On April 25 the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. United States, on whether a former president enjoys immunity from prosecution for crimes committed while in office. The Court did not need to accept the case; it could easily have passed on former President Donald Trump’s extraordinary claims of blanket immunity and allowed […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2024/05/01/the-immunity-con-donald-trump/
Hey Audiophiles, as the hosts of the yearly Audiobook Challenge, Caffeinated Reviewer and That’s What I’m Talking About are excited to be hosting a mini challenge to celebrate Audiobook Month in June. Anyone can join, sign up below and choose your challenge(s).
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2024/05/jiam-audiobook-mini-challenge.html
Going Crazy (Left Foot, Right Foot, Breathe), by Tim James, offers an introspective journey through his life, chronicled with raw honesty and engaging storytelling. Born and raised in Nashville, James’s transition to Los Angeles marks a significant chapter in his life, where he explores a variety of careers, including acting, before finding his true calling as a professional songwriter. This memoir navigates through the intricate tapestry of his career, personal relationships, and mental health struggles.
Tim James’s life story is a testament to the richness of human experience. His childhood in Nashville is filled with adventurous undertones, setting the stage for his later life in Los Angeles. Here, James’s narrative evolves from that of a carefree individual to a multifaceted adult, embracing roles as diverse as a baseball enthusiast, pharmaceutical company employee, aspiring actor, and, eventually, a celebrated songwriter.
James’s memoir is punctuated with captivating moments. His pivotal decision between acting and a stable job showcases his thoughtful nature. Beyond his professional journey, James’s personal attributes—his humor, ability to nurture friendships, and candidness—add layers to his character, making him an endearing figure. The memoir does not shy away from the adversities James faced. His recounting of near-death experiences, legal challenges, and a midlife crisis, alongside turbulent love stories, adds depth to his narrative. These stories, while poignant, are also inspiring, offering insights into resilience and personal growth.
Going Crazy (Left Foot, Right Foot, Breathe) is a compelling memoir that transcends the ordinary, making it a significant read for those who appreciate the genre. Tim James’s life story, rich in experiences and emotions, is not just a recounting of events but a journey of transformation and resilience.
Pages: 212 | ASIN : B0CTRGZRPB
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/05/01/going-crazy-left-foot-right-foot-breathe/
On a very important day, five-year-old Felicity learns that no one can be perfect all the time, not even a princess. Enjoy this story told in rhyme as Felicity lives her silly adventure and learns we are all imperfectly perfect.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/05/01/the-princess-has-to-pee-deflocked-fairytales/
Stevland Martin Malcolm Polite’s memoir, Named After Legends, unfolds against the backdrop of the Lehman Village Housing Projects, where, despite the dilapidated conditions, a strong sense of community persevered. The weight of his name, inspired by his father’s heroes and the societal expectations placed upon him as a Black man, frame his early struggles. Yet, a pivotal moment of self-preservation during his youth—a conscious decision to abstain from a gang fight—marks the beginning of his journey toward self-determination.
Navigating through the challenges of his environment, racial disadvantage, and personal loss, Stevland’s narrative is one of overcoming and transcending the barriers seemingly preset for his failure. His pursuit of education, varied global experiences, career development, and entrepreneurial ventures are detailed with a vividness that underscores his resilience and determination. This memoir is not only a personal recount of triumph but also a broader commentary on societal issues. It is an inspiring testament to the power of self-agency and the importance of exploring one’s potential beyond the confines of adversity. Stevland’s story, rich in emotion and introspection, encourages readers to critically assess their circumstances and strive for more, making it a compelling read for a broad audience, particularly resonant for those facing similar societal challenges.
Named After Legends is a vivid chronicle of transformation and defiance against the odds. By detailing his ascent from the Lehman Village Housing Projects to success in various global endeavors, Stevland illustrates that personal history need not dictate future potential. His experiences serve as a powerful testament to the importance of ambition, education, and community in transcending societal limits. His story resonates deeply, offering hope and inspiration to those who may find themselves in similar circumstances and encouraging all readers to pursue their dreams with unwavering tenacity. This memoir is not just a reflection on personal success but a call to action for empowerment and change.
Pages: 217 | ASIN : B0CYQM7DPL
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/05/01/named-after-legends/
In My Dream Guy, author Vilincia G. Patrick crafts a vivid tapestry of dreams and reality, weaving the complexities of relationships, self-discovery, and emotional upheaval into the colorful life of protagonist Amana Fitzgerald. The novel follows Amana as she navigates her tumultuous youth filled with vibrant dreams that blur into her reality, which is equally chaotic and filled with vibrant characters that shape her journey.
The story is a whirlwind of emotions and settings that captured my imagination with its intense imagery and compelling dialogue. The author has a unique ability to infuse her scenes with a mix of humor and drama that keeps the pages turning. The prose is densely packed with metaphors and similes, enriching the text but, at times, potentially obscuring the clarity of events. Similarly, the dialogue is authentic to the setting and characters, yet its frequent colloquialisms may pose challenges for readers unacquainted with the specific language used.
I found the book’s exploration of dreams as a window to one’s desires and fears particularly intriguing. Patrick delves deep into the psychology of her protagonist, presenting dreams as a parallel universe where Amana confronts her inner demons and desires. This narrative choice is compelling and offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on the function of dreams within literary narratives. The transition between dreams and reality in the narrative is often abrupt, which may be an intentional stylistic choice but can interrupt the narrative flow. The book’s strength lies in its character development, particularly Amana, who is portrayed with a rich complexity that invites readers to empathize with her struggles and growth.
My Dream Guy is an imaginative romance novel that offers a deep dive into the protagonist’s emotional landscape. Readers who enjoy psychological dramas and Coming of Age stories that blend reality with the surreal will find this a compelling book. The novel will particularly appeal to those who appreciate explorations into the subconscious and are intrigued by the interplay between dreams and life’s realities.
Pages: 382 | ASIN : B0BW4Y59MF
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/05/01/my-dream-guy/
The Invisible Ones follows a young woman who, after being separated from her siblings and institutionalized, strives to overcome abuse and reclaim her freedom amidst a backdrop of eugenic oppression. What was the inspiration for the idea behind your story?
Growing up, I had heard stories about female family members who were institutionalized. The stories never seemed to add up. The women were never released and their reasons for being there didn’t seem to make sense to me. I decided to research the topic of women and institutionalization and found a vast history of the practice of locking away women and those who were poor or considered “undesirable” dating back to the American eugenics’ movement. The goal at the time was to take those people considered inferior out of the general population and prevent them from having families of their own so they did not propagate their inferior genes. Essentially, the goal was to improve the population by removing those who didn’t seem to fit a high standard set by those in power.
Anna Wilson’s character is resilient. Can you share more about your process for developing her character and ensuring her experiences felt authentic?
Before creating Anna’s character, I researched women who had been impacted by the eugenics movement by reading first-person narratives, manuals for implementing the practice of eugenics, and accounts of women who had been institutionalized. Eventually, her voice came to be, and the story itself is a mixture of many of the women featured in the narratives I read. I blended their experiences to create one that would have been likely in Pennsylvania in the early 1900s.
How did you approach the research for this novel, particularly the historical aspects of institutional practices and societal attitudes during that era?
The research part of this novel was interesting, and there was no lack of information if you knew where to look. I started by reading every book I could find on American eugenics and the institutionalization of women, such as Imbeciles, War Against the Weak, and Women of the Asylum. From there, I visited the Vineland Historical Society and toured the grounds of the former Vineland Training School. I learned that New Jersey had a more progressive approach to individuals who were institutionalized, and they did not practice forced sterilization. This prompted me to move my story to Pennsylvania, where the practice was not uncommon. I also found interesting information about daily life in the early 1900s in old, local newspapers. Further, I watched video interviews of people who were institutionalized due to their undesirable traits, whether it was because they were poor, inebriates, women of loose morals, or uneducated. The eugenics movement lasted into the 1970s, so there were interesting video accounts of how people lived in these institutions that informed much of my book, including the scenes involving punishment and daily routines.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently finishing up a draft of a thriller, which is very different from The Invisible Ones. I’ve had a lot of readers ask about a possible sequel to The Invisible Ones. People want to know what happens with Anna’s mom, and I think that would be an interesting topic to explore. It would also give me an opportunity to delve into the impact long-term institutionalization had on those locked away in asylums.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/05/01/undesirable/