John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

An amusing and encouraging collection of advice from every corner of life, The Little Black Book of Retirement Wisdom by Mike Kowis, Esq. is a reassuring companion for those approaching the end of their career. Gathered into thematic sections dealing with issues of mortality, personal freedom, financial stability, regret, rejuvenation, and more, this is far more than a book of witty one-liners or boilerplate wisdom, offering profound guidance with an engaging degree of levity that helps to drive the point home. Surprisingly comprehensive in its outlook, which should help retirees whatever their personal context, this well-curated collection provides sage and […]

Weaving an allegorical warning within a dystopian parable, Don’t Feed the Beast by Solveig Larssen takes a poignant jab at contemporary life and the missteps of our current social and economic progress. Eskild the Brotherhood Bear, ostracized from his community for promoting a timeless philosophy, must reunite with his siblings and find a righteous path to societal compromise, with the soul of the world hanging in the balance. The lyrical, somewhat fairy tale tone is sharply juxtaposed with the intense subject matter: xenophobia, wealth inequality, loss of faith, moral compromise, and the corrupting impact of capitalism. A philosophical fable and […]

A far-reaching manifesto about the transformative language of God, Paramorphing: The Secret Ancient Science of Transforming Physical Reality by Hari R. Mira is a deep dive into an ancient belief system – one the author argues has shaped the course of human history. Brimming with philosophical and religious explorations concerning the nature of existence, subjective reality, and personal control over those abstract paradigms, this text is a radical take on visualization techniques and more mainstream ideas of manifestation. Using extended metaphors and anecdotal parables to support the thesis of faith-based surrender, the author touches on everything from neuroscience and cognitive […]

Humanity survives in a philosophical cage at the edge of annihilation in The Devoured Sons by Seth Daniel Parker, a work of neo-mythological apocalyptic fiction that defies classification or comparison. The profoundly intelligent and deeply depressed narrator, Slevin, details in spectacular prose his academic and existential journey towards the fabled peaks of power, his brushes with unexpected immortality, and the ultimate discoveries in his quest for truth. Blurring the lines between memoir, allegory, and sci-fi prophecy, Parker’s writing is infused with subtle wit and classical wisdom. Emboldening contemporary readers who may embrace their gnawing curiosity about life after apocalypse, this […]

A kaleidoscopic collision of poetry, imagery, and thoughtful critique, Artwords by Beatriz M. Robles is an edgy and experimental collection of words and art. Blackout poetry and visual entendres explore the intimacy of linguistics and the multiple layers of meaning imbued in even the simplest objects or lines of prose. Aesthetically rubbing shoulders with Dadaism and radical post-modernism, this is an eclectic explosion from an original visual and literary artist. As Robles pushes into controversial realms with wry wit, colorful metaphors, and inventive wordplay, her cross-disciplinary practice comes into clearer focus, challenging readers to redefine their own boundaries of artistic […]

A heartwarming testament to embracing age with grace, curiosity, and whimsy, The Ladies of Eyesore Towers by Janet Hutcheon is a charming read in an oft-overlooked genre niche. Dorothy, Evie, and Sue make an investment together when they co-buy a mysterious house with an intriguing and illicit history – anything to avoid the fate of a dreaded care home. Exploring the undeniable truths of mortality, morality, loss, and resilience in the face of time’s inexorable march, this touching story of friendship amidst life’s hard changes will resonate across generations. While the prose would benefit from a light editorial touch to […]