On April 9 of this year, The New York Times featured an obituary for Arthur D. Riggs, a scientist likely unknown to most readers. Riggs’s career was largely spent at the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California, where he discovered how to use recombinant DNA technology—which brings together genetic sequences from multiple […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/10/06/understanding-diabetes-and-paying-for-it-groopman/
Suppose you are traveling on a municipal bus in the sunbaked South Indian city of Chennai, and you know Tamil. At some point, overwhelmed by the sheer density of color and form that you can see through the window, you raise your eyes to the board just above the driver’s seat, where a couplet is […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/10/06/cosmic-oceans-squeezed-into-atoms-the-kural/
Near the end of Terry Eagleton’s Critical Revolutionaries, there’s a sentence that made me stop for a moment in disbelief. Perhaps it was meant to. F.R. Leavis was by far the most dogmatic of the twentieth-century critics with whom the book is concerned, and Eagleton writes that the Cambridge don held that “literary criticism was […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/10/06/corrections-of-taste-critical-revolutionaries-eagleton/
The climate crisis can be understood as an experiment in pace. By burning the remains of hundreds of millions of years of flora and fauna in the course of a few decades, we’re forcing the planet through changes that usually take eons; deep time is suddenly running like one of those films of a flower […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/10/06/where-will-we-live-climate-change-mckibben/
A small-town business district glides across the screen in grainy 1960s Technicolor. The shot shows a pawn shop, a drug store, and advertisements for cottage cheese and white potatoes. The town is passing itself off as Anywhere, USA, but something is amiss. The brightly colored façades are fabricated and flimsy. Atop the liquor store, a […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2022/09/16/riotsville-theater-of-state-panic/
Narrated by Devon Sorvari, Rebel Magic by Kim Richardson is the ninth novel in the Witches of Hollow Cove series. Snark, humor and danger ensue as Tessa tries to figure out what is off about her aunt’s groom, Derrick Beaudelaire. Oh, and Lilith decides Lucifer needs to go.
Rebel Magic
by Kim Richardson
Series: Witches of Hollow Cove #9
Narrator: Devon Sorvari
Length: 7 hours and 45 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.3x
My Aunt Beverly is getting married.
I should be happy for her. Right? But I’m not. Because I know this Derrick character is bad news. Call it my witchy instincts, but I’m convinced something is seriously off with the guy. So how do I prove it to my aunt?
The pressure is on as I only have four days to figure it out before the wedding—yes, four days until Beverly says, “I do,” to that slimy bastard.
As the clues start to come together, I have to wade through a pack of lies to get to the truth and find out who Derrick Baudelaire really is—and what he’s hiding.
But then the worst happens. While I’m trying to uncover Derrick’s dark secrets, Lilith comes calling. She’s ready to set her plan in motion. Her plan to kill her husband, a.k.a. Lucifer, the king of hell. And I’m her secret weapon.
Trouble is, this time, I might not make it back alive.
Get ready for another laugh-out-loud adventure. If you like fast-paced urban fantasy adventure with a kick-butt heroine and plenty of action, suspense, and humor, you’ll love Rebel Magic.
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This urban fantasy series with its cozy vibe and snarky protagonist is a hoot. Poor Tessa always seems to deal with one crisis after another. Her Aunt is about to get married and Tessa has no love for the slimy groom. He is up to no good, and she intends to prove it.
Meanwhile, Lilith (who Tessa early, accidentally set free) the ex-wife of Lucifer, has decided he has to go and plans to use Tessa to do it. Oh lord, this was a crazy tale with plenty of twists and developments.
Beverly is smitten with Derrick and things get crazy when Tessa discovers who he is, or should I say what he is? Between that and Lucifer, Tessa sees herself in danger, and suffers magically.
Secondary characters, Tessa’s wereape boyfriend and townsfolk, add to the story and kept me engaged. The story has it all from romance to mundane family issues and never a dull moment in between. I am really curious to see what will happen next. As with most fantasy series, it is best to listen to this series in the order of its release.
Devon Sorvari narrates and does a lovely job giving voice to Tessa and the other characters. She captures the tone and pacing of the story perfectly. Her narration enhances the stories and I recommend listening to the series.
Those looking for small-town charm, magic and snark will enjoy the Witches of Hollow Cover series.
Amazon* | Audible
Rebel Magic by Kim Richardson delivers as Tessa must deal with issues on many fronts. #WitchesOfHollowCove #urbanfantasy #cozy #audiobook #DevonSorvari #audiobookreview
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Kim Richardson is the award-winning author of the bestselling SOUL GUARDIANS series. She lives in the eastern part of Canada with her husband, two dogs and a very old cat. She is the author of the SOUL GUARDIANS series, the MYSTICS series, and the DIVIDED REALMS series. Kim’s books are available in print editions, and translations are available in over 7 languages.
Devon Sorvari is an Actress and Audio Book Narrator who performed the narration of Number Six in Audio books for Six’s Legacy, The Rise of Nine, The Revenge of Seven, The Fate of Ten, and United As One.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/09/rebel-magic-by-kim-richardson.html
Tuck is stuck in the house on a rainy. With nothing to do little Tuck starts to get bored. He’d love to go to the zoo, but can’t go outside until the rain stops. Luckily his stuffed T-Rex comes to life and shows Tuck how to use his imagination to go on a fun adventure at the zoo without ever leaving his room. Together they embark on an educational trip to the zoo where they laugh and learn about different animals.
T-Rex and Tuck Explore the Zoo is a cute children’s book that teaches kids how to use their imagination. If you know how to use it, you’ll never be bored. Author Katie Marie has written a delightful story that is filled with both funny and educational moments. Children will learn different interesting facts about animals that are mixed with funny sounds and fun movements. Children will love making the sounds that the different animals make in the book, like lions and monkeys, and the story also provides some funny physical activities that kids will love to try, like stomping like an elephant or waddling like a penguin. All of this comes together to make a book that is highly engaging.
Each page has a wonderful piece of sketch art by illustrator Jessie Johnson that really brings the scene to life. The soft color palette and the artwork makes this book inviting and perfect for parents to read to toddlers or for early readers to read on their own.
T-Rex and Tuck Explore the Zoo is an imaginative and fun picture book that educates as well as it entertains. With an animated stuff T-Rex, a charming protagonist, and an imaginative story line, this is a perfect gift for any child.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/16/t-rex-and-tuck-explore-the-zoo/
Coming Alive is a vibrant and inspiring memoir that follows the author’s spiritual journey, an Italian-American with a deep passion for religion and spirituality. The book is diverse and authentic and details how the author comes to terms with who she is, her sexuality, and how society can be, at most times, closed-minded.
Ierardi’s tone is calm and positive, with clear values and goals. She spends her life looking for the best way to achieve her purpose. The author is determined to never give up, as she conquers many obstacles and difficult situations along her journey. When faced with challenges, Ierardi lets humanity guide her down the right path.
As the author takes the reader through various experiences and situations, she covers many aspects of religion, spirituality, art, astrology, family life, and sexuality. Ierardi delicately but directly discusses how sexual orientation and identity can present a setback where there is a lack of acceptance. However, the author never lets obstacles stand in her way and instead lives valiantly during a time when coming out risks being ostracized by family and community.
I enjoyed the author’s determination and strong spirit, as she presents a clear picture of how she navigates through her family, community, and experiences in life. It’s an immersive story that gives you the holistic view of everything Ierardi goes through and how her journey includes different reactions and experiences as a part of the LGBTQ and feminist communities and movements. Ierardi does an exceptional job of weaving the modern history of social justice and equal rights while searching for a more authentic life.
Coming Alive by Anne Ierardi is an excellent book for anyone from any religion or sexuality. It’s a great read highlighting the personal reward of coming alive while challenging the reader to find their true self and follow an authentic path.
Pages: 241 | ASIN: B09TRZL91W
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/16/coming-alive/
Stone Garden by Tuula Pere and Andrea Alemanno is a beautifully illustrated story that follows Lina and Nico, a brother and sister, who venture into a historic stone garden to have lunch. The most prominent stone carving in the park is of an old man who was once a landowner of the garden and surrounding area. As this unique statue conjures a sense of curiosity in Nico, Lina begins to narrate the man’s story and his tragic life. As the old man’s tale unfolds, Nico learns of the unfortunate circumstances leading to the man’s fate and how his lonely existence and mysterious demeanor only further isolate him from everyone, including close family and friends.
I found the story captivating, with many of the visuals in the writing and in the illustrations included in the book. It’s a tale of tragedy and magic that follows the solitary life of one man and how his unusual nature painted him as many things, though he was widely misunderstood. He often strayed from making connections or building relationships with people, even close family. It was as if he didn’t know how to love other people, and while he may have been capable of love, there was a gap in communication or something missing that kept him from reaching out. However, the man developed a sense of belonging to other things; as Lina states, “at least he knew how to love nature.”
The author does an extraordinary job of creating relatable and lifelike characters while diving into the complex man and his legendary status in the community. While many hold firmly to the unkind, negative attributes of the old landowner, Lina and Nico look beyond this outer image to find the natural person beneath. It’s an inspiring book that gives the reader a sense of how important it is to discover more about someone beyond what others see. As the man may have been seen as unlovable or unapproachable, his demise could have changed if someone could have shown him compassion.
I recommend Stone Garden for its genuine and thoughtful characters and their ability to see beneath the grumpy exterior and into the heart of someone so easily judged.
Pages: 38 | ASIN: 9523577751
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/16/stone-garden/
The False Queen is a magical tale that follows a young fairy girl named Viola who arrives on Swing Island wearing a lace dress and a crown. The Islanders become curious with the stranger and decide she must be royalty due to her appearance. In doing so, there assumptions create this version of Viola that is not true. Viola, who turns out to be just a fairy down on her luck searching for a place of her own and her purpose; sees no harm in going along with the Islanders grand idea of her since they are all being so kind to her.
Having extraordinarily little to give back to the Islanders, she does her best to use her skills of designing clothes and jewelry to try and make money to eventually repay the debts. Once Viola’s secret is out that she is no royal fairy, everyone turns on her. Daniel, who is the hero of the story is described as a loner and a writer but most importantly he is the observer of the Island and sees not only the truth of who Viola is but all the Islanders true selves. Daniel’s skills of writing set him on a path of clearing Viola’s name and aiding in her finally finding her place and purpose in life as well as uniting the community in one swift sweep of his quill.
In this short children’s chapter book, the author is able to incapsulate the accurate depiction of how people are quick to make assumptions about another person. Pere also shows how important it is to have friends that will stand by you through challenging times in life and how using your skills can help bring communities together and bring fulfillment in life.
The False Queen is an imaginative children’s book with unique fairy tale elements that young readers will find enchanting. This is a fantastic children’s book that imparts an important life lesson amid an entertaining adventure.
Pages: 110 | ISBN: 9789523577695
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/16/the-false-queen/