As the reader gets into the stories, the fairytale nature of their shortcomings likewise becomes clear, giving these stories an air of fable – not a moral lesson so much as an insight into human frailties and failings, both mothers and their offspring, merely two sides of the same coin; a parade of characters who come up short.
Author:
An interview with East of Troost’s Ellen Barker
The author of East of Troost talks about her new novel and its inspiration, the decisions she made about the book and areas of potential pushback, other books dealing with racism that have had a strong impact on her, her new book set in St Louis, and more.
New giveaway!
We have a copy of Midstream by Lynn Sloan to give away!
To win, sign up for our Free Newsletter on the right-hand side of the site and enter via the newsletter. Winner will be chosen by the end of August from subscribers who enter via the newsletter. Good luck!
A review of Cora’s Kitchen by Kimberly Garrett Brown
Kimberly Garrett Brown has written an outstanding novel which rings true as a depiction of a budding writer and conveys an important message about overlapping, concurrent forms of oppression.
A review of Breathing Lake Superior by Ron Rindo
I was drawn to the novel because of geographic sentiment, being a Canadian raised on a small farm in the rigorous climate of Northern Ontario, and having relatives who live on the northern shore of Lake Superior. I was soon caught up in a timely story, full of vivid imagery and unforgettable characters – a tragedy in a beautiful landscape.
A review of How Icasia Bloom Touched Happiness by Jessica Bell
Like the best sci fi writers, Bell doesn’t hesitate to draw out the parallels between her futuristic world and our own, using the imaginary to highlight the all-too-real. What is also obvious is that there are some aspects of life that are core to happiness, no matter the context: love, empathy, and care.
A review of Witches, Women and Words by Beatriz Copello
In Beatriz Copello’s powerful and imaginative poetry collection Witches, Women & Words, witches are seers, healers and instigators of change who are capable of restoring balance both to society and to the individual. They embody that intuitive and creative side of ourselves that reveals a deeper truth. The poems are visceral, full of irony and wisdom, taking the reader on a transformative journey that ultimately expresses hope.
A review of Our Laundry, Our Town by Alvin Eng
For Alvin Eng, a Chinese American punk rocker who is now an educator and a playwright, this has meant ‘a spiritual state of homelessness,” moving between the Foo J. Chin Chinese Hand Laundry and an American frame of reference. This reflective and personal narrative is his first memoir, and a change from his dramatic writing.
An interview with Jane Enright
The author of Butter Side Up talks about her new book its unique hybrid of memoir and how-to, the book vs her speaking gigs, the accompanying playbook, Jane’s Jam and how the two should be used together, and more.
New giveaway!
We have a copy of The Desire Card by Lee Matthew Goldberg to give away!
To win, sign up for our Free Newsletter on the right-hand side of the site and enter via the newsletter. Winner will be chosen by the end of July from subscribers who enter via the newsletter. Good luck!