Trigger warning: existential dread Reflections on the end of a civilization is the subtitle of this bleak book published by Roy Scranton in 2015. It's not without a tiny bit of hope, but he is frank in his assertion that "this civilization is already dead." We - humanity - are on the way out and … Continue reading Learning to Die in the Anthropocene
Category: Non-fiction
And justice for all?
fiction and nonfiction with common themes I just finished two books that I didn't think had much in common except for a quest for justice. But as I reflected I realized they share other themes like how politics ruins everything; how the dedication of good detectives and journalists are necessary in a free society; how … Continue reading And justice for all?
Antifascist Roundup
If you're at all alarmed with what you see, here's a roundup of reviews that touch on fascism, hatred, white supremacy, and antisemitism. We're in the thick of it, yeah? Keep your eyes and ears open. Arm yourself with knowledge, context, and humor. Resist with everything you've got. Hatemonger in Chief I posted my review … Continue reading Antifascist Roundup
This is your brain on color
Color is the place where our brain and the universe meet. - Paul Klee Look, you can read Color Scheme or just look at the color palettes - either way you're bound to enjoy it. The subtitle promises an "Irreverent History of Art and Pop Culture in Color Palettes" and author Edith Young delivers in … Continue reading This is your brain on color
Get the Picture
I'm beginning to think that Art is everything, am I wrong? I wrote that in a letter to my cousin, a poet living in New York City. I had just finished Bianca Bosker's 2024 book, Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Impressive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See … Continue reading Get the Picture
Writing on Both Sides of the Brain
right brain: creative / left brain: analytical I read Write it Down, Make it Happen around 20 years ago, and it made a deep impression. I've written the phrase on the first page of all my notebooks and journals ever since. But while I've revisited it multiple times the funny thing is I never looked into … Continue reading Writing on Both Sides of the Brain
Short Shots
Serving up a flight of reviews for your reading pleasure. Prepare to knock back tastes of gritty novellas, a refined spy thriller, a complex memoir, and family fiction with both sweet and sour notes. Cheers! Owning Up by George Pelecanos (2024) What’s better than a new George Pelecanos novel? Four new Pelecanos novellas! Quality and … Continue reading Short Shots






