4 BOOK REVIEWS FOR AUGUST #FridayReads

The goal I set for myself was to read and review 71 books between Oct., 2015 and Oct. 2016. Including the four books reviewed below, I've read 46 books, 65%, and submitted the reviews to my Goodreads "My Books" page. With 25 more books to read before October 22, 2016, I'd better get cracking!

The books I read in August are:

JUST ADD WATER Jinx Schwartz

Jinx has written an entire series of "JUST" novels that I look forward to reading. I don't think she's finished with the series yet, so I can rest easy, knowing it will be some time before I reach the end.

In JUST ADD WATER, I met and sailed with Hetta Coffee as she edged her way into a new life of living on the water. How many times have you wished you could make a clean slate of your life and start over, with you in the driver's seat? Expectations of independence are much more lax now for women. But it wasn't that many (decades) ago that men did most of the driving. That's why it can be so much fun for readers of a certain age to immerse themselves into the story.

Just imagine the wind in your hair as you take control of the wheel of your very own yacht. That's independence!

Can't wait to dive into JUST ADD SALT!

*****     *****     *****

THE IMMACULATE by Marian McMahon Stanley

I was lucky to win a copy of THE IMMACULATE in a blogsite contest giveaway earlier this year. After receiving the book in the mail, it took some time for me to add it to my schedule. When I found a few days open, I sat to read the book and finished in less than two days. To me, that is a sign of a well-written novel. The story line is straightforward and the characters are delightfully fleshed out and likeable. Even the villains are 3-dimensional in their un-likeability.

What I especially appreciated about the story was how the protagonist related to the other characters, on a unique and individual basis. As the main character, Rosaria O'Reilly had an emotional connection to every situation and the sensitivity she portrayed in each scene grounded the story in reality.

*****     *****     *****

THE LIFE WE BURY by Allen Eskens

This book was recommended to me by my sister. It deals with a grittier topic than I was expecting, that of a man convicted of the crime of rape and murder who has been released from prison during his last months before dying. The Netflex series Making of a Murderer comes to mind while reading the story. But the project assigned to the protagonist, Joe Talbert, is to interview this stranger and write a short biography of the man. Of course, the plot thickens as Joe does his research and interviews the man.

Ultimately, the story gives readers an opportunity for inner debate on where they stand concerning certain issues arising in today's society. Granted, during an election year, we have no lack of issues to consider, but this one is more hypothetical and therefore more of an
exercise. Without being personally invested in the final decision, the story can also be entertaining for the reader.

*****     *****     *****

and

THE CITY & YTIC EHT by China Mieville

This is a book club choice for the group that meets at Coffee Talk in Kaimuki on the first Saturday of each month. This book, chosen by David Jones, helps to illustrate just how diverse our selections are from month to month.

I'm not sure I could have made it through this novel without the help of an online chapter-by-chapter synopsis. I certainly recommend that a reader consult an in depth synopsis before tackling the story unless you are already a great fan of eccentric world building and appreciate learning all the intricate details as the story unfolds.

In the world of THE CITY & YTIC EHT, best-selling author China Mieville takes us on a tour of two cities which overlap one other. These are not two dimensions, existing side by side, but two cities existing simultaneously on the same spot with residents of each expected to ignore the other. This is, of course, a simplistic explanation of a world that grows increasingly complicated as the story evolves.

This story presented many unusual twists. The mystery aspect of the plot is almost incidental as the reader is given ongoing updates of how these particular worlds work, or in some cases don't work. Big Brother is definitely involved, regardless how the story unfolds. One thing is certain, the book club choice will make for interesting discussion.

*****     *****     *****

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/4756053.Gail_M_Baugniet



INDEPENDENCE DAY - FREEDOM FOR ALL #MondayBlogs

The 4th of July represents Independence to Americans, freedoms as outlined in the Constitution of the United States
We the People: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html

and the United States Bill of Rights:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights

For some, the day conjures up images of Paul Revere ring ... ring ... ringing those freedom bells.

For others, the day offers all-American hot dogs and fireworks.

Whatever Independence means to you, I want to wish you a

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY !!! 

Visually,

Red, White, and Blue

                 signifies the United States of America.

Musically, certain songs will have folks clapping, wolf-whistling, or exchanging high-fives. A select few tunes, anthems almost, bring tears of joy, sorrow, anger, or maybe all three.

Songs on my top-hits list for the fireworks display focus on our Military, the most important reason we are able to exercise and celebrate our RIGHT TO FREEDOM each July 4th:

Merle Haggard's

Fighting Side of Me

(from the Vietnam era: Remember, you can be against war and still support our Military personnel);


Lee Greenwood performing his patriotic

God Bless the USA

Johnny Cash relating

The Ballad of Ira Hayes (a WWII ballad)

Alan Jackson asking

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning (that September Day)?

One of my photos from Magic Island 4th Fireworks 2009

 

and the irreverent and totally relevant
Toby Keith singing

Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue

to the troops:

Toby Keith Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue

use this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruNrdmjcNTc

A SLICE OF LIFE - Chicago's Auditorium Theater: ResearchingANovel

Research for a novel can be an enjoyable task or a drudgery. In my case, research is always fun. While writing my first Pepper Bibeau mystery, set in Chicago, I walked the streets in and around the Loop for four days re-familiarizing myself with the area.

Auditorium Theater is the setting for one scene between my protagonist and her friend, Ursula. During intermission at a concert they attend, featuring Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin, their discussion becomes a source of evidence in a murder investigation.

My experience with Auditorium Theater dates back to 1968 when I attended my first performance there, although it wasn’t to witness Janis Joplin launch a career. Then, in 2003, I returned for the aforementioned research and viewed a stage play from a beautifully renovated balcony.

Looking down at the Auditorium Theater stage.
The scene is so wide, I had to piece two pictures together! 

Constructed in the late 1800s, Auditorium Theater opened in 1889 and has hosted not only ballets, musicals, and concerts, but the likes of President Theodore Roosevelt and President William McKinley who gave speeches there.

An article in Friday’s newspaper (10/3/2014) prompted me to write about this topic today. The National Football League has decided to hold the 2015 NFL draft in Chicago, holding the event at the Auditorium Theater. The future of NFL football teams will be decided here.

As a Wisconsin-born football fan, I like football, lived and worked in Green Bay for over ten years (first in the early 70s and then at the turn of the century.) I don’t plan to attend the NFL draft in 2015, however.

If I do return to Auditorium Theater, it will be to see . . . oh, let’s say, Mikhail Baryshnikov reviving dance numbers from White Nights, or Liza Minnelli performing musical scenes from Cabaret. Suddenly, I’m compelled to compile a list of “What Ifs” performances I would love to attend at Auditorium Theater. I’m sure Janis Joplin would be at the top, along with the Beatles.

What is at the top of your “What If” list?

A Slice of Life: Excerpt from FOR EVERY ACTION 

The rain started just as we reached the Auditorium Building and we ducked into the lobby entrance on Congress Street. Marbled walls mirrored the light of chandeliers that hung from the narrow box-office ceiling. Ursula handed our tickets to an usher, who led the way to the second tier of the concert hall. Quickly settled, I was half-asleep when Ursula nudged my shoulder.

       “Tired?” she asked.

       “All the walking,” I said, yawning. “Sorry I made us miss the cab.”

She gave a short chuckle. “It’s okay, I was almost late myself. E.J. called just before I left the office.”

That opened my eyes. I wasn’t sure what to make of the statement and offered my question with some trepidation. “Are you two dating again?”

“Not quite.” Her voice held a hint of optimism. “He says he’s not sure our relationship is worth all the effort. I think he’s just scared to make a commitment right now.”

“Then why did he call?”

“He wants me to meet him after the concert, said maybe we could talk things over.” She tapped her thighs with closed fists. “I really want things to work out between us.”

I couldn’t understand why Ursula thought she needed E.J. Maybe a lifetime of independence hampered my ability to appreciate such a one-sided relationship. The lights dimmed and saved me from giving an inappropriate response.

 

      The theater darkened shortly after eight. Curious whispers rippled through the audience until a single spotlight provided illumination and a male voice came over the loudspeaker system. To the heavy background sounds of tuning instruments, he announced the band, “Four gentlemen and one great girl: Big Brother and The Holding Company.” The audience exploded with applause, cheering through a prolonged set of rock music while the one great girl, Janis Joplin, dominated the vocals.

 

During intermission, Ursula leafed through the theater’s concert program, then lingered over an advertisement for wedding rings.

“Do you and E.J. ever talk about marriage?” I asked.

She shrugged and changed the conversation. 

A bell sounded the end of Intermission and lights flooded the stage. The second half of the concert was filled with instrumental tunes and more foot-stomping vocals. The finale with Janis singing “Piece Of My Heart” brought the audience to its feet. Although the group’s music was new to me, I was already a fan.

 

* * * * *

 

The first novel in the Pepper Bibeau Mystery Series, FOR EVERY ACTION, is on sale at

Amazon.com for 99 cents.

http://www.amazon.com/ACTION-Consequences-Pepper-Mystery-ebook/dp/B004VT3QRU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1350893083&sr=1-1

If you have already read and enjoyed one of my novels, I would greatly appreciate your time

and effort in writing a short book review for Amazon and/or Goodreads.