Ink and Riffs: Epic adventures and honest explorations

Ink and Riffs is a regular review series written by me, Citywide Co-Host Max Bowen, to talk about what I’m reading and listening to and why I think it’s awesome. Feel free to send suggestions to citywidemax@yahoo.com.

Not Your Type (Music)
Having heard her recent single, “Villain 2.0,” I wanted to check out the rest of the music from singer-songwriter Leanne Galatti, and her latest EP is a great listen. “Not Your Type” brings a seasoned sound, a blend of folk, rock and a bit of pop sounds, with Galatti’s powehouse vocals a solid accompaniment.

The aforementioned single is among the four track in the EP, a realistic look at relationships and being honest about your role and what you did. I really liked this take on the love song and feel it as something different to offer.

One cool aspect is the varied instrumentation, with “Villain 2.0” featuring a great piano track and the opening song “Standoff” giving a kickass saxophone player. Definitely something cool to hear.

Outer Lands (Comic)
What begins as a historical epic unexpectedly turns into a post-apocalyptic thriller. When a young prince living in a seemingly Ancient Grecian world is exiled to a prison isle to keep him from assuming the throne, he unintentionally discovers a massive global conspiracy in this science-fiction fantasy mash-up.

This has been such a great comic, and I can safely say I’ll be reading it again. The story by writer Matthew Arnold kept me hooked and I read the whole thing in a couple of hours. It takes a twist that I did not see coming, and the worldbuilding shows a lot of work and research. The art by Davide Gianfelice is incredibly detailed, and adapts well to both daylight and evening scenes, really bringing the tale to life.

Witness Titanic (Podcast)
I’m a huge fan of the history of the Titanic, having read books and visited museums. Following my visit to the Titanic museum in Cobh, Ireland, I knew I wanted to learn more, and this podcast, hosted by Titanic researcher James Penca, has a lot to offer.

The series takes the form of a formal inquiry, with interviews with Titanic researchers and experts, to reading statements made by the survivors of the sinking. It covers a lot, from what it means to see the ship today, to uncovering the truth about what caused this maritime tragedy in 1912.

Five by Five—The story of a nontraditional traditional relationship

By Max Bowen 

Over 40 years, Marsh Rose and Jack shared a relationship living in separate homes but with a bond that ran deep. When Jack passed from a stroke, Marsh was encouraged to turn a column she was working into a memoir, “A Version of the Truth,” set to be released in October.

Set in the famed Northern California wine country, the book explores themes of feminism, sexuality, identity, love and loss, inviting readers to think about the search for truth and the ways in which we must confront its mystery to find a version we can live with.

In this interview, Marsh talks about how she and Jack met and the nature of their relationship. She talks about the grieving process after Jack passed and how she turned that story into this new memoir.

Let’s begin with how you and Jack met and how the relationship began.
We bonded over DIY projects. Jack was a neighbor when I lived in a decrepit rental in northern California. The landlord was upset about rent control (he deemed it “socialism”), he wouldn’t make repairs and the place was falling apart. Jack was a construction worker and helped keep the place from collapsing around me. We developed a routine of two nights a week together and daily phone calls. Neither of us wanted to get married or live together.

Can you talk more about the unique nature of your relationship?
We had little in common, superficially: no shared upbringing, lifestyle, interests or friends. But we both craved intimacy while also protecting our privacy and independence. This foundation helped me to allow our differences to inform my own life and perspectives over the years.

What was your grieving process, after so many years together?
I relied on two special friends, my journal which always helps anchor me to sanity, and the need to stay grounded so that I could keep working, remain healthy and possibly write about it.

What inspired you to share yours and Jack’s story?
I was working with my mentor, Marion Roach Smith, to develop an essay I hoped to submit to the New York Times’ “Modern Love” column, about helping a partner with health problems in a nontraditional relationship. When I was a few weeks away from finishing the essay, Jack had a stroke and…the ending happened, to my ultimate surprise. Marion and I decided to turn the essay into a full-length memoir. I see it less as a story about the relationship, which is just the vehicle, and more as the discovery that we don’t always get the answers we need.

Any messages that you hope the readers take from it?
These days, especially as AI becomes more and more prevalent in our lives, we’re led to believe we can have all the answers to all our mysteries. We can’t, but we can find a way to live with unanswerable questions. I hope the readers get that message. To abuse the wise words of Mick Jagger, we can’t always get what we want but maybe, in this story, some readers may get something they need.

Five by Five—Magic series focuses on the story of tarot

Susan Wands

By Max Bowen 

Susan Wands’ Arcana Oracle Series was inspired by the story of Pamela Colman Smith, who co-created her tarot deck in 1909, and would go on to become the best-selling deck worldwide. Now three books in, the story is set in Gothic London and has its own system of magic. In this Five by Five, Susan talks about Smith’s story, her own experience in tarot and how she built the series around this.

Let’s begin with who Pamela Colman Smith is and how she inspired the book.
Pamela was born in London to American parents in 1878, and lived in Manchester, Jamaica and New York City, and returned to London at the age of 20 to work at the Lyceum Theatre. Pamela was a child prodigy, a natural artist, storyteller, and published author before the age of 19, and the first artist exhibited by Stieglitz in NYC. Mentored by Bram Stoker, she was introduced to the Golden Dawn, a magician’s group. With member A.E. Waite, she co-created her tarot deck in 1909, which eventually went on to become the best-selling deck in the world.

What is your interest/experience in tarot and how does this factor into the book?
I was a tarot reader for decades, and when I first started researching, Pamela’s name wasn’t even on her tarot deck! For 100 years, it was known as the Rider Waite tarot, not the Waite Smith. But I started researching her before the advent of the internet, so finding out about Pamela’s background required requesting materials through libraries and handwritten letters to museums. I finally tracked down a number of Pamela’s artworks and celebrated Pamela’s name on her tarot deck in 2009, 100 years post-publication of her first deck.

I love the idea of Gothic London as a setting. Have you been to London before? What kind of research did you do need to do?
I lived in several London neighborhoods when my husband was acting on the West End. Since Pamela was first hired by Bram Stoker to work at the Lyceum Theatre, I spent a lot of time there and took the tube to her different residences. Two bookstores, Watkins and the Atlantis, feature heavily in my books, as she was a patron at both shops, and I went there frequently as well as to the British Museum, where she researched tarot cards. I also walked Pamela’s paths from Chelsea to the Lyceum Theatre and across the Thames to last known addresses.

How did you develop the system of magic used in this book?
I studied the Golden Dawn’s degrees of study, Pamela’s group, to understand what kind of magic they practiced and why. The Golden Dawn had two women leaders, Annie Horniman and Florence Farr. Florence developed a secret method of astral projection, outside the auspices of the Golden Dawn, and W.B. Yeats and others were not in favor of her methods of channeling magical resources. The idea that women could belong to a club in the Victorian Era was challenging enough, but that women presidents and leaders insisted on their own formulas for magical practice was a huge inspiration for my series.

What can we expect in the rest of the series?
Each book pairs Pamela with tarot muses. In the first book, “Magician and Fool,” Pamela bases the Magician on the owner of the Lyceum Theatre, Sir Henry Irving, and the Fool on William Terriss, a matinee idol. “High Priestess and Empress” brings in Florence Farr and Dame Ellen Terry, to guide her to own her cards, and the third book, “Emperor and Hierophant,” has Bram Stoker and Ahmed Kamal help her battle ownership for her magic. The next books will follow the 22 card archetypes of the Major Arcana in Pamela’s tarot deck. Next up: Lovers and Chariot!

Five by Five: Writer says ‘not again’ in new book

By Max Bowen

Anna argues with her mom about a school science award. Ben discovers in his seventh decade that he is Jewish. Chester searches for his little sister in a snowstorm. Dixie is pregnant with her second child.

Inspired by the ongoing wave of school shootings in this country, “Shot” by Jude Berman collects 26 fictional short stories of gun violence, each featuring a different person from a different place in the U.S.

In this Five by Five article, Jude talks about the different characters in the collection, how the stories came to her, and the message for the readers.

What inspired this book?
“Shot” was inspired by yet another school shooting. I saw it on the news. I read about it. I wept about it. I was angry about it. Like everyone else, I said “not again.” I also wondered how it is that we don’t know better, that we can’t figure out how to stop this from happening. “Thoughts and prayers” clearly don’t make a difference. So I was inspired to use the power of storytelling as one small way to make a difference.

How did you go about creating the different challenges that each character faces?
“Shot” is a collection of 26 fictional short stories; any resemblance to real-life people is a coincidence. Yet I don’t feel like I created these characters. Rather, they came to me. When I was taking a walk, or just at some random moment during the day, I would feel them sitting on my shoulder, whispering, “Tell my story.” Each story is unique. The specific challenges each one faces are unique as well. So all I did was listen, and then I told the stories.

Is there something that ties these stories together?
All of the stories are tied together by the theme of gun violence. In one way or another, each character faces an incident of gun violence. For most, it comes at a completely unexpected moment. That moment is different in each story, yet the stories are united by the universality of the experience.

Why the decision to organize this in the ABC format?
The first character who came to me told me her name was Anna. The next one was Ben. Then it occurred to me there were stories for every letter of the alphabet, and that that was a good way to illustrate the diversity of people who encounter gun violence. However, it’s not the only way. The 26 characters are all from different US states. They range in age from four to eighty and are diverse with respect to gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, profession, and more.

What do you hope readers take from these stories?
Very simple: death by gun violence can happen to anyone. It can happen to your loved ones. It can happen to you. At any moment. Most likely, you won’t see it coming. So, understanding that, what do you want to do about it?

Ink and Riffs: Murders, music and magic

Ink and Riffs is a regular review series written by me, Citywide Co-Host Max Bowen, to talk about what I’m reading and listening to and why I think it’s awesome. Feel free to send suggestions to citywidemax@yahoo.com. 

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees (comic)
Without a doubt, this has been one of the best comics I’ve read in some time. Here’s the story:

Don’t. Murder. The locals.

This is small-town serial killer, upstanding citizen, and adorable brown bear Samantha Strong’s cardinal rule. After all, there’s a sea of perfectly ripe potential victims in the big city just beyond the forest, and when you’ve worked as hard as Sam to build a cozy life and a thriving business in a community surrounded by friendly fellow animal folk, warm decor, and the aroma of cedar trees and freshly baked apple pie…the last thing you want is to disturb the peace.

So you can imagine her indignation when one of Woodbrook’s own meets a grisly, mysterious demise—and you wouldn’t blame her for doing anything it takes to hunt down her rival before the town self-destructs and Sheriff Patterson starts (literally) barking up the wrong tree.

This was the original graphic novel debut by writer-artist Patrick Horvath, and I gotta say, he’s off to a hell of a start. The story was dark, tense and kept me guessing until the twist (and twisted) ending. The art reminds me of the books I read as a kid, which really just serves to make the whole thing even more surreally creepy. Read this one and then check out the new sequel series.

Work in Progress (music)
I’ve been a huge fan of the music of gavn! for some time, and this new album, “Work in Progress,” is a great example of his skill with music and vocals. The flow of the seven-track EP is powerful and passionate, from the opening track, “Eventually,” and continues throughout.

“Dead to Me” really stood out to me, with a story of the challenges of moving on from a person that needs to be left behind. I’ve been there a time or three and know firsthand how hard this can be.

The album shifts around a bit, with the more mellow “Shame” that slows things down a bit but maintains that same strength. The vocals are a real high point for me, with an intensity that draws you right in with a shared emotional experience.

This album is a high recommendation from me. You’re going to find yourself immersed in the stories and with this delivery, it’s sure to be a favorite.

Island Eight (Book)
Written by M.Z. Medenciy, “Island Eight” is the first in the Ataraxia Series and from what I have read so far, is one to be watched. Here’s a look at the story:

In a world on the verge of repeating a cataclysmic history, Sophia, an entertainer from the town of Salinas, unknowingly holds the keys to the world’s salvation. Yet, she turns a blind eye to their king’s tyranny to ensure her happiness. But not even the gods can protect her when the eyes of the castle shift directly to Salinas. After narrowly escaping death with the aid of a mysterious man who whisks her away to once forbidden lands, Sophia is unwillingly sucked into the brewing war with which she wanted nothing to do.

One thing that I really liked about the story is that it balances the seriousness with a good dose of humor and personality. There’s plenty of light-hearted moments that break up the tension and M.Z. weaves these different parts together perfectly. The result is a very organic tale with very realistic characters.

I can see that a lot of world-building went into this, not just the different cities, magical beings and legends, but the people themselves. Even if they’re not the main characters, each person has something that makes them unique and keeps the story moving forward. I’m really looking forward to the rest of this book and the series as well.

Five by Five: New book touches on workforce realities

By Max Bowen

Labor organizer and author Yvonne Martinez’s latest book, “Scabmuggers” (She Writes Press, September 16, 2025), is based on true events that occurred during her time at Harvard’s Trade Union Program in the 1990s.

An allegory for the way racism and misogyny have historically divided the labor movement, “Scabmuggers” shows how marginalized workers have to fight for their rights both within their union and without, and explores what it would take for us to unify under a common cause.

In this Five by Five, Martinez talks about the real-life inspiration for Ana, her own experience at the race union, and the challenges of marginalized workers and what they can do


Let’s begin with your time at the Harvard Trade Union and what you experienced there. What was that like?
Exhilarating at first. And it was really, really cold. I’m a working-class nerd woman of color; had to work my way through college and would now at Harvard, mid-career as a labor negotiator/organizer be able to have time to read, study and reflect with other labor leaders about the state of the labor movement. I looked forward to lectures from Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, James Green and others and discussions with labor leaders from all over the world.

Who is Ana and what is her role in the story?
Ana was my classmate, one of six women in a class of 30. She was from Rhode Island and went away on the weekends. She was a secretary for a teacher’s union and her dorm was across the hall from mine. A white woman, she was being stalked by a black classmate. She wouldn’t name names because she didn’t want to get anyone kicked out of the program. A group of us organized to protect her, including some sympathetic men. She played a key role in bringing us together. At the end of the program, she thanked me for teaching her how to fight. I thanked her for teaching me how to win.

What are the challenges facing marginalized workers today?
Less than 10% of the entire US workforce is organized into a union, down from a peak of near 40% during the 40s post-war boom. Each year that number gets smaller. The NLRA, National Labor Relations Act, was set up 90 years ago to protect American workers. However, it specifically excluded agricultural workers and domestic workers; jobs historically held by women and people of color, in a concession to the racist South; yet another legacy of slavery. It is no accident that it is still nearly impossible to organize in the South. The system was set up to protect white males in craft jobs.

How can workers "find a way out of no way"?
They can do what we have always done; find ways to resist and to build community at the same time. That’s what was remarkable about Ana, she, like our Scabmugger foremothers during turn of the century textile strikes used their wits to baffle police, hide weapons and protect one another. Ana kept finding ways to bring us together, with food and the award at our graduation when the white men in an effort to silence us, decided that there would be no class speaker. She was the everywoman worker. Her leadership grew as we fought back during the campaign. In the end she saw to that we had the last word at our graduation when the right-wing racists tried to silence us.

Is there a message you hope readers take from "Scabmuggers"?
I’d say it’s a message of hope. Anything is possible if you organize. What we face is a crisis and an opportunity to rebuild our institutions from the bottom up to reflect the multi-racial base of American workers. “In political life under Apartheid,” Kenny, our South African colleague said at our Harvard graduation, “We had no voice. In the union, we did. The union was the training ground where the disenfranchised learned to fight for democracy.”

In the worst conditions, they built power based on the only thing they had, their labor power. We can too.

Five by Five: Tragedy leads to expose of aviation industry

By Max Bowen 

When Rossana D’Antonio’s brother was killed in the 2008 TACA 390 plane crash, that loss led to a lengthy research effort that incorporated her experience as an engineer and strategic communicator to expose the shortcomings in the aviation industry, captured in her book, “26 Seconds.” 

In this article, Rossana talks about what was learned and her take on the aviation industry, as well as the call to action embedded in the story.


What inspired you to write this book?
“26 Seconds” was borne out of a personal tragedy. Fueled by heartbreak and driven by my expertise in civil infrastructure, I set out on a quest for answers. The loss of my brother in the TACA 390 plane crash wasn’t just personal—it exposed systemic gaps in aviation safety that demand accountability. As an engineer and public advocate, I wrote this book to challenge assumptions, question industry practices, and empower readers to think critically. Part memoir, part exposé—it’s a wake-up call wrapped in a deeply human story. I want people to see how one life lost can lead to broader change.

How did you go about trying to learn what happened?
As an engineer and a strategic communicator, I leveraged every tool in my arsenal to uncover what really happened, not only with TACA 390 but with other parallel aviation accidents here in the US and abroad. I pored over public records, interviewed aviation insiders, analyzed technical reports, and asked the hard questions the industry doesn’t want us to ask. Interestingly, the TACA 390 accident investigation report was never made public which, to me, screamed of a cover up. As if living a true crime story, I managed to get a copy of the report through indirect means which ultimately exposed the smoking gun.

What did you find out?
In my search for the truth, I discovered the crash wasn’t simply a tragic accident—it was the result of systemic failures that were predictable and preventable. My investigation uncovered flawed engineering, regulatory blind spots, and a pattern of corporate avoidance. I discovered an aviation industry that experiences systemic weaknesses, chooses profits over safety, withholds the truth from its customers, and is willing to risk lives to get its planes back up in the sky. “26 Seconds” reveals that what happened to my brother wasn't an outlier event but part of a troubling pattern that affects each one of us as consumers.

What’s your take on the aviation industry? Is it safe?
It depends on how you define “safe.” Statistically, flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation. But beneath the surface, “26 Seconds” reveals cracks in the aviation system. It seems that not a day goes by when the news isn’t reporting on unattended risks, overlooked warnings, and a regulatory system that too often prioritizes profit over prevention. My purpose is to spotlight the human stories, the accountability gaps, and the urgent need for reform. The real question isn’t whether the system is safe—it’s whether those in power are doing enough to keep it that way. That’s my call to action embedded in my book.

What do you hope people take from this book?
“26 Seconds,” at its core, is a challenge to look at deficiencies more deeply, question the status quo, and recognize the power of our voice. I hope readers walk away not just moved by my story but awakened to the vulnerabilities in systems we’ve always trusted. It’s a call to action—for change, for oversight, for justice. I want people to realize that every life lost in a plane crash is more than a statistic but represents a human story. And that story could be theirs. If this book sparks conversations, drives reforms, and empowers others to speak truth to power, then I’ve accomplished my mission.

Five by Five—Take a ‘Chance’ with this legal thriller

Richard Danzig

By Max Bowen

Meet Chance Cormac, a litigator, boxer and lapsed Catholic who confronts hard facts about the law and himself. There’s a lot to learn about Chance and the cases he takes on over the three book series by Richard Danzig, with a fourth to be released next year.

In the newest book in the series, “The Collectors,” Chance is retained by a client who believes that he has been the victim of fraud when he purchased a valuable abstract painting that may be a forgery. Chance soon learns that both the painting and his client, might not be what they seem.

In this interview, Richard talks about the character and the cases he takes on, as well as some big news regarding the series. 

Pre-order the book here: https://tinyurl.com/5zs6upu9  

For those new to the Chance Cormac series, what is this all about?
There are three Chance Cormac legal thriller books; “Facts Are Stubborn Things,” “Punch Line” and “The Collectors.” Chance is a trial attorney who practices out of a brownstone, where he lives, in Brooklyn, New York.

Who is Chance Cormac and how did you create the character?
Chance is a former boxer, lapsed Catholic and zealous advocate for his clients. He represents the best lawyers I have met.

What inspired this newest part of the series?
“The Collectors” is based upon cases involving art fraud in the sale of fine art. It also involves the black market sale of human organs. Recently there have been articles about the removal of transplant organs before a patient has died.

I read that there is a potential TV adaptation. What can you tell us about this?
There is a pilot script for a TV show based upon the Chance Cormac books titled “Brooklyn Law.” It is presently being considered by various producers.

Will there be more books in this series?
Yes. The fourth book in the series, “Against All Odds,” will be published in 2026.

Five by Five—The harsh impacts of phone obsession

By Max Bowen

It’s no surprise that our phone fixation has some dangers associated with it.

Whether it’s ignoring the people around us or spending hours focused on the latest drama, society’s obsession with what’s on our screens can have both emotional and physical impacts and in her new book, “Stuck in our Screens,” Kathleen Allen does a deep dive into those effects.

In this article, Allen talks about what inspired the book, those it applies to, and her takeaways for the readers.

As someone who remembers a time before social media, this book is really appealing. What inspired you to write this?
It began with my own research on adolescent social drama… the kind of interaction characterized by overreaction to something trivial, that gets blown out of proportion and causes a flurry of outrageous behaviors played out in grand fashion over social media. Adolescents who “do drama” are often trying to find themselves and create an identity that fits them. While I thought I would be writing a book about teens, it became clear that there are many adults, influential and powerful ones, who are behaving worse than adolescents and are doing social drama au extraordinaire. For example, recall the June 5, 2025, public X posts between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. It was a perfect example of what I write about in the book, and really a quite terrifying one.

Is this geared more to the current generation, or does it apply to the previous ones?
This is for everyone who spends too much of their life living it through a screen. Everywhere I go, I see people ignoring those who are physically around them while they escape into a screen… couples at dinner, families at a social gathering, students in classrooms. Screens have taken a huge toll on our social communication skills, and hence, on our humanity. Our relationships are falling apart. Our civil society is unhealthy.

What kind of research was done and what were the paths it took you down?
As I mentioned, my research was on adolescent social drama, and I thought that was what the book was going to be about, but in the end, I had to write about adult social drama. I began with my work on teens but then expanded it to research on adult behavior. I am a human developmentalist by training, so the transfer was smooth, but I ended up being very concerned about a society where too many powerful adults are failing to mature beyond the social drama of the teen world. What seems relatively normal for adolescents is not healthy for adults. The world is not a reality TV show, but many people behave as if it is.

How has social media changed our social interactions?
We’ve lost our sense of where to draw the line. In our quest for connections with one another, we put our thoughts on display for consumption by the masses. Yet, the more we live through our screens, the lonelier and more isolated we have become. We tell our online “friends” all kinds of intimate information about ourselves and our families, but hardly look at our neighbors as we pass them on the street because our faces are buried in a screen.

What’s your hope for the impact that this book will have?
I hope my book helps people see that it is time for a social and relational reset. Our needs for human connection are not being met. Our political discourse is hostile. Our fixation on the absurdities that play out on social media are making it harder for us to understand what is real and what is not. We need to get out of the screen and reengage with each other in the real world. My hope is that we could begin an honest conversation about how to restore the humanity that we lose when we live through screens.

Five by Five—Sarah May begins a new life in “She Journeys”

By Max Bowen

In “She Journeys,” (Sept. 9) author Sarah May embarks on a profound journey to reconcile the wounds of her young marriage: infidelity, abuse, and assault. Personal transformation meets adventure, spirituality, and love in this inspirational testament to rebuilding after ruin. Eventually selling everything to live in a van, Sarah is now one half of the Authors on Wheels duo.

In this Five by Five interview, Sarah talks about the choice to publish this decision, the relationship she left behind, and the journey that followed.

What led you to share your story in this way?
I’ve kept a daily journal since I was a teenager, so writing has long been my way of processing, reflecting and making meaning. The desire to write a whole book was approached as an act of self-love to heal more deeply. But writing required me to ask the hardest questions I’ve ever asked myself, to get vulnerable, messy and brave as I came face to face with my own shadows. The process was radically transformative, rage inducing and ultimately, revolutionary.

How were you able to get out of this relationship?
Leaving was one of the hardest things I’d ever done. I was only 23, but I thought my life was over. I stayed too long in a marriage that was poison. The longer I stayed, the more I harmed myself. I have so much compassion for that girl who thought that was love. I tolerated betrayal, lies and abuse all culminating in a night that could have ended with one or both of us dead. After that, even though I was devastated, I realized leaving was my only option. I saved my own life when I left that one behind.

What’s your advice for others in your situation?
What I would tell my younger self: I’m so sorry for your pain and heartbreak. To love so much is a sign of your big heart. But darling, love shouldn’t hurt like this, shouldn’t render you hollow from the inside out. Leaving is not betrayal, it’s the first step of honoring yourself. This pain won’t last forever, a life can be rebuilt, often more wonderful than you can imagine. To see the situation with clear eyes you have to stop lying to yourself. If you had a daughter and she was in your position, what would you want for her?

What was your healing journey, and how are you today?
My journey has been long, winding, challenging, and glorious. I buried the trauma and pain for years only to realize it was critical to revisit. There was spirituality, therapy, breath-work, ancestral unpacking, a plant medicine ceremony, a divorce ritual, and finally writing the book. I fell in love again with a man of incredible integrity. Together, we bought a van, sold our belongings, and hit the road. Life has turned out so much more achingly beautiful than that girl who had her heart shattered could have imagined. Every step, every act of reclamation, it was all so, so worth it.

Looking back, do you have a different perspective on what you went through?
Of course, healing does that. It gave me so much more compassion and understanding of why things fell apart the way they did, of my own faults, of my ex’s wounds that drove his behavior. In so many ways we were just children playing adults, thinking we could “fix” one another, be “enough” for one another when we weren’t even enough for ourselves. While what unfolded was traumatic and painful and devastating, ultimately I’ve chosen to make the experience one of my greatest teachers. It made the life that I am living now, a life I absolutely love, all possible.

Ink and Riffs: Daydreams and doomsday scenarios

Ink and Riffs is a regular review series written by me, Citywide Co-Host Max Bowen, to talk about what I’m reading and listening to and why I think it’s awesome. Feel free to send suggestions to citywidemax@yahoo.com. 

Jadelyn, “Daydream Diaries” (music)
I first heard Los Angeles-based Jadelyn’s music when she released “Throw it Back,” and was immediately hooked. When I came across her recent LP, “Daydream Diaries,” I immediately gave it a listen.

The five tracks cover a lot of ground, from “Throw it Back,” a tribute to the best times of yesterday and “Halfway Out the Door,” which touches on love lost that is made all the more painful for all the memories made.

The album title really encompasses the different tales—a musical journal remembering what came before, the things from the past we sometimes think about when something from the present reminds us.

The sound of the album is a slick pop style that shifts around from song to song. The core sound remains in the same lane, but weaves around with a mellow sound to one song and into a real foot-tapper in the next.

I really enjoyed Jadelyn’s vocals—a skillful, melodic voice that’s easy to enjoy. Looking at her discography, she’s been very active since releasing “Hard” in 2020, and her vocals have an essence of experience and passion for the music.

The Sacrificers (comic)
Imagine a world where the sun, moon, water, and more are all kept going by a pantheon of god-like beings. But these are not meant to be immortal dietitians. No, they’re meant to bond, have children, and die, leaving the next generation to take over.

Now imagine how these beings could throw off the shackles of mortality, and what—or who—it would take to make this happen, and what transpires when one supposed sacrifice says “No.”

That’s the world of “The Sacrificers,” an ongoing series from Image Comics, by New York Times-bestselling writer Rick Remender (LOW, DEADLY CLASS, Uncanny X-Force) and artist Max Fiumara (Amazing Spider-Man, FOUR EYES, Lucifer).

I was immediately drawn into this comic by Fiumara’s engaging artwork. The world he creates is powerfully emotional and diverse in its design. From the different forms of the pantheon that we’re introduced to, to the many races of the world, each page has something new and interesting to offer.

But let’s not forget the imaginative story that Remender has given us. The protagonist Pigeon is broken by the world, but still determined to keep moving to protect those most precious to him. The twists and turns are organic and keep the story moving at a strong pace.

Give this one a read—you won’t be disappointed.

Burn to Shine (audiobook)
The latest chapter in the Joe Ledger series by Jonathan Maberry continues in his unique nail-biter of a writing style. I’ve been a fan since the beginning and was eagerly awaiting the new release. Here’s a look at the story that awaits:

A covert group is infiltrating the world’s most secure bio-weapons research sites. All across the country, people are acting as human ‘disease bombs’ by infecting themselves and walking into public places. And heavily-armed groups of illegal private soldiers are massing for some unknown strike.

Joe Ledger and the members of Rogue Team International, still reeling from the devastation and heartbreaking losses of their last mission, are forced into relentless action to try and save the country, if not the entire world.

Old enemies are rising and joining forces to hit Joe and his team with one devastating blow after another. What is the end game for all of this madness and terror? Outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and outgunned, Joe Ledger has to find a way back from the fires of grief in order to make a stand between these enemies and millions of potential innocent lives. But Joe has allies, too. His team, the vicious fighters of Arklight, and friends who may or may not be entirely human.

I opted for the audiobook, though the physical book was also purchased, because Ray Porter is an absolute legend in the world of voice acting. He captures the complex emotions of the story, from the more lighthearted moments to when all seems lost and the darkness is closing in.

One things I’ve loved about Porter’s work is how he does the different voices, which range in tone, race, and gender. He does it all well and it’s clear he spends a lot of time crafting the real-life sound of each character. Check out the entire series, it’s an amazing listen.

Five by Five: Children’s book gets the big screen treatment

By Max Bowen 

When debut author, director and screenwriter B.R. Duray first wrote “The Mood Swing,” the idea was for it to be an animated film, but instead it came to be a children’s illustrated book. Now, the tale has made the move to animation and honored at the San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival.

In this Five by Five, B.R. Talks about the jump to the big screen, which he did himself, and the different form the story it took in the process. He talks about the illustrator for the book, how it honors his late father, and the message he hopes to impart.

Let’s begin with the news about the book’s film premiere. How did this come about?
“The Mood Swing” actually began as a short animated film idea before it became a book. I’ve worked as a screenwriter and director for years, so adapting it back to film felt like a full-circle moment—seven years in the making. The picture book became the emotional heart of a live-action/animated hybrid film, which recently won the Jury Prize at the San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival and will premiere in Los Angeles this summer at LA Shorts Fest.*

How does it feel to see your book adapted into a film?
It’s been surreal—in the best way. I wrote the book under the pen name B.R. Duray, as a tribute to my dad, who passed away when I was 10. Then I adapted and directed the film as Matthew Thompson. In a way, it allowed me to step into both parts of myself: the child who needed this story, and the adult creator helping bring it to life. It’s rare to be able to honor something so personal through both literature and film, and this project let me do exactly that.

I love the cover! Who did the work?
Momo Enokida—aka Momes! She’s an incredible illustrator who created every image in the book by hand on her iPad using ProCreate and Photoshop. Her art is filled with emotion and subtle detail, and she brought the heart of the story to life visually. Every page feels like its own portal. Kids are smart—they can feel when something was made with intention, and I think they’ll feel the love she poured into each drawing.

How would you say this book can help people?
“The Mood Swing” is a love letter to families, especially those experiencing loss. It helps kids see that grief comes in waves—but balance does return. The story centers on a mother and son navigating big emotions together, reminding us that we’re not alone, even when someone we love is no longer here. I hope the book brings comfort, connection, and maybe even a little magic to those going through something heavy. If it helps one child feel seen or supported, then I’ve done my job.

I read that the book was inspired by the passing of your father. How did this shape the story?
My dad was a decorated Special Forces veteran—Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts—and he used the pen name B.R. Duray when he began writing about his life, though he never got the chance to publish. I adopted that name as a way to carry his spirit forward. He died when I was 10, and I remember the sadness, the fear, the anxiety that came in waves. I wrote “The Mood Swing” as the story I wish I’d had back then—a gentle guide through grief, and a reminder that love can take new forms, even after loss.

Oni Press Declares “FIGHT CENSORSHIP, READ COMICS” with Exclusive GENDER QUEER Merchandise from Creator Maia Kobabe

In advance of this summer’s American Library Association(ALA) Conference in Philadelphia, PA, Oni Press is proud to unveil its next Pre-Order Exclusive Merch Collection celebrating the best-selling graphic novel GENDER QUEER and the work of cartoonist Maia Kobabe as part of the publisher’s ongoing FIGHT CENSORSHIP, READ COMICS initiative. 

With a portion of all proceeds benefiting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) and the Florida Freedom to Read Project (FFTRP), Oni’s new collection of more than 15 items features multiple all-new, never-before-seen pieces, including a brand-new GENDER QUEER t-shirt design by Kobabe, available in three distinct colorways curated by the artist (available in sizes in XS – XXXL) – each hand silkscreened in the United States on super-soft Comfort Colors shirts. The FIGHT CENSORSHIP, READ COMICS Pre-Order Exclusive Merch Collection also features GENDER QUEER patches, enamel pins, and keychains, alongside limited-edition signed and numbered editions of the GENDER QUEER: DELUXE EDITION hardcover bearing signatures by Kobabe and high-quality, 18x24” giclee prints featuring the artist’s powerful “Fight Censorship, Read Comics” artwork (available in both signed and unsigned editions).

Available exclusively online at OniPress.com, ardent fans and readers can place pre-orders beginning today through Friday, August 20th with fulfillment to begin in September. Oni will also be making select, advance editions for some items available for early sale at San Diego Comic-Con in July.

“The freedom to read, the freedom to access information, and the freedom to learn are some of the most vital rights in this country,” said Maia Kobabe. “Removing books from schools and public libraries cuts off people's access to knowledge about the wider world and about their own lives within it. This is especially true when the books being removed are about minority identities, or topics less commonly portrayed in popular culture. A book that might seem pointless to one reader might be life-saving to another. Removing a book because its themes offend one reader is censorship, and must be combated at every turn. Please stand up for the freedom to read and the freedom to write!”

"For nearly a century, comics as an art form have played a critical role in championing the all-American ideals of free speech, equality, and anti-authoritarianism," said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson. "Although Maia's work is one of the first and prominent examples of impactful and important work to be singled out by pro-censorship forces, we can guarantee that it will not be the last. It is the responsibility of creative institutions like Oni Press and our fellow publishers to protect the free expression of cartoonists and our medium as a whole, and we are proud to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Florida Freedom to Read Project with our ongoing 'Fight Censorship, Read Comics' initiatives."

Since its original publication in 2019, Maia Kobabe’s GENDER QUEER – the cartoonist’s earnest, heartfelt, and intensely cathartic graphic memoir chronicling eir personal journey of self-identity – has been widely heralded as one of the most important and influential graphic novels of the 21st Century, earning near-universal critical acclaim as a seminal work of LGBTQIA+ non-fiction and ALA Alex and Stonewall Book Awards in the process. Simultaneously, Kobabe’s memoir has also been caught in the conflagration of unprecedented legal challenges to graphic novels and other forms of comic art across more than a dozen states. Kobabe’s work has repeatedly placed at the epicenter of many of these challenges at the state and local level and was previously the subject of a Virginia obscenity lawsuit, which was successfully defended by the CBLDF and ruled to be unconstitutional in 2022. Since that time, the Los Angeles Times has dubbed GENDER QUEER “the most banned book in American schools,” and in 2025, it was named by the American Library Association as the #2 most challenged title in library systems nationwide. 

Kobabe and Oni Press are both proud to reciprocate the CBLDF and FFTRP’s support at this critical time in the history of free speech for the comics medium. Later this month, Kobabe will be appearing as a Special Guest of Oni Press at the annual American Library Association (ALA) Conference in Philadelphia, PA from June 26–30, 2025, alongside half a dozen fellow writers and illustrators from Oni’s stable of award-winning creators.

For more updates on Oni Press, visit them on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram,