by Laurie Woolever

This was a very enjoyable read. The author worked for Mario Batali, who comes off like a total (expletive); and Tony Bourdain, who comes off like a total doll. In between she practices serious forms of substance abuse and self-sabotage. I was always happy to come back and spend time in her company and root for her. Keep kicking butt, Laurie.

by Prince Rogers Nelson & Dan Piepenbring

I am by no means a Prince “fan”. I do adore the one album I have on disc, which is the one with the symbol. And I’ve always thought him to be an interesting person. And phenomenally creative and talented. His appearance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a MUST see.

I saw the book used and cheap and picked it up. It’s written by a fanboy shortly after Prince’s death in 2016. The two of them were supposed to collaborate on his memoir. Instead, Piepenbring put together all the material he collected and published this. Most of it is still in Prince’s voice.

Disappointed it only covered the early part of his career. Nothing about the New Power Generation, the symbol, the album with the symbol, etc. Maybe that would have been covered had Prince lived to continue the collaboration. 

by Kate Chopin

This is an old favorite of mine that I’ve read over and over.

This time around… I guess what strikes me more than usual is the character Madamesoille Reisz. Maybe because she’s old and I’m old. “She was a disagreeable little woman, no longer young, who had quarreled with almost everyone, owing to a temper which was self-assertive and a disposition to trample upon the rights of everyone.” Disagreeable. But she’s an important character and her independent life is still an example for Edna.

by Ford Madox Ford

This was recommended to me because it involves all my old pals from Wolf Hall. Honestly it was pretty hard to follow. I think it’s a trilogy but I’m stopping at the first.

by Nathanial Ian Miller

Loved this story about interesting people on a farm in Iceland. Have never loved a depiction of farm life so much – whatever is the opposite of ‘romantic,’ that’s what this is. Even though the family raises Galloway beef cattle and not goats, the descriptions of dealing with livestock animals really hit home for me. Like when you take down an electric fence, lots of the dumb animals are still going to refuse to walk through, because there always WAS an electric fence there, how are they to know there isn’t one now? Like when you manage to get the majority of your herd into the place where you want them, but then a few stragglers ruin it for everyone, because the moms follow the calves and then everyone piles on. Like WHY do they insist on sh*tting in their water?? Because it feels nice to scratch their tushies against the water trough, yes, we know, but still, it is such a PAIN to change the water…

Most might say I’m missing the point of the story. But even if you don’t have beasts, I hope you can still glean from my examples the type of realistic and entertaining story this is.

Even while dealing with a very serious topic; the father of this family is slipping into a hopeless depression.

Back to the animals: maybe you’re a dog person. The dog of the book’s title is very entertaining too, and I’m not a dog person.

Again, I’m veering off “point.” This family of mother, father, and college-age son is at a turning point. Pappi is getting very depressed, as I said. Mom is drifting away. Son hasn’t found himself yet – but perhaps he’ll find love? The love story is adorable.

I loved everything about this book. Except maybe, just maybe… no, no spoilers.