Pittsburgh native David McCullough remembered as ‘guiding light’ for preserving Western Pa. history
Local historians and government leaders on Monday celebrated the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Pittsburgh native David McCullough and said he played a pivotal role in helping to preserve Southwestern Pennsylvania history. McCullough, who grew up in Point Breeze, died Sunday at 89. Two local history organizations — the...
Jennette McCurdy rises above childhood trauma with new book
Jennette McCurdy is well-aware the title of her new book, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” (Simon & Schuster) is attention-grabbing. She also readily admits that she means every word. “It’s something that I mean sincerely, I’m not saying it to be flippant.” McCurdy, who co-starred in Nickelodeon shows “iCarly” with...
Review: Mohsin Hamid’s 5th novel is a fever dream of a story
“The Last White Man” by Mohsin Hamid (Riverhead) Anders wakes up to find he’s no longer white. After confiding in his friend, Oona, the two discover this is not an isolated case; all over town and beyond, white people are finding their skin suddenly turning dark. “The Last White Man,”...
‘Heat’-ing up: Michael Mann writes sequel-prequel ‘Heat 2’
NEW YORK — Decades after the release of Michael Mann’s “Heat,” the classic crime thriller has endured in the minds of fans, critics, peers and the director himself. He had so much left to say. “There’s always the sense of being shortchanged,” Mann said during a Zoom interview from his...
Book review: ‘Winter Work’ an engrossing spy thriller
“Winter Work” by Dan Fesperman; Alfred A. Knopf (352 pages, $28) Many a Berlin-set spy novel comprises a tale of two cities which plays out during the heated tensions of the Cold War. Dan Fesperman’s latest spy thriller, “Winter Work,” offers a refreshing variant on this by immersing its reader...
Review: Barbara Bourland autopsies the princess myth with precision
“The Force of Such Beauty” by Barbara Bourland (Dutton) It’s about time someone took the princess story that’s normalized to girls and autopsy it with absolute precision. “The Force of Such Beauty” opens on the night of Caroline’s second attempt at escaping Lucomo, the small European country in which she...
‘The Doomsday Clock at 75′ explores how the cultural icon keeps tick, tick, ticking away
CHICAGO — The Doomsday Clock was born in 1947 in Chicago, a Cold War baby delivered as the illustration for the first cover of a new magazine, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. It was set at 7 minutes to midnight, an indication of how close a team of revered...
George Michael spent his career singing about freedom. But he never quite found it
In 1984, George Michael released a song called “Freedom” with his pop duo Wham! Six years later, he put out one of his own called “Freedom! ‘90.” And six years after that? A song called “Free” closed his third solo album, “Older.” The specifics of the liberation he’s describing in...
Review: ‘Hatchet Island’ a mystery with contrived solution
“Hatchet Island” by Paul Doiron (Minotaur) Stacey Stevens’ old college roommate, now working at a bird sanctuary off the Maine coast, is in a panic. Lobstermen who have made a habit of harassing the facility’s staff are growing more aggressive, and now her boss has gone missing. “Can you please...
Review: ‘Bull Durham’ fans, rejoice at ‘Church of Baseball’
“The Church of Baseball: The Making of ‘Bull Durham’: Home Runs, Bad Calls, Crazy Fights, Big Swings and a Hit” by Ron Shelton (Knopf) Former minor-league ballplayer Ron Shelton has written and directed a host of sports-themed movies, but it’s doubtful anyone has told him they’ve named their children after...
Ibram X. Kendi on preparing children for the realities of racism
LOS ANGELES — Ibram X. Kendi has spent years studying racism’s history, and he is intimately familiar with its violence, horrors and brutalities. So when he became a father six years ago, the thought of exposing his daughter to the legacy and realities of racism deeply troubled him. The issue...
Book review: ‘Elsewhere’ ponders the meaning of motherhood
“Elsewhere” by Alexis Schaitkin (Celadon Books) Sometimes it’s fun to read something that doesn’t fit in any particular category. “Elsewhere,” the new novel from Alexis Schaitkin (“Saint X,” 2020), is best described as a dark fairy tale, with elements of the supernatural, but with something very real to say about...
Book review: A hunting trip turns deadly when a blizzard strikes in ‘Outside’
“Outside” by Ragnar Jonasson (Minotaur) It’s reunion week in Iceland for Daniel, Armann, Gunnlaugur, and Helena, who were tight in college and like to get together every year or so to drink heavily and catch up. They all have issues. Daniel has been lying about how poorly his acting career...
Author James Patterson sorry for saying white writers face racism
NEW YORK — James Patterson is apologizing for saying that white male writers are being subjected to “just another of form of racism,” comments the best-selling author had made during an interview with The Sunday Times in London. Facing widespread criticism on social media, Patterson tweeted this week that “I...
‘How to Murder Your Husband’ author gets life in prison for killing her husband
PORTLAND, Ore. — A self-published romance novelist who once wrote an online essay called “How to Murder Your Husband” was sentenced Monday to life in prison with the possibility of parole for murdering her husband at his workplace in Portland four years ago. Nancy Crampton Brophy, 71, was convicted of...
Book celebrates the 50th anniversary of musical ‘Grease’
NEW YORK — On Valentine’s Day 1972, a musical opened off-Broadway needing a lot of love. It was already $20,000 in debt and the reviews were mixed to poor. A decision had to be made: Keep going or give it the kiss off? The choice to continue was a risky...
Faces of the Valley: Adam Matcho’s latest poetry collection offers thought-provoking take on everyday struggles, triumphs
You won’t need a primer on poetic pentameter to find enjoyment and meaning in Adam Matcho’s latest collection. Some might call it poetry for working stiffs. The 90 poems the Washington Township writer included in “Ask Your Undertaker” are simple, deftly crafted vignettes that immediately feel familiar. Big-box retail stores,...
Herminie native’s book details struggles of longtime friend, Army veteran
As Memorial Day draws closer each year, Ronald Kaiser of Franklin Park always thinks of Anthony Herbert. Kaiser and Herbert grew up together in Herminie. Kaiser went on to a career in advertising, and Herbert went on to become one of the most decorated enlisted veterans of the Korean War....
Book explores Sandy Hook, Alex Jones, and why modern conspiracy theories have been so contagious
In late April, one week before a trial began that would decide how much Alex Jones should pay the families of first-graders murdered in the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut, the conspiracy theorist filed a motion in federal bankruptcy court. Jones, at the helm of a multi-million...
Besties and former ‘Office’ co-stars write on friendship
NEW YORK — Spoiler alert: Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey obviously knew how “The Office” ended its nine-year run on NBC, because, after all, they filmed it — but revisiting that time for their new book, “Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There,” was...
Henry Winkler gets book deal, memoir to come out in 2024
NEW YORK — Henry Winkler is as busy as ever these days, but the actor is still making time to write a memoir. Celadon Books announced Wednesday that it has a deal with Winkler to tell his life story. The memoir, currently untitled, is scheduled for 2024. Winkler, 76, became...
Lower Burrell author Tamara Girardi releases 1st children’s book, ‘Why, Daddy? Why?’
It was about the time Gabriella Girardi turned 4 that the questions started. “Research shows that age 4 is the age when we ask the most questions. No other age on the planet asks more questions than a 4-year-old,” said her mother, Tamara Girardi of Lower Burrell. But what made...
Bono memoir ‘Surrender’ to be released in November
NEW YORK — The long-rumored memoir by Bono, U2’s frontman, is coming out Nov. 1. Alfred A. Knopf announced Tuesday that the book, first signed up in 2015 but not officially disclosed at the time, will be called “Surrender.” Reports that he had a deal date back to at least...
Geena Davis memoir ‘Dying of Politeness’ comes out in fall
NEW YORK — Oscar winner Geena Davis has a memoir coming out this fall, titled “Dying of Politeness,” and described by the actor as her “journey to badassery.” HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced Tuesday that the book will be published Oct. 11. According to the publisher, Davis will...
Inaugural Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books will bring stories to life
“Books take you to places you could never go. Books can also take you away from places where you don’t want to be. A book can be like a best friend.” That’s how Laurie Moser feels about the printed word — and what motivated her to serve as co-chair for...
