John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Review: The DNA of Democracy by Richard C. Lyons

A comprehensive analysis of democracy and its ideals since inception doesn’t immediately sound like a riveting read, but The DNA of Democracy by Richard C. Lyons is like no other history, work of anthropology, or political science book you’ve read before. With an informal voice and the ability to never take the subject too seriously, Lyons presents an impressive and insightful look at the trials and tribulations of human societies as we’ve attempted to find purpose and make peace.

The scale and scope of this book are initially daunting, but Lyons lays out an intuitive framework and explains the angle […]

Murphy’s Luck 3: Curse vs. Jinx by Benjamin Laskin

Author Benjamin Laskin delivers his third dose of ludicrous laughter with Murphy’s Luck 3: Curse vs Jinx, which drops Murphy Drummer and his laundry list of hobbies and skills to his most exotic destination yet: the jungles of South America.

After learning that his in-laws have fallen victim to a bumbling cartel, Murphy must overcome his fear of leaving the house – and the fear of his own jinx – to save the day. With an endearing cast of bizarre characters, including his charming daughter Phaedra, who shares Murphy’s impossible luck, this book positively hums with life and anticipation […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-11-29T05:56:22+02:00June 1st, 2019|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Humor Book Reviews|

Review: The Detour by Travis Pearson

In The Detour, a new novel by rising author Travis Pearson, readers are led down the dark roads of America into a nearly forgotten town, where evil is not only pervasive, but also boasts a badge.

The story starts innocently enough, as recently unemployed Dan Icor decides to take a trip across the country to clear his mind and figure out his next steps. However, it’s not long before the novel takes a savage turn, as Dan must defend an innocent Native American family from a brutal gang of local thugs at a gas station. In the process, Dan […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-07-02T07:24:22+02:00June 1st, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Crime Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Lacks Self-Control by Roy Sekoff

In Lacks Self-Control: True Stories I Waited Until My Parents Died to Tell, author Roy Sekoff plumbs his past for anecdotal stories that will leave readers chuckling, cringing, and occasionally crying with laughter. As the founding editor of Huffington Post, Sekoff’s perspective on political issues is well known, but this new collection of stories points his scathing wit squarely on himself.

With acerbic self-awareness, Sekoff opens up about his tumultuous childhood, largely due to his own chaotic behavior and questionable views on authority. He continues the confessional on into his young adulthood, with occasional flash-forwards to even more recent […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-07-01T09:23:52+02:00May 28th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|

Review: The Coordinate by Marc Jacobs

The idea that there are hidden secrets about humanity’s past will continually fascinate readers, and it is done to great effect in The Coordinate. In this YA thriller by Marc Jacobs, two high school students are thrown into the adventure of a lifetime when a school project turns out to be the first step in a mysterious journey into the past.

When Logan is paired up with Emma James for a school project researching an archaeological site in Honduras, he is far more excited by the prospect of getting closer to his long-time crush than he is about solving […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-06-28T04:02:11+02:00May 26th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Action and Adventure Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

Review: Last Night in Granada by Chris Pellizzari

Our physical place in the world defines so much of our mindset, and the longing to be elsewhere can be toxic, addictive and impossible to ignore. The main character in Chris Pellizzari’s new novel, Last Night in Granada, understands this desire for a far-flung home, a refuge of love and peace away from the mad bustle of cold water flats and the harsh streets of Chicago.

In this surreal exploration of one man’s desperation and adoration for his old life in Spain, despite his exile, the author delves into the obsession of possible salvation, and escape. Along the way, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-06-21T11:15:55+02:00May 23rd, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Literary Fiction Book Reviews|

Apex: A Max Ahlgren Novel (Crucible Book 3) by Ryan W. Aslesen

In Apex, the third thriller in the gripping Crucible series from Ryan W. Aslesen, Max Ahlgren is once again recruited for a high-stakes mission that will take him closer to answers about his family, but also straight into the heart of the jungles of South America, where his hunt for a missing boy quickly becomes a hunt of a very different kind – with him as the prey.

Similar to the previous Ahlgren novels set in Alaska and North Korea, this exotic adventure offers intrigue and a deeply spiraling web of lies with our never-say-die protagonist leading every bullet-riddled […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-05-22T11:02:19+02:00May 22nd, 2019|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: The King of No by Loyall Wilson

In a perfect world, we could trust those to whom we open our lives, but when it comes to money, it truly can be the root of all evil. In The King of No: A Financial Firefighter by Loyall Wilson, the author takes us through a series of personal anecdotes from his time as a Chief Compliance Officer of a large investment firm. Wilson’s position meant that he was on the front lines of defending against fraud and financial crimes, and was able to form relationships with people whose lives and trust were damaged – or nearly destroyed – by […]