Lots of history drily delivered; I ended up not really caring what either of these women did. There is some titillating speculation about Dorothy and her famous brother.

Two suspenseful stories meld smoothly. Chilling and eerie.

Makes me hum the tune in my head. This is right up there with the other elevating classroom stories that bureaucracy has made sure can never happen again.

What a character (aka sociopath). Becky came to mind while watching "The Favourite". Glad to have read it, but also glad there was an abridged version.

I think Henry is amazing for taking on dance (and I don't mean flailing around the house while cleaning, we're talking serious Dance, here) so passionately at his age. That being said, this book would probably be enjoyed more thoroughly by someone living in the dance world. It goes a tad smug.

Sarah Waters is a talented writer, no doubt. If it was writing alone I was rating, I'd give 3 hos. However, there's the plot. Or the lack thereof. 1 ho for that. So I guess that's an average of 2. Or maybe 1 1/2 since I'm bad at math. I wouldn't bother.

I was in my Mitford phase, and this book seemed destined to be. Alas. It was written like a gossip at the kitchen table. All over the place and one wondered how credible anything was. If you can't say anything nice . . . at least be organized. Or something like that.

Okay, first of all, Neil gets lots of points for being a rose-colored glasses, Pollyanna, glass half-full sort. Kudos to you, Neil! Now on to the actual book. This would have been an easy book to write. Shame on the rest of us for not figuring that out. I have to say I got really tired of the "AWESOME!" at the end of each entry. Some things are just pleasant. Or relaxing. Or refreshing. Or middling. And that's okay. Not everything that's remotely likable is awesome. Reminds me of the overuse of the word "amazing". Hmmm . . . maybe it's time to write a book . . .

I'm a sucker for a sports story--those who know me might wonder why (perhaps because it's SO far from my reality?) but I've loved more than a few. Anyway, this book ventured into one young man's foray into the world of professional baseball, trying to play his best while navigating salary negotiation, love, the unfairness of segregation, and the press. Not easy for a country boy. I found Henry quite likable and goofy.

At times shocking, often raunchy and always decadent, Scotty Bowers offers up his version of the old Hollywood days. Sexual secrets of the past glitterati titillate throughout. Underscoring it all is the subtext of the author's own life and "loves", if you want to call them that.

This story was historical and well-intentioned. I'm sure this book cause quite a stir at the time of its publication in 1884! Makes one pine for the old California to take in its unsullied beauty and to change the course of history for the Native Americans and Mexicans of yore. Although the author's obvious intent was to create awareness and justice for the people who inhabited California long ago, there were still some blaring and cringeworthy "whiteisms" throughout.

Loved it! Great for a quick snippet of information here and there. Fun for anyone who likes to dabble in the garden.