July, August

Shows:
Mostly what I saw in July were rehearsals for my show, and then my show.
Also took in Paul Susi's All At Sea, which was terrific (and full of my favorite people)

shows shows shows shows shows?
No, that's all I can think of!

Reading:
Re-read the first three Jackson Brodie books, then read Started Early, Took My Dog, which I'd been holding off on with great discipline for months.
My ranking of Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books, not that anyone asked:

1. When Will There Be Good News? (Book 3) brings us Joanna's tragic story and the adorable teenage Reg.  There's plenty of Louise, too, which is a big plus.  And poor Jackson is put through the ringer about sixteen times, each better than the last.
2. One Good Turn.  (Book 2) Martin is super compelling, and Gloria is plenty sympathetic.  Introduction of Louise.  Overall great movement from beginning to end--really rolls along and keeps you interested.  Julia's a bit of a villain, which is the best use for her.
3. Case Histories.  (Book 1) Introduction of Jackson,who is a great great hero, and of his really moving backstory.  Of the cases, the first one introduced if full of off-putting characters (the Land family) and the adventures of the errant Michelle feel off to the side and insignificant, but the Theo/Laura story is thoroughly gripping and moving.  [Weird sidebar: the entire time I read this book, I felt sure that I'd read the Michelle story before, almost scene for scene, but none of the rest of it.  Maybe there is something very similar in a Ruth Rendell?]
4. Started Early, Took My Dog (Book 4) So having liked each book more than the last, I was really let down by this one.  It's off the mark in terms of storytelling.  Tracy and her story are good, though bog down for a while in the middle.  There are way too many indistinct characters introduced at once--fellow cops who are important later, but never individual enough that we care or are shocked.  The dementia of Tilly, the old actress, is drawn in fascinating detail, but she's actually not important enough to warrant nearly 1/4 of the book.  And there is WAY too much Julia (mostly in Jackson's mind) and zero Louise!  Give me a break.
I am willing to accept all this if Started Early can be regarded as primarily a set-up for Book 5, a book I dearly look forward to!  Well, and the dog and the little girl are very lovable.

Other reading:  The Fault in Our Stars, and
a little to a lot of baseball history and lore, getting up to speed for a new play.