SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books
A meditative, thought-provoking read, some of these insights have been heard and spoken aloud many times before, while others are unique turns of phrase – simple, yet strikingly profound. “There are no answers, only decisions to be made” and “Thoughts come […]
Centuries after First Contact with the Wharth, humanity has been given the technological keys to the cosmos, trading isolation in the universe with unprecedented access to roam among the stars. Zara is a cosmic wanderer, and a veteran of exploring new corners of the galaxy, but a violent run-in with an otherworldly beast leaves her grounded and drugged in a hybrid-filled pleasure prison, with no idea when or […]
Broken into three distinct sections – “Life Thought About,” “Laughed At,” and “Suffered” – the prose feels all encompassing, from our biological origins and anthropological myths to our emotional maturation as individuals and a species. Weeks examines humanity as a naturalist, a philosopher, an investigator, and even a harsh critic, depending on the subject and tack of each essay, covering issues such as powerful personal experiences that shape our paths, unpredictable bumps in the […]
Geo is a rock who works way too hard as a miner in the underground city of Golem’s Hollow. The town is largely controlled by a wealthy man named Mr. Noble, who is a dominant force in everyone’s lives. Geo knows that there’s more to Golem’s Hollow and Mr. Noble than meets the eye, but he’s too scared to […]
While this decade-spanning biographical collection of photographs captures Temps’ body of work, as well as the artist in certain intimate creative moments, the prose itself is also meticulously crafted, poetic, and seemingly awed by the work of this talented sculptor. The book takes readers through the fascinating history and unassuming achievements of this eccentric and fearless creator, and those who are unaware of Temps’ work will be […]
Paying for sins of the past while exploring new love in dangerous places, Yakiesha finds herself on the run with the enigmatic Marty, the man who replaced her recently murdered boyfriend at the head of a shadowy research team. Working together to stay alive, and to figure out who would be willing to kill them both over “Bluetooth for the brain,” these two make a wickedly smart and magnetic duo.
Delving into near-future […]
Exploring outlaw living, alternative perspectives, and universal themes of lost love and opportunity, this patchwork offering of thoughts and memories is powerful and intimate. The opening section focuses heavily on religion, and Nanfito’s experience with patriarchal betrayals, both psychological and physical, and closes on a damning note: “We’ve yet to evict these faithless landlords / from the spaces that were always ours.” The writing then […]
Like other books in this powerful series, this is a kaleidoscopic memoir in verse and experimental storytelling. As the title implies, these pieces reveal a myriad of griefs, both great and small, physical and abstract, societal and psychological. Painful confessions and nakedly honest revelations abound: “Today I took a breath praying to die / Hoping that this last one would be […]