Recently a friend recommended I read a book he absolutely adored called The Alchemist, by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. This friend of mine is one of life’s seekers of light and treasure, and as such he is a deeply spiritual person – much like Paulo Coelho himself, as is obvious when you read his book. I’m different. I believe you make your own treasure and light in life. However, Coelho and I seem to agree on one point - the journey is the most important part of the treasure.

The Alchemist is a fable about a shepherd boy (named Santiago but referred to as just “the boy” throughout the book) from the Andalusia area of Southern Spain. He lives a simple shepherd life, herding his sheep from place to place, finding them good food to eat and clean water to drink, and occasionally selling their fleece to fill his purse. He is simple and innocent and his needs are few, but he craves excitement and adventure, and he wants to travel and see the world. One day he meets an old god/king (the fabled King of Salem, Melchizedek) who promises to tell him where to find treasure, in exchange for one tenth of his flock of sheep. The boy, believing in omens, and that the omens are guiding him, gives the sheep to the old man.

After giving the old man his share of sheep, he is told that he should listen to the omens and follow what they tell him to do. He must take the two hour ferry trip from the tip of Andalusian Spain to Morocco, and from there he must journey through the Sahara desert to the Pyramids where he will find his treasure. He has many setbacks but eventually he reaches his destination, however it is his journey that is his real treasure. He learns better how to read the omens and discovers their importance; they are the voice of the Soul of the World speaking directly to him. He learns how to listen to his heart, to understand when it is lying and when it is telling the truth. He finds true love, an unending perfect love, the kind of love only found in fables.

Although the treasure is the primary aim of this journey, it is only while on the journey that the boy gathers the skills and wisdom he needs to reach his goal. It is also during this time that he meets the alchemist, but this isn’t any ordinary alchemist. This is Super Alchemist. Not only can he transmute common metals into gold, and create The Philosopher’s Stone, like all alchemists, but he has the wisdom of the ages, can talk directly to the Soul of the World and can even become the wind. He rides a shining white steed and carries a large scimitar, while the image conjured up is not dissimilar to Rudolph Valentino’s Sheik. It is the alchemist who guides our shepherd friend through the metaphorical jungle of indecision before leading him, quiet literally, through the desert to find his treasure.

While The Alchemist is a beautiful and extraordinarily optimistic tale, it isn’t very well written, but that’s not to say the it isn’t a good book. It’s a strong story related to the reader by the omniscient narrator, told in a way reminiscent of fairy tales or spiritual texts like the Bible or Koran.

Coelho has a bad habit of writing prolix speeches for his characters. In trying to pass along his moral from each wise man who the boy encounters, the lessons are often delivered in a patronising way and can feel more like a soliloquy. Many times I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being beaten about the head with these homilies. The length of these pontifications can disrupt the flow of the story sometimes, to the point of stopping it altogether, and as a result the book can feel slightly long-winded and even faltering in places

These concerns aside, the book is both entertaining and inspirational. If you’re a spiritual person you will undoubtedly feel Coelho’s all-things-in-creation-linked-to-God moral very keenly. Maybe he will inspire you to follow your heart, listen to that still small voice when it tells you to follow your God’s chosen path. You’ll believe him when he tells you that if you are destined to do something, the Universe will conspire with the Soul of the World to help you achieve it. And just when things look their darkest, when you are furthest from your goal it will be presented to you, if you stay faithful to your path.

I found The Alchemist inspirational too, but not perhaps in the way the author intended. I didn’t have a spiritual re-emergence, nor a swelling of faith; I didn’t come to believe that I have a preordained path or journey, that I am destined to take, nor that the Universe would help me to successfully complete my journeys through life. I was inspired to begin writing my novel again, after a long hiatus. I realised that as long as you have an interesting and entertaining story to tell, and you tell it well, your technical ability to write that story isn’t as important. It’s the journey, after-all, that makes it all worthwhile.

A.L. Harper is a freelance writer and motorbike fanatic originally from Salt Lake City, Utah but now living in Scotland. In addition to being the Managing Editor for All Things Girl, A.L. is the Assistant Music Editor for Blogcritics.org and a freelance writer.

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When it comes to romantic fiction, there are two main categories: the “twinkling brown eyes” novels you can read while sprawled on a sun-drenched beach blanket in broad daylight (suitably slathered with sunscreen, of course), and the darker, more mysterious kind, that go better with a balmy, moonlight summer night, a glass of chilled tea or lemonade, and the soft perfume of night blossoms wafting on the breeze.

When Twilight Burns, by Colleen Gleason, is not at all a formula romance, but this fourth installment in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles still falls into the latter category.

This novel picks up just where its predecessor, The Bleeding Dusk, left off: with the question of what has become of our heroine, Victoria Gardella Grandwood de Lacey, Venator (that’s a kind of vampire hunter), after being bitten by the vampire Beauregard (now deceased, of course).

We are led on a path of passion, intrigue, romance, and self-discovery as Victoria balances the darkness growing within and the dark creatures she is sworn to hunt, and if that isn’t enough, there’s still the feelings she has for Max and Sebastian, the two most significant men in her life, each pulling at a different part of her heart and soul.

As with the first three novels in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, author Colleen Gleason spins a gripping tale that perfectly blends Regency-era England with a modern sensibility that never fails to please, not to mention obvious the care and depth of research she lends to all her work.

When Twilight Burns will be available at your favorite bookstore on Tuesday, August 5th. You can read our interview with Ms. Gleason in this issue. Watch our blog on August 8th for a special giveaway from the author, and also visit her website at ColleenGleason.com.

Melissa A. Bartell left her heart in San Francisco, because her books took up too much room in her luggage. She is a freelance writer living and working in the Dallas, TX metroplex, and generally reads 2-3 books a week. She is the Senior Editor here at All Things Girl. Find out more about her on our About Page. You can find her at her blog as well as other places here and there.

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When I say that I love Marian Keyes’ writing, what I actually mean is that I love, love, love, really love her writing. Since the early days of Watermelon, I’ve been such a huge fan of this Irish author’s writing style and her approach to dealing with common yet uncomfortable life issues, which most of us can relate to - like it or not. Keyes write under the guise of ‘chick-lit’, a much abused term that belies the powerful content of her novels. Anyway, that said, you can imagine how chuffed I was to get my paws on her latest offering: This Charming Man.

Set in Dublin, the novel is written from the vantage point of four 30-something year old women - Lola, Grace, her sister Marnie and Alicia - bound together by (yes, you guessed it) a man. But not just any man. We’re talking about Paddy de Courcy, a young up-and-coming, hot to trot Irish politician and the novel’s ‘charming man’. (In my mind, he looks just like JFK Jr.) But our Paddy is anything but charming.

Lola’s first up in the novel - she’s just been dumped by her lover, Paddy - and in the worst way possible way. Out of the blue she reads about his engagement to another woman, and just like that, their 16-month relationship is over. It’s hard not to laugh a little and nod your head in commiseration and understanding as she goes a little postal after the break-up, leaving hundreds of voice messages on his mobile and even resorting to camping out on his doorstep so that he has to talk to her. Phoning her girlfriends, telling them to bring her soup while she braves it outside his front door, we feel sorry for Lola. (Who of us haven’t done something a little nutty while in the throes of a break-up? Ah, the memories…) But his resolve is stronger than hers and he doesn’t come to the door. Eventually she gives up her vigil, broken in so many ways. Anyway, as Lola watches her life fall apart as a result of the break-up, her friends convince her to take some time out at a holiday home in Knockavoy - a quaint little Irish town far away from Dublin and, more importantly, Paddy.

Next we meet Grace, a journalist working for the local newspaper. She is introduced initially as the reporter who is trying to get info on Paddy from Lola, but as we get to know her better she grows on the readers as a confident, sensible woman with a great partner (Damien) and a twin sister, Marnie. Unlike her sister, Marnie lives in England and is married with two kids. She seems to have the perfect life but as the story unfolds, it appears all that glitters in not gold.

Lastly, there is Alicia - Paddy’s wife-to-be. Of the four women, her character is the one we know the least about. But what we do know isn’t particularly riveting. She comes across as insipid and insecure.

But wait for it… here’s the clincher: Each of the novel’s chapters are punctuated by an account of domestic abuse which frankly, is not something one expects of chick-lit. (Like I mentioned, Keyes’ redefines the genre.) Indeed, domestic violence is the central theme of the novel, and while handled very sensitively and with a protective layer of humour, its stance is very clear. Yet for the most part, even though we know that one of the characters is a victim of domestic violence, we are left in the dark as to which woman it is. Kinda like in real life, hey? Though it’s not hard to guess who the aggressor is.

This Charming Man is definitely worth reading. As women, domestic violence is something too many of us have to deal with, and the novel helps broach a subject that is generally considered taboo. Characteristically Keyes, is her brilliant sense of humour. As mentioned, she is as Irish as they come and her writing reflects the humour typical of the Emerald Isle. The language too is fairly colloquial but it’s pretty easy to get into the swing of things. Fast-paced and engrossing, This Charming Man proved to be a great read and certainly lived up to the hype surrounding its release. Enjoy it!

Nicola-Jane Ford is a 30-year old ‘chick’ who is the proud guardian of a fabulous cat and many pairs of equally fabulous shoes. She lives in (gorgeous) Cape Town and supports her love of red wine by working as a copywriter. She is the Assistant Reviews Editor here at All Things Girl

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Set in South Africa, The Pickup is the story of a young South African woman (Julie) who meets and falls in love with a foreigner, Abdu (whose real name is Ibrahim). She is a confident young woman from a fairly wealthy family, has a solid social group and a job in P.R. that she is not particularly emotionally invested in, but it pays the bills. Abdu, on the other hand, is a young immigrant, living in the country illegally and working as a mechanic. He barely scrapes by and lives his life day by day.

A true daughter of the ‘new South Africa’, Julies enters freely and willingly into a relationship with Abdu, embracing his foreign culture. What Julie takes for granted though, is that while the ‘new South Africa’ is epitomised by democracy, freedom and choice, these are rights reserved especially for the privileged. The new, post-apartheid constitution dictates that these are rights to which every individual is entitled, yet in reality, it is primarily only the privileged who are able to enjoy them. Abdu is unable to get his permanent residency in South Africa, and when his attempts to remain in the country prove futile, he is forced to return to his homeland, somewhere in Saudi Arabia. Devastated at the prospect of losing her new lover and jaded by her life in Johannesburg, Julie decides to leave with Abdu, in spite of his misgivings surrounding her doing so. Due to cultural norms, Abdu tells Julie he cannot take her to his family home unless they go as husband and wife and so they are married in a court of law before leaving the country.

Julie finds herself in a foreign country where no one speaks her language and the role of women is dramatically different to what she is accustomed. Abdu, in the meantime, reverts back to his real name (Ibrahim) and spends his days trying to find another country for them to live in. After all, he left his home in search of hope and a future, and although he was not permitted to stay in South Africa, he still clings to his dream of a better life, wherever that may be.

However, now in Ibrahim’s country of birth, a power shift takes place. Julie has to learn to live her life according to new ‘norms’ - different to how she was brought up. She now lives in a country where she can’t understand what people are saying, is not allowed to go certain places unless accompanied by a man (as if she were a child) and her role as a woman is clearly defined. Like Ibrahim was like a fish out of water in her culture, so is she in his.

The Pickup deals with the more ambiguous implications of a new, post-apartheid South Africa. The novel juxtaposes privilege with poverty, belonging with exile, global with local and choice with compulsion - using the two main characters to each represent a side. It makes for an interesting read, especially in the context of a post-apartheid South Africa.

Nadine Gordimer is a hugely important South African literary figure. An ardent opposer of the apartheid regime, her works (both fiction and non-fiction) have earned her a Booker Prize (The Conservationist, 1974), the Nobel Prize for Literature (1991) and the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (2007) - among many other awards.

Nicola-Jane Ford is a 30-year old ‘chick’ who is the proud guardian of a fabulous cat and many pairs of equally fabulous shoes. She lives in (gorgeous) Cape Town and supports her love of red wine by working as a copywriter. She is the Assistant Reviews Editor here at All Things Girl

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So, take Felicity (from… wait for it, Felicity), the head honcho from The Tudors and that kid who made us all cry in Finding Neverland. Mix them together and what do you get? August Rush, that’s what.

Starring Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Freddie Highmore as the three main characters, August Rush is the utterly endearing story of little orphan Evan. Abandoned at the orphanage as a baby, he’s grown up hearing beautiful, sweet music all around him (read: in his head) - a sign he believes is from his parents who are looking from him. He eventually runs away from the orphanage and heads for New York in search of his family. All the while, the movie is punctuated by flashbacks to about 11 years earlier. Two young musicians meet: Lyla (Russell) is a classically-trained cellist and Louis (Rhys Meyers, complete with gorgeous Emerald Isle accent) is a singer in a rock band. The chemistry between the two is electrifying and they spend a passionate night together, doing - well, what young lovers do. The next day, they are separated and do not see each other again. (Sigh.) Then Lyla discovers she is pregnant, and confesses this to her über-controlling father. They have an argument, she runs out and WHAM - gets hit by a car. When she awakes in the hospital, her father tells her she lost the baby.

Anyway, back to Evan. Homeless in the Big Apple, this laddo is seriously out of his depth. Sweet and shy, he spots a street kid busking with his guitar, and the music draws him in. He befriends the kid and in turn is taken under the wing of Wizard (Robin Williams) - a rather creepy dude who looks after street kids. Getting the kids to play music on the street, Wizard makes his money exploiting the talents of the kids. It turns out our Evan has a seriously impressive natural flair for music and is in fact, a musical prodigy! Wizard thinks he’s hit the jackpot and renames Evan ‘August Rush’, sending his little money-maker out to bring home some dough. Poor naive Evan doesn’t really know any better.

The movie’s cast is a pleasure to watch - a really great mix - and also includes Terrence Howard (who I think is pretty darn cool). The credit, however, really needs to go to Freddie Highmore. This gorgeous, heart-faced kid hails from England and reminds me of… well, a little puppy. Know what I mean? Kinda like the runt of the litter: tiny, fragile and eager to please. I don’t know what it is about this kid, but he tends to make me cry. Whenever I watch Finding Neverland (and I’ve watched it quite a few times) that kid gets me every time! And here again, in August Rush, he had me reaching for the Kleenex. Damn that (adorable) little kid. Mind you, in turns out he’s not so little. Born in 1992 on Valentine’s Day, he’s actually 16 years old - but whether it’s the genes or copious amounts of Nivea, he looks much, much younger. Anyway, I digress…

Let’s not forget about the music… ah, the music. As you’ve no doubt picked up, music plays an integral role in the film and so naturally, there’s lots of it. We’re even treated to a few songs sung by Jonathan Rhys Meyers himself - not too shabby at all! And of course, there’s all that gorgeous music which flows from Evan/August. It’s really quite a treat for the senses and is cool in that it mixes classical music with rock - and not in a clichéd sense, as is sometimes the case in some other flicks.

Anyway, to find out what happens to Evan, you’ll have to watch the movie. Yeah, it’s a little corny. And yup, perhaps also a little predictable. But hey, it’s a really lovely movie that will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. At least, that’s how it made me feel.

Nicola-Jane Ford is a 30-year old ‘chick’ who is the proud guardian of a fabulous cat and many pairs of equally fabulous shoes. She lives in (gorgeous) Cape Town and supports her love of red wine by working as a copywriter. She is the Assistant Reviews Editor here at All Things Girl

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No matter how old we are, our mothers have power over our lives. As teenagers, we love them, but we also hate them. As adults, if we’re lucky, we put the hormonal angst behind us and recognize that our mothers are actually people worth knowing. Sometimes, our mothers come to the same realization.

In their new novel, Unraveling, Michelle Baldini and Lynn Biederman invite us to witness the crucial turning point in a mother-daughter relationship, and while the book will be found on the Young Adult shelves at your local library or bookstore, I found it a satisfying enough read for any adult.

In this novel, the daughter is fifteen-year-old Amanda Himmelfarb, cursed with a nickname that is a less-than-attractive pun on her last name, as well as frizzy hair, a pointy chin, and the singular ability to turn any encounter with her mother into either a screaming-fest or a silent sulk, where she retreats to her room to write melodramatic (and typically teenager-ish) poetry.

The mother, whom Amanda refers to as “the Captain,” is Susan Sturtz-Himmelfarb, an exacting person who, at least through Amanda’s eyes, is rigid and uncaring, imposing rules that seem oppressive and setting standards no one can match. It’s no wonder that Amanda feels inadequate.

Fleshing out the Himmelfarb family are Amanda’s little sister, Melody, who (as all little sisters, especially fictional ones, are) is the “good” child, who never upsets mom, never gets into trouble, never seems to do anything wrong, their father who is so much the epitome of laissez-faire that Amanda refers to him as “La La Man,” and Aunt Jen, their mother’s sister, and Amanda’s confidante.

Set against the usual sibling rivalry and tense parental relationship is Amanda’s quest to be one of the cool kids at school, and she gets her chance when Rick Hayes, the ultimate catch at her school, takes notice of her, but their clandestine make-out sessions, during which he promises he’ll break up with shallow Courtney (school queen be, and Amanda’s arch-rival) “soon,” only make her self-esteem plummet, and then he offers her The Deal: her virginity in exchange for being her date to the prom.

At times funny and chatty, and at other times brutally honest, Unraveling is a riveting read that took me back to my own volatile teen years.

Unraveling is a Delacorte Press publication, and will be released on July 8th.

Melissa A. Bartell left her heart in San Francisco, because her books took up too much room in her luggage. She is a freelance writer living and working in the Dallas, TX metroplex, and generally reads 2-3 books a week. She is the Senior Editor here at All Things Girl. Find out more about her on our About Page. You can find her at her blog as well as other places here and there.

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If your father was a Grammy-winning musician who had numerous top ten hits, there would undoubtedly be a lot of pressure to produce similar results – if you chose to follow the same career path. Let’s face it, so few of those who follow in their famous parents footsteps achieve legitimate success in their own right. I can give you a fairly lengthy list of those who never really achieved that elusive success, which would start with Kelly Osbourne’s rather laughable attempt at pop success and end with the tragic tale of Julian Lennon – a truly talented man who had the great misfortune to both look and sound like his legendary father John, an unforgivable sin in the eye’s of the general listening public. A few have had success, Dweezil Zappa, Jakob Dylan, and Ziggy Marley among them. Why is success for the children of famous parents so elusive? The answer is fairly simple. Who takes a famous musician’s child seriously at first glance?

However with music in your soul, in your blood, you have little choice but to follow in your family footsteps- not unlike a family of doctors, stockbrokers or police. Crosby Loggins – son of Kenny – faces this uphill battle, but luckily he is armed with considerable talent and vision all his own. And growing up around multi-talented artists like Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, and Glen Phillips has no doubt inspired him to create his own music.

Recently Crosby released his début album, We All Go Home, featuring the talents of fellow musicians and friends – many the sons of rock stars themselves – and sporting the name Crosby Loggins and the Light, together they created an album that is a testament to true talent. Filled with addictive melodies, harmonies, and ardent lyrics We All Go Home is a mix-up of musical genres, with flavours of jazz, funk, folk, rock and pop, catchy riffs, engaging melodies and earnest lyrics. Crosby is a warm, soulful singer-songwriter and this album reflects that. His vocals are smooth, honeyed and nearly flawless and his songwriting is perfectly tuned to his vocal style, powerfully emotive, passionate, with hints of nostalgia.

We All Go Home begins with “Good Enough”, a smooth pop-filtered song with the mixture of sounds and instruments that defines Crosby Loggins and the Light. When you have a group of musical prodigies gathered you take advantage of that, and Crosby did indeed use all the considerable skills of his percussionist/drummer, guitarist, and violinist.

On “Always Catching Up”, the second track, the mixture of electric and acoustic guitar and violin with piano creates a richly textured sound. The lyrics, co-written with sister Bella Loggins, are filled with powerful images of running out of time while searching for something, what that is we are never really told. This is a common theme throughout We All Go Home.

“Rock Into Sand” has a much more upbeat, piano-jazz feel to it, with an indie rock twist. More awe inspiring instrumentation, although as with the rest of the album, none ever takes over. There are no egos in Crosby Loggins and the Light. One of my favourite tracks, “Man in the Middle” is a more low-key, cool track heavily influenced by violin, mandolin and piano. However it still maintains a pop-rock feel. Lyrically, it’s the tale of a man bailing out a girl, although unlike his father Crosby never tells a direct story, but rather implies it (very effectively too.)

Undoubtedly the most controversial track on We All Go Home is “March On, America”. It’s a song with a strong military march feel, but without compromising its rock-roots. And it is just that, a rock song. And the electric guitar solo (one of very few on the entire album) is actually an electric violin. But it’s the lyrics that many would find controversial, at a time in America where many believe the government’s “you’re either for us or against” line of bullshit. Crosby says it very well, “I’ve seen the subtle insanity, these politics are gonna be the end of humanity/ See what you do, illegal ain’t illegal if its good enough for you…” and “You’re a dissident lately, just to stand and demand the truth…” Ending the track with the very wise and poignant words “Disgraceful approach, listen to the words from the hypocrite’s throat/ cryin’, ‘Calling all patriots! Rally ’round Rome! World’s on fire and we’re goin’ to war!’/ David, Goliath, cat, mouse/ How many will die before we figure this out!?” [Sic]

Other songs to listen for include, the indie rock flavoured “Here She Comes”, with its sweetly nostalgic lyrics and perfectly executed violin adding tears to the music. “Wanna Be You” with its funk-infused guitar riff and happy piano that are so complimentary, yet so opposed to the unhappy lyrics. “Radio Song” that sounds for all the world like a new-wave, alt-country song, which I would have said wasn’t possible. The title track “We All Go Home” is a smooth soulful jazz song that would fit nicely into the playlist of any cool jazz bar. And finally my favourite song on the album “Same Old Song (La, La, La)” which is the only track that will remind you that he is Kenny Loggins’ son. This folk-rock, acoustic guitar song is a homage to his dad, all sweetly plucked guitar and lyrics that express both his love and pride for his father and frustration of being in his shadow.

We All Go Home is a triumphant album, with very few missteps. On the whole Crosby and his Light manage to find a way though the musical minefield they entered when they decided to make a genre-less album. It’s powerful when it needs to be, fun and funky when you need a break and perfectly polished all over. I can recommend this album with no twinge of guilt, and I’ll go out on that limb and say that Crosby Loggins is an artist to watch, no matter who his daddy is.

If you would like to hear tracks from We All Go Home you can check-out Crosby’s own website or of course you could always visit his MySpace space. Better yet, just take my word for it, and click the Amazon link on this page and buy the album. You won’t regret it.

A.L. Harper is a freelance writer and motorbike fanatic originally from Salt Lake City, Utah but now living in Scotland. In addition to being the Managing Editor for All Things Girl, A.L. is the Assistant Music Editor for Blogcritics.org and a freelance writer.

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When we chose George Pelecanos for our August “Man of the Month”, I found myself in a position of not being familiar with his work. Granted, I had drooled a bit over his photos and was entranced by his piercing eyes, but I hadn’t read any of his books. Soon, his upcoming novel, The Turnaround, arrived on my doorstep, and I was happy to add another author I enjoyed to my list of authors to keep an eye out for.

Recently as I arrived at the airport, I found myself in an unusual position: I didn’t have a book to read on the flight. As I browsed through the bookstore, I went to the “P’s” and found The Night Gardener. Soon after the plane took off, and long before the drink cart made it’s way around, I was hooked on the tale of a serial killer on the streets of DC that had suddenly stopped. Twenty years later, all of the police officers involved in the last murder, find themselves brought together by an eerily similar murder.

Twenty years, however, is a long time, and everything has changed, not just the streets of DC, but each of the police officers involved in the 1985 investigation have changed as well. The hot-shot detective T.C. Cooke is retired, has health problems due to a stroke, and is still haunted by his inability to solve the murders. Gus Ramone is a text-book cop: a by-the-books officer, a loyal husband, and an involved father. He is shaken when he realizes the new victim is a friend of his sons. And then, there is Dan Holiday. A man who loved being a cop, but after a fall from grace, owns a limo company, is still a womanizer and a heavy drinker. Can they find the murderer of the young man? Will they be able to stop more killings?

The Night Gardener is everything a crime novel should be. It’s both gripping and gritty, giving a realistic view of the dirty underside of crime and the criminals and earnest and semi-tarnished crime fighters.

The Night Gardener was published in 2006 and can be found in bookstores everywhere. Be sure to check in next month for our interview with Novelist (producer and screenwriter) George Pelecanos as well as our review of The Turnaround.

Deb Smouse is the Editor in Chief for All Things Girl. She just edged into her 40’s and has discovered no matter the age, she still loves books. She reads between 4 to 8 novels a month, depending on how much flight time she has…. Find out more about Deb on our about page

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The kind of music that defies categorization but for the sake of this article let’s call it alt-acoustic-folk-piano-rock, with hints of alt-country nostalgia, and swimming in acoustic melodies. His new release The Things You Think You Need — his seventh studio album — is the first album that Nash feels truly comfortable with; he says “…this is the first record I have ever put out that I am completely enthusiastic about. I meant every word and every note that’s on it. ” He has every reason to be enthusiastic, the album is truly superb. It is also a clear reflection of the artist himself; down-to-earth, playful, witty and occasionally profound, grounded but sentimental, sensual but intelligent, romantic but only in passing.

The Things You Think You Need is definitely something you’ll think you need after just one listen; and Jay Nash is doubtless an artist you will want to get better acquainted with. You wouldn’t be alone in your adoration of Nash either. Last month just 48 hours after the release of the album on iTunes it reached number 22 on the iTunes Rock Chart. An even more impressive accomplishment as he is the only completely independent artist on the chart, dominated as it is by major label acts.

The album begins with the sweetly sentimental ballad “Sweet Talking Liar”. This could easily be confused for a two-step made for softly-shod cowboys, but the opening lyrics quickly dispel this idea. “You won’t be the next Bob Dylan, you might not die at 27/ forsake your brothers, give up on your lovers/ to get the thing, the thing you need…” “Sweet Talking Liar” hints strongly at the whiskey soaked alt country of small bars in upstate New York, Nash’s home stomping ground as it has it. Nash’s deep, gravelly vocals will remind you of the sadness of Hank Williams, the sensuality of Marvin Gaye, and the tenderness of an adoring lover.

Next, the album’s first single “Wayfarer”, is a track that is all subtle acoustic melodies and piano that seems mindful of jazz. Side-stepping the country sound, this track slides into soft blue-eyed soul or jazzy folk-rock. Here Nash’s softly approach to vocals change gear in the powerfully sung chorus “Well I will wait for you, to know what you want from me/ We still got some time, I don’t think I heard last call…” “Wayfarer” is a good mix of what Nash does well, strong, sensual vocals, and haunting melodies that seem to play with lyrics filled with the kind of pathos only true yearning can inspire.

The third track features Nash’s friend, Top Ten selling artist Sara Bareilles. “Barcelona” opens with all the choral elegance that an organ can bring to a rock song. Luxurious lyrics and intense, amorous vocals add warm orange, red, and brown tints to this Mediterranean titled track. But don’t look for Latin sounds here just more of Nash’s own brand of breathless longing and near Americana sounds.

Other songs to listen for are “Keep on Talking” with its strong rock sensibilities, “Over You”’s straight-up folk ballad feel and “Forgive Me” which has jazz standard written all over it, perfect for any piano bar.

Nash’s ability to cover almost any genre convincingly is the reason that The Things You Think You Need is so successful. Although each song feels different, all have a common sound that is definitely Nash, and that adds cohesion. Jay Nash is a talented and exciting new artist, who I am sure will contribute much more to come.

The Things You Think You Need is currently available exclusively on iTunes. And you can hear selected tracks from Nash’s MySpace space. I suggest you pick up a copy right away.

A.L. Harper is a freelance writer and motorbike fanatic originally from Salt Lake City, Utah but now living in Scotland. In addition to being the Managing Editor for All Things Girl, A.L. is the Assistant Music Editor for Blogcritics.org and a freelance writer.

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If you are a fan of Oprah Winfrey, you may know the name “Breena Clarke”. Her first novel River, Cross My Heart, was chosen for Oprah’s book club. Coming to a bookstore near you at the end of July is Ms. Clarke’s sophomore novel, Stand the Storm.

Like her first novel, we are given to a realistic look at the lives of black folks set against the historic setting of (mostly) Georgetown. Stand the Storm is set against the backdrop of The Civil War where we meet the Coates family. The matriarch, Annie, is a slave on the Ridley Plantation who is known as “Sewing Annie”, as she is very gifted in that area. Her children, Ellen and Gabriel are taught the craft. As a young man, Gabriel is hired out by Mr. Ridley to a tailor shop in Georgetown. After the tailor shop owner retires, Mr. Ridley’s nephew takes over the shop, and brings Annie along with him. Ellen is able to join her mother and brother, and the family is soon together as they work towards buying their freedom.

What unfolds is a poignant story of a slave family, working to buy their freedom during a time of upheaval in their world as well as the world around them.   After their freedom is obtained, they still struggle, but always are a loyal family, as they help others, such as runaway slaves and struggle to make a life for themselves.  You get a glimpse into all of the details: political, domestic, religious. The historic details are accurate, but it is the deliberate narrative and intriguing characters stepping out of human bondage that make the book a treasure to read.

In bookstores July 28th. Be sure and check out the interview with Breena Clarke - and watch the blog for your chance to win a free copy.

Deb Smouse is the Editor in Chief for All Things Girl. She’s just touched her toe over the “40″ line….and often indulges her in her love of books. She reads between 4 to 8 novels a month, depending on how much flight time she has…. Find out more about Deb on our about page

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