Psychaotic: See the World in Red and Black by Irum Zahra

Genre:  Adult, Poetry
Source: I received a copy from the author to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Depression is a common theme running throughout this book. This is not a collection of feel good poetry. They are dark and full of raw emotions. Most of them are free verse poems. These poems come from deep within. They show the hurt and betrayal that is often kept hidden within. "Peace to My Storm" is my favorite of all of them. There was a time in my life when this poem was my life. It is hard to imagine the journey she had to take to write a poem that mirrored my own life. I say this because I can still see clearly my own dark path I walked. For those who like poetry that touches the soul, dark or not this book is for you.

The Universes Inside the Lighthouse by Pam Stucky

Genre:  Young Adult, Science Fiction
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

If you like time travel books then you will most assuredly enjoy this book.  This book is not traveling through time, but through different universes.  Emma and Charlie Neeson are twins who find themselves on Dogwinkle Island.  They really think they are going to have a boring time.  Then they learn about the Balky Point Lighthouse.  Inside is where they can jump from one universe to another.  Dr. Waldo is in charge of "The Hub".  Emma and Charlie travel with Ben and Eva an alien they have befriended.  This would be just another ordinary science fiction book if it was only about visiting other time periods. Instead the author has you visiting multiple universes.  The author threw in antagonist Vik.  The aliens are trying to find Vik because he is causing some major problems. He is trying to destroy the only way to travel between the universes.  He is spreading what they called "The Void".  It reminded me of "The Neverending Story" and the nothingness.  The characters were all well developed.  You have Charlie who is very outgoing and then his sister Emma who likes to hang back, she's somewhat introverted.  The story starts out at a great pace. The events begin to ramp up the tension within the story making it almost impossible to put down the book. You want to continue to read to the end of the book.  This is one that I know my science fiction loving students will really enjoy.  I look forward to reading more from this author.

Author bio:

Pam Stucky, a native of the Pacific Northwest, is the author of the Wishing Rock series (novels with recipes), starting with Letters from Wishing Rock, and the Pam on the Map travelogue series, books that take readers along on Pam's journeys and adventures around the world. The Universes Inside the Lighthouse, Pam's eighth book, is Pam's first foray into both YA and sci-fi. 

Author links:

http://www.pamstucky.com

https://www.facebook.com/pamstuckyauthor

https://www.twitter.com/pamstucky

https://www.pinterest.com/pamstucky

https://plus.google.com/+PamStucky/

Faith & the Parable of the Blindfold: A fun Biblical Adventure to Find, Keep, and Test your Faith through Symbolism

Genre: Christian, Inspiration
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:
Mystery-laced 'Wordplay,' in More Ways than One!
Thomas tip-toes out of a land controlled by Lady Luck, hoping he's unseen. And with only the gift of a map from a friend (named Christian), Thomas begins this biblical adventure to a second opinion and a new place found in the deepest yet highest of levels: Faith. Within a mystery blindfold, Thomas soon discovers his other "senses" to learn why "patience" and "patients" sound the same only in his hometown!

Join Thomas Walker and other symbolizing characters in this mystery-laced symbolic tale! Juggle 17 scriptures and a new imagination all at once inside his short journey. And you'll learn all about faith and how it works from its Story Symbolism, Fun Facts, Discussion Questions, and a bonus Family Skit version. From the better bible memory method of Christian Parables ® which "scripts your scripture without the versus of verses," enjoy! 

My Thoughts:  
This was a unique way to teach about faith. It was also a unique way to get people to study and memorize scripture.  The symbolism in this book was fabulous.  The book is set up so you can click on the scripture and read it right then and there or you can read it all before or after reading the story.  I myself clicked on it as I read. Then I went back and reread the story.  This is a different way to get people into the scriptures.