Robert B. Parker's Kickback: A Spenser novel

by Ace Atkins
Hennepin County Library audiobook 6 CDs
read by Joe Mantegna
genre: mystery

I got this (as well as several other titles) in preparation for my road trip with my sister Louise. I'm not sure how many (if any) Robert Parker books I've ever read, but I recognized the name as one she likes. Since Parker is dead and this was written by a different person (Atkins), I figured she hadn't read it yet. I was right! She knew the characters and some of the "in" jokes that I didn't get.

Spenser takes on a case for a distraught mom whose son was sent to a juvenile facility for a minor offense. As he looks into the case, there are two "dirty" judges and connections to the underworld.

Some of it was interesting and some of Spenser's attitude was funny. I see why this character resonates for Louise.

Borrowed Names: poems about Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madame C.J. Walker, Marie Curie, and their Daughters

by Jennine Atkins
Hennepin County Library hardcover 206 pages
genre: biographical poetry

Fascinating concept. Poetry based on the factual evidence of three amazing women and their relationships with their daughters. This actually left me wanting to read more about these women, though I generally liked them better than their daughters! Marie Curie's daughter impressed me most of the younger generation. I hadn't even known that she existed. I read some of this to my mom while she was in the hospital and I think she found it interesting too.