Book ~ "You've Seen Me Before: Over 700 Roles and 70 Years in Hollywood" (2026) James Hong and Jeff Yang

From Goodreads ~ You might not know actor James Hong’s name but we can guarantee you’ve seen him before. With over seven hundred acting credits and counting, James is one of Hollywood’s most prolific actors and a pioneer in Asian American entertainment.

Born to Chinese immigrants in Minneapolis, Hong endured the aggressive anti-Asian racism of the 1930s, served in the army during Korean War, and - somewhere in the mix - was bitten by the performance bug that would eventually lead to a seventy-year long career in showbiz (and counting).

From his iconic role as Chi-Fu in Disney’s "Mulan" to the hilariously terrifying Lo Pan in "Big Trouble in Little China" and "Kung Fu Panda"’s beloved Mr. Ping, James has been capturing viewers hearts for years. And who could forget his powerful, viral speech as he accepted the Best Ensemble Cast honors on behalf of Everything Everywhere All at Once at the Actor Awards?

Drawing on never-before-seen archival materials and hours of interviews, this is a powerful first-person journey through James’s incredible life and unique family history: a quintessential Asian American post-immigrant story, filled with new anecdotes and wisdom drawn from an unprecedented career, threaded through with an incisive look at nearly a century of Hollywood history.

When I first saw this book, the only role of his that stood out for me of James Hong's is his role as the host in Seinfeld. But I like reading memoirs and at age 97, I figured he would have an interesting story to tell ... and he did.

In this memoir, Hong looks back at the people, experiences, challenges and turning points that shaped his journey. He shares stories from his childhood and early life, his decision to pursue acting and the years he spent building a career in Hollywood at a time when opportunities for Asian American actors were often limited. This is a book about Hong the person as well as Hong the actor, the experiences he had, the relationships he formed and the lives and characters he encountered during more than 70 years in Hollywood.

Hong was born in Minneapolis, MN, in 1929 to Chinese emigrant parents. The family relocated to Hong Kong when he was young and then moved back to the States when he was ten. He talks about how hard it was being the only Asian kid in school and experienced bullying and racism.

Hong writes about the many different jobs and roles he took on throughout his career and the people he met along the way. His memories include working on television shows and movies, meeting major Hollywood stars (the good and bad experiences), attending auditions, dealing with rejection and finding ways to keep working in an industry that could be difficult. He also discusses his experiences as an Asian American performer. Many of his early roles were shaped by the stereotypes and limited opportunities available to Asian actors and he describes what it was like to work within those limitations while continuing to pursue his career. As Hollywood changed, so did the kinds of opportunities available to him. His stories also touch on family, friendships, colleagues, perseverance and the importance of staying active and engaged throughout a long life. 

I liked the writing style and found it more intersting than I thought I would. It was interesting but not surprising to read how Asian (and other minorities) were treated back in the day in Hollywood. He would audition for an Asian role only to find it had been given to an obvious non-Asian and he would be awarded a stereotypical lesser Asian role. Thankfully things have changed and a lot of that is thanks to Hong. What would have made this book better would be including photographs.

Book ~ "160 Things Women Can Finally Stop doing at 60" (2026) Mina Karr

From Goodreads ~ After forty years of saying yes, apologizing first, keeping everyone else comfortable and quietly carrying the invisible load ... maybe it's time to stop.

"160 Things Women Can Finally Stop Doing at 60" is a witty collection of observations every woman over sixty will recognize. From saying sorry when someone bumps into you, to keeping gifts you never liked on display, to explaining why you're tired, to reminding your husband to call his own mother, each short entry offers one small permission to let something go.

Warm, sharp and laugh-out-loud relatable, this isn't a book about becoming a different person. It's about dropping the habits, expectations and obligations that no longer deserve your time.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from this book. But since I'm over 60, I thought I'd check it out. 

There are 160 bite-sized things we can stop doing and the chapters cover a wide range of topics:

• Forty years of being nice is plenty
• You can't negotiate with your knees
• You are allowed to sit down
• He's standing right in front of it
• You've been the one calling for thirty years
• You are are standing right there
• You already raised them
• Nobody is coming to inspect the grout
• You have worn enough uncomfortable clothes
• The coupons expired in 2019
• The yes you regretted immediately
• You are not the one keeping track
• Eat it while it is hot
• You walked in and forgot why
• Everything needs a password now
• Nothing falls apart

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I will say, though, I'm not a fan of the cover. It's a fun quick read yet a reminder of the things we do to accommodate people but often we get nothing in return or no one even notices. So why are we doing them?

Most I could relate to (not so much the adult children advice since I don't have any). I will try put to use many of the things. I especially liked and will use the advice on stop softening every "no" (instead of rambling on, just say, "I can't but thank you for thinking of me").

Some things I'm already doing like ...

• Stop watching the shows he chose - Gord watches a lot of sports and scifi ... I read or watch something else on my laptop or find something more fun to do
• Stop being the one who always texts first - you will find out what a friendship does and goes when you're not carrying it
• Stop feeling guilty about the friendship you let drift - I didn't feel guilty but I made peace that we were good for each other at the time and they are now just someone I used to know
• Stop doing full make-up for the grocery store - since I retired 4 years ago, I've worn make-up maybe 3 times

Book ~ "When Lemons Give You Life" (2026) Anna Johnston

From Goodreads ~ Retired Michelin-star chef Griff Barlow has lost his appetite. He’s done with grief, guilt and the beige slop they dare call food at Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility, where he now resides.

Six decades of life have given him all the lemons he can handle so he breaks into the nursing home kitchen to bake himself one last tart. It’s supposed to be his final meal but the act of cooking stirs a dormant joy. Soon he’s regularly sneaking in after dark, serving up flavor and comfort to fellow residents, who, in turn, begin to come alive with each bite of Griff's delicious concoctions. Yet behind the apron is a lie so big it could destroy the one thing Griff has left to protect.

Lisa, the only family and visitor Griff has, is clueless to what's happening behind the closed kitchen doors. Their sibling relationship fractured long ago, plus she has her own navigating an ADHD diagnosis in middle age, the spark of a new romance, and unexpected news that might change life as she knows it. Any hope of reconciliation between the two is long gone, buried in the silence between them.

But the truth has a way of boiling over, and when secrets, soufflés and second chances collide, Griff and Lisa may discover a recipe for forgiveness.

Griff isn’t happy with life at Sunny Glen Aged Care. He’s pretending to have dementia and has reached the point where he’s considering ending his life. But when he sneaks into the nursing home kitchen one night to make himself a lemon tart, something changes. Cooking reminds him of how much he used to enjoy food and sharing it with other people. He starts secretly cooking meals for the residents, bringing some excitement into their otherwise routine days. As he gets more involved with the people around him, Griff begins to reconnect with life while continuing to hide his secret. 

Meanwhile, Lisa, his sister, is dealing with changes of her own. She’s recently been diagnosed with ADHD in middle age, has started a new relationship and is facing some unexpected developments in her life. She continues to visit Griff, who she thinks has dementia, despite the complicated and strained relationship between them. 

This is the second book I've read by this author. I really enjoyed her first one, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife ... this one was just okay. I found it was a bit too long and draggy at times and could have been tighter.  It's written in third person perspective, alternating in Griff and Lisa's voice and bounces back and forth between present day and the past (the chapters are labeled).

There was so much (too much!) going on ... being shamed at a young age for being gay, gay marriage, early onset dementia, death of a spouse, adult diagnosis of ADHD, suicide, a life threatening illness, domestic violence, keeping family secrets, a seven food man with anxiety, nursing homes being run poorly and ripping off their residents and more!

Book ~ "The Shampoo Effect" (2026) Jenny Jackson

From Goodreads ~ When Caroline Lash arrives in Greenhead, Massachusetts, she falls head-over-heels for Van Whittaker, a fleece-wearing, litter-collecting, kayak enthusiast with long, floppy hair and the personality of a Border collie. Born and raised in this picturesque coastal village, Van runs with the same crowd he did as a kid: His ex-girlfriend, Bailey, a beautiful girl who attracts men like moths to a flame; Augusta, old money, horsey, and snobbish; and Fran, surrounded by brothers and sons, too fed up with boys to ever consider marrying one. 

Together the group runs wild through the marshes, beaches and bars of Greenhead, drinking on houseboats, spending long afternoons sunbathing with their children and playing games the way they always have. But when Bailey discovers that she is pregnant with Van’s baby, the delicate balance of the group’s friendship is thrown off. Soon Caroline is cast out of the circle and what she does next - in a potent mix of fury and heartbreak - exposes long-held secrets and works the entire town of Greenhead into a lather. 

Caroline is a 28-year-old writer who leaves her job in New York and moves to a small coastal Massachusetts town for an 18-month writing fellowship. She is the daughter of a successful novelist and is trying to establish herself as a writer independently of her mother. Caroline meets Van, a local environmental scientist. The two begin a relationship and Caroline becomes involved with Van's close-knit circle of lifelong friends, which includes Bailey, Van's former girlfriend; Augusta, who is married to Colin; Fran, who is married to RJ; and Eben, Colin's brother and one of Van's closest friends.

Caroline's relationship with Van changes when Bailey reveals that she is pregnant with Van's child. The pregnancy is the result of Van and Bailey reconnecting shortly before Caroline began dating him. Van and Bailey attempt to establish a co-parenting arrangement, which leaves Caroline feeling isolated. As she becomes more shut out from the group, she writes a story based closely on these people and events surrounding her, changing names and details but leaving enough for the people involved to recognize themselves. When the story is published, it attracts a lot of attention but its success exposes secrets. 

I thought this story was okay, not great. It could have been tighter as it seemed to drag. It's written third person perspective in Caroline, Bailey, Augusta and Fran's voices (the chapters are labeled). I didn't really care about any of the characters. As a head's up, there is swearing, drug use and adult activity.

Book ~ "Love You More" (2026) Emily Giffin

From Goodreads ~ Billie has built the perfect life. Her practice as a doctor in New York City is thriving and she’s finally found the right partner in Dean after years spent trying to move on from her high-school sweetheart, Mick. Their young love had been intense and true but distance and ambition pulled them apart when she left Wisconsin for medical school.

Then one morning, just after accepting Dean’s romantic marriage proposal, Billie’s phone rings. It’s Mick - calling for the first time in nearly a decade. His news is urgent, and in a moment, everything changes.

As Billie boards a plane back to Wisconsin, the past comes rushing in - her friendships from home, the love she shared with Mick and the choices that shaped them. What awaits her is a reckoning with what she’s lost, what she’s built, and what she still wants.

Billie is in her late 30s and is a successful doctor in New York City who is newly engaged to Dean, a trauma surgeon. She believes she has moved on from Mick, her high-school sweetheart in Wisconsin, who had broken up with her when she moved away for medical school. Shortly after accepting Dean’s proposal, Billie receives an unexpected call from Mick, who tells her that her longtime best friend, Erin, has died in a car accident. Erin leaves behind her eleven-year-old daughter, Phoebe, and Billie returns to her Wisconsin hometown to help with the situation and support Phoebe. 

Though she's visited back home over the years, Billie reconnects with old friends and with Mick in their grief, bringing back memories of their relationship and the life she once had. Taking responsibility for Phoebe has some life changing decisions to make that will affect her life with Dean.

This book was a quick read and it was okay, not great. It is written in first person perspective in Billie's voice. As a head's up, there is swearing.

I found the story unrealistic. Billie is in her late 30s, has a successful career, a life and friends she loves in New York City and is in an adult relationship with Dean. Yet the second she is back home, her feelings for Mick, who she hasn't seen in about 15 years when he broke up with her, are still there? I found that hard to believe. It didn't seem like she has the maturity of someone who has achieved so much and is almost 40. She was prepared to throw it all away to take guardianship of Phoebe, regardless of how Dean felt about it and how this would disrupt their lives. It was odd that Mick and Billie are surprised to find out from Erin's mom, who has Alzheimer's, that they are expected to have custody of Phoebe. I would think that in the 30 years Billie and Erin had been friends that the topic would have come up. No one seemed overly sad Erin had unexpectedly died. Instead chores were checked off. The day after the funeral her friends packed up her condo. A couple days later Erin's mom was moved into a home.

Book ~ "Playing the Changes: A Musician's Memoir" (2026) Colin James

From Goodreads ~ From the prairies of Saskatchewan to sharing the stage with arguably the most influential guitarists of all time, Colin James is one of Canada’s greatest musical talents. His career spans over 30 years, with a track record that includes 20 studio albums, eight Juno Awards, 30 Maple Blues Awards and multi-platinum record sales.

In "Playing the Changes", Colin James invites readers to look back at the formative years that would see him emerge as a full-formed musical talent at such a young age. We see the young Colin James Munn growing up in Saskatchewan, the son of social worker parents, always surrounded by music  from the records played at home, to the folk clubs in Regina and the Quaker gatherings his family attends throughout the province. At a very young age, he picks up his older brother's guitar and teaches himself to play along to some of the vintage blues records he adores so much. He ultimately masters the mandolin and penny whistle as well; before long he’s sitting in with folk bands before he’s even a teenager.

Next readers are introduced to young adult Colin, an endearing young man who is trying to navigate and understand the world around him. There is Colin the hypochondriac, who is convinced that any malady he has may be fatal; Colin the romantic; Colin the compulsive cleaner, whose efforts to keep a tidy house by vaccuming floors and polishing furniture is an attempt to prevent the impending separation and divorce of his parents.

Readers go on the road with teenage Colin as he plays with veteran musicians much older than him, in venues throughout Saskatchewan and Winnipeg where he’s under the legal age to enter, let alone perform. The years of road work lead to the pivotal moment of Colin's at the age of eighteen, with a day's notice, he’s asked to put together a band and open for legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan in Saskatoon. That performance leads to a remarkable friendship between Colin and Vaughan, who goes on to become an incredible mentor and momentously christens Colin James (it sounds more rock'n'roll than Colin Munn).

Finally, Colin brings the reader to 1988, just before the release of his debut album, Colin James. By turns entertaining and open-hearted, Playing the Changes is a celebration of music and the joy of playing it, and of one of the most remarkable childhoods in Canadian music history.

I like reading bios/autobios and memoirs and am a fan of Canadian musician Colin James (though I haven't listened to his later albums but will now!) so was interested to read his story.

This is James’ story of growing up in Saskatchewan and discovering his passion for music at a young age. He talks about his family, his struggles with anxiety and insecurity, quitting school and how he taught himself to play the guitar and began playing with older, more experienced musicians. A major turning point comes when, at just 18, Colin gets the chance to open for blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. The two become friends, and Vaughan becomes an important influence on the young musician. The memoir follows James through his early years on the road and ends just before the release of his first album in 1988 (which I had on cassette).

I liked this memoir and the writing style. It would have been nice to have some pictures included throughout. It was interesting to read about the people, experiences and musical influences that helped shape him into the Canadian blues and rock musician he became. It's amazing all he'd done at such an early age to achieve his goals. As a head's up, there is some swearing and talk of drug use.

Book ~ "Shock and Awesome" (2013) Camilla Chafer

From Goodreads ~ When a thief who preys on the super rich women of a high-end dating website turns up in Montgomery, it’s up to Private Investigator, Lexi Graves, to lure him out before he goes to ground. To make matters worse, he's evaded capture numerous times and this might be the last chance to catch him before he retires altogether from the high stakes game.

Newly single and thoroughly confused, the last thing Lexi wants to do is date a string of men whose photos are optimistic, to say the least. But one on her short list is the thief and a rogue. Faux-dating a string of Not The Ones could help her discover not only which one he is but also help her decide whom and what she wants in her personal life. Will it be her sexy, mysterious, boss, Solomon? Or handsome cop, Maddox?

Posing as a wealthy, glamorous, eligible bachelorette, complete with walk-in closet of designer clothes, sports car and mansion, can be fun and games but Lexi may have met her match when she becomes the next target in the thief’s sights. After all, he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. Along with her cash and borrowed jewels, this master thief might also want to steal her heart in the ultimate sting.

But as the case comes together, tragedy strikes, causing Lexi to question what is more important to her: racing to the aid of her best friend, or solving the case, no matter the cost.

Private investigator Lexi goes undercover to investigate a thief who has been targeting wealthy women he meets through an exclusive online dating site. Her job is to pretend to be one of his potential victims, get close to the suspects and figure out who is behind the thefts. Her undercover role involves fancy clothes, an expensive car, a mansion and plenty of pretending to be someone she isn't. 

And while she's busy trying to catch a criminal, her own love life is just as messy. She's still trying to sort out her feelings about Solomon, her boss, and Maddox, her ex-boyfriend, two very different men who both have a complicated place in her life. 

This story is written in first person perspective in Lexi's voice. I liked the writing style ... it was amusing at times. It wasn't overly deep and was a fairly quick read. It's the fourth in the Lexi Graves mystery series (there are currently 19 in the series and I've read the first three) and I liked it enough to keep going with the series.

Book ~ "Yours Truly" (2023) Abby Jimenez

From Goodreads ~ Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game ... by sending Briana a letter.

And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet”, and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable - a kidney for her brother - she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor ... especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.

Briana is an emergency room physician who is dealing with several challenges in her personal life, including her divorce and her brother’s health problems (he needs a kidney transplant). Her life becomes more complicated when Jacob, also as an emergency room physician, joins the hospital where she works. Jacob initially makes a poor impression on Briana but she soon discovers that he is very different from the person she thought he was. 

After Jacob writes her a heartfelt letter, the two begin communicating through letters and gradually develop a friendship. Jacob's younger brother has become engaged to his ex-girlfriend. To show everyone that he is okay with it, Jacob asks Briana to pretend to be his girlfriend and Briana agrees to do this favour because he is giving one of his kidneys to her brother. Their relationship eventually grows into something deeper, although both of them have personal circumstances and emotional insecurities that make the situation complicated. As Briana and Jacob spend more time together, they navigate misunderstandings, family expectations and their own fears about love and vulnerability. 

This was an easy quick read. It's written in alternating first-person perspectives between Briana and Jacob, with each chapter labeled. It's #2 in the Part of Your World series (Briana is best friends with Alexis, who is the main charactor in the first in the series, which I read a couple days ago, and is a minor charactor in this one). As a head's up, there is swearing and adult activity.

I liked the concept of the letter writing relationship and thought they were cute. This only lasted a couple chapters before it progressed to sticky notes, following each other on Instagram, phone calls and lunch. 

The miscommunication between Briana and Jacob was tiring. Not surprising they fell in love but each assumed the other was only acting ... Jacob thought Briana was only grateful Jacob was donating one of his kidneys and Briana thought Jacob was putting on a brave face because he was still in love with ex-girlfriend (his brother's fiancée ). It went on and on and on and on. One of them should have taken a chance sooner and be honest about how they were feeling. It would have cut out many many pages. 

It was also tiresome hearing often how Briana's first husband had hurt her and now they are divorced. Get over it and move on! 

Finally I hate when stories end with a woman pregnant or just having a baby ... as if a woman can't be complete without a child.

Book ~ "Part of Your World" (2022) Abby Jimenez

From Goodreads ~ After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come - the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

Alexis is an emergency-room doctor, who will soon be 40, from a wealthy and influential family of surgeons. Her family has strong expectations for her career and personal life and Alexis has spent much of her life trying to meet those expectations. After her car ends up in a ditch while she is travelling through rural Minnesota, she meets Daniel, a carpenter, 10 years younger than she is, who lives in the nearby small town of Wakan. Daniel helps her with her car and the two unexpectedly begin spending time together. 

Daniel is deeply connected to his community and has a very different lifestyle from Alexis, whose life is centred around medicine, professional achievement and her family’s legacy. What begins as a casual relationship develops into something more significant. Alexis finds herself drawn to Daniel and to the people and community around him. At the same time, she remains tied to her family, career and the expectations that have shaped her life. 

Alexis is still dealing with the effects of a previous relationship with Neil, a surgeon her parents love and see as an appropriate match for her. As her relationship with Daniel develops, she is forced to consider what she wants for herself and how much of her life has been determined by other people's expectations. Alexis must decide how to balance her career, family responsibilities and relationship while determining what kind of future she wants.

I thought this story was okay and found it to be an easy quick read. It's written in alternating first-person perspectives between Alexis and Daniel, with each chapter labeled. It's #1 in the Part of Your World series. As a head's up, there is swearing and adult activity.

Considering it takest brains to become a doctor, I found Alexis to be immature and too dumb in the ways of the world. She's almost 40 and she still cares what people think and is trying please everyone so she keeps her relationship with Daniel hidden from everyone except her best friend, Bri. But she was emotionally abused by Neil and her parents so I guess that's why. Her father still treats her like crap (and she takes it) and her mother allows it. Though she was raised with money and still lives that lifestyle, I found it unbelievable that she didn't know how to sweep a floor (she didn't even know what a broom was called!) or peel a potato. Daniel was  a nice fella but too perfect to be realistic.

****

I followed that up with All Roads Lead to Here, a short story that explains how Derek, Alexis' twin brother, meets Nikki/Lola, the pop star from The Happy Ever After Playlist. It's free when you subscribe to the author's email list (I only signed up to get this free story). Derek appears briefly at the beginning of Part of Your World.

The story takes place in Cambodia, where both Nikki and Derek are involved in humanitarian work following a typhoon. Nikki is volunteering at a women’s shelter, while Derek is working as a doctor, providing medical assistance to people affected by the disaster. Nikki is a successful singer but the story gives more attention to the person behind her public image (there's no mention of her career). Away from her career and celebrity status, she is focused on helping the women at the shelter. Derek, being in Cambodia, shows his commitment to helping people in difficult circumstances. It was a quick read.

Book ~ "The Solo Honeymoon: A Brief Beautiful True Love Story" (2026) Laura Murphy and Bret Witter

From Goodreads ~ Laura and Devon were on the cusp of their wedding. Both young professionals, they lived a full life in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, where they were often found hiking the rugged and beautiful coastline with their two Bernedoodles.

When they sat down to plan their honeymoon, Chianti, Italy, was at the top of the list. Four months later, Laura found herself standing at the edge of an Italian village, watching the sunset. It would have been perfect, if Devon had been there with her. But Laura's fiancé, the love of her life, had died in her arms a month before their wedding.

The Solo Honeymoon follows Laura as she faces her fears and heartbreak by going alone on the honeymoon she had planned with Devon. From screaming from the mountaintops in Ireland to wandering the busy streets of London, to dining on the French Riviera and watching the Tuscan sunset, Laura travels across Europe to find solid ground. Along the way readers learn her unique love story with Devon and what made their relationship so special.

The result is a beautiful exploration of what it means to choose life in the face of unimaginable pain. The Solo Honeymoon shines a light on the joy of love, the depths of grief and all the beauty there is in the world.

This is a memoir about love, loss and the journey that follows an unexpected tragedy. The book tells the story of the author's relationship with her fiancé, Devon, from the day they met through their engagement and plans for their future together. Just weeks before their wedding, Devon dies suddenly, leaving Laura to face a future she never imagined. 

Rather than canceling the honeymoon they had planned, Laura decides to take the trip on her own. As she travels through England, Ireland, France and Italy, she reflects on the life she and Devon shared while experiencing the places they had hoped to visit together. Along the way, she reconnects with friends and family, meets new people and documents her travels on TikTok, where her story resonates with others. 

I like reading memoirs and bios/autobios and I thought this one was okay. Not surprising it's not a happy read. It moves between memories of their relationship and her solo travels, showing how she navigates grief while learning to carry forward the life and love they shared. I hadn't heard of her story before (I found this book on a top 10 list) but apparently it's been covered extensively in the media and on her TikTok account as she was traveling, which she talks about in the book.

Book ~ "The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing and Healing" (2024) Lara Love Hardin

From Goodreads ~ No one expects the police to knock on the million-dollar, two-story home of the perfect cul-de-sac housewife. But soccer mom Lara Love Hardin has been hiding a shady secret: She is funding her heroin addiction by stealing her neighbors’ credit cards.

Lara is convicted of thirty-two felonies and becomes inmate S32179. She learns jail is a class system with a power structure somewhere between an adolescent sleepover party and Lord of the Flies. Furniture is made from tampon boxes, and Snickers bars are currency. But Lara quickly finds the rules and brings love and healing to her fellow inmates as she climbs the social ladder to become the “shot caller,” showing that jailhouse politics aren’t that different from the PTA meetings she used to attend.

When she’s released, she reinvents herself as a ghostwriter. Now, she’s legally co-opting other people’s identities and getting to meet Oprah, meditate with The Dalai Lama, and have dinner with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. But the shadow of her past follows her. Shame is a poison worse than heroin—there is no way to detox. She must learn to forgive herself and others, navigate life as a felon on probation, prove to herself that she is more good than bad, and much more.

This memoir follows the author's life from addiction and crime to recovery and a successful writing career. At first, she appears to have a stable suburban life as a wife and mother but behind the scenes she is struggling with heroin addiction. As her addiction worsens, she begins stealing from friends and neighbours to support it. Eventually, she is arrested, convicted of multiple felonies and sentenced to jail. 

While incarcerated, Hardin earns the nickname "Mama Love" because she becomes a source of comfort and encouragement for the other women around her. After her release, she faces the difficult task of rebuilding her life. She works to stay sober, reconnect with her children and family, complete probation and find employment despite having a criminal record. Over time, Hardin builds a new career as a ghostwriter, helping others tell their stories before deciding to share her own. 

I like reading memoirs and bios/autobios and this one sounded interesting. And it was. It was the author's apparent account of becoming addicted to drugs, doing whatever she had to support that habit and the consequences of those actions ... getting arrested, losing her children, spending time in jail and having to rebuild her life from nothing.

While I applaud how far the author has come, it was annoying to read how frustrated she was with all the hoops she had to jump through with the judicial system to try to rebuild her build her life. I didn't feel all that sorry for her. She knew what she was doing when she started using drugs and eventually stealing. No one forced her. So she should expect to accept the consequences. It didn't seem to me that she took responsibility for her actions. She used her crappy childhood as an excuse. Most of us have crappy childhoods but we don't become drug addicts and steal from our friends and neighbours. 

When she was arrested, she spent time in jail and detoxed. Pretty well the first thing she did when she was bailed out was get stoned with her husband, who had also been arrested. I wasn't feeling a lot of sympathy for her. Not only was she getting readdicted to drugs but she was risking losing her children for good (she's lucky she never got caught). As a mother, I think her first responsibility was to ensure her children are taken care of and she neglected to do that. She was more concerned with doing all she could to get high rather than keeping her children safe.

As a head's up, there is swearing and descriptions of drug use.

Book ~ "Command Indecision" (2012) Camilla Chafer

From Goodreads ~ A young woman is dead. Her supposed killer is in custody. And Private Investigator Lexi Graves is on the warpath.

Lexi Graves finally feels like she’s got her life on track. She’s got a job that is made to measure and the perfect boyfriend but all it takes is a few shocking minutes for everything to start falling apart.

Hurt and upset, Lexi takes off on an undercover job on a nearby military base. Charged with finding evidence that the man indicted with the murder of a young civilian employee isn’t the real killer, Lexi just wants to lose herself in the case, put the past behind her, and heal her broken heart.

But when Maddox keeps popping up during her investigation, and her boss, the mysterious Solomon, is the perfect tonic for heartache, Lexi finds it hard to keep her mind on the job.

As clues start to point towards the victim’s dangerous double life and secrets mount, time is running out. And when Maddox’s betrayal might not be quite what it seems, it’s up to Lexi to speak some home truths and put a murderer behind bars.

After accepting an undercover assignment at a military base, Lexi and Solomon, her boss, pose as a married couple investigating the murder of a civilian employee. Their goal is to determine whether the man accused of the crime, who isn't talking, is really guilty or if the evidence points to someone else. As she settles into her undercover role, Lexi discovers that the victim's life was more complicated than it first appeared. 

As the investigation unfolds, Lexi follows the evidence through a series of twists and hidden motives before uncovering what really happened and identifying the person responsible for the murder. While working the case, Lexi also continues to sort through her relationship with Adam, a police detective, creating additional challenges as her personal and professional worlds begin to overlap. It doesn't help that she's attracted to Solomon and the feeling is mutual.

This story is written in first person perspective in Lexi's voice. I liked the writing style ... it was amusing at times. It wasn't overly deep and was a fairly quick read. It's the third in the Lexi Graves mystery series (there are currently 19 in the series and I've read the first two) and I liked it enough to keep going with the series. We're left with a cliff hanger at the end and I hate it when authors do this. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "Who's That Girl: The Untold, Definitive History of New Girl" (2026) Thea Glassman

From Goodreads ~ Since its finale, "New Girl" has quietly become one of the most rewatched shows in streaming history - a certified comfort classic. Taking the well-worn hangout sitcom formula and giving it a weird, wonderful twist, the series landed in that rare space between "Friends"-style warmth and sheer comedic chaos. Sitcom conventions were bent (if not broken), as the cast and writers shaped characters in real time - from Nick Miller’s legendary “turtle face” and Winston’s codependent relationship with his cat, to Schmidt’s endless barrage of absurd, quotable one-liners.

More than just a sitcom, "New Girl" became a generational touchstone, embedding itself in pop culture and personal routines alike. Fans still yell “No notes!” at friends, argue over the rules of True American and nod to the Douchebag Jar as a model of self-regulation. It’s the show that made “adorkable” a household word, gave Prince and Taylor Swif, two of TV’s greatest cameos, and delivered some of the most beloved moments in modern comedy -like the slow-burn brilliance of Nick and Jess’s kiss, the utter chaos of Prank Sinatra or Schmidt’s passionate monologue about “chut-a-ney.”

In "Who’s That Girl", entertainment journalist Thea Glassman takes readers behind the scenes with in-depth interviews with creator Liz Meriwether and the creative team, telling the story of how a scrappy, offbeat pilot evolved into a streaming juggernaut. Packed with heart, hilarity and never-before-heard stories, this is the definitive tribute to the ultimate feel-good show.

New Girl aired from 2011 to 2018. I hadn't watched it then ... I hadn't even heard of it. I found it on the Disney+ channel this spring and started watching it and like it. It's a fun 22 minute show (no commercials) ... sometimes I'll watch just one, sometimes a bunch. When I came across this book, I thought it would be interesting to get the scoop about the show.

This book describes the creation, production and cultural legacy of the show. It examines the show's origins, development, casting process, writing, filming and evolution over its seven-season run. Through interviews with cast members, writers, producers, directors and crew, the author tells how the series came together, the decisions behind its characters and storylines and the work involved in bringing the show to television. The book also explores the series' reception, its influence on popular culture and its continued popularity after its original broadcast (COVID helped since we were all stuck inside). 

I liked the writing style. It provided a behind-the-scenes account and was written in a chronological order from its initial concept through its conclusion, highlighting key moments in the show's production and history. I've just recently started season 5 so now know what's going to happen in the remaining chapters but I'm okay with that. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "Blood Typed" (2026) Jane Doucet

From Goodreads ~ Welcome to the NOVA Prize gala dinner, where one Nova Scotian author will go home with the $100,000 grand prize ... unless they don't go home at all.

Val Jenkins is stuck. A journalist for the Halifax Post, she's been writing a local books column for over a decade. But ever since she was a precocious Nancy Drew wannabe, she's longed to cover the crime beat.

When the gala ceremony approaches for the annual NOVA Prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards in Canada, Val anticipates more of the same old thing: authors in various interpretations of "formal" wear, hiding their simmering jealousies while dreaming of the life-changing prize money. But this year, something happens that no one could have expected.

Murder.

The off-beat cast of shortlisted authors each has their own secrets and grudges to hide: the well-published romance writer Sonya King; Victor Comeau, a narcissistic professor with delusions of grandeur; Sally MacPhee, a terminally ill writer who just wants to add "award-winning" to her bio; and Alexander Fitzgerald, a literary darling who has the Canada Revenue Agency on his back.

Rounding out the cast are an embittered editor with dreams of authorship, an octogenarian bookie with indigestion, a pair of homicide detectives hot on the case, and one nosy historical portrait. 

This story follows Val, a journalist for the Halifax Post who has spent years covering the local literary scene while hoping for the opportunity to report on crime. Val is assigned to cover the annual NOVA Prize gala, a prestigious Nova Scotia literary award with a $100,000 prize. The event brings together four shortlisted authors, judges, publishers, editors and other members of the province's literary community. Beneath the formal atmosphere, many of the attendees have personal rivalries, financial problems and professional grievances. 

During the gala, a murder interrupts the proceedings, turning the awards ceremony into a crime scene. As police investigate, Val begins gathering information on her own, hoping to prove she is capable of covering more than book news. Her inquiries reveal connections among the suspects and uncover hidden motives, past conflicts and long-held secrets within the literary community. 

I've read a few novels by this author and thought this one was okay. It's a quick read. I liked that it's set in Nova Scotia. It's written in third person perspective from a variety of characters. I thought the banter between Val and Kevin, her boss, was fun. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "Fearless As Possible: Under the Circumstances" (2016) Denise Donlon

From Goodreads ~ In this memoir, Denise Donlon recounts her journey as a corporate leader at the forefront of the massive changes in the Canadian music and media industries. 

One of Canada’s most celebrated and dynamic corporate leaders and broadcasters, Denise Donlon has long been recognized as a trailblazer in the Canadian cultural industries. "In Fearless as Possible: Under the Circumstances", Donlon chronicles her impressive and storied career at MuchMusic, Sony Music Canada and CBC English Radio, which put her at the forefront of the massive changes in the music industry and media. 

Throughout her incredible journey, she shares colourful and entertaining stories of growing up tall, flat and bullied in east Scarborough; interviewing musical icons such as Keith Richards, Run-DMC, Ice-T, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Annie Lennox and Sting; and detailing her life-changing experiences with War Child Canada, Live8 and the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership. 

This memoir is about Donlon's life and career in Canada's music, television and broadcasting industries. She starts by sharing stories from her childhood in Scarborough and explains how those early experiences helped shape her confidence and career path. The book then follows her rise at MuchMusic, where she went from working behind the scenes to becoming General Manager. Along the way, she describes interviewing well-known musicians, helping create popular music programs and witnessing the growth of MuchMusic into a major part of Canadian pop culture. Donlon then tells about her time as President of Sony Music Canada, where she dealt with the music industry's shift to digital technology and changing consumer habits. She also discusses leading CBC English Radio during a period of budget cuts, organizational change and evolving audience expectations. 

Throughout the memoir, Donlon mixes stories from her professional life with personal experiences, including her marriage to Murray McLauchan, raising a family and supporting charitable organizations such as War Child Canada. The book highlights the challenges, opportunities, and major changes she encountered over the course of her career in Canadian media and entertainment.

For the most part I found this book interesting. I like reading bios/autobios and memoirs, especially about Canadians. I watched MuchMusic when it launched in 1984 so learning more about Donlon and her MuchMusic era was interesting. She dropped a lot of familiar names from  MuchMusic's past and I'd often stop and Google to see where they are today. I was less interested when she talked about working at Sony and CBC Radio (which I've never listened to). There was a lot of detail (it's 754 pages!) so I skimmed through those chapters. I liked that there were pictures scattered throughout the book. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "The Beatle Bandit" (2021) Nate Hendley

From Goodreads ~ On July 24, 1964, twenty-four-year-old Matthew Kerry Smith disguised himself with a mask and a Beatle wig, hoisted a semi-automatic rifle, then held up a bank in North York, Ontario.

The intelligent but troubled son of a businessman and mentally ill mother, Smith was a navy veteran with a young Indigenous wife and a hazy plan for violent revolution.

Outside the bank, Smith was confronted by Jack Blanc, a former member of the Canadian and Israeli armies, who brandished a revolver. During a wild shootout, Blanc was killed, and Smith escaped - only to become the object of the largest manhunt in the history of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force.

Dubbed “The Beatle Bandit,” Smith was eventually captured, tried and sentenced to hang. His murderous rampage had tragic consequences for multiple families and fuelled a national debate about the death penalty, gun control, and the insanity defense.

I like reading true stories, especially Canadian, and this one is about the life and crimes of Matthew Kerry Smith, a Canadian bank robber whose actions became the focus of national attention in the 1960s. 

The book centres on Smith's July 24, 1964, robbery of a bank in North York, Ontario, where he disguised himself with a mask and a Beatle-style wig. The robbery ended in a street gunfight with Jack Blanc, a military veteran who confronted Smith after obtaining a firearm from the bank. Blanc was killed and Smith escaped, prompting what became one of the largest manhunts in the history of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force. 

Hendley traces Smith's background, including his family life, military service, personal relationships and earlier criminal activity, drawing on court transcripts, police records, newspaper accounts, interviews and other historical documents. It follows Smith's capture, trial and conviction, with attention to the arguments surrounding his mental health and criminal responsibility. The book also explores the broader impact of the case, describing how it contributed to public and political discussions in Canada about gun control, the insanity defence, capital punishment and the use of firearms in banks. At the end of the book, the author tells what happened to everyone, including Smith's family. 

I thought this was an interesting story, especially since it happened here in Toronto.  It was obvious the author did a lot of research.  I liked the writing style ... there was just enough information provided without being too detailed. 

Book ~ "Diddly Squat: A Year on the Farm" (2021) Jeremy Clarkson

From Goodreads ~ Welcome to Jeremy's farm. It's an idyllic spot, offering picturesque views across the Cotswolds, bustling hedgerows, woodlands and natural springs. Jeremy always liked the idea being a farmer. But, while he was barrelling around the world having more fun with cars than was entirely reasonable, it seemed obvious that the actual, you know, farming was much better left to someone else.

Then one day he decided he would do the farming himself.

After all, how hard could it be?

Well ...

Faced with suffocating red tape, biblical weather, local objections, a global pandemic and his own frankly staggering ignorance of how to 'do farming', Jeremy soon realises that turning the farm around is going to take more than splashing out on a massive tractor.

Fortunately, there's help at hand from a large and (mostly) willing team, including girlfriend Lisa, Kaleb the Tractor Driver, Cheerful Charlie, Ellen the Shepherd and Gerald, his Head of Security and Dry Stone Waller. Between them they enthusiastically cultivate crops, rear livestock and hens, keep bees, bottle spring water and open a farm shop. But profits remain elusive.

And yet while the farm may be called Diddly Squat for good reason, Jeremy soon begins to understand that it's worth a whole lot more to him than pounds, shillings and pence.

Jeremy Clarkson is an English television presenter, journalist, columnist and author, best known for his work on motoring and, more recently, farming. 

This book follows Clarkson as he takes over the day-to-day management of his 1,000-acre farm in the Cotswolds during COVID after the previous farm manager retires. With little agricultural experience, Clarkson documents his first full year of farming, describing the challenges of learning an unfamiliar profession while dealing with changing weather, crop management, livestock, machinery, regulations and fluctuating market conditions. The book follows the seasonal cycle of the farm, from preparing fields and planting crops to harvesting and caring for sheep. He describes the financial realities of running a farm, including equipment costs, government policies and the impact of unpredictable events such as heavy rain, drought and market changes. 

I hadn't heard of Clarkson. This book caught my eye because of the content and I thought it would be fun and interesting ... and it was. This book apparently draws from his weekly newspaper columns written at that time. Though there were many English references I wasn't familiar with (people, places and events), I liked it and the writing style. It is the first in a series (there are currently 5) and I'll continue to read the others.

Book ~ "Getting Away With Murder" (2026) Shari Lapena

From Goodreads ~ Jill and Ted adore their New York brownstone the way others adore their children. They have carefully, expensively, made every inch of it their own. It reflects who they are, their status and tastes. With the grand mahogany staircase and state-of-the-art kitchen, it is the stuff of glossy magazines and real-estate dreams. It is their sanctuary.

So when Ted’s inheritance runs out and he makes a bad investment, they panic. How can they protect their beloved home and enviable lifestyle?

The answer is obvious. Or at least, it is obvious to Jill and Ted. The death of one wealthy family member - from whom they stand to inherit millions - could solve all their problems. Together, they will get away with murder.

As long as they trust each other.

As long as neither makes a mistake.

As long as there are no surprises.

Married couple, Jill and Ted, are suddenly faced with losing the wealthy lifestyle they've always enjoyed. Desperate to avoid financial disaster, they come up with a plan to kill a rich family member and collect the inheritance. What seems like the perfect crime quickly starts to fall apart. As the police investigate and people around them begin asking questions, Jill and Ted find themselves dealing with suspicion, secrets and unexpected complications. Keeping the truth hidden becomes harder and harder as the pressure builds and they must decide how far they're willing to go to protect themselves.

I’ve read a few books by this author and thought this one was okay. I liked the writing style. It’s told in third person and shifts focus among several characters. It was interesting knowing right away what Jill and Ted had done and to whom. We see how things don't go as planned and how they scramble. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls" (2024) Jennifer Keishin Armstrong

From Goodreads ~ From the author of "Seinfeldia" comes the totally fetch story of one of the most iconic teen comedies of all time, "Mean Girls", revealing how it happened, how it defined a generation, “like, invented” meme culture, and why it just won’t go away, filled with exclusive interviews from the director, cast and crew. 

Get in, loser. We’re going back to 2004. It’s been 20 years since "Mean Girls"  hit theaters, winning over critics and audiences alike with its razor-sharp wit, star-making turns for its then unknown cast, and obsessively quotable screenplay by Tina Fey. Fast forward two decades and "Mean Girls"  remains as relevant as ever. 

Arguably, no other movie from the 2000s has had as big of an impact on pop culture. In "So Fetch", Armstrong offers the first ever authoritative book about this beloved classic that shaped an entire generation. Based off revealing interviews with the director, cast, and crew, "So Fetch"  tells the full story of the making of "Mean Girls", from Tina Fey’s brilliant adaptation of a self-help guide for parents of teen girls, to the challenges of casting Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams and the iconic supporting players. "So Fetch"  also explores the film’s lasting cultural influence, from its role in the rise of Y2K tabloid culture, impact on girls of all ages and lgbtq+ culture, to how we use it to define female relationships to this day.

So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls explores the creation and lasting cultural impact of the 2004 film Mean Girls. Drawing on interviews with cast members, filmmakers, writers, producers and others involved in the production, the book traces the movie's journey from conception to release.

The book examines how screenwriter Tina Fey adapted Rosalind Wiseman's nonfiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes into a screenplay, the casting process, filming, behind-the-scenes stories and the challenges faced during production. It also discusses the contributions of the cast and crew, the film's marketing, its box office performance and its influence on popular culture.

In addition to covering the original film, the book follows the evolution of the Mean Girls franchise, including the Broadway musical adaptation and the 2024 musical film. Throughout, Armstrong documents how the movie became a cultural phenomenon and maintained its relevance with new generations of audiences more than two decades after its release.

I've seen Mean Girls many times and like it so I thought a book giving the background about it would be interesting ... and it was. I found there was just enough detail for me. I didn't realize there was such a strong Toronto connection. Many of the minor roles were cast in Toronto and some of the filming took place here, including the school that used to be just north of the Dufferin Mall (now gone and being replaced by condos) and the Dufferin Mall itself.

Book ~ "The Night We Met" (2026) Abby Jimenez

From Goodreads ~ In everyone’s life, there’s a split-second decision that can change everything.

For Larissa, it came when choosing which guy to ride home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she’d met the perfect man. She and Chris are great together, co-parenting a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie, sharing their favorite books and judging bread (pumpernickel for the win!). For the first time amid all her side hustles to scrape by, things finally feel easy.

But Chris isn't the one who drove Larissa home all those months ago - Chris is her boyfriend's best friend. All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy. Standing by on the sidelines is slowly killing him but making a move would destroy someone else. And he’s just not that guy.

Larissa's life changes because of a single decision. After attending a concert with a friend, she's offered a ride home by two different men ... best friends Mike and Chris. She chooses Mike and they begin a serious relationship. As time goes on, she gets to know Chris better. Although they'd only briefly met before, Larissa and Chris discover they have a strong connection and many shared interests. Their friendship continues to grow and they find themselves co-parenting a rescue dog.

As Larissa and Mike's relationship becomes more serious, Chris finds himself caring for Larissa more than he should. But Mike is his best friend so he keeps his feelings to himself. Meanwhile, Mike is struggling with demons and Chris is constantly covering for him and trying to fix the problems he leaves behind.

I liked this story and found it to be an easy read. It's written in alternating first-person perspectives from Larissa and Chris, with each chapter labeled. I did find Larissa and Mike to be an unusual couple, as they didn't seem to have much in common. I was also surprised that Mike never seemed bothered by how much time Larissa and Chris spent together. Another thing I found a bit unrealistic was that Larissa never seemed to notice everything Chris did to protect and support her. As a head's up, there is lots of swearing.