John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A powerful and timely children’s book, My Black Life Matters (What I Tell Myself) by Michael A. Brown is a celebration of community, friendship, and open communication. Told through a cast of young African-American characters, each of whom are struggling with their own sense of purpose and value, this book reminds young readers that adversity doesn’t diminish personal worth. Touching on a number of delicate issues, from physical and sexual abuse to self-esteem, truth-telling, and cultural stereotypes, Brown is unafraid to look modern problems square in the face and produce work that challenges unfair norms. The dialogue and prose could […]

Dr. Barbara Koltuska-Haskin, a neuropsychologist and skillful author, unravels the mysteries of brain health and improvement in How My Brain Works: A Guide to Understanding It Better and Keeping It Healthy. This nonfiction book offers a comprehensive look at her field of study, but also presents broader knowledge on cognitive behavior, wellness practices for the mind, and more abstract concepts of internal philosophy and the power of mindset. Along with the doctor’s clear expertise and matter-of-fact prose, there are also personal anecdotes and emotionally engaging stories that feel relatable to readers of all kinds. A deep dive into all […]

A riveting and genre-bending presentation of historical fact, I Was A VIP on 11/22/63 by Dr. Diane Holloway Cheney is a one-of-a-kind dive into the mind of a notorious assassin. While most may know the story of that deadly day in Dallas, this in-depth peek into the origins and mindset of Lee Harvey Oswald is revelatory in a way that any amateur lover of history will appreciate. The countless hours of research, structuring, and editorial work that went into this remarkably formatted book are obvious. Cheney is a masterful storyteller that pulls readers into the past with visceral prose, an […]

Author Victoria Clayton, a year after losing her parents, embarks on a painful drive-about to regain some semblance of herself in Grief in the Van: An Adult Orphan, A Cat and A Tiny Home-On-Wheels. In the spirit of Steinbeck, Clayton takes readers on a journey of self-reflection, discovery, and recovery – a love letter to the land, to adventure, and to the healing power of solitude. Throughout the narrative are raw accounts of personal grief in all its unpredictability and severity – authentically told and affecting. This deeply nostalgic and visceral memoir reveals a challenging path toward progress, and […]