It came as quite a surprise when a radio host mentioned, a month or so ago, that the end of 2019 also marks the end of the decade.

As the “teens” come to an end, here are the books that carried me through December:

Week 1: Fosse by Sam Wasson

Since I haven’t had a chance to catch the Fosse/Verdon miniseries based on this tome yet, it seemed like a good idea to start with the book.

Thankfully, I downloaded the digital version, because – at nearly 800 pages – my wrists might not have held out!

Wow, Bob Fosse was an ass. This book was increasingly difficult to read as example after example of his abusive, misogynistic behavior unraveled.

There were interesting stories about his many theatrical successes as well as the failures. Throughout, though, I kept wondering how far Fosse and his jazz hands would have made it in the #MeToo environment of 2019.

Week 2: Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself by Alan Alda

Boy, this memoir is well done! It follows a very simple concept: Alan Alda is occasionally called on to speak at a college graduation or awards ceremony. Each chapter of this book focuses on one of these speeches, with details about why he was asked, his terror of failing the task, and how he found a way to inspire his audience.

Woven throughout this memoir are tales of Alda’s youth, his struggles to make it in theater, and his success with not just acting roles, but with marriage, fatherhood, and friendship.

This book was released a dozen years ago. In 2019, sadly, Mr. Alda is battling Parkinson’s. I heard him interviewed recently and he’s fighting hard – including daily marches for exercise and strength, to the tune of John Philip Sousa. He’s a national treasure.

Week 3: Little Slaughterhouse on the Prairie by Harold Schechter

This book blew my mind. The melding of a horrific true-crime story with the endearing Ingalls family has to be read to be believed.

The “Bloody Benders” lived just a few miles from Laura Ingalls’ childhood home in Kansas. The Bender family was the polar opposite of the Ingalls. The Benders lived in filth and most probably killed at least a dozen travelers.

This is a quick read, thank goodness! It includes photos and newspaper clips. As an adult, Laura Wilder told a magazine reporter her family passed by the Bender place several times. Thankfully, they never stopped for a meal. The tale of Sweeney Todd was only a decade old at the time; if the Benders had been an educated bunch, I’d guess they’d borrowed from his methodology. It is truly horrifying.

Week 4: Then and Now by Barbara Cook

I’m embarrassed to admit, I hadn’t heard of Barbara Cook until I picked up this memoir. She had quite a career on Broadway and, later, performing in concerts.

Barbara Cook had a tough childhood, but once she discovered opera on the radio and realized she could sing, there was no holding her back. Her memoir details each step as she moved closer to roles on Broadway. She was the first to sing “Glitter and Be Gay” in Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, an incredibly difficult piece.

Broadway’s inimitable Seth Rudetsky “deconstructs” her performance in this video:

Barbara’s “toast of the town” status faded away as she turned to liquor, divorced her husband, suffered debilitating panic attacks, and all but stopped performing.

Thankfully for all involved, she eventually found her way clear of her addiction. She launched a second career, and continued performing well into her 80s.

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