Last week I reviewed Singers & Songwriters: 1973-1975 (you can read my review here). Singers & Songwriters: 1976-1977 (2010) is another volume in this TIME-LIFE series. And, once again, it’s a mixed bag.

I’ve always liked Chicago’s “If You Leave Me Now” and Hall & Oates’ “Sara Smile.” Who can resist Elton John and Kiki Dee’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” “Get Closer” is my favorite Seals & Crofts song. Our local Oldies radio station. plays “Year of the Cat” by Al Stewart regularly.

Of the two Linda Ronstadt songs in this set, I prefer “Tracks of My Tears”–the Smokey Robinson classic. I’m fond of Dave Mason’s “We Just Disagree” and Jennifer Warnes’ “Right Time of the Night.”

Do you remember these Seventies songs? Any favorites here? GRADE: B+

TRACKLIST:

1-1	Orleans–	Still The One	3:56
1-2	Eric Clapton–	Hello Old Friend	3:05
1-3	Glen Campbell–	Southern Nights	3:00
1-4	Chicago (2)–	If You Leave Me Now	3:57
1-5	Daryl Hall & John Oates–	Sara Smile
1-6	Linda Ronstadt–	Blue Bayou	3:54
1-7	Firefall–	You Are The Woman	2:45
1-8	John Sebastian–	Welcome Back	2:52
1-9	England Dan & John Ford Coley–	I’d Really Love To See You Tonight	2:38
1-10	Elton John & Kiki Dee–	Don’t Go Breaking My Heart	4:25
1-11	Seals & Crofts–	Get Closer	3:56
1-12	Gary Wright–	Dream Weaver	4:18
2-1	Fleetwood Mac–	Say You Love Me	4:12
2-2	Al Stewart–	Year Of The Cat	6:38
2-3	Stephen Bishop–	On And On	3:01
2-4	Rita Coolidge–	(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher	4:02
2-5	Andrew Gold–	Lonely Boy	4:02
2-6	Dave Mason–	We Just Disagree	3:02
2-7	Elvin Bishop–	Fooled Around And Fell In Love	4:37
2-8	Linda Ronstadt–	Tracks Of My Tears	3:15
2-9	Jennifer Warnes–	Right Time Of The Night	2:54
2-10	Peter Frampton–	I’m In You	4:11
2-11	Eric Carmen–	All By Myself	7:11
2-12	Bread–	Lost Without Your Love	2:56

With a nod to the great ACE Doubles series, Saga Press has published a series of Saga Doubles with the tête-bêche binding format (upside down covers) for the two books bound together. Both covers are eye-catching, but I prefer the Night cover by Samuel Araya.

My favorite story in Day/Night (2025) is Jeffrey Ford’s “One Day.” This killing spree in a placid neighborhood will send chills down your spine!

If you’d like a story by story breakdown, check out https://happygoathorror.com/2026/02/02/when-daylight-is-as-scary-as-full-dark-night-and-day-edited-by-ellen-datlow/

I’ve read a number of Ellen Datlow’s anthologies and enjoyed them all. GRADE: B

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Day—Merciless Sun: Tales of Daylight

Preface — ix
The Bright Day by Priya Sharma — 1
Faire by Rachel Harrison — 16
Trick of the Light by Brian Evenson — 33
One Day by Jeffrey Ford — 43
The Wanting by A.T. Greenblatt — 58
Hold Us in the Light by A.C. Wise — 65
Dismaying Creatures by Robert Shearman — 88
Bitter Skin by Kaaron Warren — 108
Cold Iron by Sophie White — 129

Night—Dreadful Dark: Tales of Nighttime Horror

Preface — vii
Trash Night by Clay McLeod Chapman — 1
We Take Off Our Skin in the Dark by Eric LaRocca –25
The Door of Sleep by Stephen Graham Jones — 33
At Night, My Dad by Dan Chaon — 55
The Night House by Gemma Files — 63
The Night-Mirrors by Pat Cadigan — 92

Fear of the Dark by Benjamin Percy –120
The Picknicker by Josh Malerman — 141
Secret Night by Nathan Ballingrud — 157

“What happens when you wake up the morning after leaving the most important rock band of all time? In April 1970, Paul released his first solo album, McCartney, alongside a shocking press release that announced the beloved band had split. When asked what he’d do next, he said his only plan… was to grow up. Man on the Run captures Paul’s transformative decade in the wake of The Beatles’ break-up. Through stunning archival footage, Linda McCartney’s exceptional photographs, and interviews with Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde, Sean Ono Lennon, Mary and Stella McCartney, all the living Wings members, and of course Paul himself, the film examines this time through a uniquely vulnerable lens.” — ROTTEN TOMATOES

Back in the time of Beatlemania, my sister Karen fell in love with Paul McCartney. My sister Eileen fell in love with John Lennon. I liked George Harrison…because his name was George. None of us were keen about Ringo.

Over the years, I’ve read about a dozen books about the Beatles and as a result, I’ve come to admire Paul McCartney more and more. In my opinion, bolstered by many of these Beatle books, McCartney was the real creative force behind the Beatles. He wrote many of their best songs. He has a distinctive voice. Paul tried to keep the Beatles together when Yoko tore them apart.

This documentary on AMAZON PRIME Plus shows sides of Paul McCartney I’ve never seen before. If you’re a Beatles fan, if you’re a Paul McCartney fan, if you love great music and want to know more about Wings–actually more successful than The Beatles–don’t miss wonderful Man on the Run. Do you have a favorite Beatle? GRADE: A

I’ve been reading Lydia Davis’s essays and translations for decades. In her new book, Into the Weeds (2025), Davis takes the reader “into the weeds” of her writing process. She discusses the books that most affected her writing like Moby Dick (1851) and John Ashbery’s Other Traditions (2001).

“When I began trying in all honesty to answer the question of why I write, one of the first answers I came to was for the pleasure of it.” (p. 12). I’m sure most of us can relate to that. When I’m in the groove and the words are just pouring onto my computer screen, I’m totally delighted.

“I don’t write to convey a message, and I don’t write stories to achieve any particular purpose, I don’t write stories to persuade a reader of something I believe, though I have many, many beliefs.” (p. 13) Many writers claim they write to entertain the reader. Holding the reader’s interest–especially in the case of 1000+ page novel–is a talent I marvel at.

Vladimir Nabokov once wrote: “I happen to be the kind of author who in starting to work on a book has no other purpose than to get rid of that book.” (p. 125). Stephen King admits he’s addicted to writing.

We all have various motives for the writing we do. Why do you write? GRADE: B+

The confluence of Black History Month and the Supreme Court upending the Trump Tariffs led me to move Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s memoir to the top of the READ REAL SOON stack.

Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States. Lovely One tells the story of a family that went from segregation to a seat on the Supreme Court in one generation. It really is an American success story.

From the start with the naming of a little girl–she was named “Ketanji Onyika,” meaning
“Lovely One,” based on a suggestion from her aunt–to being raised by parents who were teachers, the path to success was set at an early age. Jackson excelled in school which led her to graduating magna cum laude from Harvard.

The typical struggles of a woman in the legal profession, the tortured path to becoming a skilled lawyer while juggling marriage and motherhood should inspire all of us.

If you’re looking for a memoir with insights and inspiration, Lovely One celebrates justice, equality, and the American Dream. GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Preface: A sacred trust — xiii

Part One: Bringing the gifts

The dream — 1

Black studies — 20

No place like home — 31

The deep end — 42

Warrior hearts — 59

Mighty spirit striving — 69

Force of nature — 85

The secret — 104

Beloved community — 122

In circle square — 141

Our people — 143

A more perfect union — 165

Love changes everything — 183

Part Two: Grit and grace

A year like no other — 219

African homecoming — 228

The culture of big law — 239

What is justice? — 258

Call of duty — 271

Parenthood — 291

The bench — 311

Life support — 331

From Leila’s lips (to God’s ears) — 344

America the beautiful — 354

We are the dream — 362

Epilogue: Lovely life — 381

Acknowledgments — 387

Notes –– 391

Photograph credits — 407

Michael J. Sullivan found success with his Riyria Revelations series–Theft of Swords (2011), Rise of Empire (2011), and Heir of Novron (2012)–and made the surprising decision to write prequels to his series.

The Crown Tower (2013), The Rose and the Thorn (2013) and The Death of Dulgath (2015) tell the story of how Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his former soldier partner, Hadrian Blackwater, became partners. The Riyria Chronicles reveals the backstory of the two heroes of the Riyria Revelations.

 Royce Melborn is a shadowy figure, quick and silent as a master thief should be. Hadrian Blackwater, whose blacksmith father trained him to be a fighter, has an opposite personality.

Initially, both men disliked and distrusted each other. But, when forced to work together, Royce and Hadrian found the benefits of each others skill set.

The Crown Tower (2013), the name of a formidable fortress, holds a book Royce and Hadian must steal. Along with this mission, there are treacherous nobles who seek to assassinate the King. Royce and Hadian get involved in that plot, too. GRADE: B

The Rose and the Thorn (2013) starts with Gwen DeLancy, a woman who saves Royce and Hadrian from certain death.  We learn about Royce’s relationship with Black Diamond, a sinister criminal organization. And, of course, there’s murder, betrayal, and intrigue among the nobles. GRADE: B-

The Death of Dulgath (2015) begins with Royce and Hadrian hired by a Church leader and a nobleman to advise them on how to assassinate the last member of the oldest noble family in Avryn. Two assassination attempts have failed so Royce and Hadrian provide assassination schemes sure to succeed. But both men are troubled by the situation. And Royce learns a secret about his Past. GRADE: B+

Sword fights, romance, conspiracies, and narrow escapes make this series escapist fun!

Some of my favorite music comes from the Seventies. Singers and Songwriters: 1973-1975 (2002) includes the usual Great Hits…and slush. “Desperado” is one of Linda Ronstadt’s best songs. “Send in the Clowns” by Judy Collins is a classic. One Hit Wonder group, Blue Swede, gave us “Hooked on a Feeling” that still gets some airplay on our local Oldies radio station today.

Of course, there are plenty of duds like “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree” by Tony Orlando & Dawn–a song that grates on me every time I hear it because of years of “over playing” by radio and TV. And weak One Hit Wonders like Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods’ “Billy, Don’t Be A Hero” and Paper Lace’s “The Night Chicago Died.”

Another hit and miss compilation. Do you remember these songs? Any favorites here? GRADE: B-

TRACKLIST:

1-1	Stories–	Brother Louie	3:57
1-2	Ozark Mountain Daredevils*–	Jackie Blue	4:11
1-3	Andy Kim–	Rock Me Gently	3:29
1-4	Carole King–	Corazon	3:58
1-5	Jim Croce–	Workin’ At The Car Wash Blues	2:33
1-6	Helen Reddy–	Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)	3:26
1-7	Linda Ronstadt–	Desperado	3:32
1-8	Maureen McGovern–	The Morning After	2:20
1-9	America (2)–	Daisy Jane	3:09
1-10	Gladys Knight & The Pips*–	Midnight Train To Georgia	4:42
1-11	Charlie Rich–	The Most Beautiful Girl	2:43
1-12	Judy Collins–	Send In The Clowns	4:00
2-1	Captain & Tennille*–	Love Will Keep Us Together	3:24
2-2	Glen Campbell–	Rhinestone Cowboy	3:16
2-3	Tony Orlando & Dawn–	Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree	3:21
2-4	Three Dog Night–	Shambala	3:25
2-5	Blue Swede–	Hooked On A Feeling	2:53
2-6	Paper Lace–	The Night Chicago Died	3:32
2-7	Bo Donaldson And The Heywoods*–	Billy, Don’t Be A Hero	3:40
2-8	10cc–	I’m Not In Love	6:07
2-9	Jim Croce–	Photographs And Memories	2:07
2-10	Janis Ian–	From Me To You	3:21
2-11	Loggins & Messina*–	Thinking Of You	2:21
2-12	Harry Chapin–	Mr. Tanner	4:53

I’ve read several of Don Winslow’s works over the years ( you can read my reviews: Satori here, The Power of the Dog here, The Cartel here, The Gentleman’s Hour here, and The Dawn Patrol here). The Final Score is a collection of six crime stories that cover a lot of ground.

My favorite story in The Final Score is the title story. I love capers and “The Final Score” could have been written by Donald E. Westlake. A professional thief about to go to prison for a Long Time decides he needs one more Big Score to make sure his wife is set for life while he’s doing a life sentence. The nearby casino is a laundry for millions of dollars of drug money and seemingly invincible. But, there’s always a flaw in any security system.

The planning is crafty and the ending has all the drama you would want.

On the cover of The Final Score there’s a Stephen King blurb: “The best crime fiction I’ve read in twenty years.” Reed Farrell Colman agrees. GRADE: B+

Table of Contents:

Forward by Reed Farrel Coleman — xi

• The Final Score (A high-stakes casino robbery) — 1
• The Sunday List (Caught between dreams and danger) — 41
• The North Wing (A patrolman faces a loyalty dilemma regarding his cousin) — 77
• True Story (Mob associates sharing tales) — 117
• The Lunch Break (Features PI Boone Daniels) — 153
• Collision (A family man’s desperate situation) — 193

Acknowledgements — 285