"Life In Brief" is a stunning collection of short stories, essays, and poetry by Davida Siwisa James, author of the acclaimed 2007 memoir, "The South Africa of His Heart." This is a mature and poignant selection of her writing that encompasses both personal, emotional nonfiction works, as well as her creative fiction, posts from her Wordpress Blog, and newspaper columns. The short stories are powerful and insightful - from surviving a level-three hurricane, a moving story about a woman who takes a reflective journey, a room at a time, through a home she must leave trying to put her spiritual imprint on each of the rooms. There are two passionate love stories, and a tribute to female friendship. The haunting "Many Lives Lived" is a stream-of-conscience reflection of a mourner at a funeral who examines the meaning of her own life. Her essays run the gamut from exploring aging, our dependence on technology, cutting the cord with our grown children, and how the arts affect our lives. The poetry is mostly set in the backdrop of the Caribbean. It will take you to white sand beaches, crystal blue waters with flying fish, romantic sunsets, and Carnival. It is an eclectic writing collection, written with skill and charm, that offers a little something for everyone.