The Club of True Creators – Milan Tripkovi

(Reviewed by JD Jung)


“We aren’t criminals! We are authors whose works your children will study in Serbian language classes one day. We are the architects of some of the most refined literary achievements ever committed to the Serbian tongue. We are the True Creators, those who stand against servile mediocrity in the face of humiliation…”

Writer, songwriter, and founder of the True Creators, Vojislav “Voja” Po?u?a is declaring war on the “liberal literary establishment”. The club is an association of only four Novi Sad (Serbia) artists who claim they are patriots fighting political correctness and mediocrity in the arts. Actually, they just can’t take any criticism of their work.

When human rights activist, Nataša Žarkovi?, runs over a corrupt security-intelligence agent, Voja, full of self-importance, thinks that he was the target. So, what happened to the culprit, Žarkovi?? That’s a whole story in itself, aided by Detective Milona Šo?ki?, the “Eliot Ness of Novi Sad”. You’ll learn all about that. Meanwhile Voja and his cohorts get into more trouble.

The Club of True Creators takes us on a wild, satirical ride through Novi Sad, and the Serbian countryside. The characters are eccentric and quirky, keeping the reader in stiches. Yes, the story and especially the ending is far-fetched, but if you’re aching for some laughs in these troubling times, this story may be just the diversion you’ve been looking for.

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An UnderratedRead Revisited: Girl From Rostov – Shitij Sharma

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

Exceptional

“Everything adds up. Every second, every lie, every breath. In the end, it all catches up with you.”
“Even if you have little to do with it. Family, for instance.”

That’s what young Maya had to learn. Too many unanswered questions haunted her into adulthood. With the death of her uncle, she needed answers. Unfortunately, this would bring her friend Samar into the search and he was to find the truth of his own past.

Maya’s family came to the Soviet Union from Turkey. Orphaned at a young age, she was raised by her uncle, Majid. He came to the USSR when he was ten years old. The family lived in the Russian crime capital of Rostov, filled with slums and brothels.

Though they came from a family of pickpockets.  Majid was to graduate to more ruthless crimes via the Turkish mafia. It would prove to be quite profitable but would affect his entire family.

However, when the political structure in the Soviet Union started to change, politicians and police alike refused to be victims of his extortion. In order to make money it was necessary for him to leave Russia. He felt that he must take Maya with him, not just out of love, but also out of guilt.

A friend who worked with the KGB found a place for them in India. With the disbandment of the KGB, Majid found more lucrative ways to make money, like selling illegal arms to the highest bidder.

The Girl from Rostov is a bloody crime thriller filled with espionage but also an emotional story with a touch of romance. Though still a historical crime novel, there are so many themes to the story such as learning about oneself, living in a new and distinct culture, and dealing with the issue of loyalty. The story starts out in the USSR but mostly takes place in India. This contrast adds to the plot, and both countries are colorfully described. It would have been easy for the author to fall into the trap of overly romanticizing the story. Instead, he takes a realistic approach in the relationship between Maya and Samar.

It’s not only the actual story that I found intriguing, but also the characters involved. They seem real with all of their flaws and are illustrated in detail. I find this rare for a book that is under 150 pages.

The Girl from Rostov is a must-read for those who enjoy fast-paced crime fiction. You won’t be disappointed with this one.

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An UnderratedRead Revisited-Pancakes in Paris: Living the American Dream in France (Culinary Memoir for Francophiles and Foodies) – Craig Carlson

(Reviewed by J.D. Jung)

“I spoke of my favorite city and how beautiful it was…How all it needed was an American breakfast joint, and then it would be perfect!”

Former Hollywood screenwriter, Craig Carlson, wanted to live his dream and open up an American diner in Paris. He fell in love with the city when he studied in France in the mid-1980s. As his life progressed, this vision became clearer and clearer.

But how would he go about accomplishing this? He knew nothing about running a restaurant or any business for that matter. How would he find funding? Would there be a demand for a restaurant that gives free coffee refills? With all of the obstacles he ran into, most of us would have given up, or at least think that this was a bad omen. Of course, there were issues that would arise that he had no idea of. How about the cultural differences? Who knew that French employment laws are a lot different than those in the United States? So would his restaurant “Breakfast In America” even succeed? (By the way, I won’t even talk about the possible copyright infringement with the song of the same title.)

Pancakes in Paris isn’t just about living one’s dream with all its ups and downs, or a story about French culture–which are enough in themselves–but also a story about self-discovery. Yes, Carlson does go into his research like driving along the legendary Hwy. 66 and coming up with his target audience and a solid business plan. Yes, we learn about the unscrupulous vendors and business partners along with those he could always count on. But since this is a memoir, we learn a lot about Craig, himself.

What makes this memoir stand out though, is that he structures the story in such a way that the reader can’t wait to find out what happens next. We learn about him, the man, in the same way that he does. So many memoirs are filled with boring events that make you yawn. Not this one; Carlson isn’t narcissistic at all. Each element he includes is crucial to the story. Right when I thought that it was over (boom!) more happens.

There is so much to love about Pancakes in Paris, it’s a must-read for everyone.

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An UnderratedRead Revisited-Aiming High: How a Prominent Sports and Celebrity Agent Hit Bottom at the Top – Darren Prince and Kristen McGuiness

(Reviewed by Heidi A. Swan)

“At 15 years old, my love for baseball became a million-dollar baseball card business. By my late teens, I had turned my hobby into a successful memorabilia company. By the time I was 25, I had started Prince Marketing Group, where I was representing some of the biggest athletes and celebrities around the world. I had no clue how to do any of it without taking the edge off. I traveled. I took painkillers. “

Aiming High is a compelling autobiography by Darren Prince, a super -agent who is a survivor of opioid addiction. Kristen Mc Guiness, his co-writer, does a good job of maintaining his voice. I have met Darren Prince and watched interviews with him. The book reads just like he speaks.

Prince’s career began at a startlingly young age. In his teens, he made daring, profitable trades with baseball cards. His phenom status earned him the respect of his peers and mentors. Using a similar approach to advance in other careers, he quickly earned the trust of celebrities. From the very beginning, his father, Martin Prince, encouraged and guided him.

“I never needed a college degree. I went to Martin Prince University. I don’t know that there was a better school out there.”

As a rich man in his twenties, Prince was living a wild life in a very sexy business. He ran around to the trendiest bars, clubs and restaurants, partying late, and getting wasted.

Hidden beneath this playboy exterior was some deep-rooted childhood insecurities. As Prince’s high-profile events and clients grew bigger, so did his need to get relief from his pain. It’s poignant to read about his need to numb his feelings as he meets and orchestrates historic events with American sports heroes and celebrities: Magic Johnson, Dennis Rodman, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Pamela Anderson, Hulk Hogan, Joe Montana and many others. Prince’s successful career obfuscated a growing addiction, one of which even his father was unaware.

The author doesn’t withhold the brutal consequences. For instance, he would need to set an alarm for 3 AM to get up and take a pain pill to prevent withdrawal sickness in the morning. One time, he woke up in a hotel room on his stomach with his pants around his ankles, unable to remember what had happened the night before. There were brushes with death: from car crashes to overdoses. Before going to a party at a strip club thrown by Dennis Rodman, Mr. Price was sick with bronchitis.

“…I did what any good addict does. For $500, I called a doctor up to my room to get a prescription for painkillers and Tussionex…I threw back a few drinks, swallowed a handful of pills, and took a few shots of the cough syrup. Within minutes, I was on the floor, chest racing. I felt like I was going to die. I…prayed, “God, please don’t take me right now.” I don’t remember anything that happened after.”

His road to sobriety was not an easy one. He tried Suboxone and other medications which just made him worse. He credits the girlfriend of his uncle with saving his life. She told him he had a disease.

An unforeseen gift of recovery is that the author is now able to finally feel comfortable in his own skin.

“What I found was that no matter what language we spoke, where we came from or who we were, we were all united.” 

Peppered throughout the book are words of thanks to all who helped him. A large photo section visually conveys many of these heartfelt relationships. Most touching of all is his connection to Martin Prince, his dad, who asked his son to write a book to help others.

Darren Prince fulfilled his father’s wish with Aiming High.

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The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America – Jeffrey Rosen

(reviewed by JD Jung)

The Pursuit of Happiness

“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” is a well-known phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence. But what did the “pursuit of Happiness” mean to the founding fathers? American legal scholar, Jeffrey Rosen uncovers what the “pursuit of Happiness” truly meant to them and others, offering a compelling exploration into their philosophical influences and personal struggles in his book, The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America.

Many followed the Stoic philosophers. For most, it included constantly learning and practicing daily habits that lead to character improvement and growth. This included frugality, moderation, justice, keeping one’s emotions in check, and many other traits that were thought to be that of one with “good character”. Rosen delves in depth on the teachings on writers and philosophers, such as Cicero, Pythagoras, Socrates, and Plutarch (just to name a few).

What I particularly found fascinating was what certain founding fathers had to struggle with. For instance, John Adams realized that he had to work on vanity and controlling his emotions. Frugality was one that many had problems with. That included Thomas Jefferson, who seemed to lack self-awareness. Additionally. Jefferson not only refused to free his sales even after his death, but also berated the talents of Black poet Phillis Wheatley, whereas Franklin and Washington held her in high esteem. “Jefferson’s racism was jarring even by the standards of his time.”

Rosen not only profiles founding fathers, but others such as Wheatley, Abraham Lincoln, and Frederick Douglass and what the pursuit of happiness meant in their lives.

Rosen teases us briefly with conjecture on what the founding fathers might have thought of today’s populism, threats of mob rule, an extremely divided electorate, polarization in Congress, and pandering politicians. I would have liked to read more on this, but that’s a topic for another book.

The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America ” will resonate with a niche audience interested in American history, philosophy, and political theory. Rosen’s meticulous research make it a valuable addition to any enthusiast’s library, offering profound insights into the foundational principles that continue to shape the American experience. As a member of this niche audience, I eagerly anticipate further explorations from Jeffrey Rosen.

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An UnderratedRead Revisited: Shades: Detroit Love Stories – Esperanza M. Cintrón

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

Shades-Esperanza M. Cintrón

It’s the 1960s and we follow two women into a bar who just want a diversion from the hardships of everyday life. From there, Shades draws us in and takes hold of us through the entire eighteen interwoven stories. We learn the raw truth about girlfriends, lovers, family and just trying to get by in urban Detroit.

Each story focuses on a character, most of whom have some relationship to one of these two women. Some are their grown children in subsequent decades. Each story could be a stand-alone, but instead the format enables us to get to know the characters better and try to grasp their fears, heartaches and losses.

Many make decisions based on being victims of manipulation, betrayal and/or the realization that they just have to settle in life. That is not to say that I always understood their choices and actions, but I still felt for them.

Author Esperanza M. Cintrón was able to tap into the condition of growing up poor, exposing human vulnerabilities often masked as arrogance. She also incorporated the culture of the time, like the popular soul music and smoked-filled bars which placed me right back to the 1960s and early 70’s. Though I have never been to Detroit, I felt that she captured the essence of urban life.

I did have a problem keeping track of all the characters which was imperative in understanding these stories that are so interconnected. So early on I kept a sort of family tree that helped me keep them straight when a new character reappeared or was initially introduced.

While many readers may not be able to identify with the characters in Shade, there are universal feelings that we can relate to. For the rest, at least you will feel empathy for many of them.

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An UnderratedRead Revisited: They Got Daddy: One Family’s Reckoning with Racism and Faith: Sharon Tubbs

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

Exceptional
“This story would reveal parts of who I am, as a Black woman in America, by discovering who my grandfather was.”

This was not her original intention though. She wanted to learn more about her grandfather’s legal battles and his subsequent kidnapping, that all started in 1954. Initially this research was to be strictly historical. However, it did prompt her to connect what happened then to what she and others are going through today. From this research, she learned more about herself.

Author Sharon Tubbs obtained her information from interviews, newspaper articles and filings at government offices. She met some relatives for the first time and others she hadn’t seen in years.

This absorbing account not only reveals to us of the racial incidents that happened to her family in Alabama in the mid-twentieth century, but how this past affects people today, no matter where they live. For example, she interviewed her grandfather’s brother, who at eighty-nine years old and living in Indiana felt unsafe based of what happened decades ago in Alabama. The people who could serve retribution were already dead. This fear also affects subsequent generations. This leads to the question; how can we repair “cultural trauma”?

This fear is not unfounded. For example, she describes what happened to her brother in a 1984 McDonald’s parking lot in Indiana. Just as disturbing, her nephew explained to her the continual racist attacks that he experiences during online gaming parties. Unfortunately, he says he has learned to live with it.

Tubbs structures the book going back and forth between what happened to her grandfather, her past, the role of the Church and life today. This is engaging to the reader as we learn about life from her perspective while we eagerly await to find out what finally happens to her grandfather.

They Got Daddy is a must- read for all people so that we can appreciate those who have experienced life differently than we have as individuals. Though we will never completely comprehend what others go through, this will give us a glimpse and a better understanding.

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Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family – Mark Daley

(Reviewed by Jay Gendron)


Mark Daley takes us through a courageous, heartbreaking journey in Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family. This book serves as an indictment of the foster care system in California. Mark, a foster parent himself, covers the obstacles created, and sheer incompetence exhibited, by people (and judges) who should be looking out for the welfare of our most vulnerable children and the emotional toll it takes on foster parents and children alike. It leaves foster parents distraught and foster children in peril. One would hope this book could serve as a template on how to begin to correct the system.

In addition, it is beautifully written. Daley clearly has a great capacity for empathy and love. You must read this book. It’s a compelling, emotional read, and good for the soul.

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Goldenseal – Maria Hummel

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

Goldenseal

 

Extraordinary. Must read now!

Lacey and Edith, ages seventy and seventy-one respectively, have been estranged for forty-four years. It’s now 1990, and Edith decides to travel across the country to visit her one-time best friend.


Lacey, born in Prague, now lives as a recluse in a Los Angeles hotel . The staff acknowledges that she seldom leaves her suite, and she sees no one. Keeping that in mind, she doesn’t acknowledge Edith’s arrival. The tension builds as Edith waits for hours in the hotel lobby, prompting readers to ponder the mysteries surrounding their fractured friendship. So, what happened between them and why is it so important that Edith sees Lacey now?


As the narrative unfolds, we are transported back in time to the origins of Lacey and Edith’s relationship, tracing their bond from their adolescent years at summer camp through the tumultuous era of World War II to the present day. Through author Maria Hummel’s masterful storytelling, we gain insight into the dynamics of their friendship, shaped by their divergent backgrounds and family histories. We also learn how each of them see their past relationship differently.

One of the novel’s strengths is that it acknowledges the complexity of human relationships. This includes looking at socio-economic class in a unique way. Another is the portrayal of the supporting characters, who are intricately woven into the fabric of the story and the development of Lacey and Edith’s relationship. This adds depth and richness to the narrative.

Make sure you read the “Afterword” to learn what motivated the author to write this story. The additional layer adds depth to an already captivating tale.

Goldenseal is one of the standout novels of recent years. I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates a beautifully crafted story that delves into the complexities of human connections.

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An UnderratedRead Revisited:The Blue Is Where God Lives – Sharon Sochil Washington

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

Exceptional


“If Satan is successful, the family’s history will end with the blue baby girl.”

It is currently 2008, and Blue (referenced above) is grieving the murder of her daughter. She questions God’s existence, which leads her to travel from her home in Houston south to The Ranch, a retreat run by a Catholic order that was exiled from Rome over one hundred years ago. She feels that she’s been here before, though she’s sure she hasn’t. In any event, she is seeking answers to her life.

1848 at a party in New Orleans, one attendee, Palmer is seeking revenge for the man who sold his father into slavery. Another guest, Amanda, challenges the hostess, Ismay, to a social experiment which will affect generations. Ismay, who is a daughter of a slave and an aristocrat, cannot understand why slaves and free men cannot escape their dire circumstances of bondage and poverty. Will her beliefs eventually change?

Amanda is aware of a curse that will plague her family for generations. Can she break it? Her magical abilities as a shapeshifter and puzzle maker help her through this journey to change the seemingly inevitable.

Throughout this novel, we meet famous nineteenth century people, such as Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, anthropologist Johann Kant, and French Catholic priest Eugène de Mazenod.

You may question how these two stories over a century apart relate to one another, but they will all come together as we travel between the two time periods and in between throughout the book.

Though I am not generally a fan of this genre of magical realism, this book is an exception. The elements of folklore and mysticism enhance the storyline. We learn about the role of class within race in the pre-Civil War South. More importantly, we are reminded of the effects of slavery throughout later generations, as well as the intolerance of those who maintain that everyone can pull themselves up no matter what their circumstances. This is one I just couldn’t put down.

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