A Far Out Galaxy is a cross between a supermarket romance novel and cheesy old-school science fiction, and I mean that in the best possible way. Author Marjorie Thelen has found a way to combine the best elements of both genres.
On the first page, readers find out the female lead character, Queen Vita, needs a way to procreate since her cloning system has been damaged and is no longer operational.
This presents a problem because she refuses to engage in “sexual union” with any males. This may seem like the plot of every paperback novel with a shirtless man riding a horse on the cover, but Thelen keeps readers interested by never going in the usual directions. Many of the deceptions seem possible because of the inclusion of standard science fiction plot twists. Which of course, makes the reading all the more enjoyable.
On many levels, this book is the cross-genre comedy that I’ve already described, but on another level it explores the nature of love and the needs of a physical relationship. The reader will often find themselves trying to understand Vita’s initial hesitation to engage in a sexual relationship with the male protagonist, and then laugh as she attempts to embrace her sexuality.
Several scenes remind readers of the early, awkward sexual encounters that are a part of most peoples’ younger years, but they are written in a way that keep the reader entertained and laughing.
This book will most likely never be nominated for national book award and will never be added to the required college reading list, but it does exactly what the author meant it to do, entertain.

The Roving Tree by Elsie Augustave

The Roving Tree by Elsie Augustave 

The Roving Tree is a powerful story dealing with intensely important issues such as, racial tensions, class struggles and poverty. When Americans think about children born in impoverished countries around the world being adopted by western parents, the thought usually ends with the belief that the child’s struggles are over. Augustave’s novel seems to be an attempt to show the struggles that takes place after, what most people see as, the end of their hardship.

The Roving Tree takes the reader on a journey of discovery, a journey of finding ones identity that was taken away by the economic conditions of one’s birth.

I believe that this book has a lot to offer both in story and in social relevance. The issues that are dealt with within these pages are the same issues we see on the news and in the headlines being dealt with around the country and around the world. The characters are brave and the insight of the author is great.

The book begins with a powerful scene that has yet to leave my mind. The death of a mother during childbirth and young girl left alone to face the harsh climate of her home nation is an image I will not soon forget. This is a brave book by an author who must truly care about her characters and the issues she is attempting to bring to light.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Haiti or Africa and the plight of the people in those nations. But I would also suggest this book to anyone who attempts to deny empathetic reactions for the poor struggling for their lives in other nations.

Anarchist or Voyeur?

Over the last few days, I have become somewhat addicted to the streaming live feed of the protest in independence square in Kiev, Ukraine. I watched as the cops moved in on the protesters but mostly I just watch as whoever is running the camera zooms in on random people in the street. I started watching to make myself feel like I was apart of the protest. You know, supporting your European brothers and sisters with their fight against a dominating government and all that jazz. But recently I have just found myself mocking the orange hard hats being worn by what appears to be a group who has formed the world's largest meeting of the construction worker from the Village People's fan club. What I am trying to say is that I might have lost focus from my earlier goal of supporting the cause and now I am tuning in purely to meet my voyeuristic needs.
Don't get me wrong, I still applaud the effort of the Ukrainian people to create a no confidence vote in their government but is that what I am really watching for? I can't be sure. Either way, I am sure that I will keep watching because I am really freaked out by all of the riot gear adorned police who are hiding under the bridge just waiting for the chance to beat the Ukrainian version of hippies. Speaking of unjust violence against peaceful protesters, I read earlier that Vice President Biden told the Ukrainian President that violence against peaceful protesters had no place in a democratic society. WTF Joe? Do you remember just a while back when our police were spraying mace into the faces of our youth for demonstrating peacefully during the 99% protests that were being held in every major city in the country? I guess it only counts if we are telling another country not to do it. Don't have nukes. Don't beat protesters. Don't assassinate foreign heads of state.
I should be forthcoming though and say that I did vote for Obama and Biden, twice. I don't regret my vote but sometimes I do wish we had a candidate that would represent the real desires of the people or at least keep their campaign promises. But I suppose that it's un-American to ask for such things.

Someone told me that blogs are dead

So someone told me that blogs are dead. Finished. A thing of the past. And once I heard that statement I realized that I had no other option but to start a blog. Unfortunately, I have absolutely no working knowledge on how to operate a blog. But how hard can it be, right? I write brilliant things (like you are reading now) and you (the reader) read. Sounds simple enough. After I came to this realization, I brought the idea up to a friend and we decided to create The Plethora Project. This blog will be a home for everything from political discussions to rock, paper, scissors strategy sessions. We plan on covering every idea that comes into our pretty little heads and now that we have a blog, you can't stop us. 

Maybe I should start by telling you a little about myself. I am a thirty year freelance writer and by that I mean that I am unemployed. I have a lovely wife and two crazy ass kids. I am finishing up my MFA in creative writing at Lesley University in Boston and most of my time on campus is spent having in depth literary discussions over many rounds of Boston's finest beers. I have done a lot of drug and been arrested a few times but never served any real time and for the moment I am completely sober. I mean literally, this moment. In ten minutes I hope to change all of that. 

Well, enough of this getting to know each other shit. I feel like this is our first date and I can't stop staring at your boobs. In other words, let's get to the fucking point. I am going to write as much as possible and I will also have many other people writing on this page as well. I hope you read along with us.