Today's Reviews

The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather

Review:  Follows the life experiences of a young girl growing up in a poor struggling family in the midwest, early 1900's.  She is a musical prodigy and her path for fame and fortune is long and arduous. At 17 she leaves her family for Chicago to start formal training on the piano but is then discovered to have a unique singing voice and ends up in the very competitive opera world. Following her 30 year endeavors makes this book hard to put down despite being a long story. Well worth the time.

The Black Hour by Lori Rader-Day

Review: "The Black Hour" is the debut novel for Lori Rader-Day. The author has created escalating suspense in wonderfully drawn prose. Amelia Emmett a sociology professor is shot as she approaches her office at the university. Her assailant is a student whom she's never met, never taught, never advised. After he shoots her, he takes his life. After a painful recovery that is not complete, she forces herself back to campus for the new term. She's over medicating for the pain and drinking to forget the memory of the pale hand raising a gun out of the darkness. She tries to ignore the stares and rumors that there must have been a relationship with the young man. She is tasked with being an adviser to Nathaniel Barber, a student who has his own demons to face. When she and the reporter who covered her shooting begin to ask questions, Nate wants to help and gets involved with the rich boys on campus who may have answers. The suspense culminates with the traditional Fall Regatta that places Amelia and Nathaniel on the boat with a killer.

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

Review: It's the summer of 1961 and 12 year old Frank Drum is about to have his life and his family's lives turned upside down. A young neighbor is killed in a tragic train accident. Bobby Cole's death began the summer of unexplained
events that tore a town apart and cast suspicion on friends. The second death of an unidentified itinerant adds to the distrust. And then, a young woman set to leave small town Minnesota for Julliard is found murdered. The town is reeling from the unspeakable crime. A corrupt cop eager to pin the blame on a local Indian stirs up the town. Frank and his younger brother Jake learn the powerful lesson of forgiveness in time to heal the bitterness in their family. Frank gives searching for answers after the police believe they know the murderer. They are mistaken and when Frank figures it out, he
is almost killed. Although there is murder the story is more about a coming of age for two young boys. They find their faith and their true sense of right. The story is replete with wonderful imagery and beautiful prose.

Inside a Silver Box by Walter Mosley

Review: Well, the prologue was almost beautiful. It read like poetry. After that, forget it. A complete let down. That's all I'll say.

What the Lady Wants by Renee Rosen

Review: Terrible writing and a soap-opera plot.  The characters were not very likeable.  Delia and Marshall Field's infidelity and Delia's constant worship of Marshall Field was rather disgusting.  I found the sex scenes to be in bad taste considering we are talking about people who were real people. I can't recommend this, no matter how much you love Chicago.

Farewell, Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister

Review: Interesting novel. Gives you a glimpse of the late Dorothy Parker by bringing her back to life.  The heroine in it is funny and full of foibles.  She emulates Dorothy Parker, and - in the end - finds her own voice.  It makes you appreciate the witty remarks for what they are and what they aren't.  Wit is sadly lacking in today's "look at me!  Look at me!" world.  I enjoyed the book.

Retirement: Different by Design by Rick Steiner

Review: This books makes a case for the author having an acute sense of the obvious.  To do well in retirement, he states, you must avoid depression, divorce and disability.  How?  By securing finances, keeping active, eating right, giving up self-harming choices (drugs, sex, rock'n'roll, and yes -plastic surgery and obesity).  Give of yourself to others, blah, blah, blah.
He states he does not know what a life coach is - but then again, how well does one know thyself?  Pious but well-meaning pablum.