Blog Archives
Ten Days With Dad: Finding Purpose, Passion, & Peace During The Darkest Days Of Alzheimer’s and COVID-19
Mark J. Resnick exemplifies a commendable work ethic and a remarkable ability to navigate life independently, a quality he developed from an early age. Unbeknownst to him at the time, his father stood as a constant pillar of support, steadfastly offering his guidance. As the years unfolded, Mark gradually came to comprehend the countless sacrifices his father had made on his behalf, even though neither of them possessed a propensity for overt displays of emotion. Their shared passion for hockey, among other common interests, fostered memorable moments between them. Regrettably, as the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease began to manifest within his father, exacerbated further by the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark assumed the role of caregiver, unwaveringly accompanying his father through his journey until the very end.
Ten Days With Dad eloquently chronicles the transformative tale of a father and son surmounting hurdles, acquiring invaluable life lessons, and unearthing solace amid the most arduous of circumstances. Within its pages, the work artfully presents a balanced portrayal of both the highs and lows of existence, mirroring the ebb and flow of life’s tapestry. Mark J. Resnick deftly weaves together a tapestry of personal anecdotes spanning his formative years, educational endeavors, professional pursuits, and interactions with a diverse array of individuals. Moreover, he delves into the intricacies of his relationship with his father, skillfully distilling the wisdom and insights gleaned from their shared experiences. One of the book’s most profound teachings lies in the notion that as children, we frequently fail to grasp the true value of certain aspects of our lives until we find ourselves occupying different vantage points. Mark, in his youth, regarded his father as a stern figure. However, as he matured, his newfound understanding of the selflessness and dedication his father exhibited allowed him to perceive him through a lens of profound appreciation. These personal and intimate anecdotes, conveyed with an authentic and fluid narrative, emanate from the depths of a man who unabashedly opens his heart to recount his life’s journey. While some elucidations may appear repetitive, it becomes apparent that Mark J. Resnick employs such reiterations deliberately, often presenting events from varying perspectives or providing additional context in light of his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. This approach serves to enrich the anecdotes, rendering them captivating and engrossing.
Ten Days With Dad emerges as a highly recommended read, not only for those acquainted with the experiences of Alzheimer’s patients but also for individuals seeking fresh insights into the intricacies of familial dynamics. This emotionally charged book inspires readers to cherish the gift of life, invigorating them to pursue their aspirations regardless of age and instilling within them the resilience to transcend any circumstances that may hinder their personal growth.
Pages: 252 | ASIN: B09TYRG9X6
Saints and Skeletons: A Memoir of Living in Mexico
Saints and Skeletons by Ann Manwaring offers a poignant and introspective narrative that delves into a life shaped by personal triumphs, struggles, and the unwavering quest for self-discovery. With eloquent prose and candid storytelling, Manwaring invites readers to immerse themselves in the depths of her experiences, bearing witness to the transformative power of vulnerability and resilience.
The memoir takes readers on a non-linear journey through various stages of Manwaring’s life. Each chapter serves as an intimate exploration of her emotions, relationships, and internal conflicts that have shaped her identity. Manwaring’s writing is characterized by its honesty, rawness, and introspection, displaying her commendable ability to reflect on her experiences with clarity and emotional depth. Whether recounting moments of joy, heartache, or personal growth, her words evoke profound empathy and establish a strong connection with readers. It is this vulnerability that enables readers to forge a deep bond with the author, as they relate to the universal themes of love, loss, and self-acceptance.
Throughout the memoir, Manwaring skillfully showcases her talent as a storyteller, seamlessly weaving together the threads of her life. Her vivid descriptions of people and places paint a captivating picture, drawing readers into the very moments she describes. The memoir benefits greatly from Manwaring’s astute observational skills, as she effortlessly captures the essence of even the simplest encounters. The strength of Saints and Skeletons lies in its courage to tackle challenging topics such as faith, approached with sensitivity and authenticity. Manwaring fearlessly addresses themes including family dynamics and the pursuit of personal passion, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences.
Saints and Skeletons is a captivating and introspective work that encourages readers to embrace life’s complexities. Ana Manwaring’s unflinching honesty and willingness to bare her soul are both brave and inspiring. This memoir stands as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the remarkable human capacity for growth and resilience.
Pages: 298 | ASIN: B0C4QLYLC8
A Cinematic Embodiment of Suffering
Ruan Lingyu: Her Life and Career is a detailed biography of the life on and off the screen of one of China’s most important silent movie actresses. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I’ve been fascinated by Ruan Lingyu since 2018, when I saw her in Wu Yonggang’s 1934 masterpiece The Goddess. I was awestruck by her beauty and incredible talent (she was one of those people who made great acting look easy), and was saddened to learn that she’d died, at the age of twenty-four, by her own hand. Caught in one of those moments where moviegoers briefly forget celebrities themselves are only human, I wondered why someone who seemingly had everything—fame, success, etc.—was so unhappy with her life that she chose to end it. So I started researching her.
Initially, I had no plans of writing a biography, my only desire being to learn more about Ruan and her films. But within a year, I felt the desire to tell her story in the form of a book. As I continued learning, I used my research in articles on this woman who’d captivated me, but the actual writing of the biography did not begin until autumn 2021. By then, a book also seemed a great way to utilize my time in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic.
How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?
I had three years of research under my belt when I started writing, and continued educating myself as I wrote over nine months. In addition to studying Ruan Lingyu’s life, I read up on Chinese film history and the history of China in the early twentieth-century. It was important to have an understanding of all three of these things, as they not only ran concurrently but often influenced one another. (Very often, Chinese film content of this time was tailored to—or against—major sociopolitical events and movements.) To gain this knowledge, I collected more than forty books (in English, Chinese, and French—huge thanks to my translators Zhang Le and François Coulombe) as well as a plethora of journals, newspaper articles, etc. I also benefited greatly from the efforts of Christopher Rea, professor of Chinese at the University of British Columbia, and his Modern Chinese Cultural Studies project, which includes a YouTube channel of the same name; he and his team have posted several Ruan Lingyu movies with new and complete English subtitles!
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
Because of the handful of her films known to survive, Ruan Lingyu is perceived as a cinematic embodiment of suffering—someone victimized by war, sexism, and social prejudice. Even when she wants to push back—as in 1935’s New Woman—she proves weak and helpless. As I discovered in researching her lost movies, however, there were several instances where Ruan played against this image. There’s a lost picture directed by Bu Wancang called Three Modern Women (1932), which cast her as a take-charge, strong-willed heroine. I also learned of cases where she played outright villainesses—someone who inflicted suffering upon others. I wish someone somewhere would find prints of these pictures—so we can see her play against type. And maybe they will. After all, Love and Duty (1931) was believed lost until a copy was unearthed in Uruguay in 1994; it’s since been beautifully restored and released on Blu-ray in China. So maybe there’s hope for Three Modern Women, White Cloud Pagoda (1928), Spring Dream in the Old Capital (1930), etc.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Ruan Lingyu: Her Life and Career?
Part of Ruan Lingyu’s legacy stems from the fact that she died so young—it was, after all, this tragic fact that pushed me to research her so intensely. But in addition to contextualizing what pushed her to self-destruction, I hope my book demonstrates she was more than a famous person who committed suicide. This was an actress of exceptional talent, revered by her colleagues, whose career offers vivid glimpses into what China was like at the time. Early Chinese film history may not be as famous as what’s been produced in Hong Kong, but it’s a fascinating cinematic landscape—and Ruan Lingyu was one of its key figures.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Patrick Galvan’s biography on Ruan Lingyu tells the story of a daughter born to poor Cantonese parents and her rise to stardom during China’s tumultuous early twentieth-century history. As her personal tale unfolds, major events shape her nation as well as the Shanghai film industry. The book also charts the making of Ruan’s thirty films—including the twenty-one believed to be lost—and the circumstances that pushed her to end her life at the age of 24.
Searching for Serotonin: When Hardship Makes Happiness Hard to Find
Searching for Serotonin by Mali Millie is a poignant narrative that has left an indelible mark on my literary sensibilities. It is important to note that this book delves into the sensitive subject of suicidal awareness, which may prove challenging for certain readers. Mali’s journey commences with a startling admission within the confines of a hospital room, where she finds herself under suicide watch. The rawness of her words reverberates as she unveils the harrowing reality that bedding, ordinarily deemed comforting, often assumes a sinister significance for patients contemplating self-harm.
The author, with unwavering courage, invites us into the recesses of her childhood, where the tragedy of her mother’s untimely passing transpired. Mali and her siblings thrust into the role of first responders to their mother’s unconscious form, experienced a trauma that would forever shape their lives. Throughout the narrative, Mali grapples with her complex relationship with her father, who, mired in grief and haunted by the memory of his wife, seeks solace in alcohol, inadvertently distancing himself from his children.
With unflinching honesty, Mali recounts the chilling episode of witnessing her brother’s attempted suicide. At the time, the gravity of the moment eluded her, but through therapy, she unlocks this buried memory, unveiling the depths of her anguish. The bonds between Mali and her siblings are painted in shades of estrangement, as the absence of a nurturing parental figure plunges Gideon, Kaven, May, and Miles into a maelstrom of alcoholism, bullying, poverty, incarceration, and an innate struggle to forge meaningful connections with others.
As Mali finds solace in her occupation analyzing data on suicides and homicides, the relentless triggers pose a formidable challenge to her fragile mental health. Compounded by the disillusionment she encounters when seeking support from individuals who are ill-equipped to handle her “damaged” psyche, she endeavors to establish boundaries and limit access to those privy to her vulnerabilities. Her path to recovery is arduous, riddled with obstacles, yet she steadfastly persists on this transformative journey.
One aspect that particularly resonated with me in this remarkable work is the inclusion of poignant poems that artfully articulate the profound anguish Mali endures. Her candid and matter-of-fact narrative style captivates, while the poems elicit a kaleidoscope of emotions, imbuing the book with an ineffable sense of heartfelt authenticity.
Pages: 97 | ASIN: B0BW3HQZCQ
Under His Divine Gaze: A Spiritual Memoir
In Under His Divine Gaze, Monique Pilon-Fraschetti takes us on a spiritual odyssey that is both intimate and expansive, shedding light on the transformative power of faith in the clamor of the contemporary world. This spiritual memoir distills Pilon-Fraschetti’s journey of faith and her evolving understanding of the divine through her encounters with St. Therese of Lisieux, a renowned Christian saint, and mystic.
Pilon-Fraschetti’s prose is a tapestry of philosophical musings, personal reflections, and deeply resonant anecdotes, all woven together with an elegant and poetic finesse. It’s clear from the onset that she possesses a profound grasp of religious traditions and an earnest quest for spiritual enlightenment. Her contemplative and accessible writing style allows readers from various backgrounds to resonate with her narrative.
Intriguingly, the book challenges conventional religious views, beckoning readers to venture into their innermost spiritual recesses and contemplate their divine connection. Pilon-Fraschetti offers a unique vantage point on divine intercession through her encounters with St. Therese of Lisieux, demonstrating the transformative impact it can engender in one’s spiritual development.
Under His Divine Gaze is not just a memoir; it is an ethereal gateway, leading readers into a world where the earthly and celestial converge, and the wisdom of saints can illuminate the path towards a deeper communion with the divine. The vivid imagery that Pilon-Fraschetti employs to recount her experiences with St. Therese elicits a sense of awe and marvel, instilling readers with a rejuvenated hope and bolstered faith in the miraculous.
This memoir stands as a testament to the infinite love and grace that ensues from a life devoted to the divine. Ideal for those intrigued by Christian testimony, mysticism, and devotion to patron saints such as St. Therese of Lisieux, this book is an enriching read. The compelling and emotive writing of Monique Pilon-Fraschetti is both insightful and inspiring, making it an exceptional companion for anyone traversing their personal journey of faith and seeking to foster a profound relationship with the Lord.
Pages: 123 | ASIN: B0CJVRNCWL
Those Darn Stripes
Those Darn Stripes by Tyrel Nelson is a compelling anthology, a constellation of 25 short stories that delve into the intricacies of his life journey. But this work transcends mere autobiography, extending its scope to include those he encounters along the way, their unique characters and preferences unfolding with every page turn.
Nelson presents a vivid tableau of his experiences, accompanied by photographs from his travels and snapshots of his family, serving as poignant reminders of the challenges he’s wrestled with. His narrative skillfully oscillates between joyful, melancholic, and ironic episodes, maintaining a fidelity to his memories that invites the reader to pause, reflect, and gain a deeper understanding of the world’s intricate complexities. Those Darn Stripes hence unravel a captivating expedition through Nelson’s life, offering a treasured and nostalgic vista of the human condition.
Nelson’s storytelling style is effortlessly engaging and refreshingly genuine. Each narrative is marked by a careful balance between expressive detail and objective clarity that immerses the reader within the story. Covering a broad array of locales and moments, the book proves to be a riveting read. Nelson’s skill in rendering the personas of those dear to him is commendable, shedding light on the relationships that have shaped his existence. The inclusion of personal photographs further enhances this intimate connection, with a particular standout being a heartfelt letter penned by his father.
Primarily revolving around Nelson’s individual encounters and challenges, Those Darn Stripes makes a compelling read for those intrigued by authentic life experiences. The author’s storytelling prowess and the story’s emotional resonance make this book a fantastic read.
Pages: 111 | ASIN : B0BJ5WFW12
How To Become A Survivor
Escaping My Demons shares with readers the abuse you suffered at the hands of the people that were supposed to love you unconditionally. How hard was it to put this story out in the world for people to read?
Writing my memoir and telling my story was hard to do. I relived it over and over again and it constantly took me back to where I had always wanted to escape from. Whilst writing the book, especially during the night in bed brought back the nightmares. Whilst sleeping my wife often wakes me telling me I was fighting in my dream.
I am a different man these days and content with my life
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
My goal has always been for my story to be told and to help others that don’t have the know-how to help themselves.
Telling others not to keep dwelling in the past, but instead learn from the past and keep moving forward. I found that changing my mindset gave me a new scope in life. I have always said that nothing changes if nothing changes!
What advice do you have for victims of abuse to let them know that there is hope for a better future?
My book is aimed at helping victims of abuse of similar circumstances. It was written specifically to help them how to start believing in themselves and move on with their lives with the hope that eventually they will stop listening to that little voice in their head that is telling them they are worthless. My book is a survival kit for all victims on how to become a survivor.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
What it was like to walk in my shoes as a victim and most importantly make “biased parents” realise and recognise the injustice, hurt and pain they are causing their child to bear.
Author Links: Website | Facebook
This boy grew up with an aggressive and womanising father that constantly reminded him that he was a mistake that ruined his father’s life.
While been beaten and mentally abused, all he craved from his parents was love but received nothing but humiliation and sufferance from his father. This caused detrimental trauma to the young boy, and he grew up believing that he would not achieve anything in life.
I was this little boy, and this is my story.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award June 2023
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise, and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and writing talent of these brilliant authors.
Award Recipients
Of the Noble and Great Ones by H.D. Logic
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
LITERARY TITAN 