Dom Testa

I try to imagine someone telling me a year ago that I would love a book about a college rowing team during the 1930s, and I’m sure I would’ve scoffed. C’mon, how in the world is that even interesting, let alone compelling? If you ask the same question, well, brace yourself. The Boys in the […]

Dom’s Book Club has been around for at least 15 years – maybe a little longer – and every October I’m influenced by Halloween to pick a scary book. Or at least an edgy, dark thriller. Well, Dean Koontz has been putting out those books for ages. His first work came out in the late […]

Years ago I composed a novel for young adults that was labeled “post-apocalypic.” The setting – and overall feel – of that novel is a far cry from the nightmarish vision that Cormac McCarthy sets out in The Road. We’re never told exactly what event brought on what resembles a nuclear winter. Was it an […]

Seven years ago Mercedes unveiled their GLK sport utility vehicle, and, although it was a fine competitor in the upscale SUV battle, there were always a few things that seemed to hold it back. Now the folks from Germany have stepped up to the challenge, and replaced the GLK with the GLC. And while some […]

Eleanor & Park By Rainbow Rowell Reviewed by Dom For back-to-school month, I thought I’d choose a book that technically falls into the Young Adult category. But, as with many YA titles in the past few years, many people will tell you this is better suited for adults than some kids. In fact, if you […]

A friend of mine is a bartender at an upscale Italian restaurant, and he also happens to be a serious off-road fanatic. Whenever I stop by and grab some apps and a glass of Pinot, we’ll invariably end up talking about cars. He’s the gear-head, while I’m more likely to talk styling and comfort. I […]

I remember the email message. It said, “Would you be interested in reviewing a Mini Cooper?” I originally composed a note that said, “I don’t think I’ll have time this month; maybe later.” Then I deleted that reply and just wrote: “Sure.” One of my better decisions of this year. There’s an image rolling around […]

On the last day I drove the QX50, I found myself jotting down notes while sitting at red lights. After letting my thoughts marinate for a few days, I pulled out my notebook and glanced at the last sentence (well, sentence fragment, actually) I’d penned. It contained all of two words: Nothing special. That sounds […]

I went through a phase a few years ago where I was captivated with biographies. Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Churchill, and Ben Franklin, as well as entertainers like Steve Martin, Tina Fey, and John Lennon. If you’re into biographies, then you probably know about Ron Chernow’s account of Alexander Hamilton. If you haven’t dipped your foot […]

In the more than 15 years I’ve been reviewing cars, I’ve never spent so much time in the back seat as I did with this BMW. Hey, get your mind out of the gutter! In fact, if you immediately channeled naughty thoughts, you should know this particular back seat – although plenty large enough – […]