AN OUTRAGEOUS BOOK REVIEW BY: KIMBERLY R. THORN

An Outrageous Book Review  BY: KIMBERLY R. THORN

The Rabbit Hole Called YouTube

I have recently started down a new rabbit hole.  Thanks to Malice Domestic.  I have found out that there are influencers called BookTubers on YouTube and I am fascinated!

A Naked Singularity

This past month I joined one of the BookTubers called Life on Books.  They have a book club (for a small fee) that reads a different book each month that they all vote on.  The popular vote is chosen.  They meet online every week to discuss each session.  June’s book was A Naked Singularity by Sergio De La Pava.  This novel was originally published in 2008, then republished in 2012.  It follows Casi, who is 24 years old, he and his family are Columbian immigrants who resettled in Brooklyn, New York and he works as a public defender in Manhattan. 

All 678 pages of this book take you on a wild ride.  I felt like I took a psychedelic drug while I was reading this book.  It seemed to get wilder and wilder as the story progressed.  All in all, I was SO invested in this book that I couldn’t wait to see how it ended.  I thought surely that the ending would be just as much of a rush as the whole entire book, at last, I was sadly disappointed. 

ANS-Themes

Suffice it to say, that even though this book was wild, it had many great themes.  The discussions included themes of good vs evil, what does real justice look like, philosophy of life, death and everything in between, societal breakdown, mental health, picking yourself up after you’ve fallen and if anything can go wrong, it will and astrophysics.  If you absolutely love science and philosophy, then this is the book for you!

Not Exactly My Cuppa Tea

This was not a book that I ordinarily would have looked at the cover and been like, ‘YES I NEED to read this.”  I admit it, this book club is taking me out of my reading comfort zone.  It is challenging me with much harder books.  Maybe this is why I feel smarter for at the very least having read the book….. I’m just not sure how!  It is definitely a book that I want to re-read after a break.  I’d like to try to read it at a slower pace so that I can enjoy it more.  Really delve into its themes.  While I don’t love the book, it certainly leaves a lasting impression on the reader.  It gives the reader something to think about long after you read it.  There was a movie that came out in 2021 based on this book.  I did watch the movie and honestly, I loved the movie much better than the book.  I know, normally that isn’t the case but it is with this one.  I would suggest that if you want to read the book, you should read it before you watch the movie.  The movie is great but it is very different from the book.  I also think that it will give you a greater sense of what the book is about by reading first then watching the movie.  I would also like to watch an interview of De La Pava speaking about his debut novel.  I’d guess something was on YouTube but honestly have not looked yet.

Why Do I Care?

You may ask yourself, this sounds all good and fine, but what does this book have to do with a mystery or a mystery writer group?  I’m so glad you asked this question.  The mystery of this book is what is it about?  What does it mean?  This book is considered postmodern.  I’ve learned that while this movement has its own set of unique parameters, the most important is that the writer does not follow the writing rules that most writers follow.  The author does not use quotation marks, nor does he use a different line for each different characters’ dialogue.  What you end up with is one huge paragraph that you have to slow down to read in order to understand who is speaking at any given moment.  Extra care is given to also tell the difference between a character speaking or just having an internal thought.  Then just when you think you may have it all figured out, you realize that the action is not linear.  The writer jumps around in the action so what you are reading is not a big paragraph with no quotation marks, three people having a conversation where you not only have any clue when each character is speaking but then the action jumps to something that happened yesterday in the story.  (whoa that was a lot to not only type but to read too, right?)

Common Characteristics of Postmodern Literature[1]

1)      Metafiction-acknowledges itself, references itself.  Example in movies, a character speaks directly to the camera

2)      Intertextuality-references other texts

3)      Nonlinear Narratives & Shifting Perspectives-Narratives and Perspectives shift with no clear indication.

4)      Pastiche-blends with another genre or other styles

5)      Paradox and Irony

6)      Questioning Authority, Reality and Truth

7)      Maximalism-rather complex and lengthy in nature

8)      No use of correct punctuation, correct spelling, no three act structure to the story telling, no linear timelines.

9)      Unreliable Narrator[2]

 And Hyperrealism

I would amiss to fail to mention that this novel also uses an enormous amount of hyperrealism.  Google defines ‘hyperrealism in literature as a style of writing that aims to depict reality with an extreme level of detail and accuracy, often blurring the line between reality and fiction. It emphasizes precise descriptions and meticulous attention to everyday life, creating a sense of heightened reality for the reader’.  This is used throughout the novel to show how outrageous life can be and how inept our justice system is.

Conclusion

I wish I had known all of this BEFORE I read the book!  My advice is to do your research before reading something new.

---

[1]Life on Books “What the Heck is Postmodern Literature. September 1, www.patreon.com/LifeonBooks.

[2] Google.

SUMMER QUOTES TO BEAT THE HEAT by Yvonne Saxon

Want to see a writer spontaneously combust? Put me outside in the middle of July! How anyone can write at the beach, by the pool, or at the lake is beyond me. My HVAC unit died on the hottest day of July so far, and my fictional murder mystery was in danger of becoming a true crime episode had the repairman not shown up at my door that evening! Summer heat fries my brain and any words that I might possibly write disappear when sweat runs down my face.

So for those kindred spirits who are also heat-averse, I offer a few chuckles to amuse you while you scribble inside in the cool.

POSTWAR ELEGANCE: FASHION TRENDS OF THE 1950s, By Ellen Butler

 

The 1950s was a decade marked by optimism, prosperity, and a return to traditional values in many parts of the Western world, particularly the United States. After the hardships of World War II, people were eager to embrace stability, comfort, and a sense of normalcy.  It was the reason I chose to place my historical mystery, Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn, in the year 1958. This cultural shift was clearly reflected in the fashions of the era—which remains iconic to this day.

 

Fashions of the 1950s

Since my character, Ariadne Winter, is employed at a women’s fashion magazine, I dedicated time to researching the fabrics, textures, and styles of the 1950s. Though she dreams of becoming a hard-hitting investigative journalist, her upper-middle-class New York upbringing and journalism degree make her a natural fit for Ladies’ Lifestyle Magazine—a tribute to iconic publications of the era like Ladies’ Home Journal and Look. Despite her ambitions, Ariadne never loses her sense of style. When it comes to fashion, Miss Winter is always impeccably dressed and effortlessly on point.

The fashion of the 1950s was elegant, structured, and deeply influenced by a desire to appear polished and put-together. Women’s clothing embraced femininity with cinched waists, full skirts, and soft pastel colors. One of the most influential designers of the decade was Christian Dior, whose 1947 “New Look”—featuring narrow waists and voluminous skirts—set the tone for much of the decade. Dresses often included petticoats to enhance fullness, hats and pearls were standard accessories for a polished look.

Teenagers were beginning to carve out their own identity through fashion. Girls wore poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and tight sweaters, while boys sported denim jeans, leather jackets, and slicked-back hair—a look inspired by Hollywood stars like James Dean and Marlon Brando. This emerging youth culture stood in stark contrast to the more conservative styles of previous generations. The rebellious image of Hollywood icons often influenced how teenagers spoke and behaved, leading to tension within families rooted in traditional values—a recurring pattern seen throughout history as each new generation navigates adolescence and seeks its own identity.

Men's fashion in the 1950s favored clean lines and a more conservative approach. Businessmen wore grey flannel suits with narrow ties, while casualwear might include a cardigan or a bowling shirt. The growing influence of television and cinema helped spread these styles quickly across the country.

The 1950s reflected a unique combination of traditional values and modern styles. Whether it was a woman stepping out in a circle skirt, or a teenage boy wearing jeans and slicked hair, these elements helped define the decade’s identity and left a lasting impression on American culture.

FIRST SAY GOODBYE . . . AND THEN SAY HELLO . . . By Sand in Our Shorts Management

Maria Hudgins

As the saying, and the song, remind us, there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven, to include, of course, Blogs.

With a mixture of sadness (for us) and happiness (for her), we announce that one of our stalwarts—the incomparable Maria Hudgins—has asked to step away from her duties as a regular contributor to the Sand in Our Shorts Blog.

Maria has long graced the writing community with a vast body of work. She is the author of the Dotsy Lamb Travel Mysteries and the Lacy Glass Archaeology Mysteries. She has had short stories and novellas appear in a number of anthologies and periodicals. Her stories often feature her real-life interests such as chemistry, travel (she’s been to more than fifteen countries), archaeology, dogs, cats, and poisons. A native of East Tennessee, Maria now lives in beautiful Hampton, Virginia, on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.

Maria earned a master’s degree in plant physiology with a minor in biochemistry from the University of Tennessee. Having never studied writing, she credits her English teacher mother with instilling in her a great respect for our language.

Thank you, Maria. Heartfelt wishes for your future endeavors.

And as we say goodbye to Maria, we’re excited to announce that well-known and respected author Ellen Butler has agreed to join us as a regular contributor to Sand in Our Shorts. Ellen’s first post is in the queue and ready to launch on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Let me assure you, it’s a humdinger.

In addition to Ellen, we’ve lined up some excellent “Guest Bloggers.” Stay tuned to https://sandinourshorts.blogspot.com/ for details.

BEST WRITING ADVICE (PART TWO) : DON’T LOOK BACK! By Penny Hutson

If you’ve read a good deal in the genre in which you plan to start writing, as I recommended in “Part One” of my “Best Writing Advice” series, then you’re ready to consider this next tip.

Never try to write a great or even good novel (or other piece of writing) on the first go-round. Even Hemmingway said, “The first draft of anything is shit.” While that’s a bit extreme not to mention a little vulgar, I get his point. Don’t try to write every line perfectly or worry too much about the final draft while you’re creating the first one. Not only will it take much longer to finish, but it can also get in the way of your creativity. Another drawback, especially if you do not have a very detailed outline, is that you may forget what you were planning to say next. Worse, you may never finish the piece. Trust me, I have files full of the beginnings of many good books.

AMBROSE BIERCE – PART POE, PART TWAIN, BUT 100% ORIGINAL by Michael Rigg

Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914?)

Born on June 24, 1842 in Meigs County Ohio, Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was an American short story writer, journalist, poet, and veteran of the American Civil War, who ultimately became as influential as the better-known American authors Edgar Allan Poe and Mark Twain.

His book, The Devil's Dictionary, was named one of "The 100 Greatest Masterpieces of American Literature" by the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration. His story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" has been described as "one of the most famous and frequently anthologized stories in American literature," and his book Tales of Soldiers and Civilians (also published as In the Midst of Life) was named by the Grolier Club as one of the 100 most influential American books printed before 1900.

A prolific and versatile writer, Bierce was regarded as one of the most influential journalists in the United States and as a pioneering writer of realist fiction. For his horror writing, Bierce has been ranked alongside Edgar Allan Poe and H. P. Lovecraft. His war stories influenced Stephen Crane, Ernest Hemingway, and others.

In 1896 Bierce moved to Washington, D.C., where he continued newspaper and magazine writing. In 1913, tired of American life, he went to Mexico, then in the middle of a revolution led by Pancho Villa. Bierce’s fate is a mystery, but a reasonable conjecture is that he was killed in the siege of Ojinaga in January 1914. Some speculate, however, that Bierce actually traveled to the Grand Canyon, where he committed suicide. 

[Sources, quoted above without precise attribution: Ambrose Bierce | Biography, Books, Short Stories, & Death | Britannica and Ambrose Bierce - Wikipedia]

PROMPTS TO INSPIRE YOU, PART ONE, by Adele Gardner, aka Max Jason Peterson

As Adele Gardner, I regularly run micro poetry and prose workshops every spring and fall, titled Adele's Writers Cafe. They're free, hosted by Hampton Public Library, and held entirely online. I now have a collection where you can find past, present, and future workshops in the series (ages 18+, free, but registration required for each individual session via Eventbrite):

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/adeles-writers-cafe-micro-poetry-prose-3651389

All the sessions are live via Zoom, but they're not recorded, in order to protect the copyright and privacy of the authors for these new drafts. I create new prompts for each inspiration session in advance, compiling them on a handout distributed at the end of the event (I always strive to provide at least one more prompt than we'll probably get to, so you have something to take home and work on later). 

During the session, I give participants ten minutes per prompt to write, write, write. Then anyone who wishes is welcome to share what they created. There's no instruction or critique, just positive vibes. Participants may write short-form poetry or fiction.

We expect the work to be rough, our first thoughts and impressions, but there's so much insight, humor, and beauty that comes out of these sessions. Some participants have gone on to publish more polished versions of their work. Sometimes it just helps us get unstuck in our ongoing creations. (For example, a novelist might use a prompt to explore the psyche of a character.)

Since we could all use a lift to our inspiration from time to time, how about trying a few of these prompts on your own? Knowing that these are just rough drafts and you're not investing much time may help free your creativity. So set your timer for ten minutes, turn off the editor in your brain, and enjoy!

Returning: Your protagonist has been away a long time. Maybe they never wanted to come back; maybe they always longed to; maybe they’re drawn against their will, like returning to the scene of the crime. Maybe the old homestead is exactly the same, or maybe it’s unrecognizable or ruined. Maybe it’s time travel, and everything goes wrong—or your hero saves the day. Write about why they need to go or run; what’s stopping or driving them. Or who, because this can also be about “Until we meet again.”

Home: Sometimes home isn’t a place—but sometimes it is. Sometimes it arrives when one thought it wasn’t needed. Sometimes it’s the one thing our heart desires, and we go hunting high and low. And sometimes we discover it was there all along. Home carries a lot of emotions—positive, negative, or in between. Write about the concept, the reality, the people, the physicality. Focus on the sensory and/or the emotional, but take us there.

Song for ________:  Write a short piece paying tribute to someone in your life you’re thankful for, or about someone you admire whom you’ve never met: someone (any species) who’s had a positive impact, inspired you, changed your life for the better in some way, or whom you simply love.

Hard times: Sometimes adversity brings us closer. Sometimes we aren’t sure how we’ll ever get through them. They challenge us and bring out our best, our worst, our highs and lows. Show characters facing adversity or setbacks. This could be written from the point of view of “looking back” on times the character has survived.

----------------------

Adele Gardner's poetry collection Halloween Hearts is available from Jackanapes Press:

https://www.jackanapespress.com/product/halloween-hearts

Themes of Halloween, horror, Edgar Allan Poe, and Ray Bradbury. The press has seasonal discounts.

Max Jason Peterson has two stories in the new anthology Coastal Crimes 2: Death Takes a Vacation from Wildside Press.