Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Through A Sober Lens: A Photographer’s Journey by Michael Blanchard is an exquisite collection of photographs and words that signal the author’s transformational journey and looking at the world with sobriety. The beauty that unfolds in front of the reader’s eyes gives them glimpses of the author’s catharsis from darkness to light and hope. The book is a fine blend of words and photographs that reveal the darker days of the author, which include his addiction and alcoholism, and give positive insights on his recovery. There are stories that reiterate the presence of love, faith, compassion, resilience, and empathy and his realization that challenges are part of life and growth is not possible in their absence. This memoir shares his experiences and is a good tool for readers who are looking to be free from their alcohol addiction.

Michael Blanchard’s photographic skills and aesthetic eye are a treat for readers and bring his creativity to the fore. The approach to reaching out to others to help them heal from their addictions is different and unique and that makes the book refreshingly original and unconventional. His words along with the pictures will influence many readers to change their perception of life and how to deal with their demons. The Affirmations in the Storm are good to use as a reminder to readers to see how far they have come from what they originally were. Through A Sober Lens is a good way of helping alcohol addicts to remove their shame which actually stops them from seeking help. The author’s spirituality, connection with nature, and his healing journey are motivating and inspiring. I enjoyed the presentation and his simple and clear narrative style makes it easy for readers to comprehend his words, incorporate them into their lives, and effect the changes they are looking for.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The National Parks: A Century of Grace by Karla K. Morton and Alan Birkelbach is a fabulous collection of pictures, poems, and facts about the National Parks of America, which are extraordinary places where the beauty of the untouched wilderness can be experienced. Humans are always in search of finding meaning in Nature. The magnitude of what Nature offers can be felt through the pictures, descriptions, and poetry shared and will make readers aware of how blessed they are living close to the stunning beauty of natural wonders of nature in their lifetime. The two poets share their views on the seen and unseen beauty of the National Parks of America and take readers on a fascinating and adventurous journey to appreciate the offerings of nature.

The National Parks: A Century of Grace will encourage travelers to visit any one of these National Parks to experience the wonders of nature. The pictures and the poems capture the beauty of these National Parks, making it tangible to readers. 'Crater Lake Blue' is my favorite poem in the book, more so because I am fascinated by different shades of blue, and the poet, Karla, pulls readers into the beauty of the Crater Lake National Park and will leave them speechless. Alan Birkelbach captivates readers with his poem 'What We Abandon,' which makes the beauty of the Glacier National Park, Montana, and Canada palpable to readers. All the poems are unique in their own way as they speak about each one of the National Parks mentioned in the book. The approach to the topic is avante-garde and I liked the poets' poems on all the National Parks based on their perception of these places. This book will no doubt be re-read and also used to plan trips to any one of these National Parks.

Reviewed by Joanne Ang for Readers' Favorite

Dancing and Other Problems: A Very 2020 Sketchbook is a collection of sketches combined and organized into a book by Norville Parchment. Norville is a Portland artist in the field of user experience and visual design. During the Covid-19 pandemic that shook the whole world, these sketches were born. Amid a massive worldwide lockdown for an entire year, the sketches are the epitome of Norville Parchment’s surroundings at the time of being housebound. Join in a journey of humor and artistic appreciation you will never forget, no matter how hard you try! The sketchbook also includes a lot of white space for the reader’s creative juices to flow onto the pages.

Dancing and Other Problems is a unique sketchbook that drew my attention in an instant, and for very good reasons. Norville Parchment did a great job of building humor throughout the entire book. The art jokes made each piece of artwork intriguing, taking it a step further. And not to mention how funny it is - I could not stop laughing! I also really liked how the political situations within this book were turned into fun and entertaining sketches. The majority of the sketches are black and white, but the minimal and sporadic use of color makes them look very refreshing and inviting, which conveniently adds emphasis to the whole picture. I recommend this sketchbook to anyone who intends to have a lot of fun because I definitely did!

Reviewed by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite

In Outsiders and Apparitions: Possessed Poems and Art for Family Picnics, we are introduced to an otherworldly and frenetic collection of poems written by Milan Sergent, the author of the Candlewicke 13 series. In this book, the author covers subjects like death, marginalization, and absurdity with unique surrealist paintings to go with each poem. They are unique and each tells a story that can stand alone, giving the reader a glimpse into the creative mind of the author.

This is the best book of poetry that I have read this year. I absolutely enjoyed the ingenious poetry that Sergent brought to life in this collection. The poems are fun and crazy, having a surreal feel to them. With witty and clever prose, each tells its own story. What I loved even more was the collection of paintings that accompanied each poem. They are gorgeous and really help as a visual aid to the poetry pieces. My favorites would have to be Magic Apples Grown By The Wrong Author Must Be Ignored, Questionable Extraterrestrials, Patty’s Wagon, and Ode To Genola. Each piece is different, yet has the same touch of morbidity that one finds intriguing. When you pair the poems with the art pieces, it’s a complete story brought to life which grabs readers' attention. Overall, I think Milan Sergent has created a masterpiece with Outsiders and Apparitions: Possessed Poems and Art for Family Picnics. It’s definitely a collection I would recommend. I can’t wait to read more of his work.

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

Ace of Arts is a collection of artworks that depict the different sides of ace-spec identities, including demisexual and greysexual, among other a-spec identities within the LGBTQ+ community. They are mostly pictures of people, couples, animals, nature, and designs with vibrant and diverse colors. Most of the pictures don't have words, except the author's signature. However, some pictures have a few painted words, like "Ace and Part of the LGBTQIA+ community" and "Here, Queer, and Filled with Fear". Some patterns and words are repetitive, with different colors and identities acknowledged on each page. With eight years of experience in art and three years in digital art, Isabel Scheck presents 160 outstanding and gorgeous art pieces that were drawn by them from August 2020 to February 2021.

As every color and pattern is beautiful and unique in Ace of Arts, every a-spec and LGBTQ+ identity deserves to be acknowledged and respected as distinctive and beautiful. The way the colors and patterns combine to create a colorful and appealing picture suggests how these different identities can coexist to make up the full diverse experience of life. Love is represented as a pleasant, joyful experience through paintings of couples sharing and giving their unique selves to each other in serene and natural settings. I didn't know so many identities existed before reading Ace of Arts, but the experience of discovering something new every time I looked at the pictures showed me the value of being open to new experiences. I recommend Isabel Scheck's book to all as it enlightens readers about different ace-spec and LGBTQ+ identities and reveals that, no matter our identities, we are all humans who deserve love and respect.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Tattle Tales: Tattoo Stories and Portraits by Brandy Isadora showcases an appreciation for the art of tattooing and explores its impact on life and contemporary society. The author has always fancied getting a tattoo against the will of her mother, and she finally got her first tattoo while in college in her freshman year from a local tattooist. She started meeting people who were heavily tattooed while on tour with her band. In this book and in beautiful photography, she captures the art of the tattoo and presents characters with unique tattoo history and designs.

Tattle Tales: Tattoo Stories and Portraits by Brandy Isadora features interviews with a wide selection of characters, each with a unique background. Readers encounter characters like Michael, a school teacher; Larry, who is a music producer; Tillie, the retailer; the musician, James; Mel, the retailer; Janet, an inbound marketer, and many others, including models, personal trainers, and cosmetologists. Behind each tattoo is a story, a message for the beholder, and a world to explore. This book helps readers understand why some people get tattoos and how some tattoos reflect their backgrounds and stories. The story also uncovers how people look at those who tattoo. The author asks characters in the book to share their stories and she asks a unique question of each one. I enjoyed how the interviews reveal exciting journeys with their tattoos. This is a great book for readers who enjoy tattoos and art in general, filled with beautiful images and information on an art form that is increasingly becoming part of contemporary culture and an expression of identity.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Before the Curtain Goes Up by India Blake Johnson is a fascinating book that captures the author's interest in theater, which also helped her develop a deep appreciation for small-town community and professional playhouses. The book speaks about the various and distinct operating ways of six small-town playhouses, thereby enabling the communities to experience the best of theater. There is nothing to beat the experience of sitting in a secluded and intimate theatre space, waiting for the curtain to rise. There is something very surreal and human about theater, mainly because it connects viewers with live performances.

Before the Curtain Goes Up captures the rawness, intimacy, and the true human experience of theater and the photographs shared by the author give readers the essence of preparation and the performances. The words and images will fascinate any theater lover and performer. The photographic journey through these six small-town playhouses in America reveals the preparation that goes on behind the scenes, the excitement, and the actors who travel deep within to find others. The pictures capture the important and critical moments of transformation and go through the universal process - applying makeup backstage, running lines with other actors or sometimes alone, memorizing the dialogues, etc.

India Blake Johnson captures the essence of theater through this unique book and encourages readers to look into the eyes of actors and feel the creative process. There are a lot of stories to be told and this book shows how theater connects everyone, the behind-the-scenes, and the sense of belonging that exists there like no other place. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the creativity in theater and the images took me to another dimension.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

No Cameras Allowed: My Career as an Outlaw Rock and Roll Photographer is a nonfiction music/entertainment book written by Julian David Stone. Stone is a photographer, filmmaker, screenplay writer and author. As a child, he had dreams of becoming a musician, but his early misadventures with a French horn inspired him to consider photography as an alternative way to be a part of the music circuit. His earliest forays were photos taken at country fairs, but he really wanted to do more. When The Ramones were scheduled to appear at the Keystone in Palo Alto, the eighteen-year-old was ready to get some live pictures with his 35mm camera. He was somewhat taken aback by the club’s security guard’s refusal to let him in. What do you mean cameras aren’t allowed? While his first instincts were to go home, he decided instead to cleverly conceal camera, lens, and film on his person. His hiding spaces evaded even the pat-down the security guard conducted and Stone was in. It would be the first of his outlaw shoots of rock concerts across the country and overseas.

Stone's pictures have intensity and power, and the black and white format works so well for his art. His photos of Sting during the August 18 concert at Shea Stadium are surprisingly detailed considering the venue, even with the lucky burst of rain, and his coverage of U2 during their 1983 concert in Dublin, and the following year in San Francisco is inspired. Stone’s candid shots make the reader feel as though they’re present at each of these amazing concerts, up close and personal, and each picture gives new insights to musicians we’ve admired from afar. He may have been an outlaw taking all these photographs under the table so to speak, but his work is monumentally good. No Cameras Allowed: My Career as an Outlaw Rock and Roll Photographer is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite

The Artist’s Journey: Bold Strokes to Spark Creativity by Nancy Hillis delves into helping artists through the common frustrations and road blocks that hinder their inner creativity. It is a map that guides the struggling, the uninspired, and the lost with unique exercises, quotes, video links to videos the author herself has done to exemplify her book’s teachings, and even a look into her journey into art. It is a book that aims to inspire, guide, and help artists through the most trying parts of their creative lives.

Nancy Hillis’ The Artist’s Journey: Bold Strokes to Spark Creativity is an unforgettable, thought-provoking read, with an inspiring and determined tone. It is peppered with the author’s anecdotes and wise advice that would do a lot of good to any artist. Hillis offers personal stories and thoughts in the book and I can see how this would help other frustrated and lost artists in the same situation. The exercises offered in the book are extensive, ranging from: questions as to the reason why you do art and what you struggle with (allowing the artist to have a good look or get an idea as to why they are struggling) to easy-to-follow art activities with creative twists.

This book is brimming with good advice and instructions punctuated with fascinating anecdotes Hillis relates to the struggles of an artist, giving the reader a unique and different view on their journey as an artist, allowing them to draw their own answers from their problems, which makes the book more engaging and infinitely more helpful in my eyes. This book is a one-of-a-kind guide and is an absolute must-read for any artists suffering from artist’s block or any sort of creative meltdown. Truly worth a read.

Reviewed by Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite

The Trojan War is one of the earliest wars recorded in the history of human combat. The Iliad and the Odyssey are among the oldest extant works of western literature, written by the blind poet Homer in the eighth century. The Trojan War concerns the Achaeans of ancient Greece and the inhabitants of Ilios, the Trojans. But the story begins before that, at the wedding of the sea nymph goddess Thetis and the mortal but mighty king of the Myrmidons, Peleus. The seeds of this tragic and interminable war were sown when Eris, the goddess of strife, was not invited but arrived anyway, tossing into the company a golden apple inscribed with the words ‘to the most fair.’ Paris, the long-lost son of the Trojan King Priam, is asked to choose between the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Lured by her promise of bestowing upon him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Troy, Paris chooses Aphrodite… Unfortunately, Helen is married to Menelaus, king of Sparta. And thus, the epic war begins, brought to life by the words of the poet Homer, and forever cemented in the minds of succeeding generations.

Greek mythology and the various heroes, gods, and demi gods have a solid place in modern popular culture, given the many novels and movies devoted to various mythological themes. Names like Zeus, Poseidon, Achilles, Hector, Paris, Helen, Menelaus and Agamemnon are not unfamiliar, especially the mighty Achilles, hero of the Greek forces. Achilles being the son of a goddess, Thetis, and a mighty mortal, Peleus, meant he was already special. Added to this was his legendary prowess as a warrior. When Achilles loses his armor during battle to Hector, the son of King Priam, his mother pleads with Hephaistos, the lame god, to fashion her son an incredible shield. Thetis, knowing that Achilles’ death would follow upon that of Hector, still had the shield made, bowing, one imagines, to the inevitability of the cycle of life. Hephaistos makes the shield, and the details are minutely described by Homer. These details bring us to the reconstruction of this magnificent piece of armor by Kathleen Vail, who documented this artistic project in her book, Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles.

A lifetime student of Homer’s ancient Greece, Vail has created a 'physical, artistically relevant, life-size reconstruction of the divine shield of Achilles based literally and solely on Homer’s specifications in Book 18 of the Iliad.' This is no easy feat because although many now discovered and similarly crafted and decorated Mycenaean artifacts – swords, daggers, vases, and more - prove the potential existence of this shield, Vail was working from the details in Homer’s poem and existing archaeological discoveries. The shield is described as having an awe-inspiring effect on Achilles’ enemies, notwithstanding his mighty prowess and physical attributes. However, for me, the importance of the shield is what the poet conveys in the descriptions and which Vail recreates for the reader with images of the actual reconstructed shield and the corresponding artifacts which provided the inspiration for the images.

Vail takes each section and describes it in detail, as well as the significance in Greek society at the time, starting with the centre piece, creation, and radiating outward in circles depicting levels of Greek society – civil, judicial, military, entertainment, daily and pastoral activities. Ultimately the shield depicts both earthly and heavenly cycles of life. The shield is a microcosm of civilization, depicting the values and ideals of the ancient world, and the eternal cycle of birth, death, renewal. If the shield ever existed, where could it possibly be now? Thetis held funeral games in honour of her son Achilles, offering his armor as the prize to the ‘best of the Achaeans.’ Odysseus won the armor but given his many wanderings and shipwrecks before finally reaching home and his beloved wife, Penelope, who knows what happened to the shield? Perhaps only the gods know?

Kathleen Vail offers both the interested amateur and the dedicated scholar a minutely detailed and incredibly well researched literary work, complete with meticulously referenced and labelled images and many bibliographic references. The reconstruction of the shield is, to me, more than a labor of love. There is far more to the story of Achilles, the flawed and magnificent warrior, than the war. The psychological depths, the drama, the tragic emotions, actions, and motivations of the characters, both human and divine, the merging of heavenly and earthly activities, and many grander symbolic themes make the Iliad more than just a poem. The reconstruction of the shield proves this.