Aug 22“The Dimensions of A Cave” by Greg JacksonGreg Jackson’s debut novel, “The Dimensions of A Cave” is a spot-on story for our times. We are experiencing an age where many believe that we are living in a simulation, while many others can’t wait until we get deeper in there. …2 min read2 min read
Aug 16“Redwood Court” by DeLana R.A. DameronMika receives a “simple” History Project assignment in her Middle School Social Studies class: “Where do you come from?” While classmates get right to work, Mika decides after some thought that she will want to discuss this project with her parents and grandparents. Because, you see, Mika’s ancestors didn’t come…2 min read2 min read
Aug 5“Coleman Hill” by Kim Coleman FooteKim Coleman Foote invests heart and soul into her debut novel “Coleman Hill”. It is a “biomythography” and Coleman Foote honors us with an honest and powerful tribute to her families’ real and imagined struggle to find their place in a continually imperfect, racist, and hostile country. “Coleman Hill” gives…2 min read2 min read
Jul 23“While We Were Burning” by Sara KoffiSara Koffi treats readers to a taut, propulsive psychological drama in her debut novel “While We Were Burning”. Koffi reminds us that The “American Dream” is never far-removed from the “American Nightmare”. All the main characters of “While We Were Burning” are struggling in one way or another with identity…1 min read1 min read
Jul 6“The Museum of Human History” by Rebekah BergmanRebekah Bergman has set herself a high bar by titling her debut novel, “The Museum of Human History”. But, as they say in the world of athletics: “You can’t score if you don’t shoot.” Our species has many unique obsessions. One category of preoccupation that sits atop the list is…1 min read1 min read
Jul 3“Women and Children First” by Alina GrabowskiAlina Grabowski’s intricate debut novel, “Women and Children First’’ is a sophisticated and nuanced treatment of the challenges facing families trying to find their way in the rough passageways of 21st Century America. Life is not easy in a hardscrabble Massachusetts coastal beach town. Everyone knows everyone’s business, of course…1 min read1 min read
Jun 18“Dead in Long Beach, California” by Venita BlackburnVenita Blackburn’s startling debut novel, “Dead in Long Beach, California ‘’ took me a while to get into the rhythm. I decided that I should try to activate “lyrical poetry reading mode”. That worked like a charm. Cora is an unforgettable lead character. She is a hot mess: brilliant, broken…1 min read1 min read
May 27“The Box” by Mandy-Suzanne WongMandy-Suzanne Wong’s 2nd novel, “The Box”, is sui generis. It is comprised of multiple stories with unique voices, settings, characters and narratives that are barely held together by a thread. It is never terribly easy to find your footing. “The Box” is shrouded in mystery, at turns murky, dreary, bleak…2 min read2 min read
May 23“The Road To Dalton” by Shannon BowringShannon Bowring does a wonderful job of capturing the subtle nuances of late 20th Century rural life in her wonderful debut, “The Road To Dalton”. Dalton is an isolated outpost in the forests of far Northern Maine. Everyone knows everyone. Memories are deep, generational, grudges are long-lasting. Life is harsh…1 min read1 min read
May 13“I’m A Fan” by Sheena PatelSheena Patel welcomes readers into the often-times surreal world of online influencers, followers, lurkers, hate scrollers, ghosters, stalkers, and more in her impressive debut novel, “I’m A Fan”. Patel, a founding member of the “4 Brown Girls Who Write” Poetry Collective, has all her skills on display, including those of…1 min read1 min read
