Playlist

Tv

American Gods

Starz's latest show American Gods may be what one might expect from a TV series adapted from UK writer Neil Gaiman's monumental novel of the same name. Well-executed and almost uncompromisingly dedicated to the source material, it opens with a warden telling the main character he's being released a day early to attend his wife's funeral. Upon release he meets the enigmatic Mr Wednesday, who hires him as a bodyguard. From there he's pulled into a cross-country road trip to raise an army for a battle between the new gods and the old gods. The novel was gripping, and the TV version promises to be the same.

Book

Well-plotted novel

US novelist and lawyer James Grippando delivers a heady mix of culture and family issues in his latest book, Most Dangerous Place, featuring defense lawyer Jack Swyteck. The heart of the book is how rape victims are treated by their families, the police, in courtrooms, on college campuses, in cities, and in their own perception of themselves and the crime. Most Dangerous Place takes its title from an FBI statement that the most dangerous place for a woman between ages 20 and 30 is in a relationship with a man. Grippando skillfully weaves this issue into a well-plotted novel that keeps the suspense high and the characters believable.

Music

Makes Me Sick

Making their pop-punk grow up without growing old to celebrate its 20th anniversary as a band, New Found Glory has released a new album, Makes Me Sick. The sound is familiar catchy pop melodies layered over punk-influenced guitars, topped with Jordan Pundik's ever-youthful vocals. The difference on Makes Me Sick, though, is the lyrical perspective. Time and time again, Pundik sings about changing your outlook on life. All these pop-punk anthems champion taking chances and evolving, growing into adults without growing old. "I'm not the same fool that I used to be," Pundik sings in the pop anthem Your Jokes Aren't Funny. The band succeeds with a skill that new bands usually can't quite manage - a skill that generally just comes with age.

China Daily - Agencies

(China Daily USA 05/10/2017 page9)