Book Review for October 27TH

October 27th by Keith Poole 

 Review by Lena Land Books

Jackson Murphy is a Super-Star Barber, known around town to work hard and play harder.  With his closest confidante Tyrone by his side, Jackson smoothly navigates the brutal streets he was raised in and the relationships he flows in and out of like a true Player.

Author Keith Poole’s voice is both comedic and grounded in reality as he spins his tale about Jackson, a man other men aspire to be and a man who women can’t seem to live without.

As Jackson easily holds the title for “Player of the Year,” his main man Tyrone could be best described as a self-professed “Mr. Nice Guy.”  However, Tyrone is a star in his own right as a man who appears to be the epitome of naiveté and chivalry.  A polar opposite to Jackson, Tyrone is the man most women dream of marrying.

Initially, the book seems to be about a day in the life of Jackson Murphy, yet it is so much more.  This story is about friendship, loyalty, and growing pains.  Surprisingly it is a love story too!

Although October 27th begins with a slow simmer, there is an air of anticipation for what is to come.  Readers will not be disappointed as the final chapters build for an unexpected climax.

All In A Day's Work Book Review

All In A Day’s Work by J.D. Kennedy

Review by Lena Land Books

5/11/2012

With New York City set as the backdrop for this witty tale, Author JD Kennedy captures the inequalities and biases within society and corporate America by introducing the characters of All In A Day's Work.   Most of who are all too familiar.

The story, told through Regina's (The Office Manager) rose-colored lenses, not only gives the reader a glimpse into the dark-side of PR, but also provides an unfiltered reality of the racism, sexism and stereotypes that we all face in our waking lives.  Although the story is delivered through humor and satire, it is hard to escape the reoccurring feeling of a deeper message lingering between the lines.

Each character in the book has personal baggage, as we all do.  However, these employees happily carry their issues to work with them, as easily as they would a MacBook.  Whether working with Percy (The President) who uses his position to mask his inferiority complex toward women or working closely with the college intern who happens to run a drug den out of her Hermes bag, Regina certainly does have her hands full.  As she casually mentions in the book, "being on the job is never really about the job at all."

Never a dull moment to be found in this story, All In A Day's Work sheds light on our troubled society while simultaneously making light of it!