Reviews in Brief

A manic sci-fi fling into truth, justice, and family loyalty, Benny Dubious: Hiding from the Feds is a wildly creative novella from Maxwell Hoffman. Suspension of disbelief is essential as Benny Dubious hides out with a suspicious group of his relatives, some of whom don’t appreciate his connections to a group of vigilantes gone bad in Los Angeles. However, if he can convince his brainiac cousin to build him a time chamber, he just might be able to outsmart the relentless Felix Fromm and the Feds, giving his crime syndicate the upper hand once again. While the unpredictable plot moves quickly, there are some serious formatting, editing, and storytelling gaps that make the reading experience challenging. A thorough edit is highly recommended for this and future installments from Hoffman, but the story’s lead character makes a solid foundation for a new series.

An encouraging and insightful primer for elderly exercise, Safe and Effective Workouts for Seniors: The Definitive Guide for Improving Balance, Strength, Flexibility, and Endurance by Jo Marques is an essential companion for staying fit after 60. Exploring the common excuses and valid concerns related to senior exercise, the author details the physical changes people typically experience as they age, and shares tips on staying motivated and positive. The second half of the book is an illustrative training guide, including in-depth workout descriptions, as well as exercise-specific warnings to ensure safety and clarity. Guiding readers towards a customized exercise routine based on their individual needs, limitations, and goals, this conversational yet comprehensively informative read is an indispensable guide for seniors to start or continue regular workouts.

A stirring reflection on Black LGBT life, The One Who’s Gonna See You Through by John Steven Welch is a tender and trope-defying portrait of resilience in an unconventional life. GJ’s coming-of-age story defies society’s unfair expectations, suffering through the inherent abuses of existence in the minority, by way of his upbringing, sexuality, and the color of his skin, but confronting and overcoming these obstacles. What carries readers through this emotional kaleidoscope is Welch’s consistent and compelling prose, which fearlessly illuminates the systemic prejudice GJ must overcome, but also proudly shines on GJ’s tangible and psychological victories. The character’s first-person perspective adds a visceral layer to his story, as well as rare transparency to the complex figure at the heart of this eye-opening novel.

Unbearable by Amy Winfield, with illustrations by Thiago Neumann, is a story about the unlikely friendship between a boy and a bear, filled with intelligent messaging for young readers about navigating modern life. One morning, Brandon wakes up and finds that his parents sleeping bags are empty – as he looks for them around their camping site, he meets Smokey, an imposing bear who turns out to be more wise than ferocious. With a concentration on the importance of acceptance and community, as well as unexpected plot twists that keep one turning the pages, Winfield’s narrative is alternately serious and humorous, and ultimately inspiring, as Smokey is such an engaging and perceptive guide.

A thoughtfully crafted children’s book about gratitude, hard work, and family, The Adventures of Rick and Jack by Rick Randall explores the not-so-perfect dream of quitting school and living on the beach. As young Jack discovers during a dreamy trip to paradise with his pal Dr. Rick, living without any responsibilities in lieu of education isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Whether he’s dumpster diving for breakfast or longing for the hot showers at his parents’ house, it turns out that his old life isn’t so bad after all. With vivid illustrations and clearly focused messages of appreciation, humility, and learning from your lessons, this is a timely and multilayered read for a wide age range of readers.

An unassuming but remarkable collection of short stories, I Never Knew How Old I Was by David Joseph is a heartfelt gathering of narrative philosophy. From wisdom about setting expectations and the noble charm of gullibility to seeing beyond ignorant societal judgments and the love imbued in our everyday nourishment, these seemingly simple tales overflow with profound lessons from ordinary sources. Celebrating the magic of small-town life, the significance of family legacies, and the persistence of imperfection, these pieces are carefully crafted, but ring with the authenticity of a casual chat. Impressive in its breadth of subject matter and delicacy of analysis, this collection is a kaleidoscopic portrait of nostalgia.