Review: China Dolls

China Dolls by Lisa See
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set before, during and after WWII, this books features entertainers that are Chinese American and Japanese American , very beautiful women. Life long friends, but they are also enemies as they compete for top on billing. You can feel they terror these woman feel after the bombing of Pearl Harbor....and see what they'll do to climb to the top billing spot. I couldn't put this down once I got into it.

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Review: Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3

Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3 by Robert Matzen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vivid, nerve racking, unreal , sorrow.....I felt all of this. I knew the story, but I didn't know the story. The wreckage is unreal and a bit morbid, but you need this detailed account to see just what Flight 3 did to so many families. I very much enjoyed the mini bio about Carole in between the horrific story of her passing. It was the good in all that bad.

I knew of Clark's sorrow, how it changed him....but I teared up reading just how miserable he was.

I have had this book on my to read book list for a long time and now I said "why did you wait so long?" Excellent!

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Review: With Love and Laughter, John Ritter

With Love and Laughter, John Ritter by Amy Yasbeck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a sweet story. You can tell the love she had for John. You can tell the importance they had on each other and their relationship. He seemed like a riot off-screen too, and very much in love with his kids. His passing made me sad because I am a big fan....here we see how his family felt. It's not all sad. We find out about John's roots, career, and hobbies. Amy downplayed her own strengths and made John look great. I am sure he wasn't so perfect and I know she's a better actress than she portrays herself to be. All in all, I say Ritter fans should enjoy.

I miss his talent.

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Review: I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend

I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I laughed, I cried and laughed a tad more. Exactly, what I expected from Marty Short. He drops names, has vacationed with Steve Martin, interviews tons of famous and creates some of the most beloved characters. Personally, he shows you what a great guy you know he is. His devotion to family is rare in one so famous. Excellent!

I keep coming back to this book because I love it so much. Reading it is a blast, but I promise if you have time to do the audiobook you will thank me. Marty is quite entertaining reading the text to you.

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Review: Rubber Soul

Rubber Soul by Greg Kihn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I first saw this author and it reminded me of a favorite 80's song. I second wanted to read the book because it's about my favorite band. I third wanted to on read this book in because it seemed cool. It was a lovely trip. I felt like I was hearing the Beatles tunes for the first time. I felt like I knew the boys. I loved Dust Bin Bob and thought, I wish I could have done those things. This was wonderful.

And when I finished the book, I saw it was indeed written by the musician from my childhood, Jeopardy. Great job Greg.

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Review: The Girl on the Train

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Parts of me liked this book, parts would say "this people are nuts". I didn't figure it all out until 90% into the book. Denial of what was right in front of me. If you like sickos I'm pretty sure this is the book for you. Often listed as a "if you like Gone Girl book"...I can't agree with that. Gone Girl was superb, this is all right; but you judge for yourself.

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Review: Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood

Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood by William J. Mann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Even though I knew a lot of the story, I kept losing myself thinking this was fictional. 1920's Hollywood was crazy. Drugs, alcohol, sex and no morals. This books touches on a few of the Silent film scandals, but focuses on the death of William Desmond Taylor. Who did it? Mary? Mabel? Sands? Blackie? Gibby? or Sands? Full of twists and turns.

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