Last Girl Ghosted: A Novel

Wren Greenwood is a writer, podcast host, and advice columnist looking for love on the dating app Torch. She meets and quickly falls in love with Adam. After a three-month whirlwind romance, he disappears. Wren is left reeling, and the stakes become higher when a personal investigator named Bailey Kirk finds Wren to tell her that he too is looking for Adam.

Last Girl Ghosted started off strong, and I was hooked as Wren began to look for clues about Adam’s disappearance. The book held my attention early, although as the backstory of Wren’s past came into focus, the story became a little less intriguing. I liked Wren as a main character; her Dear Birdie persona was entertaining and I enjoyed her friendship with Jax. However, during the flashbacks to her childhood, I found some of the details too disconnected from her present-day dilemma and grew uninterested in this storyline. I also found it hard to believe that Wren, who gave advice for a living, would make such poor choices when following Adam, who she knew was dangerous. This book was entertaining overall, though some plot points were lost on me.


Other People's Things: A Novel

Mystery Roundup

Murder and mayhem, to say nothing of theft and deception, abound in the five books included in this roundup. Join a fine selection of detectives, both professional and amateur, as well as a couple of crooks looking to work on the right side of the law for a change, as they attempt to solve a whole host of intriguing mysteries.

Fan Club by Erin Mayer

Unfulfilled by her work for a women’s lifestyle website and jealous of the happiness seemingly delivered to colleagues in the form of freebies, an unnamed woman is ripe for manipulation and mania in the right circumstances. Surprisingly, those circumstances arise one night when she visits a dive bar and comes to believe that she is hearing a secret message in the latest song by popular entertainer Adriana Argento. Sensing that she might finally have found a way to belong, the woman dedicates all her time to Adriana fan sites and fora, joining people from around the world in stalking the singer’s every move. Her new obsession doesn’t go unnoticed at work, instead leading to an invitation to join a secret society of Adriana superfans who call themselves the Ivies. From here, the woman spirals ever deeper into her obsession until she comes to realize that the Ivies are bound together by far more than admiration for Adriana Argento. Erin Mayer’s Fan Club is the dark and compelling story of a woman losing her fragile grip on reality while simultaneously recognizing that she might not actually be the strangest and most sinister one in the group.

The Night She Went Missing by Kristen Bird

When Catherine Callahan decided to move to the close-knit community of Galveston Island, she hoped that she would be able to leave the mistakes of her past well behind her. However, she didn’t bank on the power that her mother-in-law Rosalyn wields within the community or on the expectations that members of the community have regarding the Callahan family. Things start to look up for her when she makes a couple of friends—Morgan, who has been ostracized by the community since her teenage son was accused of rape, and Leslie, an apparently model citizen who will do whatever it takes to ensure that her children succeed in life—but things are still not quite right on Galveston Island. After Catherine’s teenage daughter disappears following a party, the cracks within the community begin to deepen and people start to turn on each other, looking for some—anyone¬—to blame. The Night She Went Missing by Kristen Bird is a tense and suspenseful story that exposes the multitude of secrets that lurk behind the façade of the perfect community.

Just Thieves by Gregory Galloway

In Gregory Galloway’s Just Thieves, Rick and Frank are a pair of recovering drug addicts who eke out a living by exploiting their considerable prowess as burglars. In fact, they’re so good at their dubious job that they no longer have to break into random houses and hope that the spoils are worth it. Instead, they work for a mysterious figure who tells them exactly where to burgle and what to take while they’re there. Unfortunately, what has always been a slick and rewarding operation is ruined when the pair are instructed to steal an apparently worthless trophy. The trophy seems to be generating far more interest than its intrinsic value warrants, although Rick and Frank are still able to pull off the heist. However, in the aftermath of the burglary, the pair are involved in a car crash that sparks off a chain of events that ultimately leads to Frank disappearing with the trophy. As Rick attempts to find both his friend and the loot, he is forced to confront the sins of his past as well as the realities of his present. It all makes for thrilling noir crime story that is packed with deception and double-crosses.

Other People's Things by Kerry Anne King

Despite what people, particularly members of the law enforcement community, might think, Nicole Wood is not per se a thief. Rather, the universe has tasked her with the job of relocating objects, whatever their value and whoever they might belong to, to their correct locations. However, as people don’t generally like their possessions to be relocated without their permission, Nicole is facing the threat of some serious jail time unless she is able to find more acceptable activities to occupy her time. When her sister offers her a job with her housecleaning firm, Nicole initially thinks that she has found the solution to her problem, but when she spots a paperback book that seemingly needs to be relocated from one client’s house to another’s, she is unable to pass up the task. The decision to appropriate the book for her own purposes has a number of unforeseen consequences that require Nicole to risk life and limb as secrets are revealed and those closest to her placed in danger. Other People’s Things by Kerry Anne King is an innovative and fun mystery novel in which pretty much nothing is as it seems. Combining fantasy and crime fiction, it’s a twisting, turning read featuring more than a hint of romance.

Nothing to Lose by J.A. Jance

J.A. Jance’s Nothing to Lose marks the twenty-third outing for now retired Seattle homicide detective J.P. Beaumont. This time round, a face from the past drags Beaumont into a missing person case with links to a period from his past that he would rather forget. Around twenty years ago, when he was still working for the Seattle Police Department, Beaumont’s partner, Detective Sue Danielson, was murdered by her former husband. On the night of the murder, Sue’s eldest son Jared had called Beaumont for help as his mother was being attacked. Beaumont instructed Jared to escape from the house with his younger brother Chris and then raced to the scene, although he was too late to save Sue. Now, Chris has disappeared and Jared needs Beaumont’s help once again, this time to save his little brother. Still haunted by his failure to save his partner, Beaumont readily agrees to help, having no idea that the case with take him into the wilds of Alaska and force him to confront the secrets of a killer who has nothing left to lose. Beaumont hasn’t been provided with the full set of facts regarding Christopher’s disappearance, which plunges him into another exciting and dangerous adventure that he’ll be lucky to survive.


Sister Stardust: A Novel

Dorset native Claire has always dreamed of a more glamorous life. After her mother’s death, her father remarries a woman she can’t stand and she takes solace in the huge meals and overwhelming love of her best friend’s house. When she decides to go on a fad yogurt diet and loses scads of weight, she refashions herself as Cece and becomes the driving force in her own life and in Jane Green’s new novel, Sister Stardust.

Set during the 1960s, the novel sees Cece jet from London to Morocco, where she becomes a member of the infamous entourage belonging to Paul Getty and his charismatic and highly sexual wife, Talitha. All of Cece’s inhibitions are tested as she cavorts with rock stars and drug addicts, artists and the obscenely rich. What they love about her is her naivete, and she loves their worldliness. But there is a price to pay for fame, and the love she witnesses between these new acquaintances is often tinged with pain, violence, and betrayal.

Touted as a novel about Talitha Getty, the book is really about Claire/Cece and her journey of self-discovery. It posits the following question: what happens when we get what we’ve always wanted and it turns out to not be what we want at all? The twists in the book are foreseeable and the characters are often flat renderings of famous figures, although the descriptions of the era and the sumptuousness of Morocco are absolutely stunning.


Ain't That a Mother

Walk in Another’s Shoes

One of the best ways of learning valuable life lessons and solving complex problems in life is by learning from others. Memoirs offer helpful advice as well as revealing ways that other people tackle problems. These five biographies will appeal to you if you are looking for eye-opening stories and the opportunity to jump into another’s shoes.

Home Is Within You: A Memoir by Nadia Davis

Home Is Within You introduces us to the traumas in Nadia Davis’ life that led to addiction, dysfunctional relationships, and a tenacious fight to get back on her feet. As a high-profile lawyer and former wife of California’s attorney general and treasurer, she was very much thrust into the public eye when her abusive relationship became known. She reveals the struggles of dealing with public shaming, arrests, and the ensuing lack of privacy as a mother, and she rightly calls out the damaging policies against families struggling with mental health issues and addiction. Davis points out that more compassionate measures should be taken instead to achieve a better solution overall. This is very much a courageous telling of her journey toward healing with the help of spirituality, therapy, and pain management, amongst other things. It is a truly powerful memoir!

Ain't That a Mother by Adiba Nelson

Disability rights activist, freelance writer, and public speaker Abida Nelson provides an entertaining and relatable account of her motherhood journey that will have you laughing out loud. Afro-Latina Nelson had a complicated relationship with her very religious, headstrong, and spirited mother, which shaped her views of the world. She unexpectedly became pregnant and succumbed to the same relationship patterns as her female parental figures, something she never thought would happen to her. She gave birth to a beautiful daughter with cerebral palsy, but she soon became burdened with high medical bills that threw her into a life of hardships. Rather than caving in to the new pressures she was under, Nelson decided to take on the world and find herself in the process, for both herself and her child. Ain’t That a Mother is a brave and bold account that shows us how, with the right mindset, anyone can turn their life to their own advantage and overcome the highest of hurdles.

Bird Brother: A Falconer's Journey and the Healing Power of Wildlife by Rodney Stotts

Bird Brother is the ultimate story of second chances. In it, Rodney Stotts shares his journey to becoming one of the few Black master falconers in America. Growing up on the streets of 1980s Washington D.C. during the crack epidemic, Stotts faced a grim future as nothing but a criminal. However, as a young adult, Stotts wanted to get his own apartment, and the only way to do that was to get a real job. With a group of other young people, Stotts was given a lifeline when he landed a job with the Earth Conservation Corps in 1992. His grueling restoration work on the Anacostia River quickly became a passion, and with the improvements made, he was able to reintroduce bald eagles to the region. This was when Stotts befriended an injured eagle called Mr. Hoots and worked very hard to gain his respect. Following this, he trained to become a falconer and devoted his time to building a raptor sanctuary. Stotts’ journey of self-discovery is an astonishing and heart-warming account that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

Entrenched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go by Linda Lee Blakemore

Entrenched is a powerful and heart-wrenching account of a woman coming to terms with workplace sexual assault, partner sexual assault, and child abuse. Linda Lee Blakemore wears her heart on her sleeve in this vulnerable but empowering story. She takes you through her years of heartbreak from broken relationships and her own destructive patterns when it comes to matters of the heart. After a couple of affairs, one that ended in sexual assault and happened to be with her boss, Blakemore found herself in a precarious situation with her second husband leaving her every two years, although she would always take him back. Eventually, she found a way through this pain by exploring the trauma from her past. This enabled her to let go and learn to love herself as her own person. Blakemore writes for all the victims of abuse and proves that you can get past the pain with some courage.

Riding with Evil: Taking Down the Notorious Pagan Motorcycle Gang by Ken Croke

Undercover alcohol, tobacco, and firearms agent Ken Croke offers his account of infiltrating the infamous white supremacist Pagan Motorcyle Gang in this book, and it will leave you on the edge of your seat. Twenty years into his career, he came across a chance to go undercover, turning himself into the axe-wielding protector of the gang, “Slam.” In two years, his hard work and dedication to the gang had him taken on as an official member and chosen as Sergeant-Of-Arms. He was also the first person working in law enforcement to infiltrate the gang. Surrounded by some of the most savage and deranged gang members, in Riding with Evil he tells of the violent and paranoid world that the gang lived in, with leaders constantly monitoring gang members, sometimes with unthinkable consequences. This is an anxiety-riddled story. You will wonder how Croke survived, and you will find it impossible to put the book down until you find out.


Colossus: The World's Most Amazing Feats of Engineering

This book has simple pictures, introductory paragraphs, and fun facts about engineering marvels from around the globe. The fun facts include sizes, statistics, and stories about the location or thing. It is very interesting and I learned a lot from it. It could be more organized, but the jumble of facts on each page seems to be intentional.

I recommend this as a first book for research, to excite a young researcher in elementary school who needs to write an essay or make a presentation. The pictures are simple and would be good templates for simple, hand-drawn pictures. I think every elementary school library should have a copy. If elementary school teachers want to do a unit on engineering, I think that this would be a good book to share with a class.

I think that families with young children should purchase this book, along with libraries. It is very well written. The pictures are brightly colored and the words are simple enough for preschoolers to enjoy this book. Colossus is a beautiful children’s introduction to the wonders of engineering. I recommend it for kids aged five to nine.


The Orchid and the Emerald: Search for the Cure

William Gunn seeks a semi-mythical black orchid in an attempt to cure a mysterious fever which could kill his daughter. Nate Yankee seeks a fist-sized emerald called El Jefe. When the two of them find themselves heading for the same part of the Amazon, they realize they must work together, if they can trust one another at all.

I so badly wanted this book, with its backdrop of the Latin American revolutions and its background conspiracies against the protagonists, to be the riproaring adventure it is so clearly meant to be. Unfortunately, it dragged in places, and the complications introduced were too rarely brought up for them to have much bearing on the plot. In my opinion, it would have been a much stronger book if Mack had instead focused on the dangers of the jungle, which were more immediate threats to the protagonists and would have been fascinating if they had been fleshed out a little more. A tighter plot would have made for a much more exciting (and shorter) read, rather than letting it be an endless tome.


Mystery on Magnolia Circle

Ivy is ten when she falls and breaks her leg just as summer is beginning. She has to wear a cast from her hip to her ankle and needs to use either a wheelchair or crutches for almost the entire summer break. Even her best friend Teddy can’t cheer her up. His beloved dog had just died, and he is so sad. When Ivy spots what might be a burglary from her window, summer gets more interesting. Teddy tells Ivy that a burglary took place in his building, and Ivy decides they need to solve the mystery. Things get even more interesting when they find out there has been another similar burglary in town, and Ivy has reason to believe one of her classmates might be involved.

Kate Klise has written a really fun and exciting book for the younger middle-grade set with this tip of the hat to Hitchcock’s Rear Window. The dialogue is believable and snappy, the characters are fully formed, and the story is compelling. Occasional cute illustrations by Celia Krampien will help young readers keep those pages turning. This is a well-written book that will help youngsters make the transition from chapter books to novels.


Day Hiking: Yosemite National Park: Glacier Point * Yosemite Valley * Tuolumne Meadows * Mono Basin

Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. And with good reason. One of the best ways to see this wondrous place is to hike the park. This handy little (five x seven inches) guide will help hikers make excellent choices about how to spend their time.

The book opens with a good map showing where the trails are. This is followed by a quick guide to the ninety trails covered in the book. The quick guide covers the distance in miles; degree of difficulty; whether or not it is year-round, dog-friendly, and kid-friendly; whether or not there are waterfalls, lakes, views, and giant sequoias; and more.

After an extensive introductory section with information on facilities, trail etiquette, and more, there are nine sections according to geographical regions with a complete write-up on each of the trails. These sections have a trail map, photographs of sights along the trail, how to get to the trailhead, and an excellent description of the hike.

The writing is lively and interesting to read. The size makes it easy to carry in a pocket or daypack. There are even fifteen bonus trails described at the end.


Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail: 400 Miles from the Columbia River to California

Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail is the third book on Oregon hiking trails written by Eugene resident Bonnie Henderson. However, this is the first comprehensive guidebook for adventurers seeking to thru-hike nearly 400 miles of the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT), which starts at Fort Stevens State Park and ends at the California border. Trailheads would find the book a useful and helpful guide to exploring the five major sections of the OCT, describing elevation profiles, mileage, itineraries, camping or lodging options, and more.

There’s nothing on Earth like the Oregon Coast, and Henderson writes about its pristine beaches, lush forests, and charming towns just as a local would: with lots of reverence and a healthy dose of reality. Much of the trail traverses through towns that require road walking. Safety is paramount to any backpacking trip, and Henderson offers valuable local insights to minimize the time you spend walking on Highway 101 and other roads. Detailed maps and gorgeous photographs complement Henderson’s thorough knowledge of the OCT.

Hiking in a post-COVID-19 world, Henderson explicitly warns about the possibility of private business closures and changes to Oregon State Park policies regarding trail access and camping. If you’re seriously planning thru-hiking the OCT or simply dreaming of the opportune time to make the trek, this book offers useful advice to help you successfully plan an unforgettable adventure.


The Wishing Tree

With only three days left ‘til Christmas, Theo notices the city is dark and unadorned. He asks Santa to reveal the specialness of the holiday, and while he sleeps, his request is swept away to the North Pole. He wakes to a snow-filled wonderland outside and comes upon a great pine in its midst. A letter drifts in beside it, and the words inscribed on it inspire him to decorate the town with the magnificence of the season. Another sends him caroling through the neighborhood, bringing cheer those around him. His grandmother and the townsfolk surprise him with a heartfelt celebration of his graciousness.

This is a neat story about a young boy who, out of his own yearning for a meaningful holiday, tries to brighten the lives of others. The giant evergreen pine becomes a central point at which he discovers the wishes of others. It becomes known as “the wishing tree.” Children will be delighted to see that twelve pre-punched cards are included with the book; they can use them to create their own “wishing trees.” Perhaps they’ll want to make a tradition of it and will be propelled to perform acts of generosity and compassion like Theo.


Race Against Time The Politics of a Darkening America

In Race Against Time, political pundit, researcher, and author Keith Boykin unleashes his unique insight and analysis of the racially charged drivers of anger and discontent among Trump-supporting White Americans. Boykin examines the current and historical framing of racial strife in political campaigns as a “never-ending civil war,” driving Whites and people of color further apart.

Boykin states the obvious about fear and resentment against Blacks and other people of color gaining––and demanding––equity. As America gets “Blacker and Browner,” the sense of urgency to protect systems and institutions built upon White supremacist ideologies is palpable. This is especially true among the conservative bloc.

Boykin writes well-reasoned arguments, supporting his claims with facts from historical evidence. He weaves in his own experiences and reflections on living as a Black gay man in the U.S., observing how conversations about race may have evolved somewhat, although action and change are lacking.

The book’s call to action targets people who make policy decisions about or have influence over efforts to end persistent racism that leads to racial disparities. It may also be appealing to progressive minds who seek to make sense of why race-baiting tactics appeal to certain White Americans.  It’s a timely reminder that unless we work intently on atonement and accountability, the country will never resolve its racial crises.


The Beatryce Prophecy

Brother Edik, a member of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing, finds a young girl, covered in dirt and blood, in the stable, feverish. He nurses her back to health. Answelica, a goat, stands guard over her. All she knows is her name is Beatryce and she can read and write, something girls aren’t permitted to do. The monks realize she is the subject of a prophecy, and the king will be sending his men for her. In a village nearby, a soldier arrives and asks Jack Dory, an orphan boy, to bring a monk to write down his confession. Jack comes back with Beatryce wearing monk’s robes. The goat accompanies them. After the soldier dies, Jack, Answelica, and Beatryce begin a journey to see the king, which is difficult and has great danger.

This reads like a fairy tale with fantasy and magic woven in. The characters are all engaging and interesting, the places in which the story is set are fully realized, and the story is simply enchanting. The writing by Kate DiCamillo is gorgeous, and there is great tension. Lovely illustrations by Sophie Blackall will help young readers stay in the moment of the story.


The Unofficial Simpsons Cookbook From Krusty Burgers to Marge's Pretzels, Famous Recipes from Your Favorite Cartoon Family is a cute and hilarious take on several of the well-known foods eaten in the show The Simpsons. The reader is well-warned that some of these foods may not actually be a great idea for consumption and to read the recipe and its ingredients from start to finish before attempting to make anything in this book.

I found this book to be laugh-out-loud funny because some of the recipes were so simple, such as the "I Love You Breakfast," which is just bacon and eggs arranged on a plate to spell "I Love You," and some were just downright gross-looking, such as Krusty Brand Imitation Gruel, which is accompanied by a picture of a soup pot overflowing with goopy purple slop. I admit there are a few recipes that sound quite tasty, such as the "Fried Fish Sandwiches" and "Bart's 'Supoib' Manhattan," but for the most part, these recipes are just funny with cute names and pictures reminiscent of the show. This is the perfect gift for fans of The Simpsons.


Seeing the Self Through the Eyes of God

It is often said, especially by Christian leaders, that Christianity today is in a state of crisis. By some measures, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In the United States of America (which is often the Christianity referred to), most politicians subscribe to some denomination of Christianity (very often some denomination of Protestantism), and laws and culture have been shaped by the religion, to the extent that they affect many aspects of secular life.

That last statement, however, could easily be part of the crisis. Carr’s argument is not that Christianity is not widespread enough but that it lacks the depth it once had. By becoming secular and entrenched in its own power, the religion has lost what meaning it once had. This, he says, is why people have drawn away from it. The cure is not to push more firmly on spreading Christianity as it is now, nor even on further modernizing and secularizing it, but to completely revolutionize the faith. Only by changing it until it becomes unrecognizable to some can it be brought back to what it once was.

I admit, I was a little skeptical when I started the book, but the further I went on, the more I realized this was exactly the sort of advice I had been looking for when I left the Catholic church. Perhaps, if this book had been around ten years ago, I would still call myself Christian today.

The first part of the book is easily the weakest. Carr’s ideas are interesting, but they deserved a stronger presentation. At times I felt as though I was reading a series of pamphlets instead of an actual book. The second half, which delves into how his new version of Christianity would be practiced, held my interest far better. Even for those uninterested in religion in any way, it’s a useful guide to being more present in the current moment and more at peace with oneself and one’s thoughts. I found myself realizing I already incorporate some of these practices in my day to day life, or at least try to.

I don’t know if I can say this book changed my life. I do know that it could have, if I had found it at another time, and that I will come back to it at some point in the future. For now, all I can do is give it time to digest in my thoughts and recommend it to anyone feeling disaffected with the state of Christianity today.


Seeing the Self Through the Eyes of God

Chris J. Carr has written Seeing the Self Through the Eyes of God with a very lofty goal in mind: to help people find God “in a different way than put forward by traditional religion.” He was inspired to do so by the fact that religiosity––which is this context is most commonly interpreted as Christianity––is declining worldwide, especially among the younger generations. To Carr’s mind, this decline in traditional religion is not due to an inherent lack of desire to know and understand God on the part of individuals, but rather to the failings of organized religion and the overemphasis of religion as a faith/belief instead of a unique type of intelligence.

In the first part of the book, which is the more abstract and philosophical part, Carr considers God’s vision of the self, as evidenced by scripture, and then examines how self-development can be managed from a spiritual perspective. The discussion begins with a particularly interesting point: “Jesus was a critic of religion.” Although often overlooked or glossed over in theological works, this is both true and important, and it stresses the need for Christians to question religious authorities and established dogma. Carr’s idea is that God is present in the here and now, which makes it necessary to develop an understanding of God’s plan for the spiritual self through engaging in reflection and analysis.

Here, Carr criticizes traditional religions for demanding unquestioning obedience in exchange for the promise of a glorious afterlife, and his arguments make a great deal of sense. He makes it clear that people’s focus should be on upholding God’s idea of the Christian self in this world, not in the afterlife. Also, his notion of Christianity is hearteningly inclusive. To elucidate God’s vision of the self, Carr presents a series of essential passages from the Bible that consider key issues such as the greatest commandment and who counts as a neighbor. The points and arguments related are interesting, and it might have been worthwhile to expand the various subsections further.

Carr then moves on in the second part of the book to set out a framework for developing the spiritual self, which includes the provision of practical exercises designed to help readers put his ideas into practice. Founded on the idea of depth prayer as a means of transcending ego-based consciousness and moving toward spiritually-based consciousness, the exercises include focusing on the breath in the present moment (to achieve mindfulness and radical presence) and lessening the grip of judgment (to actualize Matthew 7:1––“Judge not lest you be judged”). The exercises really enhance the practical application of Carr’s ideas, which elevates the interest and appeal of the book.

Seeing the Self Through the Eyes of God represents an innovative and welcome alternative perspective on Christianity and how Christians should aim to behave. It is likely to particularly appeal to those who are questioning their experiences with traditional religions or seeking to put their ideas of spirituality into practice to a greater extent than is typically suggested.


Don't Cry for Me: A Novel

Jacob Swinton is dying. Alone during his final months, this book is a collection of letters to his son Isaac, whom he has not seen or heard from in years. Jacob reflects upon his life and his role as a father to Isaac. He explains his actions, which often seemed harsh and at times, violent. The letters prove that he tried his best, yet his upbringing created biases that were reflected in his parenting and didn’t allow him to accept his homosexual son’s identity.

This is a book that will make you feel things from start to finish. It is heartfelt, raw, and brutally honest. The letters are all from the perspective of Jacob, and though I wondered what his son might say in response, this format worked so well. By remaining one-sided, it reinforces the idea that forgiveness is not guaranteed, and sometimes it is too late to fix the past. Throughout the book, I felt anger, grief, sadness, understanding, and joy. This book is so special, though it can also be melancholy. The casual writing style makes this a fast read, yet impactful all the same.


Learning from history is one reason humanity keeps advancing and achieving seemingly impossible feats. The Leadership of Muhammad: A Historical Reconstruction by Joel Hayward employs an objective approach to examining Prophet Muhammad as a leader. The book goes beyond just assuming his good character qualifies him as a good leader and employs a thorough analysis by exploring different angles, including Muhammad's leadership role in the military and the power structure he developed through it, his success as a religious leader with numerous converts, and his relationships with others, from the most powerful to the least popular. What new insights can be discovered from an exploration of Muhammad's role as a leader centuries ago and how will they benefit our current generation? Find out in Joel Hayward's groundbreaking book.

It was interesting to find out that Muhammad believed "the main responsibility of a leader is to act as a shepherd," which shows humility. His courage inspired his followers, as he, sometimes, got right in the center of the battle and even got knocked out by a projectile on one occasion. I also learned a lot about Islam, its origin, and how it compares to other religions such as Christianity. That Christians prayed in a mosque in the early stages of Islam points to how people with different backgrounds can coexist peacefully regardless of their differences.

I felt so much richer in knowledge after reading the book. Even the methods used to treat the subjects are worth learning, like the deductive reasoning used in explaining why Muhammad's good-naturedness does not automatically result in him being a good leader. The Leadership of Muhammad: A Historical Reconstruction is filled with events and practices from history, enriching readers with information and resources about the early days of Islam. I was confident about the information since the author is a celebrated historian and strategic studies scholar who makes use of the "established methodology of the historical discipline." The book's critical approach will appeal to academic minds, although the language is simple and direct enough to carry all readers along.

Humanity has been through several interesting phases, and I always find books that explore different times in history irresistible. Fortunately, The Leadership of Muhammad: A Historical Reconstruction did not disappoint because it's a great source of knowledge about Muhammad and the beginning of Islam. In fact, in addition to being historically informative, it offers valuable lessons about leadership that could help world leaders, decision-makers, teachers, and people from all walks of life to communicate and lead better. Several noteworthy leadership qualities are extracted from Muhammad's exploits, of which many still have an impact today.

Purchase link: https://www.claritasbooks.com/books/the-leadership-of-muhammad


The Geriatrics Vengeance Club in the Era of COVID is about an "anti-hero" doctor and his fight against fearmongers who spread incorrect information about COVID-19 and enforce rules that are more harmful than helpful. Dr. Ben Polton takes up a challenging fight against the medical system and risks being labeled a villain as he calls out some questionable practices, such as the use of counterproductive masks and measures, the closing of workplaces and schools, and the neglecting of other important dangers that claim lives in significant numbers. Eventually, he receives an invitation to join the Geriatrics Vengeance Club, a group that aims to fight back secretly. Polton tells the story about how he gets in trouble with the public for exposing his truth, falls in and out of love, makes music about the pandemic with some talented artistes, and searches for true happiness.

This book is like a gift packed with an exciting mix of things: facts and references, profound arguments, captivating characters, relatable experiences, and an addictive storyline. It is not your usual story as it branches, several times, to logical arguments and historical references that make it resemble nonfiction. However, this is done tastefully as the author's use of language is splendid. I still don't know what magic made me devour the book and finish it surprisingly fast because it's not a fast-paced book; regardless of its normal pace, the book kept me glued until I reached the very last page.

The idea that masks do more harm than good and that the US government doesn't have enough test kits is troubling. I felt much more enlightened about the pandemic and society, in general, after reading the book. Also, it was greatly entertaining; I had a good time laughing as I read about the characters, especially the frank, elderly cat lady. Andy Lazris is able to bring the protagonist to life and paint him in an exceptionally realistic way, which is not surprising because he shares some similarities with him.

The book contains lyrics to songs about the pandemic, which I checked out on Spotify since the links to stream the songs are included in the book. I enjoyed listen to them; the lyrics are great and the melodious tunes are quite relaxing.

The Geriatrics Vengeance Club in the Era of COVID grabbed my attention from the start with its blunt views about the measures taken against COVID-19, kept me engrossed with its sarcasm and humor, and blew my mind with its intelligent discussions. The book is highly recommended to readers who are tired of the restrictive rules regarding COVID-19 and want to meet a fictional character they can relate to. However, some might not agree with its strong political views.


Erift's Journeys: Secrets of The Sealed Forest is an action-packed book. This book encapsulates the idea of a thrilling novel that leaves you thinking with chills on your arms. You'll find it hard to put down this book from the amount of anticipation that each page builds. This book starts by jumping into the lives of Joseph and Eric, two normal high schoolers. Joseph, who is the main character in this novel, leads a normal eleventh-grade life. He keeps quiet at school, follows the rules, and loves playing video games. Eric is an aspiring streamer who wants to gain a platform of supporters through his streaming of various video games. Both live a quiet and content life, keeping their heads down and keeping mostly to themselves. That is until Joseph receives a peculiar letter in the mail. This letter states that he has won a trip and is being invited to test run a new game far away. Considering this letter came out of nowhere, Joseph is extremely skeptical of how legitimate this letter truly is. His skepticism fades away immediately after doing some thorough searches on the web. After confirming that this is real and not a scam, he approaches Eric. Intrigued by this opportunity, they plan a way to sneak out. Setting their plan into action, the two boys manage to arrive at the airport and board their flight, arriving at their destination. Little did they know that their adventure was just about to begin. The two boys arrive to see things, people, and scenarios they had never even dreamt of seeing in their lives. This little trip to test-drive a new game turns out to be one of the biggest journeys ever. In this journey, the boys face many different adversaries, whether these are people or problems. Throughout this thrilling novel, the reader is able to witness these two young adventurous teens learn lessons and grow over time. You can see the development of these two characters as the book goes on and it is truly heartwarming. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an adventure printed on paper. There are so many plot twists throughout the whole book and the ending is truly one that is unexpected. This book will leave you wanting to receive your own letter and start your own journey like Joseph did. Overall, this book is the epitome of a journey filled with unexpected turns and twists. Reading this will transport you into the pages and into your own adventure.


Power Blind

Dana Hargrove is an appellate court judge in New York with a keen sense of the law. In Power Blind, she's facing two interesting cases. One concerns a young girl who's refusing treatment for an illness. However, when her son Travis is appointed to the case as a lawyer, Dana decides to step aside. It's an emotional case, and mother and son have opposing views of the legal situation.

Dana is also looking into a cold case. Marlon Stokes, an undercover police officer, was murdered two years ago. Witnesses claim they saw another policeman, Corey McBride, kill Marlon, but how can that be when the two were best friends? Dana is drawn to the case because Corey is the nephew of the former district attorney, who happens to be a long-time friend of Dana's. In addition, her daughter Natalie is researching how witnesses perform in interviews, and she is also drawn to the case. But mother and daughter may find themselves in harm's way as they get more involved with the matter.

My initial impression of Power Blind was that the author did a fantastic job drawing me into the story through compelling observations, descriptions, and dialogue. I loved getting a feel for the main character's life and the many roles she played. The author does an excellent job of conveying the feelings she has for her family too. Frankly, there is a lot to like in this one. The look inside the court and legal system was fascinating. The investigation and mystery aspect and the family dynamics that played out through the story made this an enjoyable read.

I liked the way the chapters moved back and forth between different characters and storylines. It kept the story moving forward at a good pace. It also allowed me to get a good insight into each character's point of view. I really enjoyed the portrayal of Professor Louden as well. I think more than a few Ph.D. students will be able to relate to the relationship Natalie had with him, and the sense of unease she developed as the story played out and she became more aware of his true character.

Overall, I liked the fact that this is more than a story about a female judge. It's a family saga, mystery, and legal tale all rolled into one. Although this is the last book in the series, it was the first for me. I would definitely like to check out some of the previous books in the series in the future.


Power Blind

Power Blind is the latest and sixth book in the Dana Hargrove series. It read very well as a standalone, however, and I felt that no detail was left unexplained. Judge Dana Hargrove is involved in two cases in Power Blind. The first case is about the medical decisions that are being made for a seventeen-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. The girl's aunt wants to allow the girl to make her own decision whether or not to seek treatment with the possibility of suffering more than without the treatment. Because the girl is very mature for her age and has lost her own mother to cancer, her aunt feels like allowing her to choose is the right decision. The Family Court and Children's Services, however, have their own agenda and bring the aunt to court over the matter. Dana's son, Travis, works for Children's Services and must go to court to defend why the girl should be forced to accept the medical treatment. Dana follows the case carefully and is torn between an ethical stance and a legal stance. Should the court be able to decide the girl's fate?

The second case is a cold case from 2020 that is still not solved in 2022. Undercover police officer Marlon Stokes is found dead on a bridge after having drinks with fellow officer Corey McBride. Corey is not convicted of the murder even though there are witnesses that say that they believe Corey looked like the man with Marlon on the bridge. Dana and her friend and detective on the case, Aurelina Vargas, do their due diligence in digging deeper and questioning other people who may have information about that night.

The book is extremely thorough in giving the reader information into the legal aspects of both crimes as well as examples of past cases. The author also gives a lot of background information on the characters and their experiences both in and out of the courthouse. I found Dana, her husband Evan, and their adult children Travis and Natalie to be very likable, intelligent characters and found it interesting how closely bonded they are as a family unit. In fact, Natalie finds herself doing psychology research on the case of the murdered police officer and finds herself in a bind at one point. Faced with some of the most difficult choices that could change lives, Dana Hargrove must make decisions based on both ethics and the law. Power Blind has an air of suspense with some action thrown in that forms a well-laid-out plot. Perfect for fans of Grisham and Patterson


Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter is a wonderfully written book that will inspire songwriters to be themselves while writing song content. The author, Mike Errico, is able to give advice to his students without restricting them in their creative avenues. The book has several Q & A sections in which Errico interviews professionals from all walks of life, from a mechanical engineer who works on tire design to a fly fishing business owner, and connects these sessions to the different aspects of songwriting. He also starts the book with a list of "Ten Rules for Students and Teachers". These ten rules set the tone for the book and from there, the ideas can flow freely.

One of the interesting points that Errico makes is the difference between the definition of a "hit" song. There is the industry definition and the workable writer definition. Writing for the hit charts versus writing to expand your circle of people who love your work are two separate things.

The tools that Errico gives his readers are definitely the most appealing part of this book. Many people may not know where to start or what to write about or they may overthink what they are doing and think that what they are writing is trash, thus not finishing the song or dismissing it before others can even have an opinion about it. One tip that seems so simple is to journal and write at least three pages. Or write about something for ten minutes. Errico teaches his reader that content ideas can come from just about anywhere and by journalling, you never know what thoughts could become your next song. There are also questions that you can ask yourself to prompt ideas. One of my favorite ideas that Errico suggests is to write as if you are someone who has a "brand" as a writer but also had a pseudonym no one could ever trace back to you. He asks "what would that alter ego look like?".

Errico fine-tunes the songwriter's works by giving tips on things that one might never think about. Subjects such as silence, the way the brain works, are you writing with a call-to-action, about a person, place, or thing? What are you trying to evoke in your listeners?

Overall, Errico does a fantastic job of giving his readers much to think about when writing a song. Not everything is as clear-cut as it seems. I recommend this book to anyone who is or wants to write creatively. It will spark some great ideas and thoughts.


 Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter is the perfect how-to book on writing effective lyrics, creating memorable music, and achieving success in the music industry. Mike Errico, a songwriting professor at New York University, has not only mentored countless students in this topic but is also an accomplished songwriter and artist himself. As he states, the wisdom he presents in these pages is applicable to all areas of life, not just songwriting.

Mike teaches through this book by introducing four big themes and incorporating these ideas into lessons and stories on songwriting. My favorite theme to read about was journaling. Personally falling into Mike’s category of “those who have been journaling since the days of diaries with the lock that didn’t work and the key you lost anyway,” I had to smile at his humor. During this section, Mike references Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way to present the guidelines for one’s daily journal, including three full pages, topic ideas, and the importance of writing longhand. I found the way Mike described journaling so insightful and beautiful. Never before had I thought about journaling in the way he presented it, and I think aspiring and accomplished songwriters could benefit from a refresher on its importance.

Another thing I found especially helpful about Mike’s book was his chapter on silence. Silence, the universal language, is important in songs, although I initially thought otherwise. Mike expertly advises, “if you don’t have something to say that improves on silence, then don’t say it.” When I thought about this phrase as applied to songs and not just life, I found Mike was right; there have been many times I have thought songs were too long or overdone, when the artist could simply have chosen to omit the section. I think many writers could benefit from this reminder that silence is not always a bad thing, and it is better to end a song early than convolute it.

Throughout this guide, Mike tells many stories from his own experiences and from events in the media. All of these anecdotes were humorous, insightful, and really helped establish and supplement the overall point. He also inserts various interviews with a wide range of individuals, all of whom further help Mike prove to the reader that the ideas presented truly will help them become better writers.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this guidebook and I think all song writers, seasoned and beginner, could benefit tremendously from Mike’s guidance on writing and song production.


Real Prison Real Freedom

If you want to know what contributes to a person becoming a violent criminal, Real Prison Real Freedom, the story of Rickie Smith, by Rosser McDonald is a good place to start.

Born in 1954, Rickie was adopted as an infant by Selestia and Red Smith. As parents, his father was physically and emotionally abusive, while his mother was overindulgent and enabling. The one thing both parents had in common was that all disputes were resolved by violence, most often fueled by alcohol. In addition to a dysfunctional family, Rickie was dyslexic and stopped going to school in grade eight, though he likely didn’t achieve even that level of education.

His life of crime began with burglaries but soon escalated to drug trafficking. His relationships were short and misogynistic. The only trait resembling self-esteem was Rickie’s so-called personal code of honor, “These people are, for sure, gonna respect me.” These people referred to everyone, beginning with his criminal associates, fellow inmates, and particularly the guards and prison administration. Understandably, Rickie equated fear with respect.

By 1990, Rickie was serving three ninety-nine year sentences and fighting a war on three fronts, including one with the Aryan Brotherhood against competing gangs, especially the Mandingo Warriors, the dominant Black inmate gang. Another he was engaged in was within the Aryan Brotherhood over leadership and personal conflicts. The third was against the guards and the system. He had rightly earned the title of the most dangerous man in the Texas Department of Corrections.

Miserable, filled with hatred and anger, and without hope, he picked up a discarded Bible and read “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Rest was what Rickie longed for and so he asked Jesus for it, and it was granted. From that day forward, Rickie Smith became a Christian, living and preaching the gospel.

Included in this compelling story about the resilience of the human spirit is a detailed account of the changes the Texas Department of Corrections underwent during this period. Whether you attribute the transformation of Rickie Smith to accepting Jesus or realizing his life was unbearable and had to change is a matter of personal choice, but there is no denying the gospel was the roadmap to finding his way back to humanity. His implementation of Christian principles has affected a seismic shift in his life and, in doing so, influenced the faith of many others.


Real Prison Real Freedom

Real Prison Real Freedom takes a look at the life of inmate Rickie Smith. Rickie had an average childhood during the 1950s. But what he wanted most was the love and attention of his father. Although his father never seemed to take much interest in Rickie. As a teenager, Rickie turned more often to drugs and crime. His criminal activity led to him receiving a ten-year prison sentence. But his violent behavior inside prison, where he stabbed an inmate and correctional officers, resulted in three other sentences of ninety-nine years each. One day he realized he needed to find peace. He did this by turning to God.

This book is more than a story about one man's struggle. It also charts the troubled state of the Texas Prison System. Mr. Rosser gives an up-close look at the violence and gang wars that plagued the prison system. He also details the work done to reform the system. Getting to know the stories of people like Captian Price and Bob Norris, who reached out to Rickie by sharing views on religion, made this a much more informative tale. I liked that the author examined the reasons why he felt Rickie's life had taken a particular path without making excuses for his behavior. And despite all the wrong choices Rickie made, he seemed to have a sense of love and loyalty to his friends and, especially his mother. I got the feeling that the anger and rage he felt in prison did more harm to him in the long run than anything in his early life. The conditions Mr. Rosser details in prison were harsh and inhumane, making it hard to imagine how prisoners coped. However, I think most readers will be happy that Rickie finally decided to let go of all the anger and turn his life towards a new path that involved serving a higher good.

While I thought the author made a complex topic interesting and engaging, I was not too fond of the fact that he continually switched between the past tense and the present in his writing. Since all the events described were in the past, I think sticking with one tense would have made the book sound more polished. It would have provided a better flow for the reader as well. Nevertheless, I think the author provided a compassionate and insightful story of how a man was able to change his life and outlook despite his environment and circumstances.


Real Prison Real Freedom

"In 1970, Dr. Beto lamented the fact that nearly three-fourths of his prisoners were from broken homes." Real Prison Real Freedom by Rosser McDonald details the life of a man who was known as the "'Most Dangerous Inmate' of the 40,000 inmates in the Texas Department of Corrections" and his miraculous transformation. Rickie Smith grew up in a home where he experienced abuse and had constant clashes with his father. His teenage years were rife with wild influences and behaviors, like random sex, drugs, and fights. Eventually, his violent, criminal lifestyle led to him serving a term of ten years in Texas prisons. His situation only deteriorated as he got more violent, fought in gang wars, and attacked officers and inmates alike. Was there any hope for Rickie's salvation?

If you don't have a strong stomach, you might not be able to finish Real Prison Real Freedom. Rickie's story is not the type of reality the average person is used to, as it reflects extremely immoral and gory acts. However, it also includes the complete opposite of this: redemption, love, and hope. It took me out of my bubble and showed me how I have no excuse to give up on life and finding peace and happiness, no matter how rough my situation is. Imagine being raised in a way and an environment that conditions you not to care about life—whether your own or another's.

Real Prison Real Freedom brought to my attention the effects of broken homes and violent communities on children. It exposes the popularity of vices among young adults—who are, mostly, left on their own—and the continuation and propagation of criminal acts in prisons. A major question came to mind: how effective is the United States' prison system since many people have been known to become even more dangerous in prison?

Rosser McDonald employs a fast-paced approach to narrate Rockie's story, which covers a few decades of his life and a diverse compilation of themes: abuse, addiction, imprisonment, Christianity, redemption, murder, gang wars, racism, depression, marriage, and more. The book is quite elaborate and thorough as it includes some useful quotes, statistics, historical facts, and information about the Texas prison system and other related phenomena.

I was greatly moved by Rickie's story! It taught me a great lesson about forgiveness, redemption, and looking after the young in our society. I recommend Real Prison Real Freedom to fans of Christian-themed biographies and readers who wish to be free from whatever activity they desire to let go of. What a poignant and touching experience! It is a book that I will not be forgetting anytime soon.


Real Prison Real Freedom

Real Prison Real Freedom by Rosser McDonald is the chilling story of Rickie Smith, one of Texas’s most feared and dangerous inmates. The book focuses not only on Rickie’s criminal life but also on his eventual conversion to Christianity. Exposing the injustice and mistreatment between inmates and prison guards, this book is an eye-opening dive into how the prison system really works. Overall, I found this story incredibly inspiring; Smith shows that hope and light can always be found, even in the bleakest and desolate of situations. Anyone who is interested in accounts of prison life, prison reform, and stories of hope would enjoy this book.

Rickie Smith did not have a childhood of ease. Between his father’s infidelity, constant fighting, and physical and verbal abuse, it’s no wonder Smith fell down a rabbit hole of bad choices. Dropping out of school in the sixth grade did not help Smith’s case; suffering from dyslexia, Rickie was deemed hopeless by his teachers and was beaten by his father for his failures. The only solace Rickie found was with his dog Tippy, hunting and fishing in the woods.

Before long, Rickie gets involved in various burglaries and runs away with his girlfriend to Corpus Christi. The road only goes down from here; living during the height of the hippie movement, the two indulge in copious amounts of drugs and begin dealing to others in their community. Although their relationship does not work out, Rickie easily moves on to other girls, other drugs, and other fights. Between a constant high, sex, alcohol, and fights, Rickie stays busy in his lifestyle of partying and running from the law.

However, Rickie could not run forever. Eventually the charges catch up with him and he lands himself in jail, then prison. Rickie quickly learns that prison officers are rough, and to stay above the water, most inmates join gangs. Because of this, Rickie eventually joins the Aryan Brotherhood, a white supremacist group who live by the slogan “LOVE, LOYALTY, AND RESPECT.”

As his prison sentence continues, Rickie attempts to kill guards on multiple occasions, creates weapons in his cell, and causes hell for everyone on the receiving end of his wrath. Eventually, he lands himself in the most guarded and secure cell in prison for his continued trouble. In this seemingly hopeless place, Rickie finds Jesus.

Truly a story you have to read to grasp, Rickie completely turns his life around into one of love and forgiveness. I highly recommend this book for any who are struggling with acceptance of faith and feeling discouraged in their prayer life. Rickie Smith’s story is truly a testimony to God’s mercy running deeper than any sin.


The Past Is Red

Tetley Abednego lives in one of the few remaining patches of land left behind by the ancient fossil-fuel guzzlers: Garbagetown. With a chillingly relentlessly optimistic attitude, Tetley navigates life in the Texas-sized garbage island despite antagonism from all of Garbagetown's inhabitants. Whether or not this cruelty is justified is for the reader to decide, as Tetley recounts the story of a very difficult choice she made when she was young.

The Past Is Red is technically the sequel to a short story called The Future Is Blue, and both stories are included in this book. In some ways, it's a simple story about a girl in a dystopian world. In others, it's an absurdist wonder, combining elements of magical realism, satire, and melancholy. Whether or not those elements appeal to you, Tetley's unsettling approach to life in a garbage patch makes the book shine. And as a longtime fan of The Girl Who Circumvented Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, I loved getting to read Catherynne M. Valente in "adult" form––she is just as witty, topical, and creative as she is when writing young adult fiction.


Moon Luck

What is the law of the moon, and how do you handle lunar crimes?

This is one of the many questions brought up by Moon Luck, a near-future murder mystery set on a joint moon base manned by representatives from NASA, MET, and SpaceX. When a mysterious explosion causes the death of one of the astronauts, the first question raised is how such a thing could have happened. As more details come to light, the question becomes not how but who, and suspicion swings from one astronaut to another. Who would want to murder one of their own? Why?

And, most importantly, will it happen again?

At its best, Moon Luck reminded me of Andy Weir’s The Martian and Artemis. Like Weir, Harral shines when presenting scientific and technological details. Some descriptions made me feel as though I was reading a textbook sent back in time from decades in the future. A layperson such as myself may have some trouble understanding every detail, but in this case, that’s more of a feature than a bug. I greatly enjoyed the in-depth descriptions and was fascinated by the realistic portrayal of what life could be on the moon in coming decades.

Strengths aren’t the only things Harral and Weir share. They also share a weakness: interpersonal relationships. Perhaps it’s because most of the characters are professional astronauts, specifically trained to deal with the stresses of living on the moon and therefore necessarily somewhat similar, but I had a difficult time telling some of the characters apart without their names attached to what they were saying. None of them stood out to me quite as much as the setting did, or quite as much as some of the technology. Some of the pages of exposition could perhaps have been devoted to introducing the characters a little more, and some of the character exposition would have been more memorable had it been presented through interactions of those characters rather than merely stated.

Overall, Moon Luck has the potential to be a fascinating mystery. I deeply wish it had lived up to that potential, but even so, I enjoyed it as much for what it could (and should) have been as for what it wound up being. Hopefully, between Harral and Weir, a new subgenre is being born, because I would love nothing more than to spend a couple of hours reading about interstellar murders with a hard sci-fi backing.


"Jenny Lisk’s Future Widow: Losing My Husband, Saving My Family, and Finding My Voice is a tremendous work that is long overdue. Lisk’s care and regard offer individuals and caregivers the understanding and guidance that is often missing until a loved one passes. In those moments, many of us struggle to find the right word, question, or action, and Lisk’s writings thoughtfully fill that space. " --Jessica Tingling, San Francisco Book Review


Ripple Effect

In 1968, Jeannie Glazer, a college student, becomes involved with a radical group intent not just on peaceful protest but also on bringing about changes by whatever means necessary. When Jeannie is arrested during a protest in Chicago, she hopes her boyfriend and fellow protester will get her out of jail. Yet, when she's bailed out, she is given an envelope with $200 in it and a bus ticket home to New York. The police officer tells her that it came from her father. But she knows that can't be because he's been dead for years. And just when she's too deep inside the radical movement to leave, she meets a young man who helps her escape. Could he be an FBI informant, or is someone watching out for her? Rattled by these questions, she decides she must find out what happened to her father. Her discoveries could expose secrets that affect her whole family.

Cathy Rath has written a family saga that is both engaging and riveting. I like the way she devoted chapters to different family members, allowing the reader to learn about the life of each individual and gain a complete picture of the family as a whole and the dynamics that made them unique. I thought there was quite a lot of depth to each character, and I liked the fact that Jeannie was a determined young woman with not just a secret to uncover but someone trying to navigate life on her own terms.

I found the story to be wonderfully descriptive and very good at bringing in significant social issues of the time. I do, however, wish a little more care had been taken when using Southern slang, especially the word “y'all,” which stands for “you all.” Several times it was used in the wrong sense when only one person was being addressed. I always find this irksome. Also, as much as we would like to swim in our pools in March and gaze out at lemon trees on the veranda, the weather as far north as Atlanta simply doesn't allow for this. We are more likely to enjoy azaleas and dogwoods at this time.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. By the time I finished it, I felt that I had come to know the Glazer family inside and out. I wouldn't mind reading more about what happened to Jeannie and how things turned out with Phil. I hope there will be more from Rath in the future.


The second book in the Cooper The Dog series, Please Don't Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit follows Cooper, a friendly and loving rescue dog, as he makes friends with an unlikely companion. One day, Cooper's uncle takes him outside without a leash. Cooper sees a bunny and immediately bounds after him despite Uncle Stephen's warning. Cooper just wants to make a friend! As he chases the bunny, he finds himself running through the town, the playground, and finally into a heap of giggles with a group of kids and the bunny. It turns out that Jack the Rabbit, like Cooper, had nowhere to stay. Cooper brings Jack back to his home and Jack is accepted by Cooper's whole family.

This book is simply delightful from cover to cover. The story explains to its young readers the importance of accepting everyone as they are. It also teaches its readers that friends can be found in the most unexpected places and that they don't need to be exactly like us to be a friend. If we all just accepted others for who they are, we could all have a lot of fun and end up learning many new things.

The prose the book is written in is very sing-songy because of the simple rhyming pattern. I can imagine children of all ages laughing and giggling as they follow Cooper and his friends and siblings around in this book.

The illustrations in the book are fantastic. The colors are soft and soothing and the expressions of the characters are all very well depicted. Just looking at Cooper’s and Jack's faces having fun golfing and sailing is enough to put a grin on any sullen face. It's hard not to imagine wrestling and cuddling with Cooper because he is so big and fluffy. I could see children asking their parents for a dog after reading this book. Who wouldn't want a dog like Cooper?

Michelle Lander Feinberg's writing and Anna Mosca's illustrations are perfectly paired together. The characters are really brought to life through the words and pictures. This is a series that I hope will have many more books to come. Both books so far have taught children valuable life lessons. Full of love and happiness, Please Don't Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit is a book that young children will want to read over and over again. It’s a wonderful addition to any children’s library that is sure to become a favorite.


“A delightful book for children of all ages, Cooper the Dog is back and ready to make friends with Jack the Rabbit. A light-hearted lesson that teaches that friends come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. The more friends, the merrier. Beautifully illustrated with a happy story, Please Don't Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit is a story that children will want to read over and over again.” —Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review


Clean Sweep: A Novel

In E.B. Lee’s debut novel, Clean Sweep, Tessie Whitmore is a retired advertising executive who finds herself immersed in a world of which she has little familiarity and would have never imagined herself in just a few, short months prior. It’s bone-chilling cold when she and Grant, an Outreach worker, navigate the streets of Manhattan, delivering food and other necessities to the homeless. They discover one of the regulars lying lifeless in a corrugated cardboard box. Grant thinks maybe she’s been poisoned, though her autopsy results indicate something else. Carli (Tessie’s street name) finds it impossible to erase the images from that first night of Outreach from her mind. She vows to not let the woman they found be sent off to a mass burial site filled with unmarked graves and instead tracks down a childhood friend of hers. Together, they plan a proper burial and remembrance ceremony. As time progresses, Carli’s asked to take on two ‘unreachables.’ She hesitantly agrees but ends up determined to reach Sarah and Vera, one who's fascinated with pigeons and doesn't say a word, and one who remains mired in the loss of her home and husband. Through her patient endurance and unending thoughtfulness, she succeeds in her efforts and changes two lives, among many others, immeasurably.

This is a beautiful story of human connectedness, separation, and loss, hope, and love. It demonstrates that every small act of courage matters in a universe that is ripe with addiction, poverty, and crime.

E.B. Lee is masterful in her development of characters. Carli and Grant are both strong, yet fragile in their own individual ways. Carli’s intellect and curiosity propel her forward as does her desire to uncover the truth behind what has led so many to lives of homelessness. In contrast, Grant’s struggles with bipolar disorder and alcoholism as well as his history of living on the streets, give him a perspective that enables him to connect with those facing his same battles. In an amazing twist of fate, Carli learns that Grant is the brother she lost years ago to a cult. She had never stopped believing she might someday find him, and this addition to the plot adds layers of dimension, emotion, and complexity to the story.

Lee’s depictions of street life, mental illness, and addiction closely mirrors reality. They provide great insight into the adversities that affect the homeless as well as those that lead them to the streets in the first place. They also shine a light on the urgency for those with instability and dependency concerns to seek the treatment they need and deserve. Social workers as well as anyone with a compassionate heart will find this a notable and worthy read.


Unseen

Unseen is a story about a young girl named Alaia who learns to hide her interest in healing and the use of herbs so that she is not persecuted as a witch. This fate has befallen a great many women in the town of Viskaya and several others will fall prey to it as the story evolves. “If you try to fight the ocean, you’ll drown. For now, you have to let the waves carry you through the storm.” The story shows the girl’s journey and all who help her including her best friend and fallen brother and his best friend. The young girl struggles to hide the herbs that she gathers and prepares as teas for her dying father.

She knows that to successfully escape persecution she has to hide her healing teas and seek help from her childhood friend. She learns to fight in order to defend herself. “For me to murder anyone countered the very base of my existence, to heal.”

She emerges victorious as the entire town helps her fight the evil claws of the Inquisitor and his army.

The plot was intriguing and engaging and had the reader on edge waiting for the next chapter to uncover what the story holds. The characters come alive as the author describes the struggle of childhood loyalties to those to family, as Mateo helps Alaia. Alaia is torn between pursuing her love for the two young men she grew up with as a little child. The language of the book is an ode to the olden times of witch-hunting and dark magic and takes the reader back in time effortlessly. The essence of the story is captured well in the sentence: “I could trust my journey’s purpose—to slow down and recalibrate. To survive.” The story is a portrayal of all that Alaia goes through to help her dying father.

This is a great book for young teens as the story holds magic, mystery, and love. The story could evolve easily into a series as Alaia steps into adulthood and raises her family as the times change to allow for healing and medicine to be accepted by society and not considered witchcraft.

I recommend this book as an immersive experience through the trials and tribulations of a young Alaia to emerge victorious through her own grit and determination, which is fortified by loyal friends and her doting family.
This was a great story that takes the reader through the emotional and at times distressing journey of a young girl, touching on her lost love and relationships, to emerge with hope for new love and a new life. Alaia’s true heartfelt wish as she rings the bell; “I wish for all I love to make it home safe.”; brings love and loyalty to help her escape the clutches of death.


America for Americans: A History of Xenophobia in the United States

Americans have had a troubled history with immigration. In the early part of the country’s history, the borders were wide open, but when people perceived to be different started arriving in numbers that felt uncomfortable, the tide began to turn on immigration and the country that was previously open to everyone began to place restrictions, quotas, and exclusions on certain classes of people.

This book examines the history of immigration panic, exclusion, and reforms throughout the many decades since the late 1880s when the first immigration exclusion act was passed to prevent Chinese citizens from coming to the western United States. From that point, there was a steady increase in exclusion as different groups were allowed in until they reached a tipping point and then the often violent response involved both kicking members of a particular race out of the United States and preventing more from arriving.

America has always had a uneven relationship with immigrants, especially since the Industrial Revolution when the issue became one that combined economics and class. The definition of who is white has constantly changed over the centuries, and being a nation of immigrants ourselves, it is interesting that we would limit others from enjoying the same chance.


Voyagers: The Settlement of the Pacific

While this book does not go into great detail about how early humans settled the south Pacific Ocean, I expected less of a focus on the European navigators that were charting the waters and bringing back items such as spices and conquest and more about how people made it across such a vastness of space before modern technology.

In this slim book, by the time readers even reach the point of early humans rowing boats across the Pacific, they are halfway through the book, as a long chunk of it is focused on the Europeans and their interactions with the native inhabitants. This book would have been more useful if it was a study of how people made it from island to island, explored their myths, stories, and legends to delve deeper into the mystery, and worked at how they felt about the Europeans in their larger ships and with their different customs.

I am not sure who this book is aimed at, maybe people who have zero knowledge of the Pacific, but it does itself very few favors.


The First Blade of Sweetgrass

Musqon’s excitement elevates as she approaches the salt marsh. It’ll be her first time to pick sweetgrass with her grandmother or “Uhkomi.” She’s eager to participate in a tradition that’s spanned decades. Uhkomi teaches her how to differentiate between the blades of sweetgrass and those of the other marsh grasses. She learns its stem has a purple hue, and its tassel and blades are a satiny green. When she begins her search, she becomes distraught by how much they all look the same to her. However, with more guidance and effort, she succeeds in collecting some of the sacred treasures for which she desires.

The First Blade of Sweetgrass is laced with the rich cultural history of “the People of First Light,” the Wabanaki Confederacy. It’s a Native American tale about a young child and her grandmother, whose cherished role as Musqon’s teacher serves to help her carry on an inter-generational duty. Her people use the sweetgrass to weave baskets and for ceremonial purposes.

Young children aged six to ten will treasure this sweet, thoughtful story. The soft, warm shades of the illustrations will invite them in to join Musqon and Uhkomi on their journey, and they’ll be enriched by the serenity that’ll surround them.


The Book of Accidents: A Novel

The Graves family - Nate, Maddie, and young Oliver - are moving into a new house; well technically it’s an old house where Nate used to live with his father. His horrible, abusive father who did some despicable things to him, but Nate keeps that all inside and hasn’t told anyone about it. As for Maddie, she has her own harrowing tale from her childhood, as well as a strange ability to seemingly bring things to life when she carves and creates art. And finally, there’s Oliver who has such extreme empathy that he can feel everyone’s pain and anguish and sadness to the point where he’s unable to move. Oliver makes a new friend, a strange older kid who seems really familiar to Nate, and who is able to do dark magic with something called The Book of Accidents.

As the book progresses, it is clear there is something far more sinister going on here, with potential catastrophic proportions. Wendig has outdone himself again in this gruesome and dark story that leaves you feeling numb and hollowed out. You’re going to need to make sure you’re in a comforting and warm place when you read The Book of Accidents.


Cost of Arrogance: A Jake Clearwater Legal Thriller

Law professor and ex-prosecuting attorney Jake Clearwater finds himself buried in what might seem to be the case of his life, in Cost of Arrogance. Jake is contacted by the Death Penalty Project about representing a death-row inmate in a death penalty appeal. Although Jake has been safe and sound in his classroom teaching his students, he finds himself accepting the challenge. His client is Duane Durgeon, a man convicted of the double homicide of a local couple. There is an eyewitness who originally identified someone else as the killer and a bitter old ex-girlfriend who claims Durgeon had her hide a gun. But that's not all. This case is from Jake's former office where he worked with District Attorney John Tice. Tice, a hardass, would again be the prosecuting D.A. in this case. As Clearwater works the case, he digs deeper than the defense did in the original case which really stirs up the prosecution. However, Clearwater clearly does not know what he has gotten himself into as he is beaten up after leaving the courthouse one day, his assistant being roughed up another day.

I truly appreciated author H. Mitchell Caldwell's ability to write in a way that anyone reading this book would understand. Although there was legal jargon to make the story realistic and paint the picture of the courtroom scenes clearly, there was no unnecessary law terminology used. It made the story easy to follow and allowed me to concentrate on Jake's plan and his execution of it. The characters in the book were well-developed and Jake exuded charisma even while wobbling on a cane after he was assaulted. In parts of the book, the author would give the reader Jake's thoughts, many of them funny or sarcastic. This really brought Jake's character to life. I also really enjoyed the development of Durgeon. Although he was a bad man, Caldwell gave him a personality that made it easier to see him as a human being and not just a criminal with a violent temper.

What really summed up this case was the thoroughness of the closing arguments. By creating a Powerpoint presentation during this part of the story, the author clearly and concisely laid down all of the information given to the readers throughout the case. This summarization was like the cherry on top.

Overall, this book is a must-read for any fan of courtroom thrillers. There is no stone left unturned when Jake Clearwater takes on a case. Caldwell certainly knows his subject matter and I look forward to reading more courtroom fiction by this author.


Hardly Haunted

There is a house on a hill, a big house that creaks and groans. It is dark. The yard is overgrown. Spooky trees surround it. The house is for sale, but no one comes to live there. Maybe, the house thinks, it could be HAUNTED! It can’t hide what it looks like, but the house wonders if it holds very still, maybe the doors won’t creak. If the house holds itself very tight, maybe the stairs won’t squeak. Maybe the pipes won’t rattle. So the house tries very, very hard to be perfectly still, but then the leaves rustle and the trees scratch and the wind howls. Will the house ever find a family to live in it?

This fun book is perfect for autumn reading. Author and illustrator Jessie Sima has written a fun and spooky story, but the illustrations might well be the star of this book. The house is so cute that little ones will easily buy into the personification. It is certainly not too scary for the youngest of listeners. They will love finding fun details in the illustrations and will find the story engaging. This is an absolute winner.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers


Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood

Danny Trejo is a man known to global audiences from his four decades on the small and big screen. As of February 2020, he was noted for the most on-screen deaths in movies (65). He has acted for acclaimed directors from Michael Mann to Robert Rodriguez to John Frankenheimer—his roles spanning from on-screen heavy to a starring role. The story begins with a future seemingly less than certain, a life in confinement. At 24 years old, Trejo was serving a stretch in Soledad Prison. He had served time in multiple prisons for various crimes, sharing living space with Mexican Mafia, killers, and other notorious individuals. Trejo’s strength, toughness, and street smarts helped him throughout that time. A drug problem held sway over his soul, but a solitary stint led to an involuntary detox and sobriety followed. After his release, Trejo embarked on another path, one to guide and help lost souls.

Trejo proves an engaging read from the jump-off. Danny Trejo and Donal Logue have compiled a redemption story that is unparalleled. Trejo offers a genuine, candid account of his life, whether hell-raising or child-raising, he proves to be even more compelling than his characters. An autobiography with a depth of soul.


Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm

Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm is an action-packed fantasy telling the story of Avalina, an orphan who lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. Residing in La Maison des Oublies, Avalina lives with forty-five other girls under the supervision of their rigid caretaker, Miss Ward. One day, an eccentric woman named Scarlet Read visits the orphanage and kidnaps Avalina, informing her of her relation to the legendary pirate, Davy Jones. Overwhelmed by this news, she finds herself whisked onto a ship called the Aquatiery, a schoolship for other pirate descendants.

After being separated into student decks, Avalina makes friends who teach her about sea magic, mystical half-human, half-sea creatures, and the ins and outs of pirate school. However, Avalina is met with an equal number of foes who believe she possesses the Jones’ curse. Legend has it that Del Maligno, an evil pirate, has cursed the Jones family for marooning him and his fleet on a deserted island and setting their longboat on fire. Del Maligno swore his revenge on the family, and ever since, it is believed that the descendants of Davy Jones are all cursed, unless proven otherwise. However, after hearing that the curse skips generations, Avalina is undeterred by the rumors surrounding her. From unfair accusations to finding lost pirate treasure, Avalina shows her resilience and strength in becoming a valuable pirate on the Aquatiery.

This novel is packed with creativity. Lori Adams has outdone herself in describing the magical ship and all of its components. I especially appreciated the plethora of different foods Adams described. From snap dragon salads that physically snap back at you to snoring piglet squid in a blanket, puffer pudding popovers, and mackerel and cheese, I was amused reading of the abundance of dishes. I found myself wishing I could order the iceberg cream, chunks of multicolored icebergs that each take on a different unique flavor. I also loved the creativity in terms of the different classes that the young pirates took. Whether it was weaponry, knotty cordage class, hydrofunics, or cartography, I was impressed with the relevance to what a pirate would actually be taught.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story of Avalina Jones and her pirate adventure. This book is very similar to the Harry Potter series (except with pirates instead of wizards), so any Hogwarts fans might find themselves equally enthralled by Avalina and her time aboard the Aquatiery.


MOMENT

Authentic photographs of everyday people around the globe, with the spotlight radiating on children, fill the pages of Moment. The world is a kaleidoscope of experiences at any given time, though many don’t see beyond their own circumstances. Moment encourages readers to do just that, to see life through the eyes of others, some thousands of miles away from their own communities. The images are real by every sense of the word and they inspire thought, curiosity, and inquisition.

After the introduction, the author includes a section entitled “Thoughts from the Frontline,” that covers his daughters’ perspectives about diversity, inclusion, and young people today. A picture of the Great Wall of China and a quote from an Asian Proverb follows. Parents and children parading the streets, markets, and exhibits in China, Singapore, Thailand, and India are featured next, followed by a plethora of captivating images of Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. Beautiful pictures of the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Egypt span the next several pages, and the final section encompasses fascinating shots of open markets, architecture, murals, agriculture, and citizens in a number of Latin American countries.

Robert Abad is thoughtful and genuine in his portrayal of ordinary lives. His photographs are diverse; some are eye-catching like the gorgeous view of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and the frozen landscape and snow-covered mountains in Calafate, Argentina. Others are serene, like the stark, white mosques in Abu Dhabi and the fluffy, cotton candy clouds over Kazakhstan. Commonplace occurrences - a cow comfortably mingling among the crowd in Jaipur, India, and school children standing against a brightly colored wall in San Miguel, Mexico are also included. “No tengo Facebook mi vida les real” is scrolled across a building in Panama City in another. It, along with a spectacular shot in Dubrovnik, Croatia of a basketball court overlooking the sea, will likely be top picks of young children.

Moment is dedicated to “the next generation of young trailblazers, dreamers, and problem-solvers,” and the quotes woven intricately into it will touch this audience, causing them to think, imagine, even act. “A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is a reality” by John Lennon and “The only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step out of the frame” by Salman Rushdie will speak loudly to younger generations who exude optimism and a willingness to accept differences among people. Though this book is suitable for any age, it’s ideal for youth ages ten and up and is unquestionably a valuable resource for educators. It’s certain to spark interest, intrigue, and conversation.


Lifescapes

Lee Woodman beautifully writes of divorce, heartbreak, and loss in her read Lifescapes. From the beginning poem, “Vermilion Suit” to the closing “Divorce Prayer”, Woodman captures a women’s resilience and determination to go into the future with courage. Written in the light of the pandemic and national unrest, the speaker shows remarkable tenacity and lightheartedness despite her world crumbling around her. Any reader who has experienced heartbreak could gather something from Woodman’s poems, as she depicts the power and importance of moving forward. Inspiring and raw, I thoroughly enjoyed what this collection had to offer.

The poems take you through the speaker’s journey. We meet her lover, his betrayal, experience the speaker’s own emotional roller coaster, and finally the divorce itself. I especially found the poem, “It was Different from Fainting” to be particularly chilling and impactful. The narrator tells how different tragic events are than one imagines. She emphasizes the surprise of these accidents, often coming when you least expect it, and notes the utter blackness that soon resounds from their impact. Telling the reader that this can happen to anyone, at any flash of a second, “the after of forever”, I was moved with sympathy for her loss and treasured the authenticity of her speech.

 Another poem I found to be significantly moving was titled, “No More Sugar”. Describing the first time her former husband let her down, to how his childhood impacted the man he was, it became clear to the reader that the speaker was grappling to accept how she and her husband’s love are no longer compatible. She says, “Rigid bedtime hour, stricter menu regimen. What happened to bourbon after theater, ice cream and TV? Soon we’ll just live on air, scant water.” In losing their playfulness, the speaker’s marriage died, as she reflects on what once was and is no more.

The reader also learns more about the narrator herself. In “Secrets I Tell Myself”, we learn of her tangled, tragic past and the events that formulated her future. In learning of her setbacks, my respect grew even more for the speaker. Overcoming so much, so many tragedies and so many heartbreaks could not have been easy. Despite this, she rose yet from another heartbreak just as she had done with all her previous hardships. Remaining humorous despite the pain, combating the challenges of 2020, and finally experiencing her digital divorce, the grit and spunk of the speaker shone back at me through the pages.


Texting Olivia

Fay and Neil have flown across country from New Jersey to San Francisco to help their daughter, Olivia, move out of her dorm and come home for the summer. They are tired after such a long flight, but also anxious and excited to see Olivia. Fay texts her and immediately hears back that Olivia can’t come to meet them. It is finals time, and Olivia still has things to do. But she will see them tomorrow for sure. This is disappointing. They haven’t seen Olivia in so long. She hadn’t even come home for Christmas. She decided to spend that time with friends in Los Angeles. After Fay and Neil had purchased their tickets, Olivia announced she and friends decided to get an apartment in San Francisco, so she won’t be taking her things home after all. But she is still coming home for the summer and can’t wait to see them. Just not the first day they are there.

The second day of their visit, Fay texts Olivia to find out where to meet up. She sends several texts before finally receiving an answer in the afternoon. Olivia had been up all night and so overslept. And she hasn’t finished her project, so she won’t be able to see them until later—IF she finishes her project, and she doesn’t appreciate her mother making her feel guilty. Fay relents. These texts and excuses continue day after day. In between the texts and the drama that ensues between Fay and Olivia, events occur between Fay and Neil as well as between Fay and her mother, Sophie, who calls regularly and lets Fay know she disapproves. In addition, chapters interspersed with the story of the trip to San Francisco provide readers with a clear view into the years-long ongoing problems of this dysfunctional family.

Author Galya Gerstman has painted a picture of a realistic family with a husband and father who is largely ignored and taken for granted, a grandmother who is busy fighting the natural aging process, a daughter who is spoiled rotten and incredibly selfish and self-centered, and a wife and mother who has been largely responsible for the abominable behavior of the daughter. This is a story in which many readers will recognize characters and situations and may relate to them. That said, none of the characters is particularly likable, and it’s hard to read a book with no characters one would like to spend time with. In fact, all of the female characters are downright annoying. Also, where description should be brushstrokes, it is more like a roller was used, going on for pages where a paragraph would suffice. Overall, the book needs some serious editing and trimming.

Pleasure Boat Studio: A Nonprofit Literary Press


Fact: Gudetama is lazy, but it did some work to bring its audience a five-course recipe book with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and some extra drink and treat recipes included at the end. The amount and variety of the recipes in each category are impressive for such a lazy egg. The names of the recipes are humorous; for breakfast––"Sigh...Pancakes I Guess" and "Unconcerned about this Omelet," for lunch––"BLTExhausted" and "Napping in an Avocado," and for dinner––"Feeling Tired Fried Rice" and "Pizza...I Can't."

While trying out some of these recipes, I felt much like Gudetama in everyday life, because it's exhausting putting effort into cooking! "Too Tired Tator Tot Bake" and "Good Enough Avocado Toast" were yummy in my tummy, as were "Slowly Grilled Cheese" and "Maybe I'll Make Meatloaf!" "S'mores...I'm Done" and "Sleepytime Hot Chocolate" were simple crowd-pleasers for kids and adults.

Gudetama: The Official Cookbook: Recipes for Living a Lazy Life is everything it promises; if you choose to put in some extra effort, you might end up with some yummy food to fill your lazy tummy.


They Called Us "Lucky": The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War's Hardest Hit Unit

Ruben Gallego was in a life of limbo when the call to serve came. He had worked his way up from lower middle class roots in Chicago, working hard in school and jobs to gain admission to Harvard. After initial success, an uninspiring academic semester left him out of school and searching for something. He went into a Marine Corps recruiting office, and soon he was a reservist.

His life’s trajectory would be forever altered post-September 11, when the Global War on Terror was launched, and Ruben would be deployed to Iraq in 2005. His company would be dubbed “Lucky Lima,” but that was a double-sided nickname. The cruel twist of fate would wreak havoc on his unit. Ruben would arrive home alive, but forever changed. As he dove into work and politics, his true test would be self-exploration in reconciling his time over there.

They Called Us Lucky is a forthright memoir about a man who fought enemies, both external and internal. The journey of the soldier doesn’t end when they are discharged, as Gallego shows, the adjustment is constant. The scars of war permeate even the toughest of soldiers and Gallego’s memoir proves that with empathy and sympathy.


King of Thieves

The story of Christian Kasebier is a true one, albeit embellished and shaped into a novel. What is more interesting is the personal tie to the author: Kevin Casebier is a distant relative of the man who has become known as the Prussian Robin Hood.

Christian is born into a family of tailors but after his furtive attempts at smuggling are noticed by his overbearing father, he runs away and turns fully to a life of crime. He truly does resemble Robin Hood, as is noted in the book, preferring to use charm and wit over brute force. He is, in fact, a pacifist, and insists his band use violence as little as possible.

The story is fascinating, delving into the history of Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire. It doesn’t read as a traditional historical novel would but is presented more episodically. The chapters have little true rising action but are rather a collection of stories detailing Kasebier’s exploits. This will not appeal to every reader, but those who do pick it up will find the life of a truly compelling man.


Decolonizing Wellness

In Decolonizing Wellness, registered dietitian and decolonized wellness coach Dalia Kinsey discusses the damaging effects of Eurocentric cultural biases on beauty, thinness, and diet fads. The author offers an empowering perspective for people whose identities are often marginalized in the health and wellness industry. For Kinsey, queer, transgender, Black, indigenous, and other people of color (QTBIPOC) are top of mind.

While the book is intended primarily for QTBIPOC readers, healers from all communities can learn about ways to support and affirm body positivity and self-care. At a time when conversations about race-based stress are often minimized as a class issue, Kinsey proclaims––and supports with scientific evidence––that money does not protect Black and Brown people from suffering its ill effects. Kinsey cites “minority stress theory” as the primary reason for persistent health disparities among people from marginalized identities.

Kinsey, who identifies as genderqueer and nonbinary, applies a holistic approach to wellness that not only focuses on systemic issues but also on the personal work of decolonization. Journaling prompts embedded in every chapter challenge the reader to reflect on their thoughts and feelings about food, body image, self-love, and setting boundaries in relationships. Understanding how our social conditioning about self-worth is linked to cultural centrism is key to overcoming adverse health outcomes.