Tag: books

A Quiet Summer in Japan: Masashi Matsuie’s ‘The Summer House’

‘The Summer House: A Novel’ by Masashi Matsuie. Photo: Barnes & Noble.

📚Book Spotlight: “The Summer House” by Masashi Matsuie
Release Date: June 17, 2025

Japanese author Masashi Matsuie makes a powerful debut with “The Summer House: A Novel,” a richly atmospheric and deeply observant story set in the world of architecture. This award-winning novel offers a unique window into modern Japan, told through the eyes of a young architect navigating personal and professional transformation. (Other Press, 2025)

At the heart of the novel is Tōru Sakanishi, a recent university graduate who joins the prestigious Murai Office—a boutique Tokyo architecture firm founded by a former student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Sakanishi’s keen, introspective voice captures the artistry and care that defines the firm’s ethos.

As the oppressive Tokyo summer approaches, the Murai Office decamps to Kita-Asama, a faded artists’ colony in the mountains. There, the team—Sakanishi, his enigmatic boss Murai, and two intriguing women who stir Sakanishi’s affections—embark on a high-stakes design competition: creating the new National Library of Modern Literature, while contending with a rival firm dominating government commissions.

Elegantly translated by Margaret Mitsutani, National Book Award winner, “The Summer House” is a quiet yet compelling exploration of creativity, tradition, and longing. Matsuie’s prose evokes the serene beauty of Japan’s natural world while probing the tension between modern ambition and enduring heritage.

This character-driven novel is ideal for fans of Mitsutani’s acclaimed translations and for readers interested in Japanese literature, architecture, and coming-of-age stories with artistic depth.

👩‍💻About the Author
Masashi Matsuie began his career as a fiction editor at Shinchosha Publishing Company, where he worked with literary icons including Yoko Ogawa, Banana Yoshimoto, and Haruki Murakami. He also helped launch Shincho Crest Books, a translation-focused imprint. “The Summer House” is his debut novel and winner of the prestigious Yomiuri Prize for Literature, an honor rarely given to first-time authors.

👩‍💻About the Translator
Margaret Mitsutani is a renowned translator of Japanese literature, known for her work with Yoko Tawada and Nobel laureate Kenzaburō Ōe. She was a finalist for the National Book Award for “Scattered All Over the Earth” and won the award for her translation of The Emissary.

Advance Praise for Masashi Matsuie (“The Summer House”):

“Elegantly understated novel of a tenuous love affair in modern Japan…Matsuie, renowned as an editor (of Haruki Murakami, among other writers) before becoming an author, delivers a simple but graceful tale that’s full of intriguing asides on architecture, which Sensei insists is “function, pure and simple.” A novel packed with ideas about art, life, and love.”
—KIRKUS REVIEWS

“The more I read, the more I fell in love with this beautiful novel…Its foremost charm is the fluent, clean-cut use of words. Nothing in Matsuie’s descriptions is superfluous, nor is anything missing, and the refreshing vitality of his prose is impressive…The birth of such a writer is cause for celebration.”
—Hiromi Kawakami, author of Strange Weather in Tokyo and The Nakano Thrift Shop

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Urban Fantasy Spotlight: ‘Hunted in the Shadows’ Casts a Spell on Readers

‘Hunted in the Shadows’ by Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚 New Book Release: “Hunted in the Shadows“

A Spellbinding Enemies-to-Lovers Urban Fantasy Adventure

I’m thrilled to spotlight the latest installment in the Shot in the Dark series:
Hunted in the Shadows by Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley — the much-anticipated sequel to “Shot in the Dark” and a gripping setup for the upcoming “Lured in the Crimson.”

📖 Synopsis

Stay within the shadows.
Never cross the water’s edge.
Beware the siren’s beckon.

Two months after her exile from Elysia, Sylvia finds herself wandering through a world at once thrilling and unfamiliar. Journeying toward Aelthorin with companions Jon and Cliff, she grapples with the pull of her past and the lure of dangerous new freedoms. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)

Though she’s promised to reunite with her family, Sylvia is drawn into a forbidden and intensifying bond with Jon—one that defies the laws of the spectral plane. Jon, equally conflicted, is determined to help Sylvia obtain a rare gemstone that could make their impossible love a reality.

Their journey veers off-course when they’re forced to stop in a mysterious bayou town. There, a hidden darkness begins to unravel. Former hunter allies reappear, secrets surface, and a deadly new plot emerges—one tied to a shady trade in monster remains and a sinister client.

With sirens and fairies entering the fray, forming uneasy alliances, Sylvia and Jon must decide what they’re willing to sacrifice to defy fate—and whether their love can survive the cost.

Hunted in the Shadows is a lush urban romantasy perfect for fans of Supernatural and Fern Gully, exploring themes of forbidden love, found family, and identity.

👩‍💻 About the Authors

Mary Dublin
Raised in Florida, Mary has been storytelling since childhood. She holds a Bachelor’s in Character Animation and Emerging Media and now works in communications while writing captivating novels filled with aching romance, high-stakes suspense, and complex characters that linger in your heart.

Anne Kendsley
Based in South Texas, Anne writes fantastical, gritty stories that fuse magic, emotion, and survival. With a deep love for fantasy and sci-fi, her tales explore what it means to endure, transform, and find beauty even in the bleakest of worlds.

✍️ Book Signing Recap

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a book signing event at Búho in Brownsville, where co-author Anne Kendsley introduced “Hunted in the Shadows” to an eager crowd. She shared the story behind her collaboration with Mary Dublin and revealed how the characters and world came to life.

Anne read one of her favorite passages—teasing just enough to leave us wanting more—and hinted that this is only Book 2 of a planned six-part series. After a lively Q&A, she graciously signed my copy.

Thank you to Búho for hosting such a welcoming event, and to Anne Kendsley for her warmth and insight. I can’t wait to dive into this Supernatural-inspired adventure and share my full review soon!

📚 Have you read “Shot in the Dark?” Are you excited about “Hunted in the Shadows?” Let me know in the comments!

Hunted and Haunted: A Review of ‘Soon to Be Mine’ by K.J. Kalis

‘Soon To Be Mine’ by K.J. Kalis is book 4 in the Detective Emily Tizzano Vigilante Justice series. Photo: Amazon

Book Review: “Soon to Be Mine” by K.J. Kalis

A Detective Emily Tizzano Vigilante Justice Thriller

Synopsis

Federal prosecutor Nicole Strickland is being hunted. Terrorized by a man who won’t leave her alone, she lives in constant fear, feeling his eyes on her at every turn. Her brother, FBI Agent Cash Strickland, wants to help—but without actionable evidence, the law is powerless.

Desperate, Cash turns to Emily Tizzano, a former Chicago PD cold case detective known for bending the law to serve justice. But Emily and Cash have unresolved history, and she’s skeptical—of him, his sister, and the true motives behind the request for help.

Is this really about protecting Nicole, or is it something more complicated?

Review

“Soon to Be Mine” plunges readers into a suspense-filled world where justice doesn’t always follow the rules. Nicole is a compelling protagonist—strong, principled, but also deeply vulnerable. K.J. Kalis crafts her anxiety and growing desperation with raw, emotional depth. Nicole’s determination to handle things her own way can be frustrating, especially as her stalker Ethan escalates his pursuit.

Cash’s position as both a brother and an FBI agent adds emotional complexity, while the tension between him and Emily fuels the narrative. However, Emily’s hesitancy to engage due to her murky past with Cash lacks sufficient backstory. Similarly, her dynamic with her tech-savvy friend Mike feels underdeveloped—his role and relationship to her remain unclear.

The novel’s strength lies in its pacing and emotional stakes. Kalis writes with intensity, and scenes like Ethan’s obsessive search for Nicole or Nicole’s late-night fear feel chillingly real:

“Ethan was frustrated. He’s spent the entire morning circling the building, trying to get a glimpse of Nicole, but she was nowhere to be found.”

“Fear gripped her. She stared out into the backyard again through the gap in the curtain, waiting. Her breath was caught in her chest. Her heart pounded, sending a rush of blood into her ears.”

Though it’s the fourth in the Emily Tizzano series, “Soon to Be Mine” works as a standalone, but readers may find themselves craving more character depth that previous books might provide.

Series Reading Order

  1. Twelve Years Gone
  2. Lakeview Vendetta
  3. Victim 14
  4. Soon to Be Mine
  5. The Investor
  6. The Killing Graves
  7. Deadly Verdict

About the Author

K.J. Kalis is known for gritty, heart-pounding thrillers that explore the darker sides of justice, obsession, and survival. Her work spans categories including medical thrillers, military suspense, and vigilante justice. A former poet and professional copywriter, her thrillers consistently rank in Amazon’s Top 100.

Final Thoughts

This book is perfect for fans of fast-paced suspense novels by authors like James Patterson and Harlan Coben. With its chilling stalker plot, themes of justice and family loyalty, and a resilient heroine, “Soon to Be Mine” delivers gripping storytelling that stays with you long after the final page.

Have you read any of the Emily Tizzano books? Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite or what you thought of Nicole’s story.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

From the Alamo to the Gulf: Texas-Set Novels to Heat Up Your Summer

Escape into the heart of Texas with these three unforgettable novels set against the backdrop of frontier battles, coastal romances, and historic storms. Photo: Stoney Creek Publishing, used with permission.

Summer Reading & Stories Set in the Lone Star State

Summer reading lists hold a special charm, offering readers a chance to slow down and escape into new worlds during the year’s warmest, most relaxed months. Whether lounging by the beach, traveling, or enjoying quiet evenings at home, summer invites exploration through books.

These curated lists often feature lighter, more engaging reads—thrillers, romances, memoirs, or thought-provoking fiction—that match the season’s mood. For many, it’s a time to catch up on long-awaited titles or discover hidden gems. Summer reading isn’t just a pastime; it’s a seasonal ritual that blends leisure with the joy of discovery, turning every page into a small adventure.

With Father’s Day around the corner, here are three novels set in Texas that the book-loving dad in your life might enjoy. (Stoney Creek Publishing, 2025)

📚 “Dangerous Latitudes“ by Jack Woodville London

A gripping historical thriller set in the violent Republic of Texas during the 1840s. This novel follows an unlikely spy, two bumbling horse thieves, and a bewildering Black woman—all caught between Sam Houston and a Mexican army that crosses the Rio Grande with impunity.

Synopsis

Six years after the fall of the Alamo, Texas is on the brink of losing its hard-won independence. Naïve surveyor Alexandre LaBranche takes on a risky commission to map the Rio Grande, only to find himself embroiled in a dangerous game of war and espionage.

Packed with iconic figures like Sam Houston, Mirabeau Lamar, and Jack Hays, “Dangerous Latitudes” is a sweeping quest through a fractured frontier—culminating in a desperate race to save 200 captured Texans.

About the Author

Jack Woodville London is the author of four novels, including “French Letters: Children of a Good War,” winner of the 2018 Gold Medal for War and Military Fiction. He is also a respected legal author and essayist on literature, history, and travel.

🌊 “Under the Gulf Coast Sun” by Skip Rhudy

A coming-of-age love story set against the sunny beaches of 1970s Port Aransas. When Kassie Hernandez meets surfer Connor O’Reilly at a legendary beach party, sparks fly—but life on the coast is far from simple.

Synopsis

Kassie is focused on her dream of working in the space program, but her summer romance with Connor complicates everything. After a disastrous misunderstanding and a tragic accident at sea, both must wrestle with regret, longing, and the power of second chances.

With themes of young love, nostalgia, and resilience, “Under the Gulf Coast Sun” is perfect for readers who cherish memories of wild beach parties, endless summers, and the deep pull of the Gulf.

About the Author

Skip Rhudy grew up surfing the beaches of Port Aransas, Texas. He’s a translator, writer, and author of One Punk Summer and numerous short stories. His love for the Texas coast is evident in every page.

🌪 “Island Intern” by Paul Remmers

Set in the summer of 1900, this medical drama unfolds in Galveston just as the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history approaches. A young doctor must rise to the occasion—and face the storm of a lifetime.

Synopsis

Fresh from medical school, Douglas Schuler is eager to prove himself. As he navigates the pressures of hospital life, he falls for Rosa—a local girl with a big heart. But when a massive hurricane devastates the island, Douglas must rely on every ounce of skill and courage to save lives.

As disease spreads and the death toll rises, Douglas’s greatest fear is losing Rosa. “Island Intern” is a tale of heroism, love, and survival amid catastrophe.

About the Author

Paul Remmers is a physician with over 40 years of experience. Born and raised in Galveston, he’s a graduate of UTMB and has served on the faculty at both UTMB and Baylor College of Medicine. Island Intern is his debut novel.

Looking for the Perfect Father’s Day Gift?

Books like these offer more than great stories—they connect readers to the culture, history, and heart of Texas. Whether your dad is a history buff, a romantic, or a fan of character-driven fiction, one of these Texas-set tales is sure to make his summer reading list one to remember.

Detective Zorn Faces His Darkest Case Yet in Otho Eskin’s ‘Black Sun Rising’

‘Black Sun Rising’ is the thrilling new Marko Zorn novel by Otho Eskin. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Black Sun Rising by Otho Eskin

Otho Eskin’s “Black Sun Rising” is a riveting, high-stakes thriller that masterfully blends political intrigue, historical resonance, and relentless action. In this fourth installment of the Marko Zorn series, readers are pulled into a suspenseful, chillingly timely narrative that stands strong as a standalone read.

The action begins with a jolt: “The bomb explodes at 8:42 a.m.” A device detonates at Friendship House—a sanctuary for the poor and vulnerable—signaling the start of a far more dangerous plot. Detective Marko Zorn, reeling from the murder of his partner, soon uncovers a violent neo-Nazi conspiracy rooted in WWII and designed to destabilize the nation. Global chatter hints at an assassination attempt on the new president during the upcoming inauguration, and Zorn must infiltrate the movement to stop an attack that could cripple the country.

Told in the first person through Zorn’s sharp, often wry perspective, the novel features a fast pace, vivid language, and even moments of humor:

“One must always answer a summons from Mount Olympus. Even before morning coffee. Otherwise, be prepared to be zapped by a thunderbolt.”

Zorn is a morally complex, emotionally grounded lead, matched by unforgettable villains—particularly the ominous “Bride of the Apocalypse,” whose mythic menace lingers long after the final page. Eskin’s experience in the U.S. Foreign Service brings striking authenticity to the geopolitical stakes, while fans of WWII history will appreciate the rich historical context woven into the plot.

Overall, “Black Sun Rising” is a smart, fast-paced, and thought-provoking thriller that confronts modern threats head-on—with style, heart, and deadly precision. With its tight narrative, compelling themes of extremism, power, and corruption, and razor-sharp suspense, it’s a standout thriller and recommended for fans of David Baldacci, Lee Child, and Daniel Silva.

“In the chaos and darkness, I could slip away, unnoticed. I could hide in this labyrinth of caves and secret passages for days, maybe weeks. But it would mean giving up Zyklon. Not to mention, dying of starvation.”

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

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Related post: Marko Zorn Returns: Otho Eskin’s New Thriller Delivers High-Stakes Suspense

A Killer Returns: ‘First Cut’ by J.T. Bishop Slices Into the Psyche

‘First Cut’ is Book 1 in the Family or Foe Saga by J.T. Bishop. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Spotlight: First Cut: A Serial Killer Murder Mystery Thriller by J.T. Bishop

(The Family or Foe Saga with Detectives Daniels and Remalla – Book 1)

Synopsis

He stole everything from her. But when he lines up his pieces for a rematch, he’ll be surprised at how well she’s learned to play the game. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)

In a gripping tale of obsession and revenge, former detective Jill Jacobs must confront her darkest nightmare: the Makeup Artist, a twisted serial killer whose gruesome crimes and disturbing fixation on Jill nearly destroyed her.

Now, with the psychopath striking again, Jill’s uncanny telepathic bond with the killer becomes the only hope for Detectives Daniels and Remalla to end the carnage. But to catch him, Jill must re-enter the chilling mindset that once connected them—a connection he still craves.

As Jill grows closer to one of the detectives, the killer’s obsession reignites, and the danger escalates. Will she find the strength to stop the sadistic murderer who shattered her world—or will this deadly game claim more innocent lives, including her own?

“First Cut” is the thrilling opener of the Family or Foe Saga, blending psychological suspense with paranormal crime fiction. It’s an electrifying read that probes the darkest corners of justice and the human psyche.

Series Titles in the Family or Foe Saga

  • “Second Slice: A Murder Mystery Suspense Thriller“
  • “Third Blow: A Murder Mystery Paranormal Thriller“
  • “Fourth Strike: A Murder Mystery Paranormal Thriller“

Review

“First Cut” is a chilling and fast-paced thriller that immerses readers in a nightmare of obsession, trauma, and vengeance.

The story centers around Jill Jacobs, a former Seattle detective who reluctantly returns from indefinite leave to assist Detectives Aaron Remalla and Gordon Daniels in stopping the Makeup Artist before he kills again. Bishop wastes no time, opening with a disturbing crime scene:

“The body stared up with vacant eyes, the garish lipstick smeared across the lips, and the cheeks streaked with harsh red.”

Bishop excels at psychological tension. Jill is a layered, compelling protagonist—haunted but resilient—while the killer’s eerie presence and grisly calling card are nightmare fuel. As the investigation deepens, so does the emotional complexity. With language that is easy to follow, the action flows naturally through the pages. The story explores themes of fear, identity, justice, and trauma, and the bond Jill shares with the killer adds a chilling supernatural twist.

Bishop’s prose is crisp and evocative:

“Peering around the corner, he looked inside. It was quiet and the only things moving were the tiny dust particles in the air that caught the light.”

This is a dark, engrossing tale of survival and reckoning. Fans of gritty crime thrillers and psychological suspense will enjoy this book—and eagerly await Detective Daniels and Remalla’s, as well as Jill Jacobs’ next harrowing journey.

“At that moment, her protective wall disintegrated. Images assaulted her. Screams of rage and fear bubbled up, and she could see it in her mind’s eye. Vicky’s terror.”

About the Author: J.T. Bishop

J.T. Bishop is an award-winning author known for writing mystery thrillers with a supernatural twist. She loves weaving tangled relationships, unexpected plot turns, and heart-stopping love stories—sometimes with a dose of paranormal fun.

Her works include:

  • The Red-Line Trilogy
  • The Fletcher Family Saga
  • The Family or Foe Saga, starring the charismatic Detectives Daniels and Remalla
  • A crossover series featuring a gifted paranormal P.I. and his spunky sister

Her evil plan? To hook readers with suspense, thrills, and just the right touch of the unknown.

Have you read “First Cut“? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
📚🔪✨

Marko Zorn Returns: Otho Eskin’s New Thriller Delivers High-Stakes Suspense

‘Black Sun Rising’ is the new Marko Zorn novel by Otho Eskin. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Spotlight: “Black Sun Rising” by Otho Eskin

A long-buried Nazi weapon resurfaces. America stands on the brink of destruction. One man must stop history’s darkest nightmare from happening again in “Black Sun Rising,” the electrifying thriller by former Foreign Service Officer Otho Eskin. (Meryl Moss Media Group, 2025)

Release date: June 10, 2025. It is available for pre-order.

The Story

When Washington, D.C. homicide detective Marko Zorn’s partner is murdered, his pursuit of justice leads him into the heart of Black Sun—a violent neo-Nazi movement born from the ashes of World War II’s most sinister forces.

Their chilling goal: to unleash a catastrophic attack that will plunge the nation into chaos.

To stop them, Zorn must:

  • Outwit a mysterious and deadly woman known only as the Bride of the Apocalypse
  • Navigate the treacherous ambitions of two of the world’s wealthiest—and most ruthless—men
  • Expose a conspiracy stretching from the highest levels of power in Washington to the darkest corners of the underworld

Can Marko Zorn save the country from annihilation?

“Black Sun Rising” is a pulse-pounding thriller in the tradition of Baldacci, Clancy, and Patterson, delivering nonstop suspense, razor-sharp political intrigue, and a chillingly timely tale of hatred, extremism, and one man willing to risk everything to stop it.

“A taut, fast-paced thriller with unforgettable characters and high stakes from the very first page.”

About the Series

“Black Sun Rising” is the fourth book in Otho Eskin’s acclaimed Marko Zorn series, which includes:

  • “The Reflecting Pool”
  • “Head Shot”
  • “Firetrap”

Each novel can be read as a gripping stand-alone or as part of the ongoing series.

About the Author: Otho Eskin

Otho Eskin launched his career as a thriller writer in 2020 with “The Reflecting Pool,” which was met with rave reviews and chosen as an Amazon Editors’ Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense. (Otho Eskin, 2025)

Before turning to fiction, Eskin served in the U.S. Army and as a diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service. His postings took him to Syria, Yugoslavia, Iceland, and East Berlin (then part of the GDR), where he witnessed political corruption and international intrigue firsthand—experiences that now inform his high-stakes novels.

While stationed in East Berlin during the Cold War, Eskin was named in a Soviet-backed propaganda publication titled Who’s Who in the CIA—a false accusation meant to discredit and endanger American diplomats. Though not a spy, the disinformation campaign shaped his understanding of global deception and power plays—key themes in his writing today.

Eskin is also an accomplished playwright. His works—including Act of God, Murder as a Fine Art, Duet, Julie, Final Analysis, and Season in Hell—have been professionally staged in Washington, New York, and Europe.

Are you ready for a thriller that doesn’t let up?
Pick up “Black Sun Rising” and join Marko Zorn in a race against time to stop a nightmare’s rebirth.

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Writing Through Grief: Matteo B. Bianchi’s Unforgettable Novel of Love and Loss

‘The Life of Those Left Behind’ is the new novel by Matteo B. Bianchi. Photo: Other Press.

“The Life of Those Left Behind”: Matteo B. Bianchi’s Devastating and Luminous Novel of Grief

In “The Life of Those Left Behind: A Novel,” acclaimed Italian author Matteo B. Bianchi delivers a profoundly intimate meditation on grief, love, and the transformative power of storytelling. Set to be released in English on May 27, 2025 by Other Press, this luminous novel is a raw and moving testimony born from personal tragedy. (Other Press, 2025)

A Story Born from Loss

When Bianchi published his debut novel in 1999—a fierce, coming-of-age portrait of a gay boy in 1980s Milan—his life was shadowed by unbearable loss. Just months earlier, S., the man he had loved and lived with for seven years, had taken his own life in the apartment they once shared. Matteo was the one who found him.

From that harrowing moment, Bianchi describes being trapped in a “dark labyrinth”—a psychological and emotional whirlpool of grief, confusion, guilt, and sorrow that haunts those left behind after a loved one’s suicide. He becomes the unwilling protagonist in a tragedy that feels both intimately unique and universally unfathomable.

Writing Through the Pain

In the midst of this devastation, the writer within Bianchi begins to take notes—not as a project, but as a reflex, a lifeline. At first, they are broken fragments: raw nerves on the page, splinters of memory and emotion. Over time, those fragments evolve into a heartfelt and unfiltered conversation with S.—a record of pain, love, memory, and the slow, uncertain path back toward life.

“The Life of Those Left Behind” is the result of two decades of healing and reflection. It’s a novel both radical and vulnerable, both deeply personal and resonant with universal truths. In his journey through trauma, Bianchi joins a literary lineage of authors who have wrestled with loss on the page—writers like Joan Didion (“The Year of Magical Thinking”), Ocean Vuong (“On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous”), and Lidia Yuknavich (“The Chronology of Water”).

A Novel That Redeems Grief

This book is not only an account of what it means to survive, but also a testament to how writing can redeem and reframe even the most unspeakable pain. It is a powerful reminder that while grief may never fully release its grip, art can help us find light inside its darkest corners.

About the Author

Matteo B. Bianchi, born in Milan in 1966, is a novelist, editor, and screenwriter. His previous works include “Generations of Love” and “Maria Accanto,” both celebrated for their emotional depth and cultural insight.

About the Translator

Michael F. Moore is an award-winning translator known for his masterful renditions of Italian literature. His recent work includes “The Betrothed” by Alessandro Manzoni, and he has translated works by Alberto Moravia, Primo Levi, and Mario Desiati. In 2024, Moore was honored with the Thornton Wilder Prize for Translation. He holds a PhD in Italian from NYU and has served as an interpreter and staff member at the United Nations.

📖 Don’t Miss This Unforgettable Story

“The Life of Those Left Behind” is a novel that will stay with you long after the final page. Pre-order your copy today and be among the first to experience this powerful journey through love, loss, and healing.

👉 Pre-order now from Other Press

Advance Praise for Matteo B. Bianchi (The Life of Those Left Behind):

***One of FRESH FICTION’s Not To Miss June 2025 Titles***

“With The Life of Those Left Behind, Matteo B. Bianchi, one of Italy’s finest writers, attains new heights of intimacy, acuity, and eloquence. A chronicle of a loved one’s suicide—what led up to it and what followed it—the novel is also a testament to human endurance and compassion, fallibility and wisdom. A necessary book.”
—David Leavitt, author of Shelter in Place

“Haunting and haunted. As beautiful as it is devastating. The Life of Those Left Behind is one of those rare books to capture the brutal nature of grief and loss while soaring as a stunning work of literature. Matteo B. Bianchi serves as both traveler and guide into a terrifying underworld we never expect to enter. It’s an indelible meditation on suicide, precision-tuned to break your heart.”
—Christopher Bollen, author of Havoc

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Step Into Joy: Inside Out Exhibit Comes to The DoSeum This Summer

The DoSeum to premiere Emotions at Play with Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ this summer. Photo: The DoSeum, used with permission.

🎉 Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out – Now at The DoSeum! 🎉
📅 May 24 – September 1, 2025
📍 The DoSeum, San Antonio

Step into the colorful world of Pixar’s Inside Out at The DoSeum’s newest interactive exhibit, Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out. Designed in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, this exhibit helps children and families explore the science of emotions through joyful, hands-on experiences. (The DoSeum, 2025)

👀 What to Expect:

  • Take charge at Headquarters’ Control Panel to explore emotional responses
  • Reflect on feelings with Emotion Mirrors
  • Capture powerful moments inside glowing Memory Spheres
  • Create stories at Dream Productions
  • Balance feelings on the Train of Thought and Emotion Blocks

🧠 Focused on the five core emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear—this playful exhibit supports emotional literacy, self-expression, and imagination, making it the perfect learning adventure for kids and caregivers alike.

About The DoSeum

The DoSeum is San Antonio’s museum for children and a cornerstone of interactive learning. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, with roots dating back to 1995 when it first opened as the San Antonio Children’s Museum, The DoSeum has grown into one of the nation’s top children’s museums. The DoSeum features interactive exhibits spanning science, math, art, and literacy, designed to spark curiosity and ignite imaginations. Committed to fostering hands-on learning and discovery, The DoSeum serves as a premier educational resource for educators, caregivers, and children in the San Antonio community.

About Inside Out 

Pixar’s hit animated feature Inside Out is the story of 11-year-old Riley, who like all of us, is guided by her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco as Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive. Inside Out was released in 2015. 

🎂 You’re Invited: Hooray for 10! A Community Celebration
📅 Friday, June 6 | 10a.m. – 8p.m.
Celebrate The DoSeum’s 10th birthday with a FREE day of fun, including the Inside Out exhibit, live performances, treats, activities, and more!

🎟️ RSVP Required – Limited Tickets Available!
Reserve your free spot online during one of these RSVP windows:

  • May 16 at 8a.m.
  • May 17 at 12p.m.
  • May 18 at 3p.m.
  • May 19 at 7p.m.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn, laugh, and grow with your community!

The DoSeum
2800 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209

Photo: The DoSeum, used with permission.

Gothic Noir in Wartime France: Franck Bouysse’s ‘Clay’

‘Clay’ is Franck Bouysse’s new novel. Photo: Other Press

New Release: Clay by Franck Bouysse

A Dark, Lyrical Tale of War, Vengeance, and Buried Passions

Critically acclaimed French author Franck Bouysse, a master of gothic noir, returns this month with his latest novel, “Clay: A Novel”—a powerful, Faulknerian story of love, masculinity, and vengeance set against the backdrop of World War I. It is available for pre-order. (Other Press, 2025)
Release Date: May 20, 2025

A Story Set in Shadows and Heat

In the summer of 1914, in the rugged heart of Cantal, France, the able-bodied men of a rural mountain community march off to war. Left behind are the women, the elderly, and the young—those who must now bear the weight of survival.

Fifteen-year-old Joseph is one of them. With his father gone, he’s left to run the family farm alongside his mother, grandmother, and their aging neighbor Leonard. Across the property line lives Valette, a bitter man excused from the war due to a malformed hand. When his brother’s wife and daughter seek refuge with him, their arrival ignites long-simmering resentments and awakens passions that had long been buried.

Gothic Noir Meets Historical Fiction

Clay is a haunting, propulsive novel that blurs the line between historical fiction and literary noir. With richly textured prose and emotionally raw characters, Bouysse crafts a deeply affecting narrative of isolation, violence, and human resilience. The novel explores themes of abuse, family bonds, suppressed desire, and the way trauma seeps through generations.

This is essential reading for fans of Bouysse’s previous work and readers who love dark, atmospheric fiction in the tradition of Tana French or William Faulkner.

About the Author

Franck Bouysse was born in France in 1965. Before becoming a full-time writer in 2007, he worked as a biology teacher. His breakout novel, “Born of No Woman,” won multiple prestigious French literary awards, including the Elle Readers’ Grand Prize, the Booksellers’ Prize, and the Prix Babelio. His follow-up, “Wind Drinkers,” received the Prix Jean Giono and further cemented his reputation as a leading voice in contemporary French literature.

About the Translator

Lara Vergnaud is a celebrated translator of French literature, known for her work across fiction, nonfiction, and scholarly texts. She has received two PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grants and a French Voices Grand Prize, and has been nominated for the National Translation Award. Her recent translations include “The Most Secret Memory of Men” by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr and “Demoiselles of Numidia” by Mohamed Leftah. She currently lives in France.

Advance Praise for Franck Bouysse (Clay):

“Franck Bouysse builds novels like an architect, writes prose like a painter, and with Clay captures both the beauty and bleakness of nature, the horrors of conflict and matters of the human heart with a poet’s precision. This is a masterwork of historical fiction—born of the Cantal region’s people as much as its mountains, rivers, and soil—that renders with staggering authenticity the volatile dramas created in the voids of the Great War. A translation to be cherished, Clay is an unforgettable story…superb, sublime, and heartbreaking.”
—Peter Farris, award-winning author of The Devil Himself