Forget Black Friday! Nuts to Cyber Monday! It's Local Author...uh...Time!

Do you like music? Do you like mysteries? Do you like Murray? Well, you're in luck because three of Syracuse's best local authors (including a not-too-modest one) have books for sale! Just in time for the varying holidays crammed into the month of December! All of the following books are available at your local bookstores, Amazon, and really just about anywhere you get your books:

Carl Cafarelli is a native CNYer and has written a fabulous book called The Greatest Record Ever Made (Volume One) that asserts that there can be an infinite number of "greatest records ever made," as long as they take turns. Carl takes turns making the case for an eclectic mix of pop, bubblegum, soul, punk and even country. You won't agree with every song choice, but you will be impressed with both the quality of his writing and the passion he has for his subjects. Find Carl at https://carlcafarelli.blogspot.com/

Joe Congel is also a native CNYer but had the good sense to leave town about 30 years ago. He is a terrific mystery writer. His stories are character-driven, intricately plotted whodunits that keep you guessing till the end.  Joe has a number of books featuring his alter-ego Tony "Razzman" Razzolito, but his newest effort is part of the Underground Authors' group. Catch a Tiger by the Toe is Joe's second book in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles and, I think, his best yet. Read Joe at https://joecongelfictionstories.blogspot.com/

And finally, Dave Murray, another CNYer who did not have the sense to leave Syracuse, despite my feeling that cold weather is a living thing trying to kill me. But I truly love the Salt City.  A Breath of Fresh Air (A Transplant Tale) is my first novel and, barring any sudden lightning strike of inspiration, my last. It's a fictionalized, jazzed up (or jazzed down, if that is a thing) version of my life with the emotional center being my double-lung transplant in 2004. It has, if I may briefly sound like a Millennial, all the feels (or so I'm told.). You can find my very infrequent blog posts at https://davemurraywriter.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reading and have a happy holiday season!

Civic Duty

Tuesday, November 5th, the Most Important Election Of Our Lives; narrowly edging 2020, which was The Previous Most Important Election Of Our Lives.

Anyone who hasn’t voted yet is either truly undecided (you know, like the choice between chicken or decomposing rat) or planning to sit this one out.

Don’t.

I won’t tell you how to vote, but I have a couple thoughts:

No Jill Stein, or Mickey Mouse or other protest votes. It’s a two party world because of the Electoral College. Vote for the person you hate least, if nothing else.

If you have kids, the world we will leave them may be unfathomable. Vote for the one likely to address climate change.

Vote for human rights.

Vote for the rule of law.

Vote for inclusion, and empathy, and love.

Vote for democracy.