In keeping with an old directorial tradition, Saim Sadiq—or, rather, the back of his head—makes a brief, uncredited appearance in Joyland, his debut feature about a skein of secret desires slowly unraveling in an old Lahore neighborhood. He plays the reproachful neighbor who shows up to mediate a supposed scandal: his mother, a widow who […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/04/09/flipping-the-script-in-lahore/
The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.
It was a crazy week with highs and lows. By Tuesday my back was feeling better (I could get up from a sitting position without groaning and looking like an alien), but as soon as I did things, it would act up again and by nightfall I was beat. Pain relievers and muscle relaxers got me through the week. Yesterday, Mr. Caffeinated and I celebrated thirty-five years of marriage. Today, all the children and grandchildren will be here for an Easter Egg hunt and ham dinner. Stay Caffeinated.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/04/sunday-post-570-happy-easter-cheers-to-35-years.html
Hidden Shadow is an enthralling novel that chronicles the life of Sophie Thomas, a young woman with dual careers as a psychologist and interior designer. Amidst significant life upheavals, including newfound singledom, a lost job opportunity, and an inherited property, Sophie is tormented by a recurring, vivid nightmare that begins to seep into her waking life through a series of eerie encounters. As the story unfolds, readers are kept on the edge of their seats, captivated by Sophie’s interactions with enigmatic new acquaintances and her immersion in ventures that continually blur the lines between reality and the supernatural.
The novel’s settings and characters are intricately portrayed, facilitating a seamless visualization for the reader. The suspense is masterfully crafted, with the vivid descriptions of Sophie’s nightmarish experiences invoking a sense of unease, while simultaneously enticing readers to uncover more. Sophie’s fascination with vintage and antique items adds a unique dimension to the story, weaving seamlessly with the references to various eras and styles throughout the narrative. Bourland’s skillful handling of suspenseful moments is particularly noteworthy; each time Sophie glimpses shadowy figures lurking in her peripheral vision, readers share her disquiet and are compelled to discover the source of her preoccupation. The seamless interplay between suspenseful episodes and Sophie’s daily life generates a gripping momentum that makes the novel difficult to put down. Sophie is a relatable and engaging protagonist whose imperfect life and inner turmoil resonate with readers. As she confronts the mysteries and enigmas that envelop her, Sophie’s resilience is both admirable and inspiring. The central question that emerges is whether Sophie holds the key to unraveling her greatest mysteries and finding peace amidst the chaos.
Hidden Shadow is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Bourland’s fluid writing style sustains reader interest, while the relatable and likable protagonist, Sophie, invites readers to empathize with her plight. In addition, Bourland’s adeptness at rendering vivid characters and settings enhances the novel’s immersive quality, allowing readers to fully experience the tension and suspense that permeate its pages.
Pages: 205 | ASIN : B0BN1WVNJR
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/09/hidden-shadow/
His Mother’s Son: Memoirs of an Accidental Man shares your story about breaking away from a dysfunctional family and building the life you wanted outside of their expectations. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This central theme actually derives from the primary theme of the book, which is the conflicted relationship I had with my mother. The final resolution of this relationship took sixty years, but in the meantime I did escape from my accidental past and find an authentic life. This constructive effort was motivated not just by my fractured maternal bond, but by the subsequent experience of isolation from family, friends, school, church, and society. Parental expectations evolved and were expressed over time, which only fueled a rebellious response that was already part of my initial impulse.
Work on the manuscript that began as an exercise in self-discovery and eventually became a first draft started not long after the death of my mother. Despite decades spent salvaging a new life from the ruins of my childhood, no profound emotional/psychological resolution of this estranged relationship had been achieved. I determined to focus my energy on this potential solution to the primary problem of my life. Indeed, the very process of writing was the means to comprehend and forgive both my mother and myself, to quit the past and move on.
Upon completing the text I realized profound and positive results. During the two years it had taken, I came to see the themes I had experienced as personal were in fact universal. I also saw my lifelong quest for understanding as a selfish pursuit for which I wanted to compensate. That’s why I decided to publish it.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The pathological relationship between my mother and myself was certainly the most difficult topic to write about. There can be no avoiding even the most painful experiences, and without the truth the work is not only pointless but counterproductive. I would hasten to add, however, that this exposition constituted the most critical and valuable aspect of the entire exercise, and was the crux in yielding a real resolution to this conflict. It taught me that truth is the path to forgiveness.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
Good advice is plentiful, especially in works of literature, philosophy, and autobiographies. I have benefitted from such counsel as often as I have pursued it. But it is also available in everyday life to the extent we are willing to listen and heed it. My father once told me that I would find someone on a soapbox on every street corner telling me their view of the world and what I should do. He added that if I didn’t figure it out for myself, I would only have their options to choose from. Time has confirmed the worth of this observation.
What is one thing readers take away from your story?
Perhaps the most common comment about the story is that it shows how we can change a life determined by chance circumstances into a life shaped by our conscious responses.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
What Highly Rated Amazon Customers said about the memoirs…
“This honest and raw storytelling style is powerful and thought-provoking… a must-read for anyone who has struggled to find their place in the world. The book is a testament to the human spirit…“
“This is a must-read for anyone looking for a moving, thought-provoking, and ultimately uplifting memoir.“
” The cover is attractive and the ending is interesting. Fan of Common Loss by Kirsten Tranter? You may like this story as well.”
How do you turn an accidental life into an authentic one? How do you find the place where you fit in?
Paul Anthony’s moving memoir is a powerful story of personal growth, self-discovery, and overcoming adversity. Raised in a dysfunctional family with an abusive mother, he struggled to find his place in the world and connect with others, leading to complex relationship conflicts and emotional challenges. But determined to heal and transform his accidental life into an authentic one, Paul embarks on a journey of self-discovery that takes him from steamy jungles to frozen mountains, and even to the depths of his darkest dreams.
As he confronts the emotional trauma of his past and navigates the complexities of relationships and family dynamics, Paul strives to find his true identity and overcome the impact of childhood trauma on his mental health. Filled with candid insights into his struggles with emotional abuse, the author offers readers a guide to emotional healing, resilience, and coping mechanisms.
This inspirational memoir is a compelling read that will resonate with anyone who has experienced family conflict, relationship struggles, or childhood trauma. If you’ve enjoyed the writing styles of Dean Koontz, Kirsten Tranter, and Claire North, you won’t want to miss Paul’s memoirs.
Offering practical self-help advice and lessons in self-awareness and self-improvement, the book is a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and transformation.
So if you’re looking for an inspirational memoir that will help you overcome emotional challenges and find your true identity, click “Buy Now With 1-Click” and join Paul on his quest for meaning, healing, and personal growth.”
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/09/my-accidental-past/
When a baby is born, everyone who visits has thoughts on who the baby looks like and what they will grow up to look like. This humorous picture book is written from the perspective of a new baby as the extended family all come to visit him. With each new visitor, the baby gets a sometimes frightful thought of what he may look like as he gets bigger.
Baby Worries, written by Frances Mackay and illustrated by Dotti Colvin, is a delightful children’s book that imagines what a baby would think when friends and family visit and comment on their looks. With bright colorful images, readers will be entertained as they follow the story along. I loved that the multigenerational family is also inclusive of different cultures.
In addition to providing a funny story to young children, this picture book is a great opener for families and teachers to talk to kids about how to express their feelings, especially the feeling of worry. Learning to talk about their feelings in a way that is not scary is an amazing tool that will help children as they grow.
Baby Worries is a delightful and educational children’s book that any family or classroom would find a wonderful addition to their library. This is definitely a book I can see being read over and over again for entertainment, and don’t forget to look for the ginger cat!
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0BTCFZ94F
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/09/baby-worries/
Drawn Into Danger follows a 24-year-old’s journey to teach English in Algeria, where he becomes immersed in local culture and unwittingly drawn into a secret police operation to thwart a coup. Were there any personal experiences or stories that influenced your writing of Drawn Into Danger?
I lived and worked in Algeria from 1979 to 1982, and I used my experiences of the settings to place the story, but most of the actions described are fictional. It was an exciting time, and using the idea of a secret plot to overthrow the government wasn’t so far-fetched as there were periods of instability. However, for many reasons, mainly because I was young and it was my first real job, I fell in love with the country and the people. But yes, some of the incidents are real, and a few characters are based on people I knew, but they are inserted into situations that tested them. By using touches of reality, I think the characters and events become realistic and acceptable. One example of an actual event is the car crash in the desert, but I added elements to make it fit into the story.
How did you balance the fast-paced action and suspense with the central themes of friendship and loyalty in the novel?
You are right. Friendship and loyalty are the binding themes that create a lasting relationship between the characters. I allied this with the idea that jealousy can destroy relationships. Dave had to cope with envy of his ex-lover, Steve. Susan had to choose between forgiving her husband, a serial adulterer, or leaving him and the beautiful villa she lived in looking out onto the Mediterranean Sea.
I needed a strong bond that would ensure the characters felt loyalty to support each other as they devised a revenge plot, even in dangerous situations.
The first part of the story sets the scene and creates the atmosphere for the rest of the book when events take control of Dave’s and his friends’ lives. There is a sequence of actions that are at first unconnected, but they begin to coalesce to trap the characters into a trajectory that they lose control of and with consequences that they would never have predicted.
What kind of message do you hope readers will take away from Dave’s journey in the novel?
Life is full of risks, yet at the same time, it’s exciting, and maybe those risks are worth taking no matter where they lead. Dave took a chance, going to Algeria, leaving a lasting impression on him. Dave loses someone he loved, but it leaves open an eternal question. Is it worth rolling the dice because who knows what will happen?
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Pinterest | LinkedIn | FriesenPress
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/09/is-it-worth-rolling-the-dice/
The Misfit Crew follows a sixteen-year-old girl who has lost her mother and is forced to move to a new town where she discovers friends to whom she can relate. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I started writing this book shortly after my own mother passed away in 2021 so I was dealing with a lot of pain and grief myself. Writing for me has always been therapy and a way to process my feelings, so I think I channeled a lot of my emotions into Bay’s character, who also just lost her own mother.
Did you create an outline for the characters in the story before you started writing, or did the characters’ personalities grow organically as you were writing?
Yes I did quite a thorough outline of characters and plot outline before writing. But these character personalities definitely progressed beyond what I had originally envisioned. I really wanted very real, flawed, three-dimensional characters, and I feel I definitely achieved this, more than any other story I have written. So much so that I actually missed writing this story after I was finished, I found I missed the characters. They became very alive to me, and I found myself re-reading my book quite a few times after I was finished – like I wasn’t quite ready to let them go.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Besides dealing with the theme of grief and loss, I wanted to write a story about a girl coping with anxiety and depression, just as I did as a teenager. Even before her mother dies, Bay has been struggling with mental illness, and I wanted to explore what it really feels like for someone going through this. I started getting severe anxiety and panic attacks around 12 or 13, and it is terrifying for a teenager who has no idea what is going on. Also friendship, especially for teens who are on the outside, the “misfits,” the ones who don’t quite fit in anywhere, but who luckily find each other at a time when they need it the most.
Will this novel be the start of a series or are you working on a different story?
I wrote this as a standalone story, not as a series. I just felt like I had told the story I had wanted to, so didn’t feel the need to expand upon it. As a multi-genre author, I find I am always working on something different. My first book, Amber Tambourine and the Land of Laugh-a-Lot, is a children’s picture book, and I have a second Amber Tambourine book that will be coming out in the next year or so. As well, I am working on an idea for a poetry and prose chapbook on the topic of grief.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Sixteen-year-old Bay’s life is slowly unravelling. Already dealing with a debilitating anxiety disorder and a shameful secret, her world is further turned upside down after the sudden death of her mother. Not quite ready to let go, Bay continues sending emails to her dead mother. Her father moves her and her twin brother Ronin to small-town Woodgrove, hoping to make a fresh start. She meets Evie and Xander, fellow misfits who help restore her belief that deep, meaningful friendships do exist, even if you are on the outside. But her friendship with Xander is put to the test when romantic feelings come into play. After her anxiety disorder turns life threatening, Bay discovers that you can never really escape your old life, and that problems will follow you wherever you go – especially when you don’t ask for help.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/09/the-ones-who-dont-quite-fit-in/