Editorial Reviews for Nominees
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 Score: 95+/100 (9.5+ out of 10)
The Ominous Struggle is a deeply introspective and faith-based examination of the nature of struggle in life. George Beasley—a multi-time OCA winner for his heartfelt memoir, The Invisible Soul-- uses personal experiences, biblical references, and philosophical reflections to guide readers through the emotional and existential challenges that define human existence. The book explores how struggles—whether personal, societal, or spiritual—are intrinsic to life but can also be transformative when approached with faith, hope, and resilience. While the author's previous book was beautiful and powerful in its own right, The Ominous Struggle appears to be a significantly better written and formatted book as a whole. So, while The Invisible Soul excelled with the shear power, beauty, and inspirational nature of its story, The Ominous Struggle excels at being informative and educational while being a more refined book overall (in terms of writing and structure). Speaking of structure, the book is structured into twelve thoughtfully crafted chapters, each shedding light on a different dimension of struggle. It begins by defining the concept, breaking it down into societal, personal, and existential challenges that shape our daily lives. From there, it explores how faith and perseverance can help individuals find hope amid adversity, setting the stage for deeper discussions on the evolving role of religious institutions, the complexities of transparency, and the impact of judgment from others. The book also takes a critical look at materialism and the pressure to project happiness, even when struggling internally. Thankfully, despite this more structured and didactic approach, the book is still distinctly personal similar to The Invisible Soul. Beasley still draws upon personal experiences and personal stories, some of which take a lot of courage to share. One such example is when Beasley reflects on the struggles and loss of his beloved brother, Chris, who passed away at the young age of thirty-seven. Beasley recounts their shared memories on the pier, where they once talked about their hopes and dreams. He describes the profound grief and reflection that come with standing in the same place his brother once stood, listening to the silent echoes of the past. This moment is more than just reminiscing; it’s a raw and deeply personal acknowledgment of loss, resilience, and the fleeting nature of life. Through this story, Beasley not only honors his brother’s memory but also illustrates how personal struggles, no matter how painful, can shape our perspectives and deepen our faith. It should also be noted how light can be found even in dark times and situations like this. For example, Beasley reflects on how Chris's search for God and a Christian community served as a gateway to get Beasley into the church as well. What began as Chris’s personal journey toward faith ultimately became a transformative experience for Beasley, illustrating how even in the midst of struggle, moments of grace and purpose can emerge. This connection between personal hardship and spiritual growth reinforces one of the book’s central messages—that faith can illuminate even the darkest paths, leading not just to individual healing, but also to the restoration of relationships and a deeper understanding of life’s greater purpose. The author also tackles heavier themes, such as finding meaning in mortality, the role of faith as a guiding force, and the presence of evil in human struggles. Rather than leaving readers in despair, the latter chapters shift toward empowerment, offering insights on how to bring hope and discover personal victories. The book closes with a powerful message of embracing life with faith, hope, and mercy, emphasizing that struggles, while difficult, can ultimately be transformative. Here are a few of our key takeaways from this book: One of the book’s strongest messages is the necessity of support that is both loving and compassionate. Beasley emphasizes that true support isn’t just about offering tips, advice, or words of encouragement—it requires genuine understanding, patience, and the willingness to walk alongside someone in their struggles. Judgment and superficial gestures do little to help those facing hardships, but unwavering kindness, empathy, and faith-driven support can be life-changing. Most of all, Beasley invites us to LISTEN and to TAKE TIME for people rather than judging them. The Bible encourages us to not judge people, this ultimately means not to dismiss and blame them for the way the feel, the things they've done, or the things that have happened to them. According to Beasley, "In times of crisis, people often need to feel heard and understood more than anything else" and that "[t]ime is one of the most valuable things we can offer someone who is struggling, and it can make a world of difference." Beasley also advocates for being authentic and genuine. Echoing sentiments and a key concept in The Invisible Soul, the author points out how many people wear a "mask of happiness" made worse by social media and societal pressure/expectations to be normal. However, the reality is that pain and hurt are normal. Negative feelings are normal. Don't hide it away, talk about it! Discuss it with people. Get help when needed. Don't let it eat at you from inside and degrade your soul. On that note, the book also (interestingly) confronts how evil is also a normal part of the human world and experience, serving a purpose even when that purpose may not be easy to understand. According to Beasley: "The truth is, that evil serves a purpose, even when we don’t fully understand it. It challenges us, tests us, and ultimately leads us back to God. Whether through personal experiences, like the abuse I endured, or larger cosmic battles like the crucifixion of Christ, evil is part of the human experience. But it is not without hope. For in every struggle, there is the possibility of redemption, healing, and growth. As we examine the role of evil in our lives, I encourage you to reflect on your own encounters with darkness. How have they shaped you? And how might you, too, find grace in the midst of the struggle?" In speaking of an inspirational person named Keith, Beasley states: "Despite the hardships he faced, he never spoke negatively about his past or his circumstances. Instead, he focused on the present and the future, encouraging others to learn, love, and live fully." Ultimately, this is a book about hope. "Hope in the struggle is not only possible but essential for navigating life's challenges. By grounding our hope in the promises of God and the truths of Scripture, we can find strength and resilience to persevere. As we trust in God's plan and seek His presence, we discover that hope is not just a fleeting feeling but a steadfast anchor for our souls. In the words of Hebrews 6:19, 'We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.'" Check it out on Amazon!
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 Score: 94/100 (9.4 out of 10)
Oh, the horror! The Dark Mother Gold Collection is the new and improved version of one of the darkest, goriest, most brutal, and hyperviolent story collections we've ever read! Do you like horror and slasher movies? Do you like Grimm fairy tales? No, not the Disney-fied versions, the actual Grimm fairy tales full of mutilation, death, and brutal retribution. Do you like watching documentaries about the worst of the worst serial killers and genocidal dictators? Do you have a dark itch in your soul that just needs to be scratched? Well, this book may be the one for you! It's certainly not for the faint at heart or those with a weak stomach. The Dark Mother Gold Collection is a dark twist on the Mother Goose formula. Imagine if Mother Goose—rather than telling sweet, hearwarming, virtue/lesson-filled morality stories and nursery rhymes—told the sickest, most immoral (or even amoral), and nihilistic of tales! It is a unique collection of dark, twisted tales. "When Monsters Meet" concerns a wicked, perverse, and sadistic male warlock named Sir Donnel who, like Ser Meryn Trant from Game of Thrones, has a disgusting urge to brutalize women and girls. He targets a pregnant woman named Ebi. Sir Donnel is a monster in every sense of the word. However, what happens when a monster faces the retribution of another monster—one of a divine or supernatural nature? "The Beauty of Sin" follows a Sin Eater, a powerful witch named Celine who absorbs sins from innocents. The concept of Sin Eaters actually stems from superstitions and religous traditions tracing back to Wales, Ireland, and England. A Sin Eater was traditionally someone who took on the sins of a dead person so the deceased could be purified and pass through the afterlife. It's interesting that Cintron drew on this history in order to craft this story. "To the Depths of Despair" is arguably the most brutal, horrific, and a macabre of the short stories. Do you like the idea of preserving old corpses or body parts, then wearing and parading them around? This story follows a girl, Margarita, who is sexually exploited at a young age, impregnanted, then rejected by the impregnator, referred to as the "Gringo." She then brutally murders him and does all sorts of horrific things with his skin and other body parts. But it doesn't end there. Her stillborn baby, Stella, is preserved by being hollowed out and filled with stuffing like some plush doll. She is provided new skin, creating new bodies with parts of other babies. It doesn't get more depraved than that! It's for that reason that this is probably the most memorable and haunting of the stories in this book. There are numerous stories in this book of women losing their minds, hallucinating, and murdering themselves. Some resort to suicide. Trigger warnings galore! One woman, Gem, murders her husband in a particularly chilling way, yet she remains in complete denial of the act, deluding herself into believing that someone else entirely was responsible for the murder. There are a few other stories in here that are either brand new to this "Gold" edition or we hadn't really noticed in the previous contest. For example, there are a whole bunch of spooky, paranormal, and supernatural stories in here! There's even some mythology. For example, Fate is character/player in multiple stories. We actually get a full background story for her and her sisters in "History of the Fates." We also get the background story for the titular "Dark Mother" as well as her counterpart and sister, "True Mother." We love the lore! Speaking of lore, we get a twist of two twins, Malcom and Miles, being born to be protectors of nature only to be transformed into dark disruptive forces of it. It kinda reminded us of Jacob and the Man in Black in Lost, two twins on a beautiful, mysterious, magical island who—despite being trained to be its protector—lead many to death, destruction, and disaster. By the way, that story also prominently features a Dryad, a powerful forest spirit. It reminded us of the Dryad from Crown Prince by W.D. Wilpack III. It's interesting to see almost the same characters existing in separate books by separate authors. It's intertextual, in a sense. There's another story that skirts the line between dark fantasy and sci-fi, discussing and featuring time-travel. It reminded us of the episode of Doctor Who in which some "ghosts" were revealed to actually be time travelers stuck between timelines. There's a great deal of imagination and intrigue in this book. It's a little rough around the edges in terms of formatting and editing, but it's barely noticeable. Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 90/100 (9.0 out of 10)
The Owl and the Shepherd Boy is a thought-provoking children's book by Tuula Pere! The book follows Nicky, a shepherd boy (or goat herder) who finds himself on watch duty in the mountains. While he is out tending to the goat herd, he is effectively separated from his parents, family, and village. This seems to be a bit of a rite of passage or transition period for Nicky to assume more responsibility for the family property (and herd). Not only is this challenging enough for the poor boy, but it is also revealed that Nicky suffers from nyctophobia (a fear of the dark), one of the most common phobias experienced by children and adults alike. While this might seem like a huge pill to swallow for Nicky, it might also be a huge pill to swallow for some young readers, particularly in America. American children may find themselves lost or bewildered by the situation. They may wonder, Wait, the parents left the little boy alone in the mountains? What about stranger danger? Why is he unattended? In the United States, supervision is paramount. Parents and teachers who don't closely supervise their children are often viewed as neglectful and irresponsible. With that said, children are still often unattended transiting to and from school, though often with a buddy system, i.e. accompanied by neighbors, friends, classmates, or siblings. So, there's a bit of a cultural barrier here. It may be acceptable in some societies to leave a child alone in the mountains to take care of animals at night. It's generally not viewed as acceptable where we're from. What we're trying to say that it's hard for us as an American audience to forgive Nicky's parents for essentially abandoning him in the mountains. In fact, it reminded us a lot of what happened in one of the Pere's other books, Traveling Companions, in which a boy's whole family abandoned him after he got injured during a landslide (though they did tell him they'd be back for him, and it worked out in the end). However, there seemed to be some necessity to the little boy being left behind in Traveling Companions as it may have put the rest of the people in danger going down the mountain. There isn't as much necessity for Nicky's parents (particularly his father) to leave him in the mountains. But we digress, a lot of cultures and societies are different, and this could be seen as a coming of age story. At some point, boys must become men and they traditionally take up the occupations of their fathers. It might also be important to consider context. We're told that Nicky's father will be gone for a while. We don't know exactly why, but we can draw some guesses/assumptions. Many of Pere's books have featured parents having to leave, and many of these tend to be books about wartime and peace. In other words, it's slightly possible that Nicky's father was conscripted to the military (though that would be a rather short deployment), or he could just be on an important business trip. In other words, the father might not have much of a say in the matter. He can't just avoid conscription or avoid making an important business deal. He also can't just abandon the herd—his family source of food and income. He may need Nicky to step up and be the man of the family for a while. It happens. So, it might be unfair to blame the father so much. Anyway, the book does introduce a really interesting angle as Nicky's father provides the boy with a whistle which he claims will comfort him and help him to get through his fears and anxieties at night. The whistle becomes a powerful symbol, plot device, and motif in the book. It turns out that when Nicky plays the whistle, it attracts the attention of a curious and concerned owl. The owl quickly becomes our favorite character in the book, despite its sporadic appearances. The owl turns out to be a compassionate, charismatic, kind, and loving character who is there for Nicky at his worst times (such as after the storm and losing the herd). A part of us kinda wondered if the owl might be a reincarnation of one of Nicky's guardians or family members. Maybe the dad died early in his journey and came back as an owl? Maybe the owl is an old friend of the dad's who promised to look after the family in their time of need? Maybe the owl is a grandparent? Maybe Nicky's dad is a were-animal/were-owl who secretly transforms at night? It really got us thinking. Though a lot of these theories got debunked eventually, it was fun to theorize and form some head canon. It was food for thought. Catty Flores usually amazes us with her illustrations, and she is a multi-time OCA winner for a reason. She has a unique style that you're either gonna like or not like (like with anything). We will say that part of the issue of this book is that it mostly takes place at night, so everything (including the illustrations) are dark. This book in general is a bit dark and dreary. There are times when Nicky smiles and shows joy or relief, such as when he sees the owl, but he seems to be really down and distressed through major portions of the book. The persistent melancholy might get to some readers. Another thing to mention is that the text is quite small, making it a bit challenging to read as a children's book. The font size on most pages could've probably been increased to 14 or 16. Anyway, this book does explore some interesting themes like coming of age, courageously accepting and confronting new responsibilities, and overcoming fears and anxieties. Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 89+/100 (8.9+ out of 10)
Nurse Florence, What is XYY Syndrome or Jacobs Syndrome? is an educational children’s book written by Michael Dow and illustrated by Sela Goldfarb. The book is part of the Nurse Florence series, which aims to introduce medical concepts to young readers. Michael Dow's series has become a mainstay and frequent participant in our contests. This particular installment focuses on XYY Syndrome (also known as Jacobs Syndrome), a genetic condition in which males have an extra Y chromosome. The book follows a conversational format where the protagonist, Jean, consults Nurse Florence to understand her cousin’s XYY Syndrome diagnosis. The dialogue-driven narrative provides a step-by-step breakdown of the syndrome’s causes, symptoms, frequency, diagnosis, and management. There is always a Jean and always a Nurse Florence in each installment of the series with Jean (and her friends) representing curious young people and Nurse Florence representing nurses who do tremendous work in healthcare around the world. The book introduces children to DNA, chromosomes, and the genetic makeup of males and females. It explains how individuals typically inherit 46 chromosomes and how the addition of an extra Y chromosome results in XYY Syndrome. Nurse Florence explains that XYY Syndrome occurs due to an error during meiosis, affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 males, though many remain undiagnosed. The book details common characteristics such as increased height, macrocephaly (large head size), weak muscle tone, clinodactyly (curved finger), and widely spaced eyes. The text covers conditions associated with XYY Syndrome, including a higher prevalence of autism, ADHD, asthma, seizures, dyslexia, and behavioral challenges. Diagnostic methods include genetic testing after birth or prenatal screening. The book emphasizes that while XYY Syndrome cannot be prevented, various supportive treatments like speech therapy, behavioral interventions, and occupational therapy can help affected individuals. Nurse Florence mentions that individuals with XYY Syndrome tend to live about 10 years less than average but can still lead normal lives, including having children and going through puberty. The book successfully simplifies complex genetic and medical concepts for a young audience. It introduces children to medical terminology while reinforcing the importance of scientific literacy. Books in this series have tended to have several glaring weaknesses. First and foremost, they tend to be incredibly wordy and expositional (for a children's book). That's usually made worse by how flat and lifeless the dialogue tends to be. This book is no exception. Keep in mind: Nurse Florence is supposed to be describing all of this to an adolescent or young teenage girl, but she information-dumps about things like testes and hormone imbalances with no regard for how a real conversation with a child might actually unfold. There seems to be little effort to soften the language, add any warmth, or frame the information in a way that would make it more engaging or relatable for the intended audience. Instead of feeling like a natural discussion between a curious kid and a knowledgeable nurse, the dialogue reads a bit like a dry medical textbook awkwardly pasted into a script. Exacerbating this, the book’s structure can also become repetitive to the point of monotony, like watching someone play Pong. Jean asks a question, Nurse Florence responds with an overly detailed explanation, and then the cycle repeats. There seems to be no attempt at humor, no storytelling elements beyond the framing device, and no emotional engagement that might help kids connect with the material. It’s just a long, uninterrupted stream of facts with no real attempt to build tension, curiosity, or character dynamics. At the same time, this book does have something that other books in the series were sorely missing: actual stakes and purpose. In previous books, the young characters would often randomly ask about a topic with no motivation or inciting incident. However, at least in this book, Jean is motivated by the fact that her cousin has recently been diagnosed with XXY Syndrome/Jacobs Syndrome, a rare disease that understandably causes alarm and concern for poor Jean. In fact, Jean seems to harbor the specifics of this disease from her friends (at least initially), resisting naming it and simply saying, "One of my cousins got diagnosed with something." This actually shows some character as Jean, like a real person, doesn't want the world to know every single detail of her family problems, partly out of respect for privacy. She actually chooses to meet with Nurse Florence alone, which is also indicative of that. And while the book deserves credit for its educational intent, it leans a bit too hard on simply dumping information without considering how kids might actually learn best. There are no interactive elements beyond the journal at the end, no analogies to make concepts more tangible, and very little effort to break up the dense exposition into manageable, engaging pieces. While there is a story (Jean's cousin having XXY Syndrome), it really gets overshadowed and drowned out by Nurse Florence explaining so much. The illustrations are sufficient. In fact, they are probably more pleasant than about half of the illustrations in the series. They are colorful and expressive, though not particularly detailed or intricate. There are times when it seems like the same illustrations and expressions are reused for the two core characters, so no bonus points for going above and beyond. However, we are glad that there's clearly a brighter, more colorful presentation in this book. Jean wears bright lime green while Nurse Florence wears bright blue scrubs. Condi and Sonya, Jean's friends, wear bright pink and lavender respectively. It's a bit of a bummer that they're only in a panel or two. We've said it before, and we'll reiterate: the concept of this series is incredible! This series could be a powerful tool for reaching kids and getting them interested in science, medicine, and healthcare. However, it has seemingly not met its full potential. It might be better handled by a publishing house or by hiring a ghost writer and professional illustrator to really bring these characters, stories, and concept to life. Right now, the presentation and writing seem really clunky and unnatural. This series leaves a lot of room for improvement. Check it out on Lulu!  Score: 93+/100 (9.3+ out of 10)
Where does Tuula Pere get these extraordinary, deep, and outside-the-box ideas for children's books? The Shoemaker's Splendid Lamp by Tuula Pere is a heartwarming children's story about love, sacrifice, and hope. Set in a modest village, the narrative revolves around a hardworking shoemaker, his ailing son Aron, and a symbolic lamp that becomes central to their hopes and survival. In a somewhat rare example of a serious, dire life-and-death struggle in a children's book, Aron teeters on the edge of death with a severe illness that's implied to be terminal. This isn't the first time that Pere has explored the topic of terminal illness in children. In her powerful, heartwrenching Welcome Home, Pearl series, Pere explored the short yet beautiful life of a terminally ill child named Pearl and the loving brother who stayed by her side until the very end—carrying on and honoring her memory even after death. It did so in a beautiful, touching, and tactful way. Similarly, The Shoemaker's Splendid Lamp approaches the topic in a beautiful, touching, and tactful way. While we are reminded time and time again that certain people in the book (particularly the doctor) don't believe that Aron will live long enough to see the spring, the book also emphasizes the power of hope and resilience. This is symbolized by the light of the lamp from which Aron draws hope, warmth, and inspiration from. The light from the lamp is both a literal light and a figurative light. Aron comes to believe that as long as the lamp remains shining, he will remain shining—he will stay alive. He adamantly shares this belief with his father (the shoemaker) and his mother. Aron's sense of hope is infectious. When he wants to go outside and travel on the sleigh with the shoemaker, you—the reader—want it to happen too! Another really beautiful aspect of this book is how the neighbor is used as a character. His arc, though very brief and quite abrupt, is really special because it's quite unexpected. He initially comes across as a selfish, self-serving, greedy person (wanting the lamp for himself and even seeming to dish out a veiled threat); however, it seems like Aron's determination to live and the love of his parents defrosts his cold heart and wins him over. The illustrations by Georgia Stylou are beautiful in their own way, though they may not be everyone's cup of tea. Stylou also illustrated Raspberry Red by Tuula Pere, a powerful book about an innocent child living during wartime. Stylou's style is, well... stylish. It's different and unique, distinguished by the big, colorful eyes of characters—appearing almost doll-like. One thing that Stylou captures well are the expressions and emotions of the characters. You can see the concern and sadness on the shoemaker's face when he's worried that the bitter cold of being outside might worsen Aron's already-fragile health. You can also see the hope and optimism on Aron's face throughout the book. When his condition is poor, you can tell from the dark, red areas around his eyes. When his condition is improving, you can tell by his glow and expressions. If there's one weakness of this book, it's that the text is too small at times. If it were two or three font sizes bigger, it would be a big improvement. There is also a minor typo on page five (with two letter "A's" back to back). This is a really intimate book that you have to sit down and take your time to read. You can't just fly through it like with some children's books. This might be fitting considering that it's subject matter (terminal illness) is a bit more on the mature side. However, with all that said, this is still a really special book that's beautiful in its own unique way, like many of Pere's books. It focuses on the better aspects of humanity. Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 91+/100 (9.1+ out of 10)
What is the significance, meaning, and story of the username "Afternoon Rebecca"? Is faith the foundation of love, or is love a test of faith? How does online dating change the way we perceive connection and compatibility? Is love built on shared beliefs, mutual attraction, or something deeper and unexplainable? Afternoon Rebecca is a truly unique and unconventional Christian romance novel by Mike J. Kizman. The book follows Jeff Linn and Rebecca Firkins, two individuals who meet through a faith-based dating app called Church Chat Christian Dating. Set in the small-town atmosphere of Beach City, Indiana, readers are treated to an awkward, humorous, and intriguing series of interactions between Jeff and Rebecca as they navigate their newfound relationship and personal baggage. If you want a book that's action-packed, fast-faced, thrilling, tense, or sexually explicit/suggestive, this ISN'T the book for you. This is a book that's refreshingly down to earth, mellow, and tame. Despite a relatively mundane plot, this book surprises with its own unique and special charm. A lot of that has to do with the coy, sly, and clever dialogue which is full of sass and sarcasm on the part of both main characters. This book almost plays out like a chess match between two individuals who—rather than wanting to defeat, trick, or outplay the other—actually just want to enjoy a good game and a fun time together. It's beautiful in its simplicity. It's powerful in its message about self-discovery and finding one's place and purpose regardless of one's stage or state in life. God is always using us, even in the midst of our apparent failures and setbacks. God has a purpose for every one of his children. And, as cliche as it might sound, there's someone for everyone. It is sometimes pointed out among Christians that Eve came from Adam's rib, putting forth the idea that man and woman are destined to reunite since they came from the same place—that they will eventually find each other despite their physical separation. In other words, if you are a man, your woman is out there. If you you are a woman, your man is out there. We all have a counterpart—a missing part of us longing to return. The most effective aspect of this book is the writing, especially the dialogue. So much of this book hinges on the dialogue, and it thankfully hits home. Jeff and Rebecca are both incredibly playful and clever talkers, albeit often awkward. In fact, a lot of their interactions are awkward, largely due to the fact that they're both dipping their feet in the water, feeling each other out, and trying to break the ice. However, this isn't a bad thing for the reader. In fact, this awkwardness makes their conversations more interesting. You'll find yourself smiling, laughing, and perhaps even rolling your eyes. The dialogue is rich with flirtiness, playfulness, humor, and sarcasm. For example, at one point, Rebecca asks Jeff if he likes his truck driving job, to which he doesn't sound so enthusiastic. We get the aside that Rebecca is "fully interested in him talking about his occupation." Despite this aside, we know this is only partly true and is mostly an eye-rolling sarcasm. Rebecca is not actually interested in hearing about Jeff's job, she just wants to have or keep a conversation going and to get to know Jeff better. A lot of us find ourselves doing this in our everyday lives. Do you sometimes engage in small talk only to find that someone is now talking your ear off about soccer, knitting, pilates, or some other thing you're not so interested in? Do you endure these conversations just to be polite and courteous? In that same conversation, Jeff is talking but concerned that he might be oversharing, being annoying, or coming across as unlikable. Rebecca assuages this with the clever line, "I’ll let you know if you’re a weirdo when you’re done." So often, we don't say what we really think or feel because we're afraid of what others will think. Rebecca comes across as a very likable character because she's open to all of Jeff's thoughts and ideas, for better or for worse. She's a good listener and an empathetic person. Complementing that is Jeff's authenticity. Rebecca grows to accept and appreciate how genuine a person Jeff is. In a conversation with Elise, you can start to sense Rebecca connecting how she feels about Jeff's openess and honesty to how Elise feels about her match's openess and honesty. You also get a strong sense that all of these characters/people—who have been on these dating sites/apps—have become used to the oversaturation of fakeness. People wear masks, preferably their "best" face. They list all of their pros but none of their cons. You can only go so deep into a relationship before these cons start to rear their ugly heads. Another thing that seems to bind Jeff and Rebecca is how they connect over their unrealized dreams and aspirations—Jeff as a musician ("semi professional ukulele player") and Rebecca as an athlete (softball player). In a strange way, their individual failures help them to relate to one another, highlighting how things that initially seem bad in life can sometimes lead to positive outcomes. For example, you may learn from a mistake or you might be able to help others who've been through what you've been through. This book also makes good use of motifs, mainly butterflies. Jeff talks about how he started and played on many small Christian bands, naming all of them "Butterfly" something—Butterfly Jesus, Butterfly Effect, Butterfly Wings, Butterfly Storm, Midnight Butterfly. Each of these names subtly ties into the book’s themes of transformation, unpredictability, and new beginnings, mirroring Jeff’s own journey in love and self-discovery as well as Rebecca's. Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 94+/100 (9.4+ out of 10)
The Underdogs by Isaac Kan is a story about dreamers, visionaries, pioneers, mavericks, and trailblazers who overcame insurmountable odds in an attempt to reach their goals. The Underdogs intricately weaves the stories of multiple characters navigating life in San Francisco during the tech boom/Dot-com Bubble that occurred during the late 1990s to early 2000s (1995–2000). This period was marked by a rapid rise in the valuation of internet-based companies due to speculation and increased adoption of the internet. The narrative follows Pablo, a taxi driver balancing family obligations and self-respect; Jasper, an ambitious yet ruthless entrepreneur; and Ousama, a Syrian immigrant and tech prodigy betrayed by his co-founder. The plot progresses through interconnected vignettes, highlighting issues of socioeconomic disparity, the impact of technology on traditional industries, and personal ambition. Kan effectively uses a nonlinear structure, employing multiple perspectives to build tension and deliver a multifaceted storyline. Their stories converge through the rise of "NexTra," a tech company modeled after real-world ride-sharing giants. Jasper’s hunger for power and control becomes the catalyst for tension, as he manipulates those around him for his own gain. Ousama’s struggle is deeply personal—balancing loyalty to his family trapped in war-torn Aleppo with the harsh realities of startup culture. Pablo’s storyline highlights the working-class perspective, as he grapples with gentrification, family loyalty, and dignity in a city that no longer feels like home. Ousama’s arc is one of tragic resilience. A brilliant programmer fromwar-torn Syria, Ousama seeks to build a life in the U.S. while supporting his mother back home. His trust in Jasper becomes his downfall, as he is pushed out of NexTra without recognition. Ousama’s struggle reflects broader themes of immigrant exploitation and the American Dream’s elusiveness. Pablo seems to represent the marginalized communities affected by gentrification. His work as a taxi driver puts him in direct conflict with the likes of Jasper’s NexTra. Pablo’s family dynamics, especially his role as caretaker for his grandmother and mother, add emotional depth. His protective instincts are highlighted when he confronts an abusive passenger in his taxi, asserting control over his limited domain. Jae Lee is a key member of the NexTra startup team, portrayed as intelligent, resourceful, and driven. A self-taught coder, she handles much of the business side of the company, complementing Ousama’s technical skills and often mediating between him and the ambitious, manipulative Jasper. Practical and level-headed, she offers balanced perspectives and plays a stabilizing role in NexTra’s chaotic growth. Despite her critical contributions, Jae often finds her voice overshadowed by Jasper’s dominant personality, reflecting the novel’s broader themes of power dynamics and gender roles in the tech industry. Rouser is a complex character—a technical genius with antisocial tendencies. His loyalty to Jasper stems from shared hardships in their previous startup. Rouser’s detachment from societal norms contrasts with his intense commitment to his work, raising questions about the human cost of innovation. Jasper serves as the novel’s central villain/antagonist. Jasper embodies the Silicon Valley archetype: charismatic, driven, but morally compromised. His manipulation of Ousama, offering a mere 5% equity in NexTra despite Ousama’s foundational contributions, highlights Jasper’s cutthroat mentality. Jasper’s backstory of previous failures and insecurities fuels his relentless pursuit of success, even at the expense of others. This book does A LOT right and quite a bit wrong. It's probably a few tweaks away from being a top-notch, top-tier book. Let's first talk about what this book does right. This book does a great job at establishing stakes and maintaining the tension. We are constantly reminded that the characters are on a ticking time clock and (usually) at a disadvantage. For example, Ousama’s storyline perfectly captures the urgency of survival in a foreign land. He’s on a visa countdown, knowing that if he doesn’t secure a new job soon, he faces deportation. This looming threat adds constant pressure, making every setback feel critical. Adding to this, his mother’s dire situation back home in Syria raises the stakes even further. She’s not only struggling with severe depression, having attempted suicide, but also living in a war zone where ISIS and other dangerous forces threaten daily life. Ousama’s desperation to bring her to safety before it’s too late keeps readers emotionally invested. Meanwhile, Pablo's family faces an impending eviction, a harsh reminder of the economic hardships gentrification brings. For Pablo, losing the apartment means losing the last connection to his family’s history and identity. These interconnected ticking clocks—the visa, the eviction notice, and the mother’s deteriorating condition—keep the narrative taut with tension. Every character is racing against forces beyond their control, which is a major strength of the book. We're reminded time and time again—day by day—that Ousama's H1-B visa is expiring and that Pablo's 30 days to vacate his home are expiring. This constant reminder that time is running out keeps the reader hooked. The combination of personal struggles, political turmoil, and systemic injustice makes the tension feel real and gripping throughout most of the book. So, what holds this book back from being elite? Well, first of all, it seems to take a long time to get going. The first hundred or so pages are—to be frank—rather boring. The author painstakingly introduces us to each of these core characters. You really need to be patient and wait for things to pick up. Thank goodness, it picks up and becomes rather interesting. Another thing that seemed really strange and unnecessary about this book is how is fixated on describing women and their attractiveness/sexiness. Seriously! So much of this book concerns just describing what different women are wearing. It feels excessive and, honestly, distracting. Every time a female character is introduced, there’s an over-the-top focus on her appearance—her outfit, her body, her hair. Every woman seems to be turned into a walking fashion statement or object of desire. What makes it worse is that these descriptions rarely add anything meaningful to the plot or character development. Instead of deepening the reader's understanding of these women, the narrative often reduces them to their physical features. For example, Jillian's entire introduction feels like it’s more about her sorority-girl looks and wardrobe choices than her ambitions or qualifications. The way some male characters—especially Jasper and Rouser—talk about and react to women comes off as cringeworthy and outdated. It also doesn't endear us to them. Even Jae, the book's main female character, isn't immune to this. For example, consider this passage: "Before she stepped out of the elevator, Jae took a cursory look at herself in the elevator mirror. Spanx underneath her black pencil skirt, a white blouse, and a black cardigan. But wait a minute, one glance, then another. These Spanx ripped! Her backside looked massive." Anyway, the writing in this book is solid and there are some good passages. For example, here are a few that embody the core themes of the book: "Building something in Silicon Valley was the path to the pot of gold. Not Wall Street, not London, not Hong Kong." "Disruption, convertible notes, paper millionaires, Rwandan coffee poured with surgical precision. This was where the world’s problems were being solved. Where fortunes were made, seemingly overnight, and the best and brightest flocked to. This was Silicon Valley." "Never pass up your second chance again" (a sign held by an elderly female panhandler) These passages exemplify how determined and desperate the core characters are to make it big in Silicon Valley; also, pointing out how the characters view it as a second chance at life. Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 93+/100 (9.3+ out of 10)
A Parrot Tail Lily is yet another unique and special children's book by Tuula Pere! Now, like a lot of Pere's extraordinary books, there's a basic/surface-level reading of it, then there's a deeper reading. On the surface, A Parrot Tail Lily follows the story of Cosmo, a dedicated gardener renowned for cultivating rare and beautiful flowers. His passion for plants leads him to isolate himself from people, spending all his time tending to his prized garden. One day, he discovers an exceptionally rare plant, the titular Parrot Tail Lily, which he believes needs extraordinary care. In his obsession to protect and nurture it, Cosmo isolates the flower, removes other plants, builds fences, and restricts natural interactions, inadvertently causing the lily to suffer rather than thrive. His niece, Nelly, visits and helps him realize that his overprotectiveness was harming the plant instead of helping it. She reminds him that plants, like people, need community and time to grow at their natural pace. In the end, Cosmo learns from his mistakes, allowing nature to take its course. His garden flourishes again, including the Parrot Tail Lily, which grows new seedlings, ensuring its survival. This book says so much more than just talking about taking proper care of your garden and garden plants. It also says a lot more than just promoting the idea that human beings are social beings who require social contact and connections. There are actually deeper implications to the events of this book and the feelings/actions of its characters, primarily Cosmo. Cosmo does seem to suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)--or at least obsessive behavior--which is put into overdrive and triggered by the appearance of this rare plant. Now, his apparent OCD is not entirely a bad thing and may explain seems to be a major source of his success and excellence in terms of gardening. He's a perfectionist, in a sense, with extremely high standards and expectations for himself and his plants. So, add an ultra-rare plant into the mix, and you effectively send his OCD, perfectionist drives into the stratosphere (and beyond). Incredibly, the Parrot Tail Lily is sorta a reflection, a foil, an outward manifestation, and a mirror of his psyche all rolled into one. It embodies both the brilliance and the burden of his obsessive nature—his drive for perfection, his relentless pursuit of excellence, and his inability to let things grow on their own. The lily, like Cosmo, is rare and extraordinary, but its very existence pushes his compulsions to new extremes. It serves as a living paradox, representing both his greatest achievement and his ultimate downfall. At the same time, the lily is also a symbol of his isolation—a single, extraordinary thing set apart from everything else, just as Cosmo has distanced himself from people in his pursuit of perfection. But as the lily begins to suffer under his excessive care, it forces him to confront an uncomfortable truth: his need for control is suffocating the very thing he loves. Ultimately, the Parrot Tail Lily isn’t just a rare plant—it’s a test, a reckoning, and a revelation. It challenges Cosmo to reassess his methods, teaching him that true mastery isn’t about controlling nature but understanding it. And in the end, just as the lily gives way to new life, so too does Cosmo’s rigid perfectionism begin to soften, allowing him to rediscover balance, connection, and the beauty of imperfection. This book also explores the dangers of possessiveness—of holding onto beloved things so tightly that you destroy, damage, or drive them away. Cosmo tries to "love" the Parrot Tail Lily so much that he stunts its growth, causes it to become sick, and nearly kills it off. He gives it so much water that it starts to drown. He keeps the bees away from it, robbing it of its ability to provide nectar and be pollinated. This is analogous to overprotective, overbearing, and/or "helicopter" parents who can't let their children do anything on their own. They try to control everything they think and do rather than allowing them to explore and learn on their own. Another thing that this book seems analogous to is racial segregation. Cosmo separates all the other, less rare flowers from the rare Parrot Tail Lily, hurting them all in an attempt to protect the Parrot Tail Lily. You could even make the argument that this book could serve as an analogy for immigration or racial diversity. By trying to keep the flowers separate, Cosmo severs their ability to be social and to help one another. We could go on and on about the different, deep messages that could possibly be buried in this book, but you can check it out yourself on Amazon!  Score: 95/100 (9.5 out of 10)
Are you ready for a veggietastic, whimsical adventure that celebrates the works of farmers while highlighting the extraordinary miracle of growing our foods? Macie and the Magic Veggies is a colorful, vibrant, and charming children's book by Peter Contardo. It serves a wonderful educational purpose in teaching kids about where the fruits and vegetables we eat come from. It's actually a bit like From the Farm to Our Table by Sarah Rowe, in a sense, though Rowe's children's book focused more on animal products. Join Macie, a spunky, curious, precocious little girl, as she takes her grandfather's advice to learn about how farmers plant, nurture, grow, and harvest their crops. She meets up with Farmer Lundyn, a beautiful, freckle-faced, green-eyed female farmer, who shows her all the things that vegetables (like carrots) need to grow. We learn about how vegetables need soil, water, sunlight, and—above all—love. This book really highlights the love and care that farmers put into their work. Macie is even able to participate in the farming process, becoming elated at the fruits of her labor by the end of it. Something we really loved about this book is how it incorporated animal characters in the background. Rather than them being distracting or seeming tacked on, this book uses these animal characters to add some insight. In other words, they serve both as eye candy and as part of the educational process. For example, the butterfly says that "If you grow them, we will come." We learned from Cora's Garden Rescue by Sally Kashner that plants and bugs (like butterflies) have a mutually beneficial relationship. Speaking of eye candy, the characters are very eye-catching and look beautiful. Macie is adorable with big blue eyes, a baby-like face, and a blonde ponytail on one side. Her overalls/Farmer Johns really match the farming theme of the book. Meanwhile, Macie's mom is gorgeous, looking a bit like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Grandpa and Farmer Lundyn look friendly and welcoming, like people we'd love to hang out with. Check it out on Amazon! Review of "Oh Little One, Who Will You Be?" by Sharon Varney, Illustrated by Anthony Richichi3/21/2025  Score: 95/100 (9.5 out of 10)
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" It's a question that every child is asked at one time or another. But though it's a compelling, fascinating, and engaging question for children, it's just as important to parents and adults. Every parent wants the best for their children and dreams of them becoming great and successful. It's one of the greatest gifts of life: a hope for a better life—the ability to aspire and to dream. Oh Little One, Who Will You Be? by Sharon Varney perfectly captures that spirit. The parents in this book wonder and dream about what their children will grow up to be. One couple envisions their adventurous son as an explorer or, perhaps, a zoologist or biologist. One couple envisions their expressive and humorous baby as a comedian. Another couple of a son who is good with dogs envisions him becoming a veterinarian someday. Yet another couple wonders if their daughter, who is passionate (albeit messy) while baking, might become a professional baker someday. Another couple, who sees how their child cares for other children, envisions him becoming a nurse. Two scientists who've gotten their child on board with their scientific passions wonder if she'll become a scientist too. Perhaps one day, a baby who is fascinated by the planets hanging above his crib may become an astronaut. The concept and message of this book is powerful and beautiful. The illustrations, by mult-time OCA winner Anthony Richichi, are among Richichi's best in a children's book! In the past, one of the things that really stood out to us as holding Richichi's art back is how the scale of scenes were so great that characters were out of focus. That's not the case for much of this book. For example, on page 4, we get up close and personal with the parents, baby, and all of the baby's wild expressions. On page 7, we get up close and personal with the parents and the soon-to-be baker as she cooks up a storm. In scenes that are a bit large and scaled up, the backgrounds are mostly detailed and the action/events taking place make sense, adding rather than detracting or distracting from the story's message. For example, the soon-to-be athlete on page 10 is in the presence of statues of sporting legends as well as kids playing all sorts of spots, showing how these things inspire and encourage her. On the next page, the soon-to-be builder overlooks the city while the sun rises, illuminating the buildings that were build by people just like him. We have a soft spot for page 13, in which the little girl proves herself to be a budding farmer, because we just read Macie and the Magic Veggies by Peter Contardo, which highlighted this very thing. The scene is also among the most detailed in the book with several layers of depth ranging from the mountains and sun in the far distance, the barn and parents in the near distance, and the daughter and dog up close. Page 15, which showcases the teacher, features butterflies and birds outside the window. Check it out on Amazon! |
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