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Well, Mama, This is It (it’s Now Or Never)
Well, Mama, This is It (it’s Now Or Never) is unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s part confession, part storytelling, and part letter-writing, all stitched together with raw honesty and a strong emotional pulse. The book moves between voices, sometimes it’s a teenage boy writing to his grandmother, other times it’s a young woman chasing a dream life, or even a haunting personal tale of loss and survival. At its heart, though, the book is a letter to her mother, a brave and vulnerable coming-out story wrapped in poetry, reflections on love, faith, and the messy business of being human.
In “A Story of a Friend of a Friend,” when Adaina shares her journey from being a teacher to a stripper, the descriptions are almost cinematic. She writes about smoky eye makeup, French pedicures, and stepping into the strip club as if it were a Hollywood set. It’s dazzling, but then the tone flips as she describes the loneliness and danger behind the glamour, and suddenly I was pulled from the surface glitter into the heavy silence of regret. That swing between fantasy and reality is something the book does again and again, and it made me feel the same kind of emotional whiplash she must have lived through.
I also loved the way she mingles imagination with truth. Take “Secret Agent (Voodoo Princess),” where Rebecca Tanon, a demon-child-turned-undercover-agent, blurs the line between folklore and personal reflection. At first, I thought it was a sharp left turn into fiction, but it clicked for me as a metaphor for how heavy family expectations and inherited trauma can feel like being born with a mission you never asked for. The story gave me chills, not just because of the supernatural edge, but because of what it revealed about how powerless a child can feel in the hands of adults.
In “To My Newest Pen Pal, Jant Leaps,” Adaina writes a heartfelt letter that evolves into a romantic confession, blending vulnerability with defiance against judgment. In “Sexual Orientation,” she reflects on faith, family, and identity, ultimately affirming that love is sacred regardless of gender. She weaves in verses about love, love with a woman who makes her feel free, love that pulls her away from Hennessy and Ecstasy, love that feels holy even when the world insists it’s wrong. There’s vulnerability in her admission, “I never thought I could fall in love with Eve’s gender,” but also defiance when she insists, “Yes, I am a Christian, but my religion is kindness.” That blend of fear, yearning, and courageous self-acceptance struck me deeply. It’s not polished in the way mainstream memoirs often are, but that’s what makes it powerful. It feels like a real letter, one that trembles with truth.
In the end, I walked away from this book feeling like I had just sat across from someone who didn’t hold anything back. It’s raw. It’s uneven at times. But it’s alive with feeling, and that’s rare. I’d recommend this book to anyone who craves honesty in writing, teens struggling with self-expression, readers curious about queer coming-of-age stories, or anyone who wants to feel less alone in their own mess of faith, love, and identity. It’s not a book for someone looking for clean lines or tidy endings, but if you’re okay with sitting in the chaos of someone else’s truth, then Well, Mama, This is It (it’s Now Or Never) will move you the way it moved me.
Pages: 51 | ASIN : B0DT7FZS7Q
The Young
The Young follows Fren and his father Sven, set against a backdrop of myth, gods, and creatures that threaten their fragile peace. From the first chapter, with a beast slain in a barn, the book throws us into a world teeming with danger, lore, and tension. We travel with them through forests, mountains, and trials, meeting strange beings and witnessing clashes between loyalty, destiny, and survival. The narrative is thick with mythology, as gods of day and night loom over every choice, and family bonds hold fast against chaos.
I found myself pulled in by the rawness of the writing. The language is heavy at times, almost old-fashioned, but that gave the book a unique texture. It felt like hearing a campfire tale told by someone who believes every word. The pacing could be uneven, with sudden shifts from action to dense lore, yet I liked that quality. It kept me guessing, never settling into a predictable rhythm. The father–son dynamic is what I liked most. Their arguments, their promises, the undercurrent of love hidden beneath stern words, it all felt honest and, at times, heartbreaking.
The sheer amount of world-building, the gods and legends, and histories layered in sometimes slowed me down. Still, I admired the ambition. This was not a timid story. It aimed high, reaching for epic stakes, and in many moments, it hit that mark. I could almost see the world stretching far beyond the page, full of places and creatures only hinted at. The unpredictability gave it a raw energy, and I respected that.
I’d recommend The Young to readers who enjoy fantasy that dives deep into lore and who don’t mind being thrown into the thick of it without a map. If you like your stories intense, filled with strange creatures, and guided by themes of family, faith, and survival, this book is worth the journey. It’s not a light read, but for those who want a tale that feels both mythic and personal, it has plenty to offer.
Pages: 128 | ISBN : 1504321642
Fairy Lights: Bed Time Poems & Gallery of Fairytale Art from Yesteryear
Fairy Lights is a wonderful collection of bedtime poems interwoven with fairy lore, myth, and timeless art. Moving through the seasons of the year, the book gathers stories of spirits, shape-shifters, ocean dwellers, elven royalty, and everyday enchantments. It draws from Irish, Nordic, Greek, and New World traditions, blending them into verses that feel both ancient and freshly spoken. Each section carries its own mood, from the playful revels of spring to the melancholy mysteries of autumn and the haunting stillness of winter. Alongside the words, the author curates a gallery of fairytale art from past centuries, which adds a lovely echo of history to the poetry.
What struck me most was the way the poems refused to be pinned down. They could be lyrical and delicate in one breath, then strange, even eerie, in the next. A piece like A Piece of Amber felt tender and tragic, like a whispered legend by firelight, while something like The Baallad of Blaackie Coal made me grin with its folkloric humor and Scots cadence. I loved how the writing carried me away from reason into a place where fairies still dance, seashells sing, and even the smallest bird is mourned with reverence. The language is musical and sometimes unpredictable. At times, I found myself rereading lines not because I needed to but because I wanted to savor the rhythm.
The author clearly delights in layering metaphor upon metaphor, which creates a rich tapestry. This very quality also gives the book its dreamlike atmosphere. It reminded me of wandering through a forest at dusk, you don’t always know what you’re seeing, but the mystery is the point. I also appreciated how personal some of the poems felt. Knowing that pieces like To Wee Russet Tuft came from real experiences gave the collection an intimacy that balanced out the more mythic material.
Fairy Lights feels like a gift for anyone who still listens for magic in the quiet hours. I would recommend it to readers who love fairytales, folklore, or poetry that doesn’t mind breaking free from neat structure. It’s especially suited for those who want to share stories aloud, whether with children at bedtime or with the inner child who still believes in hidden worlds.
Pages: 181 | ISBN : 0473742454
Dig Two Graves: A Noir Thriller of Revenge
Dig Two Graves is a hard-hitting noir tale about a man just out of prison, stumbling back into the world with nothing but a Bible, some rage, and a whole lot of unresolved history. Von Martin is bitter, raw, and desperate. He wants to see his daughter, reclaim his place, and claw back respect in a world that seems determined to keep him down. What unfolds is a tense ride through betrayal, revenge, and the messy business of survival, with every page steeped in grit and sweat.
I felt torn while reading. On one hand, the writing is sharp and immersive. The author captures the voice of Von with uncanny precision. It feels like you’re right there with him, stuck in his head, tasting his anger, hearing his rationalizations, even when you know he’s full of it. That intimacy made me uneasy, but in the best way, because it’s rare to find a book that commits so fully to the flawed perspective of its main character. On the other hand, Von is not an easy guy to root for. He’s selfish, volatile, and often cruel, and I caught myself rolling my eyes at his self-pity while also sympathizing with his hunger for dignity. That push and pull kept me hooked.
The ideas in this book hit harder than I expected. It’s not just a revenge story. It’s about the weight of time wasted, the way choices narrow your life, and the slow decay of trust. There’s this constant tug between the possibility of redemption and the lure of destruction, and I felt that tension every step of the way.
By the time I turned the last page, I was impressed. Dig Two Graves is not for someone looking for a comforting read. It’s for readers who want to wade into murky waters, who can handle being close to a character that repels as much as he fascinates. If you like crime stories with grit, moral ambiguity, and a voice that sticks in your head, then this one is worth your time.
Pages: 214 | ASIN : B0FRD5R9L7
Money Skills For Teens
The book lays out a clear and practical roadmap for teenagers who are just starting to think about money. It begins with the basics, like where money comes from and how teens can earn it, then moves into lessons on budgeting, saving, and spending wisely. It covers modern realities like digital banking, online shopping traps, and even investing, but keeps the tone simple and encouraging. Each chapter ends with quick recaps, activities, and quizzes to help readers reflect and practice. What stood out most is how the book weaves in personal stories and relatable examples that make abstract money concepts easy to grasp.
I found the writing style warm and approachable, almost like a parent or mentor sitting down for a real talk. There is no heavy jargon or intimidating theory, just straight talk with real-life examples. I liked that the author balanced cautionary tales with positive encouragement. The sections on peer pressure and emotional spending felt especially strong because they hit on something every teen goes through, not just the numbers. Some of the lessons might feel obvious to older readers, but for the target age group, the straightforwardness works perfectly.
What really touched me was the author’s personal note at the beginning. Knowing that this book was written for her son gave the whole thing a heartwarming layer. That emotional anchor kept me invested. At times, I wished the book pushed a little harder on the more complex parts of finance, like deeper investing strategies, but I respect that it chose to keep things simple, accessible, and judgment-free.
I’d recommend Money Skills For Teens to young adults and teenagers who are just starting their journey toward independence, as well as to parents and teachers who want an easy entry point for talking about money with young people. It’s perfect for a beginner who needs gentle guidance, real examples, and a little confidence boost.
Pages: 148 | ASIN : B0FML7RPZ7
Misfit’s Magic: Twisting in Time
Twisting in Time tells the story of Goff, a boy who desperately wishes to live a normal life but finds himself constantly dragged back into a world of magic, danger, and tangled loyalties. At Amworth Academy, what should have been quiet moments with friends and his first love quickly unravel into chaos as strange forces whisk people away, shadows stretch into monsters, and visions of looming battles return. The story swings between his present struggles and the origins of his curse in Slaathwick, where he is burdened with being a Verlokken, a kind of outcast whose magic is feared as much as it is needed. Through duels, betrayals, and heartbreaking losses, Goff keeps stumbling forward, hoping for safety and love, yet always being pulled into another storm.
What I liked most was the way the book balanced whimsy with darkness. There are scenes filled with warmth, like meals shared, jokes between friends, even the sweetness of Goff’s awkward romance with Joy, that made me smile. But just when I started to settle in, the story twisted into something darker. The shadows, the grotesque enemies, and the way time itself bends gave me a pit in my stomach. The writing has a playful rhythm in places, almost silly at times, and then suddenly sharp, reminding me of how childhood wonder collides with the dread of growing up. It kept me off balance, which I liked, because it mirrored Goff’s own unease.
Goff is both stubborn and insecure, and that mix makes him feel real. He longs to protect his friends, yet he keeps secrets, pushes people away, and sometimes gives in to anger. I wanted to shake him, but I also wanted to hug him. That kind of emotional pull is rare. The author’s choice to lean into food and cooking as recurring motifs was lovely too. Those moments grounded the story. A dish described in detail, or a meal shared, often felt more magical than spells or battles. It made me feel like magic wasn’t always in wands or words but sometimes in butter, lavender, or a loaf of bread.
By the time I reached the end, I felt both drained and hopeful. The book is heavy with loss and with the idea that time doesn’t really heal so much as twist and fold, carrying pain forward in new ways. Yet it’s also filled with small sparks of loyalty and friendship that remind you why the characters keep fighting. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy that doesn’t shy away from sorrow but still knows how to laugh at itself. It’s for anyone who wants a coming-of-age story tangled with monsters, magic, and heartache, but also with friendship, food, and flickers of joy that make the struggle worth it.
Pages: 318 | ASIN : B0FDQYQ8GK
LITERARY TITAN 