Here's a Discourse video and written editorial review of Reality Unbound. I really like the reviewers. They have such a friendly demeanor and conversational approach. I do think they struggled quite a bit, to explain the book during the review and explaining the concepts, which is understandable since this is not their area of expertise. For example, when she said that I wrote, "not having language doesn't mean you are not intelligent" - I said the opposite, that language is critical to intelligence. Specifically, "The differences in how people think does not mean that people whose thoughts are expressed internally through sound, visual sign language, or the sensation of touch does not make any member of these groups less intelligent..." So I think she conflated what I said about speech, with language, which are two different things, but related. They focused on some of passing statements but not the core or central thesis of the book. Anyway, here is the review:

"Reality Unbound" is one of those books that makes big ideas feel surprisingly easy to understand. Instead of drowning the reader in heavy jargon, E. Hughes breaks down complex topics like consciousness, perception, evolution, and artificial intelligence into simple, relatable explanations. The book reads like a friendly guide walking you through some of the biggest questions humans have ever asked: What is the mind? Is reality even real? Could a machine ever think the way we do? Hughes uses down-to-earth examples, everyday language, and real-world connections that make these deep concepts feel accessible and even exciting.
What makes the book especially enjoyable is how smoothly it blends science, philosophy, and technology without ever feeling overwhelming. Hughes invites readers to think, question, and imagine possibilities about the universe, the brain, and the future of AI. Even if you've never studied these subjects before, the book feels welcoming and thought-provoking rather than intimidating. If you're curious about how the mind works, how reality might not be what it seems, or where AI could be heading, "Reality Unbound" is a great place to start.
- Discourse

As reality becomes more artificial, the less it resembles objective “physical” reality. It becomes abstract; the environment and social conditions becoming intangible and virtual. Socially, humankind’s immersion into the unreal, an imitation (simulation) of reality is not a conscious or willful act of defiance against reality, but a willful act of defiance against nature through technological advancement.

The arrow of time plays an important role in reality’s progression to artificial reality. Artificial realities do not retrogress to earlier states; it becomes more artificial as time moves forward, with reality becoming less tangible and increasingly more virtual (or digital) over time. 

- From The Absence of Reality: Aphorisms and Observations of the Nature of Reality and Existence by E. Hughes

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-absence-of-reality-e-hughes/1148716937?ean=9781961823242

How were illustrations created for my book? The video shows how. First, my teen YA light novel /comic Kissing Henry is so cute. It was such a fun project. I love my artwork, more on the illustrations in a moment... I've been published for over 20 years and have over 20 books, including 6 children's books. The rest are philosophy/science , poetry, or the much older romance novels but this one is adorable to me. It speaks to teens and addresses a number of issues with a clear lesson to be learned at the end. I love that the artwork is so collaborative. I've worked with the same artists for all of my children's books. One artist for the characters, and one for backgrounds, and then I complete the artwork and final design, bringing the background, characters and the final layout together to complete the final look for the story. Each person strictly works on their own area. My daughter AJ, who is also an author and blossoming illustrator with her own line of children's books worked on the editing. If I ask her to take something and remove the background so I can use something in a different scene, or fix something without bothering my illustrator she can do it. I'm an artist but I'm better at painting landscapes and still life art or things, rather than creating people. 🥰 ❤❤❤


#yanovel #BOOKS #newbooks #findinghappiness #comicstok #booklover #yanovel #yanovels #books #comics

I have one children's book left to complete. Then nothing else for a while.

Every time I log in here I find myself going straight to solitaire lol.

Kissing Henry 💋 by E. Hughes on sale now. This is the Kissing Henry teen novel video book trailer. It's such a cute story about a girl who has a crush on a boy who isn't into her. So she made a vow to Kiss Henry by the end of the school year. Except, things doesn't always go according to plan. The Kissing Henry song was made specifically for this book https://www.amazon.com/Kissing-Henry-90s-Girl-Hughes/dp/1961823292

#books #videotrailer

The ebook for The Absence of Reality is doing well. It ranked #6 , #9, and #9 in all 3 categories on Amazon's bestsellers list within 3 days of its release. The print edition is still glitched on Amazon, with a shipping date all the way in December. So I'm promoting Barnes and Noble as the best place to buy the print edition. I would contact Amazon about the issue but they always seem to make things worse. I'll let it sort itself, as it will do so eventually.
#books #newreleases

I just noticed that Amazon now has Kindle for web. You no longer have to have a Kindle or download their software to read eBooks. You can read via your browser.

Crocheted a blanket for my grandson. Almost done.

I have my third editorial review of The Absence of Reality and I have come to one conclusion; the subject matter may be too academic or challenging. I wrote it as a message to everyday people; a caution, of sorts. The review was positive but the reviewer admitted that it was an "...intellectual challenge," and "...the text is easy to read despite its highly complex nature " So even if you write a complex idea using a simpler framework, it doesn't change the complexity of the work or make it any more accessible to the reader.
#books