Book Reviews

Forces of Nature by Ed Steed, published by Drawn & Quarterly, collects 160 cartoons that push the limits of sketch comedy, but not that kind of sketch comedy.

Like magic as a topic itself, this veritable tome of magic has more and more on each page as the reader studies, with wonderfully varied art too.

The Continental Drifters garner the spotlight, thanks to an anthology, a tribute album, and a bio. Plus, reviews of CDs from Phil Alvin, John Surge, and Bento Box Trio.

'I Remember Fallujah' by Feurat Alani is a moving portrait of a family's struggle with living in exile and memories of their homeland.

Reviews: An anthology of tracks produced by Joe Meek, a biography of Arthur Lee & Love, and new music from Michael McDermott.

'Kate Chopin in New Orleans' by Rory O'Neill Schmitt and Rosary O'Neill is a superb hybrid-genre book about the life of writer Kate Chopin.

'Every Rising Sun' by Jamila Ahmed is a brilliant retelling of the Thousand and One Nights and fascinating novel in its own right.

'Summer Heat' by Defne Suman tells a story of war that history books and news stories never reveal. A powerful read.

Moomin’s antifascist sensibilities have continued for decades, finding wonder and acceptance despite the snooty rigors of others’ opinions

In 'Masquerade' O.O. Sangoyomi has created a wonderful book about pre-colonial northwest Africa, filled with fascinating characters whose actions are propelled via an intriguing plot.