Memorial Drive is a memoir by the former Poet Laureate of the United States, Natasha Trethewey. Her writing is lovely as you can imagine. The story is not easy. Her stepfather was an odd choice of partner for the author's accomplished Mother. The transcript of the final conversation between the two of them made me want to yell " you can't reason with that man!" A tender and heartbreaking read. A.
A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet was a National Book Award Finalist and NYTimes pick for Top 100 books of the Year. I did not think it was that great. Certainly the allegorical tale prompts reflective discourse on climate change, materialism, hedonism, and what we are leaving for the younger generation, but the story was choppy and a tad too far-fetched. Somewhat reminiscent of Rumaan Alam's Leave the World Behind with it's unresolved ending. B+
If you enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six, this book is for you. Think-back story for Spice Girls.The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes by Elissa Sloan reads like a profile in Vanity Fair. Nothing deep or challenging here but a good story and you will make comparisons to real celebrities. I have a hard time feeling sorry for famous people and their woes of hard work and life on the road. A lot of Americans work much harder for less money and no fame. A decent escapist read. B+