Looking for Rachel Wallace by Robert B. Parker

 I recently reread one of my favorite author's books (Wasted by Sue Grafton) and noticed that Kinsey, the private eye heroine, was reading a Robert B. Parker mystery. It caught my attention because I know Grafton doesn't drop names or references without a purpose. Because I love Grafton's work, I thought it would be worthwhile to see whom she references. I found an old used copy on Amazon and dug right in.

It was easy to see, right away, why Kinsey would read Parker. She is an iconoclast, as is Spenser, the main character in this series. Smart mouth, former police officer, cynic, and a cut-to-the-chase worker are all similarities. This book centers on Spenser's relationship and then search for a gay woman writer and their different world views. Parker did a great job in portraying some of the nuances inherent in women wanting to be treated equally and yet also being vulnerable and in need of protection. It also explores issues way ahead of its time, since it was published in 1980. There was a gut wrenching portrayal of Rachel Wallace being shamed for being gay. 

Spenser is an interesting character because he's literate and somewhat of a bully. The literary allusions are rampant and fun. He's lovable despite his rough edges and is different than Kinsey in that he does have a solid long-term love interest. He's not skittish like Kinsey. Yet the humor and smart mouth are similarly enjoyable in both characters. He's also more vulnerable; we see him crying at scene of people he needed to kill. 

This book is also a bit rough and more graphic than I would choose to have in my life, so I'm not sure if I'll pursue more in this series or not. For now, I'm moving on to other writers. 

Catch Me if You Can by Frank W. Abagnale with Stan Redding

 Jane enjoyed reading this book during her flight and shuttle on her way down here to St. George. She raved about his audacity and found it intriguing what he could get away with. She was even so impressed that she read part of it out loud to us. So I was delighted when she finished it and left it here for me to read. 

I enjoyed it too, but I found it almost completely unbelievable. I mean, really? He passed himself off as a pilot, a visiting business professor, and as a supervising medical doctor. Yes, he's a really good talker and counterfitter of documents, but even so, it's a preposterous story. Teal told me that many of his claims have been debunked, and that makes sense to me. On the other hand, though, she said the movie that was based on the book is first rate. And, she was right! Len and I really enjoyed the movie, with Christopher Walken and Leonardo DeCaprio. Great acting and wonderful slices of life and fashion from the early 70's. Much, much better than the book!

Without the Mask - Coming Out and Coming Into God's Light by Charlie Bird

 I really enjoyed this book. It is the story of one of the greatest "Cosmo's" of all time, BYU's mascot. I liked how he shared his feelings about being gay, about coming out, about feeling different, and about interacting with his family. He also wrote very eloquently and movingly about how being gay is part of his identity. It is not something that can be taken on or off...which I knew, but now understand on a deeper level. An interesting insight he wrote was that, given the choice, he would NOT choose to be heterosexual. The learning and philosophy and interweaving of the Gospel is so fascinating. He has some hard truths to share about how he was treated, although there is no bitterness. He's a faithful member of the church, and he still has no long-term answers about how his gender identity will play out in the next life. We don't know! But he's very willing to live the Gospel now, not knowing, because Christ is central to his identity as well. 

He's found it challenging to find his place. Some of the LGBTQ community are promiscuous and that's not where he wants to be. It's an on-going struggle to find his place and friends, it seems. I have to admire his commitment and faith. AND, it's a very well-written book with great examples of what it feels like to struggle with same gender attraction. 

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

 I have found that most authors who attempt either serious or light-handed work with Jane Austen's characters fall very far short. P.D. James, though, does better than most! I found this hard copy on the "For Sale" shelf at the Santa Clara library. I thought, "Why not?" It's worth the risk of a dollar. Before I risked, it though, I did a quick Amazon review read of James. She is quite the accomplished author, so it's no wonder she did a good job with Mr. and Mrs. Darcy!

This is a mystery with a lot of details and clues along the way. Because I love the P & P characters, especially Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, it was fun to see them so happily married and thriving. Other familiar characters also make an appearance, and James is true to their personalities. The characters lacking integrity get their comeuppance, and that is always satisfying. 

And the mystery aspect kept me turning the pages and reading much later than I should have. It's a keeper which I will enjoy again sometime in the future. And while James is true to the characters, she is less apt to expound or comment in lengthy phrases on the happenings. And the Austen wit is less in evidence. So it's an easier, lighter read all around. Perfect for the little get-aways that I enjoy when I read before bed!

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

 My sister Alice Jane recommended this book to me because she thought it was very engaging AND it reveals a lot about what it's like to be "in therapy." I agree with her assessment! It's kind of cool the way the author interweaves her own struggles and questions with her patients' stories and theories of counseling.There is a lot of wisdom here, particularly in dealing with difficult people and situations. As she shares how and why she counsels her patients, her skill shines through. 

I was disappointed but not surprised at the author's personal choices; ie, sleeping with her boyfriend and involving her young son in the relationship that eventually broke up. She is definitely in tune with the social mores of our time, but it was disappointing to see no remorse over that situation or thinking she had done anything amiss. And her story of finding a sperm donor for her pregnancy shows how completely "modern" she is, not thinking her baby needed a father. 

Still, overlooking those moral differences, there is great love and empathy and commitment with her patients. I enjoyed reading about her dying patient, her narcissistic patient, and her aging patient, all of whom developed and grew over the course of the book. Plus I have to admire how vulnerable and open this author is about her own thinking, insecurities, and life itself. Her own therapy with Wendell was one of my favorite aspects of the book, particularly how she grew to appreciate him. He is a real standout in the book, the way he seems completely authentic and supportive and nonjudgmental. Definitely the kind of therapist I would want!

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

 I happened to be in St. George's Barnes & Noble shortly before a trip to Rapid City. I realized I could use a light, fun read on the flights. As I picked this book up, the cover and font spoke "fun" and "intelligent" to me. I read the blurbs and they reflected my first impression. Was it worth the risk to pay full price? I decided it was!

I'm so happy I did! It's a fun read with many wise and serious overtones about growing older, about being needed, and about happiness and loneliness. Along the way there are fun and interesting characters and a complicated plot with several murders. The writing is intelligent and intriguing. I found it took all my concentration to keep the characters straight, but I did!

The winding up chapters resolved the many issues and questions raised, and cemented the fact that the police investigators and the elderly detectives would go on to solve more cases. Watching their trusting relationship grow was one of the delightful aspects of this book.

I also enjoyed the fact that even though the content dealt with several murders, there was little gore or violence that I often see in the mystery genre. This was a like a "comfort mystery"... I seem to be drawn to British authors and settings and this was one of the more enjoyable ones. Now I'm torn between reading it again since I enjoyed it so much or immediately shipping it off to Leslie Polson who shares my taste in humorous stories and characters. Actually this is humor of the best kind; poignant and humane. I enjoyed it so much that even my five and a half hour delay at the Rapid City Airport was not a problem. I just read and enjoyed and waited for the next announcement! That's a good test of holding my interest, for sure! I wasn't even worried and decided if we went, great, and if not, I would enjoy another day or three with Sierra's family. As it turned out, we went, and I got to finish the book in flight. 

Silent Souls Weeping by Jane Clayson Johnson

 This book, first published in 2018, gained a wide following early on. I recall that Darci Galligo, my friend in Rapid City, highly recommended that I read it. She suffers from depression and found it so helpful to read this account of stories and experiences that helped her deal with her struggle. 

Johnson recounts many of her own experiences with depression as well as those of others. It's a hopeful book, in that ideas and coping strategies are shared. I got a little bogged down at the end; it felt kind of redundant. I have read widely about this topic, so most of this was not new to me. I did appreciate her faithful approach, and pointed out where church members could do better in supporting and not judging those among us with mental illness. 

I happened to see this on a Relief Society give-away table one evening here in St. George, so I thought it was worth picking up. I thought I would read it and pass it on, but I'm not sure whom to pass it on to. Those that I know who have bouts or clinical or chronic depression are pretty well-versed in the subject. But maybe I could pass it on to someone who doesn't have this background? We'll see. 

I think in its time it was a much-needed book. Now this topic is frequently addressed in General Conference and in Church magazines. I guess it never hurts to reiterate our responsibility to "mourn with those that mourn" and it's always good to be reminded to never judge...