‘Looking for Tank Man’ by Ha Jin. Photo: Other Press
Book Spotlight: Looking for Tank Man by Ha Jin
From Ha Jin, the acclaimed author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist Waiting, comes a riveting and timely new novelLooking for Tank Man. In this powerful story of protest and suppression, Ha Jin explores the enduring impact of truth, memory, and moral courage. Available for pre-order, it has a release date of October 21.(Other Press, 2025)
About the Book
When the Chinese premier visits Harvard, international student Pei Lulu encounters a lone protester whose act of defiance will upend her understanding of the People’s Republic—and of herself.
For the first time, Lulu learns of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and the government’s violent response. Her search for answers takes her deep into her family’s past, uncovering surprising stories of resistance, and into the heart of a university course built around firsthand accounts of that fateful time.
At once a compelling coming-of-age story and a tribute to the courage of activists, Looking for Tank Man keeps the tragedy of Tiananmen alive in the public memory and serves as a stark warning about the perils of authoritarian power.
About the Author
Ha Jin grew up in mainland China and served five years in the People’s Liberation Army before pursuing a degree in English at Harbin University. He has become one of the most acclaimed voices in contemporary fiction.
His novel Waiting won the National Book Award for Fiction, the PEN/Faulkner Award, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Ha Jin is currently the William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor in English and Creative Writing at Boston University and a fellow of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
His works have been translated into over thirty languages. His most recent novel, The Woman Back from Moscow, was published by Other Press in 2023.
Lying in Wait is a girls’ night gone wrong thriller that keeps you guessing. Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.
🎬Lying In Wait (2025) — Movie Review
Synopsis: During a girls’ night out, Skyler goes missing and Rachel and Daniela desperately search for her. All clues point to a kidnapping, but Rachel knows there’s more to the case and everyone has a secret. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)
Written by: Tomas Decurgez & Savanah Joeckel Directed by: Tomas Decurgez Starring: Savanah Joeckel, Tony Garza, and Tomas CL Genre: Thriller
Review
Lying in Wait delivers a tense, twist-filled thriller that keeps you guessing until the final moments. The film opens with a chilling scene: a couple enjoying a quiet day outdoors when their dog uncovers a buried body with only a fly-infested hand visible. From there, the focus shifts to Skyler and Rachel, who are picking up Daniela for what’s supposed to be a carefree girls’ night out.
That night quickly unravels into a nightmare when Skyler vanishes without a trace. Her friends Rachel and Daniela, portrayed with raw urgency and emotional depth, refuse to sit back as the police chase dead ends.
As Rachel digs deeper, the film peels back layers of deceit and every character hides something, and no one is who they seem. Director Tomas Decurgez balances moody cinematography with tight pacing, creating an atmosphere where even silence feels dangerous. The urban nightlife scenes, shot with grainy realism, amplify the sense of dread.
While some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, the suspense never lets up. The psychological tension drives the story, exploring friendship, guilt, and secrets that resurface when trust is broken. Told through a non-linear narrative, flashbacks gradually reveal the truth behind Skyler’s disappearance.
By the time the mystery unravels, Lying in Wait proves to be more than a simple kidnapping story; it’s a haunting exploration of betrayal and the dark corners of the human heart.
⭐ Rating: 4/5 — A gripping and atmospheric thriller worth watching.
*Thank you to One Tree Entertainment for the screener link for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Lying in Wait still. Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.
The new book to movie adaptation starring Glen Powell hits theaters on November 7. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Stephen King’s “The Running Man” Returns — and Hits the Big Screen
Originally published under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman in 1982, The Running Man later appeared as part of The Bachman Books collection in 1985. Now, this dark, dystopian thriller is making its way to the big screen, with Paramount’s new adaptation set to premiere on November 7, 2025.
Ben Richards has lost everything—his job, his savings, and nearly his hope. With a sick daughter in need of urgent medical care, he takes a desperate gamble and signs up for the nation’s most popular (and brutal) reality show: The Running Man, where contestants are hunted for sport.
If Ben can stay alive for thirty days, he’ll win a billion dollars. The catch? No one has ever survived more than eight days. Pursued by a lethal strike force trained to kill, Richards must navigate a world where every step could be his last.
It’s a chilling story about desperation, power, and the lengths one man will go to save his family.
The Film Adaptation
The Running Man (2025) A man joins a game show where contestants can run anywhere in the world—while professional “hunters” track them down.
Director: Edgar Wright
Writers: Michael Bacall, Stephen King, Edgar Wright
Stars: Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, Josh Brolin
Genre: Dystopian Sci-Fi, Dark Comedy, Survival, Action Adventure
Running Time: 140 minutes
With Wright’s trademark style and a powerhouse cast, this adaptation promises to bring King’s high-stakes vision to thrilling, satirical life.
About the Author
Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent works include Never Flinch, You Like It Darker, Holly, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, Sleeping Beauties (co-written with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges Trilogy: Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch.
King is the recipient of numerous honors, including:
2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award
2018 PEN America Literary Service Award
2014 National Medal of Arts
2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters
Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa announces Hot Witch Pilates & Brunch event. Photo: Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, used with permission.
🧘♀️Hot Witch Pilates & Brunch at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa
Get ready for a day of wellness, whimsy, and wicked fun! Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection is teaming up with Hot Girl Fitness Club to host Hot Witch Pilates & Brunch — a Halloween-inspired Sunday experience filled with fitness, fabulous eats, and mystical moments. (Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, 2025)
📅 Sunday, October 12 🕘 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 📍 The Spa Plaza San Antonio 555 S. Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
✨ What to Expect
Start your morning with a choice of:
Outdoor Mat Pilates or Mat Barre on the hotel’s beautiful Oasis Lawn Then, indulge in a Halloween-themed brunch at Anaqua Garden Bar, complete with:
A magical tea ritual
A curated witchy market
Mini post-brunch spa treatments (for VIP ticket holders)
All-day pool access for a relaxed “Witch Hour” lounge session
🎁 Giveaway Prizes
Every guest will be entered into a magical giveaway for a chance to win:
A 50-minute spa treatment at The Spa Plaza San Antonio
An event pass from Hot Girl Fitness Club
A one-night stay at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa
A $100 dining card to Anaqua Garden Bar or Corinne San Antonio
‘Respect’ is Robert L. Dilenschneider’s forthcoming new book. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book Review: Respect – How to Change the World One Interaction at a Time
By Robert L. Dilenschneider Release Date: October 28 — Available now for pre-order
🕊️ Why Respect Still Matters
In a world where online outrage spreads faster than kindness and conversations often turn into confrontations, the idea of respect can feel almost old-fashioned. Yet, what if rediscovering this simple value could be the key to improving how we live, work, and connect?
That’s the premise behind Robert L. Dilenschneider’s new book, Respect: How to Change the World One Interaction at a Time. A veteran public relations expert and thoughtful observer of human behavior, Dilenschneider explores how showing respect in our tone, actions, and choices can reshape not just our relationships, but the culture around us.
📘 What’s Inside
Chapter 1: A Call for Respectfulness Chapter 2: Is Respectfulness Truly Possible in the Age of Retribution? Chapter 3: What’s In It For Me? Chapter 4: Start with Self-Respect Chapter 5: The Top Five Qualities of Respectfulness Chapter 6: Respectfulness at Work Chapter 7: Respectfulness in Family and Personal Relationships Chapter 8: Respectfulness in Civic Institutions Chapter 9: Transforming Society
🌟 Highlights
Chapter 3: Offers tips on what to do when disrespect turns into bullying, and explores how respectfulness can lead to improved relationships, stronger professional connections, and a less stressful daily life.
Chapter 5: Explains that respect is more than politeness or manners, it’s about recognizing people as individuals with their own unique identities.
💬 Why It Matters
The tone throughout the book is conversational and grounded, yet deeply reflective. Dilenschneider urges readers to see respect not as a surface-level courtesy but as a transformative social force. Each chapter ends with a “Think About It” section inviting readers to pause, reflect, and apply the ideas to their own lives.
By combining practical wisdom and moral clarity, the book moves beyond abstract principles to offer real-world ways to practice respect daily. Whether in the office, at home, or within our communities, Dilenschneider shows how small gestures of empathy can ripple outward to build trust, cooperation, and understanding.
Ultimately, Respect is an essential guide for anyone seeking to improve communication, leadership, and human connection. In an age of division and incivility, this book serves as both a call to action and a blueprint for a more compassionate world.
Perfect for managers, executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, this book reminds us:
“Far from outdated, respectfulness is a vital part of the foundation of a well-functioning society and a fulfilling life. We would do well to cultivate it, and this book will show you how—and why.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
👤 About the Author
Robert L. Dilenschneider founded The Dilenschneider Group in 1991 after serving as President and CEO of Hill and Knowlton, Inc. He has counseled major corporations, trade associations, and educational institutions, helping clients navigate complex communications challenges.
He is the author of numerous books, including Power and Influence, A Briefing for Leaders, On Power, The Critical 14 Years of Your Professional Life, and 50 Plus! Critical Career Decisions for the Rest of Your Life. His most recent work before Respect was Character and Respect.
💭 Let’s Talk
Do you think respect is becoming a lost art — or are we just redefining what it means? How do you practice respect in your everyday interactions, especially in challenging situations?
Share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear how you’re keeping respect alive in your corner of the world.
*Thank you to Fauzia Burke/FSB Associates for my gifted Advanced Reader Copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Tally Koren announces new EP featuring epic interpretation of Snow Patrol’s ‘Chasing Cars.’ Photo: TCK Productions, used with permission.
Tally Koren: Redefining the Art of the Cover Song
A rising artist making her mark on the UK music scene
Tally Koren is quickly becoming a name to watch in the music industry. Known for her innovative approach to both covers and original compositions, she recently reached No. 10 on the UK Club Chart, solidifying her reputation as a creative force with staying power. (TCK Productions, 2025)
Best known for her acclaimed single “Beauty of the Duty,” Koren boasts an impressive catalogue of live performances, including appearances at The Royal Albert Hall, The National Arboretum, The Belgrade Theatre (Coventry), and The House of Lords. She also performed live at the MK Dons Stadium to open a match on International Peace Day 2019.
A recipient of the Fringe Award for Best Singer-Songwriter, Koren has been featured on BBC Radio 2 with Graham Norton, Chris Evans, and Steve Wright—further testament to her growing influence and recognition.
A Bold New Chapter: Reimagining “Chasing Cars”
The acclaimed artist is set to captivate audiences once again with her highly anticipated new EP, featuring a stunning reinterpretation of Snow Patrol’s classic “Chasing Cars.” It is set for release on October 10, 2025.
Koren’s latest project promises to be her most ambitious yet, offering listeners an immersive musical experience that invites them to “escape and forget the world.” Working alongside her trusted team of producers, she has crafted a version that blends her signature laid-back vocal style with a heartfelt yearning for unity and connection.
“When I do covers, I never like to listen to the original and like to make the song my own,” explains Koren. “I will not dream to make the song as good as the original—it’s one of my favorite singers—but I know my version makes you fly higher.”
Making the Familiar Feel New
This fresh approach to reimagining classic songs has become Koren’s trademark. Her ability to honor the spirit of a beloved track while transforming it into something uniquely her own sets her apart from many of her contemporaries.
Her interpretation of “Chasing Cars” takes listeners on a journey through sound and emotion, turning a familiar melody into an epic, transcendent experience that showcases both her artistic vision and vocal power.
Continuing Her Ascent
This new EP marks an exciting milestone in Tally Koren’s musical journey. Building on her recent chart success, it reflects her evolution as an artist unafraid to take risks and push creative boundaries.
With her distinctive voice and her gift for breathing new life into established songs, Koren continues to establish herself as a truly unique presence in the contemporary music landscape.
‘Tequila’ is Tim Reuben’s debut novel. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book Spotlight & Review: Tequila: A Story of Success, Love & Violence by Tim Reuben
Release Date: October 14 Available for Pre-Order Now
A Battle for Power, Love, and Survival
From the fiery heart of Mexico to the high-stakes boardrooms of Manhattan, an empire built on tequila becomes the battlefield for a blistering war of power, betrayal, and forbidden love in Tim Reuben’s explosive debut thriller, Tequila: A Story of Success, Love & Violence.
Spanning generations, Tequila follows the rise and near-ruin of the Ramirez family, founders of RAM, a multibillion-dollar luxury spirits powerhouse. When Maria Ramirez steps into the role of CEO, her greatest threats aren’t rival corporations, but her own brothers: Miguel, the corrupt sociopath, and Tomaso, the self-destructive heir spiraling out of control.
An Empire on the Brink
LA attorney Brian Youngman enters the Ramirez world when he’s hired for Tomaso’s divorce case. What he uncovers, cartel ties, financial crimes, and unimaginable violence, pulls him into a web of danger and desire. His growing love for Maria collides with his pursuit of justice, making him a reluctant hero in a battle where survival demands sacrifice.
The story begins in 1950 in the Jaliscan Highlands of Mexico, where Sotero Jimenez, a struggling agave farmer, fights to build his dream amid poverty and corruption. In the present day, chaos erupts when Tomaso’s wife, Nora, is abducted in Houston, a chilling event that sets the stage for the Ramirez family’s unraveling.
As the family grapples with betrayal, cartel violence, and devastating loss, the empire they built on agave and ambition teeters on the edge of collapse.
Review
Tim Reuben’s Tequila is a sweeping family saga that fuses corporate intrigue, legal drama, and raw emotional tension. The characters, especially Maria, are sharply drawn, and readers can feel the weight of her burden as she navigates both external enemies and the toxic loyalty of family.
Told through a non-linear narrative, the story moves between the Ramirez family’s humble origins and their modern-day descent into greed and betrayal. The pacing is relentless and filled with legal battles, family drama, and shocking twists.
At its core, Tequila explores the price of power, the fragility of loyalty, and the fine line between love and destruction. It’s a genre-bending debut that grips from start to finish; a compelling saga of justice, sacrifice, and ambition’s deadly cost.
Verdict: For fans of Succession, Narcos, or The Godfather, Tequila is a must-read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Content & Trigger Warning
This novel includes scenes of sexual content, sexual violence, and sadism, primarily connected to Miguel, a sadistic character whose cruelty is central to the story’s darker turns. Reader discretion is advised.
About the Author
Tim Reuben is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. A veteran trial lawyer, he founded his own litigation firm in Los Angeles and frequently publishes essays and articles on law and society. Tequila is his debut novel.
*Thank you to Meryl Moss Media Group for my gifted Advanced Reader Copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
La Panadería’s Pink Pan de Muerto. Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.
🍂 Celebrate Fall with La Panadería’s New Seasonal Pan Dulce and Día de los Muertos Specials
La Panadería is excited to announce the launch of its fall-inspired pan dulce lineup—just in time for cooler weather and Día de los Muertos celebrations! This season, the bakery brings bold, comforting flavors to its beloved collection of pastries with two standout creations you won’t want to miss. (La Panadería, 2025)
🎃 Pumpkin Concha — $4.70
Back by popular demand! The Pumpkin Concha returns with La Panadería’s signature pillowy concha base, topped with a festive orange cookie crust and filled with a rich, spiced pumpkin filling made from real pumpkin purée. It’s a cozy fall favorite and the perfect pairing for the bakery’s Maple Pumpkin Cold Foam Latte.
🗓 Available: Now through Thanksgiving (November 27) at all La Panadería locations.
💀 Dubai Chocolate Pan de Muerto — $7.50
New this year! Introducing the Dubai Chocolate Pan de Muerto, a luxurious twist on the traditional Day of the Dead bread. This personal-sized pan de muerto is flavored with orange essence, dusted in sugar, sliced open, and generously filled with house-made Nutella and pistachio ganache made from real ground pistachios. Finished with chopped pistachios, it’s an indulgent, limited-time treat.
🗓 Available: In limited daily quantities through Día de Muertos weekend (November 2) at all four La Panadería locations, while supplies last.
🕯 Pan de Muerto Pre-Order Details
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with La Panadería’s family-size and mini Pan de Muerto loaves, available for pre-order online.
✨ The vibrant pink Pan de Muerto—a customer favorite—returns this year in both family-size and mini options. The classic mini and personal-sized Pan de Muerto are also available year-round in-store, no pre-order required.
☕ Fall-Inspired Lattes
Round out your visit with La Panadería’s new cold foam latte lineup, featuring comforting seasonal flavors:
Abuelita Chocolate
Dubai Chocolate
Pumpkin
These handcrafted drinks are the perfect pairing to a sweet slice of Pan de Muerto, making every visit a delicious way to celebrate the spirit of the season.
Dubai Chocolate Pan de Muerto. Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.
‘Attacking Earth and Sun’ will be released on October 28. Photo: Other Press
Book Spotlight: Attacking Earth and Sun by Mathieu Belezi
History rarely tells the full story of conquest. In Attacking Earth and Sun, award-winning French author Mathieu Belezistrips away the illusions of glory to reveal the human cost of empire. This searing English-language debut, translated by Lara Vergnaud, immerses readers in the brutal early days of 19th-century French colonization in Algeria. With chiseled, haunting prose, Belezi condenses years of research into a human account of ambition, violence, and survival.
Attacking Earth and Sun will be published by Other Press on October 28, 2025. It is available for pre-order.
This lyrical and unflinching novel does exactly that. Far from the “pioneer dream” sold by Western powers, Attacking Earth and Sun exposes the hell that was colonization through an unforgettable work of historical fiction. (Other Press, 2025)
The Story
In search of a better life, Séraphine and her family join 500 settlers on a perilous journey to France’s newly conquered Algerian territory. But the promise of prosperity quickly gives way to harsh reality: inadequate shelter, unrelenting weather, illness, and mounting tension with the indigenous population, whose anger and desperation simmer beneath the surface.
As the settlers slowly carve out a fragile community and a church in this foreign land, the French army ravages the Algerian countryside, leaving behind villages in ruin. Through the eyes of a weary soldier constantly reminded by his captain, “You’re no angels!” we witness the staggering cruelty used to crush resistance and the haunting moral decay it breeds.
With prose reminiscent of William Faulkner, Belezi transforms historical record into art. The result is a novel that is poetic and devastatingly real, a story that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about power, empire, and humanity.
About the Author
Mathieu Belezi is the author of more than a dozen novels. His career began with Le petit roi, which won the Marguerite-Audoux Prize in 1999. Attacking Earth and Sun earned both the Prix Livre Inter and the Le Monde Literary Prize. Having traveled widely and taught in Louisiana, Belezi now divides his time between France and Italy.
About the Translator
Lara Vergnaud is an acclaimed translator of prose, creative nonfiction, and scholarly works from French. She is the recipient of two PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grants and a French Voices Grand Prize, and has been nominated for the National Translation Award. She currently lives in France.
Sharpless compares dramatic clinical syndromes, every bit as fascinating as those on the silver screen, with the science and folklore behind our favorite monsters.
Horror movies, he argues, can reveal far more about human psychology than we realize. When explored honestly, our fears become mirrors reflecting our culture, our anxieties, and our shared humanity.
Famous Monsters and Their Real-Life Counterparts
Horror fans may be obsessed with vampires, werewolves, zombies, and the eerie “replacements” from Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but few know the real conditions behind these creatures, such as Renfield’s syndrome, clinical lycanthropy, Cotard’s syndrome, and misidentification delusions.
What’s Inside the Book
Part I: Movie Monsters from the Early Days of Cinema
Clinical Lycanthropy
You Suck?
I Am The Walking Dead
Part II: Modern-Day Movie Monsters
One, Two, The Dab Tsog’s Coming For You
This Is Not My Beautiful House, This Is Not My Beautiful Wife
Demons, Aliens, and Shadow People
Part III: Monstrous Behaviors
Are You Gonna Eat That?
Shuddersome Sex in the Movies
Highlights
Part I: Chapter 3 Sharpless explains that immortality might not be all it’s cracked up to be. Vampires and zombies both feed after death, yet zombies’ mindless existence makes their fate far gloomier. As he writes,
“Some psychologists and philosophers have argued that this fundamental fear of death prompted people to defensively create gods and an immortal afterlife.”
Part II: Chapter 4 Sharpless shares his personal experience with sleep paralysis and connects it to the mysterious Hmong Deaths that likely inspired Nightmare on Elm Street. These incidents involved young men in California who died in their sleep, hauntingly blurring the line between science and superstition.
Review
In Monsters on the Couch, clinical psychologist Brian Sharpless bridges the gap between horror cinema and psychological science with wit and expertise. His goal is to raise awareness of serious but often overlooked psychological conditions that cause real suffering.
Each chapter dissects iconic horror films such as Nightmare on Elm Street and Invasion of the Body Snatchers through the lens of genuine mental disorders, uncovering the truths, exaggerations, and myths that shape how we perceive mental illness. He also explains symptoms and common treatments with both compassion and precision.
Sharpless writes with the enthusiasm of a horror fan and the insight of a clinician, grounding classic horror tropes like sleep paralysis and vampirism in psychological reality. The tone remains conversational and often humorous, making even the darkest topics approachable.
Ultimately, Monsters on the Couch reminds us that the true horror isn’t the monster on the screen, it’s society’s ongoing misunderstanding of mental health. This is essential reading for horror lovers, psychology students, and anyone curious about how fear and empathy intertwine.
“The most consistent theme across films would likely be a fear of death…I suspect that a lot of people get uncomfortable even dipping their toe in the dark, icy cold waters of death, let alone diving in headfirst.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
About the Author
Brian A. Sharpless is a licensed psychologist, researcher, and author whose work focuses on unusual psychological disorders, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and the history and philosophy of clinical psychology. He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and an M.A. in Philosophy from Pennsylvania State University, and completed post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania.
*Thank you to Fauzia Burke/FSB Associates for the gift copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
SA Examiner 