Tag: Book news

New book release: ‘Nolanverse: Exploring the Greatest Illusion in Movie History’ by Robert E. Eliot

‘Nolanverse: Exploring the Greatest Illusion in Movie History: An Unauthorized New Analysis of The Dark Knight Rises’ by Robert E. Eliot. Photo: Robert E. Eliot, used with permission.

In the world of superheroes, Batman is arguably one of the most famous one in the DC Universe. There have been numerous movies made to bring him to the big screen, including The Dark Knight trilogy. This set of Christopher Nolan Batman movies consists of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises. While The Dark Knight Rises was an exciting movie, the ending left us with more questions than answers. If you are a fan of the trilogy, today’s new book release might interest you: “Nolanverse: Exploring the Greatest Illusion in Movie History: An Unauthorized New Analysis of The Dark Knight Rises.” Robert E. Eliot delves deep into the movie and examines it from every angle in an effort to fully understand the meaning of that enigmatic ending. It is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book retailers.

Robert E. Eliot is also the author of “Mi Negro Amigo: An Unauthorized New Analysis of Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight.” His new book “Nolanverse: Exploring the Greatest Illusion in Movie History: An Unauthorized New Analysis of The Dark Knight Rises” analyses the ending of that final Batman movie. He lives and works in the great state of Washington and looks forward to writing additional nonfiction books in the future. (Robert E. Eliot, 2023)

“Nolanverse: Exploring the Greatest Illusion in Movie History: An Unauthorized New Analysis of The Dark Knight Rises.” – The Dark Knight Rises holds a distinguished place in twenty-first-century cinema as the monumental conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. And as millions of moviegoers around the world know, one of the most glaring aspects of the film is the way that it concludes—with the type of sensational ending that seems engineered for generating plenty of discussion beyond the movie theater.

For too long, fans have had to live with a highly unsatisfactory explanation of that ending—an explanation that is content to simply twist facts to suit theories. But what if we were to let good old-fashioned common sense have a say about the fate of Gotham’s legendary hero the Batman at the height of the film’s chilling climax?

What if the grand finale to one of the most important motion picture trilogies of all time is seriously different from what audiences have long supposed? What if there is still so much more to discover?

“A breath of fresh air for fans of the Dark Knight trilogy who have long pondered the mysteries surrounding the fate of Batman in the film’s climax. … A truly fascinating read. … If you’re a fan of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy or simply enjoy thought-provoking film analysis, then definitely get yourself a copy of Nolanverse today.” – K.C. Finn, Readers’ Favorite

“Eliot’s work forays beyond a standard analysis and really places the grand finale of the Dark Knight trilogy under a microscope, expertly examining every angle while bringing in numerous Christopher Nolan ventures, like Memento and Inception, to probe the mind of the iconic filmmaker. … With almost surgical precision, Eliot guides readers through … a thought-provoking debate on whether … Nolan has pulled off perhaps the greatest illusion in cinematic history. While Eliot starts with the ending, his critique is incredibly comprehensive.” – US Review of Books

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New book release: ‘Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades’ by James Whipple Miller

‘Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades’ is the new release from James Whipple Miller. Photo: Chestnut Hill Press

Nadia Boulanger was a French music teacher and conductor. She taught many of the leading composers and musicians of the 20th century and performed occasionally as a pianist and organist. If you are interested in learning more about this highly influential music teacher, check out this new biography from James Whipple Miller – “Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades” which includes 227 letters exchanged over four decades between Boulanger and her close friend and disciple Ruth Robbins. It is available through Chestnut Hill Press.

Author James Whipple Miller was a professor of Comparative Literature and Classical Chinese at UC Berkeley. He served as editor- in-chief of financial and technology publications in Silicon Valley, leading to relationships with investors and technical innovators, in turn leading to decades in start-up business finance and directorships on many boards. He now invests his time in editing and writing projects far removed from finance, business, and Silicon Valley. His new book “Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades” is the first biographical study of the great French master teacher’s last half of life. (Chestnut Hill Press, 2023)

“Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades” – From this unique record between an extraordinary teacher and her student, we gain deep and new insights into Boulanger’s beliefs and feelings, and how they changed as she faced the challenges of aging. Another intimate perspective on Boulanger comes from her favorite post-war student Idil Biret who vividly describes her resistance to Boulanger’s rigidity.

It was released on October 19 and has received rave advanced reviews:

“Cause for celebration!”-Thomas Wolf, Liner Notes Magazine

“This wonderful collection of letters and well-researched commentary will fascinate musicians, music lovers, or any reader interested in the life and legacy of a 20th-century musical titan!” -Clare Longendyke, Classical Concert Pianist

“A labor of love that ably explores the relationship among three women and their shared love of music.”-Kirkus Review

“Invaluable insight into a less-known period of Nadia Boulanger’s life, helping fill out a comprehensive picture of her later years.”-Nicholas Phan, Opera Lyric Tenor

“As a performer of her works, I have long admired Nadia Boulanger. This four-decade exchange of letters reveal her beautiful qualities as a teacher and person.”-Miriam K. Smith, Classical Cellist

Chestnut Hill Press is an independent publisher dedicated to promoting global understanding through distinctive new books in literature, art, and music.

Upcoming new book release: ‘Apropos of Running’ by Charles Moore

‘Apropos of Running’ is the new memoir by Charles Moore. Photo: Charles Moore, used with permission.

Memoirs provide an insight into a world that we might not otherwise experience, whether it is from the viewpoint of a celebrity, musician, or athlete. If you are a fan of memoirs, especially sports memoirs, today’s new book release by Charles Moore might interest you. “Apropos of Running” is the story of a world-class marathoner who completed all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Charles Moore brings to light his experiences as a Black man in the world of marathons in this insightful memoir. So if you enjoy these types of books, put this one on your to read list. With a release date of November 5, it will be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Charles Moore has published work on the subject of contemporary arts and related topics on Artnet, Artsy, and Cultured Magazine, and many other places. Based in New York City, he graduated from Harvard University and is currently a doctoral student at Columbia University. His new book “Apropos of Running” is a timely and unforgettable memoir of long-distance running and an essential testament to the persistence and power of Black marathon runners and how one man transformed his life and the sport of running just by showing up at the starting line time after time. (Charles Moore, 2023)

“Apropos of Running” – Based on Charles Moore’s experience running 24 marathons between 2016- 2023, this memoir is both a celebration of his journey to become a 24-time marathon runner and a candid, deeply personal interrogation of how race and culture are intertwined. The author explores the lack of diversity in marathoning, as he came face to face with the predominant myth that “Black people don’t run marathons.” From international races in major cities across Asia, Europe and the United States, including his native Detroit, he is confronted with not only the racial history of America, but the racialized history of the sport he had devoted his life to. Moore is one of the few to address the Venn diagram of Blackness and long-distance running.

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Book of the week: ‘Think Like a Scientist’ by Brandon Green

‘Think Like a Scientist’ is a a children’s book about chronic illness and gaslighting by Brandon Green. Photo: Brandon Green

Going through a chronic illness is traumatic enough, but when people gaslight you to the point of thinking you need psychological help, it can be the tipping point. Gaslighting means to manipulate someone using psychological methods to make them question their own sanity or powers of reasoning. This is Brandon Green’s story after he developed Covid, which in turn gave him extreme and rare symptoms which no one around him understood or believed; they even had him committed. This led him to write a children’s book about his experience hoping to help others in similar situations. Today’s book highlight is the children’s book “Think Like a Scientist” by Brandon Green. It is available on his website as a free download in low quality but you can purchase a high quality version with higher quality pictures and text. 

Brandon Green is an Australian businessman who owns an online coffee shop and toy store. He is an avid entrepreneur who enjoys all aspects of business, whether it is online or offline. He has written a successful self-help book to help people develop a positive mindset. One day he developed Long Covid, which progressed into mold toxicity, multiple chemical sensitivity, and EMF sensitivity. His life has been different ever since and he is now a chronic illness warrior. While doing journaling exercises to document his story, he got the idea of writing a children’s books all about it. His book “Think Like a Scientist” is a children’s book about chronic illness to help them learn a valuable and long lasting life lesson about the topic. (Brandon Green, 2023)

“Think Like a Scientist” – Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a scientist? Jack hadn’t, until his father contracted Covid 19 and developed Long Covid, which involved a variety of chronic health issues – mold toxicity, Lyme Disease, Candida Overgrowth, S.I.B.O, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, electromagnetic sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome, and light sensitivity. His deteriorating health was something most doctors had never seen before and couldn’t understand. Jack’s father went on quite a rough journey that ended with him being sent to a psychiatric hospital. With the help of data, his father, and the opinion of experts that made the most sense to him, Jack applied critical thinking, thinking like a scientist, to save the day.

It is based on a true story, his story. The symptoms Brandon developed were only familiar to the mold, Lyme, Long Covid, and chronic illness communities. As if he wasn’t suffering enough from his chronic illness, he had the gaslighting to deal with on top, as many chronic illness sufferers deal with gaslighting from their families, doctors, and people they reach out to for support. They can relate to his story because they are scared and realize that they could very well end up in the psyche ward. Now he wishes that there had been a book that covered all his issues, even if it was written as a children’s book. Then he would have used it as a handbook to give to friends, families, and even doctors, anyone who doubted his experience. He would hand it to them and say, “See, I’m not crazy. Others have gone through the exact same thing. Kids can understand it, you just have to Think Like a Scientist.” Now there is such a book.

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Author highlight: Jude Perera

‘A Glow in the Forest’ and ‘The Beast’ by Jude Perera. Photo: Jude Perera

Today’s author highlight is Jude Perera. He is a blogger, author, and dedicated family man who loves to write and uses words as an escape and whose writings are filled with adventure, mystery, romance, history, and of course escapism. His blog is centered mostly around short fiction, lifestyle writings, and travel narratives but it is his full length books that have garnered the most attention. Written with young adults in mind, they are filled with adventure and romance and perfect for readers aged 13 -30 but true book lovers are not bound by set demographics. Stories are meant to entertain and inspire and if you are looking for action, romance, and adventure fiction, consider “The Beast” and “A Glow in the Forest.” Both of these titles are available through the author’s website. Let your imagination soar!

Jude Perera is a CPA living in Melbourne with his wife and two sons. He has gained some literary presence as a short fiction, lifestyle and travel blogger with some International online magazines – Hackwriters, Fiction 365, The Fringe Magazine, Southlit & Eastlit Magazines and Travelmag. His first book, a teenaged/YA tale – titled “The Beast” was released in Melbourne. It has received positive reviews in international and local literary circles and press. Key Melbourne based libraries including the – National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature – University of Canberra, State Library of South Australia and The National Library of Australia carry copies of the book. It is also available in the National Library of Sri Lanka. His second novel, a medieval adventure – “A Glow in the Forest,” was released in Kindle, B&N and Kobo in April 2020. (Amazon, 2023)

“The Beast”

Four close friends begin a search for the mysterious ‘Beast’ in a dark and spooky wilderness, but little do they know that they will discover much more about themselves in this stirring young adult adventure. Love, danger, and the depths of the soul – it is all here, and all part of this tale of wonder, mystery, and togetherness. Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, friendship rules supreme and shatters any and all divisions.

“A Glow in the Forest”
The times are medieval. A work house high up in the mountains cringes next to a dark forest without boundaries. Meet a pair of sadists who harass and torment three teenagers and a small child forced to live there. Two siblings, orphans from a noble family, keep their origins a secret to the rest of its inhabitants. A poor farm girl and a young boy with his heart on the altar decide that enough is enough. They escape to the dark bowels of an unknown world with hopes of happiness and freedom. They are helped and led by a handsome young hunter with an unknown past and a feisty girl, who seek escape for reasons of their own. Feel the pangs and joys of their first loves, and encounter painful social and religious hypocrisies and superstitions that threaten to tear them apart. Bandits, murderers, predators, soldiers, even a faceless beast of terrifying dimensions crowd along their perimeter. But they fight to keep and preserve their one true possession: freedom.

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Book review: ‘Finding the Words’ by Colin Campbell

‘Finding the Words’ is the powerful account of one father’s journey through unimaginable grief.

Colin Campbell is a writer and director for theater and film. He and his wife wrote and directed the short film Seraglio, which won Deauville’s Grand Prix and was nominated for an Academy Award. His play Golden Prospects was nominated for five LA Weekly Theater Awards and was a Critics’ Pick in Time Out New York and The Los Angeles Times. Campbell teaches screenwriting at Chapman University and theater at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MFA from Columbia University. His book “Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose” is a powerful account of one father’s journey through unimaginable grief and offers readers a new vision for how to more actively and fully mourn profound loss. (Amazon, 2023)

“Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose” – When Colin Campbell’s two teenage children were killed by a drunk driver, Campbell was thrown headlong into a grief so deep he felt he might lose his mind. He found much of the common wisdom about coping with loss—including the ideas that grieving is a private and mysterious process and that the pain is so intense that “there are no words”—to be unhelpful. Drawing on what he learned from his own journey, Campbell offers an alternative path for processing pain that is active and vocal and truly honors loved ones lost. It is divided into ten chapters including Community and Meaning and Purpose and includes resource information, like Grief Resources that has a list of organizations that can help. He shares what worked for him and his wife and teaches readers how to actively reach out to their community, perform mourning rituals, and find ways to express their grief, so they can live more fully while also holding their loved ones close.

No one can deny that there are many levels of grief and that grief itself can be subjective. In the author’s experience, because his identity was so entangled with his children, he calls it ‘profound grief.’ He does not pretend to have all the answers: “this book will not take away your pain,” but his ultimate hope is that we can at least have open and honest conversations about the universal experience we call grief. His compassion and empathy are evident through the pages and his writing style is easy to follow and understand without coming off as preachy or condescending. In a perfect world, everyone would have the same resources to cope but knowing what works for others is an excellent start. At the very least readers can feel that they are not alone in their journey. This book is just as helpful for those grieving as well as for those who know someone who is grieving, so they can learn how to help instead of just saying “there are no words.” One of the highlights is the message of the power of community support; in his case, the overwhelming support of the Jewish community and the importance of mourning rituals. With practical advice on how to survive in the aftermath of loss, Campbell shines a light on a path forward through the darkness of grief. “Finding the Words” is a poignant and valuable guide for coping with grief and is recommended for readers who appreciate self help books on grief and loss.

“The act of verbalizing our grief, and having it be witnessed by our community, was key to us moving toward acceptance of reality.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book review: ‘Gaining An Edge in Life & Business With AI’ by Jesse Roberts, PhD

‘Gaining An Edge In Life & Business With AI: Unleashing The Power of Generative AI and Chat GPT’ is the new book all about AI and business by Jesse Roberts, PhD. Photo: Amazon

Jesse Roberts, PhD is an award-winning author and one of the world’s foremost experts on artificial intelligence, business strategy, and human productivity. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Stanford, where he published pioneering papers on machine learning and natural language processing. He also earned his MBA from Wharton, fusing his tech expertise with strategic business acumen. Over his 20+ year career, Dr. Roberts has led development of AI technologies at top Silicon Valley companies and advised numerous startups. His bestselling books have established him as a thought leader in leveraging AI to gain an advantage in work and life. His most recent book, “Gaining An Edge In Life & Business With AI: Unleashing the Power of Generative AI and Chat GPT,” provides readers with practical frameworks for deploying AI solutions to become more innovative, efficient, and successful. Backed by decades of research and insider experience advancing AI, Dr. Roberts offers a rare mix of technical knowledge and big-picture thinking. (Amazon, 2023)

“Gaining An Edge In Life & Business With AI” is the must-have playbook for anyone seeking to leverage AI for unparalleled results. This is your ultimate guide to utilizing Chat GPT and Generative AI in ways you never imagined possible. Get the foundational knowledge you need to understand this ground-breaking technology. It includes comprehensive strategies for deploying Chat GPT to maximize ROI, improve customer relations, and drive innovation and real-world applications of AI in various industries—finance, healthcare, education, and more. The author gives the nuanced ethical considerations surrounding AI to ensure responsible usage and step-by-step procedures for implementing AI tools into your own projects, both personal and professional. Learn an expert’s take on what is next for AI and how you can stay ahead of the curve. It is divided into then chapters such as A Brief History of Generative AI, Mastering Chat GPT, and Using Chat GPT to Get Ahead At Work. Get your copy of “Gaining An Edge In Life & Business With AI” today and unlock the limitless possibilities that AI has to offer.

With the rapid rise in AI in business and society in general, “Gaining An Edge In Life & Business With AI” by Jesse Roberts, PhD has never been more relevant. The goal of this book is to arm readers with the tools necessary to get the most out of generative AI but also offers guidelines to make make sure that it augments rather than replace human intelligence. It starts with the history of AI in the 1950s and goes on to modern times and explains how neural networks allowed it to match, and in some cases exceed, human capabilities. Some of the more interesting sections include how to prompt Chat GPT4 in order to get better results and the cases in which it is most useful, like in creative writing and conversational interface apps. Of course, it inevitably covers how it has its limitations for logical reasoning and a potential for bias. Overall, it is an interesting and useful guide into all matters related to AI with plenty of strategies and real life examples to unlock AI’s full potential. It is recommended for CEOs, entrepreneurs, innovators, forward thinking professionals, and readers interested in AI and its many uses and benefits.

“With safety and ethics in mind, the journey ahead promises collaborative creativity between humans and machines like we’ve never seen before. Our future is filled with possibilities as yet unimagined – and AI may be the perfect partner to help discover them.”

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

New book release: ‘House One’ by Nina Wilson

‘House One’ is the new novel by Nina Wilson. Photo: Amazon

Who can resist a good mystery novel filled with suspense and spooky settings? These types of books have always been my favorite, and growing up, I would look forward to my next suspenseful read. Today’s new book release is a novel for young readers ages 15-18 that centers around the strange goings on in a summer camp for children. “House One” by Nina Wilson takes place at a summer camp and involves unexplained deaths and malevolent forces. Check it out for yourself. Suitable for all readers, it is available on Amazon.

Nina Wilson is an author, poet, and photographer from the middle of nowhere Iowa. She has a B.A. in History and Fiction, and an M.F.A. in fiction. She has published a handful of poems in various literary magazines. Her two previous novels, “Surrender Language” and “Malady,” were published by Adelaide Books, the editor of which unfortunately is now involved in a handful of class-action lawsuits for fraud. Personally, she is an avid cat-lover, history nerd, and spear-fighter in a Historical European Martial Arts group. She enjoys hiking with her cats and cemetery photography. Her novel “House One” is largely based on her experience working at a summer camp for six summers and all the mayhem and mystery that went along with it. (Nina Wilson, 2023)

“House One” – Deep in the hills of Greenville, Iowa sits a century-old summer camp for children—Camp Kellova. Throughout the various remodels over time, House One remains a mysterious entity. Danger still lurks and unexplained deaths continue with frequency. Long-time camp counselor, Laurel has always been leery of House One. This summer, after she pulls a body out of Lake Owaissa, she decides it is time to find out why the spirit of this cabin has become so merciless. What malevolent forces are behind the mysterious happenings at House One? More importantly, what can Laurel do to keep the children out of its shadowy grip?

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Upcoming new book release: ‘Broken-Into-Pieces’ by L.W. Manley

‘Broken-Into-Pieces’ is the new book by L.W. Manley about working in the Department of Education under Betsy DeVos. Photo: L.W. Manley, used with permission.

Ever wonder what it was like working in the Department of Education under Betsy DeVos during the Trump administration? Was the environment as toxic as it seemed to outsiders? L.W. Manley’s upcoming new book “Broken-Into-Pieces” chronicles her experience working in the Department of Education during these years and offers advice on how to survive similar workplaces when even your superiors turn against you and all seems lost. Read all about it on “Broken-Into-Pieces” when it releases on October 29, 2023; it is available for pre-order on Amazon now.

L.W. Manley resides in Chicago with her husband, daughter, and cat named Star. She has been a federal employee for the past 36 years and worked with the Department of Education for 20 years. She has a business degree and is a union advocate for employees in the workplace. Her work experience has given her extensive knowledge on defaulted student loan debt, financial hardships, administrative wage garnishments, and refunds. When she is not writing or working with unions, she enjoys spending time with family. Her new book “Broken-Into-Pieces: A Memoir of a Former Federal Employee/at the U.S. Department of Education/Federal Student aid/In the Age of Trump/DeVos” gives an insider’s perspective of a toxic workplace within the federal government and how to find humanity, and hope when your superiors turn against you. (L.W. Manley, 2023)

“Broken-Into-Pieces” – First, they got rid of the unions. Then they began phasing out experienced minority employees, and replacing them with loyalists. Then they came after her. It sounds like a dystopian novel, but it is not. This is what happened in the Department of Education under Betsy DeVos in the Trump administration. She had been a federal employee for over thirty-six years, twenty of them at the Department of Education. This is her story of survival.

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New children’s book release: ‘The Duck Who Flew to the Moon’ by Emma Brax

‘The Duck Who Flew to the Moon’ is the new children’s book by Emma Brax. Photo: YouTube

Children’s books are not only entertaining, but they can also serve as teaching tools. Who can resist books that are colorful and feature adorable characters learning valuable life lessons? Today’s new children’s book is “The Duck Who Flew to the Moon” by Emma Brax. Come along with Dani Ducklee as she learns about inner strength and the magic of friendship. Order now and embark on a journey that will soar straight into your heart. This adorable book makes the perfect holiday gift for children ages 3 -12.

Emma Brax is the acclaimed author of “The Duck Who Flew to the Moon,” a heartwarming tale that follows the adventures of Dani Ducklee, the smallest duck one could ever imagine. Do not miss out on this touching story of a little duck with a big heart. Beyond her writing, Emma is a devoted mother to three wonderful boys and cherishes every moment spent with her family. Her passion for storytelling does not stop with Dani’s adventures; she is currently working on a follow-up book that promises even more thrilling escapades for the beloved duck. (Emma Brax, 2023)

“The Duck Who Flew to the Moon” – Despite her petite size, Dani’s bravery and spirit shine through, taking readers on an unexpected journey to the stars. As she faces the challenges of the storm, she discovers the strength within herself and the magic of friendship in the most unexpected places. Whether you are looking for a bedtime story to inspire the dreams of an adventurer or a tale to share with loved ones, “The Duck Who Flew to the Moon” promises to be a cherished addition to any bookshelf.

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