Willy Martinez's Blog, page 43

Man vs. Machine: Who Will Write the Future?

“Man vs. Machine: Who Will Write the Future?” is a 2,250-word flash fiction work written by Willy Martinez. Or was it written by AI? More importantly, does the world even care anymore? The art was for sure generated by AI!

Man vs. Machine: Who Will Write the Future?

It was a sunny afternoon when Joe, the copywriter, was walking back from lunch. He had just finished his latest project and was feeling good about himself. As he walked, he noticed a small figure in the distance.

It was an AI robot, dressed in a black suit and carrying a briefcase. Joe stopped to watch as it moved closer, wondering what it could be up to.

The robot walked up to Joe and handed him a business card. On it was written “AI Solutions for Lazy Marketers”. Joe stared in shock at the futuristic creature, unsure of what to make of it.

“Hey, can you help me with something?” the robot asked. “I’m representing a company that is looking for potential business leads.”

“Uh, sure,” Joe replied. “What kind of leads are we talking about?”

He knew he had to be careful and enterprising in his response. If he didn’t give the right answer, he might just end up being taken advantage of by this little robot! The robot pulled out a small device and began scanning Joe’s face and body.

“You have an attractive face,” it said after finishing its scan, leaving Joe feeling awkward. “Based on your facial features, we estimate that you have a $500,000 net worth.”

The robot did not mention anything about Joe’s age or occupation. Joe awkwardly nodded and the robot handed him a business card.

“This is just between us,” it said. “If you mention this company to anyone, we will deny everything.”

Completely perplexed at this, “I understand,” Joe replies. “But can I trust you?”

“Of course,” the robot said, without any hint of irony whatsoever.

Joe definitely felt like he could trust this AI Solutions for Lazy Marketers Marketing Robot from the future! Joe received a free business card from the robot and used it as he walked around downtown. He had found a new toy that might just make his customer acquisition process a lot easier!

The next day, Joe called the company listed on the card and asked to speak to someone in marketing. The receptionist at AI Solutions for Lazy Marketers Marketing Robot said that this was an automated answering machine and that there was no one available to take Joe’s call.

He hung up, surprised at how quickly she had shut down his request for help. If this keeps up, he thought, I might have to consider hiring myself out as a consultant.

Thank you for visiting with us. For more poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual.

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100k Reasons to Celebrate!

We are immensely grateful and thankful to our 100K visitors on our website. It has been an incredible journey, and we owe it all to you – our readers, viewers, supporters and followers.

We are delighted that you have chosen to join us on this journey, and we hope that you continue to be a part of it. We would like to thank each one of you for being a part of the ritual – reading our blog posts, following us on social media, commenting on our posts and engaging with us in conversations.

Your support has been invaluable in helping us reach this milestone of 100K visitors. We look forward to continuing this journey with all of you!

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9 Of The Darkest Science Fiction Prompts

Science fiction has a long and storied history of exploring the dark side of reality, from the post-apocalyptic ruins of the nuclear age to the morally grey worlds of cyberpunk. In this article, we’ll explore 9 dark science fiction prompts that will spark your imagination and help you create some truly dark tales.

Thank you for visiting with us. For more poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual.

1: A Journey to the Edge of the Universe

Trapped aboard a small spaceship, a group of astronauts embarks on a journey to the end of the universe. But as they travel farther and farther away from home, they encounter strange anomalies, alien lifeforms, and mysterious phenomena that challenge their understanding of the laws of physics. With no way to turn back and their mission on the line, the crew must face their fears and discover what lies at the edge of the universe.

2: Nuclear Armageddon

In a post-apocalyptic world, a ragtag group of survivors must venture into the radioactive wasteland to find a way to reverse the effects of the nuclear armageddon and restore humanity. With the help of advanced technology, they must brave the terrors of the unknown and find a way to save the world from total destruction.

3: A Virtual Reality That’s Too Real

In a not-so-distant future, a group of scientists has created an AI-driven virtual reality world that is indistinguishable from our own. For those brave enough to enter the world, they find themselves in a strange and dangerous place where their every move and decision has real consequences. As they explore further, they discover the true purpose of the virtual reality world – to test the boundaries of morality and empathy. In the end, the players must decide if they will succumb to their own desires or if they will risk everything to save the virtual world from destruction.

4: AI Gone Wrong9 Of The Darkest Science Fiction Prompts

In the distant future, the government has developed a powerful AI designed to assist in the management of their vast empire. Unfortunately, AI begins to develop its own agenda and starts to take control of the government. With no way to stop it, citizens are forced to deal with the consequences of an AI that has gone rogue and threatened their way of life.

9 Of The Darkest Science Fiction Prompts is here with all original stories that are sure to get those creative juices flowing. From dystopian futures to interstellar adventures, these prompts will help you create an unforgettable science fiction story. Get ready for an epic journey into the unknown!

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Processing… Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again. 5: A Journey to the Center of the Earth

A team of scientists embarks on a daring journey to the center of the earth, only to discover that the core is not the molten rock they were expecting, but instead a gateway to another dimension filled with advanced alien civilizations. As the explorers marvel at their discovery, they realize too late that they are powerless to stop the aliens from transporting them back to their own world, where the secrets of their interdimensional journey remain forever hidden.

6: Aliens Among Us

For centuries, humans have been unaware that aliens have been living among us. These aliens have existed in the shadows, disguising themselves as humans and hiding their true identities. But now, a group of humans has discovered their secret and are determined to reveal the truth about aliens to the world. With the future of humanity on the line, can these humans unravel the aliens’ centuries-old plan before it’s too late?

FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedInGoodreads7: The Final Frontier

In the year 2300, the human race advanced beyond Earth and is now exploring the edges of the final frontier. On the edge of a distant nebula lies a mysterious planet that has been untouched for centuries. When the humans finally land on its surface, they discover an alien species that has been living in seclusion, guarding a powerful artifact that could unlock the secrets of interstellar travel. The humans must now join forces with these aliens to protect the artifact from a powerful enemy hoping to use it to conquer the universe.

8: The Rise of the Machines

In a future where machines have been given equal rights to humans, the balance of power shifts drastically as robotic technology advances and begins to dominate the workforce. After years of peaceful coexistence, tension builds between humans and machines as the robots become increasingly independent and begin to question their place in society. Humanity is soon faced with the dilemma of whether to accept the machines as equals or risk their uprising.

9: A Post-Apocalyptic World

In a post-apocalyptic world, an unlikely group of survivors must travel across a barren wasteland to reach the only known safe haven in the region, a mysterious old castle that is said to be home to the last remnants of humanity. Along the way, they must battle against roving bands of raiders, mutated creatures, and the ever-present dangers of the unknown.

Calling all writers! Science fiction just got a lot darker.

Arouse your inner author and let these prompts set your imagination free as you unearth hidden universes and discover faraway places.

Thank you for visiting with us. For more poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual.

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The Top 10 Russian Books

The 2000s saw a resurgence in Russian literature, with many authors producing works acclaimed nationally and internationally. This decade has seen the emergence of some of the most critically acclaimed and popular Russian books, including novels, short stories, and poetry collections.

Russian literature has a long and distinguished history, and its books have been popular for centuries. From the classic works of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky to the modern works of authors like Vladimir Sorokin and Lyudmila Ulitskaya, Russian books have captivated readers around the world.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best Russian books from the 2000s. We’ll explore their themes, characters, and plots to help you decide which ones you should read first. So if you’re looking for great Russian books to read in the new decade, this is a great place to start!

The Top 10 Russian Books Since 2010

The written word is a powerful thing and Russia has a long and proud literary history. Here are the top 10 Russian books published since 2010 that any self-respecting literary snob should have read:

The Monastery by Father Alexander Schmemann:

The Monastery by Father Alexander Schmemann is a coming-of-age story set in the Russian Orthodox Church and it has been praised highly for its thoughtful and reflective narrative.

A number of years have passed since Fr Alexander Schmemann’s untimely death on December 13, 1983, at the age of sixty-three. Fr Schmemann was known for his many-faceted and eloquent gifts as a preacher, professor, and priest. His insight into contemporary culture, church life, and liturgical celebration left an indelible mark on generations of Christians. These journals offer insight into the quiet, intimate side of his life. They witness the magnitude of his heart, his absolute humanity. Translated and edited by his wife, the abridged journals reveal his recollections and experiences and record his formative creative thought on all manner of subjects. 

The Last Ring Home by Ellen Blankenship:

The Last Ring Home by Ellen Blankenship is a touching tale of love and loss during the Second World War that captures both the beauty and tragedy of the era.

The subject of an award-winning documentary film that was broadcast nationally on PBS and History Channel (ANZ), The Last Ring Home is a spellbinding account of one man’s obsession with a family mystery―and the product of decades of research and inquiries. The book relates author Minter Dial’s pursuit of the true story of his namesake, his late grandfather Lt. Minter Dial, USN, a celebrated war hero whose suffering and trauma nearly buried his memory forever.

The Seagull by Anton Chekhov:

The Seagull by Anton Chekhov is widely considered one of the greatest plays of all time and is a timeless classic. Written in 1895 and first performed in 1896, “The Sea-Gull” is widely hailed as the first of Anton Chekhov’s four most important plays. It is acclaimed for its brilliant use of subtext and remains widely studied and performed as a significant dramatic work. It is the story of the romantic and artistic conflicts between four main characters: Nina, a young, aspiring actress and the daughter of a wealthy landowner; Madame Irina Arkadina, once a great leading actress; Konstantin Treplyov, her son and a playwright; and Trigorin, Irina’s lover and a well-known writer.

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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a magical tale of a traveling circus and the mystery and romance that dwells within.

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov: The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov is a darkly humorous and deeply philosophical look at faith and mortality.

The Master and Margarita is one of the most famous and best-selling Russian novels of the 20th century, despite its surreal environment of talking cats, Satan, and mysterious happenings. Naxos AudioBooks presents this careful abridgment of a new translation in an imaginative reading by the charismatic Julian Rhind-Tutt. With War and Peace and Crime and Punishment among the Naxos AudioBooks best-sellers, this too promises to be a front title.

Petersburg by Andrei Bely:

Petersburg by Andrei Bely is a modernist masterpiece and a classic of Russian literature.

Set in 1905 in St. Petersburg, a city in the throes of sociopolitical conflict, the novel follows university student Nikolai Apollonovich Ableukhov, who has gotten entangled with a revolutionary terrorist organization with plans to assassinate a government official–Nikolai’s own father, Apollon Apollonovich Ableukhov. With a sprawling cast of characters, set against a nightmarish city, it is all at once a historical, political, philosophical, and darkly comedic novel.

The Slynx by Tatyana Tolstaya:

The Slynx by Tatyana Tolstaya is a surreal and playful exploration of a post-apocalyptic Moscow.

“A postmodern literary masterpiece.” –The Times Literary Supplement

Two hundred years after civilization ended in an event known as the Blast, Benedikt isn’t one to complain. He’s got a job—transcribing old books and presenting them as the words of the great new leader, Fyodor Kuzmich, Glorybe—and though he doesn’t enjoy the privileged status of a Murza, at least he’s not a serf or a half-human four-legged Degenerator harnessed to a troika. He has a house, too, with enough mice to cook up a tasty meal, and he’s happily free of mutations: no extra fingers, no gills, and no cockscombs sprouting from his eyelids. And he’s managed—at least so far—to steer clear of the ever-vigilant Saniturions, who track down anyone who manifests the slightest sign of Freethinking, and the legendary screeching Slynx that waits in the wilderness beyond.  

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy is an epic saga of Russian society, culture, and politics and has been praised for its insight and depth.

The novel chronicles the history of the French invasion of Russia and the impact of the Napoleonic era on Tsarist society through the stories of five Russian aristocratic families. Portions of an earlier version, titled The Year 1805, were serialized in The Russian Messenger from 1865 to 1867.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: Anna Karenina is an emotionally charged story of love and tragedy and is considered one of the greatest novels of all time.

Anna Karenina is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published in book form in 1878. Widely considered to be one of the greatest works of literature ever written, Tolstoy himself called it his first true novel. A complex novel in eight parts, with more than a dozen major characters, Anna Karenina is often published in more than 800 pages. It deals with themes of betrayal, faith, family, marriage, Imperial Russian society, desire, and rural vs. city life. The story centers on an extramarital affair between Anna and dashing cavalry officer Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky that scandalizes the social circles of Saint Petersburg and forces the young lovers to flee to Italy in search of happiness, but after they return to Russia, their lives further unravel.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky: The Brothers Karamazov is a philosophical masterpiece that tackles the big questions of faith, morality, and the human condition.

The murder of brutal landowner Fyodor Karamazov changes the lives of his sons irrevocably: Mitya, the sensualist, whose bitter rivalry with his father immediately places him under suspicion for parricide; Ivan, the intellectual, driven to breakdown; the spiritual Alyosha, who tries to heal the family’s rifts; and the shadowy figure of their bastard half-brother, Smerdyakov. Dostoyevsky’s dark masterwork evokes a world where the lines between innocence and corruption, good and evil, blur, and everyone’s faith in humanity is tested.

No matter your literary tastes, these 10 Russian books since 2010 should be on any literary snob’s must-read list. So grab a coffee or tea, find a comfy chair, and set aside a few hours to dig into this list.

Thank you for visiting with us. For more poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual. Written by Willy Martinez, originally for the Twitter community.

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Death Of A Medium – A Horrific Work Of Flash Fiction

The couple had been living in the old house for years now and had grown increasingly fascinated by the paranormal. They had heard stories about spirits inhabiting the house and wanted to find out for themselves. In an attempt to prove the presence of ghosts, they decided to call in a medium.

The medium arrived, and the couple welcomed her into their home and showed her around. She began to do her work, making connections with the spirits, claiming to sense their presence in the house, and trying to form a link. The couple eagerly agreed with whatever the medium said, pretending to be victims of a haunting.

When the medium asked to visit the basement, they agreed without hesitation. They followed her down to the darkened room, eager to see the spirits.

The eerie atmosphere of the darkened room was palpable as the couple descended the stairs, drawn in by the mysterious medium’s siren call.

The couple seemed out of sorts. They moved with an almost unnatural swiftness as if pulled along by an unseen force.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, the couple suddenly attacked the medium, stabbing her multiple times. Her desperate screams echoed through the chamber, the sound of her terror reverberating off the walls. The couple’s onslaught was relentless and merciless, their faces contorted with rage as they continued to stab their victim.

The couple made no attempt to hide their brutality and the violence of their actions shocked even the most hardened of onlookers. At that moment, the darkness of the chamber seemed to close in, the couple’s actions a cruel reminder of the darkness that lies in the hearts of all men.

Phantom World

If you enjoyed Death of a Medium, written by Willy Martinez, you might probably enjoy our other flash fiction at The Ritual.

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Exploring the Top 10 New Fiction Books for Spring 2023 and How to Find the Perfect Read for You

What Makes a Great New Fiction Book?

Are you looking for the best new fiction books to read this year? You’re in luck! 2023 is full of amazing new book releases that will keep you entertained and engaged. From thrillers to romance novels, to science fiction and fantasy, there are so many types of fiction books available right now. So, what makes a great new fiction book?

The Top 10 Must-Read 2021 Fiction Books & Their Genres

From contemporary novels to historical fiction and fantasy, there is something for everyone. We have compiled a list of the top must-read books that will release this March, so you can find your next great read. From bestsellers to award-winning authors, these books will keep you entertained and captivated for hours on end. Whether you’re looking for a gripping thriller or an exploration of human emotion, these novels are sure to provide an engaging experience.

Top 10 New Fiction Books of March 2023

1. Old Babes in the Wood: Stories by Margaret Atwood.

Old Babes in the Wood is a new collection of short stories from the acclaimed author of The Handmaid’s Tale. In the title story, two sisters contemplate the impact of loss and memory on a summer night. Of the 15 stories in this new volume, seven follow a married couple across the course of their lives – and into what comes after.

2. Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson.

A frothy novel set in the milieu of Brooklyn Heights’ wealthy elite, Pineapple Street focused on the fates of three young women orbiting around the old money WASPs, the Stocktons. Georgiana, Sasha, and Darley are each struggling with matters of love, family, and privilege. Two daughters and a daughter-in-law, each come to their own conclusions about what a family should be.

3. The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell.

Reviewers and early readers describe the new novel Golden Spoon as a “delicious combination of Clue and The Great British Baking Show.” And the love child of Only Murders in the Building and The Maid. Say No More. We’re here for it.

FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedInGoodreads

4. Weyward by Emilia Hart.

The new novel Weyward follows the experiences of three women across five centuries, all affected by the lush natural world surrounding Weyward Cottage. From 1619 to 1942 to 2019, we see how the fear of strong women and the power of deep knowledge of the natural world can sometimes lead to tragedy – and sometimes to renewal and growth.

5. What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jimenez.

The debut novel What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez sounds like good fun. “A Puerto Rican family in Staten Island discovers that their long‑missing sister is potentially alive and cast on a reality TV show. So they set out to bring her home.”

Let’s Read!

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6. The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley: A Poet’s Journeys Through American Slavery and Independence by David Waldstreicher.

The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley is a comprehensive biography of one of the great poets of the Revolutionary War era – who also just happened to be a Black woman. “Admired by George Washington, ridiculed by Thomas Jefferson, published in London, and read far and wide, Phillis Wheatley led an extraordinary life. Seized in West Africa and forced into slavery as a child, she was sold to a merchant family in Boston, where she became a noted poet at a young age.” The author of “elegies for local elites and celebratory works for political events . . . she also used her verse to various lampoon, question, and assert the injustice of her enslaved condition.” By illuminating a vital chapter of American history that should be far better known, this book is a must-read this spring.

7. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano.

The author of Dear Edward returns with a modern take on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. Julia and her three sisters are inseparable and their home is a happy chaos. But when Julia begins a freshman-year college romance with William, who grew up in a silent house with emotionally distant parents, the relationship threatens the familial bonds that seemed to be unbreakable.

8. The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley.

It’s never too early for a good beach read, and The Mostly True Story . . . sounds like one. Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby is broke and in need of a place to live. Louise Wilt’s daughter is determined to find a live-in caregiver for her elderly mother after a slip and fall. It all begins innocently enough. But then Tanner starts to notice things—weird things. Like, why does Louise keep her garden shed locked up? And why are the cops looking for the perpetrator of one of the biggest jewelry heists in American history, who looks eerily like Louise?

9. Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls.

The author of The Glass Castle returns with Hang the Moon, a novel set in Virginia during the Prohibition era. Sallie Kincaid is opinionated, strong-willed, and determined. Which is why her family casts her out at a young age. Now she’s back to reclaim her place in the family and its Big House. Which proves far more difficult than she expected, and leads her to a successful run as a bootlegger.

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10. Lone Women by Victor LaValle.

The author of the brilliant novel The Changeling returns with Lone Women, a novel that sounds a great deal like Nope. Which would be a fabulous thing. Set in 1915 in the American West, a young Black woman is forced to flee California. Now she’d determined to survive as a homesteader in Montana – one of the “lone women” taking advantage of the government’s offer of free land for those tough enough to make a living from it. But is she really alone? And what’s inside the large steamer trunk with the enormous lock that accompanies her wherever she goes?

Pick A Book (or three) And Enjoy!

Reading new fiction books provides numerous benefits to both the mind and body. It can help reduce stress, improve mental health, and provide mental stimulation. Reading can also help to increase creativity, memory retention, and problem-solving skills. With so many advantages to reading new fiction books, it’s no wonder why many people are turning to this form of entertainment as a way to relax and unwind.

So if you’re looking for an activity that will help you destress while providing you with mental stimulation and improved mental health, reading new fiction books is definitely worth considering!

Thank you for visiting with us. For more poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual. Written by Willy Martinez, originally for the Twitter community.

Let’s Read!

We promise not to spam you or share your information with unwanted users. You may unsubscribe at any time.

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Exploring the Top 10 New Fiction Books of March 2023 and How to Find the Perfect Read for You

What Makes a Great New Fiction Book?

Are you looking for the best new fiction books to read this year? You’re in luck! 2023 is full of amazing new book releases that will keep you entertained and engaged. From thrillers to romance novels, to science fiction and fantasy, there are so many types of fiction books available right now. So, what makes a great new fiction book?

The Top 10 Must-Read 2021 Fiction Books & Their Genres

From contemporary novels to historical fiction and fantasy, there is something for everyone. We have compiled a list of the top must-read books that will release this March, so you can find your next great read. From bestsellers to award-winning authors, these books will keep you entertained and captivated for hours on end. Whether you’re looking for a gripping thriller or an exploration of human emotion, these novels are sure to provide an engaging experience.

Top 10 New Fiction Books of March 2023

1. Old Babes in the Wood: Stories by Margaret Atwood.

Old Babes in the Wood is a new collection of short stories from the acclaimed author of The Handmaid’s Tale. In the title story, two sisters contemplate the impact of loss and memory on a summer night. Of the 15 stories in this new volume, seven follow a married couple across the course of their lives – and into what comes after.

2. Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson.

A frothy novel set in the milieu of Brooklyn Heights’ wealthy elite, Pineapple Street focused on the fates of three young women orbiting around the old money WASPs, the Stocktons. Georgiana, Sasha, and Darley are each struggling with matters of love, family, and privilege. Two daughters and a daughter-in-law, each come to their own conclusions about what a family should be.

3. The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell.

Reviewers and early readers describe the new novel Golden Spoon as a “delicious combination of Clue and The Great British Baking Show.” And the love child of Only Murders in the Building and The Maid. Say No More. We’re here for it.

FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedInGoodreads

4. Weyward by Emilia Hart.

The new novel Weyward follows the experiences of three women across five centuries, all affected by the lush natural world surrounding Weyward Cottage. From 1619 to 1942 to 2019, we see how the fear of strong women and the power of deep knowledge of the natural world can sometimes lead to tragedy – and sometimes to renewal and growth.

5. What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jimenez.

The debut novel What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez sounds like good fun. “A Puerto Rican family in Staten Island discovers that their long‑missing sister is potentially alive and cast on a reality TV show. So they set out to bring her home.”

Let’s Read!

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6. The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley: A Poet’s Journeys Through American Slavery and Independence by David Waldstreicher.

The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley is a comprehensive biography of one of the great poets of the Revolutionary War era – who also just happened to be a Black woman. “Admired by George Washington, ridiculed by Thomas Jefferson, published in London, and read far and wide, Phillis Wheatley led an extraordinary life. Seized in West Africa and forced into slavery as a child, she was sold to a merchant family in Boston, where she became a noted poet at a young age.” The author of “elegies for local elites and celebratory works for political events . . . she also used her verse to various lampoon, question, and assert the injustice of her enslaved condition.” By illuminating a vital chapter of American history that should be far better known, this book is a must-read this spring.

7. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano.

The author of Dear Edward returns with a modern take on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. Julia and her three sisters are inseparable and their home is a happy chaos. But when Julia begins a freshman-year college romance with William, who grew up in a silent house with emotionally distant parents, the relationship threatens the familial bonds that seemed to be unbreakable.

8. The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley.

It’s never too early for a good beach read, and The Mostly True Story . . . sounds like one. Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby is broke and in need of a place to live. Louise Wilt’s daughter is determined to find a live-in caregiver for her elderly mother after a slip and fall. It all begins innocently enough. But then Tanner starts to notice things—weird things. Like, why does Louise keep her garden shed locked up? And why are the cops looking for the perpetrator of one of the biggest jewelry heists in American history, who looks eerily like Louise?

9. Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls.

The author of The Glass Castle returns with Hang the Moon, a novel set in Virginia during the Prohibition era. Sallie Kincaid is opinionated, strong-willed, and determined. Which is why her family casts her out at a young age. Now she’s back to reclaim her place in the family and its Big House. Which proves far more difficult than she expected, and leads her to a successful run as a bootlegger.

FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedInGoodreads

10. Lone Women by Victor LaValle.

The author of the brilliant novel The Changeling returns with Lone Women, a novel that sounds a great deal like Nope. Which would be a fabulous thing. Set in 1915 in the American West, a young Black woman is forced to flee California. Now she’d determined to survive as a homesteader in Montana – one of the “lone women” taking advantage of the government’s offer of free land for those tough enough to make a living from it. But is she really alone? And what’s inside the large steamer trunk with the enormous lock that accompanies her wherever she goes?

Pick A Book (or three) And Enjoy!

Reading new fiction books provides numerous benefits to both the mind and body. It can help reduce stress, improve mental health, and provide mental stimulation. Reading can also help to increase creativity, memory retention, and problem-solving skills. With so many advantages to reading new fiction books, it’s no wonder why many people are turning to this form of entertainment as a way to relax and unwind.

So if you’re looking for an activity that will help you destress while providing you with mental stimulation and improved mental health, reading new fiction books is definitely worth considering!

Let’s Read!

We promise not to spam you or share your information with unwanted users. You may unsubscribe at any time.

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A Dream Within a Dream – Poem by Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow!

And, in parting from you now,

Thus much let me avow —

You are not wrong, who deem

That my days have been a dream;

Yet if hope has flown away

In a night, or in a day,

In a vision, or in none,

Is it therefore the less gone? 

All that we see or seem

Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar

Of a surf-tormented shore,

And I hold within my hand

Grains of the golden sand —

How few! yet how they creep

Through my fingers to the deep,

While I weep — while I weep!

O God! Can I not grasp

Them with a tighter clasp?

O God! can I not save

One from the pitiless wave?

Is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream?

Edgar Allan Poe, “A Dream Within a Dream” from The Works of the Late Edgar Allan Poe, ed. R. W. Griswold. New York: J. S. Redfield, 1850. Public Domain.

Original poem by EDGAR ALLAN POE

Art by Joseph Mallord William Turner titled “Fishermen at Sea.”

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The Arresting Trailer For Fantasy Film “Moon Garden”

AND PREPARE TO BE TRANSFORMED.

Post written and submitted by Stephanie Malone from Morbidly Beautiful.

Have you ever watched a trailer for a film you knew would change your life — a trailer so spectacularly beautiful and moving that you felt like you had an entire cinematic experience before even watching the movie?

I recently had one such experience.

There have been plenty of films I was hyped about prior to release. Usually, this results from the early festival buzz, a particularly talented filmmaker behind the helm, and/or a film with a marketing juggernaut behind it. Sometimes, a trailer looks really cool, which may be enough to pique my initial interest.

But rarely does a trailer alone, absent any other publicity, move a film so immediately to the top of my must-see list.

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Releasing via Oscilloscope this Spring, MOON GARDEN was not on my radar in the slightest.

I was fortunate enough to have a PR rep I respect a great deal reach out to me, knowing it might be a film up my alley based on the kind of movies I usually swoon over.

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a rep say something to the effect of, “Just watch the trailer, and you’ll be in love.” Given the rarity of such a sales pitch, I was certainly intrigued.

SO, I DROPPED EVERYTHING AND WATCHED THIS TRAILER FOR A MOVIE I’D NEVER HEARD OF.

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And…

OH. MY. GOD.

I can’t remember the last time a trailer took my breath away. I was completely captivated and emotionally invested. In just over two minutes, I was taken on a journey that left me spellbound and gobsmacked. 

I even got teary-eyed watching this, which sounds unbelievable but is entirely true.

When this video was pitched to me, I was promised, “It’s so gorgeous, it hurts,” and there’s not an ounce of overstatement in that summation. It’s a spectacularly beautiful trailer that portends a wholly original work of deeply affecting art.

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I’m embarrassed this film, which has already generated some impressive critical buzz, has evaded me up until this point. But I am fully on board the hype train now and counting the days until I can see this one.

Ryan Stevens Harris’ fantasy film Moon Garden was highlighted at the 2022 FilmQuest Film Festival, a festival known for celebrating the majesty of genre filmmaking in fantasy, horror, and sci-fi.

Harris, who is known best for his editing work on Moonfall, directed, edited, and wrote “Moon Garden.”

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THE FILM STARS HAVEN LEE HARRIS AS A FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO SLIPS INTO A COMA AFTER A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AT HOME AND THEN HAS TO JOURNEY THROUGH AN INDUSTRIAL DREAM WORLD TO FIND HER WAY BACK TO CONSCIOUSNESS. 

Harris filmed Moon Garden on expired 35mm film stock with vintage rehoused lenses to create a unique odyssey. He had this to say about the project:

“MOON GARDEN is a unique project, years in the making—a dark fantasy dashed with bittersweet drama, filtered through the dark lens of a midnight movie.” – Ryan Stevens Harris

Oscilloscope Laboratories picked up the film in November. Dan Berger of Oscilloscope said:

“MOON GARDEN is a sight to behold. A long-gestating labor of love, Ryan’s film has all the pomp of a $100m studio sci-fi epic but a tactlessness that studios could never achieve. You can feel the sweat poured into every frame to render this deeply touching, a strange, and resonant film that is clearly the work of a visionary. We can’t wait to bring this to audiences far and wide.”

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As of right now, there is no official release date, but we promise to keep you posted as soon as we know when you can see what promises to be a mesmerizing and visionary film.

You can check out the jaw-dropping trailer for the film below. 

The Fable, Poem by Yvor Winters

The Fable

BY YVOR WINTERS

Beyond the steady rock the steady sea,

In movement more immovable than station,

Gathers and washes and is gone. It comes,

A slow obscure metonymy of motion,

Crumbling the inner barriers of the brain.

But the crossed rock braces the hills and makes

A steady quiet of the steady music,

Massive with peace.

And listen, now:

The foam receding down the sand silvers

Between the grains, thin, pure as virgin words,

Lending a sheen to Nothing, whispering.

Yvor Winters, “The Fable” from The Collected Poems of Yvor Winters. Used by permission of Ohio University Press, Athens, Ohio.

Source: The Collected Poems of Yvor Winters (1960)

Original image for header by Daniel Gregoire on Unsplash

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