1. What are you currently reading? Beatles in 1966: The Revolutionary Year by Steve Turner. I'm getting my Beatle nerd on with this look at 1966, the year the lads stopped being a boy band and became artists.
So far this is what I've learned about the band I've known for all these years ...
25-year-old JOHN was far more spiritual than we knew. He was, in his parlance, "a fan of Jesus." John just doubted the miracles and, even more, found organized religion hypocritical and obsessed with sin and guilt.
24-year-old PAUL was worried about the future, his own and the world's. He sought out philosopher Bertrand Russell, then over 90, to discuss the arms race and Vietnam. Paul was so nervous in the presence of the great man that he gestured widely with his hand and knocked over a table lamp.
23-year-old GEORGE was more willful than I'd suspected. First wife Pattie had always fantasized about a big church wedding with a white dress. At George's insistence, it was a small ceremony in a judge's chambers, and she wore a striped Mary Quant mini dress.
25-year-old RINGO didn't have a drum kit at home and never rehearsed away from the studio. He needed other musicians and an audience to gauge how he was doing.
2. What did you just finish reading? Every 15 Minutes by Lisa Scottoline. Dr. Eric Parrish thought he had it all. He was married to his best friend. He adores their 7-year-old daughter. He runs a highly-rated hospital psych unit. His papers have been published by respected journals. His private practice is profitable.
Then, bit by bit, his life begins to unravel. His wife divorces him and puts their home up for sale. He only gets to see his little girl a couple times a week. His newest patient, a teenager with OCD who must complete a ritual every 15 minutes, becomes a suspect in a murder and Eric is enmeshed in profound moral and ethical dilemmas about confidentiality. And ... and ... and ... One thing after another. Soon his perfect life is a nightmare.
We know something Eric doesn't know: someone in his life is a manipulative sociopath. At the very least, this person is enjoying Eric's downfall. It's very possible they are methodically orchestrating his destruction. Who? Why?
This was chilling and it really captured my imagination. I thought I'd guess the villain, changed my mind, and found I was right the first time. I love these guessing games! When I was forced to put it down, I couldn't wait to get back to it. It's not perfect: in retrospect there are plot points that just don't make sense. But while I was reading it, I was completely engaged.
3. What will you read next? Play Dead by David Rosenfelt.
I just bought my first two Lisa Scottoline books after reading your recommendations. You always read such interesting books. Enjoy what's left of the week.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any Lisa Scottoline although I've seen her books in the library. Maybe I'll give this one a try as it sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI love the Beatles, but haven't read any books about them. This one looks so good! Thanks for reminding me of a time in my life that was full of beautiful music. Here's MY WWW POST
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by the Beatles book!
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