"In the eighteen pithy essays comprising Effwords, Mark Morelli deftly explores the power of words and writing. Riffing on small items such as a broken, abandoned umbrella, a plucked autumn leaf, and a stick tossed into a river, Morelli unveils the rich tapestry of adventure and purpose just below the surface of our ordinary lives. He also declares the communicative nature of jazz the perfect model for dinner conversation, and poses questions after each essay, inviting his readers to continue the conversation. All avid readers - writers, both new and seasoned, as well as teachers, students, and book club members - will find themselves delighted to follow Morelli's lead." Kimberly Willardson Editor, The Vincent Brothers Review www.vincentbrothersreview.org