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Washington Post Is Switching Off Lights
Piotr Bardzik’s Washington Post Is Switching Off Lights is a strange, witty, and razor-sharp collection of aphorisms that reads like a cocktail of philosophy, satire, and self-therapy. It’s not a novel, not quite poetry either, but something in between, an endless stream of short, punchy reflections on politics, ego, human nature, and absurdity. The book feels like flipping through the diary of a man who sees the world too clearly to take it seriously. From politics to death to dopamine, Bardzik fires off truths and contradictions at lightning speed. You don’t read this book to follow a story. You read it to be jolted awake.
I’ll be honest, reading this felt like watching fireworks. Every line bursts for a second, then vanishes, leaving an echo. Some aphorisms are funny and wickedly sharp, others hit hard because they’re too true to laugh at. The writing is stripped bare, almost surgical, but it carries an undercurrent of despair and amusement that feels very human. I loved that it didn’t try to be lofty. It’s smart but never pretentious, bitter but never cynical. There’s something deeply personal here, too. Bardzik pokes at himself as much as he pokes at everyone else, which makes it feel authentic and weirdly comforting.
Still, it’s not a book you can swallow in one go. The tone swings from irony to sadness to hilarity in a heartbeat, and that constant shifting keeps you on your toes. There are a lot of ideas in this book. Yet that’s part of its charm. It’s a modern kind of chaos, crafted into small, perfect fragments. The language crackles with energy, and the humor often cuts deep enough to sting. It made me laugh, then wince, then think, and that’s not something I can say about many books lately.
I’d recommend this to anyone who loves wordplay, irony, and truth disguised as jokes. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy thinkers like Wilde, Cioran, or Vonnegut, but want something more contemporary and raw. It’s one of those rare reads that makes you want to put it down every few pages just to let the thought sink in, and maybe laugh at how much it hits home.
Pages: 59 | ASIN : B0FSYG8G8C
Prodigal Song: A Gen X Memoir of Excess and Obsession in Pursuit of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dream
Prodigal Song is a deeply personal and wildly entertaining memoir chronicling Sean Coons’ journey from a chubby, music-obsessed kid in 1980s Los Angeles to a struggling rock guitarist trying to make it in the heart of Hollywood. The book traces Coons’ obsession with rock stardom, his battles with body image and compulsive eating, and the wild misadventures with his band, Song Unsung. It’s a raw look at the pursuit of artistic dreams, the trappings of self-indulgence, and the eventual pull toward redemption and meaning. Coons mixes humor with brutal honesty, all set against a vivid backdrop of ’80s and ’90s pop culture.
Coons’ writing is funny, sharp, and full of heart. He doesn’t try to make himself look cool or mysterious or tragic. He just tells the truth, warts and all. I loved how he could pivot from describing an embarrassing childhood moment to riffing on Van Halen lyrics or unraveling the twisted ethics of rock culture with surprising insight. I found myself rooting for him, even as he made bad choices or spiraled into food binges and self-doubt. It’s rare to find a memoir that’s this self-aware without being self-important.
What hit me hardest, though, were the moments where the glamor faded, and the raw stuff came through. When Coons realizes he’s eaten himself into obesity while chasing his dream, it’s not played for pity or laughs, it’s just sad and real. The way he weaves in spirituality, guilt, and the need for grace without ever getting preachy or stiff made the book resonate on a deeper level. He never quite gives up on his dream, but he learns that the real victory might not be fame at all. That really stuck with me. It made me think about my own ambitions and the things I’ve let define me, for better or worse.
If you’re someone who grew up loving rock ’n’ roll, or if you’ve ever felt out of place chasing a dream in a world that doesn’t seem to care, Prodigal Song will speak to you. It’s perfect for fans of memoirs like Rob Sheffield’s Love Is a Mix Tape or anyone who likes their nostalgia with a side of truth. You don’t need to be a musician to appreciate this story, you just need to have wanted something badly enough to lose yourself in the process.
Pages: 215 | ASIN : B0FG2PFXNT
Starry Starry Noir Rebels and Censors
Bernie Dowling’s Starry Starry Noir Rebels and Censors is a bold and biting dive into the shadowy corners of public domain film noir. It’s part history, part commentary, and part elegy for an era where rebellion simmered under celluloid. Dowling uncovers the lives behind the films, actors, directors, censors, and outcasts, and weaves a human tale out of forgotten reels. He doesn’t just retell film plots; he places them in a tug-of-war between art and morality, freedom and control. Censorship, both comedic and catastrophic, looms large as he dissects works like Dishonored Lady, Stray Dog, and The Hitch-Hiker.
I was immediately struck by how personal the writing feels. This isn’t some dry academic tour through noir tropes, it’s alive, angry, funny, and sad all at once. Take the story of Hedy Lamarr, co-producer and star of Dishonored Lady (1947), where Dowling explores how censors gutted what could’ve been a hard-edged noir into a limp melodrama. He doesn’t hold back, calling out how Lamarr—“dubbed Headache” by the Hollywood boys’ club, was judged more for her beauty than her brains, despite co-inventing frequency-hopping tech that would lead to Wi-Fi. And when Dowling digs into Ida Lupino’s gutsy leap from actress to noir director, you can feel his respect bleeding through the page. Lupino didn’t just break barriers, she shattered them, directing The Hitch-Hiker in 1953, a brutal, tension-drenched film that punched above its budget and bent censorship rules without flinching.
But my favorite parts are when Dowling tangles with the censors. He doesn’t just document their decisions he ridicules them, laughs at them, and sometimes mourns the films they destroyed. These are the book’s best beats: where Dowling paints censorship as absurd and tragic in equal measure. His love for these lost and maimed films is tangible, but he’s no rose-colored romantic. When a film doesn’t work, like Strange Illusion, he says so, calling it “all over the shop,” a mash of Freud, Hamlet, and shadows that just doesn’t gel.
This book made me feel things like irritation, admiration, nostalgia, and more than a few laughs. Dowling’s voice is sharp and full of heart, and he’s clearly done his homework. I’d recommend Starry Starry Noir Rebels and Censors to anyone who loves old films, stories of underdogs, or just really good writing. Film students, noir buffs, and history nerds will find gold here. But even if you’re none of those, you’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for the people behind the flickering black-and-white frames—and the battles they fought to get them made.
Pages: 295 | ASIN : B0DWXYVN7C
To Venus and Back, One Man’s Quest to Rediscover Love
To Venus and Back: One Man’s Quest to Rediscover Love is a poignant and relatable memoir that delves into the complexities of human relationships, grief, and the search for love. It’s an evocative journey that navigates the often-turbulent waters of dating and relationships after the devastating loss of a spouse. Author Turner Grant’s narrative voice is both sincere and engaging, making the reader feel like a confidant rather than just an observer.
I appreciated Grant’s writing style for its honesty and vulnerability. He doesn’t shy away from exposing his personal struggles, uncertainties, and the raw emotions that accompany the loss of a loved one and the subsequent journey toward healing and finding love again. His use of dialogue, particularly in conversations with his sons and friends, adds a layer of authenticity and helps to humanize his experiences. While I enjoyed this memoir, I felt that, at times, the detailed recounting of various dates and encounters felt a bit overwhelming and slightly detracted from the pace.
Otherwise, what I truly enjoyed in this memoir is Grant’s introspective exploration of the societal and personal expectations placed on men in the context of dating and relationships. His narrative challenges the stereotypical notions of masculinity, particularly in how men deal with grief and embark on new relationships. This perspective is a refreshing take on a subject I find is often mired in clichés.
The memoir’s exploration of online dating and the modern dating landscape offers a glimpse into the joys and pitfalls of seeking connection in the digital age. The authenticity of its descriptions will resonate with anyone who has navigated the complex world of online dating, particularly at a later stage in life.
To Venus and Back: One Man’s Quest to Rediscover Love is a memoir that speaks volumes about resilience, the enduring need for human connection, and the courage to embrace love again after loss. I recommend this book to anyone who has experienced significant loss or is navigating the intricacies of modern dating. Its heartfelt narrative and honest reflection make it a compelling read not just for those in similar situations but for anyone interested in understanding the impact of love and loss on the human spirit.
Pages: 376 | ASIN : B0BKQW6XM5
The Ultimate Guide of Random Facts
The Ultimate Guide of Random Information: Boredom Busting Trivia That Will Impress Your Friends is the book you did not think you needed until you had it. It is entertaining, engaging, enjoyable, and a great way of passing the time. The author did a remarkable job of compiling the five hundred questions in the book, as her effort will help kill boredom for many people. This engaging book will come in handy whenever you are hosting friends, going out to chill in the park, or just when you are bored in the house. The fun facts, quizzes, and games are exciting to play for adults that enjoy learning new information as they are relaxing.
The introduction to this unique book talks about cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. The author, Stephanie, owner of Cerebrum Publishing, explains how trivia is an exercise for your brain. This kind of exercise helps the brain stay active and slow down brain degeneration. In addition, she gives examples of how this kind of thinking can improve mental health by boosting relationships, encouraging positive thinking, and increasing productivity and performance.
The quizzes in the book are not difficult but sometimes can be challenging, as the author puts a unique twist on them. Going through this book is a delight and an excellent way of distracting yourself for a while. The author selected various topics from which the questions and games come. You will encounter topics like the political landscape, animals, current affairs, literature, animals, movies, sports, and general knowledge. The level of difficulty in these questions is also varied. Teens and adults will be able to answer or guess the questions, making this a great family game night activity.
The presented trivia types are Q&A, fill in the blank, matching, Did You Know facts, and multiple-choice questions. My favorite segment of the book was the Did You Know section and the fun facts about random persons and places.
The Ultimate Guide of Random Information: Boredom Busting Trivia That Will Impress Your Friends is a stimulating book that will boost your brain function and help you with creative thinking. This impressive book is also an excellent tool for bringing friends together for a night of fun and entertainment.
Pages: 224 | ASIN : B09VYBGJXR
Screaming for Pleasure
Screaming for Pleasure by S.A. Bradley is a chilling book about the genre of horror. Bradley talks about all the physical and psychological benefits of experiencing horror for entertainment purposes. The author writes in a conversational tone and recollects events from his life that made him fall in love with horror. From his “First Kiss” with horror to dealing with the trauma of death, this book covers a lot of diverse themes about horror while including various anecdotes from the author’s life.
Children are fascinated with the forbidden; the thrill of seeing their first actual horror movie gets them hooked. From there, they seak out more thrills and scares. The societal conditions changing what we view as taboo or scary, advancements in technology, and special effects, have shaped how the author consumed horror movies. This personal and anecdotal nature of the writing gives readers an engaging and intimate experience as if they were sitting down with Bradley having a discussion.
One feature of this intriguing book is that the author talks about several movies that have come to define the genre, which serves as a great list of recommendations for anyone who wants to dive into the horror genre after reading this book. The author does a great job at striking the perfect balance between describing these classics enough to be able to talk about them but not so much as to give out any spoilers.
This thought-provoking book is not an academic analysis of the topic; instead, it is meant to spark an educated debate. It also serves as an introduction to those that may have shied away from horror in the past and gets them to look more deeply into horror as an art form, not just screams and scary monsters.
Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy is a psychological look into the genre from the perspective of societal norms and expectations to personal encounters and analysis. Readers that are interested in the history of horror and the role it has played in the entertainment industry will find this a fascinating book.
Pages: 290 | ASIN : B07HVHMQDW
Game Over
Game Over begins inside a virtual world created by Sybil, an AI that rules over the virtual world of Elysium. Ekko Everlasting spawns into what seems to be a video game, armed and ready to fight, although he has no memory of who he is or why he’s there. He knows only his name and his innate ability to survive in a kill-or-be-killed environment. This skill helps him win his first match in No-Life, the most popular game in Elysium.
Flush from his win and mobbed by fans, he’s saved from an imposing cyberman—and potential deletion—by Ridley Scott, who tells him that Ekko is an important asset to the resistance. Ridley and his boss Dadgar recruit Ekko for their mission to find the central core of the Sybil system and free what’s left of humanity on Earth. Dadgar tells Ekko that Elysium was created to solve humanity’s problems, including illness and death, so millions of people were uploaded into the system. If humans in Elysium don’t live up to Sybil’s standards, embodied by the No-Life game, they are reprogrammed or deleted by the cybermen. Deletion brings death in the real world.
There’s a lot to like in this novel. The stakes are as high as they get: life or death for not only Ekko but humanity itself. The games he plays, No-Life, Myth and Magic, and The Test, bring the kind of exciting combat and split-second decision making that will keep you on the edge of your seat. His adversaries and allies are experts at the game, and the scenarios Sybil pits them against are both elegant and deadly.
There’s also a throwback to the “choose your own adventure” books that were popular in the late 1970’s and 80’s. At several points in the story, readers are given a choice for Ekko’s next action, and the wrong choice can lead to the words: Game Over! If you follow the right choices, it leads to a surprising conclusion with an interesting twist on Ekko’s mission—and his identity. His journey through the different levels of the game reveals the lengths that the elite will go in their quest for power. In this case, literal power measured in watts instead of mere credits.
A few things didn’t go over well. Every scene that ends with a choice of adventure has an obvious “opt out” spoiler, so it’s too easy to avoid the “game over” choice. I was also a little confused about the cyberman, Naraku Carbon. The author gives him an entire chapter and backstory, but after that chapter, he vanishes completely. His only contributions to Ekko’s story were brief encounters that could have been fulfilled by any anonymous security drone.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy gaming, tense action scenes, and life or death adventure. Though it borrows a few concepts from popular movies like Battle Royale and The Matrix, Game Over offers an interesting take on what might happen if life really is a simulation.
Pages: 268 | ASIN: B01KNJ8WB6
Thawing A.C. Nielsen
Mystery, suspense, reality television and revenge all come crashing together in this entertaining story written by Paul Carey. Thawing A.C. Nielsen starts off with dated entries, much like a diary, as we gain very little backstory on what is to be a wild ride. It opens to a nameless man being rescued from the depths of a frozen body of water. This revival is short lived, but is important to the rest of the story. Flash forward to Kate, a young and intelligent woman who wants nothing more than to stare into a microscope for the rest of her life. At the urging of her friend she goes for a job interview at the one place that will make her desires reality. Our fierce protagonist gets a little more than she bargained for when she joins up with ExitStrategy, a facility that is devoted to cryogenics and the revival of those who should be dead.
One of the best things about Thawing A.C. Nielsen is how the characters talk. There is a fair bit of dialogue but each person sounds real. They communicate like they would if they were to stand in your living room. This makes reading this tale a lot easier on the mind. Many mystery novels or those who pride themselves on suspense get caught up in setting a ‘mood’ that makes their tales very unrealistic. The fact that the reader can identify with the characters not only through their speech, but through their actions, makes the entire tale feel like something you could read about in the news tomorrow.
This can be a double-edged sword, however. Because the characters speak so ‘modernly’ it’s quite grating to read some of the speech and hear it in your mind as you read. There are some slang words that should never be printed and it does a very good job at showing how reality television stars need to work on their linguistics.
Having a strong female lead who works in an area where women are underrepresented gives this tale a special place in the world. Not only does Kate work in a science-driven industry, she is respected by her male colleagues and never once is she demeaned or demanded of due to her sex. These types of tales are few and far between.
It’s clear that Carey did his research before writing his book. There is a scene where knowledge of medicine and medical terminology is paramount to understanding what is happening. Carey doesn’t skimp on the language and has obviously done more than just do an internet search or watch television. It’s not so in-depth that the average reader with no background would be lost but just realistic enough to bring the characters on the page to life, quite literally.
If you’re looking for a fun adventure with wily manipulative old women and socially challenged geniuses, you will find all that and more in the pages of our tale. Hold on to your hearts and keep your eyes peeled as you try to figure out the mystery of Thawing A.C. Nielsen.
Pages: 368 | ASIN: B01LOHEP7G
LITERARY TITAN 