John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Author Bill See shares a poignant, powerful, and rare perspective in Everything That Came Before Grace: A Father-Daughter Story. This unassuming novel is not only a nostalgic trip through the 90s, but also a challenging dive into mental illness, depression, and the self-loathing so many quietly bottle inside. Struggling to keep steady on the path to redemption, the main character balances the hefty responsibilities of single fatherhood with the weight of his self-doubt, dark shadows, and perennially broken heart. This is a revelatory and savagely honest story, one steeped in relatable emotions and realistic dialogue that captures the pain […]

Phil Slattery presents a heartfelt collection of poems from his romantic past in Nocturne: Poems of Love, Distance, and the Night, a callous and disinterested lover. From literal confessions of unrequited love to abstract, image-heavy fantasies, the themes of passion, lust, and longing are unmistakable and broadly represented. There are primal emotions explored throughout the collection – trauma being overcome, identity being rediscovered, and dwindling hope finding ways to be rekindled. Despite a variety of structural forms in the verse and a number of standout lines, this outpouring of poetry relies too heavily on classic romance language and familiar imagery. […]

An unusual collection of three spine-tingling tales, Things That Go Bump in the Night by JC Bratton is a modern take on classic horror — inexplicable visitations, vengeful spirits, and macabre dolls that simply don’t stay put. These short novellas are quick reads, meant for a single-sitting scare, which allows Bratton to show her skill at rapidly building an engaging story. The dialogue is stilted in certain scenes, and the exposition can feel heavy-handed, but that can in part be attributed to the brevity of these tales. Despite these narrative critiques, there are plenty of eerie twists to entertain readers, […]

An existential mind-boggler of a novel, Remaking Martin is a wildly original near-future drama by Nezih Unen. The premise of existing with an identical copy of yourself and analyzing it for imperfections, while also reckoning with the rush of mortality and an unavoidable identity crisis, makes this a gripping read with “two” fascinating protagonists. The creative strength of the plot covers for some weakness in the characterization and dialogue, while the philosophical questions the narrative poses will carry on long after the last page. This is sci-fi how it should be: just far enough away from reality to feel like […]

An eclectic and thought-provoking collection of essays, stories, and poems, The Stirring of the Birds by William Kenneth Jones is undeniably original, filled with symbolism, philosophical conundrums, and the sort of probing language that will keep readers turning the pages. From historical accounts of disasters and discoveries that defy reality to dark existential poems and ominous pieces of flash fiction, this book will challenge what you think you know. While some of the technical aspects need improvement, including grammatical inconsistencies, occasionally unpolished poetry, and some sloppy formatting, this unusual gathering of thoughts remains a uniquely mysterious and unpredictable journey.

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A musician with a heart of gold makes for an unusual but compelling father figure in The Gracie Chronicles by Irene Williams. This years-spanning novel captures the tragedy and hard-fought triumphs of a non-traditional family, where the bonds of love and protection are often stronger than blood. With touching moments of paternal growth, thought-provoking decisions for parents young and old, and a remarkable young girl at the heart of this story, Williams delivers a powerful take on modern families. Though the dialogue can be awkward, and the plot does have a tendency to wander, this is a patient and compassionate […]

A unique and insightful take on leadership practices, How to Grow Tall Poppies: A Practical Guide To Cultivating High-Performance Teams by Rajiv Jayarajah is specifically focused on how to elevate the commitment and quality of individual workers, rather than companies. This slight twist on a classic business book sets this collection of wisdom apart, while delivering actionable items to readers who want to become better managers and colleagues. Some of the anecdotal stories delve into unnecessary detail, but the knowledge shared throughout the book is authentic and clearly comes from a genuine desire to help others. Jayarajah is an excellent […]