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Summer 2019

Ah, Summer 2019!

We picked up Joshua.

We learned the ropes of the Baby Brezza--a machine, like a Nespresso module, capable of spitting out drinks. The drinks just happen to be bottles of baby formula.

I persisted with a not-too-brutal diet: No beer unless it's the weekend, leave something on your plate, chocolate is for the weekend. Formerly unwearable tee shirts became wearable. A triumph!

I pitched a story to an actual magazine. A story about Howard Ashman. Rejection! But the whole affair reminded me of my love for Howard Ashman, and it reminded me that a little discomfort is not a terrible thing.

I made ground-lamb tacos. With lime, lager, and olive oil. This is something worth revisiting.

And now, some late-summer awards, for those in need of reading material:

Best Book I Read This Summer: "Ladies who Punch." It's about the women of "The View," and it's like a great thriller. It's also a serious approach to a phenomenon that others have foolishly neglected. (In other words, why has it taken so long for someone to write an exhaustive study of "The View"?)

Worst Book I Read This Summer: Maybe this isn't an "award," but the prize goes to "Cowboys Are My Weakness," by Pam Houston. The writing is often beautiful, and sometimes funny, but I think Houston is trying too hard. It's like a bad version of Lorrie Moore--Moore-if-she-weren't-having-fun. The final story--a trite cancer tale that seems to end with actual howling at the moon--has left me deeply disappointed.

A Nice Surprise: "Words and Worlds," by Alison Lurie. Who knew she was still publishing? Pure pleasure. Her insights on fashion and aging--just one brief essay--are, alone, worth the price of admission.

Best Thriller I Read: "The New Girl," by Daniel Silva. A bit too long, but the writing is smart. And it's a chance to travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel and France--and even a chance to read about Jamal Khashoggi, in a brisk, gossipy format. Entertaining.

Best True Crime: "American Predator." The perfect length, packed with strange real-world characters, and unbelievably twisty. Believe it. More people should be reading, and talking about, this book.

And your recommendations? Happy Reading!
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