Books published by New Academia Publishing/Scarith Books

In this personal, multifaceted memoir, Hala Buck, a professional artist and integrative therapist, reflects on her mixed Muslim and Christian family, her marriage to an American diplomat, their nomadic life between the Arab World and North America, raising a "Third Culture" daughter, and navigating cultures. Buck's story finds her as she embarks on a pilgrimage to her birth country, rediscovering her Lebanese roots. The daughter of a Muslim father and Christian mother, Buck explores her childhood in Lebanon--itself a bridge between East and West. She leaves her country of birth to follow her American husband. Through stories, poetry, and watercolors, as well as art therapy, Hala paints us a picture of her transient life in seven Arab countries, West Africa, and Canada. Along the way she discovers and explores what it means to be a human bridge, crossing between cultures and inviting others to do the same, all the while looking for meaning and purpose. Bridge Between Worlds is both deeply personal and a universal story of searching for a sense of belonging and home. With honesty, creativity, and humor, Hala Buck shares her story with the hope of inspiring and encouraging readers to explore their own stories and discover, as she has, new understanding, perspectives, and gifts on their journey.

"Michael Davis' poetry collection Prodigal is a deeply moving odyssey of mourning, searching, struggle and passion. Through his vivid imagery ("like a razor, against the grain, scattering the salty/scales into the bright air"), fresh use of language and wisdom, Davis tells stories of the human condition in ways that haven't been told before. From his unique take on Rembrandt's "Annunciation" to "Cleaning the Catch," a gut-wrenching tale of "Life lost, both wanted and wanting"-he takes us on a luminous journey into the very guts of life itself."-Kathi Wolfe, author, The Uppity Blind Girl Poems

"This volume exhibits the growth in the scope and in the depth of Ms. Naik's poetic vision over a period of more than three decades, dominated by themes of love, loss, memory, survival, identity and alienation." -Carlo Coppola, Professor Emeritus, Modern Languages and Literatures, Oakland University; Editor Emeritus, Journal of South Asian Literature."Naik's poetic expressions of nature as well as of human experiences work extremely well within the intellectual and emotional poetic traditions of two worlds-India and the United States."- Roshni Rustomji-Kerns, Professor Emerita of India Studies and the Hutchins School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Sonoma State University."Naik's is the language of courage: as one who left home and family in search of a wider view of the world. Hers is the language of the explorer. It is a 'rare-dear' shape of language and acute emotion that readers are not likely to find elsewhere."- Pamela Sutton, MSJ, MFA.

"Natalie Lobe is a seasoned poet so we welcome and applaud What Gypsies Don't Know. Lobe's poetry combines skill and compassion, showing the right balance of ideas, emotion, sensuality, and intuition. Each line holds the gift of thought and care; and this proportionality is evidence of her craft. A poet's field of vision is her palette and those colors are her resource. Lobe showcases her world with wit, innuendo, and modesty. There's star power in this premier volume and each poem is a living thing, refreshing and masterful. I'm a shameless admirer of Natalie Lobe's poetry and I believe all readers will be as well." -Grace Cavalieri, host of radio show "The Poet and the Poem from the Library of Congress""William Wordsworth wrote in the preface to his Lyrical Ballads that poetry should be written in the real language of common folk, rather than in the lofty and elaborate dictions that are often considered 'poetic.' One could argue about how successfully Wordsworth did that, but I want to argue that much of the brilliance of Natalie Lobe's poetry is found in her ability to notice the profound in the ordinary. Spanning a wide range of events from a well-lived life, Lobe's poems offer reflections on biblical stories, her children, her reading and her travels, etc. Each poem offers a nurturing morsel from life's furrowed fields. Lobe's keen eye turns every day observations into metaphors that offer insight and revelation. A sign of wisdom is an elder writing, "Me? I'm still in the dark," because in the humanness of such honesty, there is light, and that kind of light fills this collection of poems with their genuine value for the reader." -Michael S. Glaser, Poet Laureate of Maryland 2004-2009.