for Robert Adamson, 1943–2022 First words, last words—mostly they’re inaudible, like the mimicry of bowerbirds or a radio through cotton wool with fuzz around the frequency. You guess at what the words might be but no guess seems quite plausible. First words, last words, the open mouth might hold a place to fill whenever time […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/10/05/poem-devin-johnston/
On August 8 I went to the Jellyfish Museum in Kyiv. During my previous visits to the city, it had been closed because of the war. Now it has reopened. In the gloom the fantastical creatures drifted about in their tanks while couples, friends, and families drifted about happily looking at them. In Kharkiv, in […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/10/05/ukraines-new-normal-tim-judah/
New York’s Metropolitan Opera announced its 2023–2024 season last February, and there is much to be excited about. There will be four Met premieres of provocative contemporary works: Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking (on opening night, September 26), Anthony Davis’s X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas (the […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/10/05/where-are-the-women-composers-quartet-leah-broad/
Some months ago I was having dinner with a writer from Moscow. I told him I was thinking of reviewing a new translation of Ludmilla Petrushevskaya’s Kidnapped, a Bollywood-inspired novella that pays homage to the Soviets’ love of Indian cinema. “Don’t do it,” he—a friend of hers—warned me. “If she doesn’t like what you write, […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/10/05/mother-russia-kidnapped-ludmilla-petrushevskaya/
One of the main corporate participants in Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s multibillion-dollar crash program to create and produce a Covid-19 vaccine, was Moderna. The federal government gave Moderna, which in 2019 was a small, unprofitable pharmaceutical firm, some $2.48 billion for vaccine development and bought millions of doses at $26 each for essentially […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/10/05/unreasonable-terms-owning-the-sun-monopoly-medicine/
I have been devouring the October Daye audiobooks. Today, I have The Brightest Fell by Seanan McGuire. This is the eleventh novel in the series and they just keep getting better. No rest for our hero, it seems. Come see why I am loving this series….
The Brightest Fell
by Seanan McGuire
Series: October Daye #11
Narrator: Mary Robinette Kowal
Length: 11 hours and 36 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x
Things are slow, and October “Toby” Daye couldn’t be happier about that. The elf-shot cure has been approved, Arden Windermere is settling into her position as Queen in the Mists, and Toby doesn’t have anything demanding her attention except for wedding planning and spending time with her family.
Maybe she should have realized that it was too good to last.
When Toby’s mother, Amandine, appears on her doorstep with a demand for help, refusing her seems like the right thing to do…until Amandine starts taking hostages, and everything changes. Now, Toby doesn’t have a choice about whether or not she does as her mother asks. Not with Jazz and Tybalt’s lives hanging in the balance. But who could possibly help her find a pureblood she’s never met, one who’s been missing for over 100 years?
Enter Simon Torquill, elf-shot enemy turned awakened, uneasy ally. Together, the two of them must try to solve one of the greatest mysteries in the Mists: what happened to Amandine’s oldest daughter, August, who disappeared in 1906.
This is one missing person case Toby can’t afford to get wrong.
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Just when things seem to be normal, the doorbell rings and in walks your mother. The next thing you know, two of your inner circle are taken hostage and you have to find your missing sister, August to save them. Only August has been missing for a hundred years… where to begin?
Amandine the Liar is wickedly scary…like mommy dearest scary. She rips people out of Toby’s life and demands she find her true daughter. From the first chapter, I was all in and devoured this in just a few sittings.
It was hard. People we care about get hurt, Toby will have to pay, and some who harmed her are redeemed. We will travel the road by candlelight again and there will be danger and bargains met before it is all done.
McGuire’s work has made me grow attached to these characters. Not all those in fairy are to be feared, but their games and nonsense hurt the innocent. The more we learn, the more I understand why Toby stepped up and became the hero she is.
The story wraps up nicely, but we know danger is just around the corner. Mary Robinette Kowal has become the voices of these characters, from the Sea Witch to Quentin. She enhances this already brilliant storyline and I highly recommend listening.
Amazon | Audible
The Brightest Fell by Seanan McGuire held me captive as #OctoberDaye searches for her missing sister to save two of her own. #UrbanFantasy #Audiobook #IOwnIt #MaryRobinetteKowal
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Seanan McGuire is a native Californian, which has resulted in her being exceedingly laid-back about venomous wildlife, and terrified of weather. When not writing urban fantasy (as herself) and science fiction thrillers (as Mira Grant), she likes to watch way too many horror movies, wander around in swamps, record albums of original music, and harass her cats. Seanan is the author of the October Daye, InCryptid, and Indexing series of urban fantasies; the Newsflesh trilogy; the Parasitology duology; and the “Velveteen vs.” superhero shorts. Her cats, Lilly, Alice, and Thomas, are plotting world domination even as we speak, but are easily distracted by feathers on sticks, so mankind is probably safe. For now.
Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of The Spare Man,The Glamourist Histories series, Ghost Talkers, and the Lady Astronaut Universe. She is part of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer, four Hugo awards, the Nebula and Locus awards. Her stories appear in Asimov’s, Uncanny, and several Year’s Best anthologies. Mary Robinette, a professional puppeteer, also performs as a voice actor (SAG/AFTRA), recording fiction for authors including Seanan McGuire, Cory Doctorow, and John Scalzi. She lives in Nashville with her husband Rob and over a dozen manual typewriters.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/09/the-brightest-fell-by-seanan-mcguire.html
In today’s era, releasing a Marvel or DC superhero film is nothing short of a global spectacle. Yet, how many are genuinely acquainted with the roots of these iconic superheroes, the chronicles of the comic books they emerged from, or the evolution of their fandom? Understanding Superhero Comic Books by Alex Grand is a masterful exploration of the pivotal moments and influencers that have sculpted modern superhero comic books.
Grand’s narrative interweaves the tapestry of classic Hollywood cinema with the Golden Age of comics, revealing intriguing parallels such as Wolverine’s unresolved anger juxtaposed with that of the legendary Popeye. The depth of research is palpable, drawing from a rich repository of past interviews, seminal essays, and iconic comic strips. Further enriching the content are conversations that Grand has had with several luminaries, providing firsthand insights.
One standout segment involves Trina Robbins, a trailblazer as the first woman to illustrate Wonder Woman. Through her interview, readers are granted a window into the pivotal role of women in the comic book saga.
While Understanding Superhero Comic Books is generously peppered with comic images, underscoring the narrative, the text can be richly dense, adopting a more academic resonance. However, this depth only highlights its treasure trove of insights, making it indispensable for aficionados keen to delve into the genesis of their cherished superheroes.
Alex Grand crafts an opus that is enlightening and a pleasure to read. Whether one approaches this book out of nostalgic reverence or scholarly curiosity, Grand proves to be a maestro, offering a magnum opus on the history and metamorphosis of superhero comic books.
Pages: 581 | ASIN : B0C71K9H2M
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/14/understanding-superhero-comic-books/
In Bee Conspiracy, David Boito crafts a gripping narrative that takes the reader on an investigative journey where finding the culprit is merely the beginning. John Alan “Duke” Wayne, our tenacious detective, isn’t satisfied with just unraveling the how and why of a crime; he’s bent on trapping the orchestrator in an unbreakable web of evidence.
The narrative commences with a seemingly innocuous incident: a man operating a lawnmower inadvertently disrupts a bee nest. The ensuing panic results in a gruesome accident. While Duke, currently on administrative leave for his unyielding demeanor, initially dismisses it as a mere accident, Kelso Bagley’s keen eye spots incongruities. As a Fish and Wildlife agent, Kelso’s expert knowledge leads him to suspect foul play, particularly when he detects unusual aggression pheromones and observes the hive’s unnatural placement.
Without venturing too far into spoiler territory, what begins as a straightforward detective thriller evolves into a multi-layered tale rife with unexpected twists. Boito skillfully plays with classic detective tropes – for instance, the archetypal good cop/bad cop dynamic. Yet, as the narrative unfolds and characters evolve, their roles and relationships are intriguingly subverted. A word of caution: While the initial lawnmower incident is jarringly graphic, it is a standalone scene in terms of its intensity. However, if you harbor a strong aversion to bugs, approach with care.
Rapid-paced chapters make Bee Conspiracy a compelling page-turner. I recommended this conspiracy thriller for those seeking a riveting literary escape.
Pages: 319 | ASIN : B0CDKC64X4
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/14/bee-conspiracy/
Painting Stars is the captivating story of Robin, a young woman who overcomes her dysfunctional childhood and builds a life keeping others safe from people like her own family. Where did the idea for this novel come from, and how did it develop over time?
At first, I wanted to write a more autobiographical novel, but then the characters and the story took on a life of their own!
I’m Italian, and I’m an auntie with long red hair and a love for art, but my similarities with Robin end here. For the fictional elements, sources of inspiration were the movie The Thomas Crown Affair and the book Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah.
What are some things you find interesting about the human condition that make for great fiction?
How past events can impact our present and future in terms of behavior and decision-making processes. Great fiction seamlessly interweaves flashbacks with the present time, which is a very hard feat to accomplish as a writer.
If we get it right, readers can gradually understand and empathize with the characters by uncovering layer by layer all the facets of their personalities.
What is one pivotal moment in the story that you think best defines Robin?
When she finds out that she has a nephew, Robin is willing to upend her life and try her best to give him the kind of love she didn’t have growing up.
Where do you see your characters after the book ends?
I’m considering writing a sequel, so I’ll avoid spoilers for now 
I was raised to steal. But when I was forced to choose between family and betraying the man I admired most, I was left estranged from my parents and sister. Now, I work to ensure that everyone has the kind of safe home I never did.
My sister’s sudden death has me returning to the small Michigan town I ran from. And there’s a surprise waiting for me: Levi, a six-year-old nephew I didn’t even know I had, who is now my responsibility. Thankfully—or not—my childhood neighbor and first love, Noah, and his caring parents are around to support me.
He’s a capable and uber-honest mechanic, an unconventional soccer coach, and even more charming than I remember. He’s the guy with raven hair, Bambi eyes, and dimples who makes it too easy to fall in love. Which I did—before he married someone else.
When a client’s foolish scheme lands me in jail and Levi’s future is threatened, the only person I can turn to for help is the man who broke my heart. But help from Noah comes with strings attached…
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/14/our-past-impacts-our-present/
In Affinities, readers are immediately captivated as our lead character, Andrew Goodwin, awakens from the aftermath of a devastating car crash. The distressing signs that follow—nightly sweat-soaked awakenings and a puzzling amnesia about recent events—hint at a narrative that transcends simple post-traumatic stress. Mysterious whispers, unsettling blood markings, and unaccounted-for bruises on Andrew’s skin craft an eerie tableau of a reality that’s darker and more perplexing.
The book’s initial chapter, though complex, soon finds its pace, ensnaring both its characters and readers into its intricate mystery. It’s a rare experience to find a narrative that elicits such a visceral response. With each unpredictable plot twist, I felt an uncanny connection to the story, as though I was experiencing Andrew’s turbulent psyche firsthand. Thompson showcases his ability to craft a clever narrative, spinning a tale rich in suspense and riddled with intrigue. It was only with the introduction of subtle supernatural elements that I found a moment’s respite to put the book down.
Affinities is more than just a story; it’s a journey. In a world of routine and responsibilities, it offers a thrilling departure into the depths of fear and the human mind. For fans of psychological horror and crime thrillers, this book is a must-read. My anticipation is already piqued for its sequel, Outshine: Lifecycle 2.
Pages: 383 | ASIN : B00BSXO9CI
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/14/affinities/