WWW.WEDNESDAY

 

 

WWW. WEDNESDAY asks three questions to prompt you to speak bookishly. To participate, and to see how other book lovers responded, click here. 

PS I no longer participate in WWW.WEDNESDAY via that link because her blog won't accept Blogger comments. I mention this only to save you the frustration I experienced trying to link up.

1. What are you currently reading? Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall. This novel is about three women living in three different time decades: in the 1970s, a girl is sent to a home for "fallen" women where she awaits the birth of her baby; in the 1980s, a young woman finds herself pregnant with nowhere to turn; in 2017, a woman accidentally comes into possession of a letter with explosive information about a long-ago family scandal, and wrestles with what to do with it.

 

This book takes us back to those tragic days before abortion was safe and legal, and though it's sent in Toronto, it's a harrowing harbinger of what we may be returning to.*

It's important that at the center of each story, the woman are three-dimensional people. When I hear fucking nonsense about babies being born, killed and tossed aside by abortion doctors I want to scream. First, that seldom if ever happens. Second, doctors who perform abortions are not monsters, they are serious professionals who want to provide healthcare. Third, where is the compassion for the women who find themselves in overwhelming and often dangerous and always painful situations?

2. What did you recently finish reading? Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans by Kenneth Womack.  Mal Evans was with the Beatles from their days at The Cavern all the way to their "Get Back/Let It Be" rooftop concert on Savile Row, and even beyond. He had a story to tell, and unfortunately died before he could share it with us fans. His son worked with rock historian Kenneth Womack to get it to us.

There was a lot in this book I found interesting. However, not 580 pages' worth. This tome could have used a good editor. Once the Beatles stopped touring, once they started Apple Corps., the book got way less interesting because I didn't find the intricacies of he music business skullduggery that interesting (particularly because it seldom had anything to do with John, Paul, George or Ringo). I'd say this book is for superfans, except I'm a superfan and I liked it but didn't love it.

 

3. What will you read next? Don't know.

 

*I am personally opposed to abortion. My faith should not be the law of the land, because legislating one religion over another is unpatriotic. I've spoken to friends who are Jewish and agnostic and 100% respect their points of view, and whoever you are reading this, I respect yours, too. Just as I'd never force a woman to have an abortion, I wouldn't presume to forbid her, either. Because as a proud American looking forward to July 4, I respect the separation between church and state.