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REVIEWS
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in framing, if not in editorial content). The
exposure, but further testing reveals the gags are of-the-moment jabs at online com- Nonfiction
presence of ketamine, a date-rape drug. The
prospect that she was abused becomes more merce, such as the worker who discovers his
likely after Lilly’s image appears among the house is on fire because Google is pitching Growing Gills:
photographs of naked children found in the him fire extinguisher ads. Though send-ups How to Find Creative Focus When
possession of Oscar Roberts, who has of surreal buzz phrases such as “brand lad- You’re Drowning in Your Daily Life
harassed Annie George, Sam’s publisher and dering” (depicted as a climb from snack Jessica Abel. Jessica Abel, $11.99 trade paper
former significant other. The investigation chips to world peace) and “growth hacking” (257p) ISBN 978-1-5212-7787-4
into Lilly’s fate builds toward a powerful, may elicit a chuckle of recognition from Cartoonist Abel (Trish Trash #2) delivers
unexpectedly moving conclusion. Fans of those in the know, the humor only skates a motivating productivity guide for people
regional whodunits will be rewarded. over the essential absurdity of marketing who have trouble finishing creative proj-
and sales, and none of it cuts deep. ects. Her four-part system is variously
The Witches of BlackBrook Fishburne’s collection is ready-made for designed to help readers define the
Tish Thawer. Amber Leaf, $2.99 e-book PowerPoint inserts and may be the year’s dilemmas blocking their efforts, learn to
(270p) ASIN B00V5MW5CI best gift for a dad who happens to be a sales build personal paths to project completion,
Thawer’s tale of witch sisters trying to director and doesn’t need another tie; execute plans, and stay on track. Using
find one another throughout multiple lives beyond that, it is difficult to imagine an questions (“What do I have to have done to
doesn’t live up to its potential. In 1693 in audience for this industry-insider batch of call it finished?”) and exercises (“Take your
Ipswich, Mass., Karina is burned at the Dilbert-lite satire. big project and break it down into action
stake for being a witch. Before she dies, she steps”) that call for insightful examination
casts a spell that flings her and her two sis- ★ Your New Best Friend of one’s desires and habits, Abel discusses
ters into the future to be reborn. After 300 Jayne Denker. Gemma Halliday, $11.99 trade numerous reasons for not accomplishing
years, Karina, now known as Trin Hartwell paper (304p) ISBN 978-1-5470-7538-6 goals. These include emotional causes such
and living in BlackBrook, N.Y., has found Good intentions go awry in this delicious as procrastination and anxiety and logistical
one sister but still searches for the other. romantic comedy by Denker (the Marsden or organizational factors such as coordi-
Without her, the trio can never regain the series). During a chance encounter with an nating family, work, and personal respon-
power they had in their original lives. After upset young woman, 29-year-old real estate sibilities. The plan of attack is as thorough
meeting Caris Hardy and her cousin Jason, agent Melanie Abbott hands out some well- and astute as the assessment questions,
Trin thinks Caris is the missing sister. meaning suggestions and soon finds herself providing practical and detailed actions
However, sinister forces are working to keep in a thriving business as a professional friend, that target problematic habits. Abel calls
them apart. The flashbacks to the 1690s are advice giver, and matchmaker. Denker nods on would-be creators to systematically
interesting, but they don’t add much to the to Jane Austen’s Emma and George Bernard review their productivity, done using
story. Despite keeping memories of their Shaw’s Pygmalion with her likable protago- “tracking document” spreadsheets, and
past lives, the characters are thinly drawn, nist, who’s dubbed Henrietta Higgins by the employ countermeasures against distrac-
leaving the reader to rely on awkward expo- local paper. Judgmental, self-confident tion, such as turning off the notifications on
sition drops to understand them. There’s no Melanie rises to stardom by bluntly doling their mobile devices. Abel’s tone is straight-
chemistry between the romantic leads, and, out resolute advice to remold the characters forward and encouraging throughout as she
though the villain is surprising, the climax in her small Massachusetts seaside town. promotes self-reflection and self-under-
has no tension. There’s just not much here Denker credibly conveys her fall from grace standing as the keys to productivity.
for readers to sink their teeth into. and the consequences of her inaccurate pre-
dictions, along with her inability to examine ★ Over the Hill and Gaining Speed:
Your Ad Ignored Here: Cartoons herself and her insensitivity, which cause Reflections in Retirement
from 15 Years of Marketing, heartaches for both Melanie and her clients. Kay G. Rock. CreateSpace, $14.95 trade pa-
Business, and Doodling in Meetings The relationship between Melanie and her per (238p) ISBN 978-1-5375-9400-2
Tom Fishburne. Marketoonist, $19.95 trade childhood friend Connacht Garvey strongly Rock, a columnist for the Bucks County
paper (214p) ISBN 978-0-9990703-1-4 parallels that of Austen’s Emma and Mr. Herald in Lahaska, Pa., speculates and
Fishburne, who first started doodling as Knightley; Connacht repeatedly scolds reflects on the wonders of aging, the
a business school student and now runs a Melanie for her blunders. Her gradual devel- splendor of maturity, and the richness of
cartoon content studio, selects highlights opment of self-awareness and determination retirement in this delightful collection of
from 15 years of his single-page cartoons, to repair the damage she’s caused are heart- columns and original essays. The pieces are
which poke light fun at life in the meeting- warming. In addition to Melanie’s lively infused with a breezy nonchalance, wit, and
happy, jargon-crazed marketing industry. first-person narrative, there are a few sur- insightful observations, as when she tours
Fishburne’s simple but effective style prises that keep this sweet story about social the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, which
mimics the daily newspaper strips he idol- graces entertaining. she observes was “a visceral and evocative
ized in his youth (particularly the Far Side process and it reminded me that even in the

55c BOOKLIFE, JANUARY 22, 2018