From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough

Continuing my deep dive into the life and times of Elvis Presley, I just finished "From Here to the Great Unknown" a memoir started by his daughter and then completed by his granddaughter after her mother's death. Riley Keough, some might remember starred in "Daisy Jones and the Six" as the lead singer. In the series, Keough wears Elvis' guitar strap in one performance. The fact that Keough had the faith and strength to finish her mother's book is quite amazing, considering both of their childhoods were far from stable. In 2022, Lisa Marie appeared to be struggling with completing the memoir, so she asked her daughter to help her finish it. A month later Lisa Marie was dead. Riley was left with dozens of audio tapes of her mother who described what it was like to grow up at Graceland with her father, Elvis. Riley was left with the daunting task of flushing out her mother's life, from her marriages to Danny Keough and Michael Jackson, to the death of her son, and her own struggle with addiction. This book provides us with an insider-look into the Presley family, and brings to life Priscilla, Lisa Marie, Riley and the King himself. The book culminates with the arrival of the next generation: Riley's daughter Tupelo named after the city in Mississippi where her great grandfather was born. The holidays are a time for family, and this book certainly profiles one of America's most famous. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

JFK JR: An Intimate Oral Biography" By Rosemarie Terenzio and Liz McNeil

In November of 1963, while my mother was pregnant with me, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. My mom was apparently crying so hard my dad had to yell at her to calm down for fear she would miscarry. She did calm down and I was born without incident. Flash forward to July of 1999, I was staying at my parent's house, along with my 4-year-old twins. I walked into the breakfast nook to see my parents' eyes glued to a small television sitting next to their cereal bowls. The screen showed the U.S. Coast Guard, commissioned by President Bill Clinton, frantically searching for JFK Jr.'s plane. As the cameras panned over the water, the three of us shared a look of sadness that another Kennedy had been lost. "JFK Jr." by Rosemarie Terenzio and Liz McNeil is an oral history of President Kenney's son, as well as the family and friendships that framed his short life. Make no mistake about it, there is new information in this book that makes it riveting. Terenzio, JFK JR.'s former personal assistant, and McNeil comb his life from his early years in the White House as a young child through his launch of "George" magazine and marriage to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. There are stories about his time spent with Aristotle Onassis and his children. There are details from his high school dating, as well as passion for dangerous sports. And there are insights into the family dynamics, including a tense relationship with his sister Caroline's husband, Ed Schlossberg. I listened to this book on audio, and it took 15 hours. But those were 15 wonderful hours spent because during that time John, Carolyn and her sister Lauren were still gloriously alive, full of hope, talent, charm and beauty. I didn't want the story to end, but sadly it came to a tragic end that July night in 1999, when their plane came down into the water. A well-researched, poignant read about political royalty. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrow

Last week seemed much less complicated than this week, maybe because I was far away on the small island of Guernsey. I flew on a propeller plane from Gatwick with a group of friends, to explore three of the Channel Islands: Guernsey, Sark and Herm. The islands were beautiful, and the people quite charming. The hiking trails were rich with grass, ocean views, thick mud and flowers. Every night we had the same taxi driver named Rene who would pick us up, give us a smile and a story, and drop us at dinner in town. The fact that the island is peaceful and serene now, is a testament to the strength of its residents. Guernsey was once occupied by the German army for five years during World War II. This fictional book, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," follows a British writer who travels to the island to connect with some of its locals who survived the Nazi occupation. Juliet Ashton is searching for a subject for her next book, after writing previous books under a pseudonym. She strikes up a correspondence with a handsome Guernsey farmer, and on a whim decides to travel to the island to meet him in person. After landing there, she meets the farmer and members of his book club, a quirky group of very close friends who share not only books but also a sacred secret. The book is as smart, warm and charming as its title, and was turned into a movie now available on Netflix. Lily James is terrific as Juliet Ashton. I think there are friends and stories to be found even in the smallest corners of the world, and Guernsey is no exception. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Elvis and Me by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley with Sandra Harmon

While I eagerly wait my turn for a copy of the new book "From Here to the Great Unknown" by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough, I decided to listen to Priscilla's side of the story by diving into "Elvis and Me." Priscilla met Elvis when she was just 14 years old, when he was in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. She lived there with her mother and step-father, who was in the U.S. Air Force. From the get-go things seems a little strange. He was a rock star, and she was still in grade school. He wanted to date her, and she wanted to please him. They fell in love, and eventually when she was still in high school she moved back to his family's Memphis compound, Graceland. Priscilla was drawn to Elvis' larger than life personality, but she was also weary of his use of pills to fall asleep, and his reading habits that included the Bible and books on philosophy and spiritual teachings. He wore a cross and a Star of David around his neck because Priscilla said he wanted to cover all of his bases. Despite their love for each other, he was unfaithful numerous times, including with actress Ann-Margaret. But Pricilla always forgave him because she had her eye on the ultimate prize: Elvis. She became pregnant with daughter Lisa Marie shortly after their wedding, which left Priscilla to raise a child when she was not done raising herself. Despite Elvis' slide into more destructive behavior, Priscilla went from being a child bride into a strong woman forming her own opinions. When she was finally able to be her true self, and take off her heavy make up, and learn to dance and do karate, she knew it was time to leave Elvis. However, she was friends with him until the day he died. Despite the ups and downs of her relationship with Elvis, her love for him comes through on every page. To buy this book on Amazon click here

All There Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps by Dave Isay

The best place I know for crying is my car. It is safe, cozy, somewhat elegant, and secure. The only people who see me crying in my car are strangers, so I can feel free to cry in my car without any judgement or criticism. Mostly they just give me a sad, empathetic glance as they drive by me. I listened "All Their Is," an hour long audio book by Dave Isay and cried the whole time. I didn't know what StoryCorps was before I read this book. It is a non-profit organization that aims to record, preserve, and share stories of Americans from all backgrounds and beliefs. It is promoting the best of humanity, one story at a time, and this books includes stories from their archives about love. This collection is lovely, heartbreaking, adorable, gut wrenching and more than anything, just poignant. Don't take my word for it. Download the Libby App, put this book in our library cue, and wait for the joy to overwhelm you. And remember, crying in your car is totally acceptable in my book. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Palaces for the People by Eric Klinenberg

Finally, a book that praises the power of libraries! Now this is quite an intellectual book, and not one I would normally find myself reading. But I have a friend who works for a non-profit, and the employees at her organization are reading the first two chapters of this book together. I'm a fan of group reading, so I decided to read this book, too. After the first chapters, I was intrigued so kept on reading. The premise is quite simple but powerful: One of the ways to heal society is to build more gathering places to create a stronger sense of belonging and community. Klinenberg, a best-selling author and sociologist, has done research on how such places as libraries, community centers, parks, gardens and swimming pools can bring people together. He maintains that in a country where people are divided over religious, class and political issues, creating more places to gather will help enlighten and educate people to each other's beliefs. In addition to U.S. libraries, he talks about swimming pools in Iceland. These are not pools for warm weather or summer activities but pools where people gather all year long. The price of admission to the pools is very inexpensive in order to encourage more people to use them. This creates a gathering place for people to connect with each other every day. Jeff and I saw one such swimming pool on our visit to Akureyri, Iceland. It is ideas like these that permeate the pages of Klinenberg's book, and make it a very thought-provoking read. My vote is yes for "Palaces for the People." To buy this book on Amazon click here.

You Can't Have it All by Stassi Schroeder

I am a long-time fan of the television show "Vanderpump Rules." My friend Maria and I once convinced my dad to take us to Lisa's restaurant "Sur" just so we could see one of the famous waiters. We met and talked to Peter, who was delightful and even took a picture with us. So when I saw Vanderpump alum Stassi Schroeder had a new book out, I couldn't wait to get the audio from my library. Now Stassi is no longer on the show, but she is still friends with many of the main characters, so there is a lot of cross over on social media. One of the highlights of my pandemic lock-down was checking in with Stassi and her husband Beau on Instagram every morning. The dramatic, self-absorbed Stassi has vanished and has been replaced by a mature, thoughtful down-to-earth mother of two children. Yes, she still does posts featuring her OOTD, but she also talks about the true trials of being a parent of two small children in Los Angeles. This book takes us behind the scenes of her life. She is not afraid to talk about her unsuccessful attempts at breast feeding, or the fact that Beau does almost all of the cooking and cleaning. But in Beau she has found a true partner who will work with her, and support her even while she goes into her "dark traveler" mode. She still covets expensive handbags, but now she is not afraid to carry pacifiers in them. Reading this book made me so happy because she demonstrated how you need to forgive yourself when you falter, and just keep going. Her attitude is that you need to laugh, play with kids on the floor, and put on jewelry when you need a pick-me-up. Stassi is soon returning to television and I can't wait to see her on screen again. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

A few weeks ago, Jeff and I spent 15 days at my San Francisco apartment with my daughter, Lily. One of the highlights of the staycation was to pour a glass of wine, and watch at episode of "The Perfect Couple" on Netflix. Lily and i loved the opening credits in which the cast did a flash-mob-style dance on the beach in line formation. The show was a mystery and it reminded me how much I like a good thriller, especially when it involves a family with a complicated history. So after we finished "The Perfect Couple," I following it up with this new novel from Laura Dave called "The Night We Lost Him." Dave is best known for her novel "The Last Thing He Told Me," which was turned into a limited run series with Jennifer Garner. "The Night We Lost Him" centers around three adult children and the night their father, Liam Noone died. Noone, a larger-than-life, self-made hotel magnate kept many secrets from his children, especially Nora and Sam. The death of their father brings them together, after they were estranged. The police rule Noone's death from a cliff near his home as an accident. However the more they look into their father's secret life, the more Nora and Sam start to believe their father's death was not an accidental. Think Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. There is a mystery to be solved. They just need to chase down the clues to see who did it. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Year of Starting Over

Feeling stuck, I think, is one of the worse feelings in the world. The discomfort with feeling stuck is as painful as the realization that you have to actually take action to get unstuck in a timely manner. If not,  you risk being trapped in your current situation forever. "The Year of Starting Over" by Karen King is the story about a young woman named Holly who finds the strength and power to forge a new path for herself. Excited by the anticipation that her long-time boyfriend is going to ask her to marry him, suddenly everything changes for her when he fails to pop the question. She decides she is not only disappointed by him, but also by her job. With 30,000 British pounds she has inherited from her grandparents, she decides to take a chance on herself. She leaves her home in England and heads to the Andalusian hills of Spain to stay with some friends at an artist colony. It is there she makes a list of things to do which include, "Learn to be herself again," and "not to fall in love." Part "Bridget Jones," and part "Eat Pray Love," Holly's adventure in Spain, of course, includes food adventure and even, despite her cautious attitude, love. For anyone feeling stuck and in need of some sunshine and a boost, this is the book for you. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Maybe We'll Make It by Margo Price

My husband and I go to a lot of music festivals, and for a few years I have been hearing people rave about Margo Price. I finally got to see her on Mother's Day 2024, at the Mill Valley Music Festival. At the end of her set, she tossed out red roses to some of the mother's in the audience. Her music was not only about love but also about loss, and I wanted to know more about her. "Maybe We'll  Make It" is the deep-dive into her rise from a singer-song writer desperate to make it, to the point where she was a Grammy-nominated new artist. Like so many country musicians her story began when she gave up everything to move to Nashville. It was there in Music City that she met fellow musician Jeremy Ivey. Their on-again-off-again professional partnership later turned into marriage. There is nothing sugar-coated about this book. It has long tours, waitress shifts, drugs, alcohol and barely-scraping-by-to-pay-the rent moments. When all is said and done, one thing is clear: Margo Price is a survivor, and a musician to watch. Follow her on Instagram at @missmargoprice to buy this book on Amazon click here.

Save by a Blonde & a Chicken Pot Pie by Bob Spivak

I love food, especially comfort food. I love restaurants. I love foodies. And, I adore people who write books about their experiences in the restaurant business. This book checked all of my boxes. Full disclosure: this author Bob Spivak is my relative. He is the father of my brother's wife, Elissa, and I love Bob and his wife, Leslie. Bob is best known for starting the Los Angeles restaurant franchise "The Daily Grill," which includes the crown in the former chain, the Beverly Hills Grill on The Alley. I learned so much from this book about the Los Angeles restaurant business as well as Bob himself. Bob's father, Eddie, also owned restaurants in Southern California including Smokey Joe's and Redwood House. In high school, Bob struggled with dyslexia, but excelled in sports. So, he channeled his frustration with academic success into victory on the playing field at the high school where he met both his first and second wives. There are some wonderful stories here including the time he was carrying vats of soup in his car, and they all spilled over. Bob is the person you would most want to not only sit next to at a dinner party, but also to cook dinner for you. "Saved by a Blonde & A Chicken Pot Pie" is a winner, and even includes his most wonderful recipes, such as the infamous chicken pot pie. If you are looking for a delicious book to dive into, look no further than Spivak's memoir. To buy his book on Amazon click here.

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

The summer has ended but it you want to read one more summertime book to transition you into fall, this is the one. "Sandwich" by Catherine Newman is the story of a family who visits Cape Cod every summer. Like so many close families, this story involves not only a husband and wife and their kids but also a set of grandparents. Rocky, the mother, always looks forward to her family's summer visits to the Cape. The cottage they rent is far from perfect, but so familiar even down to its bad plumbing. But this summer, with her parents aging, and her children growing up and falling in love, Rocky has time to reflect on her own aging process as well as her parents. Like any family saga, there is humor, sadness, joy as well as secrets from the past that might come up at the wrong time. For any woman in her 50s, this book will resonate about how families can be stressful, complicated and hopefully comforting, too. "Sandwich" is a book to read now, to make the summer last, or a book to transition you into the family holiday season. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Situation Room by George Stephanopoulos with Lisa Dickey

All eyes are on the race to the White House right now, so it is an excellent time to read a book about the President's infamous home office. "The Situation Room" by George Stephanopoulos is a great read that chronicles the crisis management room in The White House, and the 12 presidents who have used it. Stephanopoulos is not only the co-anchor of "Good Morning America," but he also is the former White House Communications Director and later Senior Policy Advisor under President Bill Clinton. The author has interviewed dozens of staff members who have worked inside the Situation Room, during every national crisis and disaster. The room is located in the White House basement. Created by President John F. Kennedy during the Bay of Pigs Crisis, the room has been shrouded in secrecy for more than six decades. This book opens the doors of the room and takes readers inside, explaining what it looks like, how it operates and who is allowed inside. I listened to this book on audio read by the author, and I found it fascinating. In this day and age of technology, to have a brick and mortar room be so important seems quite old fashioned but meaningful, too. From Vietnam to the Soviet Union conflict, and from 9/11 to tracking Osama bin Laden, "The Situation Room" is a treasure trove of White House history. Well done, George. Please write more books. To buy this book on Amazin click here.

Did I Ever Tell You? by Genevieve Kingston

Before I started working as an employee at my hospice, I was a volunteer. The supervisor encouraged volunteers to bring their own special skills to patient visits. One woman offered to cut their hair. Another man played the guitar for his patients. I offered to write my patients letters to give to their loved ones after their passing. I would interview my patients, take notes and turn their thoughts into letters for their spouses, parents and children. This felt useful, and helpful. Sometimes I wish I could have written more than one letter per family member, especially when they had young children, but we were racing against the clock. Fast forward 8 years, when a friend recommended this book: "Did I Ever Tell You?" by Genevieve "Gwen" Kingston. It is the true story about how a dying mother left letters, jewelry, and mementos for her young son and daughter to read when she was gone. Gwen's mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer when she was 3 years old. Her mother lived another 8 years, and was able to fill two hope chests full of letters for Gwen and her brother, Jamie. The letters and corresponding gifts were tied to milestones such as birthdays, graduations, engagements and weddings. With each opened letter, Gwen and her brother are ushered along on the grieving journey, guided by the skilled hand of their mother. This is a beautiful book filled with love and sadness as well as hope and humor. It touched me as a hospice worker, and I know it will move others as well. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

Every summer when I go to the Russian River, I like to read a whole book, and read it cover to cover in two days. There is nothing I like better than sitting in my reclining Tommy Bahama beach chair, reading a good book and watching the inflatable kayaks go by on the river. And the wine in plastic cups at Johnson's Beach is an added bonus to the reading experience. On my recent trip to Monte Rio and Guernville, I read this book; "This Summer Will be Different" by Carley Fortune. Judging from the wait time at my local library, this has been a very popular summer read. It follows the romance of Lucy who is visiting Prince Edward Island, and Felix, also known as Wolf, who lives on the Island. Their romance is off to a bright start until they realize they have a friend in common. Felix's sister Bridget is Lucy's best friend, and they have been forbidden by Bridget to fall in love. I have always wanted to go to Prince Edward Island, a Canadian province located north of Nova Scotia, and this book made me want to go even more. I even mentioned to Jeff while reading this book, "We are going to go to Prince Edward Island soon. I'm putting it on the list." This book was a super fun beach read, with some unexpected twists and turns. I have now returned it to the San Rafael library so other summer readers can get their hands on it too, before the summer is over. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Long Island by Colm Toibin

I loved this book so much, and I want everyone to read it so we can talk about it. "Long Island" by Colm Toibin is the story of Ellis Lacey, the main character in Toibin's best selling novel and later movie, "Brooklyn." It would be helpful before reading this book, to either read "Brooklyn" or see the glorious movie starring Saoirse Ronan as Ellis. "Long Island" opens 20 years after "Brooklyn," where we find Ellis now married to plumber Tony Fiorello, with two children. They live alongside his parents, brothers and extended family in a cul-de-sac in Lindenhurst, Long Island. The year is 1976, and Ellis is in her 40s, and has not returned to her homeland of Ireland in decades. Suddenly one day a stranger comes to her door, and tells Ellis that his wife is pregnant with Tony's baby. The man says that when the baby is born, he will place it on Ellis and Tony's doorstep, for them to raise the child. Thus begins a series of events that make Ellis decide to take a trip with her children back to Ireland. She returns to the town where her mother and brother still live, as well as the boyfriend she has left behind. I have never been to Ireland, but Toibin writes beautifully about Ellis and her trip back to her birth place. I loved seeing the modern woman she had become, return to a town where things are more antiquated. The writing is haunting, and the characters are rich. I was only sad when the book had to end, because I loved following Ellis on her journey. I do hope they make this one into a movie as well, as the story would be wonderful to watch played out on the big screen, too. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan

Paris is certainly flexing for the Olympics. I love seeing the parade of Eiffel Tower selfies gracing my Instagram account with pictures of friends and influencers. It reminded me of this book, "One Summer in Paris" by Sarah Morgan, which I listened to recently. I have been to Paris three times: Once with my first husband, once with my five-person Marshall family, and once with my mom to see the French Open. Each time was a completely different experience. It made me realize that part of the charm of the City of Light is who you experience it with. "One Summer in Paris" is the story of how two women come to form a friendship in Paris, in the most unlikely of circumstances. Grace is in Paris alone following a devastating fight with her husband, while Audrey comes to France to work in a book shop, without any money or knowledge of the French language. Both women, despite their age differences, are in Paris because they are running away from something at home. They form a friendship and end up saving each other. Charming, smart, creative and a tribute to the city itself, "One Summer in Paris" is a treat to read in between the nights spent watching the Olympics full of swimming, basketball and gymnastics. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me by Whoopi Goldberg

I spend a lot of time in my car, and while I like my car, I do not like the silene that ensues when I don’t have an audiobook. So, one morning I was mining the available offerings on the free Libby library app when I found this lovely book, “Bits and Pieces’ by Whoopi Goldberg. While I have admired her as a comedian for years, I didn’t really know very much about her. She has won many awards and helms a popular talk show, but this book provides a glimpse into her upbringing. This book is about Whoopi, before she became Whoopi. Growing up in the projects of New York City, Whoopi was named Caryn Johnson and lived with her mother Emma and her beloved brother, Clyde. The family was very poor, but Whoopi and her brother did not know that. While their dad was absent, their mother treated them to trips to Coney Island, the Ice Capades, museums and Christmas mornings filled with presents. Despite the lack of money, magic permeated the relationship of Emma and her children. Eventually Caryn changed her named to Whoopi when she started acting. However, despite her rise to stardom, she stayed very close to her mother and brother even living with them in Northern California. But everything changed in 2010 when her mother died suddenly, and then her brother died 5 years later. The family unit that gave Whoopi so much energy and strength was suddenly gone, and she was at a loss as how to move forward without their support. This sadness and grief were the motivating force behind writing “Bits and Pieces.” She found that to write about Emma and Clyde, and share their story, was to honor their memory and their life together. They experienced tough times, but more than anything else, theirs was a house filled with laughter. At the end of the book, Whoopi provides advice on dealing with the loss of a loved one, and I found her attitude practical and spot on. For example, go through your late parent's belongings with a sibling or friend, not alone. “Bits and Pieces” is not only a memoir but also a guidebook to managing the loss of a loved one. Dealing with the death of both her mother and brother has enriched and informed Whoopi's future forever, and made her wiser, too. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir by Griffin Dunne

A few weeks ago, my friend Kate invited me to a book talk at Green Apple Books in the Sunset. I jumped at the chance when I heard it would be featuring Griffin Dunne. I had the publication date of his book on my calendar, because I couldn't wait to read his new memoir, "The Friday Afternoon Club." That evening Dunne spoke in conversation with Tobias Wolff, author of "This Boy's Life." In front of a very small, intimate group of people, the two men talked about Dunne's new book and how he came to write it. The book chronicles Dunne's star-studded Hollywood upbringing as the son of Dominick Dunne and Ellen Griffin Dunner, and nephew of Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunner. Growing up among famous actors and writers, along with his brother Alex and sister Dominique, his childhood seemed picturesque. However, everything changed the day his actress-sister Dominique, who starred in the movie "Poltergeist," was killed by her mentally ill-chef-boyfriend. Growing up in Los Angeles in the early 1980s, I remember very well the chaos around the Dominique Dunne murder trial. From Dunne's perspective, we get to see the stress it caused his whole family, and the injustice that his sister would be murdered when she was a young, rising star. Dunne coped the way he knew best, by acting in movies and television. He continued to work steadily even during the middle of the trial because it helped ground him. At the book event, moderator Wolff asked Dunne if it was hard to write the memoir, because it brought back so many painful memories. Dunne said no, he loved writing the book because it brought back to life his sister, parents, aunt, and uncle. He said the hard part was finishing the book, because he did not get to work with them every day. I loved the book, and so enjoyed meeting him in person. He was smart, funny, charming, and so well spoken. What a treat, if only for one book, to get to sit at the table with the Dunne family. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Somehow by Anne Lamott

My husband and I recently went to see Anne Lamott interviewed at the City Arts and Lecture series. The moment she came on stage I started to cry. I was just so happy to be seeing her again. It had been more than 32 years since I first saw her speak in a little church in Alameda with my friend Peter. I still find her just as fascinating. She has written 20 books, and I have read them all. "Somehow," is her newest book, and one I could not wait to read. Like her others, this book is a gem. She talked about aging: "Getting old makes me a better listener even as my hearing goes." She writes about her friends: "Janine is her PSS friend, Pray-Share-Shop and some days PSW, Pray-Share-Walk." And she talks about her faith: "I think Jesus would agree some people are incredibly annoying." This book also contains a new character, her husband Neal, who she married at the age of 65 after meeting him on a dating app. She says that Neal fell through the floor, and she finally feels safe. He is the man she had been waiting to wake up to for years. I just love everything about Anne Lamott, from her recovery to her faith, and from her sense of humor to her prolific writing. On my way out the door of the theatre, I dried my tears and felt incredibly lucky that I'm still in San Francisco, and so is Anne Lamott. To buy this book on Amazon click here.