“Sleeping Giants” by Sylvain Neuval. Published by Penguin Random House LLC, New York, N.Y. in 2016. Rose Franklin is riding her bicycle in her hometown in Deadwood, South Dakota, when, as far as Rose is concerned, the world ends. She wakes up at the bottom of a square hole; its walls are glowing and the…
“Rachel Rising”: A Book Review
“Rachel Rising” by Terry Moore. Published by Abstract Studio. Imagine, if you can, digging yourself out of a grave in the ground and not having any memory of how you wound up there or who you really are. “Rachel Rising” is an amazing tale, but I really did not realize it at first. Let me…
“Fellside” by M. R. Carey: A Book Review
Fellside by M. R. Carey, published by Orbit, an Imprint of Hachette Book Group, April, 2016 Fellside is a women’s prison. If you’ve ever been in a prison, you’ll know that ghosts roam the tiers, and the smell of fear and old sweat socks drifts up your nostrils. Although I hope you’ve never experienced this,…
Every Day with Morrie: Mitch Albom on charity and writing
Author Mitch Albom has been a household name in the writing business for over 30 years, and for good reason. Starting out as a sports writer in his early 20s after graduating from Columbia’s School of Business, Albom has since published sports-themed books including “Fab Five” and “Bo.” He has also published four collections of…
STREET DOCTOR: Q&A with author Dr. James O'Connell
Dr. James O’Connell has been a doctor on the streets of Boston for 30 years, providing healthcare to Boston’s unsheltered population. A founding physician of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, he got his start in 1985 and now serves as the BHCHP’s president. Dr. O’Connell has recently released his book, Stories from…
Turning Up the Volume
By Andrew Halveron As I settled into the front row seat of my first slam, I felt an active comfort throughout the crowd that was still funneling in. Many faces happy to see each other and many conversations about what was to come from the mic this evening already flowing. I had heard spoken word,…
Book Review: “The Doubt Factory” by Paolo Bacigalupi
“The Doubt Factory” is advertised as a book for young adults. Not only is it for young adults, but anyone who can comprehend corporate cover-ups intended to make money will absolutely be enthralled by this tense thriller. Alix and Jonah Banks attend a private school named Seitz Academy for two reasons. First, they are both…
‘Wanton Regard’: A Book Review
“Fate don’t negotiate”—Gage Dolon As I read “Wanton Regard,” I wondered what kind of mind Geoffrey Neil must have to be able to come up with a fiendish character like Gage Dolon. This is Geoffrey Neil’s third book and his writing is every bit as good as Stephen King’s or Joe Hill’s. The only difference…
Night Goggles
When shadows you know step and shine on shadows you don’t, you might see what Vishnu once saw: The creation of all earth, of all life, a dream- bound together in joy and tears, the codas caught frozen in time and left for later, like an old high school yearbook boxed somewhere up in the…