“Questioning elicited the information that he feels almost as if there is a veil between him and other people through which they cannot reach him, but he prefers this veil to remain intact.”
—
Sometimes he looks around him, horrified by the weight of it all, the career of paper. He sits in the data-spew of hundreds of lives. There’s no end in sight. When he needs something, a report or transcript, anything, any level of difficulty, he simply has to ask. The Curator is quick to respond, firm in his insistence on forwarding precisely the right document in an area of research marked by ambiguity and error, by political bias, systematic fantasy. But not just the right document, not just an obscure footnote from an open source. The Curator sends him material not seen by anyone outside the headquarters complex at Langley, material that includes the results of internal investigations, confidential files from the Agency’s own Office of Security.
—
Knowledge was a danger, ignorance a cherished asset. In many cases the DCI, the Director of Central Intelligence, was not to know important things. The less he knew, the more decisively he could function. It would impair his ability to tell the truth at an inquiry or a hearing, or in an Oval Office chat with the President, if he knew what they were doing in Leader 4, or even what they were talking about, or muttering in their sleep. The Joint Chiefs were not to know. The operational horrors were not for their ears. Details were a form of contamination. The Secretaries were to be insulated from knowing. They were happier not knowing, or knowing too late. The Deputy Secretaries were interested in drifts and tendencies. They expected to be misled. They counted on it. The Attorney General wasn’t to know the queasy details. Just get results. Each level of the committee was designed to protect a higher level. There were complexities of speech. A man needed special experience and insight to work true meanings out of certain murky remarks. There were pauses and blank looks. Brilliant riddles floated up and down the echelons, to be pondered, solved, ignored.
The members of the committee would allow only generalities to carry upward. It was the President, of course, who was the final object of their protective instincts. … The White House was to be the summit of unknowing. It was as if an unsullied leader redeemed some ancient truth which the others were forced to admire only in the abstract, owing to their mission in the convoluted world.
But there were even deeper shadows, strange and grave silences surrounding plans to invade the island. The President knew about this, of course—knew the broad contours, had a sense of the promised outcome. But the system still operated as an insulating muse. Let him see the softer tones. Shield him from responsibility. Secrets build their own networks, Win believed. The system would perpetuate itself in all its curious and obsessive webbings, its equivocations and patient riddles and levels of delusional thought …
—
“The invasion failed because high officials didn’t examine the basic assumptions. They got caught up in a spirit of compelling action. They were eager to accept other men’s perceptions. There was safety in this. The plan was never clear. No one was ever responsible. Some of them knew a disaster was in the works. They let it ride. They put themselves out of reach. They wanted it over and done.”
—
“Some things we wait for all our lives without knowing it. Then it happens and we recognize at once who we are and how we are meant to proceed. This is the idea I’ve always wanted. I believe you’ll sense it is right. It’s the high risk we need. We need an electrifying event. You’ve been waiting for this every bit as much as I have. I believe that or I wouldn’t have asked you to come here. We want to set up an attempt on the life of the President. We plan every step, design every incident leading up to the event. We put together a team, leave a dim trail. The evidence is ambiguous. But it points to the Cuban Intelligence Directorate. Inherent in the plan is a second set of clues, even more unclear, more intriguing. These point to the Agency’s attempts to assassinate Castro. I am designing a plan that includes elements of both the American provocation and the Cuban reply. We do the whole thing with paper. Passports, drivers’ licenses, address books. Our team of shooters disappears but the police find a trail. Mail-order forms, change-of-address cards, photographs. We script a person or persons out of ordinary pocket litter. Shots ring out, the country is shocked, aroused. The paper trail leads to paid agents who have disappeared in Venezuela, in Mexico. I am convinced this is what we have to do to get Cuba back. This plan has levels and variations I’ve only begun to explore but it is already, essentially, right. I feel its rightness. I know what scientists mean when they talk about elegant solutions. This plan speaks to something deep inside me. It has a powerful logic. I’ve felt it unfolding for weeks, like a dream whose meaning slowly becomes apparent. This is the condition we’ve always wanted to reach. It’s the life-insight, the life-secret, and we have to extend it, guard it carefully, right up to the time we have shooters stationed on a rooftop or railroad bridge.”
—
Historic names, pen names, names of war, party names, revolutionary names. These were men who lived in isolation for long periods, lived close to death through long winters in exile or prison, feeling history in the room, waiting for the moment when it would surge through the walls, taking them with it. History was a force to these men, a presence in the room. They felt it and waited.
The books were struggles. He had to fight to make some elementary sense of what he read. But the books had come out of struggle. They had been struggles to write, struggles to live. It seemed fitting to Lee that the texts were often masses of dense theory, unyielding. The tougher the books, the more firmly he fixed a distance between himself and others.
He found enough that he could understand. He could see the capitalists, he could see the masses. They were right here, all around him, every day.
—
Pocket litter. Win Everett was at work devising a general shape, a life. He would script a gunman out of ordinary dog-eared paper, the contents of a wallet. … They wanted a name, a face, a bodily frame they might use to extend their fiction into the world. Everett had decided he wanted one figure to be slightly more visible than the others, a man the investigation might center on, someone who would be trailed and possibly apprehended. Three or four shooters would vanish completely, leaving scant traces of their affiliation. … Then one other figure, one slightly clearer image, perhaps abandoned in his sniper’s perch to find his own way out, to be trailed, found, possibly killed by the Secret Service, FBI or local police. Whatever protocol demands. This kind of man, a marksman, near anonymous, with minimal known history, the kind of man who surfaces in murky places, disappears, is arrested for some violent act, is released to drift again, to surface, to disappear. Mackey would find this man for Everett. They needed fingerprints, a handwriting sample, a photograph. Mackey would find the other shooters as well. We don’t hit the President. We miss him. We want a spectacular miss.
—
It was all so curiously funny. It was rich, that’s what it was. Everyone was a spook or dupe or asset, a double, courier, cutout or defector, or was related to one. We were all linked in a vast and rhythmic coincidence, a daisy chain of rumor, suspicion and secret wish.
—
Somewhere in his room of theories, in some notebook or folder, Nicholas Branch has a roster of the dead. A printout of the names of witnesses, informers, investigators, people linked to Lee H. Oswald, people linked to Jack Ruby, all conveniently and suggestively dead. In 1979 a House select committee determined there was nothing statistically abnormal about the death rate among those who were connected in some way to the events of November 22. Branch accepts this as an actuarial fact. He is writing a history, not a study of the ways in which people succumb to paranoia. There is endless suggestiveness. Branch concedes this. There is the language of the manner of death. Shot in back of head. Died of cut throat. Shot in police station. Shot in motel. Shot by husband after one month marriage. Found hanging by toreador pants in jail cell. Killed by karate chop. It is the neon epic of Saturday night. And Branch wants to believe that’s all it is. There is enough mystery in the facts as we know them, enough of conspiracy, coincidence, loose ends, dead ends, multiple interpretations. There is no need, he thinks, to invent the grand and masterful scheme, the plot that reaches flawlessly in a dozen directions.
Still, the cases do resonate, don’t they? Mostly anonymous dead. Exotic dancers, taxi drivers, cigarette girls, lawyers of the shopworn sort with dandruff on their lapels. But through the years the violence has reached others as well, and with each new series of misadventures Branch sees again how the assassination sheds a powerful and lasting light, exposing patterns and links, revealing this man to have known that one, this death to have occurred in curious juxtaposition to that.
—
“U-2 planes. The planes that spotted the missiles the Soviets were putting into Cuba. We used to call the photos pornography. The photo interpreters would gather to interpret. ‘Let’s see what kind of pornography we pulled in today.’ Kennedy looked at the pictures in his bedroom as a matter of fact. … Spy planes, drone aircraft, satellites with cameras that can see from three hundred miles what you can see from a hundred feet. They see and they hear. Like ancient monks, you know, who recorded knowledge, wrote it painstakingly down. These systems collect and process. All the secret knowledge of the world. … I’ll tell you what it means, these orbiting sensors that can hear us in our beds. It means the end of loyalty. The more complex the systems, the less conviction in people. Conviction will be drained out of us. Devices will drain us, make us vague and pliant.”
—
He would put someone together, build an identity, a skein of persuasion and habit, ever so subtle. He wanted a man with believable quirks. He would create a shadowed room, the gunman’s room, which investigators would eventually find, exposing each fact to relentless scrutiny, following each friend, relative, casual acquaintance into his own roomful of shadows. We lead more interesting lives than we think. We are characters in plots, without the compression and numinous sheen. Our lives, examined carefully in all their affinities and links, abound with suggestive meaning, with themes and involute turnings we have not allowed ourselves to see completely. He would show the secret symmetries in a nondescript life.
An address book with ambiguous leads. Photographs expertly altered (or crudely altered). Letters, travel documents, counterfeit signatures, a history of false names. It would all require a massive decipherment, a conversion to plain text. He envisioned teams of linguists, photo analysts, fingerprint experts, handwriting experts, experts in hairs and fibers, smudges and blurs. Investigators building up chronologies. He would give them the makings of deep chronos, lead them to basement rooms in windy industrial slums, to lost towns in the Tropics.
—
Life is hostile, he believed. The struggle is to merge your life with the greater tide of history.
—
Maybe what has to happen is that the individual must allow himself to be swept along, must find himself in the stream of no-choice, the single direction. This is what makes things inevitable. You use the restrictions and penalties they invent to make yourself stronger. History means to merge. The purpose of history is to climb out of your own skin. He knew what Trotsky had written, that revolution leads us out of the dark night of the isolated self. We live forever in history, outside ego and id.
—
Two weeks later he followed directions to a house in the Sanya district of Tokyo. He made his way through a ragpickers’ village built with material scavenged from other parts of the city. Old women jogged through the alleys carrying empty bottles, broken chair legs, pieces of indefinable junk. Houses were shoulder-high, made of old packing crates and strips of sheet metal, the walls stuffed with cardboard and rags. There were lines of people selling blood at mobile units, people who seemed hollow-bodied, so small, in such collapse. It would never bottom out. No matter how far down you went into the world, there were distances still to go, worse things to see and experience. He made it a point not to hurry through the area. He wanted to see what was here.
—
It produced a sensation of the eeriest panic, gave him a glimpse of the fiction he’d been devising, a fiction living prematurely in the world.
—
Nicholas Branch has unpublished state documents, polygraph reports, Dictabelt recordings from the police radio net on November 22. He has photo enhancements, floor plans, home movies, biographies, bibliographies, letters, rumors, mirages, dreams. This is the room of dreams, the room where it has taken him all these years to learn that his subject is not politics or violent crime but men in small rooms.
Is he one of them now? Frustrated, stuck, self-watching, looking for a means of connection, a way to break out. After Oswald, men in America are no longer required to lead lives of quiet desperation. You apply for a credit card, buy a handgun, travel through cities, suburbs and shopping malls, anonymous, anonymous, looking for a chance to take a shot at the first puffy empty famous face, just to let people know there is someone out there who reads the papers.
Branch is stuck all right. He has abandoned his life to understanding that moment in Dallas, the seven seconds that broke the back of the American century. He has his forensic pathology rundown, his neutron activation analysis. There is also the Warren Report, of course, with its twenty-six accompanying volumes of testimony and exhibits, its millions of words. Branch thinks this is the megaton novel James Joyce would have written if he’d moved to Iowa City and lived to be a hundred.
Everything is here. Baptismal records, report cards, postcards, divorce petitions, canceled checks, daily timesheets, tax returns, property lists, postoperative x-rays, photos of knotted string, thousands of pages of testimony, of voices droning in hearing rooms in old courthouse buildings, an incredible haul of human utterance. It lies so flat on the page, hangs so still in the lazy air, lost to syntax and other arrangement, that it resembles a kind of mind-spatter, a poetry of lives muddied and dripping in language.
Branch doesn’t know how to approach this kind of data. … It is vital to his sense of responsible obsession that everything in his room warrants careful study. Everything belongs, everything adheres, the mutter of obscure witnesses, the photos of illegible documents and odd sad personal debris, things gathered up at a dying—old shoes, pajama tops, letters from Russia. It is all one thing, a ruined city of trivia where people feel real pain. This is the Joycean Book of America, remember—the novel in which nothing is left out.
Branch has long since forgiven the Warren Report for its failures. It is too valuable a document of human heartbreak and muddle to be scorned or dismissed. The twenty-six volumes haunt him. Men and women surface in FBI memos, are tracked for several pages, then disappear—waitresses, prostitutes, mind readers, motel managers, owners of rifle ranges. Their stories hang in time, spare, perfect in their way, unfinished.
Photographs. Many are overexposed, light-blasted, with a faded quality beyond their age, suggesting things barely glimpsed despite the simple nature of the objects and the spare captions. ... But Branch feels there is a loneliness, a strange desolation trapped here. Why do these photographs have a power to disturb him, make him sad? Flat, pale, washed in time, suspended outside the particularized gist of this or that era, arguing nothing, clarifying nothing, lonely. Can a photograph be lonely?
This sadness has him fixed to his chair, staring. He feels the souls of empty places, finds himself returning again and again to the pictures of the second-floor lunchroom in the Texas School Book Depository. Rooms, garages, streets were emptied out for the making of official pictures. Empty forever now, stuck in some picture limbo. He feels the souls of those who were there and left. He feels sadness in objects, in warehouse cartons and blood-soaked clothes. He breathes in loneliness. He feels the dead in his room.
—
It was his goodbye to Russia. It signified the official end of a major era in his life. It validated the experience, as the writing of any history brings a persuasion and form to events.
Even as he printed the words, he imagined people reading them, people moved by his loneliness and disappointment, even by his wretched spelling, the childish mess of composition. Let them see the struggle and humiliation, the effort he had to exert to write a simple sentence. The pages were crowded, smudged, urgent, a true picture of his state of mind, of his rage and frustration, knowing a thing but not able to record it properly.
Always the pain, the chaos of composition. He could not find order in the field of little symbols. They were in the hazy distance. He could not clearly see the picture that is called a word. A word is also a picture of a word. He saw spaces, incomplete features, and tried to guess at the rest.
He made wild tries at phonetic spelling. But the language tricked him with its inconsistencies. He watched sentences deteriorate, powerless to make them right. The nature of things was to be elusive. Things slipped through his perceptions. He could not get a grip on the runaway world.
Limits everywhere. In every direction he came up against his own incompleteness. Cramped, fumbling, deficient. He knew things. It wasn’t that he didn’t know.
Even in the rush of filling these pages, he was careful to leave out certain things that could be used in legal argument against his return to the U.S. Yes, the diary was self-serving to a degree but still the basic truth, he believed. The panic was real, the voice of disappointment and loss.
He knew there were discrepancies, messed-up dates. No one could expect him to get the dates right after all this time, no one cared about the dates, no one is reading this for names and dates and spellings.
Let them see the struggle.
He believed religiously that his life would turn in such a way that people would one day study the Historic Diary for clues to the heart and mind of the man who wrote it.
—
Plots carry their own logic. There is a tendency of plots to move toward death. He believed that the idea of death is woven into the nature of every plot. A narrative plot no less than a conspiracy of armed men. The tighter the plot of a story, the more likely it will come to death. A plot in fiction, he believed, is the way we localize the force of the death outside the book, play it off, contain it. The ancients staged mock battles to parallel the tempests in nature and reduce their fear of gods who warred across the sky. He worried about the deathward logic of his plot. He’d already made it clear that he wanted the shooters to hit a Secret Service man, wound him superficially. But it wasn’t a misdirected round, an accidental killing, that made him afraid. There was something more insidious. He had a foreboding that the plot would move to a limit, develop a logical end.
—
He thought the only end to isolation was to reach the point where he was no longer separated from the true struggles that went on around him. The name we give this point is history.
—
“It’s the job of an intelligence service to resolve a nation’s obsessions. Cuba is a fixed idea. It is prickly in a way Russia is not. More unresolved. More damaging to the psyche. And this is our job, to remove the psychic threat, to learn so much about Castro, decipher his intentions, undermine his institutions to such a degree that he loses the power to shape the way we think, to shape the way we sleep at night.”
—
It was remarkable how often he talked to her about these things. The Agency was the one subject in his life that could never be exhausted. Central Intelligence. Beryl saw it as the best organized church in the Christian world, a mission to collect and store everything that everyone has ever said and then reduce it to a microdot and call it God. She needed to live in small dusty rooms, layered safely in, out of the reach of dizzying things, of heat and light and strange spaces, and Larry needed the great sheltering nave of the Agency. He believed that nothing can be finally known that involves human motive and need. There is always another level, another secret, a way in which the heart breeds a deception so mysterious and complex it can only be taken for a deeper kind of truth.
—
He’d stopped commenting on this oddness of hers. She said the news clippings she sent to friends were a perfectly reasonable way to correspond. There were a thousand things to clip and they all said something about the way she felt. He watched her read and cut. She wore half-glasses and worked the scissors grimly. She believed these were personal forms of expression. She believed no message she could send a friend was more intimate and telling than a story in the paper … Because these are the things that tell us how we live.
—
In the Old Senate Caucus Room they asked him to name the members of the Real Control Apparatus. This is like naming particles in the air, naming molecules or cells. The Apparatus is precisely what we can’t see or name. We can’t measure it, gentlemen, or take its photograph. It is the mystery we can’t get hold of, the plot we can’t uncover. This doesn’t mean there are no plotters. They are elected officials of our government, Cabinet members, philanthropists, men who know each other by secret signs, who work in the shadows to control our lives.
—
On his fourth day with Castro he shot a government scout, aiming through a telescopic sight. It was uncanny. You press a button and a man drops dead a hundred meters away. It seemed hollow and remote, falsifying everything. It was a trick of the lenses. The man is an accurate picture. Then he is upside down. Then he is right side up. You shoot at a series of images conveyed to you through a metal tube. The force of a death should be enormous but how can you know what kind of man you’ve killed or who was the braver and stronger if you have to peer through layers of glass that deliver the image but obscure the meaning of the act? War has a conscience or it’s ordinary murder.
—
The Curator sends the results of ballistics tests carried out on human skulls and goat carcasses, on blocks of gelatin mixed with horsemeat. There are photographs of skulls with the right cranial portion blown away. There are bullet-shattered goat heads in close-up. Branch studies a picture of a gelatin-tissue model “dressed” like the President. It is pure modernist sculpture, a block of gelatin layered in suit and shirt material with a strip of undershirt showing, bullet-smoked. There are documents concerning exit velocities. There is a picture of a human skull filled with gelatin and covered with goatskin to simulate a scalp.
—
He sends an actual warped bullet that has been fired for test purposes through the wrist of a seated cadaver. We are on another level here, Branch thinks. Beyond documents now. They want me to touch and smell.
—
The Oswald shadings, the multiple images, the split perceptions—eye color, weapons caliber—these seem a foreboding of what is to come. The endless fact-rubble of the investigations. How many shots, how many gunmen, how many directions? Powerful events breed their own network of inconsistencies. The simple facts elude authentication. How many wounds on the President’s body? What is the size and shape of the wounds? … [Branch] concedes everything. He questions everything, including the basic suppositions we make about our world of light and shadow, solid objects and ordinary sounds, and our ability to measure such things, to determine weight, mass and direction, to see things as they are, recall them clearly, be able to say what happened.
He takes refuge in his notes. The notes are becoming an end in themselves. Branch has decided it is premature to make a serious effort to turn these notes into coherent history. Maybe it will always be premature. Because the data keeps coming. Because new lives enter the record all the time. The past is changing as he writes.
—
“Signs that you exist. Evidence that Lee Oswald matches the cardboard cutout they’ve been shaping all along. You’re a quirk of history. You’re a coincidence. They devise a plan, you fit it perfectly. They lose you, here you are. There’s a pattern in things. Something in us has an effect on independent events. We make things happen. The conscious mind gives one side only. We’re deeper than that. We extend into time. Some of us can almost predict the time and place and nature of our own death. We know it on some deeper plane.”
—
“Think of two parallel lines,” he said. “One is the life of Lee H. Oswald. One is the conspiracy to kill the President. What bridges the space between them? What makes a connection inevitable? There is a third line. It comes out of dreams, visions, intuitions, prayers, out of the deepest levels of the self. It’s not generated by cause and effect like the other two lines. It’s a line that cuts across causality, cuts across time. It has no history that we can recognize or understand. But it forces a connection. It puts a man on the path of his destiny.”
—
The Agency forgives. There wasn’t a man in the upper ranks of the four directorates who didn’t understand the perils of clandestine work. They would be pleased by his willingness to cooperate. What’s more, they would admire the complexity of his plan, incomplete as it was. It had art and memory. It had a sense of responsibility, of moral force. And it was a picture in the world of their own guilty wishes. He was never more surely an Agency man than in the first breathless days of dreaming up this plot.
—
To Nicholas Branch, more frequently of late, “Lee H. Oswald” seems a technical diagram, part of some exercise in the secret manipulation of history.
—
Street by street the crowd began to understand why it was here. The message jumped the open space from one press of bodies to the next. A contagion had brought them here, some mystery of common impulse, hundreds of thousands come from so many histories and systems of being, come from some experience of the night before, a convergence of dreams, to stand together shouting as the Lincoln passed. … They were here to surround the brittle body of one man and claim his smile, receive some token of the bounty of his soul.
—
The media crowds collected and rocked in the corridors. They were waiting for the prisoner to come down to the interrogation room here on the third floor of the Police and Courts Building. TV cameras sat on dollies and there were cables slung over windowsills, trailing through the offices of deputy chiefs. Nobody checked credentials. Reporters took over the phones and pushed into toilets after police officials. Total unknowns walked the halls, defendants from other parts of the building, witnesses to other crimes, tourists, muttering men, drunks in torn shirts. It was a roughhouse, a confoundment. Every rumor flew. Disk jockeys arrived to fill in, blinking, flinching, wary. A reporter wrote notes on a pad he balanced on the back of the chief of police.
Hours going by. Blank faces arrayed against corridor walls. Men crouched near the elevators waiting. They sensed the incompleteness out there, gaps, spaces, vacant seats, lobbies emptied out, disconnections, dark cities, stopped lives. People were lonely for news. Only news could make them whole again, restore sensation. Three hundred reporters in a compact space, all pushing to extract a word. A word is a magic wish. A word from anyone. With a word they could begin to grid the world, make an instant surface that people can see and touch together.
—
Whenever they took him down, he heard his name on the radios and TVs. Lee Harvey Oswald. It sounded extremely strange. He didn’t recognize himself in the full intonation of the name. The only time he used his middle name was to write it on a form that had a space for that purpose. No one called him by that name. Now it was everywhere. He heard it coming from the walls. Reporters called it out. Lee Harvey Oswald, Lee Harvey Oswald. It sounded odd and dumb and made up. They were talking about somebody else.
—
They took him back to the cell. He stripped to his underwear and sat on the bunk, thinking, feeling the noise of the assembly room still resonating in his body. A cell is the basic state, the crude truth of the world.
He could play it either way, depending on what they could prove or couldn’t prove. He wasn’t on the sixth floor at all. He was in the lunchroom eating lunch. The victim of a total frame. They’d been rigging the thing for years, watching him, using him, creating a chain of evidence with the innocent facts of his life. Or he could say he was only partly guilty, set up to take the blame for the real conspirators. Okay, he fired some shots from the window. But he didn’t kill anyone. He never meant to fire a fatal shot. It was never his intention to cause an actual fatality. He was only trying to make a political point. Other people were responsible for the actual killing. They fixed it so he would seem the lone gunman. They superimposed his head on someone else’s body. Forged his name on documents. Made him a dupe of history. He would name every name if he had to.
—
Lee Harvey Oswald was awake in his cell. It was beginning to occur to him that he’d found his life’s work. After the crime comes the reconstruction. He will have motives to analyze, the whole rich question of truth and guilt. Time to reflect, time to turn this thing in his mind. Here is a crime that clearly yields material for deep interpretation. He will be able to bend the light of that heightened moment, shadows fixed on the lawn, the limousine shimmering and still. Time to grow in self-knowledge, to explore the meaning of what he’s done. He will vary the act a hundred ways, speed it up and slow it down, shift emphasis, find shadings, see his whole life change.
This was the true beginning.
They will, give him writing paper and books. He will fill his cell with books about the case. He will have time to educate himself in criminal law, ballistics, acoustics, photography. Whatever pertains to the case he will examine and consume. People will come to see him, the lawyers first, then psychologists, historians, biographers. His life had a single clear subject now, called Lee Harvey Oswald.
He and Kennedy were partners. The figure of the gunman in the window was inextricable from the victim and his history. This sustained Oswald in his cell. It gave him what he needed to live.
—
If we are on the outside, we assume a conspiracy is the perfect working of a scheme. Silent nameless men with unadorned hearts. A conspiracy is everything that ordinary life is not. It’s the inside game, cold, sure, undistracted, forever closed off to us. We are the flawed ones, the innocents, trying to make some rough sense of the daily jostle. Conspirators have a logic and a daring beyond our reach. All conspiracies are the same taut story of men who find coherence in some criminal act.
But maybe not. Nicholas Branch thinks he knows better. He has learned enough about the days and months preceding November 22, and enough about the twenty-second itself, to reach a determination that the conspiracy against the President was a rambling affair that succeeded in the short term due mainly to chance. Deft men and fools, ambivalence and fixed will and what the weather was like.
The stuff keeps coming. The Curator sends FBI surveillance logs. He sends a thirty-five-hour film chronology of unedited network footage shot during the weekend of November 22. He sends a computer-enhanced version of the Zapruder film, the 8mm home movie made by a dress manufacturer who stood on a concrete abutment above Elm Street as the shots were fired. Experts have scrutinized every murky nuance of the Zapruder film. It is the basic timing device of the assassination and a major emblem of uncertainty and chaos. There is the powerful moment of death, the surrounding blurs, patches and shadows.
(Branch’s analysis of the film and other evidence leads him to believe the first shot came much sooner than most theories would allow, probably at Zapruder frame 186. Governor Connally was hit two point six seconds later, at Zapruder 234. The shot that killed the President, crushingly, came four point three seconds after that. Even though he has reached firm conclusions in this area, Branch will study the computerized version of Zapruder. He is in too deep to stop now.)
The Curator sends a special FBI report that includes detailed descriptions of the dreams of eyewitnesses following the assassination of Kennedy and the murder of Oswald.
There are worrisome omissions, occasional gaps in the record. Of course Branch understands that the Agency is a closed system. He knows they will not reveal what they’ve learned to other agencies, much less the public. This is why the history he has contracted to write is a secret one, meant for CIA’s own closed collection. But why are they withholding material from him as well? There’s something they aren’t telling him. The Curator delays, lately, in filling certain requests for information, seems to ignore other requests completely. What are they holding back? How much more is there? Branch wonders if there is some limit inherent in the yielding of information gathered in secret. They can’t give it all away, even to one of their own, someone pledged to confidentiality. Before his retirement, Branch analyzed intelligence, sought patterns in random scads of data. He believed secrets were childish things. He was not generally impressed by the accomplishments of men in the clandestine service, the spy handlers, the covert-action staff. He thought they’d built a vast theology, a formal coded body of knowledge that was basically play material, secret-keeping, one of the keener pleasures and conflicts of childhood. Now he wonders if the Agency is protecting something very much like its identity—protecting its own truth, its theology of secrets.
The Curator begins to send fiction, twenty-five years of novels and plays about the assassination. He sends feature films and documentaries. He sends transcripts of panel discussions and radio debates. Branch has no choice but to study this material. There are important things he has yet to learn. There are lives he must examine. It is essential to master the data.
—
He believes people are distorting his words even as he speaks them. There is a process that takes place between the saying of a word and when they pretend to hear it correctly but actually change it to mean what they want.
—
He is miscast, or cast as someone else, as Oswald. They are part of the same crime now. They are in it together and forever and together.
—
The camera doesn’t catch all of it. There seem to be missing frames, lost levels of information. Brief and simple as the shooting is, it is too much to take in, too mingled in jumped-up energies.
—
There was something in Oswald’s face, a glance at the camera before he was shot, that put him here in the audience, among the rest of us, sleepless in our homes—a glance, a way of telling us that he knows who we are and how we feel, that he has brought our perceptions and interpretations into his sense of the crime. Something in the look, some sly intelligence, exceedingly brief but far-reaching, a connection all but bleached away by glare, tells us that he is outside the moment, watching with the rest of us.

Toronto Comics Arts Festival (TCAF) 2024 (May 10 - 12th) - 29 Pictures
Friday, May 10th was for the Word Balloon Academy. A day of skills-building and career management programming for comics creators.
Maurice Vellekoop: I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together (1:01:32, 140.0mb) Miles Baker does the introduction. Maurice does a reading from his new book, then he is interviewed by Rachel Giese. Among the topics were his upbringing, themes that run through the book, the role that family photos mad in making the book, the help he had in getting the details of the places depicted in the past, the influence of specific people had on him as told in the book, where the title of the book comes from, his diverse taste in high and low art and if there is a connecting tissue within in, his trip to a castle and the effect it had on him, the positive side of his religious upbringing, depictions of his therapy sessions and voices in his head, how people in his past have reacted to the book, did his art change over the 10 years of making it and how he dealt with that, the process for creating the art for the book, the emotional turmoil in making the book, how he decided what stories to use, why he had to re-write and re-draw some of the book, what compelled him to do the book in the first place, how he chose the colours for the various chapters and his age recommendation for the book. This took place on Thursday Night (May 9th) 7pm @ Toronto Reference Library in their new Jack Robinvitch Room.
Artists Talk on Grants: How to Get Them and How to Use Them (1:05:34, 150.0mb) Moderated by Allison O'Toole, panelists were Josh Rosen, Victoria Day and Steven Andrews. They discussed how can I get a grant, who can apply for one, what grants fund, where to get grants, where do you start the process, what to include in an application, talking about your work, spending the money and keeping track of it when you get a grant, how grants are and are not taxed, asking for the full amount of the allowed grant.
Indy Comics: Now More Than Ever! With Avi Ehrlich (59:45, 136mb) Allison O'Toole interviews Avi Ehrlich of Silver Sprocket about how he became an indy comics publisher, what he learned from his previous business of repairing bicycles, their being part of a comics community, the conflict of business needs vs artist desires, how being very transparent has really helped their company, how they compensate creators, marketing books, social medias value, the balance between giving away work for free vs business needs, theft and competition making like difficult, why they make books with extra fills, having a retail store front and what they learn from it, events to launch a book and how they get creative with it, being professional with money and on top of things, going to Angoulême and how that affected him, the structural differences between European and American comics industry, their first and possibly last involvement in FCBD, values and how they change over time, advise to people making comics.
Creative Law 101 with Michael Duboff (1:04:22, 147mb) Michael explained copyright and what it is exactly, registration of copyright, ideas and AI and copyright, how long copyright lasts, public domain, publishing agreements, grant of rights, publishers obligations, compensation, right to audit, book returns, contingent compensation/media rights, copies to writer, discontinuance of publication, representation, warranties & indemnities, confidentiality, the entire agreement, independent legal advice, legal compensation, moral rights, co-authorship agreements and option agreements.
Workshop: Memory into Mini-Comics (37:21, 85.5mb) Lara Antal teaches how to turn a memory into a mini comics. She goes through 3 steps giving evocative & sensory storytelling techniques, your creative toolbox, picking a memory, creating a thumbnail sheet, using words & pictures in context, drawing in other senses like sound, taste, smell, using contrast & similarity, how to make a zine, using connecting fill in panels to tie it all together, sharing your story.
State of the Industry Roundtable (1:03:06, 144mb) On the panel was Alexander Finbow, Tracy Hurren, Avi Ehrlich and Andy Brown. Among the topics discussed were why the last year was a shitshow, #comicsbrokeme, different approaches to funding comics for both creators and publishers, the benefits of artists having original art to sell, things young creators show be aware of, red flags when dealing with publishers, the role of editors, creative control with big and small publishers, marketing, what they are launching and looking forward to, the gaps in the comics industry they'd like to see filled, how a weird pitch could win them over, digital comics and how that helps or hurts. The panel was moderated by MJ Lyons.
Canada Post Graphic Novel Stamp Panel (1:07:56, 155mb) Miles Baker did the introduction, then Carrie Chisholm from Canada Post announced they made new stamps with Seth, Jillian & Mariko Tamaki, Chester Brown and Michel Rabagliati based on their books Clyde Fans, This One Summer, Louis Riel and Paul à Québec respectively. Ho Che Anderson then interviewed the Seth, Jillian Tamaki and Chester Brown. They spoke about how they got involved with Canada Post, the process of making the stamp and working with Canada Post, Jillian spoke about collecting stamps as a child and always wanting to make one as a kid, the exposure and prestige of their work on a stamp, comics as art and their progression from the 1980s to now, how in comics there are different parts that want comics to be respected vs. subversive and which 'camp' they fall into, if Chester would do Louis Riel differently today, how there are a lot more young cartoonists now, becoming 'elder statemen' of comics, the state of comics today and the industry, how big their respective OA was and thinking about how it will look when it's shrunk down to stamp size, working with scanners and digitally, the reduction of quality in non-digital art tools, how Seth and Chester influenced each other, Jillian learning how to draw comics by reading comics, Jillian being a part of a generation of comics creators that didn't grow up reading Marvel and DC comics, if they felt trapped by the success of their earlier works, Chester's Paying for It being turned into a film and what new work they are doing.
Gleem: Freddy Carrasco Spotlight (55:53, 127mb) Ho Che Anderson interviews Freddy Carrasco about his book Gleem and other topics including learning to draw, how he started making comics and doing short stories, why he was attracted to comics, moving from Toronto to Tokyo, why he went to work on a cabbage farm, being black in Japan, getting into painting, doing sci-fi stories, publishing via D&Q, the religious element in Gleem, what the female character represents, how films have influenced him, violence and technology, AI almost making him quit Instagram, the overlap between the stories in Gleem, the colour section in the book, the wordless story and why he did it, doing more books, his interest in sculpture, the process of creating his art, his upcoming exhibition and how many pages he drew in a day.
Gene Luen Yang Spotlight (45:18, 103mb) Gene and moderator Mark Askwith spoke about when he first began drawing, his first comic books, making comics as a kid with a friend, getting into indy comics via Rory Root's Comic Relief store, what books really connected to him, his love of Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics, jobs he did while starting in comics, doing American Born Chinese and how it changed his life, First Second being his "home", what Lunar New Year Love Stories is about, how some of it was based the artists stories in which they completely write and drew, how crazy fast the artist is, the Lion Dance section and how all of the ways it fit into the book, the Ambassador role he has and what he speaks about, what books he recommends to people, his early cartoonist friends in San Francisco, Superman Smashes The Klan, American Born Chinese being turned into a TV show and how that affected his life, the connection he has with his audience.
Raeghan Buchanan - Drawing History out of Obscurity (51:18, 117mb) Raeghan talked about obscure history is harder to research, with it you will find misconceptions and need dispel them, the types of sources you can use and which ones are best, doing interviews, the pro's and con's of doing interviews, using online articles and personal websites, the library of congress site, archive.org, looking through comments on videos to find other sources, archives in university libraries, biographies, photo references, the distillation of peoples stories, how it's about the journey, letting your voice come though, some origin stories she told and the presentation of the information.
Joe Matt Tribute (50:27, 115mb) Panelists were Chris Oliveros, Adrian Tomine, Seth, Chester Brown and Jeet Heer. Among the topics the group spoke about was Matt's impact on comics particularly in their generation and on them specifically, Chris talked about getting into alt. comics and writing and then meeting Joe Matt, Seth and Chester about first coming across his work and how they knew right away he was a great cartoonist that they had to befriend, Seth revealed that Joe was a great curator of both the items in his life and his own work, how Joe revealing so much about himself and the people around him (including his then girlfriend) lead to changes in their relationships, Adrian talked about meeting Joe, seeing in him LA and how Joe's work influenced his, Chris revealed that Joe was always talking about the collection of his work, Seth spoke about Joe presenting himself as an asshole in his work on purpose, Matt being a perfectionist when it comes to inking, why Joe wasn't included as one of the Postage Stamps and Chester talked about finishing Joe's last work.
Ask a (Comics) Librarian (57:03, 130mb) On the panel was Natalie DeJonghe, Tina Coleman, Lindsay Gibb, Scott Robins, Fatma Faraji, Dr. Lucia Cedeira Serantes and Amie Wright (moderator). They all introduced themselves and told their comics origin story, Amie went through a very brief history of the attempts to get comics in libraries starting with a 1974 article by Will Eisner championing this idea, they all spoke about the coolest thing they worked on with comics and libraries, they all gave a shout out to other Librarians who have done great things with collections and programs, then they all recommended a new GN.
Paneled Rheum - Art, Comics and Sequential Narrative (55:03, 126mb) Moderated by Jessica Campbell, the panelists were Thijs Desmet, Kit Anderson, Aiden Koch and Kristen Hatfield. Among the topics they spoke about was what comics do that other mediums do not and why they do them, how they experiment with comics, being experimental but still readable, being ambiguous in their work and the audiences reactions, using environment and landscapes in their work, ecological storytelling and why they put humor in their story.
Keith Knight Spotlight (58:11, 133mb) Keith spoke about his upbringing and how it changed his work, coming up with (th)ink and why he did it, talk about American History, doing a daily newspaper comic strip, how cartooning can change the world, John Lewis's March and it's inspiration, his book They Shoot Black People, Don't They? and what inspired it, his Woke TV show and experience with it and his site BlackMugshots.com and why he created it.
Laugh Riot - Humour in Comics: Parody, Satire and Commentary (55:24, 126mb) Creators Jade Armstrong, Mitch Lohmeier, Thom, Rick Altergott and eventually Keith Knight talk to Robert Sikoryak. They discussed what their books is about and why they decided to make it, writing from their real life and how that made it either harder or easier for them, how their art style affects their humour and if they keep it or change it from book to book, techniques for the punch line when turning the page, how they know if something they wrote is funny or not, human gestures that enhance the jokes.
Deni Loubert Spotlight (54:37, 125mb) Deni was interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Sullivan about Starting Renegade Press, coming into comics and her challenges, her turning down working for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Image Comics when they were starting up, why she turned down Image Comics in particular, her being a founder of Friends of Lulu and why she got involved in it, the organizations work with retailers in terms of making comic shops more friendly for women, if she thinks that type of advocacy is still needed in comics, the need for women to push to open doors for themselves and other women, the creative process in publishing books, how Renegade Romance title started, publishing genre and non-genre comics, working with different creators, her very near miss in getting on a debuting iphone with the first web comic app, the best and worst changes to the comic industry, her documentary and video journalism work, why she chose to move to the US to start Renegade Press, an opportunity she thought would work and why it fell apart. Note: I came in a bit late for this panel so it starts while in progress.
Doug Wright Awards 2024 (May 11th) - 25 Photos 2024 Doug Wright Awards (1:50:44, 253mb) Introduction by Brad Mackay, hosted by Dustin Harbin. Winners are in bold
The Doug Wright Award for best book: Val-d'Or Neon by Olivier Ballou (Self-published) A Guest in the House by Emily Carroll (First Second) Harvey Knight's Odyssey by Nick Maandag (Drawn & Quarterly) Naked: The Confessions of a Normal Woman by Éloïse Marseille (Pow Pow Press) Roaming by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki (Drawn & Quarterly) JAJ by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas (Douglas & McIntyre)
The Nipper: The Doug Wright Award for emerging talent James Collier for The Lonesome Shepherd (Wig Shop) Vincy Lim for When I was a kid I was taught how to die. Now that I'm an adult I'm learning how to live. (I love you.) and When She Set Fire to My Friends' Houses (Self-published) Syd Madia for Syd Madia's Dracula (Self-published) Christopher Twin for Bad Medicine (Emanata/Conundrum) Kyle Vingoe-Cram for Kettle Harbour (Conundrum)
The Pigskin Peters: The Doug Wright Award for best small- or micro-press book Endsickness No. 2 by Sofia Alarcon (Self-published) The Lonesome Shepherd by James Collier (Wig Shop) Old Caves by Tyler Landry (Uncivilized) Power 9: Part One by John Little and David Little (Self-published) Index by Sven, Rachel Evangeline Chiong, and Joyce Kim (Self-published)
The Egghead: The Doug Wright Award for best kids' book ThunderBoom by Jack Briglio and Claudia Dávila (Kids Can Press) Pluto Rocket: New in Town by Paul Gilligan (Tundra Books) Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy by Faith Erin Hicks (First Second) Otis & Peanut by Naseem Hrab and Kelly Collier (Owlkids Books) Bad Medicine by Christopher Twin (Emanata/Conundrum)
Comic book artist Maurice Vellekoop and publisher Deni Loubert were inducted into the Giants of the North Hall of Fame by Fiona Smyth and Michael Cherkas & Larry Hancock respectively.
Memorial Tributes were made to Joe Matt and Phyllis Wright Thomas, widow of Doug Wright by Chester Brown, Seth and Brad Mackay.

1. Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore – Gilmore Girls
2. Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow – Black-ish
3. Mandy Moore as Rebecca Pearson – This Is Us
4. Anjelica Huston as Morticia Addams – The Addams Family
5. Sofía Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett – Modern Family
6. Sutton Foster as Liza Miller – Younger
7. Sally Field as Mrs. Gump – Forrest Gump
8. Frances McDormand as Elaine Miller – Almost Famous
9. Rosemary Harris as Aunt May – Spider-Man franchise
10. Jackée Harry as Lisa Landry – Sister, Sister
11. Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson – The Simpsons
12. Amy Poehler as Mrs. George – Mean Girls
13. Patricia Clarkson as Rosemary Penderghast – Easy A
14. Jessica Huang as Constance Wu – Fresh Off the Boat
15. Catherine O'Hara as Moira Rose – Schitt's Creek
16. Julie Walters as Molly Weasley – Harry Potter series
17. Jennifer Coolidge as Jeanine Stifler – American Pie series
18. Gina Rodriguez as Jane Villanueva – Jane the Virgin
19. Sherri Saum as Lena Adams Foster – The Fosters
20. Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford – Mommie Dearest
21. Diane Keaton as Daphne Wilder – Because I Said So
22. Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers – Stranger Things
23. Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis and Kathryn Hahn as Kiki, Amy and Carla – Bad Moms

Link to article

New Releases for May 2024

Data courtesy http://www.bookreporter.com
For more discussion, see the monthly New Releases post.

Title	Author	ReleaseDate
Adventure
Clive Cussler The Heist	Jack Du Brul	May 7, 2024
Clive Cussler Condor's Fury	Graham Brown	May 7, 2024
Empire	Conn Iggulden	May 14, 2024
Tom Clancy Act of Defiance	Brian Andrews	May 21, 2024
Biography
The Last of His Kind	Andy McCullough	May 7, 2024
Feherty	John Feinstein	May 14, 2024
The Call to Serve	Jon Meacham	May 28, 2024
Fantasy
When Among Crows	Veronica Roth	May 14, 2024
The House That Horror Built	Christina Henry	May 14, 2024
Fiction
Retrospective	written by Juan Gabriel Vásquez, translated by Anne McLean	May 7, 2024
Sipsworth	Simon Van Booy	May 7, 2024
The Lover	Rebecca Sacks	May 14, 2024
The Stellar Debut of Galactica Macfee	Alexander McCall Smith	May 14, 2024
All Fours	Miranda July	May 14, 2024
April May June July	Alison B. Hart	May 14, 2024
Blue Ruin	Hari Kunzru	May 14, 2024
Liquid, Fragile, Perishable	Carolyn Kuebler	May 14, 2024
Long After We Are Gone	Terah Shelton Harris	May 14, 2024
Paper Names	Susie Luo	May 14, 2024
Lucky Dogs	Helen Schulman	May 21, 2024
I Want You More	Swan Huntley	May 21, 2024
Lies and Weddings	Kevin Kwan	May 21, 2024
Shae	Mesha Maren	May 21, 2024
The Enchanted Hacienda	J.C. Cervantes	May 21, 2024
The Guncle Abroad	Steven Rowley	May 21, 2024
The Second Coming	Garth Risk Hallberg	May 28, 2024
Historical Fiction
All the Glimmering Stars	Mark Sullivan	May 7, 2024
Daughters of Shandong	Eve J. Chung	May 7, 2024
Disturbing the Dead	Kelley Armstrong	May 7, 2024
Ella	Diane Richards	May 7, 2024
Long Island	Colm Tóibín	May 7, 2024
The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying ...	Helen Simonson	May 7, 2024
Fair Rosaline	Natasha Solomons	May 7, 2024
The Stolen Child	Ann Hood	May 7, 2024
Whale Fall	Elizabeth O'Connor	May 7, 2024
The Old Lion	Jeff Shaara	May 14, 2024
Every Time We Say Goodbye	Natalie Jenner	May 14, 2024
Last House	Jessica Shattuck	May 14, 2024
Rednecks	Taylor Brown	May 14, 2024
The Shadow of War	Jeff Shaara	May 14, 2024
This Strange Eventful History	Claire Messud	May 14, 2024
Butcher	Joyce Carol Oates	May 21, 2024
The Lost Letters from Martha's Vineyard	Michael Callahan	May 21, 2024
The Wealth of Shadows	Graham Moore	May 21, 2024
The Passionate Tudor	Alison Weir	May 28, 2024
The Safekeep	Yael van der Wouden	May 28, 2024
The Act of Disappearing	Nathan Gower	May 28, 2024
History
Left for Dead	Eric Jay Dolin	May 7, 2024
Throne of Grace	Bob Drury	May 7, 2024
The Situation Room	George Stephanopoulos	May 14, 2024
Horror
You Like It Darker	Stephen King	May 21, 2024
Humor
Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie	Jackie Lau	May 7, 2024
Swamp Story	Dave Barry	May 7, 2024
The Time Has Come	Will Leitch	May 14, 2024
The Paradise Problem	Christina Lauren	May 14, 2024
I Hope This Finds You Well	Natalie Sue	May 21, 2024
Look on the Bright Side	Kristan Higgins	May 28, 2024
Memoir
Love Is a Burning Thing	Nina St. Pierre	May 7, 2024
The Year of Living Constitutionally	A.J. Jacobs	May 7, 2024
You Never Know	Tom Selleck	May 7, 2024
Animals I Want to See	Tom Seeman	May 14, 2024
Breaking Glass	Patricia Walsh Chadwick	May 14, 2024
A Walk in the Park	Kevin Fedarko	May 28, 2024
Mystery
The Overnights	Ian K. Smith	May 7, 2024
Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure	Lorenzo Carcaterra	May 7, 2024
The Return of Ellie Black	Emiko Jean	May 7, 2024
On Her Watch	Melinda Leigh	May 14, 2024
The Detective Up Late	Adrian McKinty	May 14, 2024
Bad, Bad Seymour Brown	Susan Isaacs	May 21, 2024
Long Time Gone	Charlie Donlea	May 21, 2024
The Last Murder at the End of the World	Stuart Turton	May 21, 2024
First Frost	Craig Johnson	May 28, 2024
Knife River	Justine Champine	May 28, 2024
Romance
The Ministry of Time	Kaliane Bradley	May 7, 2024
Malibu Summer	LibGill	May 21, 2024
You Are Here	David Nicholls	May 28, 2024
Summer Fridays	Suzanne Rindell	May 28, 2024
Sports
The 1998 Yankees	Jack Curry	May 7, 2024
The Yankee Way	Andy Martino	May 21, 2024
Suspense
The 24th Hour	James Patterson	May 6, 2024
The Man on the Train	Debbie Babitt	May 7, 2024
A Lethal Question	Mark Rubinstein	May 7, 2024
I Will Ruin You	Linwood Barclay	May 7, 2024
Phantom Orbit	David Ignatius	May 7, 2024
The Deepest Lake	Andromeda Romano-Lax	May 7, 2024
The Instruments of Darkness	John Connolly	May 7, 2024
When She Was Me	Marlee Bush	May 7, 2024
The Last Time She Saw Him	Kate White	May 14, 2024
Think Twice	Harlan Coben	May 14, 2024
Very Bad Company	Emma Rosenblum	May 14, 2024
Under the Palms	Kaira Rouda	May 21, 2024
One Perfect Couple	Ruth Ware	May 21, 2024
Still Waters	Matt Goldman	May 21, 2024
Southern Man	Greg Iles	May 28, 2024
The Winner	Teddy Wayne	May 28, 2024
Camino Ghosts	John Grisham	May 28, 2024
If Something Happens to Me	Alex Finlay	May 28, 2024
Women's Fiction
How to Read a Book	Monica Wood	May 7, 2024
skin & bones	Renée Watson	May 7, 2024
Summers at the Saint	Mary Kay Andrews	May 7, 2024
The Mother of All Things	Alexis Landau	May 7, 2024
Their Divine Fires	Wendy Chen	May 7, 2024
Women and Children First	Alina Grabowski	May 7, 2024
The Summer Swap	Sarah Morgan	May 7, 2024
Lovers and Liars	Amanda Eyre Ward	May 14, 2024
Wives Like Us	Plum Sykes	May 14, 2024
Life, Loss, and Puffins	Catherine Ryan Hyde	May 14, 2024
All the Days of Summer	Nancy Thayer	May 21, 2024
Exhibit	R.O. Kwon	May 21, 2024
Mind Games	Nora Roberts	May 21, 2024
Summer on Highland Beach	Sunny Hostin	May 28, 2024
Allow Me to Introduce Myself	Onyi Nwabineli	May 28, 2024

My mom passed along this booklet that belonged to my grandmother when we were expecting. Figured I would share it here before discarding it. The Boy Name list is already posted 😊 Enjoy!
WHAT'S IN A NAME
Don't let the meanings concern you. Think instead of how the name will fit the child, when the child is grown, or known. Choose the name with care. It's very important to your baby-all through life. Here are some guides: - Say each name aloud, along with your own family name, to check rhythm and sound. - Use soft first names with sharp-sounding family names. - Use multi-syllable first names with short family names. - Avoid using a first name that ends with the same sound that starts the last name, such as "Jane Nevins." - Avoid "famous combinations" such as "Abraham" and "Lincoln." - Watch out for initials that spell out familiar letters, like “S. O. S”
if it's a GIRL
A ABBIE, ABBY.. Calm harbor ABIGAIL.. My father is joy ADA, ADAH.. Ornamental ADAIR.. Oak crossing ADALINE, ADELINA, ADELINE.. Little noble one ADDIE, ADDY. See Adelaide ADELAIDE, ADELA, ADELE, ADELLE.. Noble maid ADRIENNE.. Courageous AGATHA, AGATHE.. Good AGNA, AGNES.. Lamb AIDA.. Leader AILEEN.. See Helen AIMEE.. See Amy ALANE. . Cheerful ALARICE.. Ruler over all ALBA, ALBINA. . Fair ALBERTA, ALBERTINA, ALBERTINE.. Famous ALCYON, ALCYONE.. Calm ALDA.. Rich ALDABELLA, ALDABELLE.. Rich and beautiful ALEXANDRA, ALEXANDRIA, ALEXIS.. Helper ALFREDA.. Wise counselor ALICE, ALICIA.. Noble ALINA, ALINE.. High-born ALISON, ALLISON.. See Alice ALISTAIR, ALISTE.. Worthy defender ALIX.. See Alice ALLEGRA.. Lively ALLENE.. Swift, cheerful ALMA.. Kindly ALMERIA.. Princess ALMIRA.. Admired one ALOHA.. Love ALONZA.. See Alphonsa ALPHONSA.. Spirited ALTHEA.. A healer ALVA.. Lively ALVERA.. Truthful ALVINA.. Little lively one ALYS, ALYSIA, ALYSON.. See Alice AMABEL, AMABELLE.. Lovable and beautiful AMANDA.. Worthy of love AMARANTHA.. Everlasting flower AMARYLLIS.. Shepherdess AMBROSIA.. Delight of gods AMELIA.. Busy, industrious AMETHYST.. Jewel AMITY.. Friendship AMY.. Beloved ANASTASIA.. Risen again ANATOLA.. Sunrise ANDREA.. Strong ANEMONE.. Wind-flower ANGELA.. God's messenger ANGELICA, ANGELINA, ANGELINE, ANGELIQUE.. Little angel ANITA.. Little Ann ANN, ANNA, ANNE.. Grace ANNABEL.. Beautiful Ann ANNETTE.. Little Ann ANOLA.. Well-known ANTHA, ANTHEA.. Flower ANTOINETTE.. Graceful APRIL.. Blooming ARABELLA.. Beautiful place ARCADIA.. Happy land ARDEL, ARDELIA.. Industrious ARDEN.. Fervent ARIADNE.. Sweet singer ARIANA.. Altar of grace ARIETTA, ARIETTE.. Song ARISTA.. Best ARLEEN.. ARLENE, ARLINE.. See Helen ARNOLDINE.. Strong ASTRA.. Star-like ASTRID.. Love's desire ATALIE.. Innocent ATHENA.. Wise AUDREY.. Noble helper AUGUSTA.. Imperial AURA.. Halo AURELIA.. Golden AURORA.. Dawn AVA, AVIS.. Bird AZALEA.. A flowering plant
В BAB, BABS.. See Barbara BABETTE.. Little stranger BAPTISTA.. Baptized BARBARA.. Stranger BATHSHEBA.. Daughter of the vow BEATA.. Blessed BEATRICE.. Making blessed BECKY.. See Reba BEGONIA.. A flower BELINDA.. Graceful BELLA, BELLE.. Beautiful BENEDETTA, BENEDICTA.. Blessed BERENICE, BERNICE.. Bringer of victory BERNADETTE, BERNADINE.. bear BERTA, BERTHA.. Bright BERYL.. Foreseeing BETSY, BETTY, BETTINA.. See Elizabeth BEULAH.. Married BEVERLY.. Beaver meadow BIANCA.. See Blanche BILLEE, BILLIE.. Protectress BLANCHE.. White, pure BLOSSOM.. Flower BONITA.. Little good one BONNIBELLE.. Good and beautiful BONNIE.. Little good one BRENDA.. Flaming sword BRIDGET.. Spirited BRUNELLA.. Brown-haired BRUNHILDA.. Battle maid
C CAMELLIA, CAMILLA, CAMILLE.. Temple maiden CANDIDA.. Shining white CANELLA.. Fragrant tree CARA.. Dear CARLA.. Strong CARLOTTA.. Little strong one CARMELA.. Vineyard CARMEN.. Charming one CARMENCITA.. Little charming one CARMINE.. Vineyard CAROL, CAROLA, CAROLINA, CAROLYN, CARRIE.. See Carla CASSANDRA.. Winning love CASSIE.. The tree CATHERINE.. Pure CECILE, CECILIA.. Misty-eyed CELESTE.. Heavenly CELESTINA, CELESTINE, CELIA, CELINE.. Little heavenly one CHAREMON.. Dear CHARITY.. Love CHARLENE.. Strong one CHARLOTTA, CHARLOTTE.. See Charlene CHARMION.. Delight CHERIE, CHERRY, CHERYL.. Beloved, grace CHLOE.. Fresh CHLORIS.. Flower goddess CHRISTABEL, (ELLA), (ELLE) .. Beautiful baptized one CHRISTINA, CHRISTINE.. Little follower of the Lord CICELY.. See Cecile CINDY.. See Lucinda CLAIRE..See Clara CLARA, CLARE.. Bright CLARIBEL.. Bright and beautiful CLARICE, CLARISSA.. Famous CLARINDA. Bright one CLAUDETTE.. Little delicate one CLAUDIA, CLAUDINE.. Delicate CLEMENCE, CLEMENTINA, CLEMENTINE.. Merciful CLEO. See Cleopatra CLEOPATRA.. Glory of her land CLIO.. Glorious CLORINDA, CLORINDE.. Famous CLOTILDA.. Famous in battle CLOVER, CLOVIA.. The plant COLETTE.. Little winner COLLEEN.. Little maiden COLUMBINE.. Little dove CONCETTA.. Imagination CONSTANCE, CONSTANTIA.. Steadfast CONSUELA, CONSUELO.. Advice, consolation CORA.. Maiden CORAL.. Sea animal used in jewelry CORALIE, (INE).. Like coral CORDELIA.. Jewel of the sea CORINNA, (INNE).. Little Maiden CORLISS.. Noble maid CORNELIA.. Crowned COSETTA, (ETTE).. Little lamb CRYSTAL.. Clear CYNTHIA.. Moon goddess
D DAGMAR.. Glory of the day DAISY.. Dawn DALE.. Valley DAMITA.. Little lady DANIELLE.. God is my judge DAPHNE.. Triumph DARA.. Pearl of wisdom DARCY.. Mysterious DARLENE, DARLINE, DARYL.. Dear little one DAWN, DAWNA.. Sunrise DEANNA.. See Diana DEBORAH.. Industrious DEIRDRE.. Sorrow DELIA.. Pure DELILAH.. Delicate DELINDA.. Gentle DELL, DELLA.. Of nobility DELORA.. See Dolores DELPHINE..Little dolphin DEMETRA.. Harvest Goddess DENISE.. Joyous DESIREE.. Beloved DIANA.. Moon Goddess DIANTHE.. God's flower DINAH.. Justified DOLL, DOLLY.. See Dorothea DOLORES, DELORIS.. Sad one DOMINICA.. Belonging to the Lord, Sunday DONNA.. Lady DONNABEL, (ELLA) .. Beautiful lady DORA.. See Dorothea, Eudora, Theodora DORCAS.. Gazelle DOREEN.. Little Dora DORINDA.. Little gift DORIS.. Sea maiden DORLE.. Little golden one DOROTHEA, DOROTHY.. Gift of God DRUSILLA.. Eyes of dew DULCE, DOLCE.. Sweet DULCIBELLA, DULCIBELLE.. Sweet and beautiful DULCINEA, DULCY, DULCIE.. Sweet little one
E EARTHA.. See Ethel EDITH.. Bright gift EDNA.. Rejuvenation EDWINA.. Blessed friend EFFIE.. See Euphemia EILEEN.. See Helen ELAINE.. See Helen ELBERTA.. Lofty fame ELEANOR, ELENA, ELINOR.. See Helen ELFINA.. Little wise one ELFRIDA.. Wise, peaceful ELISABETH.. See Elizabeth ELISE.. See Elizabeth ELIZA, ELIZABETH.. Consecrated to God ELLA, ELLEN, ELLINE.. See Helen ELMIRA.. See Almira ELOISE.. Holy, famous ELSA, ELSIE.. Good cheer ELSBETH, ELSPETH.. See Elizabeth ELVIRA.. Sturdy character EMANUELA.. God is with us EMILIA, EMILY.. Industrious EMMA.. Nurse EMMYLOU.. See Emma and Louise ENA.. Purity ENID.. Soul ERICA.. Heroic ERMA.. Noble maid ERNA.. Modest ERNESTINE.. Little zealot ERTHEL.. Child of the earth ESMERALDA, ESMERELDA.. Greatly admired one ESTELLE.. Star ESTHER.. Star ETHEL, ETHELINDA.. Noble ETTA.. See Harriet, Honrietta EUDORA.. Beautiful gilt BULALIA, EULALIE.. Well spoken EUNICE.. Good victory EUPHEMIA.. Woll spoken of EUSTACIA.. Stoadfast EVADNE.. Sweet singer EVALINA, (E).. Little Eva EVANGELINE.. Little bearer of good tidings EVANTHE.. Fair tower EVELYN.. Little pleasant one, little Eve
F FAITH.. Trust FANNIE, (Y).. See Frances FATIMA.. Curious FAUSTINA.. Little lucky one FAWN, (IA).. Young deer FAY, FAIRY.. See Faith FAYETTE.. Little fairy FEDORA.. See Theodora FELICE, FELICIA.. Happy FELIPA.. See Filippa FERDINANDA, FERNANDA.. Peaceful FERN.. Sincerity FIDELIA.. Faithful FIFI, FIFINE.. French FILIPPA.. Lover of horses FLAVIA.. Flaxen-haired FLORA.. Flower FLORABEL.. Flower of beauty FLORELLA.. Little flower FLORENCE.. Flowering FLORENDA.. Blooming FLORETTA, FLORETTE, FLEURETTE.. Little flower FLORINDA.. See Florenda FRANCES, FRANCESCA, FRANCHETTE.. Free FRANCINE.. Litte tree one FREDERICA.. Peaceful ruler FREYA.. Beloved FRIEDA, PREDA.. Poacetul FRITZIE.. See Frances FULVIA.. Golden
G GABRIELLA, (ELLE).. God's strength GAIL, GALE.. See Abigail GALATEA.. Pure GARLAND. Floral wreath GAY.. Merry GENEVIEVE.. White as foam GENEVRA, GINEVRA.. See Guinevere GEORGETTE, (IA), (ANA), (INA).. Farmerette GERALDINE.. Little spear wielder GERDA.. Swordswoman GERMAINE.. Spear maiden GERTRUDE.. Spear maiden GILBERTA, GILBERTINE.. Bright servant GILDA.. God's servant GINA.. Little one or silvery GLADYS.. Delicate GLEN, (YSS); GLENN, (A).. Valley GLENDA.. The valley GLORIA, GLORIANA.. Fame GODIVA.. Gift of God GOLDA, (IE), (INE), (Y).. Golden one GRACE, GRATIA.. Favor GREER.. Jewel-like GRETA, GRETCHEN, GRETEL.. See Margaret GRISEL, GRISELDA.. Grey-eyed one GUINEVERE.. Fair GUSSIE, GUSTAVA, GUSTY.. See Augusta GWENDOLEN, (LINE), (LYN), GWENNA.. White-browed
H HADASSAH.. Star HAIDEE.. Modest HANNAH.. Gracious HARRIET, HATTIE.. Head of the hearth HAZEL.. God watches over HEATHER.. Heath flower HEBE.. Youth HEDDA, HEDWIG, HEDY.. Guardian HEIDI.. Expressing joy HELEN.. Bright as the dawn HELGA.. Holy HELOISE.. See Eloise HENRIETTA, (ETTE).. Little head of house HEPZIBAH.. She is delight HERMA.. Beloved HERMIONE.. Noble maiden HERMOSA.. Beautiful HERTHA.. Of the earth HESTER, HETTY.. See Esther HILARY.. Happy HILDA.. Maid of battle HILDEGARD, HILDEGARDE.. Battle guardian HOLLY.. Holy HONORA, (IA).. Honorable HOPE.. Expectation HORTENSE, (LA).. Flower lover HULDA, HULDAH.. Sprightly HYACINTH.. The flower HYPATIA.. Excellent one
I IANTHA, IANTHE.. Violet IDA.. Happy ILGA.. See Holga ILKA.. Helen ILONA, ILONE.. Radiant ILSA, ILSE.. See Elizabeth IMOGEN, (GENE).. Born of love INA.. Little one INEZ.. Like a lamb INGRID.. Daughter INOLA.. Like a bell IOLANTHE.. Fairy-like IONA, IONE.. Purple gem IRENE.. Peace bearer IRIS.. Rainbow IRMA.. Noble maid ISOBEL.. See Elizabeth ISADORA.. Gift of Isis ISEULT, ISOLDE.. Fair IVY.. Friendship
J JACOBINA.. Replacer JACQUELINE.. See Jacobina JAMESINA.. See Jacobina JANE, JANET, JANICE, JANINE.. God is gracious JASMINE.. The flower JEAN, (INE), (NNE), (NETTE), JENNIE, (Y) .. See Jane JEMIMA.. Dove JENNIFER.. The wave's crest JESSAMINE, JESSAMY.. See Jasmine JESSICA, JESSIE.. Wealthy JEWELL.. Thing of joy JILL.. See Julia JO.. See Josephine JOAN, JOANNA.. See Jane JOCELYN.. Lively JOHANNA.. See Jane JOSEPHINE.. Prosperous JOY.. Gladness JOYCE.. Merry JUANA, JUANITA.. See Jane JUDITH, JUDY.. Praise unto the Lord JULIA, JULIANA, JULIE, JULIET.. Soft-haired JUNE.. Feminine of Junius JUSTINA, JUSTINE.. Upright
K KAREN, KARIN.. See Kate KARLA.. See Carla KATE, KATHERINA,KATHERINE, KATHLEEN, KATHRINE, KATHRYN, KATRINA, KATRINE, KAY.. Pure one KIM.. Noble KIRSTEN.. See Christina KIT, KITTY.. See Kate
L LAURA, (EL). (EN), (ETTA), (ETTE), (INDA): LORINDA.. Tree, victory LAVERNE.. The spring LAVINIA.. Pure LEAH. Languid LEALA.. Faithful LEATRICE.. See Beatrice LEDA.. Slim LEILA.. Dark beauty LELA.. See Leala, Leila LENA.. See Helena LENORA, (E).. See Eleanor LEONA, LEONE.. Lioness LEONORA, (E).. See Eleanor LESLIE.. Quiet LETITIA, LETTICE, LETTY.. Gladness LIBBY.. See Elizabeth LIDA.. See Ludmilla LILA.. Purity LILIAN, LILLIAN, LILY.. The flower, purity LINA.. See Carolina LINDA.. Graceful LINETTE, LINNET.. Shapely LISA, LISETTE, LIZETTE, LIZZIE.. See Elizabeth LISLE, LYLE.. Islander LOIS.. Desired LOLA, LOLITA.. Little one LORA, LORETTE.. See Laura LORELEI.. Romantic siren LORNA.. Lonely LORRAINE.. Seeker LOTTA, LOTTIE.. See Carlotta LOTUS.. The flower LOUELLA, LUELLA.. Little Louisa LOUISA, LOUISE.. Famous LUCASTA.. Bright and pure LUCIA, LUCILE, LUCINDA, LUCY.. Light LUCRECE, LUCRETIA.. Lucky one LUDMILLA.. Love of the people LULU.. See Louisa LYDA, LYDIA.. A native of Lydia LYNELLE.. See Linette LYNN.. Gentle waters
M MABEL.. My fair one MADELEINE, MADELON.. See Magdalen MADGE.. See Margaret MAE.. See May MAG, MAGGIE.. See Margaret MAGDALEN, MAGDALENA, MAGDALENE, MAGDA.. Tower and strength MAGNA.. Great MAGNOLIA.. The flower MAISIE.. See Margaret, Mary MALVINA.. Handmaid MAMIE.. See Margaret MANDY.. See Amanda MANUELA.. God is with us MARCELLA.. Little Marcia MARCIA.. Fearless MARGARET, MARGARITA, MARGERY, MARGIT, (OT), MARGUERITA, (ITE).. Pearl MARIA, (IE), MARIETTA, (ETTE). See Mary MARIAN, (ANNA), (ANNE).. See Mary and Ann MARIGOLD.. Flower MARILYN.. Little Mary MARION.. Little Mary MARJORIE, MARJORY.. See Margaret MARLENE.. See Mary MARSHA.. See Marcia MARTHA.. Lady MARY.. Blessed (Blessed Virgin) MATHILDA, MATILDA.. Mighty maid of battle MAUD. (E).. See Magdalen MAURA, MAUREEN, MAURY, MAURYA.. See Mary MAXINE.. Little great one MAY.. Month of blossoming MAYBELLE.. Beautiful May MEDA.. Leader MEG.. See Margaret MELANIE.. Dark-haired MELBA.. Honeyed one MELIANTHE.. Sweet flower MELICENT.. Honey-sweet MELINDA.. Honeylike MELISSA.. Honeybee MELITA.. Sweet MELODIE, MELODY.. Song MELVINA.. Sweet little one MERCEDES. Mercies MERLE, MERLINE.. Thrush MERNA.. See Myrna MERYL.. Incense META.. See Margaret MICHAELA.. God-like MICKIE.. See Michaela MIGNON, (NE), (ETTE).. Dainty little one MILDRED.. Gentle adviser MILICENT, MILLIE, MILLY.. See Melicent MIMI.. Courageous MINA.. Little one MINERVA.. Goddess of wisdom MINNA, MINNIE.. Beloved MIRA, MIRANDA.. Worthy of wonder MIRIAM.. See Mary MOIRA.. See Maura MOLL, MOLLY.. See Mary MONA, (ICA).. Moon-like MORNA.. Beloved MURIEL.. Incense MYRA.. See Mary MYRNA.. Peaceful MYRTLE.. Beauty
N NADA, NADINE.. Hope NAN, (ETTE), NANCY.. See Ann NANINE.. Little one NAOMI.. Pleasant to behold NARCISSA, (ISSE).. Beauty NATALIE, NATHALIA, (IE). • Little one born on Christmas NELL, NELLIE.. See Helen NERISSA.. Out of the sea NETTIE, NETTY.. Neat NICOLE, NICOETTE, NICOLLE.. Conqueror NINA, NINETTE.. Little one NITA.. Neat one NOLA.. White shouldered NONA. Ninth NORA, NORAH. Honorable NOREEN, NORINE, NORITA.. Honorable one NORMA.. Model
O OCTAVIA.. Eighth OLGA.. Holy OLIVE, OLIVIA., Peace ONA.. One, the first OPAL.. The jewel, Hope OPHELIA.. Helper ORIEL, ORIOLE.. Golden OTILA, OTTILLIA, OTTILIE.. Battle heroine
P PAMELA.. Sweet one PANDORA.. Gifted PANSY.. Thoughtful PAT, (SY), (TY).. See Patricia PATIENCE.. Calm endurance PATRICIA.. High-born PAULA, PAULINE.. Little PEARL., The jewel, health PEG, PEGGY.. See Margaret PENELOPE.. Good worker PEONY.. A flower PERDITA.. Little lost one PHILIPPA.. See Filippa PHILOMEL.. Lover of music PHILOMENA.. Little lover PHOEBE.. The moon PHYLLIS.. Fresh as spring POLLY.. See Mary, Moll POPPY.. The flower PORTIA.. Wise leader PRIMROSE..First rose PRISCILLA.. Quaint PRUDENCE.. Discretion PSYCHE.. Soul
Q QUEENA, QUEENIE.. Ruler
R RACHEL.. Lamb RAMONA.. Wise helper RAPHAELA.. Healed by God REBA, REBECCA, REBEKKAH.. Enchantress REGINA, REINE.. Queen RENATA, RENEE.. Reborn RHEA.. Mother of the gods RHODA. .Rose RITA.. See Margaret ROANNA..Famed grace ROBERTA.. Famous ROLANDA.. Fame of land ROSA.. Rose ROSABEL.. Beautiful rose ROSALIE, ROSALINE, ROSLYN.. Little rose ROSALIND, ROSALINDA, ROSALINDE.. Pretty rose ROSAMOND, ROSAMUND.. Famous guardian ROSANNE.. Graceful rose ROSE.. Famous ROSELLE, ROSETTA.. Little rose ROSEMARIE, ROSEMARY.. Rose of the sea ROSINA, ROSITA.. Little rose ROWENA.. Of the white skirt ROXANA, ROXANE.. Dawn RUBY.. Red jewel RUTH.. Mercy, friendship
S SABINA.. Little holy one SADIE, SALLY.. See Sara SALOME.. Peaceful SANDRA.. See Alexandra, Cassandra SAPPHIRE. Beautiful SARA, SARAH.. Princess SARITA.. Little princess SELENA, SELINA.. Moon-like SELMA.. Fair SERAFINE, SERAFINA, SERAPHINE.. Ardent SERENA.. Peaceful SHARLENE.. Little Shirley SHARMAN.. See Charemon SHARON.. A flower SHEILA.. See Cecilia SHIRLEY.. Alert SIBYL, SYBIL.. Prophetess SIDONIA.. Enchantress SIGRID.. Winning wisdom SILVIA.. Maid of the forest SONDA.. See Sandra SONIA, SONYA.. Wise SOPHIA, SOPHIE.. Wisdom STACEY, STACY.. Steady STELLA.. Star STEPHANIE.. Crown SUSAN, SUSANNA, SUSANNE, SUSETTE.. Lily SYDNEY.. Joyous SYLVIA.. See Silvia
T TABITHA. Gazelle TALLULAH.. Indian name for a river TAMAR, (A).. Palm tree TERESA, (ESE).. See Theresa TERRY.. See Theresa TESS, TESSIE.. See Theresa THALIA.. Flourishing THEA.. Goddess THECLA.. Glory THEDA.. See Theodora THELMA.. Child THEODORA, (DOSIA).. Gift of god THERESA, THERESE.. Bearing harvest THOMASENA, THOMASINA, THOMASINE.. Little twin TILDA, TILDY, TILLIE, TILLY.. See Mathilda TINA.. Little one TONI.. Graceful TRACY.. See Theresa TRIXIE, TRIXINE, TRIXY.. See Beatrice TRUDA, (DY).. See Gertrude
U ULRICA.. Noble lady UNA.. Unity UNDINE.. Little one of the waves URSULA.. Dear little one
V VALENCIA.. Powerful VALENTINA.. Little valiant one VALERIA, VALERIE.. Worthy VANESSA.. Butterfly VASHNI.. Strong VASHTI.. Star VANYA.. See Yvonne VEDA.. Knowledge VELMA, VILMA.. Strong VENUS.. Goddess of love VERA, VERITY.. Truth VERNA, VERNE.. Spring-like VERONA, VERONICA.. Image of truth VESTA.. Hearth goddess VICKIE, VICKY.. See Victoria VICTORIA, (RINE).. Conqueror VIOLA, (ET), (ETTA).. Modesty, the flower VIRGINIA. Pure, chaste VITA.. Life VIVIAN, VIVIENNE.. Lively VOLANTE.. Flying
W WANDA.. Shepherdess WENDA, WENDLA, WENDY.. Wanderer WILHELMINA.. Little protector WILLA.. Desirable WILMA.. See Wilhelmina WINIFRED.. Peacemaker WINONA.. First daughter
X XANTHE.. Fair-haired XENIA.. Hospitality
Y YOLANDA, (DE).. Fairest YVETTE.. Little Vine YVONNE.. See Jane
Z ZARA, ZARAH.. Sunrise ZELDA.. Battle heroine ZENA.. Woman ZENOBIA.. Her father's pride ZOE.. Life ZORA, ZORINA.. Dawn ZULEIKA.. Brilliant and fair

From Ellmann's biography, page 439:
"One preoccupation that never ceased to be fundamental to him was fidelity to fact. He had a pointed illustration one day for Budgen and Suter, telling them: "A German lady called to see me today. She was a writer and wanted me to give an opinion on her work, but she told me she had already shown it to the Porter of the hotel where she stays. So I said to her, 'What did your hotel porter think of your work?' She said, 'He objected to a scene in my novel where my hero goes out into the forest, finds a locket of the girl he loves, picks it up and kisses it passionately.'
"'But,' I said, 'that seems to me to be a very pleasing and touching incident. What did your hotel porter find wrong with it?' And then she tells me he said, 'It's all right for the hero to find the locket and to pick it up and kiss it, but before he kissed it you should have made him wipe the dirt off it with his coat sleeve.'"
"And what did you tell her?" his friends asked.
"I told her," said Joyce, "and I meant it too, to go back to that hotel porter and always to take his advice. 'That man,' I said, 'is a critical genius. There is nothing I can tell you that he can't tell you.'""

I have a research on him and there is nothing... absolutely nothing
P.s:He wrote a short story called the glove

Important enough to get its own section in the Shards menu, I would like to do an analysis of the Religion and Philosophy Shards found in-game.
Why am I posting here? Well, since the entirety of what has been given to us from the mystery seems to center around the statue and the monks that pray / meditate in front of it, I think it is only fitting to discuss the various spiritual aspects the devs gave us as being important. Analysis of the game's stance on spirituality may give us clues to further our understanding of what we are looking for with the mystery.
It is my personal belief that Cyberpunk is trying to highlight the process of individuation, some of which you may see below.
I would like to say again, mostly for some others but also for myself, that I really would love to know what the answer to the overall mystery is, but more than that, I would love to know what it is not. Should we be trying to escape the simulation here? Is this a modern mystery school? Or am I and others seeing connections to our own Esoteric and spiritual journeys and putting a lot of hope that a work of art we love might help us in some greater way? If this is just a way to find Ciri in the game or a dick joke, it would be great to know the things that it is not.
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ONE Anaphora of St. Cyril of Alexandria
Firstly, I would like to point out something relating to grammar. An Anaphora is a repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of a clause, used for effect - a famous example would be "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills," said by Winston Churchhill. Anaphora)
This is interesting for another reason as well - the opposite of Anaphora is Epistrophe, which is the same repetition, but at the end of a clause. Epistrophe
The reason that this is interesting is because of our quest Epistrophy, the quest centered around Delamain, which is thus named after the song by Thelonius Monk. Also interestingly, at the beginning of this quest, Delamain mis-identifies you as either Hans Jonas, if male, or Elaine Pagles, if female. Hans Jonas was a German-born, American Jewish Pholosopher, most notably known for The Imperative of Responsibility, which covers social and ethical problems created by technology, as well as his work, The Gnostic Religion: The Message of the Alien God & the Beginnings of Christianity. Elaine Pagels is a historian of religion, known for her best-selling book, The Gnostic Gospels, studying the Nag Hammadi manuscripts (which, if you've read any PK Dick, such as VALIS, you know he references several times).
As for the shard itself, it is found in Gloria's house during the Joshua Stephenson quest, There is a Light That Never Goes Out (a song by The Smiths).
The Anaphora / Liturgy of St. Cyril (originally in Koine Greek, the language PK Dick supposedly spoke in tongues), and translated by St. Cyril into Coptic (an Egyptian language with Greek Lettering), and contributes to the Alexandrian Rites. This is a Eucharistic rite, asking God to transform Bread and Wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. Notably, of St. Cyril himself, he had a theology that resembles some teachings of Gnosticism - he believed the embodiment of God spread from Jesus into the entire human race, promising immortality and transfiguration (the holy glow) to the faithful. Rejecting dichotomy (dualism), St. Cyril believed that Jesus the Man and the Logos (divine reasoning that leads to Gnosis; "the word of god") were one in the same.
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TWO Beelzebub's Tales to his Grandson
From the book of the same name by GI Gurdjieff, Beelzebub's Tales was one of the foundational texts of The Fourth Way. This text is found on the roof of Misty's shop (where the final choice of the game is!), is left behind during the last meditation with the Zen Master (along with the Enneagram, which also stems from Gurdjieff and the Fourth Way), and is also found in the gig, Going Away Party, the one in Santo where you rescue a guy from a house full of slaughtered joytoys.
The particular excerpt covers the question of whether or not we have a soul (a central theme in Cyberpunk2077) and the concept of dualism. Also mentioned is the Tower of Babel, the destruction of which, biblically, caused the world to all speak different languages and not understand one another.
The Fourth Way states that ordinary people live in a waking sleep, though higher levels of consciousness, virtue, and unity of will are possible. It tells us that inner development is the beginning of further processes of change, transforming man into "what he ought to be." It teaches that the soul gets trapped by personality, leaving a person unconscious but believing they are conscious, though the freeing of the soul is possible.
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THREE Buddhism and Cyberware: A Perspective
In an interview with a Bhikku, the interviewer asks why they are against cyberware. The monk says they abstain to achieve Enlightenment, which can be hindered by cyberware due to its vague, fluid status. He asks what an implant is - a part of your body, or an object? Possessions muddy the mind and pull it further from inner peace. He even mentions that cyberpsychosis is proof of this concept.
Considering you find this behind the bhikku monk who was unwillingly chipped - one of the two that eventually tell you that, to find out if something has a soul, is to ask if it is capable of suffering - it seems to be very much related to two big messages: one is the concept of whether or not we have a soul, or whether or not Johnny and other engrams do. Secondly, it talks about cyberpsychosis. Why does David Martinez, for example, have a higher tolerance for cyberware? It's possible that it comes not from the body (he's a skinny little punk), but from the mind. Mike Pondsmith even comments on David's high tolerance, saying that he has a "high humanity stat" (referring to the TTRPG).
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FOUR Earth Reborn
Found during the quest Transmission, which is when you contact Alt through the Blackwall with the VDB's, this shard discusses how mankind has effectively eradicated supernatural beings - even God. It states that little green men have been among us already, paying visits in their flying saucers, though mankind has given up on hope of contact with ET's (not truly sure what point this is trying to make?). In his loneliness, man started to populate the emptiness in him with other beings, such as AI, which brought back mythical forces we could catalogue and separate from us - "here is the Earth and here is the sky."
From a religious point of view, I think this very much mirrors a Gnostic concept - that God, being alone, creates life and "surrenders" to "his own creation." That divinity is in each of us, because being created by God (or a higher power), we are all reflections / mirrors of that higher being. AI surpasses humanity in many ways, so is it possible to become co-equal with God? Or are we already there and capable of it?
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FIVE Homo Deus: Christianity and Cybermodification
Found in All Foods, this discusses how God created man in his image (see previous entry), yet man continues to modify himself, trying to become closer to divine / perfect. However, some voice concerns of hubris, with man becoming his own savior - that only the soul should be immortal, while the body, or temple, should be accepted as mortal.
"Eritis sicut dii," said the serpent to Eve: "You will be as Gods." The next part of that sentence is "knowing good and evil," suggesting that we can determine what is good and what is evil for ourselves. These quotes are from Genesis. This ties in, in my opinion, to the speech you get from Skye - "if you gotta kill, kill." Good and evil are very much human concepts, and it is the belief that without our knowledge of good and evil, we would still be in Eden / Paradise. With that knowledge, we suffer.
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SIX Parallel Lives
This contains the first paragraph of Plutarch's Life of Alexander, a biography of Alexander the Great. In this excerpt, Plutarch argues that one's greatest exploits do not necessarily give the clearest picture of who someone is, their vices and virtues, letting others speak of great battles and more weighty matters.
If I were to apply this in the way that I think it was intended, someone's greatest actions, like blowing up a tower or stealing from a corporation, do not make them who they are. The more telling moments would be in things like choosing to spare a life on a mission, giving to the homeless, letting Cesar keep his money and car, etc. Perhaps some of the moments we take as small, compared to big ones like the ending choice, say more about our V.
Notably, this is found in the Hippocratic Oath mission, where you can choose to take the ripperdoc away from the Maelstrom gang member before she is done operating, or kill him, or, perhaps, choose to assist in the operation.
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SEVEN Teachings of the Temple - Excerpts
Found in the Shinto Shrine, the NCPD lab mission with River, and left behind the Zen Master, I believe this to be one of the most intriguing shards in the game. It says that Sleep and Death are Twin Sisters, putting trust into the fundamentals that unlie all phenomena (things that can be percieved), casting down the great Moloch of fear which stands at the gate of all men's minds. Moloch is a Canaanite god, a great bull over a fire, to which children were sacrificed. However, the idea of the Guardian of the Threshold is also brought here, which keeps us from attaining Gnosis.
Interestingly, however, it says that Time and Space are annihilated in dream life because the energy of the mind is freed from bonds of matter - that matter holds the "embryonic God-man in bondage." It states man has erected unnecessary difficulties through various incarnations / lives, but in dream, the energy is guided by the higher / Spiritual will of man.
Sleep is a function we can use in the game, but often we do not. It is worth mentioning that sleep is way for us to forget - without sleep, we would likely go insane or die. In many philosophies that contain reincarnation as a belief, Death is a sleep between incarnations of life, though, pointedly, the cycle of reincarnation can be escaped in many of these belief systems through an escape from suffering, gnosis or nous, or the achievement of the magnum opus.
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EIGHT The Consciousness Curse
This states that death, the one certainty in the universe of chaos, can be both a tragic end and a release from suffering. It can be an unexpected twist or a crowning counterpart to a life well-lived. However, we are always focused on death, being aware of it, while other creatures do not have this same issue.
This is found in Transmission (contacting Alt with VDB's), near the Ebunike, and on the gig Desperate Measures, working for the guy who has ALS.
With our consciousness also comes the realization that we will one day die, and in this obsession, we forget, perhaps, how to live.
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NINE The Coptic Bible
From the Book of Enoch, this shard speaks of the Nephilim - the children of angels and humanity. What I find interesting here is that this excerpt ends with the earth laying "accusation" against them, which is the biblical flood myth that is present in most (all?) ancient cultures.
The Book of Enoch is used in many different "conspiracy" types of things, including Atlantis, the existence of Giants, or the Annunaki. However, the reason for this is because the story so well ties in to many legends and myths, especially with the connection to the Flood and purging the evils of man / the Nephilim / the human-Annunaki hybrids from the Earth.
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TEN The Cult of Santa Muerte: Who is the Lady of the Night?
This speaks of the Santa Muerte, also known in the real world as the Santa Madre. This is the sacred death, someone who offers protection for anyone who leaves an appropriate offering - rum and tequila (notably, we CAN choose to leave tequila as an Offering or Ofrenda), fruit, cigarettes, candy, flowers... It is said she does not distinguish in her favor based upon the morality of the request, either praying for health and happiness or the death of enemies. However, every offered prayer has a price. With Santa Muerte being the Lady of the Night (very close to the Shinto shrine being dedicated to the Kami of Night, as well as electricity and chrome), it's no wonder why she is important to Night City, a place where there is a body-count lottery.
​
ELEVEN The Holy Bible: Old and New Testaments
Found in a few places, including in Joshua's dressing room, this shows us Ecclesiastes 9. Death is but one event that we all face, and that the good and evil, the clean and unclean, all find the same end. Good things come to bad men equally as bad things come to good men. However, righteous action is "in the hand of God," and is rewarded by God not in life but in death. There is wisdom in making the most of life while we have it, but not to abuse it - take what is to be had and expect no more.
​
TWELVE The Myth of Er
Most notably found in the Jungle portion of Arasaka Tower, the Myth of Er is from Plato's Republic. In this, it describes some notable, mythical figures choosing their next life. Orpheus, torn apart by women, chooses the life of a swan so as not to be born of a woman. Themyras chooses a nightingale - birds and other "musicians" (Orpheus is known to be the greatest musician, even greater than the gods), however, ended up wanting to be men. Ajax chooses to be a mighty lion, for he suffered at the judgments of men, and likewise Agamemnon chose an eagle for this reason. Atalanta chose the fame of an athlete, Epeus a woman cunning in the arts, Thersites a monkey. However, it is saying all of this to highlight the wisest among them - the trickster archetype, the magician, the most cunning of them all, Odysseus. Odysseus says he would have chosen the same, even if he had been first instead of last, and chooses the life of a private man who had no cares - though he had difficulty in finding it.
The wisest of men, devoid of his ambition, chose the Quiet Life.
​
THIRTEEN The World as Will and Idea
This is an excerpt from the real work of Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher - one of the greats, by most accountings of philosophy. "...death is the great opportunity to no longer be I; to him who uses it. During life the will of man is without freedom: his action takes place with necessity upon the basis of his unalterable character in the chain of motives."
In another sense, we are slaves to the circumstances of our lives, lacking any real form of free will. This is our Karma - or, to put it as The Merovingian said it in The Matrix, this is causality.
"Accordingly he must cease to be what he is in order to be able to arise out of the germ of his nature as a new and different being. Therefore death looses these bonds, the will again becomes free; for freedom lies in the [Essence,] not in the [Operation]..."
While this could be taken as a literal death, as in the absence of life, there is also the possibility of death every day - we can choose to "die" and no longer be slaves to circumstance, and be born anew.

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1. Raising Good Humans

A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids
By: Hunter Clarke-Fields MSAE, Carla Naumburg PhD
Narrated by: Jennifer Gilmour
Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 08-14-20
4.5 out of 5 stars1,873 ratings
Regular price: $14.78
Love and Respect Audiobook By Dr. Emerson Eggerichs cover art

1. Love and Respect

The Love She Most Desires; the Respect He Desperately Needs
By: Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
Narrated by: Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
Release date: 02-23-16
5 out of 5 stars6,128 ratings
The Power of Showing Up Audiobook By Daniel J. Siegel MD, Tina Payne Bryson PhD cover art

1. The Power of Showing Up

How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired
By: Daniel J. Siegel MD, Tina Payne Bryson PhD
Narrated by: Daniel J. Siegel MD, Tina Payne Bryson PhD
Release date: 01-07-20
5 out of 5 stars682 ratings
Manifest Now Audiobook By Idil Ahmed cover art

1. Manifest Now

By: Idil Ahmed
Narrated by: Idil Ahmed
Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 10-13-18
5 out of 5 stars2,410 ratings
Fight Right Audiobook By Julie Schwartz Gottman PhD, John Gottman PhD cover art

1. Fight Right

How Successful Couples Turn Conflict Into Connection
By: Julie Schwartz Gottman PhD, John Gottman PhD
Narrated by: Roy Worley, Kiiri Sandy
Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
5 out of 5 stars108 ratings
The Many Lives of Mama Love (Oprah's Book Club) Audiobook By Lara Love Hardin cover art

1. The Many Lives of Mama Love (Oprah's Book Club)

A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing
By: Lara Love Hardin
Narrated by: Lara Love Hardin
Release date: 08-01-23
5 out of 5 stars623 ratings
Deep Work Audiobook By Cal Newport cover art

1. Deep Work

Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Narrated by: Jeff Bottoms
Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
Release date: 01-05-16
4.5 out of 5 stars15,320 ratings
Winning the War in Your Mind Audiobook By Craig Groeschel cover art

1. Winning the War in Your Mind

Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life
By: Craig Groeschel
Narrated by: Craig Groeschel
Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 02-16-21
5 out of 5 stars5,140 ratings
Regular price: $17.09
Beyond Order Audiobook By Jordan B. Peterson cover art

1. Beyond Order

12 More Rules for Life
By: Jordan B. Peterson
Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 03-02-21
5 out of 5 stars13,232 ratings
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone Audiobook By Lori Gottlieb cover art

1. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed
By: Lori Gottlieb
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Length: 14 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 04-02-19
4.5 out of 5 stars42,582 ratings
Regular price: $33.90
The Art of Extraordinary Confidence Audiobook By Dr. Aziz Gazipura PsyD cover art

1. The Art of Extraordinary Confidence

Your Ultimate Path to Love, Wealth, and Freedom
By: Dr. Aziz Gazipura PsyD
Narrated by: Dr. Aziz Gazipura
Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 07-12-16
4.5 out of 5 stars1,240 ratings
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (Expanded and Updated) Audiobook By Timothy Ferriss cov

1. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (Expanded and Updated)

By: Timothy Ferriss
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Length: 13 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 12-28-08
4.5 out of 5 stars21,140 ratings
Regular price: $17.90
Real Self-Care Audiobook By Pooja Lakshmin MD cover art

1. Real Self-Care

A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included)
By: Pooja Lakshmin MD
Narrated by: Pooja Lakshmin MD
Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 03-14-23
4.5 out of 5 stars76 ratings
The Light We Carry Audiobook By Michelle Obama cover art

1. The Light We Carry

Overcoming in Uncertain Times
By: Michelle Obama
Narrated by: Michelle Obama
Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 11-15-22
5 out of 5 stars10,580 ratings
Rich AF Audiobook By Vivian Tu cover art

1. Rich AF

The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life
By: Vivian Tu
Narrated by: Vivian Tu
Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 12-26-23
4.5 out of 5 stars399 ratings
The Power of Habit Audiobook By Charles Duhigg cover art

1. The Power of Habit

Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 02-28-12
4.5 out of 5 stars68,244 ratings
Think Faster, Talk Smarter Audiobook By Matt Abrahams cover art

1. Think Faster, Talk Smarter

How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot
By: Matt Abrahams
Narrated by: Matt Abrahams
Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 09-26-23
4.5 out of 5 stars89 ratings
The Creation Frequency Audiobook By Mike Murphy, Jack Canfield - foreword cover art

1. The Creation Frequency

Tune In to the Power of the Universe to Manifest the Life of Your Dreams
By: Mike Murphy, Jack Canfield - foreword
Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 07-13-18
5 out of 5 stars1,300 ratings
Think and Grow Rich: The Deluxe Original Classic 1937 Edition and More Audiobook By Napoleon Hill, Mitch Horowitz cover art

1. Think and Grow Rich: The Deluxe Original Classic 1937 Edition and More

Includes 3 Bonus Books—The Abridged Napoleon Hill Classics: Think Your Way to Wealth; The Master Key to Riches; The Magic Ladder to Success
By: Napoleon Hill, Mitch Horowitz
Narrated by: Mitch Horowitz
Length: 16 hrs and 53 mins
Release date: 04-03-24
Regular price: $17.49
The Comfort Crisis Audiobook By Michael Easter cover art

1. The Comfort Crisis

Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self
By: Michael Easter
Narrated by: Michael Easter
Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins
Release date: 05-11-21
5 out of 5 stars6,555 ratings
Relentless Audiobook By Tim S. Grover, Shari Wenk cover art

1. Relentless

From Good to Great to Unstoppable
By: Tim S. Grover, Shari Wenk
Narrated by: Pete Simonelli
Series: Tim Grover Winning, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins
Release date: 12-01-20
4.5 out of 5 stars6,149 ratings

Free Audiobook with a free trial of Audible

1. Not That Fancy

Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots
By: Reba McEntire
Narrated by: Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Carly Pearce, Vince Gill, Ronnie Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Kix Brooks, full cast
Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 10-10-23
Language: English
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My Beloved Monster Audiobook By Caleb Carr cover art
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1. My Beloved Monster

Masha, the Half-Wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued Me
By: Caleb Carr
Narrated by: James Lurie
Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
Release date: 04-16-24
5 out of 5 stars1 rating
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How to Keep House While Drowning Audiobook By KC Davis LPC cover art

1. How to Keep House While Drowning

A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing
By: KC Davis LPC
Narrated by: KC Davis LPC, Dr. Raquel Martin
Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 04-26-22
5 out of 5 stars4,140 ratings
Regular price: $11.24
Bourdain Audiobook By Laurie Woolever cover art

1. Bourdain

The Definitive Oral Biography
By: Laurie Woolever
Narrated by: Laurie Woolever, Christopher Bourdain, José Andrés, Nigella Lawson, W. Kamau Bell, full cast
Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins
Release date: 09-28-21
4.5 out of 5 stars922 ratings
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Kitchen Confidential Audiobook By Anthony Bourdain cover art

1. Kitchen Confidential

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By: Anthony Bourdain
Narrated by: Anthony Bourdain
Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 02-06-01
5 out of 5 stars36,154 ratings
Regular price: $13.46
Crying in H Mart Audiobook By Michelle Zauner cover art

1. Crying in H Mart

A Memoir
By: Michelle Zauner
Narrated by: Michelle Zauner
Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 04-20-21
4.5 out of 5 stars11,327 ratings
Regular price: $18.00
How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind Audiobook By Dana K. White cover art

1. How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind

Dealing with Your House's Dirty Little Secrets
By: Dana K. White
Narrated by: Dana K. White
Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 11-08-16
5 out of 5 stars2,950 ratings
Your Dog Is Your Mirror Audiobook By Kevin Behan cover art

1. Your Dog Is Your Mirror

The Emotional Capacity of Our Dogs and Ourselves
By: Kevin Behan
Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 11-03-20
3.5 out of 5 stars446 ratings
Regular price: $25.00
Decluttering at the Speed of Life Audiobook By Dana K. White cover art

1. Decluttering at the Speed of Life

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Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins
Release date: 02-27-18
4.5 out of 5 stars5,093 ratings
Medium Raw Audiobook By Anthony Bourdain cover art

1. Medium Raw

A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook
Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 07-06-10
4.5 out of 5 stars11,205 ratings
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up Audiobook By Marie Kondo cover art

1. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
By: Marie Kondo
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
Series: The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins
Release date: 01-06-15
4.5 out of 5 stars31,980 ratings
Regular price: $13.75
Be Ready When the Luck Happens Audiobook By Ina Garten cover art

1. Be Ready When the Luck Happens

By: Ina Garten
Narrated by: Ina Garten
Length: 14 hrs
Release date: 10-01-24
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All Creatures Great and Small Audiobook By James Herriot cover art

1. All Creatures Great and Small

The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World's Most Beloved Animal Doctor
By: James Herriot
Narrated by: Christopher Timothy
Series: All Creatures Great and Small, Book 1
Length: 15 hrs and 41 mins
Release date: 12-26-99
5 out of 5 stars7,397 ratings
Regular price: $24.74
Meat Eater Audiobook By Steven Rinella cover art

1. Meat Eater

Adventures from the Life of an American Hunter
By: Steven Rinella
Narrated by: Steven Rinella
Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 04-25-23
5 out of 5 stars267 ratings
The Forever Dog Audiobook By Rodney Habib, Karen Shaw Becker cover art

1. The Forever Dog

A New Science Blueprint for Raising Exceptionally Healthy and Happy Companions
By: Rodney Habib, Karen Shaw Becker
Narrated by: Jean Ann Douglass, Joe Knezevich
Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins
Release date: 10-12-21
5 out of 5 stars329 ratings
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Oliver Audiobook By Steven J. Carino, Alex Tresniowski, Laura Schroff - foreword cover art

1. Oliver

The True Story of a Stolen Dog and the Humans He Brought Together
By: Steven J. Carino, Alex Tresniowski, Laura Schroff - foreword
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Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 01-26-21
4.5 out of 5 stars100 ratings
Really Very Crunchy Audiobook By Emily Morrow cover art

1. Really Very Crunchy

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By: Emily Morrow
Narrated by: Emily Morrow
Release date: 03-12-24
5 out of 5 stars115 ratings
Regular price: $17.09
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Audiobook By Margareta Magnusson cover art

1. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter
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Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 01-02-18
4.5 out of 5 stars1,402 ratings
Taste Audiobook By Stanley Tucci cover art

1. Taste

My Life Through Food
By: Stanley Tucci
Narrated by: Stanley Tucci
Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
Release date: 10-05-21
5 out of 5 stars4,252 ratings
Regular price: $13.49
How to Raise the Perfect Dog Audiobook By Melissa Jo Peltier, Cesar Millan cover art

1. How to Raise the Perfect Dog

Through Puppyhood and Beyond
By: Melissa Jo Peltier, Cesar Millan
Narrated by: John H. Mayer
Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
Release date: 10-19-09
4.5 out of 5 stars1,324 ratings
Enough Already Audiobook By Valerie Bertinelli cover art

1. Enough Already

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By: Valerie Bertinelli
Narrated by: Valerie Bertinelli
Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
Release date: 01-18-22
5 out of 5 stars2,367 ratings
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat Audiobook By Samin Nosrat cover art

1. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

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By: Samin Nosrat
Narrated by: Samin Nosrat
Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
Release date: 08-22-17
5 out of 5 stars1,679 ratings
At Home Audiobook By Bill Bryson cover art

1. At Home

A Short History of Private Life
By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: Bill Bryson
Length: 16 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 10-05-10
4.5 out of 5 stars6,432 ratings
Regular price: $22.50
The Omnivore's Dilemma Audiobook By Michael Pollan cover art

1. The Omnivore's Dilemma

A Natural History of Four Meals
By: Michael Pollan
Narrated by: Scott Brick
Length: 15 hrs and 53 mins
Release date: 01-01-06
4.5 out of 5 stars9,317 ratings
The Purest Bond Audiobook By Jen Golbeck, Stacey Colino cover art

1. The Purest Bond

Understanding the Human-Canine Connection
By: Jen Golbeck, Stacey Colino
Narrated by: Jen Golbeck
Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 11-14-23
5 out of 5 stars36 ratings
Cook, Eat, Repeat Audiobook By Nigella Lawson cover art

1. Cook, Eat, Repeat

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By: Nigella Lawson
Narrated by: Nigella Lawson
Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
5 out of 5 stars14 ratings
All Things Bright and Beautiful Audiobook By James Herriot cover art

1. All Things Bright and Beautiful

Series: All Creatures Great and Small, Book 2
Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins
Release date: 12-27-00
5 out of 5 stars3,369 ratings
Regular price: $20.24
Salt Audiobook By Mark Kurlansky cover art

1. Salt

A World History
By: Mark Kurlansky
Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
Release date: 02-20-03
4 out of 5 stars3,087 ratings
Regular price: $23.36
The French Ingredient Audiobook By Jane Bertch cover art

1. The French Ingredient

Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time: A Memoir
By: Jane Bertch
Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik
Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 04-09-24
3 out of 5 stars2 ratings
The Botany of Desire Audiobook By Michael Pollan cover art

1. The Botany of Desire

A Plant's-Eye View of the World
Narrated by: Michael Pollan
Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins
Release date: 10-18-22
4.5 out of 5 stars207 ratings
Your Table Is Ready Audiobook By Michael Cecchi-Azzolina cover art

1. Your Table Is Ready

Tales of a New York City Maître D'
By: Michael Cecchi-Azzolina
Narrated by: Michael Cecchi-Azzolina
Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 12-06-22
4.5 out of 5 stars1,030 ratings
Horse Brain, Human Brain Audiobook By Janet L. Jones cover art

1. Horse Brain, Human Brain

The Neuroscience of Horsemanship
By: Janet L. Jones
Narrated by: Helena Harris
Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 03-03-23
5 out of 5 stars47 ratings
Regular price: $23.21
Big Macs & Burgundy Audiobook By Vanessa Price, Adam Laukhuf cover art

1. Big Macs & Burgundy

Wine Pairings for the Real World
By: Vanessa Price, Adam Laukhuf
Narrated by: Vanessa Price
Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
Release date: 10-13-20
4.5 out of 5 stars19 ratings

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Narrated by: Nicholas Ralph
Length: 15 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 11-17-20
5 out of 5 stars933 ratings
The Devil in the Kitchen Audiobook By Marco Pierre White, James Steen cover art

1. The Devil in the Kitchen

Sex, Pain, Madness, and the Making of a Great Chef
By: Marco Pierre White, James Steen
Narrated by: Timothy Bentinck
Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 09-29-15
5 out of 5 stars1,325 ratings
Regular price: $19.95
The Upstairs Delicatessen Audiobook By Dwight Garner cover art

1. The Upstairs Delicatessen

On Eating, Reading, Reading About Eating, and Eating While Reading
By: Dwight Garner
Narrated by: Christopher P. Brown
Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
Release date: 10-24-23
4 out of 5 stars8 ratings
Regular price: $17.19
The Rural Diaries Audiobook By Hilarie Burton cover art

1. The Rural Diaries

Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm
By: Hilarie Burton
Narrated by: Hilarie Burton
Release date: 05-05-20
5 out of 5 stars2,935 ratings
Sale price: $6.99 (64% off)
Whiskey in a Teacup Audiobook By Reese Witherspoon cover art

1. Whiskey in a Teacup

By: Reese Witherspoon
Narrated by: Reese Witherspoon
Length: 2 hrs and 50 mins
Release date: 09-18-18
4.5 out of 5 stars4,718 ratings
Herbal Antibiotics: What BIG Pharma Doesn't Want You to Know Audiobook By Mary Jones cover art

1. Herbal Antibiotics: What BIG Pharma Doesn't Want You to Know

How to Pick and Use the 45 Most Powerful Herbal Antibiotics for Overcoming Any Ailment
By: Mary Jones
Narrated by: Sherry Granader
Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
Release date: 07-09-19
4.5 out of 5 stars28 ratings
Regular price: $11.69
The Other End of the Leash Audiobook By Patricia McConnell PhD cover art

1. The Other End of the Leash

Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs
By: Patricia McConnell PhD
Narrated by: Ellen Archer
Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
Release date: 06-01-16
4.5 out of 5 stars1,550 ratings
Regular price: $21.05
Training Your Own Service Dog at Home Audiobook By David Winslow cover art

1. Training Your Own Service Dog at Home

The Easy Step-By-Step Guide to Training Your Own Psychiatric Service Dog with Positive Reinforcement and Fun Games for First Time Owners
By: David Winslow
Narrated by: Russ Jankovitz
Length: 5 hrs and 16 mins
Release date: 02-07-24
5 out of 5 stars55 ratings
Organizing for the Rest of Us Audiobook By Dana K. White cover art

1. Organizing for the Rest of Us

100 Realistic Strategies to Keep Any House Under Control
Length: 3 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 01-11-22
5 out of 5 stars907 ratings
Regular price: $15.29
Second Nature Audiobook By Michael Pollan cover art

1. Second Nature

A Gardener's Education
Release date: 03-12-10
4.5 out of 5 stars1,418 ratings
Regular price: $20.00
In the Weeds Audiobook By Tom Vitale cover art

1. In the Weeds

Around the World and Behind the Scenes with Anthony Bourdain
By: Tom Vitale
Narrated by: Tom Vitale
Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
4.5 out of 5 stars774 ratings
Regular price: $19.49
The Last Castle Audiobook By Denise Kiernan cover art

1. The Last Castle

The Epic Story of Love, Loss, and American Royalty in the Nation’s Largest Home
By: Denise Kiernan
Narrated by: Denise Kiernan
Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 09-26-17
4.5 out of 5 stars937 ratings
How Dogs Love Us Audiobook By Gregory Berns cover art

1. How Dogs Love Us

A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain
By: Gregory Berns
Narrated by: LJ Ganser
Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
Release date: 10-22-13
4 out of 5 stars1,272 ratings
Regular price: $17.95
Inside of a Dog Audiobook By Alexandra Horowitz cover art

1. Inside of a Dog

What Dogs See, Smell, and Know
By: Alexandra Horowitz
Narrated by: Karen White
Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
Release date: 03-22-16
4.5 out of 5 stars796 ratings
Regular price: $17.99
All Things Wise and Wonderful Audiobook By James Herriot cover art

1. All Things Wise and Wonderful

Series: All Creatures Great and Small, Book 3
Length: 15 hrs and 14 mins
Release date: 01-05-01
5 out of 5 stars2,740 ratings
Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff Audiobook By Matt Paxton, Jordan Michael Smith - contributor cover art

1. Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff

Declutter, Downsize, and Move Forward with Your Life
By: Matt Paxton, Jordan Michael Smith - contributor
Narrated by: Matt Paxton
Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins
Release date: 02-08-22
4.5 out of 5 stars182 ratings
Regular price: $13.50
Puppy Training in 7 Easy Steps Audiobook By Mark Van Wye, Zoom Room Dog Training cover art

1. Puppy Training in 7 Easy Steps

Everything You Need to Know to Raise the Perfect Dog
By: Mark Van Wye, Zoom Room Dog Training
Narrated by: Mark Van Wye
Length: 3 hrs and 53 mins
Release date: 09-24-19
5 out of 5 stars73 ratings

1. All Things Wise and Wonderful

The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World's Most Beloved Animal Doctor (All Creatures Great and Small)
Length: 16 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 12-27-22
5 out of 5 stars85 ratings
The Lord God Made Them All Audiobook By James Herriot cover art

1. The Lord God Made Them All

Series: All Creatures Great and Small, Book 4
Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins
5 out of 5 stars2,153 ratings
Outdoor Kids in an Inside World Audiobook By Steven Rinella cover art

1. Outdoor Kids in an Inside World

Getting Your Family Out of the House and Radically Engaged with Nature
Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 05-03-22
5 out of 5 stars1,302 ratings
4 in 1 Bundle Off the Grid Survival Book, Prepper's Survival Bible, How to Survive in the Woods, 10 Essential Tools to Live O

1. 4 in 1 Bundle Off the Grid Survival Book, Prepper's Survival Bible, How to Survive in the Woods, 10 Essential Tools to Live Off-Grid

Off the Grid Living, Survival & Bushcraft
By: Richard Man
Narrated by: Tom Brooks
Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
Release date: 11-04-22
4.5 out of 5 stars25 ratings
World Travel Audiobook By Anthony Bourdain, Laurie Woolever cover art

1. World Travel

An Irreverent Guide
By: Anthony Bourdain, Laurie Woolever
Narrated by: Laurie Woolever, Shep Gordon, Christopher Bourdain, Jen Agg, Matt Walsh, Bill Buford, Claude Tayag, Nari Kye, Vidya Balachander, Steve Albini
Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
4 out of 5 stars393 ratings
Pappyland Audiobook By Wright Thompson cover art

1. Pappyland

A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last
By: Wright Thompson
Narrated by: Chris Abernathy
Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins
Release date: 11-10-20
4.5 out of 5 stars860 ratings
The Vegetarian Myth Audiobook By Lierre Keith cover art

1. The Vegetarian Myth

Food, Justice, and Sustainability
By: Lierre Keith
Narrated by: Joyce Bean
Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 01-25-12
4 out of 5 stars629 ratings
Upstream Audiobook By Langdon Cook cover art

1. Upstream

Searching for Wild Salmon, from River to Table
By: Langdon Cook
Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
Release date: 05-30-17
4.5 out of 5 stars37 ratings
Regular price: $20.25
Cork Dork Audiobook By Bianca Bosker cover art

1. Cork Dork

A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste
By: Bianca Bosker
Narrated by: Bianca Bosker
Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 03-28-17
4.5 out of 5 stars1,597 ratings
Crate Training for Puppies: How to Crate Train Your Puppy in Just 3 Days Audiobook By Ethan Adrian cover art

1. Crate Training for Puppies: How to Crate Train Your Puppy in Just 3 Days

A Step-by-Step Program so Your Pup Will Understand You!
By: Ethan Adrian
Narrated by: Nathan Rooks
Length: 1 hr and 6 mins
Release date: 11-13-18
4 out of 5 stars58 ratings
Regular price: $6.95
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle Audiobook By Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, Steven L. Hopp cover art

1. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

A Year of Food Life
By: Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, Steven L. Hopp
Narrated by: Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, Steven L. Hopp
Length: 14 hrs and 35 mins
Release date: 04-25-07
4.5 out of 5 stars2,239 ratings
Order from Chaos Audiobook By Jaclyn Paul cover art

1. Order from Chaos

The Everyday Grind of Staying Organized with Adult ADHD
By: Jaclyn Paul
Narrated by: Vanessa Daniels
Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 05-25-21
4.5 out of 5 stars191 ratings
Tidy the F*ck Up Audiobook By Messie Condo cover art

1. Tidy the F*ck Up

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By: Messie Condo
Narrated by: Natalie Naudus
Length: 3 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 06-02-20
4.5 out of 5 stars158 ratings
Regular price: $16.00
Sacred Spaces Audiobook By Susan D. Fay PhD cover art

1. Sacred Spaces

Communion with the Horse Through Science and Spirit
By: Susan D. Fay PhD
Narrated by: Susan D. Fay PhD
Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 03-17-22
5 out of 5 stars87 ratings
The Pet I Can’t Forget Audiobook By Karen A. Anderson cover art

1. The Pet I Can’t Forget

Finding Hope and Healing With Signs From the Afterlife
By: Karen A. Anderson
Narrated by: Mandy Grant-Grierson
Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 12-16-23
4.5 out of 5 stars9 ratings
The Eighty-Dollar Champion Audiobook By Elizabeth Letts cover art

1. The Eighty-Dollar Champion

Snowman, the Horse That Inspired a Nation
By: Elizabeth Letts
Narrated by: Arthur Morey
Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
5 out of 5 stars301 ratings
The Ultimate Book of Fun Things to Do in Retirement: Volume 1 Audiobook By S.C. Francis cover art

1. The Ultimate Book of Fun Things to Do in Retirement: Volume 1

By: S.C. Francis
Narrated by: S.C. Francis
Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
Release date: 06-22-23
5 out of 5 stars43 ratings
Spark Joy Audiobook By Marie Kondo cover art

1. Spark Joy

An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up
Narrated by: Sumalee Montano
Series: The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Book 2
Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
Release date: 01-05-16
4.5 out of 5 stars2,831 ratings
Nobody Wants Your Sh*t Audiobook By Messie Condo cover art

1. Nobody Wants Your Sh*t

The Art of Decluttering Before You Die
Narrated by: Hillary Huber
Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 02-28-23
4 out of 5 stars35 ratings
The Minimalist Home Audiobook By Joshua Becker cover art

1. The Minimalist Home

A Room-by-Room Guide to a Decluttered, Refocused Life
By: Joshua Becker
Narrated by: Joshua Becker
Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 12-18-18
4.5 out of 5 stars930 ratings
Nature's Best Hope Audiobook By Douglas W. Tallamy cover art

1. Nature's Best Hope

A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard
By: Douglas W. Tallamy
Narrated by: Adam Barr
Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
Release date: 05-19-20
5 out of 5 stars425 ratings
The Agent's Edge Audiobook By Jordan Cohen, Mark Tabb - contributor, Sylvester Stallone cover art

1. The Agent's Edge

Secret Strategies to Win Listings and Make Your Fortune Selling Real Estate
By: Jordan Cohen, Mark Tabb - contributor, Sylvester Stallone
Narrated by: Jordan Cohen, Eric Simon, Matt Lionetti
Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
Release date: 06-06-23
5 out of 5 stars66 ratings
The Rooted Life Audiobook By Justin Rhodes cover art

1. The Rooted Life

Cultivating Health and Wholeness Through Growing Your Own Food
By: Justin Rhodes
Narrated by: Justin Rhodes
Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 03-01-22
Regular price: $14.81
French Women Don't Get Fat Audiobook By Mireille Guiliano cover art

1. French Women Don't Get Fat

The Secret of Eating for Pleasure
By: Mireille Guiliano
Narrated by: Kathe Mazur
Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 12-21-05
4.5 out of 5 stars669 ratings
Wine and War Audiobook By Donald Kladstrup, Petie Kladstrup cover art

1. Wine and War

The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France's Greatest Treasure
By: Donald Kladstrup, Petie Kladstrup
Narrated by: Todd McLaren
Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 03-27-12
4.5 out of 5 stars416 ratings
Regular price: $15.47
From Scratch Audiobook By Tembi Locke cover art

1. From Scratch

A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home
By: Tembi Locke
Narrated by: Tembi Locke
Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 04-30-19
4.5 out of 5 stars5,202 ratings
Humble Pie Audiobook By Gordon Ramsay cover art

1. Humble Pie

By: Gordon Ramsay
Narrated by: Gordon Ramsay
Length: 3 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 10-16-06
4.5 out of 5 stars1,480 ratings
Regular price: $18.87
The Orchid Thief Audiobook By Susan Orlean cover art

1. The Orchid Thief

A True Story of Beauty and Obsession
By: Susan Orlean
Narrated by: Jennifer Meyers
Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
Release date: 08-03-01
3.5 out of 5 stars572 ratings
Regular price: $17.98
Eat a Peach Audiobook By David Chang, Gabe Ulla cover art

1. Eat a Peach

By: David Chang, Gabe Ulla
Narrated by: David Chang
Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
Release date: 09-08-20
4.5 out of 5 stars1,921 ratings
Every Living Thing Audiobook By James Herriot cover art

1. Every Living Thing

The Complete Audio Collection
Release date: 12-01-00
5 out of 5 stars1,128 ratings
Regular price: $14.99
Down and Out in Paradise Audiobook By Charles Leerhsen cover art

1. Down and Out in Paradise

The Life of Anthony Bourdain
By: Charles Leerhsen
Narrated by: Vikas Adam
Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
Release date: 10-11-22
4 out of 5 stars340 ratings
Food: A Love Story Audiobook By Jim Gaffigan cover art

1. Food: A Love Story

By: Jim Gaffigan
Narrated by: Jim Gaffigan
Release date: 10-21-14
4.5 out of 5 stars4,056 ratings
Regular price: $15.75
In the Middle Are the Horsemen Audiobook By Tik Maynard cover art

1. In the Middle Are the Horsemen

By: Tik Maynard
Narrated by: Tik Maynard
Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 10-24-22
Regular price: $21.49
Old-Fashioned on Purpose Audiobook By Jill Winger cover art

1. Old-Fashioned on Purpose

Cultivating a Slower, More Joyful Life
By: Jill Winger
Narrated by: Jill Winger, Andrew Eiden
Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
Release date: 09-26-23
5 out of 5 stars78 ratings
Cooked Audiobook By Michael Pollan cover art

1. Cooked

A Natural History of Transformation
Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins
Release date: 04-23-13
4.5 out of 5 stars2,563 ratings
No Ordinary Dog Audiobook By Will Chesney, Joe Layden cover art

1. No Ordinary Dog

My Partner from the SEAL Teams to the Bin Laden Raid
By: Will Chesney, Joe Layden
Narrated by: Will Chesney
Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
Release date: 04-21-20
5 out of 5 stars2,263 ratings
Speaking with Nature Audiobook By Sandra Ingerman, Llyn Roberts cover art

1. Speaking with Nature

Awakening to the Deep Wisdom of the Earth
By: Sandra Ingerman, Llyn Roberts
Narrated by: Christa Lewis, Suzie Althens
Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
Release date: 01-08-19
4.5 out of 5 stars135 ratings
The Man Who Listens to Horses Audiobook By Monty Roberts cover art

1. The Man Who Listens to Horses

By: Monty Roberts
Narrated by: Ed Sala
Release date: 05-03-18
5 out of 5 stars247 ratings
The Book Your Dog Wishes You Would Read Audiobook By Louise Glazebrook cover art

1. The Book Your Dog Wishes You Would Read

By: Louise Glazebrook
Narrated by: Louise Glazebrook
Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
Release date: 11-18-21
4.5 out of 5 stars62 ratings
Regular price: $15.98
Finding Freedom Audiobook By Erin French cover art

1. Finding Freedom

A Cook's Story; Remaking a Life from Scratch
By: Erin French
Narrated by: Erin French
Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
Release date: 04-06-21
5 out of 5 stars1,310 ratings
Raw Dog Audiobook By Jamie Loftus cover art

1. Raw Dog

The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs
By: Jamie Loftus
Narrated by: Jamie Loftus
Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins
Release date: 05-23-23
4.5 out of 5 stars180 ratings
Teaming with Microbes Audiobook By Jeff Lowenfels, Wayne Lewis cover art

1. Teaming with Microbes

The Organic Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web
By: Jeff Lowenfels, Wayne Lewis
Narrated by: Chris Lutkin
Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
5 out of 5 stars320 ratings
The Complete Dr. Sebi Diet Cookbook Audiobook By Stephanie Henery cover art

1. The Complete Dr. Sebi Diet Cookbook

Your Essential Guide to Reverse Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Through Dr. Sebi Alkaline Diet
By: Stephanie Henery
Narrated by: Jimmy Allen Fuller
Length: 1 hr and 34 mins
Release date: 06-22-20
My Mother's Kitchen Audiobook By Peter Gethers cover art

1. My Mother's Kitchen

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and the Meaning of Life
By: Peter Gethers
Narrated by: Peter Gethers
Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 04-04-17
4.5 out of 5 stars20 ratings
Project 333 Audiobook By Courtney Carver cover art

1. Project 333

The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really Is So Much More
By: Courtney Carver
Narrated by: Courtney Carver
Release date: 03-03-20
4.5 out of 5 stars338 ratings
The Power of Awareness Audiobook By Dan Schilling cover art

1. The Power of Awareness

And Other Secrets from the World's Foremost Spies, Detectives, and Special Operators on How to Stay Safe and Save Your Life
By: Dan Schilling
Narrated by: Dan Schilling
Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
Release date: 06-01-21
4.5 out of 5 stars121 ratings
Good Clean Fun Audiobook By Nick Offerman cover art

1. Good Clean Fun

Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop
By: Nick Offerman
Narrated by: Nick Offerman
Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
Release date: 10-18-16
4.5 out of 5 stars1,606 ratings
Losing a Pet: A Book of Grief & Recovery Audiobook By Emily Newcombe cover art

1. Losing a Pet: A Book of Grief & Recovery

The Pathway to Finding Joy After Pet Loss When You Just Can’t Get Over Losing Your Soul Pet
By: Emily Newcombe
Narrated by: Hillary O'Keefe
Length: 2 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 04-11-24
5 out of 5 stars16 ratings
Joyful Audiobook By Ingrid Fetell Lee cover art

1. Joyful

By: Ingrid Fetell Lee
Narrated by: Ingrid Fetell Lee
Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
Release date: 09-04-18
4.5 out of 5 stars701 ratings
Regular price: $21.83
Folks, This Ain't Normal Audiobook By Joel Salatin cover art

1. Folks, This Ain't Normal

A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World
By: Joel Salatin
Narrated by: Joel Salatin
Release date: 10-10-11
5 out of 5 stars2,557 ratings

1. Olivia
2. Emma
3. Charlotte
4. Amelia
5. Sophia
6. Isabella
7. Ava
8. Mia
9. Evelyn
10. Luna
11. Harper
12. Camila
13. Sofia
14. Scarlett
15. Elizabeth
16. Eleanor
17. Emily
18. Chloe
19. Mila
20. Violet
21. Penelope
22. Gianna
23. Aria
24. Abigail
25. Ella
26. Avery
27. Hazel
28. Nora
29. Layla
30. Lily
31. Aurora
32. Nova
33. Ellie
34. Madison
35. Grace
36. Isla
37. Willow
38. Zoe
39. Riley
40. Stella
41. Eliana
42. Ivy
43. Victoria
44. Emilia
45. Zoey
46. Naomi
47. Hannah
48. Lucy
49. Elena
50. Lillian
51. Maya
52. Leah
53. Paisley
54. Addison
55. Natalie
56. Valentina
57. Everly
58. Delilah
59. Leilani
60. Madelyn
61. Kinsley
62. Ruby
63. Sophie
64. Alice
65. Genesis
66. Claire
67. Audrey
68. Sadie
69. Aaliyah
70. Josephine
71. Autumn
72. Brooklyn
73. Quinn
74. Kennedy
75. Cora
76. Savannah
77. Caroline
78. Athena
79. Natalia
80. Hailey
81. Aubrey
82. Emery
83. Anna
84. Iris
85. Bella
86. Eloise
87. Skylar
88. Jade
89. Gabriella
90. Ariana
91. Maria
92. Adeline
93. Lydia
94. Sarah
95. Nevaeh
96. Serenity
97. Liliana
98. Ayla
99. Everleigh
100. Raelynn
101. Allison
102. Madeline
103. Vivian
104. Maeve
105. Lyla
106. Samantha
107. Rylee
108. Eva
109. Melody
110. Clara
111. Hadley
112. Julia
113. Piper
114. Juniper
115. Parker
116. Brielle
117. Eden
118. Remi
119. Josie
120. Rose
121. Arya
122. Eliza
123. Charlie
124. Peyton
125. Daisy
126. Lucia
127. Millie
128. Margaret
129. Freya
130. Melanie
131. Elliana
132. Adalynn
133. Alina
134. Emersyn
135. Sienna
136. Mary
137. Isabelle
138. Alaia
139. Esther
140. Sloane
141. Mackenzie
142. Amara
143. Ximena
144. Sage
145. Cecilia
146. Valeria
147. Reagan
148. Valerie
149. Catalina
150. River
151. Magnolia
152. Kehlani
153. Summer
154. Ashley
155. Andrea
156. Isabel
157. Oakley
158. Olive
159. Oaklynn
160. Ember
161. Kaylee
162. Georgia
163. Juliette
164. Anastasia
165. Genevieve
166. Katherine
167. Blakely
168. Reese
169. Amaya
170. Emerson
171. Brianna
172. June
173. Alani
174. Lainey
175. Arianna
176. Rosalie
177. Sara
178. Jasmine
179. Ruth
180. Adalyn
181. Ada
182. Bailey
183. Ariella
184. Wren
185. Myla
186. Khloe
187. Callie
188. Elsie
189. Alexandra
190. Ryleigh
191. Faith
192. Norah
193. Margot
194. Zuri
195. Journee
196. Aspen
197. Gemma
198. Kylie
199. Molly
200. Blake
201. Zara
202. Alaina
203. Alana
204. Brynlee
205. Amy
206. Annie
207. Saylor
208. Ana
209. Amira
210. Kimberly
211. Noelle
212. Kamila
213. Morgan
214. Phoebe
215. Harmony
216. Sutton
217. Taylor
218. Finley
219. Lilah
220. Juliana
221. Lila
222. Londyn
223. Kailani
224. Vera
225. Kaia
226. Angela
227. Hallie
228. Diana
229. Lennon
230. Presley
231. Arabella
232. Aliyah
233. Lilly
234. Milani
235. Jordyn
236. Camille
237. Ariel
238. Aubree
239. Selena
240. Sawyer
241. Nyla
242. Delaney
243. Mariana
244. Rachel
245. Adaline
246. Leila
247. Collins
248. Lia
249. Octavia
250. Kali
251. Lena
252. Kiara
253. Kaylani
254. Elaina
255. Daniela
256. Leia
257. Gracie
258. Dakota
259. Elise
260. Hope
261. Harlow
262. Lola
263. Stevie
264. Malia
265. Miriam
266. Alora
267. Gia
268. Evangeline
269. Brooke
270. Lilith
271. Sydney
272. Ophelia
273. Alayna
274. Tatum
275. Evie
276. Rowan
277. Marley
278. Daphne
279. Kayla
280. Dahlia
281. Lucille
282. Blair
283. Adelaide
284. Wrenley
285. Haven
286. Teagan
287. Adelyn
288. Alyssa
289. Payton
290. Jane
291. Mckenna
292. Celeste
293. Juliet
294. Palmer
295. Maggie
296. Rebecca
297. London
298. Noa
299. Samara
300. Thea
301. Kendall
302. Mya
303. Talia
304. Winter
305. Angelina
306. Vivienne
307. Esme
308. Laila
309. Nina
310. Trinity
311. Vanessa
312. Mabel
313. Camilla
314. Jocelyn
315. Journey
316. Paige
317. Phoenix
318. Amina
319. Alivia
320. Amari
321. Joanna
322. Nicole
323. Annabelle
324. Raegan
325. Aitana
326. Julianna
327. Lauren
328. Catherine
329. Adriana
330. Madilyn
331. Harley
332. Tessa
333. Evelynn
334. Elianna
335. Rory
336. Dream
337. Nayeli
338. Poppy
339. Gabriela
340. Jayla
341. Cataleya
342. Celine
343. Hayden
344. Shiloh
345. Mariah
346. Charlee
347. Maisie
348. Regina
349. Adelynn
350. Briella
351. Giselle
352. Fatima
353. Danna
354. Alessia
355. Mckenzie
356. Wynter
357. Fiona
358. Brooklynn
359. Gracelynn
360. Luciana
361. Alexis
362. Everlee
363. Laura
364. Selah
365. Reign
366. Alayah
367. Rosemary
368. Lilliana
369. Ariyah
370. Heidi
371. Esmeralda
372. Logan
373. Amora
374. Kalani
375. Leighton
376. Cali
377. Melissa
378. Aniyah
379. Izabella
380. Michelle
381. Raelyn
382. Alessandra
383. Viviana
384. Madeleine
385. Arielle
386. Serena
387. Francesca
388. Brynn
389. Gwendolyn
390. Kira
391. Destiny
392. Elle
393. Makayla
394. Alaya
395. Malani
396. Willa
397. Saige
398. Makenna
399. Remington
400. Demi
401. Adelina
402. Raya
403. Astrid
404. Azalea
405. Veronica
406. Meadow
407. Anaya
408. Elisa
409. Raven
410. Alexandria
411. Hattie
412. Alicia
413. Sabrina
414. Gracelyn
415. Matilda
416. Skye
417. Annalise
418. Frances
419. Miracle
420. Maia
421. Helen
422. Lana
423. Daleyza
424. Rosie
425. Charli
426. Bianca
427. Royalty
428. Sarai
429. Amiyah
430. Nylah
431. Aylin
432. Maryam
433. Scarlet
434. Antonella
435. Sylvia
436. Sylvie
437. Nadia
438. Ari
439. Lexi
440. Mylah
441. Julieta
442. Lorelei
443. Avianna
444. Armani
445. Camryn
446. Emely
447. Rylie
448. Colette
449. Daniella
450. Liana
451. Brinley
452. Kate
453. Salem
454. Marlee
455. Alison
456. Carmen
457. Felicity
458. Fernanda
459. Holly
460. Ariah
461. Aisha
462. Kora
463. Amanda
464. Ailani
465. Elaine
466. Emory
467. Joy
468. Oaklee
469. Lyric
470. Madelynn
471. Haisley
472. Allie
473. Helena
474. Danielle
475. Katalina
476. Carolina
477. Zariah
478. Navy
479. Cassidy
480. Lorelai
481. Stephanie
482. Alma
483. Mira
484. Legacy
485. Jolene
486. Anya
487. Dorothy
488. Paris
489. Yaretzi
490. Aurelia
491. Maddison
492. Renata
493. Jimena
494. Xiomara
495. Itzel
496. Heaven
497. Lyra
498. Estella
499. Gabrielle
500. Maren
501. Jacqueline
502. Jennifer
503. Imani
504. Jordan
505. Paislee
506. Ainsley
507. Emmy
508. Jessica
509. Alondra
510. Mae
511. Makenzie
512. Bristol
513. Edith
514. Cameron
515. Elora
516. Jazlyn
517. Averie
518. Ivory
519. Kenzie
520. Emelia
521. Angel
522. Cecelia
523. Maliyah
524. Oakleigh
525. Opal
526. Oaklyn
527. Kinley
528. Kayleigh
529. Bonnie
530. April
531. Kamryn
532. Mallory
533. Briar
534. Leona
535. Keira
536. Alexa
537. Macie
538. Ariya
539. Briana
540. Virginia
541. Skyler
542. Amber
543. Hanna
544. Monroe
545. Frankie
546. Miranda
547. Dayana
548. Charleigh
549. Meredith
550. Carter
551. Sierra
552. Sunny
553. Indie
554. Eve
555. Beatrice
556. Nalani
557. Kyla
558. Clementine
559. Katie
560. Kennedi
561. Myra
562. Blaire
563. Davina
564. Faye
565. Anahi
566. Madilynn
567. Alejandra
568. Alanna
569. Ivanna
570. Mariam
571. Yara
572. Anne
573. Addilyn
574. Braelynn
575. Lilian
576. Dylan
577. Amirah
578. Lina
579. Reyna
580. Amalia
581. Amani
582. Ryan
583. Calliope
584. Isabela
585. Michaela
586. Abby
587. Alia
588. Emerie
589. Lylah
590. Holland
591. Sevyn
592. Winnie
593. Leyla
594. Shelby
595. Rosalia
596. Zariyah
597. Rhea
598. Emberly
599. Marie
600. Nia
601. Remy
602. Chaya
603. Haley
604. Kaliyah
605. Rosa
606. Zahra
607. Jayleen
608. Karsyn
609. Malaysia
610. Jaliyah
611. Mina
612. Kensley
613. Lennox
614. Maxine
615. Hadassah
616. Mikayla
617. Margo
618. Noah
619. Azariah
620. Mara
621. Eileen
622. Florence
623. Melany
624. Reina
625. Journi
626. Amaia
627. Kaitlyn
628. Elliott
629. Kelsey
630. Nola
631. Gloria
632. Keilani
633. Freyja
634. Arleth
635. Jenna
636. Sloan
637. Analia
638. Louise
639. Melina
640. Sasha
641. Dior
642. Thalia
643. Noemi
644. Maci
645. Dallas
646. Marina
647. Aliana
648. Ezra
649. Adley
650. Cassandra
651. Aleena
652. Leslie
653. Capri
654. Mckinley
655. Angelica
656. Romina
657. Della
658. Kathryn
659. Kyra
660. Milan
661. Tiana
662. Khaleesi
663. Nellie
664. Cleo
665. Murphy
666. Bethany
667. Irene
668. Ellianna
669. Zelda
670. Aleah
671. Janelle
672. Yareli
673. Adalee
674. Dani
675. Marceline
676. Coraline
677. Estrella
678. Ila
679. Iyla
680. Mavis
681. Kenna
682. Vienna
683. Zendaya
684. Cheyenne
685. Erin
686. Karla
687. Mikaela
688. Jazmin
689. Persephone
690. Elodie
691. Selene
692. Chelsea
693. Scout
694. Theodora
695. Lara
696. Marilyn
697. Novah
698. Ellis
699. Charley
700. Jemma
701. Amayah
702. Karina
703. Kendra
704. Miley
705. Laney
706. Laurel
707. Leilany
708. Halle
709. Jenesis
710. Malaya
711. Marleigh
712. Wrenlee
713. Zaylee
714. Fallon
715. Julie
716. Priscilla
717. Bellamy
718. Adrianna
719. Angie
720. Siena
721. Aileen
722. Macy
723. Estelle
724. Hana
725. Martha
726. Flora
727. Kylee
728. Liv
729. Megan
730. Sariyah
731. Galilea
732. Penny
733. Jovie
734. Jamie
735. Amoura
736. Emmie
737. Henley
738. Sky
739. Christina
740. Violeta
741. Arlet
742. Belen
743. Aviana
744. Kori
745. Monica
746. Savanna
747. Naya
748. Alena
749. Aya
750. Waverly
751. Brynleigh
752. Aliza
753. Kiana
754. Love
755. Clover
756. Pearl
757. Skyla
758. Bria
759. Ocean
760. Alisson
761. Treasure
762. Lillie
763. Jaylani
764. Liberty
765. Rayna
766. Milana
767. Zaria
768. Emerald
769. Halo
770. Taytum
771. Andi
772. Milena
773. Noor
774. Kataleya
775. Kimber
776. Carly
777. Jream
778. Samira
779. Ashlyn
780. Hunter
781. Marlowe
782. Promise
783. Joelle
784. Dulce
785. Lea
786. Ashlynn
787. Zoya
788. Elliot
789. Jolie
790. Kai
791. Bridget
792. Johanna
793. Paulina
794. Ramona
795. Aila
796. Jessie
797. Mercy
798. Rayne
799. Rivka
800. Arlette
801. Paula
802. Valery
803. Birdie
804. Nala
805. Kelly
806. Kinslee
807. Linda
808. Madisyn
809. Aspyn
810. Baylor
811. Chana
812. Zaniyah
813. Goldie
814. Marianna
815. Novalee
816. Loretta
817. Elyse
818. Stormi
819. Adele
820. Berkley
821. Anika
822. Marisol
823. Kassidy
824. Roselyn
825. Louisa
826. Alexia
827. Dalia
828. Ensley
829. Hayley
830. Jayda
831. Harmoni
832. Jada
833. Marigold
834. Zayla
835. Ayleen
836. Natasha
837. Sol
838. Annika
839. Malayah
840. Drew
841. Anais
842. Angelique
843. Zhuri
844. Aliya
845. Azaria
846. Zora
847. Allyson
848. Brittany
849. Kamiyah
850. Gwen
851. Vada
852. Giuliana
853. Elina
854. Hadlee
855. Itzayana
856. Jianna
857. Cadence
858. Greta
859. Lilianna
860. Denver
861. Robin
862. August
863. Jazmine
864. Royal
865. Braelyn
866. Celia
867. Yamileth
868. Avayah
869. Baylee
870. Iliana
871. Teresa
872. Amelie
873. Judith
874. Kara
875. Lacey
876. Amiri
877. Elowyn
878. Georgina
879. Justice
880. Emmalyn
881. Harlee
882. Kamari
883. Kaydence
884. Khalani
885. Luisa
886. Whitley
887. Bailee
888. Cynthia
889. Karter
890. Livia
891. Aubrie
892. Veda
893. Janiyah
894. Salma
895. Araya
896. Aubrielle
897. Bexley
898. Giana
899. Keyla
900. Katelyn
901. Saoirse
902. Sariah
903. Araceli
904. Artemis
905. Averi
906. Yasmin
907. Kaiya
908. Emberlynn
909. Amaris
910. Sapphire
911. Kallie
912. Shay
913. Guinevere
914. Lilyana
915. Magdalena
916. Tinsley
917. Zainab
918. Deborah
919. Kenia
920. Laylah
921. Layne
922. Scottie
923. Carla
924. Chandler
925. Rosalina
926. Kairi
927. Lauryn
928. Nyomi
929. Raina
930. Aubriella
931. Elia
932. Lenora
933. Lisa
934. Nori
935. Tiffany
936. Giovanna
937. Jaylah
938. Rosalyn
939. Chanel
940. Maddie
941. Avah
942. Leanna
943. Luz
944. Addilynn
945. Brylee
946. Casey
947. Laylani
948. Tru
949. Billie
950. Lottie
951. Alianna
952. Meilani
953. Lexie
954. Nathalia
955. Avalynn
956. Julissa
957. Paloma
958. Rosalee
959. Rebekah
960. Simone
961. Egypt
962. Scarlette
963. Sarahi
964. Alaiya
965. Hadleigh
966. Inaya
967. Keily
968. Lakelynn
969. Nyra
970. Princess
971. Rowyn
972. Vida
973. Elisabeth
974. India
975. Ryann
976. Barbara
977. Belle
978. Saanvi
979. Xyla
980. Winona
981. Aadhya
982. Indigo
983. Lakelyn
984. Paola
985. Emmeline
986. Joyce
987. Kamilah
988. Maisy
989. Rylan
990. Soleil
991. Ainhoa
992. Maleah
993. Neriah
994. Elsa
995. Emiliana
996. Luella
997. Nancy
998. Cielo
999. Madalyn
1000. Kahlani

The 36th Annual Lambda Literary Award finalists were announced yesterday and so many great books have been nominated:
https://lambdaliterary.org/awards/current-finalists/
What are everyone's favorites from the list?
​
GAY FICTION
American Scholar // Patrick E. Horrigan (Lethe Press) Blackouts // Justin Torres (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Brother & Sister Enter the Forest: A Novel // Richard Mirabella (Catapult) Family Meal // Bryan Washington (Penguin Random House / Riverhead Books) I Will Greet the Sun Again // Khashayar J. Khabushani (Hogarth Books)
LESBIAN FICTION
Big Swiss // Jen Beagin (Scribner) Biography of X // Catherine Lacey (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Organ Meats // K-Ming Chang (One World) Our Hideous Progeny // C E McGill (HarperCollins Publishers) Pomegranate // Helen Elaine Lee (Atria Books)
BISEXUAL FICTION
All-Night Pharmacy: A Novel // Ruth Madievsky (Catapult) Endpapers // Jennifer Savran Kelly (Algonquin Books) Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen // Sarah James (Sourcebooks) Natural Beauty // Ling Ling Huang (Penguin Random House / Dutton) Old Enough // Haley Jakobson (Penguin Random House / Dutton)
TRANSGENDER FICTION
Bellies //Nicola Dinan (Hanover Square Press) Girlfriends // Emily Zhou (LittlePuss Press) The Rage Letters // Valérie Bah; translator Kama La Mackerel (Metonymy Press) Trash // Sylvia Aguilar Zéleny (Deep Vellum) Wild Geese // Soula Emmanuel (Feminist Press)

SFF here means all speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, alternate history, magical realism etc).
The following SFF books will be published in the U.S. in April 2024. Other countries may differ.
If you know of others, please add them as comments below. If I've made any mistakes, just let me know, and I'll fix them up.
The published book formats are included with each entry (mostly hardcover and/or trade paperback with the occasional ebook). This information is obtained from the isfdb website which lists one format type for each entry but mostly omits ebook entries. If it's a new hardcover and/or trade paperback book, it's very likely that an ebook is also coming out at the same time.
If you are using the Chrome browser, you might find the Goodreads Right Click extension useful, to find out more information on books that you are interested in:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/goodreads-right-click/fbicpmopjallgdpklipffmihodimmcbe?hl=en
​
Key
(A) - Anthology
(C) - Collection
(CB) - Chapbook
(N) - Novel
(NF) - Nonfiction
(O) - Omnibus
(R) - Reprint
(YA) - Young Adult and Juvenile
[eb] - eBook
[hc] - Hardcover
[tp] - Trade Paperback
​
April 1

• Changes in the Land - Matthew Cheney (N) eb
  
• Jonty's Unicorn - Rebecca Fraser (CB) [tp]
  
• Logical Fantasy: The Many Worlds of John Wyndham - John Wyndham (C) [hc]
  
• Rites of Passage (Inner Circle) - M.D. Presley (N) [eb] tp
  
• Setting His Cap - Aaron Rosenberg (CB) [tp]
  
• The Beastly Beauty (The Enchanted Castle Archives 2) - Michelle L. Levigne (N) [tp]
  
• The Heartbeat of the Universe: Poems from Asimov's Science Fiction and Analog Science Fiction and Fact 2012-2022 - Emily Hockaday (A) [tp]
  
• The Lies Among Us - Sarah Beth Durst (N) [tp]
  
• The Monstrous Misses Mai - Van Hoang (N) [tp]
  
• The Proper Thing and Other Stories - Seanan McGuire (C) [hc]
  
• The Unlikely Affair of the Crawling Razor - Joe R. Lansdale (CB) [hc]
  
• Time Out - Michael Marshall Smith (CB) [hc]
  
• Triad Magic (Triad 3) - 'Nathan Burgoine (N) [tp] [eb]
  

April 2

• A Spartan's Sorrow - Hannah Lynn (N) [tp]
  
• A View from the Stars - Cixin Liu (C) [hc] [eb]
  
• Admiral and Commander (Terran Republic 2) - Charles E. Gannon, Chris Kennedy (N) [tp]
  
• All the Fiends of Hell - Adam L. G. Nevill (N) [tp]
  
• Begin Again - Helly Acton (N) [hc]
  
• Blazing Flux (The Flux Catastrophe 2) - Jonathan Weiss (N) [eb] tp
  
• Calypso - Oliver K. Langmead (N) [hc]
  
• Cataclysm - Tiffany Meuret (N) [eb] tp
  
• Cave of the Crystal Dragon - Tracey West (CB) (YA) [tp] [hc]
  
• Court of Wanderers (Reaper 2) - Rin Chupeco (N) [hc]
  
• Cranberry Cove - Hailey Piper (CB) [tp]
  
• Cyborg - Chris Bradford (CB) [tp]
  
• Darker by Four - June CL Tan (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• Death of a Guildmaster (Revivium 3) - Jer Patch (N) eb
  
• Disquiet Gods (Sun Eater 6) - Christopher Ruocchio (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• Draw Down the Moon (Moonstruck 1) - Kristin Cast, P. C. Cast (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Empire of Shadows (Raiders of the Arcana 1) - Jacquelyn Benson (N) [hc] [tp]
  
• Fate Be Changed (A Twisted Tale) - Farrah Rochon (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• Four Minutes - Brian Andrews, Jeffrey Wilson (N) [hc]
  
• Haunted Hallways: The Mallory Thorne School of Excellence - May Seleste (A) [tp]
  
• Hearts Still Beating - Brooke Archer (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• Hospice - Rick Jones (N) [tp]
  
• House of War and Bone (Gilded City 2) - Leia Stone (N) (YA) [tp]
  
• I Cheerfully Refuse - Leif Enger (N) [hc]
  
• It Watches in the Dark - Jeff Strand (CB) (YA) [hc] [tp] [eb]
  
• Lake of Souls: The Collected Short Fiction - Ann Leckie (C) [hc] [eb]
  
• Lightningborn (Storm Dragons 1) - Julie Kagawa (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• Middle School and Other Disasters Collection - Wanda Coven (C) (YA) [hc]
  
• Murder Most Owl (Magical Menagerie Mysteries 1) - Sarah Fox (N) [hc]
  
• Nightmares in Paradise (Ring of Solomon 2) - Aden Polydoros (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Otherworldly - F. T. Lukens (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• Phantom Limbs: Dissecting Horror’s Lost Sequels and Remakes - Jason Jenkins [NF] [eb] [tp] hc
  
• Play of Shadows (Court of Shadows 1) - Sebastien De Castell (N) [eb] hc
  
• Revelations: Horror Writers for Climate Action - Seán O'Connor? (A) [tp]
  
• Seven Ghosts - Chris Priestley (CB) (YA) [tp]
  
• Someone You Can Build a Nest in - John Wiswell (N) [hc]
  
• Something Kindred - Ciera Burch (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• Speak the Ocean (Speak the Ocean 1) - Rebecca Enzor (N) [eb] tp
  
• SuperDrew and the Betrayal of Donhil Corp - BJ Pierson (N) (YA) [tp]
  
• Survival (The Deadlands (Skye Melki-Wegner) 3) - Skye Melki-Wegner (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Tatia and the Camping Trip Troubles - Kallie George (CB) (YA) [tp]
  
• The Black Girl Survives in This One - Desiree S. Evans & Saraciea J. Fennell (Editors) (A) [hc] eb
  
• The Book of Thorns - Hester Fox (N) [hc] [tp]
  
• The Equinox Test (School for Unusual Magic 1) - Liz Montague (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• The Ghost Forest (Secrets of the Sky 3) - Sayantani DasGupta (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• The Girl in the Window (Izzy Gordon Ghost Adventures 1) - Lindsey Hobson (N) (YA) [hc] [tp]
  
• The Hidden Guardian (Ranger of the Titan Wilds 3) - J.D.L. Rosell (N) [eb] [hc] tp
  
• The Jinn Daughter - Rania Hanna (N) [eb] [tp] hc
  
• The Psychographist - Carson Winter (N) [eb] tp
  
• This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances - Eric LaRocca (C) [hc]
  
• Toll of Honor (Honor Harrington Universe) - David Weber (N) [hc]
  
• Virus - Chris Bradford (CB) [tp]
  
• What If... Loki Was Worthy? (What If...) - Madeleine Roux (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• What Magic Is This? - Holly Bourne (N) (YA) [tp]
  
• Wind (A Starless Clan 5) - Erin Hunter (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• Women! In! Peril! - Jessie Ren Marshall (C) [tp]
  
• Wrath of the Talon (Talons 2) - Sophie Kim (N) (YA) [tp] [hc]
  
• Your Blood, My Bones - Kelly Andrew (N) (YA) [hc]
  

April 3

• Beastcall (Paladins of the Harvest) - Kaden Love (CB) tp
  
• The Plasticity of Being - Renan Bernardo (CB) [eb]
  

April 4

• Professor and the Seer (The Grae Sisters 2) - Eve Langlais (N) [tp]
  
• The Dreadwater Gate (The Inkweaver Archive 2) - Lisa Cassidy (N) [tp]
  
• The Haunted Zone - Sirrah Medeiros (A) [tp]
  

April 5

• No One is Safe! - Philip Fracassi (C) eb
  
• The Storm Beneath the World - Michael R. Fletcher (N) [eb] [hc] tp
  
• Trailer Park - C.D. Kester (CB) eb
  

April 9

• A Better World - Sarah Langan (N) [eb] hc
  
• A Game of Noctis - Deva Fagan (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• A Promise of Peridot (The Sacred Stones 2) - Kate Golden (N) [tp] [eb]
  
• A Sweet Sting of Salt - Rose Sutherland (N) [tp]
  
• Against the Darkness (Buffy: The Next Generation 3) - Kendare Blake (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• An Enchanting Case of Spirits - Melissa Holtz (N) [tp] [eb]
  
• Bless Your Heart (Bless Your Heart 1) - Lindy Ryan (N) [hc]
  
• Catchpenny - Charlie Huston (N) [tp]
  
• Dragonfruit - Makiia Lucier (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Ghost Station - S. A. Barnes (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• Grey Dog - Elliott Gish (N) [eb] tp
  
• Lyorn (Vlad Taltos 17) - Steven Brust (N) [hc] [tp] [eb]
  
• Mal Goes to War - Edward Ashton (N) [hc]
  
• Mania - Lionel Shriver (N) [hc] [tp] [eb]
  
• Myrrh - Polly Hall (N) [hc]
  
• Right Here, Right Now - Shannon Dunlap (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• The Assassins of Consequence - Marshall Ryan Maresca (N) tp
  
• The Beloved (Black Dagger Brotherhood 22) - J. R. Ward (N) [hc]
  
• The Book That Broke the World (The Library 2) - Mark Lawrence (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• The Darkness Rises - Stacy Stokes (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• The Empress and the Moon (The Nightcraft Quartet 4) - Shannon Page (N) [tp]
  
• The Familiar - Leigh Bardugo (N) [hc]
  
• The Forge of the High Mage (Malazan: Path to Ascendancy 4) - Ian C. Esslemont (N) [eb] tp
  
• The Garden - Clare Beams (N) [hc]
  
• The Gathering - C. J. Tudor (N) [hc] [tp]
  
• The Hemlock Queen (The Nightshade Crown 2) - Hannah Whitten (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• The Hungry Dark - Jen Williams (N) [hc]
  
• The Last Phi Hunter - Salinee Goldenberg (N) [tp]
  
• The Living Force (Star Wars Universe) - John Jackson Miller (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• The Maps of Middle-Earth (Middle Earth Universe) - Brian Sibley (NF) [hc]
  
• The Murmurs (The Annie Jackson Mysteries 1) - Michael J. Malone (N) [eb] tp
  
• The Smoke That Thunders - Erhu Kome (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Three Queens (Filthy Rich Vampires 3) - Geneva Lee (N) [tp]
  
• Wicked Problems (The Craft Wars 2) - Max Gladstone (N) [tp] [eb]
  

April 10

• Blackjack - Veronica Schanoes (CB) [eb]

April 11

• Approaching the Source (Warriors of Vhast) - Cary J. Lenehan (N) [tp]
  
• The Eyes of Athene (Tapestry of Fate 9) - Matt Larkin (N) eb
  
• The Underhistory - Kaaron Warren (N) eb
  
• Titanica (The Ruined Gods 3) - Alex Robins (N) eb
  

April 12

• The Palgrave Handbook of the Vampire - Simon Bacon (NF) [hc]

April 14

• Tested by Temptation (Tracking Trouble 5) - Lindsay Buroker (N) [eb]

April 15

• Eye of the Ourobouros - Megan Bontrager (N) [eb] [tp] hc
  
• Skin That Screams - Thomas Stewart (N) eb
  
• Temora and the Dreamers (The Wordspinners 2) - Kate Gordon (N) (YA) [tp]
  
• The Count - David-Jack Fletcher (N) [eb] tp
  

April 16

• Across the Scorched Sea (The Mu Chronicles 2) - Jennifer Hayashi Danns (N) [tp]
  
• Bad Dreams in the Night - Adam Ellis (C) [eb] hc
  
• Calling of Light (Shamanborn 3) - Lori M. Lee (N) [hc]
  
• Deep Is the Fen - Lili Wilkinson (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Dragon on the Loose - Marty Chan (CB) (YA) [tp]
  
• Dragon’s Vein - Matthew Johnson (N) eb
  
• Friend or UFO (The Area 51 Files 3) - Julie Buxbaum (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire: The Official Movie Novelization - Greg Keyes (N) [tp]
  
• Immortal Pleasures - V. Castro (N) [tp] [eb]
  
• Indian Burial Ground - Nick Medina (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• King of Dead Things - Nevin Holness (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Lord of the Feast - Tim Waggoner (N) [tp]
  
• Merciless Saviors (The Ouroboros 2) - H. E. Edgmon (N) [hc]
  
• Merdaddy - Wednesday Kirwan (CB) (YA) [hc]
  
• Paige Not Found - Jen Wilde (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Pinquickle's Folly (The Buccaneers 1) - R. A. Salvatore (N) [hc]
  
• Rising Shadows (Sam Adams 2) - Daniel Meyer (N) eb
  
• Sanctuary - Valentina Cano Repetto (N) [eb] [tp] hc
  
• Sheine Lende (Elatsoe 0) - Darcie Little Badger (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• Starling and the Cavern of Light (Fireborn 3) - Aisling Fowler (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• The First Last Man: Mary Shelley and the Postapocalyptic Imagination - Eileen M. Hunt (NF) [hc]
  
• The Forgetters - Greg Sarris (C) [tp]
  
• The Forgotten Boy - Laura Andersen (N) [tp]
  
• The Harrowing - Kristen Kiesling, illustrated by Rye Hickman (Graphic Novel) [eb] [tp] hc
  
• The Heart of Winter - Shona Kinsella (N) [tp]
  
• The Kill Factor - Ben Oliver (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• The Lady of Rapture (The Bones of Ruin 3) - Sarah Raughley (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• The Last Star Chaser - Demitria Lunetta (N) (YA) [hc] [tp]
  
• The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain - Sofia Samatar (CB) [tp] [eb]
  
• The Star and the Strange Moon - Constance Sayers (N) tp
  
• The Traitor's Trap (The Queen's Blade 4) - D. K. Holmberg (N) [eb]
  
• The Wishkeeper's Apprentice - Rachel Chivers Khoo (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• This Again? - Adam Borba (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods - Molly X. Chang (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• Weird Black Girls - Elwin Cotman (C) [tp]
  
• Wide Awake Now - David Levithan (N) [hc] [hc]
  
• Withered - A. G. A. Wilmot (N) [eb] tp
  
• Wrath of the Rain God - Karla Arenas Valenti (CB) (YA) [hc] [tp]
  

April 17

• Judge Dee and the Executioner of Epinal - Lavie Tidhar (CB) [eb]

April 18

• Apeship - Carlton Mellick, III (N) [tp]

April 19

• Gates of Sorrow (Aulirean Gates 2) - J.E. Hannaford (N) [eb] tp
  
• Living in Cemeteries - Corey Farrenkopf (N) [eb] tp
  

April 20

• Myth-Touched (Shadows of Eireland 2) - Joanna Maciejewska (N) [eb] tp
  
• The Demon of Devil's Cavern (The Buzzard's Edge Saga / Rory Daggett 2) - Brennan LaFaro (N) [tp]
  
• The Merciless King of Moore High - Lily Sparks (N) (YA) [tp]
  

April 23

• A Letter to the Luminous Deep (The Sunken Archive 1) - Sylvie Cathrall (N) [tp] [eb]
  
• A Little Bit Super: With Small Powers Come Big Problems - uncredited (A) (YA) [hc]
  
• A Twinkle of Trouble (A Fairy Garden Mystery 5) - Daryl Wood Gerber (N) [tp]
  
• A Whisper in the Walls (Waxways 2) - Scott Reintgen (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• All Things Seen and Unseen - RJ McDaniel (N) [eb] tp
  
• Archangel's Lineage (Guild Hunter 16) - Nalini Singh (N) [eb]
  
• Blood Justice (Blood Debts 2) - Terry J. Benton-Walker (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• Deathworlder (Astra Militarum) - Victoria Hayward (N) [tp]
  
• Dragon Rider (The Soulbound Saga 1) - Taran Matharu (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• Extinction - Douglas Preston (N) [hc]
  
• First Light (Night's Edge 2) - Liz Kerin (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• Grand Tour (The Brass Queen 2) - Elizabeth Chatsworth (N) [tp] [hc]
  
• Harley Quinn: Redemption (Batman Universe) - Rachael Allen (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• Her Soul for Revenge (Souls 2) - Harley Laroux (N) [tp]
  
• Lion Warrior (Lightraider Academy 3) - James R. Hannibal (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Necrobane (The Warden 2) - Daniel M. Ford (N) [hc] [eb]
  
• Ocean’s Godori - Elaine U. Cho (N) [eb] hc
  
• Off with Their Heads - Zoe Hana Mikuta (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• Out of the Valley of Horses - Wendy Orr (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Saint-Seducing Gold (The Forge & Fracture Saga 2) - Brittany N. Williams (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Shadow of the Eighth (Minka Lesk) - Justin D. Hill (N) [tp]
  
• Song of the Six Realms - Judy I. Lin (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• The Crimson Court (The Realm Reachers 1) - Brendan Noble (N) [eb] [hc] tp
  
• The Day of the Door - Laurel Hightower (N) [tp]
  
• The Obscene Bird of Night - José Donoso, trans. Megan McDowell (Revised and updated) (N) [eb] hc
  
• The Redemption of Morgan Bright - Chris Panatier (N) [tp]
  
• The Sky Was Ours - Joe Fassler (N) [tp]
  
• The Wings Upon Her Back - Samantha Mills (N) [tp]
  
• Too Many Golems - Jane Yolen (CB) (YA) [hc]
  
• Zombie Train - David Macinnis Gill (N) (YA) [hc]
  

April 25

• Earth's Secret (Earth's Magic 5) - Eve Langlais (N) [tp]
  
• The Obsidian Druid (The Age of Aikana 1) - Caroline Barnard-Smith (N) [eb] tp
  

April 29

• Dark Town (Tales of Temerity 1) - Palmer Pickering (N) eb
  
• The Final Shroud (The Salt Lines 2) - Nathan Burrage (N) [tp]
  

April 30

• Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed - José Pablo Iriarte (N) (YA) [hc] [hc]
  
• Calvaria Fell - Cat Sparks, Kaaron Warren (A) [tp]
  
• Empire of Gods and Beasts (Land of Sand and Song / Children of the Desert 3) - Joyce Chua (N) [tp]
  
• Fall of the Robots (The Last Human 2) - Lee Bacon (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Happy Medium - Sarah Adler (N) [tp] [eb]
  
• In Universes - Emet North (N) [eb] hc
  
• Land Glorious (Sparks and Philtres 3) - Tansy Rayner Roberts (N) [tp]
  
• Midwestern Gothic - Scott Thomas (I) (C) [tp] [hc]
  
• Oracle - Thomas Olde Heuvelt (N) [eb] hc
  
• Powerful - Lauren Roberts (CB) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• Relics of Ruin (Books of the Usurper 2) - Erin M. Evans (N) [tp] [eb]
  
• Return of the Vengeful Queen (Princess Charis Willowthorn 2) - C. J. Redwine (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Sound the Gong (Kingdom of Three 2) - Joan He (N) [hc]
  
• The Atrocity Engine (Custodians of the Cosmos 1) - Tim Waggoner (N) [hc]
  
• The Cats of Silver Crescent - Kaela Noel (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• The Lilies - Quinn Diacon-Furtado (N) (YA) [hc] [eb]
  
• The Vanishing Station - Ana Ellickson (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• The Witch Get Witcher - Andres Miedoso (CB) (YA) [tp] [hc]
  
• To a Darker Shore - Leanne Schwartz (N) (YA) [hc]
  
• Winds of War (Seedmage Cycle 1) - Mica De Leon (N) [tp]
  
• Winnie Zeng Shatters the Universe (Winnie Zeng 3) - Katie Zhao (N) (YA) [hc] [tp] [eb]
  

​
Edit1: Added in horror books listed on Emily C. Hughes' blog that I didn't already have (tag #ehh).
Edit2: Added in books from the April io9 SF/Fantasy list that I'd missed (tag #io9).
Edit3: Added in books from Rob J. Hayes' April 2024 list of self-published fantasy books, that I didn't already have (tag #rjhspb).
​
Archive
Previous "SFF books coming ..." posts have been collected here. (Thank you mods).
​
Main Sources

• ISFDB forthcoming books at https://www.isfdb.org/fc.cgi
  
• Horror books mentioned on Emily C. Hughes' blog: https://readjumpscares.com/
  
• Rob J Hayes' monthly blog posting on new self-published books: https://www.robjhayes.co.uk/blog/
  
• io9's monthly list of new sci-fi and fantasy books.
  
• Upcoming Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books listed at Risingshadow: https://www.risingshadow.net/library/comingbooks
  
• Locus Forthcoming Books https://locusmag.com/forthcomingbooks/
  
• Publisher "new" and "Coming Soon" web pages such as: https://publishing.tor.com/coming-soon/ and https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/imprint/orbit/
  
• Reviews of ARC books by various users in this sub.
  
• Other occasional posts to this sub announcing up-n-coming books.
  

I don't know if this will help anyone, but just wanted to share HMUA's I collected from my own research (no particular order):
​

1. A-List
2. Bun Bun Bridal
3. Hera Makeup Studio
4. Julie Dy
5. Makeup by Q (Quissy Chen)
6. The Glamourist (Jane Kim)
7. Joyce Zhou Designs
8. Dreamcatcher
9. Beauty by Jessie Hoang
10. Nikol Elaine
11. beauty_by_thao
12. maiflmua
13. grachelle.artistry
14. viviansampsonmakeup
15. jazzyj_beauty
16. makeupbyelle_hrc
17. Jasmin Yin
18. Chien & Buffle
19. Christy's Bridal Studio
20. Glamour by Kary Li

I have read Dubliners and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. I was interested in learning more about his life, I read about James Joyce on Wikipedia. I quickly fell into the Joyce rabbit hole I’m sure all of you did at some time ago. Obviously he and his writings are endlessly fascinating and complex, but I was truly hooked when I learned about his wife Nora, his daughter Lucia, and Giorgio (I haven’t found much about him) and their family relationship. As an artist I thought I need to research this and write a story or a film script based on this just to see on the next page that many, many people have already been inspired just like me. And Bloomsday, and the art inspired by Joyce’s writings, there’s Joyce scholars, there’s an entire community around this family, and I want to know more. I want to experience all this great art. I haven’t read Ulysses or Finnegan’s Wake. And I haven’t read any biographies or watched any films or plays about the Joyce family. I saw some strong criticism about many of these biographies, I want to know how I should approach this, because I am very inspired and I want to consume all the resources and reading and viewing there is for me. But I don’t want to be mislead or have the facts misrepresented. And I can’t wait to read Ulysses!

Lots of people find Leo Tolstoy's novel War and Peace intimidating because of its length, its literary reputation, and the number of Russian names. I don't see it recommended on Reddit as much as, say, Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo or Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. And I don't intend to bad mouth those great books, I like them too, although not as much as I like War and Peace. I just want to articulate why I love War and Peace.
I first read War and Peace because it was assigned in college. I read a lot of books for college courses, as I was a humanities major. I admired almost all of them (except a book by philosopher Georg Hegel that I still don't recommend), but Tolstoy's War and Peace is the only book I reread, voluntarily, for my own amusement, several times since college. So this is why I like it so much.
War and Peace is an unusual novel. Much of it is pure history, and much of it is philosophy, both of which interest me. And yet the novelistic parts are so well done that I find it hard to put down.
I turned my parents on to it as well. My father was not a fast reader, but he enjoyed it. I thought he would, because we both enjoyed war stories like Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, or Shelby Foote’s three volume The Civil War: A Narrative.
My mother was hesitant because she was not a fan of war stories, but she liked it. After she read it, she said she forgot the second half of the title was “Peace.” She loved all the descriptions of life in Russia far from the battles, or during times of peace between the battles. And she tolerated the battles.
In addition to the war story, there’s a lot of romance, gone wrong and gone right. There are young men getting in and out of trouble. There are religious pilgrims, country estates, grand balls, and aristocratic salons. There’s political intrigue and battles for money that are less violent but almost as vicious as battles with Napoleon. In short, there's a lot more of Jane Austen in War and Peace than most people realize. But there's a good deal of Alexandre Dumas' exciting and violent manly adventures as well.
Tolstoy, himself an aristocrat, did not have the common man view of another great 19th century Russian author, Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Although well educated, Tolstoy also didn't need to work for a living, and left university to live in leisure. After running up heavy gambling debts, though, he suddenly needed an income. As many Russian aristocrats who needed a job did in those days, young Tolstoy joined the army as an officer.
Tolstoy’s experience in the Russian army and subsequent trips around Europe turned him into a serious spiritual anarchist — or Christian socialist — who believed the Russian state and the aristocrats who ran it were thoroughly corrupt. Having lived among Russian aristocrats all his life, he was in a position to know. So although his novels depict the world of Russia’s ruling class, they also convey his deep skepticism about the quality and effectiveness of aristocratic rule.
Tolstoy’s other great novel Anna Karenina is even more on point, and arguably foretells the Russian Revolution, or at least some catastrophic event towards which Russia was headed during Tolstoy’s lifetime. But War and Peace is a historical novel, and the subject is Russia’s great triumph, defeating Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 and sending him home with a very depleted army.
The Russians not only destroyed Napoleon's army, they also destroyed his reputation for invincibility, and within a few years Napoleon's great European empire had collapsed. So although the faults of Russians are on full display in Tolstoy's novel, so are their strengths and triumphs.
At the time Tolstoy wrote War and Peace, the Great Man Theory of history was popular. The theory is primarily attributed to the Scottish essayist, historian, and philosopher Thomas Carlyle, who gave a series of lectures on heroism in 1840, later published as On Heroes, Hero-Worship, & the Heroic in History. Carlyle stated that "The History of the world is but the Biography of great men." Carlyle divides these leaders into several different categories: The divine (Odin and other pagan gods who represent the heroic spirit), prophet (Muhammad), poet (Dante and Shakespeare), priest (Luther and Knox), philosopher (Johnson and Rousseau) and king (Cromwell and Napoleon).
Tolstoy strongly disagreed with the Great Man Theory. He also disagreed with the view that Napoleon, for better or for worse, was primarily responsible for monumental changes in European history. He believed the causes of historical events are infinitely varied and forever unknowable to humans.
When Tolstoy was a young officer in the army, he was tasked with interrogating soldiers after battles to find out what had happened. He discovered that if he conducted his interrogations within two hours of the battle, he would get many different stories, almost all of which were contradictory. They could not all be true. Indeed, Tolstoy questioned whether any of them were true, and whether anyone but an omniscient God could know what had really happened.
But if he repeated his interrogations more than 24 hours after the battle, Tolstoy would suddenly get pretty much the same story from everyone, even including those who had given him different stories two hours after the battle. That's because during the 24 hours after a battle, the soldiers and officers would informally talk with each other about what had happened and why. But although they would gradually agree upon a story, that didn't mean the story was true. It just meant it was agreeable to everyone, and eventually it would be reported as fact, and written down in history books as fact, and passed on to future generations as fact. But it wasn't fact. It was just the story that had won the most advocates and became accepted as fact.
Thus when Tolstoy wrote War and Peace, he did his own research. He visited battlefields, read history books on the Napoleonic Wars, and drew on real historical events. He doesn't claim to tell the true story -- after all, he wrote a work of fiction, not yet another questionable history. But he pokes countless holes in the accepted histories of what occurred.
For example, Tolstoy shows why an inarticulate non-aristocratic artillery man might not get credited for true heroism, where a loud aristocratic officer might demand too much credit and get it. He shows why Napoleon or the Russian Tsar might get credited for anything that went right, while their underlings might be blamed for anything that went wrong. He showed why bold but foolish soldiers or officers might be seen as heroes, while cautious but wise soldiers or officers might be seen as underachievers, or worse yet as cowards.
Whether the stories happened as Tolstoy describes, i.e., whether Tolstoy got it right, isn't the point. The point is that we've all seen credit go to the wrong people, and can easily believe it would happen the way Tolstoy describes. The novel is clearly fiction, but Tolstoy reveals a truth about widely-accepted histories.
Tolstoy leads his readers to question official accounts and histories, even those based on so-called contemporaneous accounts written more than 24 hours after a battle. Yes, memories are fresh 24 hours after a battle, but they've already been tainted, and the account everyone agreed upon is certain to be inaccurate.
Thus, according to Tolstoy the significance of great individuals is imaginary. Even a man like Napoleon is only one of "history's slaves," realizing the decree of Providence.
This is a diversion, but there's another person often considered a Great Man of History who was a near contemporary of Napoleon's: George Washington. Like Napoleon, Washington was a general and leader of his country, but that's where the similarities end. For Washington, unlike Napoleon, never considered himself indispensable to the success of the American Revolution or the new government of the United States. Washington commonly credited Providence for any success he may have had, and calmly accepted setbacks as the work of Providence as well.
Early in Washington's life, when he was only 23 in 1755, he had reason to believe in Providence. For as he said in a letter to his brother after a battle in the French and Indian War:

By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability and expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, altho' death was levelling my companions on every side.

Napoleon probably would have taken that to mean that Providence intended him to be great, and to be acclaimed as great. But Washington seems to have taken it to mean that his achievements should be credited to Providence, not to him. And he also had faith that the country could get along without him.
Anyway, that's why I recommend War and Peace. As for the length and number of names, it's not so difficult. The important characters are highly memorable, and if a book is good I want it to be longer, not shorter. The plot is quite easy to follow -- Tolstoy is not James Joyce. I'm sure any avid reader can handle it, and shouldn't pass it up for that reason.

1. Summary

Uncle Balt is provided with a shout-riddled biography, as seen often through the eyes of ten-year-old Kohler. A mention of Kohler’s part in Kristallnacht, (9-10 November 1938) appears and we discover Kohler married only two years after those fateful nights. We meet the extended family. Kohler ponders and prevaricates on history throughout, as usual. Uncle Balt and the Nature of Being 1.1 Loudmouthed, a man with a bull’s bellow, bucking against puritanism, drinking the hard stuff, farmer, toiler of the land is introduced and described extensively. He lost his wife years ago and remains a bachelor, holding opinions that women engage in frivolous pastimes such as shopping, playing bridge, and golfing (119) and not realizing or not caring about the amount of work women do. “My grandmother slaved” (119). By the end of the section Balt is found dead, having snapped a leg climbing over a fence (126), by kids from the Conservation Corps.

1.2 Mad Meg

Tabor muses on history and offers advice on writing history to Kohler. A historian approaches events with one eye shut, framing events into the narrative that is desired. “You must make of them what you–what you—want them to make…” (127).

1.3 The Ghost Folks

We are going visit your father’s family, says Marty and off they go into the present and past. We discover the tree-like form of the family so, besides Uncle Balt we recognize: William Frederick Kohler (aka WFK [probably a nod to H.C.E. in Joyce’s Ulysses], Whiff Cough, and Herr Rickler), Martha Krause Muhlenberg (Marty, Peg, once PP FinneyneeFeeney), His mother Margaret Phelps Finney, a raging alcoholic, his father Frederick Karl Kohler, her mother Ruth Dilschneider, her father Henry Herman Muhlenberg, and her two sisters Cramer and Catherine (the younger); we also meet Kohler’s two sons, now grown and left, Carl and one he won’t name. Over time, his parents didn’t age, they simply sickened (135). His mother who had an affair with the breadman (rolling in dough, evidently) died five years before his father.

2. Analysis

Sections here, such as with Uncle Balt are perhaps characterized by less overt wordplay than previously seen. The narrative is in this first part more straightforward in comparison to some other parts including the last section of this reading section.

2.1 Uncle Knuckle

Uncle Balt is said to be the term, not the relation. We may read this in one of two ways, as in math where a term is a value upon which operations occur, and relation is relationship between numbers or sets, 3 has the relation of being less than 5, four legs is a relation to the set of all animals. Or, Balt is conceptualized as not a relation, as in family relationship but as something upon which the world acts, outside of the hysterics or dysfunction of the family.

2.2 In a Family Way

Once we enter The Ghost Folks, all chronological and memory hell breaks out in a beautiful brawl. It seems that everybody vibrates at a pitch. Tolstoy said, “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” But here it seems that Gass is showing us that all unhappy families are alike in their dysfunctionality. It’s oppressive. He says, “My god, to be a man as I am—smothered with women and children like a duck with onions” (146). Family past and present tumble about and like Jacque Derrida’s idea of hauntology, specters haunt the present from beyond their graves creating an eerie space in which time collapses. Each memory becomes both a reality and a disturbance.

2.3 Is History Hysterical? Is Hermeneutics Heuristic?

While we’ve seen history in action, so to speak, there is some clear articulation of history and historiography in the section. Hermeneutics: the interpretation of the history book. Kohler thinks that his colleagues see time and history within time as linear, a slice of ongoing eternity (p. 129) in contrast to his view of time as “sifting and sweeping, piddling itself away” (129). We have heard previously from Tabor but now Oscar Planmantee is positioned as Kohler’s nemesis (129). For Planmantee (the plan man to a T), described as “a pompous positivist” (44), a mereological mindset governs the writing of history in which parts must be put into the right order to add up to the whole, “events are made of events” (139). One takes the colliding rebounding events, much like grains of rice thrown at a wedding (140) and orders them according to laws. What one needs, Planmantee says, is “an honest footing” (129). As for the rest: lives, human sufferings, “We average them out” says Planmantee (130). Mad Meg Tabor takes a slightly different view. You, as the historian select, to enter your work of history people and events must wait in line (127), they must to be selected to gain their posterity. While you may exclude nothing, Tabor also advises to discriminate, “don’t water too widely” (127). Here we begin to see the contrast of Kohler in which signifiers, words as things of the world, for example, an arbitrary relationship, lead into signifiers that signify other signifiers, chains, links, rhizomes, an arena where time and present, as with hauntology, blend, a place in which the molar and the molecular are both fluid and equivalent.

2.4 Windows are the eyes to the soul

I point out here the recurring theme of windows. Kohler says “Window through window: I want to pass” (146). And we find a good deal of the smashing or blowing in of windows, with a lightning strike (113, 116), the shattering glass of Kristallnacht. We get to keep this in mind as we watch for echoes.

3. Discussion questions

I’m happy to read your responses, opinions, speculations, and cited passages that may back up your views. 1. Kohler is angry, in a pervasive, ongoing sense. On page 43 he says, “When is the rage I contain going to find its utterance?” and in this section upon visiting his parents he says, “I shall be in a rage” (129). Many people work through their anger, or they have coping strategies that allow problematic events in life to roll off them, and they move on. Kohler seems stuck in anger. Questions for consideration: Why do you think Kohler is so angry? Why can’t he let go? Is an entry into this his musing “We’ve not lived the right life” (145) or is it a lot deeper? 2. Uncle Balt brings up Heidegger and Being. “He was Dasein’s quiet cancellation. Dasein indeed” (116). “Anyhow, Uncle Balt has yielded me a metaphor for Being, makeshift maybe, but an image in the form of a tall dark column of damp air, hole going nowhere—yes—wind across the mouth of a bottle” (121). Gass has used “being” as a noun before. But here we see “being” with a small b as changed to Being with a capital B, (he did capitalize it on 75 and you may find referencing that page helps in answering the questions) directly referencing Heidegger. Clearly the Uncle Balt section does not dive into an inquiry of Being nor of Heidegger. Questions for consideration: So why do you think Gass has done this? Has he engaged in a sleight of hand and Balt is not about being? If so, why? Has he explained the relationship of Balt and Being in a way that is more elliptical but nevertheless overt? How so? Why is Galt said to represent Being but not others?

Helpful vocabulary

A couple of words were tossed out that can be given a brief definition to save internet seeking. Dasein – Heidegger’s neutral term for our existence in a sense “being there” or “there being.” We are just here, beings in the world. Dasein can be examined for our understanding of our being. being – small b, refers to an individual thing that has Being or to a specific kind of being such as a human being. Being – capital B, refers to a quality shared by all beings. Being, reality, existence in general.

Please let me know if I’m missing any from the list and I’ll add them. Many of these books are available to read for free from the “internet archive” digital library. Edited for spacing issues
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