Blog Archives
The Kitchen and the Studio
The Kitchen and The Studio: Memoirs of Food and Art by Mallory M. and John A. O’Connor is an alluring read. As the title implies, it combines a cookbook, an art book, and a memoir detailing the couple’s long and storied marriage. These elements are expertly blended to form a book that contemplates love, family, friendship, and the meals that bring us together.
We follow Mallory and John from their first meeting in a UC Davis art class in 1960 through moves, career changes, and heartaches over the next 60-plus years of their life together. Along the way, they share stories of the fascinating people they befriended and, of course, the food they shared with those people.
The book is beautifully illustrated, with stunning landscapes and still-lifes peppered throughout, along with photos and documents from the couples’ prosperous lives. Much of the art is by the co-author himself, though there are also some lovely pieces by the couple’s many friends in the field. I thought it was a nice detail that, rather than photos, many of the recipes are accompanied by paintings of the dish in question, bringing a personal touch you don’t often see in recipe books.
As someone interested in food history, this book was a fascinating resource. Coming from the perspective of one couple and how food has been a part of their own story and journey over the past 60 years, it tells a very personal story. In addition, the authors made sure to include some historical background for many of the dishes, which was incredibly enlightening.
The recipes sound delicious and include some more exotic ingredients that the standard household may not always have in stock. Readers may have to make adjustments when attempting to replicate these menus to take into account ingredient availability. This is one area I would have loved to have seen in this book, some substitution options for hard-to-find ingredients, just to make the dishes more accessible. That aside, this collection offers readers a chance to expand their cooking repertoire and experience something they might not have thought of trying. The authors have included in this informative book some helpful resources for those looking to experience the dishes for themselves, including a wine list and some information on small businesses that make quality ingredients.
The Kitchen and The Studio: Memoirs of Food and Art is a highly original presentation of food history and personal memoirs. The authors clearly have enjoyed their life together and share their passion for cooking with friends and family. The stunning artwork and poignant reflections make it an unforgettable read.
Pages 412
He Charged Alone
He Charged Alone by John R. Strasburg is an expository, comprehensive, and captivating biography. It documents the pains, joy, struggles, and triumphs of World War I Medal of Honor Recipient, Private First Class Frank Gaffney, who wrote his name on the sand of time after his heroic performance during World War I. Whether you are a student or teacher of history, an entrepreneur, or whatever field you may belong to, you will find He Charged Alone an exceptionally helpful and insightful read. This fascinating book becomes extraordinarily helpful for everyone as it documents a significant period in the history of the world.
Though the book is written about seven decades after the demise of its hero, who is flaunted as the “second bravest man of the war,” Strasburg utilizes copious materials and resources to write an objective account of the life of Frank Gaffney. This is not the product of hasty research, and the reader can expect to get a detailed narration of Frank Gaffney’s life and struggles.
He Charged Alone is not a military biography that weighs down the reader in its military content alone. Instead, it is a page-turner that makes use of detailed narration to keep the reader hooked until they suddenly arrive on the last page. In addition, carefully chosen pictures enhance his life story, making it more engaging.
This book does not only recount the experiences of Private First Class Frank Gaffney during World War I, but it also gives insights into what occurred during the war and what it means for anyone to be involved in such a war. He Charged Alone by John R. Strasburg is an eye-opening biography that will show you how you can also employ grit to win whatever you set your mind to in life.
Pages: 249 | ISBN : 1387855921
The Abused And Abuser
Love, Kisses and Crazy White Jackets follows the emotional journey of finding your soul mate and, having things turn bad, then having to make a hard decision for your future. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I actually wrote my story as a source of self therapy. One day at work, the high school girl who was in the work study program, who worked a couple hours a day with us, asked what I was writing during my break. I told her. She asked if she could read it. Although it was very personal, I let her read it. She read the original and told me she loved it. She had only read the first 10 chapters. A few more people read it and they all said I should actually write to publish.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
As I wrote, I sent every chapter to Michael, (Mitch) and we talked about each chapter after he read it. He gave me the validation I guess I needed. He gave me a wide explanation of why he felt he acted in that way, not excuses, but for the first time, he said he was able to see himself through my eyes.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
Michael and I discussed it and we felt I should publish our story. Not because it’s more remarkable and violent than anybody else’s who has gone through it, but because it helped him, the abuser, find himself and understand that he wasn’t the terrible person he always felt he was, but that he should have reached out to those who could help him through his terrible circumstances. This book wasn’t only written one sided, but was written with both sides told, that of the abused and abuser. We wanted to help other young people facing the same situations.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Sadly, Michael passed away in April of 2017 after reading the published story of us. I was told he carried the book around for the last 7 months of his life. I think his passing holds me back from celebrating the accomplishment of my book because he is no longer here too celebrate it with.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
He soon becomes aggressive toward her, but she doesnt want to give up. Loving him felt right, but she found that staying with him was wrong. The pain of having to let go of the one soul who made her visible and whom she would forever feel connected to forever was a heart-wrenching decision she had to make.
Years later, she receives a letter that doesnt excuse his actions but helps her understand why his soul was so sad, confused, and chaotic.
Return to Power
Return To Power, by Wanna Choy, is an inspirational story of creating happiness and success in a world where we don’t always fit in. Wanna had to learn to step into her light and create her magic, and her differences make her special. She had to actively work on her confidence to create the life she craved.
Wanna Choy moved to Albany, Oregon from Kowloon, Hong Kong at the age of 6. It was a traumatic experience because she was separated from her paternal grandmother, who had to stay behind. She suffered a culture shock, as she could not speak, read, or write English, nor did she look like any of her classmates. She was shy and she withdrew from participating in class, sat alone at the back of the cafeteria, and struggled with making friends. The empathy and dedication of one teacher created the catalyst of change making Wanna step into her power.
The author is able to capture the feeling of being lost and an outcast quite well in her emotionally resonant memoir. Readers will feel her sadness and look forward to her stepping into her power. Her writing style is very easy to follow and is not peppered with factoids, which I have been starting to see in many memoirs. Instead, Choy conveys her story in a way that is engaging. She provides context to her childhood, neighbors, and her family that ultimately ties into how it all shaped her character and her drive to have inner power. I enjoyed this memoir but I would have appreciated a more consistent flow in the jumps between stories from Hong Kong, San Francisco, and Oregon.
Return to Power is an inspirational memoir that many readers will be able to relate to. I was left wanting to know more because what were given is so fascinating and I would have loved to explored situations further. I recommend this uplifting empowering memoir to anyone who needs some motivation to return to their own power.
Pages: 84 | ASIN: B09JT6ZGWK
Literary Titan Gold Book Award January 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
A Body Hair Experiment by Eli Cohen
Sonnets of Love and Joy
Literary Titan Silver Book Award January 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
Murder at Amapas Beach (An Amanda Pennyworth Mystery) by James Gilbert
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
The Power Of Resilience
Born Into Crisis shares your story of childhood trauma and growing up with mental health issues in yourself and your family members. Why was this an essential book for you to write?
It is essential to share stories of our journeys because they can help provide insight and understanding into the experiences of others dealing with similar issues and provide a sense of comfort and solidarity. By normalizing conversations around mental health, we can help create an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding. That is why I wrote this book—to show that it is possible to speak about complex topics and to share your story in a way that can help others. More importantly, those directly impacted have a vested stake in helping to compel change, and this book is just one step in that direction. As a person who has experienced trauma, I feel it is necessary to give voice to these stories. It is also an opportunity to bring awareness that we are all impacted differently by personal and collective crises, regardless of socio-economic status or race.
What were some important ideas for you to share in this book?
One of the main ideas I wanted to share was that trauma, especially early childhood, can have long-term impacts on our physical and mental health. People need to understand that traumatic experiences can manifest in various ways throughout life—from depression and anxiety to addiction to issues with self-esteem and relationships. I also wanted to emphasize the power of resilience and how we can use our pain as a source of growth and strength. I want readers to recognize that there is no shame in seeking help when dealing with mental health issues. The problem is that the current system in the US is not set up uniformly, in a coordinated way, to provide adequate access to care. Too often, the system over-prioritizes a criminal justice response to mental health concerns. I wanted to clarify that we need to actively advocate for change and more humane policies regarding mental health care. Mental health is not a sexy topic but is one of human importance.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The policy proposals and recommendations came quickly because I have been working on mental health-related issues for some time. Still, the raw, honest account of my experiences was the hardest to write. I wrote this book to help others understand how trauma and unresolved childhood issues can follow us into adulthood and affect our lives profoundly. I also wanted to maintain relatability in my writing, so I had to make sure that the story was not just about me but that it could be used as a portal for readers to explore their own experiences and see a concrete, actionable path forward. The book is very nuanced and complex, it’s an easy read in some ways too, but there are generational components, which can be challenging to communicate clearly and concisely. I am proud of the work that I have done, but it was a challenge.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Look, I am a very straightforward, realistic person. Everyone that is a reader of this book will have a takeaway. Some will have a valuable takeaway, others not so much, and there will be those who read this book who will believe they got absolutely nothing out of it. What I want everyone to take away is that this issue is complex and nuanced and needs every story, every voice, and spirit to work together to compel change. We need to listen, learn and be open – even if we don’t agree with each other. If we can push the conversation forward without silencing different people, we can find some resolution and acceptance. Mental health should no longer be taboo in our society, and we must discuss it openly and honestly. This book is my attempt to take a step in that direction, but I hope readers take away the importance of listening to all sides to create meaningful change. We have a mental health crisis in this country, and we all need to be part of the solution.
LITERARY TITAN 