Cinema at the Margins (New Perspectives on World Cinema) by Wheeler Dixon

 

Review

Wheeler Winston Dixon's "Cinema at the Margins" brings the reader on a journey through a forest of older films to reveal that the public's taste for modern films is, at least in part, due to access, rather than quality.

Dixon argues that today's generation would  (and does when exposed to them) love the films of previous generations if they were more available.

"Cinema at the Margins" begins with an introduction that sheds light on digitization in the film industry.

The rest of the text is divided into three sections, genre, history, and interviews, each offering evidence for Dixon's assertion.

Dixon's research is extraordinarily thorough and references a variety of sources, from films themselves to directors.

It's clear that Dixon spent as much time in the presentation of his findings as he did in the research, for the text, images, and citations are optimally organized, making it easy for the reader to digest the material.

Whether you're a casual movie fan or a film scholar, you'll enjoy learning about the impact of technology on film history and the ramifications for the future -- which is why you should not hesitate and pick up a copy of "Cinema at the Margins" immediately.

More Information

Buy it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cinema-Margins-New-Perspectives-World/dp/1783080167

Book Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheeler_Winston_Dixon
Book blog page: http://blog.unl.edu/dixon/2013/12/01/new-book-cinema-at-the-margins/
Publisher page: http://www.anthempress.com/cinema-at-the-margins-hb

At God's Mercy by Liron Fine

Review
“At God's Mercy," by Liron Fine, is a suspense thriller that follows the journey of two 50-something identical twins as they travel through Poland, trying to piece together their past.

The novel is set in motion when Rabbi Jeremiah Neumann discovers he has a long-lost twin brother, who happens to be a priest.

The brothers put their religious differences aside and travel to Poland to uncover the details of their origin.

In Poland, they find an unexpected evil that manifests itself gradually, in addition to their history.

The plot moves quickly once it gets going, and it is exciting to see the brothers uncover their past as danger grows around them.

One of the strongest attributes of the book is its social commentary.

Fine has a knack for making the reader think about about religion, relationships, and human nature itself.

For example, there is a subplot involving Jeremiah's strained relationship with his daughter, Eva, who is romantically involved with a Christian.

The novel's ability to make the reader ask questions, as well as its ability to put the reader on the edge of his or her seat, make it a must-read for any suspense-thriller fan.



More Information
Buy it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/At-Gods-Mercy-suspense-thriller-ebook/dp/B00GJMBFS4
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LironFineAuthor

I'll Never Be Free - The Fires of Love & Hate" by Sky Alexander

Review
The first book in a four-part historical-romance series, “I’ll Never Be Free - The Fires of Love and Hate," by Sky Alexander, tells the story of how a strong woman deals with an unwanted arranged marriage in nineteenth century America.

The 460-page novel, inspired by the author's family stories, is set in small-town Missouri, when the state's biggest wedding is about to take place.

The bride-to-be is the strong-willed Hattie Morran, whose poor father has offered her to be married to the cruel Abner Garland as payment for gambling debts.

Although Hattie is furious she is forced to marry someone she hates, she plans a way to gain the upper hand in the situation, which eventually results in her becoming extraordinarily wealthy.

In addition to the interesting plot, "I'll Never Be Free" has a few underlying themes, the main ones being optimism, perseverance, and faith.

One of the strengths of the novel is the interesting dialogue, which is both engaging and realistic.
The highlight of the novel is its cast of strong female characters. Regardless of the trials set in front of them, they remain determined and optimistic.

Overall, the book is an inspiring, interesting read that is perfect for anyone interested in the historical-romance genre -- and fortunately for the fans, there are more books in the series to look forward to.

Additional Information
Buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENRCXAQ
Website: www.romancefictonbooks.com

Learn To Tie A Tie With The Rabbit And The Fox: Story With Instructional Song by Sybrina Durant

Review
Sybrina Durant's "Learn to Tie a Tie with the Rabbit & the Fox: Story with Instructional Song," illustrated by Donna Marie Naval, is a clever mnemonic story intended as an activity book for families with children.

The story describes the encounter between a carefree white rabbit and a ravenous gray fox.

One afternoon, when the rabbit is foraging for food far away from his cozy, underground home, he stops to enjoy the tastiest shoots.

But soon, the aggressive fox, hearing the rabbit chomping loudly on the grass, stuns the little rabbit into a shocked state with his approach.

With a racing heart, the rabbit quickly comes to his senses and bounds off to avert the fox's attack.

At this point in the story, simple diagrams on how to tie a tie are included that parallel the chasing patterns between the fox and the rabbit. For example, just as the rabbit slides under the bush, the tie blade slides under the neck loop.

Children and parents alike will delight in the tale's creativity, the hands-on practice of tying a tie, and the illustrator's energetic and bright designs, as well as the accompanying song that helps commit the skill to memory.

More Information
Website: http://www.sybrina.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/SybrinaPublishing?ref=hl and https://www.facebook.com/SybrinaSongs

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/102965665530138163417/posts/p/pub

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6455676.Sybrina_Durant

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sybrina_spt

Amazon Buy print book: http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Tie-Rabbit-Fox-Instructional/dp/0972937218

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Sybrina-Durant/e/B009K3WGMS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Youbtube book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiyIoftP2yg

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sybrinad/learn-to-tie-a-tie-with-the-rabbit-and-the-fox/

"Queen Darkara" by Renn McWolfe

Review
Renn McWolfe's "Queen Darkara" is a brilliantly written fantasy novel for teens with an engaging plot and a fascinating world.

The story follows the young, beautiful enchantress Queen Darkara after she is summoned to a distant land rife with death and destruction.

When Darkar learns that the land is being overtaken by a powerful, cunning witch, she agrees to do her best to hunt the witch, with a team of equally dedicated warriors, including the dashing, headstrong General Dominik the Brave.

As engaging as the plot is, it is the writing that truly makes "Queen Darkara" shine.
It is one of those books where you forget you are reading, and instead feel as though you are a transient observer in a far-off world.

The well-developed characters and otherworldly creatures, such as the Trickster, a creature with a hunger for human hearts, feel tangible.

The humor in the book adds a light-hearted element to the book, despite the somewhat dark plot.

Unlike humor in many books aimed at teens, the humor does not feel forced; it feels like a natural part of the situations.

Because of the writing, humor, and world, the cat-and-mouse game between Darkara and the evil witch is continually interesting, and the reader finds his or herself not wanting it to end.

"Queen Darkara" is a must-have for any teen craving an accessible, fast-paced fantasy novel.

More Information
Buy it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ECZWI1S
Buy it on Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/queen-darkara-renn-mcwolfe/1117607966?ean=2940148648437

Jayden & the Mysterious Mountain by Katrina Cope

Review
“Jayden & the Mysterious Mountain," the first book in the Sanctum series, is a young adult novel with a fantasy-themed plot that will have readers on the edge of their seats.

Katrina Cope's 222-page novel begins when Avando, a mysterious old man, makes Jayden, a homeless youth, an offer that seems too good to be true --  food and shelter in exchange for academic performance.

The plot takes off when Jayden takes the offer, enrolling at a mysterious school called The Sanctum.
The school itself is interesting for the reader, hidden in the mountains and filled with imaginative technology.

One of the strongest points of the novel is Cope's descriptions of the characters' backgrounds, which add a layer of characterization that helps the reader understand their decision-making.

Cope also does a wonderful job describing scenes and action, giving the reader a vivid picture of what is going on.

The plot is paced well and will have the reader eager to learn what will happen next -- there are even a few twists along the way.

Overall, "Jayden & the Mysterious Mountain" is a good read for anyone looking for an imaginitive, fast-paced YA book.

More Information
Buy it on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Jayden-Mysterious-Mountain-Sanctum-ebook/dp/B00EYSKMF2

Author website: http://katrenee11.wix.com/katrina-cope-author
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author.Katrina.Cope
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/K_CopeFunRead/