Author Archives: J D Jung

309 – Michael Shotter

Posted on April 23, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) 309 is a science fiction novel written about Lisa Hudson, a journalist living in Pittsburgh. A disaster changes Lisa’s life, causing her to observe things she never thought were possible. She and a team have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Sci-Fi/Speculative/Fantasy/Mythology | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 309 – Michael Shotter

The Sadness of Beautiful Things:Stories-Simon Van Booy

Posted on April 20, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) The title, The Sadness of Beautiful Things, provides an accurate description as well as the essence of the stories in this short book. These eight tales take a somber look at life and memories and reveal … Continue reading →

Posted in Short stories | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Sadness of Beautiful Things:Stories-Simon Van Booy

Broken Humanity – Karine Vivier (Author), Kirsty Catriona Olivant (Translator)

Posted on April 18, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Heidi A. Swan) Reader beware: this story is about people involved in child kidnapping and child deaths. Wanting to turn away from such a topic, I was lured inside, like a child promised treats which can only be … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, French Literature, World Literature | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Broken Humanity – Karine Vivier (Author), Kirsty Catriona Olivant (Translator)

The Riddle of the Sphinx – Alexandre Montagu

Posted on April 15, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)   Eric (Keyvan) fled Iran as a child during the Islamic revolution and grew up in Paris. He later studied Comparative Literature at Princeton. That is one scenario. What would have happened if he was forced … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Fiction, Modern Literary Fiction, Philosophical reads, Reviewers' Top Picks | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Riddle of the Sphinx – Alexandre Montagu

The Desire Card – Lee Matthew Goldberg

Posted on April 12, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch) Lee Matthew Goldberg’s, The Desire Card, is the kind of book that can put a strain on your relationship. That’s right, it’s that “pull-you-right-in, page-turner” type of book that can evoke the ire of your … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Desire Card – Lee Matthew Goldberg

Rejections From a Literary Agent: Discouraging Writers, One Bad Query at a Time – G. Randy Kasten

Posted on April 11, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) Rejections From a Literary Agent is a humorous book  about literary agent, Marcie Ribbons.  She is retired and spends her day responding to query letters. She shares her view on the publishing industry and often expresses … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor & Satire, Modern Literary Fiction | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Rejections From a Literary Agent: Discouraging Writers, One Bad Query at a Time – G. Randy Kasten

In Praise of Public Libraries

Posted on April 10, 2019 by J D Jung

In celebration of National Library Week here in the U.S., I want to share a quote with you from The New York Review of Books 31-March 2019: A public library is predicated on an ethos of sharing and egalitarianism. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Let's talk | Comments Off on In Praise of Public Libraries

Revisited: The Pursuit of Ordinary – Nigel Jay Cooper

Posted on April 7, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) The Pursuit of Ordinary has been announced as a finalist in The People’s Book Prize for Fiction. Congratulations, Nigel! “With me inside him, he didn’t feel dislocated like he used to. It was like he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Revisited | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Revisited: The Pursuit of Ordinary – Nigel Jay Cooper

The Suicide Letters of Jack Monroe – Mary Maurice

Posted on April 5, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) The Suicide Letters of Jack Monroe is a psychological thriller about Susan wanting to commit suicide and Jack Monroe trying to stop her. What then conspire between them are numerous amounts of letters and dialogue defining … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers | Tagged | Comments Off on The Suicide Letters of Jack Monroe – Mary Maurice

From Hollywood to Holy Wars: Hounding celebs, dodging bullets, raising a family abroad – Cherie Hart

Posted on April 3, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Heidi A. Swan) From the first page, I was captured by this autobiography. Ms. Hart has been writing most of her life and it shows. Like her assignments which traveled the globe, Ms. Hart’s prose deftly jet sets … Continue reading →

Posted in Bios and Memoirs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on From Hollywood to Holy Wars: Hounding celebs, dodging bullets, raising a family abroad – Cherie Hart