Author: Barbra Streisand

This was a Christmas gift from Christy. I’ve read Streisand biographies before but this was so much better. It is a big book (970 pages) and my reading was interrupted several times with books that needed to be returned to the library.

Every story in every chapter revealed not only what Barbra was working on at the time but her thoughts about the movie or album and the people involved. She also is clear about the way she was treated by the media throughout her career.

I have quite a few of Barbra’s albums but I’ve only seen a few of her movies. Some of the movies I’ve never even heard of and I wonder if they are still available at the library.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *

Author: Margaret Atwood

I tried this as an audio book once before and hated it. Apparently my “rules” allow me to quit an audio book but not a published book. It was the last of the books on Dylan’s class reading list and I felt I should support him right to the end.

My feelings towards the story weren’t altered by time. This is another end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it story but less humanitarian than the previous doomsday books I’ve read.

I know this is the first book in a trilogy but I won’t be reading any more of them.

Goodreads Rating: * *

Author: Anne Tyler

I’m not sure where this recommendation came from but I’ve always liked Tyler’s books and who could resist that title.

Micah is a middle-aged man who doesn’t like change. He has a girlfriend (although he, personally, refuses to call anyone in their late thirties a girlfriend), is the manager of the apartment building he lives in and operates his own computer services business. A young man turns up at his doorstep thinking Micah might be his dad and from that point on things start to change.

I particularly liked the chapter where Micah has dinner with his sisters and their families. It sounded like a good old McKnight get-together – chaos but a happy scene.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Winston Graham

This is the first book of twelve that the series Poldark is based on. I loved the Netflix series and this book followed it very closely (actually I guess the series followed the book very closely).

Ross Poldark has returned to Cornwall after fighting in the American Revolution. His father has died in his absence and the love of his life is set to marry his cousin. The Poldark’s are an aristocratic family who are involved in several mining endeavours, many of which are failing. Unlike many of the aristocrats in the area, Ross cares very deeply for the people who live on his land and work in his fields and mines.

I’m definitely in for the next book.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *