Monday Essays - I've Tried Being Nice by Ann Leary

I like a book of humorous essays and I've Tried  Being Nice  by Ann Leary cracked me up. I  felt as if we could be friends having  a drink and she's regaling  me  with her day.

cover blurb  The bedlam  of  home  bat  invasions, an obsession  with online personality tests, ballroom  dance  lessons with her  actor  husband (Denis Leary - I like his snark too)- all are fodder for her wit.  Red carpet fiascos and other  observations from  the  sidelines of fame are very funny. 

Her love for her family, dogs, and more gives her a ton of material.  Laugh,  cry, cringe, and totally identify with her observations.  This was a very fun library read. 
 

Friday the 13th

 I'm hiding from  Friday the 13th

No black cats to  cross my path

No ladders to  walk under

Don't step on a sidewalk crack

Is it a full  moon?

Good luck all. See ya  Monday. 

Any superstitions haunt you?  

Solemn Remembrance

 

Still as clear as a bell in my mind.  The  sunny lovely Tuesday. The drive  to  work, and news on the radio. The shock. The images. The  aftermath.

The spirit of unity  at that  time.  Blood  drives, etc. Folks actually being  a little nicer.  America and it's survivor spirit. 

Now what in 2024?    

Imagine  by John Lennon - play the tune and  reflect 

Monday Moments - The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

 cover blurb -  When the  Blitz imperils the heart of a London neighborhood, three young women must use their fighting spirit to save the community's beloved library.  The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan is based on a true story, and  I would say  the author did some research. 

Juliet is the new deputy librarian at Bethnal  Green. She is immediately entrenched in the community and as the Nazi bombs move everyone down into  the tunnels, she is determined to keep everyone reading. She has the  folks bring down shelves, books, and she starts reading out loud at  night. Unity  is the key.

Katie works in  the library, finds  herself to be an impending unwed mother (her  beau is dead on  the front line), but finds the strength to determine  her  own fate.  Thank goodness for the library and neighbor ladies. 

Sofie, a Jewish refugee, also finds calm and strength with the library. Juliet is key to all of their fates. The background  of war unites so many and this book tells the tale. Strong  characters, fear, love, life - it's all wrapped up in this page turning story. I  cared about them all.  Good job. 

Finally Friday - Book Review - Godwin

 Godwin by Joseph O'Neill was a very odd book.  I almost gave up halfway through, and yet was curious as to how the author was going to finish. I don't know that I liked the characters, and yet was curious as to what the heck was really going to happen. Very conflicted.  I did skim. 

cover blurb - it's the  odyssey of two brothers crossing the world in search of an African soccer prodigy who might change their fortunes. 

Mark Wolfe is a technical writer. His much younger half-brother, Geoff, is  a very loser guy who's currently a soccer  agent, but always  looking for  the next "deal".  Geoff suckers  Mark into flying to England,  then France,  then Africa searching for Godwin, a kid once seen on a  film who could be the absolute best.   Is this a unicorn? Why does Mark join in on Geoff's scheme?  Is he seeking  something more to  his life,  yet he has a wife and daughter that he loves?  And the mother of Mark and Geoff is an  elusive  character that  does pop in - hence the reason  to fast forward (skim) the book. 

How's that for a review? The end surprised me.  Kinda glad I did skim. 

Whatever Wednesday - Piano Men: Generations

August  3rd, the stage was set at the Arlington Music Hall.  Dueling pianos awaited the Piano Men: Generations show.   Terry and Nick Davies would play the tunes of Billy Joel  and Elton John. 

Here's the gang. We enjoyed  food at the  Grease Monkey across the street (I ate a very yummy burger).  Then we found  our Row E, sat back, and clapped along.     

L-R  Nell, Charla,  Claudia, Barbara, Me, Sharon.   Fun  crew!

The father and son due were great and their band was excellent.   Here's the son doing his  best Billy Joel "Angry Young Man".  

Such a fun  evening.  We  left  humming  our favorite  tunes.