The Perfect Mother

Support. New moms need support. Aimee Molloy’s novel titled, The Perfect Mother, introduces readers to the May Mothers, a group whose children were born at the same time, and who provide support for each other. During a rare night out for the moms at a bar, one of the children goes missing. Molloy picks up the pace and races through the next two weeks of anguish, tension, revelation and a surprising twist. Fans of thrillers are those readers most likely to enjoy this novel. Any reader with a young child doesn’t have the time to read this novel, and that’s a very good thing. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Perfect Mother from amazon.com.

The Tyranny of Metrics

Reconsider. I loved Jerry Muller’s attack on over-quantification in his book titled, The Tyranny of Metrics. He argues persuasively that there has been a growing obsession with metrics, and often the wrong things are measured for the wrong reasons. So many measures are “gamed” that those responsible for setting them must reconsider the effectiveness of what has moved beyond effective tools for applying judgment. Muller packs this book with examples of metrics gone awry and offers ways to think differently about improving the use of quantitative measures. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase The Tyranny of Metrics from amazon.com.

The Poisoned City: Flint's Water and the American Urban Tragedy

Negligence. In her book titled, The Poisoned City: Flint's Water and the American Urban Tragedy, journalist Anna Clark provides interested readers with a comprehensive account of the recent Flint water crisis. Every chapter describes incompetence, neglect and negligence on the part of those who are responsible for delivering clean and safe water to citizens. There’s also a story here of racism and disenfranchising citizens, while providing exemptions for corporations. Readers interested in public policy are those most likely to appreciate this book. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase The Poisoned City from amazon.com.

The Captives

Choices. Debra Jo Immergut’s debut novel titled, The Captives, is set mostly in a prison, and presents a story from the perspective of two troubled protagonists who continue to make poor choices. Frank Lundquist is a psychologist who lost his private practice and now works in a prison. When his high school crush, inmate Miranda Greene, arrives in his office, Frank knows what professional behavior requires. Immergut informs readers of that in chapter headings and excerpts from professional rules. Frank makes other choices. In her own way, Miranda also makes sub-optimal choices. Both characters are captive and are looking for freedom from their circumstances. I’m a bit tired of spending time with disturbing characters, but this novel is well-written, and I was entertained. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Captives from amazon.com.

Something in the Water

Amoral. I thoroughly enjoyed the hours I spent with the despicable protagonists of Catherine Steadman’s debut novel titled, Something in the Water. Erin and Mark deserve each other, given the secrets they keep from each other, and their separate and equal amoral behavior. After Mark loses his investment banking job shortly before their wedding, they constrain their spending: the minimum but large cost of their wedding reception; and a shorter-than-planned honeymoon in Bora Bora. While on that trip, they find something in the water that brings out the worst in both of them. Steadman moves the plot at a thrilling pace, and captures the venality, selfishness and amorality of these characters. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase Something in the Water from amazon.com.

War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence

Lamentation. Journalist and former State Department official Ronan Farrow has written a lamentation titled, War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence, about the transformation of diplomacy by the United States. He interviewed lots of people for this book, many on the record, including all living former Secretaries of State. The result in a comprehensive, well-footnoted book that describes through stories the ways in which diplomacy is changing, along with American influence. Readers interested in public policy are those most likely to enjoy this finely written account of a dramatic transformation in world affairs. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase War on Peace from amazon.com.

Hope Never Dies

Investigators. Andrew Shaffer has begun a mystery series with a novel titled, Hope Never Dies. The two investigators are Barack Obama and Joe Biden, finding new things to do now that they have left political office. No reader would mistake this novel for fine writing, but I found the premise funny, the mystery interesting enough, and the new roles for familiar characters a real hoot. Readers looking for quick escapist reading should consider this novel. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Hope Never Dies from amazon.com.