Afghan poet M. S. Adam-Zad’s "The Expression Garden" embraces a series of poetic clichés—rainbows, love poems, and flowers. Certainly, poets have made these topics new in any number of ways, but that is not the case in Adam-Zad’s... Read More

In "Perspectives", Charles R. Barfield’s poetry takes on a number of complex themes: race, urban poverty, civil rights, love, and the breakdown of the body. His background in public service gives him a unique perspective from which to... Read More

Nordic baking may not be part of the household cookbook section, but it ought to be. In this new book, Hanne Risgaard introduces American bakers to the joys and intricacies of baking with organic grains. Taking a cue from an Old Danish... Read More

The title "Slopjar" suggests an image of all the remnants of human consumption in a murky, metaphoric jar. It is a brilliant conceit that suggests a fresh look at old subjects. Unfortunately, the title is the strongest and most memorable... Read More

Somewhere between art and science, cheesemaking is not for the faint of heart. Caldwell begins her guide to the enterprise with a great deal of science. An extremely nuanced process becomes friendly through the author’s cheery advice... Read More

In the novella that begins this collection of various genres, Voltaire’s Candide has spawned a tenth generation who, like his forebear, journeys to discover the nature of man and does so under the guidance of a mentor, here named... Read More

Sometimes the story behind a book is more interesting than the collection itself. In "Listening to Africa", Raab travels to Africa in the wake of a devastating second cancer diagnosis. Her husband and three grown children come with her.... Read More

This title of this anthology suggests writing evocative of a place where nature acts as the primary metaphor. It also implies that a certain allegiance to the land binds the writers of the work collected within. Under Sonoran Skies does... Read More