Reviewed by Bev Scott Inheritance by Dani Shapiro, describes her emotional journey when she discovered through DNA testing that she was not related to her older sister, Susie. Susie was the daughter of her father from an earlier marriage. The older sister looked like her Jewish father who Shapiro always revered. Instead, she was different…pale skin, blond […]
Book Review: “The Secrets of Mary Bowser: A Novel” by Lois Leveen
Reviewed by Bev Scott Mary Bowser was born into slavery in Richmond, Virginia before the Civil War. She fortunately grew up knowing both of her parents. Her mother worked as a house slave in the Van Lews mansion. Her father lived nearby, working as a blacksmith. Also fortunate, Bet, the daughter of the Van Lews, saw […]
Book Review: “Last Boat Out of Shanghai” by Helen Zia
Reviewed by Bev Scott Helen Zia has written a meticulously researched book with colorful and detailed descriptions of Chinese culture, politics and family life. She centers her story on four young people living in the sophisticated, westernized city of Shanghai beginning in the late 1930’s before World War II. Zia uses the lives of these four […]
Book Review: “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
Reviewed by Bev Scott “You have to read this book!” I was urged by friends and colleagues multiple times. Where the Crawdads Sing is the debut novel by a wild-life scientist, Delia Owens. It is now a best seller. As a young girl, Kyla’s mother abandons her. Eventually her brother and finally her father also abandon […]
Book Review: “The Tenth Gift” by Jane Johnson
Reviewed by Bev Scott The Tenth Gift, an intriguing book, consists of two stories masterfully intertwined. One is set in the 17th Century, and the other is set in the present. At the end of an adulterous affair with her best friend’s husband, the husband gives Julia “The Needle Woman’s Glorie.” At first glance, the gift appears […]
The Spacious Life is Good for Me
A couple of months ago, I wrote about my decision to transition from active book promotion to a more spacious life. So, I have actively moved to take advantage of unscheduled and uncommitted time. This lets me enjoy the luxury of combining travel and visiting friends and family. I have added swimming to my exercise routine, […]
Book Review: “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
Reviewed by Bev Scott Although The Hate U Give is a young adult book, the story was riveting for me as a senior adult. Author Angie Thomas tells the story of a white policeman who kills a young unarmed black man with subtlety, humor, and multiple perspectives. Yes, it has some typical or stereotypical scenes. […]
I am Ready to Retire, for the 5th Time
I am ready to retire for the fifth time. What? Yes, I’ve already “retired” four times. The first was taking early retirement at age fifty-five from my demanding corporate position and transitioning to my own business as an organization consultant and leadership coach. Transitions are challenging. Still I had major projects to pursue. I didn’t think of […]
Book Review: “The Road to Bittersweet,” by Donna Everhart
Book review by Bev Scott The Road to Bittersweet: In 1940, the Tuckasegee River in the Appalachian Mountains overflows its banks and forces Wallis Ann Stamper and her family to flee in the middle of the night. Wallis Ann becomes separated from her parents, younger brother and older sister, Laci, a mute and musically gifted […]
Sharing the Roots of “Sarah’s Secret”
My grandfather’s hidden life intrigued me. I began a search to uncover the roots of our family secrets. When I couldn’t find answers to all the questions about my grandfather in my genealogy research, the idea of writing the story as fiction began to take hold. Sarah’s Secret is the result. I also wrote a free e-book, Searching […]
