tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204170089600697152024-03-18T11:23:55.099-04:00Martin's ViewThis is a blog about recreational hobbies that I am interested in (music, TV, movies, books). I also talk about what's on my mind or things that happen in life around me.
Please feel free to post comments; I want this to be an interactive dialogue.
If you like what you read, please share it with your friends. Thanks.Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.comBlogger2859125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-34573579121707762992024-03-17T10:27:00.001-04:002024-03-17T10:27:11.839-04:00Book Review: The Sicilian Inheritance<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdROVSmb_wuOZzBuOqkLBAN3WUejcVqWwFHVDjW4tgZbSt1IKXwxSfG7dMhrhohxLvVfVluvxJLN2g3nW0cAZvHd0eG-qLg5UfSK71p_oSEu3ZXcdjmvyf065U03j1xeMq0EFs3wtMu10J8P6wIDS5m1ZhB8c6rNAOL0yY3GhWkhTy2Qe2JQuSrlQiW3-m/s385/blogpost.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdROVSmb_wuOZzBuOqkLBAN3WUejcVqWwFHVDjW4tgZbSt1IKXwxSfG7dMhrhohxLvVfVluvxJLN2g3nW0cAZvHd0eG-qLg5UfSK71p_oSEu3ZXcdjmvyf065U03j1xeMq0EFs3wtMu10J8P6wIDS5m1ZhB8c6rNAOL0yY3GhWkhTy2Qe2JQuSrlQiW3-m/s320/blogpost.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Sara Marsala barely knows who she is anymore after the failure of her business and marriage. On top of that, her beloved great-aunt Rosie passes away, leaving Sara bereft with grief. But Aunt Rosie’s death also opens an escape from her life and a window into the past by way of a plane ticket to Sicily, a deed to a possibly valuable plot of land, and a bombshell family secret. Rosie believes Sara’s great-grandmother Serafina, the family matriarch who was left behind while her husband worked in America, didn’t die of illness as family lore has it . . . she was murdered.</p>
<p>Thus begins a twist-filled adventure that takes Sara all over the picturesque Italian countryside as she races to solve a mystery and learn the story of Serafina—a feisty and headstrong young woman in the early 1900s thrust into motherhood in her teens, who fought for a better life not just for herself but for all the women of her small village. Unsurprisingly the more she challenges the status quo, the more she finds herself in danger.</p>
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<p><i>The Sicilian Inheritance</i> by Jo Piazza will be published April 2, 2024. Penguin Random House provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>My family roots on both sides trace back to Sicily, so I was certainly drawn to a book with this title. Plus, the cover is simply gorgeous and inviting.</p>
<p>The story is broken down into two narratives - the modern day with Sara and the past with Serafina. There are rich details throughout, in both geographic descriptions and historical accuracy. With these, Piazza definitely did her research (as her author notes confirms). There are also some very intriguing secondary characters.</p>
<p>There were, however, a couple things that did impact my reading experience. First, the two names of the main characters are very similar which could lead a reader to confusion. In fact, there is even a third character with a similar name introduced. Second, both the stories of Sara and Serafina are told in first-person past tense, alternating chapters. This kind of narrative approach that is not a favorite of mine as it can lead to more confusion (especially when both characters are of the same gender, are in similar settings and are similarly named). Also, with alternating narratives, I find the momentum of the story, for me, gets derailed every time we jump back to the other time period. Together, these are several strikes against the book for me.</p>
<p>I definitely think this book can appeal to the right audience. I just wasn't the right audience.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-92192851055031094762024-03-16T09:34:00.002-04:002024-03-16T09:40:15.739-04:00Book Review: Walt Disney World Hacks, 2nd Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAsg7mLKSWFVtxTDdCS_oxSHuBIGlqWGHw6k2TP9LfWLGQoW8_-7gdZEKIopbvrQ6hyphenhyphenG2QOKTokBOszPMUnKs8RRhZJQDv3QTaFOP36vhicwyB_QkZxzJs4fWxp6NTJ8tRwQr96WWI-lbhln2Muc8rJygnyomFGSRtV3aEl8RqDLyAMFdnv5wfhw-M30v/s393/blogpost.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAsg7mLKSWFVtxTDdCS_oxSHuBIGlqWGHw6k2TP9LfWLGQoW8_-7gdZEKIopbvrQ6hyphenhyphenG2QOKTokBOszPMUnKs8RRhZJQDv3QTaFOP36vhicwyB_QkZxzJs4fWxp6NTJ8tRwQr96WWI-lbhln2Muc8rJygnyomFGSRtV3aEl8RqDLyAMFdnv5wfhw-M30v/s320/blogpost.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Did you know…</p>
<p> - Some attractions inflate their wait time at the end of the day to discourage riders from entering the line when they’re preparing to close? Check the rides in person...you might be able to cut your wait time in half since there might not actually be a long line!</p>
<p> - Although pricier, Genie+ can sometimes come with extra “freebies”—if you know where to look? A great benefit is free digital downloads of select Disney PhotoPass attraction photos.</p>
<p> - Packing something as simple as an extra pair of socks can really save your Disney day? Whether you’re met with unexpected weather or are just tired from miles (literally!) of walking, switching out your socks halfway through the day can provide a much-needed refresh.</p>
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<p><i>Walt Disney World Hacks (2nd edition)</i> by Susan Veness will be published April 2nd, 2024. Adams Media provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>A trip to Disney can be a big undertaking, both in time and money. So, why not make the most of your vacation adventure by tapping into some tested tricks and tips?</p>
<p>This new edition takes into account a lot of recent changes (from the end of many iconic, beloved programs to updated attractions to price increases on everything from tickets to food and more). It will prepare the traveler for all of that. There is a lot of talk about using Genie+ and other Disney park related apps for better maximizing your experience.</p>
<p>The over 430 tips in this edition are broken up into nine chapters. Some will be useful for travelers with children, others can be skipped if they don't apply to your particular trip and party make-up. The maps of the parks in the back are simple but highly effective for knowing what's where and planning your attack before you walk through the gates.</p>
<p>As someone who has experienced the Florida parks at various stages in my life (twice as a child, twice as an adult - single and married, and then again a few times as a parent), many of these tips rang true to my own experiences. For that, I think others could glean useful information from this book.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-30823011930324553492024-03-15T08:03:00.000-04:002024-03-15T08:03:08.229-04:00Book Review: Dwellings<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhV_aTf4N0UF-HftTMKl_rol8IMHCOdKR7MqI2feDxR1RxQh3c4kt_WkcRGxhDVPtzvrP8Crn5bht5TWwvfC2XG6I1kcOJmSnU9BkqHFtBE8CCikT9SQ26c6iMwRJnRESKI7ABZ-syQwE2r2ksSVLdInsyhxxle34WTVx85gY7Q5ibpRxtwDMiiJmr1D7/s392/blogpost.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhV_aTf4N0UF-HftTMKl_rol8IMHCOdKR7MqI2feDxR1RxQh3c4kt_WkcRGxhDVPtzvrP8Crn5bht5TWwvfC2XG6I1kcOJmSnU9BkqHFtBE8CCikT9SQ26c6iMwRJnRESKI7ABZ-syQwE2r2ksSVLdInsyhxxle34WTVx85gY7Q5ibpRxtwDMiiJmr1D7/s320/blogpost.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Welcome to Elwich—an oasis of small-town perfection, where the schools overflow with cheery-eyed children, lovingly adorned homes line the historic boulevards . . . and only the crows can see the deep, festering rot that lurks beneath the pristine surface.</p>
<p>Murder.</p><p>Demonology.</p><p>Possession.</p><p>Obsession.</p><p>Elwich has them all on offer—and behind every dwelling awaits a horrifying new story to be told.</p>
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<p><i>Dwellings</i> by Emmy Award-winning, Eisner Award-nominated cartoonist and animator Jay Stephens will be published April 9, 2024. Oni Press provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>Horror is not my usual jam, but something about the cover of this one really attracted me. It had that vibe I used to get as a kid of the 70's from classic Harvey Comic books (<i>Casper</i>, <i>Richie Rich</i>, etc.). On that, I decided to check this one out.</p>
<p>Don't let the art style fool you. This is not a kids' book. It includes adult language, mature themes and violent actions. But that classic humor comics style cuts it down to a more palatable manner. If the artwork had been a more realistic style, I would have quickly been out.</p>
<p>Props too for the inclusion of mock-up ads that are homages to those we used to find in comic books back in the day. Yes, they are fake companies and projects with ultra creepy and horror-themed items. But the care that was put into the ads show me that Stephens has a nostalgic love for the old four-color days.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-80910727119033221882024-03-14T07:40:00.003-04:002024-03-14T07:40:57.846-04:00Book Review: The Day Tripper<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG3sngaC7Vi8maboRc7fE6dUFLSR4-Rv9D_pu5sONlRHUGja6EHJy4V-c4NDgyrpoV9SnLOE1a3Px_Y_GdXPp9eR8Ck9mdoS2fnpb_SuPwy9rABqEpuJihcRim2SH6J1Bse3IqaL6aM_Ep-aZCGZ6EHS17uzXGpdT1wJe1ZDG3lzPxJbmKaqFggbCjug0/s386/blogpost.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG3sngaC7Vi8maboRc7fE6dUFLSR4-Rv9D_pu5sONlRHUGja6EHJy4V-c4NDgyrpoV9SnLOE1a3Px_Y_GdXPp9eR8Ck9mdoS2fnpb_SuPwy9rABqEpuJihcRim2SH6J1Bse3IqaL6aM_Ep-aZCGZ6EHS17uzXGpdT1wJe1ZDG3lzPxJbmKaqFggbCjug0/s320/blogpost.png"/></a></div>
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<p>It's 1995, and twenty-year-old Alex Dean has it all: a spot at Cambridge University next year, the love of Holly, and all the time in the world ahead of him. Then he wakes one morning to find he’s fifteen years into his future, broke and ruined, his features ravaged by time and poor decisions. After finally drifting off to sleep that night, he wakes the following morning to find it’s now 2019, another nine years later. But the day after that, it’s 1999.</p>
<p>Never knowing which day of his life he’ll wake up in next, Alex sets off on an emotional journey to piece together what went so wrong in his life, and test whether it’s possible to change one’s fate. Why did nothing turn out like he thought it would? What happened to Cambridge, to Holly, to his music? It turns out that small actions can have untold impact, and causes still have effects, even in a life happening out of order. Perhaps it’s enough to save himself, and those he loves.</p>
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<p><i>The Day Tripper</i> by James Goodhand will be published on March 19, 2024. Mira/Harlequin Trade provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>I have always been a fan of time-travel related tales, so the description of this one intrigued me. Plus, the title with its nod to the Beatles - hard to resist.</p>
<p>This is a story that puts the reader in a similar confused state as Alex finds himself in. Why does he wake up to different points in his life? What is happening to him? Is it preventable? Any one of us put in the same position would react with panic and concern. Very relatable.</p>
<p>Goodhand crafts an engaging story that kept me interested. Like Alex, I wanted to keep moving (reading) to figure out what was going on. And=, like Alex, there are life lessons to be gleaned along the way as well. All in all, I found this to be a very enjoyable read.</p>
<p>I appreciate that each chapter title is a song title rather than a chapter number. Some songs are very familiar, some a bit less so. All in all, a perfect nod to the part of the protagonist who that is a musician. It would make for a great playlist to go with the novel. I hope Goodhand puts one up at some point.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-73270316944882997972024-03-10T08:13:00.002-04:002024-03-10T08:13:58.917-04:00Book Review: Mr. Churchill's Secretary<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniJJWVPar4NLK-vOvx2VYiNsb2B2MP9j9FUHJ9q6-QXVN_iQQ8OHHpqoRuyXsRcVTUx-AbLZnG_6j7Uz3UX6wy5Cqu08mJtWZ2nIFytd6Pzopwe0h29j5oThWpGior-2UP1mxLMo9B2nmdbNM9kR7eDcxnJ80ECbghbDUWNAqBTLGIGV0my2s6y674KB0/s475/blogcover.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniJJWVPar4NLK-vOvx2VYiNsb2B2MP9j9FUHJ9q6-QXVN_iQQ8OHHpqoRuyXsRcVTUx-AbLZnG_6j7Uz3UX6wy5Cqu08mJtWZ2nIFytd6Pzopwe0h29j5oThWpGior-2UP1mxLMo9B2nmdbNM9kR7eDcxnJ80ECbghbDUWNAqBTLGIGV0my2s6y674KB0/s320/blogcover.jpg"/></a></div>
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<p>London, 1940. Winston Churchill has just been sworn in, war rages across the Channel, and the threat of a Blitz looms larger by the day. But none of this deters Maggie Hope. She graduated at the top of her college class and possesses all the skills of the finest minds in British intelligence, but her gender qualifies her only to be the newest typist at No. 10 Downing Street. Her indefatigable spirit and remarkable gifts for codebreaking, though, rival those of even the highest men in government, and Maggie finds that working for the prime minister affords her a level of clearance she could never have imagined—and opportunities she will not let pass. In troubled, deadly times, with air-raid sirens sending multitudes underground, access to the War Rooms also exposes Maggie to the machinations of a menacing faction determined to do whatever it takes to change the course of history.</p><a name='more'></a>
<p>Ensnared in a web of spies, murder, and intrigue, Maggie must work quickly to balance her duty to King and Country with her chances for survival. And when she unravels a mystery that points toward her own family’s hidden secrets, she’ll discover that her quick wits are all that stand between an assassin’s murderous plan and Churchill himself.</p>
<p><i>Mr. Churchill's Secretary</i> is the first book in the Maggie Hope Mystery series by Susan Elia MacNeal. it was published April 3, 2012, by Bantam Books.</p>
<p>I chose this title for our mystery book club for April of this year (the mass market paperback came out in 2023).</p>
<p>Normally, I am on the fence regarding historical fiction - especially ones set during World War II. However, MacNeal's wonderfully vivid descriptions and snappy dialogue instantly hooked me. I was quickly immersed in her world of wartime London. There is a lot of world-building at the start, setting up Maggie's environments, friends and co-workers; so it takes a good bit for the intrigue to kick into a steady pace.</p>
<p>With all the interplay between the supporting cast, at times it felt like a <i>CW</i> television show (i.e. smart twenty-somethings) set in a historical location. Again, something I am totally good with as I admittedly watch(ed) a lot of those types of shows. The mystery was a little lighter than I hoped, and, thanks to the third-person narration chosen, I was often clued in to more of what was going on than some of our protagonist characters.</p>
<p>Where the writing and story broke down is when the action started in the final third of the book. It seemed like every time characters were in a tense situation, the air raid sirens would sound and defuse everything. Or, when chapters would jump back and forth at cliffhanging moments that ended up killing the tension. Those kinds of cuts might work well for TV or a movie, but they did not work here.</p>
<p>In summary, it had potential but then ended up coming up short.</p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-50258799916301489492024-03-06T14:59:00.000-05:002024-03-06T14:59:06.899-05:00Book Review: A Good Bad Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C5nKPy1TsMYJmxDcPJ5jF3ZiZ-s8hXKQlwwWvjw7mXB4X8wTJownsppc5cbDltb9WxThxZginauO03zZFCcX-UeGgwlV2Bbv3ssEDBWm_gjQ2QP53qsulb_dxn5u1rJQQnVwpu8-BWOZQaqDthGltRsMlxAJvFPMcaeCFckMVGqx7Fg6yWNPOxBYdipE/s387/blogcover.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C5nKPy1TsMYJmxDcPJ5jF3ZiZ-s8hXKQlwwWvjw7mXB4X8wTJownsppc5cbDltb9WxThxZginauO03zZFCcX-UeGgwlV2Bbv3ssEDBWm_gjQ2QP53qsulb_dxn5u1rJQQnVwpu8-BWOZQaqDthGltRsMlxAJvFPMcaeCFckMVGqx7Fg6yWNPOxBYdipE/s320/blogcover.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Best known for playing loner rebel Dylan McKay in <i>Beverly Hills 90210</i>, Luke Perry was fifty-two years old when he died of a stroke in 2019. There have been other deaths of 90’s stars, but this one hit different. Gen X was reminded of their own inescapable mortality, and robbed of an exciting career resurgence for one of their most cherished icons—with recent roles in the hit series <i>Riverdale</i> and Quentin Tarantino’s <i>Once Upon a Time In Hollywood</i> bringing him renewed attention and acclaim. Only upon his death, as stories poured out online about his authenticity and kindness, did it become clear how little was known about the exceedingly humble actor and how deeply he impacted popular culture.</p>
<a name='more'></a><p>In <i>A Good Bad Boy</i>, Margaret Wappler attempts to understand who Perry was and why he was unique among his Hollywood peers. To do so, she uses an inventive hybrid narrative. She speaks with dozens who knew Perry personally and professionally. They share insightful anecdotes: how he kept connected to his Ohio upbringing; nearly blew his <i>90210</i> audition; tried to shed his heartthrob image by joining the HBO prison drama <i>Oz</i>; and in the last year of his life, sought to set up two of his newly divorced friends. (After his death, the pair bonded in their grief and eventually married.) Amid these original interviews and exhaustive archival research, Wappler weaves poignant vignettes of memoir in which she serves as an avatar to show how Perry shaped a generation’s views on masculinity, privilege and the ideal of “cool.”</p>
<p><i>A Good Bad Boy</i> will be published on March 5, 2024. Simon and Schuster provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>By the Fall of 1990 when <i>90210</i> debuted, I was already in my mid-twenties and married. My high school (and college days) were well behind me. Still, my wife and I both found this show entertaining and tuned in weekly. Perry was just one of the many acting draws in the cast. And in 2017 when <i>Riverdale</i> debuted, I was also right on board (even though I was well into my fifth decade). What can I say? I have a Peter Pan syndrome.</p>
<p>I enjoyed looking into Perry's life and learning details I had not previously known. I savored details about auditions and behind the scenes exploits from various television and movie sets. The focus on moments from episodes gave me a longing to revisit shows I have not watched in several decades.</p>
<p>And though not as many people of the industry or Luke's family were interviewed for this book, those that did share their memories ended up painting the picture of a well-liked, hard-working, and supportive individual. I came away with a better understanding of who he was from those who interacted with him in all walks of life.</p>
<p>What makes this book different, though, is Wappler's supplementing of his biographical journey with slices from her own life (tacked on to the end of each chapter). It is a little jarring at first, throwing the rhythm a bit. However, it soon settles in well enough and provides the supportive "<i>...and How a Generation Grew Up</i>" part of the book's tagline. I did notice, though, that quite often a chapter is more about her life than it was about Perry. Some readers might see this as padding a book; a thicker tome always has a perceived increased value.</p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-52990947809895066852024-03-03T18:57:00.001-05:002024-03-03T18:57:16.164-05:00Book Review: The Last Days of the Midnight Ramblers<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ssoC42GbV40OHaeT0wCOZN3CohAMkWotKe1b80GHlzmx6p0Mmf3j1FjJzWRfxB2xAOmmymKTMDI_6tZL8AxDL_d8yviEGfNSOo0nv-JhKLqorVfqS3IEM3VRdHiULvy2eto44y2nei_SZqo9tGbid1G4638HtHXN7Br4-HDDkIH9UG8pGqDrkO3fjc-e/s388/blogpost.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ssoC42GbV40OHaeT0wCOZN3CohAMkWotKe1b80GHlzmx6p0Mmf3j1FjJzWRfxB2xAOmmymKTMDI_6tZL8AxDL_d8yviEGfNSOo0nv-JhKLqorVfqS3IEM3VRdHiULvy2eto44y2nei_SZqo9tGbid1G4638HtHXN7Br4-HDDkIH9UG8pGqDrkO3fjc-e/s320/blogpost.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Anke Berben is ready to tell all. A legendary model and style icon, she reveled in headline-grabbing romances with not one but three members of the hugely influential rock band the Midnight Ramblers. The band members were as famous for their backstage drama as for their music, and Anke is the only one who fully understands the tangled relationships, betrayals, and suspicions that have added to the Ramblers’ enduring appeal and mystique. That is most evident in the mystery around Anke’s role in the death of Mal, the band’s founder and Anke’s husband, in 1969.</p>
<a name='more'></a><p>When Mari Hawthorn accepts the job to work with Anke on her memoir, she is dead set on getting to the truth of Mal’s death. She has always been deft at navigating the fatal charms of celebrities, having grown up with a narcissistic, alcoholic father. As she ingratiates herself into the world of the band, she grows enchanted, against her better judgment, by these legendary rock stars. She knows she can’t get pulled in too deep, otherwise she’ll compromise her objectivity—and her integrity.</p>
<p><i>The Last Days of the Midnight Ramblers</i>, the debut novel by Sarah Tomlinson, was published February 13, 2024, by Flatiron Books.</p>
<p>What instantly attracted me to this novel was the angle of writing (albeit ghostwriting) and subject matter of a band tell-all. Combining these two are a perfect storm for me as a reader. I should have taken it as a warning, though, when much of history of the Midnight Ramblers was delivered as expositional details in chapter 1. Where was this going to go?</p>
<p>Turns out, Tomlinson draws upon her extensive experience as a ghostwriter to weave her story about Mari working as a ghostwriter for Anke's book. Writing books always advise <i>write what you know</i>. Tomlinson clearly is doing that here. We get a very good look into the ghostwriting process by walking in the shoes of a ghostwriter character who tries to salvage a project and more.</p>
<p>Given that the first part of the book consists of long conversations between two women, I appreciated that the author gave each a distinctive sounding voice. I clearly could tell when it was Anke speaking and when it was Mari speaking. Overall, I found Tomlinson's writing to be fairly solid.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, for me, I did not end up caring overall about most of the characters or the plot's direction. I found I had to force myself to work through to the end, just to see it resolved. I try to avoid DNF (did not finish) as much as possible. For the right audience, this book might work. It turns out I was not the right audience, even though there were elements in the synopsis that interested me. I just was not keen on how they played into the overall book.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-38927409524969224612024-03-01T13:59:00.003-05:002024-03-01T14:01:34.960-05:00Book Review: The Mystery Writer<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMq3S8HzScG62xAlGqXi5-hxCwjSnCqzZLvLeaEkMHhUd9wkkZIGU2F2H-7sRcqmwg63c9h-eZjk47bcaVn2XXIcWIMnbuamAaX6CFIbrlWeTb8CM1VNi1jgy2CxpjZWGzZi2PKmbTJkJogLkPTQ9CMHqa0JP3ZRO2btHGYM12kbAOjNcBPaDR_y6ZiRGl/s383/blogpost.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMq3S8HzScG62xAlGqXi5-hxCwjSnCqzZLvLeaEkMHhUd9wkkZIGU2F2H-7sRcqmwg63c9h-eZjk47bcaVn2XXIcWIMnbuamAaX6CFIbrlWeTb8CM1VNi1jgy2CxpjZWGzZi2PKmbTJkJogLkPTQ9CMHqa0JP3ZRO2btHGYM12kbAOjNcBPaDR_y6ZiRGl/s320/blogpost.png"/></a></div>
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<p>There's nothing easier to dismiss than a conspiracy theory—until it turns out to be true.</p>
<p>When Theodosia Benton abandons her career path as an attorney and shows up on her brother's doorstep with two suitcases and an unfinished novel, she expects to face a few challenges. Will her brother support her ambition or send her back to finish her degree? What will her parents say when they learn of her decision? Does she even have what it takes to be a successful writer?</p>
<p>What Theo never expects is to be drawn into a hidden literary world in which identity is something that can be lost and remade for the sake of an audience. When her mentor, a highly successful author, is brutally murdered, Theo wants the killer to be found and justice to be served. Then the police begin looking at her brother, Gus, as their prime suspect, and Theo does the unthinkable in order to protect him. But the writer has left a trail, a thread out of the labyrinth in the form of a story. Gus finds that thread and follows it, and in his attempt to save his sister he inadvertently threatens the foundations of the labyrinth itself. To protect the carefully constructed narrative, Theo Benton, and everyone looking for her, will have to die.</p>
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<p><i>The Mystery Writer</i> by Sulari Gentill will be published on March 19, 2024. Poisoned Pen Press provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>I am instantly drawn to stories about writers. They are my kindred spirits.</p>
<p>I read a book by the author a few years ago - <a href="https://mcmaenza.blogspot.com/2022/05/book-review-woman-in-library.html"><i>The Woman in the Library</i></a> and liked it. Once more we are dealing with a story premise involving writers. The prologue and many chapters open with details and conversations that slowly start to form a bigger picture that is key to the plot. They are intriguing and mysterious. However, these do not overshadow the main narrative involving our writer-to-be Theo.</p>
<p>I enjoyed the relationship between Theo and Dan Murdoch, mostly for the insider glimpse into the world of writers. I appreciated the guidance Dan provided, and then I was surprised (though I shouldn't have been) by the turn the relationship took (in several ways). It certainly kept my attention focused and my curiosity piqued. I also found Theo's conversations with the publishing agent Veronica to be very revealing (the author here clearly writing about what she knows - interacting with the world of publishing).</p>
<p>But as the bodies start to stack up, my view of Theo shifted. I started to see her more as a victim and as an observer to larger events going on around her. She finds herself caught up in circumstances and with factions well beyond her control. When the final third of the book hits, the story has taken a completely unexpected turn that left me in even more of a confused state. If that was the reaction the author was trying to evoke in the reader, mission accomplished. Sulari does manage to bring it all around in the final chapters to explain everything.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-10899925466394965952024-02-27T15:08:00.000-05:002024-02-27T15:08:44.700-05:00Book Review: Death Comes Too Late<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4-_mX0-cu6eHLjYc8XOh_E7rDWh0a69ePpqmR34RWTc0lCAi8jk5Hkeao2CXtahLWcp6uR_6s40IvV58v0yrgtAKXuNMBPWZi3wco_-7hcH9APsDqS4uZMHOJxnUqzIpKtDjS1Cx4jqR7fi5orc6dTvpvAauieUZ_sr7Bnow7wzu_sTO4NnnvHCnInJp/s411/blogcover.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4-_mX0-cu6eHLjYc8XOh_E7rDWh0a69ePpqmR34RWTc0lCAi8jk5Hkeao2CXtahLWcp6uR_6s40IvV58v0yrgtAKXuNMBPWZi3wco_-7hcH9APsDqS4uZMHOJxnUqzIpKtDjS1Cx4jqR7fi5orc6dTvpvAauieUZ_sr7Bnow7wzu_sTO4NnnvHCnInJp/s320/blogcover.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Since debuting 20 years ago, <i>Hard Case Crime</i> has won acclaim for publishing the best in hardboiled crime fiction – not least of all the work of founding editor Charles Ardai, which has won the Edgar, Shamus and Ellery Queen Awards, been selected for ‘Best of the Year’ anthologies, and earned praise from everyone from <i>the Washington Post</i> and <i>Chicago Tribune</i> to Megan Abbott and Stephen King.</p>
<p>Collected here for the first time anywhere are the author’s 20 finest stories, including his Edgar-winning “The Home Front,” about death and repentance during World War II; the Shamus Award finalist “Nobody Wins,” about a brutal gangland enforcer searching for the woman he loves; and year’s-best selections such as “A Bar Called Charley’s,” about a traveling salesman’s most grueling night on the road. From Brazil at Carnival to Times Square at midnight, from Tijuana, Mexico to history’s first gunshot in 11th-century China, Ardai will take you to some of the most dangerous places in the world – and the darkest corners of the human heart.</p>
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<p><i>Death Comes Too Late</i> by Charles Ardai will be published on March 12, 2024. Titan Books provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>This cover, painted by Paul Mann, looks like it came right from the paperbacks I would see around town in the early 1970's. Its nostalgic feel drew me into checking this one out.</p>
<p>In the introduction, Ardai talks about how satisfying a good short story can be. He certainly knows from experience as these tales of his here are quite good indeed. The lengths vary - some longer while others shorter (the shortest being just two pages). Ardai though knows how to make the most of his words, to move the narrative along and to convey the concepts cleanly and consisely. I easily found several favorites in the tales presented.</p>
<p>The stories cover over three decades of the author's work, from 1990's "A Bar Called Charley's" to 2023's "Game Over". I definitely connected with some of the stories more than others, but that is always the benefit of collections like this. There is bound to be something that will appeal to every reader.</p>
<p>I also liked the fact that we are given a bit of variety in the settings. Sure, there are several tales with similar themes (like finding a missing woman or committing a murder), but Ardai switches it up by putting the stories into different environments. Vareity is the spice of life, after all.</p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-25295683824495188192024-02-26T12:49:00.000-05:002024-02-26T12:49:36.535-05:00Book Review: The Ballad of Falling Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmf_ckqMcp9ciUs92_U1kI6aaGE9HCndDr6dyJVvUy5PaLz07NcworpPCXZJftaEtOG_IyWf9dphSU5RYLwSDGcdtQOBnpa-Yt9jCSA4hA_1RmQt4sQJJXQm2mYMb06IhqLK8p8x0eOvN-nRZJCN6L66jOmw5htPy7peC3-dAN6fCJWS3jTpExwf7SzZo/s394/blogcover.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmf_ckqMcp9ciUs92_U1kI6aaGE9HCndDr6dyJVvUy5PaLz07NcworpPCXZJftaEtOG_IyWf9dphSU5RYLwSDGcdtQOBnpa-Yt9jCSA4hA_1RmQt4sQJJXQm2mYMb06IhqLK8p8x0eOvN-nRZJCN6L66jOmw5htPy7peC3-dAN6fCJWS3jTpExwf7SzZo/s320/blogcover.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Truth told, folks still ask if Saul Crabtree sold his soul for the perfect hymn. If he sold it to angels or devils. A Bristol newspaper once asked: “are his love songs closer to heaven than dying?” Others wonder how he wrote a song so sad, everyone who heard it died of a broken heart.</p>
<p>Yet, more than anything else folks ponder in the town of Trinity, one question lingers: why did this angel-toned preacher’s son, just as his fame seemed ready to light the Appalachian nightsky forever, disappear completely?</p>
<p>In 1938, the decisions Saul makes will alter his family’s story for generations. He and his eerily talented descendants ignite religious fear throughout Red Pine County.<a name='more'></a> They navigate chapels, decaying sanatoriums, high school hallways, and a lingering myth from their Cherokee heritage that follows them wherever they go.</p>
<p>In the end, however, it’s Saul’s precocious grandson, Eli, who must find answers to these heartbreaking questions, who must enter this world rich in music and voices, where people die to hear the unspoken, and salvation is only found in the not-yet sung.</p>
<p><i>The Ballad of Falling Rock</i>, the debut novel by Jordan Dotson, will be published Sepember 24, 2024. BHC Press provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>Broken into two "books", the first half runs from the late 1930's into the early 1950's. Dotson does a wonderful job giving the prose and the dialogue a very time-appropriate feel and sound. He takes an old-time melodic and very poetic approach here that is very fitting. I felt it had that classic literature vibe to it.</p>
<p>The second half, starting in 1988, reads in a more contemporary voice. Again, it fits with the portion of the story being told. The fact that Dotson can switch those narrative style gears and continue to keep an engaging story moving forward speaks well of his writing abilities.</p>
<p>Of course, at the heart of this supernatural-tinged tale is a family of several generations that the reader gets to know across the novel. Most readers will be very engaged and eager to know what is really going on. My only quibble is that several of the character names are very similar, which might provide a hint of confusion for a reader who isn't taking in the tale with care.</p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-79811828450623072722024-02-16T16:23:00.002-05:002024-02-16T16:25:00.731-05:00Book Review: Funny Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyTm1KWu2hh1ZWSSu2xL0mNHwHX1yzz3kZnOmacDFEPlCcLjHgz6VRfElr6cDQaRXqbxRPPewcupFtH_5X7IIgg9UlH7mY1wS2lGPvuCQ3hvdrzc4lzOwMSkzLr4owIa9lJ-sOfaeq-kln13Bjv6mtsoeMGaKtI1CwkDRomjapm7DfswgD92XNOy-sqmQ/s385/blogcover.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyTm1KWu2hh1ZWSSu2xL0mNHwHX1yzz3kZnOmacDFEPlCcLjHgz6VRfElr6cDQaRXqbxRPPewcupFtH_5X7IIgg9UlH7mY1wS2lGPvuCQ3hvdrzc4lzOwMSkzLr4owIa9lJ-sOfaeq-kln13Bjv6mtsoeMGaKtI1CwkDRomjapm7DfswgD92XNOy-sqmQ/s320/blogcover.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Richard Hunt was just 18 years old when he joined Jim Henson’s company, where his edgy humor quickly helped launch the Muppets into international stardom. He brought to life an impressive range of characters on <i>The Muppet Show</i>, <i>Sesame Street</i>, <i>Fraggle Rock</i> and various Muppet movies, everyone from eager gofer Scooter to elderly heckler Statler, groovy girl Janice to freaked-out lab helper Beaker, even early versions of Miss Piggy and Elmo. Hunt lived large, savoring life’s delights, amassing a vivid, disparate community of friends. Even when the AIDS epidemic wrought its devastation, claiming the love of Hunt’s life and threatening his own life, he showed an extraordinary sense of resilience, openness and joy. Hunt’s story exemplifies how to follow your passion, foster your talents, adapt to life’s surprises, genuinely connect with everyone from glitzy celebrities to gruff cab drivers – and have a hell of a lot of fun along the way.</p>
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<p><i>Funny Boy: The Richard Hunt Biography</i> by Jessica Max Stein will be published March 15, 2024. Rutgers University Press provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>I have been a big fan of the Muppets since the early 1970's, so diving into Richard Hunt's story was a big interest to me.</p>
<p>Stein does a good job establishing who Hunt was - from how he grew up and went through school, and how he evolved as a performer once he connected with Henson and the rest of the original crew. As a big fan of <i>The Muppet Show</i>, I especially appreciated the evolution of the pilots to getting the show up and running. It made me want to pull out my old DVDs and revisit those seasons again. I also came to realize how much involvement Hunt had on certain Muppet properties that were favorites of mine. He clearly carried the responsibilities on several projects after Henson moved on to other things.</p>
<p>Despite all the successes, I came away with the feeling that Hunt was looking for something more for a long time. This created a sadder undertone of his story for me. I did feel, though, a sense of closure both with his handling of the passing and memorial for Henson, and then how he faced his own mortality in the end. Stein does a great job in conveying how Hunt wanted to remind people to live and experience while we can.</p>
<p>I enjoyed this one.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-8866787833836818372024-02-14T15:03:00.002-05:002024-02-14T15:04:20.309-05:00Book Review: Kasher in the Rye<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuABngnQqfbcPtUUPt4arkK6KzsfOiGLIe_HPOyOzQcW_jj5GpgeNo_mP04B6MQ8edX23WgBZ1dA6CgxjGqQRYEwMohSET1SsYYtNRB-HV2Gmbwro9lTbi9ITGJIJ3NVXhf2U0tIDmSwYI5NggEhxWKyu-aCasLRtuw_YY_yYQVWF_-W3JolluVkHpxNx-/s400/blogcover.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuABngnQqfbcPtUUPt4arkK6KzsfOiGLIe_HPOyOzQcW_jj5GpgeNo_mP04B6MQ8edX23WgBZ1dA6CgxjGqQRYEwMohSET1SsYYtNRB-HV2Gmbwro9lTbi9ITGJIJ3NVXhf2U0tIDmSwYI5NggEhxWKyu-aCasLRtuw_YY_yYQVWF_-W3JolluVkHpxNx-/s320/blogcover.jpg"/></a></div>
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<p>Rising young comedian Moshe Kasher is lucky to be alive. He started using drugs when he was just 12. At that point, he had already been in psychoanalysis for 8 years. By the time he was 15, he had been in and out of several mental institutions, drifting from therapy to rehab to arrest to...you get the picture. But <i>Kasher in the Rye</i> is not an "eye opener" to the horrors of addiction. It's a hilarious memoir about the absurdity of it all.</p>
<p>When he was a young boy, Kasher's mother took him on a vacation to the West Coast. Well it was more like an abduction. Only not officially. <a name='more'></a>She stole them away from their father and they moved to Oakland , California. That's where the real fun begins, in the war zone of Oakland Public Schools. He was more than just out of control; his mother walked him around on a leash, which he chewed through and ran away.</p>
<p>Those early years read like part Augusten Burroughs, part David Sedaris, with a touch of Jim Carrol...but a lot more Jewish. In fact, Kasher later spends time in a Brooklyn Hasidic community. Then came addiction...</p>
<p><i>Kasher in the Rye</i> was published in January of 2012 by Grand Central Publishing.</p>
<p>After reading Moshe's 2024 follow-up <a href="https://mcmaenza.blogspot.com/2024/02/book-review-subculture-vulture.html"><i>Subculture Vulture</i></a>, I wanted to jump back to his first book at the start of his life story. While there are a few overlapping points, this one focuses very much on a youthful life out of control. If you have not read either but plan to, I would recommend starting with this one first.</p>
<p>Moshe cuts many of the dark moments of his young life with his wit and humor. It is definitely more dark comedy though with plenty of language. So, those who are triggered by swears and slurs will find themselves very uncomfortable here. But making ourselves uncomfortable is important, because it allows us to see the lives of others that are so different from our own.</p>
<p>Moshe's writing is so strong, so vibrant and so descriptive. At times, you'd think you were reading fiction rather than a memoir. This is the sign of a good storyteller, something that he's used as part of his stand-up career. It is amazing how well he can remember these events given how he was getting drunk and high, but these are the events that are such an unforgettable part of the road he has travelled.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-83903201411200188302024-02-13T14:10:00.000-05:002024-02-13T14:10:07.522-05:00Book Review: The Blue Wolves of Mibu 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLARvFULmUGDy54DZD3PvV6SATwYvIUIWMgLeG97aTUk_KyQgKdtMbT1W7jfOZFgggXvvTYO1hU3PjSLa21mOBOP63Z1FjLkoBCSmydqCYKwmTwSLYmKdK0Xh-GsoEn5gc8lXEQnI1z0eZeHZgnrXsvfX452axDxUzi24ao0C7Jj52SlvPDzGwcF9MOKtF/s363/blogcover.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLARvFULmUGDy54DZD3PvV6SATwYvIUIWMgLeG97aTUk_KyQgKdtMbT1W7jfOZFgggXvvTYO1hU3PjSLa21mOBOP63Z1FjLkoBCSmydqCYKwmTwSLYmKdK0Xh-GsoEn5gc8lXEQnI1z0eZeHZgnrXsvfX452axDxUzi24ao0C7Jj52SlvPDzGwcF9MOKtF/s320/blogcover.png"/></a></div>
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<p>It's 1863, the twilight of the shogunate, and Japan is on the cusp of monumental change. The streets of the nation's capital are soaked in blood as political upheaval and rising tensions between masterless, wandering ronin and government samurai set the stage for one of the most turbulent times in Japan's history. Young orphan Nio is no stranger to the harsh realities of the world, and yet he can't help but cling to his burning passion for justice and desire to change the world for the better. One day, he crosses paths with two men who will become central figures of the coming revolution: Hijikata Toshizo and Okita Souji, two of the founding members of a group of hated ronin known as the Miburo--who would later become known as the Shinsengumi. Inspired by the efforts of the so-called "Blues Wolves of Mibu," Nio decides to join the ranks to help carve a path to the world he wishes to see. But with new betrayals and reversals every day, will Nio be able to stay true to his conscience?</p>
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<p><i>The Blue Wolves of Mibu volume 1</i> by Tsuyoshi Yasuda will be released on February 27, 2024. Kodansha Comics provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>The cover of this manga is what instantly drew my attention. The composition and the colors created an intriguing invitation to check it out.</p>
<p>This volume presents the first five chapters of the adventure. It begins with a group of children begging an old man for a story, so he begins to recount something from his past. This is followed by a foreword for English readers, explaining the historical context for the tale. I found this to be super helpful for someone who is not up on the history of Japan.</p>
<p>The main story of young Nio moves along fairly quickly. The reader is pulled into this world of danger, action and intrigue. As he navigates a new life with the Miburo, we are slowly introduced to their ranks and start to learn some of the secrets some members have been keeping. I appreciated the pace at which the story unfolds.</p>
<p>The sharp lettering of the word balloons compliments the varied linework on the figures. This is all then enhanced by the shading and textures of the backgrounds. Together, the artwork creates a very pleasing reading experience.</p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-28410700786742514702024-02-11T19:38:00.003-05:002024-02-11T19:38:38.399-05:00Book Review: Subculture Vulture<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKq85zLnXDd7aa5iFZk6OalCvcg15VlOLUh7LiD4PgydaUu_W_l-m7gQyMK8qcnK87wZSyQz5fUAKyw_t8OS5TY_roXpe9rJ-mSU3Po6zZ3U83nVFDXo7eTIw_VsfFd0xncC5c1xJLbLX_oX44zt45bGAckYZnXUgE3daTuc3ZAjVPfJ0z5BfsKOUY-tA/s385/blogpost.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKq85zLnXDd7aa5iFZk6OalCvcg15VlOLUh7LiD4PgydaUu_W_l-m7gQyMK8qcnK87wZSyQz5fUAKyw_t8OS5TY_roXpe9rJ-mSU3Po6zZ3U83nVFDXo7eTIw_VsfFd0xncC5c1xJLbLX_oX44zt45bGAckYZnXUgE3daTuc3ZAjVPfJ0z5BfsKOUY-tA/s320/blogpost.png"/></a></div>
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<p>After bottoming out, being institutionalized, and getting sober all by the tender age of fifteen, Moshe Kasher found himself asking: “What’s next?” Over the ensuing decades, he discovered the answer: a lot.</p>
<p>There was his time as a boy-king of Alcoholics Anonymous, a kind of pubescent proselytizer for other teens getting and staying sober. He was a rave promoter turned DJ turned sober ecstasy dealer in San Francisco’s techno warehouse party scene of the 1990s. For fifteen years he worked as a psychedelic security guard at Burning Man, fishing hippies out of hidden chambers they’d constructed to try to sneak into the event. <a name='more'></a>As a child of deaf parents, Kasher became deeply immersed in deaf culture and sign language interpretation, translating everything from end-of-life care to horny deaf clients’ attempts to hire sex workers. He reconnects and tries to make peace with his ultra-Hasidic Jewish upbringing after the death of his father before finally settling into the comedy scene where he now makes his living.</p>
<p><i>Subculture Vulture</i> was published on January 30, 2024. Random House provided a galley for review.</p>
<p>I have been a fan of Moshe's comedy for several years. With every appearance, I've found him to be a fascinating individual whom I wanted to know about more. I'm glad he decided to continue to tell his own story here. His first book was <i>Kasher In the Rye</i> from 2012 where he covered his first fifteen years of his life (I need to read that one).</p>
<p>There were many moments reading this one that I found myself laughing out loud. When Moshe describes the history and tenants of AA, the evolution of house music, or the injustices against the deaf community, he does so in such an off-the-cuff yet totally hilarious manner that thoroughly entertains. In the end, not only did I know more about his life up to this point, but I also learned a few things too (sort of).</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-6744745151446632642024-02-09T08:13:00.000-05:002024-02-09T08:13:18.695-05:00Book Review: Deadpan<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X6IzipH5890bAA51IbYfetb2SOz5sqIvnVDpgIqIkT01HlpAnaYRcu8AtDhvx2ynuBZyfZk56LepcnjdaCYqOefEBpaceIjcqQ3es6tWEU7y_kW7dRc5Dh31Kigb4Mq35-e1v5S14IAsafOOSN-z03R9URBqAib6La0ND77G6sNYksW56qMTIGYpHbud/s382/blogpost.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X6IzipH5890bAA51IbYfetb2SOz5sqIvnVDpgIqIkT01HlpAnaYRcu8AtDhvx2ynuBZyfZk56LepcnjdaCYqOefEBpaceIjcqQ3es6tWEU7y_kW7dRc5Dh31Kigb4Mq35-e1v5S14IAsafOOSN-z03R9URBqAib6La0ND77G6sNYksW56qMTIGYpHbud/s320/blogpost.png"/></a></div>
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<p><i>Deadpan</i> follows the misadventures of a vaguely antisemitic West Virginia Buick dealer who wakes up one day transformed into the world’s most popular Jewish comedian and compelled to perform stand-up routines. Steeped in magical realism, the narrative confronts the incandescent issues of our day: identity, intolerance, tribalism and the redemptive force of humor. The novel’s unfettered comical sensibility is a vivid testament to Mark Twain’s dictum “against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.” Set during the world-wide oil crises of the 1970s, the narrative alternates between locations in West Virginia, Las Vegas, Washington, Tehran, and Sinai. </p>
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<p><i>Deadpan</i> by Richard Walter will be published on March 10, 2024. Heresy Press provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>I am always looking for new authors, so this independently published novel certainly hit that box. The description intrigued me enough to check it out.</p>
<p>The dictionary defines <i>deadpan</i> as "marked by or accomplished with a careful pretense of seriousness or calm detachment; impassive or expressionless". The definition applies certainly to this story. It is also a term used to describe some comedy; comedy plays a part in this story as well.</p>
<p>This short novel took a little bit to get into. The opening is very disorienting, providing a feeling of confusion similar to that which the protagonist Bridges is experiencing. But, with each chapter, that swirling starts to fade as details begin to present themselves. It is like one of those toy slide-puzzles we had as kids in the 70's that took a bit of work to get the pieces to start to fall into their proper place.</p>
<p>Don't let the length fool you; for a shorter book it packs a lot in. It does not spend time on exposition or world-building; the reader is expected to connect some of the dots themselves. The story bounces around from three or so narrative viewpoints. Where it gets tricky is that some of these take place in different time periods and different parallel worlds. There is no indicators at the start of each chapter (some books will give a name or description beneath the chapter number to differentiate things). The reader just has to get into the flow and pay a lot of attention.</p>
<p>In the first half, there is a chapter I really enjoyed. Bridges finds himself on a panel with four famous figures from comedy. Walter manages to perfectly nail the dialogue in this scene; I could easily hear the comedians speaking these words in their classic, iconic voices. Clearly he is a comedy fan.</p>
<p>In the end, the story made more sense to me. Now that I got it, this might be a book that I'll have to revisit to see what additional details a second read might illuminate. </p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-86796302863135989832024-02-08T06:26:00.001-05:002024-02-08T06:28:07.875-05:00Book Review: Disney Twisted-Wonderland volume 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DHZCxJrjkn6ZYB0pySQoybPiLUQ0qFctSlS01XIen-MpoW7rlXIH7-t5ipVZG9QqYcD-VqjZP1uWjdmLnmQyyz4CsQZkTHz0sTMEioa63vP_puqpDRHG2geK-r02-XpScX2ukRh6LA6zazV3w3CeISKPqgTPJbqQ3dsW_wVBaeJM3H3ij7QsDWsQIJk7/s364/blogcover.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DHZCxJrjkn6ZYB0pySQoybPiLUQ0qFctSlS01XIen-MpoW7rlXIH7-t5ipVZG9QqYcD-VqjZP1uWjdmLnmQyyz4CsQZkTHz0sTMEioa63vP_puqpDRHG2geK-r02-XpScX2ukRh6LA6zazV3w3CeISKPqgTPJbqQ3dsW_wVBaeJM3H3ij7QsDWsQIJk7/s320/blogcover.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Stranded in the world of Twisted Wonderland, Yu must brave a magical school filled with ghosts, monsters, and uncooperative students!</p>
<p>Still trying to get his friend Ace out of trouble, Yu attends one of Heartslabyul Dorm’s traditional unbirthday parties. But instead of solving Ace’s problems or having a bit of fun, they wind up incurring the wrath of the housewarden, Riddle!</p>
<p><i>Disney-Twisted Wonderland volume 3</i> will be released on March 12, 2024. VIZ Media provided an early galley for review.</p>
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<p>Last year, I was able to review <a href="https://mcmaenza.blogspot.com/2023/05/book-review-disney-twisted-wonderland.html">volume 1</a>and <a href="https://mcmaenza.blogspot.com/2023/10/book-review-disneytwisted-wonderland.html">volume 2</a> of this series. I am pleased to be able to continue to see how this story evolves.</p>
<p>Growing up, Lewis Carroll's <i>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland</i> and <i>Through the Looking-Glass</i> books were always favorites of mine. And, of course, I was a big fan of the 1951 Disney animated adaptation. I am pleased to see those elements of the latter that influenced the story and artwork in the series as a whole and this volume in particular.</p>
<p>This volume covers the next five chapters in this first book (chapters 12 to 16). In them, the reader sees the unraveling of Riddle and how everyone has to respond to the rapid spiraling decline. We get insight into the character as well as some important world-building details that I think will become a bigger issue as this manga continues to unfold.
<p>It is also interesting to see the changes in the characters Trey and Cater (featured on this volume's cover) as they come to realize how tyrannical Riddle's rule of the Heartslabyul Dorm has become. We're also briefly introduced to a new character Chenya who is very inspired by the Cheshire Cat character from the original source material. I expect we'll see more of him in the future.</p>
<p>If you're a Disney fan and enjoy manga, this one is must-read.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-40541232218860831572024-02-07T10:21:00.002-05:002024-02-07T10:21:55.215-05:00Book Review: That's So New York<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmZXB6p7zpiedqZqK73f_tghkPJ4EIHTeGeRHwhO8nI7l3tQJahchs80Nobe_Bc3T8MxZj1BUUL_USdNgf8_5GxkeiSAgRiDMVfP8WxugkQWy7SARgFs0f3vz-lsGuWosVC1wc6uRL8uvQn6bLsjtPZuFmKv-jquixHJwty6nZV3Ivc-VKA9e1XQVA6cf/s336/blogcover.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmZXB6p7zpiedqZqK73f_tghkPJ4EIHTeGeRHwhO8nI7l3tQJahchs80Nobe_Bc3T8MxZj1BUUL_USdNgf8_5GxkeiSAgRiDMVfP8WxugkQWy7SARgFs0f3vz-lsGuWosVC1wc6uRL8uvQn6bLsjtPZuFmKv-jquixHJwty6nZV3Ivc-VKA9e1XQVA6cf/s320/blogcover.png"/></a></div>
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<p><i>New York Times</i> editor and lifelong New Yorker Dan Saltzstein compiles hundreds of distinctly New York moments for this peek at the city that never sleeps. Inspired by Saltzstein’s viral Twitter thread, this illustrated book features hilarious anecdotes from locals and transplants, short essays from folks like Molly Jong-Fast and Michael Ian Black, who have seen it all, and Q&As with everyday New Yorkers from across the five boroughs. Eels wriggling through subway cars, accidentally stumbling onto the set of <i>Law & Order</i>, drag queens emerging from manholes—if there’s one thing New York never runs out of, it’s stories. And rats. Always rats.</p>
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<p><i>That's So New York</i> by Dan Saltzstein will be published March 12, 2024. Chronicle Books provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>Plain and simple, I love New York! The city has always been fascinating to me - ever since childhood (this is something Saltzstein and I share in common). Actually living there is not the dream I'll ever achieve. Luckily, I've visited several times but more would always be better.</p>
<p>This nonfiction book collects twenty-two essays about life in the city. They are organized into eight categories including ones about subways, rules of the city, animals, celebrities and more. It also features delightful color illustrations by Emily Carpenter to accompany the essays and Tweets.</p>
<p>This was a quick fun read. If you are a fan of the Big Apple or just fascinated by it, definitely check it out.</p>
<p>As for one of my own New York moments: I spent New Year's Eve of 1986 with friends in Times Square. We took the train in from Kingston, NY, where we all were co-ops at IBM for the Fall. Upon arriving at Grand Central, we hoofed it over to the big doings - with a stop at a convenient store to get beers (which came with brown paper bags so we could drink them without any incident in public). We got to Times Square which was packed, stood around for a few hours drinking and trying to stay warm. If you left, you could not get back in - so the only place to relieve one's self was down an alleyway. Once the ball dropped, we made a beeline back to Grand Central for the long train ride back home (going in it was non-stop, going out we stopped at every station up the Hudson Valley). Got home close to dawn and slept until late afternoon. But I can say I have done New Year's Eve in Times Square.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-35702443459045691042024-02-02T12:03:00.000-05:002024-02-02T12:03:43.499-05:00Book Review: American Spirits<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm9AlAPuuI7wLYz86RWXghLu6R_MaQb_Zi83YfkwUtz6D1r-L3fv6lCApYZs1JunE9i0qS7yYq51Am3XC22s8wKZoyINrxVuA6fUniIeaKztgUBzN68DSGseSigzgbnGGRyE7i6czkp87ELnjUPLziq3QUcvHf8kN7xbn055q8DZs6XibA1QT_ZFKKxV3/s373/blogcover.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm9AlAPuuI7wLYz86RWXghLu6R_MaQb_Zi83YfkwUtz6D1r-L3fv6lCApYZs1JunE9i0qS7yYq51Am3XC22s8wKZoyINrxVuA6fUniIeaKztgUBzN68DSGseSigzgbnGGRyE7i6czkp87ELnjUPLziq3QUcvHf8kN7xbn055q8DZs6XibA1QT_ZFKKxV3/s320/blogcover.png"/></a></div>
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<p>A husband sells property to a mysterious, temperamental stranger, and is hounded on social media when he publicly questions the man’s character. A couple grows concerned when an enigmatic family moves next door, and the children start sneaking over to beg for help. Two dangerous criminals kidnap an elderly couple and begin blackmailing their grandson, demanding that he pay back what he owes.</p>
<p>Suspenseful, thrilling, and expertly crafted, <i>American Spirits</i> explores the hostile undercurrents of our communities and American politics at large, as well as the ways local tragedies can be both devastating and, somehow, everyday. Ushering the reader through the town of Sam Dent, Russell Banks has etched yet another brilliant entry into the bedrock of American fiction.</p>
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<p><i>American Spirits</i> will be published on March 5, 2024. Knopf Books provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>A couple years ago, I read my first book by Banks - <a href="https://mcmaenza.blogspot.com/2022/10/book-review-magic-kingdom.html"><i>The Magic Kingdom</i></a>. So when I saw his name along with this striking cover, I was instantly drawn to checking it out. This collection of three stories is the first posthumous release (Banks passed away in 2023).</p>
<p>First is <i>Nowhere Man</i> which tells of Doug Lafleur's growing conflict with businessman Yuri Zingerman. Things really escalate when Doug goes against Yuri's wishes, putting the two men at great odds. The tension turns up to eleven with a rather unexpected ending. For me, it makes a very pointed statement about rash and uncontrolled behaviors.</p>
<p>Next up is <i>Homeschooling</i> where Kenneth and Barbara Odell's involvement with their neighbors results in a very tragic ending. This one leaves the reader with so many unanswered questions regarding the Weber family, which reflects upon the notion that so often today people fail to really get to know others.</p>
<p>And, lastly, <i>Kidnapped</i> is a dark and twisting tale of family and failure, drugs and death. It reminded me of something that would be right at home in a Quentin Tarantino film, though delivered thankfully with less gratuitous violence.</p>
<p>Banks touches upon many topical themes in these stories including privacy, gun ownership, miscommunication and misinterpretations. Any one of the three stories could have been ripped from the headlines of recent years. There is a dark tone to them all; there are no happily ever afters here. Given the dark times of the last decade or so, these tragic tales do not come across as shocking as they could have. And that makes me a bit sad.</p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-77752320839030253512024-02-01T10:26:00.000-05:002024-02-01T10:26:14.675-05:00Book Review: The Mushroom Knight vol. 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGPEVxxl6CfrmdHmqeJcoFWb469a1ROmyE-KYlk9qBqFsNdEJJW2QsydPEbAr0zIJOeBgl-zFCcSLik7YKXFbEfsja1SqfuvkKpzln0n1X6f3VOFCBWgzep__zVZgwzYD0TAv5T_87GQQp3zBMBFgZo_KCBNFaGhA4xgBTm9aq46rjXZoNMuqBXnFrM_J/s668/blogcover.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGPEVxxl6CfrmdHmqeJcoFWb469a1ROmyE-KYlk9qBqFsNdEJJW2QsydPEbAr0zIJOeBgl-zFCcSLik7YKXFbEfsja1SqfuvkKpzln0n1X6f3VOFCBWgzep__zVZgwzYD0TAv5T_87GQQp3zBMBFgZo_KCBNFaGhA4xgBTm9aq46rjXZoNMuqBXnFrM_J/s320/blogcover.jpg"/></a></div>
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<p>A chivalrous faerie mushroom named Gowlitrot the Gardner embarks on a quest to uncover a clandestine threat that has brought calamity to his magical woodland kingdom. An adolecent girl named Lemuelle from northwest Philadelphia desperately searches for her lost dog.</p>
<p>As their destinies coalesce, a whimsical friendship forms. But peril is nigh, and their respective journeys threaten to challenge the foundation of their realities...and reality itself.</p>
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<p><i>The Mushroom Knight vol. 1</i> by Oliver Bly, Steph Snow and Anna Marie Navaja will be released on March 5, 204. Mad Cave Studios provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>This gorgeously illustrated tale begins with a reminder of the vastness of nature, something many likely overlook. It is from this poetic and informative opening that we dive deep into the fantastical tale of our frog-riding hero Gowlitrot. In just a few scenes, the reader gets a sense of him - his personality and his demeanor. He balances his sense of duty with a bit of self-motivation. He is very much a rogue in every sense of the word.</p>
<p>There are plenty of moments where the artwork alone is meant to silently move things along. It does so brilliantly, making the most of what the comic medium can powerfully do. I like that the team is equally at home illustrating nature, the fantasy elements and the real-world elements, and that they are able to seamleslly move from one to another.</p>
<p>There is a lot of worldbuilding going on here, and some of it is not immediately crystal clear. There are mysteries, there are oddities, and there are often more questions than answers. It is definitely a story that can pull you in and want to know more. I know I do, so I will be looking forward to future volumes to see where this all is going.</p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-8952696920553381502024-01-31T09:45:00.002-05:002024-01-31T09:46:54.680-05:00Book Review: Language City<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNlzsAtexdnnboqgMbWynf0vpy9pEbWLEAe2rV9DeLgshmvgRWKCtwWS28bTpmFzYDL2kzRvrNJhnHgMVYgwvQmEvULLJPEAaNTBIxb-G1f-hgyE23cXiI4KwJRHLxH6ft2DrP9Q4HZsqYLvdBWKHmAirRUaeoRiPm-pL-621IIxw3CtRatNqaOQ9ZPrj/s382/blogcover.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNlzsAtexdnnboqgMbWynf0vpy9pEbWLEAe2rV9DeLgshmvgRWKCtwWS28bTpmFzYDL2kzRvrNJhnHgMVYgwvQmEvULLJPEAaNTBIxb-G1f-hgyE23cXiI4KwJRHLxH6ft2DrP9Q4HZsqYLvdBWKHmAirRUaeoRiPm-pL-621IIxw3CtRatNqaOQ9ZPrj/s320/blogcover.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Half of all 7,000-plus human languages may disappear over the next century and—because many have never been recorded—when they’re gone, it will be forever. Ross Perlin, a linguist and co-director of the Manhattan-based non-profit Endangered Language Alliance, is racing against time to map little-known languages across the most linguistically diverse city in history: contemporary New York. In <i>Language City</i>, Perlin recounts the unique history of immigration that shaped the city, and follows six remarkable yet ordinary speakers of endangered languages deep into their communities to learn how they are maintaining and reviving their languages against overwhelming odds. Perlin also dives deep into their languages, taking us on a fascinating tour of unusual grammars, rare sounds, and powerful cultural histories from all around the world.</p>
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<p><i>Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues in New York</i> will be published February 20, 2024. Grove Atlantic Press provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>I was attracted to this book due to the New York City connection. It is a city that has always fascinated and called to me. As far as languages go, English is my native, I took a couple years of Spanish back in high school, and I learned a bit of American Sign Language in college.</p>
<p>The first portion of the book is dedicated to the Past. Looking at the evolution and growth of the city through the lens of the languages spoken where and when was an interesting approach. It is not something I ever considered for long during my days of studying American history. But I can very much see how this is an important element in the life of an urban center, and it is something I will keep in mind going forward.</p>
<p>The second portion of the book is dedicated to the Present. The bulk here focuses on a few key languages from the city: Seke, N’ko, Lenape, Nahuatl, Wakhi, and Yiddish. I knew next to nothing about any of these, so this was very much a learning experience for me. Perlin's approach is interesting as he presents these along with people who speak the language, giving more personal, narrative stories for the reader to experience.</p>
<p>The book ends with a chapter about the future, talking about how restrictions on immigration impact the proliferation and growth of linguistic diversity in our country and cities like New York. It really makes one think. I suspect the book will appeal to folks who either want to learn something new or are familiar with one of these six languages and want to get into some of the specifics as they relate to residents and life in New York City.</p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-50095304084646041612024-01-29T09:08:00.004-05:002024-01-29T09:08:55.204-05:00Book Review: Wild Cards - Sleeper Straddle<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcIQQgVAVHZnnYS7KxGvFw6hU0owVByAKcFFOAuu-BZMKvRS7yTIWFPYvPw5wRKZ_-qY4F97NS7kdjnhAg-qaowxCtvgQtEAm9qelXw439DNhvYXJ7HWeZbqhhIZfcPznBDqgh6yC5z47vL7RtBTfFn5fS6wWisZhU6rTv_1X2kWGuS3X8PzYVxcHdUvm/s399/blogpost.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcIQQgVAVHZnnYS7KxGvFw6hU0owVByAKcFFOAuu-BZMKvRS7yTIWFPYvPw5wRKZ_-qY4F97NS7kdjnhAg-qaowxCtvgQtEAm9qelXw439DNhvYXJ7HWeZbqhhIZfcPznBDqgh6yC5z47vL7RtBTfFn5fS6wWisZhU6rTv_1X2kWGuS3X8PzYVxcHdUvm/s320/blogpost.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Croyd Crenson is the Wild Card’s greatest failure—and its greatest success. Dubbed “The Sleeper,” he randomly undergoes hibernations that can span days, weeks, or even months. After each hibernation, he awakens with a new appearance and set of powers—sometimes a joker, sometimes an ace, and sometimes a combination of both—until exhaustion claims him and his next inevitable sleep shuffles the cards anew. Ever since his initial infection in 1946, he’s awoken in a singular body—until now. His latest awakening has left him split into six different incarnations, each of them a self-contained piece of the original and each with a unique look and ability.</p>
<p>One of them, at least, recognizes this for the disaster that it is, and tasks the clever and elusive Tesla, a joker with ace powers, to locate and gather the remaining five versions of himself before sleep claims them again and leaves Croyd permanently fractured.</p>
<a name='more'></a><p>What follows is a journey through Croyd’s long and colorful life, through the lens of some who have encountered the world’s most unusual wild carder. And as Tesla delves deeper into the investigation, he’ll have to work fast, because not every Croyd is as amiable as the first—and they’ll do whatever it takes to survive.</p>
<p><i>Wild Cards: Sleeper Straddle</i> (edited by George R.R. Martin and featuring the writing of Max Gladstone, Stephen Leigh, Mary Anne Mohranraj, Cherie Priest, Christopher Rowe, Carrie Vaughn, Walter Jon Williams, and William F. Wu) will be published February 6, 2024. Bantam/Random House provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>I have been with the <i>Wild Cards</i> series since book one. And Croyd Crenson, with his unique power set, has been ever-present in the series for the last thirty-seven years. He is such an interesting character with so much potential for story ideas, so his getting the spotlight in the last collection is no surprise.</p>
<p>This is more than just Croyd's story though. We are also introduced to some new characters he encountered along the way - like the joker Miss Canvas, and the aforementioned Tesla - as well as some familiar faces like detective Leo Storgman and ace Jack Braun. The narrative bounces from present day to flashback tales, filling the reader in on episodes in Croyd's life as Tesla tracks down the various Croyds in present day. I found it sometimes helped the narrative flow while at other times impeded it. It is a tricky thing to pull off successfully.</p>
<p>In the end, it did what each volume in this series does: expand and enrich the tapestry that is the world of <i>Wild Cards</i>.</p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-63293178946819672262024-01-26T09:57:00.000-05:002024-01-26T09:57:34.061-05:00Book Review: Brooklyn '76<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3reBIEa5F4j8wH8R7aGiWg1QiwdVqwtN242qcccvBt9uDY_ThDAhdZG7uhnwA9BrsJPH9ajK8CNK14kUeFvYnl975z8a9S_dk6h9_78H2AyuZN9mIo_yp6b5Lh__ZYYL6inrqa1Q2BKv4OgVkcpWO0alXyL_SDtFA5-HSN7vbBqoV3z3F_ifZj5FRQurb/s383/blogcover.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3reBIEa5F4j8wH8R7aGiWg1QiwdVqwtN242qcccvBt9uDY_ThDAhdZG7uhnwA9BrsJPH9ajK8CNK14kUeFvYnl975z8a9S_dk6h9_78H2AyuZN9mIo_yp6b5Lh__ZYYL6inrqa1Q2BKv4OgVkcpWO0alXyL_SDtFA5-HSN7vbBqoV3z3F_ifZj5FRQurb/s320/blogcover.png"/></a></div>
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<p>The Agnello family wakes Bicentennial morning to the sound of fireworks. Outside their apartment, block party preparations are already underway. Paulie, husband and father, has been out on strike with his union and is desperate to make ends meet. Dee, wife and mother, is overprotective of her children and a stern judge of character, particularly when it comes to Paulie. Tony, the dutiful elder son who is fast coming of age, now obsesses over his first girlfriend and stands ready to defy his parents to spend the Fourth with her. Alex, the younger son, still sees the world through innocent eyes, a perspective unlikely to survive the day.</p>
<a name='more'></a><p>As the neighborhood celebrates, a string of public missteps drives the family apart, forcing each Agnello to face their own insecurities and regrets. At nightfall, the fireworks extravaganza draws the scattered family back together-but celebration soon turns into tragedy, and one life is left hanging in the balance. Funny, dark, and unsentimental, <i>Brooklyn '76</i> is an urgent family drama set against the backdrop of a working-class neighborhood-and a country-on the brink of transformation.</p>
<p><i>Brooklyn '76</i>, the debut novel by Anthony Ausiello, will be published February 20, 2024. Girl Friday Productions provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>I instantly could relate to this author's story, having grown up in an Italian family in the 70's (though I was living on the far end of the state from Ausiello). I remember the excitement surrounding America's 200th birthday as well as extended family activities. In so many ways, this was like going back home again.</p>
<p>I like the way we are presented with the key characters - the four Agnello family members. I also like the way Ausiello built out the world around them - with extended family, co-workers, friends, etc. My gut instinct suggests to me that this story has some autobiographical roots from the author's own life growing up at the time. I say that because everything comes across as very organic - to how people talk, act, etc.</p>
<p>One touch I especially liked: the elderly aunt Zizi only speaks Italian so I had to use an online translator for her dialogue. I appreciated that it was not automatically translated for the reader, giving an extra bonus for a little effort on the reader's part.</p>
<p>All in all, I really enjoyed <i>Brooklyn '76</i> a lot. While it was a self-contained, day-in-the-life snapshot of a family, this is a group of characters I would welcome a revisit with again should Ausiello decide to do a sequel.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-15633415599065824532024-01-24T13:04:00.001-05:002024-01-24T13:04:10.271-05:00Book Review: So You Want to Be a Game Master<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hg905zOq-oQmYWdSffDi2NMi_E2kYWKSvF021Cv8GqJqCYNuKiMpK6Vc5Q4BdLjj0mEJ0bP0NuTkmJUw-itatcdav-VI5yZ9jP3hIVb7EczJ-t3YyqtED_9uKeFlae6xiXjTJHZpFEohcN94b3emublzKPheCtYy0HnkpfUWi-K1m2ebdNjwLuCdygPh/s400/blogcover.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hg905zOq-oQmYWdSffDi2NMi_E2kYWKSvF021Cv8GqJqCYNuKiMpK6Vc5Q4BdLjj0mEJ0bP0NuTkmJUw-itatcdav-VI5yZ9jP3hIVb7EczJ-t3YyqtED_9uKeFlae6xiXjTJHZpFEohcN94b3emublzKPheCtYy0HnkpfUWi-K1m2ebdNjwLuCdygPh/s320/blogcover.jpg"/></a></div>
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<p>More people than ever are discovering <i>Dungeons and Dragons</i>, the tabletop roleplay system that lets you adventure with your friends while playing as fantasy characters. But planning and running your own game can be intimidating to newcomers - where do you start?</p>
<p>Justin Alexander is here to help. He’s the writer behind <a href="http://thealexandrian.net/"><i>The Alexandrian</i></a>, a well-known trove for new and seasoned Dungeon Masters alike. He’s known for teaching readers about gameplay mechanics in a fun, approachable way, breaking down each aspect of gameplay to its barest essentials. He’s here to teach you everything you need to know about D&D, from understanding and enforcing rules to designing your own dungeons. There’s no need to suffer through dense game books – tabletop is meant to be fun, and Justin makes it easier than ever to start a successful campaign that your players will remember for years.</p>
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<p><i>So You Want to Be a Game Master</i> by Justin Alexander was published by Page Street on November 21, 2023.</p>
<p>I saw reviews of the book on several YouTube channels I follow, so I knew I had to pick this one up. I've been playing and running RPGs for most of my life, so a lot of this information I have learned from experience. However, for someone new to the latter role, this book is invaluable.</p>
<p>Justin's guidance is universal and system agnostic; he does not need to get bogged down with specific game mechanics which one would find in the rulebooks of a specific game. His approach is also very user-friendly. He takes the time to walk the reader through the process - first in running and then creating a dungeon, followed by focuses on topics like mysteries, raids and heists, urban adventures, and then wilderness adventures. Each time, he discusses what the person running the table-top role-playing game (known as a game master, a dungeon master, etc.) does in order to facilitate the game for the group.</p>
<p>In the end, I came away with several great pointers and tips that will help me to improve my game mastering at the table.</p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-71958967686328599832024-01-21T15:07:00.001-05:002024-01-21T15:07:17.210-05:00Book Review: Walt Disney's Mickey and Donald - Mickey's Craziest Adventures<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3g9GMd6TGJXDLld6uH-P8KH6ybY-7RYyomTgyuFeZzBRpgDOtbCCXx1iu_k-AlamsOV4iFTqBtkgyJ1ofIt_GBVcyKOJiFdQ1WV_KbAfP98XyXXXMhfhdm3ZifsIGwuI5gR7hyphenhyphenyzR79OF54FfQQZsTLFj154F84MuCkd4p6podRnUmtbVQpdFGvtOnJW/s337/blogpost.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3g9GMd6TGJXDLld6uH-P8KH6ybY-7RYyomTgyuFeZzBRpgDOtbCCXx1iu_k-AlamsOV4iFTqBtkgyJ1ofIt_GBVcyKOJiFdQ1WV_KbAfP98XyXXXMhfhdm3ZifsIGwuI5gR7hyphenhyphenyzR79OF54FfQQZsTLFj154F84MuCkd4p6podRnUmtbVQpdFGvtOnJW/s320/blogpost.png"/></a></div>
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<p>When Peg Leg Pete and the Beagle Boys shrink and steal Scrooge McDuck’s Money Bin, Mickey and Donald must track them down… across lost cities, ancient lands, under the sea, in the air, and…into space?!? In a hilarious satire that will entertain all ages, <i>Mickey’s Craziest Adventures</i> introduces its epic tale as if it were a rare 1965 Disney classic, deemed too wild for publication and saved only in fragments — but in fact, modern comics masters Lewis Trondheim and Nicolas Keramidas have created an exciting all-new album-length stand-alone Disney thriller, drawn in a kinetic indie-comics style and presented like a classic vintage work, hiding the fact that it's actually shamelessly spoofing Silver Age comics clichés!</p>
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<p><i>Walt Disney's Mickey and Donald: Mickey's Craziest Adventures</i> will be published February 27, 2024. Fantagraphics Books provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>One of my earliest comic book memories was reading the colorful adventures of many Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. So, a book like this is like taking a nostalgic trip back to my childhood.</p>
<p>This is supposed to simulate classic story which ran as a one-page-per-month serial in the 60's. Trondheim and Keramidas made it as if they had "recreated it" from the pages they "found in comic bins". Some of the pages are "torn" while others have various discoloration or stains. The presentation gives it a true feeling of old comics.</p>
<p>The story has some holes indeed (there are only 44 pages here of a much larger tale 80 plus page tale), but that aspect simulates comic collecting back when I was a kid in the 70's. You found back issues wherever you could. You consumed parts of stories and even read issues out of order. It was a treasure hunt. And that is what this story is too in a way. The mechanic of "missing chapters" might throw off some readers. Even with "holes", the reader can easily piece together this grand adventure.</p>
<p>Overall, it was fun and captured an older comic vibe with some satiric elements to boot.</p>Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620417008960069715.post-50179685337754623462024-01-20T12:50:00.000-05:002024-01-20T12:50:17.472-05:00Book Review: What Have We Here?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz-SA-midN3fRKa_oaQAxZZcogtcdftB1luoGKPYrrzZZEiVkVwU3RtQvmku-Oxn6BOcniUiUBYxuH7GnDrqp3p1ZJkgqsTR91Owq8oygc2ypkPQ03hUYNgumfjywvxGeH_iYDkrWQU3oHYab4ayZ-p-XcyK6Fn4D7TDYs0PeH9KlbzPF2pfNOaKvWWj9/s380/blogcover.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz-SA-midN3fRKa_oaQAxZZcogtcdftB1luoGKPYrrzZZEiVkVwU3RtQvmku-Oxn6BOcniUiUBYxuH7GnDrqp3p1ZJkgqsTR91Owq8oygc2ypkPQ03hUYNgumfjywvxGeH_iYDkrWQU3oHYab4ayZ-p-XcyK6Fn4D7TDYs0PeH9KlbzPF2pfNOaKvWWj9/s320/blogcover.png"/></a></div>
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<p>Billy Dee Williams was born in Harlem in 1937 and grew up in a household of love and sophistication. As a young boy, he made his stage debut working with Lotte Lenya in an Ira Gershwin/Kurt Weill production where he ended up feeding Lenya her lines. He studied painting, first at the High School of Music and Art, with fellow student Diahann Carroll, and then at the National Academy of Fine Art, before setting out to pursue acting with Herbert Berghoff, Stella Adler, and Sidney Poitier.</p>
<p>His first film role was in <i>The Last Angry Man</i>, the great Paul Muni’s final film. It was Muni who gave Billy the advice that sent him soaring as an actor, “You can play any character you want to play no matter who you are, no matter the way you look or the color of your skin.” And Williams writes, “I wanted to be anyone I wanted to be.”</p>
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<p><i>What Have We Here?</i>, the autobiography of Billy Dee Williams, will be published February 13, 2024. Knopf /Borzoi Books provided an early galley for review.</p>
<p>Growing up in the 70's, Williams was known to me by his movie roles in <i>Brian's Song</i>, <i>Lady Sings the Blues</i>, <i>Mahogany</i> and several <i>Star Wars</i> films. He was also the smooth spokesman on the ever-present Colt 45 malt liquor commercials. Still, I never knew his story, so I was eager to dive into this one.</p>
<p>Right out of the gate, I was completely drawn into Williams' life. By the time he reached early adulthood, he was partaking in a variety of experiences and encounters that made up a varied tapestry. No surprise that he tends to name-drop quite a bit as he was connected to so many people in so many walks of life (music, theatre, film and more). I found that all quite fascinating.</p>
<p>Of course, Williams makes sure to spend a lot of time covering his many roles on the stage and on screen (both TV and film). He also talks about the many women in his life, some of whom he was more intimate than others. Throughout, he comes across exactly how he did in all of his work - with class and charm.</p>
Martin Maenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640466353011569116noreply@blogger.com0