You may have heard that some Supreme Court justices behaved badly at oral arguments for 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis in December. The case was brought by a right-wing legal organization called Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). Its client is a web designer who wants to make wedding websites that promote her “religious belief that God […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/02/10/the-empty-words-of-the-religious-right/
I fell behind with the Invisible Library series when I was ill and caught up during the Finish A Series in A Month challenge. I borrowed The Secret Chapter by Genevieve Cogman from my local library and dove right back in to this suspenseful fantasy world. I forgot just how much I enjoy Librarian Irene and the dragon prince Kai.
The Secret Chapter
by Genevieve Cogman
Series: The Invisible Library #6
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Library
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Time-travelling, dimension-jumping, Librarian-spy Irene and dragon-prince Kai will have to team up with an unlikely band of misfits to pull off an amazing art heist—or risk the wrath of a dangerous villain with a secret island lair.
A Librarian’s work is never done, and Irene is summoned to the Library. The world where she grew up is in danger of veering deep into chaos, and she needs to obtain a particular book to stop this from happening. Her only choice is to contact a mysterious Fae information-broker and trader of rare objects: Mr. Nemo.
Irene and Kai make their way to Mr. Nemo’s remote Caribbean island and are invited to dinner, which includes unlikely company. Mr. Nemo has an offer for everyone there: he wants them to steal a specific painting from a specific world. But to get their reward, they will have to form a team, including a dragon techie, a Fae thief, a gambler, a driver, and the muscle. Their goal? The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, in an early twenty-first-century world, where their toughest challenge might be each other.
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Now that Irene and Kai brokered a treaty between the Dragons and the Fae, they must tread carefully when gathering books for the library. As the liaisons of said treaty, it wouldn’t bode well for them to be caught stealing a book from someone who signed the treaty. This is how they ended up traveling to a remote island to broker a deal with a mysterious Fae, an information broker and trader of rare objects: Mr. Nemo.
The tale that unfolds has them agreeing to join a team of thieves on a heist at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in an alternate Vienna. The museum is on an early twenty-first century world. Something is wrong in this world. They have to work with strangers, but also deal with the locals who seem to have a supernatural problem.
This was fun and a pleasant diversion after the previous book. Irene has to do some quick thinking with lots of double crosses, blackmail, and dragons to contend with. We learn more about dragon history, and meet some of Kai’s family.
The motley crew of thieves were interesting, and all agreed to Mr. Nemo’s request for personal reasons. Sharks, high-speed chases, and brilliant double crosses kept me engaged.
Cogman brought the characters and world to live in vivid 3-D. Fans of historical mysteries, suspense, and fantasy will enjoy this series. I love the magic and the library itself, with portals into different versions of our world.
Amazon | Audible
Genevieve Cogman got started on Tolkien and Sherlock Holmes at an early age, and has never looked back. But on a perhaps more prosaic note, she has an MSC in Statistics with Medical Applications and has wielded this in an assortment of jobs: clinical coder, data analyst and classifications specialist. Although The Invisible Library is her debut novel, she has also previously worked as a freelance roleplaying game writer. Genevieve Cogman’s hobbies include patchwork, beading, knitting and gaming, and she lives in the north of England.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/02/the-secret-chapter-by-genevieve-cogman.html
The Church of God or Church of Man by James Rondinone helps believers choose churches that align with God’s ways and the teachings of the Holy Scripture. The author wrote an essential book for Christians, as many may not be aware of what goes on in the churches that they attend and how ministers, bishops, and pastors run their places of worship. In this book, Rondinone includes biblical references, how to worship, and what to look out for in a pastor and a church.
While some people may find this book a bit controversial, the author’s aim is to improve Christian worship and the growth of churches worldwide. I appreciate how Rondinone is raw and writes about the good, bad, and ugly sides of what’s often concealed in places of worship. His intentions are clear in that he aims to guide individuals to find a church with high leadership standards and scriptural ideas. It’s essential and vital to ask questions before joining a church, and the author offers a comprehensive checklist with features often skipped or forgotten.
Rondinone provides an in-depth look at the importance of joining a place of worship with programs for various groups, such as men, women, youth, children, and ample accommodations for weddings, social gatherings, and community involvement. He also invites readers to review a church’s principles concerning being a charitable ministry, how well leadership supports members, and other elements that contribute to being an excellent place to worship. The author also covers the ability of a church to closely follow the doctrines of the Christian faith, if the leadership is qualified, and how they ordain pastors and ministers. The book thoroughly delves into all aspects of practicing one’s faith and finding the right church for worship and community.
The Church of God or Church of Man by James Rondinone is a respectful, insightful look at churches and a guide for Christians and those unfamiliar with organizational structures and scriptural ideas. It’s a compelling read, and I recommend it as it brings positive changes and guidance in finding the right path for worship while promoting well-organized churches and supportive ordained leaders.
ASIN B0BRQVPHS8 | Pages: 126
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/10/the-church-of-god-or-church-of-man/
Down the Hatch: A Magical Misfits Mystery by Lina Hansen is about Myrtle Coldron, a witch who is not in complete control of her magic, and as she struggles, others want to take charge of the coven. Myrtle finds herself taking on a lot of responsibilities, including running her family’s bed and breakfast business, while other events unravel around her. When she unexpectedly meets Chris Lentulus, a descendant of witch hunters, when a body is discovered in the basement of a local pub. Together, the unlikely pair must work to find out who’s responsible for the death and follow clues to catch a killer before another murder occurs.
This was a fun story to read. I love reading mysteries and enjoy the subtle clues sprinkled throughout the plot while peeling back layers of each character in the book. The story kept me guessing until the end, and I also liked the romantic elements between Myrtle and Chris. I enjoyed the setting of the British village and the quirky witch characters from the local coven. This dimension added an exciting element where they had to hide their true identity from the town’s non-witch residents.
I like the plot’s premise, which details the witches’ control of their magic, the potential for magic to go seriously wrong, and lots of humor throughout the story. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series, trying to solve new, entertaining mysteries, and discovering more about each character. It’s an excellent story for anyone who enjoys fantasy fiction, romance, and mystery genres.
Down the Hatch: A Magical Misfits Mystery by Lina Hansen is about more than solving a mystery; it’s a fantastic read that focuses on unique challenges, individual struggles, and a bit of romance throughout.
ASIN B0BQX8YPLD | Pages: 315
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/10/down-the-hatch/
The Spell is a historical fiction novel following the royal family of Fleurham who becomes entangled in a web of magic, adventure, and deception. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for the setup of “The Spell” came from subconscious past-life memories… which I consciously remembered after the book was published.
Your story contains a variety of interesting characters. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I borrowed attitudes and personalities from my ancestors, who were extremely significant in my growing years and held very strong belief systems… shaping and molding my life.
What were some ideas that were important for you to explore in this book?
Definitely breaking belief systems… questioning everything and eventually freeing oneself.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on a second fictional story exploring and questioning higher levels of consciousness and how most are labeled as suffering from mental issues vs. being examined on a deeper levels of the psyche. It will be available by the end of 2023… hopefully sooner.
Author Links: www.cvshawbooks.com | www.quantumenergymed.com
A captivating tale of treachery, magic, and passion set in the lush countryside of sixteenth-century England, The Spell is C.V. Shaw’s sensational, not-to-be-missed debut novel.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/10/subconscious-past-life-memories/
A Guide for Aging Heroes: Owning the Second Half of Life in 30 Days by Randolph Harrison with Erica Schwarting is a journey of self-discovery with this insightful and transformative guide to living an authentic, mindful, and happy life. Harrison aims to help readers say goodbye to negative thoughts, procrastination, and self-doubt, as he helps readers learn to become the aging hero of their own story. With a detailed day-to-day plan, this book is an excellent guide that will help you navigate through your fears and harmful thought patterns using powerful strategies from cognitive behavior therapy and personal experiences shared by the author.
This philosophical guide encourages readers to become active players while accepting their reality. At the same time, the author emboldens readers to never give up on the eternal journey of learning as an individual. Courage doesn’t mean fearlessness, but it means pushing toward a goal, despite setbacks and fears. The book is packed with motivational messages, inspiring quotes from great personalities, and enlightening ideas to develop inner courage and take positive action.
I enjoyed discovering the transformative power of this book, with short exercises at the end of each chapter. The signposts will lead you on a spiritual journey and help you overcome life’s challenges with renewed confidence, ease, and grace. The author connects with his readers by sharing personal anecdotes, life trials, tribulations, and life-changing events that he experienced while offering an actionable roadmap to managing your moods, emotions, and perception of a fulfilling life.
A Guide for Aging Heroes: Owning the Second Half of Life in 30 Days by Randolph Harrison with Erica Schwarting will help readers take control of their life. It’s a beautiful guide that will show you how to live a life of purpose and meaning.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/10/a-guide-for-aging-heroes/
Moraline, by Cintia Alfonso Fior, is a middle-grade magical realism book about twelve-year-old Moraline, who moves to San Diego with her family. She is teased at school by other students, who also pull pranks on her, causing Moraline to run away, trying to escape. However, when she meets a sacred Lakota leader among the great Sequoias, Moraline is empowered to change the world around her. This experience inspires the young student to befriend other kids, and they find the power to fight injustice.
Cintia Alfonso Fior brings readers a story that is rich in culture and the good and bad of childhood. I enjoyed how she brought in a group of middle schoolers to show how they can be nice to one another instead of bullying each other. She shows that you don’t have to be an adult to make a difference in the world, which I found inspiring to young readers. It’s a fantastic book for schools, libraries, and families.
Moraline by Cintia Alfonso Fior is a fantastic and charming read that will captivate young readers’ attention while providing important motivational messages. The storytelling and characters are excellent, and I found the illustrations and author’s descriptions of the places vivid and enjoyable. Moraline’s character development was amazing, and I was cheering for her when she finally found her voice and confidence.
Moraline by Cintia Alfonso Fior is a powerful, relatable story that is well-written. It’s a great tale about a young girl overcoming her fears and not letting anyone or anything stand in her way.
ASIN B0BNQVG6FQ | Pages: 190
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/10/moraline/
Dreamed up by Geoffrey Chaucer in
more than 600 years ago, the Wife of Bath was known for her lusty appetites, gossipy asides and fondness for wine.
Original source: https://www.npr.org/2023/02/04/1146691833/wife-of-bath-canterbury-tales-chaucer
In plunging us into the collective mind of a group of girls watching the search for a missing girl, author Dizz Tate creates an original, stylistically ambitious take on well-trodden subject matter.
Original source: https://www.npr.org/2023/02/07/1154754161/dizz-tate-debut-novel-brutes-captures-swings-of-girlhood
Author Thomas Mallon’s sweeping new historical novel captures a slice of gay life in mid-to-late 20th century America as it reimagines the life — and violent death — of B-list actor Dick Kallman.
Original source: https://www.npr.org/2023/02/07/1154814378/up-with-the-sun-review-thomas-mallon-dick-kallman