I love reviewing books but sometimes the pace of reading them can feel like that classic I Love Lucy episode at the chocolate factory. The conveyer belt speeds up and the books keep coming along faster than they can be “wrapped” in a review. Summer gives me a chance to catch up with some good books that whizzed by in spring.
James Lasdun’s The Family Man: Blood and Betrayal in the House of Murdaugh came out the first week of May, which is when I read it. This nonfiction book, which grew out of a piece Lasdun wrote for The New Yorker, is about the investigation and conviction of prominent South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh for the 2021 murders of his wife and adult son.
Then came the real-life plot twist: A little over a week after Lasdun’s book was published, Murdaugh’s conviction was overturned because of jury tampering. A retrial is being scheduled. Rather than rendering The Family Man obsolete, this new twist intensifies the miasma of stories that swirl around the Murdaugh case — including suspicious deaths and embezzlement.
Lasdun is a “true crime” writer in the reflective mold of his late New Yorker colleague Janet Malcolm. Although investigating the double murder case drives this narrative, Lasdun is most interested in exploring the ultimate unsolvable mystery: the mystery of evil.
Harriet Clark’s debut novel, The Hill, which came out in May, has been getting tons of deserved praise. The novel draws explicitly from Clark’s own background: Born in 1980, Clark was 11 months old when her mother, a member of the radical Weather Underground, was arrested and sentenced for her involvement in a Brinks armored truck robbery that resulted in the deaths of three men. Clark’s maternal grandparents got custody and she visited her mother in prison for almost 40 years, before she was paroled in 2019.
Clark’s main character, Suzanna, is 8 when the story begins and living with her grandparents, former members of the American Communist Party. The plot here is a marvel of sustained claustrophobic stasis. Every week, Suzanna is taken — first by her grandfather, then by a nun, then on her own — to visit her mother at the Children’s Center in Hillcrest prison. Suzanna’s voice charges this novel with intelligence:
Each week … my mother fixed and re-fixed my hair. I slept and didn’t sleep, . … Around us women counted down to release, but my mother and I had been released from countdowns. No reason to look forward, no interest in looking back, we were, as I saw it, free of the past and free of the future. Carnival Day, Friendship Day, Birthday Day — the holidays in the Center followed their own lilting rhythms, and eventually we submitted again to the lull and pleasures of our timeless life.
All the while I was reading The Hill, I kept thinking of E.L. Doctorow’s The Book of Daniel, inspired by the Rosenberg case. The two novels differ in scope, but like Doctorow, Clark interrogates the cost of parents’ radical commitment to their children, as well as how the world itself shifts radically, from generation to generation.
Sometimes I put aside a good book for a bad reason. Mary Costello’s slim novel, A Beautiful Loan, touted as a devastating story about relationships, came out in March. “No,” I thought back then, “not another ersatz Sally Rooney in time for St. Patrick’s Day.”
But, one empty afternoon, I picked it up and kept reading, mostly because the present-tense narration of the main character, Anna, struck me as so weird in tone. Her deadened voice was at odds with her emotional turbulence. Here’s 19-year-old Anna summarizing how Paul, an elusive older man she’ll eventually marry, keeps her in thrall to what she calls “this oscillating life”:
In the middle of the night, … he rises on one elbow in the bed beside me and, in an urgent, desperate voice, says, I love you. In the morning, he makes no reference to this, and I think he must have spoken in his sleep. Never again in our lives together will he say those three words.
A Beautiful Loan spans 25 years and Anna’s obsessive devotion to two men, one dog, the writings of Camus and Jung, and the practice of Islam. Like the other two books I’ve caught up with here, it may not be the ideal “beach read,” but it would be perfect for a wash-out of a summer weekend.

Ariana Grande felt the love in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
The superstar singer delivered the second of four performances at Crypto.com Arena on The Eternal Sunshine Tour, and 90 minutes through the show Grande stopped to address the crowd, which responded to her comments with wild cheers and applause.
“Thank you so much, oh my god. L.A., thank you so much. Are you kidding? What the hell? I’ve never in my life experienced a crowd like this,” Grande said as she got emotional and wiped away tears with a gloved hand while wearing custom Vivienne Westwood, Christian Louboutin boots and Swarovski jewelry. “This is so overwhelming in the most beautiful way ever. Thank you so much for being so loving. Holy moly. I said holy moly, but I meant it, you know.”
As the crowd cheered, Grande continued her comments while wiping away more tears. “This means so much to me. You guys are so amazing. I love you so much and I always have. You can’t do this to me, you know what I mean, because you know what’s going to happen. You know I’m a cancer. This is going to happen,” she said, motioning that more tears would come if they continued to applaud and cheer like that.”
Grande then thanked her fans for “always being such a loving, safe presence in my life” and being there “throughout all these chapters and all of these years.” She hasn’t toured since 2019, so The Eternal Sunshine Tour marked a triumphant return to the stage after taking some years to film, promote and perform on behalf of the Wicked franchise for Universal Pictures alongside Cynthia Erivo for director Jon M. Chu. (On that note, The Hollywood Reporter spotted Universal chairman Donna Langley attending Sunday night’s show and sitting in one of Crypto’s VIP suites.)
“I just have so much gratitude,” she added. “And wow. Holy shit. Holy fuck. Thank you.”
Grande, whose talent and comedic timing landed her Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, then switched from earnest to humorous. “I also have to say this is my first time touring wearing contact lenses. It’s so nice to see you for the first time in my life and to be able to connect. It’s so powerful,” she quipped. “This is a very overwhelming night.”
She closed by saying thank you to her fans for being there for her from 2013’s “Honeymoon Avenue” to 2025’s “Hampstead.” On cue, she then launched into a performance of the latter track. The setlist for the night included such hits as “yes, and?”, “positions,” “thank u, next,” “7 rings,” “Rain on Me,” “Break Free,” “Dangerous Woman,” “we can’t be friends” and her current No. 1 track “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” which became her milestone 10th Hot 100 No. 1.
The Live Nation-produced tour was in support of her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, released on March 8, 2024, via Republic Records, and its deluxe follow-up, Eternal Sunshine: Brighter Days Ahead, which dropped a year later. It also comes on the eve of the release of her eighth studio album, Petals, set for release on July 31.
It’s already been a draw for celebrities. Spotted at Saturday night’s L.A. show were Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Addison Rae, Ashlee Simpson Ross and more.
Upcoming Eternal Sunshine Tour dates:
Wednesday, June 17 – Los Angeles’ Kia Forum
Friday, June 19 – Los Angeles’ Kia Forum
Wednesday, June 24 – Austin’s Moody Center
Friday, June 26 – Austin’s Moody Center
Tuesday, June 30 – Sunrise, Floriday’s Amerant Bank Arena
Thursday, July 2 – Sunrise, Florida’s Amerant Bank Arena
Monday, July 6 – Atlanta’s State Farm Arena
Wednesday, July 8 – Atlanta’s State Farm Arena
Sunday, July 12 – Brooklyn’s Barclays Center
Monday, July 13 – Brooklyn’s Barclays Center
Thursday, July 16 – Brooklyn’s Barclays Center
Saturday, July 18 – Brooklyn’s Barclays Center
Wednesday, July 22 – Boston’s TD Garden
Friday, July 24 – Boston’s TD Garden
Tuesday, July 28 – Montreal’s Bell Centre
Thursday, July 30 – Montreal’s Bell Centre
Monday, August 3 – Chicago’s United Center
Wednesday, August 5 – Chicago’s United Center
Saturday, August 15 – London’s The O2
Sunday, August 16 – London’s The O2
Wednesday, August 19 – London’s The O2
Thursday, August 20 – London’s The O2
Sunday, August 23 – London’s The O2

Former NBA Star Dwight Howard says his wife is a master of lies and manipulation … and alleges she tricked him into marriage with false claims about her fertility … at least according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ.
Dwight filed court docs requesting a protective order against Amber — also known by her stage name Amy Luciani — claiming they have had a rocky relationship for years … which led to him filing for divorce.
He said Amber started a “crusade of lies and defamation” against him … costing him job opportunities. He said she is also spreading lies about him to his family, friends, and the mothers of his children.
Dwight said Amber also made false statements about him to law enforcement. Dwight says his ex had a “history of lying and manipulating” him … claiming she knew she was unable to have children but “denied that fact and actively lied about” it, resulting in their marriage. We’re told Amber is denying Dwight’s claims.
Dwight also adamantly denied her claims that he used cocaine, claiming he had never used cocaine in his life. He said this claim cost him work.
A couple of days later, Dwight and Amber reached a deal not to come within 100 yards of each other and not harass each other on social media.

Actress Anne Schedeen, best known for playing matriarch Kate Tanner on the late-’80s sitcom ALF, has died. She was 77.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share Annie has passed peacefully,” reads a post on her official Facebook page. “She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of creative energy, whip smart humor, delight in her family, adoration for little dogs, burning hatred for Trump, passion for second-hand thrifting, and love for a good story. We are bereft without her. We loved her so so much, as did all who met her.”
“She was a force. And it is unimaginable to think about life without her in it,” the Facebook post continued. “But as she said, ‘I’m always with you.’ And she’s right. The memories, artwork, belly laughter, handmade jewelry, oil paintings, sculptures, costumes, and all around joie de vivre live on. Raise a margarita in her honor.”
Her agent, Metropolitan Talent Agency CEO and president Tom Markley, also confirmed the news. “Anne was a true artist and friend. One of a kind. I’ll miss her,” he said.
A cause of death was not revealed.
Schedeen was born Luanne Ruth Schedeen on Jan. 8, 1949, and grew up on a farm outside of Portland, Ore. She once told The Washington Post that she started acting at age 6 “with teapots and flowers” and later took acting lessons at the Portland Civic Theater. She did local theater in Hawaii and studied at Portland State University and Fort Wright College in Spokane, Wash., before relocating to New York and taking a stab at acting professionally.
“It was a long wait. I sold clothes, modeled clothes, was a shoe model,” she said. “I played in summer stock and did a commercial. Then I got signed by a big agent. Within a month I had a contract with Universal. I thought I’d come out here, take fencing lessons, drive a small Thunderbird and sit by the swimming pool. Instead, I was the daughter on Marcus Welby, M.D.”
She landed roles in shows including Paper Dolls, Emergency! and Simon & Simon before ALF. Schedeen played Kate Tanner on the sitcom about a wisecracking alien who lands in the garage of a family who lives in suburban California and moves in with them. The series ran from September 1986 to March 1990 on NBC and spawned several spinoffs, including an animated show.
“When ALF came along it was another pilot season,” she says. “I kept reading scripts. I almost got involved with one, then withdrew at the last minute. Then I read ALF. I said, ‘This is funny. It makes me laugh.’ I met the people involved, I met ALF, and became more convinced I wanted to do it. That little alien made me laugh.”
However, Schedeen later revealed to People Magazine that working on the show was a “technical nightmare — extremely slow, hot and tedious. If you had a scene with ALF, it took centuries. A 30-minute show took 20 to 25 hours to shoot. Some of the actors in the cast had difficult personalities. The whole thing was a big, dysfunctional family.”
She is survived by her husband of 55 years Christopher Barrett, daughter Tay Barrett, daughter-in-law Hilary Flynn, sister Sarabeth Schedeen, niece Minnie Schedeen brother Roland “Tony” Schedeen and sister in-law Julieann Schedeen. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity.

Anne Schedeen, the actress who starred as matriarch Kate Tanner on NBC’s ALF (1986-’90), has died. She was 77.
Deadline confirms the actress died after the family announced on Sunday that she “passed peacefully” with a heartfelt tribute posted on her Facebook. A cause of death was not immediately known.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share Annie has passed peacefully,” the family wrote in the post. “She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of creative energy, whip smart humor, delight in her family, adoration for little dogs, burning hatred for Trump, passion for second-hand thrifting, and love for a good story. We are bereft without her. We loved her so so much, as did all who met her.”
They continued, “She was a force. And it is unimaginable to think about life without her in it. But as she said, ‘I’m always with you.’ And she’s right. The memories, artwork, belly laughter, handmade jewelry, oil paintings, sculptures, costumes, and all around joie de vivre live on. Raise a margarita in her honor.”
The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to “one of Annie’s favorite causes,” Habitat for Humanity. “We all love you, Annie,” they added.
Schedeen’s longtime agent Tom Markley also confirmed the news to Deadline. “Annie meant the world to her family and this agency,” he said.
Born Jan. 8, 1949 in Portland, Oregon, Luanne Ruth Schedeen began drama classes as a child, studying and performing at Portland Civic Theatre. After performing dinner theater in Hawaii, she moved to New York City to pursue an acting career, getting her start in summer stock theater. She eventually moved to Los Angeles and signed a contract with Universal Pictures.
Schedeen made her onscreen debut in a 1974 episode of The Six Million Dollar Man, going on to appear in episodes of McCloud, The Bionic Woman, Emergency!, The Incredible Hulk, Three’s Company, Cheers, Magnum PI, Murder She Wrote and Judging Amy, as well as movies like Embryo (1976), Flight to Holocaust (1977), Exo-Man (1977), Champions: A Love Story (1979), Second Thoughts (1983), Slow Burn (1986) and Cast the First Stone (1989).
The actress was most know for her role as Kate Tanner, a mother who takes the titular alien into her home on the NBC sitcom ALF, which ran for four seasons from 1986 to 1990.
Schedeen is survived by her husband of 55 years, Christopher Barrett, daughter Tay Barrett, daughter-in-law Hilary Flynn, sister Sarabeth Schedeen, niece Minnie Land, brother Roland ‘Tony’ Schedeen, sister-in-law Julieanne Schedeen and her rescue dogs Roo and Red.