ALEX HALEY'S ROOTS - AN AUTHOR'S ODYSSEY by ADAM HENIG

We all know that Alex Haley wrote Roots.  And we all know that the mini-series is still one of the most-watched TV events of all time.  You may even know that Roots is in my top 12 all-time (what? you didn't know that?).  But Adam tells us a bunch of stuff that I bet you didn't know.

1.  Did you know that Haley became one of the most sought-after speakers in
the country?
2.  Did you know that Haley had to have bodyguards because he was so-well recognized
and approached everywhere he went?
3.  Did you know that Roots was published as non-fiction?  That it was supposed
to represent Haley's ancestors?
4.  Did you know that several lawsuits were filed against Haley, claiming that
his book was not historically accurate?
5.  Did you know that Haley had a legal battle with his publisher, Doubleday?
6.  Did you know that Haley died from a heart attack at the young age of 71?
7.  Did you know that Adam Henig is a local author?

Adam's book is very short.  It's only 60 pages (with big print!).  But he packs a lot of very interesting info into a small book.  In fact, my 7 questions only scratch the surface of the factoids that Adam gives us.  It's definitely worth reading.  There's a lot more going on than just a very highly rated TV show and blockbuster book sales.

The 2nd Half of Being Mortal - Almost as Good as the 1st Half

Although the 2nd half of Being Mortal - Medicine and What Matters in the End, by Atul Gawande, was a little more technical and philosophical than the 1st half, it's still excellent. It still had a bunch of poignant stories, including a few that were very personal to Atul.  It still had humor, tears, statistics, and good writing like the 1st half had.  But rather than give you any of that, I want to quote a few short sections of the book that I think are very important for all of us to hear.  And since this is non-fiction and deals with how the disabled elderly live their final days/months/years, there's really no spoiler alert issue.

"...assisted living isn't really built for the sake of older people so much as for the sake of their children." - pages 105-106

"... the Three Plagues, of the fact that people in nursing homes are dying of boredom, loneliness, and helplessness..." - page 119

"...to help people in a state of dependence sustain the value of existence." - page 128

"The terror of sickness and old age is not merely the terror of the losses one is forced to endure but also the terror of the isolation.  As people become aware of the finitude of their life, they do not ask for much.  They do not seek more riches.  They do not seek more power.  They ask only to be permitted, insofar as possible, to keep shaping the story of their life in the world-to make choices and sustain connections to others according to their own priorities.  In modern society, we have come to assume that debility and dependence rule out such autonomy.  What I learned...was that it is very much possible." - pages 146-147

"We've created a multitrillion-dollar edifice for dispensing the medical equivalent of lottery tickets-and have only the rudiments of a system to prepare patients for the near certainty that those tickets will not win.  Hope is not a plan, but hope is our plan." - pages 171-172

"The less seems almost Zen:  you live longer only when you stop trying to live longer." - page 178

"...about two-thirds of patients are willing to undergo therapies they don't want if that is what their loved ones want."

"Endings matter, not just for the person but, perhaps even more, for the ones left behind." - page 252

And, finally, here is Gawande's take on what palliative care is all about:

"Whenever serious sickness or injury strikes and your body or mind breaks down, the vital questions are the same:  What is your understanding of the situation and its potential outcomes?  What are your fears and what are your hopes?  What are the trade-offs you are willing to make and not willing to make?  And what is the course of action that best serves this understanding" - page 259

We all need to be a part of this extremely important discussion.  And one of the best ways that you, the reader, can be a part of it is by reading Being Mortal.

A Review of Half a Book (yes, you read that right!)

January will be the 5-year anniversary for The Book Sage blog.  And in all those years, I have never even thought about writing a review of half a book.  Why would I do it now? Because there is so much to say about the book I'm reading that I simply can't wait until I'm done.  Bizarre?  Perhaps.  Out of character?  Probably not.

What book is this, you ask?  It's Being Mortal - Medicine and What Matters in the End, by Atul Gawande.  You may have heard of it.  Gawande addresses issues of end-of-life for the elderly.  But this is not about medicine.  This is about quality of life, living with a purpose, enjoying the last few years.  I am at different times learning history, looking at stats, and reading case studies.  I am alternately laughing, crying (of course), and shaking my head. This guy can really write.  Every page is fascinating.

Gerontology is the medical discipline that deals with the elderly.  But oftentimes the emphasis of its practitioners is strictly on medication, medical procedures, and the safety of their patients.  Makes sense, right?  But what good is health if there is no life?  And non-gerontology medics/nurses/caregivers/social workers know even less what to do with old people.  Gawande is working to change the whole perspective on late-in-life care.  It's more than just retirement communities, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.

Let me give you just a few tidbits.  And believe me when I tell you that I'm only scratching the surface of what Gawande tells us.  And remember that I've only read half the book!

1.  Emily Dickinson and her sister spent the better part of their lives living with,
and caring for, their mother - to the exclusion of their own personal lives.                            
2.  Several years ago, the University of Minnesota cancelled their gerontology
department.  And other universities have cut way back.  And this is at a time
when we have never had so many people living much longer lives.                    
3.  There's the story of the 87-year old geriatrician who gave Gawande details
on how the body changes in old age.  Very clinical and very poignant at the
same time.                                  
4.  In Philip Roth's book Everyman, he says:  "Old age is not a battle.  Old age
is a massacre."                                  
5.  Social security became law in 1935.  And medicare in 1965.
6.  Assisted living came into being in the mid-80s in Oregon.  Didn't you think
it was much earlier than that?                                  
And on and on and on.  There is so much to tell you.  And I will give you a lot more in my next post.  But I have to relate to you a couple of things Gawande has written that have hit home for me.

1.  He tells the story of an elderly man who backed out of a driveway, hit the gas
accidentally, leaped across the street and through his neighbor's fence.  When our
son, Josh, was 17, he did the same thing.  We briefly had a stick shift truck, and my
father-in-law was trying to teach Josh how to drive it.  It didn't take - clearly.
(Fortunately, he doesn't read my blog!)            
2.  I read a story on page 48 where my takeaway was that I can't imagine living
without Joni.                      
3.  When Gawande was relating the story about the advent of assisted living
facilities and how they might, or might not, improve the quality of life for the
elderly.  I thought of the assisted living residence that we put my father in.  Did
we do for him?  Or for our convenience?  Tough to answer.                            

As you can see, there is an enormous amount of substance in this book.  And I feel very confident that this will continue in the 2nd half too.  Needless to say, I STRONGLY recommend that you read Being Mortal.  In fact, I insist (can I do that?).

      

An Interview with Marina Adair - Romance Author par Excellence (and the May RBC author)

I have known Marina for a number of years now and have read several of her books.  She is definitely one of my favorite romance authors.  Now, we not only get insights into her writing and background, but we also have her booked for our RBC.  She'll be coming to the store on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, and will be discussing book 3 in her Sugar, Georgia series - A Taste of Sugar.

Q&A with Marina Adair

1.    What are your books about?

I love stories that deal with women reclaiming their identity after a divorce, suffocating parents, or a major life-altering experience. Exploring how women learn to balance life and career excites me. And I also love exploring different kinds of healthy love, and of course finding new and fresh ways to give fictional characters their happily ever after.

2.    What made you decide to write novels?

I began telling stories when I was six or seven. I was sick a lot as a kid, so stories were my escape. I would sit in my room for hours on end making up elaborate scenes with Barbie and Ken. I didn’t start writing professionally until about 10 years ago. Screenwriting was my gateway into the industry, but after years of canceled projects, and living in LA, I decided to try my hand at novels and discovered I loved it. I loved the freedom that comes with writing novels. Instead of just being in creative control of the dialogue, I am the screenwriter, the director, the set dresser, the editor, and the marketer.  

3.    What is your writing routine?

My daily goal is 2000 words, so after the kiddo is off at school, I pull out my laptop and get to work. Hopefully I finish before it is time to pick her up, but if not then I am back writing after everyone goes to bed so that I get in my word count.  

4.    Do you belong to a writing group?

I belong to the Silicon Valley Romance Writer’s of America chapter. I met so many lovely women who have helped me through all of the ups and downs of the industry. My first advice to aspiring writers is always join a structured writing group! 

5.    How did you get your publisher?   

I have a savvy and dedicated agent, Jill Marsal, who carefully selects which editors from the different houses she is going to submit me to. She has a talent for setting up the right authors with the right editor. So all of my books have been sold through my agent. 

6.    Do you have other books written that are waiting for publication?  

I just finished editing the third book in the Heroes of St. Helena series, NEED YOU FOR MINE, which comes out March 2016. It is a friends to lovers romance that follows elite smoke jumper, and all around ladies’ man, Adam Baudouin, who finds himself in a faux-mance with the town’s good girl. Only one kiss and Adam learns that there is more to the milk and cookies art teacher that he’d love to explore. But first he has to convince her to trust the town’s most notorious playboy. 

I also have a new series coming out in August of 2016, the Destiny Bay. It centers around a small costal town in Washington State, where romance blooms as readily as apples. There will be nosy old biddies, small town charm, and lots of emotion and romance. Oh, and did I mention the men? Rugged, sexy, and looking for love.    

7.    Who edits your books?

My publisher.

8.    How much time does it take from signed contract to published book?

It varies by publisher. My first St Helena Vineyards book, KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE, was published six months after it was contracted. But then SUGAR’S TWICE AS SWEET, the first book in my Sugar, Georgia series, took three years to publish, and that was after they had contracted a completed book.  

9.    How do you come up with titles and covers?

Titles I usually brainstorm with my agent or editor, and coming up with great titles is hard for me. As for covers, those are up to my publishers.

10.  How long does it take to write each book?

I once wrote a book in 20 days because I was pressed for a deadline, but they usually take me 3-4 months from conception to finished piece.

11.  How many books do you write in a year?

Between 3 and 5. 

12.  Do you have a mentor?

I have had many along the way, starting with the brilliant screenwriter and my grad school mentor, Barnaby Dallas, who told me, “The only thing you have to do to become a writer is sit down and write. Everyday.” As of late, I look to author friends Catherine Bybee and Skye Jordan for advice. They are both savvy, successful, and extremely generous with their time and information. And, of course, my agent, Jill Marsal, is constantly helping me reshape and define how I want to build my career. 

13.  Do your characters speak to you?

No! I wish they would. I have never had characters speak in my head and am always jealous of writers who do. I knew when I went into this that I wanted to build a career that could support my family, so being fickle and waiting for inspiration was never a luxury I had. And I imagine that if I ever did have characters that spoke to me, they would do it on their own timeline.

14.  Do your characters dictate what happens in your books?  Or do you know

       ahead of time where they’re going?

Lordy, no! I am a major plotter—to the point that it drives my author friends and loved ones crazy. I plot out time to plot . . . seriously. I even make a plot chart that shows all of the major turning points in each of my plotlines, color coded of course, so I can make sure that they all work together.

A Review of The Good Girl, by Mary Kubica

The Good Girl is the 3rd book I have read that was very highly recommended by my Goodreads friend, Melissa.  Although it was my least favorite, I still gave it a 3/4.  The 1st one was Goodnight June, by Sarah Jio, and I gave that one a 4/4+.  The 2nd one was Come Away with You, by Karma Brown.  I gave that one a 3.5/4.  Does this mean that I'm going to shy away from Melissa's recommendations?  Definitely not.  I mean a 3/4 is still darn good.

Here is the Goodreads synopsis:

One night, Mia Dennett enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn't show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. At first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life. 

When Colin decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota instead of delivering her to his employers, Mia's mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them. But no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family's world to shatter. 

It's actually an interesting storyline.  And I like how she kept going back and forth between BEFORE and AFTER.  I also like how each each chapter rotates among 3 voices - Gabe, Eve, and Colin (until the end - that's all I'm saying about that).  She did a clever job in how she formatted the book.

Mary Kubica can definitely write.  Here are 2 examples of very strong imagery:

1.  "It's for Mia's own good," he says, breaking the earsplitting silence.
2.  Her voice is close enough to touch, but I can't see the expression on her face.
 
There were a couple of things that I was not crazy about:

1.  It wasn't until page 184 that I realized I was mispronouncing Mia's name in my head.  I know that seems like a small thing, but it actually bothered me a bit.
2.  On page 305 (out of 350), I kind of wanted the book to be done.  I can't really explain why.  I obviously liked it.  But, for some reason, I was ready to move on to something else. HOWEVER, on page 306 (literally), it took off and stayed riveting until almost the end. That's what saved the 3/4 rating.

I also have to give Mary credit for creating quite a twist at the end.  I definitely did not see it coming. Having said that, though, it didn't grab me.  I strongly suspect that others will be raving about the ending.

One note I have to point out - There is a moment when one of the characters says several times to another character "Please don't leave me."  I believe that's the exact same thing Belle says to The Beast in Beauty and the Beast.  How random is that?

The Good Girl is not going on my recommending table.  But I'm still thinking that many of you will like this debut novel.  It's certainly good enough for me to check out her next one - whenever that comes out.

Drinking the Devil's Acre by Duggan McDonnell - Take a Look

Drinking the Devil's Acre - A Love Letter from San Francisco and Her Cocktails, by Duggan McDonnell, was a gift from my friend Molly.  Duggan is her nephew.  It is not your average book and not something I would typically even look at.  In fact, it's a little hard to describe. The only way to do it justice is by quoting the inside cover of the book.  It's a little long, but I think it's the best way.

The Devil's Acre was a single, bar-filled block within San Francisco's infamous Barbary Coast that boasted the wickedest, wildest saloons in America.  A few short blocks away, marble-floored drinking palaces poured the high art of the cocktail.  From this, San Francisco's  electrifying nightlife was born; and now, a few generations later, the city's farm-to-glass cocktails have never tasted better.

Quench your thirst with these tales and recipes from a city devoted to drink.  Duggan McDonnell (part culinary anthropologist and part whimsical professor) masterfully weaves essays on prominent spirits, insights into San Francisco's historic love affair with amaro, and recipes for his Bartender's Secret Formulas along with 25 iconic cocktail recipes made famous by the City by the Bay, from the legendary Pisco Punch and the ingenious Mai Tai to the Gold Rush-era Sazerac and the more modern-day Lemon Drop.  An additional 45 recipes show the evolution of these classic elixirs over time, resulting in such liquor-splashed favorites as the Revolver and the Last Word.

Through the lens of the Devil's Acre, we see that San Francisco is and always will be one long, unending romp of bottles popping - a party to which the whole world is invited. 

See what I mean?  I would have never figured out how to describe this book.  So we were in Kepler's last night, and they had a table with gift-type books, including Drinking the Devil's Acre.  There was a stack of them, and one was wrapped.  It made me realize that this is the perfect gift.  It combines:

1.  History
2.  Old-timey pictures
3.  Recipes for a whole variety of cocktails
4.  Pictures of each cocktail
5.  A chronology - from 1579 (with Sir Francis Drake) to 2010

This is a super cool book - and I don't even drink!  Let me wrap this up with the inscription at the beginning of the book:

This book is dedicated to everyone everywhere who has ever enjoyed a cocktail in San Francisco.  You're always welcome to visit us again, to step inside our doors, sit on our bar stools, and imbibe away the joys of the day.

A House in the Sky - Not Your Average Memoir

I've read a few memoirs in the last couple of years.  But they've all been associated with the RBC.  In fact, since we began the book club in January of 2014, we have had the following memoirists appear at our meetings:

Katie Hafner - Mother, Daughter, Me

Nate Jackson - Slow Getting Up

Joshua Safran - Free Spirit:  Growing Up on the Road and off the Grid

Betty Auchard - The Home for the Friendless

A House in the Sky is the 1st memoir I've read in a very long time where I didn't know the author.  And I have to say that this was a tough one to read.  Amanda Lindhout was kidnapped in August, 2008 and held captive for 460 days by Islamist extremists in Somalia. It is an unbelievable story.  Do you remember The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls? Child's play!  

There is so much that goes on that I really need to avoid giving any details away.  Here's what I will say about Amanda:

1.  She shows amazing strength and resolve.

2.  She gives us insight into the minds of Islamist extremists.

3.  She vividly remembers details of her captivity (details that I'm sure she would have 

     preferred to forget!)

4.  She doesn't let this experience stop her from continuing to travel the world.

5.  She takes an incredibly sour lemon and turns it into the sweetest lemonade. 

To elaborate on #5:  Amanda founded the Global Enrichment Foundation, a non-profit that is dedicated to "development, aid, and education initiatives in Somalia and Kenya."  How's that for taking an incredibly difficult experience and turning it into something that benefits mankind.  Good for her.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:  Tonight I made my 1st visit to Bell's Books in downtown Palo Alto.  It's been in the exact same spot on Emerson Street, and in the same family, for 80 years!  In the near future, I will interview the owner and post it on my blog along with a bunch of pictures.  The place looks and smells like an old-school bookstore - and that's a high compliment.