The Phantom Paragrapher

Review: I Will Judge You By Your BookShelf - Grant Snider - April 2020 As the final day of 2023 unfolds, what better way to bid adieu to the year than with a delightful exploration of bookish culture? Grant Snider, the beloved New York Times illustrator and creator of Incidental Comics, offers readers a whimsical journey into the hearts of book lovers in his latest graphic novel, "I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf." In this enchanting collection of one- and two-page comics, Snider sheds light on the unspoken truth that we are, indeed, judged by our bookshelves. From the moment we learn to read, books become our companions through the various stages of life. However, for some, books are not just a pastime—they are sacred objects, sources of inspiration, and a form of self-expression. Snider, with his signature lighthearted touch, beautifully captures the essence of bibliophilia, bringing to life the quirks and idiosyncrasies of those who surround themselves with books. The ch...

Review: Where There's Smoke - EB Vickers - December 2023 How well do we know those around us and even more so the ones we love and care about? After a rocky start this morning after the first book I tried was a DNF, I moved on to Where There's Smoke by EB Vickers and as soon as I started reading it - I didn't want to put it down as I was caught into a fast-paced read. This book starts with the funeral of Calli's father who recently died in a barn fire, he is now buried next to her mum who died 5 years earlier of Cancer. Now 18-year-old Calli has no family left but the three nurses who were her mum's best friends and her uncle - the local Bishop of the Church. When Calli arrives home from the funeral, she finds a young girl suffering from burns. Calli takes her in and soon starts to care for her with the help of her mum's friends. A missing girl has been reported from the local Ash Creek Cult, is this the girl or someone entirely different? Calli has no idea bu...

Review: One Good Reason - Erin Lee - September 2016 Erin Lee's "One Good Reason" emerges as a powerful therapy tool and companion journal, intricately woven to complement her novel, "When I'm Dead." Targeted at victims of sexual abuse, as well as those navigating the journey of self-discovery, this companion journal transcends its pages, offering solace and empowerment to readers seeking healing. This companion journal, standing at 122 pages, serves as a valuable therapeutic resource. Drawing from her background as a trained therapist, Lee incorporates narrative therapy prompts designed to guide victims through the process of rewriting their own narratives. "One Good Reason" becomes a transformative tool for readers, facilitating their transition from victimhood to survivorship and, ultimately, thriving. The inclusion of a clinical article within the journal adds depth, providing insight into the therapeutic benefits of journaling and the healing p...

Review: Two Wrongs Make a Right - Book #1 The Wilmont Sisters - Chloe Liese - November 2022 As we come to the end of the year, I type up a few of my last reviews of books read for 2023. One of my favorite authors is Chloe Liese, I just love that she writes her characters with some sort of disability/disease and shows that it can be normalised and nothing to be ashamed of, she has amazing disability and inclusivity representation. In Two Wrongs Make a Right we meet Bea who is a twin and has autism and Jamie who is Jule's ( Bea's twin) partner's best friend. Jamie has social anxiety. The two are perfect for one another but of course, when they are around each other they happen to bring out the worst of one another. Jules wants her sister to be happy and so does Jamie's roommate so they set them up on a blind date. During the week, the two of them text without actually knowing who the other is as they only have their middle names to go on. Of course, they end up perfect...