Mary Anne Schwalbe is in her early 70s. She is a mother, a humanitarian and a lifelong reader. She is also dying from pancreati“What are you reading?”
Mary Anne Schwalbe is in her early 70s. She is a mother, a humanitarian and a lifelong reader. She is also dying from pancreatic cancer. Her son, Will, is also a dedicated reader. They have always enjoyed talking books and decide to form a two-person book club and while she is receiving her treatments, they discuss a book they have recently read together. This is an amazing memoir. Warm, funny, touching and brave. It’s about love, friendship, caring and of course books, scores of books. Mary Anne is such a winning real-life character, I find myself smiling just thinking about her. Do you want a great end of the year read? Hunt this one down....more
A soldier, decked out in full bomb gear, an 80 pound Kevlar suit, making the “long walk” toward an armed bomb. Is “"Don't be scared of the soft sand."
A soldier, decked out in full bomb gear, an 80 pound Kevlar suit, making the “long walk” toward an armed bomb. Is there anything more desolate or terrifying? Brian Castner served three tours in Iraq, as part of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit. This is the story of two journeys: the adrenaline-fueled, blood-soaked world of the combat soldier and the equally difficult return to a “normal” life. This is a raw, emotional memoir, filled with riveting prose. Castner describes the everyday intensity and horror of a EOD soldier, disarming bombs and cleaning up the aftermath. Collecting “right hands” to count the casualties. Placing a soldier’s personal info in their boots, because feet “pop” off in an explosion. And then Castner’s long painful recovery back home. The fear, the paranoia. While grocery shopping, he scans the crowd for potential insurgents and targets, clutching a non-existent weapon. Crying, while putting his son’s hockey gear on, which reminds him of donning his bomb suit. Castner vividly places the reader in each of these situations and has created one of the best books on war, that I have ever read. I cannot recommend it higher....more
“Whenever my father went out of town, he had the mail stopped.”
Bill Sandell was an adventurous, larger than life, father. An ex-Green Beret, war hero,“Whenever my father went out of town, he had the mail stopped.”
Bill Sandell was an adventurous, larger than life, father. An ex-Green Beret, war hero, with a law degree and a P.H.D. He was both revered and feared by his children, especially Laurie, his oldest child. When Laurie was in her early twenties, she applied for her first credit card and was declined because of a bad credit record. It turns out several cards were already issued in her name and all of them were maxed out and unpaid. She follows the trail to her father and everything she ever knew about her beloved padre begins to unravel. Lies upon lies are revealed. Is her father just a fraud, an imposter, living the “big con”? This illustrated memoir, told by Laurie is a joy. The writing is smart and the drawings are perfect. I much preferred this one over Are You My Mother, which I read a few months ago. I hope to spread the word on this one. Seek it out!...more
“When the Navy sends their elite, they send the SEALs. When the SEALs send their elite, they send SEAL Team Six”
This is a mildly interesting look at w“When the Navy sends their elite, they send the SEALs. When the SEALs send their elite, they send SEAL Team Six”
This is a mildly interesting look at what it takes to be a SEAL and then a sniper. The intensive training makes my Army basic training look like nursery school. The story also follows Wasdin on several missions, including the show-piece of the Battle of Mogadishu, which was covered in Black Hawk Down, in both book and film. This memoir version looks like it was packaged as a YA, so I’m curious how the original book was written. If this subject interests you, check it out, otherwise remain at ease. ...more
In early 1996, Cheryl Strayed was adrift. She was twenty-six, and still reeling from the sudden death of her mother, a few years earlier. She was in aIn early 1996, Cheryl Strayed was adrift. She was twenty-six, and still reeling from the sudden death of her mother, a few years earlier. She was in a shaky marriage, experimenting with hard drugs and sleeping around. Something needed to give. Enter the PCT: The Pacific Crest Trail. Spotting this in a travel guide, while living in Minnesota, Cheryl decides this is her crossroads, her sea change moment and armed with “Monster” her hellishly large backpack, sets out on an eleven-hundred mile hike, from the Mojave desert to Washington State. She was a complete novice and had only done the occasional day hike. This is simply a wonderful memoir, full of adventure and self-enlightenment. She is one scrappy young lady and I found myself slack-jawed at her toughness and tenacity. This is the perfect female companion to [A Walk in the Woods], although this has the grittier edge. She tells this story in a strong vivid voice and I felt like I was walking alongside her, from the comfort of my favorite chair. Highly recommended....more
“I was born in Manchester in 1959. It was a good place to be born.”
The author was only a few weeks old, when she was adopted by a Pentecostal couple. “I was born in Manchester in 1959. It was a good place to be born.”
The author was only a few weeks old, when she was adopted by a Pentecostal couple. Her adopted father was meek and indifferent and her mother tyrannical. Here’s an early description: “She was a flamboyant depressive; a woman who kept a revolver in the duster drawer, and the bullets in a tin of Pledge. A woman who stayed up all night baking cakes to avoid sleeping in the same bed as my father.” Mrs. Winterson was a big looming woman, casting her shadow over young Jeanette’s every move. She forbade books in the house but secretly devoured mysteries, which she made her daughter retrieve from the library. The Bible was read aloud every day. Her favorite hymn was “God Has Blotted Them Out”, which she regularly sang at high volume. This potent mixture did not turn Jeanette into a cowering mess, but quite the opposite, she evolved into a tough, rebellious kid, who escaped into books and later into writing. She fled home at sixteen. This is a strong memoir, beautifully written in brutal prose. It’s a search for love, identity and happiness. Jeanette became an acclaimed author. I had not heard of her before reading this but I will definitely go back and read her novels. Lastly, the title comes from a statement, her mother made, when she realized her daughter might be gay. Yes, she was a piece of work....more
Robert Wittman is a career FBI agent, who specialized in art theft, occasionally going undercover, dealing with some dangerous criminals. He not only Robert Wittman is a career FBI agent, who specialized in art theft, occasionally going undercover, dealing with some dangerous criminals. He not only recovered painting masterpieces but many different historic artifacts, like a Civil War battle flag, Civil War weaponry, a missing copy of the U.S. Bill of Rights, Native American treasures and body armor from a Peruvian King. The list is endless, the items totaling into hundreds of millions of dollars. This is a smart, fast-paced and suspenseful memoir, filled with many facts regarding artists and their works and the varied histories behind the stolen swag....more
Powell was born in 1907 and by the time she was thirteen, she was beginning a career in domestic service, toiling as a kitchen maid, the lowliest of lPowell was born in 1907 and by the time she was thirteen, she was beginning a career in domestic service, toiling as a kitchen maid, the lowliest of lowlies. I’m a big fan of the British series Downton Abbey but one thing is for sure, the gentry do not always treat their help as well as they do on that program. This is a bright, revealing memoir, filled with humor and a refreshing frankness. This was first released in the late 60s but the narrative still moves with a deft, contemporary flow. Of course, I recommend this for other DA fans but anyone with an interest in taking a peek at "downstairs" life, give this one a try....more
I am not sure how this one got by me and I’ve been a fan, since the mid-70s. Maybe it was released during a period that I was taking a break from Mr. I am not sure how this one got by me and I’ve been a fan, since the mid-70s. Maybe it was released during a period that I was taking a break from Mr. King. There were some weak stretches in his bibliography, along with the amazing ones. Whatever the reason, I am glad I finally picked it up. It’s quite a joy to read. The first half of the book is a memoir, taking the reader through his hard-scrabble childhood, raised by his tough hard-working mother. We look at his college years and his many attempts to publish his short stories and then there is his early marriage, struggling to support a growing family on a teacher’s salary and then the eventual sale of a little book called Carrie. All perfectly told in his smart, amusing, no nonsense style.
The 2nd half is about the craft of writing and it’s equally as fascinating. He keeps his advice pretty simple: "I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs and I will shout it from the rooftops." or "... there is a huge difference between story and plot. Story is honorable and trustworthy; plot is shifty and best kept under house arrest." Even if you are not a King fan, I know there are a few of you out there, give it a try. I have a feeling you’ll be pleasantly surprised. ...more
He was called a “special child”. In the South, this was a term used for mentally and physically challenged children. Born with bad hips and a slow demHe was called a “special child”. In the South, this was a term used for mentally and physically challenged children. Born with bad hips and a slow demeanor, raised by an alcoholic, quick-tempered father, the boy’s chances in life looked mighty slim, destined to be another discarded outcast. This astounding memoir follows this “special child”, growing up in rough-hewn Appalachia, subjected to torments from his peers, going through painful surgeries, to correct his deformed hips and finally landing him in adulthood, aimless and confused. After stumbling through a series of jobs, like disc jockey, fishing trawler deckhand, private investigator and failed seminarian, to name just a few, he finally settled into a life of a writer. An amazing talent was born. The book is told in the second person perspective, which is quite daring, somewhat challenging but very effective. For fans of Rick Bragg, this is especially recommended. Do not just add this to your wish list, go out and find a copy…now!...more