BOOK #50

OK, I look like an idiot. The last 3 posts are all celeb memoirs and I swear I don't read them.
But, like Rosanne, Pat Benatar is just a long time favorite voice of mine. It pisses me off that this incredible woman is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but Madonna is? That is a million times wrong. Pat always has and always will rock harder than any other woman out there. Period.

Her book mostly talks about the struggles with her label, Chrysalis, being a woman in rock and roll. Man they totally treated her like shit. Because she was a woman portraying a sexy, strong image. And the label didn't like the idea of her being in a relationship with her guitarist, Neil Giraldo, either. They went as far as to deny the relationship, their marriage and the fact that she was ever pregnant. There are no photos of her pregnant in existence. What you do see is Pat in some big coats. By today's standards, her being treated that way is hard to believe.

But she and Neil persevered and eventually became their own masters of their work and continue to tour today. Over the years, I've been fortunate to see her almost every time she's come around. Her voice is not as strong as it was or as high but she still puts on a good show. She'll always be a favorite.
Because she's a chick. And because she IS rock and roll.

BOOK #49

Again, I'm not one for celeb books but I've never though of Rosanne Cash as a celebrity. To me, she's always been the fantastic singer/songwriter who happened to have a famous last name.

I've been listening to Rosanne since the early 80s. Her voice is the one I go to when things get a bit stressed in my life or I get way too nervous. She's very calming that way. And her book was too. She's been through a lot in her life - the death of her parents and step mom and stepsister all within a span of a few years, her divorce, her brain surgery. And all through that, she seems to have remained even keeled and funny.

This book is fluid - filled with grace, charm, wit, empathy, humor and steeliness. I only admire her more after reading it. Page 206 struck a large chord with me as she describes what happens after the death of a parent. I was so moved that I sent her a tweet about it and she responded in kind. She appears to be that kind of person.

Kind.

BOOK #48

I know you're thinking...WTF? Typically, I do not read this kind of stuff. I had bought this book for a friend. But she didn't show up at her birthday party so I kept it. I read it. It was entertaining and very sweet in some parts. Candy is kind of a nut but her entire lifestyle was so... good for her!

She and Aaron Spelling were married for about 40 years and that is a rarity in Hollywood. Raised two fairly typical kids and she continues on in his great tradition. She even has recipes in the back that sound pretty scrumptious.

It's always fun to take a peek at how the other half lives!

BOOK #47

A pledge book AND a book club book (pretty convenient, don't ya think?).

I almost couldn't put this down and that's always a good sign. Although I could kick myself for not reading this earlier, it was that good. I did start it last year but wasn't in the right place for it and couldn't get into it. I have no idea why it appealed to me now.

I loved Gillian's first book "Dark Objects" but this was twice as good. Flynn is very good at developing characters that you really don't like but you don't mind because the story is so good. Her pacing is even keeled, building the anticipation as you race along the chapters. Her use of foreshadowing is excellent (if I had picked up on it as I was going along but I did not). After I finished, I went back and said "ahhhh" when I discovered her foreshadowing spots.

I thoroughly enjoyed her acknowledgment pages as well. Especially the paragraph devoted to her husband. She would be great to have at a book club discussion.

I totally recommend this one.

BOOK #46

Yes, I'm working my way through John D. MacDonald's classic sleuth/thriller Travis McGee series from the sixties. Most (if not all) authors will tell you that MacDonald was THE MAN when it came to writing. His style is so unique and so brazen and even though so much of the phrasing is still in the sixties, it still holds up. Some of his descriptions are positively titillating.

Sexist? You bet. Funny? You bet. I can read one of his books in about two days so they are perfect for the train or late at night. I honestly don't think you can call yourself a true lover of books until you have, at least, read one of MacDonald's books. The covers are half as much fun as the stories. They are easily found on PBS or any kind of garage sale. I keep giving mine to the library. Let someone else discover him.

BOOK #45

Finally! A pledge book. I feel better as a human when I actually am able to read a book that's been on my shelf for over a year. I'm not quite sure how I ended up with this very cool book by Jack O'Connell but I'm glad it was there. That's the best thing about the Pledge. Finding new authors. I want to say that Caren Lane recommended this author but I'm not quite sure.

Basically, this story takes place in the future in Quigsamond. A town weary of keeping up so it has fallen into disrepair. Fractured by a strong gang structure with people left to their own devices. The one 'hail mary' kind of place is called Wireless. A great restaurant and bar along with a club filled with devotees of all things, the radio. More specifically, jammers. Jammers are people who enjoy 'jamming' live broadcasts and filling the airwaves with their own broadcasts. The book is filled with very interesting characters (i.e. champion ballroom dancers who are dwarfs)and excellent storytelling. I have to say that if I had had the time, I probably would have read the entire book in one sitting. But it was nice to stretch it out over a few days.

Apparently, Mr. O'Connell is a big deal as he's won tons of awards for his books. This book was his second (circa 1999) so I think I have quite a back catalog to search from. PBS, here I come!