Jack O’Mally hates liberals, “fake” news media, people of color, and immigrants. His daughter, Beth wants little to do with her MAGA dad, especially after he rejects her African American boyfriend. Jack, a retired naval officer, is the organizer and captain of his neighborhood watch group targeting immigrants. At the Gulfstream Health and Fitness Club…
The Jewish People have survived for 3,000 years. Why?
by Penny Martin Fostering a love of learning in children is a transformative endeavor that extends beyond traditional education. As parents, our actions and attitudes towards learning can ignite a passion that lasts a lifetime. It’s about creating an atmosphere that values curiosity and discovery, turning everyday moments into opportunities for growth. In this article,…
Learn the difference between a peacemaker and a peacekeeper.
Our Way offers a network of support services for the Deaf.
Diane is falling in love with Josh, but how could she love the man who set free the murderer of her husband?
Imagine driving 1000 miles and civilization is falling apart all around you. Would your eyes become a dim blue?
Author Sue Donnellan teaches parents to behave in a disciplined manner when they teach their children self-control (and more).
Tabby Refael is a weekly editorial columnist for The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, as well as a contributor to Newsweek, Los Angeles Magazine, the Los Angeles Review of Books and other publications. After Paper Angel Press published The Lip Reader in 2021, I contacted Refael to review the novel. She focuses her work on the…
Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s National Day of Independence, was a somber occasion this year. Here’s what happened…
Teen Ava and her dog Andromeda are on their own in an apocalyptic world where few humans survive because they are hunted down by Deaders for their electrical output.
Dan and his daughter search frantically for their lost beagle. Across town, Andrea Keller rescues a dog from an abusive owner. Are the two dogs the same?
Enter the magical realm of the Giftables and learn about Peter Thorn and his special gift: Master of Death.
“Around the World in 80 Years” was a celebration of a life well lived and loved.
Three teen boys fantasize about protecting their friend from his violent step-dad and end up letting loose a serial killer on their small Illinois town.
Are you called to the toilet too frequently to pee? You may have an overactive bladder and this article definitely help.
Will the United States remain a Democracy? The choice is yours.
Chess is abducted by her own car to a mysterious village that turns out to be her home town. Is it safe to stay when someone there is intent on murdering you?
Jews don’t celebrate the lives of Christian saints, so why do many celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Rachel Zemach, a Deaf educator, encounters challengers who know nothing about educating a deaf child, but all the power to inflict damages that can last a life-time.
Dr. Martin Luther King was a Zionist who supported the Jews and Israel. Curious about his reaction to the Hamas-Israel War?
Here are the best books reviewed by Pop in 2023. They range from science fiction to love stories, and the deaf experience. Enjoy.
Santa Claus has his roots in 4th century folklore and the man called Saint Nicholas.
Sensory toys have become a staple in the world of play and therapy, catering to a diverse audience ranging from babies to adults. Let’s delve into the vibrant world of these captivating tools designed to engage, stimulate, and soothe the senses. Sensory Toys for Babies: Nurturing Early Development Babies are like little sponges, absorbing the…
Looking for a dose of humor that revolves around the name ‘Rizz’? Look no further! Whether you need a witty pick-up line, a clever joke for your crush, or just a good laugh, these jokes have got you covered. 1. Rizz Jokes Pick Up Lines: Breaking the Ice with a Smile Trying to charm someone…
Chanukah provides historical context for Jews on a holiday that celebrates a successful revolt against a cruel enemy.
In her non-fiction work, The Pregnancy Test (Object Lessons), Karen Weingarten explores the history and politics of the pregnancy test and its effect on our culture.
In a world where gaming meets geometry, the possibilities are endless. If you’re a fan of shapes, angles, and mind-bending challenges, you’re in for a treat. Dive into the realm of “geometry spot” games, where fun seamlessly blends with learning. From the pixelated landscapes of Minecraft to the virtual wonders of Roblox, we’ve curated the…
In a world that celebrates individuality and embraces the quirks that make us unique, there’s one character that stands out as an embodiment of dark charm and unconventional charisma—Wednesday Addams. The iconic character from Charles Addams’ cartoons and later popularized by television and film adaptations has captured the imaginations of fans worldwide. In this blog,…
When twelve-year-old Robyn learns her mother has terminal cancer she dives into her fantasy world to find a cure.
Welcome to the fascinating world of Universal Sign Language, where gestures and expressions become a powerful medium of communication. Whether you’re intrigued by the idea of universal communication or eager to grasp the subtleties of individual letters and concepts, this introduction will guide you through the basics. From conveying the simple act of helping to…
Learning American Sign Language increases cognitive development, gives young children heightened reasoning skills, and a way to communicate with other drivers while on the road.
Jon Tor is light years from home, but when his sentient world is attacked he senses it and must return to save Tyrea from the insurrection.
The Lip Reader is celebrating its second publication anniversary behind wonderful reviews.
As the Pandemic receded, I felt a need for an adventure. I wanted to travel abroad, see a part of the world I had never visited, and meet nice people. Last spring my former roommates, Andrey and Jiyeon, sent me an invitation to their October 2023 wedding in Seoul, South Korea. Perfect! Before I even…
A survivor of a pandemic that takes the lives of most humans travels to Calfornia from Las Vegas in search for survivors with her robot friend.
Two friends, one human and the other thyr, go on a quest to uncover the secrets of their planet’s past by uncovering the mysteries of the ruins left by the “giants”.
Crabquakes, an action-adventure novel has a compelling plot that will keep readers turning pages until its dramatic conclusion.
Deaf Utopia: A Memoir—and a Love Letter to a Way of Life is a New York Times best seller by Nyle DiMarco, a model, actor, and Deaf activist. His 331-page memoir is an eye-opener for people unfamiliar with the Deaf experience and Deaf culture. Unlike most deaf children born to hearing parents, the author and his…
The Deaf community has been marginalized too long by Audism and Surdophobia. Understanding these issues yields tolerance.
Columnist Penny Martin shows readers smart moves to take to get into the job market after high school.
Six books on deafness are reviewed by Pop for your summer reading and help you navigate and understand the deaf experience.
Lily goes for a weekend hiking trip with friends only to discover a virus is turning Britains into zombies. Her only hope is to return home, but will she make it?
We can repair the world through social action and social justice: Tikkun Olam.
Theft is in epidemic proportions and what isn’t seen is the damage it does to the soul.
Anni Lefter would like to see Gavin Everly put behind bars, but the man has been in hiding for 4 years probably spending his stolen money in a South Pacific paradise. Will hiring PI Jon Trimble finally solve the case?
My family is filled with marvelous mothers. Here’s how we celebrate Mother’s Day. How about you?
L.T. Caton begins her “Find Me in Time” series with Christopher Columbus. Join 5 pre-teens in their secret treehouse as they learn what Columbus was really like.
Denrikk shows up late at the yearly Apprentice Ceremony and misses his dream assignment to a knight. He now has to become the Fool’s Apprentice. When things couldn’t go any worse for him, he’s accused of murder.
Deaf characters in literature first appeared as two-dimensional figures, but in time have been fleshed out as sympathetic figures with problems that writers expose in their life-like fiction.
Sam, a 15 year-old-boy, dies from his own stupidity and finds himself on a strange world where he’s told he’ll learn all the secrets of the universe. But all Sam wants is to return to Earth with his memory intact.
Why are we here? It’s a complex question, but for the simple answer: to help each other like the families of developmentally delayed athletes.
We know a lot about Black Americans with normal hearing, but what about Black Deaf Americans? Learn more…
Enjoy reading scary stories? Look no further than Tales at Midnight by Rod Little.
If your job doesn’t satisfy you, it’s time to follow your passion and find a new career.
Emma Davis falls in love with a man with a one-way ticket to Mars and he leaves in two years. How will their love endure?
Spider and Ruby live in the future where global warming has drowned our planet in water with only The Island where the Chosen live. The duo set out to revolt against the injustices they’ve lived with all their lives.
Jews have been hated for thousands of years. This letter to antisemites questions the hatred and shows the reader, What’s there to hate?
Terin Coiler lives with her older brother and abusive parents. She’s bullied at school, but that is dwarfed by the poor treatment her parents mete out to her brother in this spine tingling coming of age novel.
With the holidays soon upon us, giving the gift of a book is a marvelous idea. Pop shows his 5 top picks for 2022.
Even though we’re different, we need to look out for each other in order to survive…and thrive. We’re in this together. This is the theme of the adorable Christmas reader for kids.
Alex, Phoebe, Max, and Rosie are time squatters picking parts to a device out of time to create a machine that would solve humanity’s need for energy. But at what price?
Go 24 hours without complaining. (Not even once.) Then watch how your life starts changing.
The Lip Reader, a story about deafness and survival, was published one year ago. Come and help celebrate its anniversary.
True Biz by Sara Novic tells the story of a pivotal year at a school for the Deaf. It’s a wonderful resource of Deaf culture and an eye-opener.
Take a deep breath, grab some grub, and prepare for a read you won’t soon forget. The Santalosa Saga, a YA time travel romance series, will keep you riveted through three outstanding novels.
Billionaire Felix Worthington recreates a YouTube sitcom on a realistic set on his Montana ranch paying the stars $2 million each to live there for 10 days. But why?
Homeschooling is more popular than ever. Here’s why…
Learn what you can do to facilitate easier communication with the Deaf and hard-of-hearing during International Week of the Deaf.
Skylar gets caught texting and driving. The policeman lets her go with a warning, but he’s beyond cute. Skylar soon learns Mason is a descendant of one of the Greek Gods, and perhaps she is, too?
Have you wronged someone and wish to repent? This is the time of year to ask for forgiveness. Learn why?
Author Michael Thal gives readers a glimpse into a writer’s life.
Sara Matchett made many mistakes during her teen years. Now approaching her fifth decade, it’s time for Sara to return home and heal old wounds.
Discover a new book on Shepherd; a magical and fun experience for readers and writers, alike.
Parents can help their children make healthy choices regarding their education, physical, and mental health.
Matt Davis knows his twin brother is dead. He returns home to uncover the murderer and perhaps patch up his own bad decisions.
Self-care for a child means exercise, healthy food, the value of safety and more.
You’ve been a couch potato for too long. It’s time to get out and take a hike. Here are a few places you’ll enjoy in Southern California.
Getting kids ready for school includes a good night sleep, a positive attitude, and a quiet study area.
Seeing my books published was a great thrill. Promoting them is where the work really starts.
Trump’s MAGA horde want to make America great again. When was it great? And does nostalgia for the past propel a nation into its future?
Someone is staying in the Caldwell home, but they never asked Sarah Aden to watch over their place. A psychological time bomb is ticking their back yard and it will go off soon.
In an alternate reality, women control the wheels of government, so abortion is not a political issue. In this reality guns are only used for protection and hunting, and kids go to school to learn, not cower in corners hiding from executioners.
Kayaking on Lake Balboa deaf has its unique problems.
Dear Goldie Hawn, Dear Leonard Cohen is a memoir where author Claudia Sternbach writes about the influencers in her life and a difficult in-law.
I wasn’t one of the lucky ones to go away to camp for the summer. But I did escape with a good book. Here are 6 novels I’m sure you love this Summer of ’22.
Before you eat your next strawberry, you better read Fruit of the Devil. It’s an eye-opener.
The only synagogue of the deaf is about to celebrate its 62nd anniversary, but there is a problem. Learn how you can help.
In my family, Mother’s Day is a special day when our mothers become Queen for a day.
Paper Angel Press and ELP Books will be at The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books April 23-24. Their reps Michael Thal and Emma Price will be there to sign their books for you.
Matzah, the bread of affliction, is eaten over Passover for historical and symbolic reasons.
Two human communities on separate worlds are threatened to extinction. Will there be time to evacuate and protect all the people?
I wasn’t a bit surprised when my ASL teacher won an Academy Award for best supporting actor.
The Lip Reader, after being published six months ago, has many rave reviews. See what people are saying about this extraordinary novel.
Timekeeper Drake Bailey and his crew travel back to the antebellum South to prevent harm coming to a king, to which they are clueless, and poor Drake is sold into slavery.
Author wins two writing competitions.
Columnist Penny Martin explains what immigrants can do to connect with their new communities in the United States.
If you’re looking for an inspirational read, don’t look further than Just a Bit of Magic by Barb Bissonette.
If you ever lose your smart phone, here’s what you need to do.
“If you have to choose between being kind or being right choose being kind and you’ll always be right.”
Gwen Hayward is depressed by her recent divorce, so she gets out into her community to forget her heartbreak. That’s when she sees a little girl make a Christmas wish that she decides to fulfill.
With kids on vacation, here are suggestions to keep your family together over the holidays.
Pop has red and reviewed 21 books in 2021. These are his favorite…
While throwing a friend’s ashes in an Arizona ghost town, Ray Burton uncovers a mysterious box that will change his life forever.
Looking for a stocking stuffer? No gifts are better than books for those special someones in your life.
Santa Claus is all about healing the world, one child at a time–Tikkun Olam–at its finest.
The Lip Reader is a novel based on a true story. It’s your opportunity to meet an extraordinary woman of kindness.
Zara Hossain wants to finish high school and go to college, but racists like Tyler Benson would prefer she and her ilk return to Pakistan.
In 2022 give back to your community by volunteering. It’s a great way for kids to develop their self-esteem and empathy skills.
When my oldest daughter was in sixth grade, I began writing the Koolura series. I was a reading specialist in Glendale, California working in a year-round school. During my off-time, I wrote. Channie hated to read. As a reading specialist, this was tantamount to revolution. Instead of arguing, I asked, “If I wrote a book with…
Safe at home in the Place Between Places, Stephan’s soul is about to do a walk-in on Eric, a broken man in need of mending. Is Stephan even capable?
Picking a new hobby will boost your creativity and melt away mental blocks.
If you want to raise a moral child, you must teach by example. Here’s how…
Beauty, of Beauty and the Beast fame, is no angel. She plans to make herself queen of the realm using the Beast as her body guard.
Ruby Rossi has hidden her love of music from her family until she has the opportunity to attend a prestigious music college. Her big problem: her Deaf family doesn’t understand.
Yom Kippur is that day to look within, to inspect your deeds and see if you have lived a moral life in the previous year.
And here are the winners of the 2021 Books Shelf Writing Competition.
Karen Carpenter was the greatest vocalist of all time, but sadly, died at 32. Learn why…
Writer Penny Martin gives advice to writers about side gigs.
Once a novel is written, a different kind of work takes over–finding an agent/publisher and designing the all important cover.
“The Would-Be Mommy” is the first in the suburb Safe Harbor Medical Romance series.
When going to college, The Fresh 15 is a journal young adults can use to keep their connection to G-d.
A writer looks back over his life for better understanding during Elul, the month before the Jewish High Holidays.
Michael Bull Jr. suffers from typical teenage angst, but added to his plate is vitiligo, a rare skin disorder that changes everything for the adolescent.
Patches is a coming of age novel about a young man with vitiligo, a disease that causes the loss of skin color in blotches.
The Abduction of Joshua Bloom undergoes a complete make-over. Check out the new cover and reviews of this sci-fi groundbreaker.
Harold is unhappy with his life, but when he buys a strange ancient pen, everything begins to change.
During the pandemic I learned how to self-publish a book, and believe me, it’s not easy. Since August, 2020 I self-published The Abduction of Joshua Bloom, The Legend of Koolura, Koolura and the Mystery at Camp Saddleback, and finally, Koolura and the Mayans. All five books have new covers. I’m not an artist and when it comes to drawing,…
The idea for Koolura and the Mayans came from a trip to Mexico.
Don’t Be Silly! At My Age? proves that love can happen to people over 50. It’s an inspirational romance that will keep you reading from first to last page.
The idea for the second book in the Koolura Series came during a trip visiting my daughter when she was in college.
Zhila Shirazi grew up deaf and Jewish in Iran. The soon to be released novel, “The Lip Reader” tells her story.
Motherless, the Harris triplets are searching for a new mom, and what would be better than their egg donor?
Over the hot summer months, when you want to relax, there’s nothing better than a good book. Check out the seven books shown here that you are guaranteed to enjoy.
The Koolura Series was born because one sixth grade girl didn’t want to read.
Mother’s Day has roots in antiquity, but wasn’t observed as a national holiday in the US until 1914. And there’s more…
Ava enlists in ISAN to learn to become an international assassin. What she doesn’t realize is that ISAN needs her unique skills.
Sharon Lemke notices a young girl doing chores in her neighbor’s home, but the Flemings don’t have a daughter.
April 8, 2021 is Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day we should never forget.
In my March 7, 2021 blog post, “Why Practice Acts of Kindness?” I concluded that kindness to others reduces depression, provides you with a happier existence, and you will experience fewer aches and pains. Just as important as being kind to others, it’s also important to practice self-kindness. Why? How you treat yourself sets the…
Everyone deals with loss in their own way. Here I tell how I deal with hearing loss and deafness.
Throughout history women have contributed extensively to the growth of mankind. Today, they are coming to the forefront as they make their vital contributions.
Practicing acts of kindness reduces depression and improves your health.
Three old friends go on a fishing trip and are thwarted by an intense storm that sidelines them to a creepy motel. Inside the inn they find dead bodies strewn in every room. Who is the murderer at Death Lake Motel?
Macy Steward has more responsibilities at her parent’s vacation retreat than she ever imagined. With the newest visitors, she’s soon to find out.
As a teen I read an article about Negros being inferior to whites. I didn’t believe this and started a quest to prove the author wrong.
For her courage standing up to the Republican Party by voting to impeach President Trump, Liz Cheney should receive the John F Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for 2021.
Deaf Culture Our Way shows readers, through anecdotes, the life experiences of deaf people.
Post Excerpt
The Supergirl Series expands the hit series, episodes 18-21 of Season 2 of the WC hit series, “Supergirl.” Each book in the Supergirl series can stand alone.
Internet station, Chat and Spin Radio, is more than music, which includes live interviews with authors and charities.
The Monday morning rain pounded the small school along Riverside Drive. Children and teachers ran frantically from parked cars. Horns blasted, and headlights winked through waves of water. Allison Peters hated arriving late. But she had recently moved from her old bachelor pad in anticipation of her boyfriend’s arrival. This new place lengthened her commute. …
2020 is the year we learned about ourselves
2020 was a year we’ll all remember, but things weren’t all bad. Here are 8 good things that happened last year.
A ten-year-old girl learns a lesson about homelessness.
The author draws on the historical record and personal observation to explain his dislike for Christmas.
Four college students find a mysterious road that leads to a church and murder. Will they survive the long night with a gravedigger intent on filling their grave?
From November 27-December the kindle version of The Abduction of Joshua Bloom, a sci-fi page-turner, will be given away free.
Like the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire, Jews today have their own 2020 oppressor–Covid-19. With a few smart choices, we can lick this villain, too. v
Thanksgiving 2020 will be unlike any we’ve experienced in our lifetime.
This biography about Dr. Martin Luther King is a great springboard for students beginning to study about the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
Once Upon a Curse is a collection of faerie tale revisions you won’t see on the Disney Channel.
Having children do chores around the house develops their sense of value to the family, improved sense of responsibility and self-esteem.
LNG FIT is a safe place to workout with an experienced trainer during the Pandemic.
Halloween 2020 will be different, but smart planning can and will make it memorable.
Diverse characters in literature are needed to reflect the reality of the world. Leila Marvi, a deaf character, tells about her role in the Koolura Series.
A famous sculptor is murdered. The whodunit is secondary to the talented character study of M.C.V. Egan’s focus in this literary novel.
Five young women from diverse backgrounds pull together to survive World War II in a small English village.
WeUsOurs is a movement to bring awareness to relationships promoting kindness.
My grandma taught me Jewish values that can provide a moral compass for us all.
Books in general and YA books in particular skirt over the issue of mental illness. Author Peter D. Weiler changes this with five poignant fairy tales about mentally challenged royalty.
Central City is cursed by a demon and it’s up to Supergirl to undo the magic before her city is doomed to remain forever as Ancient Rome.
A writer’s life during the Pandemic can be fruitful.
“The Class of 1983” now has a sequel, “The Summer of 1984”, a YA time travel novel that will keep you turning pages until the surprising climax.
The Abduction of Joshua Bloom took years to write and even longer to get published. Here’s the inside story.
Wolf Hollow is a town that protects its own. It knows a great evil is coming and only a greater evil can save the village from destruction.
If boredom seeps in during the pandemic, here are six books that may interest you.
We’ve grown up believing Jesus Christ’s birthday is December 25, but the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, the only accounts of Jesus’ birth, don’t give dates. Early Christians celebrated March 25 as the day Mary was told she would give birth to a very special baby. This is the date the angel…
What can you possibly give to someone who has everything? It’s sometimes a tough issue trying to find a gift to give this person or others for Christmas. Here’s an idea. Christmastime is the season of giving. A few years ago my cousin Joni donated money in my honor to the American School for the…
I was five years old when I stopped believing in Santa Claus. In our home we celebrated the eight days of Hanukkah in the traditional ways, but of course my brothers and I were well versed in Santa, too. My parents encouraged our belief in this kind, jolly man and as all parents they wanted…
By Amanda Jaspon Navigating life with a condition like Parkinson’s can present unique challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining independence behind the wheel. For many, driving isn’t just a means of getting from point A to point B; it’s a gateway to freedom, connection, and convenience. This comprehensive resource is designed to support individuals living…
From short story to sci-fi novel, The Abduction of Joshua Bloom took me nearly 50 years to get it right; proving some books just need to evolve.
Over nine years ago, when I moved into my current home, I started a website and blog where I posted my published novels and used the blog to review books that interested me. In 2024 I read and reviewed 15 books from psychological thrillers like Scream Collector, love stories like Doc’s Double Delivery, and books on the…
Jane must get ready for the Sheridans who will inspect the Sheridan Home for Girls Christmas Eve. What she doesn’t suspect is that Jaqueline Sheridan will come in their place and the two young women, Jaqueline and Jane look exactly alike.
Dr. Barry is fresh off the boat from Prego Preto, and after two years on the small island, Barry is looking for female companionship. What he finds at an LA nightclub may change his life forever.
Joshua Bloom goes for a run in Central Park to discover an escaped lion is pursuing him for its next meal. A miraculous save puts him aboard an alien space craft and he maybe its newest crew member.
Chess is just getting accustomed to her new home when her worst enemy is found dead on her property. Assumed to be the killer, Chess must find the culprit and perhaps the individual who killed her father.
By Penny Martin Creativity is a powerful force that drives both personal fulfillment and professional success, yet it can often feel elusive when life becomes routine or stressful. Whether you’re tackling challenges at work, seeking fresh perspectives, or pursuing personal projects, reigniting your creative spark can open the door to new opportunities. From exploring unconventional…