Goodbye to August and to summer 2022. I’m not going to rehash what chaos it was in the Gilmore household, but 2,200 miles later we’re settling back into Seattle. Even better, my August reading ended up being really strong—in quality if not quantity. Out of the 13 books I read, 7 were 4 stars or higher. I’ve always admired Viola Davis as an actress, but ... Read More...
My 8 Best Books of 2021
Best is a big word, especially these days when words that have been a part of the lexicon for lifetimes feel as if they’re losing their meaning. The first that comes to mind is “normal”. There is nothing normal about our weather, our politics, America. There’s a COVID vaccine and a booster, but the virus has remained a partisan issue. Which is to say I went to the ... Read More...
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty
I often talk about fiction that evokes strong emotion, but I’m not as likely to find it in nonfiction. Until now. Patrick Keefe’s Empire of Pain has left me angrier than I’ve been in a long time. The book’s subtitle should clarify things: The Secret History of the Sackler Family Dynasty. If you’ve never read Dopesick or any news on the opioid crisis in America the name Sackler ... Read More...
