How To Be Gay In The 21st Century

BOOK: How To Be Gay In The 21^st Century

AUTHOR: David Leddick

GRADE: B+

“There’s nothing wrong with being gay. It’s like being Swedish. A little different but in no important way.”

I spent the vast majority of the 45 minutes it took for me to consume Leddick’s instruction manual laughing. His advice is often spot on, sometimes a little wacky – but always amusing! He clearly has given some serious thought to the proper and improper ways of conducting yourself as a gay man in today’s world. And lucky are those who get to hear his words of wisdom.. at least he thinks so.

Hard hitting literature – this is not. A humorous (and frequently insightful) romp through the minutia of gay-dom is what you get with this book. His advice ranges from whether to tell your parents (he’s not always in favor) to how to handle aging with grace and style. And, of course, he covers sex and blowjobs (to him, these are not one in the same). But where he really takes the cake is with his multiple discussions of fashion and style. He clearly knows his stuff and just wishes the rest of the gay population did to. That is why he is here. Read and learn!

How To Be Gay is a quick read with equal parts pictures and text and is highly enjoyable regardless of your sexual orientation or gender. Pick it up and prepare to be amused – and maybe even educated!

Kendrick and Sara of Draconia

BOOK: Kendrick and Sara of Draconia

AUTHOR: K.T. Tran

GRADE: B-

Disclaimer: I am not, nor have I ever been, a science fiction/fantasy fan.

Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, let me go on to say that K.T. Tran’s intricate tale of Kendrick and Sara’s ill-fated love and desire to save the world from the Dark Lord held my interest from beginning to end. Tran successfully sucked me and didn’t let me go until the last page. That, my friends, is the earmark of a talented writer. K.T. Tran has earned my praises with this work of fiction.

I think that what entrances the reader most of all is that Kendrick and Sara of Draconia is a touching love story and a battle against evil in equal parts. The evil God of War is finally able to unleash his plan of cleansing the world by plunging it into darkness just as Kendrick and Sara meet and discover their love – which has gone on for millennia without their knowledge. If all of this sounds confusing, I assure you that – in the hands of Tran – it strangely makes perfect sense in the novel.

Will Kendrick and Sara be able to save the world? Will the God of War take over and reduce everything to darkness and dust? Will their love be able to withstand the battle? Will they continue to live on immortally (as they have so far)? These are the questions that keep you turning the page.. and I wouldn’t dare spoil the fun for you. Let’s just say, the ending is a stunner.

Science fiction fan or not – this is a winner and gets my vote!

A Lethal Inheritance

BOOK: A Lethal Inheritance: A Mother Uncovers The Science Behind Three Generations of Mental Illness

AUTHOR: Victoria Costello

GRADE: A-

In this fascinating page-turner, Victoria Costello is forced to act as both memoirist and detective after her oldest son spirals into paranoid schizophrenia and ruins the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy her family has employed for decades.

In Costello’s family, mental illness was always there – but hidden always under a different name. Suicides were labeled as accidents. Alcoholism and drug addiction simply weren’t discussed. Everything in between was swept under the rug with only the most cursory explanation given. Even her own depression was labeled “the blues” and promptly ignored by her. However, once her eldest son has a complete breakdown – resulting in psychiatric institutionalization – Costello is required to search under these rugs for the biological factors that make up her (and her son’s) psychiatric history. This need is only further amplified when her youngest (and previously perfect) son suffers a meltdown and is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. In the end, all have lovely recoveries. But the secrets she unearths are unsettling to say the least.

Backed with solid research and groundbreaking studies; Costello’s story is moving and informative. She makes a solid and compelling case for knowing your family’s medical history – both physical and psychiatric. After learning what I’ve learned here, I know I’ll dig a little deeper into my own history. A must read for anyone struggling with mental illness or struggling to come to terms with a family member’s mental illness.

The Mother Daughter Show

BOOK: The Mother Daughter Show

AUTHOR: Natalie Wexler

GRADE: B-

In this fluffy debut from Ms. Wexler, we’re introduced to the mothers and daughters of D.C. prep school Barton Friends. In keeping with the school tradition, the mothers of these prep-schoolers are diving into an end of the year parents’ musical – to be performed in front of their (not so) little girls right before graduation. Years past have seen these rehearsals dissolve into fist fights and property destruction – but this year’s crop of super moms are determined not to let that happen to them… and to put on the best damn show possible for their girls.

Naturally, all does not go off without a hitch. Were you really expecting something different? Skeletons come out of the closet. Eating disorders are discovered. Year long friendships are tested and barely stand the test of time. Wexler’s novel is told through the eyes of four mothers. Interspersed throughout the chapters are brief text message conversations between the daughters. If all of this sounds confusing - it is. That said, Wexler does a decent job weaving between the characters without the reader getting lost. In the end, her talented writing isn’t enough to set The Mother Daughter Show apart from the other titles similar to it.

Overall, I found it to be light and fluffy – but a decent read. Surprisingly, my own mother also read it and had a less favorable reaction to the novel. Perhaps she has her own negative memories of my years in prep school that tainted her enjoyment. Either way, The Mother Daughter Show is an easy read and a fun way to pass the time.

Devils & Blue Dresses

BOOK: Devils & Blue Dresses: My Wild Ride As A Rock And Roll Legend

AUTHOR: Mitch Ryder

GRADE: D

My first impressions upon receiving Mitch Ryder’s memoir were purely ascetic: the book is too large. I have a theory regarding oversized books (with the exception of photography collections, etc): they’re generally gimmicks. The actual story is lacking; thus the author/publisher decides to “special” the book up little with formatting. Devils & Blue Dresses, unfortunately, lends credit to my theory.

My second impression: Mitch Ryder may be the single most offensive human being I’ve ever come across. Seriously. For example: Ryder has a theory that any gender that frequently kills their unborn offspring (aka: abortion) is physically and morally suited for hand to hand front line combat in times of war. As a female, I find this enormously off-putting.

My third impression: Before I reached page 50, I discovered over two dozen typographical errors, grammatical and spelling errors and rampant run-on sentences. This continued throughout the book… to the point where I had trouble finishing it. A thorough look over by an experienced (or even mildly experienced) editor would have been a good idea for Mr. Ryder.

Beyond that, there’s not much else to report. This ranks up there as one of the worst books I’ve ever read. Pick it up if you’re an avid and fanatical Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels fan (I guess) or if you’re a glutton for punishment.

Sorry Mitch.