A Charitable Remembrance

Patti Davis gained notoriety for her lifestyle which distinctly clashed with her famous parents' public portrayal of family values and decorum. As actors, then at the pinnacle of politics, the Reagans exemplified everything the Republican party stood for. Then Patti wrote her memoir (tell-all?) which contradicted much of the patina presented to the world. It seems that with time has come some release, or forgiveness, or at least a broader perspective. This little book still says a lot, but in a measured and careful way, taking into consideration that we all have a history with which we're dealing, which shades our behavior for better or worse.

$ Makes the Rules

All my life I've heard about the Boswells, the mega-ranchers who own and farm the "West Side" of the San Joaquin Valley. Well, this is their story. From the obliteration of Tulare Lake, massaging public policy to enable excessive land acquisition, to modifying the lifeblood of the state, water, for maximum personal use, it's apparent that with enough cash, the law and those who make the it, are up for grabs. There was some interesting farming wizardry, but by and large, it's a tale of power, greed, and ruthlessness. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything else.

Neat and Tidy

I loved this book. It moved along nicely, kept my interest, and didn't make me roll my eyes or have nightmares. The super-loyal and innocent protagonist, Molly ("the Maid") lives her routine of cleaning at the hotel, coming home, and keeping to a ritual of housekeeping tasks that give her comfort and a fond memory of her departed grandmother, who raised her. When a guest is found murdered, Molly is the prime suspect, and as a neurodivergent person, is not always aware of the way her responses to questions steer the investigation. Enter some key personnel from the hotel, one a long-time friend of Grandma, who also worked as a maid there. Molly learns a lot about herself along the way, as well as finding out who she can trust, and who she can't. This is not a book that will stretch your brain, but I enjoyed every page.