John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A stirring ode to the elements, emotion, and experimental expression, Body of Water by Fay Mtn is a dynamic experience as much as it is a collection of poetry and musing. Cyclical rhythms of language tease out ideas about the corporal body, our connection to nature, and the vast experience of being alive, while the post-modern execution of these pieces forces readers to slow down, and absorb the poet’s words and energy. Laced with unforgettable lines and powerful imagery, this brief journey is at once gripping and meditative, leaving the reader with a renewed appreciation for the sacred nature of […]

A rhapsodic stream of language, observation, and reflection, Shadow Reel by Clive Gresswell is a prose poem like few others. In a work where sound, flow, and rhythm are often more important than linguistic substance, the reading experience becomes hypnotic and engaging, as the poet leaps from subject to scene to thought to tangent in entirely unpredictable patterns. Enlisting unexpected imagery to create a jaggedly poetic landscape, this post-modern offering is a manifesto of imagination, peppered with striking commentary and clever turns of phrase that impress and enthrall.

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A soul-elevating read about compassion, caregiving, and sacrifice in countless forms, If I Die Before I Wake: A Caregiver’s Journey by Eli Shaw is a heart-rending and revitalizing memoir. Penned as a series of reflective essays on his diverse roles in providing support and love for people around the world – both in his personal and professional pursuits – this isn’t a chronological report of Shaw’s life so much as a philosophical and experiential collage. Regardless of the decade or crisis, from AIDS and drug abuse to cognitive disabilities and systemic racism, Shaw has been in the thick of societal […]

For any reader seeking to achieve financial freedom and escape the vicious cycle of borrowing and debt, Wallet Street: Let’s Talk Personal Finance by Allison King is an accessible and realistic manual for a more stable future. Though it is targeted at Gen Xers (the full subtitle is 7 Proven Strategies for Gen Xers to Grow Their Income in 30 Days. How to Get Out of Debt, Save More Money and Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck), the ten sections of advice are applicable for anyone looking to make a change, particularly the content on smart financial habits, diversifying income streams, […]

Author Duncan Peters presents a thought-provoking guided journey in Daily Acts of Consciousness: Finding Meaning in the Mundane, a book designed for readers seeking a self-aware and spiritually awakened path through life. The 30 days of tasks are prefaced by a brief summary of various belief systems, theories, and concepts, as well as spiritual and psychological angles that affect the author’s approach. The daily readings themselves are bite-sized morsels of wisdom to muse on for the day, often combined with suggested attentiveness to a physical, emotional, or social aspect of your daily movements. Pairing ancient logic and reassuring wisdom […]