An easy read. This is a story of wall street from the perspective of a female executive speech-writer. Once a freelance writer, Cath, a New Yorker in her mid-40s is thrown into the deep end of the corporate world not by choice but by obligation - her sweet Bailey (husband) in his 50s has fallen early into dementia and she is forced to raise more money to take care of him. The juxtaposition of the superficial world of politicking and hedge funds with her nights and weekends of Bailey's uncontrollable emotion and involuntary bed-wetting is a good one, but not explored to sufficient depth. There is an unfinished taste when the reader turns the final page. What is Kate plumbing as the true vagaries of modern society - moral hazards or emotional apathy? Perhaps emotional apathy is a moral hazard in itself... Overall, a good read if you don't feel like watching a movie.

A tale of how music both penetrates and expresses the human soul. The story unfolds with the introduction of seemingly prosaic characters all of whom are members of a string quartet. As the reader journeys with the over-romantic protaganist, a violinist, and his twin loves - his music and his women muses - we are taken into the mind of one who sees and feels life through his music. His narration is weaved with that of his first love, a pianist, now married, who, despite her gradual deafness unknown to others, continues to play music by the beat of the double-bass. Unable to enjoy music any longer, she delves deeper into frustration and takes comfort in the ability to at least feel and appreciate human emotion in the arms of the protaganist.