It was dark and getting colder. The four-wheel drive was slipping and straining as we tried to yank the van out of a muddy field. We had already lightened it by unloading hundreds of loaves of bread, detergent, toilet paper, tampons, soap, and a generator, when suddenly we heard a low roar approaching. Then, over […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/01/19/ukraines-volunteers-tim-judah/

In 2018 Jealousy Mugisha drew up a list of ten goals for his family over the next ten years. He wanted to rear goats and pigs on his farm in Uganda’s Buliisa district, a rural region bordering Lake Albert. He hoped to send his children to a good school. At the same time plans for […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/01/19/fear-and-oil-in-uganda-sophie-neiman/

for Grace Schulman Once you gave them to the children:          those stems of pallid moons from your seaside garden, and they stood there exultant          with their chandeliers of Hosts turning this way and that, their elbows and knees stiff          like moments in a dance, moving to the shuffle of tiny drumheads in an orchestra          of […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/01/19/luminaria-karl-kirchwey/

I didn’t pin it as grief at first, the feelingof imagining placing myselfin the path of that truck, but of courseit was grief, grief for myselfin the future—not being arounddown the road to feel it, I had to startfeeling it now, I had to make sure I would not leave the world with my feelingsunfinished, […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/01/19/kilowatt-hour-natalie-shapero/

In March 2021, as the New York winter refused to quit and tiny husks spread across my skin, plastering first my elbows, then my upper arms, underarms, eyebrows, eyelids, nostrils, and shins, I booked a room at a cheap hotel in Nassau for a week. I was in the Bahamas nominally to renew my US […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/01/19/flakes-skin-sergio-del-molino/

Huzzah, Audiobook Junkies, it’s time to share your results for the 2022 Audiobook Challenge hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Did you meet your goals? Link up your results below, then enter the giveaway! We hope you’ll join us for the 2023 Audiobook Challenge.

You can sign up for the 2023 Audiobook Challenge and choose your level! Sign up HERE.

Results Linky

Link up your post, Goodreads 2022 Audiobook Shelf or social media post showing books listened to.

Giveaway

Enter to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card (Paypal INT $25) Giveaway closes January 6, 2023

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My Results

My goal for 2022 was 110 audiobooks, and I came in at 118. You can see what I’ve listened to on my Goodreads shelf and check out the reviews I have posted on my challenge page. I listened to some outstanding books, discovered a few new series and had a blast. How did you do?

I linked up my results for the Last Check-in for the 2022Audiobook Challenge and entered the giveaway! #2022AudiobookChallenge #audiobooks
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Thanks to Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking About for co-hosting with us!

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/12/2022-audiobook-challenge-final-check-in.html

Halloweenie follows a magical pumpkin who is brought to life, encounters scary situations, and makes unlikely friends. What was the inspiration for your story?

I’ve always loved Halloween and the Fall season, so writing a story about this magical time of year was definitely at the top of my list. The story itself was inspired by classic Disney animated shorts, like “Trick or Treat” that I loved as a kid. A little fright and a little fun mixed in! I also wanted to tell the tale of sticking up for others and standing up to bullies. 

The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Simone Föhl?

Thank you! Simone is an immensely gifted artist, and I’m beyond lucky to have had her as a partner in making Halloweenie. Her instincts for character designs and acting are top notch, and these characters practically jump right off the page. Also, she really used her color design to amplify the emotions of the story. The story starts out light and warm, and gets a little dark as the story gets a little scary, then returns to softer tones for the finale. Pure genius! Simi, as I affectionately call her, is also such a joy to work with! So collaborative and easy-going! We really were aligned on the vision, and had a tremendous partnership. She is the best and of the best, and I’m very grateful to her for her outstanding work on Halloweenie. 

What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

I think it’s important to teach kids about standing up to bullies and taking action against harmful behaviours. Using their voice for good and speaking up when they see something wrong happening. Also, my book is very inclusive, with all leads being female characters and representing different cultures and backgrounds. The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media has a wonderful motto, which is, “If she can see it, she can be it.” For too long there hasn’t been enough female representation in stories, and especially in children’s content, so it’s our responsibility as storytellers to implement these changes one book, cartoon, or movie at a time. Universally, it’s so important for every child to see themselves represented in stories across all media. It is fundamental for children’s self esteem to be and feel seen, and is incredibly crucial for healthy development for them and humanity overall. 

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

Right now I am actually working on making Halloweenie into an animated short, which is very exciting! I first envisioned the concept as an animated short, but pivoted and decided to start with the children’s book. Animation is a passion of mine, and I’ve been very fortunate to have had a career in the industry for over a decade. I can’t wait to see this story come to life on the screen, and to reach even more audiences!

Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/30/a-little-fright-and-a-little-fun/

Ambushed by bandits on the road west, Abigail Tate saw her entire world change in an instant. With her entire family murdered and herself kept alive only for others’ pleasure, it was nothing short of a miracle that saw her freed from her captivity by the infamous outlaw Ethan Wood. Despite her ignorance of his notoriety and his apparent lack of necessity for her, the two end up on the road together, embarking on a wild goose chase for Abby’s little sister, who she believes somehow survived the massacre. As the days pass and their bond becomes deeper, Ethan and Abby find themselves in a relationship that defies all odds. Facing an array of obstacles as their lives evolve, they learn to adapt to whatever comes their way, most frequently the constant threat of the law in light of Ethan’s lawless past. 

Ethan’s Abby is a trio of books by Elizabeth Fackler, setting the scene for a sweeping western romance epic that provides no shortage of danger, intrigue, and, of course, star-crossed lovers of all kinds. The first third, “Off Across the Plains,” not only has all the hallmarks of a traditional romance but also adds an interesting mystery angle with the other story of Abby’s missing sister. “Orphan’s Wharf” is the second installment and really establishes both Ethan and Abby’s life together, as well as Abby’s reluctant independence. By the third portion, “By the Hands of Men,” Fackler seems to have wavered in her focus, introducing more characters and storylines than necessary but still focusing on the lives of those already established.

“Ethan’s Abby” travels all over the old west of the late 1800s and provides a glimpse of the history of the time. Discussions of states versus territories, law enforcement jurisdictions, and even what was considered within the laws at the time are all crucial parts of the plot development and create a steady foundation of realism for the events of the book. Abby’s development as she grows and learns about the world around her stands out as a highlight, while Ethan remains a mostly one-dimensional, albeit integral, figure. Other characters in the book fill the space well and provide an incredibly well-rounded cast of personalities, covering the good, the bad, and the ugly. Several unique decisions are made to the narrative, including adding an odd supernatural element that gives this story a different flair from your typical western romances.

Ethan’s Abby: a Trilogy is more than just a western romance; it has adventure and mystery as the characters race across the plains in an effort to stay alive. The character development, peril, and always wondering if or how Ethan and Abby were going to get out of their mess this time will keep readers engaged and invested throughout the entire collection.

Pages: 646 | ASIN : B0BLJC1VCG

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/30/ethans-abby-a-trilogy/

Sonnets of Love and Joy by Paul Buchheit shares a collection of poems that reminds us of the beauty of life. The author describes what he sees around him, always maintaining harmony between his words and ideas. The insightful book begins by expressing sublime thoughts about different kinds of love. Then, he focuses on concepts of joy and how they are related to family, friends, nature, and children. Buchheit discusses his feelings based on personal moments and emotions and delves into subjects honestly. I thoroughly enjoyed how the author conjures images that create incredible visuals, whether a storm, sunrise, or other scenes that encourage the imagination.

What I enjoyed about the book was how each poem has an image representing the theme, either a painting or a photograph. I specifically felt that the impressionist paintings expressed Buchheit’s thoughts clearly, and I enjoyed the creative nature of the poems and visuals throughout the book. The versatility of the author’s subjects and the clearly defined chapters make it easy to read and reference. He describes well his environment and intimate, personal moments in an easy-to-read writing style that I found pleasant.

Sonnets of Love and Joy by Paul Buchheit is a beautiful read that will engage readers with vivid imagery and captivating prose. It’s a book of beautiful moments that life gives us, and the author displays how well-versed he is on various topics, including symbolism in literature and mythology. Because of this expressive character, I recommend this book to readers familiar with and interested in poetry.

Pages 68

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/30/sonnets-of-love-and-joy/

The Three Muscat Years by K.M. Harikrishan chronicles three years in the life of a young Indian army doctor as he adapts and finds his footing in a foreign country. Life becomes increasingly more challenging as the doctor is faced with the death of his father and a devastating sense of loss and grief.

As the young doctor learns to adjust to his new life and career challenges, he seeks comfort and acceptance from unexpected people he meets, some of whom become close friends. The story reads like a memoir, but it is interesting how it captures the essence of character growth. I found the doctor’s life experiences relatable, much like that of an ordinary person, even with extraordinary circumstances. The author does an excellent job of recounting his life so that we look beyond our first impressions and collective ideas about army personnel and medically trained staff.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, having grown up with Indian culture and tradition. The narrator never wastes a chance to discuss unique characteristics of culture, Carnatic music, and other fond ideas and memories, which provide comfort for loneliness and becoming homesick. It’s an exciting book highlighting the personal impact of traveling and working abroad under stressful circumstances.

I enjoyed the author’s candid writing style and straightforward storytelling which encourages us to identify with the characters in the story while sympathizing with their feelings and hardships. The Three Muscat Years by K.M. Harikrishan is an easy book to read and enjoy, with lots of witty humor, relatable content, and the sensitive narration of one doctor’s journey.

Pages 274 | ASIN 9390882583

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/30/the-three-muscat-years/