Reviews in Brief

An engaging collection of poetry comprised of memoir and musing, Poetry of a Life by Sharon Romero overflows with emotion, nostalgia, and the wisdom of hindsight. Whether analyzing the rat race, reflecting on maternal memories, interrogating past mistakes, or unraveling the reasons for heartbreak, these poems span the full spectrum of experience, never shying away from any of life’s joys or sorrows. Adopting a conversational free-verse style with occasional bursts of rhyme, Romero is a keen observer, a vulnerable storyteller, and a seeker of answers to questions that resonate within all of us.

A passionate and professional analysis of the Second Amendment, The Voice of the Guns: America, Switzerland, and the Second Amendment by Burton Flanagan is a clear-eyed and uncompromising dissent to pro-gun dogma. Exploring the historical, legal, and political context of the right to bear arms, Flanagan explains why and how gun restrictions have become shielded by the Supreme Court’s ideological and intentional blurring of constitutional interpretation. By further comparing America’s epidemic of gun violence against the safe gun culture and responsible policies of Switzerland – a gun-loving nation that doesn’t suffer from constant mass shootings – the author makes a compelling case for repealing or amending this controversial piece of America’s Constitution.

Pushing deep into the origins of work burnout and the interplay between personality and our emotional capacities, Noah Roman explores a range of key work-life issues in The Burnout Breakthrough: Simple Strategies to Restore your Work-Life Balance, Reclaim your Energy, and Find Joy at Work. Written from a conversational and contemporary perspective, this is a straightforward but thorough guide for avoiding, managing, and recovering from burnout, a widespread problem in today’s relentlessly competitive and demanding world. From changing one’s mindset about productivity to interrogating personal values and creating external networks of support, the advice and relatable anecdotes throughout the book make it an encouraging, easily digestible, and instructive read for professionals seeking to mitigate the increasing complications in the modern workplace.

A manic sci-fi fling into truth, justice, and family loyalty, Benny Dubious: Hiding from the Feds is a wildly creative novella from Maxwell Hoffman. Suspension of disbelief is essential as Benny Dubious hides out with a suspicious group of his relatives, some of whom don’t appreciate his connections to a group of vigilantes gone bad in Los Angeles. However, if he can convince his brainiac cousin to build him a time chamber, he just might be able to outsmart the relentless Felix Fromm and the Feds, giving his crime syndicate the upper hand once again. While the unpredictable plot moves quickly, there are some serious formatting, editing, and storytelling gaps that make the reading experience challenging. A thorough edit is highly recommended for this and future installments from Hoffman, but the story’s lead character makes a solid foundation for a new series.

An encouraging and insightful primer for elderly exercise, Safe and Effective Workouts for Seniors: The Definitive Guide for Improving Balance, Strength, Flexibility, and Endurance by Jo Marques is an essential companion for staying fit after 60. Exploring the common excuses and valid concerns related to senior exercise, the author details the physical changes people typically experience as they age, and shares tips on staying motivated and positive. The second half of the book is an illustrative training guide, including in-depth workout descriptions, as well as exercise-specific warnings to ensure safety and clarity. Guiding readers towards a customized exercise routine based on their individual needs, limitations, and goals, this conversational yet comprehensively informative read is an indispensable guide for seniors to start or continue regular workouts.

A stirring reflection on Black LGBT life, The One Who’s Gonna See You Through by John Steven Welch is a tender and trope-defying portrait of resilience in an unconventional life. GJ’s coming-of-age story defies society’s unfair expectations, suffering through the inherent abuses of existence in the minority, by way of his upbringing, sexuality, and the color of his skin, but confronting and overcoming these obstacles. What carries readers through this emotional kaleidoscope is Welch’s consistent and compelling prose, which fearlessly illuminates the systemic prejudice GJ must overcome, but also proudly shines on GJ’s tangible and psychological victories. The character’s first-person perspective adds a visceral layer to his story, as well as rare transparency to the complex figure at the heart of this eye-opening novel.