I want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokpokki by Baek Sehee

My mom and I were big fans of the TV series "In Treatment." My friend Leah and I binge-watched the Showtime series "Couples Therapy" last year, and we are clamoring for another season. Jeff and I recently started watching the Apple series "Shrinking," and we cannot get enough of it. This is all to say I'm a big fan of following real, or fictional, people into their therapists' offices. I love people who are able to do the hard work, and find the light in the darkness. "I want to Die but I want to Eat Tteokbokki" by Baek Sehee was a best seller in South Korea. This intimate therapy memoir chronicles the relationship of a young woman and her therapist when she struggles with what she thinks is a little, "depression?" The author is a successful social media director at a publishing house when she seeks treatment for her anxiety and self-doubt. She finds herself exhausted and overwhelmed, and unable to hold down a meaningful relationship. At her lowest moments of despair, she finds happiness by eating her favorite snack: a hot, spicy rice cake, or tteokpokki. During the 12-week period when she meets with her therapist, the author tries to draw a road map that will take her away from pain, and towards happiness. Subtle and poignant, Sehee's book is a small gem, and comforting read for anyone who has ever felt unsure and unsettled. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

101 Essays that will Change the way You Think by Brianna Wiest

The other day I read that Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon were reading this book out loud, before bed. I do not know if this is true or not, but of course I had to run to read this book. "101 Essays that will Change the way You think" by Brianna Wiest is the most loved, and the   hated book spoken about on Tik Tok this year. Those who love it say it is the best self-help book they have ever read. They use words like "transformative" and "life altering." Those who hate the book take the author to task for being too young to write it (she was in her mid -20s, and is now 30), and also say the book suffers from being too repetitious, and fluffy. After listening to the audio book, I think that I fall somewhere in the middle. There are some real gems like this sentiment: Self-care is often a very unbeautiful thing - like sweating through a workout, or cutting off communications with a toxic friend. And I liked tips such as - keep a folder on your phone with happy moments that you can turn too when you are feeling sad. There are also lists of topics on success and encouragement. For example, 20 signs you are doing better than you think you are covers such basics as - you paid your bills, you have a job, you can buy a bus ticket, and you have one or two close friends. There are also blueprints for how to move deeper, including a section on subconscious behaviors that are keeping you from having the life you want. I think, depending on what age you are, this book gives back what you put into it. Wiest professes, you owe nothing to your younger self, but you do owe something to the adult you are today. Who can argue with that? There are dozens of young women holding this book on Tik Tok, literally weeping over their favorite book-marked pages. I wouldn't go that far, but I do smile when I open the new folder on my phone containing my happy moments to lift my spirits. Gratitude. Happiness. Fulfillment. Success. These things are not easy to obtain, and if Wiest's book helps even one person move forward with a happier, lighter heart, then I'm all for that. The only way to see if this book speaks to you is to check it out. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

From Napa With Love: Who To Know, Where To Go & What Not to Miss by Alexis Swanson Traina

My first husband and I had a lovely tradition. Each December or January we would drive to Napa and buy a case of Swanson Merlot. We would then share one bottle each month, on a special occasion, so the case lasted the whole year. Napa is a special place, and this tradition made us feel, ever so briefly, like Napa insiders. Last weekend, I went to Napa with Jeff, and I brought along this book: "From Napa with Love" by Alexis Swanson Traina. For many years, Traina served as the creative director of her family’s Swanson Vineyards. The winter months are a great time to visit Napa because the tourists have not arrived yet, the hotels are less expensive, and the restaurants have plenty of space. I took along Traina's beautiful book with us last weekend, and it felt like a treat to explore some of her recommendations. Her chapters include profiles, interviews and glamorous tips from some of Napa's notorious and elite, including designer Ken Fulk, Chef Thomas Keller, filmmaker Roman Coppola and her own husband, Trevor Traina. Whether it be sipping a class of pinot noir on the Napa Valley Wine Train, exploring Ox Bow market, enjoying a bowl of pasta at Bistro Don Giovanni's or soaking in a mud bath at Indian Springs, the pages of Traina’s book make any trip to Napa come alive. One of my favorite spots was the tiny, but jam-packed full of products Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company in St. Helena. Their whimsical, zebra-striped linguini is so unusual, and would be great for a dinner party. My only regret: I didn't make reservations ahead of time at Castello di Amorosa. Oh well, just another excuse to go back to Napa again soon, toting Traina's book, again. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Boys by Ron Howard & Clint Howard

My brother Scott's birthday was this weekend. I bought him a sporty yet business casual, dark olive puffer vest and this book "The Boys" by Ron Howard & Clint Howard. I recently read this book and loved it so much. But full disclosure: My brother and I have known Ron since the 1970s when he starred in our dad's television series, "Happy Days." In fact, the last time Ron saw our dad he said he was eager to pay his respects to "Mr. Marshall." Mr. Marshall? Ron had known our father for more than 42 years but he still called him Mr. Marshall? Do you know why? Respect and decency. Ron and Clint were raised to not only be actors, but also fine human beings. The credit goes most to their father Rance Howard. An actor himself, Rance trained his sons like Richard Williams trained Venus and Serena. Precision and excellence was essential. They weren't just going to be working actors, they were going to be stars. Rance taught them to be kind, thoughtful and hard working assets to any television set or movie. In the dual memoir, Ron and Clint take turns reflecting on their time on "The Andy Griffith Show," "Gentle Ben," "Happy Days" and "Star Trek." Their parents, Rance and Jean, moved to Los Angeles from the Midwest to pursue their own careers. But when the boys proved to have more potential, Rance and Jean gave up their careers to support the children. The family of four lived in Toluca Lake, the same village my siblings and I grew up in. The town is charming and unpretentious much like the Howard men themselves. Their grade school and high school experiences were far from typical, but the lessons their parents taught them helped both boys navigate their careers, despite their highs and lows. To meet Ron and Clint is to encounter a very rare breed of old school actor, and to read their memoir is like taking a charming ride down two delightful careers in television and film. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Managing Expectations by Minnie Driver

During the summer before my junior year of high school, I worked for a television casting agent named Bobby Hoffman. He was the kindest man, and his office was on the Paramount lot where he cast my dad's TV shows: "Happy Days," "Laverne & Shirley" and "Mork and Mindy." On those hot summer afternoons when I worked for Bobby, my job was to organize the head shots and call the actors into Bobby's office to audition. As I pulled out each head shot from the pile, and then called the actor's name, I was worried sick for them. The pressure. The rejection. The shear chaos and uncertainty of it all. I was sure of one thing: I did not want to become an actor because it was too darn messy. "Managing Expectations" by Minnie Driver is the memoir of an actress who taught herself to lean into the mess, and make a very successful career for herself. Driver's autobiography strings together a series of charming, witty, and very-engaging essays. We start with her bohemian childhood, where she shuttled between her mother's house in England and her dad's residence in Barbados. Along with her siblings, she had to grow up fast, and learned to take care of herself when no one else would. Her big break came in the movie "Circle of Friends," and later the cult classic "Grosse Pointe Blank."  The role and real-life-romance she is best known for is opposite Matt Damon in "Good Will Hunting." Although she and Damon eventually broke up, her part in the film earned her an Academy Award nomination. Despite growing praise for her work, the acting road ahead was not easy. She even gave up acting for a while to sell blue jeans in Uruguay, and also launched a successful singing career. Driver, however, has continued to survive in Hollywood by believing in herself, and taking care of her family. Some of the most heart-felt writing in the book are the pages about taking care of her dying mother, Gaynor Churchward, a model and fabric designer. Driver is now the single parent of a 14-year-old son, Henry. Together they live in Malibu with her partner filmmaker, Addison O'Dea. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Like A Rolling Stone by Jann S. Wenner

My library is making me move over from the Overdrive app to the Libby app and all hell has broken loose on my phone. I resisted at first, ignoring very aggressive notifications from Libby to come join her. But now the writing is on the wall, my beloved Overdrive, which I have used for nearly 10 years, is becoming obsolete, so I now must become a fan of Libby. The first book she offered me was "Like a Rolling Stone" the memoir of legendary magazine editor Jann S. Wenner. When the book arrived in the app, with a whopping 18 hours of listening time, I paused. Really? Do I really want to spend 18 hours with Wenner? I am here to say yes! After completing the narrative while doing my holiday laundry, I was sad to see my time with Wenner end. To spend time with him is to spend time with Bono, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Bette Midler, Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen. Not to mention the other luminaries he worked with like Annie Leibovitz, Tom Wolfe and Hunter S. Thompson. His memoir details not only his professional life as the voice of a generation, but also his personal life. One wife, one husband and six children later, he has a very rich, blended family life to be proud of. So when all is said and done, Wenner's book is outstanding, and my new partnership with Libby is off to a very promising start. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Rabbit by Patricia Williams with Jeannine Amber

I am now on TikTok. I don't post anything, but I am its new number one fan. TikTok makes Instragram and Facebook look static, like old news. TikTok brings me joy. My husband thinks I have lost my mind because I find the reels so entertaining. I joined because several friends, including Dr. Donald H. and Janice S., said it was "educational." I thought that was an interesting word to use about a social media app, but they were absolutely right. I have learned so many new things from TikTok, but more especially about books. A woman on TikTok posted a video and declared "Rabbit" by Patricia Williams was one of her all-time-top audio books. So, I had to make a b-line to download it from my library. Read by the author, "Rabbit" is a memoir about how Williams grew up poor, black and female in Atlanta during the height of the crack epidemic. Nicknamed Rabbit, she was raised by an alcoholic mother with four other children. In elementary school she began "dating" a married man eight years older than her, and she was pregnant by 13. By 15 years old, she was the mother of two children. Determined to support her kids, but only saddled with an 8th grade education, Rabbit started to successfully deal drugs on the street to support her young family. Despite time in prison, Rabbit finds a way out of her life of crime, and parlays her story into a career as a standup comedian. Yes, you read that correctly: a standup comedian. As she explains in the book, comedy and drug dealing have a lot in common. Both professions require you to be quick, work hard and give people what they want. Patricia Williams' story is nothing short of amazing, and so is she. If she ever comes to San Francisco to perform, I will be the first in line to buy a ticket. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Dilettante: True Tales of Excess, Triumph, and Disaster by Dana Brown

My mom, Barbara Marshall, was one of the earliest subscribers Vanity Fair Magazine when Conde Nast re-launched the pop culture magazine in 1983, following a successful run from 1913-1936. To this day, Vanity Fair is delivered to her Toluca Lake home where she reads it cover to cover. She is so loyal to the magazine I think they should give her an award for best subscriber. "Dilettante," written by former "Vanity Fair" deputy editor Dana Brown, is a book my mom would love. Brown was a 21-year-old college drop out playing in a punk rock band when he got a job as a barback at the popular 44 restaurant inside the Royalton Hotel, a well-known Conde Nast hangout. He then took on side jobs as a cater waiter at the home of then "Vanity Fair" editor Graydon Carter, where he threw star studded cultural salons. Carter saw potential in Brown that he didn't even see within himself. Carter hired him to be his assistant, inside the offices of "Vanity Fair." Thus began the exciting and exhilarating education of Brown from barback to deputy editor over the course of 24 years. This memoir is a love letter to Graydon Carter and his staff who not only support and entertained Brown, but also gave him a life and a career. From lavish lunches and Oscar parties to encounters with Anna Wintour, Lee Radziwill, Caitlyn Jenner and S.I. Newhouse, this is a coming-of-age story and the snapshot of long-running career in magazine publishing that we probably will never see again. The nostalgic flair of the prose makes you want to curl up with an old "Vanity Fair" and read some of the classic writing of legendary columnist Dominick Dunne and more. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Happy at Any Cost: The Revolutionary Vision and Fatal Quest of Zappos Ceo Tony Hsieh by Kristen Grind and Katherine Sayre

In November of 2020, I was in Darien, Connecticut for the Thanksgiving holiday staying with my sister-in-law, Jen, and her family. It was that weekend that I heard the news that in New London, Connecticut, just 90 minutes away, Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos, had died of smoke inhalation while sleeping in a pool storage shed full of foam pool noodles and beach chairs. Apparently, he had gone to sleep in the shed after having a fight inside the main house with his girlfriend, Rachael Brown. No one knew how the fire had started, but rumors said Hsieh has a fascination with fire. Immediately, I had to find out more. He was only 46 years old. My research led me to this book, "Happy at Any Cost," which does a deep dive into the stunning rise and tragic fall of Hsieh. Written by "Wall Street Journal" reporters Kristen Grind and Katherine Sayre, the book follows the entrepreneur's quest for "happiness," a concept he often spoke about. At the on-line shoe retailer Zappos, he promoted a workplace where employees were treated like family, and hierarchies were replaced with inclusiveness and connectivity. His vision extended beyond the walls of his businesses and homes, as he poured millions of dollars into communities such as Las Vegas, Nevada, and Park City, Utah. To an outsider, he might have seemed like the ultimate rich boy/partier, often drinking alcohol at all hours of the day with employees. But Grind and Sayre reveal a troubled man plagued by addiction, mental illness and alienation. His friends tried to get him intro rehab many times, but his power and money were too strong for everyone around him to resist. His early death was tragic, but the story behind his death is a rare glimpse inside Silicon Valley success, and the high-tech business world that inspired Amazon and thousands of other online stores. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The First Thing About You by Chaz Hayden

A young adult novel staring a teenage boy in a power wheelchair? Sign me up! My daughter, Lily, got her first power wheelchair when she was still in elementary school. At first, the sheer weight and size of the wheelchair scared me to pieces. However, with time, my fear softened into admiration as I saw how she skillfully learned to navigate even the most crowded city streets like Lewis Hamilton. "The First Thing About You" is the story of 15-year-old Harris who moves from California to New Jersey along with his parents and sporty older brother. The author, Chaz Hayden, like Harris, has spinal muscular atrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy that makes his limbs weak. The move excites Harris because it will give him a chance to re-inevent himself with new friends, and a new classroom aide. To be his aide, his mother hires Miranda, a super-cool, young nursing student who also went to Harris' new high school. As they begin to work together on his school-work, Harris also befriends a smart classmate named Nory who cooks for her single dad, and a slightly nerdy sidekick named Zander. This book has all the markings of a well-written young adult novel, but boldly brings in the realities of managing a disability at a young age. Rather than being weak and afraid, Harris is brave and assertive. He is determined to make his teenage years as normal as possible, from the seat of his wheelchair. This is Hayden's debut novel. You can find out more about him on Youtube, or his instagram page @thechazhayden. And yes, I have already friended Chaz on instagram and told him how much I enjoyed his book. He said he hopes Lily likes it, too. Spoiler alert: Lily you are getting this book for Christmas! To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Ali's Well That Ends Well by Ali Wentworth

This week is about family, which can mean your biological family, but also your chosen family. This chosen family can be your friends, or people you choose to spend time with on a regular basis. Take for example, Leslie Jordan. I spent many mornings over the last three years waking up to his infectious phrase, "Hello, fellow hunker downers! How y'all doing?" When he died in late October in a car accident, he left behind a legion of fans who will miss him because he made us laugh. The good news, however, is that I have found another source of happiness on Instagram and her name is Ali Wentworth. She goes by @The realaliwentworth, and she is the mother of two young women, and the wife of Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos. Recently on their anniversary, she posted pretty pictures from their wedding more than 20 years ago, and then a series of them now trying to read a small-print menu with their reading glasses on. Actress, comedian and author, she seems to me to be an authentic, salt-of-the-earth person you would want to go to lunch with on a regular basis. She is not afraid to post pictures of herself without makeup, hair messy. Yes, she is friends with Brooke Shields and Mariska Hargitay, but she doesn't make a big deal about it. She posts goofy pictures of them, too. "Ali's Well That Ends Well," published in May of 2022, is series of vignettes that she wrote about her family's time during Covid. She turns her comedic eye and pen back on a lock-down that nobody ever expected. She binge-watches "Mad Men," eats chocolate cake and trash-talks her mean neighbor. We get to meet her husband (who wakes up at 2:30 am to go to work, after kissing everyone in the household), her two daughters and even an entertaining young man who moves in with them during the lockdown. Ali seems to be able to pinpoint the humor in just about any situation. This is definitely an asset to have in a book, and also a virtual friend. After reading her smart and witty essays, it is hard not to be upbeat, and that is something to treasure during Thanksgiving, or any time of year. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love by Carole Radziwill

My father died suddenly the summer of 2016, the same summer I started working at a hospice. I was running a grief camp for children who had lost a parent. My dad would call this bad writing. Too on the nose. Nobody would believe it.  How was my timing so off that these two events were happening the same summer? Well, unfortunately, we do not get to choose when to experience grief, rather it comes upon us like a giant tidal wave of uncomfortable, relentless emotion. Whenever I think of overwhelming grief, I come back to this beautifully written book, "What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship and Love" by Carole Radziwill. Carole was married to Anthony Radziwill, the son of Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis’ sister Lee Radziwill. Carole was a journalist when she met, and later married Anthony, who was a television executive and filmmaker. She grew up middle class, while he was a member of the House of Radziwill, a Polish noble dynasty. Carole and her husband, who married in 1994, were extremely close with his first cousin John F Kennedy Jr., and his wife Carolyn Bessette. In July 1999, a small plane piloted by Kennedy, carrying Carolyn and her sister Laura, went down in the ocean. They were traveling to the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port to celebrate the wedding of his cousin Rory when the plane disappeared from the horizon. Three weeks later, Carole's husband Anthony died of cancer, after treatment for his disease failed. Such young people. Such unimaginable grief. Such horror. Carole’s life began as a fairy tale, but later plunged into a period of darkness and alienation. However, she did not crumble, but rather learned to manager her grief by writing about it. It is a testament to her skill as a writer and journalist that she was able to publish a book 17 years ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

My step-daughter, Violet, and I are eagerly awaiting the release of the new television series "Daisy Jones and the Six," based on the book of the same name by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I think the production was delayed due to Covid, and it should be out in early 2023, and we cannot wait. In the meantime, we are keeping busy by reading other books by Reid, including her latest novel "Carrie Soto Is Back." Full disclosure: I love tennis, tennis players, tennis tournaments and even the food and wine they service at tennis events. My mom and I have been to Wimbledon three times, and one time each to the U.S. Open, French Open and Italian Open. So, diving into a novel about a legendary tennis player who mounts a comeback at 37 years old, is riveting entertainment for me. As the media is focuses on aging super athletes like Tom Brady and Roger Federer, it is nice to read a novel about one of their female counterparts. While a spectator at the U.S. Open, Carrie sits in the stands and watches her record shattered by a much younger player. This loss then propels her into action, determined to stage a comeback with the help of her coach and father, Javier. Anyone who follows tennis knows there are some legendary tennis romances, think Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors, and Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. Reid provides a suitable player and love interest for Carrie as well, named Bowe Huntley. The story of how Carrie and Bowe try to remain relevant and stay in the game, scores another excellent read for drama by Reid. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Lucy By The Sea by Elizabeth Strout

I have only been to Maine once, for the beautiful wedding of my friends Gerda and John on one of the Cranberry Isles. I will never forget how beautiful it was, and how peaceful. But I also remember fighting with my ex-husband because he wouldn't let me stop and visit the L.L. Bean store. So a book about Maine and an ex-husband is right up my alley. There is something mesmerizing about Elizabeth Strout's writing, and her most recent book "Lucy By The Sea" is riveting. Maybe because it takes place during the very early days of the pandemic, or maybe it is because we know Lucy and her ex-husband William from other books. The characters and the plot seem like old, comfortable friends we just want to spend time with. I know many divorced people who spent time together during the pandemic, and even a few who moved in together to care for their children. Lucy and William have two grown daughters, with a whole host of problems, but they decide to move to Maine together to wait out the "terrible virus." As the world is falling apart, Lucy and William spend time together building a new, mature relationship. The longer she stays in Maine, the more Lucy stops pining for the life in Manhattan she left behind. Themes of love, loss, despair and hope all become intertwined in the conversations that Lucy and William have. You don't have to read the other books to enjoy this one, as it can stand alone as a time capsule of early spring 2020. But to truly appreciate the new relationship that Lucy and William form in this book, it helps to know their history and past relationships with other people. I hope this is not the last time we see Lucy and William in one of Strout's novels. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

I'm Glad My Mon Died by Jennette McCurdy

Most of you may have heard about this book, but if you have not here is the plot: Former child actress Jennette McCurdy writes a memoir about how her mother abused her while at the same time helping her to become a Nickelodeon star on "iCarly" and later "Sam & Cat." While teaching her own daughter such concepts as "calorie restriction," McCurdy's mother, Debbie, propelled her into a childhood plagued by anorexia, binge eating and bulimia. While difficult to read, because it addresses the mental health issues that Hollywood can too often perpetuate, the book can also spark humor in the middle of heartbreak. What is so brilliant about the writing is that the author does not look back on her traumatic life with adult eyes and the wisdom that comes with age. Instead, she reflects on her life through the rose-colored glasses of a child, who not only loved her mother but trusted her above any other adult. It was her mother, not Jennette, who had dreams of fame and fortune, and she force-fed her own ambitions into the naive mouth of her daughter. I heard the author recently on the Spotify podcast "Armchair Expert" talking with Dax Shepard and Monica Padman about her memoir. It is clear that she has done a lot of work on herself to overcome her mother's abuse, with therapy and group support. Thankfully, she has been able to shed her mother's dream of acting, and selected a new chosen profession. The call sheet for McCurdy now reads, "writer." To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Palace Papers by Tina Brown

I was in the middle of listening to this book on audio from the library app Libby, when Queen Elizabeth II died. As I continued with the book, I began to watch television coverage of the days before and then after her fascinating funeral. The stories in the book, as you can imagine, began to take on greater weight and importance for me than before her death. Much like the Netflix series "The Crown," Tina Brown's "Palace Papers" provides a behind-the-scenes look at the House of Windsor, otherwise known as "The Firm." The cast of characters have a long history with each other, particularly King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla, and this book offers new insights and details. The narrative is full of secrets such as Princess Margaret giving unwrapped household items to staff for Christmas, Prince Andrews part in the Epstein sex-trafficing scandal, and Princess Harry taking at least three other women to Botswana before Meagan Markle. Brown, former editor at "Vanity Fair," "The New Yorker" and "Tattler," writes with an insider's eye for detail, and her tone is confident, newsy and witty. It remains to be seen how the death of the Queen will change the dynamics of the royal family, but one thing remains for sure: Our fascination with the young royals is only going to intensify, the closer Prince William gets to the throne. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Chasing Daylight by Eugene O'Kelly

On my bucket list of travel destinations is to see a concert at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, which was the former home of the Grand Ole Opry. Recently I saw that one of my favorite bands is going to play there New Year's Eve. I thought about it, but making the trip on a long weekend looked tricky and a little pricey. And I decided to wait, and was going to wait, until I read this book. Eugene O’Kelly, then the CEO of the accounting firm KPMG, was diagnosed in 2005, at the age of 53 with late-stage brain cancer. After a brief attempt to fight the cancer with radiation, O’Kelly instead decided to systematically orchestrate just how he would spend his last few months on Earth. He made a list of more than 1000 friends and then contacted all of them to "unwind" their relationships. He wanted to say goodbye to nearly everyone that mattered, in order to spend his remaining days with his family, including his sisters, two daughters and his wife, Corinne. He said goodbye to some people with emails or letters, others with phone calls, and some with in person lunches, dinners, or a shared bottle of good wine. Rather than sadness, most of these encounters brought Gene and his friends great, bitter-sweet joy. While unwinding his relationships, Gene spent the last three months of his life writing this book, which was published after his death with an epilogue by his wife. The book describes many lessons Gene learned in his 53 years and one of the most important ones, he said, is "move it up." If you have something on your list that you are wanting to do, but waiting, move it up. So after I read this book, I hopped on the internet and bought two tickets to see Old Crow Medicine Show at the Ryman Auditorium New Year's Eve. Gene's book was a profoundly moving read, and it inspired me into action and to move my plans up. When I returned this book to the library, I did so with a smile on my face, excited that someone else would check it out soon. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Everyone is talking about this book lately, and the astonishing thing is that it was published back in 2017. So the buzz is curious but not unexpected, considering this author, Taylor Jenkins Reid, published two other popular books, "Daisy Jones and the Six" and "Malibu Rising" more recently. I can only imagine that when people find an author they like, as I do, they begin combing back over the author's previous works to find more literary gems. "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" is one extremely fascinating read, and will not disappoint fans of the other two books. Almost like historical fiction, the story of the fictional actress Evelyn Hugo takes place in a very specific time in Hollywood when inclusivity, gender, and race were spoken about only in hushed tones, rather than in the open. Spanning the 1950s until the 1980s, this story follows Hugo through her seven husbands, many movies, glamorous dresses and one incredibly close friendship. The narrative is smart, and bold, and far from predictable. It is really unlike any of Reid's other books because it exposes the secret side of Hollywood that so many other authors dare not explore. It is interesting to note, that actress Elizabeth Taylor also had seven husbands, well eight if you include Richard Burton twice. Perhaps Taylor's lengthy marriage track record inspired Reid's work. After reading this book, I think there are probably dozens of other rich tales locked inside the head of Reid, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Mean Baby by Selma Blair

I'm kind of a newbie when it comes to "Dancing with the Stars," having only ever watched two seasons. But I plan to tune in this upcoming season so I can see the brave Selma make a run for the Mirror Ball. Recently, I read her memoir "Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up," and I am now a big fan of hers. I don't know any other actor or person who grew up being called a "mean baby," but Selma was thanks to the scowl she wore as an infant. And after a bumpy start being raised with her sisters in a suburb of Detroit, her path into adulthood and acting was anything but easy, too. In fact, it is astonishing that she was able to carve out a career for herself at all, given multiple rapes, an eating disorder, alcohol abuse that began in the 3rd grade, and complicated relationships with both of her parents. But Blair seemed to have an inner strength and a belief in herself when no one else did. She started playing small parts in films and rose to be known for cult classics like "Cruel Intensions," "Legally Blonde," and "Hellboy." But then, almost at the same time she was becoming known as an actress, she was handpicked by designer Karl Lagerfeld to be his muse. The fashion world embraced her quickly as a cover model. Her rise to fame, sadly like so many others her age, was complicated by deep rooted addiction and darkness. And then, after ignoring pain and warning signs, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2018. Her mother had taught her to ignore pain, rather than to investigate it, so she was not diagnosed until she was in her 40s. After failed relationships with Ahmet Zappa (Frank's son), and fashion designer Jason Bleick (the father of her son), she is continuing to act, write and now will soon take her spin on the dance floor. This celebrity memoir is intense and courageous and well worth the trip inside the life of Blair. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

I am 100 percent sure that I lived on the Russian River in a past life. From the first time I took a day trip there in 2007, everything about it felt not only lovely and exciting, but also friendly and familiar. I made a bee-line for the Coffee Bazaar one day without anyone telling me it was the best place for coffee and people watching. So it did not come as a surprise to me when this book suddenly appeared in my mailbox one day, without much warning. I read the first few pages and saw quickly that the plot took place on the Russian River, and I knew instantly it was a book for me. Stories about bookish people are what I love most, and when Macy and Elliot meet one summer after her mother's death, they quickly focus their new friendship on books. Macy's late mother left her dad with a laundry list of advice for raising their daughter. But it is Elliot who brings Macy out of her shell and back to life again. Childhood romances often fizzle as this one does momentarily, until grown ups Macy and Elliot meet again in a coffee shop in San Francisco one day. Love, loss, friendships and betrayals are not unique to young adult fiction, but in the capable hands of author Christina Lauren they are reminiscent of the Judy Blume books I loved so much as an early reader. Interesting to note: Christina Lauren is the pen named for the two co-authors: Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. Together they have produced 18 New York Times bestselling novels. Diving into "Love and Other Words" is one way to keep the summer vibe going a bit longer. To buy this book on Amazon click here.