BOOKS THEATER REVIEWS

While Sci-Fi isn't always my immediate go-to genre, whenever I see one with an intriguing concept, I immediately want to learn more. Last year, I picked up THE PUNCH ESCROW by Tal M. Klein because the way the book used fundamental, world-changing tech was comped to Ernest Cline's READY PLAYER ONE an...

Badass Acting fills a needed void in enabling seasoned actors to take their game to the next level. ...

It's almost Christmas, so you need a book that takes place on Christmas Eve today, right!? THE AFTERLIFE OF HOLLY CHASE by Cynthia Hand is a perfect choice this month. While not a retelling of Charles Dickens' famous A CHRISTMAS CAROL, it's very much inspired by the classic novel....

If you are a fan of picture books or have kids, hopefully you already know about the Bruce the Bear series from Ryan T. Higgins. It started with MOTHER BRUCE,  continued with HOTEL BRUCE and BRUCE'S BIG MOVE, got a spin-off with BE QUIET!, and recently added SANTA BRUCE to its repertoire....

If you're an actor, or did/do school theatre, you're going to love DRAMATICALLY EVER AFTER by Isabel Bandeira. What could be better than a book centered around an aspiring thespian as she traverses senior year and tries to convince her parents to let her follow her dreams and hone her talent? How ab...

SMALL SPACES is the perfect book to curl up with on dark fall or winter nights curled beneath a blanket while the wind howls outside and the tree branches scratch eerily at the window. Be forewarned going into this one -- you'll never look at scarecrows the same way again!...

If you love musicals like A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, you're going to enjoy the novel LONG MAY SHE REIGN by Rhiannon Thomas!...

THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A BOOK by Jomike Tejido was an absolute delight. It begins with the traditional Old Woman from the tales. Her children are missing, so she leaves her home (Which is shaped like A BOOK! If you love books about books, you're going to be head-over-heels for this art...

The concept for brand-new debut novel SLAY by Brittney Morris was intriguing from the very beginning: it was pitched as 'THE HATE U GIVE' meets 'WARCROSS,' which is a fascinating concept to begin with....

Disney Hyperion's Rick Riordan Presents line has another brand-new series to add to its growing family. This time, we get to dive into African mythology....

When you first hear the word 'graphic novel,' you likely think about superheroes, but there are so many more genres in the comic book business. Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth created STUMPTOWN, a four-issue hard-boiled detective series that has jumped from page to screen this fall season. Whether...

THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY immediately brought fond memories of WAYWARD CHILDREN to mind. Both are adult fantasy w/YA crossover appeal. The cover is stunning. It's a book about books, & what reader doesn't love reading about people who also love books?...

Well met, dear readers! Are you looking for a fun, engaging read to end your summer and bring you into fall? Pick up brand-new release WELL MET by Jen Deluca this Tuesday!...

One of the most brilliant and thought-provoking books to come my way in recent years is THE 7 1/2 DEATHS OF EVELYN HARDCASTLE by Stuart Turton. It debuted in 2018 to critical acclaim and recently re-released in paperback. If you're looking for a book that will challenge the mind and make you think w...

Today (July 20, 2019) marks the 50th anniversary of NASA and Apollo 11 landing on the moon for the very first time, so it felt like the perfect day to share my review of one of my favorite discoveries at this year's Book Expo Convention, A KITE FOR MOON by Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi E.Y. Stem...

You've admired Elton John's talent, seen the fabulous movie, 'Rocketman,' and now it's time to get the book that chronicles it all. Weldon Owen International has published Rocketman: Inside the World of the Movie based on the recent blockbuster from Paramount Pictures. Film fans and all those who ha...

Cocktail aficionados, New Yorkers, and those who enjoy exciting bar buzz will be delighted by the intriguing memoir, 'On the Back of a Napkin: Bar and Books, A Drunken Boat and a Whole Lot of Munkey Business' written by Raju S. Mirchandani and published by H.A. Press....

With Mother's Day coming up, we have a gift suggestion that will surely please. The 'Mother and Daughter Journal, Shared Memories and Keepsakes' by Bluestreak Books gives people an opportunity to relax and reflect on the joys of life....

In her comprehensive and insightful book Contemporary Women Stage Directors, Paulette Marty attempts to answer a pivotal question: 'How does gender influence the work of women directors?'...

When I found out Andrew Rannells was writing a book I was immediately excited! Ever since I had the opportunity to see Rannells in The Book of Mormon, he has become one of my favorite actors - both in theatre and television. I couldn't wait to read all about his life and how he got where he is today...

As far as play texts go, Company jumps off the page from the word go - carefully crafted and delicately complied, to result in a magic mixture of New York grit and Broadway schmaltz. It's a delight to read....

Drama High tells real-life story of drama teacher Lou Volpe and his lifecareer successes at Harry S. Truman High School....

Few directors working today can honestly say that their careers span so many genres of the entertainment industry. Live television. Theatre. The list goes on and on. But Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon can easily claim such an honor. With a resume spanning three decades, Leon has more than proven his p...

'Everyday Instant Pot: Great Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert' by Alexis Mersel, published by Weldon Owen is just what every home cook who owns the popular appliance....

KILLALOT is the very model of a modern medieval mystery. In her her sixth outing, Ivy Meadows continues to try to balance sleuthing and stardom....