Since the protests began on campuses throughout the United States, I have been struck by the verbal contortions many writers have gone through to avoid engaging with the gravity of Israel’s assault on Gaza—one of the most brutal, punitive military campaigns in modern history—and with the clarity of the students’ moral outrage. If you are […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2024/06/13/acts-of-language-isabella-hammad/

Original source: https://www.squarebooks.com/celebratory-reading-roundups

Original source: https://www.squarebooks.com/celebratory-reading-roundups

Along Came Spider: The Making of a Superhero follows an elementary school boy who, along with his friends, is being bullied by two boys who terrorize students. What was the inspiration for your story?

There were several factors that inspired me:

1) I grew up with comics, but they were always on a higher level than I probably should have been reading at the time. I really wanted to write a comic for kids that was age-appropriate.

2) I was bullied several times when I was kid, so that was a factor in writing this book because I often was a little bit different than some of my classmates.

3) As a child, it’s very easy to feel like no one notices you. I thought I’d take that inadequate emotion of feeling invisible and turn it into a superpower instead.

​Spider has to learn to stand up for himself and his friends, and that is a hard thing to do, especially with bullies. What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?

When you’re bullied, you lose some of your personal power. I wanted to give power back to the main character Spider. I also know, from my own experience, that it can be hard to do the right thing – to stand up for one’s self and others, that requires all of us to find courage and personal power to stand out and stand up for what matters.

What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

I think a lot of bullying occurs because 1) teachers either don’t know what to look for or they, too, have a tendency to not see some things that are right in front of their eyes. 2) There is often a herd mentality going on in schools – especially when we are young and are trying to find a sense of ourselves. Anything different is to be avoided because it can often draw negative attention to us. We all want to stand out in a positive way, not a negative way. I wanted this book to give a sense of empowerment to all kids.

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?

This is the first book in the Web Society series. There will be 11 books total. The next book is actually about Lacey’s superpower. It will probably be next year before that book comes out. I currently work a full-time job and write in my free time, and Alex, my illustrator, is in the same boat as I am, so we can’t devote all our time to just working on this one book. Plus, I do work on other genres as well. The more heavily illustrated a book is, the longer it takes to finish it, but, I assure you, that when it does get finished, the next book in the series has a little more action and danger and Spider will be in that one as well.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/06/13/personal-power/

The Zeroth Day follows a former actor haunted by his past who is asked to deliver a mysterious package in exchange for alcohol, leading him to question everything he thought he believed. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

My whole life is what pilots call an area of turbulence. The country in which I was born, the Soviet Union, no longer exists. At the age of 17, I left alone for the USA, which at that time seemed to me as distant and mysterious as Mars. Eleven years later, I returned to a new, free Russia. There I witnessed a gradual transformation of this freedom, first into a “managed democracy,” and then into an authoritarian state. I left for France with my wife and three small children. We did not know the language or traditions of that country but came to love it. Then there was Covid and, finally, the war between an already completely changed Russia and Ukraine. In between, while in the USSR, I saw the fall of the Berlin Wall and two coups; when I lived in the USA, I witnessed the tragedy of September 11th. When I lived in Paris, there were terrorist attacks in the Bataclan. I noticed that I can no longer live without crises. When everything is calm, I expect trouble. Such an interesting and rich life makes you ask questions about what is reality and is there anything permanent in this world? This is what I decided to write my book about, taking the state of impermanence to the point of absurdity. Thanks to technological progress, there is a high chance that this absurdity will soon become everyday life.

What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?

Prose has a great advantage over other forms of art – the ability to express the thoughts of the characters, as they say, directly from the skull. For example, in cinema, thoughts can only be expressed through actions or images, in fine arts – through form, in music – through melody. But all this is rather a consequence of thoughts and feelings that only writers can describe. In my book, I tried to imagine what a person thinks and feels when he doubts what reality is.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

There are many different themes in my book. The main character is trying to return to the past to correct his mistakes. They say it’s impossible. But is it? Perhaps the technologies of the future will help us, if not go into the past, then at least pull it by the ears to the present.

The second topic, related to the first, is the development of artificial intelligence and its impact on society. Finally, I tried to imagine what society will be like in the near future if its development continues in its current direction.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

It turns out that being a writer is hard work. Having written this book, I feel like a squeezed lemon. But new ideas are already brewing in my head, and I understand that until I give them free rein, they will get on my nerves. Therefore, I will write something new soon.

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/06/13/the-state-of-impermanence/

Shadow-Claimed: Twisted Bargain with Nefarious Shadow Godlets explores the unnatural shift in humanity that has caused it to stray from its natural course and the truth as to the cause of this shift. What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?

My goal was to help people regain the freedom, confidence to speak openly about what is interfering with our ability nowadays to be genuine full human beings able to achieve happiness on our own terms.

What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?

As a foreigner who arrived in America thinking that success was a matter of hard work and merit, I was able the first few years to almost get there until I met evil. That is the experience that uncovered for me the realities that I describe in the book.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Shadow-Claimed?

I hope that readers heed the alarm that I look to sound in order to make the adjustments that will protect their lives from the adverse influences while preserving their humanity.

Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/06/13/confidence-to-speak-openly/

Next Time follows a couple who fall in love despite one’s unique condition of being ripped through time unexpectedly. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The idea for Next Time was truly a lightning bolt out of nowhere, which is the only time that’s ever happened to me. I woke up at 3:30 a.m. when I was recovering from jet lag, and the basic concept popped into my brain. It must have been a good one, because I actually remembered it when I woke up. I immediately started jotting down some ideas for the story and completed writing the first draft in less than two months. To be fair, I initially resisted calling it a love story, but that’s what it turned out to be. The idea intrigued me that we see people in bits and pieces, day after day, but don’t thinking of anything of it. We see it all as continous. What about someone like Miriam who does the same, but the gaps in those bits and pieces are spread out across the calendar? She sees it as normal and is it any less of a valid perspective of continuity than ours? Does all that count as inspiration? Maybe. I just know it was a story I had to write so I could find out how it ended.

I enjoyed the romantic relationship between William and Miriam. How did their relationship develop while you were writing it? Did you have an idea of where you wanted to take it or was it organic?

Before I write anything, I usually chart out where I want the book to go with a page or so of bullet points. And then as I start writing the book, I go completely off the rails concerning those points. As I write the characters, their personality comes out in ways I didn’t expect, which to me is one of the fun parts of writing. In the case of William and Miriam, I knew I couldn’t start off with William believing her story of time-travel. He had to grow into it along with the reader. I thought it would be interesting to take a character who’s on the cusp of entering the “real” world after graduating with an advanced degree, who seemingly has his whole life planned out, and then it’s upended by a woman who’s never been able to plan more than a few minutes ahead in her own life. A lot of what you see in the book came out naturally as the story grew, hopefully just like relationships do in real life. We have an idea of where we want to take our lives but does it always turn out the way we planned it?

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

One of the things I ask myself before writing a book is the question, “Why tell this story at all?” For Next Time, the answers to that question revolved around self-sacrifice and how William and Miriam build a life together when they see each other for only hours or a few days at a time. The self-sacrifice part isn’t some noble gesture on his part. It’s a hidden part of his character that William embraces indirectly and is addressed in the story by his friends and family who don’t understand why he’d mold his life around the random appearances of Miriam. For her part, building a long-term relationship with someone is not something Miriam’s ever done in her thousand years of jumping forward through time. She knows that in a year of her time William will age 50 years, so her self-sacrifice comes about in a different way. How they get to those points and build that life is what I feel is the overall theme.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

I have another book ready to release titled Assignment Day, about a high school student in 2080 who uncovers a secret regarding virtual reality that makes him the target of a hidden cabal running the world through the virtual landscape. It should be out by early 2025. I’m currently writing a sequel to First, my first professionally published novel that came out late 2023. Fans really took a liking to one of the AI characters in the book, and part of this book will be told from the AI’s point of view. I’m hoping to get the first draft done this summer so I can publish it next year as well. As to a sequel for Next Time? You never know…

Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/06/13/entering-the-real-world/

Butterfly Ink follows a recent high school graduate who, while visiting her best friend, Becca on a private island off the coast of Florida, is offered a magical tattoo promising her fame and beauty. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The inspiration for this story began as an idea for a picture book, which may sound crazy. My daughter had always been captivated by water application tattoos, so I wanted to create a story about a magical one. As the idea developed into a young adult novel, I also wanted to create an atmosphere that would feel as enchanting as the tattoo itself. That’s when Wellington Island came to life. Additionally, my daughter was at an age where she expressed her desire to be beautiful to resemble the girls she saw on Pinterest and Instagram. This also served as inspiration for the story’s setup.

Calli undergoes some dramatic transformations, not just physically but also with her beliefs and self-worth. What morals were you trying to capture while creating your characters?

I wanted to address the pressure that young girls feel to conform to societal beauty standards and explore the idea of self-acceptance and inner beauty. In the story, the main character discovers that the magical tattoo she receives grants her physical beauty, but she soon realizes that true beauty comes from within. Through her journey, she learns to embrace her uniqueness and appreciate her own individuality.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

In Butterfly Ink, self-acceptance was a crucial theme for me to explore. The protagonist goes through a journey of learning to embrace and love herself, flaws and all. This theme is important because it highlights the significance of accepting ourselves for who we are, rather than striving for unattainable perfection. The novel also emphasizes the idea that we can forgive mistakes. Through the characters’ experiences, I wanted to convey the message that everyone makes mistakes, and it is essential to learn from them and move forward. This theme aims to instill a sense of hope and redemption in the readers. Last, the novel emphasizes the value of true love, whether it be from friendship or a romantic relationship. It showcases the power of genuine connections and the impact they have on our lives. By exploring this theme, I wanted to remind readers to cherish and appreciate the people who truly care for them, as they bring immense joy and support. Overall, Butterfly Ink aims to inspire readers to accept themselves, learn from their mistakes, and value the love that surrounds them.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

The release date for my next book, ANGELS IN THE SAND, is for January 2025. It’s about a ten-year-old girl named Jess who embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she navigates the complex emotions surrounding loss. Struggling to come to terms with her father’s untimely death and the impending loss of her beloved grandmother, Jess finds solace in the most unexpected places. As she encounters a diverse group of individuals who have all experienced profound loss and have developed a unique ability to perceive signs from their departed loved ones. These encounters prove transformative for Jess, as she learns to interpret the subtle messages that surround her and finds comfort in the belief that her father and grandmother are still with her from beyond. ANGELS IN THE SAND is a heartfelt and poignant tale that explores the universal themes of grief, healing, and the extraordinary ways in which we connect with our loved ones, even after they are gone.

Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/06/13/societal-beauty-standards/

As a flute player and admirer of the Atlanta hip-hop duo OutKast, I should be well placed to appreciate André 3000’s New Blue Sun. And so, if I audibly scratch my head over the course of the ensuing paragraphs, please consider this a gesture of respect to an artist who has taken a sharp left turn […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2024/06/12/all-that-floats-and-drifts/

Nonna’s Corner is a special feature where I share books I’ve reviewed with my grandchildren, affectionately referred to as the “Royals” here at Caffeinated.

Today we are excited to share Mayhem and a Monster: A boy’s adventure with his cat by Jason H Finck. Illustrated by Elena Komonina, this story was one the kids thoroughly enjoyed. It’s the story of a young boy who has to take out the rubbish and his cat joins him on their spooky walk to the bins. I loved how engaged my grandchild became as the story progressed. Check out our thoughts….

Mayhem and a Monster
by Jason H Finck
Illustrator: Elena Komonina
Genres: Childrens
Pages: 34
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate

Rating:

As with some children, procrastination gets the best of this young boy when his mother asks him to take the evening’s rubbish out. When he sets out, just after dusk, to do as he’s been asked, his vivid imagination and anxious anticipation, go into hyper mode by the sounds and happenings of the evening outdoors. Down the squeaky stairs, through twisted shadows, he makes his way to the burn can, but not without hesitation. His small black cat follows him from house to burn can, perhaps known, or unbeknownst to the boy. The closing darkness makes the creepy happenings even worse, and when his imagination continues to grow, he fears he will never make it to his destination. He is sure a monster is out there somewhere ready to get him, but is that true? As suspense builds, the tale of this boy and his black cat comes to a surprise climax. Is there really such a thing as a monsters? To find out join in this journey as Mayhem and a Monster follows the boy’s adventure at this country farmhouse.

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I love when a book captures my grandchildren’s attention and Mayhem and a Monster did just that. From the title to the spooky illustrations, that were just scary enough to engage them to the surprise ending.

We meet a young boy who is asked to take out the rubbish. Clayton, my seven-year-old grandson, didn’t know the work rubbish, but our nine-year-old quickly yelled its trash. Hazel, the three-year-old, was fixed on looking for the cat. The author reminds the reader to look for the cat on every page, something they all enjoyed.

So out into the night, the young boy and his black cat head with the rubbish. The boy lives on a farm and only the moonlight highlights there way. They went down the creaky stairs and out into the dark night. It was a magnificent time for mayhem and monster. Past the barn, henhouse, the misty pond and orchard.

As I read, the children’s excitement grew and all of them would chant, “It was a magnificent time for mayhem and monster.” They had me giggling as the suspense built. When we finally reached the end, they, too, were giggling.

The writing is chapter level with vocabulary builder words that made the tale atmospheric. The illustrations were well done and added to the suspenseful tone as they made their way to the burn cans. My grandchildren loved the repeating last line and finding the cat on each page.

A winner for your bookshelf, school and library. The Royals have demanded re-reads, and the oldest has read to them as well. We were sent the hardcover and I recommend it as this one will be well loved.

Amazon

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2024/06/nonnas-corner-mayhem-and-a-monster-by-jason-h-finck.html