Introducing his new publishing house, Orville Press, at an event in Milan on February 23, Matteo Codignola, once one of the pillars of the prestigious Adelphi Edizioni, was asked if he intended to give due importance to translators and translation. “We take translation very seriously,” he replied, “although in the future I expect the job […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/03/22/deepl-edizioni/
The Levee was narrated by J D Jackson and written by author William Kent Krueger. I was drawn to this historical fiction, which takes place in 1927. When the most devastating flood in American history occurred. The Mississippi River swelled to a width of eighty miles and countless lives were lost. The Levee shares the story of four men who boarded a tiny boat to rescue a family trapped on an island. This heartfelt tale of man vs nature pulled me in.
The Levee
by William Kent Krueger
Narrator: William Kent Krueger, JD Jackson
Length: 3 hours, 36 minutes
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x
A few years ago, we were affected by flooding and watched as others lost homes, farms and businesses. We suffered no loss, but with road closures and flooding, my husband worked from home for almost three months that summer. This story immediately made me think of that, and I was curious to learn more about the great flood.
The story that unfolds was unusual, brilliantly written and thought provoking. First, we have four men, all convicts, who agree to cross the river to Ballymore, an ancestral home protected by a high, circular levee. Upon arriving, they find that despite the dangers, some members of the household won’t leave. We see this all the time with natural disasters where people refuse to abandon their homestead.
A plan is devised to save the weakened levee. The tale held me spellbound as I waited to see if their plan would work and who would survive. This story is more than man verse nature and I devoured it in a single sitting. It’s a story that will stay with me.
Delivered an insightful look into the lives of those faced with disaster and those brave enough to save the lives of strangers. I will definitely explore more of William Kent’s works.
Jackson was the perfect choice to narrate this title. From the characters to his pacing and tones, he brought this story and its characters to life. I encourage you to listen to the author’s notes at the end. It was well worth it and added insight.
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A few years ago, we were affected by flooding and watched as others lost homes, farms and businesses. We suffered no loss, but with road closures and flooding, my husband worked from home for almost three months that summer. This story immediately made me think of that, and I was curious to learn more about the great flood.
The story that unfolds was unusual, brilliantly written and thought provoking. First, we have four men, all convicts, who agree to cross the river to Ballymore, an ancestral home protected by a high, circular levee. Upon arriving, they find that despite the dangers, some members of the household won’t leave. We see this all the time with natural disasters where people refuse to abandon their homestead.
A plan is devised to save the weakened levee. The tale held me spellbound as I waited to see if their plan would work and who would survive. This story is more than man verse nature and I devoured it in a single sitting. It’s a story that will stay with me.
Delivered an insightful look into the lives of those faced with disaster and those brave enough to save the lives of strangers. I will definitely explore more of William Kent’s works.
Jackson was the perfect choice to narrate this title. From the characters to his pacing and tones, he brought this story and its characters to life. I encourage you to listen to the author’s notes at the end. It was well worth it and added insight.
Audible
Raised in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, William Kent Krueger briefly attended Stanford University—before being kicked out for radical activities. After that, he logged timber, worked construction, tried his hand at freelance journalism, and eventually ended up researching child development at the University of Minnesota. He’s been married for nearly fifty years to a marvelous woman who is a retired attorney. He makes his home in St. Paul, a city he dearly loves.
Krueger writes a mystery series set in the north woods of Minnesota. His protagonist is Cork O’Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed heritage—part Irish and part Ojibwe. His work has received a number of awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize. His last nine novels were all New York Times bestsellers.
Ordinary Grace, his stand-alone novel published in 2013, received the Edgar Award, given by the Mystery Writers of America in recognition for the best novel published in that year. The companion novel, This Tender Land, was published in September 2019 and spent nearly six months on the New York Times bestseller list.
JD Jackson is an American audiobook narrator, actor, and theater professor. For audiobook narration he won 26 Earphone Awards and 1 Audie Award. In 2020, AudioFile named him a Golden Voice Narrator. In 2022, Booklist named him a Voice of Choice Narrator.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/03/the-levee-by-william-kent-krueger.html
Time Intertwined follows a mother and daughter separated during the Vietnam War who have reunited decades later thanks to a DNA test. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In 2019, my family had our DNA tested and we unexpectedly found a relative–his story turned out to be pretty amazing and I thought it should be written down. My relative didn’t have any interest in writing it, but gave me permission to write a novel that used elements of what happened to him.
Why did you choose this place and time for the setting of the story?
The relative we found unexpectedly learned he was part Vietnamese. He found us because my ex-husband is Vietnamese. The two are first cousins and both were born during the war in Vietnam. Thus, much of my novel is set during the war, but intertwined with events occurring in the present.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Initially, the plan was to focus on the civilians and how the war impacted them. I just wanted to tell a simple story of a child who had been adopted after Operation Babylift as well as the story of the woman who lost her. I wanted the history to be accurate as much as possible and did quite a bit of online research. However, as I read more and began to write the story of a lost child, I realized I had an opportunity to showcase some of the positive, non-military acts of many of the Western soldiers (eg, providing food and medical assistance to the orphanages). Too many negative stories have been written about our soldiers and I wasn’t going to contribute to that. Lastly, I couldn’t write a book about the war and not weave in the story of Agent Orange. Agent Orange was an herbicide used extensively in South Vietnam to destroy enemy food crops and the dense jungle which gave them cover for ambushes. It was supposed to be harmless to humans, but it wasn’t. The effects of this chemical combination can still be seen today.
Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in book two and when the novel will be available?
The original plan was to write one book, not a trilogy. But after the first book was published, I felt I hadn’t said enough about Agent Orange–so that is when the tirlogy was born. Lives Intertwined (Book 2) was published late in 2021 while Darkness and Light Intertwined (Book 3) was published late in 2022. Although both books keep the underlying theme of the long-term effects of Agent Orange, it is a bit more prominent in Lives Intertwined. The second book also takes a completely differnet look at the war compared to the first. In it, we follow two soldiers, one American and one Vietnamese, through the war. They become friends and conduct many missions together. Interwoven with their story is a modern day who-done-it murder mystery. There’s also a love story.
Book 3 tells the story of an orphan who grew up in Vietnam during the war and the struggles she faced just trying to survive. One of my favorite aspects of the third book is how it tells the same love story as in book 2, but from the woman’s perspective instead of her soldier/lover. Like book 1, books 2 and 3 are genealogical mysteries that reveal how our DNA connects us to our genetic family.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Anh was only ten when American Green Berets first set foot in Vietnam. Within two years, she would be orphaned and sickened by the deadly herbicide known as Agent Orange. After nearly two decades of war, Anh and her newborn daughter were desperate to escape. But in the chaos and confusion of the fall of Saigon, mother and child were separated. Would she ever see her baby again?
Anh’s daughter Mikayla grew up in the U.S. with no memory of her mother. When a DNA test unexpectedly reveals that she was adopted, Mikayla is left angry and confused—and she is determined to discover her true identity.
As Anh struggles to rebuild her life, Mikayla uncovers long-kept secrets that threaten to rip her family apart. Can either woman find happiness again?
Just as Anh and Mikayla begin to adjust to the changes forced upon them, the toxic legacy of Agent Orange begins to be revealed. The war may be over, but another battle rages on. Is it possible to defeat an invisible enemy capable of harming generations yet to come?
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/22/turned-out-to-be-pretty-amazing/
The Celine Bower Story: Chronicle Two follows two people, one a vigilante the other a man with a desire to harm others, whose paths intersect. How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists?
I find it easiest to balance the story development with plot twists if I grow each character and what they are a part of by suspending them in time away from each other, until they are needed again. For example, I didn’t even consider Celine and her actions while I was creating Troy and what he was doing. The best plan of attack is to have a solid outline planned out before you even begin then slowly work your way toward the action.
Which scene or chapter in the book is your favorite? Why?
My favorite scene in Chronicle Two is the ‘juice lady’. I could just hear her shouting so loudly as she was running to help. It made me feel like we are all connected in some way, and no matter your circumstance, there is always a way to help another person.
What do you think makes a story memorable to readers?
The stories I remember most are the ones where I actually felt like I knew the characters. I think it helps readers connect when you feel like you can reach out and touch someone, like you’ve developed a connection with them even though you will never meet in real life.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors out there?
My advice to aspiring authors would be this: don’t quit your day job. The only other advice that I could give is to read everything; read things that aren’t in your genre, read articles, old library books, and try to read the things that other people recommend to you. And, don’t give up; there will be times when the only person that cares is you, and that’s okay, just don’t give up.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads | Website
“I couldn’t put this book down! It kept me on the edge of my seat…Can’t wait for Part 2.” —Kara Foster
“I devoured this book! If you love a badass female protagonist overcoming all odds, this book is for you! From start to finish, this book keeps you riveted on Celine, her palatable need to over come her trauma, and on what will happen next. Can’t wait to see more from this author.” —Nicolle McKinnon
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/22/the-best-plan-of-attack/
In An Accidental Parisian, Juliet Young shares a riveting memoir chronicling her life from childhood to becoming an expat in Paris. Despite her desire to return to Toronto near her parents, unforeseen circumstances led her to stay in a foreign country much longer than she had planned. Young candidly shares the highs and lows of her life journey, including the romantic and tragic moments that shaped her into the woman she is today.
The memoir provides a rare insight into the cultural elements of Paris throughout the 90s and early 2000s. From Young’s early life to her first few visits to Europe and eventually settling in Paris, the book takes the reader on a personal journey. Young’s writing style is friendly, creating the impression of a personal conversation rather than a mere collection of events. In addition, her depiction of French culture is detailed, revealing the city’s patriarchal nature through the eyes of a feminist expat.
Throughout her adventurous life, Young never lost her courageous spirit, whether she was in Toronto or Paris. Instead, she shares her grief openly as she reminisces about her beautiful childhood and loving parents. Despite initially intending to return to her home country, France became her permanent residence, and this memoir details the events that led her to that point.
Juliet Young’s memoir is a captivating and inspiring read that takes readers on a remarkable journey of self-discovery and adaptation to a foreign culture. An Accidental Parisian is sure to engage and inspire readers and is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a compelling memoir.
Pages: 302 | ASIN : B09Z333JQ1
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/22/an-accidental-parisian/
In the wild Australian Outback, Justin Fielding seeks to find his destiny. A young artist on the cusp of manhood, Justin wrestles with uncertainty as he attempts to balance his dreams to become an artist with his family’s expectations of him. Searching far and wide to find himself, Justin explores the mysterious Australian Northern Territory, taking odd jobs as he continues to improve his artistic skills. Intrigue and secrets abound wherever Justin goes, from the isolated cattle stations to the urban centers. As Justin fights to pursue his dreams, dangers surround the young man, as well as a whisper of a possible romance. Can Justin hope to discover his place in the world and choose his own destiny, or will he forever lose all that is truly important?
Justin’s Quest by Winsome Board, book two of the Shangri-La Trilogy, is an engaging adventure steeped in Australian culture. Although this is the middle of a trilogy, this tale stands on its own without the reader feeling a loss of context. Board includes a wealth of information about the Aboriginal history of Australia, as well as the complex lives of those with Aboriginal heritage as they fight to balance the values of their culture in an ever-shifting modern society. Justin’s struggle to learn more about his heritage was real and spoke volumes to my heart. In fact, the story, written in the style of a diary, was so incredibly realistic that I felt as if I was actually reading the journal of an aspiring young artist.
Board does not shy away from heavy themes such as domestic violence and addiction in this somber narrative as the history and culture of Australia are explored. Written as an actual diary account, there are many loose ends and mysteries that may never be solved and motivations that will forever remain unclear. There are a few moments of implied intimacy, but these are handled with discretion as Justin fights to understand his own heart. Finally, the deep story comes to an ending that, while not entirely conclusive, leaves the reader perfectly satisfied and curious about what book three will hold.
Justin’s Quest is deep and rich in cultural awareness and is an excellent find for readers who enjoy adventures in world history. Containing violence, language, drug references, and mention of domestic abuse, this story is perfect for mature readers looking to expand their literary horizons. A deeply touching tale of self-discovery in a dangerous and confusing world, Justin’s Quest is an engrossing journal-style narrative unlike any other.
Pages: 140 | ASIN : B0BYPCQB78
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/22/justins-quest/
In a world where everything is controlled by the government, rebels must hide underground to stay safe and plan for their attack, until team ZAP is created, a group that led the infamously largest rebel Movement of its time.
The government elite aims for complete and total control of humanity by implanting Microchips into the human wrist, they stopped their experiments on rats and mice and switched to humans, they recreated a world fit for the rich, and ever a dangerous and deadly struggle for the poor. Branding everyone beyond the Centric with bar codes on their hands, necks, or wrists, they had total control over people’s lives, this leads them to become a superpower that dominates the world and forces the world under one law.
The story follows a girl named Silver who in a crazy turn of events finds her path crossed with the world’s most wanted criminals, and through a series of miracles, ends up being one of the most important members of the rebel team.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/22/the-globalists-book-trailer/
Alexandra Robbins illuminates how teachers, who shape our future, live a constant battle against financial pressure, entitled parents, politicians, and the educational system at the local level.
Original source: https://www.npr.org/2023/03/20/1164653389/alexandra-robbins-book-the-teachers-highlights-pressures-of-educating
Rachel Jamison Webster learned she is related to Benjamin Banneker at a cousin’s wedding. The news was unexpected, not only because of Banneker’s place in history but also because the author is white.
Original source: https://www.npr.org/2023/03/21/1164663436/rachel-jamison-webster-traces-family-history-in-book-benjamin-banneker-and-us
A new book argues the consulting industry is weakening businesses, harming the government, and distorting the economy.
Original source: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2023/03/21/1162242773/need-a-consultant-this-book-argues-hiring-one-might-actually-damage-your-institu