Every forest has its own stories—but what if one witness could experience centuries of change firsthand? Forest Legend: The Tale of Ol' Split Toe blends fantasy, adventure, history, and environmental themes into an unforgettable journey through Michigan's forests. Now available in audiobook format and narrated by author Dan Ellens, this sweeping tale follows an extraordinary deer whose life spans generations, revealing both humanity's impact on nature and nature's remarkable resilience.

 

The Tale of Ol' Split Toe

Date Published: 03-31-2026

Narrator: Dan Ellens

Run Time: 10 hours 6 minutes 

Mother Nature struggles to maintain equilibrium in a changing world while fire, disease, logging, human displacement, and war repeatedly destroy forests of centuries-old trees. Split Toe, a deer chosen at birth for a unique education, travels through time to understand the interconnected workings of a Michigan forest. He meets humans along the way: Ice Age hunters who trap and kill a mastodon; Mukwoh, a young Ojibwe hunter who stalks Split Toe through swamp and forest; loggers clearcutting Michigan’s white pines; Edra, a woman advocating for the trees; Angus and Grace, pioneers who become a first generation of family farmers; scientists from the future studying the impact of nuclear radiation.

Split Toe witnesses two hundred years of conflict building between modern humans -- who fight to control the natural world -- and Mother Nature, who repeatedly reaches for balance. He wonders whether human ways will ultimately overpower Mother Nature, until he meets a boy who changes everything.

 

Love discovering books brand new book releases? Be the first to see cover reveals, upcoming releases, exclusive excerpts, author features, and more. Join our growing community of readers and book lovers.

 ➡️ Join our Newsletter

 

Today’s featured release takes a thoughtful look at artificial intelligence, culture, attention, and the systems shaping how ideas move through the world.

The Great Inversion by Jordi ter Woord may appeal to readers who enjoy accessible nonfiction about technology, philosophy, media, and the changing relationship between people and machines.

Date Published: July 1, 2026

The Great Inversion is a trade non-fiction book about the moment culture stops needing us as its bottleneck. From ancient stories and print culture to algorithmic feeds and generative AI, Jordi ter Woord traces how ideas learn to survive, why the mirror of the internet feels so personal, and what remains human when creation becomes cheap.

This is not a digital-detox book. It is a book about attention as the one act the machine cannot perform for us. 

Artificial intelligence has changed the speed and scale at which ideas can be created, copied, and shared. The Great Inversion looks beyond familiar debates about screen time and digital distraction to ask a larger question: what happens when culture no longer needs human beings as its primary way of moving forward?

The book brings together technology, philosophy, media, and cultural theory while keeping its focus on one deeply human resource: attention. Readers who enjoy nonfiction that gives them plenty to consider and discuss may find this an especially timely release. 

Consider adding The Great Inversion to your reading list if you enjoy:

• Thought-provoking nonfiction about AI and society
• Books that connect technology with philosophy and ethics
• Cultural commentary about media and the internet
• Big questions about creativity, attention, and human choice 

 Jordi ter Woord is a Dutch writer, solution architect and IT lead with a background in philosophy and artificial intelligence. He has spent much of his working life close to the systems that move information through organisations, and much of his private life wondering what those systems do to the people who live inside them. 

 

His non-fiction debut, The Great Inversion, is about the moment culture stops needing human beings as its bottleneck. From ancient memory and print culture to algorithmic feeds and generative AI, it asks what remains human when creation becomes cheap and attention becomes the expensive side of the transaction.

 

Jordi also writes Whimsical Weather, a children's weather-adventure series about Cloudy, storms, patience, migration and letting go. He lives in the Netherlands with his partner and daughter.

Author website

BookBuzz 

Amazon

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life—from search engines and recommendation algorithms to writing tools and image generation. 

Do you find these changes exciting, concerning, or a little of both? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. 

 

Love discovering books brand new book releases? 

Be the first to see cover reveals, upcoming releases, exclusive excerpts, author features, and more.

 Join our growing community of readers and book lovers. 

➡️ Join our Newsletter 

 

Summer has always been reading season in my house. As soon as the weather cooperates, I'm looking for excuses to take my book outside. A quiet morning on the deck, an afternoon by the pool, a shady spot at the park—if I can read in the fresh air, I'm happy.

 

 

Of course, reading outside isn't always as relaxing as we imagine.

 

The sun moves. The breeze keeps flipping pages. Your drink starts sweating all over everything in your bag. Twenty minutes later, you're shifting around in your chair trying to get comfortable instead of paying attention to the story.

 

I've learned that a few simple accessories can make a huge difference. You don't need a bag full of gadgets, but, bringing along a few things that solve those little annoyances means you can stay outside—and in your book—a whole lot longer.

 

Here are the summer reading accessories I think are actually worth it. 

 

1. Sport-Brella Versa-Brella Adjustable Umbrella

 

Perfect for: Keeping the sun off your pages.

 

If you've ever found yourself dragging your chair across the patio every half hour because the sun won't cooperate, this one's for you.

 

Instead of moving your entire reading spot, the Sport-Brella Versa-Brella clamps onto most chairs and adjusts in just about every direction. That means you can keep your book shaded without constantly interrupting your reading.

 

It also provides UPF 50+ protection, which is a nice bonus if you're planning to spend an afternoon outside.

 

Why readers love it:

• Adjustable in multiple directions
• Lightweight and portable
• Great for patios, beaches, parks, and sporting events
• One of Amazon's longtime best-selling portable shade accessories

 

2. JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan

 

Perfect for: Hot afternoons when even the shade feels warm.

 

I'll admit it—I laughed the first time I saw someone wearing one of these. Then I tried one.

 

Now I completely understand why they're so popular.

 

The JISULIFE Neck Fan keeps air moving around your face and neck without tying up your hands. You can hold your book, sip your iced tea, and actually enjoy being outside instead of counting the minutes until the air conditioning starts calling your name.

 

Why readers love it: 

• It's lightweight
• It's rechargeable
• It's surprisingly quiet 

 

3. Strapsicle Kindle Hand Straps

 

Perfect for: One-handed Kindle reading.

 

If you read on a Kindle for long stretches, you've probably found yourself shifting it from one hand to the other more than once.  

 

Strapsicle solves that problem in the simplest way possible.

 

The Strapsicle silicone straps stretch around the corners of your Kindle and give your fingers a comfortable place to rest, making it much easier to hold while you're stretched out in a lounge chair or curled up in a hammock.

 

This is probably my favorite Kindle accessory on the entire list.

4. SK SYUKUYU Remote Page Turner

 

Perfect for: Hands-free reading.

 

I swear every Kindle reader eventually discovers this accessory.

 

If you've never seen a remote page turner for Kindle/Ipad before, here's how it works.

 

A small clip attaches to your Kindle, and a handheld remote lets you turn pages without touching the screen.

 

It sounds like a luxury...

...until you're comfortably settled under a blanket on the porch or reclining in a zero-gravity chair and realize you don't have to keep reaching up every few minutes.

 

Combine the remote with a stand, and you've created a new go-to reading setup.

 

5. Lamicall Adjustable Tablet & Kindle Stand

 

Perfect for: Long reading sessions.

 

Sometimes your book isn't the problem--but, your posture is.

 

If you're constantly looking down at your lap, your neck and shoulders are probably going to remind you about it later.

 

The Lamicall Stand raises your Kindle or tablet to a more comfortable angle, making it easier to relax while you read.

 

It folds flat when you're finished, so it's easy to toss into a tote bag.

 

6. Everlasting Comfort Seat Cushion

 

Perfect for: Patio chairs that look comfortable...until you actually sit in them.

 

Whoever designs some outdoor furniture clearly isn't planning to read a 400-page novel.

 

A supportive seat cushion can completely change how long you're happy sitting outside.

 

The Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Seat Cushion has thousands of positive reviews for exactly that reason. It's supportive without being bulky, and it works just as well on patio furniture as on park benches or bleachers.

 

Sometimes the accessory that makes the biggest difference isn't even for your book.

 

7. FlipKlip Book Page Holder

 

Perfect for: Paperback readers.

 

A gentle summer breeze is wonderful. Unless it keeps deciding you're finished with the page you're reading.

 

The FlipKlip Page Holder keeps your book open while still making it easy to turn pages.

 

If you enjoy reading physical books outdoors, this is one of those inexpensive little accessories you'll appreciate every time you use it. Especially at the beach.

8. MoKo Kindle Sleeve

 

Perfect for: Protecting your Kindle in your beach or pool bag.

 

Sand has an incredible ability to get into absolutely everything.

 

The same goes for sunscreen, damp towels, snack crumbs, and the condensation from your water bottle.

 

A padded sleeve keeps your Kindle protected while it's bouncing around in your bag.

 

The MoKo Kindle Sleeve is one of Amazon's most popular choices because it's lightweight, well-padded, and available in sizes for several Kindle models.

 

It's a simple purchase that can help protect a much more expensive one.

 

9. Clip-On Chair Side Table

 

Perfect for: Keeping everything within reach.

 

This might not sound like a reading accessory, but hear me out.

 

Having a place for your drink, sunglasses, phone, sunscreen, and bookmark means you're not constantly balancing everything in your lap—or worse, setting your iced coffee right next to your open book.

 

Universal clip-on chair tables have become increasingly popular because they instantly create a little reading station, even if you're sitting in a folding camping chair.

 

It's one of those small upgrades that makes reading outside feel just a little more effortless.

My Summer Reading Bag

 

If I were packing for an afternoon of reading, I'd probably bring:

 

• My Kindle with Strapsicle attached
• MoKo protective sleeve
• JISULIFE neck fan
• A cold insulated water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• A small microfiber cloth for cleaning my Kindle screen
• A lightweight cardigan if I'll be reading into the evening

 

That's really all I need for several uninterrupted hours with a good book.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are some necessary summer reading accessories?

 

Some of the most useful summer reading accessories include a clamp-on umbrella, a portable neck fan, Kindle hand straps, a Kindle stand, a remote page-turner, a protective sleeve, and a supportive seat cushion.

 

What's the best Kindle accessory for reading outside?

 

If I had to choose just one, I'd recommend Strapsicle. It's affordable, easy to use, and makes holding a Kindle for long reading sessions noticeably more comfortable.

 

How can I make reading outside more comfortable?

 

I like to look for simple solutions to common problems. Shade helps with glare, a neck fan keeps you cool, a supportive chair cushion makes longer reading sessions easier, and a Kindle stand or hand straps can make holding your device much more comfortable.

 

Create Your Own Perfect Reading Setup

 

One of my favorite things about summer is having the chance to slow down with a good book.

 

A comfortable chair, a little shade, and a few thoughtful accessories can turn an ordinary afternoon into one of those reading days you remember long after you've finished the book.

 

The best part is that you don't need everything on this list.

 

Pick the one thing that solves the biggest frustration you have when reading outside. Maybe that's staying cool. Maybe it's finding a better way to hold your Kindle. Maybe it's finally keeping your drink somewhere other than right beside your book.

 

Little upgrades add up, and sometimes they're all it takes to turn "I'll read for a few minutes" into "How is it already dinnertime?"

Okay, book friends, this one caught my attention immediately. The title Death Takes a Holiday already promises something a little unusual, but add in a vacationing Death, a seventy-three-year-old detective, and a murder mystery, and I am officially curious. Today, I’m excited to share the cover for Death Takes a Holiday by Tammy Painter!

 

Death needed a vacation.

** A hilarious new series from the author of The Cassie Black Trilogy! **

 

After an eternity of escorting souls to the afterlife, Death — who really prefers you call him Mortimer — is bored. There's been departmental divisions, technical developments, and fitness crazes that mean people just aren't dying like they used to.

 

What's worse… He's running low on romance novels to keep himself occupied.

 

His solution: a working holiday to Top World, where he expects room service, infinity-high thread counts, and an easy solution to get business booming again.

 

What he doesn't expect is Mrs Morris, a seventy-three-year-old detective with a tightly packed schedule that leaves no room for an immortal assistant.

 

But Mortimer refuses to go away. After all, detectives find murderers, and having his very own killer would be the perfect way to nudge up those mortality rates.

 

Luckily, someone's just been murdered — and Mrs Morris has been hired to find the culprit. The only trouble? The victim reeks of demons, turning Mortimer's perfect opportunity into a great deal of trouble that could end his career. Oh, and the human race.

 

Death Takes a Holiday is a humorous fantasy novel about the most inconvenient partnership in the history of the afterlife, where a pair of unlikely allies are thrown together by broken bones, murder mysteries, pesky demons, and the deadliest cup of coffee in Portland.

 

Like Terry Pratchett joining the Thursday Murder Club, Death Takes a Holiday is perfect for fans of wry humor, paranormal mystery, and unforgettable characters forming reluctant bonds.

**Released August 18, 2026 ** 

Amazon * Author’sSite * Apple * Google * Kobo * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

This cover gives me such fun, quirky fantasy vibes.

It hints at the darker side of the story without making the book feel heavy or frightening. Instead, it seems to lean into the humor and supernatural mischief behind the premise—which feels exactly right for a story about Death attempting to take a holiday.

Website * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Death Takes a Holiday sounds like a wonderfully offbeat mix of fantasy, mystery, and comedy. 

 

Between the vacationing Grim Reaper, the seventy-three-year-old detective, the demons, and the murder investigation, I have a feeling Mortimer’s holiday is not going to go according to plan—and that is probably going to be half the fun. 

 

What do you think of the cover? 

Would you add this one to your reading list? 

Happy reading!

 

 

Love discovering books before they're released? Be the first to see cover reveals, upcoming releases, exclusive excerpts, author features, and more. Join our growing community of readers and book lovers. 

➡️ Join our Newsletter