ArcaMax

Q. My 14-year-old son saved his money and bought an e-bike at his mother’s home. The stipulation was that he always wears a helmet when riding it. Two of my friends called me recently and told me that my son has been spotted riding around the neighborhood without a helmet. They sent me pictures. His mother isn’t doing anything about it. What...Read more

Pity the evil queen in "Snow White" asking the magic mirror who was the fairest of all, waiting anxiously for the reply. Today, all the queen would need to do is upload an image of herself to an AI beauty analysis app and wait 10 seconds for the results.

Beauty analysis apps score your face “plain, pretty or gorgeous,” or “attractive, ...Read more

Looking for a quick fantasy read that hits the spot? Lisa Lacriola serves up just what you need in the second installment of her Species Chronicles, "The Order of the Wolf: Covenant."

The story follows Toni Luello after the events of the first book, "The Order of the Wolf: Lineage," where the disappearance of her great-aunt leads Toni to ...Read more

Debut novel "The Amalfi Secret" by Dean and Catherine Reineking takes readers on a pulse-pounding chase through sun-drenched Italian locales and shadowy halls of power.

This mystery thriller opens on the picturesque Amalfi Coast, where Gabe Roslo meets up with his grandparents for a family vacation. It’s a heartfelt reunion after a year or so...Read more

When social media first began attracting young people more than two decades ago, parents worried about whether their children were chatting with nefarious strangers.

Now, with the emergence of AI chatbots, parents should worry if their children are being seduced by equally dangerous computer programs.

The use of AI chatbots as “friends” is...Read more

SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, some sexuality, strong language and smoking.

What it’s about: A focused look at the writing of Bruce Springsteen's iconic 1982 album, "Nebraska."

The kid attractor factor: This is an adult drama that deals with mature themes, not really much appeal for kids.

Good ...Read more

Q. I have no idea how to co-parent when my ex is such a jerk and is always telling me how I screwed up: I can’t parent the kids right. I don’t cook nutritious food. I drink too much.

I’m so beaten down I don’t want to talk to them about anything, let alone consult them about our kids. What’s good ex-etiquette?

A. My first thought ...Read more

We accidentally left for our vacation in Maine a day early. I take full credit — or blame — it depends on who tells the story. There’s nothing wrong with leaving a day early, except that when you get there you won’t have a place to stay.

A quick online search landed us a reservation just outside a picturesque New England town we’d ...Read more

Every anthology has to choose its organizing principle, but few feel as alive as the one guiding "Coven of the East: Reimagining Asian Women’s Magical Histories." Editors Angela Yuriko Smith and Pauline Chow map the 22 entries against the 22 Major Arcana of the Rider–Waite–Smith tarot. It’s a clever structure, intuitive, almost organic, ...Read more

In "A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart," author Morgan Lockhart whisks the reader away into a small mountain town filled with magic. This book hits all the marks I want from a romance for the holiday season: cozy, fantastical, and filled with eclectic characters and local business owners rising up against the industrial complex.

Our protagonist, ...Read more

There are countless reasons why the woods make for a great setting in novels.

In the woods, it’s easy for us to get lost, easy to think we’re progressing towards a destination only to find ourselves back where we started, easy to disappear. In the woods, technology is unreliable, and often we find it best to leave our phones behind. Our ...Read more

'BLACK PHONE 2'

Rated R for strong violent content, gore, teen drug use, and language.

What it’s about: Siblings in 1982 Denver have to fend off the kiddie serial killer the Grabber who haunts them in their dreams.

The kid attractor factor: This is a fairly violent horror movie — not really for kids.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Families ...Read more

“(I)t is a massively more powerful and scary thing than I knew about.” That’s how Adam Raine’s dad characterized ChatGPT when he reviewed his son’s conversations with the AI tool. Adam tragically died by suicide. His parents are now suing OpenAI and Sam Altman, the company’s CEO, based on allegations that the tool contributed to his ...Read more

Q. I am the proud mom of two very active boys and a 3-year-old little girl. They all tell me they want to trick-or-treat with their father and me, but we have been separated for almost two years now. We live close by, and I’m willing to try, but I have to admit, just thinking about it gives me anxiety. It sounds like a great idea, but a lot to...Read more

Because I love, love, love saving time, I am looking forward to the first weekend in November when the entire nation will save 60 minutes — not the Sunday night news program but an hour on the clock.

Of course, nobody likes to mention the fact that the only reason we are “saving” an hour is because an hour was stolen from us in the spring...Read more