I remember Joe Brainard. I never met him, and when I first felt his influence I had no idea who he was or where he came from, but the influence went deep. It came across stealthily and through scattered channels, apprehended in the corner of the eye, in cartoons that appeared in The East Village […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/04/20/joe-brainards-communal-intimacy-the-art-of-the-personal/
Chiseled over the entrance to the US Supreme Court are the words “Equal Justice Under Law.” The principle is foundational for a democracy. In 1974, when Richard Nixon faced the threat of impeachment for financial corruption and schemes to undermine democracy, he was forced to resign, and several of his top aides went to prison. […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/04/20/300-years-of-too-big-to-jail-impunity-and-capitalism-jackson/
In January 1943, in a short essay published in The New Statesman and Nation, George Orwell surveyed his personal hoard of political pamphlets—a collection that eventually numbered nearly three thousand—and declared it to be “practically all trash.” “There is totalitarian rubbish and paranoiac rubbish,” he wrote, “but in each case it is rubbish.” Pamphlets—paperbound booklets […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/04/20/refill-the-swamp-fen-bog-and-swamp-annie-proulx/
“The power of grief to derange the mind has in fact been exhaustively noted,” Joan Didion wrote in The Year of Magical Thinking, before proceeding with her own account of madness following the death of her husband. This phenomenon is so often observed because it’s timeless, as universal as love. Grief is a natural subject […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/04/20/a-formative-loss-the-furrows-namwali-serpell/
Cookie Mueller’s favorite movie was Splendor in the Grass (1961), the cautionary tale of a teenage girl wilting under the weight of her family’s sexual moralism. Nice girl Deanie (Natalie Wood) is frantic with lust for her boyfriend, Bud (Warren Beatty), but reluctantly bows to her parents’ demand that she save herself for marriage. Bud […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/04/20/wilder-riskier-more-generous-cookie-mueller/
Nevermore Bookstore by Kerrigan Byrne & Cynthia St. Aubin delivers a quirky RomCom that touches on chronic illness and PTSD, all while delivering humor, romance and a dash of suspense. Grab an iced coffee and check out coffee dates with Nevermore Bookstore.
Nevermore Bookstore
by Kerrigan Byrne, Cynthia St. Aubin
Series: Townsend Harbor #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
Cadence “Cady” Bloomquist knows two things for sure: First, shelving books at her shop, Nevermore Bookstore, totally counts as cardio. Second, staying late every Thursday night to take a certain mysterious customer’s order is not the same as waiting by the phone for some man.
Until.
Until the calls with the man who identifies himself only as “Fox” last for hours, and become the highlight of her week. Which leaves her to wonder, if his jagged velvet voice can kindle her fire over the phone, what sort of alchemy might it inspire if they met in person?
There’s nothing Roman Fawkes wants more than the brilliant, beautiful bookstore owner, but Roman Fawkes knows it can never happen. Secreted in his mountain hideaway high above sleepy little Townsend Harbor, his hermit’s existence shields him–and those around him–from the pain of his past.
Until.
Until one of their weekly calls is interrupted by a break-in, and Fawkes is powerless to protect the woman who has become his one link to the world. Orchestrating a trap for the fool who dared harm her, Fawkes finds himself not just ensnared, but beguiled by her. Now so close to Cady, he discovers she’s fallen for “Fox”, and yet he’s unable to reveal her heart’s desire is closer than she thinks.
Can Fawkes resist the temptation to get between Cady’s covers, knowing they’ll never have a happily ever after?
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This was a fun, snarky, sexy, unique read that I recommend to lovers of romance. I adored Cady and her ability to really see people. From the bookstore setting to quotes from Shakespeare, I am looking forward to visiting Townsend Harbor again.
Amazon*
*kindleunlimited
USA Today bestselling author Cynthia St. Aubin wrote her first play at age eight and made her brothers perform it for the admission price of gum wrappers. A steal, considering she provided the wrappers in advance. Though her early work debuted to mixed reviews, she never quite gave up on the writing thing, even while earning a mostly useless master’s degree in art history and taking her turn as a cube monkey in the corporate warren.
Kerrigan has done many things to pay the bills, from law enforcement to belly dance instructor. Now she’s finally able to have the career she’d decided upon at thirteen when she announced to her very skeptical family that she was going to “grow up to be a romance novelist.” Whether she’s writing about Celtic Druids, Victorian bad boys, or brash Irish FBI Agents, Kerrigan uses her borderline-obsessive passion for history, her extensive Celtic ancestry, and her love of Shakespeare in almost every story. She lives in a little Victorian coast town on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State with her wonderful husband. When she’s not writing you can find her sailing, beach combing, kayaking, visiting wineries, breweries, and restaurants with friends, and hiking…okay…wandering aimlessly clenching bear spray in the mountains.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/03/nevermore-bookstore-by-kerrigan-byrne-cynthia-st-aubin.html
Some Good Writ: Christmas, Cancer, Dad, Wine, Sex and Jeff is a poignant anthology of poems that intimately chronicles the salient moments in Jeffrey Bailey’s life. Through his verse, Bailey explores the importance of embracing freedom and acting with resolve as he underscores the fragility and value of life. The collection thoughtfully delves into themes of suffering, the quest for equilibrium between labor and reward, and the danger of losing sight of life’s ephemeral nature amidst work demands. Bailey candidly recounts his familial circumstances, unafraid to bare his flaws, vulnerabilities, and most trying experiences. Consequently, his poetry offers an unvarnished yet deeply resonant portrayal of the adversity he has faced.
Employing an exquisite poetic style, Bailey accentuates the necessity of exertion and the acceptance of life’s inescapable tribulations. His words resonate profoundly as he acknowledges that life often unfolds in unexpected ways. Embracing this reality can be challenging, but it is essential for personal growth and perseverance. By drawing upon his encounters, Bailey’s objective lens bolsters his ideas’ potency. One particularly moving subject Bailey addresses is the harrowing impact of a loved one’s battle with cancer. He poignantly conveys the heartache and helplessness accompanying this plight, articulating his anguish with striking clarity and emotional depth. Throughout the anthology, Bailey masterfully weaves his intricate narrative.
Bailey’s poetry in Some Good Writ: Christmas, Cancer, Dad, Wine, Sex and Jeff is compelling and evocative; at times, its allegorical nature allows readers to create their own interpretation. The collection will particularly resonate with those who have endured profound experiences, regardless of differing circumstances, as well as readers seeking to ruminate on family, love, and self-discovery. I commend Bailey’s courage in sharing his personal journey and highly recommend this work to seasoned poetry enthusiasts eager to contemplate themes of life, death, and the human experience.
Pages: 95 | ASIN : B0BRGKWGYJ
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/30/some-good-writ/
Bea and her brother Chris eagerly anticipate a castle tour of Portugal with their cousins, Tony and Daniel. The quartet, accompanied by their witty avian companion, Jack the Crow, set off on a guided exploration of fortresses, keeps, and monasteries. Alongside the primarily elderly tourists, Bea and her family soon discover that a particular pair of middle-aged women seem to harbor ill intentions toward the children. As their journey unfolds, the young Adventurers uncover a perilous scheme while investigating Portugal’s historic castles. Finally, at nightfall, the foursome finds themselves fighting for survival within the enigmatic stone halls of an ancient monastery.
The Adventurers and the Underground River by Isabel Ricardo is the second book in this mysterious and entertaining series. This exciting story can be read as a standalone book or after reading book 1 because the author provides ample backstory to familiarize readers with the main characters. The four cousins—spirited Bea, intellectual Chris, composed Tony, and witty Daniel—are instantly endearing, as is their loyal friend, Jack the Crow. The vivid portrayal of Portugal’s history, from battles and warriors to noble kings and sagacious monks, is thoroughly captivating. The tale of Queen Inez and King Pedro is particularly enchanting, demonstrating the author’s ability to weave engaging historical elements into an action-packed narrative. Echoing the timeless charm of Hardy Boys and Bobbsey Twins mysteries, this adventure is laden with exhilarating action and enlightening historical content. With mild language and the presence of firearms, the story is an ideal choice for readers aged 10 and up who appreciate intelligent, intrepid heroes collaborating to save the day. The thrilling conclusion leaves ample opportunity for future escapades in this world.
The Adventurers and the Underground River is a riveting young adult novel that takes middle-grade readers on an unforgettable adventure. This engaging tale is a valuable addition to any home library, perfect for those who cherish classic, lighthearted mysteries reminiscent of a bygone era.
Pages: 210 | ISBN : 1949868850
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/30/the-adventurers-and-the-underground-river/
It is a beautiful day out, and Daisy, a west highland terrier, is walking with her mum. Mum tells Daisy they will go have tea with her friend Mrs. C. Along the way, they take notice of all the different plants and flowers along the way. As they near the house, a bird lands and asks Daisy if she will have tea with Mrs C. The little bird’s name is Mr Robin, and he says that he will see Daisy at tea time. When Daisy and Mum get to the house, there are many new things for Daisy to take note of inside and out. Observing the things around her taught her a lot about Mrs C.
Daisy Goes For Tea with Mrs C. is a whimsical story about a curious terrier and her Mum as they visit an elderly neighbor in her home for tea. Daisy is keenly observant as she walks through Mrs C’s home, taking in all the small details that shed light on who Mrs C is as a person. While Daisy was initially excited about snacks, she quickly became more interested in learning about her host and discovering all she could by observing her surroundings. Daisy also makes a new friend on this adventure, Mr Robin.
Children will love the illustrations in this picture book; each page is filled with bright colors and fine details, so they can pick up on everything Daisy is discovering on her afternoon tea visit. An important message in this children’s book is stated well by Mr Robin, “It’s amazing what a day can teach us if we stop to learn and listen.” This valuable lesson is one that children can apply to all areas of their life and use daily.
Daisy Goes For Tea with Mrs C. is a captivating children’s book by author H J Gilfrew. With beautiful illustrations and detailed descriptions, children will learn the value of stopping and taking in the details of their surroundings. They also will see that making new friends can be an exciting experience. You never know who you will meet when you take in the world around you.
Pages: 37 | ASIN : B0B7GVHSHF
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/30/daisy-goes-for-tea-with-mrs-c/
When a friendly young terrier goes on a boating trip with her human parents, she never expects to make a new friend in the ocean. However, while on their boating adventure, the family sails near a school of bottlenose dolphins splashing and playing. Daisy introduces herself to the dolphins and discovers one’s name is Blue. They are instant friends, and Daisy is sad when their boat has to return to the shore. She is worried she will never see her new friend Blue again.
Daisy Meets the Dolphins by H J Gilfrew is a heartwarming story about a compassionate little West Highland terrier and her adventure meeting a group of bottlenose dolphins. Daisy realizes they have little in common but still enjoys hanging out near her new friend and watching Blue play with the other dolphins. Later on, when they meet again, they can play in the shallow shore water together. A dog and a dolphin who become good friends and promise to never forget one another and play in the future is a truly magical tale.
This picture book is a fantastic story about kindness, acceptance, and diversity. Despite their dissimilarities, these two animals become friends and appreciate each other’s differences. Children can learn that what you look like and where you live depends on the kind of person you can be. Showing compassion and kindness to others is an important message presented in this children’s book wrapped up in a fun and entertaining story.
Daisy Meets the Dolphins is an unforgettable children’s book that teachers and families will love having and sharing with kids. The positive message of inclusion and friendship, along with the beautiful artwork, will have children engaged and wanting to read this story more than once.
Pages: 37 | ASIN : B0B7GFBZD9
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/30/daisy-meets-the-dolphins-its-beach-day/