BEST SUMMER READS
As an entertainment editor, I get loads of books coming my way for review. The one that really caught my eye was by local Lani Hall Alpert. I knew her husband, famed musician Herb Alpert, well. (His nephew was my first boyfriend in high school.)
Who I didn’t know about was his talented wife Lani, whose new book, “Emotional Memories and Short Stories,” is on bookshelves now. We all know about her legendary husband, but Lani is impressive as well. She was born and raised in Chicago and became a professional singer at the tender age of 19. You might be surprised to learn that she was a lead vocalist with Sergio Mendez and Brazil 66.
Her list of credits is vast. She recorded 12 albums in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and even sang the title for the Bond flick “Never Say Never Again,” which featured the last appearance of the great Sean Connery as 007.
Now she’s turned to writing. Woven together with her personal narrative, “Emotional Memories and Short Stories” illuminates the “ever-shifting changes between dark and light in women’s lives.” It is set against the backdrop of Lani’s native city of Chicago. The work has won rave reviews from many notable names including Malibu’s Lou Adler, who says, “Her first book is as free form as a jazz piece, weaving in and out of intriguing situations and indelible characters. She writes as she sings, with emotion and passion.”
She also gets cheers from Sergio Mendes who says “Lani’s storytelling, like herself, is very sensitive, passionate and truly original.” Famed music boss and partner of Herb Alpert, Jerry Moss also gives her high praise: “Just like her incredible singing voice, Lani’s ‘Memories’ invites us on an extraordinary and revealing journey, packed with passion and drama, driven by a beguiling imagination.” Not bad for fan reviews.
Her vivid tales shed light on what it means for a woman to take back her power in a various situations.
They include making a choice between an exciting stranger and a distant husband, deciding whether to continue a lifelong career, and confronting unexpected reactions to cosmetic surgery. Summer’s here, so grab a good book and go.
SUMMER SCENE
It’s summertime movie time. The season kicked off with local Charlize Theron and Seth MacFarland in “A Million Ways to Die in the West.” The “Family Guy” creator takes on the wide-open spaces with pal Charlize riding shotgun.
Tom Cruise doesn’t quit either. He stars with Emily Blunt on “The Edge of Tomorrow.” Expect a lot of action and pass the popcorn.