Deesha Philyaw's The SECRET LIVES of CHURCH WOMEN is a Finalist for Nat'l Book Award/Fiction 2020

Deesha Philyaw is an American author and journalist.  Her collection of short stories The SECRET LIVES of CHURCH WOMEN was a finalist for the 2020 Nat'l Book Award and winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award 2021.  The collection spans four generations in the lives of seven women and their daughters who are connected through a literal sisterhood having being fathered by the same baby daddy though raised by their respective mothers.  Their lives intertwine and parallel in their mother/daughter attachments and affiliations with church and its doctrines.  There's a kinship amongst the women despite their conflicts, combustible sexual relationships with partners, major disappointments and varying devotion or resignation within the church.  As unique and disparate individuals, their passions all burn incandescently.  Thanks to Philyaw's lucid writing we're bestowed a vivd picture of their inner turmoils and strengths.  The church acts as a central axis as their lives revolve around its influence.  For some, the church is omnipotent.  Some adhere fervently to its indoctrinations while others reject what they find as hypocritical or toxic causing fractures or irreparable disconnections.  Regardless, these are all formidable women worthy of compassion.  Our perceptions of their choices and behaviors are indelible given a clear understanding of who these women are and what they mean to one another.  Men circumvent the periphery.  Lasting commitments are forged amongst women or for some, a devotion to God. A profound story of two women referred to simply as "Mother" and "Daughter" retains a palpable sadness for an unrequited love between Daughter and Mother and Mother's unfulfilled life having been devoted to Christ.  "Mothers raise their daughters and love their sons.  But who ever loved Mama, besides her children?  Despite her devotion to the church and chaste living.  Mama had never had that peace that passes all understanding that was supposed to be yours when you invited Jesus into your heart.  Nor did she have that joy, unspeakable joy, promised in the Scriptures.  What Mama had was the love of Jesus-whose touch, Daughter imagined, was too ephemeral to quench anything."  In another story a mother's love was overbearing.  "But like a beautiful quilt in summertime, my mother's love was the suffocating kind, the kind you chafe against and don't miss until the seasons change and it's gone."  Truths vigorously heralded in laments are unraveled with a gentle touch that makes this collection worth cherishing.  "Sometimes wheels are set in motion long before the spark is manifest.  Is that the same things as fate?  I don't know, but I do now that rare, brilliant events take time".  Make the time to revel in The SECRET LIVES of CHURCH WOMEN. 

JOHN STAMOS IF YOU WOULD HAVE TOLD ME Memoir

John Stamos is a household name thanks to a four decades in the TV, movie and music business.  This is thanks in part to an iconic TV sitcom called FULL HOUSE.  Stamos, now 60, and yes, more handsome than ever, shares his life story, bears his soul and we are richer for having read it.  Why now?  Fair question that John addresses in a very candid, touching and poignant response.  Happily married to his wife Caitlin with whom he shares the joys parenting their five year old son, Billy, there are troubling and depressing periods due to loss of loved ones, disappointments in relationships and career.  It's striking  John's assessment of his blessings and regrets (he's had a few). Firstly, he comes from a very loving family.  (We should all be so fortunate to have parents and siblings like John's). And if that's not enough, the real life family born from Full House which is still solid.  For those fortunate to know John personally (including yours truly) you know he's a considerate, sincere and warm human being.  John tributes his career but more importantly, his values to how he was raised.  A memoir without family dysfunction is refreshingly positive.  This doesn't mean the novel is purely sanguine.  John's life has its heartbreaks.  He reveals regrets, culpability and remorse at the breakup of his marriage to actress Rebecca Romijn. A major take-away from his memoir is to own one's mistakes and not repeat them.  There's an epiphany that with great love there comes great sorrow with its passing.  John mourns the irreparable loss of his parents and his very close friends; his beloved co-star Bob Saget and Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys.  It's interesting to note how the deep connection with Bob developed over time, struggles, shared good-times and rough-times.  The essence of John's writing is a tribute to the preeminence of family, friends and celebrating life.  Of course, Stamos' career in entertainment is extremely fascinating.  His regaling of his numerous Broadway roles in musicals was eye-opening.  Unfortunately, the pressures inherent to performing live theater played a major role in a toxic, dependence on alcohol.  John's candor about drinking, driving and his DUI are...sobering.  John cannot be accused of trashing people but he is guilty of name dropping multitudes of famous celebrities and artists as friends.  The overall tone of this memoir is cheery, grateful and relatable. John doesn't cotton to false modesty; the man knows he's good looking,  But, he's much more than just a pretty face.  He's a talented dramatic and comedic actor, skilled musician on the drums, a wonderful friend and devoted husband and doting dad.  Enjoy your beautiful family, friends and life, John.  Order the cake.  Skip the calamari.  Thanks for sharing.

The VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb-Who Stole the Stradivarius?

Brendan Slocumb's musical mystery thriller The VIOLIN CONSPIRACY has a lot more in store than merely solving the case of the missing, multi-million dollar Stradivarius violin.  This easy read glides through classical music, and life as a professional performer.  The plot also entails heavy lines of racism and slavery.  There are trials and tribulations of a single black mom raising her son amid financial constraints and views her son as income.  There's a scherzo love story written with abandon.  A major movement comes from a mentor whose guidance is invaluable.  Added to the composition are imposing lawsuits and legal maneuverings Ray must wrangle with.  All these notes comprise a layered, full-fledged novel.  The storytelling is riveting and filled with embellishments and surprises.   Rayquin "Ray" MacMillan is a young, black youth learning and loving to play classical music on a school loaned instrument.   Ray's classmates all have their own instruments and private lessons. Ray is left to fend with his second-hand, school loaned instrument.  But, Ray has something others have not.  He's got talent, artistry and passion for his craft in which to make something special of his life and love for music.  Still, Ray has an arduous path ahead to overcome his limited training, racial hatred, and demanding family members.  On the other hand, he also has a loving grandmother who loves him and bequeaths her grandfather's old fiddle for him to keep and an established music professor who supports his studies and career.  Lo and behold, the fiddle turns out to be a verified Stradivarius which leads to family and foe filing lawsuits to get their money grubbing hands on it. But, before they can score a court victory the violin gets stolen from his hotel suite and held for ransom. The only ones in the room with him were a chambermaid and his girlfriend, also a classical musician.  There isn't a false note in this tale of hard work and dedication plagued with greed and injustice. The social commentary rings true and the vibrato of striving for one's dream resonates fully. The suspense filled hunt for the prized, missing instrument combined with the tension of competing in the most prestigious musical competition in the world built to its crescendo.  THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY is an engaging read in many different measures.  While an inspiring novel its gravitas comes from the narrow mindedness with which Ray is viewed.  "That's all they saw and that's all he was to them."  More often though, it soars on the triumphant joys inherent from music and dedication.