Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of An American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper & Katherine Howe

When Jeff's dad Fred passed away last year, he left Jeff many expensive (and apparently very comfortable) pairs of shoes from his collection, as they were the same size. I re-organized Jeff's closet to accommodate all of the new shoes. Now, every time I see the shoes, they remind me what a positive force Fred was. His children and grandchildren were so lucky to have gotten to know him so well. But imagine if you had family members whom you didn't know well, or had never even met. This is the territory of Andersons Cooper's new non-fiction book "Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of An American Dynasty." His mother was the entrepreneur Gloria Vanderbilt, and his father was Wyatt Cooper a businessman from Mississippi. Anderson, an Emmy winning journalist and author, was raised as more of a Cooper than a Vanderbilt. He did not attend lavish parties in seashore mansions, nor did he inherit great generational wealth. On the contrary, he hardly knew the Vanderbilt side of his family at all. When his father died young following heart surgery, Anderson spent most of his childhood worrying about money, and how his mother was going to support the family. This created a childhood filled with anxiety, instability and confusion. Shortly after having his son Wyatt via a surrogate in 2020, Cooper became curious about his mother's side of the family. He started researching some of his notorious relatives such as shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, known as The Commodore. William Henry Vanderbilt helped the family's fortune grow while Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt was on the Lusitania when it sank. Cooper's is a well-written book focusing on the perils and pitfalls of great wealth, and the more colorful stories from the Vanderbilt family. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Naturally Tan by Tan France

If I was left to my own fashion devices, I would just wear black all day, and call it a day. I do not have the skills to curate a chic wardrobe like Carrie or Charlotte in "Sex in The City." So, when I come across someone who is not only opinionated, but also knowledgeable about fashion, I sit up and pay attention. I want to learn about fashion's dos and don'ts, and Tan France is the perfect teacher. France, the fashion guru on Netflix's latest incarnation of "Queer Eye," has written a memoir that is as smart, witty, compassionate, and as caring as he is on the show. "Naturally Tan" follows his story from a traditional South Asian-Muslim family in Doncaster, England, to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he now lives with his husband (A Mormon cowboy) and new baby boy. Like the other kind and talented members of the "Queer Eye" family, France did not have an easy childhood. He did not know many other people of color growing up, nor did he know many gay young men. He always felt different, and was often bullied for standing out as different. In fact, he did not come out to his family until he was 34 years old. But he always saw his life as a journey in which he could reach his dreams if he was able to make money and retire early. His first luxury brand Kingdom & State was a big hit, and opened the door to other opportunities, including his new genderless outerwear line called Was Him. If you have ever watched the show you know what a fashion-wizard he is, whether he is advocating for a French-tuck shirt or a flattering bomber jacket. To read his memoir is to witness just how and why he has become the success he is today. I’m so excited to see France and the rest of the cast when “Queer Eye” returns to Netflix on December 31. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Family by Naomi Krupitsky

My friend Kate took me as her guest to a terrific event in October at the Town & Country Club in San Francisco. The event was just my cup of tea. Two women, one from Random House and the other from Penguin Books, shared with us their favorite new titles for the coming year. “The Family,” the debut novel from Naomi Krupitsky, was highlighted on the Penguin list and I couldn’t wait to read it. Set in Brooklyn and Red Hook, New York, the saga follows the lives of two young women during the 1920’s into the 1940’s. Sofia Colicchio and Antonia Russo grew up together, literally living next door to each other since birth. Their idyllic friendship is shattered when, on a joint family vacation to the shore with their parents, Antonia’s father disappears. What the girls soon figure out is that both of their fathers work for the Italian Mafia, a job in which people often go missing without explanation. The girls stay close through junior high and high school, learning more about the pros and cons of living in a Mafia family. As much as they struggle with the violence of the association, they are also attracted to the camaraderie and life-style in which they are raised. Each girl watches her own mother with an eagle eye, to see if the same fate is in her future. When Sofia and Antonia begin dating boys in high school, the ties that bind them together become even more apparent. Their dreams of marriage and motherhood are soon entangled with the family business as well. “The Family” offers a fresh look at the New York Mafia from the young woman’s perspective, and the new angle is both fascinating and haunting at the same time.  To buy this book on Amazon click here.

"Reckless: My Life as a Pretender" by Chrissie Hynde

Recently my husband and I went to backyard garage sale held at Terrapin Crossroads, the San Rafael-based music venue recently shuttered by the Grateful Dead's guitar player, Phil Lesh. It was one of the saddest garage sales I have ever been to because nobody wanted Terrapin to close. Since it opened in 2021, Jeff and I have seen so many terrific shows there, including our own wedding ceremony and reception in 2016 featuring the Phish cover band “Chum.” I loved everything about Terrapin, including its support of female performers Like Nicki Bluhm, The T Sisters, Mandarin Orange and Joan Osborne. When it comes to rock and roll, the woman who set the bar so high for me has always been Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. For more than 40 years, she has been the queen of the iconic band, The Pretenders. The singer songwriter published her memoir "Reckless" in 2015, and it is a great behind-the-scenes read about how a girl from Akron, Ohio, became a rock star. From "Brass in Pocket" to "Back on the Chain Gang," Hynde wears her signature leather jacket and long dark hair, projecting her own vibe of tough and sexy. Her stories are laced with some of the greats she worked with, including David Bowie and Iggy Pop, as well as those she lost such as her lead guitarist, James Honeyman Scott and bassist, Peter Farndon. I used to sing along to her songs on my Blaupunkt car stereo in high school, and have been fortunate to see her a few times over the years. And one of the things I love best about her, is that she is still playing rock and roll at 70 years old. Coincidentally, she will be live streaming an event on my birthday, December 26 from the Royal Opera House in London. To learn more about Chrissie, follow her on Instagram @chrissiehyndemusic.  To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Maid by Stephanie Land

I read "Maid" by Stephanie Land shortly after it was published in 2019. It is the story about a 28-year-old single mother who begins working as a maid in the Pacific Northwest in order to support herself and her young daughter. Like the author David Sedaris, who also once worked as a maid early in his career, seeing the housekeeping profession through a writer's eyes is fascinating. Land writes about the relationships she has with her clients, many who would not recognize her if she was walking down the street. The book personifies the division between maids and their upper-middle class clients. While a sad read, the book really didn't come alive for me fully until I recently saw the Netflix movie of the same name starring Margaret Qualley and her real life mother, Andie MacDowell. Together, the book and the series "Maid," deftly illustrate how hard it is to fight your way back from a life of poverty while in an abusive relationship at the same time. Land, like Qualley's character, was on several different types of government assistance programs, but still was not able to support herself and pay her rent. Leaving a toxic relationship with the little girl's father was not viewed as smart, but rather reckless because she was taking her child out of a supposedly "stable two-parent home." The book and the series have us rooting for the main character to some how beat the system and carve a new life out for herself and her daughter. The promise of higher education looms in front of both women, like the golden ticket out of a very bad situation. I recommend reading the book first, and then watching the Netflix series. Together they capture a heartbreaking story but deliver a happy ending. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Going There by Katie Couric

The initial press I read about this book was so mean it almost discouraged me from reading it. But I’m very glad I ignored that chatter, and read this book from cover to cover. It is fast-paced, honest, exciting, poignant and a fantastic read. Katie Couric is an icon, a pioneer and a trailblazer, and her story is one we should all appreciate and applaud. The memoir details her professional life in front of the camera on “The Today Show” and later on “CBS Evening News.” In the book she also shares never-before told stories of her private life with her late husband, Jay, and their two young daughters, Ellie and Carrie. During her tenure on “The Today Show,” her husband Jay Monahan was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. We remember when she struggles to do her job, raise her young girls and support her husband through this cancer diagnosis that to her was almost too sad to admit and discuss privately. When Jay suddenly dies at 42 years old, Katie does an amazing thing: She decides to let cameras film her own colonoscopy to help spread awareness for early detection and prevention of the disease. While I was reading this book, I was also watching the latest season of Apple TV’s “The Morning Show,” starring Jennifer Anniston and Steve Carell. I could not help but draw parallels between the television series and the relationship between Katie and her former co-host Matt Lauer, and the scandal that brought him down. Katie deftly depicts the Matt she knew, and the Matt she did not know. The book also is quite a well-written chronicle of our history over the last 40 years, including military conflicts, 9/11 and the death of Princess Diana. Some of the most honest and open passages in the book are about Katie and how she starts to date again after her husband’s death. She describes her suitors, some favorably, and some not – like the famous television producer who broke up with her over text message. “Going There” is a terrific behind-the-scenes tour inside network TV news, and it is not to be missed. Lesson learned: sometimes you have to ignore reviews in order to be your own best critic. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

My friend Stuart’s house is like a shining oasis of fun in the middle of San Francisco. Whenever I walk up the steps to his front door, I am immediately transformed into an evening of crisp white wine, deep conversation and food better than any restaurant you can imagine, thanks to his partner Ryan, who is a professional chef. Recently, on such a festive evening, I found myself walking over to Stuart’s coffee table and picking up this book, “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer. I knew the book had won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2018, but I had never read it. Stuart immediately handed me the book, and said “Here. Read it. Bring it back next time.” It turns out that Greer also lives in San Francisco not far from Stuart’s home. I dove into “Less” and was fascinated by the tale of Arthur Less, a failed novelist who is about to turn 50. When a wedding invitation arrives from Arthur’s boyfriend of nine years who is now engaged to another man, Arthur is sent into a tailspin of anxiety. He would rather do anything than turn 50 and go to this wedding. So, he finds his exit strategy by accepting a series of less-than-top notch literary speaking engagements around the world. The event and the location are not the most important thing to Arthur. Rather, the need to escape from his life, and his aging future, is foremost in his mind. His life on the run takes him to Mexico, Italy, Morocco, India, Japan, France and Germany. Seeing the world through Arthur’s eyes is to be guided by a witty, observant, well-skilled master. No matter what country he is in, no matter what predicament he is in, we are compelled to follow Arthur Less, anywhere, because it is a joy to be his traveling companion. His struggles are a reflection of our own lives, when we were on the cusp of turning 50. His story is not only entertaining but poignant and universal. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Letters from Max by Sarah Ruhl and Max Ritvo

I like letters, stamps, notecards and especially travel postcards of any kind. This is why one of my biggest nightmares is that one day the U.S. Postal Service will shut down, and my mailbox will be forever empty. Stemming from my love of mail, is my penchant for non-fiction books that center around a correspondence. "Letters from Max" by Sarah Ruhl and Max Ritvo is like opening a treasure chest of letters between two beloved friends. The pair first met when Sarah was teaching a playwriting class at Yale. Max was less than qualified for a spot in her class, but his application charmed and surprised her, and won him a desk in her class. Sarah is a well-known playwright and essayist, as well as a professor. Early on in the class, Max had to let her know that, despite his best efforts, he was struggling with his academic life because the pediatric cancer he had conquered as a child, was back. After confiding this to Sarah, this opened the door to their new relationship, which quickly moved from student-teacher to confidants and close friends.  Like any modern relationship, they started texting, but soon moved to longer form emails and letters. Eventually, they would exchange poems and thoughts on life, death and reincarnation. Their letters can only be described as a literary intimacy like none I have ever seen before. Early on they starting saying "I love you" to each and rather than romantic love (she had a husband and eventually he married) the phrase, "I love you" morphed over time into a mutual code word for, "I love how we can see the world together as a pair of connected eyes." While Max went to clinical trials and chemotherapy sessions, Sarah continued teaching, writing plays and raising her three small children. She encouraged him to publish his work, and he courageously did to much acclaim. The spoke openly about turning their letters into a book as well. The story of their friendship is one of the loveliest books I have ever read. I was sad to see it end but so grateful they had the foresight to share their letters with the rest of the world, to spread their love and joy, despite sadness. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life by Julianna Margulies

When you have very small children you spend money on crazy things, sometimes to make them happy, and other times to soothe yourself as a sleep-deprived parent. When my twin girls were born in 1995, my husband and I were big fans of the television series “ER.” So, we crafted the perfect plan: on Thursday nights we had a babysitter arrive exactly at 9:45 p.m. which would give us 15 minutes of transition time before we would dash into the safety of a small study to watch the opening credits of our favorite show “ER.”  By 1995, the show was in its second season and a clear hit, starring George Clooney, Anthony Edwards and Julianna Margulies. The scenes between Nurse Carol Hathaway (Margulies) and Dr. Doug Ross (Clooney) were the crown jewels of each episode. “Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life” chronicles the life of Margulies, and how she rose to fame on “ER” and later the “The Good Wife.” Her childhood was less than picture perfect. Growing up, she learned to survive being shuttled like cargo between an absent father and eccentric mother, moving often from America to England as well as to France.  When her parents handed her turmoil at every turn, she decided to get organized, and one of the ways she did that was by choosing acting as a profession because it brought her joy. Despite early rejection and disappointments, Margulies stayed true to her childhood nickname, the Sunshine Girl. At the end of the 6th season of “ER,” she made the bold decision to leave the show, despite being offered millions of dollars to stay. The story is a classic example of determination, and how she decided long ago not to rely on anyone but herself. To make your own decisions, it helps to be the strongest one in any room. Margulies clearly had what it takes to become a top talent in Hollywood, not to mention the most gorgeous eyebrows in town, too.

Year Book by Seth Rogan

There is an essay in Seth Rogan’s new book “Year Book” that is literally one of the best stories I have ever heard. He goes to the Los Angeles Airport, hung over, and opts to eat a deftly named “Angry Whopper” from Burger King before boarding his flight. What happens next can only be described as a hilarious romp inside the life of Seth Rogan. I was listening to the book on audio in my car, and when I came to this essay, I had to pull my car over because I was laughing so hard. I just looked at my steering wheel in a fit of giggles and said, “This guy is funny.” I loved his memoir because it not only gave me insight into him, but also into the people he encounters through the course of his life as a comedian, writer and actor. Whether it is an odd encounter with Tom Cruise, a baffling conversation with George Lucas, or an evening spent with the eccentric Steve Wozniak, Rogan is a master storyteller. He demonstrates how witty and observant he is, while still very much the teenager he once was, growing up in Canada, buying small bags of weed. Although he is a grownup now, and even has a lovely wife by his side, you can still feel his youthful presence in every sentence along with his infectious laugh.  As a teenager performing in a comedy club, he once got bumped and had to follow Jerry Steinfeld. A bad luck move like that might have deterred a less experienced performer, but in the talented hands of Rogan, even a set-back can be turned into an ironic and hilarious win. To\ buy this book on Amazon click here.

Beautiful World, Where Are You? By Sally Rooney

One of the early highlights of the pandemic for me was Sally Rooney’s book and then her Hulu series “Normal People.” As we continue to wage this battle against the terrible virus, thank goodness Sally Rooney has used her time inside wisely by writing a new book. Reading one of her books is like taking a deep dive into a land filled with Irish millennials talking about friendships and relationships. This is the kind of scene I like, filled with worried brows and pouty lips. These people talk about sex, travel, drinking, migraines, nervous breakdowns and more. “Beautiful World, Where Are You?” has been touted as Rooney’s most mature piece of writing yet, and I would have to agree. This novel centers around friends Alice and Eileen, and the two men they are dating named Felix and Simon. Alice met Felix on a Tinder date, and he works in a warehouse. Alice is a famous writer who recently suffered a nervous breakdown. She invites Felix to go with her to Rome and he agrees. Eileen, on the other hand, has had a recent break up, and then begins pursuing a family friend, Simon. We see these relationships develop both in person with each couple, and through electronic messages between Alice and Eileen. Their correspondence is modern, while at the same time quite nostalgic and traditional. Like “Conversations with Friends,” and “Normal People,” Rooney’s characters struggle between being social outcasts and popular-center-of-attention type people. They debate the pros and cons of their choices, as well as their roads not taken. Hulu are you listening? This would make a wonderful-limited edition series. So, I suggest you start the casting search now for some attractive Irish millennials. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Summer Job by Lizzy Dent

My first introduction to wine was a twist-top bottle of Soave Bolla my freshman year in college, and I have come a long way since then. I can now taste the difference between a Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Fume Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Sancerre. I even once had an excellent glass of Riesling with my friend Page in Alsace Lorraine. This is all background to say I like wine, and I like people who talk and write about wine. “Summer Job” by Lizzy Dent is the story of a young woman named Birdy Finch, who makes one very bad decision: She decides to take a summer job at a hotel in the Scottish Highlands as their restaurant’s sommelier. The problem is the job was not intended for Birdy but rather for her friend Heather, who is an experienced sommelier. Birdy, however, has very little knowledge of wine, yet she is now game for a new adventure. Without Heather’s knowledge, Birdy shows up for her first day on the job impersonating Heather. However, the job of pretending to be a world class wine expert is far more difficult than she originally thought. As in any well-crafted romantic comedy, there is a handsome single brooding man in the shape of James the head chef, as well as a quirky group of supporting restaurant staff to round out the story. “Summer Job” is perfect for an oenofile, fit for a foodie, and a great book to keep your summer vibe going well into fall. To purchase this book on Amazon click here.

Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss

I am currently following country singer Maren Morris on Instagram, and by following her,  I mean I’m slightly stalking her. For example, if she wears a pair of white sunglasses I might muse, “Would I look good in white sunglasses?” And if she wears an orange-colored wrap- dress I might say, “Can I find that dress on Amazon in my size for cheaper?” I saw her recently perform at BottleRock, and she is a rising star with a handsome country singer husband named Ryan Hurd, and a toddler named Hayes. So in April, when Maren and Ryan went on vacation in Mexico, I noticed she posted a copy of her beach read: “Many Lives, Many Masters” by Brian L. Weiss M.D. After she posted the picture of this book, many of her fans commented things like “Oh that book!” or “Awesome book!” This made me pause because I had never heard of it nor Dr. Weiss. Published in 1988, the book chronicles a prominent psychotherapist, his young patient and the past-life therapy that changed both of their lives.  The young woman came to Dr. Weiss to help her with reoccurring nightmares and panic attacks. What begins like a regular doctor-patient relationship turns into something extraordinary when, under hypnosis, the patient starts to channel messages from her previous lives. The therapy turns personal when she begins to convey messages from Weiss’ late son. I have not read a lot about past lives or reincarnation, but I found this book quite fascinating because, in this case, the therapy was able to help the patient find more peace in her current life. So, you might not only want to check out the music of Maren Morris but also this book, “Many Lives, Many Masters.” To purchase this book on Amazon click here.

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

I’m not ready for summer to be over. I want more travel, more new adventures and certainly more time reading under an umbrella. One way to keep the summer alive is by marching into fall with a good beach read. My sister-in-law Jen, who is a big reader and knows what I like, told me about this book a while ago. And like all the books people tell me about, this book went on my list. But when I finally listened to it on audio, I said, “What took me so long?! This book is terrific.” “The Last Mrs. Parrish” by Liv Constantine is a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. It begins like a simple story but then takes the reader on a wild ride. If you have ever been in an unhealthy relationship with another person, (have we not all?), this book will speak to you. To feel stuck and trapped in a relationship is one of the most frustrating things. Finding a way out is satisfying, but also very difficult to achieve. This is the theme at the heart of “The Last Mrs. Parrish.” In the fictional town of Bishop’s Harbor, Connecticut (think Bridgeport), Amber Patterson comes to town and targets socialite and philanthropist Daphne Parrish as her mark. Amber insinuates herself into the life of the Parrish family with the plan to grow closer to the handsome captain-of-industry, Jackson Parrish. But even the best laid plans are not always successful, and Amber is quick to realize her scheme is not turning out the way she envisioned. Take “The Last Mrs. Parrish” to the beach or to your couch. Just take it and enjoy. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Trip to Bountiful by Horton Foote

I just raced through all six episodes of the new Netflix series “The Chair.” To see the brilliant chameleon Sandra Oh, the force-of-nature named Holland Taylor, and the messy-hair-sex appeal of Jay Duplass is to witness something extra special. All three play English professors at the fictional Pembroke University in New England. To watch a series about academics talking about writers and words made me feel so happy, and also nostalgic. The series reminded me of the summer in the early 1990s, when I went to study with the playwright Horton Foote at Sewanee: The University of the South. I chose to study with Mr. Foote because he was a playwright, and that is what I thought I wanted to be. He also wrote for television and film, in addition to the stage, and that excited me, too. Mr. Foote, however, was far from warm and fuzzy professor I imagined him to be. His cantankerous demeanor surprised me and made me pause. I wasn't sure if he was mad at me, or the entire class. But I soon realized that you do not have to be nice to teach well.  One of the things I remember from that summer is that he taught us to write what we know, and what we had experienced. I could never have written his book "A Trip to Bountiful," nor could he have penned the play I was working on at the time called "The Stork Club" about my infertility issues. Mr. Foote grew up in Wharton, Texas, and was deftly able to write about his main character, Carrie Watts, and her quest to travel from Houston, back to her childhood home in the fictional city of Bountiful, Texas. The work first appeared on television in 1953, and later on Broadway that same year. The same play was turned into a movie in 1985 starring Geraldine Page who won an Oscar for her performance as Carrie Watts. Mr. Foote wrote about people in small Texas towns sharing secrets and memories, and for that he should always be celebrated and remembered for being authentic and true. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Stories to Tell by Richard Marx

When I first met my husband Jeff Morris in 2010, we agreed on something almost from the first date forward: We wanted to spend money on experiences like live music and travel, rather than buying things like fancy purses, clothing or expensive furniture. We wanted to see our favorite bands in San Francisco and abroad, travel with carry-on only, and do it together for as long as we can. Our shared love of live music has made me a big fan of biographies written by musicians. This week’s LLP recommendation is by a man who you might not recognize by name immediately, but you will for sure know his work when you hear it played. Richard Marx is one of the most prolific singer-song writers in the history of American music. In his autobiography, “Stories to Tell,” Marx combs through his career that includes 14 number one hit songs and a song of the year Grammy with Luther Vandross. He has collaborated with Barbra Streisand, Kenny Loggins, Whitney Houston, Keith Urban, Josh Groban, Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers and more. What is so interesting about Marx is that unlike many tortured musicians, he grew up with loving and kind parents. He then had a very traditional, long-term, married life first with “Dirty Dancing” actress Cynthia Rhodes, and later with MTV favorite, Daisy Fuentes. He was a success both inside and outside the studio. My dad used to have a little sign on his office wall that said, “Being Nice Matters.” When I was reading this book, I thought of that sign in relation to the life of Richard Marx. He was nice to people when he was young, and he is nice to people now, and it has made him a huge success. I enjoyed learning about Richard’s life – and I appreciate how he must have encountered many people in music not as nice as him along the way. “Stories to Tell” Is a behind-the-scenes gift to music fans everywhere. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

My Wife Said You Might Want To Marry Me by Jason B. Rosenthal

When I began working at my hospice five years ago, I started out as a volunteer. I would go into the homes of hospice patients, and spend time with them. To give myself some structure, I offered to help my patients write letters to their loved ones to read after they were gone. Rather than sad, the act of capturing someone’s final thoughts on paper felt meaningful and important. I can only imagine that is how Amy Krouse Rosenthal felt when she published her 2017 Modern Love essay in The New York Times called, “You Might Want to Marry My Husband.” Ten days later, she died of ovarian cancer, but not after touching the hearts of millions of readers around the world. She was just 51 years old and left behind her husband and three children. Her essay in the NYT talked about her loving husband, and how she hoped he might be able to move on after she was gone. In the book “My Wife Said You Might Want To Marry Me,” her spouse Jason takes his turn talking about her illness, his grief and how he has moved on. While Amy was a prolific writer full of passion, Jason was always a lawyer not quite sure he truly loved his job as much as she did. When Amy died, he was overcome with grief but also faced with the tasks of making a living, and raising his three children. His observations of Amy on hospice, and his exploration into his own grief led to something that I’m sure Amy would be so proud of. He has become a public speaker who addresses the very issues he faced with his wife: suffering, loss, grief and survival. He taught himself through activities like yoga, meditation and even live music, how to appreciate the small things and how to find joy in the middle of sorrow. He took his loss and turned it into something beautiful that not only brings him comfort, but also inspires others as well.  Well done Jason B. Rosenthal. Well done. To buy this book on Amazon click here

The Disappearing Act by Catherine Steadman

I was a senior in high school when Sue Grafton published the first book in her Alphabet mystery series, “A Is For Alibi” featuring Kinsey Millhone. My sister and I continued to read these books letter by letter, and it was the first mystery series I really fell in love with. Recently, I have started seeking out more mysteries featuring female main characters, which is one of the reasons I was drawn to Catherine Steadman’s new thriller, “The Disappearing Act.” Steadman is the author of the best seller “Something in the Water,” published in 2018. Her new book stars a British actress named Mia, who arrives in Hollywood from England to audition for several big movie and television roles. Shortly before Mia leaves London, her boyfriend abruptly dumps her for another actress. Ready for a fresh start, Mia is excited about her trip to California and the favorable attention she received in Britain and America after starring in a television version of “Jane Eyre.” However, Mia’s trip to Los Angeles takes a unusual turn when she goes on an audition. Another young actress named Emily goes into the audition room, asking Mia to hold her car keys and wallet. Mia kindly offers to feed Emily’s meter as well, so Emily won’t get a parking ticket. But when Mia returns, Emily has vanished, leaving Mia stuck with her keys, wallet and car. Hollywood is a strange place with complicated people and Mia is determined to not only further her career, but also find out what happened to Emily. Her search brings her closer to a handsome, older producer named Nick, who may or may not have been involved in Emily’s disappearance. I found “The Disappearing Act” a fascinating and twist-filled read from beginning to end. Author Steadman is also an actress herself, so I’m sure there are more than a few real-life casting couch tidbits thrown in here as well. To purchase this book on Amazon click here.

Life Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero by Amanda Kloots with Anna Kloots

There is a bright light in the middle of this pandemic and her name is Amanda Kloots. I started following her on Instagram from the very beginning when her 41-year-old husband, Broadway start Nick Cordero, was admitted to Cedar with flu like symptoms. Unable to visit him in the hospital at first, Amanda would sing his song “Live Your Life” every afternoon. The more she sang, the more followers she inspired. I would wake up every morning and read that day’s post, and then I would go to sleep every night after seeing her Instagram story. When I heard she had written a book about losing Nick to Covid, I didn’t want to hear it on audio, or check it out of the library, I wanted to own it and hold her words in my hands. I thought I knew a lot about her marriage, but the book gave me so much more. It showed me that her marriage, like any marriage, was not perfect and that moving to Laurel Canyon was Nick’s dream rather than hers. But the book, which did make me cry at times, was more than anything, a testament to the love of her family and friends. The relationships she has with her family are incredible, but most especially with her sister Anna and her brother Todd. I have never had a big brother, but if I could conjure up one, he would be exactly like Todd who is strong and supportive, and ready to do anything for his sister. At the center of the book is her infant son Elvis, who celebrated his first birthday as Nick was fighting for his life in the hospital. Amanda’s memoir highlights the confusion and injustice surrounding Covid during the months that led up to Nick’s death. Like so many others, I prayed that he would be taken off the ventilator, and return home to his beautiful wife and son. But that did not happen. Despite the loss and grief, Amanda is still running her fitness company, and is now a talk show host, too. I still follow her on Instagram and recently she announced she is starting to date. She remains the shining light of survival in all of this for me, and I’m so grateful she continues to share her family with us.  To purchase this book on Amazon click here

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

The Bay Area is an unusual place because most of the people I have met here over the last 30 years are not from here. Except for my friends Sally and Jay who were born and raised here, most everyone else is a transplant. San Francisco or Marin are not their birth place but rather their chosen homes. That means that given the small geographic size of the area, the cities are teeming with lots of people with messy backstories. People with secrets and baggage are at the center of "The Last Thing He Told Me" by Laura Dave. The story takes place on a houseboat in Sausalito when Hannah Hall's husband, Owen Michael, disappears. The only missive he leaves behind is a note saying, "Protect her." Immediately Hannah knows this means he wants her to watch over Bailey, the 16-year-old daughter from his first marriage. Baily wants nothing to do with her stepmother, but left alone the two women must bond and work together to solve the mystery of Owen's disappearance. When the FBI comes to arrest Owen's boss at the tech firm where he worked, Hannah realizes that her husband had more than a few secrets in his closet. Hannah and Bailey are forced to leave the Bay Area to follow a trail into Owen’s past. If he is not who he said he was, then who exactly is he? Part drama and part thriller, the mystery brings Hannah and Bailey closer together, while also pushing them further away from their once happy life on the houseboat in Sausalito. To buy this book on Amazon click here.