Blog Archives
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
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan 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
Juggernaut by John Weiss
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Ruan Lingyu: Her Life and Career
Ruan Lingyu: Her Life and Career is a meticulously crafted biography that delves into the captivating life of Ruan Lingyu, an exceptional talent who distinctly carved out a prolific career in the Asian film industry. Her tragically premature relinquishment of life, much to the chagrin of her ardent fans, adds a melancholic tinge to her exceptional story.
In an era when the political landscape of China was undergoing transformation, resulting in a foreign-influenced film industry that offered unprecedented opportunities for emerging talent, Ruan Lingyu deftly navigated these uncharted waters. She was recognized for her remarkable resilience, rising from a challenging childhood to become a celebrated figure known for her silent films.
Author Patrick Galvan elegantly unravels the intricate tapestry of Ruan’s life, chronicling her journey through different epochs. The reader is offered intimate glimpses into the personal and professional episodes contributing to her enduring popularity across Asia. Galvan enriches his narrative with a wealth of meticulously researched references and evocative anecdotes, making the book a valuable and authentic resource.
This compelling biography also extends beyond Ruan Lingyu’s personal story to offer deep insights into the Chinese film industry, uncovering the sociopolitical challenges that hampered the advancement of women during that period. The biography serves as a treasure trove of knowledge for cinema aficionados, shedding light on the formative influences that shaped the industry and propelled silent film actresses like Ruan Lingyu to stardom.
Ruan Lingyu: Her Life and Career is an essential read for those intrigued by influential figures who have etched their mark in history. Readers will be invited to immerse themselves in the often complex and contradictory world of celebrity, cultivating an empathetic understanding that behind the façade of glamour and success, there often lies a less-seen world of personal struggle. Despite the outward allure of stardom, the narrative poignantly demonstrates that fame and fortune may sometimes be entwined with profound personal distress.
Pages: 296 | ASIN : B0B7KSC1LP
A Literary Smorgasbord, Memoir, Fiction and Poetry
Opening with a thrilling depiction of an overland trek from Cambridge, UK to Bombay, India, Migel Jayasinghe presents us with an eclectic assortment of anecdotes, short tales, poems, and a singular one-act play in his aptly titled work, A Literary Smorgasbord: Memoir, Fiction, and Poetry.
Jayasinghe’s self-styled ‘quirky bio’ forms the groundwork of the book along with the initial five stories, which he terms ‘memoirs.’ These segments provide an autobiographical exploration of his life’s pivotal experiences and diverse career paths. He’s candidly forthright, noting that only those incidents with a substantial impression on his memory are portrayed, bearing in mind the inherent fallibility of memory itself. A narrative reminiscent of Wodehouse, depicting a memorable drive to Bombay, transitions into more simplified anecdotes and synopses of a life that has witnessed its fair share of challenges, these being more implied than overtly described.
Within 15 short stories, Jayasinghe’s prose captures his retired life in Spain, his apprehensions about finances, the immigrant experience in Britain, the struggles faced by social workers, amusing misunderstandings, convivial evenings out, and reflections on his driving skills. These stories are concise and digestible, yet they embody the author’s life themes and his keen observations.
The 31 poems reveal the author’s deep connection with poetry through his innovative linguistic playfulness. Lines such as ‘a runaway world careers into oblivion’ (from ‘Endgame’) and ‘Blithely blinkered in rose-tinted glasses/we ignore the reckoning—it fast approaches’ (from ‘The Reckoning’) delight the reader. Drawing inspiration from nature, everyday cultural nuances, and critiques of mass media’s influence, these poems are succinct, graceful, and at times, infused with light-hearted humor, with ‘Scribe’ standing out as a personal favorite.
Further, the one-act play’ Market Forces’, which leverages Jayasinghe’s psychology background, delivers a comedic snapshot that leaves readers amused by the protagonist’s cynicism and ultimate stroke of genius.
A Literary Smorgasbord: Memoir, Fiction, and Poetry is an eclectic collection of writing that will appeal to a wide range of readers. Jayasinghe’s writing style is endearing, and his knack for narrating anecdotes ensures sustained reader engagement. These fascinating works are valuable additions to the canon of British literature.
Pages: 196 | ISBN : 1087990289
I Keep Fighting
Doug Osborne Does Not Quit tells of your experiences refusing to live behind the label of disabled and your journey to finding a work-from-job and buying your first home. Why was it important to share your story?
There were two related stories I wanted to share, captured by my book’s title and subtitle.
The title is named after the words on my banner, which reminds me to keep fighting no matter how many times I get knocked down and feel like quitting. The title story is about my banner and my ongoing mission of getting a job and going off disability.
I share my banner story to inspire others to keep fighting until they achieve their goals, and to inspire myself to stay true to my banner. Prior to publishing it in a book, I shared it in various forms with everyone I know and thousands of people I don’t know. The most widespread edition is a one-minute video with the caption: “Hi, my name is on my banner, and I want the world to hear me yell NOT TODAY!” “Not today” is what I say to my banner twice a day: quietly as my morning prayer, and at the end of the day, with authority, because I did not quit today!
My book begins and ends with my banner. It is the most powerful version of this story yet, accentuated by what goes on in between.
The middle and bulk of my book follow the subtitle plot, The House Behind My Banner, which begins shortly after the start of my mission. This is the first time I’ve publicly shared my account of the battle to buy my first house so I could continue my mission. More importantly, this story is about the fight to overcome my disability, getting past those who blocked my path, and in the process learning that I am actually far from disabled. The House Behind My Banner teaches valuable lessons, and I particularly enjoyed recalling the seminal moments of my life described in “Revenge of the Nerd,” “Redemption,” and “Home.”
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Disability should not be confused with inability. For some people like me, to be or not to be disabled is a choice and not a diagnosis. For others with autism or related cognitive disorders, being “neurodivergent” instead of “neurotypical” is not a bad thing. For everyone, people should treat other people with respect, regardless of their current occupation or disability status.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about living with a disability?
I honestly don’t know which misconceptions are common, so I’ll just state my opinion that any conception about living with a disability is a misconception. One of the main points of my book is that people should not judge or underestimate anyone because of that d-word.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
Philip Van Heusen for Readers’ Favorite summed it up as well as I could: “stop saying you can’t and believe that you can.” If you simply believe that you can, you might be surprised at what you can do.
This is the theme of a short chapter of my book, “Can I Walk Through Walls?” While I didn’t really suspect that I could walk through walls, the point is you should not assume you can’t do something until you have tried to do it. So, why not give it a shot? The worst that can happen is you fail, but even that should not discourage you.
Doug Osborne Does Not Quit is about believing in yourself, while the sequel, Not Today!, will be about trying and failing over and over and over again until you finally succeed.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
In 2021, I made my choice and discovered that I am actually far from disabled. In 2023, I wrote a book about my journey.
Hi, my name is on my banner. I’m a software engineer on disability, diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and at times anxiety and depression. At the start of 2021, I stopped using these as an excuse and began my mission of getting a work-from-home-job and going off disability. Unfortunately, my mission was delayed because my landlord, Bob, wanted to sell the house I was renting.
After getting pre-approved for a mortgage, I found a great place for me to continue my mission: a four-season vacation home in Summit, NY. While I was trying to buy my dream house, Bob, two attorneys, and a loan officer tried to bully me and jeopardized my home purchase, but they all underestimated me. Buying my first house was far from easy, but I did not quit and the day I closed on this house was the best of my life so far.
As of May 2023, I’ve still yet to complete my mission, even though I’ve interviewed with some 30 companies since I hung my banner. But like I had to in order to buy my first house, I am not about to quit fighting until I finally succeed.
Escaping My Demons
In Escaping My Demons, author Joseph Fagarazzi provides a poignant and deeply moving account of his life, marked by emotional scars from his past, particularly a turbulent relationship with his biological father. Born during a challenging period in his parents’ lives, he bore the burden of their resentment, grappling with a constant feeling that he had disrupted their existence.
Fagarazzi courageously delves into the trials and tribulations of his life’s journey, which was marred by severe physical and emotional maltreatment from his parents. Despite his tumultuous upbringing and his father’s wayward conduct, he endeavored to construct a relationship with the father he had been deprived of. Unfortunately, just as he began to reconcile his past, a new series of bitter disappointments unfolded, further intensifying the cycle of paternal hate he endured.
Joseph Fagarazzi’s memoir encapsulates the profound anguish and adversity he faced at the hands of his biological family. He candidly recounts his life’s darkest chapters, striving to liberate himself from the trauma inflicted by his father. This work candidly explores the raw intensity of his experiences, conveying the depth of physical and emotional torment he bore, his struggles and triumphs, as well as the severe cruelty of his father.
The narrative is profoundly affecting as it unveils the severity of Joseph’s suffering at the hands of those who should have offered him unconditional love and support. The weighty paradox of a child being the victim of such cruelty from his family rather than external forces is deeply unsettling. However, Fagarazzi’s courage in sharing these deeply personal and traumatic experiences is commendable. His narration radiates palpable pain, desire, and a sense of the absurdity of his father’s actions.
This memoir, while it might be a challenging read due to its intense emotional content, is incredibly compelling. Escaping My Demons offers readers a riveting and heartfelt perspective on resilience and the power of personal liberation.
Pages: 190 | ASIN : B0BLWBJ78J
Success Comes In Many Different Forms
The Golden Ticket is a memoir told from the perspective of answering college essay prompts. This approach ties into your background and career path, presenting your story in a unique fashion. Why was it important to tell your story?
I wrote The Golden Ticket because I wanted to address the disconnect—chasm, really— between my professional life and my home life.
At work, I counseled students on how to tell their best story and to gain admission to some of the most selective colleges in the world; at home, my husband and I were struggling to raise three children with developmental delays, depression, anxiety, and learning differences.
In Palo Alto, where we live, everyone talks about getting into college (and not just any college, but the good kind), which doesn’t leave much room for conversations about kids who aren’t ready for college, or don’t want to go, or might be struggling with challenges that go beyond deciding which top 20 school they’ll apply to.
In telling both parts of my story, I wanted to provide a larger context for what Frank Bruni calls “Yale or jail” thinking about success—and to open a broader conversation about what it means to be successful or to lead a meaningful life. Not every success story ends with the name of a prestigious college on the back of a late-model luxury car.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
By far the most difficult thing was describing the struggles each of my children faced. There is nothing more painful than being a parent and feeling powerless to address the challenges your children are facing. Revisiting those moments was agonizing, but I also felt strongly that chronicling what we went through as a family would help other families feel recognized and less alone.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
One of my improv teachers often told me to “say the thing.” I have a tendency to tiptoe around whatever my character’s motivation or thinking might be, and he always encouraged me to just blurt it out. I now have a ring engraved with the words “say the thing” as a reminder.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
That success comes in many different forms at different stages of your life—and that there is, in fact, no golden ticket.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Irena is a Russian Jewish immigrant, a PhD in comparative literature, a former Stanford admissions officer, and a private college counselor in Palo Alto, California—a city where everyone has to be good at something and where success often means the name of a prestigious college on the back of a late-model luxury car. But as Irena works with some of the most ambitious, tightly wound students in the world, she struggles to keep her own family from unraveling, and that sharp-edged divide lies at the heart of her memoir.
The Golden Ticket is narrated using a form Irena knows best: college application essay prompts. In her responses, Irena weaves together personal history, sharp social commentary, and the lessons of literature ranging from The Odyssey to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Her memoir asks difficult questions—What exactly do parents mean when they say they want the best for their children? What happens when the best of intentions result in unexpected consequences?—and envisions a broader, more generous view of what it means to succeed.
Our Own Imperfect Journeys
Boy Wander: A Coming of Age Memoir is your story about growing up in a difficult childhood home and struggling with your own identity through your teen years and into adulthood. Why was it important to share your story?
Confronting tumultuous and sometimes shameful aspects of my adolescence has been cathartic if not therapeutic. And to do so through writing enabled me to delve deeper into my thoughts and feelings at specific moments which in turn have shed light on how I turned out to be the person I am today. I also wanted to memorialize a blessed upbringing thanks to loving parents who gave their children the gift of growing up in different cultures. To this day, stories abound of young people’s struggles to come to grips with their true selves. Perhaps my path could help someone and their loved ones navigate such terrain.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Keeping secrets is a part of how we operate as humans even at an early age. I had been carrying so many of them for such a long time. Reliving my anguish of desiring what seemed taboo whilst not wanting to disappoint those around me proved to be some of the more challenging aspects of this narrative. My goal with Boy Wander was to be completely honest with readers.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
My father said to keep a journal throughout college and even later as I embarked on my global marketing career. I was not disciplined about making entries though there was an undeniable energy whenever I scribed how my day went and what I felt. It undoubtedly fueled wanting to tell my story when I was ready to do so. I dedicated Boy Wander to my father (and mother). It’s sort of the journal he was hoping I would have, at least the first of three I believe I have in me.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
We’ve all wandered within our own imperfect journeys. Every one of them unique. Each of them matters.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Boy Wonder by Day. Boy Toy by Night.
A child TV personality from a prominent Filipino family and the son of an accomplished academic, Jobert Abueva was a high achiever at his all-boys Catholic international school in Tokyo, Japan. Whatever Jobert did, he had to be the best, racking up achievements. He was a favorite among his fellow students, who elected him three times to the Student Council as class president, vice president, and president. Jobert was a triple all-star winner on the brain bowl interschool academic competition, debate, and speech teams, as well as a varsity track hero. He wrote for the school newspaper and yearbook and performed in school plays. A golden boy who could do no wrong. But Jobert had a secret nobody could know. After school, he led a clandestine existence turning tricks with foreign male guests at Tokyo’s world-renowned Imperial Hotel. So it’s not surprising that he had to be the best and was handsomely paid for it. More exciting and better pay than waiting tables. A BMOC (Big Man on Campus), he juggled dual identities of boy wonder and boy toy, sure that if exposed, he would be shunned by his friends and devastate all who groomed him for greatness.
Boy Wander is an intimate coming-of-age portrait of the author’s sexuality as seen through the eyes of a child of the 1960s and 70s and a teenager before the advent of AIDS and finally as a young man arriving in America. From Manila, Kathmandu, Bangkok, and Tokyo to New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, the author navigates denial and acceptance, erotic and unconditional love, transience, and transnationalism. Even as the world has become more accepting over the decades, this book’s present-day relevance provides inspiration to those struggling to reconcile family values and societal expectations with being true to themselves.
LITERARY TITAN 