SIFTING THROUGH THE MADNESS FOR THE WORD, THE LINE, THE WAY by Charles
Bukowski / ecc-HarperCollins 0060527358
  There are few things I look more forward to then the next book of Bukowski
poems. Bukowski is the epitome of truth in verse. He wrote for no other reason
then he had to. It was his essence. Reflected throughout his verse is the
reality of life. Unstructured, without rules, and raw. Bukowski never followed
the rules, he created his own and then broke them...just for fun. Potent snips
of daily living given in vivid lines of beauty and despair. Bukowski nails the
poem deep into the pages, hangs them in your memory, and leaves you...waiting
for more.

WOLF'S RITE by Terry Persun - Russell Dean & Company / 1891954679  $12.95
  Every once in a while you read a book that not only touches you, but evokes
you. This is a once in a while book. In Wolf's Rite, we are shown the good in
the bad and the victory of such a finding. A book that not only advocates
stopping to smell the roses, but listening to them too. A Shamanistic Vision
Quest changes the life of Llewellyn "Wolf" Smith and in turn, those around him. A
warm spirituality that brings you down to earth and then blends you in to it.

WHOLE NEW RELIGION by Bob Jakubovic / Scala House Press / 0975028706 / $14.00
  A schizophrenic look at who's zooming who behind the scenes of literati
with some surprising twists. Centered on the writing of a novel by infamous
"Felix Sladkey", this story comes as scattered as the components to biographical
fiction within. Get it? Well, you should!

THE THIEF LORD by Cornelia Funke / The Chicken House 0439404371
One of the biggest delights yet this year. The Thief Lord twists the life and
morals of two orphans self-placed in the underbelly of Venice. Prosper and Bo
soon become involved with a group of street children under the tutelage of
the "Thief Lord" and twist along with this story of emotional loyalties and
surprises.

SAVAGE RUN by C.J. Box - Penguin-Putnam - 0399148876
  This one struck close to my heart...the environment. A story about someone
who cares and dies (twice) trying to preserve what little we have left of your
natural resources to preserve. A hero worth cheering for and a cast of
characters I found an instant kinmanship to. (well, the good guys, that is).
Educational and evoking. Take it to the hills on your next retreat...but stay out of
the cow pastures....

MISS AMERICA FAMILY by Julianna Baggott, Pocket Books, 0-7434-2296-1
  A tragically funny, aberration family of visual perfection that totally
falls apart behind the scenes. The epitome of Americana with its contented
facade, as if straight from a Hollywood soap opera (or talk show). Characters so
real.. they're probably your neighbors.

LITTLE CHICAGO by Adam Rapp, Front Street 1-886910-72-3
  The story of Blacky Brown, an 11 year-old boy who is sexually abused by his
mother's boyfriend, pulled so hard at my heart that I vowed to never judge
another child's actions again without finding out their cause.  So tragic is
this youth, so frustrating his turmoil, so infuriating the lack of help.  A child
aside, Blacky trudges through school and the ridicule of classmates once the
word is out about his molestation.  Enduring the cruelty so rampant in today's
society, this small boy creates his own safety and then his own world.  Sadly
insightful, disturbingly realistic.

LIVING WITH SAINTS by Mary O'Connell / Atlantic Monthly Press / 08171138263
  This collection of short stories is like a slap across the knuckles with a
ruler. Each story has its own Saint and pivotal dilema surrounding her. Modern
day women are enmeshed with vocal Saints to live, love and endure. Makes me
sort of wish I had been raised Catholic... sort of.

A LIFE WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES by Stephen Elliott - MacAdam/Cage Publishing
0967370175
  A deeply moving story of hard truth.. of hard life.  Chicago is known for
its cold, merciless winters and for Paul, it last almost a lifetime.  A runaway
"street rat," he is shoved from mental hospital to housing project to group
homes - always fighting to hide the hole of emptiness he suffers.  With more
biography than fiction, his ugly duckling metamorphosis is not without some lost
feathers.  Yet somehow, he emerges from this snake pit to create his better
life.  To survive and succeed and flip the bird as he leaves.

CROW LAKE by Mary Lawson / The Dial Press / 038533611X
  A story of deep values and family loyalty that prevails the too many
tragedies they are faced with. Four children are left without their parents after a
fatal car crash and find the strength to survive and even flourish in unity.
This small town story, where dreams change and refocus,  gives you faith in the
human spirit...again.

ACID ROW by Minette Walters / Putnam / 0399148620
  As potentially real as they come. A child is reportedly missing. Word of
mouth fuels a volatile housing project into a self-contained mayhem. In a
complex known for its criminal content, a pedophile is placed and the walls implode
with tenant revolt. Misinformation pits the good against the bad as heroes
appear behind nearly every door. This is one of those books that will keep you
reading into the early a.m. hours, as riveting at live coverage.

MARTYN PIG by Kevin Brooks, The Chicken house/Scholastic, Inc  0439925955
  Martyn Pig has little to enjoy in life - His father is a worthless,
abuse\ive drunk and his mother long left them because of it. His solace from the
perpetual grayness of his life are the bevy of detective novels - crime stories he
reads. It's this very diversion to his existence that saves him when an
accidental murder creates a series of tragic events he is stuck planning his way
out of. With a little help and savvy deception, this almost happy ending eludes
that you can get away with murder.

BIG MOUTH & UGLY GIRL by Joyce Carol Oates, Harpercollins  0066237564
  Two misfits find each other through a devastating misunderstanding that
turns a whole town ugly and defensive. With reference to the Columbine tragedy,
the morals of this story could be for every youth to follow, as from
such...great things can, and often do, happen.

When she isn't writing quick reviews or snapping great photos, Cheryl A Townsend is tirelessly producing Womens Art Recognition Movement Newsletter. It lists all sorts of calls for submissions in the Art and Literary world.

You can find information about this great resource at:
 http://community.cleveland.com/cc/WarmArts