Flowers and bee

Flowers and bee

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Here We Go Again: My Life in Television - Betty White Is So Cool!


I have always thought that Betty White was cool. She reminds me of a favorite aunt of mine with her humor and laughter. So maybe that is why I responded so well when I started listening to her audiobook of  Here We Go Again: My Life in Television. And the fact that she reads it doesn't hurt either!

Betty White has been in television since 1949! I had no idea she was such a pioneer. I must admit my TV memories of her are of her playing Sue Ann Nivens on the Mary Tyler Moore show in the 70's. But in this memoir you find out about her early days of broadcasting on a daily show for over 6 hours a day, as well as countless variations of the Betty White Show, her regular spots on the Tonight Show with Jack Paar, and her many guest spots on game shows, and talk shows. And then there is MTM and the Golden Girls.

I think anyone who is interested in the history of the television industry would be interested to check out her story. The story is told with good humor (hello! It's Betty White!) But not everything is rosy - she tells the story behind the scenes as well.

My only problem with this audiobook is that it is abridged! (And it does not say it on the container.) I wanted more! Have a listen and laugh. A fun read.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Speak Ill of the Dead: A Camilla MacPhee Mystery

There are times when you finish the first book in a series, when a feeling of excitement comes over you. You have discovered a new author to read! You like the plotting, the character, and setting. It was witty and funny. And it suited your mood perfectly. Ah, the right book at the right time. And then you want to tell everyone about it - but only special people - cause you don't want them to check out all the titles before you...

However in this case, the books in this series might be harder to come by because they are Canadian! (Shocking - I know!) But some libraries have them - the power of interlibrary loan - and can get them for you.

Speak Ill of the Dead by Mary Jane Maffini introduces us to Camilla Mac Phee - a lawyer who runs a justice for victims office. She is feisty woman who has issues with her older sisters (why can't she just find a nice guy and get married), her assistant (who was foisted on her from a work/release program), her nosy and elderly next door neighbor and her best friend (who discovers a body, and collapses and so Camilla has to take in her six cats.)

While she is trying to clear her friend from the charges of murder, she finds out there were many people who had motives to do the deed, for the victim was a famous (and nasty) gossip writer. She discovers the detective on the case has a crush on her sister Alexa, so she pumps him for information, as well as the attractive hotel manager at the hotel where the victim stayed. She gathers information on the other gossip victims and finds evidence of drug use, fat farms and former lovers. And then there is another gruesome victim. (Let me say this is not a cozy! )

In between these goings on, she copes with hiding the cats from the super and her neighbor, and facing those dreaded Sunday night dinners with her family. But her concern for her friend and her determination to solve the case bring her closer and closer to danger.

Camilla is a character you can relate to, her life is not perfect, and she cares about people - even if she is grumbling about them all the way. Maffini writes a nicely plotted mystery and she has come up with some pretty funny and quirky characters. And her descriptions of Ottawa in the spring make it sound lovely.
Sign me up for another one please! A fun and frothy read!