Book Reviews

Party Like it’s 2044

“Party Like it’s 2044: Finding the Funny in Life and Death” by Joni B. Cole. Reviewed by Tracy Wood Here’s to another great collection from a gifted story teller! Joni Cole’s essays are a cross between David Sedaris and Kelly Corrigan. Whether she’s sharing tales of coffee mishaps on airplanes or weird encounters in public restrooms, Joni captures the humor and humanity in everyday adventures.  Joni’s stories offer a break from the daily news headlines that compete for doomiest and gloomiest. Funny but never trite, her deeply personal narratives reveal universal emotions: embarrassment, nostalgia, misunderstanding, and even love of cute animals. Many chapters had me laughing out loud, and they all offered some  tidbit worth remembering! I will return to these essays like I would a favorite pair of shoes. Tracy often suggests Joni’s books on writing to her students. Tracy Wood is a former Marine and retired secondary English teacher. She…

Book Reviews

Diva: A Novel

“Diva: A Novel” reviewed by Rebecca Rosenberg. “Diva” by Daisy Goodwin is a remarkable novel that tells the story of Maria Callas, one of the most celebrated opera singers of all time. Goodwin does an excellent job of bringing Callas to life, capturing her passion for music, her determination to succeed, and her vulnerability. The novel also explores Callas’s complex relationship with Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping magnate who was one of the richest men in the world. Goodwin’s writing is vivid and engrossing, and she does a masterful job of weaving together fact and fiction. The novel is full of fascinating details about Callas’s life, including her childhood in Nazi-occupied Greece, her rise to fame, and her love affair with Onassis. Goodwin also does a good job of capturing the atmosphere of the time, from the glamour of the opera world to the scandal of Callas’s relationship with Onassis….

Book Reviews

Madame Pommery

“Madame Pommery” review by Julie Porter.“Madame Pommery” by Rebecca Rosenberg is a captivating novel about a woman’s struggle to survive war, run her own business in a male dominated society, provide a future for her children, and create something beautiful, unique, and lasting. Alexandrine, in the middle of her journey, is close to her 50’s and still recovering from the death of her husband, Louis. She is trying to retain a brave front for her two-year-old daughter, Louise, and curtailing the sharp criticisms from her school aged son, who blames his father’s death on his need to return to work after Louise’s surprise birth. Alexandrine also has to contend with the loss of her family finances and that unless something is done soon, they will be left destitute. Alexandrine’s character arc shows her challenging the role expected of her as an upper-class Frenchwoman. She was originally someone who read and…

Book Reviews

A Christmas Legacy

“A Christmas Legacy” reviewed by Rebecca Rosenberg. “A Christmas Legacy” by Anne Perry is a heartwarming and suspenseful historical mystery novel set in London in the late 19th century. The story follows Gracie, a former maid who is now married and has a child of her own. When her friend’s daughter, Millie, comes to her with a story about missing items from the kitchen of the household where she works, Gracie agrees to take her place for a few days to investigate. Gracie soon discovers that the couple who employs Millie are neglectful of their elderly grandmother, who lives in the upstairs bedroom. The husband and wife are hoping that the grandmother will die soon so that they can inherit her money. Gracie is determined to help Millie clear her name and to protect the grandmother from further neglect. “A Christmas Legacy” is a well-written and suspenseful mystery novel. Perry…

Book Reviews

Tangled by Blood

Reviewed by Marlene Cullen “Tangled by Blood, a Memoir in Verse” by Rebecca Evans opens with the powerful “I wanted to be your womb,” letting us know this is a manifesto of bold writing. Unveiling her truth in poetic form offers a lyrical quality to her candid and extremely personal stories, revealing a heart that will not be shattered, a voice that will not be shuttered, and a resilience to be admired. Strong writing, impressive abilities, and remarkable insights, Evans shares her journey with integrity, honesty, and unflinching intelligence. “Tangled by Blood” is a treatise to be read and re-read, picking up different nuances with each reading. Available on Amazon. Rebecca Evans’ work reflects, among many things, fractured relationships. This fracturing influences every subsequent relationship—carrying scars and wounds throughout one’s life. Evans weaves disability, domestic violence, and a fight for survival throughout her narratives, hoping to start conversations, create awareness,…

Book Reviews

The Clandestine Life of Paintings

“The Clandestine Life of Paintings, in Poems” by Robin Gabbert. Review by Marianne Lyon. Robin Gabbert’s Magical Ekphrastic book “The Clandestine Life of Paintings, in Poems” by Robin Gabbert is inventive, otherworldly, and intriguing. The poems muse duet verses with paintings. The marriage of these creative pieces invite contemplation. They invite the mystical to emerge. The twists and leaps of Robin’s imagination are made all the more meaningful by the deeper truth of human feeling that underlines each verse. They journey us into painted worlds with words as our guides. Her poems are written in sonorous fashion much like art songs. This partnering of poems and art invites the reader to recognize our shared humanity. They pulse with nature’s beauty. Universal meaning danced my eyes from poem to painting to poem. “A Collage of Questions” isa short-found poem fashioned from questions Robin asks in her amazing book. Let these queries…

Book Reviews

The 7 Secrets of Essential Speaking

“The 7 Secrets to Essential Speaking: Find Your Voice, Change Your Life,” by Dr. Doreen Downing Review by Lee Glickstein This is the definitive book for solving public speaking anxiety. Most every book about getting over public speaking anxiety comes down to performance techniques, some version of “fake it till you make it.” But this only works for people who have a capacity for faking. The rest of us need an organic way through that gently taps into our essential authenticity. Step by step, Dr. Doreen Downing lights up that path with easy-to-read clarity, compassion, and emotionally intelligent insights. Lee Glickstein is founder of Speaking Circles International and author of “Be Heard Now! Tap Into Your Inner Speaker and Communicate with Ease.” He works with clients ranging from professional communicators to “non-speakers” with severe stage fright, and is committed to facilitating ease, power and effectiveness for anyone who needs to or…

Book Reviews

Ten Seconds of Boldness

“Ten Seconds of Boldness: The Essential Guide to Solving Problems and Building Self-Confidence” by Shawn Langwell Reviewed by Osha Hayden. Read Ten Seconds of Boldness, then keep it handy when you need a boost through challenging times. With refreshing honesty and humility, Shawn Langwell guides the reader through proven steps to overcome fear, increase self-confidence and achieve success. These are the techniques he has perfected to lift himself up, achieve success, and become a better human being in the process. Now he’s sharing his hard-won knowledge with us, and for that I am grateful. Not only is it an effective guide, it’s an enjoyable read. Osha Hayden is the host and producer of Aspire with Osha: art, nature, humanity—a radio & podcast show. Her work is informed by her experience as a psychotherapist, mediator, trainer and artist. She earned an M.A. in Psychology, Couple and Family Therapy, and is a Trainer,…

Book Reviews

American Dirt

I heard about “American Dirt” and the controversies surrounding it. When my friend gave me a copy, I thought, “Here’s my chance to form my own opinion.” This is a story of Lydia and her son, Luca, fleeing Acapulco and their hope for a better life in the United States. In my opinion, Jeanine Cummins did a skillful job keeping tension high throughout the story. It’s a difficult subject matter, of course, but, I think, good writing. It made me think of the mother/child bond and how fiercely protective a mother can be. The characters felt real to me. It was an eye-opener with details about risk, escape, and how to (illegally) get across the Mexico/U.S. border. The story made me appreciate my easy life and grateful for what I have. It also made me aware and empathetic for people who risk their lives to come here. This book is…

Book Reviews

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry

“The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry” by Gabrielle Zevin is clever, surprising, and grows on you, just like the mini-character who is absolutely delightful. The main character is not very likable at first . . . but of course he changes, due to circumstances beyond his control. This is a book I will ponder long after I have shelved it in the “good reads” section of my bookshelf.