One summer, Pedro Martin, along with his 8 brothers and sisters, pile in their parents RV and make the incredible journey from California to Pegueros,One summer, Pedro Martin, along with his 8 brothers and sisters, pile in their parents RV and make the incredible journey from California to Pegueros, Mexico, to visit family there and bring their abuelito (grandfather) back to live with them. It is over a 2,000-mile trip. I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic memoir. It is heart-warming and laugh out loud at times. If you are looking for something fun and refreshing, give this one a spin. It is a Newberry Award winner and a deserving one. ...more
The author barely knew his father. Bob Hainey, a copy desk chief at the Chicago Sun Times, died alone on a street, when Michael was six years old. He The author barely knew his father. Bob Hainey, a copy desk chief at the Chicago Sun Times, died alone on a street, when Michael was six years old. He died of an apparent heart attack but there were suspicious signs that there was more to his death. Michael became a journalist himself and as he got older he decided to start digging into the story. He soon discovered a lot more buried family secrets, than he ever expected, along with an unbending code of silence among Bob’s reporter cronies, even decades later. This was a very solid memoir, filled with a lot of Chicago lore and history, centered mainly around the 1960s. Recommended. ...more
I have not read much of Paulsen’s YA books but I have enjoyed his nonfiction. Winterdance was excellent. In this memoir, which he authored at age 80, I have not read much of Paulsen’s YA books but I have enjoyed his nonfiction. Winterdance was excellent. In this memoir, which he authored at age 80, looks at his early, very-troubled life, growing up with alcoholic, abusive parents. It covers his fondest memory- spending a summer with his aunt and uncle on a farm in northern Minnesota and the brutal years he spent with his parents in the Phillipines, during WWII. How this boy survived such a childhood, is a triumph of resilience. Paulsen is such a good writer and even a better storyteller. ...more
A mild, entertaining look at Tan's bird feeders and the various visitors she sees, over the course of a couple of years. Her backyard, in the San FranA mild, entertaining look at Tan's bird feeders and the various visitors she sees, over the course of a couple of years. Her backyard, in the San Francisco area, sounds like a wildlife paradise. Yep, I am jealous. I just wish she went a little deeper at times, instead of just reciting from her journal. ...more
This is a beautifully written memoir from poet Safiya Sinclair. It focuses on her childhood in Jamaica and her love/hate relationship with her strict This is a beautifully written memoir from poet Safiya Sinclair. It focuses on her childhood in Jamaica and her love/hate relationship with her strict over-bearing Rastafarian father and her submissive mother. How Safiya battled these obstacles to find success is the major theme here. I hope we hear more from this talented author. 4.5 stars...more
A fun adventure tale, especially for readers that are into boats and sailing. I also enjoyed the movie aspect to the book. Good audiobook too. RecommeA fun adventure tale, especially for readers that are into boats and sailing. I also enjoyed the movie aspect to the book. Good audiobook too. Recommended. ...more
“According to birding tradition, the first bird you see on the first day of the new year sets the tone for your next twelve months.”
“The world will al“According to birding tradition, the first bird you see on the first day of the new year sets the tone for your next twelve months.”
“The world will always be beautiful to those who look for beauty.”
“To follow politics these days is to court bewilderment, denial, complete despair. Too often I feel I am living in a country I no longer recognize, a country determined to imperil every principle that I hold dear...Immersing myself in the natural world of my own backyard.”
I loved Renkl’s essay collection Late Migrations and was looking forward to her latest, The Comfort of Crows. It did not disappoint. Told in 52 chapters, it follows her thoughts and observations, as she studies the birds and the plant life in her backyard. Her first bird of that year was a crow. She writes beautifully and touches on many things like climate change and habitat loss. You will not have to be a birder to enjoy this lovely book. ...more
Until Guinevere was nine years old, the only life she knew, was inside the Lyman Family community. The Lyman Family was a “doomsday” cult. The world wUntil Guinevere was nine years old, the only life she knew, was inside the Lyman Family community. The Lyman Family was a “doomsday” cult. The world was supposed to end in January 1975. Of course, that didn’t happen. God wasn’t ready to pull the plug. Turner was a die-hard diarist and she includes many of her own entries, to detail her life in the “Family”, in this absorbing memoir. She seems to have had a very pleasant childhood, despite being separated from her mother. The ugly part of her life began, once she was reunited with her mother, who had left the Lyman community. Unfortunately, she was married to a monster and Guinevere was abused for years.
I particularly enjoyed the first half of this book, dealing with the Lyman Family. The second half was more painful to read. It is still a well-written memoir and one I recommend....more
“...climbing Everest does not measure your greatness as a climber. To climb it is mostly about the willingness to take the high risks and human strugg“...climbing Everest does not measure your greatness as a climber. To climb it is mostly about the willingness to take the high risks and human struggle to physically endure the extreme altitude that almost reaches outer space. Some of the world’s best climbers have not and cannot climb Everest.”
“Why would anyone ever want to climb Mt. Everest?”
Into Thin Air remains one of my very favorite nonfiction books. It details the tragic events on May 10th 1996, where eight people died, trying to summit the world’s highest mountain. The author Jon Krakauer was on that climb, writing about it for Outside magazine. Lou Kasischke was also part of the same expedition. This is his story and it is a good one. It is a harrowing account, giving a different perspective than Krakauer's. He even criticizes the decision to let Krakauer come along on the trip, thinking it could influence the climbing objectives, which it just might have done. This can be a tough read but if you are into intense, well-detailed adventure stories, give this one a try. 4.5 stars...more
Bryce Andrews is a Montana rancher and conservationist. He loves grizzlies and has been monitoring them for years. Here, he follows Millie and her twoBryce Andrews is a Montana rancher and conservationist. He loves grizzlies and has been monitoring them for years. Here, he follows Millie and her two cubs as they face the many challenges of survival, on his land and off. He is a very good writer and really keeps the narrative flowing, as we cheer these bears on. ...more
As an avid birder, I was immediately drawn to this refreshing and well-written memoir and since I also enjoy reading Native American literature, alongAs an avid birder, I was immediately drawn to this refreshing and well-written memoir and since I also enjoy reading Native American literature, along with Native history, this made the perfect package. It covers fifty years of the author’s life, touching on the birds he has seen in his life, along with many unsettling injustices that have marred the Indian over the centuries.The joy and the pain balance itself out in the strong, no-nonsense narrative. Highly recommended. ...more