She Did It Her Way: Books I "Read" in 2024, Vol. XVII

 

MY NAME IS BARBRA
Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand is by any account a living legend, a woman who in a career spanning six decades has excelled in every area of entertainment. She is among the handful of EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) and has one of the greatest and most recognizable voices in the history of popular music. She has been nominated for a Grammy 46 times, and with Yentl she became the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major motion picture. In [this book], she tells her own story about her life and extraordinary career, from growing up in Brooklyn to her first star-making appearances in New York nightclubs to her breakout performance in Funny Girl to the long string of successes in every medium in the years that followed. No entertainer's memoir has been more anticipated and this engrossing and delightful book will be eagerly welcomed by her millions of fans.

With the tremendous scope of Streisand's career, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised at how big this book is. It weighs in at 966 pages, and the audible version, which is what I experienced, is over 40 hours long! (And that takes a long time to get through when you mainly listen while driving.) A lot of that length is due to the depth of her details. I think she must remember every gown she ever wore to any premier, awards show, fundraising gala, or trip to the corner deli. I highly recommend the audio version. While you'll miss the photos included in the book, you'll get some extra material, like snippets of songs and what I swear is a running commentary on the book's contents as Ms. Streisand adds quite a few asides and "by the way"s while she's reading. That seems unusual for an author reading their book, but it's a fine example of what is made clear time and time again...Barbra Streisand does things the way they make sense to her, not necessarily the way any kind of establishment thinks they should be done.

And not necessarily the way any clear, logical person thinks, either. Streisand seems to operate with a strange mixture of faith, ego, and superstition. She talks about praying to God...and her dead father. She puts a LOT of emphasis on 24 being her favorite/lucky number. And in talking about her visit to Israel, she says her first stop was the Western Wall "a sacred place of prayer in the old city of Jerusalem. I slipped a note between the stone slabs, but I can't tell you what I wrote because then it won't come true." As if a written prayer is like making a wish while blowing out candles on a birthday cake.

One final note...I admit to fast-forwarding through some sections where Ms Streisand apparently felt we couldn't live without hearing all about her political convictions.

First Line: An "amiable anteater"?

Page 56 / Line 5: Right before I auditioned at the Bon Soir, I have a vivid memory of walking down the street thinking, This night could change my life.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: Fame is a hollow trophy.

Last Line: I think I truly am one of the luckiest people in the world.

The Creation of the Biggest Sitcom in the Whole Universe: Books I Read in 2024, Vol. XVI

 

THE BIG BANG THEORY: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series
Jessica Radloff

When The Big Bang Theory ended in 2019 after twelve seasons, it wasn't just the end of television's longest-running live-action multi-camera sitcom; it was the last great comedy with massive ratings and broad appeal. Yet, for all that's been written about the show, the most riveting and surprising stories have never been revealed. . . . [The author] was granted unprecedented access, conducting over 120 hours of new interviews. From on-set secrets and stories behind the most beloved episodes to never-before-seen photos, the oral history will intrigue everyone from the casual viewer to the most diehard fan. And yes, you'll get an answer about Penny's last name (if you think you know, you don't).

There are some who consider The Big Bang Theory a practically-perfect television sitcom. To the degree you agree, this book is a practically-perfect companion; full of behind-the-scenes stories and nostalgic anecdotes that emphasize the unique, close-knit, caring nature of the relationships of the cast members, writers, producers...even prop masters. The book reads like a transcription of a long-form documentary with short bits of narration that set up a string of quotes from the extensive interviews Radloff conducted. It really is the participants telling their own stories in their own words (a few of which are PG-13 and R-rated [Fair Warning]). Just my cup of tea...or whatever your hot beverage of choice is.

One weird thing, though...in the transcriptions of the interviews, all the cast and crew members said "all of the sudden" instead of "all of a sudden." Does anyone really say that?

First Line: Two years.

Page 56 / Line 5: He became a great, wonderful voice of the ensemble.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: But Big Bang spoke to a deeper issue, which is, on the simplest level, loneliness and feeling left out.

Last [Two] Line[s]: I always wanted to do something, to be a part of something that had the ability to withstand time. And The Big Bang Theory does.

Increasing My Cross-Cultural Consciousness: Books I Read in 2024, Vol. XV

 

LETTERS TO MY WHITE MALE FRIENDS
Dax-Devlon Ross

Millions of people are finally realizing that simply not being racist isn't enough to end racism. Now we are not only seeking deeper insight into how racism has harmed Black people but also how it has harmed us all. [This book] promises to help everyone who says they are committed to change develop the capacity to see, feel, and sustain that commitment so we can help secure racial justice for all.

I read this book because I own it. I own this book because it was available at the library for just a quarter. I bought it from the library because I am on a quest to increase my knowledge of and sensitivity to what it's like to be a non-white person in suburban America. I am on that quest because of prompting from our bridge-building deacon at Valley Christian Church. We have a bridge-building deacon because one man was so moved by the murder of George Floyd and its aftermath that he was compelled to help our congregation be part of the solution instead of perpetuating the problem.

While there were a few times when I got bogged down in buzzwords and generalizations, this book was fairly easy to read and absolutely, positively enlightening. (Not to mention challenging as I ask the necessary question: "Now what shall I DO about it?")

First Line: I will never forget one night in Cape Town when I was out at a dance club with a group of fellow law students.

Page 56 / Line 5: Given this context, when you look back on your education, how many Black students can you count in your classes?

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: We have to see this endeavor as essential, not mandatory.

Last Line:  "I don't want to get ahead of myself," I said to Alana, "but I think these guys may be stepping up."

What an Amazing Start for a Book Series: Books I Read in 2024, Vol. XIV

 

ALONG CAME A SPIDER: An Alex Cross Thriller
James Patterson

It begins with the double kidnapping of the daughter of a famous Hollywood actress and the young son of the secretary of the treasury. Gary Soneji is a murderous serial kidnapper who wants to commit the crime of the century. Alex Cross is the brilliant homicide detective pitted against him. And Jezzie Flanagan is the female supervisor of the Secret Service who completes one of the most unusual suspense triangles in any thriller you have ever read. "James Patterson does everything but stick our finger in a light socket to give us a buzz." - New York Times

When I read The People vs Alex Cross, I said I wanted to back up and read all of Patterson's Alex Cross thrillers...and so here I am at the very first one. What an amazing start for a book series! Alex Cross is ALREADY a character of such depth and breadth, even in this first appearance.

I ran across something that kind of mystified me and gratified me at the same time. There I was, reading a paperback edition of this book from its 25th printing; at least 28 years after the original publication date. The publisher had 25 chances to get it right, and yet I still noticed several glaring typos like the appearance of "he" instead of "the" and from the penultimate page of the whole shebang, "If anyone served to be on death row, it was Soneji/Murphy." (Shouldn't it be "deserved"?)

Another curious thing: I know that I've seen the movie that was made from this book, but there wasn't a single scene in the book that brought to mind anything from the film. That might be a function of me having only seen the movie once...and that was several years ago. (Declaration: It has nothing to do with my age.)

First Line: The Charles Lindbergh farmhouse glowed with bright, orangish lights.

Page 56 / Line 5: Gary Soneji left the farmhouse around 11:30 P.M., right on his schedule.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: I never miss a good chance to shut up.

Last Line: Peanut Butter Man lives.

Exaggerated, Funny, Mostly-True Stories: Books I Read in 2024, Vol. XIII

 

THE CALL OF THE MILD: Misadventures in Africa, Hollywood, and Other Wild Places
Torry Martin & Doug Peterson

Whether he's dealing with pythons in South Africa, pickpockets in Ireland, or grizzlies in Alaska, Torry shares his blunders and the life lessons they've taught him along the way. Through each true story, he shares what he has learned about overcoming any obstacle that might hold us back from following God's will  -  wherever He might lead.

Torry Martin was a keynote speaker at a conference Beloved and I attended in April. He gave each conferee a copy of this book and begged us to write reviews on Amazon. Feel free to take a look for mine, because I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you like David Sedaris but love Jesus, this is the book for you. It's full of exaggerated, funny, mostly-true stories with nuggets of True Truth attached.

First Line: KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Page 56 / Line 5: It was late October as Rob and I chugged up the twisty, treacherous roads leading to my family's cabin for one last gold-mining expedition before the snow fell.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: I spent much of my life suffering from a severe case of comparative-worthitis  -  wanting to be anybody but me.

Last Line: "I'm good, right?"

My Final Rat Pack Read: Books I Read in 2024, Vol. XII

 

I'M A FOOL TO KILL YOU: A Rat Pack Mystery
Robert J. Randisi

When a rumor spreads that Frank Sinatra's ex-wife, Hollywood Goddess Ava Gardner, was seen in the Sands Hotel & Casino in a state of distress, Vegas pit boss/fixer/amateur sleuth Eddie G. is asked to check it out. Eddie tracks her down to LA, where he finds out that Ava’s afraid she did something horrible . . . and it falls to Eddie to find out exactly what went down. But someone’s after Ava who means her harm, and soon he’s dodging bullets in Vegas in an attempt to keep Ava – and himself – alive.

This is the fifth book in the series, which I have enjoyed, but because Randisi seems to be amping up the foul language and sexuality, I think this is going to be my last. Besides, this and the remaining six titles are only available from the library as digital downloads, and I prefer having an actual book in my hands instead of having to sit at my computer or stare at my phone's screen. That said, these books are actually kind of light on "mystery" and rely on a fondness for Frank Sinatra and friends to engage the reader. They are enjoyable reads with the bite-sized chapters I like, but not enough to keep me from switching over to Alex Cross.

First Line: Jenny Phillips was a looker

Page 56 / Line 5: "Try the Beverly Hills Hotel," Frank said.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: "Almost the truth," I said.

Last Line: "Maybe two days?"

A Quick & Practical Resource: Books I Read in 2024, Vol. XI

 

ONE-TO-ONE BIBLE READING: A Simple Guide for Every Christian
David Helm

Two people with open Bibles  -  simple and yet powerfully effective in growing disciples of Jesus. David Helm explains why, and gives you practical tips for getting started. "Helm's book encourages relational evangelism and discipleship based on the living and active word of God, offering practical tools for one-on-one Bible reading and envisioning a mobilization of God's people that would complement church programs. Helm calls us to invite people not only to an event, but into our lives and into the life of faith in Jesus Christ offered in his word." (Kathleen Nielson - Author and conference speaker)

This is another book I've read because of being an elder at Valley Christian Church. It is a quick read with a lot of practical resources for putting the concept of reading and talking about the Bible with one or two other people into practice. I wish I would have had this back when I was a youth minister. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this resource for ANY Christian...even as a tool for making your personal Bible reading effective and life-changing.

First Line: You probably know someone, perhaps a co-worker, who is not really a church person.

Page 56 / Line 5: If we try to read them all as if they are one type of literature (such as one of the letters of Paul), we'll quickly get off track.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: No longer was he worried about whether or not he could remain a scientist if he were to become a Christian.

Last Line: Are you ready to follow Jesus?