Tag: musicians

Books

Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen’s Latest Crime Occurs in the ‘Blink of an Eye’ [REVIEW]

Microphone on stage
How can a pop star vanish right in the middle of a concert? (Photo courtesy Canva)

One of the most famous venues in the world. A major concert event. The showstopping moment that shocks the globe. When a young pop star vanishes during a performance, Dr. Kendra Michaels is called on to take the case. But are her keen powers of observation strong enough to solve an unimaginable crime and save the beloved musician? Find out in Iris and Roy Johansen’s latest thriller, Blink of an Eye.

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Books

RHAPSODY: Six Questions for Mitchell James Kaplan [INTERVIEW]

Pianist
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Mitchell James Kaplan brings George Gershwin and the jazz age to dazzling life in Rhapsody. (Photo courtesy Canva)

Few musicians left as indelible a mark on the great American songbook as George Gershwin. But it was his epic masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue, that made him an icon. From the first moment audiences heard the score’s opening wail, it was clear there were few musicians as adventurous or brilliant as Gershwin. Yet as with every artist, there is much more to his story than just his music. Now novelist Mitchell James Kaplan pulls back the curtain on the famed pianist’s fabled career in the forthcoming novel, Rhapsody, a book that is both vividly written and utterly compelling, and truly worthy of becoming our first Diamond Reviewed title for 2021. It shines a light not only on Gershwin’s discography, but also on his decade-long romance with another pianist, Kay Swift. We loved the book so much we couldn’t wait to sit down with Mitchell James Kaplan for this exclusive interview. Enjoy! —J&H

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Unknown's avatarJathan Fink2 Comments
Books, Videos

Travel Back in Time with Tamara Dever’s ‘I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie’ [REVIEW]

Remember all your favorite classic hits with games, trivia and more in I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie. (Author photo courtesy Tamara Dever)

Great books. Danceable music. Brain-teasing trivia. What do these three items have to do with each other? Author Tamara Dever made the connection between them decades ago, before playlists replaced mixed tapes (remember cassettes?) and long before books were downloaded on tablets rather than checked out at the library. Get ready to go “Back in Time” Marty McFly style with Dever’s new music quiz book, I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie. It’s a fun retrospective of everything we loved most about growing up in the 80s!

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Unknown's avatarJathan FinkLeave a comment
Books, Contest

‘Start Without Me’ Illustrates Why Some of Us Avoid Going Home at All Costs [REVIEW]

North Amherst, Massachusetts
In Start Without Me, Joshua Max Feldman proves that sometimes going back to your childhood home isn’t as joyous as it could be. (Photo by Doug Kerr, Flickr)

Home for the holidays. The very thought of it conjures up idealized Hollywood scenarious where everything is perfect, blanketed in clean white snow, with the family gathered around the table sharing fond, sweet memories of yesteryear. But in Joshua Max Feldman’s new novel, Start Without Me, he depicts another type of homecoming altogether. In fact, this story is as far from a Frank Capra movie as you can get.  Continue reading “‘Start Without Me’ Illustrates Why Some of Us Avoid Going Home at All Costs [REVIEW]”

Unknown's avatarJ.R. Wallace3 Comments