Book Notes: April Round up

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Audiobook Version: This book pulls your emotions in all different directions. You want to feel sorry for the protagonist, Victoria Jones, but she treats people so poorly it can be difficult to empathize. Victoria was abandoned at birth and spent her first nine years traveling from foster and group homes. At nine she went to live with Elizabeth, who treated her as she felt a mother should, and taught her all about flowers. Flowers have their own meaning based on type, so it used to be people selected flowers based on the message they wanted to send/project not on their surface beauty. Flowers are weaved throughout the novel as Victoria learns about flowers, works at a flower shop, and ultimately starts her own business.
The book ends in Victoria's young adulthood when she seeks forgiveness from multiple people that have loved her over the years. The themes can be taken in many directions including; finding our way, loving without expectations, allowing love, following our interests/strengths and keeping an open heart.



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Mad Women: The Other Side of Life on Madison Avenue in the '60s and Beyond by Jane Maas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I am one of the few that has not watched Mad Men so this book was my introduction to advertising in the 1960's. This is a memoir by Jane Maas who started as a copy editor and rose to the ranks of creative director. Unlike the show, Maas' story is one of empowerment. Maas shares her story, those of her contemporaries, and often but briefly compares and contrasts these memories to what she's seen on the show.
It was interesting to hear Maas explain how even though women were in the workplace, they were still expected to carry out all of the responsibilities at home. She describes how people look back on this time as been liberating, but really it was quite imprisoning. Maas expresses her gratitude for her live-in help that carried out all of those duties during the week, caring for Maas' two daughters and doing all of the cooking, cleaning, and household errands. Maas knows that without this help she would not have been able to gain her workplace status. Jane admits to feeling inadequate and terrified all weekend long being alone at home with her children while her husband was often out on golf outings.
In the office Maas talks about constant sexual harassment from at least one colleague for over two years, and it only ended when she left the company. There was no Human Resources Department at the time, no policy against sexual harassment, and no one to listen to her even if she did want to complain, it was simply one of the challenges of the time. Like in the show, Maas knew of many affairs and there was heavy daytime drinking. The book painted a rounded, detailed view of the time and this particular group, highlighting both the good and the bad.



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In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect by Ronald Kessler

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This was a pretty scathing review of the Secret Service, the Secret Service Management that is. The author expands greatly on how there are great agents, and agents need to be highly qualified, but poor management is pushing them away, leaving less experienced agents on the job. Furthermore protectees are at risk because agents are overworked and understaffed. Agents do not get the sleep, training or exercise opportunities they need to be at their best. The book cites many examples of assassination attempts and goes on to say, due to the poor management, it's just a matter of time until they next attempt is successful.
Criticizing management took up about half of the book, the other half was gossipy, "What the agents saw" insights on the presidents and other protectees.
It was a pretty insightful book really, I always held the Secret Service in such esteem, and still do, but it seems they have the same problems as employees in any other sector; poor pay, poor conditions, no respect from supervisors, and no where to voice their opinions. Worth a gander if your Sociology-minded like I am.



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Defending Jacob by William Landay

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(I didn't write a formal review of this one because I was so behind on writing that I knew I would botch the details. In short, this book was about a District Attorney in a small town where a murder has taken place and his only son is the prime suspect. It was a riveting read as the DA is put on Administrative leave, freeing up his time to "find the real killer." The reader follows the twists and turns as more details emerge about all of the people around him. I highly recommend.)




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1st to Die by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(Here again, I'm writing this BRIEF summary weeks after listening to the book. This book takes the reader through the inception of the Women's Murder Club, of which Patterson goes on to write 11 more books. The Club is comprised of a reporter, medical examiner, detective and district attorney. I'm looking forward to reading/listening to #2)




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