1. What are you currently reading? Girls on Film by Alicia Malone. This is part a study of women in classic film and part a memoir of Alicia Malone's young life, growing up watching them.
To say I am enjoying this book is an understatement. For like Alicia, I've always loved the movies and her experiences are so much like mine. As I post this, she's examining her adolescent fixation on Marilyn Monroe, one I shared at about the same time in my life. In an earlier chapter, she wrote about her love of horses and movies about girls on horseback (National Velvet, which made Elizabeth Taylor a star). Me, too!
What she's putting in context is that while these movies starred women, they were all made by men. What stereotypes were created? What myths are perpetuated today? If you're interested in pop culture and its impact, this book is for you.
2. What did you just finish reading? Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. I know, I know! Everyone who has read this loves it ... except me. The synopsis is original and clever: a suburban housewife who cranks out murder mysteries is discussing the plot of her latest with her agent. At Panera, the most benign chain restaurant on the planet. She's overheard by the woman at the next table, who misunderstands the conversation and assumes this single mom is a hitman (or woman). Hijinks ensue.
There's little in this book that I believe could ever happen in real life, but that's OK. Sometimes complete escapism can be fun.
I didn't like the book for two reasons: 1) Every single husband in this sleepy suburban hamlet is completely awful. Every last one of them should have a mustache to twirl, like a silent movie villain and 2) Vero, the nanny. Finlay meets her for the first time in the bank parking lot, where this recently fired teller is puncturing the tire of her boss' car. Finlay offers Vero the nanny job on the spot, which no mother on earth would ever do. Bad temper, lack of impulse control, shaky grasp of right vs. wrong, no references? Why, I'd love you to watch my two small children! (This is not the only time Vero's values are determined more by exigence than morality.)
Humor is a personal thing. I found One for Money unreadable because Janet Evanovich's style annoyed me. She's so popular that there are now nearly 30 Stephanie Plum books. So what do I know? I'm sure Ms. Cosimano will similarly continue pleasing countless readers ... just not me.
3. What will you read next? Dead Center by David Rosenfelt. I love these Andy Carpenter mysteries.
