My Reviews;
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rithebard
The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have always have had a mystical side to my nature. I love magic and mystery. So a perfect series of stories, (which according to Agatha Christie, was never meant to be a series,) is the Harley Quin short stories. You never know what your going to get when you read them. Romance? Adventure? Mystery? Scandal? Death? It has all of it, very charmingly told through the eyes of an older man who has not really lived life but observed it, Mr. Satterhwaite. Until he meets the mysterious Mr. Quin, he really feels that is his lot in life to observe and listen. He knew a lot of important people, appreciated beauty, listened to some of the greatest stories by just being a good listener, but he had never really lived a life that he felt was complete. Until one day he met Mr. Quin and through his encouragement (though Mr. Quin denied it,) he discovered he could be part of the drama, not just a part of it, but a pivotal part.
I won’t tell you what the dramas are, you have to read the book.
I have a new article in Flapper Press published by the wonderful generous Elizabeth Gracen about my parents romance; https://www.flapperpress.com/blog/a-stolen-letter-led-to-a-lifetime-together
Reviews for latest reads;
Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie
I do not have an accurate count of how many times I have read this wonderful romp. It is my go to book for a troubled heart. I really defy anyone who is down in the mouth, to read one of the short stories in this and not to be touched or smiling at the antics of Tuppence and Tommy. One of my favorites.
I, Samantha, Take This Mortal, Darrin by Adam-Michael James
I really enjoyed this thoughtful closing to a wonderful series. The author who has been a guest on my show and is truly an expert on Bewitched and describes the universe of Samantha and Darrin beautifully. He has created a wonderful two-part ending of the series. He brings back a lot of favorites and delightfully explains anything that the fans might have had questions on through the years of the show. I have loved Bewitched since I was a tiny little girl and I still love it, it’s a definite must for any Bewitched fan.
The Bridesmaids ~ Inside the Privileged World of Grace Kelly and Six Intimate Friends by Judith Balaban Quine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is second time I read this book, (sort of trend because of moving and finding books as I slowly unpack.) I was in my twenties the first time I read it and rather innocent. I was more interested in the glamour and the movie stars then in the real lives.
Now as I mature women I read it very differently. With life experience I actually took in thing I don’t think my younger self could have even understood. Some of the lessons I learned from this book was very much needed. It made me feel more understanding and better about my own up and downs and my losses.
Grace was a beautiful, accomplished, very intelligent woman, she had a full life that contributed a lot in several ways. As much I enjoyed her many and varied accomplishments I really learned from her mistakes. It was a lot to take in.
Laughs, Luck…and Lucy: How I Came to Create
the Most Popular Sitcom of All Time by Jess Oppenheimer
My rating: 5
of 5 stars
I interviewed Gregg Oppenheimer for my show Chatting With Sherri. It was a charming chat about his dad Jess Oppenheimer and Gregg’s play about Lucy called; “I Love Lucy; A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Sitcom.” So as research I began to read this book.
I truly enjoyed it because it was full of information not just about I Love Lucy, which I love but radio shows with Jack Benny, Fanny Brice, Fred Astaire and ultimately Lucille Ball. It was about the life story of Jess Oppenheimer and his memories of the period of Live Radio which was like catnip to me.
In case you can’t tell I loved this book and in it are recording from My Favorite Wife and I Love Lucy that you can’t hear anywhere else. Definitely worth a read
By the way, the play I mentioned is also going to be a radio show, isn’t that cool? I can hardly wait!
Aghatha
Christie : Evil Under The Sun by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of
5 stars
Hi, the way it is put into the system, they put the author’s name wrong and I just wanted to let you know, I know her name is; Agatha Christie (But this is the edition I own, so I left it under here.)
This is the third time I have read the novel. It’s been a while and I am a very visual person. I see books as I read them. And Agatha Christie is excellent at painting a picture with her words. Maybe that is why her work translates so easily to film.
I have seen both the Peter Ustinov and David Suchet versions of the story. It’s funny what sticks in your mind, some things from the films completely wipe out what happens in the novel. For instance the summing up, it was completely different in both films from the novel. Where they take place, who he talks to and what he says in the novel is completely different, though the puzzle is of course is the same. I love a good movie and though they were both very different from what she wrote I enjoyed them both. You just don’t realize how your mind juggles things till you re-read it again later.
I don’t want to give away any of the plot but it is a fun “who done it,” with amazing characters. Like all her books, my favorite part in the book that does not happen at all in the movie is very small but important. It will not affect the mystery but it tells you how both Poirot thinks and his creator; He is helping Mrs. Gardener with a puzzle, putting the cut out pieces into place and that act in itself actually helped him figure out the puzzle of the crime. To me it says a lot.
A book review of Death at the Opera
Death
at the Opera by Gladys Mitchell
This books is so different, I had no idea who the murderer was, it was a complete turn around from the TV show starring Diana Rigg. I really enjoyed it. I don’t want to give anything away so I will just say its an excellent read and Gladys Mitchell deserved every accolade she had received.
A book review of a "A Book"
Below is my review for a book I haven’t read since I was 15 years old, it is interesting and delightful to re-read it as an adult;
A Book; A Book by Desi Arnaz; https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2398595800?book_show_action=false
Interview with the wonderful Kerry Greenwood! https://rithebard.wordpress.com/2016/08/19/interview-with-the-wonderful-kerry-greenwood/ … via @rithebard
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