To the Editors: In his review of my novel The Fraud [NYR, September 21], Michael Gorra finds that “as nearly as [he] can tell” the link between William Harrison Ainsworth and the Tichborne Claimant is invented. But as the novel itself makes clear, the young Irish poet Edward Kenealy—who spent a few years coming to […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/10/05/table-talk/
To the Editors: Like many law professors, I read Laurence H. Tribe’s “Constrain the Court—Without Crippling It” [NYR, August 17] with great interest. My first book, Constitutional Faith (1988), analogized classic responses to the Constitution, and in particular to the Supreme Court, to basic divisions in all of the “Abrahamic” religions. One first had to […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/10/05/questioning-judicial-authority/
This past May Brazilian police officers and officials from the Ministry of Labor rescued a sixty-three-year-old woman from the private home where she had worked, without pay, benefits, or vacation time, for forty-seven years. The woman, who had cooked and cleaned for three successive generations of a family living outside the southern city of Porto […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/09/17/the-base-of-the-labor-pyramid/
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
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/09/sunday-post-593.html
The Teaching Guarantee is a collection of lessons learned over 50 years of working in the school system, starting as a teacher, moving into administration, and becoming a principal. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Experience is a wonderful thing! During my 50 years in education, I have enjoyed educational leadership experiences covering all educational sectors in Australia and overseas, including primary, secondary, and international schools, training organisations, international business colleges, school quality assurance reviews, and tertiary study abroad programs.
Many lessons have been learnt over this time and I wanted to share these as I believe many teachers and prospective principals may benefit from the various aspects that I discuss. As I mention in the book, the clues are within.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Life is full of challenges and opportunities, and teaching and school leadership provide them by the bucket load. It is not an easy job, but every day is guaranteed to be different and full of special moments and memories.
Like every day is different, so is every child and every school. So, constantly challenge yourself to improve what you do.
Embrace change so that the students you teach will enjoy change, rather than shun it.
Get as many varied experiences as possible in different learning environments and communities.
Challenge yourself when leadership opportunities arise.
Always remember you are a role model; as a teacher for your students and as a Principal for your school community.
When difficult moments arise, remain calm and resolute.
Always fair but firm, and everyone will respect you for your consistency.
Never lose your sense of humour.
Your well-being is sacrosanct, so always remain balanced.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were a younger teacher and just starting out?
Experience IB (International Baccalaureate) education as soon as you can and travel the world as part of your IB journey.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from the experiences you share in this book?
Teaching is a vocation, but it is not for everyone. While salaries may not be attractive or reflect your real worth, the joy you receive at the end of each year when you reflect on the impact you make on each of your students is priceless! It is what teaching and school leadership are all about—making a difference!
Author Links: Goodreads | Website | Amazon
The author comments on the important aspects of schooling and being a principal. These reflections and observations may result in thoughtful discussions and lead to actions in schools to improve their current practices in any way that will benefit the students under their care.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/17/constantly-challenge-yourself/
Love Changed Everything: The Power of Love shares your story of growing up and becoming the person you are today and how your love for your wife carried you through the hard moments. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I have enjoyed a comfortable life with a loving wife for many years.
I wanted my grandchildren in particular to know that I had worked very hard to get to where we are now. They have gone short of nothing – partly the grandparents’ fault – and seem to expect that life will always be as comfortable as it is. I wanted them to know where their grandparents came from.
I wanted ‘others’ to know that what I have has been hard won. I recall an event when we were living in Farnborough and our house just happened to have a swimming pool with a public path on the other side of a six-foot fence. I recall the day we were relaxing by the pool and overheard a mother talking to her daughter who had said, ‘Look, mum. Those people have a swimming pool.’
‘Yes’, the mother replied. ‘Some people are very lucky in life’.
I was incensed and ran down the gate to our property which they had to pass. ‘Good afternoon’, I said, calmly, although I did not feel calm. ‘I heard your little girl, admiring our swimming pool. I think you are teaching her the wrong lesson. Everything I own I have to work hard for. I had no rich parents to leave me any money. You should be telling her that if she puts her mind to it and works very hard at school and then works very hard at her career, then perhaps she too may be able to have a house with a swimming pool’.
There was no response, but I do hope that little girl got a little of the message I was trying to send.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest part of my story to write openly about was the sexual attraction. My wife insisted I tone it down.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It was important to point out to teachers what an enormous influence and responsibility they carry for caring for their charges. They should never belittle a child, even a teenager. I still feel very angry about my treatment in two schools, many years apart, because of my family’s lowly financial status. In the first instance, pre-10 years old, we never went on holidays, and the class was asked to write an account. My account was fiction and was severely punished. In the second instance at Grammar School, I was belittled and had to report to the Head because I (we) could not spare two shillings and sixpence to buy a school magazine. After humiliation, if I had had ££££££’s, I would never support the school.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
Anything is possible if you work at it and take the opportunities that may come your way, even if you doubt your ability – go for it! You’ll never know if you don’t.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Eddie, the eldest child of four, suffered at the hands of the bullies. But his father showed him how to stand up for himself. Albert taught his children that success could come even after multiple failures if they kept trying. But when he had a lung removed, he lost his job and their home. The family moved in with Grandma in her terraced house in the Colliery village of Browney. Gran was already caring for her divorced daughter’s family of three young men. Somehow they managed to coexist for over a year.
A few months later, the family was rehoused into a new housing development and their first home with hot water and an indoor loo; what luxury. Eddie was training to become an unpaid Minister in the Independent Methodist Movement. His girlfriend, Doreen, for eighteen months, was the daughter of one of the Senior Ministers in the circuit of six chapels.
When Eddie met Pam, he was employed as a University Junior Technician, and his life was turned upside down. Cupid’s arrow flew and lodged so deep that the warnings of his friends in the Chapel never got past his ears. The pair were immediately smitten; nothing could part the young lovers. It was hard to break off with Doreen and even more difficult to heed the warnings of his associates in the chapel community. Pam was a Roman Catholic, and he was warned that their faiths were incompatible.
After purposely underperforming at school GCE ‘O’ level, Eddie studied part-time at night school, and with the benefit of day release from his employment as a Univerity Chemistry Technician, he gained HNC level Chemistry certification. Then he was invited to take up a career in Technical Sales by a local supplier of scientific products and instrumentation. Within a year, he and Pam had secured a mortgage on their first home and never looked back. There were ups and downs, but love always got them through the sticky patches. Eddie and Pam are approaching their diamond wedding anniversary.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/17/anything-is-possible/
Bye, Baby, Bye follows the mother of a kidnapped child who will do whatever it takes to find her even when those responsible for looking for her daughter neglect their duties. When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I do not do a detailed outline of my book. I tried that once after attending a seminar by Jeffrey Deaver. He is a strong proponent for outlines, but I found the process ate up precious writing time. And while not a complete “pantser,” I always know the end game to my stories. The characters quite often will direct me into plot twists and new revelations. There’s an old saying by those who ride horses, “Give a horse his head.” I give my characters their “head” and let them lead me into new adventures.
Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?
Death of a family member is one of the most traumatic events in a person’s life. Letting go of that life-long relationship is usually a time to come to grips with deep loss and a realization of our own mortality.
What is the next book you are writing, and when will that be published?
For certain, I will be writing a sequel to Bye, Baby, Bye. That will publish in November of 2024. I don’t have a working title yet. It’s too soon in the process. I also have a police crime series, the Winston-Strom Novels. I put that series on hold while I worked on The Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. Now that I am officially retired from my government day job with Social Security, I have substantially more time to commit to writing, so I hope to do another Winston Strom book in 2024.
Author Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Website | Amazon
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/17/plot-twists-and-new-revelations/
In Richard R. Becker’s captivating novel, Third Wheel, readers are introduced to Brady Wilks, a teenager who, after relocating to Las Vegas at a tender age, grapples with the challenges of fitting in. As he navigates the complexities of adolescence, Brady finds himself entangled with Mick, an influential older teen, leading him into a world of rebellion and recklessness during his high school years.
As the story unfolds, we witness Brady’s transition from living with his caring grandparents, which brought about its own set of social questions, to reuniting with his mother. This return home presents its own set of emotional and relational challenges, intensified by the family dynamics and the expectations set upon him.
Becker’s storytelling skill shines as he deftly delves into issues facing many teenagers, such as drug use, alcohol consumption, and the pressures of conforming to peer groups. What sets Third Wheel apart is its authentic portrayal of the so-called “troubled youth.” Instead of just painting them through the prejudiced lens of adulthood, the book gives a voice to these young individuals, letting readers understand their internal conflicts and motivations.
I was particularly drawn to Brady’s character development. Becker crafts him as a multi-dimensional protagonist with whom readers can both relate and empathize. The backdrop of Las Vegas, commonly associated with its dazzling urban landscape, is rendered with a fresh perspective in this novel. Becker beautifully captures the oft-overlooked suburban life, juxtaposed against the vast desert expanses.
Third Wheel is a compelling read, especially for high school students. Not only does it offer rich character development ripe for analysis, but it also provides invaluable insights into the grey areas of morality and the power of choices. Becker’s narrative style and skillful setting construction further enhance the reading experience, making this novel a must-read for those seeking both entertainment and enlightenment.
Pages: 327 | ASIN : B0C2MZ737L
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/17/third-wheel/
Living in harmony encompasses the virtues of kindness, empathy, and collaboration. When children internalize these values, they pave the way for personal growth within a nurturing environment. Karen M. Bobos skillfully embodies these principles in a heartwarming tale that celebrates the essence of friendship. The story introduces us to three endearing magical sisters: Angel Scarlett, Fairy Cora, and Princess Daphne. Their boundless excitement radiates as they eagerly anticipate the grandest event of the year: The Bobcat Birthday Party. From the delightful process of selecting their dresses to the jubilant festivities that ensue, readers are treated to a tapestry of laughter and dancing.
The Bobcat Birthday Party is a serene narrative that imparts invaluable lessons to its youngest readers. Its most commendable aspect is its unwavering emphasis on inclusivity, even when faced with challenging social dynamics, notably in the context of party invitations. The characters, a diverse array portrayed as various animals, bring a delightful visual richness to the story. The sisters’ vibrant enthusiasm and harmonious camaraderie exemplify the power of collaboration. Rob the Bobcat emerges as an inspiring role model, exuding gratitude, while the endearing Mary Kay the Mouse takes on the role of the affable party organizer.
Karen M. Bobos’ storytelling weaves a melodic and engaging narrative, making it an ideal catalyst for encouraging young children on their reading journey. The introduction of complex vocabulary, skillfully explained within the text and in an accessible glossary, adds an enriching layer to the reading experience. The narrative’s gentle lack of a central conflict enhances its serene and calming atmosphere. Though elegantly simple, the illustrations vividly capture the cherished values of friendship and goodwill.
The Bobcat Birthday Party is a charming and instructive tale, well-suited for inspiring and meaningful discussions with children about positive attitudes, good manners, and empathy. It holds a special place on the shelf of books that nurture young minds and hearts.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B0CCMWWH52
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/17/the-bobcat-birthday-party-adventures-in-harmony/