The television adaptation of ‘Pachinko’ is available to stream on Apple TV +. Photo: Amazon
Min Jin Lee is a Korean-American author and journalist. Her work frequently deals with Korean and Korean-American topics. She is the author of the novels “Free Food for Millionaires” and “Pachinko.” “Pachinko” is an epic historical fiction novel following a Korean family who immigrate to Japan. The character-driven story features an ensemble of characters who encounter discrimination, stereotyping, and other aspects of the 20th century Korean experience of Japan. It was a finalist for the National Book Award for fiction. Apple TV + produced a television adaptation of the novel and it was released starting in March 2022. It consists of eight episodes and was renewed for a second season. (Amazon/Wikipedia, 2022)
“Pachinko” – In the early 1900s, teenaged Sunja, the adored daughter of a crippled fisherman, falls for a wealthy stranger at the seashore near her home in Korea. He promises her the world, but when she discovers she is pregnant–and that her lover is married–she refuses to be bought. Instead, she accepts an offer of marriage from a gentle, sickly minister passing through on his way to Japan. Her decision to abandon her home, and to reject her son’s powerful father, sets off a dramatic saga that will echo down through the generations. Richly told and profoundly moving, Pachinko is a story of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty. From bustling street markets to the halls of Japan’s finest universities to the pachinko parlors of the criminal underworld, Lee’s complex and passionate characters–strong, stubborn women, devoted sisters and sons, fathers shaken by moral crisis–survive and thrive against the indifferent arc of history.
Beatrice Adenodi sheds light on the mindless behaviors fueling the ongoing mass shooting and gun crisis in the United States. Photo: amazon
Beatrice Adenodi is a storyteller, a sought-after business leadership consultant and speaker, and a first generation Nigerian American. Her unique practical marketing perspective gives her the ability to recognize the mindless behaviors that prevent people from reaching their untapped, limitless potential. Through her unique position, Adenodi helps professionals, business owners, and anyone ready to confront their own mindless behaviors by acting as an interpreter of the unseen – guiding them from being reactive to reflective. Adenodi reveals – in a direct, no-nonsense approach – the reality of what is holding people back and blocking them in their professional and personal lives. She is the founder of Mirror Inc. as well as the author of “Mindless Behaviors: Breaking through Unseen Barriers.” (Beatrice Adenodi, 2022)
Adenodi has a message for Americans to help bring an understanding to the country’s ongoing mass shooting and gun crisis. Using her insights, observations, and expertise in identifying people’s mindless behaviors, she identifies the reasons there are so many shootings in the United States. Instead of being reactive and casting blame, she suggests considering the mindless behaviors that keep the country in an endless cycle of blame, with no actual accountability.
Adenodi does not expect political leaders and elected officials to like her insights. “Leaders aren’t really there to find solutions; they are there to keep their jobs. Think of it this way, leaders are only needed in societies of chaos. A never-ending cycle of gun violence and upheaval as factions fight for their political agenda means politicians have job security. They have no incentive to do something until we the people demand it.”
Compounding the issue is the media’s response when gun violence erupts, as well as the underlying perceived threat of taking people’s guns away. This, along with the mental health crisis and the emotional toll communities bear in the aftermath of shootings, makes for a society rife with mindless behaviors.
Adenodi’s book, “Mindless Behaviors: Breaking Through Unseen Barriers,” brings to light seven examples of reactive, negative cycles of human behavior and the importance of effective communication in our life. Going through the experience of these stories, readers learn that if they change the way they think about a situation and their actions, they have the potential to completely transform their lives. This book inspires people to broaden their horizons, recognize their unconscious prejudices and unleash latent potential.
“’Mindless Behaviors’ is relevant to the challenging times in which we live. It provides a starting point for becoming aware, and plants the seeds of transformation to help us grow. This book is for people who find themselves in repeatable patterns in their lives, who are looking for ways to ‘unstick themselves.’ My book is not telling the reader how to live their life or what to do in a situation, but it offers multiple perceptions on how to navigate through challenging conditions which is what we need in the world.” – Beatrice Adenodi
‘The War Back Home’ is Alex Cage’s new novel. Photo: amazon
Alex Cage is an action adventure thriller author. His books blend his interest in martial arts, adventure, travel, and knowledge with exploration and high-octane action. Cage enjoys action adventure and thriller stories with fantasy and sci-fi sprinkled in. He has always wanted to create his own stories but spent many years thinking about it before actually putting his stories on paper. Currently living in North Carolina, he enjoys reading, writing, and practicing martial arts. In his new book “The War Back Home,” Clarence Tucker realizes his greatest fight is right where he left it. It is available in eBook and print formats. (amazon, 2022)
“The War Back Home” – For years, elite soldier and trained killer Clarence Tucker fought in wars abroad, thinking he was outrunning his past. But his dark secrets are waiting to consume him. Back home, Tucker reconnects with his family, ready to live the simple life. As he adjusts to civilian life, deals with family issues, takes in strangers in need, and falls for a woman, he discovers everyone around him has their own secrets. One in particular, may get them all killed. With a deadly threat lurking in the shadows, and the everyday difficulties life brings, Tucker must call upon his combat skills, as well as some newly developed soft skills or someone he loves will pay the ultimate price.
‘From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond’ will be out June 21, 2022. Photo: amazon
In new books to read news today: an upcoming memoir by a retired aerospace engineer and inventor with 19 patents.
Chester L. Richards recently turned 80. With a number of odd close encounters with the grim reaper under his belt, he has always boldly gone where few have dared. Chester’s mantra — view all that comes your way, the good, the terrifying and the ugly, as a series of adventures —took shape early. After narrowly escaping mortal injury from The Great Potato as a lad a few years later in college, Chester and friend Judy Burns co-authored a spec script for Star Trek on a lark. The story they were brought in to write, The Tholian Web, became one of the original series’ most popular episodes. “From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist” will be released on June 21, 2022. Author and Star Trek contributor Chester L. Richards tells his life’s adventures as a rocket scientist, screenwriter, musician, and world traveler in this action-packed memoir. Drawing inspiration from his late wife Sarah, Chester is baring all in his debut book release. (Chester L. Richards, 2022)
A veteran writer advised the young man, “You should write. Write your passions.” But I have nothing to say, Chester thought. That was the moment he decided the real message was to fill his life with adventures. And he did — adventures in surfing, learning and performing music, traveling to exotic places for river rafting, and his work as a rocket scientist. It was the loss of Sarah, the love of his life, which caused Chester to write his first book of stories. At the house in Thousand Oaks they once shared, the hair-raising adventures Sarah loved continued to occur, though, as the author says, he no longer has much hair. A man of grand adventures, Chester relates why taking the plunge into voluntary adventures is so enriching — they will change you forever, and sculpt your life’s story.
“From The Potato To Star Trek and Beyond” reveals his passion, his most exciting journeys, and brushes with death. Chester believes one must view all that comes your way – the good, the terrifying, and the ugly – as a series of adventures. He shares an almost fatal encounter with a potato (yes, a potato), his experience as co-writer of one of the most iconic episodes of the original Star Trek, several wild African adventures, and more.
Says Steve Pastis (author, and writer/editor of The Good Life publication for seniors): “I would highly recommend From the Potato to Star Trek and Beyond. The book is informative, even educational, but author Chester Richards maintains a friendly, conversational tone throughout. The stories were a definite surprise. Who knew that this mild-mannered, soft-spoken gentleman I’ve known for years had so many harrowing adventures, and was so accomplished in the scientific community? If there is a lesson to be learned from these pages, it’s that everyone should get to know the people in their lives on a deep level, especially the mild-mannered, soft-spoken ones.”
“From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist” by Chester L. Richards is available for pre-order on Amazon
Publisher: Pawpress ISBN: 978-1880882306 Pages: 334 Available in Paperback, Hardcopy and Ebook
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‘The Caterpillar who dreamed of flying!’ is a new children’s book. Photo: amazon
There is a new children’s book out now titled “The Caterpillar Who Dreamed Of Flying!” It is written by Posh and illustrated by Nafisa Arshad and available on Kindle and paperback.
“The Caterpillar Who Dreamed of Flying!” – An enchanting forest full of beautiful tall trees, gushing rivers, and lovely lakes. Bright green foliage everywhere you look. Brilliant colored flowers everywhere. For what else could you wish? Ahhh! You and I might be perfectly happy in such an exotic place but not our little friend. Meet Melvin a beautiful caterpillar who lived with his many siblings among the milk thistle bushes. Melvin would have the greatest time chomping on the delicious green leaves and playing with his insect friends. Among the shady trees, on the many branches. Melvin would explore his beautiful surroundings. Every day, he would make new friends and discover something new and wonderful until one day he suddenly saw a most lovely sight that left him in awe. Melvin saw some beautiful creatures, brilliantly colored, flying among the trees! Who were these fascinating beings? Were they fairies? Were they elves? A wonderful surprise awaits you, dear Reader! (amazon, 2022)
‘The Berry Story’ by Yannick Atambona will be released soon. Photo: Yannick Atamboa, used with permission.
Yannick Atambonais the author of “The Berry Story,” a polyglot, Certified Interpreter, Translator, and teacher who has traveled the world to learn about different cultures and languages. He started writing when he was a kid. When he had an idea or a story to tell, he would always start by writing it on paper and then read it to his friends and family. He used to write poems for his friends and he also wrote a book about his mother that unfortunately, got lost during his globetrotting. This affected him so because he poured everything he felt and knew in that book about the woman who gave him life. He has always been fascinated by the power of words and storytelling, by how they can shape a person’s personality or mindset. He writes for a broad audience and does not confine his inspiration and writings to a single genre or demographic of readers, so he effortlessly transitions from fiction to nonfiction. As a result, he is equally at ease writing for children, young adults, and adults. “The Berry Story” is part of a series and he hopes that it will help kids to accept and embrace who they are and give those who are victims or witnesses to bullying the courage to stand up to it. It will be available in paperback, hardcover, as an audio book, and a coloring book. A release date and availability details to follow. (Yannick Atambona, 2022)
“The Berry Story” – Brandon the blackberry is no less than a unique and extra caring kid. What makes him sensitive is the remarks and taunts directed at him by some kids. Brandon is regularly bullied by those he wants to befriend and this situation crushes him and creates confusion in his mind. He spends time figuring out how to make friends and be accepted. He tries to befriend other kids but ultimately receives rejection instead of love and acceptance. He keeps his hopes high as he sees that everybody is not evil and his greatest wish, to become better than others, is not, however, shattered.
The author believes that readers will be motivated to thrive through life regardless of difficulties and learn to find strength within themselves in uncertain times, but mainly how to stand up to bullying and rejection. The story delivers a strong message that anyone who is a victim of bullying can always stand up against it but remain kind.
He understands that storytelling is compelling, especially when we can see ourselves and the people we can relate to within the story. His primary wish is to inspire through his writings, provide hope and encouragement to the reader, and cultivate empathy by creating relatable characters that foster hope. He uses fictional or real-life social events to tell stories and describe social and cultural interactions, occasionally with improvisation, theatrics, or embellishment. He infuses his stories with what he learned and saw while globetrotting, incorporating diverse cultures, each of which has its own set of tales and narratives shared for entertainment, education, cultural preservation, or instilling moral values. He coined the term “books with substance” because he believes that every book should teach a lesson; this is what he refers to as a book’s substance. He writes to share a piece of his soul with the world.
‘Hidden Pictures’ will be released on May 10, 2022. Photo: amazon
Jason Rekulakis the author of “Hidden Pictures” and “The Impossible Fortress,” a finalist for an Edgar Award. For many years he was the publisher at Quirk Books, an indie press headquartered in Philadelphia, where he ghost-wrote many odd books that may or may not surface on this page, depending on the metadata. Today, Jason is an active member of Writer’s Guild East and Mystery Writers of America. “Hidden Pictures” is a supernatural thriller about a woman working as a nanny for a young boy with strange and disturbing secrets. It will be released on Tuesday May 9, 2022. (amazon, 2022)
“Hidden Pictures”– Fresh out of rehab, Mallory Quinn takes a job as a babysitter for Ted and Caroline Maxwell. She is to look after their five-year-old son, Teddy. Mallory immediately loves it. She has her own living space, goes out for nightly runs, and has the stability she craves. She sincerely bonds with Teddy, a sweet, shy boy who is never without his sketchbook and pencil. His drawings are the usual fare: trees, rabbits, balloons. One day, he draws something different: a man in a forest, dragging a woman’s lifeless body.
Then, Teddy’s artwork becomes increasingly sinister, and his stick figures quickly evolve into lifelike sketches well beyond the ability of any five-year-old. Mallory begins to wonder if these are glimpses of a long-unsolved murder, perhaps relayed by a supernatural force. Knowing just how crazy it all sounds, Mallory nevertheless sets out to decipher the images and save Teddy before it is too late.
‘The Memory Librarian’ is a collection of stories featuring Yohanca Delgado, Eve L. Ewing, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Danny Lore, and Sheree Renee Thomas. Photo: amazon
Janelle Monáeis widely celebrated as an American singer/songwriter, actress, producer, fashion icon, and futurist whose globally successful career spans over a decade. With her highly theatrical and stylized concept albums, she has garnered eight Grammy nominations and has developed her own label imprint, Wondaland Arts Society. Monáe has also earned great success as an actor, starring in critically acclaimed films including Moonlight, Hidden Figures, Harriet, The Glorias, and the 2020 horror film Antebellum. She will star in the highly anticipated sequel Knives Out 2. “The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer,” her debut book, brings to the written page the Afrofuturistic world of one of her critically acclaimed albums, exploring how different threads of liberation – queerness, race, gender plurality, and love- become tangled with future possibilities of memory and time in a totalitarian landscape and what the costs might be when trying to unravel and weave them into freedoms. (amazon, 2022)
“The Memory Librarian”– Whoever controls our memories controls the future. Janelle Monáe and an incredible array of talented collaborating creators have written a collection of tales comprising the bold vision and powerful themes that have made Monáe such a compelling and celebrated storyteller. Dirty Computer introduced a world in which thoughts—as a means of self-conception—could be controlled or erased by a select few. Whether human, A.I., or other, your life and sentience was dictated by those who had convinced themselves they had the right to decide your fate. That was until Jane 57821 decided to remember and break free.
Expanding from that mythos, these stories fully explore what it is like to live in such a totalitarian existence and what it takes to get out of it. Building off the traditions of speculative writers such as Octavia Butler, Ted Chiang, Becky Chambers, and Nnedi Okorafor—and filled with the artistic genius and powerful themes that have made Monáe a worldwide icon in the first place—”The Memory Librarian” serves readers tales grounded in the human trials of identity expression, technology, and love, but also reaching through to the worlds of memory and time within, and the stakes and power that exists there.
‘Sidhe’ by Aria Storm is on sale now on paperback and e-book. Photo: Aria Storm, used with permission.
Aria Storm is influenced by major authors from a wide range of genres and time periods. The earliest influences come in the form of Lord Dunsany, William Shakespeare, and H.P. Lovecraft. Modern influences include Gary S. Kadet, Chloe Neill, McKenzie Hunter, Laurell K. Hamilton, Timothy Zahn, and K. F. Brenee. She avidly believes in representing LGBTQIA+ people with valid heroes/ heroines and plots which can be sizzling at times but also contain other aspects outside the queer sex. This author’s entire adult life has been devoted to becoming a better storyteller and to bringing LGBTQIA+ characters to everyone. Most of Aria Storm’s works have been Lesfic, but the author also publishes various other genres and is about to expand even further in the near future. In her new book ‘Sidhe,’ a woman discovers she is a rare breed of fairy. (Aria Storm, 2022)
‘Sidhe’– A college freshman discovers she is a rare breed of fairy as she is brought to the world of Fairey. Her life is threatened instantly when human assassins discover her in the forest of Fairey. Now, she will be forced to unravel a deeper plot with the help of a sexy female protector called The Hawthorn Knight. Sexual discovery and awakening of her true attractions manifest. Ella is made aware of who she is, not just as a being, but also as a maturing woman.
‘Be Your Own Medical Intuitive: Healing Your Body and Soul’ by Tina M. Zion. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Tina Zion is the globally acclaimed award-winning author of three medical intuitive books. “Become a Medical Intuitive” won 1st Place Gold from the Body Mind Spirit Book Awards in 2019 and “Advanced Medical Intuition” won the 2020 COVR Visionary Award along with 5 star ratings on Amazon. She is also the author of two Reiki books, “The Reiki Teacher’s Manual” and “Reiki and Your Intuition.” Tina’s books sell in over 40 countries and have been #1 in Canada and Australia. She teaches in Australia, New Zealand, UK, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and throughout the USA. She is also a contributing author in Michael Newton’s book, “Memories of the Afterlife.” Tina has taught self-development courses for 30 years and specifically has specialized in medical intuition for over 10 years, always with 100% stunning reviews by her students. Her new book, “Be You Own Medical Intuitive: Healing Your Body and Soul (Medical Intuition)” guides readers forward into their own personal healing.
After the Foreword by Shelly Frome, Professor of Dramatic Arts Emeritus, “Be Your Own Medical Intuitive: Healing Your Body and Soul” begins with Introducing This Book to You where Tina Zion explains the purpose of the book: “for your healing and transformation into a healthier body, healthier mind, and a cutting-edge intuitive awareness of the world around you.” It is meant to guide readers in their own journey towards personal healing through methods that have improved people’s lives for decades. A medical intuitive is a practitioner of alternative medicine who uses his/her intuitive abilities to find the cause of a physical or emotional condition through insight instead of modern medicine. According to the author, people are already wired to be intuitive but it is a learned skill and this book helps readers understand it in an effort to learn, heal, and master their life in exciting new levels. The book is divided into four parts: Part One: Become Powerfully Intuitive for Yourself, Part Two: Get In Charge of the Intuitive You, Part Three: Confidently Healing Yourself, and Part Four: Eight Primary Causes & Your Action Steps to Heal. The Appendix includes worksheets to print for self scans, suggested reading and resources list, and other books in the Medical Intuitive series.
Physical pain often has an underlying emotional tie. Where there is emotional trauma, there is bound to be our body’s physical reaction to it. Tina Zion’s “Be Your Own Medical Intuitive” is a practical guide to help people understand and deal with the signals that their bodies are sending in an effort to heal what is ailing them. Using examples from clients’ experiences and exercises meant to clear the mind and body of past trauma, she makes the entire process easy. The language is simple, down to earth and geared towards the everyday person. Each chapter covers a topic and at the end, there is a summary or recap of the essential points discussed. Highlights include Chapter 13: Twelve Keys to Constantly Do for Yourself (Save Yourself First, Do Not Absorb the Energy of Others) and Part Four – Eight Primary Causes & Your Action Steps to Heal which highlights main causes of physical discomfort and how to rise above them. With topics such as meditation, auras, energy fields, clairvoyance, and non-physical entities, “Be Your Own Medical Intuitive” is certainly not for everyone but readers interested in self-healing and self-awareness will find it resourceful and informative.
