2 Books Like At Night We Played In The Road

The last words uttered in my review of Tom Hoffman’s initial Ghost Ring novel were, “Final Note to Author: Mr. Hoffman, if you do not write a sequel to this book, I will never forgive you.” I was not alone. I know he was reluctant at first to continue his uniquely engaging series. Cooler heads prevailed. Or maybe he was bribed or threatened. In any case, not only did he recently publish this second installment (note how I mean to imply future installments as well), but he exceeded my greatest expectations. Everything seems augmented and finely embellished in this narrative adventure shared by two teen paranormal investigators introduced in Book One.

In this second book — Shadows of Caligo Falls — Tom Hoffman augments and embellishes the relationship between Simon and Clara, the eccentricity and uniqueness of all the ghosts, and the complexity of the mystery to be solved, not… show more.

Authors rarely issue “Reader” books anymore. Michael Hogan shows that to be a genuine shame with his extraordinary collection of exquisite writings - The Michael Hogan Reader. The icing on the cake is a variety of beautiful categories that grace the collection’s contents: Short Stories, Poetry, Flash Fiction, Memoirs, and Essays. Talk about a moveable feast! Mr. Hogan is a highly accomplished and well-established author, noted mainly for his insightful and evocative treatments of lesser-known historical events like The Irish Soldiers of Mexico and Abraham Lincoln and Mexico. What a gift he offers now by showcasing his talent with less academic but equally satisfying reads. One should savor this feast slowly because it ends too quickly.

Much like his haunting Poem For My 70th Birthday, the taste lingers:

Once I lived another life,
and now there are fewer to remember.
Mother gone, father long before
Although the rhythm of their… show more.