Photo: Michael Kienitz The government has been telling people that the economy has been making a steady but slow recovery from the Great Recession nine years ago. During most months over the past few years, the unemployment rate has suggested a rosy picture of job growth. GDP has slowly improved. The housing market has heated…
A Solace for Expression: The Pilgrim Magazine
In the basement of St. John Episcopal Church in Boston, there’s a brightly lit studio with white walls and wooden panel floors, filled with six tables of dynamic characters. In each person’s hand is a writing utensil and before them a pad to write on. After one hour, they pass the pads in, creating new…
“A Man Lies Dreaming”: A Book Review
A Man Lies Dreaming by Lavie Tidhar; published by Melville House Publishing “A Man Lies Dreaming” is an amazing alternate history book written by Lavie Tidhar, the author of “The Violent Century” and World Fantasy Award winner “Osama.” In “A Man Lies Dreaming,” Wolf is a down-and-out private eye who was once the most powerful…
“Sleeping Giants”: A Book Review
“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…