A Thousand Li: The First Step: Book 1 of A Xianxia Cultivation Series —by Tao Wong

 Fiction / Cultivation (Chinese martial arts with magic and medicine)

316 pages / 2492 KB

5 Stars

 

This book was my introduction to the Cultivation genre of Chinese martial arts stories, and to Tao Wong’s writing. I’m not sure I totally understand what ‘cultivation’ means, but as I read more of the stories, I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

 

There are Chinese words and phrases used throughout the book, but they are explained, so the reader is not left hanging and scratching and trying to figure out what the author meant.

 

The protagonist, Long Wu Ying is a seventeen year old peasant who is conscripted into the army and though not the sharpest sword in the box, he’s honest, true, and brave. He is credited with saving his army and rewarded by being allowed to join a sect (think Shaolin type school) and to train with them. 

 

We get to go along on some great adventures, with the promise of many more to come. Of course, it couldn’t be a series without an antagonist who also comes along for the ride. To make it better, neither Wu Ying nor us know why the great animosity, other than Wu Ying is loyal, brave, and true—and a peasant.

 

If you like adventure stories, especially martial arts and magic, give this series a try. Now, I’m off to read another one of Tao Wong’s books. Great fun, great escape!

Intention Tremor: A Hybrid Collection --by Tamara Kaye Sellman

 Nonfiction / Poetry

78 pages

5 Stars

 

I “met” Ms Sellman at the AWP Conference a few months ago. I forgot what panel she was on, but I was struck by her upbeat attitude, and looked for her book of poetry. I decided to take a chance, based on her attitude, that it would not be a “woe is me” book about her MS. It’s a delight, and she’s donating funds from the book to research.

 

It is about her MS and how she lives with it, and it isn’t always lightness and fun, but she discusses it with honesty, and often with humor. And to discover we shared a mutual friend was icing on the cake. 

 

These poems are genuine and filled with the emotions and passions of living. Sometimes intense, always honest. Beautiful!

Brother Blood Sister Death --by Bill Ransom

 Fiction / Urban Fantasy

178 pages / 1088 KB

5 Stars

 

Full disclosure here, I know Bill Ransom, have taken writing workshops from him, and think he’s a bodacious author. I believe I have read every book he’s written, and some more than once, so when I saw Brother Blood Sister Death available, I bought it. THEN I read about it. Uh, I’m not a huge fan of vampire books. But Bill Ransom wrote it… I decided to trust the process, trust the author, and read the book. 

 

Wow! Vampires alive in our time, in our space, and how they manage to survive—or not? The dialog was wonderful, the story was well written and executed by a master storyteller. The ending was spot-on!

 

Yes, it’s about vampires, but I don’t think you’ll get nightmares from the story. I didn’t, I truly enjoyed it. And highly recommend it. Pour yourself a martini and enjoy the ride.

twenty-sixth, A Poetry Contest Chapbook by the Yakima Coffeehouse Poets, April 2021

 Nonfiction / Poetry

54 pages

5 Stars

 

This is a handmade chapbook, one of the means for raising money for the Yakima Coffeehouse Poets of Yakima, Washington. Every year, YCP holds a contest and publishes the best poems of the entrants. They had over 54 entrants this year, and the best made it into the book.

 

There is no ISBN for this little book, and the only way to get your own copy is through Inklings Bookshop in Yakima, or by ordering directly from YCP at PO Box 2874, Yakima, WA 98907, or by emailing ycpoetrycontest@gmail.com. Either way, the cost is a $10.00 donation to YCP. If ordering by snail mail, please include enough to cover postage. (I suggest at least $4.00 to cover the price of envelope and postage. $5.00 would for sure work and be appreciated.)

 

The book begins with nine Honorable Mention poets, and topics range from cutting each other’s hair during the pandemic to first love. Each is different, and each is well done.

 

There is a series of poems about saying goodbye that won the Tom Pier Prize. Some of them made me cry. Then there are the Third, Second, and First place poems, with each section having multiple poems by the prize-winning poet.

 

This is a delightful anthology of local poets (most are from Central Washington, with one as far away as Walla Walla and one as far north as Twisp). To get a copy, contact Inklings Bookshop (www.Inklingsbookshop.com) or YCP (see above). Also check out the YCP website (yakimacoffeehousepoets.com). You’ll be glad you did. Best $10.00 you’ll spend in a long time.

The Death of Sitting Bear, New and Selected Poems --N. Scott Momaday

 Nonfiction / Poetry / Passages

192 pages

5 Stars

 

I don’t think it is within the realm of the possible for Mr. Momaday to write anything that I would not find beautiful.

 

He brings the histories and legends of the Native peoples to the Europeans in ways accessible to them, whether in prose or poem or passage.

 

When one reaches a certain age To An Aged Bear strikes a ringing chord: “Hold hard this infirmity. / It defines you. You are old.”

 

His poetry of the land, of the people-whether us or of another culture, another country, are not to be missed.

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents --by Isabel Wilkerson

 Nonfiction 

496 pages 

5 Stars many times over!

 

As some reviewers have stated, this may be a tough read for some, but if it is, persevere and learn something. You may not agree with everything Ms. Wilkerson says in her book, but you will learn from it, and it may be a hard lesson—but a worthwhile one.

 

Some have accused her of being ‘left leaning’ and I think she is ‘life leaning’ for surely that is what her book is about, life, living, free, and full.

 

To be honest, I’d never considered caste in this country. Born and raised as a member of the dominate caste, I didn’t see it. I saw the racism, not the casteism, and yet I am a member of some of the lesser castes. 

 

When I get my eyes fastened to a good book, I tend to read too fast, turn those pages, get on to the next sentence, chapter, part. I know I miss things, and I tried to read more slowly. The goodness is, I own the book, it is mine, and I can read it again. And I will.

 

I think Caste is a book that should be required reading for all high school students before they graduate. It should be read in class and discussed in class. It should be discussed, in depth, chapter by chapter, at least two or three times per week. Daily would be better.

 

This is the best book I’ve read in quite some time. It is worthy of more than one reading.

In the Bear's House --by N. Scott Momaday

 Fiction / Nonfiction / Poetry

96 pages

5 Stars

 

 

Mr. Momaday and I share something in common,  as he says in the Introduction, he “hungers for wild mountains and rivers and plains. I love to be on Bear’s ground, to listen for that old guttural music under his breath, to know only that he is near. And Bear is welcome in my dreams, for in that cave of sleep I am at home to Bear.”

 

The first portion of the book is a series of dialogs between Yahweh and Urset, God and Bear. They are short, delightful, and well worth thinking about. Then there are poems and finally passages. Momaday writes deceptively easy poems that, when considered, pack a wallop. Momaday brings a Native American perspective to us, an explanation if we choose it, as to how and why indigenous peoples relate to nature. I love the different points of view of the transformation. It reminds me I am mortal, not to fear.

 

The illustrations are by the author and are wonderful. This is a book I shall read more than once.