Black River by S.M. Hulse

Bradley Sides

Loss and guilt haunt our future.  When we look forward, these are the two characteristics that keep us from experiencing total separation from our past.  We want to regain that which has left us, and we certainly want to amend our mistakes.  In truth, what lies behind us, whether with wet or dry tracks, dictates how far we’ll ever be able to go.  For many of us, moving on is nearly impossible.  In the masterful Black River, debut novelist S.M. Hulse sets out to explore how much loss a man can take, and Hulse seems to wonder if maybe dealing with one’s guilt can change things. 

KocKblockers by Karl Koweski

Bradley Sides

While KocKblockers is not a book that all readers will enjoy, it is one that everyone should respect. Koweski takes characters who are greedy, self-destructive, vile, and disloyal, and he makes them relatable; more so, he makes us root for many of them. 

Some Are Born to Endless Night by Gerry Kirstein

Gabriel Ricard

Gerry Kirstein has most definitely been a fan for a very long time. Lengthy portions of his book are devoted to his journey as an appreciative listener of The Doors’ music and of Morrison’s lyrics. This is one of the ways in which the book stands to appeal to those who are either indifferent about The Doors, or perhaps even those who dislike The Doors. Kirstein makes an impassioned case, without actually making you feel as though the music is being shoved down your throat. It’s impossible to get through this book, without wanting to listen to a couple of Doors albums.