‘The God Equation’ is the new book by renowned theoretical physicist and bestselling author Michio Kaku. Photo: amazon
Michio Kaku is a professor of theoretical physics at the City University of New York, co-founder of string field theory, and the author of several widely acclaimed science books, including “Beyond Einstein,” “The Future of Humanity,” “The Future of the Mind,” “Hyperspace,” “Physics of the Future,” and “Physics of the Impossible.” He is the science correspondent for CBS This Morning, the host of the radio programs Science Fantastic and Exploration, and a host of several science TV specials for the BBC and the Discovery and Science Channels. His new book “The God Equation: The Quest for a Theory of Everything” tells the story of the greatest quest in all of science. (amazon, 2021)
“The God Equation” – When Newton discovered the law of gravity, he unified the rules governing the heavens and the Earth. Since then, physicists have been placing new forces into ever-grander theories. But perhaps the ultimate challenge is achieving a monumental synthesis of the two remaining theories—relativity and the quantum theory. This would be the crowning achievement of science, a profound merging of all the forces of nature into one beautiful, magnificent equation to unlock the deepest mysteries in science: What happened before the Big Bang? What lies on the other side of a black hole? Are there other universes and dimensions? Is time travel possible? Why are we here? Kaku also explains the intense controversy swirling around this theory, with Nobel laureates taking opposite sides on this vital question. It is a captivating, gripping story; what is at stake is nothing less than our conception of the universe. Written with Kaku’s trademark enthusiasm and clarity, this epic and engaging journey is the story of “The God Equation.” **Read an excerpt here.**
‘A Gambling Man’ by David Baldacci is due out on April 20, 2021. Photo: amazon
David Baldacci is a global #1 bestselling author and one of the world’s favorite storytellers. His books are published in over forty-five languages and in more than eighty countries with 150 million copies sold worldwide. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. His new book “A Gambling Man (An Archer Novel)” will be out Tuesday April 20 and features Aloysius Archer, the straight-talking World War II veteran fresh out of prison. (amazon, 2021)
In “A Gambling Man,” the 1950s are on the horizon and Archer is in dire need of a fresh start after a nearly fatal detour in Poca City. So Archer hops on a bus and begins the long journey out west to California, where rumor has it there is money to be made if you are hard-working, lucky, criminal—or all three. Along the way, Archer stops in Reno, where a stroke of fortune delivers him a wad of cash and an eye-popping blood-red 1939 Delahaye convertible—plus a companion for the final leg of the journey, an aspiring actress named Liberty Callahan who is planning to try her luck in Hollywood. But when the two arrive in Bay Town, California, Archer quickly discovers that the hordes of people who flocked there seeking fame and fortune landed in a false paradise that instead caters to their worst addictions and fears.
Archer’s first stop is a P.I. office where he is hoping to apprentice with a legendary private eye and former FBI agent named Willie Dash. He lands the job, and immediately finds himself in the thick of a potential scandal: a blackmail case involving a wealthy well-connected politician running for mayor that soon spins into something even more sinister. As bodies begin falling, Archer and Dash must infiltrate the world of brothels, gambling dens, drug operations, and long-hidden secrets, descending into the rotten bones of a corrupt town that is selling itself as the promised land—but might be the road to perdition, and Archer’s final resting place.
In historical fiction, ‘The Last Bookshop in London’ by Madeline Martin will be out Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Photo: amazon
A new month is here and April brings more than enough new books to keep readers interested, from historical fiction to fantasy, there is something for everyone. Here are some of the highlights from this month’s new release list. (amazon, 2021)
Historical fiction: “The Last Bookshop in London: A novel of World War II” by Madeline Martin Release date: April 6 August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler’s forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she would wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London. Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed—a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.
Fantasy: “The Girl and the Mountain” by Mark Lawrence – The Book of the Ice, Book 2 of 2 Release date: April 13 On the planet Abeth there is only the ice. And the Black Rock. For generations, the priests of the Black Rock have reached out from their mountain to steer the fate of the ice tribes. With their Hidden God, their magic and their iron, the priests’ rule has never been questioned. But when ice triber Yaz challenged their authority, she was torn away from the only life she had ever known and forced to find a new path for herself. Yaz has lost her friends and found her enemies. She has a mountain to climb and even if she can break the Hidden God’s power, her dream of a green world lies impossibly far to the south, across a vast emptiness of ice. Before the journey can even start, she must find out what happened to the ones she loves and save those that can be saved. Abeth holds its secrets close, but the stars shine brighter for Yaz and she means to unlock the truth.
Science Fiction: “The Last Watch” by J.S. Dewes – The Divide Series, Book 1 of 2 Release date: April 20 The Expanse meets Game of Thrones in J. S. Dewes’ fast-paced, sci-fi adventure, where a handful of soldiers stand between humanity and annihilation. The Divide. It is the edge of the universe. Now it is collapsing―and taking everyone and everything with it. The only ones who can stop it are the Sentinels―the recruits, exiles, and court-martialed dregs of the military. At the Divide, Adequin Rake commands the Argus. She has no resources, no comms―nothing, except for the soldiers that no one wanted. Her ace in the hole could be Cavalon Mercer–genius and exiled prince who nuked his grandfather’s genetic facility for “reasons.” She knows they are humanity’s last chance.
Mystery and thriller: “When the Stars Go Dark” by Paula McLain Release date: April 13 Anna Hart is a seasoned missing persons detective in San Francisco with far too much knowledge of the darkest side of human nature. When tragedy strikes her personal life, Anna, desperate and numb, flees to the Northern California village of Mendocino to grieve. She lived there as a child with her beloved foster parents, and now she believes it might be the only place left for her. Yet the day she arrives, she learns that a local teenage girl has gone missing. The crime feels frighteningly reminiscent of the most crucial time in Anna’s childhood, when the unsolved murder of a young girl touched Mendocino and changed the community forever. As past and present collide, Anna realizes that she has been led to this moment. The most difficult lessons of her life have given her insight into how victims encounter violent predators. As Anna becomes obsessed with saving the missing girl, she must accept that true courage means getting out of her own way and learning to let others in.
Young Adult: “Witches Steeped in Gold” by Ciannon Smart Release date: April 20 This Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut about two enemy witches who must create a deadly alliance to take down a common enemy has the twisted cat-and-mouse of Killing Eve with the richly imagined fantasy world of Furyborn and Ember in the Ashes. Divided by their order. United by their vengeance. Iraya has spent her life in a cell, but every day brings her closer to freedom—and vengeance. Jazmyne is the Queen’s daughter, but unlike her sister before her, she has no intention of dying to strengthen her mother’s power. Sworn enemies, these two witches enter a precarious alliance to take down a mutual threat. But power is intoxicating, revenge is a bloody pursuit, and nothing is certain—except the lengths they will go to win this game.
‘I Can See Clearly’ by James A. Cusumano is Book One in the Luc Ponti Series. Photo: google
James A. Cusumano is an accomplished leader with successful careers as an entertainer, scientist, corporate executive, and entrepreneur. An inspiring speaker and entertainer, he is the author of “Cosmic Consciousness: A Journey to Well-being, Happiness and Success,” “Balance: The Business-Life Connection,” “Life is Beautiful: 12 Universal Rules,” and co-author of “Freedom from Mid-East Oil.” His new book, “I Can See Clearly: Rise of a Supernatural Hero (Luc Ponti Series)” combines the journey of a metaphysical superhero with the excitement of a fast-paced spy thriller.
“I Can See Clearly” begins with an Author’s Note where James A. Cusumano explains his goal in writing this book: to provide “useful knowledge and a valuable perspective in addition to entertainment.” The Prologue takes place on December 24, 2017 in Lhasa, Tibet where a teenager named Ananda has a conversation with a wise spiritual guide name Dawa in the hopes of gaining insight to help him decide if he should proceed with his path to becoming a Buddhist Monk. Dawa assures him that the world is changing and inching towards Unity consciousness and that he, as a monk, will have an opportunity to contribute to this change. He also tells Ananda of an upcoming third Avatar, a spiritual-human entity, who will help in the evolution of the Unity Consciousness of the universe; that the first two have been Buddha and Jesus of Nazareth and that the third is about to rise in Palo Alto, California.
The Prologue sets up the story of Luc Ponti, a 16-year-od basketball player at Silicon Valley’s Palo Alto High School, whose future goal is to play for a top university and maybe even go pro. His plans are put on hold when he survives a near-death experience (NDE) which gives him the ability to travel through space and time, read minds, and retain enormous amounts of information. At first he is excited about his new abilities, but eventually they become too much to handle and they make him a target of those who want to exploit him. When he attracts the attention of the government, the CIA blackmails him into using his remote viewing ability to spy on the Chinese. Together with his friends Isabella and Eric, who also develop supernatural abilities after suffering medical emergencies; and Thay, a Buddhist monk who is also his spiritual adviser, Luc uses his abilities to guide him to an enlightened path that will change his life forever. Luc speaks Italian, especially when he curses, and there is a Glossary in the back that explains what each terms and phrases mean. The Supplements section provides more information about the concepts discussed throughout the novel and further explains the meaning and implications of each.
This is the first in the exciting new series about Luc Ponti, who has supernatural abilities, and contains fascinating insights from the fields of quantum and spiritual physics. It can be considered a follow-up to “Life is Beautiful: 12 Universal Rules” because not only does he expand on the subjects he covers on that book but he combines them with a story to reach a wider audience and it works perfectly. The language is easy to understand and he keeps the science to a minimum in the story but if readers want more information, it is available in the Supplement section. The character development makes them likeable and relatable but the only far out concept is that everyone who has a near death experience develops their own supernatural abilities. This does not take away from the genius of this series because there is something for everyone; the story of a young man trying to make his own way in this world appeals to young readers and the science/spiritual teachings appeal to a wider general audience. “I Can See Clearly” by James A Cusumano is an exciting must-read novel full of positive and encouraging messages that readers of all ages can enjoy. It is recommended for readers who appreciate science, Eastern philosophy, and coming of age stories. Hopefully, there will be more in the series.
“The Meaning of Life is to look inside and find those special gifts you came into this world. The Purpose of Life is to find a way to share those gifts with others in ways that makes this a better world….”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
The BookFest 2021 will be on April 17 and April 18 with virtual events for writers and readers. Photo: google
The BookFest®, an award-winning educational and entertainment platform for booklovers, announces the schedule for the 3rd biannual online bookish adventure. This April 17 and 18, 2021 the event will feature panel discussions, conversations, and live author chats with writers, literacy professionals and experts. Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords; prolific The New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry; Patrick M. Oliver founder of Say it Loud!; and skeptic, author and thinker, Michael Shermer, are doing conversations during the two-day online event. These intimate one-on-one talks give attendees the opportunity to learn more about everyone, and to take a deep dive into the topics discussed. (Black Château, 2021)
Delivering the opening keynote for The BookFest Spring 2021 is author of the #1 Amazon bestseller “The Art of Hybrid Timber Framing,” Bert Sarkkinen. As the founder of Arrow Timber, Sarkkinen takes attendees on a journey to find long-term happiness. Panel discussions include an array of writers, literary professionals and experts discussing the books we read, relevant topics of our times, the art and craft of writing, and more. Speakers include Elaine Ash; Dr. Janet Bond Brill, Nancy J. Hite, Steven Joseph; Kathleen Kaiser; Dr. Raye Mitchell, Deborah M. Pratt, James Rollins; Scott Ryan; Katharine Sands, Edgar Scott, and many more.
Free to attend, The BookFest delivers vital conversations, entertainment, and educational programming for the reading and writing community. See the schedule here. The Saturday, April 17 live stream programming is dedicated to readers while the Sunday, April 18 programming is geared toward writers. People are encouraged to register for email updates online to stay informed and to receive exclusive offers like The BookFest Virtual Gift Bag. It will be emailed after The BookFest to all who subscribed to the email list and will include digital downloads and offers presented by many of The BookFest partners.
Throughout The BookFest, there will be special segments to enjoy between panels, including: Little Lion presents health, wellness, and mini creative activity sessions for attendees to watch and participate in and Todd Debreceni, author of “Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen,” who does special effects makeup to create a famous literary character, to be revealed at The BookFest.
A fan-favorite, the Big Bundle of Books Giveaway, presented by Books That Make You, returns with a picnic basket theme. Owlcrate once again offers a prize for booklovers. Other bookish goodies are also up for grabs. Attendees can browse “Virtual Booths,” which are pages for BookFest partners. There is also a “Books Page” showcasing books from participants. The BookFest organizers encourage booklovers to browse books and support the authors and partners who help bring this free-to-attend event to attendees around the globe.
The BookFest® is the leader in virtual literary events and produces vital conversations on the world’s stage for those who love to read, and those who love to write. It launched May 2020 and quickly became the leader in online book festivals. Free to attend, the biannual event happens in the spring and fall, and streams panel discussions, conversations, and festivities for readers and writers. As an award-winner, The BookFest® is presented by Black Château and Books That Make You and is a registered trademark of Desireé Duffy, who is the founder of all three.
Bestselling author Isabel Allende will be participating in this year’s San Antonio Book Festival. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The San Antonio Book Festival is thrilled to announce a major addition to the 2021 Author Lineup. Bestselling author Isabel Allende, known for her 25 bestselling books, will be participating in this year’s festival. Some of her most recognizable works include “The House of Spirits,” “City of the Beasts,” and “A Long Petal of the Sea.” The author has had her novels translated into more than 42 languages and she has sold more than 74 million copies worldwide. Allende has been called “the world’s most widely read Spanish-language author.” In 2004, Allende was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and in 2010, she received Chile’s National Literature Prize. President Barack Obama awarded her the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom. (San Antonio Book Festival, 2021)
In addition to her acclaim as a novelist, Allende is a proud feminist and is devoted to many human rights causes. The charity that she established in honor of her late daughter, Paula Frias, has awarded grants to more than 100 nonprofit organizations. Isabel Allende will be participating in the online edition of the San Antonio Book Festival to talk about her latest novel “The Soul of a Woman,” on Sunday, April 11 at 3:30p.m.
To register for the festival and Allende’s session visit San Antonio Book Festival online. Almost the entire festival is free and open to the public with a few exceptions. Ticket price for this session is $28 and includes a copy of Allende’s brand-new nonfiction book, “The Soul of a Woman,” and a flat processing fee for the Festival’s bookseller, Nowhere Bookshop. Books will be shipped after April 11.
Isabel’s session, SABF & Miami Book Fair Present Isabel Allende, will be moderated by esteemed writer and journalist, Anjanette Delgado. Some of Delgado’s works include the novels “The Heartbreak Pill” and “The Clairvoyant of Calle Ocho.” In addition to her work as a novelist, Delgado has also written for The New York Times, Vogue, NPR, HBO, and more. She is also the editor of the forthcoming “Home in Florida: Latinx Writers and the Literature of Uprootedness.” In conjunction with her latest book, the session will explore the question –“ what feeds the souls of feminists – and all women – in the modern age?” Allende’s novel and the session’s discussion will explore this question and more.
The San Antonio Book Festival unites readers and writers in a celebration of ideas, books, libraries, and literary culture. First presented in April 2013, the SABF is a free, open, and all-day event that currently features over 90 national, regional, local, and emerging authors and welcomes more than 18,000 visitors.
Isabel Allende’s ‘The Soul of a Woman.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Since 2018, the marketplace has exploded with the sale of CBD products due to the passage of Farm Bills that changed the way hemp could be grown. Basically, they determined that cannabis can be labeled as hemp and not marijuana if it contains no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC ), the chemical that produces the high in marijuana. Nowadays, people can buy CBD in coffee, deodorant, chocolate bars, and many other products. Reader’s Digest has partnered with Project CBD, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting and publicizing research into the medical uses of cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabis plant components. The result is this extensive guide into CBD that is divided into three parts: Part I contains the basics of what it is and how it works, Part II contains details about how it may help alleviate more than 30 common health conditions and Part III contains information about how to pick the type of product that works best for everyone. It also tackles common misconceptions about CBD, how to find high-quality products and even includes special sections on CBD for pets and recipes for making CBD products at home.
Due to CBD becoming so mainstream in the last few years, there exists the potential for misinformation and unsafe products. Thankfully, Reader’s Digest has stepped in and as a reliable and trusted source, together with Project CBD, have done an outstanding job of educating the public about CBD. Before getting into how it helps with specific ailments; Part I describes what CBD is with Chapter 2: How CBD Works in Your Body and gets into the science behind it including the inner workings of the endocannabinoid system, so it is science-heavy. Chapter 5 dispels commonly held myths about CBD by presenting the facts. One of the most important parts is Part II: CBD For Your Health because it has sections dedicated to specific conditions including Dementia and Alzheimer’s, Heart Disease, and Anxiety and not only does it explain how CBD helps, but also has an “I Tried It” testimonial part where real people tell their story about how it helped them. In the case of anxiety, “CBD directly activates a serotonin receptor known as 5-HTIA, which causes an antianxiety effect.” The recipes are for conditions such as inflammation and pain, sleep aids, and stress relievers and contain visual aids. There is plenty of science involved in the explanation of how CBD works, but besides that, the information is presented in easy to understand language, typical of any Reader’s Digest material. Hopefully, this will help readers who have chronic conditions but are hesitant about using CBD because of the stigma attached to it. “The Essential Guide to CBD” is a thorough guide about CBD, how it works, and its benefits and is recommended for anyone who is genuinely interested in learning more about the subject or just needs more information about how to relieve a specific illness. It is a definite must-read.
“….CBD isn’t just a “supplement” like a vitamin C or calcium pill. It is a molecule that actually mimics and helps support the innate health and wellness regulating system within your body: the endocannabinoid system (ECS).”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
Harlan Coben’s ‘The Stranger’ is now a Netflix original series. Photo: google
Harlan Coben is a #1 bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in forty-five languages and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries, with seventy-five million books in print worldwide. His Myron Bolitar series has earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and many of his books have been developed into Netflix series, including his adaptation of “The Stranger,” headlined by Richard Armitage, and “The Woods.” “The Stranger” tells the story of a secret that destroys a man’s perfect life and sends him on a collision course with a deadly conspiracy. The television adaptation is available on Netflix and stars Richard Armitage, Siobhan Finneran, and Hannah John-Kamen. (amazon, 2021)
The Stranger appears out of nowhere, perhaps in a bar, or a parking lot, or at the grocery store. Their identity is unknown. Their motives are unclear. Their information is undeniable. Then they whisper a few words in your ear and disappear, leaving you picking up the pieces of your shattered world. Adam Price has a lot to lose: a comfortable marriage to a beautiful woman, two wonderful sons, and all the trappings of the American Dream: a big house, a good job, a seemingly perfect life. Then he runs into the Stranger. When he learns a devastating secret about his wife, Corinne, he confronts her, and the mirage of perfection disappears as if it never existed at all. Soon Adam finds himself tangled in something far darker than even Corinne’s deception, and realizes that if he does not make exactly the right moves, the conspiracy he has stumbled into will not only ruin lives, but it will also end them.
Harlan Coben is a #1 bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in forty-five languages and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries, with seventy-five million books in print worldwide. His Myron Bolitar series has earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and many of his books have been developed into Netflix series, including his adaptation of “The Stranger,” headlined by Richard Armitage, and “The Woods.” His new book “Win” is a thrilling story that shows what happens when a dead man’s secrets fall into the hands of a vigilante antihero—drawing him down a dangerous road. (amazon, 2021)
“Win” revolves around heiress Patricia Lockwood who over twenty years ago was abducted during a robbery of her family’s estate then locked inside an isolated cabin for months. Patricia escaped, but so did her captors and the items stolen from her family were never recovered. Until now. On the Upper West Side, a recluse is found murdered in his penthouse apartment, alongside two objects of note: a stolen Vermeer painting and a leather suitcase bearing the initials WHL3. For the first time in years, the authorities have a lead — not only on Patricia’s kidnapping, but also on another FBI cold case — with the suitcase and painting both pointing them toward one man. Windsor Horne Lockwood III — or Win, as his few friends call him — does not know how his suitcase and his family’s stolen painting ended up with a dead man. But his interest is piqued, especially when the FBI tells him that the man who kidnapped his cousin was also behind an act of domestic terrorism — and that the conspirators may still be at large. The two cases have baffled the FBI for decades, but Win has three things the FBI does not: a personal connection to the case; an ungodly fortune; and his own unique brand of justice.
‘The Missing Element’ by Debra Silverman. Photo: amazon
Debra Silverman has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Dance from York University and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Over the past 40 years of professional experience and private practice, she has specialized in helping thousands of individuals achieve emotional health and wisdom based on their unique personality and the four elements: water, air earth, and fire. Her work with families, individuals, and couples has her standing out in a sea of therapists and coaches. She has taught at the internationally renowned Esalen Institute, and her work has taken her around the globe, practicing and lecturing in places like New York, Los Angeles, London, Vancouver, Seattle and Boulder, Colorado, where she now lives. In her book “The Missing Element: Inspiring Compassion for the Human Condition,” Debra Silverman describes human nature in a compassionate and concise way.
“The Missing Element” begins with a Prologue where Debra Silverman explains that with all the problems going on in the world today, it may seem like an impossible task to try and create change for the better. The best way to do it? “….global change begins at home. We heal one person at a time, and we start with ourselves.” In her opinion, the best way to do this is to become familiar with the Four Elements as they pertain to us and to become an Observer and stand back and make changes by “altering the way you see and live your own story.” She writes that we are all made of four basic elements – Water, Air, Earth, and Fire and when we are in pain, it is because the elements are out of balance. Her goal in writing this book is teach readers about the different elements and how to reflect on their personality to be able to distinguish which parts are out of balance and use the Observer in themselves to experience life without judgement. Most importantly, the author wants everyone to use this knowledge to show more compassion towards other people and understand why they behave a certain way. Once she describes why the earth and humanity is in trouble and what makes up the Observer, the rest of the book is divided into the Four Elements: a description, how to work with each one, and the differences between men and women of each element.
By combining psychology and astrology, Debra Silverman provides readers with a deeper insight into personality traits based on the Four Elements. Her compassion for helping people shines through every page and her use of simple and easy to understand language keeps it all within reach. Even for readers who are not into astrology, her life advice is spot on; for example: her stance on how every time we experience pain, we have the option to either learn our lesson and change or repeat the story again and again. Her teachings come from the vantage point of “The Elders” and her attempts to help others accept themselves along the path of self-improvement. After she describes each element in terms of personality traits (in the first person point of view), she shows readers how to work with each to improve their lives and the lives of others. All this information is based on the Wisdom of the Elders who, based on different cultures, used the Four Directions, the Four Elements, the Four Noble Truths, and the Four Worlds to navigate life. It may not be for everyone, but “The Missing Element” by Debra Silverman is an inspiring guide to getting to know ourselves better and in turn reaching out to others and helping the planet. It is recommended for readers who appreciate self-help books with a strong foundation on astrology, metaphysics, and psychology.
“The elders of the American Indian and Chinese cultures looked seven generations ahead as they made their decisions. We have neglected such wisdom, living more from what will make us happy today, rather than what will bring peace to our great-great-grandchildren and their grandchildren.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
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