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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 book reviews and nonfiction book reviews. Learn why our publication is different than most others, or read author and publisher testimonials about the USR.

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Recent Book Reviews

 

Focus Review

Shanghai’d: The Adventures Begin by Curtis Stephen Burdick Gene Freak Publishing "And each of them shared one inescapable truth: they had nowhere else to go." Joshua Cabot, a Harvard graduate, leaves his work in Boston with Samuel Colt of firearms fame to open an assay office near San Francisco at the outset of the California Gold Rush. Cabot expects his three-year contract to fund further work in his field of metallurgy in Boston, but little does he know that this temporary situation will irrevocably change his life forever. A youthful indiscretion with an attractive young woman lands him in an unexpected early marriage. When tragedy strikes all too soon, Cabot takes solace in his cups in a house of prostitution along with his friend Ethan. ... (read more)

• 1929 Kelsey Quilters, The by Beverly Burnett Hamberlin
• 1946 by Diana Gillmor - RECOMMENDED
• Adventures of Billy Molar, The by Anne Sprabery - RECOMMENDED
• All-Girl, No Man Little Darlin’s, The by Mary Albanese - RECOMMENDED
• Another Side of Sunshine by Kay DiBianca
• Arising by Lisa Perskie Rodriguez - RECOMMENDED
• Between One and Many More by Stephen Clark
• Booked by Gloria Iatridis and Olivia Kate Iatridis
• Bottles of Courage by Stephen W. Rouse
• Brave New You by Mary Poffenroth, Ph.D. - RECOMMENDED
• Breaking Free from the Inner Critic by Kalie Marino M. S. W - RECOMMENDED
• Broken but Healing by Bella St. Patrick and Arista
• Comin' to the Americas by Clarence Ogans - RECOMMENDED
• Dear Children by John Barrons Richards and Carol Estes
• Devil’s Stone, The by Marie Reindorp - RECOMMENDED
• Do Butterflies Make Butter? by Brandall Laughlin - RECOMMENDED
• Downriver by Ryan McDermott
• Escape from Utopeana by J. B. Salazar
• God > Religion by Todd Michael Jackson
• God, the Ghost, and the Whore, The by Matthew Caputo - RECOMMENDED
• Goddess from the Machine by Daniel Rodrigues-Martin
• Government Efficiency by Cleo Williamson
• Growing Our Unity by Susanne M. Alexander and W. Grant Peirce IV
• Help Yourself! ... a Story of FBI Corruption by Martin L. Kaiser III
• Higher Love by Joanne Kukanza Easley
• Home in Motion by Tolu' A. Akinyemi
• Hypomanic Toolbox, The by Todd Hagopian
• I Am Who I Am by Milton B. Hazzard - RECOMMENDED
• I’m on Assignment! by Diane Marie Taylor - RECOMMENDED
• Immortal by Robert A. Karl - RECOMMENDED
• In a Country with No Name by Ron Morris
• Island of the Elyms, The by Yvonne Cardogna - RECOMMENDED
• Job Junky by Rudy Ridolfo
• Known But Unknown by A. Eveline
• Legend of Balthazar, The by Dick Morgan
• Living Above the Chaos by Dr. Owen Thomas Ashton - RECOMMENDED
• Living End, The by David S. Heeren
• Living Waters from Difficult Passages by Thomas Moore
• Losing Austin by Michael J. Bowler
• Lost History of "Talking to Computers", The by William Meisel
• Mary and Sir Edward by Stewart T. Monte Sr.
• Minimus by Mark Bodholdt
• Mission: Red Scythe by C.W. James - RECOMMENDED
• More, More, More by Clint Arthur
• O Jerusalem by R. P. Hanna
• Original Monsters, The by Thomas Szeto
• Overland Before the Hippie Trail by Patricia Noble Sullivan - RECOMMENDED
• Path of Lord Jaguar, The by Margaret Donnelly
• Petey The Pug Escapes For 24 Hours by Renee Servello
• Prodigy, The by Dee A. Replogle, Jr. - RECOMMENDED
• Remembering, The by Peter Kennedy
• Roman the Wonder Dog by Joyce Mullan
• Saga of The Single Sock, The by Josh
• Seeking the Lost: Sheep by Daniel Cramton
• Simeon the Prophet by Thomas Moore
• Striving to Be Perfect as the Heavenly Father Is Perfect by Fr. John F. Tuohey
• Take Back Manufacturing by Nigel Southway - RECOMMENDED
• Taking the Stairs and Liking It by Lauren Speeth, PhD
• Teamwork! by Jack Rotifer
• Tithingism by Thomas Moore
• Unspoken Realm by Laura Robinson
• We Knocked Their Socks Off by Tim Bosworth, PhD
• What's So Bad About Being Poor? by Deborah M. Foster
• Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle, The by J.L. Kimmel & David Ceccarelli
• Zephyr’s Flight by Ray Strong - RECOMMENDED

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Featured Book Reviews

 

Exciting Read

Highlight Review More, More, More: A Novel about Love, War & Inflation (Jack Powers Adventures) by Clint Arthur Wharton MBA Books book review by Nicole Yurcaba "This was a deep and painful lesson that if you want to be celebrated or if you want to celebrate in your life, you must be the clear winner." In this fast-paced, action-packed novel, Jack Powers—a man of mystery and intrigue—reveals his unique personal past, while encountering a series of experiences that make him a distinctive CIA asset. Powers is tasked with a special mission and must weaponize economics to bring down a world superpower—the Soviet Union. However, he comes up aginst an unexpected and formidable force—Svetlana, a Russian agent. Readers then follow Powers as he attempts to thwart the Russians, whom he perceives as courageous and skillful. Meanwhile, what develops between Powers and Svetlana might be more of a bombshell than the collapse of a superpower’s economy. ... (read more)

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Immersive

This is the fourth book in the Natalie Seachrist Hawaiian Mystery series. It is a mix of mystery, history, and the supernatural. The story follows Natalie Seachrist, a former journalist with an unusual gift: she has visions of the past and future. When she and her partner, Keoni, attend a Buddhist temple luncheon, they expect a peaceful afternoon. Instead, they stumble into a murder mystery when a wealthy donor is found dead under suspicious circumstances. As Natalie’s visions start piecing together cryptic details of the crime, she and Keoni are pulled into an investigation that stretches beyond Hawaii, touching on Asian history, art, and politics. ... (read more)

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Metamorphosis

Highlight Review The Remembering: A Journey Back to Self by Peter Kennedy book review by Michael Radon "I had spent my life searching for something that was never out there. It had always been right here. In the silence. In me." While searching for a meaning or a purpose in life has always been of chief concern to people throughout the ages, modern society and consumer culture create a different quest entirely. How do we live up to the people we admire and strive to be like? What kind of status, purchase, or career can give us a sense of worthiness and contentment? And what steps can we take to move past the noise into a place of real actualization and meaning? In this book, the author shares his own journey, from the values and goals he set for himself in childhood to a transformative experience with a shaman in Brazil and every step of his self-discovery afterwards. Each truth and realization about life that is uncovered is given context through the author’s own experiences and shared with the reader. ... (read more)

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Believe

Just before her twenty-first birthday, third-year University of Alabama student, amateur sleuth, and aspiring private investigator Sara Donovan receives a cryptic invitation to participate in a high-stakes contest with a payout that could change her life forever. But the "too good to be true" opportunity comes with sinister threats, demands of absolute secrecy, strict contest rules, and promises of dire consequences for the slightest infraction. Compelled to enter, Sara enlists the help of her faithful doggie companion, Mauzzy, and her feisty best friend, Zoe. They are pitted against a diverse cast of colorful characters in a battle of wits, requiring the participants to solve riddles, decipher combinations, and uncover clues. But as the contest heats up, it quickly becomes apparent that Sara’s co-competitors have shady pasts and treacherous secrets. Sara and Zoe suddenly find themselves in a viper’s nest where desperation breeds danger, and survival is not guaranteed. ... (read more)

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Inspiring Vitality

Highlight Review Taking the Stairs and Liking It: Seven Steps to an Amazing Life by Lauren Speeth, PhD Elfenworks Productions book review by Haley Koth "Living an amazing life involves a sense of higher calling. Such lives inevitably foster the same in others. Through this book, we are exploring building a more uplifting and inspiring life." What does it mean to follow one’s passion, to take the reins of one’s life and create a truly amazing existence? How can a person find the key point where their interests and talents align with the world’s greatest needs? Which skills are most essential to cultivate as one travels along the road toward a fulfilled destiny? Speeth’s work takes the reader on a journey to find these answers, to meticulously cut through the noise and carve out a unique, beautiful path of one’s own. ... (read more)

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Healing & Reckoning

This book offers readers a unique look into not only the military but also poetry’s healing power and the respite the craft offers. The author shares that, particularly during his time at West Point, "Poetry became my voice to express what I had to suppress, the part that longed for connection and struggled with loneliness." Readers also gain insight into aspects of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the leadership and interpersonal skills required for such operations. While the book is a reflection on the author’s journey to becoming a poet, it is also an intimate look at the life-altering situations that forever re-shape people’s outlooks on themselves, their careers, and even the world. Life and death converge in these pages, and readers follow one soldier’s professional, personal, and poetic journey. They also see how once a person becomes a poet, it is simply impossible to see life through any other lens. ... (read more)

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Beautiful Mind

Highlight Review Dear Children: Reminisces and Gleanings of a Father by John Barrons Richards and Carol Estes book review by Mark Heisey "America, my chosen country, dear to me, since, but a boy, Through years, I’ve learned to love thee, years so full of life and joy…" Estes has collected, edited, and arranged the poems and letters saved by her grandmother and written by her great-grandfather, John Barrons Richards. He was born in Wales in 1867, and after graduating from the fourth grade and getting a job in a mine, he moved with his family to America in 1881. He married in 1889, and the couple had three children. He worked in mines and as a minister and spent much of his free time, especially as he grew older and worked less, taking adult classes and furthering his interests in literature, among other pursuits. He wrote numerous poems over the years, and his letters to his children provide keen insight into not only his interests but also the American spirit during the years between the world wars. Most of the book contains his poems, clearly inspired by Thoreau and Emerson, while the last section has several of his letters. ... (read more)

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History

Ogans examines the historical context of slavery to provide a comprehensive understanding of contemporary issues related to racism, bigotry, and racial discrimination. This institution was fundamentally based on the belief in the inherent inferiority of Black individuals, which served to justify their mistreatment. Ogans further elucidates the hypocrisy exhibited by religious institutions during this troubling period. Vessels, supported by affluent financiers, profited from the inhumane transport of enslaved individuals, with many churches paradoxically endorsing this enterprise and treating human lives as mere commodities. Moreover, even after the formal abolition of slavery, the legacy of this institution did not simply dissipate. Freed individuals continued to face systemic racial discrimination, encountering numerous barriers and deeply entrenched prejudices within society. ... (read more)

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Western Excitement

Highlight Review The All-Girl, No Man Little Darlin’s by Mary Albanese Oxshott Press book review by Haley Koth "I had come to realize many things about the Darlin’s. We were all strong-minded souls.... We put up with hardships and danger, and let nothing get in our way." Growing up in a contentious family, twelve-year-old Anabel feels invisible and isolated from her parents and younger brother. Little does she know that her life is about to change when she meets her father’s mother, Macedonia "Maisy" Kline, for the first time. Relegated to a nursing home by her son, with whom she shares an antagonistic relationship, Grandma Maisy is sassy, opinionated, and sharp, much like Anabel herself. As Grandma Maisy says, "You want to make up your own mind. Some people get itchy when girls think for themselves." Recognizing a kindred spirit, Maisy opens up to Ana during her recurring visits and tells her full life story for the first time. ... (read more)

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Overcoming

It was an opinion that reflected a lack of empathy for the lower class or a tone-deafness that was typical of certain economists. Still, Charles Murray’s op-ed offended the author to her core. Foster grew up the oldest of six children to two mentally imbalanced parents, who were on and off welfare throughout her early years. Schizophrenia affected her father, and her mother had an undiagnosed bipolar disorder. The combination of mental illness and a poor financial situation led to a rocky home life for the author and her siblings. The trying economic times led to her parents being let go from various jobs, and a lack of welfare benefits strained the family budget to the breaking point. The only intervention by the state was when they sought to seize the children and place them in foster homes due to their living environment. ... (read more)

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Bad Spirits

Legends and stories from around the world tend to focus on horrible monsters that terrorize people and stand to disrupt peace. But how then have so many cultures and tribes come to such similar conclusions about what kinds of monsters could be despite the barriers between geography and language? This book draws on biblical text and the Book of Enoch to suppose that, based on the information found in legends and scripture, these creatures must have had an origin and existed before being destroyed in the world-resetting flood of Noah’s time. Comparing the biblical stories of the Old Testament with Norse, Egyptian, Roman, and Greek mythologies, among others, readers will see a plausible explanation for whether these monsters could have been real, how they could have come into being, and warning signs for how the modern era could result in more such creatures. ... (read more)

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Coming of Age

Colton Bowman finds his brother embarrassing. Austin has never spoken. His parents suspect that he might be autistic, though he lacks a formal diagnosis. He enjoys watching the rain through the windows and has demonstrated some remarkable artistic talents. Colton—a very ordinary young man who dreads school, enjoys video games, and has a volatile temper—snaps at Austin one day after a friend calls him a vile word. That same day, Austin steps outside and disappears into the rain. For years, there has been no trace of him. ... (read more)

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Middle East Intrigue

A graduate student named Helen interviews Chaim, a Jewish extremist who’s convinced he’s descended from Albert Einstein and is seeking powerful weapons because he hopes to bring about an apocalypse. Emma, niece to the Archbishop of Canterbury, flirts and feuds with a volatile atheist named Jack who delivers pompous lectures on the absurdities of religion. People throughout the world are puzzled by the sudden appearance of an intelligent child who speaks in many languages and warns, "Death or peace. Peace or death. We must choose." ... (read more)

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Changing Course

Ashton asks his readers to be "skeptical but receptive" and to open their minds "to new avenues of thought" as he shares his accumulated life wisdom and positive spiritual bent in this brief but compelling exploration of Infinite Wisdom and "our position in creation as creators of our own destinies." Ashton explains that this path through life’s chaos begins with paying more attention to personal intuition and natural law than to following the herd with religious dogma and prescriptions. However, Ashton respects all spiritual paths but cautions against any facet of religion that motivates followers with fear or those who cannot answer simple but natural questions about spirituality. Western society tends to reinforce attributes that hold seekers back from understanding their true nature as happy, interconnected beings for the viewpoint of humans as competitive, ego-based individuals. Ashton’s personal experiences as a surgeon and a human being struggling with self-awareness give him ample examples of the chaotic and false thought processes people are often taught to embrace, even when raised in the most loving families: "We have been taught our whole lives that we are imperfect and undeserving of contentment." ... (read more)

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They're Coming for You

Living in Grandville, California, Tobias is well-employed with the First Community Bank. When he learns that the new liberal President of the United States is going to push the transition of parts of California, Oregon, and Washington into a semi-autonomous, socialist experiment named Utopeana, he is not overly concerned. However, he begins to notice how news and information are becoming tightly controlled and that taxes are dramatically increasing. Following this, Utopeana issues a plan that will pull most individual citizens' retirement into the government. Well-versed in financial matters, Tobias finds a loophole and starts a program through the bank. He titles the program Play It Safe. It is designed to put individuals’ retirement funds out of the government's reach. The program is very successful, but Tobias soon learns the consequences of standing up to Utopeana. He is audited; the land he inherited from his parents is being threatened; and he is refused the right to leave Utopeana to visit his extremely sick partner. Tobias finally realizes the existential danger he is in. He devises a plan to escape Utopeana and search for legal means within the existing United States to fight for his land. ... (read more)

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In Nature

It is 1969, and Chris Polo has taken a job as a counselor at a Christian camp, Camp Clovis, for the summer, working with boys and a few girls. Along with Polo's fellow counselors and other staff members, the book takes us through the daily activities of a camp, such as arts and crafts, ropes course, swimming in the lake, camping, hiking, skits, Camp Olympics, horse riding, and other activities. The book describes the campers and counselors, and the reader gets a nice understanding of the individuals and their relationships to one another and the camp's culture. Of course, ongoing hijinks are part of the camp culture. This is also the time of the Vietnam War, and the novel takes us through the thinking of the time as well as the beliefs and concerns of the young men who are affected by the war. ... (read more)

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Whimsical Happenings

This myth concerning the area around the Yawning Rabbit River is told across three interconnected time periods. It opens with the rabbit thief Sean, who is driven by love to bring the river to his dying and dangerous forest. Following his brave and selfless adventure, the reader is transported to the story of Ash and Dusty—two brothers bought by a shopaholic who named them while dusting an ashtray. After an elaborate Cain-and-Abel-type story, which includes a boy with a coin for a head, the tale picks up again twenty years later when a mysterious illness is affecting the nearby town. A strange detective shows up to "investigate" the illness and sparks a clash between those who carry an umbrella and those who don’t. Secretly, the detective is looking for the magical green book, which tells the story of Sean and the river. ... (read more)

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Edgey & Arresting

The city of Machindoun is corrupt, and the plot’s main character, Reese Sadoleto, wants to clean it up. She’s a former slave and machinist who finds herself as the companion of the superhuman known as "Vigilant." The group wants to end the slave trafficking network, but before that can happen, the Vigilant disappears. A year later, enemies from their past come back, and Reese learns that to get to the future she wants, she has to kill her past and walk out from the shadows of her former companion and life. Her life hasn’t been easy. She saw her mother die in front of her before being taken away by slave traders. She sees a lot of death and abuse in her life, as do a lot of her friends. ... (read more)

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Human Spirit

Robinson has created a moving book that will speak to readers from all walks of life. This collection of poetry deals with many subjects, but it notably addresses the topic of grief and how to deal with the resulting loss. "Wait for me in Heaven" is one of the most emotional poems in the collection, but while it will make readers tear up, it will also give them some comfort. The losses aren’t always about death either, as Robinson writes about a father who left early on in her life. Then there is the poem "Not All Loss is Death" that goes right to the point, discussing addiction and how it affects those closest to it. ... (read more)

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Deft Examination

Jason Masters is a junior at Niagara County High School. He wants to fit in with the other guys, but he often feels undermined and effeminate. His best friend is Timmy, and Jason thinks about him every night. One day, Jason gathers the courage to confess his feelings to Timmy, but it doesn't go well. Timmy struggles with Jason's confession, and as a result, their friendship ends, leaving Jason hurt. Meanwhile, Zeus Vasiliadis, a billionaire who owns Zeus Universal Group, offers Jason a chance to become the face of the House Ganymede for an advertising campaign, which includes changing his name to Ganymede. Jason accepts the opportunity. Later, Jason and Timmy reconcile. When Jason tells Timmy about his new job and the name change, Timmy expresses concern, suggesting that the mythological significance of Ganymede could be a warning about Jason's new role. ... (read more)

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Adventurous

In this unique book, the fascinating story of Roman the Wonder Dog, his Grandma Joyce, his Grandpa Kirk, and his new owners unfolds. Roman shares in great detail his first few days of life as well as his journey into a new home with Renee. Roman even adventures through an airport on his way to a new life in Alaska with Renee. Roman guides his audience through the Alaskan wilderness, and they encounter bears, geese, and magnificent landscapes. Roman even proves himself as a solid fishing guide, and as the seasons shift and winter falls on Alaska, Roman brightens the dark, cold days with his love for life and people. As the holidays arrive, Roman strives to bring even more joy, light, and love to others. ... (read more)

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True Restoration

Southway urges America, Canada, and other westernized countries to reverse the negative effects of global free trade by bringing factory and manufacturing jobs back to North America. China and India are now producing things that were once made in the United States, their workers receiving starvation wages for jobs that, between 1920 and 1970, gave the American middle class the world’s highest standard of living. The nation imported an excess of cheap disposable goods while the great factory towns of post-war America—Detroit, St. Louis, Cincinnati—collapsed into crime and poverty. Young people, unable to find steady work and finding marriage unaffordable, are choosing to remain single. ... (read more)

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Christ-Like

The example of living as Christ lived is something that all Christians strive for, whether they feel it is achievable or simply something to aim for and get as close as possible to, even though they can never quite reach the goal. This book compiles a trilogy of essays by a retired priest drawing on his career from the pulpit and as someone working in the healthcare industry and striving to make ethical decisions about care and treatment. Not only that, but the author draws on his own experiences with addiction and recovery, inspired by the twelve-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous and weaving it into the lessons of what a person must do to make ethical decisions and live with integrity. The lessons of these writings will help one appreciate the person they see in the mirror more, while also maintaining or repairing relationships with those close to them. ... (read more)

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Danger Zone

Dawn Peake merely wants to get to Gambia to pursue a business opportunity. Instead, her plane has diverted to Sierra Leone for an interminable layover. Shortly after landing, she is rudely welcomed with a barrage of bullets as the country is in the midst of a civil war. However, Dawn is unafraid when confronting a trigger-happy soldier, and the benevolent General Benji notes this courage. Despite her annoyance at being dropped in a war zone, Dawn is somewhat comforted when she meets General Benji’s compatriot Omar. Omar is a connected man who is treated with reverence by the local citizens. However, Omar is a marked man by former associates who have arrived in Sierra Leone looking to loot the country’s resources, particularly their diamonds. ... (read more)

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Strong Storytelling

The world known as Juro is divided into many regions, each with its own civilization, culture, and spiritual belief system. Brave Dragon Riders once fought the barbarian hordes to the North. Now, the dragons maintain balance, and Juro enjoys peace. But the Oracle delivers a chilling prediction of chaos for Juro’s future. The small mountain village of Invernell has a rich but mostly forgotten history. Young Astria of Invernell, however, has a vision of her own and catches a brief glimpse of ancient power and majesty. Years later, she rescues Zephyr—a crippled, flightless dragon whose devotion to Astria is immediate and unshakable. Descended from a long line of Dragon Riders, Astria desperately longs to follow in her father’s footsteps. Unfortunately, the members of Invernell’s Council of Elders are afraid of the dragons’ power and Astria’s unique connection to them. Fearing an End Times prophecy, the Council forbids Astria to partner with Zephyr and become a rider. ... (read more)

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Resilience

In 1860, eleven-year-old Fákúnlé was kidnapped from Oshogbo, Nigeria, and taken to Dallas. Despite five years of enslavement, he maintained his Yoruba traditions. Trained by the elders before his abduction, he possessed wisdom beyond his years. As John Stewart bartered for his ownership, Fákúnlé focused on the Trinity River. Although worlds away from home, he was still connected to Òsun, the sacred guardian of his people and their rivers. This faith protected him through lynch mobs, KKK bands, and injustice. It enabled him to build a family and leave a legacy for future generations to reconnect with their Nigerian family and Yoruba roots. ... (read more)

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A Curious Dog

Petey is a sweet little pug who lives at a home near a golfing facility. Watching people and cars flow into and out of that location piques his curiosity, so one day he escapes from his yard to check it out. He makes his way onto the golf course and chases after the small white balls as they fly about on the green, but he is unable to catch any of them. Eventually, a nice man approaches in his truck and takes Petey to a building where the pug gets to spend time with a lot of nice individuals. Then Ty, a familiar face to Petey, takes him home for a sleepover, and the next day, Petey gets returned to his own house. From this experience, Petey learns it is better to stay with his family, or else they will be sad. ... (read more)

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Now & Then

The topic of government efficiency in both qualitative service and quantitative costs is both a timely and perennial concern, as outlined in this narrative. Two major historical reform efforts, and a recent one—the 1947 Hoover Commission, the 1982 Grace Commission, and the recent 2025 DOGE examination of current government agencies—are discussed in terms of their historical evolution and transitions from public bureaucracy to public management, and the ongoing application of emerging technology to facilitate these changes, especially in the present. The actions of past commissions examining government efficiency not only pared down some expenditures, as has recently occurred under DOGE, but created new agencies that citizens became familiar with in the second half of the twentieth century—happenstances that US citizens are currently becoming accustomed to in the present. ... (read more)

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Singing Prose

Some stories withstand the test of time because humans keep repeating the plot in real life. Such is the case with this charming story of young Mary and Sir Edward set in the Middle Ages. It is a children's book for the curious about soldiers, war, knights, and kings, and those at home waiting, working, and worrying. Mary's father is off fighting for the king while the children and their mother do their best to keep the farm animals alive, the fields fruiting, and the family warm and safe. They work arduously until a wounded knight rides up, adding new toil to their routine. By the time Sir Edward is well enough to travel again, he has shared stories of battle and besotted the family with his charm and bravery. ... (read more)

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Reconstruction

Marino, a social worker, interfaith minister, and spiritual counselor specializing in transforming consciousness and relationships, brings decades of expertise to this short but highly detailed narrative. Based upon Christian principles with an open-minded integration of holistic spiritual truths from a wide variety of cultures and sources, the author posits that the foundation of all addictions and social disorders is the human tendency for negative criticism that affects all societies and is especially pervasive in Western society. "When we compare ourselves to others, we may not feel good enough by comparison, so instead, we see others as not good enough. And this begins the critical habit," Marino writes. ... (read more)

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Depth & Light

In this poetry collection, readers journey through homes old and new, familiar and unfamiliar. They also navigate the spaces between an old life’s ending and a new life’s beginning. The book opens with a poem about calling a place "home without apology or / Elucidation." Other poems explore what it means to be an activist for the things that cannot speak for themselves. Readers watch as cities are personified, bank accounts are drained, citizenship pledges taken, and a poet witnesses a series of personal, cultural, and national events, which they carefully document in these verses. A few poems capture the intimacy of family life as siblings rival and an attentive speaker encourages another person to "never forget home, / Kin & kith of vibrant histories." Meanwhile, readers find freedom songs to sing and skies where home transits "through pregnant clouds." ... (read more)

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Tolerance & Grief

The author analyzes various scriptural passages and concludes that the pre-tribulation rapture, in which faithful Christians are snatched up to heaven seven years before the return of Jesus, is a myth. Instead, he argues for a "post-tribulation" rapture. There will be a period of dire suffering under the Antichrist, at the end of which Jesus will return physically to reign from Jerusalem. At his second coming Christians will be raptured, clothed in new bodies as with a garment. Heeren then lays out how he thinks the end times will unfold based on his long-time study of prophecy. Because the Bible warns of global persecution, he believes Christians in the U.S. will face torture and murder on a scale never before witnessed in American history. He takes issue with those who claim that an asteroid will strike the earth in the last days. An asteroid, he says, "would have minimal if any worldwide effect." Instead, he thinks an encounter with a comet will prove fatal to many. ... (read more)

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Refreshing

With a steady and gentle voice, grounded in compassion, Clark’s present collection of poems and other ponderings holds close a stated general thesis that the world "would be perfect" if we "made the right choices" due to knowing right from wrong. Poems such as "Life is Perfect" extoll the virtues of cultivating open-mindedness, while "What If" encourages one to take chances in this life that reflect one’s true desires. Common sense, the value of humor, reason, character, and success are additional key topics explored in these pages, as well as dreaming, destiny, beauty, and the splendor of both music and sports. ... (read more)

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A Strange Land

American Bert Mars teaches English at a Bangkok school while dreaming of making it big in Thailand. "I was pure ambition and that’s what Asia was – a place where anything was possible, and we were all going to be tycoons. I was going to be important." He seizes the opportunity to work for a local television station, CLB. Soon, he is transferred to the network’s new station in a neighboring country. Bert becomes entangled in the politics of this new country, choosing to align himself with the owner of CLB against the country’s prime minister. Bert believes he has found the perfect opportunity for accumulating the wealth and level of importance he craves. The government takeover would afford him power, prestige, and money… if it works. ... (read more)

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Nativity Quest

Archangel Michael discovers that The Book of Fate is missing pages and only records two wise men at the first nativity. He calls in Archangel Gabriel to investigate. There is, however, one condition: God requests that he take Davey Hart with him on his mission. When Gabriel retrieves Davey on Christmas Eve, he finds him praying about his older brother’s bullying. Davey wants to be brave and stand up to his brother, so he is convinced to go with Gabriel, hoping that Balthazar can teach him to fight. More importantly, as Gabriel warns, "It’s just that if Balthazar doesn’t go to Bethlehem, Christmas will disappear forever." The two magically travel back to the first Christmas to find Balthazar. Will they be successful? Will Davey find the inner courage to not only survive the trip, but to change his situation at home? ... (read more)

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Uncommon Courage

In 1942, Sergeant Thomas McLeary defied a superior’s orders and went behind enemy lines to save an officer during the North Africa campaign. Thomas didn’t undertake his mission alone, as he had his dog Mr. McLeary with him. Twenty years later, Thomas is an amiable milkman in his hometown of Glasgow, attending to his duties with an offspring of Mr. McLeary. Thomas’ sense of duty has never diminished, and when a local youth has been diagnosed with leukemia, and her family is short of funds, Thomas undertakes a charity walk to raise the funds for treatment. Meanwhile, Jodie McFadden is a young and resourceful woman chasing a career in journalism. Her story of local girl Hannah McKeen’s brave fight against leukemia, coupled with Thomas’ walk, proves too good a scoop to be passed up. Glasgow watches with bated breath as Thomas’ trek commences. ... (read more)

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Through Angels' Eyes

In this work, Bodholdt addresses his long-held question: "What would a good angel have done or said in a situation in the Scriptures in which Lucifer’s introduction was involved?" Using the idea of an angel as observer and commentator, he explores the full scope of Holy Scripture. The host of angels is created by God, who assigns Minimus his name and responsibilities. Minimus, along with other angels, is to be an observer and reporter of events beginning with the creation of Earth and man. The group observes the interactions between God and Satan as recorded in scripture, starting with the Garden of Eden and ending with the Book of Revelation. Commentary is given through the angels’ conversations after each area of scripture is presented. Scripture is presented from the English Standard Version of the Bible, and Bodholdt includes a foreword and introduction that offer insight into the book. ... (read more)

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Diligence

Persecution stalked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in its infancy. But by 1894, Kelsey, Texas, became a safe mother colony for Southern Mormons. Hamberlin, a devoted worshiper, shares the history, hopes, and lifestyles of these early Mormons through twenty-two pristine, eight-pointed-star quilt blocks hidden in the St. Lake City closet of her husband’s aunt. More than ninety years old, all blocks bear a person’s name. Hamberlin knew this quilt was important, but didn’t know why. She began an exhaustive research project to identify every name and return each square to the family of origin, "like children going home." ... (read more)

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Searching for Home

In this candid coming-of-age memoir, St. Patrick probes harsh realities of her upbringing, absent fathers, the painful bond with her mother, and the grievous mistakes that riddle her adulthood. Co-written with award-winning actor and author Arista, the book serves as a resource for others experiencing mental, physical, or sexual abuse. The final pages include support hotlines for anyone who needs them. St. Patrick never shies away from details as she traces the "roses and thorns" that have affected her and wants readers to appreciate and learn from her struggles. ... (read more)

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Family, Work, Strength

During Edwina Hudson Spear's childhood, she studied abroad in Europe with her two sisters, Margot and Ebus. Their father encouraged them to broaden their horizons by learning different languages and experiencing the art, culture, and customs of Europe. Learning French proved to be challenging for them, but they persevered. Throughout her education, Edwina became fluent in both French and German. As they grew older, Edwina and her family divided their time between England and New York. Eventually, Edwina married Reginald Everett Gillmor, and they started a family together. Her journey was marked by significant historical events, including World War II. ... (read more)

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Bursting Creativity

In this tale, the butterflies spend most of each year collecting petals from throughout the world to make a special kind of butter. They only choose ones from yellow flowers to make their butter nice and bright, beginning early in the springtime with specimens such as daffodils and pansies. Every season brings a new bloom for them to gather, with their favorite one being buttercups during the summer. Fall is another good time for the same task, since they can gather petals from varieties like sunflowers, zinnias, and marigolds. But eventually, the butterflies will meet up and create a fresh batch of butter, using morning dew they have gathered, magical dust from their wings, and similar tricks to get it just right. The finished butter even has a distinct shape—a nice, fat caterpillar. ... (read more)

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Joyful Imagery

Originally used as a trail for transporting lifesaving medicine during a dangerous epidemic, the Iditarod is now a grueling 938-mile sled dog race run in early March between Anchorage and Nome, Alaska. Born in 2006, littermates Fred, Barney, Wilma, and Betty are a malamute/German shorthaired pointer mix bred for the fortitude, energy, and endurance required for sled racing. The puppies spend their early months playing under their mother’s watchful eye. As they grow, they are closely observed by the musher Catherine (the human who leads the sled team and cares for the sled dogs) and by the top lead dog Hero. ... (read more)

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Transformation

Author Moore offers an imaginative story centered upon a man named Simeon, whose name appears in the Holy Bible from Genesis to the final Revelation. Readers will learn what has happened and what will result from the clear, pure beliefs of his fictional hero, as often observed by his younger brother, Jonathan. In this modernized context, Jonathan, missing Simeon who left home five years before, awakens one morning to see Simeon’s boat mooring in the nearby harbor. He, his siblings, mother, and father Jacob hasten to meet the long-gone traveler and hear more about his adventures. They are especially moved by the news of Simeon’s loss of his beloved wife only weeks after they wed. ... (read more)

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Christian Life

This book provides a clear overview of how to approach reading and understanding the Bible. Bible scholars, Sunday school attendees, and others wanting to expand their biblical knowledge will find in-depth explications of some of their favorite Bible passages. Other sections offer unique interpretations of the Ten Commandments. Some chapters also give detailed historical context about some of the Bible’s most memorable figures and events. The text places special emphasis on letting one’s actions speak out of love and respect. It describes the distinct differences between a "living savior" and a "dead religion." For example, it states, "The Scriptures are clear: we must shine our light for all to see!" Other sections pose important questions with which many struggle, and then those sections provide Scripture-based answers and possibilities. Thus, the book offers a clear map for positive and insightful Christian living. ... (read more)

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Beyond the Surface

In her book, Taylor invites readers into a deeply personal and spiritually rich exploration of identity, soul purpose, and healing. Blending memoir with metaphysical insight, Taylor recounts her life as a born medium and empath. She details how these gifts shaped her journey through trauma, resilience, and eventual clarity of purpose. Her voice is candid, irreverent, and often humorous, and she challenges traditional views on life, death, soul mates, karma, and reincarnation. ... (read more)

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The Next

This short and simple book explores various existential questions, such as: Does God exist? What is the purpose of life? Do we have free will, or is everything predetermined? The work begins with a foreword about the author’s life and his work regarding NDEs (near-death experiences), then an introduction, followed by nineteen chapters and a section on questions and answers. Besides the above questions, the book also explores past life reviews that everyone undergoes upon their death before reincarnation, spending a few months in heaven before returning to earth in another body, and the importance of karma. He relates that while heaven exists, hell doesn’t, and that hell is "an experience, not a place." Part of life is pre-determined, while we also have free will, and we all have guardian angels, yet no devil exists. Souls of different ages tend to exhibit varying levels of conservatism and liberalism, influenced by their unique life experiences. Meditation and mindfulness can help us achieve world peace by connecting to God as an energy source. ... (read more)

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Cerebral

At the age of fifteen, Friedrich Stossel finds himself accepted to a program for gifted students at Leipzig’s Karl Marx University, despite having never applied for admission. Thus recruited by the Stasi, he spends several years working for an organization to which he feels no genuine ideological commitment. Still, he carries out missions with professional aplomb. When a fellow officer is revealed to have been embezzling, Stossel is assigned the task of killing the man. ... (read more)

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Ghost in the Machine

As the world of science fiction becomes a reality, and technology becomes more integrated into everyday life, the role of AI and computers becomes both more accepted and contested. This book examines the significant hurdles faced not only by tech companies but also by individuals as technology undergoes rapid and profound evolution. Each chapter condenses the monthly tech-focused newsletters the author used to write and distribute. A central focus is speech recognition, and each chapter provides an extensive overview of the industry’s ins and outs, as well as significant background and financial information. The book also outlines significant ideas about generative AI, including how it works and how its behavior is patterned after human behavior in some sense. The book also discusses the necessity for computer power in all applications and technological developments: "AI was possible because computer power had crossed a threshold; the core technology is not new." ... (read more)

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All Souls Matter

Author and illustrator Cramton has composed a lively, poetic tale based on wisdom from the Holy Bible, focusing on the image of the lost sheep and its dramatic rescue. The original tale, as told by Jesus, was "meant for light," alerting his followers to the unfailing love of God that may require extreme efforts to keep and care for all. Cramton tells, in charming couplets, of a sheep, one of one hundred, straying from the Shepherd’s flock. At first, freedom delights, until certain incidents force the sheep to panic, desperate to hear the voice of the Shepherd. Meanwhile, the Shepherd realizes one of his flock is missing and rushes to find it. The wilderness is vast, but he will reunite with his precious charge, assuring him that he is forgiven, despite disobedience. ... (read more)

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The Old Way

Moore provides a broader understanding among Christians regarding the falsehoods that have arisen concerning the necessity for congregants to regularly pledge a tenth of their earnings to the church. His contention centers on a portion of the Old Testament Book of Malachi, which declares that the faithful must tithe or consider themselves "robbers of God." Moore counters that tithing actually deprives participants of the God-endowed capacity to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. In an early chapter, he creates an imaginary "sermon" stressing the need for tithes, reminding listeners that it is a sin to deprive God of his share of their bounty, and appealing to their worldly desires, stressing that once the tithe is made, givers may enjoy the remaining 90% of their earnings on worldly possessions. ... (read more)

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The One That Got Away

After some happy yarn is made into a pair of socks, the pair is bought by a mother for her children. The socks don’t mind being rolled together and stuffed in a drawer because they are a pair and can snuggle. However, they are not particularly enthusiastic about being worn as they don’t like being pulled on or stuffed in hot, smelly shoes. Still, being washed and dried is quite entertaining. Then, one of the socks goes missing when being removed from the dryer. The single remaining sock is very worried about its missing counterpart. It begins searching everywhere to find its partner. When its searches come up empty, the sock is ready to give up and despair, but the pair of shoes is able to tell the sock where its partner is located. ... (read more)

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The Classics

At its retirement in 1981, the Curtis String Quartet was the longest-playing string quartet in the world, and the first American string quartet to tour in England (1935) and in Europe (1936–37). Until the writing of this book, the Quartet’s history had not received the ongoing attention that it deserves. Dr. Bosworth brings the fascinating story of the Curtis String Quartet’s birth and decades of struggles and successes to life in this detailed, academically oriented biography. After World War II, while they still actively toured, the members of the Quartet founded the New School of Music, an institution that prepared students for orchestra positions. Within the next four decades, virtually every major symphony orchestra in the United States would have first-chair musicians trained by members of the Curtis String Quartet. Bosworth writes, "Their relentless drive to build a national and international chamber music career had brought chamber music to tens of thousands of people who had never before heard it, seen it, or even knew what it was." ... (read more)

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