TheRicanReader

I would like to thank NetGalley, author Judith Viorst, and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advanced copy of  Making the Best of What's Left: When You're Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered.  This review reflects my personal thoughts and opinions, independent of any influence from the author, publisher, or NetGalley.   Review Bestselling author Judith Viorst, at age 94, once again delivers an engaging, witty, and deeply reflective exploration of life’s later years in  Making the Best of What's Left.  With her hallmark blend of humor and wisdom, Viorst offers a compelling and, at times, sobering examination of aging and the inevitability of life's passage. While her humor shines, the book’s real power lies in its poignant reflections on embracing the twilight years with courage, grace, and acceptance.   Viorst’s sharp and entertaining writing stands out. She masterfully balances humor—often a much-needed antidote to life’s heavier realities—...

Acknowledgment is due to NetGalley, the author David Von Drehle, and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advanced copy of  The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man . This extraordinary book is a profound exploration of resilience, wisdom, and the art of living well.   David Von Drehle’s telling of Dr. Charlie White’s story This is more than a biography; it’s a meditation on how to navigate life’s challenges with grace and purpose. Charlie White’s remarkable 109 years offer lessons on thriving through seismic cultural shifts and personal trials, making his life a blueprint for resilience and wisdom.   A Stoic Blueprint for Modern Life As a student of Stoicism, I’m drawn to stories that exemplify its principles. Charlie’s life embodies them effortlessly. From enduring the loss of his father as a child to adapting to monumental societal changes, Charlie offers timeless lessons: Accept what you cannot change. Focus on your ...

Curiosity is your superpower, and Dorothy Leeds’  The 7 Powers of Questions  shows you how to wield it. As a former corporate executive and graduate-level adjunct professor, I’ve always encouraged my teams and students to ask questions—not just to gain knowledge, but to start conversations, spark connections, uncover opportunities, and challenge assumptions. Leeds’ book takes this principle further, proving that the power of inquiry is transformative in life, work, and leadership.   As children, we asked countless questions—“Why is the sky blue?” “How does this work?”—because we were curious, eager to learn, and unafraid to challenge the status quo. But somewhere along the way, most of us stopped. Leeds argues that society conditions us to accept things as they are instead of questioning them, and she offers practical tools to reverse this trend.   For business leaders, this book is a game-changer. The ability to ask thoughtful, strategic questions is essential to in...

Henry Cole’s Albert’s ABCs: A Sibling Story is a delightful and relatable picture book that cleverly combines the alphabet with the dynamics of sibling relationships. The story follows Albert, a young alligator, as he navigates the challenges and joys of having a baby brother, Baxter. Using single words arranged alphabetically, the book captures everyday moments of siblinghood—from frustration to affection—through simple yet effective storytelling. Each letter introduces a new scenario, such as “Crying,” “Diaper,” and “Nap,” culminating in a tender resolution with “X” for a kiss and “Zzz” for bedtime peace.   The illustrations, rendered digitally by Cole, are expressive and comedic, with Albert’s exaggerated facial expressions vividly conveying his emotions throughout the day. While some readers may find the digital art less vibrant or textured compared to traditional media, the illustrations effectively complement the humor and charm of the narrative.   This 32-page book is i...

In a world where diversity continues to flourish, J. Lindt’s The Ultimate Guide: Raising Mixed Race Kids is a timely, practical, and compassionate resource for families navigating the unique challenges of raising multiracial children. Gratitude to NetGalley, J. Lindt, and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an advanced copy. Coming from a multiracial family, I deeply resonate with the insights Lindt shares. Families like mine—spanning generations and blending diverse cultural backgrounds—know firsthand the beauty and complexity of embracing identity in a world that often seeks to define us by labels. This book is an invaluable guide for empowering children to build self-esteem and a sense of self-worth rooted in who they truly are, not in how society perceives them. Key takeaways: • Bolstering Self-Image: Lindt provides actionable advice for helping children develop a positive                         ...

S.A. Cosby’s  Razorblade  Tears  is a haunting, electrifying novel that grips you with its raw emotion and searing honesty. A story of grief, regret, and redemption, it follows two fathers—Isaiah “Ike” Randolph, a Black ex-con, and Buddy Lee Jenkins, a white, alcoholic drifter—bonded by the shared loss of their sons, Isaiah and Derek, a married couple brutally murdered. In their pain and guilt, these two grieving men form an uneasy alliance to avenge their sons’ deaths and, in doing so, confront their own failings as fathers who turned their backs on their boys while they were alive. This is a novel that will break your heart and mend it all at once, delivering a sobering message for us all: accept your kids, your family, your friends for who they are, not for who you want them to be. Cosby doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, forcing readers to confront not only the biases of his characters but also the ones we may carry within ourselves. Adam Lazarre-White’s narration...

HBCU Made: A Celebration of the Black College Experience, Edited by Ayesha Rascoe First and foremost, gratitude to NetGalley, Ayesha Rascoe, and Algonquin Books for providing me with an advanced copy. Based on this excellent collection of essays, I would retitle this book, HBCU Made: "A Celebration of Legacy and Excellence, The Black College Experience." Edited by Ayesha Rascoe, the host of NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, HBCU Made captures the transformative power of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through essays from a diverse set of contributors. This anthology stands out as a one-of-a-kind collection, offering moving and candid accounts of the HBCU experience.  Why It Matters: HBCUs have long been sanctuaries of opportunity and cultural pride for Black students, often serving as the only viable path to higher education amidst systemic barriers. These institutions are foundational to America’s educational landscape, nurturing leaders, fostering talen...

A Masterful Dive into Grief, Revenge, and Buried Secrets Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s  Fever Dream —the tenth book in the Special Agent Pendergast series and the opening act of the Helen trilogy—is a riveting exploration of grief, revenge, and the haunting power of secrets. As a devoted fan of the enigmatic FBI Agent Aloysius Pendergast, I remain captivated by how this series effortlessly blends intellectual intrigue with pulse-pounding suspense. In this installment, Pendergast embarks on his most personal mission yet: uncovering the truth about his wife Helen’s death. What was long deemed an accidental tragedy during a safari in Africa takes a sinister turn when a chance discovery in his New Orleans home reveals Helen’s death was no accident. With his signature blend of cold precision and simmering fury, Pendergast plunges into the depths of this mystery, unearthing a labyrinth of secrets that threaten to dismantle his carefully constructed reality. At the heart of  Fe...

The Death of Socrates: A Thoughtful but Challenging Read Emily R. Wilson’s  The Death of Socrates  ambitiously delves into one of philosophy’s most enduring moments: the trial and execution of Socrates. It’s an undeniably rich subject, brimming with intellectual tension and historical intrigue. Wilson examines the cultural, political, and philosophical threads that led to Socrates’ death, aiming to unravel why his defiance and ultimate demise still resonate. But while the subject matter is fascinating, the execution feels dense and, at times, plodding. Wilson’s prose, though erudite, can be daunting for readers without a strong grounding in classical studies. What should have been an engaging exploration often drags under the weight of its own meticulousness. Instead of drawing the reader into Socrates’ world, the book risks alienating all but the most devoted scholars. That said, Wilson’s insights are sharp, and her ability to connect Socrates’ story to broader themes of diss...

A Powerhouse Collaboration in  Death by Misadventure Thank you to NetGalley, Tasha Alexander, and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy of  Death by Misadventure: A Lady Emily Mystery . As a longtime admirer of Alexander’s work, I remain captivated by her ability to weave historical intrigue with rich, imaginative storytelling.   This latest installment seamlessly interweaves two timelines: Lady Emily’s investigation into the suspicious death of an aristocrat in a snowbound Bavarian villa in 1906 and the story of Niels, a young German lord, and his friendship with King Ludwig II nearly forty years earlier. Alexander masterfully bridges the past and present, uncovering how secrets reverberate across generations.   Set against Ludwig’s fairy-tale castle and the opulent villa of Baroness Ursula von Duchtel, the novel brims with atmosphere. Alexander’s richly drawn characters and multi-layered mysteries create a plot as immersive as it is suspenseful.   Bianca Amato’...