Book Review: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

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The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is a historical fiction novel that spans many years and tells of the friendship between former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. I don't know if I would have picked up this book if it hadn't been the August selection for one of the book clubs I belong to in my area because I don't read a lot of historical fiction. However, I am so glad that I read it and was able to learn many things I hadn't learned about in any of my history classes.  I don't recall learning anything about Mary McLeod Bethune, and she is an important part of American history. The things she helped spearhead to provide African American people equal rights is quite impressive. One of the things I was horrified to learn about is Franklin D. Roosevelt's resistance to stop lynchings because he was afraid of losing the Southern Democrats backing for his New Deal Bill. Another thing that I fo...
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Book Review: The Grownup by Gillian Flynn

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When The Grownup by Gillian Flynn came out in print, I was super excited about the book. Little did I know that it was actually a short story. Then, life got in the way, and I forgot about the book. I finally ordered the book (short story) from ThriftBooks.com and finished reading it in the wee hours of today. I wasn't entirely sure what the synopsis was when I first began reading it, but it was super intriguing.

The Grownup is about a woman who works at a store with psychics. At least, that is what is promoted in the storefront. In the back of the store, there are sex workers who work their way to the front of the store to be an actual "psychic". When a customer named Susan Burke comes in for an aura reading because she thinks her renovated Victorian home is haunted and her stepson is becoming possessed by the house, the psychic comes up with a way to con the woman out of $2,000.

This story was not very satisfying when it was all done. None of the loose ends were tied up, and it left me wondering what the truth actually was and what would happen. I realize that this was a short story, but it could have been turned into at least a novella if not a full fledged novel. The Grownup was reminiscent of the movie The Omen. Whenever a story reminds me of another story or a movie, it always makes me wonder if the author was influenced by those other stories and movies.

All I can say is that The Grownup had the potential to be a great story, but it was very lackluster when I got into the actual meat of the tale. And, I am so glad that I didn't pay $9.99 plus tax for the book. I bought it used from Thriftbooks.com and saved myself some money. If you want to read the book, I highly recommend saving your money and borrow it from your local library. I gave The Grownup two out of five stars.


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