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April's 2018 Reading List
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5. The Death and Life of the Great American School System, by Diane Ravitch. I actually read an earlier edition of this book about a decade ago. Completely forgot. But I'm glad I read the new edition. I skimmed my earlier review, and this version left a bigger and better impression. Not that the first one was bad, but I thought the updated version was superior. Ravitch had been a supporter of the school reform movement, and worked to help implement some of the earlier programs involving the school testings, accountability and evaluations that are so prevalent today. Here, she dissects in detail why these programs, which she once supported, do not work. She also dispels some myths (for example, the biggest eye-opener for me was reading that the U.S. has *never* done well in international tests; if anything, we've actually improved a bit from the 1960s). If I have a nit, the book is a little light on ideas for fixing the problem (other than look what other countries have done- and do not do). But given the scope of this book, this is a minor quibble. It's a dense read, but worthwhile. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in improving education.6. On a Burning Deck, Vol. 2, by Tom Jones. I read the first volume late last year. I recommend reading that one first, then dive into this one. I had a quibble about the first one being mainly set in Kentucky, and I wondered if perhaps the book title was a bit misleading. This second installment is set mainly in Akron and Tallmadge, so yes, the book title works. Vol. 2 is a wonderful follow-up to the first installment. The author uses interviews, photos and news clippings to construct a history from a point of view not often read about. Most of the interviews are from Haskell Jones, the author's grandfather. Haskell must have been a great person to know. He was employed in the various rubber factories for many years, but had multiple talents. He'd also go on to be Tallmadge's first police chief, and helped set up the fire station. There were a couple stories that made me laugh out loud. One involves the fire station siren. The second, in the footnotes, involving a restaurant owner recommending another eating establishment to a prospective customer. I was actually rather sad when I read the final pages. I really enjoyed this bit of colorful local history.
Currently reading: The Watchdog That Didn't Bark, by Dean Starkman, and Gimme Rewrite, Sweetheart, by John H. Tidyman.
7. America's Most Haunted, by Eric Olsen and Theresa Argie. I really enjoyed this collection, which lists the top haunted locations in the nation. Each chapter goes in-depth on the history and the hauntings. The format of going room to room is a bit unusual, but it works well. I love the variety of first-hand accounts given, and the tidbits on terms and the technology used was a nice touch. This is a great read for those interested in the paranormal. 8. The Watchdog That Didn't Bark, by Dean Starkman. This is an informative, details read on the history of business reporting and the business world, particularly in the light of the 2008 Great Recession. The first couple chapters are a bit dry and rambling, but by the third chapter it comes together. It dispels many myths surrounding the toxic subprime mortgage fiasco and the general corruption in the financial industry (and how the business news field in general dropped the ball in reporting on it.) The path which led to the meltdown seen in 208 had been in the works for decades. The history aspects could have been streamlined and better organized in the first part of the book, but otherwise, I do recommend this for those interested in government, journalism and/or business.
9. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. I read the 80th anniversary edition of this famous book. My only regret is not reading it sooner. Carnegie's book should be required reading for everyone, but especially those who want to lead. He had a keen insight into human character. Many of his tips are common sense, but serve as a good reminder. I plan to reread this book, and I don't say that often.
10. Gimme Rewrite, Sweetheart, by John Tidyman. This is a collection of stories from the staffs of the Cleveland Press and The Plain Dealer, two competing papers until the Press was closed in 1982. The stories offer an inside look of local news and the lives of journalists. The stories range from heartbreaking to hilarious. One of my favorite stories is from a reporter who left her notes in the office, and tried to use a knife - which broke - on the door. I had to put down the book when I read the aftermath I was laughing so hard.
11. The Power of the Dark Crystal, by Simon Spurrier. This graphic novel serves as a sequel to the movie. I had mixed feelings about it. There were rumors for years that there would be a sequel movie; the graphic novel reads like the plot of the rumored movie (which was debunked). The story itself was more complex than I thought it would be, and the drawings are beautiful. In the story, Jen and Kira have been the rulers for one hundred years, but for much of it they remain in a crystal-induced stasis, allowing other gelfling to rule in their stead. It's not hard to imagine that this arrangement does not go well. The powerful ruling class wind up taking advantage of the poorer gelflings and pod people. However, things come to a head when a Fireling, a creature whose kind lives in the planet's core, comes to take a shard of the crystal. Now, I'm OK with the story so far (I'm willing to overlook the fact that Jen and Kira were supposed to be the last of the gelflings, perhaps other remote tribes were found later.) But here's where the story really strays from canon, and I don't feel that it needed to. Thurma, the Fireling, steals the shard and runs away, bringing back the repulsive Skeksis and the passive UrRu. Now, I thought that the UrSkeks had left the planet, from both the movie and from The World of the Dark Crystal. I'm willing to read the next installments, perhaps I'll change my mind, but I'm skeptical that bringing these two back was needed.
Currently reading: The Best of Hal Lebovitz, by Hal Lebovitz, and What America Can Learn about School Choice in Other Countries, by David Salisbury.
Fell way behind, and forgot a couple books I'd read earlier in the year. Yikes!12. The Most Famous Woman in Baseball, by Bob Luke. Kind of mixed feelings about this book. In general, I did like it (although someone with more knowledge in baseball, especially baseball history, will probably get more out of it than I did.) It's pretty well-written and engaging. I found it a little stats heavy in the recruitment and hiring, but again- a fan will probably appreciate it. My biggest complaint is that I feel the title of the book is a bit misleading. I got the impression that the book would be more about Effa Manley, the wife of Abe Manley, the owner of the Newark Eagles. Effa played a major role in running the Eagles and had a strong presense on the Negro Leagues board. Well, about a third of the book is about Effa. I have a feeling it's probably because there isn't a lot of first-hand information on her, but as I said, I felt the book title was a bit misleading. Other than this issue, I would consider this an excellent resource. It's an honest look at the Negro Leagues, the many positives and several of the problems.
13. Shadows of the Dark Crystal, by J.M. Lee. This serves as a prequel to the Dark Crystal movie. Not sure entirely where in the timeline, but I'm guessing it's not too far back before the action of the film. I really loved this book and can hardly wait to get the sequel. I just love the details put in, which fit really well with both the movie and what I wondered- for example, the various Gelfling tribes, their customs and their structure. It was also neat reading a book about how the Skeksis were once actually admired (I already knew this from reading The World of the Dark Crystal book, but this has more detail and explains things better). Of course, if you've see the movie, you kind of know how this story will go. I do wonder if there will be surprises in the second book. But I digress. The heroine, Naia, of a remote swampland tribe of Gelfling finds herself on a quest to find out the fate of her twin brother, who has been accused of treason by the Skeksis lords. She is soon joined by Kylan. The two seem to be a highly unlikely pair but the confident Naia soon develops a respect for the more bookish Kylan.
14. Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths, by Brian Holguin. This is a fantastic graphic novel for those interested in the history of Thra, the fictional world of The Dark Crystal movie. It's beautifully illustrated, and makes more alive some of the history I read in The World of the Dark Crystal. This novel goes back to the known beginning of Thra, with the appearance of Aughra and her son, and the very first Great Conjunction, which brought the UrSkeks to the planet. Some of this I knew from The World of the Dark Crystal and, of course, the movie. It was interesting seeing Aughra as someone who is even more powerful that I knew, but also someone who was not perfect. Her son Raunip is just fascinating. I'm eager to get my hands on the next two installments.
15. The Power of the Dark Crystal,Vol. 2, by Simon Spurrier. The followup to volume 1, where I had expressed a few reservations. Well, I'm hooked. Just love the shades of gray- the Gelfling are not portrayed as the heroes so much, and it's interesting to watch the quiet dissention within the ranks of the uRuh. OK, with one uRuh. But still. The Skesis are still pure evil, would not want that to change. In this installment, Jen is realizing the deep damage done while he and Kira had been in stasis. The main heros Thurma and Kensho are trying to make their way back to Thurma's beleagured world. There are some Gelfling who are trying to stop them, and there are those with Jen, who want to help them. In the castle, the Skeksis show their cunning as well as their cruelty. Eager for the next installments- this is a long series, but that's OK.
16. Murder and Mayhem on Ohio's Rails, by Jane Ann Turzillo. Did you know Ohio is (arguably) the site of the first train hold-up, shortly after the Civil War? This and other facts can be found in this collection of famous train hold-ups in Ohio, the heroes that tried to thwart the villians (and sometimes succeeded), and the villians (of course). An interesting look at Ohio's rail history, great for local history buffs and crime fans.
17. Wicked Akron, by by Kymberli Hagelberg, Somehow I missed leaving my review on this book, which I actually finished months ago. It's a nice, light read on some of the more unseamly moments of Akron's past. A few stories even loosely connect. The chapter on the body-snatching business and the scandals it created was especially memorable. I enjoyed it- this is a quick read, and those with an interest in Akron history may like it.
18. Confessions of a Romance Cover Model, by C.J. Hollenbach. A disclaimer- I actually know Hollenbach (through online and phone calls) and did a news story on him once. I've been wanting to read his book for a while now, finally glad I got around to it. This is a fun book. Hollenbach details how he got into the business and some of the things he has to do to maintain his physique (especially his signature long, blond hair). Many of his stories relate his adventures at various conferences on romance novel writers and publishers, and I found them quite entertaining (and occasionally eyebrow-raising. Do women really behave like that? Yikes!) Hollenbach has a wry sense of humor and a penchant for comic exageration. I laughed out loud several times while reading it.
19. What America Can Learn from School Choice in Other Countries, by David Salisbury (Editor), James Tooley (Editor). This is actually a collection of essays written by others, on the advantages and disadvantages of charter schools and private schools versus public schools. I tried reading this with an open mind, but the most glaring problem is the book is heavy on hypothesis and speculation, and light of actual, raw data. The charts that were there were either useless or confusing. The last two essays were the best. Another problem is it's pretty dated at this point; many of the "oh, this probably won't happen" speculations actually have happened (example, charter schools pulling money from public schools). I'm sure there are ways education can be improved in America (and needs to be improved). But this book is not exactly the source for this type of inspiration.
20. Mafia Cop Killers in Akron, by Mark J. Price. An interesting (and sad) bit of local history about the killing of several police officers, and the wounding of several others, in the early 1900s. The Furnace Street Gang was responsible for a good deal of trouble in the rougher parts of Akron. The book follows the events leading up to the murders and the trials that followed. A great read for local history buffs and true crime fans.21. Brave Girls, by Harriet Philmus. This is a re-read for me, but I’m so glad this book was reprinted so I could buy it and read it again. I’ve been looking for a copy for many years now. The first time I read it, I was only able to skim it after my mom was able to borrow a rare first edition. Original editions are incredibly hard to find and can cost in the hundreds. As a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, this book really hit home for me. Brave Girls tells the story of the Girl Guides in Europe and their service during World War II. The book was initially published shortly after the war. What really hit me is that while several girls and adults had their full names used, many only were mentioned by their first names, or even by their initials. The reason is chilling: After The Great War, the tales of the Allied heroes circulated. As the Nazis and their allies came to power, those stories were researched, and often the heroes were killed, explained the author. Thus, the reason for secrecy. I got goosebumps reading that.
These Girl Guides and their leaders risked their lives – and sometimes lost them- in their efforts to defeat the Nazis. Some of the Guides were not even in their teens. They smuggled documents, distributed food and medicine and even carried weapons on occasion. The bravery these young women and their leaders showed is awe-inspiring. And when the war ended, the stories of them once again donning their once forbidden uniforms and pins made me shed more than a few years. It’s a humbling book, and shows the power of the Girl Scout and Girl Guide organizations.
22. Lost Akron, by Mark J. Price. Akron residents, both old and young, will enjoy this book about some of the now-gone features of Akron. Did you know, for example, that Akron had the first motorized police car? It didn’t last long though (read the book to find out why). Of course, there’s mention of the rubber factories; what isn’t as well known was the old rubber museum. Akron also was a place that manufactured silver screens for many years. And the theaters- so many theaters and performance halls! This book is chock full of long-ago Akron and what it used to have. A treat for history buffs and Akron-area residents.
23. The Dark Crystal Creation Myths, vol. 2, by Brian Froud. Really enjoyed this second installment. This details the fall of the UrSkeks, the formation of the urRu and the Skeksis (which looked far different than I would have pictured at their beginning, but the design makes sense), the cracking of the crystal, and the aftermath. Raunip and Aughra grow more distant, especially after Raunip finds out about how he came to be. Again, great story, loved the history, and lovely illustrations. Hope I can get my hands on the third volume soon!
24. Song of the Dark Crystal, by J.M. Lee. This is the second book of this series. Wow, I just love the world building in this series. The point of view switches from Naia to Kylen, who really grows with this journey. Naia and Kylen continue to make their way to the All-Maudra after learning of the treachery of the Skeksis lords. The book is full of twists and turns as the two meet both friends and foes. It’s hard to give a review without giving spoilers, so I’ll just leave it that I really enjoyed this installment and hope to read the next one soon.
25. The Best of Hal Lebovitz, by Hal Lebovitz. A collection of columns by late sportswriter Hal Lebovitz. Even if you are not a sports fan, like yours truly, these columns are engaging and educational at the same time. I really enjoyed the insights into the history of our local sports teams and sports figures. Lebovitz was in the profession for a very long time, and his keen sense of history and his knowledge shine through. But his heart also is prevalent. A great read, I highly recommend it.
26. Losing the News, by Alex S. Jones. For those interested in journalism, and particularly newspapers, I recommend The Death and Life of American Journalism… and this book. Combined, these two books excellently sum up the history of newspapers as well as the current dilemmas in the profession. While the book is mostly about newspapers, it delves a bit in other media formats as well. Well worth the read.
Currently Reading: The Way We Never Were, by Stephanie Coontz, and The Crisis of Journalism Reconsidered, by Jeffrey C. Alexander.
27. The Crisis of Journalism Reconsidered, by Jeffrey C. Alexander. Had mixed feelings about this one, although all in all, I'd recommend it -with some qualifications. This is actually a collection of essays regarding the journalism industry, but written more from a sociologist's perspective. My recommendation: skip or skim the intro, which I've already summarized in the previous sentence, and skip or skim the conclusion, which rehashes the essays. Also, I'd skip the first two essays. The first was written by someone who may have read several books on the industry (including a few which I've read) but still obviously doesn't truly understand what is bedeviling the industry. The second essay basically said there was no crisis, it was all a matter of perspective. Yeah. I detest the rose-colored glasses view as much as anyone, but that is taking things to extremes. I almost quit after reading those first two essays and that would have been a shame, because the rest were quite good. I especially enjoyed the essays on how newspapers in other countries were run, their philosophies, and how they were funded, a topic I don't know a lot about. 28. The Dark Crystal, Creation Myths, Vol. 3, by Matthew Dow Smith. The conclusion to the three-part graphic novel covering the beginning of Thra. This trilogy is a must for fans of The Dark Crystal. The UrSkeks have split into two races; only Aughra and her son Raunip know where the two races come from, but they are busy trying to find the lost shard. A change in the land already can be seen, and eventually, the Gelflings wind up uniting with the Skeksis, who offer their assistance in keeping the sinister creatures at bay.
Currently reading: Fashion: A History from the 18th to the 20th Century, from the Kyoto Costume Institute, The Way We Never Were, by Stephanie Coontz, and Black Klansman, by Ron Stallworth.
29. Haunted Savannah, by Georgia R. Byrd. This was one of the four books I bought when in Savannah. This was an entertaining read, and it was good to refresh my memory on the local ghost lore down there. Wish I would have read this before visiting the Squares and Tybee, because both areas are paranormal hot spots. Mind you, this city is a veritable hot spot for ghosts. 30. Historic Haunts of Savannah. It's interesting to contrast this with Haunted Savannah by Byrd. While Byrd concentrates more on the ghosts and those who have encountered them, this one explores the histories behind the hauntings, and offers more in the way of historic fact. It weighs the veracity of the various legends surrounding the stories of Savannah's many ghosts. Really enjoyed this one. Again, wish I would have read this before my trip, but ah well. I hope to go back, and I'm bound and determined to go on a ghost tour or three.
31. The Way We Never Were, by Stephanie Coontz. I've said for years that this country tends to wear rose-colored glasses when it comes to the 50s and early 60s. Coontz examines the myths that surround this area, the nuclear family and the isolation in general of families, and shatters them with facts and figures. It's a dense read, it took me a while to get through it all (I read an updated version, that had newer information in the prologue and epilogue.) Some of the numbers are probably dated now, but if anything many of the issues of isolation we seem to embrace in this country are even worse. A worthwhile read for anyone looking for solutions to supporting our modern families in all their forms.
32. Fashion: A History from the 18th to the 20th Century, by the Kyoto Costume Institute. I'm happy to add this to my collection of books on costume and fashion history. This ambitious book covers a lot of ground, with its information on dress, accessories and history. The large photos make up most of this book. I really like the closeups on several garments. It will be a handy reference guide when I need to research something on dress.
33. Black Klansman, by Ron Stallworth. I saw the movie previously, and am pleasantly surprised how close the movie stuck with the novel. A couple things were added or condensed but it was a faithful retelling of Stallworth's memoirs for the most part. The novel itself is definitely a worthwhile read. Again, I was shocked at how thoroughly the Klan was fooled by Stallworth, a black man, who managed to get a membership card for the Klan. He, along with other members of the Colorado Springs police department, used this membership to get covert operation on the Klan and other hate groups, and the Klan never suspected, despite a few blunders along the way, which Stallworth was candid about.
Currently reading: The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas
34. The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas. An incredible book that lived up to its hype. I've heard the movie that came out last year is good as well (I'd planned to see it but then I had my fall and surgery, etc.) Essentially, a young woman watches a friend killed by a police officer, and the story deals with the aftermath. What I like is there are no angels, there are no devils. While this is fiction, the story could have been taken from far too many headlines. The reader feels the frustration as the family goes through the court system and turns to the media to get their version of the story out. I highly recommend this to anyone.35. Savannah 1733 to 2000, by Susan E. Dick. A fascinating collection of photos and images of historic Savannah, a great, quick read for anyone interested in this lovely city.
36. A Brief History of the Tybee Island Light Station 1732-2017
by Cullen Chambers. A nice read for anyone interested in the historic Tybee Island Lighthouse. It's a pretty amazing story, especially in the early days, when you had to wonder at the sanity of the planners. It's Georgia's tallest lighthouse (and oldest). It also goes into the lighthouse keepers through the years.
2. Haunted Akron, by Jeri Holland. This was a good mix of familiar tales of haunts and several new stories. The concentration was more on the history of the locales themselves and the more technical aspects of trying to verify a particular haunting, which was different. The author stressed that she wanted to emphasize a balanced, neutral approach and she succeeded. It was a nice read on local history, area locales and legend.
3. The Art and Craft of Stage Management, by Doris Schneider. My mom found this book and gave it to me. I'm glad she did. Now, mind you, I have no intention of ever stage managing a show. I knew even before reading the book that this position would not be a good fit for me, and reading this only affirmed this. I had respect for stage managers before- it's a tough job that requires working with a lot of various parties. I had no idea how much was involved. This is a great book for beginner and intermediate stage managers, and can serve as a nice brush-up for either more experienced managers, or managers going from one type of theater to another. There's numerous checklists stage managers can use, it goes over the notation system, includes contact information for the various guilds and even includes a lot of anecdotal stories throughout. It made me appreciate all that goes into a theatrical production.
4. Visions of Sugar Plums, by Janet Evanovich. This short novel was published sometime in between the numbered novels. Obviously, Christmas hijinks are in store here, as the intrepid and hilarious heroine Stephanie Plum meets up with a new character Diesel. This combines some supernatural along with the usual zaniness. I chuckled throughout, and had to put the book down at one point I was laughing so hard. Without getting too deep into spoiler territory, it involved Stephanie's vehicle, a Christmas tree and one of the most hilarious takes on T'was the Night Before Christmas I've ever read. I've been doing a lot of serious reading lately, so this was the perfect chaser, a sugar-sweet bit of hilarious escapism. Fans who haven't already picked this up won't be disappointed.
Currently reading: The Death and Life of the Great American School System, by Diane Ravitch (updated 2016), and On A Burning Deck, vol. 2, by Tom Jones.