I Need a Lifeguard Everywhere but the Pool

Mother and daughter Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella return with their eighth collection of pithy essays on a variety of topics--politics, feminism, body image, book clubs, trucks, and so much more. Scottoline does the heavy lifting, and her exuberant delivery, marked by a Philly accent, is irresistible. She's a firebrand and, one essay at time, she challenges conventional wisdom on a lot of things. When her tone drops low, almost conspiratorially, it's tough not to join her in a smirk or guffaw. Serritella's style is markedly different. Her voice is higher pitched, with a singsong quality. What she lacks in brassiness she often makes up for with earnestness. Though every essay may not leave a mark, some really will, and the listening will feel like time spent with friends. A.S. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine