It's Been Beautiful

Title: It's Been Beautiful: Soul! and Black Power Television

Author: Gayle Wald

Publisher: Duke University Press

 
ISBN:9780822358374

 

Thoughts: I had never heard of Soul! but Wald made it come to life while also providing insight into public television in the early 70s.

 

Rating: 4/5

Heartwood

Title: Heartwood

Author: Amity Gaige

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

 
ISBN:9781668111444

 

Thoughts: As a character-driven novel, this has merit, but as a mystery/suspense novel, the plot fell thin.

 

Rating: 3/5

The Diamond Formula

Title: The Diamond Formula

Author: Alina Simone

Publisher: Amazon Original Stories

 
ISBN:9781542003889

 

Thoughts: Through telling the tale of a turn-of-the-century hoax, Simone also exposes the seedy side of the diamond industry.

 

Rating: 3/5

The Greatest Gift

Title: The Greatest Gift

Author: Philip van Doren Stern

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

 
ISBN:9781576778860

 

Thoughts: Quick novelette that was the basis for It's a Wonderful Life.

 

Rating: 3/5

Beautiful Ugly

Title: Beautiful Ugly

Author: Alice Feeney

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

 
ISBN:9781250363954

 

Thoughts: Feeney knows how to create a creepy atmosphere that keeps you on edge and hides the twists.

 

Rating: 4/5