Reviewed by Craig Hoffman
Positions is the sixth studio album by American singer and actress Ariana Grande, released on Oct. 30, 2020, by Republic Records.
The album builds on the R&B and trap pop elements of Grande’s earlier efforts, Sweetener (2018) and Thank U, Next (2019). There is also a good amount of hip hop, neo-soul, and funk featured on Positions.
By Amelia Alexander Note: Amelia, an Ada HS student, is the Icon's newest columnist. Writing twice a month, this is her second column. Click here to read her first column. You will find all her future columns on our "Columnists" page
The fate of the climate rests upon my generation’s shoulders.
Review by Robert McCool
James Patterson hits it out of the park in this double header.
“The world's best selling author” no longer writes his own books, of which he produces a plethora each year. He “coauthors” with carefully chosen writers, leading to different flavors for each book. In this example, “Murder Thy Neighbor- True Crime Thrillers” (ISBN 978-1-5387-5241-8) he gives us two different stories of damaged people by two different authors in the same volume.
Reviewed by Craig Hoffman
Letter to You is Bruce Springsteen’s twentieth studio album. It is his first record with the E Street Band since High Hopes in 2014. Bruce Sprinsteen is an American singer and songwriter, and leader of the E Street Band.
The release of Born to Run in 1975 propelled him to worldwide fame. During his over fifty-year career, Springsteen has been known for his socially conscious lyrics and high-energy stage presence as “The Boss.” From its title down, Letter to You is a message to diehard Springsteen fans, the sound of an artist fighting hard in difficult times.
Review by Robert McCool
In Sanctuary the tension builds toward the breaking point.
In V. V. James's (The Gilded Cage) latest offering, Sanctuary (Sourcebooks LCCN 2020005118) magic is a well established and regulated trade and Sarah is the head of a coven of three other non-witch women, Abigail, Bridget, and Julia. Her shop specializes in charms and wards, potions and sympathy. She and her daughter Harper then stand accused in the questionable death of Abigail's son, the local golden boy and her life's sole focus, Dan. Things devolve slowly and somewhat predictably from there.
Note: The Icon introduces a new, twice a month column by an Ada High School student. This is our new columnist's initial column.
My name is Amelia Alexander. I am 15 years old. I was born and raised here in Ada, where I attend school. I adore reading, writing, and learning. I write poetry for my own pleasure in my spare time.
When I’m not writing, I’m running, playing volleyball or tennis, or spending time with friends and family. I’m a member of book club, Ada Mental Health Alliance, and language club, all of which I have joined through school.
