John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Delivering an emotional reflection on connection, loss, and second chances, The Bench by Frank C. Senia is an uplifting portrait of love amidst graceful aging. Tenderly detailing the sunset memoir of Willy, who experiences a rekindled passion for life after reconnecting with an old crush, this touching story provides a perspective on intimacy that contemporary readers are rarely given. As revelations continue to shake the couple’s lives, the unlikely pair lean on one another for catharsis and comfort that only trusting companionship can provide. While more attention to dialogue authenticity and descriptive scene-setting would help pull readers even deeper into […]

A satire that is both empowering and surreal, Professor Hex vs. Texas Men by Melanie Sovran Wolfe is a deliciously twisted take on the gender inequalities still plaguing a supposedly modern America. When a Texas woman is put on trial for the “crime” of a miscarriage, a righteously angry Godhead in disguise delivers an ironic brand of justice for the patriarchal powers that be: pregnancy for the city’s men. Mythology and modern crises collide in this political parody, taking well-deserved shots at the perennial misogyny of contemporary society. With a searingly incisive cast of characters, a host of hot-button issues […]

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 […]