Category: Book Reviews

‘The Lotus Blooms Twice’ Book Review: Stories of Love & Resilience

‘The Lotus Blooms Twice’ is Monica Saigal’s new short story collection. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.

Book Review: The Lotus Blooms Twice: Stories of Love, Life, and Redemption

By Monica Saigal

Part of Paste Creative Book Tours

The Lotus Blooms Twice is a moving collection of fourteen stories and a bonus novella exploring the complexities of love, loss, and the possibility of beginning again. With settings ranging from Delhi’s bustling streets to quiet Virginia kitchens, these multicultural literary tales offer an intimate look at ordinary people navigating extraordinary emotional challenges. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

Saigal places women in midlife at the heart of her stories, giving voice to experiences that are often overlooked. Her characters confront betrayal, grief, caregiving, complicated relationships, and the longing for something more:

  • A widow struggles to reclaim her memories at the Taj Mahal.
  • A wife in a comfortable marriage discovers unexpected stirrings of desire.
  • Family secrets challenge a father’s understanding of the truth.
  • A woman faces the difficult choice between silence and survival.

Pick up your copy of ‘The Lotus Blooms Twice’ today!

Table of Contents

  • The Love Child
  • One and Done
  • The Bitter Season
  • It Is Better to Have Loved
  • A Heritage of Gold
  • The Waltz & Schnitzel
  • The Rhythm of Us
  • Truth? I Dare You
  • The Lotus Blooms Twice
  • The 2:00 a.m. Love Loop
  • The Accounts of Love
  • Still, We Remember
  • Love Guaranteed, No Refunds
  • Bonus Read: The Matchmaker’s Recipe

Standout Story Highlights

1. It Is Better to Have Loved

Neelam is a romance author who has spent most of her life as a single mother after a one-night stand. She agrees to go out with Amit even though she knows he’s married, only to realize she was deluding herself.

“I had known. That was the part that cut the deepest. I had betrayed myself before he ever had the chance.”

2. The Waltz & Schnitzel

Roland is a German engineer who keeps a journal addressed to the love of his life, Farah. He asked her to marry him the night she disappeared, and he hasn’t seen her since. As days turn to months and years, he opens a café named The Waltz & Schnitzel, leaving out a plate of spiced schnitzel, two cups of chai, orange slices, and a candle in the window waiting for her return.

“The silence that once gave me peace before I met you has now grown teeth. It bites into every part of my spirit.”

3. Still, We Remember

Deepa and Arun have been married for 25 years, but Arun is slowly losing his memories to cognitive decline. Girish, his brother, moves in to help care for him because Arun seems to remember him best. This one pulled right at my heartstrings.

“I wept for the man who remembered poetry but forgot my name. For the husband who had loved me splendidly and then vanished while still breathing beside me.”

Review

The honest portrayal of human vulnerability is what makes this collection especially compelling. Saigal avoids fairy-tale endings, embracing the messy realities of relationships and the courage required to move forward, even when endings remain somewhat ambiguous. Her characters are imperfect, relatable, and mot of all, shaped by experiences that resonate particularly with women in their fifties and beyond.

Themes of identity, resilience, forgiveness, reinvention, and second chances weave seamlessly through these stories, reminding readers that personal growth does not end with age. The language is accessible, and for readers unfamiliar with certain Indian terms, a helpful glossary is included at the back.

Some tales are heartbreaking, others unsettling, while several offer quiet moments of joy and hope. Together, they celebrate the strength it takes to rebuild a life when familiar foundations disappear.

The Lotus Blooms Twice is an emotionally rich collection for readers who appreciate character-driven literary fiction and stories that reflect life’s complicated truths. Saigal delivers a beautiful reminder that heartbreak need not mark an ending. Like the lotus, we can bloom again, sometimes more beautifully than before.

💬 My Final Verdict

The Lotus Blooms Twice by Monica Saigal reminds me why I love stories that reflect the messy, yet beautiful, reality of being human. It’s a powerful reminder that heartbreak and uncertainty don’t necessarily define the rest of our lives.

I especially appreciate the focus on women in midlife and beyond, whose dreams and desires deserve to be celebrated just as much as those of younger women. Monica Saigal brings deep emotional sensitivity to experiences that feel deeply personal yet universally relatable. These are stories that invite us to pause, reflect, and perhaps see our own struggles with a little more compassion.

Sometimes the most beautiful blooms come after the hardest seasons, and this collection is a lovely reminder that it’s never too late for a new chapter.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

** Thank you to Stephanie Caruso and Paste Creative Book Tours for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Monica Saigal (formerly Bhide) is an award-winning author, culinary ambassador, and cultural storyteller whose work explores the intersection of food, identity, and belonging. Born in New Delhi, raised in the Middle East, and now based outside Washington, D.C., she brings a distinctly global perspective to everything she creates.

She currently serves as Culinary Ambassador for Aramark Dining Services and has partnered with leading food and spice brands (including House of Spices), translating culture-rich storytelling into meaningful culinary experiences. In addition to her creative work, Monica runs a storytelling consultancy, working with global organizations to shape narrative-driven brand, cultural, and leadership communications.

A four-time contributor to Best Food Writing anthologies, Monica is a sought-after speaker and educator who has collaborated with institutions including the Smithsonian, Yale University, and Les Dames d’Escoffier. She holds degrees from George Washington University, Lynchburg College, and Bangalore University.

Author Monica Saigal. Photo: Rashmi Gill Photography, used with permission.
Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours

Book Review: ‘Jigsaw’ by Jonathan Kellerman (Alex Delaware #41)

‘Jigsaw’ is the latest Alex Delaware novel by Jonathan Kellerman. Photo: Penguin Random House

Book Review: Jigsaw (An Alex Delaware Novel)

By Jonathan Kellerman

Format: Audiobook

The Story

After not hearing from him in over a month, LAPD Homicide Lieutenant Milo Sturgis shows up at psychologist Alex Delaware’s place looking worn out and overworked. He’s stuck on an “easy” case that suddenly turned into a mind-bending whodunit.

When a young woman is found dead at her kitchen table, the initial evidence points directly to an ex-boyfriend with a criminal record. But Milo knows better than to trust an obvious answer, so he turns to Alex, his best friend and long-term consultant on “those cases,” the ones that are different, to help unravel an investigation that refuses to fit together.

Then comes a second grisly discovery: an elderly woman found frozen and mutilated inside a deep freeze. When Milo learns her identity, he’s stunned because she’s someone from his past. Complicating matters further, her home is an extreme hoarder’s den, virtually impassable due to years of accumulated trash and seemingly meaningless objects. Except for the envelopes of cash stashed among the garbage.

As Alex and Milo dig deeper into the seemingly unrelated crimes, they discover shocking links between the victims, unraveling a complex, multi-layered mystery that tests both Milo’s investigative acumen and Alex’s psychological insight.

About Alex Delaware

Alex Delaware made his debut in Jonathan Kellerman’s 1985 detective novel When the Bough Breaks. A forensic psychologist who originally worked in pediatric psychology, Alex frequently consults for the LAPD alongside his close friend, Lt. Milo Sturgis, who appears in every installment of the series.

  • Series Context: Jigsaw marks book 41 in the long-running mystery series.
  • Fun Fact: The series inspired an upcoming streaming adaptation on Prime Video, which is currently in development.

Get your copy of Jigsaw today!

Review

I like the Alex Delaware novels because they involve psychological themes and the author is a psychologist specializing in the treatment of children, just like Alex. This gives them an authentic voice that I find intriguing. With Jigsaw, Jonathan Kellerman delivers another gripping psychological mystery that takes what looks like an open-and-shut homicide and twists it into something far more intricate.

Milo and Alex remain the beating heart of the narrative. Their long-standing friendship gives their professional partnership genuine warmth and authenticity, while their contrasting investigative styles keep the pacing sharp and engaging.

Character Analysis

  • Dr. Alex Delaware: The analytical anchor of the story. Relying on keen psychological insight rather than brute force, Alex’s primary role is decoding the hidden motives behind irrational behavior—from a calculating killer leaving subtle clues to the complex profile of a severe hoarder. His calm, observant demeanor balances the darker, more visceral aspects of the crimes.
  • Lieutenant Milo Sturgis: Driven, cynical, yet fiercely loyal, Milo brings grit and procedural muscle to the duo. Because this case hits exceptionally close to home, the personal connection introduces a rare layer of emotional vulnerability to his hardened LAPD persona, significantly raising the emotional stakes.

Core Themes

  • Deception vs. Hidden Reality: The narrative repeatedly contrasts surface appearances with deeper truths. A seemingly straightforward domestic homicide unravels into a layered mystery, reminding us how easily initial evidence can mask darker realities.
  • Psychological Decay and Hoarding: Beyond serving as a physical obstacle, the hoarder’s den acts as a powerful metaphor for hidden trauma, obsession, and emotional isolation. The physical clutter directly mirrors the tangled mental state of the victim and the labyrinthine nature of the crime itself.
  • The Interconnectedness of Disparate Lives: Kellerman explores the hidden webs connecting seemingly unrelated individuals, illustrating how past relationships, secret transactions, and forgotten histories cross paths—reinforcing the idea that no crime occurs in a vacuum.

Final Verdict

Jigsaw is a fast-paced thriller that expertly fits every piece together for a shocking final reveal. Set against a vivid, noir-infused Los Angeles backdrop, Kellerman captures the city’s unique ambience with sharp, haunting detail. Delaware’s nuanced behavioral analysis balances Sturgis’s street-smart instincts, delivering the exact cerebral punch long-time fans crave.

It’s a deeply satisfying read for anyone who enjoys psychological depth paired with classic detective work, proving once again why the Delaware-Sturgis dynamic remains a gold standard in crime fiction.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

About the Author

Jonathan Kellerman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than three dozen crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, The Butcher’s Theater, Billy Straight, The Conspiracy Club, Twisted, True Detectives, and The Murderer’s Daughter.

He co-authored Double Homicide and Capital Crimes with his wife, bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman, and The Golem of Hollywood and The Golem of Paris with his son, bestselling novelist Jesse Kellerman. He is also the author of two children’s books and several nonfiction works, including Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children and With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards.

The Future of Work: A Review of ‘The Remote Leadership Playbook’

‘The Remote Leadership Playbook’ is the new business management book by Désirée Cubadda. Photo: Désirée Cubadda, used with permission.

Book Review: The Remote Leadership Playbook

How to Build Trust, Manage Virtual Teams, and Drive Lasting Performance in a Hybrid World

By Désirée Cubadda

Synopsis

It’s undeniable: the workplace has changed, and leadership has had to change with it. Remote and hybrid work are no longer temporary arrangements, they are part of how modern teams operate. Yet, many leaders still rely on management practices designed for a world where people shared an office, communication happened face-to-face, and performance was easy to see. (Amazon, 2026)

At a distance, those practices break down:

  • Messages get misread.
  • Workloads become invisible.
  • Quiet team members become hard to read.

Leaders often struggle with how much to check in, how much autonomy to give, and how to track performance without slipping into micromanagement. The challenge isn’t just managing work remotely; it’s learning how to lead effectively when physical presence can no longer substitute for trust, clarity, and accountability.

The Remote Leadership Playbook is a practical, evidence-based guide to doing just that. At its center is the Future-Ready Leadership™ Model, built around three essential pillars: Trust, Autonomy, and Agility. It addresses the real friction of leading at a distance: misread communication, uneven visibility, weakened connection, and the tension between freedom and accountability.

📖Get your copy of The Remote Leadership Playbook today!

Review

The Remote Leadership Playbook tackles one of the biggest challenges facing today’s workplace: how to lead effectively when your team isn’t sitting in the same room. It provides actionable tools to navigate the delicate trust-control paradox without resorting to digital surveillance, while giving employees the freedom to do their best work.

Key Themes and Topics

  • Sustainable Performance: Shifting the focus from tracking hours to managing team energy to prevent burnout.
  • Structured Freedom: Giving employees real autonomy while establishing the structural clarity needed to stay on track.
  • Distributed Accountability: Strengthening performance and ownership without relying on constant, invasive oversight.
  • Global Collaboration: Maintaining engagement, connection, and growth across hybrid and globally dispersed teams through intentional feedback and coaching.

Book Structure & Contents

The book is organized into three core parts, each concluding with an actionable “Playbook” section featuring real-life scenarios and checklists:

  • Part I: Trust – The Relational Foundation
    • Chapter 1: Trust First: Leading Without the Safety of Visibility
    • Chapter 2: The Trust-Control Paradox: Leading Without Overreach or Absence
    • Chapter 3: Clarity as a Signal: Communicating the Why at Distance
    • Chapter 4: Human at a Distance: Empathy, Presence, and Psychological Safety
  • Part II: Autonomy – The Structural Foundation
    • Chapter 5: Structure Creates Freedom: Defining Roles, Goals, and Rhythm
    • Chapter 6: Growth Without Oversight: Feedback and Coaching for Autonomous Teams
    • Chapter 7: From Monitoring to Meaning: Using Control Systems the Right Way
  • Part III: Agility – The Learning Foundation
    • Chapter 8: Leading Across Difference: Culture, Bias, and Adaptive Thinking
    • Chapter 9: The New Stability: Empowerment and Continuous Learning
    • Chapter 10: Sustaining Performance: Designing Work That Lasts

Standout Highlights

  • Chapter 3 (Clarity & Communication): Explains how leaders can use communication to make trust visible. As the book notes:

“The goal is to help you design communication so that people know where they stand, why decisions are made, and how they can contribute without having to guess.”

  • Chapter 4 (The Human Side): Emphasizes empathy and presence. Without in-person cues, assumptions spread faster, making emotional intelligence critical to keeping teams connected.
  • Chapter 8 (Culture & Bias): Examines how workplace bias influences leadership. It notes that the most dominant communication style often sets the tone, not because it’s more effective, but because it’s the most visible.

Readability and Format

The language is clear and free of complicated business jargon. Each chapter ends with a Key Takeaways summary section with bullet points for easy reading, making it a convenient reference guide you can return to frequently.

Final Verdict

Cubadda emphasizes managing energy rather than simply tracking time, recognizing that preventing burnout is essential to long-term productivity. The Remote Leadership Playbook makes a compelling case that physical presence was never the point of great leadership; performance and clarity were.

For anyone navigating the evolving world of remote or hybrid work, this is a sharp and practical guide to leading with confidence, no matter where your team logs on.

“In virtual environments, teams rarely expect leaders to have all the answers. They expect steadiness. When leadership behaviour remains recognisable in both calm and crisis, trust deepens.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

** Thank you to Désirée Cubadda for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

Désirée Cubadda is an MBA graduate, leadership researcher, and international business leader with more than 15 years of experience leading diverse teams across industries and cultures.

Combining academic research with real-world leadership experience, she developed the Future-Ready Leadership™ Model to help leaders build trust, create clarity, and sustain high performance across distance.

‘The Vanishing Family’ Review: Robert Kolker’s Powerful Story of FTD and Hope

‘The Vanishing Family’ by Robert Kolker is a moving look at genetics, dementia, and identity. Photo: Penguin Random House

Book Review: The Vanishing Family: Love, Fate, and the Quest to End Dementia

Author: Robert Kolker

Genre: Nonfiction / Narrative Journalism / Science

The Story

The narrative opens with a tense prologue: after years of delaying testing, 41-year-old Barb receives a lab letter that will confirm whether she carries a devastating genetic mutation. She’s currently the same age her mother, Jean, was when symptoms first emerged.

Oliver and Jean lived in Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania, raising nine children: Kathy, Christy, Sue, Dutch, Mary, Peggy, Scott, Jenny, and Barb. As the older siblings moved out to start their adult lives, Barb remained at home to witness their vibrant mother fall under a dark, gothic spell, transforming into someone withdrawn, neglectful, and entirely unrecognizable.

A Cruel Genetic Mutation

The family carries a rare genetic mutation (V337M) that causes frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with a cruel twist. Striking early, often in a person’s early forties, it causes formerly devoted parents and high-achieving executives to:

  • Lose their jobs unexpectedly
  • Have reckless affairs and take up heavy drinking
  • Shed all social inhibitions and moral responsibility
  • Experience total personality loss, leaving families with strangers

With a 50/50 chance of inheritance, the children face the constant terror of an impending genetic fate.

Alongside this human tragedy, Kolker documents the high-stakes scientific race against neurodegenerative disease. Decades of research into this single family’s rare FTD mutation may ultimately provide the key to preventing and treating all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Pick up your copy of ‘The Vanishing Family!’

Review

The Vanishing Family unfolds like a heartbreaking psychological thriller as the siblings watch the illness strike one by one: first Christy, then Mary, and beyond. Kolker captures the agonizing tension between love and fear, forcing the family to confront profound questions about predetermined fate, obligation, and identity.

Key Themes Explored

  • Identity and Disintegration: The erosion of character when the brain’s frontal lobe declines.
  • Family Resilience and Devotion: How siblings step up to care for one another despite emotional devastation.
  • Medical Discovery and Hope: The scientific journey to turn a family curse into a cure for millions.

The Science Behind the Story

Beyond the personal narrative, Kolker guides readers through the history of neuroscience:

  • Historical Milestones: From the famous 19th-century case of Phineas Gage, whose altered personality after a brain injury proved that specific brain regions govern behavior, to early diagnostic breakthroughs that established dementia as an organic physical disease rather than a mental defect.
  • The Clinical Battle: A clear overview of genetics, clinical trials, and the decades of frustrating dead ends that have challenged medical researchers.

Chapter Highlights

  • Chapter 10: Barb has been caring for Christy, the first sibling to display symptoms, when Mary arrives unexpectedly. Seeing the exact same behavioral shifts in Mary, Barb realizes with horror that the disease is genetic and that every sibling is at risk.
  • Chapter 11: A deep dive into neuroscience for readers who want the exact mechanics of FTD, Alzheimer’s, and brain pathology.
  • Chapter 20: A crucial breakdown comparing Alzheimer’s and FTD. While Alzheimer’s primarily destroys memory and cognition, FTD attacks emotional processing. Patients lose the ability to recognize their own physiological responses to emotion, causing drastic changes in personality without self-awareness or shame.

“It’s a conclusion with relevance beyond dementia. We most profoundly lose ourselves, it seems, when we can no longer see, feel, or touch the minds and hearts of others.”

Final Thoughts

Overall, The Vanishing Family is a compelling look at family genetics that balances intimate human drama and medical detective work. It’s deeply tragic without ever feeling hopeless, showing how severe illness can reshape a family while highlighting extraordinary resilience.

Kolker never lets complex science obscure the real people at the center of the narrative. For readers who enjoy family sagas, medical mysteries, or popular science, this is an unforgettable read. It serves as a powerful reminder of how much of our identity is tied to memory, personality, and the people who love us, and how hope remains a force even against inherited fate.

“The tragedy is that because some elements of the person are still detectable, the sense of loss is ongoing – like witnessing a living death.”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

About The Author

Robert Kolker is a contributing writer at The New York Times Magazine and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Hidden Valley Road, named an Oprah’s Book Club Pick, a New York Times Book Review Top 10 book of the year, a GQ Best Book of Literary Journalism of the 21st Century, and a Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of the Century. His first book was Lost Girls, named a New York Times Notable Book and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2013.

** Thank you to Michael Goldsmith and Penguin Random House for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘Ironwood’ Review: Detective Stilwell and Renée Ballard Team Up in Catalina

‘Ironwood’ is the second book in Michael Connelly’s Catalina series featuring Detective Stilwell. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Ironwood: A Catalina Novel
Author: Michael Connelly
Format: Audiobook
Previous Book In Series: Nightshade

The Story

Detective Sergeant Stilwell knows that his posting on Catalina Island is no paradise, but to most residents, it seems blissfully separated by twenty-two miles of ocean from the troubles of Los Angeles County. But now, a threat is coming to his safe haven. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

It begins with Stilwell and his deputies watching a plane land in the middle of the night at the Airport in the Sky, a remote airstrip in the mountains. The operation starts going sideways the moment a duffel bag of drugs is dropped and the deputies move in. Stilwell chases the fleeing pickup man into the mountainside brush, but shots are fired on the runway and the plane flies off.

Because of the internal inquiry that follows, Stilwell is benched until he is cleared of responsibility for the failed operation. Determined to find out who brought deadly violence to his island, he begins a secret investigation into the drug deal gone wrong.

To fill his time while under orders to remain in the sheriff’s substation, he begins organizing the lost-and-found bin. He uncovers a valuable, unclaimed backpack and traces it to a woman who disappeared while hiking on the island four years ago. Why was the pack only recently turned in? This discovery sparks an off-the-books investigation that bridges the mainland and the island, drawing in LAPD Open-Unsolved Unit Detective Renée Ballard.

Stilwell and Ballard work the case from both sides of the channel, soon realizing they are on the trail of a criminal who enjoys taunting the authorities. Frustrated at being shut out of an investigation on his own island, Stilwell risks his already shaky standing in the department to pursue a case whose reach is far wider than he ever imagined.

Review

With the second book in the Catalina series, Michael Connelly takes readers away from the familiar streets of Los Angeles and drops them straight onto Catalina Island. In Ironwood, paradise proves to be far more dangerous than it appears.

Detective Sergeant Stilwell is experienced, stubborn, and deeply committed to protecting the island he calls home. His persistence is inspiring, and his willingness to risk his career when he knows something isn’t right makes him a compelling protagonist.

Connelly excels at exploring the illusion of safety. Catalina may be separated from the mainland, but distance cannot keep violence, corruption, or greed at bay. The underlying themes – loyalty, justice, corruption, and the blurry line between following the rules and doing what is right-elevate the story’s suspense.

The introduction of Renée Ballard adds another strong dimension to the narrative. Stilwell is a principled, island-bound lawman fighting to protect his jurisdiction, while Ballard brings the perspective of an experienced mainland cold-case detective. As they unravel the trail left by a cruel criminal, Connelly blends local island logistics with procedural grit.

Overall, Ironwood is a suspenseful, atmospheric mystery packed with complex characters and tight twists. Connelly demonstrates once again why he remains a master of procedural thrillers and cross-jurisdictional dynamics. Rich with realistic detective work, Ironwood is a stellar addition to his universe and a must-read for fans of crime fiction.

“It was as if he liked dropping these hints. That he gets off on it. It’s the I’m-smarter-than-you complex. Most serials have it. It’s the fulfillment of hiding in plain sight.”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

About the Author

Michael Connelly is the author of forty-one previous novels, including New York Times bestsellers The Proving Ground, Nightshade, and The Waiting. His books. which feature the Harry Bosch, Lincoln Lawyer, Renée Ballard, and Catalina series, have sold more than 92 million copies worldwide. A former newspaper reporter and award-winning journalist, Connelly is also the executive producer of four hit television series: Bosch, Bosch: Legacy, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Ballard.

Dean Koontz’ ‘The City’ Review: A Coming-of-Age Thriller

‘The City’ by Dean Koontz is a poignant combination of music and mystery.

Book Review: The City by Dean Koontz

Synopsis

The City centers around Jonah Kirk, a young piano prodigy whose extraordinary musical talent allows him to recognize the hidden pulse of the metropolis surrounding him. Joined by his brilliant best friend, Malcolm, Jonah embarks on a journey that balances the sheer wonder of creation against profound mortal danger.

His remarkable family, tested by the extremes of evil and bound by the depths of love, is on a collision course with a band of killers about to unleash anarchy. Along the way, he finds two unlikely allies: Mr. Yoshioka, an everyday hero strengthened by his past, and Miss Pearl, a woman of mystery who holds the key to the future.

These are the people of The City—a place where enchantment and malice interweave, courage and honor are found in the most unexpected quarters, and the way forward lies buried deep inside the heart. Their unforgettable story is a riveting, soul-stirring saga that speaks to everyone.

Review

Dean Koontz’s The City is a captivating blend of suspense, fantasy, music, and coming-of-age drama. Some books simply tell a good story, while others take you somewhere and make you feel as though you’ve become part of the characters’ lives. The City is that kind of book.

Jonah is an engaging protagonist because despite his extraordinary musical talent, he’s not invincible. He still feels like a kid trying to understand the complicated world of adults. His friendship with Malcolm and his sister Amalia provide emotional depth and demonstrate the importance of loyalty and companionship.

The narrative is told through Jonah’s first-person point of view as he reflects on his experiences as a young boy and how they shaped his future. The prose is haunting and poetic:

“But fear can lead people to do things they would never contemplate in placid times. Fear can blind us, but so can anger.”

Family is another powerful part the novel. Jonah’s multi-generational family faces unimaginable danger, but their love for one another becomes a primary source of strength. That devotion is put to the ultimate test and the senseless cruelty of Fiona Cassidy and her conspirators contrasts sharply with Jonah’s warmth.

The mysterious Miss Pearl, who moves in and out of Jonah’s life, remains an enigmatic figure. Her knowledge and insights suggest a larger destiny awaiting Jonah, while the city itself functions as a living character, brilliantly illuminated by light and dark magic, where fate, music, and moral choices intersect.

The novel explores timeless themes:

  • Good versus evil and moral choice
  • Courage, sacrifice, and enduring friendship
  • The power of love and discovering your true purpose

The way music is woven into the story stands out in particular; it represents creativity, beauty, and the ability of the human spirit to rise above darkness.

Koontz combines suspense with heart. It’s mysterious, sometimes frightening, but also surprisingly tender. Ultimately, it’s a story about finding courage within yourself and discovering that even in the darkest circumstances, love and hope can still light the way.

Final Thoughts

Overall, The City is a supernatural thriller about growing up, discovering one’s purpose, and finding strength through love and courage. It suggests that the way forward through hardship lies buried deep within the human heart. Readers who appreciate a mix of mystery, suspense, and literary fiction will find it both entertaining and deeply heartwarming.

“Outside the wind blew cold and the sun shone bright. On that bustling street, among those many big trucks and busy people, with the city all around for miles and miles, I felt terribly small, and worse than small. Suddenly I felt alone.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About The Author

Dean Koontz is an American author of suspense thriller that frequently incorporate elements of horror, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and satire. Many of his books have appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list, with fourteen hardcovers and sixteen paperbacks reaching the number-one position. He has published over 105 novels and a number of novellas and collections of short stories, and has sold over 500 million copies of his work. He has been acknowledged as “America’s most popular suspense novelist” by Rolling Stone and as one of today’s most celebrated and successful writers.

‘A Journey of Insights’ Review: Key Leadership Lessons from Former USC Dean James G. Ellis

‘A Journey of Insights’ is the new book by James G. Ellis. Photo: Simon & Schuster

Book Review: A Journey of Insights: Lessons in Leadership and Legacy

By James G. Ellis

Synopsis

A Journey of Insights draws upon the lessons James G. Ellis learned while a teacher and dean of USC’s Marshall School of Business, as well as those he absorbed during his preceding years at Harvard Business School and in executive leadership. In plotting a roadmap for a successful business life, his stories show illustratively how business schools and their students can prosper. At the core of his message is a central theme: listening to the voices around you throughout life is the key to success. In essence, ears can speak louder than voices. (Simon & Schuster, 2026)

Contents

  • Chapter 1: A Dean’s Story: The Cold Car Hood
  • Chapter 2: Finding Your Wave
  • Chapter 3: The Bill Gates Conundrum: Is Business Education Worth It?
  • Chapter 4: Relationships and Mentors: The Power of Connection
  • Chapter 5: Plotting Your Own Map: Know Thyself
  • Chapter 6: Preparation and Perseverance
  • Chapter 7: Don’t Sell Sales Short
  • Chapter 8: Risk Management and Disappointment
  • Chapter 9: The Fifth Decade: Giving Back

Review

What if one of the most important skills for success isn’t knowing what to say, but knowing when to listen? That simple idea is at the heart of this collection of lessons drawn from a lifetime in business, education, and leadership. Ellis doesn’t offer a rigid formula for success; instead, he shares stories and observations that encourage readers to think differently about their careers and lives.

He weaves in personal stories from people he met along the way and the takeaways from those encounters. For example, Matthew Guglielmo, who started out as a furniture buyer with a Philadelphia department store chain, taught him how to prepare for negotiations by knowing what you want and how to ask for it. Simply put, if you don’t ask for something, you won’t get it.

Of all the notable people he met throughout his life, the one who stands out most is Senator John F. Kennedy, whom Ellis accidentally bumped into at the San Francisco airport in 1959 when he was just 12 years old. That day, he learned the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and the power of a sincere apology. It became a guiding principle for his life: we can learn life lessons, big and small, from everyone around us.

Key topics explored in the book:

  • Leadership & Mentorship
  • Relationships & Connection
  • Preparation & Perseverance
  • Risk-taking & Overcoming Disappointment
  • The Art of Sales
  • The Importance of Giving Back

Each chapter concludes with reflection questions, allowing readers to apply these concepts directly to their own personal and professional journeys.

Ellis repeatedly returns to the value of learning from those around us. Sometimes the best advice isn’t delivered in a formal lecture or board meeting, it comes from simply paying attention. The book serves as a great reminder that success is rarely achieved alone: listening, staying curious, recognizing opportunities, and learning from both successes and failures shape a much richer journey.

Key Chapter Highlights

  • Chapter 5: Focuses on the integrity of your word. Ellis learned that protecting your reputation matters throughout your entire life. He also stresses putting yourself in the shoes of those who work around you, recommending that early-career professionals learn a business from the ground up to truly understand every role.
  • Chapter 8: Highlights the necessity of risk-taking and personal accountability. Ellis urges readers to own their actions while giving full credit to others for their accomplishments.

“Sometimes you must take risks to take care of those around you. In doing so, stay humble, as you are one of many.”

Ellis also challenges readers to consider whether traditional business education truly prepares people for the realities of leadership and life. Avoiding generic corporate jargon, he uses a smooth blend of practical business wisdom and personal reflection to deliver his message.

Overall, A Journey of Insights is a thoughtful, engaging reflection on what it takes to build a successful career and a meaningful life. Recommended for students, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and anyone seeking practical wisdom. It’s never too late to learn something new—and if you’re willing to listen, this book has plenty to say.

“Preparation is what gets you ready to do a great job. Perseverance is what you need to see a job through to completion… Each time you leave an achievable goal unachieved, it becomes easier to give up the next time you’re faced with a challenge.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Get your copy of A Journey of Insights today!

About the Author

James G. Ellis served as dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California from April 2007 until June 2019, overseeing the education and well-being of over 5,700 graduate and undergraduate students. He held a full-time tenured appointment as Professor of Marketing starting in 1997, retiring in July 2021.

Holding an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BBA from the University of New Mexico, Ellis held leadership roles across the corporate world, including President/CEO of Porsche Design and CEO of Port O’Call Pasadena, along with ownership in six other companies. He began his career with Broadway Department Stores in Los Angeles.

** Thank you to Fauzia Burke and FSB Associates for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘The Amityville Horror’ Book Review: Classic True Crime Horror

‘The Amityville Horror’ by Jay Anson. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚 Book Review: The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

Synopsis

In December 1975, the Lutz family moved into their new home in suburban Long Island. George and Kathleen Lutz knew that one year earlier, Ronald DeFeo had murdered his family in the house, but the property, complete with a boathouse and swimming pool, and the price were too good to pass up.

Twenty-eight days later, the entire Lutz family fled in terror.

Review

The Amityville Horror remains one of the most chilling entries in paranormal literature, chronicling the 28 days George and Kathleen Lutz spent in their dream home. The narrative blurs the line between documentary reporting and visceral horror and the idea that an ordinary suburban house could conceal something horrifying gives the story much of its power.

Character Dynamics

  • George Lutz: Positioned as the pragmatic patriarch, George’s descent from a stable family man to an uncharacteristic, brooding recluse forms the novel’s emotional core. His gradual personality shift highlights the insidious influence of the house.
  • Kathleen Lutz: Serving as the perceptive counterweight, Kathy’s emotional anguish and instinct to protect her three children anchor the story’s human stakes amid chaotic spectral events.
  • Father Mancuso: The troubled priest introduces a theological dimension, acting as a spiritual guide whose physical illness reinforces the dark forces at play.

Anson’s background in documentary writing shapes the book’s character dynamics. Rather than making them over-the-top heroes, George and Kathleen are portrayed as grounded, everyday parents unraveling under inexplicable stress. Their vulnerability makes the escalation, from strange odors and cold spots to severe levitation and demonic infestation, profoundly unsettling. Whether readers accept the events as supernatural or approach them skeptically, the characters create a strong emotional center for the story.

Core Themes

  • The Violation of Domestic Sanctuary: The narrative weaponizes the American Dream, transforming a dream suburban home into a site of claustrophobic dread.
  • Economic Vulnerability: The financial pressure of buying a bargain home amplifies the family’s stress, blending real-world anxieties with the supernatural.
  • Good vs. Evil: A traditional moral conflict underpins the story, questioning whether human faith can withstand an ancient, malicious presence.

Enduring Appeal

Decades after publication, the book retains its hold on readers by capitalizing on journalistic realism and the simple, terrifying prompt: “Based on a true story.” Anson’s clinical, day-by-day structure creates an immersive documentarian tone that keeps true-crime and horror enthusiasts fascinated by its eerie legacy.

Book vs. 1979 Movie Adaptation

While Jay Anson’s 1977 book and Stuart Rosenberg’s 1979 film adaptation share the same core narrative, the Lutz family fleeing their home after 28 days of supernatural terror, the two versions diverge significantly in their storytelling approach, character execution, and thematic emphasis.

FeatureJay Anson’s Book (1977)1979 Film Adaptation
Narrative ToneClinical, investigative, and documentary-style; presents events as a straightforward log of facts.Dramatic, cinematic, and melodramatic; relies on visceral jump scares and atmosphere.
George Lutz’ ArcPortrayed as a fatigued, cold-sensitive man suffering mood swings and physical decline.Features a full transformation into a threatening, axe-wielding figure resembling Ronald DeFeo Jr.
Religious SubplotFather Mancuso suffers from afar after being instructed by the house to “get out.”Expanded into a theatrical battle between Father Delaney (Rod Steiger) and systemic church bureaucracy.
Supernatural ElementsRelies heavily on lingering dread, foul odors, subtle physical coldness, and eerie sounds.Features overt physical manifestations, such as black ooze from toilets and red-eyed demonic pig projections.

Key Plot Differences

The book operates like an eerie non-fiction diary, emphasizing small, increasing stresses, financial burdens, broken locks, and bad weather that wears down the family piece by piece. The film dramatizes these events, escalating George’s hostility much faster and turning his obsession with chopping firewood into an explicit signal of imminent physical danger toward his family. Additionally, the movie gives Father Delaney (renamed from Mancuso) a much larger on screen presence, including scenes where he loses his sight and sanity while attempting to warn the family.

Thematic Shifts

  • Journalistic Realism vs. Cinematic Spectacle: The novel’s power comes from its plain, “true story” journalistic layout. The film abandons this understated documentarian tone in favor of traditional Hollywood tropes, utilizing Lalo Schifrin’s Oscar-nominated score and visual horror cues to drive the narrative.
  • Domestic Ruin vs. Economic Anxiety: While the book focuses heavily on spiritual violation, it’s mostly seen as an exercise in financial anxiety. The movie leans heavily into the terror of the American Dream turning into a financial trap, highlighting unpaid bills, lost money down the drain, and a house that destroys the family’s equity along with their sanity.

Final Book Verdict

I hadn’t read the book previously and opted for the audiobook instead. To my surprise, it’s not as scary as I thought going in, though it does have its occasional jump scares. The final chapters, where the family prepares to leave while the house refuses to let them go, deliver some intense action. The overall day-by-day tone that breaks down the Lutz’ experience in the house is intriguing, and fans of real-crime stories will definitely find it an interesting read.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

“When he flicked the first holy water and uttered the words that accompany the gesture, Father Mancuso heard a masculine voice say with terrible clarity: ‘Get out!’”

Audiobook cover. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Leaving Washington: Why Jen Thompson Walked Away from Political Power in ‘Wild Pivot’

‘Wild Pivot’ by Jen Thompson is an impactful memoir about choosing truth over approval. Photo: Barnes & Noble.

Book Review: Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten by Jen Thompson

Release Date: September 22, 2026 | Status: Available for Pre-Order

As a successful and prominent young Republican strategist, Jen Thompson possessed the power and prestige she had always strived for, yet it was built on an underlying current of personal disconnect. Her inner voice warned that she was living someone else’s definition of a meaningful life. It took a near-fatal car accident on a high-profile Senate campaign trail to shatter her trajectory, forcing her to question the identity she had built and the loyalty that kept her tied to it.

Told through short, engaging vignettes, this memoir traces Thompson’s journey from political ambition to profound personal transformation.

The Plot: From Capitol Hill to Down Under

The narrative opens on February 14, 2023. Jen is attending an outdoor screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney, Australia, reflecting on a tumultuous year. She has been sued and slandered on the front pages of newspapers, cheated on, lied to, and nearly killed in a car crash.

After running a successful political campaign to elect Congressman Jim Talent to the U.S. Senate representing Missouri, she put as much distance as possible between herself and Washington by escaping to Australia. There, she finally felt free. Turning down numerous high-level job offers, her Republican peers thought she was crazy. What she couldn’t tell them was that her core political views had fundamentally shifted. The people she once worked alongside were now dominating the headlines, and new acquaintances in Australia were stunned to learn about her past.

From there, Thompson shares her life story:

  • Childhood Foundations: Growing up in a Christian Scientist family and facing her father’s demand at age 11 to lay out a twenty-year career plan.
  • The DC Pressure Cooker: Recounting the brutal stress of her years as a political strategist and how those struggles opened her eyes to a world she had never envisioned.
  • A New Path: Committing to living a life of truth and personal freedom, regardless of the cost.

Table of Contents

Part I: Wired

  • Chapter 1: Time Bomb: Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Boom
  • Chapter 2: Becoming Wired
  • Chapter 3: The Monster Unleashed
  • Chapter 4: Truths
  • Chapter 5: Gravity
  • Chapter 6: Becoming Unwired
  • Chapter 7: After the Caribbean
  • Chapter 8: Chasing the Boar Part I
  • Chapter 9: Chasing the Boar Part II
  • Chapter 10: Healing
  • Chapter 11: Last Two Months of the Campaign
  • Chapter 12: The Election

Part II: Rewired

  • Chapter 13: Alternative Endings
  • Chapter 14: White Privilege
  • Chapter 15: Consequences
  • Chapter 16: Love

Book Review

Jen Thompson delivers a candid look at the high-stakes world of American politics and the terrifying cost of living an inauthentic life. In walking away from her career, Thompson illustrates that genuine evolution—aside from being uncomfortable—can often be isolating. Yet, her journey toward healing proves that dismantling an old life is a necessary step toward true freedom. Especially memorable is her willingness to examine her past without protecting her ego.

Chapter Highlights

  • Chapter 2: Thompson recounts the happiest day of her life: her first day working for Congressman Jim Talent on Capitol Hill. She describes growing increasingly driven, working over 80 hours a week through holidays. Yet, when left alone, she became consumed by a fear of failure:

“My fears grew into a raging monster that roared with an unstoppable push to succeed.”

  • Chapter 6: The turning point arrives with a horrific car accident on her way to Springfield. Though the vehicle was left unrecognizable, she survived—and in the quiet shock of the aftermath, clarity struck:

“That very moment is suspended in time as the one when my life began to change.”

Core Themes & Final Verdict

The vignettes move with unflinching honesty and sharp wit through a non-linear format. Central to the narrative is an exploration of blind loyalty and the seductive, destructive desire to belong. Her story also examines the themes of identity, transform tion, and liberation and the uncomfortable process of confronting the beliefs that once defined us. Thompson examines how institutional validation can quiet our intuition, compelling us to trade internal truth for external applause.

Overall, Wild Pivot is a compelling memoir about what happens when success no longer feels like success. It’s a story about choosing truth over approval and discovering that sometimes the most courageous pivot is the one that leads back to yourself. It stands as a powerful testament to the courage required to rewrite your story—no matter the price. Readers who enjoy insightful, deeply human memoirs will find this one hard to put down.

“In the stillness, it occurs to me that meaning can only come by way of wholeness, and wholeness, it must be said, does not come easily.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the Author

Jen Thompson is a former high-powered Republican strategist and congressional lawyer who famously walked away from Washington at the peak of her career. She managed the nationally watched 2002 campaign that tipped the divided U.S. Senate back to Republican control, overcoming a massive deficit by orchestrating high-profile events with the President of the United States. Alongside her political work, she served as a lawyer-lobbyist at top international law firms and spent eight years as a chief political commentator for NBC and ABC news affiliates in Richmond, Virginia.

** Thank you to Fauzia Burke and FSB Associates for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: ‘Mexican Gothic’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – 1950s Gothic Horror

‘Mexican Gothic’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Synopsis

Set in 1950s Mexico, the novel follows Noemí Taboada, a glamorous socialite whose life mostly consists of high-society parties and leisure. That changes overnight when her father summons her to his office after receiving a frantic, disturbing letter from Noemí’s newly-wed cousin, Catalina. Begging for someone to save her from a “mysterious doom,” Catalina writes about hearing voices in the walls and seems consumed by paranoia. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

Striking a deal with her father, investigate Catalina’s situation in exchange for his blessing to attend college for anthropology, Noemí strikes out for High Place, a isolated mansion tucked away in the Mexican countryside.

Noemí is an unlikely rescuer. Her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are better suited for cocktail lounges than amateur sleuthing. However, beneath her polished exterior lies a sharp mind and an indomitable will. She isn’t easily intimidated:

  • Not of Virgil: Catalina’s new husband, a handsome Englishman who is as menacing as he is alluring.
  • Not of Howard: The family’s ancient patriarch, who harbors a bizarre, unsettling fascination with Noemí.
  • Not of High Place itself: Even as the decaying mansion invades her dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her sole ally in this inhospitable home is Francis, the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, Francis wants to help Noemí, but he may also be guarding dark secrets about his family’s past. Behind High Place’s walls lie stories of violence, madness, and a faded silver mining empire built on exploitation. What begins as a family rescue mission quickly devolves into a desperate fight to escape a terrifying, addictive nightmare.

Review

Mexican Gothic brilliantly reinvents classic Gothic horror by fusing familiar tropes, such as dilapidated mansions, tyrannical patriarchs, and psychological dread, with a rich, atmospheric 1950s Mexican backdrop. As Noemí steps into High Place, she enters a living nightmare built on physical isolation and lingering colonial rot.

High Place itself functions as its own character. Its decaying walls and disturbing dreamscapes create an oppressive, suffocating sense of dread. Moreno-Garcia seamlessly weaves traditional horror elements with Mexican history and sharp social commentary.

The narrative unfolds at a steady, deliberate pace, escalating the tension with every chapter and every deeply unsettling secret Noemí unearths. The author balances this high tension with beautifully poetic prose:

“Everything in High Place was gnarled and begrimed, but he’d been able to grow bright and mindful, like an odd plant that is carried onto the wrong flower bed.”

Character Dynamics

  • Noemí Taboada: Far from a helpless damsel in distress, Noemí’s party-girl facade conceals a fierce intellect and resilience. Her absolute refusal to break or submit to High Place makes her an incredible protagonist.
  • Francis Doyle: Soft-spoken and gentle, Francis offers a stark contrast to his sinister family. His inner conflict between familial loyalty and moral action makes him Noemí’s only true ally.
  • Howard Doyle: The ancient patriarch embodies predatory control, obsessively driven by ideas of genetic purity and bodily exploitation.

Core Themes

  • Colonialism & Exploitation: The Doyle family’s faded mining empire reveals how foreign powers drain local resources and labor, framing historical exploitation as a literal, invasive threat to the body.
  • Autonomy vs. Control: Patriarchal domination and eugenics clash directly with Noemí’s fiercely guarded independence.

A Note on the Audiobook:

While the story itself was deeply entertaining, I found the audiobook narration disappointing. The delivery felt robotic and AI-like, complete with awkward pauses and mispronunciations of Spanish names. I only kept listening because I was so hooked on finding out how the plot ended.

Final Verdict

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a haunting, visually atmospheric tale where the greatest horrors stem not just from supernatural forces, but from human greed and tyranny. It proves that gothic horror can be both frightening and deeply thought-provoking. Readers who enjoy atmospheric mysteries, strong female leads, and dark family secrets should immediately add this to their reading list.

“She had experience dealing with irritating men. They did not fluster her. She had learned, by navigating cocktail parties and meals at restaurants, that showing any kind of reaction to their crude remarks emboldened them.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the Author

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a Mexican-Canadian novelist, short story writer, editor, and publisher. She is the author of The Bewitching, Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade and Shadow, and many other acclaimed books. Her work has earned her the Locus, British Fantasy, and World Fantasy awards. She holds an MA in Science and Technology Studies from the University of British Columbia.