“Disinheritance,” by John Sibley Williams Limns the In-between Places

DISINHERITANCE Poems by John Sibley Williams John Sibley Williams poems in “Disinheritance” limn the in-between places as he explores the sorrow of life’s fragility. It’s the darkness of these poems that illuminates the bursts of reconciliation. Usually I rely on the words to speak for themselves. In this case, though, I was adrift in Williams…

REVIEW of Susan Wittig Albert’s forthcoming novel: “A Wilder Rose: Rose Wilder Lane, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Their Little Houses”

A Little House In October of this year you’re in for a treat when Susan Wittig Albert’s historical novel “A Wilder Rose: Rose Wilder Lane, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and their Little Houses” hits the stands. It’s  a tour de force. With great skill she marshals an exhaustive store of research into a gripping narrative  that compellingly…

“Beasts of the Southern Wild”: Fierce and Tender

“See this movie,” a friend texted. So, I did. Afterwards, walking through the lobby, my companion asked me “So, what do you think?” “Fierce and tender.” “Beasts of the Southern Wild” was made with courage and love. It took the Sundance and the Cannes Film Festivals by surprise and by storm. Conceivably this may be…

“Rise of Planet of the Apes,” reviewed by Judy Tart

Here’s an informal review of of the suspense/thriller/animation film “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” by my friend Judy Tart. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area. –Janet *** *** *** “Rise of Planet of the Apes,” –the prequel” to “Planet of the Apes”–is far more than what one might think. The premise…

Keersmaeker’s Rosas danst Rosas. Reviewed by Judith Stanton

I write fiction and love dance whether dressage for horses or ballet, belly dancing, break dancing, or modern dance. As a creative artist, it’s been my goal to recover my old connection to the arts with poetry, film, exhibitions at some of our super local museums. I’m lucky. The American Dance Festival, a summer institute…

“In Praise of Debate: An Internet Business Model,” by Dave Scotese. Bringing people together by exploring differences.

I met Dave Scotese a few years back through our mutual friend Ernest Dempsey. Dave created Litmocracy a place that nurtures writers and ideas. In yet another innovative move, Dave proposes an internet business model to debate social and political ideas. His main idea is to bring people together by exploring differences. But, let’s listen…

“Shadow and Substance: My Time with Charlie Chaplin,” by Gerry Mandel

Gerry Mandel’s debut novel “Shadow and Substance: My Time with Charlie Chaplin” melds the genres of love story, mystery, and time travel while tracing layers of creative process. Most of all, though, Mandel’s novel is an old-fashioned morality tale for this age. With an unassuming style Mandel investigates important life questions. What is the nature…

“Don’t Sleep: There Are Snakes,” reviewed by Barbara Scott

Barbara Bamberger Scott loved this nonfiction book Don’t Sleep – There Are Snakes by Daniel L. Everett, a missionary/linguistics expert who lived for 30 years among the Piraha Indians on the Amazon River. The Piraha (emphasis on the last syllable) are not particularly colorful. Their language has very few words (but each verb has 65,000…

Poetry: “On Wings of Gentle Power,” by Barry D. Yelton

Barry Yelton , a native North Carolinian writer, has done it again in his latest poetry book “On Wings of Gentle Power.” Reflective of Yelton’s rural roots these poems impart a sense of place and connection to land, sky, and water. Al Past’s photography combines with Yelton’s words to create a layered duet. Yelton and…