John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A spiraling and surreal set of stories from Mikhael Aroni, Your Lucky Day is an unassuming yet compelling work of short fiction. Tracing a mysterious force through the causes and effects it wreaks on average lives and the world at large, “The Noise” is a haunting tale of societal interconnectedness. Exploring identity, risk, and human exploration in modern relationships, “The Power” has a similar premise, but proceeds to deliver a vulnerable narrative around an enigmatic and imaginative protagonist. Layered with intentional meaning and subtle probing of social norms, Aroni offers up a brief but profound read.

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A thoughtful exploration of fate, self-discovery, loss, and healing, The Invisible Red String by Peter Berlin and Ann Zachariah is a modern retelling of an ancient idea. The four members of a therapeutic meditation group find themselves subtly bound to one another in unexpected ways as they journey through their own wounds and weaknesses. As their most personal stories are gradually told, including revelations of abuse, abandonment, hope, and desire, the connections pulling them together become harder to resist, as if by destiny. Weaving together relevant themes of wealth inequality, cultural clashes, childhood trauma, forbidden love, and more, this slow-burning […]

Taking to mountain solitude to overcome heartbreak and trauma leads to a new chance at fulfillment in Moonshadow Over Red Moon Hill by Cynthia L. Clark. Driven by emotional reflection and tentative romance, Brody and Tessa are escaping the past in different ways, but the intertwined fate of these two deftly drawn characters is a patient pleasure to witness, each coming with layered stories that unfold within an unexpectedly thrilling drama. Exploring the core issues of rediscovering trust, revisiting tragedy, and finally accepting the truth, Clark’s layered novel neatly transcends romance fiction, reminding readers of the hard-won resilience we are […]

Shining a light on the powerful work and legacy of a legendary couple, Politics, Partnerships & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church by Jay Pridmore and Christine Wolf is an illuminating glimpse into America’s unpredictable history. Examining the political rise of Ralph E. Church and his wife’s bold decision to enter politics and win his Congressional seat, the story is rich in historical context and well-researched detail, illustrating how this long series of events shaped the landscape of Chicago and national politics for the better part of four decades. Reading at times like a novel, this […]