Poetry Market Ezine Reviewer Weighs in on Chapbook

LIBRETTI LUMI
By Roy Anthony Shabla
poetry
ISBN: 978-1-105-18751-3
royanthonyshabla.com
http://royanthonyshabla.com/books.html


Review by LB Sedlacek, originally for the  "The Poetry Market Ezine" - March 2012


Roy Anthony Shabla gets an "A" in visual
presentation for his new poetry book,
"Libretti Lumi." Even the envelope it
arrived in had a poem by Shabla stamped
on the outside -- a clever way to further
share his poetry.

"Libretti Luma" is divided into two sections:
"Air Play" "Cantata Aria" and "Word Play"
"lingua recitativa." Poems aren't titled --
they are numbered making the book more like
how an epic poem might be presented.

Poem III in the "Air Play" section is a
wonderful and somewhat playful romp through
the ups and downs of love in a relationship.
It explores appreciation of the earth, sky,
the breeze, etc. "Air Play" contains
grounded poems that reach into the
every day but also encompass the universe.

Poem IV in the "Word Play" section deals
with the end of everything: "the city is
gone./Maybe it never existed./the streets
go nowhere,/come from nowhere,/are nowhere./
the buildings are merely a trick of the light,/
a glimmer in the wasteland ...." In this
same poem, though, Shabla still presents a
glimmer of hope including lines such as
"I sing./I sing./O you may not think of
my song as singing,/but I sing ..." and
"I love you/you know this/I do not think."

The last poem (V in the "Word Play"
section) is a fitting end to the book:
"We say words/to each other//we say them/
like they mean something...."

There is an overall sense of sureness and
calmness in the poems presented in this
book. The subjects and symbollism are
sharp, but yet they exude a relaxed state.
I'm glad I opened the cover and dived on
in -- this is a poetry book I would read
again and again.
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Medical Fiction From India Grabs New Book Review Spotlight

Title: Mahashweta

Author: Sudha Murthy.

Genre: Indian fiction, medical fiction.

Originally published at  Book Reviews Galore

Step into the world of leukoderma and understand it complexity, problem and the various Indian superstitions revolving around it. Before you groan and go away, let me tell you that this isn't a book a la 'Emperor Of Maladies'(though I am told it is a fascinating book) but rather a fictional story of the struggles that a woman suffering leukoderma faces. 'Mahashweta' by Sudha Murthy, from the synopsis at the back and the glittering praise from well established newspapers, promises to be a unique read that delves into the suffering of a disease that afflicts many but doesn't find its way in the stories. Unfortunately, the novel fails to live up to those promises for which there are many reasons to which we will get back to later on.

'Mahashweta' is aptly dedicated to women suffering from leukoderma and urges them to fight and not be oppressed by their disease. The story begins on a congratulatory note with the birth of a girl child which is a means to establish the single status of Dr. Anand-the successful, handsome and rich doctor- who helped give birth to the baby girl. Later while at his work, Anand is coaxed into buying a Rs. 1000 ticker for a play he has no idea about by the 'incomparable' Anupama. The play is a love story between Mahashweta and Pundalik and is part of the book 'Kadambari' written by Bhana Bhatta. Anupama plays the heroine and as expected Dr. Anand is mesmerized by her beauty and acting skills. After a few irrelevant incidents, they both get married(how predictable!) despite the difference in their economic status. It is only after marriage that Anupama develops a white patch and it begins to spread despite her clandestine treatment. When her mother-in-law realises this, all hell breaks loose. She accuses Anupama of having tricked her son into marrying him and begins to consider her inauspicious because of leukoderma. She eventually returns to her father's house, disgraced. Her evil stepmother's taunts and ill treatment just worsens the situation. To top it all, Dr. Anand- being a doctor at least should know that leukoderma is nothing but a disease and not something that turns a person inauspicious-also does not support Anupama and abandons her when she needed him the most. Anupama, however, does not let the circumstances get the better of her. She bravely decides to go to Mumbai, away from her callous family and in-laws, to eke out a living and carve a place of her own free from any pain, stigma and stereotypes. She is quite successful is achieving her dreams and standing proudly on her own two feet.

'Mahashweta' is a conventional story of the suffering bravely overcoming their difficult trials and tribulations. The only redeeming aspect of the story comes at the end when Anupama decides to remain her own master and be economically independent rather than being bound by someone else's rules and regulations. Other than this, the novel as a whole is marred by a fragmented narrative, dollops of stereotypes, amateurish writing, no smooth narration and a very soap operatic treatment of the entire story. In fact, I wouldn't be wrong in saying that 'Mahashweta' is a soap opera in prose style as it has all the prerequisites of one-the constant preoccupation with marriage, the evil mother-in-law and sister-in-law twist, the evil stepmother convention, the too good to be true daughter-in-law who suffers silently, the narrow minded and religious focus of the story at time and the list is endless.

While Sudha Murthy does take up a relatively lesser known disease to tell her story, she does not break any new ground on it as the entire novel is steeped in too many stereotypes particularly about girls and marriage. For eg, on the first page itself, the nurse who assisted in the birth of the girl ponders over how the female child is stronger at birth than the male but later on becomes the one who suffers. The nurse attributes this as being 'a fact of life' which is not really true because being feminine or masculine is not a fact of life but rather a cultural construct. The system of patriarchy conditions women to expect suffering in their life. Anything that is exploited or oppressed is associated with the female sex. For eg. it is 'mother' earth and never 'father' earth. The novel is replete with such redundant stereotypes. Murthy may have wished to challenge them but she does not do a good job as she merely states them with no attempts at challenging them much like any commonplace Indian soap opera.

Moreover,her writing does not have the emotional depth that is perhaps required in such a sensitive story. Most of her attempts at philosophy(through Anupama) are also blunt and shallow.

Although, 'Mahashweta' educates the reader about leukoderma and the debilitating superstitions that even 'educated' Indians follow, the novel becomes a drag to read. It reveals the hypocrisy of the Indian society in their attitudes to leukoderma but does not do so in a profound, erudite and personal manner.

Final Verdict: It is best to skip 'Mahashweta' altogether. If you really want to know more about leukoderma, then contact you nearest dermatologist. Or if you don't have the time, then just click here to know more!

-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Sigmarie Soto Reviews Thriller

Title: Q: Awakening
Author: G.M. Lawrence
Author's Website: http://www.gmlawrence.com/
Genre: Fiction/Philo-Thriller
ISBN: 9781935142539
Variance Publishing

Reviewed by Sigmarie Soto originally for ZiggySoto

 
G.M. Lawrence’s career as an author can only excel from here given the sophistication of his first novel. Q: Awakening focuses on the quest of conflicted hero, Dr. Declan Stewart, in not only searching for an ancient manuscript (“quelles”), a lost gospel believed to be written by Christ, but also regaining his faith in people and God after years of hiding.


The writing in Q: Awakening is elegant and clever, providing multiple layers and insight into a variety of complex cultural, political, and religious components. While this is an action-packed, save-the-world adventure, there is significantly more depth due to the philosophical aspects and the conflicts among and within the characters as well as the motives driving each of them. And all of this can draw a variety of audiences ranging from diehard adventure/thriller fans to those interested in modern philosophical fiction.


The read is captivating and enjoyably consuming in everything from character development to the vivid settings covering anything from New Zealand to the deserts of Saudi Arabia. While most plots have one villain, Q: Awakening has multiple villains with multiple agendas. Some want to profit from Q while others want to destroy it.



Beyond struggling with accepting that Q is his destiny and obsession, Declan is also interesting because of his struggle with moving forward after already having lost so much during his prior search for Q. As with any good and believable hero, Declan is flawed and even mysterious. His constantly weighed conscience forces him to accept his mission despite the fact he insists he doesn’t believe it is the salvation of the human race.


The quality of writing and imagination mixed with the detail and realness of the characters and places is quite refreshing. Since Q: Awakening is the first in Lawrence’s trilogy, the remaining novels have quite a bit to live up to as well as a lot of questions to answer. Given the complexity and adventure in this novel, a screen adaptation would also be successful and well-received.


-----
  The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Women's Nonfiction Reviewed by Book Club

Title: My Pilgrim's Heart
Subtitle: A woman's journey through marriage and other foreign lands

By Stephanie Dale
Author's Web site: www.stephaniedale.net
Genre: Travel memoir
ISBN: 978 09821 40765

Reviewed by Chocolate Amethyst (chocolateamethyst) originally for Talk the Talk Women's Book Club

“You won't find Stephanie Dale in My Pilgrim's
Heart, you will find yourself. What you will find is Stephanie Dale right beside you." Stephanie - thank you. Every time you comment,  My Pilgrim’s Heart comes alive in a different “light”. I would like to thank you for for creating a “atomosphere” of sincerity, truthfulness, and “tough love”. This blog page has allowed the TTT Ladies a precious opportunity to be “real”. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to comment and answer each question. I did my final post on 6 May 2012, and honestly I have been on a “journey” of self reflection. Your book My Pilgrim's Heart has opened up the flood gates to my soul and mind. I did not realize how much “tension” that is in my spirit. I have set some new goals for myself, and I have a plan to be proactive with each one. Your Journey is full of wisdom, and your insight is limitless.
 TTT Ladies I really hope that other book clubs take this journey with Stephanie Dale and My Pilgrim’s Heart. They will discover the” journey” in their heart, 
Stephanie you are a ‘rare jewel’, and I have the upmost respect for you.”

More About the Author:
Stephanie Dale
Traveling writer

Facebook.com/mypilgrimsheart

Twitter: @stephaniedale22

www.stephaniedale.net

'A lover is a fighter who believes
her desires are shared by all the world' Harriet Rubin

-----

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Tim Ward Gives Karina Fabian's Fantast a Five!

Title: Mind Over Mind
Author: Karina Fabian
Category: fantasy/science fiction
ISBN-13: 978-1897942369 (print)
1897942362 (e-book)
Format: Trade paperback, e-book
Publication Date: Aug 8, 2011
Pages: 314
Price: $19.95 US (print) $2.99 (e-book)
Available from: DragonMoon Press, http://dragonmoonpress.com
More Info: www.fabianspace.com

 Reviewed by Tim Ward, originally for Amazon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I heard that the main character, Ydrel, was a telepath empowered by an alien only he can see and hear, I had to buy it. I am writing a book with telepaths and so I came at this book from a researcher’s perspective. What Karina gave me was more than I anticipated. Here’s a rapid-fire list of what this book offers:

*Solid, clear-cut writing. She keeps it fresh, insightful, emotional, fun, and rewarding.

*Three point-of-view characters with emotional investment and story lines that keep you engaged to the end.

*A fascinating idea about an alien world contacting a young boy from two different angles. One source trains him to kill, and then makes him pay when he refuses. The other needs help to prevent her people from being wiped out in war. The images, conflict, and threats that this side of the novel presents offer a grand scale for the rest of the series. I can’t wait to find out what happens.

*When not set in a fantastical alien world, Karina explores the carefully hidden secrets that could thrive in a mental health facility when you have a telepath and a manipulative chief psychiatrist. Joshua, the young intern who walks into this snake pit, must deal with this psychiatrist, while also gaining Ydrel’s trust so that he can help him escape. Sound research makes this setting real, and you trust the author to tell it how it is, even if that makes things more difficult for the heroes.

*Finally, from a research standpoint, this book offered a ton of inspiration for writing my telepath characters. The best part was, I didn’t feel like I was researching. I came for the story, and was pleasantly surprised to find a new author and series to follow.

~ Learn more about Karina Fabian at http://fabianspace.com Books to challenge the mind, touch the heart, and tickle the funny bone.

----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

How to Blog a Book: Write, Publish, and Promote Your Work One Post at a Time

How to Blog a Book: Write, Publish, and Promote Your Work One Post at a Time
By Nina Amir

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books (May 21, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599635402
• ISBN-13: 978-1599635408
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches

Reviewed by Deborah Carney, originally for  Amazon.com

Excellent book for blog authors or authors who blog, May 5, 2012


This book very clearly lays out what, how and why you would want to blog a book. From making you accountable to an audience that wants you to keep writing, to establishing good writing habits, to actually writing a business plan about what you want the blog and book to accomplish. Easy to read, easy to understand and easy to implement, must read for bloggers and authors both.



Learn more about the author Nina Amir:
http://www.ninaamir.com
http://www.copywrightcommunications.com
http://www.howtoblogabook.com

-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Cary Pepper Tells Five-Star Maltese Tale

Reel Life Crime
Author: Cary PepperAuthor’s Website: www.carypepper.comGenre: Fiction/Detective/CrimeISBN: 978-1-4658-4263-3
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/81833

Reviewed by Kathy C originally for Hampton Reviews

Five-Star Review

This book is a lot of fun. It roughly follows the plot of the Maltese Falcon, and it’s fond references to the 1941 movie are skillfully woven into it. The story itself-that of the theft of the statue from the movie, is full of twists and turns. Like the movie, the reader thinks the case is dine until the next monkey-wrench is thrown into the works. The main character, Ed Sampas, is a character right out of 1940’s film noir. He keeps up a running commentary to the reader about his thoughts and feelings about the other characters. Used incorrectly, this device could have become annoying or too precious, but in Cary Pepper’s skilled hands it enhances the story greatly.

A fairly quick read, this story and its characters will absorb the reader to the last page.

-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :