Right on the heels of the death of journalist and author Jeffrey Zaslow, ("The Last Lecture" and "The Girls from Ames") at age 53, comes the news that Whitney Houston has died, at 48. Both died much, much too young. 

Houston was know for singing, rather than writing. But her roller-coaster life was the stuff of novels. And for readers of a certain age, her music brings back plenty of memories. As the Associated Press obituary noted: "Houston made her album debut in 1985 with 'Whitney Houston,' which sold millions and spawned hit after hit. 'Saving All My Love for You' brought her her first Grammy, for best female pop vocal. 'How Will I Know,' 'You Give Good Love' and 'The Greatest Love of All' also became hit singles.

Her struggles with addiction in recent years were well-documented, and she was no longer a presence on the music scene -- unless you count the younger singers wshe influenced, including  Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey.

Whitney has been the subject of a number of unauthorized biographies, including Whitney Houston: Return of the Diva by James Robert Parish. If anyone's life is worthy of a book, hers is.