 |
Book
Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
| Home / Library Bookwatch |
Library Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
To Wash Or Not Wash?
Andreas Baku
Independently Published
9798285424260, $17.95, PB, 172pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Wash-Not-Hygiene-Beauty-Routines/dp/B0GNMHHBRJ
Synopsis: Are we actually clean... or just well-lathered and financially endangered?
Daily showers. Multi-step skincare. Deodorant debates. "Must-have" products that somehow expire the moment a new one drops. Modern hygiene has become confusing, expensive, and weirdly exhausting -- and we are all pretending that this is normal.
With the publication of "To Wash or Not to Wash: The Truth About Hygiene, Beauty Routines, and Myths That Make Us Buy More", Andreas Baku takes a funny, sharp look at how "clean" turned into a billion-dollar industry powered by trends, guilt, and marketing that quietly whispers: -- You're one product away from being socially acceptable.
"To Wash or Not to Wash" covers:
How often we actually need to wash (and what happens when we overdo it)
Where hygiene ends, and social pressure begins
Which routines help... and which just drain your wallet
Why the "more product" mindset keeps winning
How to simplify without feeling like you're committing a cleanliness crime
Smart, relatable, and refreshingly honest, "To Wash or Not to Wash" is part myth-buster, part reality check, and part permission slip to stop over-thinking your bathroom routine. If you've ever stood in an store aisle staring at 47 versions of "gentle" cleanser thinking, Is this necessary? -- "To Wash or Not to Wash" is the book is for you.
Critique Original, iconoclastic, thought-provoking, humor laced, and an inherently fascinating (and at times surprising) read from start to finish, "To Wash Or Not To Wash: The Truth About Hygiene, Beauty Routines, and Myths That Make Us Buy More" by Andreas Baku is a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Human Hygiene collections and supplemental Health/Medicine curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for medical students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this paperback edition of "To Wash Or Not To Wash: The Truth About Hygiene, Beauty Routines, and Myths That Make Us Buy More" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Andreas Baku is a humor-driven, credit-card-surviving author who turns everyday chaos into clever commentary. Best known for his entertaining yet insightful takes on health, hygiene, and life's messier corners, Andreas believes personal care should come with fewer rules and a lot more laughter.
His latest book, "To Wash or Not to Wash", was born from years of following his daughter (and his wife) through beauty aisles like a lost puppy. Watching them shop in a trance, testing serums like they were on a reality game show, and casually racking up receipts longer than a CVS coupon list, Andreas had a realization: it was time to write a book. Not just for the overwashed or underwashed, but for the utterly confused!
There is a compete listing of books by Andreas Baku available online at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/47377585.Andreas_Baku
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
The Compassionate Writer
Anne E. Beall
Beall Research
https://www.linkedin.com/company/beall-research-inc-
9798990192935, $25.99, HC, 280pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Writer-Voice-Enhance-Story/dp/B0FXQT8BR1
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-compassionate-writer-anne-beall/1148639042
Synopsis: What if becoming a better writer began with being kinder to yourself? Many writers struggle with self-doubt, perfectionism, fear of judgment, writer's block, and the feeling that their story is not important enough to tell.
With the publication of "The Compassionate Writer: Find Your Voice, Enhance Your Story, and Touch Lives", Anne E. Beall offers a refreshing and powerful approach to creativity by showing how compassion can transform both your writing and your writing life.
"The Compassionate Writer" is a thoughtful instructional guide that deftly blends psychology, storytelling wisdom, practical exercises, and meaningful encouragement to help aspiring writers uncover their authentic voice, write with emotional depth, and create stories that truly connect with readers.
Whether writikng memoirs, fiction, essays, journaling, or are just beginning a writing journey, "The Compassionate Writer" will help aspiring writers to move past their fears and into creative confidence.
"The Compassionate Writer" reveals:
How to overcome self-doubt, perfectionism, and the inner critic
Ways to find your unique writing voice and tell the story only you can tell
How compassion creates stronger characters and more emotional storytelling
Techniques to work through writer's block and creative resistance
How to write about difficult memories and sensitive topics with honesty and care
Guided exercises and prompts to deepen your writing practice
Encouragement to keep going through rejection, setbacks, and uncertainty
Critique: Impressively well written, organized, presented, and an ideal curriculum textbook for writing workshops and classes, "The Compassionate Writer: Find Your Voice, Enhance Your Story, and Touch Lives" by Anne E. Beall is comprehensive, exceptional, and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation. Unreservedly recommended for aspiring authors, memoir writers, novelists and short story writers, journalists, creative writing students, writing workshop participants, anyone longing to express their own stories with courage, heart, and success, "The Compassionate Writers" is an essential, core addition for personal, professional, community, and college/university library 'how-to' writing instructional reference collections and supplemental Creative Writing curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Compassionate Writer" from Beall Research is also readily available in paperback (9798990192928, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Anne E. Beall (https://annebeall.com) is an award-winning author and social psychologist who writes about the emotional undercurrents that shape our lives. Her work explores the psychology of relationships -- between lovers, family members, friends, and pets who believe they're in charge. She is the founder and editor of Chicago Story Press Literary Journal, which publishes creative nonfiction.
The AI Studies Shelf
Real Rights in the Virtual World
Riku Neuvonen and Jukka Viljanen, editors
Edward Elgar Publishing
www.e-elgar.com
9781035338849, $165.00, HC, 258pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Real-Rights-Virtual-World-Intelligence/dp/103533884X
Edward Elgar Publishing
https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/real-rights-in-the-virtual-world-9781035338849.html
Synopsis: "Real Rights in the Virtual World: Human Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality" is a timely book that explores the rights and principles that guide AI-based applications and their users in virtual reality worlds. Compiled and co-edited by the team of Riku Neuvonen and Jukka Viljanen, The contributors to "Real Rights in the Virtual World" collectively examine the next developmental phase of information networks, positioning human rights at the center of their analysis.
The chapters comprising "Real Rights in the Virtual World" assess the current problems facing the digital world as well as new challenges posed by virtual worlds, including access to information and privacy. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the contributors evaluate digital constitutionalism in AI-populated metaverses, the roles of language rights and intellectual property in the metaverse, and generative AI's impact on autonomy, truth and equality.
Ultimately, they bring innovative research topics and ideas to the forefront of human rights studies in the age of virtual reality and AI.
Students and scholars of human rights law, internet and technology law, and digitalisation will find "Real Rights in the Virtual World" an invaluable read., and one that is also a highly informative resource for policymakers and journalists working in AI, the internet and other virtual worlds.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking contribution to the current national discussions regarding AI and its social, cultural, economic, and political impact, "Real Rights in the Virtual World: Human Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality" the twelve expert articles comprising this timely volume are expertly organized into three major sections: Virtual Reality And Human Rights; Legal Subjects In Virtual Worlds; Virtual World And Future Trends. Enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a five page listing of the contributors and their credentials, as well as a two page Index, this hardcover edition of "Real Rights in the Virtual World: Human Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality" from Edward Elgar Publishing is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal and professional reading lists, as well as community and college/university library AI collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Riku Neuvonen is Professor of Public Law, Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University.
Editorial Note #2: Jukka Viljanen is Professor of Public Law, Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, Finland
The Cookbook Shelf
Broke Vegan
Saskia Sidey
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9780600636984, $14.99, HC, 144pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Broke-Vegan-plant-based-recipes-earth/dp/0600636984
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/broke-vegan-saskia-sidey/1137304434
Synopsis: We all want to help do our bit to save the planet by moving towards a plant-based diet, but eating vegan can be expensive. That's where "Broke Vegan: Over 100 plant-based recipes that don't cost the earth" by Saskia Sidey comes in.
Showcasing more than 100 plant-based recipes using supermarket staples along with hints and tips for making your food go further, "Broke Vegan" will have you cooking meals time after time that save money and save the planet. From easy weeknight meals ready in 20 minutes to feeding a crowd on a budget or saving time and money by batch cooking, "Broke Vegan" has got it covered.
Whether you're making the move from veggie to vegan or just trying to make your money go further, "Broke Vegan" will bring variety and flavor to your meals without having to spend a fortune with:
Breakfast & Brunch recipes for:
Speedy sourdough
Any berry muffins
Frozen smoothie bowl
Batch Cooking that includes:
Confit tomatoes
Chilli con veggie
Sticky sweet aubergines
Meals Ready in 20 Minutes such as:
Kimchi pancakes with dipping sauce
Cauliflower nuggets
Back of the fridge fritters
The there are crowd pleasers such as:
Tofu tacos
Pizza 5 ways
Any vegetable tart
And don't forget for something sweet there is:
Chocolate mousse
Lemon, coconut & cardamom cake
Leftover porridge flapjacks
Critique: With full page, full color photos of finished dishes, "Broke Vegan: Over 100 plant-based recipes that don't cost the earth" by Saskia Sidey is a treasury of inexpensive DIY vegan dishes that are as palate pleasing and appetite satisfying as they are fun to make and easy on a slender food budget. While unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Vegan/Vegetarian cookbook collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Broke Vegan" from Hamlyn is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: Saskia Sidey (https://www.saskiasidey.com) was the former brand & marketing manager and copywriter at LEON. She also worked in-house for cookbook publishers Octopus before leaving to train as a chef at Leiths School of Food and Wine. With a flare for flavor, eye for detail and practical nature, Saskia has developed a personal style with food that truly stands out.
Dinner Time
Zena Kamgaing
Bloomsbury Publishing
www.bloomsbury.com
9781639739455, $35.00, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Dinner-Time-Deeply-Delicious-minutes/dp/1639739459
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dinner-time-zena-kamgaing/1149503085
Synopsis: From social media sensation Zena Kamgaing, "Dinner Time: Deeply Delicious Meals in 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes" is packed from cover to cover with lively recipes for every mood-and schedule.
With sections organized into vibrant, flavor-packed dinners that can be on the table in 15 minutes, half an hour, 45 minutes, or later, Zena's recipes are designed to fit your busy schedule, whether you're in a hurry or have time to savor the process.
Featuring over 80 authentic yet innovative international classics, "Dinner Time" will delight with meals like Creamy Sundried Tomato & Harissa Pasta, Teriyaki Pork Miso Ramen, Gochujang Chicken Katsu, Oven-Baked Jollof Rice, and Tropical Tiramisu.
Zena is known for her ability to transform simple, healthy meals into flavorful heavy hitters, using the most accessible methods. Here, she delivers fan favorites and brand-new recipes to look forward to at the end of the day, including tantalizing vegetarian and vegan options.
Reinvigorating familiar ingredients and elevating the quickest of weeknight dishes, "Dinner Time" reminds us that we can all find the magic in preparing a delicious meal.
Critique: With thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, nutritious and delicious recipes that range from One-Pan Harissa Chicken & Rice; Silky Crab Linquine; Aromatic Thai Duck Soup; and Sticky Pork Belly Banh Mi; to Charred Corn & Kimchi Fried Rice; Aromatic Ginger & Steamed Cod; Gochujang Braised Short Ribs; and Caramelized Croissants with Coffee Cream, "Dinner Time: Deeply Delicious Meals in 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes" will prove an immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted for those with an interest in vegetarian/vegan dishes and quick/easy meals that this hardcover edition of "Dinner Time: Deeply Delicious Meals in 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes" from Bloomsbury Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.50).
Editorial Note: Zena Kamgaing (https://zenaskitchen.com) is a passionate home cook and recipe creator, based in London. Her social channels include her Instagram and TikTok @zenaskitchen, where she shares both authentic and innovative renditions of international culinary classics. For Zena, it's all about honouring and celebrating culinary traditions from around the world.
Tavern on the Green Cookbook
Bill Peet
The Globe Pequot Press
https://www.globepequot.com
9781493091249, $39.95, HC, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tavern-Green-Cookbook-Historical-Restaurant/dp/1493091247
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tavern-on-the-green-cookbook-bill-peet/1147495570
Synopsis: For nearly a century, Tavern on the Green has been Manhattan's crown jewel -- a restaurant where celebrities, locals, and visitors from around the world gather to create unforgettable memories. Now, with reservations at an all-time high, you can experience the restaurant's celebrated elegance and exceptional cuisine without leaving home.
"Tavern on the Green Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes and Historical Treasures from New York City's Iconic Restaurant" by Chef Bill Peet delivers the complete Tavern on the Green dining experience through recipes showcasing:
Signature recipes from French-trained Executive Chef Bill Peet's elegant American menu
Step-by-step instructions with stunning photography that makes every dish achievable
Behind-the-scenes secrets from one of America's most famous kitchens
Historical snapshots spanning the restaurant's remarkable 100-year legacy
Holiday entertaining tips from a team that serves 1,500 Thanksgiving meals annually
Whether you are a home cook seeking to impress dinner guests or an accomplished chef looking to master restaurant-quality techniques, "Tavern on the Green Cookbook is a cuisine compendium that can transform the family kitchen into a piece of New York culinary history. Each featured recipe captures the sophisticated flavors and visual presentation that have made Tavern on the Green a destination for generations of food lovers.
From intimate dinners to grand celebrations, discover why this Central Park landmark continues to enchant diners and create magical moments, one extraordinary meal at a time.
Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color photography, "Tavern on the Green Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes and Historical Treasures from New York City's Iconic Restaurant" is a truly extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections. A simple and inspirational delight to browse through and plan menus with, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Tavern on the Green Cookbook" from Globe Pequot Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $26.99).
Editorial Note: Bill Peet came to Tavern on the Green in 2016 as their Executive Chef with over 35 years of New York City fine dining experience. During his extensive career, he has worked in an array of iconic restaurants. Bill spent 15 years as Sous Chef and Pastry Chef at the legendary Lutece with Andre Soltner. Following his departure from Lutece, Bill was the Chef/Owner of a critically acclaimed restaurant La Petite Rose in Westfield, New Jersey. He has also held the positions of Corporate Executive Chef with ARK Restaurant Group, overseeing 28 restaurants and Executive Chef at many renowned restaurants such as Asia de Cuba, Cafe des Artistes, and Patroon & Restaurant "44" at the Royalton Hotel. Inspired by the reputation of New York City's most iconic restaurant -- Tavern on the Green, this is the perfect match with his experience
Wine & Dine At Home
Charlotte Kristensen
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781846016424, $26.99, HC, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Dine-Home-recipes-pairings/dp/1846016428
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wine-dine-at-home-charlotte-kristensen/1149125284
Synopsis: With the publication of "Wine & Dine at Home: Easy Recipes & Perfect Pairings", wine columnist and author Charlotte Kristensen invites the reader to experience wine in the most joyous way possible -- sharing delicious plates with friends.
"Wine & Dine at Home" encourages you to approach wine as a sensory pleasure and helps grow your knowledge through exploration and experience in three steps:
Discover: This section introduces some of the key principles of food and wine pairing, recognizing that it blends art, science and experience. It allows you to experiment and explore the thousands of wine varieties and food offerings from around the world, matching wine to key flavors of salty, sweet, spicy, bitter, acid and umami.
Pair: This section gives the opportunity to experiment and this part of the book shares 50 delectable pairings of wine and food, with simple recipes for apero, boards and nibbles; fish and seafood; poultry and meat; vegetarian and cheese, and sweet treats.
Curate : The final section that offers themed menus incorporating the delicious recipes from the second part of the book.
"Wine & Dine at Home" is packed from cover to cover with unpretentious, practical advice on getting the best out of every glass of wine you drink by matching it successfully with everyday foods.
Critique: Original, exceptional, profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout with color photography, "Wine & Dine at Home: Easy Recipes & Perfect Pairings" by wine and food expert Charlotte Kristensen is ideal for American family cooks wanting to plan truly elegant and memorable meals at home. While very highly recommended for community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Wine & Dine at Home" from Mitchell Beazley is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Charlotte Kristensen (www.thelondonwinegirl.com) is a wine columnist, communicator and educator based in London. Prior to focusing on wine, she worked as a lawyer in the City of London. After falling in love with the world of wine while living in New York, Charlotte decided to leave the corporate world and made the leap into wine. In 2018, she set up her Instagram account @thelondonwinegirl to record her journey, and now has followers around the world.
The American History Shelf
The Boss in American Government
Mark Thompson
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476698533, $49.95, PB, 298pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Boss-American-Government-Successors-Corruption/dp/1476698538
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-boss-in-american-government-mark-thompson/1147002308
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-boss-in-american-government
Synopsis: From 1863 to 1871 in New York City a bank of four banditti politicians led by William M. Tweed reigned supreme. Popularly known as the "Tweed Ring", this trail-blazing and iconic political machine unashamedly bribed newspapers and legislatures, stole elections and and immense amounts of money.
Its thefts from the City have been estimated at between 20 and 200 million 1870 dollars: 500 million to 5 billion 2025 dollars. Tweed boasted of having amassed a personal fortune of $20 million -- but died miserably in prison at age fifty-five.
Many of his modes of governmental corruption have thrived into the twenty-first century. The Ring of Tweed had significant connections with the five U.S. Presidential elections between 1864 and 1880. Later Presidents notably influenced by their dealings with political bossses (often referred to as "Tweeds") and their machines have included Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John Kennedy, and Donald Trump.
"The Boss in American Government: William M. Tweed and His Successors in Corruption from the 1860s to Today" by Mark Thompson is history of Boss Tweed and his influence on the American government resonates deeply as an analysis of political corruption and its legacy.
Critique: Original, exceptional, timely, "The Boss in American Government: William M. Tweed and His Successors in Corruption from the 1860s to Today" by Mark Thompson is a seminal, informative, and deftly crafted study that is informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of twenty-eight pages of Chapter Notes, a six page Bibliography, and a seven page Index. While this trade paperback (7 x 0.6 x 10 inches, 1.15 pounds) edition of "The Boss in American Government" is especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library American History and Political Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, political activists/reformers, and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the subject that "The Bos in American Government from McFarland & Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note: Mark Thompson was a full-time professor at Harvard University from 1975 to 1983 and has been a visiting professor at the Universite de Paris and the Universitat Bielefeld in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. He taught courses on decision science, game theory, and social program evaluation. He lives in Lexington, Massachusetts.
The Ragged Edge of Freedom
Matthew E. Stanley
Monthly Review Press
www.monthlyreview.org
9781685901547, $99.00, HC, 464pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ragged-Edge-Freedom-Capitalism-Borderland/dp/1685901549
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ragged-edge-of-freedom-matthew-e-stanley/1148674641
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Ragged Edge of Freedom: Race, Capitalism, and Class Struggle in Slavery's Borderland", Professor Matthew E. Stanley explores the long shadow of slavery in the Lower Midwest.
In the decades after the Civil War, elites in southern Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois constantly raised the specter of "cheap" Black labor to divide workers, discipline markets, and gain political advantage. At the same time, powerful outsiders depicted the borderland as dirty and degraded, pathologizing the region's working poor through a rising capitalist ideology that linked a human's worth to their economic productivity. Desperate to maintain their precarious standing and avert the phantasma of "negro invasion," countless Lower Midwesterners envisioned a republic of "free white labor" predicated on the ruthless exclusion of Black "competition."
Yet, as Professor Stanley demonstrates, racial division is only one part of this story, as class-based interracialism materialized in unlikely places and against impossible odds. In the heat of border-making and white supremacist violence, ordinary people challenged the free white labor consensus -- through bottom-up struggle over shared material goals.
From settler dispossession through the age of mass incarceration and deindustrialization, this absorbing study recounts dramatic and previously neglected clashes between workers and the formidable bastions of wealth and power.
Professor Stanley shares the stories of abolitionists, freedpeople, agrarian populists, militant coal miners, and socialists, Black and white, who risked everything in defiance of the region's restrictive boundaries and its racial capitalist grip.
Against a backdrop of blood-stained civil wars and riveting industrial battles in a pivotal yet often overlooked American region, "The Ragged Edge of Freedom" is a people's history -- one of inspiration and urgency and complex resistance from below.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking study, "The Ragged Edge of Freedom: Race, Capitalism, and Class Struggle in Slavery's Borderland" is informative enhanced for the reader by Professor Matthew E. Stanley including a thirty-five page Introduction (Border Thinking), and eight page Epilogue (The Present State), seventy-seven pages of Notes, and an eighteen page Index. Exceptionally well written, documented, organized and presented, "The Ragged Edge of Freedom" is an deftly crafted and unreserved recommended addition to community and college/university library American Political/Economic History collections and supplemental African-American History curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "The Ragged Edge of Freedom" from the Monthly Review Press is also available in paperback (9781685901530, $35.00).
Editorial Note: Matthew E. Stanley is associate professor of history at the University of Arkansas, and the author or editor of four books, including the award-winning, The Loyal West: Civil War and Reunion in Middle America. There is an extensive online listing of his books at: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16341187.Matthew_E_Stanley
The Civil War History Shelf
Buckeye Odyssey
Samuel H. Fink
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476697468, $49.95, PB, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Buckeye-Odyssey-History-Volunteer-Infantry/dp/1476697469
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/buckeye-odyssey-samuel-h-fink/114714314
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/buckeye-odyssey
Synopsis: Recounting the remarkable odyssey of the 82nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry through the Second Manassas, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Chattanooga, as well as the Atlanta, Savannah, and Carolina campaigns, "Buckeye Odyssey: A Civil War History of the 82nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Through the Stories of Six Men" by Samuel H. Fink is a Civil War regimental history that reconstructs the fascinating lives of six of its soldiers whose stories were little known or long forgotten.
What is the real story behind a poignant Walt Whitman poem? How did an American treasure barely escape destruction and disappear for more than half a century? What obscure congressman was a ground-breaker in admitting African Americans to West Point? What influential late nineteenth-century Ohio politician was consigned to historical oblivion?
These and other tales from the lives of brave men who served in the 82nd Ohio provide compelling reading.
Critique: A unique and welcome contribution to the growing library of American Civil War histories and biographies, "Buckeye Odyssey: A Civil War History of the 82nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Through the Stories of Six Men" by Samuel H. Fink is occasionally illustrated with B/W historical photos and maps. A deftly crafted work of meticulous scholarship, "Buckeye Odyssey" is informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of four Appendices, sixteen pages of Chapter Notes, a six page Bibliography, and a five page Index. While an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Civil War collections, it should be noted for students, academia, Civil War buffs, and non-specialist general readers that this trade paperback (7 x 0.58 x 10 inches, 1.12 pounds) edition of "Buckeye Odyssey" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note: Samuel H. Fink is a retired psychologist who practiced and taught psychology in the state of Minnesota for 34 years. He lives in historic Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
Retreat from Victory
Francis Augustin O'Reilly
Savas Beatie LLC
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611217674, $39.95, HC, 464pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Retreat-Victory-Battle-Malvern-Seven/dp/1611217679
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/retreat-from-victory-francis-augustin-oreilly/1148428250
Synopsis: Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862, marked the climax of the Seven Days' Battles around Richmond, Virginia. For the first time since the Civil War began, the full might of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's Union Army of the Potomac and Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia met on one field. The world watched and wondered as this high-stakes combat played out on the doorstep of the Confederate capital.
The Union army emerged victorious with its superior positions and overwhelming artillery firepower, yet McClellan retreated from victory to establish a safe base on the James River. Lee's army secured a default victory simply by holding the battlefield and saving Richmond from capture.
Francis Augustin O'Reilly's long-awaited study, "Retreat from Victory: The Battle of Malvern Hill and the End of the Seven Days, July 1, 1862" is the first book-length treatment of this critical and pivotal combat.
O'Reilly examines the singular struggle at Malvern Hill in depth and from a wide variety of perspectives, including its implications for the war, the armies, the opposing governments, the people, and slavery. He pieces together the tactical movements of troops on the battlefield and the intentions of leaders on the front lines and in the halls of government in Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia. Above all, he gives voice to the soldiers, sharing their experiences in combat and on campaign.
Two decades in the making, "Retreat from Victory draws" on hundreds of primary sources (many previously unused) including official records, diaries, newspapers, and regimental histories. O'Reilly's sound and reasoned conclusions are grounded in his deep archival research and keen understanding of the complex terrain.
This climactic Civil War battle elevated General Lee's career and marked the beginning of the end of General McClellan's. It was a watershed moment when the Civil War transformed from a rebellion into a revolution. The conflict grew exponentially larger and more brutal, and ultimately doomed slavery in America. O'Reilly's "Retreat from Victory" provides a definitive account of the Battle of Malvern Hill and sets a standard that will endure for the foreseeable future.
Critique: A seminal and exhaustive study of one of the truly influential of the American Civil War battles between the Union and the Confederacy, "Retreat from Victory: The Battle of Malvern Hill and the End of the Seven Days, July 1, 1862" by Civil War historian Francis Augustin O'Reilly is informationally enhanced for the reader's benefit with B/W historical photos and maps, a seventeen page Prelude (Malvern Hill: Haunted by Victory), three Appendices, a twenty page Bibliography, and a twelve page Index. Exceptionally well written and thorougly 'reader friendly' in organization, documentation, and presentation, "Retreat from Victory" is an acclaimed and unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library American Civil War History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, Civil War buffs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Retreat from Victory" from Savas Beatie is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.99).
Editorial Note: Francis Augustin O'Reilly (www.librarything.com/a/81323) is an author and historian who can often be found on the Civil War battlefields of Virginia and, occasionally, on the battlefields of Europe. O'Reilly wrote the award-winning The Fredericksburg Campaign: Winter War on the Rappahannock (2003), which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Military history is his passion, and he has had a lifelong fascination with how soldiers conduct themselves under extreme duress. O'Reilly has been a professional battlefield guide for forty years. He has led tours and staff rides from Manassas to Appomattox and has lectured around the world on topics of war and leadership. Frank lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with his wife and soulmate Amy, and their Black Lab/Great Dane/Clydesdale puppy named Miles.
The Forts Henry and Donelson Campaign: February 6-16, 1862
Steven E. Woodworth & Charles D. Grear, editors
Southern Illinois University Press
www.siupress.com
9780809339983, $48.00, HC, 164pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Forts-Henry-Donelson-Campaign-Campaigns/dp/0809339986
Southern Illinois University Press
https://www.siupress.com/9780809339976/the-forts-henry-and-donelson-campaign
Synopsis: In early 1862, the Civil War had been raging for almost ten months, and the Confederacy had enjoyed virtually uninterrupted success. From seizing federal property to early battlefield victories, Southern forces had effectively expelled Union authority from nearly all of the Confederacy's eleven states. The Union suffered repeated setbacks, while modest victories in western Virginia and Kentucky had little strategic impact. By the end of February, however, much had changed.
On February 6, Union gunboats under the joint command of Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant and Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote captured Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, opening a crucial waterway into the Confederacy. Just days later, Grant moved against Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River. After several days of fighting, the fort surrendered on the 16th, along with more than 13,000 Confederate troops -- the largest surrender in US history to that point.
These twin victories shattered Confederate control of Kentucky and western Tennessee, allowing Federal soldiers and sailors to use the rivers to threaten the Confederacy's interior. This first major strategic breakthrough of the war signaled a dramatic shift in momentum and elevated Grant's national profile.
Knowledgeably compiled and co-edited by the team of Civil War historians Steven E. Woodworth and Charles D. Grear, "The Forts Henry and Donelson Campaign: February 6 - 16, 1862" is a compendium of informative essays from leading and emerging scholars that collectively provide in-depth analyses of previously overlooked aspects of the Forts Henry and Donelson campaign.
The contributors examine how ecological forces influenced the campaign, the effectiveness of the joint command between the Union army and navy, and Union brigadier general Charles F. Smith's assault that doomed Fort Donelson. They also explore the battle's impact on the military career of Nathan Bedford Forrest, the effects of surprise during the Confederate breakout attempt from Fort Donelson, Confederate colonel Gabriel Wharton's memoir, and how the loss of the forts showed Texans that the fight to preserve the enslaved South would cost them more than they had imagined.
In the aftermath of the Forts Henry and Donelson campaign, most of the Civil War still lay ahead. The Confederacy would have many opportunities to regain its momentum and exhaust the Union will to prevail. However, with a few key exceptions, for the rest of the war, the Confederacy fought to defend itself rather than to take new territory. It was in this massive shift of momentum during ten days in 1862 that the war's military outcome was foreshadowed.
Critique: With contributions by Michael Burns, Sheilah R. Elwardani, Blakeney K. Hill, Jonathan M. Steplyk, and Brian S. Wills, "The Forts Henry and Donelson Campaign: February 6-16, 1862" is a seminal compendium of impressively informative accounts and commentaries of two key and significant battles that were critical to the ultimate Union victory over the Confederacy. Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit, "The Forts Henry and Donelson Campaign: February 6-16, 1862" includes maps and B/W illustrations, a two page listing of the contributors and their credentials, and a five page Index. An important and unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library American Civil War collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, Civil War buffs and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "The Forts Henry and Donelson Campaign: February 6-16, 1862" from the Southern Illinois University Press is also readily available in a paperback edition (9780809339976, $24.95).
Editorial Note #1: Steven E. Woodworth has authored, co-authored, or edited more than thirty books, including Manifest Destinies: America's Westward Expansion and the Road to Civil War and Nothing but Victory: The Army of the Tennessee, 1861-1865.
Editorial Note #2: Charles D. Grear is the author of Why Texans Fought in the Civil War and an extensive list of other publications on the state's involvement. Together, Woodworth and Grear have edited several books in the Civil War Campaigns in the West series, including The Vicksburg Assaults, May 19-22, 1863, and Vicksburg Besieged.
The Military History Shelf
USCG Cutter Eagle: The Legacy of the Coast Guard's Flagship
Will Sofrin
The Lyons Press
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
www.globepequot.com
9781493092628, $24.95, PB, 232pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/USCG-Cutter-Eagle-Legacy-Flagship/dp/1493092626
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/uscg-cutter-eagle-will-sofrin/1148151386
Synopsis: The USCG Cutter Eagle has been an integral part of the United States Coast Guard since her commissioning in 1946, serving as both a training ship and a representation of the Coast Guard's commitment to excellence. Originally built in Germany as the Horst Wessel and sailed under the Nazi flag, she was taken as a war prize after World War II and transformed into a vessel that reflects America's democratic ideals. Eagle trains USCG Academy cadets, offering instruction in navigation, ship handling, and the rigors of life at sea. She embodies the hard work, discipline, and sacrifice that members of the Coast Guard dedicate to protecting the nation, often in less publicized yet critical roles.
With the publication of "USCG Cutter Eagle: The Legacy of the Coast Guard's Flagship", Will Sofrin traces Eagle's history from her origins in WWII through nearly eight decades of U.S. service, told through the lens of cadet and crew experiences. It captures the transformative nature of life aboard, where young men and women confront the sea while learning to lead, endure hardship, and work together as a team.
Leadership is a central theme in Eagle's mission. Serving as a floating classroom, the ship cultivates leadership skills in future officers by teaching them to lead under pressure, make critical decisions, and motivate others in a demanding environment. Training aboard goes beyond military command -- it prepares cadets for roles in diverse sectors, helping them meet the challenges of teamwork, resilience, and communication. The lessons prepare leaders for any career that requires purpose and the ability to guide others toward a goal.
The USCG Cutter Eagle also represents a unique intersection between leadership and international diplomacy. She sails to ports around the world, participating in goodwill missions that promote cultural exchange, mutual respect, and cooperation among nations.
As tensions rise and new challenges emerge, the need for skilled leaders has never been more pressing. The USCG Cutter Eagle is more than a symbol of the Coast Guard's legacy; she is a tool for shaping leaders who can contribute to peacekeeping, crisis management, and cooperation across borders. In this sense, the USCG Cutter Eagle embodies not just national pride but also a broader vision of global leadership and diplomacy.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated with historical color photos throughout, "USCG Cutter Eagle: The Legacy of the Coast Guard's Flagship" by Will Sofrin is an impressive maritime military history focused on the singular ship that was transformed from a World War II captured prize to an iconic American Coast Guard training vessel still operational today. This large format (7 x 0.6 x 10 inches, 1.25 pounds) trade paperback edition of "USCG Cutter Eagle: The Legacy of the Coast Guard's Flagship" from Lyons Press is unreservedly recommended as a unique pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library American Maritime Military History collections. It should be noted that it is also readily available for students, academia, and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the subject in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note #1: Will Sofrin is a master shipwright who has taught at MIT and has built boats for Billy Joel and Estee Lauder. As a former professional sailor and licensed captain, he has tracked more than 30,000 blue-water miles. Today he is a freelance writer for numerous maritime periodicals, continues to race sailboats, and explores the coast of California with his wife and daughter. He is the author of All Hands on Deck (Abrams) and an advisor on the exhibit committee for the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.
Editorial Note #2: From its founding in 1887 through today, the USCG Alumni Association connects Coast Guard Academy alumni across the generations to further their philanthropy and engagement with the Academy and beyond. Their proud and connected alumni, cadet, and Academy communities thrive as leaders of character in service to their peers, the Coast Guard, and humanity.
The Political Science Shelf
A Case for Congress
Francis Lee
University of Oklahoma Press
www.oupress.com
9780806196756, $29.95, HC, 220pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Congress-Julian-Rothbaum-Distinguished-Lecture/dp/0806196750
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-case-for-congress-frances-lee/1148336597
Synopsis: Polarized. Dysfunctional. Toxic. Broken. These are only some of the negative words Americans use to describe the United States Congress. Nowadays hardly anyone has something good to say about either the House of Representatives or the Senate, the two bodies that make up Congress. But is this common viewpoint too negative, too one-sided? And is it based on solid evidence or reasonable expectations?
With the publication of "In A Case for Congress", political scholar Frances Lee provides a more balanced assessment, arguing for the enduring worth and importance of the representative assembly.
As one of the three branches of the US government, Congress stands at the heart of our liberal democracy. This continues to be true even when Congress is divided and fractious. Lee draws from a wide range of scholarship and current data to highlight three important functions that Congress continues to serve, as envisioned by the authors of the Constitution: representing the American people along multiple dimensions, lawmaking even in the face of persistent disagreement, and holding executive branch officials accountable.
While Congress never fully achieves any of its functions, it still serves them.
Written in a clear and engaging style, "A Case for Congress" challenges readers to think against the grain and appreciate the Congress we have, not an ideal Congress that never in fact existed. "The bathwater is dirty," Professor Lee acknowledges, "but there is a baby in there."
It turns out that a complex, polarized, distrustful republic of some 340 million Americans needs Congress more than ever.
Critique: Original, timely, informative, insightful, inspirational and aspirational, "A Case for Congress" is enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a sixteen page Introduction (A Spirit of Appreciation), fourteen pages of Notes, an eighteen page Bibliography, and a six page Index. Impressively well written, organized and presented, "A Case for Congress" is an unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary American Democracy/Congressional Politics collections and supplemental Political Science studies lists. Offering a reasoned and documented support for the institution of Congress as a third branch of government, "A Case for Congress" is highly recommended reading for students, academia, aspiring and practicing politicians, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
Editorial Note: Frances Lee (https://franceslee.scholar.princeton.edu) is Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. She is the author or editor of numerous books, including Insecure Majorities: Congress and the Perpetual Campaign and Beyond Ideology: Politics, Principles, and Partisanship in the U.S. Senate.
Jefferson and Hamilton Try to Save America
Roger P. Mourad, Jr.
https://rogermouradwrites.com
Liminal Books
9781965059920, $14.99, PB, 166pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Jefferson-Hamilton-Save-America-Rick/dp/1965059929
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jefferson-and-hamilton-try-to-save-america-with-rick-and-lew-roger-p-mourad/1149623899
Synopsis: When Washington, D.C. spirals toward chaos, two of its most illustrious Founding Fathers are summoned from their graves.
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton reappear in present-day America at the desperate request of President Duck, a commander-in-chief facing mass protests, political meltdown-and a baffling condition that limits him to walking only backward.
Escorted by Rick and Lew, a pair of over-the-hill potheads, the two constantly quarreling Founder Fathers blunder through the modern capital, colliding with Supreme Court justices, mobs of protesters, tourists, and an unhinged English soccer fan club.
As tensions rise and rival demonstrators converge on the White House steps, Jefferson and Hamilton must confront a nation that has taken their ideas to absurd extremes. With time running out and reality unraveling, they help Duck hatch a last-ditch plan to save the republic -- assuming they don't tear it apart first!
Critique: Original, iconoclastic, and timely, "Jefferson and Hamilton Try to Save America with Rick and Lew" by Roger Mourad, Jr. will hold an immense interest for readers with an appreciation of deftly crafted and impressively presented contemporary political satire. As it demonstrates so aptly, "Jefferson and Hamilton Try to Save America with Rick and Lew" skewers the current day disregard so many in political office (and those who support them) for the political traditions and unwritten norms that are essential to preserving and protecting our American style democracy. While unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library Political Science & Humor collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Jefferson and Hamilton Try to Save America with Rick and Lew" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Roger P. Mourad Jr. (https://rogermouradwrites.com) is an academic author from Ann Arbor, Michigan who has made an exciting leap into fiction writing. His scholarly background enriches his imaginative stories with profound depth and creativity, promising readers captivating and intellectually stimulating narratives.
The Book of Don: A Sacred Chronicle of the Trump Era
T. B. Calder
Granite Ridge Press
9798995393719, $26.95, HC, 232pp
9798995393702, $17.95, PB, 232pp
9798995393740, $9.95, Kindle, 232pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Don-Sacred-Chronicle-Trump-ebook/dp/B0GX3GNZQN
Synopsis: He came down from the tower, and America called it politics.
With the publication of "The Book of Don: A Sacred Chronicle of the Trump Era" by T. H. Calder, the Trump era is recast as sacred history: the rise of a man who turned fame into power -- and power into myth.
Told in a voice that echoes scripture while refusing to worship it, "The Book of Don" is an original work of literary satire that transforms recent political history into something older, stranger, and more revealing.
Towers become temples. Campaigns become crusades. Television becomes prophecy. And the line between performance and power disappears entirely.
"The Book of Don" is not a conventional political book. It is not journalism. It is not neutral.
It is a chronicle of how spectacle became authority -- and how a nation learned to speak its language.
"The Book of Don" reveals:
The making of a public figure as origin myth.
The art of the deal recast as doctrine.
The media age rendered as gospel.
The descent into politics told as prophecy fulfilled.
A narrative voice that is equal parts reverent, ironic, and unflinching.
Some will read this as satire. Some will read it as commentary. Some will recognize it as something closer to mythmaking in real time. Everyone will recognize the story.
If you're looking for a standard political analysis/commentary study, "The Book of Don" isn't it. But if you're looking for something that you will underline, quote, and come back to again and again, that's just what "The Book of Don" is -- from cover to cover.
Critique: Original, iconoclastic, timely, irreverent, and deftly crafted with an impressively memorable satirical irony and inescapable resonance, "The Book of Don: A Sacred Chronicle of the Trump Era" by T. B. Calder is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library Political Science & Human collections.
Editorial Note: T. B. Calder studied history and law at American universities, which was either excellent preparation for this book or a complete waste of time. Calder writes satire and fiction exploring power, authority, and the myths we build around them. This is Calder's first book.
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
George Washington: Citizen, Soldier, Statesman
Gary L. Gregg II
South Dakota Historical Society Press
https://www.sdhspress.com
9781941813706, $14.95, PB, 296pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/George-Washington-Citizen-Statesman-Biography/dp/B0GZR8GVWC
South Dakota Historical Society Press
https://www.sdhspress.com/books/george-washington
Synopsis: When he died in 1799, George Washington was eulogized as "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."
As commander in chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and the nation's first president from 1789 to 1797, Washington emerged not only as the United States' leading statesman and foremost Founding Father, but as the living symbol of the American Revolution.
It was the strength of his character that enabled him to triumph over challenges no other American has faced and to resist temptations few other historical figures have refused. His name and his image are now so ubiquitous, his legacy and his legend so much larger than life, that it may seem like he was destined to defeat the world's most powerful empire and unify a sprawling new nation.
"George Washington: Citizen, Soldier, Statesman" by Gary L. Gregg II is a timely reminder that contrary to his grand visage on Mount Rushmore, Washington was not born to greatness -- he earned it.
The third son in a family of middle-class farmers, young George was left with inferior lands and no prospect of receiving a formal education when his father died while he was just a boy. Knowing that he would have to make his own way in the world, Washington worked to better himself, built a vast personal fortune, dedicated his life to public service, and seized opportunities few others would have dared to embrace.
"George Washington: Citizen, Soldier, Statesman" highlights the crucial moments of Washington's career to demonstrate that he was not just a great man, but a good one, who set an example worthy of emulation.
Critique: Featuring B/W illustrations, "George Washington: Citizen, Soldier, Statesman" is a seminal biography that includes twenty-four pages of Notes and a seven page Index. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, this paperback edition of "George Washington: Citizen, Soldier, Statesman" from the South Dakota Historical Society Press is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library American Biography/Memoir collections and the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the life and history of George Washington -- an ideal citizen, and triumphant solider, and a successful statesman.
Editorial Note: Gary L. Gregg II (https://www.dr2g.com) is the Mitch McConnell Chair in Leadership at the University of Louisville and the Director of the McConnell Center. He is the author or editor of a dozen nonfiction books, including Reflection and Choice: The Federalists, the Anti-Federalists and the Debate that Defined America (McConnell Center Books, 2020), and Patriot Sage: George Washington and the American Political Tradition (ISI Books, 1999), which Human Events magazine named as one of the top ten books of that year. A prolific public speaker, he has also authored nearly a hundred op-eds and essays as well as the young adult novel The Stag and the Spear (Butler Books, 2024). He has served on numerous educational boards, including those of The Philadelphia Society, Air University (which oversees all educational programs of the U.S. Air Force), and the University Bookman. Since 2014, he is the Director and Lead Faculty for the U.S. Army's Strategic Broadening Seminar at the University of Louisville, which affords him ample opportunity to discuss George Washington's leadership lessons and other topics.
Defiance of Gravity: Adventures of a Baby Boomer
Frank X. White
Independently Published
9798246330944, $24.99, HC, 220pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Defiance-Gravity-Adventures-Baby-Boomer/dp/B0GKZXN5NF
Synopsis: Branded an "Ivy League 1976" destiny as a defenseless toddler, "Defiance of Gravity: Adventures of a Baby Boomer" is the coming-of-age memoir of Frank X. White is presented as a series of short stories and charts a life defined by the irreconcilable tension in Franks's psyche in contrast to his well-meaning parents.
From enduring a severe case of dyslexia, a forty-foot plummet from a treehouse, and other unusual tribulations during childhood, to embarking on an adventurous overland journey from England to India as a college student, Frank sought authentic experience and his idea of fun throughout his life.
As a postgrad in New York City, he rejected the corporate path after an existential sojourn as a savings bank manager, finding pure liberation as a Checker Cab driver, legal proofreader, and an aspiring graduate student.
Guided by his mother's "wallflower rule" and reading of the Stoics, this long road of physical and philosophical trials gradually reveals that life is part of a continuum, leading to wisdom and enlightenment considered more valuable than wealth and success.
Critique: Exceptionally candid, impressively well written, organized and presented, "Defiance of Gravity: Adventures of a Baby Boomer" is an emotionally engaging, intellectually fascinating, humor laced, and authentically interesting coming of age and beyond life story. While "Defiance of Gravity: Adventures of a Baby Boomer" is unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Defiance of Gravity: Adventures of a Baby Boomer" is also readily available for personal reading lists in paperback (9798246330913, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99).
Editorial Note: Frank X. White (https://www.facebook.com/fxwhite) is a self-identified and aspiring connoisseur of the human condition, knowledge worker, writer, father, and so on...
Raised in Silence
Maria Gallucci
Independently Published
https://raisedinsilence.com
9798274357593, $17.99, HC, 180pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Raised-Silence-Lessons-Listening-Dinners/dp/B0G2HLCR8Q
Synopsis: What if your first language wasn't spoken, but signed?
Do you have friends, family, or clients who feel stuck on the outside? Do you long to cultivate inclusive, compassionate relationships both personally and professionally?
With the publication of her personal life story, "Raised In Silence: Lessons on Listening, Love, and Loud Family Dinners From a Child of Deaf Adults", Maria Gallucci invites you into the vivid, rarely seen world of growing up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Written with humor, heart, and unflinching honesty, she shares what it's like to bridge the gap between cultures from the moment you can walk: the Deaf world of her parents and the hearing world outside their door.
From interpreting medical diagnoses before she could spell "mortgage" to building a thriving career as a top-producing real estate professional, Maria's journey is both deeply personal and universally inspiring. Her life motto, "Just Try," echoes through every page, offering readers the courage to step into discomfort, embrace resilience, and connect across differences.
"Raised in Silence" is offers:
Stories that will make you laugh, cry, and think; from childhood antics in a signing household to the heartbreak of interpreting her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis.
A living guide to Deaf culture and ASL, filled with insights, respectful communication tips, and ways to foster true inclusion.
Universal lessons in love and identity, showing how humor, empathy, and pride transcend language, culture, and who you love.
Business and leadership wisdom drawn from Maria's success in real estate and advocacy, proving that listening deeply is the foundation of trust and growth.
Reflection prompts and motivational takeaways designed to help you put empathy into action in your own life and work.
Warm, wise, and wildly relatable, "Raised in Silence" also serves as a kind of cultural guide, a motivational handbook, and a business playbook, all rooted in one woman's extraordinary story, one that celebrates diversity, intersectionality, and the power of authentic connection
If you are ready to see the world through new eyes, bridge divides with courage, and discover what can happen when you just try, then "Raised in Silence" offers to share a journey toward deeper connection, inclusive leadership, and a more compassionate world.
Critique: Original, exceptional, informative, thought-provoking, and inspirational, "Raised In Silence: Lessons on Listening, Love, and Loud Family Dinners From a Child of Deaf Adults" by Maria Gallucci is impressively well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. A remarkable memoir, "Raised In Silence" will hold a special interest for members of the deaf community, Children of immigrants, bi-cultural families, professionals seeking inclusive leadership inspiration, especially in fields like business, education, and healthcare. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Raised In Silence" is also readily available in paperback (9781967587162, $12.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99).
Editorial Note: Maria Gallucci (https://raisedinsilence.com) is a multi-award-winning real estate agent, a proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), and a lifelong advocate for inclusive communication. Growing up as one of six hearing children raised by Deaf parents, Maria learned American Sign Language before English and acted as an unofficial interpreter, helping her parents buy a home when she was 12 years old. Her childhood shaped her passion for helping people feel seen and respected, especially those who are often overlooked or misunderstood. For more than 30 years, Maria has supported homebuyers from all walks of life with a special focus on serving the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and LGBTQ+ communities. She's the founder of Uptown Realty Group and Gallucci Homes, a top-producing agent at Compass Real Estate, and among the top 1.5% of agents nationwide. She also founded ASL @ Compass Affinity group and ASL Realty, a national platform connecting Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients with agents who communicate in American Sign Language. Outside of real estate, Maria serves on the boards of the Rocky Mountain Deaf School, DOVE (Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment), and CAD (Colorado Association of the Deaf).
The Amazing Life of Jeffrey Deroine
Greg Olson
University of Missouri Press
https://upress.missouri.edu
9780826223494, $30.00, HC, 180pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Life-Jeffrey-Deroine-Enslaved/dp/0826223494
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-amazing-life-of-jeffrey-deroine-greg-olson/1148345413
Synopsis: Born into slavery in St. Louis in 1806, Jeffrey Deroine (pronounced de-roh-NAY) worked and lived in the heart of a rapidly changing nation. Forced to work as a slave in the fur trade on the Missouri River, he experienced Missouri's rapid transformation from territory to statehood. As a trader, he helped his hometown grow from a small trading center into a large river town. Later, he participated in the founding of the frontier city of St. Joseph, Missouri.
Though scraps of his life are still present in the historical record, specifics have proven elusive. Still, it is important to tell Deroine's life story, as it is presented in "The Amazing Life of Jeffrey Deroine: Enslaved Trader, Prairie Diplomat, and Missouri Settler" by Greg Olson gives us a look both into the life of an enslaved man and the struggles of a free person of color in pre-Civil War Missouri. His life spanned a critical point in the history of the state, and he seems to have spent most of it at the very heart of the action.
Though not well known, the story of Jeffrey Deroine is significant because it illustrates the nuanced intersectionality of lives on the American frontier. Deroine was a man of both French and African descent who lived much of his life among Indigenous people. Born into slavery, he became a free person of color who was a businessman, owned property, and enslaved others. His life defied expectations and stereotypes, and a consideration of it allows us to better understand the history of Missouri and the West.
Critique: Informative enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of B/W illustrations, and Introduction (A Piture of a Man), an Epilogue (Family and Legacy), twenty pages of Notes, and an eleven page Index, "The Amazing Life of Jeffrey Deroine: Enslaved Trader, Prairie Diplomat, and Missouri Settler" by author and archivist Greg Olson is an extraordinary, seminal, and groundbreaking study that is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library African-American Biography/Memoir collections and supplemental 19th Century African-American History curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "The Amazing Life of Jeffrey Deroine" from the University of Missouri Press is also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $28.50, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Greg Olson served as the Curator of Exhibits and Special Projects at the Missouri State Archives from 2000 - 2018 and is the author of six books, including, The Ioway in Missouri; Voodoo Priests, Noble Savages, and Ozark Gypsies: The Life of Folklorist Mary Alicia Owen; and Indigenous Missourians: Ancient Societies to the Present.
The General Fiction Shelf
The Time of the Seventh Angel
David Gurr
Privately Published
9781067581633, $14.49 pbk / $3.99 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Time-Seventh-Angel-David-Gurr/dp/1067581634
Synopsis: Can Revelation's prophecy be defied?
At 90, Silver Dagger finalist (1979) David Gurr returns with a final novel that rewards patience and attention. Although begun half his lifetime ago, The Time of the Seventh Angel foretells the events of the September 11, 2001 attacks and beyond. It stands today at the rare intersection of literary fiction and thrilling geopolitical suspense. Gurr brings a seasoned, unmistakably authoritative voice to a story that shatters the fault lines of global power, nuclear brinkmanship, medical certainty, and spiritual belief.
It begins with a disturbance no intelligence system can explain. A mysterious stranger appears in Ukraine. The secret police fall to their knees. When an impregnable US nuclear command center is breached, the unthinkable follows. In Washington, Moscow, and Jerusalem, those entrusted with power are forced to confront a possibility they cannot contain or define.
The simultaneous, inexplicable Russian release of a Nobel Prize winner bringing a possible cure for cancer raises further questions, unsettling political, medical, and religious circles alike. As tensions escalate, the US Constitution and thermonuclear grand strategy collide with an ominous warning from antiquity.
Awakening the prophecies of the Book of Revelation, Gurr crafts a narrative that is as intellectually ambitious as it is suspenseful. This is a work for readers who appreciate fiction that challenges, provokes, and lingers - where the ultimate stake is nothing less than the future of our humanity itself.
An ancient warning that feels closer than ever.
Critique: The Time of the Seventh Angel is a dark contemporary novel begun before the fall of the Berlin Wall, and recently completed by nonagenarian author David Gurr. Steeped in scriptural prophecy, The Time of the Seventh Angel examines how geopolitical unrest, international violence, extreme ideological purity, and insufficiently secured nuclear weapons can push human civilization to the brink of Biblical Armageddon.
Individuals navigating the unfolding chaos range from a mysterious agent in Ukraine, to a charismatic young President insulated by manipulative advisors, to ordinary American Pete Mathias, a divorced father and lapsed Catholic, who is forced to shift his priorities from the minutiae of everyday life to speaking out on behalf of humanity.
Terrifying, precognizant, and a grim reflection of the modern era, The Time of the Seventh Angel is an utterly riveting read to final page. It should be noted for personal reading lists that The Time of the Seventh Angel is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.99, or free with Kindle Unlimited).
Editorial Note: David Gurr is the author of Troika, which was short-listed for the prestigious CWA British Silver Dagger (1979). Also, the Canadian Governor General's Literary Award (for The Ring Master, 1987), and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize (Caribbean and Canada, 1990, for The Voice of the Crane).
The Seaside Book Club
Helen Rolfe
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781806578528, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 404pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/the%20seaside%20book%20club
Synopsis: Welcome to a very special book club - where stories are shared, secrets kept, and friendships found.
Howard, newly retired to Dorset, joins the club because he can't sleep; the weekly sessions give him an opportunity to connect. Margot logs into the club only after her husband's fallen asleep - her life has grown small, and the club is the one place she can still be herself. And on the other side of the world, Faye joins the club to escape her sister's latest crisis and feel, for an hour, that she belongs somewhere.
For each of them, the book club is more than a hobby - it's a lifeline.
So when Howard suddenly disappears from the meetings, everything changes. Determined to be there for their friend, Faye and Margot must step out of their own troubled lives and travel to Dorset -- where the truth behind Howard's silence may turn out to be the most unexpected story of all!
Critique: An original, memorable, and deftly crafted work of heartfelt fiction, with the writing of "The Seaside Book Club", author Helen Rolfe has raised her novel to an impressive level of literary excellence. A fun and engaging read from start to finish, "The Seaside Book Club" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended as an enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary Women's Fiction collections. It should also available that this large print paperback edition of "The Seaside Book Club" is also available in a complete and unabridged CD (9781806578443) & MP3-CD (9781806578450) complete and unabridged audio book format ($86.95$73.91 each).
Editorial Note: There is a lengthy online listing of books by Helen Rolfe available at Book Series In Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/helen-j-rolfe
Old Girls Go Off The Rails
Maddie Please
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836560371, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 441pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/old%20girls%20go%20off%20the%20rails
Synopsis: When Lizzie Stevens was eighteen, life took a wrong turn. While her best friends Harriet and Anna went interrailing across Europe, Lizzie stayed behind -- shunted into a dusty bank job and a sensible life that never quite got back on track.
Now sixty-four, freshly divorced from terminally dull Freddie and wondering how she ended up here, Lizzie is unexpectedly reunited with the friends who left her behind. This time, she's not missing the train.
Their plan? A gloriously reckless rail adventure across Europe. The women are older, allegedly wiser, and considerably less flexible -- but their bags are packed and they're ready to depart.
Yet once the train pulls out of Worcester, it's clear this journey won't be smooth. Old secrets derail fond memories, Harriet and Anna barely tolerate each other, and Lizzie discovers the trip she idolized for decades wasn't quite first-class.
As they rattle from city to city (Paris to Venice before embarking on a cruise along the Croatian coast) the old girls are fueled by laughter and questionable decisions. And Lizzie begins to realize that it's never too late to change direction -- and that the best adventures are the ones without a timetable.
Critique: Original, exceptional, laced throughout with humor, friendship, and adventure, "Old Girls Go Off The Rails" by Maddie Please is a compelling page-turner of a read from cover to cover. Showcasing her impressive storytelling style, and populated by memorable characters and featured a number of unexpected plot twists, this large print paperback edition of "Old Girls Go Off The Rails" from Boldwood Books is an ideal and recommended pick for community library Contemporary Women's Fiction collections. "Old Girls Go Off The Rails" is also available in a CD (9781836560302) & MP3-CD (9781836560319) complete and unabridged audio book format ($86.95$73.91 each).
Editorial Note: There is an extensive listing of books by Maddie Please available online at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/maddie-please
Bacatown Blues
Patrice Williams
Outskirts Press, Inc.
www.outskirtspress.com
9781977289940, $24.95, PB, 296pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bacatown-Blues-Patrice-Williams/dp/1977289940
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bacatown-blues-patrice-williams/1149840352
Synopsis: Hurricane Katrina's devastation of New Orleans reignites Tamara Mitchell's love of her hometown along with an old grudge against a rich and powerful white developer, Joe Pacello, whom she blames for her father's suicide when she was a teenager. She breaks her engagement to an unsympathetic Philadelphia man, intending to return home to use her MBA experience to contribute to the city's rebuilding as she watches for chances to pursue revenge against Pacello.
She approaches the FBI and they agree she will be an ideal mole for their planned undercover operation that will ferret out and stop corruption by Pacello and the politicians who plan to rip off the federal recovery funds. Her co-informant will be a handsome banker, Clint Johnson, whose motive for joining the sting is unclear and whose marital status is murky.
Working incognito, Tamara meets an inspiring black minister (Clarence Washington) who is trying to save his Katrina-battered minority neighborhood, Bacatown, from redevelopment for affluent, mostly white office employees in the nearby CBD. Tamara admires the reverend and she must decide whether to pursue her original objectives or assist the reverend in reviving Bacatown. Or can she do both?
Tamara and Johnson must maintain their undercover identities as they work to expose corruption while dealing with their strong mutual attraction.
When the Mob's top man, Nick Ricci, suspects New Orleans has been infested by an FBI mole or maybe two, both Tamara and Johnson are in jeopardy of ending up in the Mob's local body-dumping spot, the Alligator Hole. Tamara learns shocking information from her mother about the relationship between her father and Pacello. She confronts Pacello and their mutual revelations lead both in new directions. Tamara must redirect conflicting paths of revenge, romance, and justice for the beleaguered Bacatown and its minister.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from start to finish,
"Bacatown Blues" is all the more impressive when considering that this novel with its memorable blending of romance, crime, and suspense is author Patrice Williams' debut as an author. Revealing a genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that keeps the reader fully engaged, "Bacatown Blues" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Bacatown Blues" from Outskirts Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Patrice Williams grew up in Uptown New Orleans and she, like Tamara in her debut novel, "Bacatown Blues", learned to love regional music, especially blues. In her professional career, she arranged financing for many controversial inner city projects similar to the one in the story. Her MBA in real estate finance enabled her to distinguish the good from the bad in this fraught world where wrongdoing is often masked by self-serving claims of the public interest. She now resides in Baton Rouge with her husband, two rescued dogs, and a large collection of blues CDs.
ADHD in D Minor: A Collection of Short Stories
Zoe Mahfouz
North Meridian Press
9798991952576, $15.00, PB, 155pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/ADHD-Minor-Collection-Stories-Meridian/dp/B0GZH5T4N3
Synopsis: With the publication of "ADHD in D Minor: A Collection of Short Stories", author Zoe Mahfouz has created a high-speed, television-flavored mixtape of sketches, manifestos, character monologues, rage letters, and love notes that orbit the unhinged core of a mind too fast for traditional structure.
As it turns out, Zoe did not come to literature to heal. She came to dominate.
Zoe was raised by a Montessori mom, groomed by reruns of Frasier, Will & Grace and Family Guy, and diagnosed with a God Complex, the self-declared long-lost third Coen Brother (or Sister) believes in scenes, not chapters, and punchlines, not conclusions.
"ADHD in D Minor" is not a work of autobiographical fiction. Rather, it is Zoe Mahfouz's multiverse. A dramatic reenactment written with the rhythm of a cold open and the philosophy of a sugar-high Woody Allen character. Every chapter is a freeze frame. Every voice sounds like it might burst into a song from Cats or yell "Cut!" mid-sentence.
"ADHD in D Minor" is not something you simply read so much as attend. Take your seat. Silence your phone. The curtain rises on the inner life of someone who can't stop noticing, narrating, overthinking, oversharing, or auditioning for roles she made up herself.
And yes, it's in D Minor, the funniest of all the melancholy keys!
Critique: Original, exceptional, memorable, unique, wicked funny, and a simply fascinating read from cover to cover, "ADHD in D Minor: A Collection of Short Stories" by Zoe Mahfouz is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, and college/university library Contemporary Satirical/Comedic Fiction collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "ADHD in D Minor" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Zoe Mahfouz is a multi-talented French artist: an award-winning bilingual Actress, Comedy Writer, Screenwriter, and Content Creator, whose work spans fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. An alumna of the London Film School with a Master's degree in Screenwriting, her style is often described as "very tongue-in-cheek," "kookie," and "random."
Her sitcom scripts have received praise from major international film festivals, including the Filmmatic Comedy Screenplay Awards, Hollywood Comedy Shorts, and the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival, a Canadian Screen Award-qualifying event.
Her other writing has appeared in more than 80 literary magazines and best-of anthologies worldwide, including Cleaver Magazine, Dr. T.J. Eckleburg Review, OPEN: Journal of Arts & Letters, NUNUM, and respected Japanese publications such as Ginyu (avant-garde poetry) and The Asahi Shimbun (a major national newspaper).
She is also the author of the chapbook Borges Must Be Rolling in His Grave (Dancing Girl Press, 2025).
The Historical Fiction Shelf
Our Fallen Woman
Steven Habbi, author
Kate Taylor, editor
Graeme Haig, illustrator
Soler Coaster Ltd.
https://www.ourfallenwoman.com
9781066666508, $15.95, PB, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Fallen-Woman-Survival-Cracks/dp/1066666504
Synopsis: A striking work of Irish historical fiction, "Our Fallen Woman: Survival in the Cracks of Empire" by Steven Habbi draws its readers into a world shaped by hunger, faith, and impossible choices.
Set against the harsh aftermath of Ireland's Great Hunger and the pull of emigration, "Our Fallen Woman" is the story of young Erin, a child born into poverty and heartbreak, whose life is altered by forces far beyond her control.
From the windswept shores of Galway to the unforgiving streets of Dublin, London, New York and beyond, her life unfolds alongside others caught in the machinery of empire, survival, and ambition as they intersect across class and continent, revealing a society marked by injustice, resilience, and quiet acts of sacrifice.
With elements of historical drama, romance, and crime woven through its pages, "Our Fallen Woman" is a deeply human tale of endurance and transformation. It explores what is lost when survival demands everything and what remains when faith, identity, and hope are tested to their limits.
Rich in atmosphere and emotional depth, "Our Fallen Woman" will appeal to readers of female-driven historical fiction who seek a story both intimate and sweeping, grounded in history yet alive with urgency.
Critique: Original, exceptional, compelling, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, author Steven Habbi's natural and impressive flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style raises his historical novel and fictional biography to an impressive level of literary excellence. Edited by Kate Taylor and illustrated by Graeme Haig, and a truly memorably engaging read from start to finish, "Our Fallen Woman: Survival in the Cracks of Empire" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Our Fallen Woman" from Soler Coaster Ltd. is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.49). Of special note is the author's unique creation of a video trailer for his novel which is readily available online for free at https://www.ourfallenwoman.com
Editorial Note: Steven Habbi is a Canadian author and creative producer based in London. Born on Prince Edward Island, his Maritime roots shape a storytelling style grounded in resilience, place, and lived history. He built his career inside the Omnicom Group and Publicis Groupe networks before leading global brand and creative transformation at HSBC and the London Stock Exchange Group. Drawing on over two decades of shaping global brands and immersive storytelling, his debut novel "Our Fallen Woman" brings that cinematic sensibility to historical fiction blending emotional depth with the untold realities of the past.
Ernie's Bleachers
Tim Pareti
Independently Published
www.Erniesbleachers.com
9798218003012, $17.95, PB, 314pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ernies-Bleachers-Tim-Pareti/dp/B0B4HJSKQ4
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ernies-bleachers-tim-pareti/1141688671
Synopsis: The Chicago Cubs in 1945 are heading to the World Series, and Eddy sneaks into games and brushes up against baseball legends, including stars of the Negro League. But he runs into trouble with a bookie who wants him to shoot a deadbeat gambler. He takes the mayor's car for a spin with his buddies, and (hold your horses!) he crashes a stagecoach on State Street.
Eddy's Italian-American family (who are already battling Chicago's machine politics and the Mafia) think he's going astray. Fed up, his parents make a decision that will change Eddy's life -- but street-smart Eddy has other plans. And thus begins a journey that takes him to places he's never been.
He encounters a strange religious cult that plays baseball on donkeys, and makes his home under the stars. Along the way, he learns a lifelong lesson about home, family, and responsibilities.
Based on a true story, "Ernie's Bleachers" by novelist Tim Pareti is a coming-of-age saga of baseball, family, and the American spirit that intersects on the corner of Sheffield and Waveland avenues -- a vintage tale that explores the classic era of our National Pastime, the ravages of war, the end of the Depression, and the city of big bets and big shoulders.
Critique: "Ernie's Bleachers" is the riveting story of Eddy Pareti, a boy who lives under the shadow of his older brother and sister -- straight A students who are the apple of their parent's eye. Eddy is clearly the black sheep of the family, a boy who dodges duties at his family's tavern (called Ernie's Bleachers), ditches school, fails seventh grade, and runs away from home. An original, exceptional, and deftly crafted novel that is based on a real historical character and family, author Tim Pareti's genuine flair for the kind of narrative and character driven storytelling style has created a simply fascinating and memorable story -- one that is especially and unreservedly recommended for highschool and community library sports/baseball and coming-of-age themed fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Ernie's Bleachers" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Tim Pareti (https://midlandauthors.org/bio-pareti) was born and raised on the north side of Chicago. An award-winning journalist, he worked as a reporter and editor for Scripps newspapers, and was a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune. He enjoys playing jazz and blues guitar and softball. "Ernie's Bleachers" is his breakout novel based on a true tale about an Italian-American family that lives across the street from Wrigley Field, -- home of the Chicago Cubs.
Leonor
Catherine Mathis
Histria Books
www.histriabooks.com
9781592117680, $19.99, PB, 400pp
Publishing Release Date: October 27, 2026
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Leonor-Queens-Portugal-Catherine-Mathis/dp/1592117686
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/leonor-catherine-mathis/1149520252
Synopsis: Portugal, 1367.
The royal court is a powder keg, and Leonor Teles de Meneses is the spark. Born noble, married off for duty, Leonor aches for more -- freedom, passion, a place at the heart of power. Her wit is sharp, her enemies sharper. Her king? He's both lover and battleground.
As the crown changes heads and alliances shift like sand, Leonor fights for a voice in a world that wants her silent. She's hemmed in by jealous sisters, a mother-in-law from hell, and a husband who'd rather write poetry than rule. But when the king's eye lands on her, the stakes soar. Now, every whispered rumor, every stolen glance, every calculated risk could mean everything -- or nothing.
Palace intrigue, forbidden love, and betrayal pulse through every corridor. In this world, trust is a luxury, and secrets are currency. Leonor's choices will tip the scales of dynastic conflict and decide the fate of a kingdom hungry for an heir.
Critique: The Queens of Portugal Trilogy by author Catherine Mathis which began to "Inez", continues with the publication of "Leonor". It's said that the game of thrones is a blood sport and this deftly crafted story of court intrigue and the competition to dominate (and staying alive) is as intense as it is convoluted is a fun read from start to finish. Catherine Mathis has once again demonstrated the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that pays great attention to detail, unexpected plot twists, and leaves her readers looking eagerly towards the third and final volume of this original compelling historical trilogy. While an unreservedly recommended pick for community library Historical Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Leonor" from Histria Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Catherine Mathis (https://www.catherinemathis.com) took a trip to Portugal, where inspiration struck unexpectedly. In the historic Abbey of Alcobaca, she discovered the tombs of Pedro and Ines -- often called Iberia's Romeo and Juliet. This discovery sparked a fascination with medieval legends, leading her to explore further tales of the next generation, including the remarkable Queen Philippa, daughter of John of Gaunt. Catherine is a dedicated member of the Historical Novel Society, the Atlanta Writers Club, and the Authors Guild. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, collecting folk art, reading, and exploring new destinations. Catherine encourages readers to explore the extensive reviews available on the Historical Novel Society's website (https://historicalnovelsociety.org).
The Literary Fiction Shelf
Bread of the Ravens
Aksil Azergui, author
Hamid Ouyachi, translator
Georgetown University Press
www.press.georgetown.edu
9781647126797, $19.95, PB, 112pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bread-Ravens-Amazigh-Studies-Azergui/dp/1647126797
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bread-of-the-ravens-aksil-azergui/1148352751
Synopsis: Written by Aksil Azergui and translated into English for an American readership by Hamid Ouyachi, "Bread of the Ravens" is the story of a nameless Amazigh journalist, who is imprisoned and tortured after publicly critiquing the violence and immiseration his people are enduring. His bravery comes at the cost of his freedom and nearly his life.
Told through a series of dizzying fever dreams, fragmented and discontinuous, scarred by torture and historical trauma, the Amazigh novelist Aksil Azergui delivers a harrowing narrative of the state violence, religious intolerance and terror, and repression of the Amazigh people.
Hamid Ouyachi's deft and visceral translation is razor-sharp in its specificity; it carries the reader into the journalist's altered reality, as he scrambles across unforgiving landscapes -- real or imaginary, obsessed with writing the story of the Imazighen.
"Bread of the Ravens" takes its place in a worldwide tradition of literature as means of resistance and a reclamation of language and identity.
Critique: Impressively original, deftly crafted, ably translated, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "Bread of the Ravens" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library Contemporary International Literary Fiction collections and supplemental curriculum studies. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Bread of the Ravens" from the Georgetown University Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.95).
Editorial Note #1: Aksil Azergui is a native of Tinejdad in Southeast Morocco. His most notable books in Tamazight include Is nsul nddr? (Are We Still Alive?, 2010), Igd n tlelli (Ashes of Liberty, 2012), Imggura g Yimazign (The Last of the Imazighen, 2014), and an adaptation of Homer's Odyssey, Asefru n Ilyun d Usikel n Ulis (2021).
Editorial Note #2: Hamid Ouyachi, a native of the Goulmima region of Southeast Morocco and a native speaker of Tamazight, is a writer and translator. His works have appeared in Rusted Radishes, Tamazgha Studies Journal, and Words without Borders.
Seeing Sunny Again
Paul Clayton
Independently Published
ASIN: B0H61J9YKR, $12.99, pb, 187PP
ASIN: B0H61T2TZ3, $6.99, Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Sunny-Again-Paul-Clayton-ebook/dp/B0H61T2TZ3
Synopsis: "Seeing Sunny Again" is a collection of seventeen short stories by Paul Clayton including:
The Trick -- a lonely teen is fooled into asking out a girl he otherwise would not have.
Fly Sense -- a young soldier seems incapable of accepting the senseless death of war. A man goes to China with his live-in girlfriend in From China with Love and discovers how little he knows about her.
The Ledger -- a dying man refuses to accept his limitations, making his adult caretaker son's life difficult.
Two, Too, To -- a destitute Asian woman immigrant must choose one of two American men to help her raise her child.
Sunday Evening Comin' Down -- a clueless divorced dad strives to connect with his estranged six-year-old daughter.
Critique: These five eloquent and engaging short stories, plus twelve more deftly crafted tales comprising "Seeing Sunny Again", offer compelling insights into 20th century middle class America and evoke an immediately experienced and universal resonance. They also showcase author Paul Clayton's genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that elevates his stories to an impressive level of literary excellence. "Seeing Sunny Again" is an inherently fascinating read and is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: There is an online listing of books by Paul Clayton at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/paul-clayton
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
A French Fling for the Golden Gals
Judy Leigh
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781785132711, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 460pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/a%20french%20fling%20for%20the%20golden%20gals
Synopsis: Sixty-one-year-old Maxine Sweet has a new life stretching in front of her. Her longed-for retirement is finally here and she's ready to enjoy it with partner Russell. Ready that is, until she gets home early to find Russell in flagrante delicto with a female friend.
With her best laid plans in tatters, Max has a choice to make -- mope at home or spread her wings. And when a chance comes to bask in the French sun for a glorious month, there's only one thing for it. Suitcase packed, Max heads off to the Brittany town of Plouvannec-Sur-Mer - home of tempting boulangeries, breath-taking beaches, not to mention some rather fine looking men of the perfect vintage.
As the irresistible French joie de vivre takes over and new friends welcome her, Max realises that perhaps it's not too late for a whole new life. A new future full of adventure and maybe even some romance is just one brave decision away...
Critique: A novel of love's disappointment, love's rediscovery, and love achieved in the later years of one's life, "A French Fling for the Golden Gals" by Judy Leigh is an extraordinary and entertaining tale of adventure, humor, friendship, and later-in-life romance. While this large print paperback edition of "A French Fling for the Golden Gals" is especially recommended for community library Contemporary Romantic Fiction collections, it should be noted that it is also readily available for dedicated fans of happy-ever-after romance novels that "A French Fling for the Golden Gals" is also available in a CD (9781785132650) & MP3-CD (9781785132667) complete and unabridged audio book format ($86.95$73.91 each).
Editorial Note: There is an extensive listing of books by Judy Lieght available online at FantasticFiction: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/judy-leigh
The Villa of Secrets
Emma Burstall
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781835615584, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 309pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/the%20villa%20of%20secrets
Synopsis: When Cleo arrives at Villa Ariadne on the sun-drenched island of Crete, she's hoping for space to breathe - and perhaps some clarity about the life she no longer recognizes. Newly divorced and estranged from one of her children, she's not sure what comes next.
Sharing the villa with a small group of women, each carrying their own private heartaches, Cleo is drawn into the gentle rhythm of island life. Beneath the lemon trees and endless blue skies, friendships begin to form and long-buried hopes stir.
But when an unexpected event shakes their peaceful escape, the women are forced to come together in ways none of them anticipated. And as Villa Ariadne works its quiet magic once more, Cleo may discover that even in uncertainty, second chances are still possible.
Critique: Showcasing her impressive and genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style, "The Villa of Secrets" by novelist Emma Burstall is the tale of a one week, life-changing, romance restoring, holiday in Greece who was not looking for love -- but would find it anyway. A deftly crafted and fun read from start to finish, this large print edition paperback edition of "The Villa of Secrets" from Boldwood Books is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted that "The Villa of Secrets" is also available in a CD (9781835615515) & MP3-CD (9781835615522) complete and unabridged audio book
format ($86.95$73.91 each).
Editorial Note: There is a listing of books by Emma Burstall online at FantasticFiction: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/emma-burstall
A Summer Wedding at Pennycress Inn
Sarah Hope
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836174752, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 377pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/a%20summer%20wedding%20at%20pennycress%20inn
Synopsis: Ellie thought she was starting over. After her long-term relationship collapses and her career implodes, she was braving a new chapter on her own, setting up a wedding planning business in her beautiful Cotswold village.
But when her ex walks away with almost everything she owns, Ellie's carefully rebuilt world begins to crack. Just as she's clinging to her last lifeline, planning her first wedding at the idyllic Pennycress Inn when fate throws the biggest complication yet into her path.
It's Murray. The man who broke her heart. The love she never truly let go.
Murray is back, working as a carpenter at the inn, and determined to 'clear the air'. As the days tick forwards towards the Pennycress wedding, Ellie must juggle the needs of her clients with new revelations from her old love, and a fresh spark of hope...
Could first love finally become forever love?
Critique: A deftly crafted, utterly charming, and emotionally engaging story of love once lost then found again, "A Summer Wedding at Pennycress Inn" by Sarah Hope is a deftly crafted and fun read from start to finish for the romantically inclined! It should be noted for personal and community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections that this large print trade paperback edition of "A Summer Wedding at Pennycress Inn" from Boldwood Books is also available in a complete and unabridged CD (9781836174691) & MP3-CD (9781836174707) audio book format ($93.95/$79.86 each).
Editorial Note: There is an extensive online lists of books by Sarah Hope at FantasticFiction: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/sarah-hope
Falls The Apple: The Family O'Connor
James Charles Adams
www.jamescharlesadams.com
Independently Published
9798258534170, $20.00, PB, 319pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Falls-Apple-James-Charles-Adams/dp/B0GY95S4GX
Synopsis: At 45, Liam O'Connor is in the family way.
A man befuddled by women and afraid of commitment, he seems an unlikely candidate for his first real relationship, and even more unlikely as a first-time father -- but here he is. You might say it's Liam's rebirth moment, but he's breech.
"Falls the Apple: The Family O'Connor" by James Charles Adams is a twenty-year saga, a wild ride punctuated by Liam's relationship with that baby aptly named Maeve ("she who intoxicates" or "she who rules"), as she grows into a precocious, headstrong young woman who stands toe to toe with her father and gives as good as she gets.
But "Falls the Apple" is far more than just a father-daughter tale. It also plumbs the depths of family identity, including the tug and pull of biological versus chosen relationships, and the intersection of business and friendship in day-to-day life and in the crises that inevitably interrupt our lives.
Critique: Impressively original, deftly crafted, James Charles Adams' genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that makes for an emotionally engaging and inherently fascinating read from start to finish, making his novel, "Falls the Apple", an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for community library collections with its blending of contemporary romance and suspense. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Falls the Apple" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: James Charles Adams (https://www.jamescharlesadams.com) "Falls the Apple: The Family O'Connor" is the follow-up to Jim Adams' debut novel, "Liam's Lady". Jim has an undergraduate degree in English from Michigan State University and law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
The Last Page
Katie Holt
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9798892424097, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Page-Novel-Katie-Holt/dp/B0FCRWPTD2
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last-page-katie-holt/1147568331
Synopsis: Ella has grown up at The Last Page, a charming local bookstore in New York City where she now works. Her first kiss was in the women's health section. A boyfriend dumped her in comedy. The owner is like a second father to her and has begun training her to take over the store. So when he unexpectedly dies and his estranged grandson is left everything in the will, Ella is devastated.
Henry doesn't know the first thing about running a bookstore. With his aging mom back in Tennessee, he plans to stay in New York just long enough to ensure things are running smoothly and then head back home. What he never could have counted on was the beautiful, funny bookseller who loves The Last Page more than any place in the world -- and who sees him as the villain who's come to ruin her life.
But when it becomes evident that the store is in deep financial trouble and Henry and Ella are both at risk of losing everything, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and team up -- despite the inconvenient chemistry blossoming between them.
Critique: The stuff of which Hallmark Channel rom-com movies are made, "The Last Page" by Katie Holt is a fun read from cover to cover and a 'must' for all dedicated romantic comedy fans. Original, clever, deftly crafted, while this hardcover edition of "The Last Page" from Alcove Press is unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Romance collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that it is also readily available in paperback (9798892424103, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle $14.99).
Editorial Note: Katie Holt (https://katieholtwriting.weebly.com/about.html) studied English with a concentration in creative writing at NYU and fought with every professor to prove that romance novels were worthy of their time. Katie is also the author of her debut novel "Not in My Book".
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Murder on Heartbreak Trail
D. W. Maroney
State of Mind Publishing
9781966224327, $11.99, PB, 159pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Heartbreak-Trail-Airstreams-Apparitions/dp/196622432X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-on-heartbreak-trail-d-w-maroney/1148432942
Synopsis: When Violet Hartwell's FBI agent husband, Mason, dies under suspicious circumstances the night before their long-dreamed-of Airstream adventure, her world shatters. Fleeing the suffocating wake in a haze of grief, Violet hits the road alone -- only to land in the middle of a murder investigation, with her own name at the top of the suspect list!
But Violet isn't truly on her own. Mason's ghost lingers at her side, and a band of spirited women campers rallies around her like sisters she never knew she needed. Together, they untangle a web of secrets, lies, and danger, proving that friendship (and maybe even a little afterlife meddling) can catch a killer.
Critique: Original, exceptional, and a fun read from start to finish, "Murder on Heartbreak Trail" by D. W. Maroney is a deftly scripted blend of murder, mystery, and the supernatural. With all the elements of a gripping cozy mystery, the imaginative, character and narrative driven storytelling style of Maroney is especially suited to fans of the genre and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Murder on Heartbreak Trail" is also available in both a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99) and for community/public libraries, a large print hardcover edition (9781966224341, $29.99).
Editorial Note: D. W. Maroney (https://dwmaroney.com) is a member of The Authors Guild, Liberty State Fiction Writers, and Sisters in Crime. Her books are listing online at: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18841960.D_W_Maroney
Temperature Rising
Joel Burcat
Milford House Press
c/o Sunbury Press
https://www.sunburypress.com/collections/milford-house-press
9798888193587, $24.95, PB, 316pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Temperature-Rising-Joel-Burcat/dp/B0H3QFWZXV
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/temperature-rising-joel-burcat/1150318580
Synopsis: Anna Freeman never expected a routine errand to change everything. But when the ambitious law student and environmental activist retrieves a harmless videotape on energy policy, she unknowingly steps into the heart of a ruthless conspiracy. Powerful lobbyists, corrupt politicians, and billion-dollar interests will do whatever it takes to keep their secrets buried -- and now, Anna is in their crosshairs.
Before she realizes it, she's pulled deep into the very system she once despised, embraced and seduced by those orchestrating the cover-up. They think she's one of them. But Anna has other plans. Working undercover for The New York Times, she's determined to expose the truth - no matter the cost. The only problem -- she falls in love with the industry's most trusted lobbyist.
With every step she takes, the danger intensifies. Lies mount. The deeper she infiltrates, the harder it becomes to save herself and her friends from the ultimate outcome. When the threats turn personal, Anna faces an impossible choice: Will she risk everything (her career, her relationships, her friendships, even her life) to bring the truth to light? Or will she be silenced before she has the chance?
As Anna races against time, one thing becomes clear -- some secrets are worth killing for.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, compelling, and a wild ride of a suspense thriller from start to finish, "Temperature Rising" by Joel Burcat blends a political action thriller with riveting elements of suspense, forbidden romance, and high-stakes deception. Author Joel Burcat's genuine flair for the kind of character and plot driven storytelling style engages the reader's rapt attention. A fun and engaging read from cover to cover, "Temperature Rising" is unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense Fiction collections while it should be noted for the personal reading lists of political suspense thriller fans that this paperback edition of "Temperature Rising" from Milford House Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: Joel Burcat (https://joelburcat.com) is an award-winning author of four environmental legal thrillers: Drink to Every Beast (about illegal dumping of toxic waste), Amid Rage (about a coal mine permit battle), Strange Fire (about a fracking dispute), and Reap the Wind (an action/adventure thriller). He has written numerous short stories. Burcat's books are infused with realism developed over a forty plus year career as an environmental lawyer. Burcat worked in government as an Assistant Attorney General and in a private law practice. He was selected as the 2019 Lawyer of the Year in Environmental Litigation (for Central Pa.) by Best Lawyers in America. He has retired from the practice of law and works full-time as a novelist. He is an active member of the International Thriller Writers and PennWriters.
Rich Little Liars
A.J. Carter
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781807343149, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/rich%20little%20liars
Synopsis: After surviving a house fire that killed her husband, Kelly Reynolds vanishes into the East Hamptons, a world of gated estates, pristine lawns and neighbors who smile like they have nothing to fear. Here, money buys discretion, and the past is supposed to stay buried.
But when anonymous notes begin appearing at her door, Kelly realizes that someone knows what really happened the night of the fire. With each message, the East Hamptons' flawless facade starts to crack, and the quiet judgement in her neighbors' eyes feels less imagined.
As suspicion tightens and danger creeps closer, Kelly's carefully rebuilt life begins to unravel. Because some secrets don't stay hidden -- and the truth is far more dangerous than the lies that protect it.
Critique: Exceptionally well crafted and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, this large print paperback edition from Boldwood Books of "Rich Little Liars" by A. J. Carter is a welcome and unreservedly recommended addition to the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery enthusiasts in general, and A. J. Carter fans in particular -- as well as community and public library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: There is an online listing of books by A. J. Carter available at Fantastic/Fiction: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/c/aj-carter
Murder in the Reading Room
Anita Davison
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836783657, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/murder%20in%20the%20reading%20room
Synopsis: Aunt Violet and her niece Hannah have a bookshop to run. But after a customer comes in asking for a rare book, Hannah takes a visit to the reading room of the British Library (a glorious domed building in the middle of the British Museum courtyard) to find out more
Hannah has barely finished making her request when a man at one of the hundreds of desks slumps over his work. Within moments, it becomes clear he is dead, stabbed in broad daylight, in the middle of the reading room surrounded by oblivious academics.
The reading room is an exclusive space where no one can enter or leave without detection. Yet the initial investigation yields no weapon, no witnesses, and no apparent motive.
But then Aunt Violet discovers the victim had been researching the unearthing of a lost piece of Italian sculpture. And Hannah (despite her new husband's firm insistence that she let the police do their job) finds herself unable to resist the temptation of investigating just one more murder!
Critique: An absolute 'must' for the legions of cozy mystery fans, "Murder in the Reading Room" is a part of novelist Anita Davison's always entertaining 'A Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mystery' series. A deftly crafted, fun and memorable read with many an unexpected plot twist and turn, this large print paperback edition of "Murder in the Reading Room" from Boldwood Books is especially and unreservedly recommended for both the personal reading lists of dedicated 'whodunnit' mystery buffs and community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: There is an online listing of books by Anita Davison available at Books Series In Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/anita-davison
Murder at the Palace
Frances Evesham
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781806584659, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/Murder%20at%20the%20Palace
Synopsis: When Libby Forest and her husband Max accidentally gatecrash a house-warming party at Priory Manor, the Somerset home of Major Chalfont-Smythe and his wife Dawn, they discover an odd mix of local characters.
Why has the new owner, a retired army major, invited this peculiar combination of family, old friends and new neighbors to the party?
When one of the partygoers unexpectedly dies at one of Somerset's loveliest beauty spots, Libby finds her murder antennae quivering insistently.
Who has a motive and are more murders planned? Can Libby and Max uncover the secrets behind the crime?
Critique: In "Murder at the Palace", author/storyteller Frances Evesham has created a compelling murder mystery and a fun read for her growing legion of fans. Part of Evesham's successful 'Exham-on-Sea Murder Mystery' series, this large print paperback edition of "Murder at the Palace" from Boldwood Books is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of 'whodunnit' mystery fans and an enduringly welcome addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: There is an extensive online listing of books by Frances Evesham available at: FantasticFiction: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/frances-evesham
The Case of the Christie Wedding Affair
Kelly Oliver
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836175766, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/The%20Case%20of%20the%20Christie%20Wedding%20Affair
Synopsis: Scotland, 1930.
Agatha Christie is getting married. She invites fellow members of the Detection Club to the windswept Isle of Skye for a quiet break while the banns are read. But tranquility proves elusive when the formidable Lord Blackwood, leader of a hunting party sharing their lodge, vanishes from the moors.
Sharp-eyed assistant to the Detection Club secretary, Eliza Baker, suspects foul play as the strange occurrences pile up: a mysterious grave in the churchyard, a missing rifle, and late-night excursions across the rugged island. There may be no body (yet) but someone at Dunmara Lodge is hiding a deadly secret.
As a storm cuts them off from the mainland, Eliza and her friend Theo must navigate lies, half-truths, and a treacherous landscape... but can they uncover the killer in the stalking grounds... or will the moors keep their secrets forever?
Critique: Another gem of a 'whodunnit' mystery starring Agatha Christie and her friends, "The Case of the Christie Wedding Affair" by Kelly Oliver continues the always entertaining 'A Detection Club Mystery' series. Original, exceptional, and a fun read from cover to cover, this large print paperback edition of "The Case of the Christie Wedding Affair" is a solid and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: There is an online listing of the books by Kelly Oliver available at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/kelly-oliver
A Dangerous Justice
John Pilkington
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781807345990, $43.50 / $36.98, PB, Large Print, 500pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781807345990
Synopsis: England, 1616.
Ex-magistrate Robert Belstrang, bored with country life, comes to London to investigate the strange disappearance of Thomas Jessop, son of a poor Catholic neighbour. He finds the youth in Bedlam asylum, silent and starving himself. But when he tries to free Jessop Belstrang finds himself the target of a dark plot to silence him... by any means necessary.
But Robert Belstrang is a stubborn man, and with the help of ex-soldier Daniel Oldrigg he sticks doggedly to his purpose. Their investigations take them deep into the fear-ridden Catholic underworld - where Belstrang soon uncovers a plan with its roots in the Gunpowder Plot of more than a decade ago.
The underbelly of London is a murky place, but Belstrang will strain every sinew to out the corruption... or die trying.
Critique: Another gem of an historical murder mystery set in Renaissance England by novelist John Pilkington, "A Dangerous Justice" is a simply riveting read from start to finish. A part of Pilkington's 'Justice Belstrange Mystery' series, this large print trade paperback edition of "A Dangerous Justice" from Boldwood Books is unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections and a 'must' for the growing legions of John Pilkington fans.
Editorial Note: There is an online listing of books by John Pilkington available at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/john-pilkington-historical-fiction
Fatal Castle: A Modern Day Siege Warfare Thriller
David Boito
https://davidboito.com
Wise Media Group
9781629673097, $18.99, PB, 258pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Castle-Modern-Warfare-Thriller/dp/1629673099
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fatal-castle-david-boito/1148401019
Synopsis: Ashley Bellamy, a diamond enthusiast, visits her estranged father Clive (the Tower of London's Chief Yeoman Warder) and becomes trapped when ex-bomb disposal expert Richard Bindar leads a brutal heist disguised as an act of terrorism. Their target: the cursed Kohinoor diamond, said to doom any man who possesses it.
With police forces deliberately misdirected and innocent lives at stake, Ashley and Clive must use their intimate knowledge of the fortress's secret passages and medieval defenses to fight back. Armed with ancient longbows against modern weapons, they turn murder holes and centuries-old tactics against their ruthless enemies.
As the Tower faces its most devastating siege in history, this fractured father-daughter duo must reconcile their past and uncover Bindar's true motives before the diamond's curse claims new victims -- and London's greatest fortress falls.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting suspense thriller of a read from start to finish, "Fatal Castle" showcases author David Boito's impressive flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that fully engages the reader. An especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library action/adventure collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of British themed heist/terrorism suspense novels that this paperback edition of "Fatal Castle" from the Wise Media Group is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: David Boito (https://davidboito.com) is a screenwriter and author who wrote the award-winning eco-thriller "Bee Conspiracy" and the YA suspense novel "Valley Fliers". "Fatal Castle" is his third novel.
This Never Happened
Jessica Clem
Rowan Prose Publishing, LLC
https://www.rowanprosepublishing.com
9781971276038, $TBD
9798231516957, $4.99, Kindle, E-Book, November 3, 2026
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/This-Never-Happened-Jessica-Clem-ebook/dp/B0G1Q7CSYZ
Synopsis: When former best friends Sam and Rebecca reunite at their college reunion, they decide to repair their fractured relationship and start over.
But then Sam finds out Rebecca is dating Adam, a man she'd had an intense relationship with two years ago. She vows to keep it a secret, lest it sever their newly mended bond.
Sam soon realizes she can't outrun her and Rebecca's imperfect past, nor can she ignore her and Adam's desire for one another.
As Sam struggles between loyalty and lust, she realizes that vengeance can make monsters out of all of us.
Critique: An original and deftly crafted suspense thriller of a read from start to finish, "This Never Happened" showcases author Jessica Clem's genuine flair for her character and narrative driven storytelling style that is so perfectly suited to the domestic thriller genre. Particularly appealing to fans of love and loss, loyalty and betrayal themed novels, "This Never Happened" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "This Never Happened" from Rowan Prose Publishing, is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Sinuous Bargain of a Cowardly Prince
Kayliani Shi
www.kaylianishipr.com
Candescent Ink Press
https://kaylianishipr.com/candescent-ink-press
9798218579487, $24.99, PB, 484pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Sinuous-Bargain-Cowardly-Shadowed-Chronicles/dp/B0FLDFZ7TR
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sinuous-bargain-of-a-cowardly-prince-kayliani-shi/1148007287
Synopsis: Prince Ramiel Faundor is a bastard. His entire existence is the second best-kept secret in a kingdom built on blurred lines. But when his dragon-slaying brother dies in battle, Ramiel must stand in his place in the kingdom's coronation duel. There's just one problem: thanks to the king's intimidation, no noble or soldier dares to train him.
Ether Malaphon is a cutthroat elven warrior. Her hatred for humanity is etched into her soul, second only to her resentment for the fairies who killed her parents. Her world unravels when she's dragged from her village to be sacrificed to a long-dead monarch. But fate intervenes when a certain desperate prince strikes a bargain that might save her life. If he rescues her, she must agree to train him for his duel.
As time runs out and enemies close in, Ramiel and Ether must navigate dark curses, buried secrets, and a history determined to repeat itself. But in a kingdom shaped by betrayal, victory may come at the ultimate cost.
Critique: A classically original and deftly crafted epic of sword and sorcery, "The Sinuous Bargain of a Cowardly Prince" by Kayliani Shi is Book 1 in the author's new 'The Shadowed Throne Chronicles' series that ably blends heroic fantasy and adventure with romance and suspense. The character and narrative driven story telling style of Kayliani Shi lifts her fantasy novel to an impressive level of literary excellence and will leave her reader's looking eagerly toward the next volume in the series continuing the adventures of Prince Faundor and the elven warrior Ether Malaphon. While an especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of heroic fantasy fans that this paperback edition of "The Sinuous Bargain of a Cowardly Prince" from Candescent Ink Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Kayliani Shi (www.kaylianishipr.com) is an avid reader, artist, and writer. Raised in northern Idaho, she now lives in Michigan with her husband, daughter, two cats, and dog. When not huddled in a blanket writing, Kayliani enjoys taking walks in the sun, visiting local cafes, and listening to her favorite J-ROCK band, Official Hige Dandism.
What the Gods Left Behind
Zephyr Trillian
https://zephyrtrillian.com
Independently Published
9789083700601, $29.99, HC, 329pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/What-Gods-Left-Behind-Severed/dp/9083700607
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-the-gods-left-behind-zephyr-trillian/1149208429
Synopsis: When Wisterly escapes her lord's service, she can't stay visible for long. Her silver collar marks her as an Acolyte. If the guards see her, they'll drag her back -- and she'd rather not discover what punishment awaits.
Desperate and hunted, she runs into Mordred, a Guild thief with his own troubles. He offers to help after one last job: stealing the Box of Pathways, a divine Artifact only the godblooded can handle without going mad. With few other choices, Wisterly accepts.
But some treasures are better left alone. When she touches the Box, something wakes inside and takes control. Even worse, the heist goes sideways, leaving them hunted by the Grand Council and the Guild alike.
Now Wisterly and Mordred are fugitives with a capricious power. To stay free, they must outwit their pursuers and discover if the Box will save them -- or destroy them both!
Critique: Original, deftly crafted with memorable characters and unexpected plot twists, "What the Gods Left Behind" by Zephyr Trillian (and the first book of the author's 'The Severed Age' series) is a fun and engaging read from start to finish and of very special interest for dedicated fans of Heroic Fantasy Adventure Fiction. Forgotten gods, sacred bloodlines, swords and sorceries, "What the Gods Left Behind" is especially and unreservedly recommended for highschool and community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "What the Gods Left Behind" is also readily available in paperback (9789083700618, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Zephyr Trillian (https://zephyrtrillian.com) tells stories about broken worlds, forbidden magic, and hope in unlikely places. When not writing, she can be found wandering the Netherlands, devouring books, or immersing herself in RPGs. She also works as an independent fiction editor.
Somed.ai
Gabriel Mejia Mory
Independently Published
https://www.somed.ai
9798197302083, $29.05, HC, 484pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Somed-ai-Gabriel-Mejia-Mory/dp/B0H2528FB5
Synopsis: Aden and Irene are drawn into a secret effort that is pushing intelligence toward a historic threshold. What begins as an attempt to understand reality more deeply than any institution or ideology ever could soon reveals far wider consequences. A system with enough predictive depth will not only change knowledge. It will change power.
The project is not public, but it is not isolated. Others are also searching for the same threshold, and they understand its stakes before the rest of the world ever will. If intelligence reaches the point where the future can be modeled with enough precision, then the question is no longer only what can be known, but who will use that knowledge, and for whose benefit.
As forces begin closing in, Aden and Irene remain at the center of something that could transform civilization while also placing it in terrible danger!
Critique: Original, exceptionally well crafted, and a timely extrapolation of AI's impact on humanity, "Somed.ai" by Gabriel Mejia Mory is a deftly blending of philosophy with an imaginative and riveting techno-thriller plot about AI, grimly imposed secrecy, personal and collective morality, and the prevention of a horrific artificial information manipulation and a dominated future for mankind. Exceptionally impressive when considering that "Somed.ai" is Gabriel Mejia Mory's debut as a novelist and showcases a quite genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative storytelling style that is ideal for the hard science fiction genre. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal and community library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted for the reading lists of all dedicated fans of dystopian fiction that "Somed.ai" is also readily available in paperback (9798197297235, $17.05) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.05).
Editorial Note: Gabriel Mejia Mory is a Guatemalan author and civil engineer. His work is shaped by an interest in technology, power, ethics, and the hidden structures that influence human life.
The Ephemeral Species
Patrick Smith
Patrick D. Smith Science Fiction
https://ephemeralspecies.com
ASIN: B0H5FTLCPK
9798996202423, $9.99, Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H5FTLCPK
Synopsis: All species go extinct and for we humans, our time has come.
Astrobiologist Nisha Chandra's discovery of life on Mars is only the beginning. The sophisticated life form she unearths next forces her daughter, Priya, into the center of the most significant change in the human genome in a million years -- a genetic leap that offers a future for the planet, but ensures the self-chosen extinction of the human species within three centuries.
In nature, every extinction is an opportunity. This is the story of ours.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "The Ephemeral Species" showcases author Patrick Smith's remarkable flair for the kind of imaginative and narrative driven storytelling style that is ideal for the science fiction genre. "The Ephemeral Species" is not a typical dystopian future novel of a disastrous extinction event wiping out the human race but rather a fresh new take on human evolution. Enhanced with 110 high-resolution illustrations, "The Ephemeral Species" is especially and unreservedly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library Science Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Patrick D. Smith is a database and algorithm programmer working in the field of birth defects research at The University of California, San Francisco. He is also a landscape photographer and has written two books. His photos have been viewed over 150 (b)illion times. See my blog URL for my photography. https://profiles.google.com/patricksmith1. His current passion is the future and he writes science fiction reflecting the rapid advances in genetic engineering, artificial intelligence and other scientific disciplines. In 30-50 years or so, computers and the software running them will match our intelligence, then surpass it. What then?
Pastborn
Mihail Baesu
Independently Published
9798197695420, $16.00, PB, 272pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Pastborn-Other-worlds-magic-within/dp/B0H2NQ57VV
Synopsis: "Pastborn: Other Worlds And The Magic Within Them" by Mihail Baesu is the singular story of the man born in the past but living in the future -- The Pastborn!
After a very long slumber, Adam Connor finds that everything's a total mess: the world is ruled by robots, humans have been declared illegal (the audacity! do these robots know no shame?) and the Apocalypse is coming. Also, magic is real. The fate of the world is in Adam's unprepared hands.
Will he rise up to the challenge, after he finishes his beer?
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, and a fun read from start to finish, "Pastborn: Other Worlds And The Magic Within Them" by Mihail Baesu is modern fairy tale that will hold a special appeal for readers with an interest in myths, legends, folklore and fantasy. Author Mihail Baesu demonstrates a genuine flair for the kind of eloquent and character driven storytelling style that elevates his unique and epic fantasy novel to an impressive level of literary excellence. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Historical Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Pastborn" is also readily available through IngramSpark with a 55% wholesale, non-returnable discount (9789730443653) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.71).
Editorial Note: As a programmer, Mihail Baesu focuses on producing working code. As a writer, his interest lies in creating timeless stories, devoid of fleeting cultural references, that remain relevant to both present and future generations. In his own words he is -- "An artist's soul, trapped in a programmer's body."
The Color of Silence: A Dreamers' Dragon Novel
C. J. Gryffin
https://www.cjgryffin.com
CJ Gryffin Enterprises LLC
9798995438304, $29.99 HC, 368pp
9798995438311, $19.99 PB, $9.99 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Color-Silence-Dreamers-Dragon-Novel-ebook/dp/B0GPSVSBGG
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-color-of-silence-c-j-gryffin/1149896504
Synopsis: In 1930 Atlanta, five-year-old Darius Turner lives in a world that does not understand him.
Labeled broken in a world that dismisses him, a nonverbal boy discovers the dream realm where he's not damaged. He's destined.
Darius lives inside a silence no one knows how to enter. His mother, Sadie, loves him fiercely, but love doesn't stop the stares, the whispers, or the cruel certainty that something in her son must be wrong. Darius can't explain the storms inside him. He can only endure them.
Then sleep opens a door.
In a hidden realm where rules bend, and color tells the truth, Darius meets Azure -- a wise Dreamers' Dragon who doesn't demand words, only courage. Night after night, Azure teaches Darius to shape what he can't say, regulate emotions, and turn patterns and drawings into a language the waking world can finally recognize.
But Darius's dreams aren't only a refuge. As Darius begins to learn, find friendship, and a fragile foothold in his own life, something waits in the shadows of Somnoria and the seam between worlds starts to strain.
Because Darius isn't broken. He's being called. And in the shadow beyond, a patient darkness takes notice.
The veil between dreams and waking life is weakening, and a force long hidden is beginning to reach for the world Darius calls home. To survive what is coming, Darius must take his first steps toward trust, language, courage, and learn that the very things others fear in him may be the key to saving far more than himself.
Critique: Original, exceptional, and a simply fascinating and engaging read from start to finish, "The Color of Silence" by C. J. Gryffin is Book One of her new 'A Dreamer's Dragon' series and is a deftly crafted and unique fantasy novel with the themes of family, resilience, autism, and the transforming power of being truly seen. Gryffin's genuinely exceptional flair for the kind of imaginative, character, and narrative driven storytelling style raises her novel to an impressive level of literary excellence. While an unreservedly recommended pick for community library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Color of Silence" from CJ Gryffin Enterprises LLC is also available in a paperback edition and in a digital book (Kindle) format.
Editorial Note: C. J. Gryffin (https://www.cjgryffin.com) author, dragon enthusiast, and someone who believes the most powerful voices are often the quietest ones. As a special education teacher, she works with young people who experience the world differently. Students who are nonverbal, who process sensory information uniquely, who notice connections and patterns others miss. They are complex, vivid, and deeply misunderstood by a world that does not always make space for them. She draws upon her years of experience and expertise in writing her 'A Dreamer's Dragon' series beginning with "The Color of Silence".
The Graphic Novel Shelf
How I Make Comics
Kim Deitch
Fantagraphics Books
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875001673, $24.99, HC, 192pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Comics-Kim-Deitch/dp/B0FDZNV9VD
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-i-make-comics-kim-deitch/1147696104
Synopsis: How I Make Comics is not just about how Kim Deitch makes comics, but about how comics made him. Presented in a B/W graphic novel format, it pinwheels between real autobiography and imagined comics history, but it begins in 1952 with a true story of eight-year-old Kim Deitch appearing in the audience of the Howdy Doody Show with eight-year-old Donnie Trump.
Following Donnie's attempt to rig an election among the audience (no kidding!), Deitch relates a famous newspaper account of a diminutive wife who valiantly defends her equally diminutive husband in court, who just happens to be the inspiration of Harold Gray's Little Orphan Annie.
Periodically, Kim asks his own wife for her critique and advice of the stories he's told so far, which he takes into account for future tales that include revenge-driven circus performers, fairytale mural painters, sordid comic book lore, comics readers creating real-life superheroes, impossibly old cats issuing supernatural judgments and inhabiting the bodies of humans.
"How I Make Comics" culminates in the real-life story of Kim's mother hitchhiking across country and being picked up by none other than Forrest J. Ackerman, the sci-fi, fantasy, and monster aficionado, who takes her to a convention where she meets a teenaged Ray Bradbury.
"How I Make Comics" is a creatively kaleidoscopic, non-stop exploration of how Deitch's imagination turns ideas, influences, and irritations into comics in his inimitable style. Snippets of behind-the-scenes explanations of his notes and sketches expand into cascading short stories. Each section goes freewheeling from notion to notion, quietly building themes and reveling in its own wild-eyed imaginative capacities across 180 pages to form both an intimate graphic memoir and an eye-popping graphic novel.
One of the most prolific artists of his generation, Deitch is now entering his 60th year of cartooning more inventive than ever and showing no signs of slowing down.
Critique: An absolute 'must' for the legions of Kim Deitch fans, "How I Make Comics" is an extraordinarily unique, truly fascinating, enduringly interesting, and a simply riveting read from start to finish. While highly recommended as a prime pick for personal, community, and college/university library memoir themed Graphic Novel collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "How I Make Comics" from Fantagraphics is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Kim Deitch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Deitch) lives in New York, NY, with his wife, the artist Pamela Butler. His books include The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Shadowland, Alias the Cat, and The Search for Smilin' Ed!
Reincarnation Stories
Kim Deitch
Fantagraphics
www.fantagraphics.com
9781683962618, $29.99, HC, 260pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Reincarnation-Stories-Kim-Deitch/dp/1683962613
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reincarnation-stories-kim-deitch/1130520020
Synopsis: "Reincarnation Stories" is legendary underground cartoonist Kim Deitch's magnum opus, a sprawling odyssey of reincarnation presented in a graphic novel format.
Deitch's quest to piece together the cosmic jigsaw puzzle of creation and reveal his past lives weaves through time and space, encompassing a dizzying array of oddball characters, including aspiring screenwriter Sidney Pincus, a tribe of moon-dwelling Native Americans, a feline YouTube star, a has-been silver screen cowboy, Frank Sinatra, and the awesome Monkey God!
Featuring Deitch's surreal scenarios and eye-popping psychedelia, "Reincarnation Stories" is a gripping yarn and a cartooning tour de force presented with B/W illustrations.
Critique: Original, iconoclastic, and a fun, fascinating read from start to finish, "Reincarnation Stories" by author/illustrator Kim Deitch is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, and college/university library Contemporary Graphic Novel collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Reincarnation Stories" from Fantagraphics Books is also readily available in a Flexibound edition (9798875001734, $29.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Kim Deitch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Deitch) lives in New York, NY, with his wife, the artist Pamela Butler. His books include The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Shadowland, Alias the Cat, and The Search for Smilin' Ed!
The Audiobook Shelf
The Fourth Queen
Nicola Cornick, author
Helen Stern, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781785137341, $104.95 / $89.21, CD, (9 Hours 26 Minutes)
9781785137358, $104.95 / $89.21, MP3-CD, (9 Hours 26 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/the%20fourth%20queen
Synopsis: When Jenna arrives at Winterhill House, she's instantly transported back in time to the priory that stood there before, the life she lived before, and the secret she kept in her past life for the fourth queen of despotic King Henry VIII.
It's 1539 and the king is intent on destroying the Catholic church, and with the dissolution of the monasteries, beautiful young prioress Marris is about to lose everything. She knows she has to do whatever it takes to keep her sisters safe, even agreeing to marry the wealthy man who has been gifted the priory land.
But when she marries him, she also finds herself catapulted into the court of the king. And her mastery of the German language makes her an ideal companion for his new queen, Anna of Cleves. It's destined to be a short marriage -- but after the divorce, when Anna finds herself in trouble, it will be Marris she turns to.
Will Marris risk her life to help the fourth queen? Because defying the king is the highest treason, and keeping this secret will put everything Marris has fought to keep safe in the gravest danger...
Critique: Two timelines, one queen, and a suppressed incident involving 16th Century British Royalty, "The Four Queen" by novelist Nicola Cornick is an original and unique novel involving time travel, historical romance, and a hazardous court ruled by dangerous king. This complete and unabridged audio book edition of "The Four Queen's is brilliantly narrated by the storytelling talents of Helen Swain. Very highly recommended as a welcome addition to community library Historical Fiction themed audio book collections, it should also be noted for personal reading lists that "The Fourth Queen" is also available from Boldwood Books in a large print paperback edition (9781785137419, $43.50 / $36.98).
Editorial Note #1: There is an extensive online listing of books by Nicola Cornick available at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/nicola-cornick
Editorial Note #2: There is an online listing of books narrated by Helen Stern available at Book Series in Order: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Helen+Stern
Murder in Rome
T. A. Williams, author
Simon Mattachs, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781837031467, $104.95 / $89.21, CD, (6 Hours 41 Minutes)
9781837031474, $104.95 / $89.21, MP3-CD, (6 Hours 41 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/murder%20in%20rome
Synopsis: Former DCI Dan Armstrong has been living and working in Florence for nearly three years -- yet somehow, Rome has always eluded him. That is, until glamorous TV celebrity Tamsin Goodfaith turns up with a request he can't refuse: investigate her uncle's suspicious death in the Eternal City.
Philip Hastings was a billionaire financier, found dead at his magnificent (if slightly spooky) medieval castle in the Roman hills. Dan and his faithful canine companion, Oscar, soon find themselves surrounded by luxury, secrets and more suspects than sightseeing opportunities.
But when a second murder follows close behind, the case turns dangerously personal. With whispers of ghosts and crumbling alibis, Dan and Oscar must sniff out the truth before he becomes the next victim. Harder to crack than castle walls (and harder still than stopping Oscar from stealing snacks) this Roman holiday is anything but relaxing!
Critique: An absolute must for the legions of T. A. Williams fans in general, and cozy mystery enthusiasts in particular, "Murder in Rome" is the fifteenth murder mystery needing to be solved by retired British copy and now Italian based private eye Dan Armstrong and his faithful (and every hungry) dog Oscar. Brought vividly to life in a true theatre of the mind experience for the listener, this complete and unabridged audio book of "Murder in Rome" is absolutely guaranteed to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense themed audio book collections. It should also be noted that "Murder in Rome" is also available from Boldwood Books in a large print paperback edition (9781837031535, $43.50 / $36.98).
Editorial Note #1: There is an extensive online line listing of books by T. A. Williams available at Books Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/t-a-williams
Editorial Note #2: There is an online listing of books narrated by Simon Mattacks available at Audible: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Simon+Mattacks
Death on the Norfolk Express
Ross Greenwood, author
David Thorpe, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836178095, $104.95 / $89.21, CD, (11 Hours 44 Minutes)
9781836178101, $104.95 / $89.21, MP3-CD (11 Hours 44 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/search/death%20on%20the%20norfolk%20express
Synopsis: When a man is found dead on a steam train the tranquil nostalgia of the North Norfolk Railway is shattered. To add to the disquiet, while the police are investigating the death, another man is spotted bound to the tracks. A pattern of fear is emerging on the Poppy Line and the pressure is on DI Ashley Knight's struggling team to deliver answers.
With the body count rising along the once peaceful coastal route, Knight must find a way to stop a killer before they reach their final destination. Because Ashley knows if she doesn't, for someone it's the end of the line.
Critique: A deftly crafted and original 'whodunnit' crime thriller that will hold a special interest for fans of police procedural themed hardcover murder mysteries, this audio book edition narrated by vocal actor David Thorpe brings author/storyteller Ross Greenwood's "Death on the Norfolk Express" vividly to life. While highly recommended for personal and community library Mystery/Suspense audio book collections, it should also be noted that "Death of a Fugitive" is also available from Boldwood Books in a large print paperback edition (9781836178156, $43.50 / $36.98).
Editorial Note #1: There is an extensive online listing of books by Ross Greenwood available at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/ross-greenwood
Editorial Note #2: There is an online listing of books narrated by David Thorpe at Audible: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=David+Thorpe
Death of a Fugitive
John Pilkington, author
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781806009473, $104.95 / $89.21, CD, (7 Hours 45 Minutes)
9781806009480, $104.95 / $89.21, MP3-CD, (7 Hours 45 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781806009541
Synopsis: 1595, Bishopsgate Ward, London, England
Matthew Cutler, constable for the parish of Spitalfields, prides himself on always being on the side of justice. So when a young man on the run, whose only 'crime' was protesting about high prices and corruption, hides out in Bishopsgate, not for the first time Cutler finds his duties as constable at odds with his gut feeling. He feels compelled to help him, and not just because his daughter Jane is smitten with the plucky lad.
Meanwhile there is trouble in Bishopsgate as fake coins keep turning up, convincing enough to fool many. Tensions rise and people are in fear of a brutal yet shadowy figure: the 'coiner' Thomas Gunnell, who seems to have eyes everywhere. Cutler must once again fall back on his skills of disguise, and risk his own life to root out Gunnell's gang before they bring chaos to Bishopsgate Ward -- and danger to everything he holds dear.
Critique: Simply stated, John Pilkington is a master of the Medieval Mystery genre and his novel "Death of a Fugitive" is brought to vivid life with the talented narrative storytelling style of Simon Mattacks in this complete and unabridged audio book edition from Boldwood Books. Original, extraordinary, and entertaining from start to finish, "Death of a Fugitive" is unreservedly recommended for personal and community library collections. It should also be noted that "Death of a Fugitive" is also available from Boldwood Books in a large print paperback edition (9781806009541, $43.50 / $36.98).
Editorial Note #1: There is an online listing of books by John Pilkton available at Books Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/john-pilkington-historical-fiction
Editorial Note #2: There is an online listing of books narrated by Simon Mattacks available at Audible: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Simon+Mattacks
The Library CD Shelf
A Marvelous Party
Duchess
www.duchesstrio.com
Anzic Records
$15.00 CD / $30.00 vinyl / $9.99 digital
Bandcamp
https://duchesstrio.bandcamp.com/album/a-marvelous-party
The Duchess trio consists of jazz vocalists Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner, and Melissa Stylianou. Supported by talented musicians on piano, guitar, bass, drums, saxophones, trumpet, and trombone, The Duchess trio presents their fourth album, A Marvelous Party, where they exuberantly perform beloved vintage songs of celebration and joy. A Marvelous Party lives up to its title and is highly recommended for both public library collections and connoisseurs of upbeat jazz. A Marvelous Party also makes a wonderful gift for any festive occasion! The tracks are This Could Be the Start of Something Big; Lucky Day; Are You Having Any Fun?; Ain't That a Kick in the Head; Enjoy Yourself; Hey, Look Me Over; It's All Right With Me; I Went to a Marvelous Party; Champagne; Put On a Happy Face; Is That All There Is? and Danke Schoen.
Prism of Existence
Soojin Suh
Endectomorph Music
$20.00 CD / $15.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://soojinsuh.bandcamp.com/album/prism-of-existence
Korean music artist and drummer Soojin Suh presents Prism of Existence, an extraordinary new album or original songs from her Coloris Trio - Soojin Suh on drums, Hoo Kim on double bass, and Jaehun Kang on piano. All songs are composed by Soojin Suh except for "Network Song" and "There Is No Evil in Pain" by Hoo Kim, and "Ecnad" by Jaehun Kang. Intensely rhythmic, and revolutionary in its approach toward melody and form, Prism of Existence is a choice pick for personal and public library collections of avant-garde international music, highly recommended. The tracks are Uncertainty I - Everlasting Peace; Uncertainty II - Faith in Fate; Network Song; Sailors; The Doors of Perception; Eyes of Little One; Uncertainty III - Beginnings and the Endings; Fragments of Memory; There Is No Evil in Pain (For Chick Corea); and Ecnad.
Girl Talk
Jennifer Madsen
JenniferMadsen.com
Jennifer Madsen Music
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6GBJSMW
Jazz vocalist and producer Jennifer Madsen presents Girl Talk, a big band jazz album produced by Madsen and Sam Cardon. Supported by a masterful ensemble of performers on piano, bass, drums, guitar, trumpet, trombone, sax, and more, standout instrumental solos in each track and Madsen's shining vocals are the highlights of Girl Talk. A treasure for connoisseurs of big band jazz and lively classic songs, Girl Talk is highly recommended for both personal and public library collections. The tracks are Besame Mucho; Girl Talk; You Turn Me On Baby; You and the Night and the Music; There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This; Misty; My Funny Valentine; Any Place I Hang My Hat is Home; Comin' Home Baby; Spinning heel; and The Look of Love.
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
A Sudden Flicker of Light: A Revisionist History of Movies
David Thomson
Simon and Schuster
www.simonandschuster.com
9781668205730, $30.00, HC, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1668205734
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-sudden-flicker-of-light-david-thomson/1148560014
Synopsis: Arguably one of cinema's wisest and most penetrating observers, David Thomson has now published "A Sudden Flicker of Light: A Revisionist History of Movies", a one-volume history of film and screens that is as illuminating and provocative as it is exceptional and thought-provoking. Thomson traces the progress, from the Lumiere Brothers to the Coens.
Thomson glories in the great movies, but admits to increasing unease over what the medium has done to us -- promoting fantasy, misleading models of sexual identity, the cult of authority, power, and happy endings.
"A Sudden Flicker of Light" is an authentic and fascinating revisionist history that is as alert to technology and business as it is to art and fun in tracing our pursuit of the lifelike instead of life.
By turns trenchant, lyrical, and comic, Thomson uncovers our addiction to voyeurism and villainy, and a habit of passivity that has betrayed our political and cultural identity. In a survey that reaches from Metropolis to Rear Window to Anora, "A Sudden Flicker of Light" will redirect ideas about film everywhere.
Critique: Original, iconoclastic, exceptional, and a fascinating read from cover to cover, "A Sudden Flicker of Light: A Revisionist History of Movies" must be considered an essential and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Cinematic History/Criticism collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, film buffs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "A Sudden Flicker of Light" from Simon & Schuster is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9781668141731, $39.99).
Editorial Note: David Thomson is the author of more than twenty books, including biographies of David O. Selznick and Orson Welles, and The New Biographical Dictionary of Film. His writing and his books have been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, the Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Esquire, Slate, and many more. He lives in San Francisco. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/16462792.David_Thomson)
The Business Shelf
The Problem-First Method
Kevin Scott Dias
https://www.kevinsdias.com
Independently Published
9798274840347, $24.00, HC, 248pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Problem-First-Method-Framework-Innovative-Builders/dp/B0GXWRBX3N
Synopsis: Late 2023. Kevin Dias is on a video call with a practice owner who was about to walk away from a deal. She leans forward: "Do you have Autopay?"
Kevin freezes. His competitor just launched it. Every lost deal mentions it. So he says what any founder under pressure says: "We can build that."
Three months later, Kevin ships. Nobody cares.
He had solved the wrong problem!
Solo practitioners needed Autopay (set it, forget it, charge cards automatically). His customers, multi-provider practices juggling insurance, exceptions, and staff who needed control, needed something completely different.
That mistake cost Kevin Scott Dias three months. But it taught him something worth far more: the most expensive thing you can build is the right solution to the wrong problem.
Experienced based, "The Problem-First Method: A Framework for Innovative Product Builders" by Kevin Dias is about the discipline of resisting that mistake, even when the pressure is on, the competitor is shipping, and everyone's waiting for you to make a call.
Kevin is not a founder with billion-dollar exits to his name. His Ambiki is a niche vertical SaaS serving pediatric therapy practices, not exactly TechCrunch headline material. But Kevin has spent a decade making mistakes, recognizing patterns, and learning to tell the difference between real problems and imaginary ones.
"The Problem-First Method" covers:
The traps smart teams fall into (Autopay, Safe Oasis, the API mirage) and why "competitor has it" is never a good enough reason.
Real frameworks that make problem-first thinking repeatable: the Feature Alignment Document, the 10-Question Validation Checklist, the Problem Atlas that replaces traditional roadmaps.
How Kevin and his team built his teletherapy platform three weeks before COVID hit the US, and what that taught them about sitting with a problem long enough for the right solution to emerge.
And the hardest lesson of all: How to maintain discipline when customers hand you solutions, sales wants features by Friday, and your ego whispers that of course you can build that.
Every page comprising "The Problem-First Method" comes from practice. The messy, uncomfortable work of sitting with problems longer than feels natural, especially when momentum makes it feel like you're still on track.
If you have ever shipped something clever and polished that nobody used, "The Problem-First Method" is meant for you. And if you have ever wondered why problem-first thinking is so hard when everyone already knows they should do it -- you are not alone.
But knowing the trap and avoiding it are two different skills. "The Problem-First Method will aid you in building the second one.
Critique: Timely, exceptional, informative, and groundbreakingly original, "The Problem-First Method: A Framework for Innovative Product Builders" by Kevin Scott Dias is exceptionally well written and impressively 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation. Of special and particularly interest to readers concerned with Business Decision Making, Product Management, and Strategic Business Planning, "The Problem-First Method: A Framework for Innovative Product Builders" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Business Management collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, academia, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "The Problem-First Method: A Framework for Innovative Product Builders" is also readily available in paperback (9798255168392, $18.00).
Editorial Note: Kevin Scott Dias (https://www.kevinsdias.com) didn't set out to build software for speech therapists. Before joining Sidekick Therapy Partners as CTO, he built tools for professional translators, taught English in Japan, and worked in investment banking. The industries changed, but the pattern didn't: Kevin had a knack for understanding and solving problems. Kevin and his family currently reside in Oyama.
The Self-Help Shelf
The Unfollow Effect: Intentional Living in a Digital Age
Emily Feldpausch
www.emilyfeldpausch.com
Keep Moving Press
9798994342923, $24.99, HC, 231pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Unfollow-Effect-Intentional-Living-Digital/dp/B0GQ7Z26KW
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unfollow-effect-emily-feldpausch/1149563879
Synopsis: Feeling overwhelmed by screens -- but unsure how to live without them?
With the publication of "The Unfollow Effect: Intentional Living in a Digital Age", educator, parent, and business owner Emily Feldpausch offers a grounded alternative to digital detox culture -- an alternative rooted in intentional choices, small experiments, and real life with kids, work, and responsibilities.
"The Unfollow Effect" isn't about abandoning technology. It's about 'unfollowing' what no longer serves you so you can show up more fully for the people and values that matter most.
"The Unfollow Effect" shows how to:
Unfollow distractions that pull you out of real life
Protect your mental health from scrolling-induced anxiety and comparison
Break validation addiction without deleting every app
Build healthier tech habits at home - for yourself and your children
Model intentional technology use as a parent or educator
Replace guilt and rigidity with curiosity and continuous experimentation
Each of the twenty-two chapters comprising "The Unfollow Effect" blends personal narrative, research-backed insight, and simple 'Protect Simplicity' action steps you can actually try.
Steps that are derived from lived experience -- not theory.
Drawing on years as a special education teacher, mother of three, and digital native, Emily Feldpausch deftly explores how technology shapes families, classrooms, and inner lives - and what happens when we start paying attention.
If you liked Digital Minimalism or want to learn How to Break Up with Your Phone, "The Unfollow Effect" offers a gentler approach focused less on quitting technology and more on aligning it with your values, season of life, and mental health.
"The Unfollow Effect" is essential reading if you want to:
Be more present without going offline
Create healthier screen habits for your family
Feel calmer, clearer, and more intentional
Use technology on purpose - not by default
You don't have to unplug from the world to live well. -- Sometimes, you just need to unfollow.
Critique: Original, exceptional, timely, inspiring, 'real world practical', and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Unfollow Effect: Intentional Living in a Digital Age" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement and Time/Digital Management collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Unfollow Effect" from Keep Moving Press is also readily available in paperback (9798994342916, $14.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Emily Feldpausch is an academician (Elmira College) who approaches digital wellness through lived experience-as a teacher, parent, and business owner navigating screens in real time. (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVZ3OyqDFa0)
The Peace Guidebook
Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman, authors
Health Communications, Inc.
https://hcibooks.com
9780757326080, $17.95, PB, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Peace-Guidebook-Cultivate-Healing-Humankind/dp/0757326080
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-peace-guidebook-elizabeth-hamilton-guarino/1147558920
Synopsis: In a world that often feels divided, noisy, and uncertain, "The Peace Guidebook: How to Cultivate Hope, Healing, and Harmony for the Good of Humankind", co-authored by the team of Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman, is a soul-stirring invitation to return to what truly matters: a quieted soul, a love that reaches outward, and a life guided by collective compassion.
"The Peace Guidebook" is far more than a just another book on how to live peacefully in an unpeaceful world -- rather it is a clarion call to action. A blueprint for change. A spark for a global peace movement.
Rooted in Hamilton-Guarino's and Eastman's decades of work helping people through grief, change, and transition, and inspired by the Percolate Peace Project, "The Peace Guidebook" delivers Ten Principles of Peace that will help you:
Heal what's unresolved within you
Navigate conflict with courage and grace
Create partnerships rooted in values and vision
Lead from love, even when the world forgets how
Build real, resilient, peace-filled communities
With practical tools for real transformation (including reflective prompts, authentic stories, and accessible daily practices) "The Peace Guidebook" becomes more than just another motivtional read. It is a steady companion, a well of wisdom, that you will return to again and again as you uncover your most peaceful, purpose-driven self.
Critique: Original, exceptional, inspiring, motivational, "The Peace Guidebook: How to Cultivate Hope, Healing, and Harmony for the Good of Humankind" by co-authors Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman will hold a special appeal and value for readers with an interest in emotional mental health and stress management. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists, as well as professional, community and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Peace Guidebook" from Health Communications is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note #1: Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino is the founder of The Best Ever You Network and host of The Best Ever You Show, a top-ranked podcast with over 5 million global downloads. She is also the co-founder of Compliance4, a consulting firm providing strategic solutions in regulatory compliance, leadership, and business excellence. A Master Life Coach and bestselling author, Elizabeth is widely recognized as one of America's leading voices in personal development, leadership, and mindset transformation. She is the author of The Change Guidebook and The Success Guidebook, and co-author (with Dr. Katie Eastman) of Percolate - Let Your Best Self Filter Through (Hay House) and the forthcoming The Peace Guidebook. She also co-authored award-winning children's books with Sally Huss.
Editorial Note #2: Dr. Katie Eastman is a nationally respected grief and change expert with over three decades of experience helping people turn heartbreak into healing and trauma into transformation. A psychotherapist, master grief coach, organizational consultant, and cofounder of Recreate Coaching and Counseling, Dr. Katie brings deep emotional insight, spiritual awareness, and practical tools to life's most profound challenges. Trained in the integration of psychology and spirituality, she infuses every aspect of her work with compassion, presence, and purpose.
Your Royal Nature: Inspiring Essays to Find Your Way Home
Alice McDowell
www.alicemcdowellauthor.com
Luminare Press
https://www.luminarepress.com
9798900710440, $14.95, PB, 204pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Royal-Nature-Inspiring-Essays/dp/B0GV1KLB45
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/your-royal-nature-alice-mcdowell/1149803705
Synopsis: "Your Royal Nature: Inspiring Essays to Find Your Way Home" by Alice McDowell was written for readers who want to grow spiritually and experience the oneness and liberation that is their true royal nature. Those who lead busy and complicated lives will find the short chapters offer a meditative reading experience with guidance, support, and spiritual sustenance.
Wide-ranging and thought-provoking, the essays comprising "Your Royal Nature" will help you find your life purpose, break negative habits, cope with world crises, and find deep abiding love.
McDowell draws from spiritual wisdom traditions and personal experiences to take you beyond everyday challenges and give you a larger perspective on life as you cultivate your essential nature.
Critique: Exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Your Royal Nature: Inspiring Essays to Find Your Way Home" by Alice McDowell is a truly original, impressively exceptional, and inspirationally motivational read from start to finish. Potentially life changing, life enhancing, and life celebrating, "Your Royal Nature" is an unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, and community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement/Personal Transformation collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Your Royal Nature" from Luminare Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Alice McDowell (www.alicemcdowellauthor.com) is an author, spiritual director, workshop leader, retreat guide and founder of the Hidden Treasure Program -- a three-year training in personal and spiritual growth. She co-founded Light on the Hill Retreat Center in 1991 where she continues to guide individuals and groups on their spiritual journeys. She is author of Hidden Treasure: How to Break Free of Five Patterns that Hide Your True Self (She Writes Press, 2017) and Dance of Light: Christian, Sufi and Zen Wisdom for Today's Spiritual Seeker (Wisdom Editions, 2022). As a professor of religious studies at Ithaca College for eighteen years, she taught courses in mysticism, world religions, depth psychology, and women's studies, and received the Dana Fellow for Excellence in College Teaching. McDowell has a Ph.D. in theology from Fordham University and has trained with Sufi and Buddhist teachers, Christian contemplatives, and humanistic and transpersonal psychologists. She has been a member of the Inayatiyya Sufi Order for forty years.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
www.midwestbookreview.com
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design