James McBride's novel "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" was one of the highly acclaimed works of 2023.  Critics swooned over the tale woven by McBride based in a portion of Pottsville, PA called Chicken Hill.  In the 1930's. Chicken Hill was largely inhabited by Jews and African American working class families. It deserves all the praise it has received as McBride weaves people from different races, religions, and economic backgrounds into a powerful story of hope, sadness, joy, and the strength of human kindness. 

James McBride's novel "The Heaven &amp; Earth Grocery Store" was one of the highly acclaimed works of 2023.  Critics swooned over the tale woven by McBride based in a portion of Pottsville, PA called Chicken Hill.  In the 1930's. Chicken Hill was largely inhabited by Jews and African American working class families. It deserves all the praise it has received as McBride weaves people from different races, religions, and economic backgrounds into a powerful story of hope, sadness, joy, and the strength of human kindness.

Rick Dayton has committed to reading at least one book every week. Each Monday at 5:35 Rick catches you up on what he has been reading. If you missed any books from the past you can hear his reviews below.

Rick Dayton has committed to reading at least one book every week. Each Monday at 5:35 Rick catches you up on what he has been reading. If you missed any books from the past you can hear his reviews below.

Rick's Reading List

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store | James McBride

Freida McFadden has an impressive resume and has written a lot of books that have been big sellers. The New York Times, Amazon, USA Today and others have acclaimed her work for having #1 sellers on their lists. That is part of the reason I wanted to read "Ward D," a story about a medical school student who had to do an overnight rotation in the psych ward at the hospital. But when Amy arrives and feels the door to Ward D lock behind her, strange things start to happen and people start to disappear. The book is supposed to be a psychological thriller, but I found it utterly impossible to believe that the tales in Ward D would ever happen in a hospital. I know that it's a work of fiction -- but that wasn't enough to find it believable.

Freida McFadden has an impressive resume and has written a lot of books that have been big sellers. The New York Times, Amazon, USA Today and others have acclaimed her work for having #1 sellers on their lists. That is part of the reason I wanted to read "Ward D," a story about a medical school student who had to do an overnight rotation in the psych ward at the hospital. But when Amy arrives and feels the door to Ward D lock behind her, strange things start to happen and people start to disappear. The book is supposed to be a psychological thriller, but I found it utterly impossible to believe that the tales in Ward D would ever happen in a hospital. I know that it's a work of fiction -- but that wasn't enough to find it believable.

Ward D | Freida McFadden

The leading lady in Stacy Willingham's "A Flicker in the Dark" is Chloe Davis. The young lady has had a difficult life. Her father is in prison for a series of murders committed when Davis was 12. She was very close to her father and can’t believe he could take so many lives. While her dad is in prison, her mom is institutionalized, leaving Chloe and her brother to raise themselves.  Twenty years later, when Davis is a psychologist in Baton Rogue, it starts happening again -- young girls are disappearing -- and one of them is one of Chloe's patients.  A Flicker in the Dark, this week's entry on Rick's Reading List on KDKA Radio.

The leading lady in Stacy Willingham's "A Flicker in the Dark" is Chloe Davis. The young lady has had a difficult life. Her father is in prison for a series of murders committed when Davis was 12. She was very close to her father and can’t believe he could take so many lives. While her dad is in prison, her mom is institutionalized, leaving Chloe and her brother to raise themselves.  Twenty years later, when Davis is a psychologist in Baton Rogue, it starts happening again -- young girls are disappearing -- and one of them is one of Chloe's patients.  A Flicker in the Dark, this week's entry on Rick's Reading List on KDKA Radio.

A Flicker in the Dark | Stacy Willingham

This week's entry on Rick's Reading List: First To Die by James Patterson.

This week's entry on Rick's Reading List: First To Die by James Patterson.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store | James McBride

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