In the ailanthus tree I saw myselfwafting between branches and theirunfallen flowers. I balancedin the air, perfecting a kind of nonchalancenobody needs anymore. I lacked theanalogy for what I hadn’t felt yet. I triedto make myself predictable, banal, andfor years was my own analyst. In frontof where I waited I could hear rumblinglike water rushing […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/02/23/self-portrait-alan-felsenthal/
The two most substantial documents of the conductor Carlos Kleiber’s career released in recent years—the epistolary biography Corresponding with Carlos by Charles Barber and Kleiber’s Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon—have a notable feature in common: Kleiber, who died in 2004, would surely not have wanted either to see the light of day. Conductors tend to […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/02/23/performance-as-immolation-carlos-kleiber/
Lost wars, especially when defeat comes as a rude surprise, inevitably spark painful self-examination. Pundits and politicians, and then historians, generally ask the same questions. How could a strong and confident nation have suffered such an embarrassing setback? Who precisely is to blame? How could the leaders directing the war have failed so spectacularly to […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/02/23/commanders-and-courtiers-the-howe-dynasty-flavell/
Kathleen Beauchamp was a shapeshifter with as many selves as Stendhal. Her pseudonyms included Katya, Katerina, Kissienka, Katoushka (the Russian variations of her name); her Maori personae were Kezia, Rewa, Tui, and Maata; she also referred to herself as Kass, Katharina, Kathë Schonfeld, Mrs. K. Bendall, Kathë Beauchamp-Bowden, Juliet, Vere, Ariadne, Sally, Pearl, and Guy; […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/02/23/very-free-and-indirect-katherine-mansfield/
A decade ago Sabine Réthoré, a French mapmaker based near Marseille, tilted the map of the Mediterranean ninety degrees on its axis, positioning its western extent at the top and its eastern shore at the bottom, so that the Strait of Gibraltar (the classical Pillars of Hercules) appears as the neck of a funnel into […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/02/23/medieval-marvels-in-latin-west-and-islamic-world-karnes/
I was delighted that Blake Crouch’s back matter will be on audio and grabbed Abandon. Narrated by Soneela Nankani, Jennifer Jill Araya, Timothy Jackson, and Max Meyers, Abandon tells a tale of journalist Abigail Foster and her historian father who along with their party explore a town where its inhabitants disappeared Christmas Day 1893. Horror meets thriller in this chilling listen.
Abandon
by Blake Crouch
Narrator: Soneela Nankani, Jennifer Jill Araya, Timothy Jackson, Max Meyers
Length: 12 hours and 41 minutes
Genres: Horror
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x
A century-old mystery—and a desperate battle to survive—unfold in this standalone thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Dark Matter and Recursion.
On Christmas Day in 1893, every man, woman, and child in a remote mining town disappeared, belongings forsaken, meals left to freeze in vacant cabins, and not a single bone found.
Now, journalist Abigail Foster and her historian father have set out to explore the long-abandoned town and learn what happened. With them are two backcountry guides—along with a psychic and a paranormal photographer who are there to investigate rumors that the town is haunted.
But Abigail and her companions are about to learn that the town’s ghosts are the least of their worries. Twenty miles from civilization, with a blizzard bearing down, they realize they are not alone.
The ordeal that follows will test this small team past the breaking point as they battle the elements and human foes alike—and discover that the town’s secrets still have the power to kill.
Part journey into old-West history, part nail-biting survival thriller, Abandon is a bloody, darkly surprising tale as only Blake Crouch could deliver.
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The tale that unfolds was chilling from the changing point of views to the timelines. Crouch gave us both the current storyline and shared events of 1893 as they unfolded.
Abigail is a journalist, and she has joined her father, a historian, to document the abandoned town. With them are two guides and a couple. The couple is a psychic and paranormal photographer team.
If the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island intrigues you, then this story will pull you in. The town has been abandoned. Meals are still on tables, but not a single man, women or child were found. Not even their bones.
The story built as we learned about events that unfolded in 1893, and see things quickly deteriorate in the present. Suspense, twists and horrors await you in this spin-chilling tale. The story was grounded, making it all the more terrifying.
Narrated by Soneela Nankani, Jennifer Jill Araya, Timothy Jackson, and Max Meyers, early Crouch did not disappoint. The story lends itself perfectly to the audio format. I was glad they chose multiple narraters and found it enhanced the story and transitions from timeline and perspective occurred smoothly.
Amazon | Audible
Blake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of the forthcoming novel, Dark Matter, for which he is writing the screenplay for Sony Pictures. His international-bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy was adapted into a television series for FOX, executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan, that was Summer 2015’s #1 show. With Chad Hodge, Crouch also created Good Behavior, the TNT television show starring Michelle Dockery based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. He has written more than a dozen novels that have been translated into over thirty languages and his short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Crouch lives in Colorado with his family.
Jennifer Jill Araya has been listening to audiobooks since she was a young child, and the fact that she now gets to narrate audiobooks for a living is a dream come true. Jennifer’s training as an opera singer and orchestral cellist lend a musicality and depth of understanding to her narration that help bring her authors’ stories to life. She loves nothing more than giving life and breath to the printed word. When she’s not narrating, Jennifer can be found hiking, biking, running, or generally exploring her home city of Cincinnati with her husband Arturo (a.k.a. “Partner in Crime”) and their two children.
Soneela Nankani is a classically trained Brooklyn-based actress. She has performed at many prestigious theaters and is an ensemble member of the award-winning Sojourn Theatre. In addition, Soneela has worked in film and television and has narrated over 60 audiobooks. Soneela holds an MFA in Acting from Columbia University.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/02/abandon-a-novel-by-blake-crouch.html
Aging Wisely: Facing the Emotional Challenges from 50 to 85+ Years is a powerful and insightful book written by Viola Mecke, a clinical psychologist who draws from her personal experiences and professional expertise to delve deep into the emotional complexities of aging. Through her words, readers are transported into a world where they come to understand that as the years pass by, not only do our bodies change, but so do our emotional expectations and capacities. Mecke masterfully illustrates that by learning to accept and anticipate these changes, we can truly embrace aging and make the most of the precious moments in our golden years.
“I hope to show how to greet the emotional stresses that aging brings so that it can become a time for realizing the fullness of life.”
In this comprehensive 13-chapter book, Mecke divides the aging process into four distinct stages: The Phase of Fulfilment (50-65 years), the Phase of Retirement (65-75 years), the Productive Years (75-85 years), and the Phase of Loving Living (85+ years). Mecke guides readers through the unique challenges that come with each stage, such as physical and social changes, the independence of children, and the grief associated with loss. One of the book’s highlights is Mecke’s expert handling of the topic of dependency. Mecke dives into the murky waters of dependency with a deft hand. She shines a light on the possibilities of making the most of dependency and even turning it into a tool for personal growth.
As the years creep up on us, many older individuals find themselves losing touch with their ages. The days blur together, and birthdays slip by unnoticed until a loved one surprises them with a cake adorned with a number that jolts them back to reality. Despite this, we may not feel old, but our bodies, physical health, and societal acceptance serve as constant reminders that we are indeed getting older.
Aging Wisely is a must-read for anyone looking to live their best life at any age. With its insightful content, relatable anecdotes, and practical advice, it is a guidebook for navigating the emotional complexities of aging and embracing the fullness of life. In addition, the author’s vivid imagery and descriptive yet simple language bring the aging process to life, making it a truly immersive and thought-provoking read.
Pages: 150 | ASIN : B0BFD8S5MY
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/02/aging-wisely/
What’s Not Lost by Valerie Taylor is a heartwarming story about new beginnings. When Kassie O’Callaghan’s abusive ex-husband passes away, she puts the past to rest and gets ready to finally move on to the next chapter of her life. However, as she plans to start a new life, shattering, life-altering news is shared about Kassie, her ex-husband, and events of the past, which can impact Kassie’s ability to move on successfully. As family drama escalates, Kassie wonders if her chance for a new life with her fiancé may be derailed.
This romantic drama is filled with turmoil, heartache, and moments of nail-biting suspense. As Kassie tries to unravel the layers of drama around her, she must decide how to proceed with her upcoming marriage. Will she be happy with her fiancé, welcomed into his family, or will the impact of constant drama destroy any chance she has at a decent life? It’s a story about the complexities of life, with colorful characters and no shortage of excitement.
Taylor does a great job of developing the characters’ personalities, from Kassie’s indecisive, pushover ways and her failed attempts to become more confident to Chris’ habitual cheating and Lexi’s carelessness, creating a page-turning story. As Kassie weighs her options and how her life will be affected by getting entangled in the lives of everyone involved, she must decide if her engagement with Chris is worth the trouble or if she should break it off. While no decision is ideal, the storyline winds through several relationships, focusing on the portrayal of romance and the difficulties that follow.
What’s Not Lost by Valerie Taylor is a story about the ugly side of romance, and new love, when honesty isn’t valued, and tragedy follows. I found this book entertaining, dramatic, and the characters interesting. It’s a well-developed story and is a great option for fans of the romance and drama genre.
Pages: 321 | ASIN : B0BNLQS1DQ
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/02/whats-not-lost/
Dragum by K.c LaSaga is a story about Kali, young, idealistic, and ambitious, who has different goals and adventures in mind, contrary to her family’s wishes. As she embarks on a path toward travel and romance, Kali soon becomes the center of controversy within her family and community. Her journey, coming-of-age experiences, and a vibrant romance with another woman quickly shape the opinions of those in Kali’s life, which poses obstacles, and challenges her inner strength, or dragum.
The story is narrated in the first person, from Kali’s perspective, so the reader sees the world and experiences through her eyes. She quickly learns that the world of adulthood and acceptance in society isn’t an easy path to navigate. As Kali flies through a whirlwind of new social circles, an exciting relationship, nightlife, and ambitions ahead, she soon learns of the darker side of life: heartache, disappointment, and cruel opinions. Kali tries to face her internal struggles and must also face the inevitable while learning to find self-love and acceptance.
LaSaga is an exceptional writer and maintains an engaging, smooth narration throughout the book. I felt drawn to Kali and her struggles with identity, heartbreak, and finding a place in society as a young adult. The author does an excellent job of tackling the complexities of Kali’s life and how she must face layers of unexpected chances and experiences while learning to build self-confidence. As challenges mount before her, Kali presses forward to take greater charge of her life, despite what lies ahead. Kali’s life is highly relatable, and I found the book kept me intrigued and challenging to put down!
Dragum by K.c LaSaga is a fantastic novel for anyone who enjoys romance and coming-of-age stories. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for its well-written, detailed account of a unique yet familiar character who must face the struggles of life, self-identity, and living authentically. It’s a great book that I highly recommend, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Pages: 333 | ASIN : B09MF7LQZ4
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/02/dragum/
Godsmack Part 1: The Mother Earth is an intriguing book that combines a criminal gang, spirituality, love, and regret. This suspenseful book follows the story of Yahn Marynugh, who, in his quest for a simple life, ends up in the heart of a dark plot (or so it may seem!). After leaving his day job, he embarks on a journey of peace and natural living. Meanwhile, a group of heroin producers, under surveillance by the police, wreak havoc on themselves and those around them.
I really enjoyed Josie Peterson’s writing style. She writes formally and ornately, which is a pleasant change from most crime thriller literature. This formed a nice contrast to some of the controversial topics covered, such as drugs and violence. In addition, it was interesting that the majority of the characters in the book were homosexual men, especially considering the book’s direction.
The whole story is unique and makes the reader work hard to uncover the details. This fast-paced story is filled with suspense and exhilarating moments. The plot takes twists and turns when readers least expect it so readers should be fully engaged if they want to follow the action. I think that readers would benefit from an author’s note to explain the relevance of the first chapter and its overall meaning to the story. There are a lot of characters to keep up with, but each has its own backstory that adds to the plotline. I especially like the way that Josie Peterson developed each of their personalities, creating a mix of empathy and somewhat disdain for most.
Godsmack Part 1: The Mother Earth is a stimulating crime novel laced with dark humor. Readers who enjoy life’s darker side and an engaging crime novel will find this one hard to put down.
Pages: 357 | ASIN : B0BFNN1KBM
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/02/godsmack-part-i/