In the October 5 issue of the magazine, Daniel M. Lavery reviews Jacques Pépin’s most recent book, a collection of the eighty-seven-year-old chef’s poultry recipes, memories, and paintings: The recipes on offer throughout Art of the Chicken are both flexible and virtuosic, and effortlessly woven into each part of [Pépin’s] career. There is lunch for one, dinner for […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/09/23/take-it-easy-daniel-lavery/
The age of optimism that lasted in the US from the 1940s to the 1970s looked, basically, like a car. In his classic study Labor and Monopoly Capital (1974), the former metalworker and Marxist theorist Harry Braverman wrote that “the term ‘working class,’ properly understood, never precisely delineated a specified body of people.” What we […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/09/23/eight-and-skate-uaw-strike/
The amount of information you give to readers in this book is astounding. How much research did you undertake for Understanding Superhero Comic Books, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
This book took 6 years of study, research, interviews, and analysis from myself to piece together and write into a narrative history of the Superhero Comic Book, its origins, and evolutions over a hundred years.
What is your background and experience in writing and comic books, and how did it help you write this informative resource for readers?
I write and produce informational videos as well as an interview podcast with several guests who are professionals in the comic book industry, which helped me tap into, write, and rewrite my information and understanding of the superhero comic book commercial and artistic unit.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
I really wanted to bridge overall, several theories on the origins and direction of superhero comic books into a master narrative history that would take the reader from A to Z, provide over 1200 citations to back up the information, dispel rumors, and get to the facts in an interesting and informative way.
What future plans do you have after writing this book, will there be a companion book to go with this one?
I’m currently writing a graphic novel that dramatizes some of the events that I objectively delineated here.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/23/a-master-narrative-history/
The Immortality Wars series continues with the first book of the second trilogy…
After thinking he dies in combat, a young warrior learns he was in a world created as a human experiment by a ruthless society over 500 years in the future. He must draw upon his combat skills and spiritual power to fight amidst a galactic war whose twelve bases are in a deadly quest for immortality.
It is 2562 Old Earth Time. One reality, created by scientists, technicians, and a corrupt ruling council on a distant exoplanet seeking immortality, erupts into their own. He brings with him all the mortal capacity, knowledge, and prowess in combat he has gained through their experimentation on him.
A sergeant in an elite company of warriors, Pall Warren brings these acquired powers of a medieval time to this realm of sophistication. He also brings with him a rare spiritual ability not seen in 540 years.
Pall is sought by human greed, the morbid manipulation of scientific curiosity, the hunger for religious truth, and the might of cyborg masters. He must fight his way through a theater of war far beyond anything he has ever before witnessed or imagined.
Yet through his perilous journey in two dominions, he is sustained by the love and prayer of a mysterious and beautiful woman from his former life.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/23/the-pilgrim-part-i/
Song for Someone follows a young woman who, through her parents’ diaries, discovers the love story of an opera singer and the mysterious detective Sherlock Holmes. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was inspired to write my debut novel, Song for Someone, after visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street in 2019. I remember it was just before lockdown. I had always been fascinated by the iconic character Irene Adler and felt disappointed when she failed to appear in any further episodes after A Scandal in Bohemia. Other authors have hinted at a relationship between Holmes and Adler but merely skirted around the subject without exploring its depths and endless possibilities. So encouraged by my daughter Katie, I decided to write my adaptation.
Both Irene and Holmes are well-written and developed characters with engaging personalities. What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
Irene was my favourite character to write; I loved exploring the depths of her character, this strong, feisty woman who took no messing from the celebrated detective. My favourite chapter in the book is No. 27, where Irene and Sherlock discuss past relationships. Those scenes really captured the character’s essence and changed the dynamics of their relationship.
Through the diary pages, Charlotte is taken on an adventure to discover her parent’s secret lives. How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
Story development can coincide with shocking plot twists. I’m a panster writer, and ideas tend to come to me as I go along; it can, at times, involve a lot of re-writing for me this way, but, the plot and dialogue flow much better.
When will book 2 be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Christmas at The Saporis, Book Two in the Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries, was published last December. The story will take readers to the beautiful Susses Downs five years after Sherlock and Irene’s adventures in Italy. Irene is hoping for a quiet family Christmas and a reconciliation with Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft. All appears well until unexpected ghosts from the past appear, threatening to shatter the fragile peace of the holidays, reminding readers that happiness and harmony are never guaranteed, even during the festive period.
Meet Me in Milan, Book 3 in the series, will be published on the 29th of September, and takes our intrepid couple back to Milan, where Irene finds herself having to turn investigator when her friend Renata becomes the main suspect in the attempted murder of her husband, Luigi Amato. When Sherlock finally arrives on the scene, Irene seeks his counsel, and he agrees to help with her investigation. But, in doing so, they open up a can of worms in their quest for the truth, which leaves them questioning their relationship and everything they hold dear.
Author Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Charlotte Sapori has led a wonderful life, safely tucked in the bosom of her family. Her mother, Irene Adler, is a renowned opera singer, while her father, Lucca Sapori, does important government work that frequently takes him away from them. Charlotte is close to her older brother, Nicco, and they are both doted on by their parents. All is well until her mother receives an unexpected diagnosis which shakes the family to its core.
Knowing herself to be dying, Adler confesses to Charlotte things that have long been kept from her, telling her to find and read her diary. A distressed Lucca Sapori tells his daughter to read his as well. And by the way, Lucca Sapori is not his real name. In fact, she may have heard of him—he is actually the world-famous detective, Sherlock Holmes.
Charlotte finds both diaries and plunges into the hidden world of Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes as she discovers what brought them together, and how they managed to stay together for thirty years despite having to battle the odds.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/23/depths-and-endless-possibilities/
Lex’s Story dives into the riveting world of Alexi (Lex) Rogov, a freshly graduated lieutenant from the Air Force Academy. With a unique skill set, he’s immediately chosen for his maiden assignment as an intelligence officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. Paired with Agent Nikita Devin, herself a novice, the plot thickens when suspicions arise about her allegiances. It becomes Rogov’s mission to determine her loyalty.
From the outset, the narrative thrives on crisp, clear dialogue, aptly mirroring the sharp-witted nature of the characters it portrays. This brisk dialogue serves as an accelerator for the book’s pacing. While Biggerstaff’s directness in description captures the essence of a high-stakes intelligence environment, I think a touch more elaboration would enrich the reader’s experience.
One of Biggerstaff’s commendable strengths is her knack for creating suspense. A notable instance is the cliffhanger that goes, ‘”Um, you know who Barrett’s father was, right?” “Yes, I know.” Such moments not only propel the reader forward with an insatiable curiosity but also seamlessly integrate subsidiary characters, enriching Rogov’s backstory without inundating the narrative.
Lex’s Story is a well-crafted tapestry of intrigue and suspense. For those eager to immerse themselves in a captivating espionage thriller and perhaps explore more from Biggerstaff’s collection, this book is a definite recommendation.
Pages: 319 | ASIN : B0CCSTJKC9
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/23/lexs-story/
Journey with Kel Chaada as he navigates a galaxy teeming with diverse alien races, each with its unique motives and aspirations. A particularly menacing extraterrestrial race with advanced weaponry and a hunger for planetary resources threatens to destabilize the balance. In a bold move, Kel and his select crew venture directly to this menacing civilization’s galaxy, intending to halt the impending doom at its origin. Amidst this high-stakes mission, Kel grapples with the dilemma of potentially becoming what he’s trying to resist.
Dark Cascade, the enthralling second installment in Bert-Oliver Boehmer’s Galacticide series, effortlessly immerses readers into its cosmos—even those unfamiliar with the inaugural book. While it’s evident that Boehmer is influenced by sci-fi titans such as Asimov and Philip K. Dick, his narrative carves its distinctive mark.
The allure of Dark Cascade stems not only from its expansive cosmic view but also from Boehmer’s nuanced exploration of interstellar politics and morality. As the story unfolds, one is compelled to question: In the quest for species survival, where do we draw the line? Kel Chaada stands as a beacon of humanity’s perseverance, yet the narrative gracefully introduces moments where alien races and AI beings demonstrate equally commendable motives.
Boehmer blurs moral boundaries, suggesting that even the most drastic measures, including genocide, might find justification depending on perspective. This intricate dance between ethical dilemmas and intergalactic politics sets Dark Cascade apart, positioning it in a league distinct from its sci-fi contemporaries.
Pages: 323 | ASIN : B0BMFWXQDJ
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/23/dark-cascade/