John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Overflowing with vivid scenery and self-reflection, The Rocky Orchard is a slow-burning, psychological journey in an evocative setting. Mazie is the compelling young protagonist in search of answers, but predictably finds only more questions, while Lula is an ephemeral core of mystery that makes the plot feel like a tantalizing secret. Certain passages are heavy on detail, but they also contain brilliant flashes of authenticity, making this unassuming novel a worthy journey. Time, fate, family, and modern struggles come to a thought-provoking head in this engagingly tangled tale.

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If the bookshelf of a bibliophile could come to life, perhaps it would tell a story like the one Fiza Pathan has woven throughout Scenes of a Reclusive Writer and Reader of Mumbai. These essays are brimming with nostalgia and visceral honesty, rife with intensely personal detail, but also stitched together with universal wisdom. The language feels organic, but also carefully chosen and polished, a delicate balancing act that makes the writing feel effortless. Whether the recollections are silly or tragic, forgettable or seminal, the world as Pathan sees it is refreshingly accessible and richly layered.

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Author Marin Ivezic presents a level-headed and calmly competent prediction for the future of business and society in conjunction with AI in The Future of Leadership in the Age of AI: Preparing Your Leadership Skills for the AI-Shaped Future of Work. From exploring the potential paths of this technology to preparing one’s professional skillset for this inevitable transition, this book is straightforward and logical, preferring measurable fact to dystopian fear. The structure of the book lends itself to easy comprehension, even for those unfamiliar with the industry jargon, and the author’s personality comes across strongly. Ivezic is a trustworthy […]

A cosmic fraternal adventure with strong and relevant themes, Metal Bones by Kathleen Contine is an original and unpredictable ride. The narrative is a clever weaving of loyalty and love, while the universal search for identity brings these disparate and memorable characters together. There is a great deal of heart in these characters, particularly in Tank and his strong moral current. Bolstered by confident dialogue and thorough world-building, this sci-fi drama is a creative and expansive foundation for more adventures featuring this unlikely fellowship.

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With a subtle pen and an ear for authentic dialogue, author Jamie Zerndt presents a snapshot of Native American life outside the reservation in Jerkwater. Laced with a matter-of-factness reminiscent of Sherman Alexie’s more powerful stories, this novel details the sinister conflicts and prejudices that can brew and infect small-town America. While some of the narration is a bit too explicit, leaving readers with little to imagine for themselves, the language is generally well-chosen and emotionally impactful. Bursting with unique personalities and powerful epiphanies, Jerkwater is blunt and evocative, mirroring the sharp-edged truths just below the surface of Zerndt’s […]