‘Breathe: Healing Conversations’ is a contemporary poetry book by Karen Achille. Photo: Karen Achille, used with permission.
In today’s book news: if you love poetry as much as I do, Karen Achille’s “Breathe: Healing Conversations”should be on your radar. Take a journey into the full range of emotions that poetry can convey.
Karen Achille is a Georgia-based and Haiti-born poetess, teacher, and relationship coach whose lifelong vision is to help empathic souls heal through the power of poetic storytelling. In addition to the co-authored debut book “Jaded” and her second book “Breathe,” she holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and two graduate degrees in English Education and Leadership. When she is not pouring her heart out on paper, you can find this altruistic soul dancing like nobody is watching, cooking a delicious meal, or simply relaxing in the present moment. She is also a pluviophile and nature lover. Above all else, Karen cherishes quality time spent with her loved ones, especially her love and muse, Gayle. “Breathe” is available on Amazon. More from the author: Writer’s Workshop: The Creative Huddle. (Karen Achille, 2023)
“Breathe” takes the reader on an emotive voyage of upheaval, heartache, healing, and ultimately, personal transformation. Through heartfelt poetic narration and evocative lines, poetess Karen Achille reveals a relatable story that reminds you that you are never truly alone on this journey called life. By the book’s end, each sense will be awakened, and your heart will be empowered. Most importantly, “Breathe” invites the reader to truly reside in the present, darkness and all.
‘The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers’ is Book 1 in the Science Fiction saga The Book of Glads. Photo: Amazon.
Todd S. Glider is an author, musician, director, and producer. After 13 years of living in Europe, he, along with his wife Jeremie and their cat, Sophie, returned to the United States. The three of them currently reside in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In his new book, “The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers,” follow the #4 Glad in Mega-City Philadelphia, HD Heathers, as she navigates celebrity, loneliness, and the creeping feeling that the world is not as utopian as she would have been led to believe. It is Book 1 in the Science Fiction saga The Book of Glads. It is available on Amazon and Book Selfie. Follow the author: Instagram. More about Book Selfie here. (Amazon, 2023)
“The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers” – Experience a world in which nation states have fallen by the wayside, giving way to The Mega-City System and The Alpha Upgrade Program. While The System acknowledges, and even caters to the shortcomings of all citizens, The Program gives everyone the opportunity to have the strength, dexterity or virility of a superhero, and the fame that comes with it. The one catch is that you must agree to participate in the most popular form of entertainment, Gladiatorial Combat—sometimes to the death. HD Heathers opted for a strength upgrade fresh out of high school. Now, 15 years later, she is the hero of millions, having gained wealth, prestige, and stardom. She is a genetically enhanced human with superhuman strength, commonly known as a Brawn. The story opens as she is taken by surprise and attacked by an unknown competitor in a FAB, a Floating Arena Battle. He turns out to be Billy O. Boyd, someone from her past, but the battle has no clear winner and that is not the last she will see of him. As she encounters one obstacle after another, the world she knows will make her question her decisions and the motivation of those who surround her.
Set in a futuristic Mega-City Philadelphia of 2370 where “content was king across the Mega-City System and ScrimCoating was the medium for viewing remote content,” technology has advanced to the point where almost every Citizen wears a ScrimCoated wristband at all times. Drones are a constant source of monitoring and recording, often in pictures, which is why HD Heathers constantly presents a ‘picture perfect’ posture to the world. This is one appeal of “The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers” because it makes the future similar to today’s world, with more sophisticated technology and modern day Gladiators, who have opted for upgrades like superhuman strength and agility. The only drawback is that they must constantly battle others like themselves and basically serve as entertainment for the masses. The characters are well developed (HD Heathers is a strong female character) and relatable and the language is descriptive and poetic “HD could not see much more than some ghostly tendrils crossing the brightest star, Sirius, and the anemic blade of a crescent moon.” The pacing of the story is constant and steady, leading up to the climatic final battle. With a futuristic setting and Gladiator style battle scenes, “The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers” is a highly entertaining science fiction novel; it serves as a social commentary on capitalism and what passes for entertainment in a world where content and popularity rankings are influential. It is recommended for readers who appreciate futuristic science fiction novels and superhero/fantasy science fiction.
* Disclaimer: contains explicit sex scenes.
“Many in the crowd averted their eyes. Some shook their heads. Others wept. There were blank faces, too. “WAS THAT NOT ENOUGH?” HD shouted. “CITIZENS! ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?” The silence held. HD shouted, “VERY WELL! I AM HERE TO ENTERTAIN YOU!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Group review of ‘The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers’
‘Harrison Waits’ is a children’s book written and illustrated by Missy Hagen. Photo: Amazon
In today’s book news, the spotlight shines on a children’s book about a boy who is waiting for something big and how he passes the time. Missy Hagen’s “Harrison Waits”is an illustrated children’s book that is sure to entertain the little ones in your life.
Missy Hagen came to children’s book writing and illustrating after an eclectic career in fields that seemed to predict such destiny. She has a BA in Elementary Education from Cornell College, spent years in corporate technical writing, built a popular aerobic dance program in the eighties, and raised three children, all before returning to college for web and graphic design. She combined her teaching, technical, and design skills as Educational Technology Director for Rochester Community and Technical College for over 10 years. When her grandson Harrison was born, it sparked the idea for “Harrison Waits” based on his FOUR initials. A story focusing on the letters H and W and about how the rewards of being patient and keeping busy yield an outcome worth waiting for. Missy’s watercolor and ink artwork has often been exhibited and featured throughout southeast Minnesota where she resides with her husband.
“Harrison Waits” is a wonderful story about a young boy who is anxiously waiting for … what? See how Harrison patiently passes the time while he anticipates the arrival of something special he has been looking forward to for a long time. Will it be worth the wait? Can Harrison find enough to do to keep himself busy while waiting? The colorful artwork from Missy Hagen will captivate all ages while the clever play on the letters “H” and “W” will entertain readers and listeners alike. For extra fun, search for hidden “H” and “W” words illustrated on each page.
‘I Know You By Heart: Navigating the Dementia Journey’ by Angie Swetland. Photo: Amazon
It is hard enough having to care for a loved one with dementia, but often, the resources and support system are hard to come by. This resource guide aims to answer readers questions about dementia and gives personal experience accounts and coping tips, all in easy to understand language.
Angie Swetland graduated from Luther College with a degree in Sociology and Religion. Her first job was as Activity Director in a small-town nursing home. Forty years later, she retired as Corporate Director of Customer Relations at Presbyterian Homes and Services (PHS), one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit providers of senior housing and services. During her time at PHS, Angie developed curricula for Dementia Care services and worked with care teams to ensure care protocols were in place. Angie also assisted in developing a Dementia Care Specialist certification program offered jointly by the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota and North Dakota and served on its faculty. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of Our Lady of Peace Hospice and Home. Angie facilitates a Dementia Caregiver Support Group at Easter Lutheran Church and enjoys public speaking to area churches and other organizations about Dementia Care. Her book “I Know You By Heart: Navigating the Dementia Journey” gives answers to some of their commonly asked questions about dementia as well as coping strategies for the future. (Angie Swetland, 2023)
“I Know You By Heart: Navigating the Dementia Journey” – In the U.S. today, over 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementia. Each of these individuals has a story and each one has caregivers with stories of their own. You have questions – so many questions about what is happening now, and what is to come. How do I cope with this new manifestation of the disease? How do I prepare for an uncertain future? This is especially true when just navigating your way through each day can be overwhelming. In navigating this journey, it is important to remember two essential truths. The first is that the body may fail, and the mind may wander, but the spirit – the person inside – remains intact. The caregiver’s role is to maximize the remaining strengths of the person they care for. The second is that you are not alone. Caregiving is often an isolating experience. Stories from the lives of others let us know that our experiences are not unique. Be assured that many have gone before, and others are walking the same road today.
Life is often so busy. We have many responsibilities and commitments that it’s so easy to forget to live. After all, there are so many things in our lives that can bring us joy and we definitely deserve to indulge in them regularly. Yet, either we just can’t find the time or them or we don’t always really know what to turn to. If you’ve found yourself in a rut, you may want a little inspiration. So here are five things that you should always look to fill your life with for more joy.
1. Books First of all, we have books. When you’re a bookworm and avid reader, books are always going to bring you joy. You’re going to find that you’re able to really immerse yourself into a relaxing environment when you read. It’s okay to always want to prioritize reading time. Filling your life with books and stories can be a simple way to make sure that your life feels fulfilling.
2. Food It’s safe to say that food always brings us joy. When you’re eating your favorite meals, life can feel good. And if you’re a foodie, taking the time out to go to the right restaurants and trying new dishes is always going to be fun for you. But you can also do the same by cooking things up at home too. Maybe it’s an authentic goulash or your favorite pasta dish – another way, cooking can always make you happy. And it’s certainly something to enjoy the results of too.
3. Movies If you love cinema, then turning to the right movies is always a good idea. You’re likely to find that filling up your time with amazing stories, documentaries, and even things like shows and theater could spark so much joy in your life. Cinema is art, just as much as other forms. So allowing yourself to switch off and enjoy it can be such a great move for you.
4. Nature Then we have nature. Being in nature is something that can bring so much happiness into our lives without us even knowing it. Nature is calming. When we’re outdoors, we can exercise, move, enjoy sunlight, and many other things that help our health. Whether you like to walk, practice yoga in the garden, read in the sunshine, or anything else, being in nature can be great for you.
5. Travel Finally, there’s also travel. You may find that getting out and about in the world is always going to bring you a lot of joy. There’s a wealth of experiences to be had when you travel. From relaxing and enjoying the culture, to getting out into nature and eating more food (two of our joy-filled things), you can do so much when you travel. If you’re yet to book your next trip, go ahead and do it. After all, our lives should be filled with experiences we’ll never forget.
‘Loving You Is Destiny’ by Sarah Akkoyun. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
If you love reading romance novels, here is one for you: “Loving You Is Destiny,” the latest novel by Sarah Akkoyun. It is available on Amazon. (Sarah Akkoyun, 2023)
“Loving You Is Destiny”– Vanessa Lawrence had always thought she would end up marrying the love of her life, David Dawson, one day. – Yet here she is one year later, still unable to move on. Her family and best friend try their best to support her, but they just cannot understand what she is going through. Vanessa did not want to move on, at least, not until she met Lucas Graham.
He brought joy and happiness back into her life, but she should not get any closer to him than she already was. She could not forget David, she still wanted him to be a part of her life. It was not fair to Lucas, Vanessa knew that, but they could be friends, right? Nothing more, nothing less. Just good friends. No matter what Taylor, her best friend, said. Even though Taylor just wanted Vanessa to be happy again. Vanessa never expected to discover a secret about what happened a year ago, considering she thought there was nothing left to find out. Now she has to decide if love can truly overcome anything.
‘Iowa Trouble’ is a politics centered memoir by Tyler Granger, a lifetime Iowan who was heavily involved in the area’s politics. Photo: Tyler Granger, used with permission.
Tyler Granger is a lifelong Iowan who wanted to share his life’s journey and began writing his memoir in 2020 for his infant daughter so she would have a book about her father and her family’s history. He shares his journey in this memoir, which includes stories ranging from football to Warped Tour to working for the Obama campaign. He has a degree in political science from Northwestern College and has worked on a variety of political campaigns and non-profits across Iowa. “Iowa Trouble” is a memoir of political violence across Iowa mixed with a variety of horror stories from punk sub-culture to Iowa gangsters to the politics of the Iowa Caucus. (Tyler Granger, 2023)
“Iowa Trouble”– while it is not for everyone, it includes something for everyone. It is a coming of age/gangster novel/political thriller/horror memoir with the target audience being punks and political junkies.
* Disclaimer: This self-published memoir includes stories of murder, rape, drugs and alcohol, political corruption, and other violent crimes that could be potentially emotionally distressing for some readers.
Author Tyler Granger. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
‘Arranged Mating: Otherworlders Series’ is Chris Rogers’ new paranormal romance book. Photo: Amazon
Chris Rogers has been in education for over 17 in public education and post-secondary education. She is the first in her family to go to college; earning a Masters in Science Degree in Science Education and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership. Her love for science inspired her to go into education. Reading and writing is a passion. She loves getting lost in a good book or relaxing by writing. As a new writer, Chris Rogers wants to bring her love for paranormal romance to readers giving them a world to get lost in when they open the book. In her new book “Arranged Mating: Otherworlders Series,” will Isla’s magical whip and her budding romance with her future werewolf mate be enough to help her save the worlds from bloodthirsty monsters? (Chris Rogers, 2023)
“Arranged Mating: Otherworlders Series” – Disciplined, strong, and skilled with her magical whip, Isla Bane was raised far away from prying human eyes, among the male wolves of her pack. But the future she has always imagined as the Alpha of her pack becomes nothing more than fantasy when her grandfather interrupts her morning coffee to tell her she is to be mated to the infamous womanizer Axel Griffith – the heir to the wealthy Shadow Pack. As she joins the Shadow Pack in preparation for the mating ceremony, her feelings for Axel grow unexpectedly fast, as does the threat from the insane and bloodthirsty Crazed Otherworlders. Faced with this deadly and suddenly organized enemy, Isla and Axel need to trust each other with their world-altering secrets and overcome their stubborn attitudes if they want to save their packs and the world order Isla was Chosen to protect – even if no one else can be trusted.
San Antonio Book Festival, set for April 15, announces 2023 lineup for festival featuring 100 local, regional, and national authors. Photo: San Antonio Book Festival, used with permission.
The San Antonio Book Festival (SABF) is excited to announce its 2023 author lineup, which includes 100 notable local, regional, and national authors who will be participating in the festival. This year’s lineup includes nationally renowned authors such as Kiese Laymon, Geraldine Brooks, Melissa de la Cruz, Matthew Desmond, and more. The free festival will take place Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 9a.m. to 5p.m. at the Central Library and UTSA Southwest Campus in downtown San Antonio. (San Antonio Book Festival, 2023)
The full author lineupis now available. Locally owned and operated bookstore Nowhere Bookshopwill be the Festival’s official bookseller. Book sales and signings will take place at the Nowhere Bookshop tent in the Festival Marketplace (UTSA Southwest Campus parking lot).
The 11th annual San Antonio Book Festival starts at 9a.m., and will officially kick off with an opening ceremony at 9:30a.m. featuring remarks from SABF’s executive director and Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
SABF is a free, family-friendly event that draws anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 festival goers to downtown San Antonio for a full day of author presentations, panel discussions, book sales, signings, children’s and teen activities, and food trucks. SABF showcases debut authors and established writers, introducing attendees to new literary talents and connecting them with their favorite authors. A detailed festival schedule will be available in late March.
The 2023 SABF will assemble a wide array of authors—for all ages—who will travel across Texas and the nation for the one-day festival.
“The past year in US publishing has been vibrant and varied. Readers sought romance books in greater numbers, thanks to the rise of BookTok (TikTok, but for book lovers). For the first time, we will have a romance panel at this year’s Book Festival. There’s also been a trend towards thriller and horror lately, with authors using the genre to discuss trauma and mental health, likely because the past few years have been so anxiety-provoking.” – Anna Dobben, the San Antonio Book Festival Literary Director.
Joining the festival this year are award-winning authors like Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award Finalist Rebecca Makkai, who will be promoting her new book “I Have Some Questions for You,” a literary mystery set at a boarding school exploring gender, class, and race. Matthew Desmond, MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize–winning author of “Evicted,” will participate in the festival with his new nonfiction book “Poverty, By America,” a look at why poverty persists in America and who benefits from it. Marytza Rubio and Alejandro Varela will be promoting their 2023 National Book Award–honored novels.
Popular young adult authors like Adam Silvera, author of the New York Times bestseller “They Both Die at the End,” will join the festival to promote “The First to Die at the End,” the prequel to the aforementioned novel about two strangers who spend a life-changing day together. New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz will also be promoting her new Snow White retelling, “Snow & Poison.”
Additional award-winning authors participating in this year’s festival include Pulitzer Prize–winning Geraldine Brooks promoting her book “Horse;” 2022 MacArthur Fellow Kiese Laymon and his memoir “Heavy;” New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones with a new thriller “Don’t Fear the Reaper;” and Pulitzer Prize–winning Jane Smiley with a new novel, “A Dangerous Business,” to name a few.
The festival will also bring plenty of Texas authors to the festival, such as bestselling author Jeff Guinn, who will be promoting his new book “Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage,” which accounts the disastrous siege at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco in 1993. Award-winning author Elizabeth McCracken will also participate in the festival with her new novel, “The Hero of This Book,” a story about a writer’s relationship with her larger-than-life mother. Poet Laureate of Houston, Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton will present her memoir, “Black Chameleon.”
In honor of its hometown, SABF is also excited to welcome local San Antonio authors to the lineup for 2023, including Lewis F. Fisher and his book about one of the city’s most beloved natural areas, “Brackenridge: San Antonio’s Acclaimed Urban Park.” Marcia Argueta Mickelson brings her young adult novel, “The Weight of Everything,” to the festival, a story about grief and reconnecting with your roots after the death of a loved one. San Antonio favorite Sandra Cisneros will once again join the festival, this time to promote her first published collection of poems in twenty-eight years, “Woman Without Shame / Mujer sin vergüenza.”
SABF will also host a variety of children’s, middle grade, and young adult authors, including National Book Award finalist Brandon Hobson, whose new middle grade book, “The Storyteller,” mixes the anxieties, friendships and wonders of a Cherokee boy’s life with Cherokee history and lore. Three-time Newbery honoree Christina Soontornvat brings her fantasy middle grade novel, “The Guardian Test: Legends of Lotus Island,” to the festival, a story about a special academy where kids learn to transform into magical creatures that protect the natural world. Children’s author Claudia Guadalupe Martinez will be promoting her bilingual picture book, “Still Dreaming / Seguimos soñando,” a story about a child’s journey during the Mexican Repatriation. SABF’s children’s lineup also includes Newbery and Caldecott–honored creators Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham with a new picture book from their bestselling Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn series, “Party Hearty Kitty-Corn.”
This year SABF will also host a new 21+ event called Lit Happens on the evening of April 14, from 6p.m. to 9p.m. Lit Happens is a night of engaging literary entertainment with libations on the side. Taking place on the eve of the festival, Lit Happens is a celebration of storytelling and community in the heart of downtown San Antonio. The night will kick-off with an outdoor poetry activation featuring Jose Olivarez and San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson at 6p.m. The second phase of the evening at 7p.m. is Worth Repeating, a live storytelling event at Texas Public Radio. Stacked with San Antonio Book Festival authors, this Moth-style session will include writers Rafael Agustin, Mahogany L. Browne, Rebecca Makkai, and Stephen Graham Jones. The night will officially end with a game of Literary Death Match at 8p.m. with Texas-connected authors–V. Castro, Rubén Degollado, Bobby Finger, Jonny Garza Villa–at nearby Legacy Park. Those looking to extend the celebration can easily walk to several local bars.
Book It! Luncheons will also be featured in this year’s programming. The SABF will host three separate intimate luncheons with festival authors hosted by various Book Festival board members. Our three luncheon authors are Ada Calhoun, Dean King, and Reza Aslan.
‘The Union’ by Leah Vernon is a coming of age novel set in a dystopian future. Photo: Amazon
Leah Vernon is an author, body-positive activist, and the first international plus-size Hijabi model. During her double master’s program, she started a blog about being a fat Black Muslim in Detroit experiencing everything from eating disorders to anti-Blackness. She has been featured in ads from Target to Old Navy and even made it to the New York Times and HuffPost. She currently resides in New York City. Her new book “The Union” is a daring dystopian novel that explores the power of friendship in a future society built on violence and division. (Amazon, 2023)
“The Union” – A thousand years in the future, a black elite class reigns. The lower classes, made up of whites, toil in the fields or scrape by in blighted cities, serving their rulers in a cruel, divided world. The story begins with Saige Wilde, a mixed-race enslaved girl whose only goal is escaping beyond the borders of their brutal nation. Among the Lower Residents, there are three classes: Domestic, Chattel, and Impure. Because she is mixed, she is simply labeled as Impure. In this dystopian world, color determines everything: “the paler you were, the worse you got it.” Among the Elites is eighteen-year-old Avi Jore, born to a powerful father and destined to rule. As she comes of age, Avi cannot help but notice the injustices in her world―the treatment of enslaved workers and the oppression of the lower classes. Her disillusionment grows when she meets Saige, who saves her from an assassination attempt, and their paths become intertwined in ways they never imagined. As Saige plots her path to freedom, Avi tries to enact change from the inside but it is a complicated endeavor, filled with danger and malice. Together, their efforts could spark a revolution and underscore the staggering power of friendship.
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” this is the quote from George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” that comes to mind while reading “The Union.” Regardless of who is in charge, there is a risk of them eventually going power hungry and those who are not end up under their heels. Such is the case in this totally engaging speculative novel that dares to imagine a world where whites are not the ruling class. Add in elements of a coming of age novel and friendships that are tested by life’s complications and you have a thought provoking story. Judging by the ending, this is likely to be a series and it would be interesting to read where the author takes these characters. They are well developed, relatable, and strong willed. The narration is in the first person point of view and switches back and forth between Avi and Saige, giving readers a glimpse into their thought processes. With descriptive language that is simple and down to earth, the story flows through the pages, making it a fast read. “The Union” is a coming of age fiction set in a dystopian future similar to the Hunger Games. It may appeal to fans of the genre who appreciate strong characters in tales of revolution and class struggles all mixed in with politics.
“The environment was nothing that I’d ever experienced. It was as if an acidic mist lingered over the entire block, turning everything into the same dull color. The buildings were tall, connected, and intimidating, like they had trapped any soul that had tried to escape. It was like being in a parallel universe, eons away from home.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
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