Swagger & Ink

An Underground Life, by Gad Beck
Amanda Barusch Amanda Barusch

An Underground Life, by Gad Beck

As a gay Jewish man, Beck was the target of persecution; yet he worked tirelessly to save lives and help Jews escape Nazi Berlin.

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Excursions – by Ceridwen Hall
Amanda Barusch Amanda Barusch

Excursions – by Ceridwen Hall

Ceridwen Hall breaks new ground in Excursions, her second collection of poetry. These poems seem to relish the freedom afforded by white space.

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For Work / For TV by Fee Griffin
Amanda Barusch Amanda Barusch

For Work / For TV by Fee Griffin

After a long and proud history as a “nucleaus of literary arts and experimentation in Amsterdam” and the completion of twelve gorgeous issues of their print journal, Versal is moving into books.

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This month’s must read: Now in Color
Amanda Barusch Amanda Barusch

This month’s must read: Now in Color

Jackie's voice is so inviting! She engages social justice issues (race, language, family, immigration) with deep awareness and empathy and yet the book twirls with joy at every turn.

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Ready for a Nuclear Thriller?
Amanda Barusch Amanda Barusch

Ready for a Nuclear Thriller?

Nuclear Option is Dorothy Van Soest’s fourth novel and from page one, I knew I was in good hands. The work explores the tension between passion and restraint in crisp, resonant prose.

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Nectar and Small
Amanda Barusch Amanda Barusch

Nectar and Small

These pages sing in a voice that is nuanced and authentic. Contemplating the sandhill crane's millions of years on earth Balderrama asks, "Will we ever be allowed this kind of being?"

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Tremulous Hinge
Amanda Barusch Amanda Barusch

Tremulous Hinge

I can't let go of Adam Giannelli's luminous poetry debut. Tremulous Hinge doesn't rest on the bed stand …

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Melanie's new book!
Amanda Barusch Amanda Barusch

Melanie's new book!

Last week Melanie (my writing teacher) read from her new book, Silence & Song.

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Sisterhood
Amanda Barusch Amanda Barusch

Sisterhood

Sometimes, when I'm lonesome, I wonder whether I would have called her . . .

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Buy this book
Amanda Barusch Amanda Barusch

Buy this book

Gregory Norminton calls climate change "a failure of the imagination," and these stories will stoke yours with visions of life after the tipping point.

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The Ugliest Woman in the World
Amanda Barusch Amanda Barusch

The Ugliest Woman in the World

The ugliest woman in the world, Julia Pastrana, was buried this month, her life revealing hideous aspects of the feminine experience.

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Breathe Deeply, Read Widely.
— Amanda Barusch