutchinson doesn't agree with those facts, and he explains why it doesn't work for our generation or future generations. He even sent his findings to President Donald Trump, raising the question of whether they were among the reasons the United States left the UN Paris Climate Accord in 2017. ... (read more)

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Self-Discovery

Life is chaotic for many people, and for Fotedar, it's no different. However, through the chaos, she has thrived. The author opens with her story of how, during COVID-19 and as the world shut down, she had time to pause and reflect on her life. Through the narrative, readers learn not only about Fotedar's personal life abroad but also how to silence the inner critic and meditate. The book combines two genres—self-help and memoir. The story itself is fascinating. It's interesting to see Fotedar's journey with Peruvian shamans and plant medicine. One thing she makes refreshingly clear is that plant medicine has its drawbacks and is not a cure-all.

While some self-help books tend to say that if you do this, your life will be perfect, this one does not. Throughout the book, Fotedar is open about her struggles with grief, trauma, and doubt, something many people can relate to. But she is not selling snake oil to her readers. Rather, her points are extremely valid, especially the section on "Core Wounds" and people who grew up too fast. Fotedar's writing is understandable and beautiful. This is an emotional book that will get readers thinking about their own lives and make them look inside themselves. Fotedar is personable in her writing, and many readers will see their own story here, too. ... (read more)

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Soul Searching

The narrative takes a walk in time with Wes Marino, age seventy, at Manhassett Beach, New Jersey, as he returns to his childhood home for a day-long visit after almost fifty years. Although this is a literal walk through the town, it is also a walk of remembrance as Wes reflects on the years gone by through his childhood, his teens in the town, and his ongoing adult years from college to marriage to the birth of his two children, the death of his first wife, his marriage to his second wife, and his recent retirement. ... (read more)

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Through History

From the historic scourge of slavery and the abuses of the Jim Crow era, to the current specter of white nationalist evangelism, African Americans and other people of color in the United States have continued to survive and thrive despite the heavy toll of racist ideology in its many forms. This title is a thought-provoking biographical narrative set against the shocking yet inspiring backdrop of Black US history. Portis deftly walks the reader through the facts, figures, and the big and small-picture details of Black progress in the volume's twenty themed chapters, interspersed with biographical details of her personal life. From her Southern upbringing through the years of her long career, Portis has a remarkable record of public service devoted to uplifting people. ... (read more)

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A Boxer's Story

On the surface, Gibbons' work could simply come across as a riveting boxing novel. However, peering beyond the St. Paul Phantom's battles in the ring, something far deeper emerges: the resolve of the human spirit to survive and thrive in the midst of darkness, and to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Named after the warrior Archangel Michael, Mike Gibbons is ferocious from the get-go, with unparalleled intensity and devotion to his craft, a man far ahead of his time whose story is long overdue for the masses. ... (read more)

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Unseen Impact

Faced with strange behaviors and an eventual diagnosis that her husband was suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's Disease, the author of this book chronicles her care routines for her husband throughout the progression of his condition. The accounts collected in this book are personal and specific, often documenting Kidd-Madison's own fears and frustrations while never wavering in her dedication to John's well-being and care. At the same time that she recounts her own feelings and the story of the gradual yet sudden change to her life and marriage, the author also raises awareness for Alzheimer's detection, testing, research, and awareness, in the hopes that it can provide some support and companionship to the countless people whose lives are affected by this affliction. ... (read more)

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Prism of Science

Perspective can redefine entire lifetimes and mindsets, allowing audiences to view the world from unexplored angles. In Morris' work, this same perspective in examining biblical scripture is instrumental in delivering commentary based on the role of science and technology. A self-proclaimed agnostic, the author comprehensively analyzes the dichotomy of interpretations between religious leaders and secular innovation. At its core, this book is a platform for the seeker to discover his own truth, to better understand the intersection of divine power and scientific revelation. ... (read more)

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Doing Good

Rebel leader Mutebi hunts for Dr. Shawni Juma, a virologist working in Africa, when he learns she is also gathering intelligence on him kidnapping women and children in addition to boy soldiers. Working with Juma, ex-CIA agent Wilcox and his tactical response team link Mutebi to Szabo, a businessman disguised as a philanthropist with ties to Hollywood and Congress. To protect Juma and uncover Szabo's plan, Wilcox enlists an old friend and ex-KGB agent, Talanov, and, like it or not, Talanov's lover, Larisa, and his adopted daughter, Jinfei. Traitors whom Szabo plants within Wilcox's ranks complicate the mission. ... (read more)

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Friendship

Happy the sailboat is discussing an exciting adventure called the Friendship Trip with his friends Starfish Sue, Pelican Hugh, and Dolphin Rue. They are all thrilled about the journey and eager to discover what it entails. While they wait for the trip to begin, the friends discuss the meaning of friendship. When the time comes, Captain Drew takes the helm of Happy, and the guests board the boat, ready for adventure. Starfish Sue, Pelican Hugh, and Dolphin Rue eagerly join in. During the journey, they leave a message in a bottle, listen to the sound of a conch shell, and even converse with the stars. Overall, this trip helps them understand what it takes to maintain true friendships. ... (read more)

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Homeless Solutions

Jack has been homeless for six months in Vancouver, British Columbia. Originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, he earned a PhD in Neurobiology from Duke University. After quitting his job at Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Jack invested in real estate, hoping to make a fortune. Unfortunately, the market crashed, leaving him in financial ruin. His wife, Beth, left him and took their son, Brent, with her. Following the divorce, Jack lost everything, and his parents shunned him out of embarrassment. Although he is no longer living on the streets, Jack resides in public housing. He has also secured a job in marine construction, but it doesn't pay much. Jack is currently writing a novel, believing that it could lead to financial success. Throughout his journey, he remains determined to turn his dream into reality despite the challenges he faces. ... (read more)

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Many Voices

This book is written from the perspective of Steven Warwick Xander, who looks at patterns. For example, he and his siblings are approximately three years apart, and there are many other patterns throughout the chapters and personal memories to reveal a story rich in diverse experiences. The narrator's work receives significant attention in the story. He sweats and struggles, noticing patterns of threes and their divisors in both his military and civilian life. When a family member becomes ill, the family ultimately comes together to advocate for an appropriate diagnosis. ... (read more)

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Reaching Goals

Williamson's early life was significantly influenced by his older brother, Lloyd, and his sister-in-law, Mary, who provided him with a nurturing home environment when his mother and stepfather were unable to care for him due to their struggles with alcohol dependency. Furthermore, the physical violence exhibited by Williamson's stepfather toward his mother created a challenging family dynamic. While growing up among his nieces and nephews, Williamson viewed them as siblings and considered Mary like a mother. As he advanced through life, Williamson pursued an education, engaged in various employment opportunities, and eventually married his true love. Together, they raised three remarkable children. Throughout his life journey, Williamson shares his experiences to inspire others to pursue their dreams, even if they did not receive positive encouragement earlier in life. ... (read more)

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A Legacy

Author McDouall blends his memories of service overseas with a close-up view of what foreigners may encounter in far-off lands where the author boldly pursued his career. In 1968, he started work with Volunteer Service Overseas, teaching children in remote places worldwide, first journeying from the UK to the Falkland Islands. His first experience of stark cultural differences occurred when, on a stopover in Montevideo, he was arrested for using a camera. Once settled in the Falklands, he assisted five children's groups, evoking constant revelations concerning the deep societal divides and close human understandings that he would absorb in his thirty-five-year career. In Hong Kong, he would become a police officer of notable renown, a leader of seventeen troops for the newly founded Boy Scouts, and an activity initiator for St. John's Cathedral. ... (read more)

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Higher Power

Author Bandaru proffers a pathway to creative living based upon a stirring, comprehensive study of thought processes linked to positive mental, emotional, and spiritual stances. Readers are introduced to the "Law of Attraction," a component of the unconscious mind that functions through frequency and vibration. Positive vibrations uplift, whereas negative thoughts and feelings open the way to patterns of darkness and despair. Positivity can be underpinned in such declarations as "Bless you," aimed at both one's problematic relationships and one's enhancing contacts, establishing a higher frequency of desirable resonance. ... (read more)

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Bible Lore

Author Rogers offers a well-researched portrait of eunuchs in a historical context and particularly as they are depicted in the Holy Bible. She introduces three categories of these distinctive individuals: eunuchs from birth, those physically created by castration, and those who choose a celibate, spiritual life path. History records the prevalence of eunuchs in Greek, Roman, and Christian eras, in China, and among Buddhists and Hindus, meant to supply women and royalty with servants and advisors whose condition allowed protection, obedience, and allegiance. Castration of various types was utilized as punishment for lawbreakers and enemies captured in warfare, and could be self-inflicted for men wishing to pursue a religious life. ... (read more)

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The End

The Book of Ezekiel prophesies that in the last days, a great army from the north will sweep suddenly down on the nation of Israel—a nation of peoples newly returned from exile at the four corners of the earth—and attempt to annihilate it. DeAlmeida argues that this prophecy may be fulfilled in our own time, and identifies "Gog," the invading army, with Russia, a nation that during the Middle Ages stood preeminent among the Christian peoples of the earth but in recent decades has embraced secularism and contempt for the Jewish people. Drawn by the vast deposits of mineral salts in the Dead Sea, deposits that are said to be worth trillions of dollars, the Russians and their allies in Africa and the Middle East will launch a surprise attack on Israel. However, the invading armies will be destroyed in miraculous fashion, and the averted holocaust will prompt a global return to the true God. ... (read more)

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He Reaches

Author Brillhart offers a straightforward guide to managing one's life in accordance with the Holy Bible's precepts. He has created six sections: "The Fall," "Forgiveness in Christianity," "Faith," "Fruit of the Spirit," "Finding Others for Salvation and Faith," and "Frequent Prayer." In each, the reader will find ample biblical text, intelligent context and explication from the author, and simple, challenging exercises to further expand one's understanding. Meant as a support for those wishing to engage in deep study, Brillhart's methodology can encourage and reward their diligence. ... (read more)

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Author Brown shares insights garnered from her struggle with feelings for her son Hal after his sudden passing. Hal was her first of five children, early demonstrating his loving, curious, and charming nature and care for his siblings. His mother knew that he fought drug addiction in his late teens, later overcoming that satanic grip to become a dedicated gymnast whose intellectual skills were apparent as he gained a master's degree in tax accounting and was employed as a CPA by an international firm. Tragically, however, despite his notable accomplishments, drugs regained power over him, resulting in his death. ... (read more)

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His Love

Author Marmalich intertwines her experience of loss and grief with spiritual counsel for others, based on her Christian beliefs and accrued wisdom, in this dynamic treatise focusing on the passing of her mother. Having dedicated herself to her mother's health, upon her death, the author experienced shock, dismay, and sometimes even a sense of desertion by the God she had for so long believed in and relied upon. Her reactions varied, though, based upon such happenings as a proliferation of butterflies flocking around the gravesite displaying vibrant colors, the enjoyment of curling up in her mother's housecoat, looking at her old photographs, and organizing her possessions, all evoking tender memories that mercifully placated her anger towards God for taking her loved one away. ... (read more)

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Wisdom Shared

Many people go through their lives in survival mode, doing only what is necessary to subsist, or if they have goals, those goals are for their own self-gain or pleasure. Others, however, whether in a family dynamic or seeking to leave an indelible mark on the world after their passing, focus on that elusive concept of legacy. Through a combination of scriptural inspiration, commonplace idioms, real-world application, and inviting readers to journal their feelings, this book leads its audience down the path to pursuing such a legacy. Readers are led to change or reinforce their thinking to make daily choices that compound into a larger, lasting impact on loved ones, local communities, and the world at large through simple, repeatable decisions that can transform a person's purpose over time. ... (read more)

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Healing

This book, which has eight chapters, an introduction, and a conclusion, explores issues of crying, grief, forgiveness, acceptance, rejection, and hate. Brubaker, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, bases this thought-provoking work on patients who grieve, his own grief work with personal and health issues, and some professional documentation. Included is the past work of Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross on the five stages of grief, which, admittedly, is outdated. Regarding Kübler-Ross, he notes the above and adds two stages. These include shock as a first stage and moving on as a last stage. The book offers a deep dive into crying, grieving, and forgiveness, while also covering fear, stress, anxiety, the fight-or-flight response, and the autonomic nervous system. It examines other ideas such as mindfulness, social rejection, moral relativism, hate speech, and hate crimes. ... (read more)

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Inspiring Character

In this exciting read, the book's audience enters the existence of the Stellankin, a star-born race whose minds elude those of humanity. The Stellankins carry a strange mystery with them. The Vega Family, too, carries a secret. When a break-in at their family cabin occurs, the family members embark on a journey that gives young Ari Vega insight into their true origins. Her family's cottage, Harp Cottage, and its many rules make Ari nervous. Ari's discovery about her family means she must break away from their overprotectiveness. As Ari takes her first steps on her self-discovery journey, she must reconcile herself with what she discovers, what she is able to do, and what she is able to understand about her parents' choices to protect her from her family's past and origins. ... (read more)

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About the Ending

In Western cultures, death is often considered an unpleasant, almost taboo discussion. It reminds one of mortality, and even well-intended productive conversations around the matter can upset those who don't want to imagine life without their loved ones or favorite people. And yet, being unprepared for the eventuality can create massive issues with consent, care, legacy, and autonomy. Utilizing a series of hypotheticals rooted in reality, the author challenges readers to begin thinking not just about their own wishes but also about what those around them might want for themselves, and how to offer them the grace and dignity to make those choices. Each scene offers a different perspective on how to prepare for one's last days and when to let their own feelings in, pulling back the curtain on one of the biggest decisions a person can make. ... (read more)

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Humor

Author–illustrator Robert LoDolce invests his storytelling chops into this whimsical, fantasy-driven collection of artwork starring Birdfrog, a hybrid creature with a penchant for relaxation, time-travel, and a wealth of ordinary life situations. While not a linear graphic tale, the singular stories are colorfully portrayed in quirky, detailed panels calculated to entertain and provoke recognition of human inclinations. Aimed at adult and mature young adult audiences, the cartoonish panels entertain on multiple levels with emphasis on a plethora of details that keep readers' eyes moving around the page. Birdfrog and his human observers alike are portrayed by LoDolce in his imaginative, offbeat style that is highly original and immediately eye-catching. The artist creates pencil sketches and layers them with ink and felt-tip markings for a layered, watercolor effect. ... (read more)

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Eye-Catching

With twenty-six colorful pages, featuring each letter of the alphabet and a word beginning with that letter, Baker's picture book introduces the youngest of the young to an assortment of basic fitness, health, nutrition, and exercise concepts. This is seen from the very first page: "A is for Appetite (Who else is hungry?!)," to "B is for Barbells" (where readers learn the classic barbell weighs forty-five pounds), to "C" and "Carbohydrates" (fruits, veggies, and grains are all carbs). Other exciting entries include "Energy," "Jump," "Muscles," "Nutrients," "Training," "Yoga," and so forth. Of special note is "Q, for Quality," where Baker writes, "Choose this over quantity," and "V, for Visualize," featuring an image of two children sitting in meditation, envisioning themselves fit and strong through classic bubble-cartoon thought-images above their heads. "See it," writes the author, "so you can believe it." ... (read more)

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Conscious Awareness

Kenya endures every woman's worst nightmare when her husband and eight-year-old son are critically injured a year apart in vehicular accidents. The intriguing sci-fi/visionary hybrid novel focuses on Kenya and her eight-year-old son, Levi, as they negotiate their inherited gift of spiritual sight before and after the terrible accident. Levi's physical recovery is uncertain, but his spiritual survival is certain and rich with adventure. While Kenya has avoided dealing with "the gift," wanting only to live an ordinary life, young Levi briefly explores other realities in his daylight visions and in his nighttime dreams before the nearly fatal accident, a preview of the strange journeys he will take through similar doors of perception during his lengthy near-death experience. ... (read more)

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The Painter's Daughter

Celeste Sharma is a young architect who is the daughter of a French painter and an Indian architect. Her architect father has died, leaving Celeste a legacy of integrity in his life and work. Celeste's mother is a loving and honest woman who grounds Celeste when the young woman's career—and her terribly unethical supervisor, Thomas Whitaker—frustrate and exhaust her. The young protagonist is determined to succeed honestly through the displays of her talent and tenacity. ... (read more)

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Transferrable Skills

Kern spent most of her career in laboratory management, where she learned, "A good leader lifts others up rather than tearing them down." This insight is for leaders on the sports field, in a laboratory, or even principals in schools. Laboratory workers will obviously identify the most when reading this book. Office culture can sour when employees are under pressure, and science labs are often pressure cookers. However, the author helps put it all in perspective, reminding scientists why they are all there and that, ultimately, they share the common goal of performing good science safely. ... (read more)

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Heady Analysis

The ruins of ancient Greek philosophy might not spring to mind as the first place to scour for insight into modern living, but if a search began there, one might turn to the Meditations and the Stoics. However, Dr. Sunde argues that if such a search skips Plato's Republic, it has gone too far. Traditionally, the Republic represents Plato's utopian city, the capital of many ancient and political philosophy courses, but Sunde sees a place for it at the psychological table. In his book, Sunde argues that Plato's ancient classic is a personally influential guidebook for private living. After two millennia of teachers, thinkers, and leaders, Sunde has his work cut out for him within the first paragraph. ... (read more)

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Glimmer of Hope

Homicides are uncommon in Derik Paulson's neighborhood, and the murder of George Thompson is brutal enough to leave Derik and other residents aghast. Derik wants to go home and put the gruesome crime scene out of his mind, but soon he finds himself under arrest and charged with Thompson's murder. Fellow officers inform him that Thompson and Derik's wife were having an affair, and the murder weapon has Derik's prints on it. Derik wants to believe his wife, Samantha, will clear the air with the police, but instead, she incriminates him further. Behind bars, separated from his children, and having his world upended, Derik is at his lowest until he receives a sign not to give up. The key to exonerating himself begins with getting out of jail, the latter part proving slightly easier than the former. ... (read more)

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Healthier

Rao starts this inspiring and encouraging work by advocating for good nutrition and exercise. His strategy isn't new, but he backs up his advice with a basic understanding of food chemistry. When readers finish the book, they will understand words like "free radicals" at the cellular level. However, the health education reading is interesting and painless. The author is an MD, but clearly a talented science writer, too. He explains basic biochemistry sans jargon. For example, he explains that lower glycemic index foods just mean those that cause smaller spikes in blood glucose after consumption. Keeping glucose levels level is vital to good health. ... (read more)

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Dramatic Irony

Dr. Russ Matt, Dr. Kameron Finn, and hospital administrator Mr. Smith are part of a covert group that is seeking a vulnerable candidate to control with mind-altering drugs and program into a trained killer to do classified, government-sanctioned work. They choose Captain Charley Dakota, a decorated Apache helicopter pilot, and convince him that two corrupt politicians are responsible for his girlfriend's death and the deaths of five squadron members. They give him a new identity: Curt Doyle. Curt's first target is Senator Conrad McVane, whom he kills along with the senator's mistress. Detective Scott Blade, called back from retirement, is assigned to lead the task force investigating the McVane case. Curt then eliminates his next target, Senator Culpepper. Blade soon realizes that the murders of McVane and Culpepper might be connected and suspects that Senator Everett could be the next target of the killer. ... (read more)

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Shared Experience

Around the world, nonprofit organizations exist that strive to tackle complex problems with all their resources, often supported by volunteers and donors. Many people want to help out and do good, so why do some nonprofits flourish while others struggle to get by? Fundraising is not as glamorous as making a huge social or technological impact, but the money that keeps these organizations running has to come from somewhere. The author of this guide draws on her personal and professional experience to guide fundraisers through the kinds of conversations, questions, and inspiration that will not only lead to more donations but, in the long term, even to posthumous support for the causes donors care deeply about. Through communication and involvement, all parties will feel more tapped in and invested, eager to see their shared goals met. ... (read more)

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Rising Above

After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the author of this memoir has had to learn not just how to live with the diagnosis, but how to do basic physical tasks that seemed thoughtlessly simple before. Living in rural Germany, he outlines the various ways he continues to live his life, including attending physical therapy sessions, initially using an electric wheelchair, then switching to a manual wheelchair, and using a hand bike to maintain muscle strength and avoid long-term complications. Looking back on experiences that highlight what needs to be relearned or a simple task made challenging by the need for extra accessibility, the author shares first-hand wisdom, honest confessions, and powerful inspiration. With the help of friends, the public transit systems available to him, and a willingness to adapt and thrive, he details the obstacles and perseverance of both his daily life and larger excursions that make up his journeys. ... (read more)

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Growth & Enlightenment

This self-help adventure invites readers to embrace their creative sides and provides a way to do so. Richichi's beginning chapters concentrate on defining concepts. Next follows the parable of Little Seed, who becomes aware of his Muse and embarks on an artistic, creative adventure to discover his true self. The author illustrates each point through the parable of Little Seed and his friends. As readers follow his journey to awareness and enlightenment, they learn how to complete each step of the process using the writer's personal creation, the Chi-Doodle, to tap into their creative energy. Finally, the author provides an in-depth workbook that expounds on the lessons Little Seed learned in the previous parable. ... (read more)

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Beyond Identity

On an intrinsic, instinctual level, we all crave a sense of love and belonging and look for partners and companions who can offer us appreciation, care, and security. Changing attitudes towards gender and sexuality have opened doors for many to find that level of support both on a community scale and from an intimate partner, but at the same time, a shift toward hook-up culture and dating apps tends to move people away from deeper commitments. Reflecting on his life as a young gay male, especially one who has dated older partners, the author offers unflinching advice and observations on setting boundaries and commanding equal respect and autonomy in a relationship. Various red flags and warning signs will be presented to readers so they can avoid abuse and those who care more about themselves and their own needs. ... (read more)

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Sense & Reason

Even by the middle of the twenty-first century, the small town of Council Ford, Middlestate, USA is living by a simpler, old-fashioned way of doing things. The police force is equipped with the latest technologies to protect citizens, but most people work the land, gather in communal places, and resist change. But technological progress is finally knocking at their door: a data center known as the HUB is planned for construction, offering full satellite internet access and monitoring for the small community. A conflict is developing between the more liberal members of the city council and the conservative ranchers and workers over this, and a gun control law was passed and gently overlooked by the local sheriff's office. A group of frustrated Council Ford citizens decides that a statement needs to be made, and it's only a matter of time before the situation boils over into tragedy. ... (read more)

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Avoid Danger

Compared to previous decades, there seem to be more and more cases of people with various diseases, maladies, allergies, and intolerances. What has changed in the environment and in the average person's lifestyle to cause these developments? This book can serve as a directory of various additives, chemicals, and pollutants that the average person might see on a product label but know little about. By looking it up, they can learn in just a few minutes where they might come into contact with a harmful substance and what symptoms may result. For concerned parents or anyone experiencing a sudden change in their health, a quick look in this book may offer unexpected, immediate advice on simple changes they can make in their food and household products to improve their well-being. ... (read more)

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Human Spirit

When their country is taken over by a tyrannical Comandante, Yann's parents fight back by joining the Resistance. The Comandante, dedicated to hunting down all members of the secret Resistance, sends soldiers to find them and capture them. When they come to Yann's home in the middle of the night, Yann is captured and sent to an orphanage for children of the Resistance. Nine other children are held in the old building with the cruel and selfish Madame Haggis presiding over the institute. The only one in their lives who cares for them is Mrs. Goodberry, who has been recruited from the nearby village to cook for Madame and the children. When she falls on the steep path to the orphanage, she is no longer able to come to their aid. With no cook, Madame Haggis grows more sadistic every day, and the children come to the belief that they must escape her cruelty and fend for themselves to survive. ... (read more)

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Adventurous

Cisney continues the epic tale of Terra Nova Winstead, who, when nuclear war and climate change threaten to decimate Earth, is sent with her family to discover a new home and return to Earth for any survivors. Traveling on the Calypso, a large meteor converted into an interstellar spacecraft, they are the only hope for the people remaining on their dying planet. As book two of the series begins, Terra is still married to Hatcher, but she has taken on a second husband in the great leader GK, or Genghis Khan. Terra becomes pregnant, but loses the Khan when he agrees to a great sacrifice for his new family. As the action unfolds, the crew of the Calypso must attempt to rescue any remaining Earthers while facing hostilities from the brutal and deceptive AOW. Terra must now groom the Khan's son to take his place while trying to save the Earth's survivors. ... (read more)

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Fascination & Awe

Described in the preface as a "literary buffet," this book takes its audience on a variety of intellectual and linguistic journeys. Characters like Didymus, who have "no sense of poetry," and others like Cupid—"aged sixty, sagging, gray"—offer comical, intellectual insights into human nature and humanity's complexities. In other stories, like "By the Book," a wise speaker acknowledges that as one ages, "portions of your past keep disappearing," as strange happenings make the speaker think they have found their own story in one of the books they own. In "Silent Voices," things take a modern turn as texting leads to sexting, and an affair's revelation tests a relationship, leading to "The Love Room," where a mysterious entity haunts a space they refuse to leave. ... (read more)

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