Book Review: Things Happen-A Collection by Christopher Acker
Things Happen by Christopher Acker is a collection of short stories. Hmm, maybe a collection of novellas is a better description. The four tales in Things Happen are a bit longer than an average short story, and in Things Happen, well, things happens, some good, some bad, and all of them are quite compelling.
In the opening story, “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t,” the widowed Dinah is dealing with the tragic death of her teenage son due to a magic trick gone horribly wrong. Her husband passed away not too long ago, and now she’s dealing with another devastating death. As Dinah copes with the loss of her son, she wonders if a Google Maps car is erasing his entire memory.
In “Lady, You Shot Me,” Michelle is a struggling actress who’s just gotten a part as a prostitute in a Sam Cooke biopic. Just as she thinks her acting career is about to take off, a black man is killed by a Los Angeles police officer. Michelle gets caught up in the aftermath of protests, riots, and violence. She also gets entangled with her co-star. All of this affects her in various ways.
Brandon makes miniature replicas, and he’s quite successful. And it turns out to be more than a hobby in the story, “The Salazar House of Horrors.” He is commissioned to build a replica of Enrique Salazar’s home where Mr. Salazar allegedly committed many crimes including kidnapping, rape, battery, and murder. The horrors of the Salazar house haunt both Brandon and his family.
The final story is, “Thank You, Mr. Povich, For All You Do.” This story features a journalist named Alexander who has seen better days. Once at the top of his game when it comes to his career, he is now completely disgraced. He spends his days, not writing, but watching TV and grappling with depression. And it doesn’t help his wife is an Oscar-winning documentary film maker. Feeling bitter and betrayed, Alexander concocts a scheme using The Maury Povich Show as a way to expose his wife, and possibly get back at her transgression. Things unfold in a very unusual and entertaining manner.
I liked all the stories. Acker writes characters that are fully-dimensional and relatable. The dialogue is sharp, and the stories keep you guessing until the final paragraphs. My favorite is probably “Lady, You Shot Me.” It had a final twist that was quite bonkers, yet spoke of the craziness of show business.
Things Happen is an excellent collection. I’m looking forward to future stories from Christopher Acker.
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Book Review: Savvy Auntie: Ultimate Guide for Cool Aunts, Great-Aunts, Godmothers, and All Women Who Love Kids by Melanie Notkin
A few years ago, I wrote a review of Melanie Notkin’s book Otherhood: Modern Women Finding A New Kind of Happiness. I wasn’t crazy about the book; in fact, I hated it. However, I first became aware of Ms. Notkin’s work when I read her much better book Savvy Auntie: Ultimate Guide for Cool Aunts, Great-Aunts, Godmothers, and All Women Who Love Kids. I wrote a review of it for another publication, and decided to dust it off, edit it a bit, and publish it here. Enjoy.
I became an aunt 18 years ago when my nephew Fredrick was born, and then again nearly three years later with the birth of my niece, Claire. From the moment I met these two precious bundles I was completely smitten by them, and I relish being an auntie.
Or should I say I relish being a Savvy Auntie?
Melanie Notkin’s book Savvy Auntie: Ultimate Guide for Cool Aunts, Great-Aunts, Godmothers, and All Women Who Love Kids discusses the fun and joy in playing such a role in a child’s life. Playing with nieces and nephews, reading to them, telling secrets, sharing family and holiday traditions and discovering are just a few of the joys of being an aunt. In the book, real-life aunties share memories and stories on why being an aunt is such a wonderful thing, and while reading it, I couldn’t help but reminisce about the fun times I’ve had with Fredrick and Claire.
The book comes with a host of practical advice for aunties, like how to throw a baby shower, first aid tips, baby proofing your home, traveling with kids (always have snacks on hand) and how to contribute to a niece or nephew’s college education.
The book is also peppered with fun facts and trivia. Want to know what kind of aunt you are by your birth sign? Savvy Auntie will let you know. (As a Pisces, I am apparently the empathetic and intuitive … but I’ll let Fredrick and Claire be the judge of that). Can you name any famous aunties in pop culture? Well, there is the neurotic Aunt Jackie from Roseanne and Opie Taylor’s kindly Aunt Bee from The Andy Griffith Show. And you certainly can’t forget Auntie Mame from the iconic film of the same name who declared “Life is a banquet, and most poor fools are starving to death!”
While the book is a delightful read, I do have a couple of reservations. I’m not a big fan of the overdose of pink in the illustrations and graphics. Yes, I know this is a book for women, but women like other colors in the rainbow. Also, Notkin tends to insert “aunt” into other words, which gets to be quite obnoxious. For example: “entourage” becomes “auntourage,” “entrepreneur” becomes “auntrepreneur.” We get it. You can stop now.
Still, those quibbles are minor. For the most part, Savvy Auntie is a joy to read, informative and the perfect book for both newly-minted aunties and aunties with years of experience.
(And just a special shout out to my sister, Julie — I know I’ve been an auntie for quite a while, but it is never too late to throw me a “DebutAunt Ball.” I don’t need anything fancy. Just get mom’s recipe for Brandy Smash and pick up a bucket of KFC’s original recipe and I’ll be a happy camper.)
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