To the Editors: James Gleick in his review of Alec Nevala-Lee’s biography of Buckminster Fuller writes that “Fuller can be remembered as a crank and a charlatan and a prophet and a visionary” [NYR, November 3]. This raises the question of where the balance lies. Gleick rightly highlights Fuller’s geodesic domes as his most significant […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/12/22/small-victories/
Sometime in the early tenth century, a ninety-foot-long, three-hundred-ton trading ship sank off the coast of Java, probably the victim of a sudden monsoon storm. The ship went down with all hands. The crew and the cargo lay on the floor of the Java Sea undisturbed until 1997, when marine archaeologists located the wreck near […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/12/22/missionaries-merlins-and-merchants-history-of-buddhism/
I have been interested for a long time in theology and also in science. These two brilliant fields of thought have been at odds, supposedly, since the rise of what might be called the modern period, say, beginning in the nineteenth century. For the next one hundred years and more science flourished, applying its model […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/12/22/a-theology-of-the-present-moment-marilynne-robinson/
“What on earth was I doing?” the comedian Nathan Fielder asks in the sixth and final episode of his new HBO series—but to any moderately sane viewer the question will have occurred much earlier. The Rehearsal is a truly strange show, a nesting doll of artifice and anxiety, comedy and disorientation and dread, wrapped in […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/12/22/no-surprises-the-rehearsal-nathan-fielder/
In 1989 the producer Ismail Merchant and the director James Ivory asked me, as a standing member of their informal company of players, to appear in their upcoming film, Mr. and Mrs. Bridge. Everything about the project was irresistible, not least the casting of two bona fide movie stars, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, husband […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/12/22/ol-blue-eyes-the-extraordinary-life-of-an-ordinary-man-paul-newman/
Debbie Macomber’s holiday stories always put me in a holiday mood. The Christmas Spirit delivered just that as we learn the story of the week, Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax switched places for a week. A delightful tale that will warm your heart with two romances and goodwill.
The Christmas Spirit
by Debbie Macomber
Genres: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Two lifelong friends decide to trade places the week before Christmas and end up finding love along the way in this delightful novel from the queen of holiday stories, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.
Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax are best friends, but their lives couldn’t be more different. Peter, the local pastor who is dedicated to his community, spending time visiting the flock, attending meetings, and, with the holiday season approaching, preparing for the Christmas service and live nativity. As a bartender, Hank serves a much different customer base at his family-owned tavern, including a handful of lonely regulars and the local biker gang.
When Peter scoffs that Hank has it easy compared to him, the two decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. To their surprise, the responsibilities of a bartender and a pastor are similar, but taking on the other’s work is more difficult than either Peter or Hank expected. As the two begin to see each other in a new light—and each discovers a new love to cherish—their lives are forever changed.
In The Christmas Spirit, Debbie Macomber celebrates the true meaning of the holidays and the inclusive community spirit that binds us all.
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This was a delightful tale. It begins with a grandmother and her two grandchildren settling in with some hot cocoa by the fire and demands for a story. I loved the questions, back-and-forth banter between the children and grandmother. She wants a kissing story, he an adventure…
The story shares the time best friends, Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax, switched places. It was the week before Christmas. The two meet for breakfast at the local diner, a tradition they have kept up since high school. Peter is the local pastor, and Hank owns a bar in the next town. Hank is groaning about his busy schedule and while Peter sympathizes, he has his own demanding schedule. Soon, each is claiming their lives are harder and busier. Before breakfast has ended, the two have agreed to switch places.
The tale has all the markings of a great Christmas tale with messages of goodwill towards men, character growth, and not one but two sides of romance. I laughed, cheered and lost myself in their stories. Filled with small-town charm, Christmas snow and one naughty donkey, it’s the perfect story to put you in the holiday spirit.
The delivery and moments with the grandchildren as they peppered their grandmother with question, only added to the tale. The discovery at the end, while expected, was delightful.
For fans of feel good, Hallmark holidays. It’s the perfect blend of heart-tugging sugary sweetness.
Amazon | Audible
The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber is the perfect holiday read this season. Filled with hope, romance, friends and good will towards men. #NewRelease #holidayreads #BookTwitter
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Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 170 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Macomber brings to life the compelling relationships that embrace family, community and enduring friendships, filling her readers with a sense of love and hope.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/12/the-christmas-spirit-by-debbie-macomber.html
The French House is an engaging and suspenseful novel that will have you captivated by the characters. This story is told by the main character, Simone Duchamps. Simone is a 19-year-old French girl who moved to the US with her parents at an early age. Her life is marked by the trauma of the death of her mother, Lisette. Upon entering college, she is invited to live in The French House, a dark brick mansion located in Madison, Wisconsin. The purpose of this residence is the exchange between foreign students and local students who want to develop their French and learn more about French culture. Although the plot develops around The French House, many mysteries are solved in each chapter. It’s the perfect book to enjoy with a glass of wine at night.
The exciting story is not predictable, and the characters are constructed, so your feelings for them will change. There are a lot of expressions and short phrases in French throughout the story, which was initially a little frustrating having to look up the translation, but I soon got used to it. I wish the author had put the translation of some to facilitate reading.
This book caught my attention because it is loaded with historical and artistic references. I enjoyed it when the author described everything with delicacy and uniqueness. Courtney Lochner writes, without a doubt, with mastery and creativity. As it is written in her own words on one of the book’s pages, “the mind erases just as well as it creates,” and this story is so well constructed that it made me question my memories.
The French House is thrilling and suspenseful, filled with unpredictable characters and plot twists. Each question answered seems to bring forth a new mystery for readers to discover and see where they end up. Between murder and social hierarchy climbing, readers will have a steady source of action and entertainment to keep them hooked till the last page.
Pages: 296 | ASIN : B0BGFHQ5RT
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/05/the-french-house/
New Pangaea- An Evolution into the Fifth World, by Brenda Duffey, is a story of a woman trying to find herself and a restless man ready to settle down. Who is Mehrrani Bijan? After her father’s death, because of their faith, Rani and her mother fled Iran to New Mexico. The haunting memories of her father’s loss had instilled a deep fear of loving and losing in Rani. Distancing herself from relationships other than with her mother, Rani decided it was time to find her independence and much-needed answers about her dad’s death and a stone he left her from Iran that connected the answers she sought to FBI agent Josh Overton’s case.
After being sent to Arizona for a murder investigation, Josh had coincidently run into Rani several times. However, this case and the stunning, philosophical woman he couldn’t stop thinking about began to make him question whether he still loved the chase and his job or if he wanted something more.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I loved the cultural aspects, the characters were each remarkably original, and the setting was well-written. I love the depth of Rani’s character and how her upbringing helped shape her personality. Rani’s deep connection and admiration for the reservation’s Navajo people are touching and add depth to her story. Her friendship with Listie is very well written, it really shows how friendship can be formed in the most unexpected circumstances, and sometimes a random stranger can become someone important to you.
Rani’s inner turmoil to find herself and overcome the grief from her father’s loss and her struggle to let people into her life because she is so afraid of losing them really built on how you should appreciate the people in your life for as long as you have them because you never know what will happen. The relationship between Josh and Rani is unconventional, and it seems like they skipped a few steps in the love department. However, the romance is sweet and cute, and Josh and Rani are well-developed characters. The novel is overall well written and has a beautiful, engaging story.
New Pangaea- An Evolution into the Fifth World is a suspenseful thriller that follows the mystery of ancient stone tablets that are brought out of Iran during the revolution. Readers will enjoy following Rani on her journey of self-discovery and faith and solving the mystery of her father’s past.
Pages: 192 | ASIN : B07964LTQL
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/05/new-pangaea/
The Bottom Feeder is an eccentric read that leaves the reader feeling bewildered and intrigued. It’s an easy, enjoyable, and yet peculiar read. It’s full of colorful characters who are intertwined through acts of deception, violence, and greed.
As confused as I was by the confusing plot, I have to say that I really loved the main character, Eddie Brennan. Eddie is a lawyer and a big tall Irishman from Sandusky, Ohio. When Hollywood comes to Sandusky, a major movie star gets injured and sustains memory loss; Brennan is called in to oversee her care and ensure her interests are protected. Jennifer Henniston is so obviously modeled after real-life star Jennifer Anniston that it makes me think Alexander meant for this to be known. Brennan can’t help but fall in love with the actress, and they are soon engaged.
As the story unfolds, more and more of Brennan’s personality is revealed as if layers of an onion are being peeled back. His relationships with his business partner, Freddy, his brother, Donnie, and a few interesting women help paint the picture of a man who lets everyone walk all over him, and they love him for it. Brennan eventually sees the truth about Jennifer. He helps her get out of her studio contract, and as they part ways, he encourages her to be true to herself.
I would’ve preferred that the author created a character rather than take the story out of someone’s real-life circumstances, but I still enjoyed the story overall. The book was entertaining, and I hope there is a sequel.
The Bottom Feeder: How to Love ’em and Lose ’em in 30 Days by Lexi Alexander is an intricate mix of relationship humor, and legal thriller as the characters develop through the story. This fast-paced novel is the perfect weekend read and will be impossible to put down once you start, as the drama hits hard and fast, and the laughter keeps you turning the pages.
Pages: 203 | ASIN : B01I2GOZYU
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/05/the-bottom-feeder/
The Forgotten by Barbara Dorger is a deep dive into one of the most tragic events of modern American History- 9/11. Countless volumes have been written about this awful day, but Dorger has taken a different approach than any other book.
Dorger approaches 9/11 with an often overlooked perspective, that of the aircrews who were serving that fateful day. Dorger was a flight attendant on the day of the attack, and in her book, she gives us a fascinating insight into how it would have been for the crews of the planes that went down that day.
For most of the book, Dorger focuses on the perspective of flight crews and other aviation workers before, during, and after 9/11. However, Dorger isn’t just focused on the attack itself but on the failures within her industry that let it happen. She then highlights the plight of the aviation workers who, through layoffs and downsizing post-9/11, were left out in the cold as their industry struggled to recover.
Later on, in the book Dorger widens her scope. She gives brief but detailed histories of the major intelligence agencies involved in investigating 9/11 and airline security procedures and regulation/ deregulation. In addition, she interviews flight attendants who had served on the flights leading up to 9/11 that had had the future bombers onboard. In these chapters, Dorger paints a troubling picture where their airlines and government counterintelligence ignored front-line flight workers’ concerns.
This is not to say that Dorger’s work is all finger-pointing. She also highlights the heroism and good that came from the day. In addition, she spends time praising other countries’ responses to the tragedy, and the solidarity America received from its allies.
But at its heart, this book is a tribute to the flight crews who lost their lives that day. She highlights how her colleagues, even when they knew they were going to die, kept their cool and stayed professional. Their cool heads helped prevent other hijackings that day. The Forgotten isn’t for everyone. But for anyone wanting to learn more about what happened during 9/11, The Forgotten is worth a read. Dorger’s years of experience in the industry and thorough research shine through.
Pages: 228 | ISBN : 1664183329
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/05/the-forgotten/