Solstice Moon is a poetry book full of imagery about love, relationships, life and death. Author Jessica Jimerson expresses the random but yet profound thoughts of a young woman. Through it’s thirty pages, the poems are divided into five parts which are accompanied with the author’s notes on some of the selections in the book.

The first four parts of the book are named for the four seasonal moon phases which occur throughout the year. In Vernal, the poetic theme is about the beginning of things and how one grows. The poem “Thy Self” not only expresses the statement of “Know Thy Self” but also shows that the writer is fine with being her self and that readers should be themselves. Jimerson knows who she is.

The cycle continues with Estival. The poems within this part of the book flow gently like the summer breeze. The poetic theme is being young and free. In the poem “Youth,” the writer states that “Time is short, make the best. Young years are not forever.” In the poem Summers Gift, the seeds of love continue to grow and expand.

Autumn falls upon us with the cycle of Autumnal. The theme of the poems within this part of the book deal with the beginning of the end of a relationship and life. In the poem “Who/What Are You?” there’s the questioning of the relationship, of who a person is. Are they the same person or have they changed?

The cycle concludes with Hibernal, when life and a relationship have finally come to an end. The poem “Life’s End” questions the reader as it asks “Are you happy with all the memories, you tend?” The poem reminds readers that life is precious and we must cherish it and not waste it. We must live everyday to the fullest as though it is our last. In the poem Perspective Change, the writer reflects on what has been and what she has learned from her experiences. Even though winter is the end of the cycle, we learn valuable lessons that help us as the new cycle begins anew.

In the fifth part of the book, entitled Synthesis Etymology, the writer reflects on her thoughts: though they are random they are profound. There is a deep philosophy to the questions that Jimerson asks about love, life and death. There is much wisdom to take away from the poems such as deep thought and considering the universe.

Solstice Moon is an excellent poetic book which expresses freely the lessons learned and wisdom gained from the seasonal cycle of love, life, and death.

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The Council for Responsible College Financing presents Jay Cameron’s stage play, College Fever LIVE! “College Fever! What’s The Real Price of College?” returns April 29, 2012. The play explores the hot topic of college financing in an entertaining theatrical production which includes an incredible light show, live music, poetry, singing and dance.

“College Fever!” was created to bring awareness to the student loan and credit card debt crisis millions of college students are battling. This production offers steps to avoiding and overcoming student debt while illustrating the struggle many families face when confronted with financing college.

Millions of unsuspecting American families fall for the college financing trap that awaits those who want to further their education. According to FinAid.org, as of 2008, “more than $100 billion in federal education loans and $10 billion in private student loans are originated each year.” In 2012, student loan debt has surpassed one trillion dollars in the U.S.

What can conscientious students do? A college education is thought to be required to obtain a better job, but college costs are too expensive for most. Student loan debt seems to be the only way to pay for college and the job market continues to remain inconsistent. And since student loan debt is not subject to bankruptcy, the result of a default can be catastrophic to borrowers, their families and the health of the U.S. economy.

Woven together in an unforgettable yet familiar story, “College Fever!” offers solutions for the student debt crisis in this thought provoking stage-play. As a follow up to “College Fever” Debt Free College Degree – The Seminar digs even deeper to offer a systematic approach to paying for college, debt free. Both events educate and entertain.

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Literature enthusiasts arrived in Brooklyn, New York on September 18 for the annual Brooklyn Book Festival. Presented by Brooklyn Borough president Marty Markowitz, along with the Brooklyn Borough President’s Literary Council and Brooklyn Tourism, the day long outdoor event showcased a wide spectrum of current literary talents.

The Brooklyn Book Festival took place at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Over 200 authors were involved in the festival, making it the biggest literature festival in New York City. Famous authors that attended the day long festival included multi award winning author Joyce Carol Oates.

Writer of “The Garden of Earthly Delights” and “What I Live For”, Oates was on hand at the Brooklyn Book Festival as one of the most celebrated authors in recent history. Jhumpa Lahiri is a Pulitzer Prize winning author who was also in attendance. She is famous for having penned books such as “Interpreter of Maladies” and “Unaccustomed Earth.”

Lahiri is a Brooklyn resident and received the annual BoBi award at the festival. This award is designed for “an author whose body of work exemplifies or speaks to the spirit of Brooklyn and has had a broad impact on the field of literature.” Other authors who were seen throughout the festival included Jennifer Egan, Walter Mosley, Craig Thompson and Jacqueline Woodson.

The 2011 Brooklyn Book Festival had dozens of literary events that were free for the public. These events happened throughout the downtown Brooklyn area, including a Main Stage at the festival as well as in the Borough Hall Courtroom and St. Francis Auditorium.

Authors showcased their work through public readings and discussions were held as well. In a discussion called “Drawn From History,” authors John Sayles, Esmeralda Santiago, and Terese Svoboda came together to discuss how they create characters for their stories that are based in historically significant times.

There was a discussion entitled “Comics Writ Large and Small,” in which comic book authors talked about how comic strips and graphic novels have evolved over time. “The Poetry of Loss” was another event that brought people together to discuss how poetry can be helpful and how it can have an impact on a person dealing with emotions associated with loss.

Poets Mary Jo Bang and Kevin Young were among those who were in attendance for this event. One of the most popular events throughout the festival was the discussion called “Apocalypse Now, and Then What?” A long line gathered at the Borough Hall Courtroom to listen to authors Tananarive Due, Patrick Somerville, and Colson Whitehead come together to talk about how their literary characters deal with an apocalypse.

The outdoor festival drew crowds of literary enthusiasts to downtown Brooklyn, where over 100 vendors were stationed for the day. Publishing companies were on hand selling their latest novels. Many authors were also in attendance at these tables, readily signing books for those who purchased their work.

There were tables set up for literary magazines and university presses as well. Writing competitions in fiction and poetry were among those that were being promoted and attracted crowds of aspiring writers. The Brooklyn Book Festival was a sure highlight in the literary world and brought together authors and readers to share their love for reading and writing.

Image Courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/10822958@N08/

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