Review: The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick

The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick by Mallory O'Meara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a regular listener of the Reading Glasses podcast co-hosted by Mallory O'Meara, so I have heard a lot about her book, The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick.  This isn't your typical biography.  I felt like I was sitting with Mallory as she tells me the story of why and how this book came to be as well as what she learned.  This book isn't just about Milicent.  It is also about Mallory and her own journey in life and in Hollywood.  I admire her dogged determination to tell Milicent's story given how little information is available about her.  It feels important to set the record straight and give women the credit they were often (and sometimes still are) denied.  Bud Westmore sounded like a real peach.  I only knew about the Westmores because of the Syfy show, Face Off.  Learning they had the monopoly on Hollywood make-up and quite a bit of family drama was very interesting.  I'll never be able to watch that show the same way again!  At that same time, I appreciate that Mallory included Milicent's flaws as well.  It is hard to derive inspiration from someone who is perfect.   

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Review: Trouble's Brewing

Trouble's Brewing by Juli Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Trouble's Brewing is the second book in the Stirring Up Trouble series by Juli Alexander.  While you could start here, I recommend reading the first book first to give you some background of the characters and how they got to where they are in this book.

This is a wholesome, fun young adult series about a teenage witch with a penchant for brewing potions.  Besides navigating the typical teen issues, she's learning the consequences of magic.  And boy are there consequences!  My only complaint is the book ended rather abruptly and a third book doesn't seem to exist yet. 

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Review: On Cats

On Cats by Charles Bukowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had never read Charles Bukowski before, but I had heard much about him.  His writing never really sounded like my thing.  Then, I learned he loved cats.  Well sir, that's how you get me to read your writing.  On Cats by Charles Bukowski is a compilation of his writing on cats pulled from various sources and pieces.  It's raw, gritty, disjointed, repetitive, sometimes disturbing, sometimes sad, and a celebration of its subject matter.  There is something so unexpected and moving about Bukowski's cat poetry.  Are tough guys supposed to be touched on such a deep level by a mere animal?  It gives me hope.  

Bonus points for the pictures of his cats sprinkled throughout.

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Review: Daisy Jones & The Six

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While I read Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, I think it would lend itself really well to an audiobook and almost thought about switching formats, a rarity for me.  Reading this is like reading the transcript of a rock documentary.  I was thinking of VH1's Behind the Music the whole time.  I could believe this was a real band.  Daisy Jones gives off strong Stevie Nicks' vibes.  I hear Stevie's voice when I read the song lyrics.  What made it feel more real was how characters' recounting  certain events differ.  You see that play out in real life.  You know the truth is somewhere in between.  There are a few surprises, but I won't spoil them here.  If you love music, especially rock, and even more so 70s rock, read this book.   

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Review: Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen

Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen by Mary Norris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen by Mary Norris is for word nerds and grammar geeks.  If you read The New Yorker, you may also enjoy learning more about their unique copy editing choices and the staff behind them.  

Not gonna lie.  Some of the grammar stuff got too deep for me.  I don't really like grammar.  I can't remember what all the grammar terms mean. I find its origins fascinating, but I see little use for it (See also: Why I think Mandarin is an easy language to learn).  That being said, I ended up highlighting some really useful tips for the trickiest of problems: who vs. whom.  I also enjoyed delving into the writing styles of writers like Herman Melville and Emily Dickinson.  So much fun!

Bonus points: Mary Norris likes cows.  You and me both, Mary!

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