On the planet Eiyesa, the population can’t reproduce and could disappear while political rivalries threaten both the society’s stability and the young hero Sergen’s efforts against all the adversaries and obstacles that confront him. An innovative tale that interweaves multiple issues – politics, the environment, and discrimination alongside family bonds and struggles – the novel balances well the hero’s quest with timely themes.[…]
A page-turner ultimately about second chances, 5th and Vanguard by Lee Adams is an engrossing thriller written in classic noir style. It’s 1999 and writer Julie Page is a recovering addict hoping to retrieve her artistic muse when she finds herself a chance witness to a crime in front of Bob’s Liquor Palace at the corner of 5th and Vanguard. Supremely well-written with characters, exposition, and dialogue authentic to the genre and an earlier era, this tight, compelling novel is somewhat weakened by occasional grammatical errors, but these issues will be easily overlooked by fans of dark, gritty, fast-paced crime […]
In ’53 on 35th: A “Silent Boomer’s” Recollections, J. Conran Meyer endearingly recalls a bygone time before technology and social media replaced a child’s reliance on fantasy and invention for fun and entertainment.
1953 was a seminal year for Meyer – at ages 8 and 9, he was powered and defined by his imagination, and that of his 35th Avenue neighborhood gang, including his younger brother, Nick, and his best friend, Billy. With folksy humor, elaborate tales, and obvious affection, Meyer recreates growing up in Sacramento, CA in great detail, complimenting the narration of his childhood experiences with commentary and […]
Still grieving the violent murder of their four-year-old daughter, Allison, seventeen years before, Lorraine and John Steads are now reeling from more unthinkable grief: their son Erik is in jail accused of killing his brother, Mat, while they were on their annual elk hunting trip. Erik swears it was an accident and that he only fired once, but when police find two bullet holes in Mat, his death comes under investigation.
As the search for the truth ensues, additional […]
Whimsical and endearing, Tony Philips’ The Pig Who Loved Gluffles: And One More Story illuminates the essential lesson of how one’s actions can influence the rest of the world. When a pig discovers the last crazed gluffle in the forest, he’s faced with a moral dilemma: eat the gluffle, or save it, allowing more to grow for everyone’s further enjoyment. Philips’ rhyme scheme is impressive, creating a poetic narrative that’s fun to follow, and his illustrations are colorful and engaging, though the characters don’t always feel integrated with the background. Overall, The Pig Who Loved Gluffles tells a cheerful but […]
Amusing and lighthearted with brightly expressive illustrations, Harley Griffon’s Beard is a delightful book for children about one little dog’s mischief, written by Nana Piercy and illustrated by M. Daamoouche. When Harley’s owner tries to clean her beard one day, the dog runs out the door and gets into an even bigger mess, meeting creepy crawly denizens of her neighborhood along the way. Inspired by Piercy’s own dog, Harley’s travels are evermore charming, as they feel more like a real-life adventure. Though there are some complex words for young children, the spirited rhymes and illustrations tell such an engaging story […]
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Birdie Pesky Was Here is a warm coming-of-age comedy featuring an epic bank heist, an eclectic cast of characters, and all the page-turner qualities of an old-school action suspense thriller.[…]
Martin Patin’s charming novel, Roebell Sandwich, follows the ups and downs of a 12-year-old boy’s life in Queens, N.Y. during the 70s and his pursuit of fame. When Paul Roebell achieves his dream of being on TV, his success is countered by failures he must learn to accept. Though the story lacks a distinct climax, this supports the feeling of Roebell’s monotonous daily life, and Patin’s themes of masculinity and identity keep the story alive. Both lighthearted and realistic, Patin provides readers with an entertaining dive into 70s nostalgia that also makes a comment on contemporary issues.
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