The Trajectory of Today’s Topics

• New Seuss for your library

• Review: Killers of the Flower Moon

• Coming Soon!

Hot Off The Press

A New Book by the Late Dr. Seuss? Be Calm My Quivering Heart! 

Everyone loves Dr. Seuss books. That’s not opinion, that's a hard fact. Well, it should be because what’s not to love? Whimsical, fantastical stories and characters, iconic, brightly colored characters, and fun tongue-twisting rhymes are staples in millions of homes. Born Theodor Seuss Geisel in 1904, he didn’t publish his first children’s story until 1937. That title, And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street was rejected dozens of times by traditional publishers. Legend has it, Dr. Seuss was on his way home to torch the manuscript when a chance encounter with a former college classmate led to its publication. Just think, if that hadn’t happened, there would be no Cat in the Hat, no Horton Hears a Who, no How the Grinch Stole Christmas, no Green Eggs and Ham! Oh dear me Sam I Am! 

His books have sold over 600 million copies, he has a National Memorial Sculpture Garden, a national book award named after him, a Hollywood star, and many more accolades. Sadly, he passed away in 1991, but recently, a nearly finished, new manuscript has been discovered. While there are many books still being published by Random House in the Seuss style, they’re not from the man himself. But, next year, when America hits a milestone birthday (it’s called the Supercalifragilicentennial or some such word that means 250 years old) Dr. Seuss’ Sing the 50 States, featuring the original Cat in the Hat, will hit store shelves.

While this author is excited about the new book, I’m also a little disappointed. When I heard a new, REAL Dr. Seuss book was coming, I was hoping for some fantastic creatures and worlds. I love the books about Sneetches, The Lorax, If I Ran the Circus, and The Oobleck, so I was thinking along those lines. But hey, new Seuss is good Seuss, right?

The TBR Files

A Tragic True Crime Story Centered Around Greed

I had not heard of the Osage Nation until this movie popped up two years ago. While I still have not watched the movie, I did read the book. After living 40-plus years on this earth, you’d think a jaded old fart like myself wouldn’t be too shocked by greed and corruption. But sometimes, the level of depravity humans sink to for the sake of the mighty dollar rankles the nerves.

They deserved better. Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann tells the story of the richest nation of Native Americans in the United States. Rich because they were sitting on oil-rich lands in a time of industrial upheaval. It’s the 1920s, and everyone wants a piece of that black gold pie. Forget the Beverly Hillbillies, the Osage were the true OG oil tycoons. This section of Native Americans was the richest group of people per capita in the world! They bought sprawling mansions, rode around in chauffeured cars (rare in this time, especially in Oklahoma!), and sent their kids to illustrious schools across the Atlantic. 

They were treated horrendously. The affluence brought out the worst of the worst of the dregs of a##holes the world had created. One by one, the Osage people were killed off. Some were shot, burned in their own houses, poisoned, or they disappeared, never to be found again. Even those who investigated the horrendous happenings were killed. It took the burgeoning FBI agents and a former Texas Ranger working together to unravel the mystery that just went deeper and deeper. 

This book is a true story, and it’s heartbreaking to read about what these people went through because of greed. This story was largely swept under the carpet and kept ‘hush-hush’ until the book was released nearly 100 years after the events. The book mainly follows one family and what they endured, and goes into pretty deep detail concerning the investigation. I personally would have liked to know more about the overall Osage Nation, but I don’t know what information was available to the author. It was a very interesting book, and yet another black mark on America’s history. ☕☕☕☕ It kept me interested and enthralled overall, while there were a few parts that dragged on a bit. Mostly, the details about the investigation that seemed to go nowhere for a long time. If you’re a true crime fan or a history buff, you should check this book out. But be warned, it will make your soul ache.

…And Then This Happened

A Few Quick But Exciting Notes

The Night of the Familiar has come back from the editor! I’d love to say that she said it was absolutely perfect and I should publish it right away… But then I’d just be stacking up my delusions. Yes, it still needs a little bit of work—can you hear my eyes rolling?? Just kidding, I do want my books to be as polished and error-free for everyone as possible. It’s all good, though, because most of the issues are grammatical and comma misplacement. 😅 Apparently, I don’t know, where the hell I’m, supposed to put,, commas,! Ugh! The good news is, I’m getting through this final round of edits very quickly, and the continuing saga of Jason, Jocelyn, Patrick, Doofus, and Pyrite will be available very soon, eek!

I have a tentative date. At this point in time, I’m planning on a December 20 release date. I’m trying my best to have it ready before Christmas. You know what makes a fantastic stocking stuffer? That’s right, books (Yes, I’m deliberately ignoring your response, Jon, that was gross. Get your mind out of the gutter, this is a family newsletter.)😂

And the winner is… I did a random draw for the 100 subscribers winner, that subscriber was contacted—CONGRATULATIONS ELLEN!—and the package was sent out a few days ago. I want to send out a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who subscribed and continues to stay on board this hot mess express. All of you help to make this dream come true for a humble writer! ♥♥