Disloyal - Michael Cohen

 Disloyal - Michael Cohen

She read

This reads like a novel….a well written mobster novel.  It seems the more and more that comes out, the more and more Cohen is very believable.  In fact, there is information in the book that just recently is proving to be true.  As sleazy as he has been in the past, I do believe him.  And, who would know better than Trump’s personal “fixer”?  Despite the sleaze, this is a worthwhile read.  Unfortunately, the people who SHOULD be reading this, won’t. Did State TV even let their viewers know that Cohen wrote a book? 

He wasn't going to read it but I told him he would like it...he is reading it now and does like it!

Rage - Bob Woodward

 Rage - Bob Woodward

She read

Woodward’s latest is thorough and as up to date as it could be.  Of course, we have had about 60,000 more American deaths from Covid since he went to press. Other than that, nothing else has changed……

 I liked that he used so many direct quotes. I don’t think that anyone, no matter how gifted or experienced, writing about what Trump says could convey the true flavor of his rantings, ravings, and arrogance. 

There is some new information here; it is well worth a read.  Woodward was very fair and balanced in his reporting.  Despite the fact that he, for the first time ever, reached a conclusion that was his own experienced opinion, he was very unbiased and actually tried to lead his subject to try to redeem himself; but it was futile

Remember Me - Mario Escobar

 Remember Me - Mario Escobar

She read; he will read

I read and really liked Escobar’s prior novel, Children of the Stars, and looked forward to Remember Me.  I was not disappointed.  Both books are cautionary tales for our times. 

Focused on Spain during and after the Civil War, this book, based on true stores, features three fictitious siblings who were part of The Children of Morelia, 450 or so Spanish youngsters  evacuated to Mexico to escape the wartime conditions.

Well written (translated), engrossing, thought provoking, sad, scary.  The atrocities that man visits upon man in the name of ideologies, although unimaginable, have occurred all too often in history. Yet, through it all, Escobar, as he does in his earlier novel, makes an entreaty for love and humanity. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

 

*****

The Book of Two Ways - Jodi Picoult

 The Book of Two Ways - Jodi Picoult

She read

Publication Date:Sept. 22, 2020

As with most of Picoult’s works, this is well researched and well written.  

There is a lot of technical language and ideas here both in on the topics of Egyptology as well as physics.  And then there is idea of a book of two ways, parallel lives,  lost and found love, reclaimed choices in life, and, finally, death.  I did find myself skimming over some of the more erudite yet savoring the storyline.

 I almost wish that this very ambitious book had been two (or even three) different ones so that I could better digest all that there was to ponder.  Yet, Piccoult was able to pull it all together in the end.  

While I enjoyed The Book of Two Ways, I was sorry that Dawn’s role as a death doula did not inspire its own separate novel.  While it was integrated with the story as a whole, I thought the preparation for and musings about death would have in of of themselves been an excellent focus for a novel.  A lot was said regarding the end of life, but I felt that it sometimes got lost with everything else going on in the story. 

Melania and Me - Stephanie Winston Wolkoff

 Melania and Me - Stephanie Winston Wolkoff

She read

This book is well written and holds one attention. 

Although the author does talk about the relationship they had prior to the Presidency, there is not really all that much about Melania. a good part of it deals with the chaos involved in planning the inauguration celebrations.  No surprises here, though, as incompetence, greed, unethical spending on egocentric extravagances and gross misuse of funds seems typical for this administration.  

If anyone ever had the inclination to feel sorry for Melania because of her outrageous husband, this book will cure that as she is as cold and calculating as her husband and the rest of his family….but I think we all have learned that about her over the years. 

The author got a raw deal from her, but don’t feel the least bit sorry for her; she knew who the Trumps were. And, are we really expected to believe that the author, who claims all kinds of accolades and achievements, was that naive?

Thy Lying Life of Adults - Elena Ferrante

 The Lying Life of Adults - Elena Ferrante

I read and really liked Ferrante’s quartet of Neapolitan Novels, have recommended them to many friends, and looked forward to The Lying Life of Adults. 

In this well written (or should I say translated?) novel, Ferrante captures once again the many feelings of adolescence…the insecurities, the sometimes brutishness, the conflicted emotions trying to understand the world, especially the world of one’s parents when it is discovered they have feet of clay. 

Unfortunately, though, I just wasn’t fond of this work and found myself reading to get through it rather than because I enjoyed it.    

***

Squeeze Me - Carl Hiaasen

Squeeze Me - Carl Hiaasen

She read; he is reading next

I’ve read quite a few of Hiaasen’s novels, and I think this is his best.  Perhaps it is a reflection of our times, but the characters and actions seem a lot less absurd than some of his previous works.  That which at one time could have seemed over the top no longer is.  With a little stretch of the imagination, much of this, especially the political, could be real. In fact, I’m sure I’ve seen some of it take place already!

I truly laughed out loud over and over reading Squeeze Me.  As a south Floridian, I applaud Hiaasen’s concern for our environment and appreciate his giving light to the eccentricities of “Florida Man and “Florida Woman”.