Kindness becomes weakness as boys become men in a place where violence is the solution to every problem. In Shawn Goodman’s new novel, 15-year-old James finds himself in an upstate detention center after his brother recruited him into drug trafficking. It’s a coming of age story set in a second chances plot. More Fight Club than Catcher in the Rye, Kindness for Weakness captures the reader’s heart. Goodman’s writing talents for dialogue and authentic characters make this an enjoyable read. Learning to be strong as one comes of age under grueling circumstances makes it inspirational. The routine abuse and culture of violence are authentically portrayed. News coverage in 2009 of a detainee’s death and routine abuse by correctional officers at Louis Gossett, Jr. and the Lansing Detention Centers make the plotline entirely plausible. That Goodman worked as a psychologist in juvenile detention centers in upstate New York prior to the news disclosures gave him access to the heartbreaking stories of incarcerated young men and women. “He listened. He heard their stories instead of hearing what he assumed they were saying,” said an elderly gentleman from the back of the room in response to how he could write in black voices. Oliver, I learned, had retired from Lansing as a psychologist and had worked closely with Shawn over many years. Buffalo Street Books in Ithaca hosted a reading and Q & A with Shawn Goodman on June 28th. Shawn Goodman currently works as a school psychologist at Ithaca High School and lives…
Cowboy Apocalypse: Religion and the Myth of the Vigilante Messiah, a new release by Rachel Wagner from NYU Press, charts the myth of the “good guy with a gun,” connecting America’s frontier beginnings with visions of the end of the world. In the midst of widespread mass shootings in America, a common motif stands out: the perpetrators of these attacks often view themselves as vigilante… [Read More]
Filed Under: American culture, Cowboy Apocalypse, culture of violence, gun culture, Rachel Wagner, video games
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In Not Good Enough Girl, amidst the control, confusion, and chaos caused by her eight-times-married mother, Sondra Brooks’ story spans the extreme emotions of a mother-daughter relationship, touching on cyclical family dysfunction, addiction, and forgiveness. Beginning at the age of five, Sondra spends decades auditioning for the role of her authentic self. Her dazzling mother casts her as confidante and co-conspirator in her affairs and… [Read More]
Sometimes you need a change of scenery to spark your creativity, and events like writing retreats, conferences, workshops often provide a change of pace, a chance to relax and unwind, and space to focus on your craft. These events can also offer opportunities to connect with other writers and build community and a network of support. Some even double as opportunities to travel to faraway… [Read More]
It’s gift-giving season once again, and there’s nothing quite like seeing the look on a person’s face when they receive a gift they love. As book lovers can attest, books make great gifts. But what if the person you’re buying for isn’t a huge book person? Here are some ideas of newer titles to gift to the more selective readers in your life. Easy Weeknight… [Read More]
As a young girl Brooke Randel knew little about the Holocaust—just that it was a catastrophe in which millions were murdered, and that her grandma Golda Indig barely escaped that fate. But her Bubbie never spoke about what happened, and the two spent most of their time together making pleasant memories: baking crescent roll cookies, playing gin rummy, and watching Baywatch. Until an unexpected phone… [Read More]