Cover Reveal: “Drawn In Ash” by John W. Otte

It’s time for a cover reveal! I couldn’t be prouder and more thrilled for my friend, former college roommate, now pastor and author of several books. I’m so excited to share the cover for John W. Otte’s upcoming book, Drawn in Ash! This is the first book in a science fantasy trilogy loosely based on the … More Cover Reveal: “Drawn In Ash” by John W. Otte

Parable of the Sower: compassion in dystopia

There’s something about the way Octavia Butler shaped her story, “Parable of the Sower,” that made it less shockingly horrific than the other dystopian sci-fi novels I’ve read. However, her ability to draw from very real, contemporary ideas makes it more tangible…and so I sit in contemplation of that tangibility…seeing how so much of the … More Parable of the Sower: compassion in dystopia

Brave New World: the right to unhappiness

Last week, I completed my third dystopian novel, Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley. Although it’s set a little over five hundred years from now, the ideas were drawn from the imagination of one surrounded by early twentieth-century science, philosophy, and the ugly rise of fascism in Europe. And yet…much like Orwell and Bradbury…he captures … More Brave New World: the right to unhappiness

1984: pass the gin

Disclaimer: This post is being written around 2:30am. I’ve been up since 1:00am. Anything delusional is only a byproduct of insomnia – take it with a dose of humor. For those of you who want to forge ahead – cheers! A few weeks back, I was discussing dystopian literature with my two oldest children, centering … More 1984: pass the gin

Fahrenheit 451: warning shot across our bow

It wasn’t a book I wanted to finish. Ironic….reading a book with a plot about the importance of books, and I wanted to quit half-way through. It’s also ironic that a book centered on the burning of books and censorship of information was, itself, censored by both its publisher and other institutions (namely, schools). The … More Fahrenheit 451: warning shot across our bow

Four insights from “Anna Karenina”…also, Tolstoy is a rock star

My commute elevated recently by the audiobook of “Anna Karenina” by Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy…or Leo Tolstoy for the Anglicized world. In the book, he used Russian names so devoutly, that it seems rude to call him “Leo.” Though, I don’t think he’d mind…it seems he got a little earthy as he progressed in life. Until … More Four insights from “Anna Karenina”…also, Tolstoy is a rock star