Entertainment – Page 2 – Looking For a Good Book

September 24, 2021

I AM SOPHIE TUCKER – Susan & Lloyd Ecker

Sophie Tucker, known as “Last of the Red Hot Mamas,” was an entertainer (vaudeville, radio, film, theatre) who was popular in the early-to-mid 1900’s. She was known for her risque and comic songs and her big, belting voice. Think, cross between Mae West and Ethel Merman. Authors Susan & Lloyd Ecker has chosen to tell… Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, HISTORICAL FICTION, MEMOIR, Uncategorized

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Entertainment, Memoir, Reviews

September 15, 2021

THE SONG IS YOU – Bradley Rogers

I’m a sucker for any book about musical theatre, so when I saw there was a new book, dealing specifically with “the Politics of Bursting into Song and Dance” I was seriously interested in reading this. However, I take issue with any book that reads like a graduate thesis, looking to convince the reader of… Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, NON-FICTION, Uncategorized

2 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Entertainment, non-fiction, Reviews, Theatre

September 6, 2021

FAN FICTION – Brent Spiner

So … the actor who plays the android Data on the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series has written a book. And the main character in Brent Spiner’s book is … Brent Spiner. Of thirty years ago. And the supporting cast in the book are Spiner’s fellow actors from Star Trek: The Next Generation. It is… Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, HUMOR, MYSTERY, Uncategorized

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Entertainment, Humor, Mystery, Reviews

March 29, 2021

CITY OF VILLAINS – Estelle Laure

In addition to being a high school senior, with all that entails, Mary Elizabeth Heart is also an intern at the Monarch City Police Department. She delights in meeting all the detectives as they check in and rush off to help clean up the city. For years there has been a deep divide between the… Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, YA

3 Stars, Entertainment, YA

March 3, 2021

THE GLASS TEAT – Harlan Ellison

As a teenager I was completely and utterly enthralled with Harlan Ellison and his writing. I’ve read everything he wrote that i could get my hands on. I met him at book signings and conventions and easily rated him as my favorite author. Ellison’s anger and angst and pomposity was fun, or at least identifiable… Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, MEMOIR, NON-FICTION, Uncategorized

4 stars, Entertainment, essays, non-fiction, Television

February 22, 2021

STRATEGIC PLANNING IN THE ARTS – Michael M. Kaiser

I’ve been working in the arts for four decades and I’ve seen a lot of changes in how arts organizations approach the business of presenting arts programming. Treating the arts as a business is probably the biggest change I’ve seen. This might seem like an obvious direction, but I’ve known very few artists who are wise with… Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, NON-FICTION

4 stars, Business, Entertainment, non-fiction, Theatre

February 8, 2021

BARNUM – Robert Wilson

Is there an American entertainer who’s had more written about him (or her) than Phineas Taylor Barnum? It’s been 130 years since Barnum died and still we are fascinated by this celebrated huckster. P.T. Barnum was a man of action who took advantage of opportunities when they presented themselves and created opportunities when they didn’t.… Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, NON-FICTION

4 stars, Biography, Entertainment, non-fiction

February 5, 2021

OLD NORSE FOR MODERN TIMES – Ian Stuart Sharpe

I was interested in this book based on this description: Never be lost for words again…with this book of lost words. Have you ever wanted to wield the silver tongue of Loki, or to hammer home your point like a Thundergod? Old Norse is the language of legends and the stuff of sagas, the inspiration… Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, HUMOR

4 stars, Entertainment, Games, Humor

January 25, 2021

A TEST OF COURAGE – Justina Ireland

I am all in favor of anything that will get school-aged kids to read. Books based on a popular television or movie franchise are a great way to get kids reading, and is there any better franchise out there right now than the Disney-owned Star Wars series? There’s a new space station about to be… Continue reading

CHILDREN’S, SF/FANTASY, YA

Children’s Books, Entertainment, science fiction, YA

December 17, 2020

THE WISDOM OF PICARD – Chip Carter, editor

Let’s be honest. If you are thinking of buying this book, it’s because you are already a big Star Trek fan (or at least a Picard/Next Gen fan). You are probably interested in buying it because you are a Trek/Picard fan, or you’re thinking of it as a gift for a Trek fan. In any case, a review is… Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, Uncategorized

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Entertainment, non-fiction, Reviews, Star Trek

August 6, 2020

MONSTERS & CREATURES – gaming

I first played Dungeons & Dragons (or “D&D” as it’s commonly known) back in 1977. A number of the people I first played with are still good friends (some have passed on, with others I’ve simply lost touch). And while I was never able to get my own children interested in playing D&D with dad,… Continue reading

OTHER, Uncategorized

4 stars, Entertainment, SF/Fantasy, Young Adult

July 10, 2020

TO THE STARS – George Takei

STAR TREK WEEK If you are considering buying this book, then you likely already have a pretty good idea of who George Takei is. Most will know him from his being a regular on the original Star Trek television series (and movies). Younger audiences will know him for his social media presence. In this biography/memoir,… Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, MEMOIR, NON-FICTION, Uncategorized

4 stars, Biography, Book Reviews, Books, Entertainment, Memoir, non-fiction, Reviews, Star Trek, Television