What has Donald Trump taken from our democracy?

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/10/06/the-slow-motion-coup-mark-danner/

I’ve always enjoyed Courtney Summers’ books from zombies to troubled youth. I’m the Girl introduces us to sixteen-year-old Georgia Avis whose recently lost her mother, made some bad choices, and discovered the body of a murdered thirteen-year-old girl. Suspense and heartbreak unfold in this coming of age thriller.

I’m the Girl
by Courtney Summers
Genres: Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

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The new groundbreaking queer thriller from New York Times bestselling and Edgar-award Winning author Courtney Summers.

When sixteen-year-old Georgia Avis discovers the dead body of thirteen-year-old Ashley James, she teams up with Ashley’s older sister, Nora, to find and bring the killer to justice before he strikes again. But their investigation throws Georgia into a world of unimaginable privilege and wealth, without conscience or consequence, and as Ashley’s killer closes in, Georgia will discover when money, power and beauty rule, it might not be a matter of who is guilty—but who is guiltiest.

A spiritual successor to the 2018 breakout hit, Sadie, I’m the Girl is a masterfully written, bold, and unflinching account of how one young woman feels in her body as she struggles to navigate a deadly and predatory power structure while asking readers one question: if this is the way the world is, do you accept it?

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Georgia and her brother are getting by after losing their mother. Georgia is angry with her mother. Mostly because she feels her mother held her back. She told her no to certain things without explanation and now Georgia is hellbent on proving her mother wrong. So, of course, she is doing exactly what her mother didn’t want.

The story opens with Georgia in an unsavory situation and receiving a portfolio of modeling photos she hopes will make all of dreams come true. How and where she purchased them will be revealed, but not before they are stolen and she discovers the murdered body of Ashley James. Ashley is the younger sister of Nora and soon she and Georgia will begin investigating her death.

The tale will take us down a dark, twisted path as Georgia gains employment at a private member only club/resort and pushes to make her dreams a reality. We learn about her mother’s past, and the hours leading up to Ashley’s murder. Summers shines a light on the darker aspects of life in this realistic thriller.

Character growth, first love and more are found along the way in this well-paced thriller. Georgia will enter a world of privilege, wealth, and power where she’ll soon discover it’s not the perfect world she has imagined.

While not my favorite Summers story, I enjoyed the twisty vibe of this one and the romance developing between Georgia and Nora. The ending was bitter and heartbreaking. I’m the Girl was a thought-provoking, sometimes depressing and dark tale that highlights the darker side of small-town living and the powerful employer who controls it.

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/09/im-the-girl-by-courtney-summers.html

Morgan is about to start his first day of kindergarten. As Morgan and his mom head out for school readers start to learn that there is something very cool about Morgan. He loves to share! Morgan encounters various situations throughout his day that show how kindness and sharing are two of the coolest qualities a kid can posses. Morgan is certainly worthy of the title printed on his backpack at the beginning of the story, ‘King of Cool’.

Beautifully illustrated pages, a cool little protagonist, and a heartfelt message all come together to create a fantastic children’s book that kindergarten and first grade readers will adore. The art throughout the book is bright and sharp and captures the emotion of each scene. There is plenty going on in the background of the scenes that will keep readers coming back looking for things they missed the first time. My favorite inconspicuous detail in the story was the ‘Crann’s Pizza’ shop.

There are a lot of emotional details in all the characters faces throughout this vivid picture book. This helps young children understand the emotion of each scene as their parents read the story to them. Parents looking for a book that promotes diversity will love Jacqueline Crann’s kids book as the entire kindergarten class is filled with diverse children. Kids will learn about a variety of things that are cool, like eating vegetables and reading books as well as sharing.

Author Jacqueline Crann has created a marvelous children’s book with a charismatic protagonist. Sharing Is the New Cool is a delightful picture book makes its point in the most charming way possible. Young readers will surely come back to this book again and again.

Pages: 29 | ASIN: B0B1C6BCT6

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/13/sharing-is-the-new-cool/

The opening lines of ‘I DON’T WANT TO GO’ by Ron Weinkauf feel like a thoughtful, nostalgic conversation with a much wiser loved one, reminiscing about the good and bad tales of their younger life. Weinkauf, however, is speaking to a more serious subject that lingers behind the contemplative and informative memories of life. A tribute to the life of Weinkauf’s best friend of almost 70 years, there is an uncanny urge to reach for a hot chocolate that will tingle through the reader’s fingers. It feels like a deeply personal read with a purpose.

Throughout the book’s thirty-five chapters, Weinkauf anecdotally describes how his world, and life, changed after World War II, the advancement of technology, and adopting more of an analytical eye to various religions, faiths, and philosophies. He assesses the similarities and differences of what people expect of the afterlife and how he experienced a close brush with death as a child. The author’s personal relationship with mortality and seeing others impacted by it affected his outlook on life.

One of the chapters I found most engaging, and fun to read, was Reincarnation, Zombies, NDEs, and Astrology. Weinkauf brilliantly weaves emotional passages and concerns with classy humor, keeping the reader entertained about the simple and funny things that happen in life and ignoring the confusing manner of an afterlife and what that might entail. He wants you to embrace everything you can in life and rejoice, even if it’s watching dozens of bad, unconvincing zombie films released since 1932.

I DON’T WANT TO GO is a refreshing take on the question, “what happens after we die?” It’s an inclusive and thoughtful approach to various spiritual theories and how pop culture icons, films, and philosophy impact our views. It’s a must-read for anyone who questions life after death and for people seeking a broader perspective on this topic.

Pages: 230 | ASIN: B0BB5NJHHR

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/13/i-dont-want-to-go/

Life Is Inevitable by Daniel Santos is a story that begins at the end. Life is difficult for some people, and for Olivia and Brennan, two young people no longer able to face the challenges in their lives, decide to end them. It is only once they cross over to the other side, and wind up in purgatory, that things get interesting. As Olivia and Brennan are set to take separate trains out of purgatory to their next destination, there is a mix-up, and they wake up in a new place, with new challenges, in each other’s bodies.

Now facing what they must endure in their next existence and desperate to reunite and switch back into their bodies, they quickly learn that this plan will not go as smoothly as expected. The author tackles some relevant and difficult themes throughout the book, including suicide and the despair felt by young adults. He handles the challenging subject matter well and in a way that gives the reader a sense of hope that life will give you another chance, even following a big mistake or life-shattering experience.

This book is a thought-provoking and important read. The author does a good job of getting the message across so that the reader can imagine themselves in each character’s situation, how they would handle life’s unexpected challenges, and how to move on from the worst experiences. While the sensitive theme of this story may not be for everyone, it is a cleverly written story that provides an interesting perspective on a difficult topic.

There is a lot of imagination and creativity throughout the story, which is a brilliant way of handling such a powerful message. It’s also an interesting way to glimpse at more than one perspective on the matter, and how each character handles their situation. While not a light read, it is a great story that is worth sharing.

Pages: 234 | ASIN: B0B97GXP5M

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/13/life-is-inevitable/

The Last War by Ian E S Adler is an epic fantasy adventure and the first installment in a series, with ambition and action consistent throughout the book. It’s a legendary quest with lots of dragons, prophecies, magic, and mythology, all of which play an essential role in a war with the potential for catastrophic consequences.

The story is set in the Archipelago of Cynnahu, where humans defeated the Dragonkin in an ancient battle. They are now in danger from the snake-folk of Nag Isle and must devise a survival plan. A band of five unexpected companions, two children, and three mages are on a journey to solve a riddle. Their ultimate aim is to summon the awesome power of the Dragonkin, which has perished in history.

Adler created a rich and imaginative world populated with interesting and well-developed characters encompassing the depth of their history and mythology. Fans of the fantasy genre will be enthralled by the level of detail and visual delights that bring this story to life, pulling the reader right into the action. It’s a satisfying read that focuses not only on war and action but the wisdom and strategy the young characters, Emrys and Sakura, must face when solving puzzles and challenges.

The author invests much of the narration with dialogue, creating a colorful plot and development throughout the book. This technique gives the characters more dimension so that we understand their motives, while the storyline never falters and will keep you turning one page after the next. While this action-packed, strategic tale follows what many readers may find to be a familiar fantasy storyline, it’s a rich, vibrant tale with unique characters and a fantastic world will keep you looking forward to the next installment.

Pages: 281 | ASIN: B0BCDRQN7C

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/13/the-last-war/

Secrets Through the Lens is a tale of a tragic family that has endured tragedy and irreparable damage from various circumstances. When Laura discovers that she is pregnant in her teens, her life seems blighted, and the ambitious but ignorant character must make decisions that will have repercussions throughout her life, including family and relationships. As Laura raises two daughters, Bannon and Mallory, she isn’t the loving, nurturing mother they need. Instead, they grow up in Sydney with cold and distant parents, longing for love, understanding, attention, and empathy.

As a result of their upbringing, neither Bannon nor Mallory can sustain a romantic relationship. When they find any measure of happiness, it soon evaporates into despair and tragedy. Throughout their lives, both sisters support each other, though in some cases, Bannon appears to be more supportive of Mallory and receives little in return from her.

As you dive into the story, the plot expands to include exciting and unique developments. Jennifer, Laura’s much older daughter, who lives in Queensland, keeps regular contact with Bannon. Just as the reader gains a sense of who the family is, hidden mysteries lie beneath the surface, slowly unraveling and keeping you reading to uncover more.

Throughout the story, the author addresses isolation, instability, and insecurity throughout the story. Eales does a great job describing a love that is either stifled or thwarted, where men are predatory, and children feel unsafe. As Laura dispassionately teaches her daughter, Mallory, to expect life to be harsh and unfair, she spares no love or compassion, leading her daughters and their legacy down a dark path in life.

Secrets Through the Lens by Connie Eales is a tragic tale about family and the impact of generational trauma. While this book deals with complex themes and longing for relief, it is an insightful read that gives the reader much to think about. Secrets Through the Lens is a gripping story with a well-written tale of family tragedy and loss.

Pages: 281 | ASIN: B0BCDRQN7C

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/13/secrets-through-the-lens/