reading list – TERSE. Journal

Flung Out of Space: A Review by T.S. McNeil

Few have the courage for warts and all honesty, most of humanity containing aspects in our complexity that we aren’t always proud of. A particular problem for those whose public image is part of their job. Some cultivate a ‘rebel’ image, but this is rarely organic or the whole picture, any more than those who…
365 Books in 365 Days: Episode 72 by Annie Walton Doyle

Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder “To what identities do women turn when those available to them fail? How do women expand their identities to encompass all parts of their beings?” Explorations of female rage always make for an interesting read, to me – but Nightbitch managed to pique my interest further. What if rage became so…
Shadow Voices: A Review by T.S. McNeil

When most think of great literary nations, Ireland is likely not the first place that comes to mind, literal statues of writers in Dublin notwithstanding. Despite some high profile, and somewhat overrated works of impenetrable literary fiction by James Joyce, and what is thought to be the first instance of vampire fiction – but isn’t…
365 Books in 365 Days: Episode 56 by Annie Walton Doyle

The Pisces by Melissa Broder I, like many others before me, first came to The Pisces by Melissa Broder because of the promise of sex scenes with a merman. And if you, too, are intrigued by that simple premise, then you won’t be disappointed in this engaging and exciting novel. But the truth is, The…
Literary Arsenal – 45 Books In Our Editor’s Personal Library

When I was traveling a couple of years ago, I sent about a quarter of my library to my mother’s house in the Rocky Mountain region. My books sat in her guestroom for a year before I called her and inquired about have them sent back to me. I’m back to writing full time after…
Care in Uncertain Times Syllabus: Groundwork to New Futures

Since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been intrigued by the archives and online courses that have opened up to the global community free of charge. There are millions of people who want to continue to learn, and some who are forced to teach remotely during this time. One of my favorite free…