SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books
The Living Wound by Shamir Kali Griffin
A stirring collection that feels both ancient and contemporary, The Living Wound: Conquering Hope and Loss (Urban Poetry & Soul Book 4) by Shamir Kali Griffin is a testament to resilience and healing, for individuals and for the world.
Like other books in this powerful series, this is a kaleidoscopic memoir in verse and experimental storytelling. As the title implies, these pieces reveal a myriad of griefs, both great and small, physical and abstract, societal and psychological. Painful confessions and nakedly honest revelations abound: “Today I took a breath praying to die / Hoping that this last one would be […]
A mournful and musing collection of poetry in every form, Pricking Balloons by James C. MacDonald is both existential and immediate, dissecting a myriad of events, ideas, and feelings through his unique lens.
An intricately crafted and gorgeously written inter-textual novel that weaves two interrelated stories together, Linda Gibson’s Sortilege is a must-read for fans of hybrid works and metanarratives.
A poetic collection dedicated to writers who have changed the world with words, Masters of the Craft by Don Gutteridge is an impressive homage to the written word and a pleasure to read.
A mind-bending, perspective-shifting novel about self-knowledge, fate, and the tragic nature of young love, An Echo Through Time by Nicholas Licalsi is a thrilling and original read.
A laugh-out-loud novel about a debut author who offends Lucifer himself, J. Lyndon Hickman’s The Devil May Care is a hellishly smart book of comic brilliance.
Visionary investigations into the self and challenging existential questions fill the pages of Isn’t It Kind of Funny That…, a mind-opening read by author Jerry Schafer, with illustrations by Gabriel Berron.
A gritty, brutal, and relentless thriller, They Only Wear Black Hats by Edward Izzi is another dark gem from this author, pulling back the sinister curtain of human nature and navigating the complex realms of justice.