“Happy Harry: A Magical Golden” by Barbara Lampert is a pet memoir about a very special golden retriever. His story is told through a series4.25 stars
“Happy Harry: A Magical Golden” by Barbara Lampert is a pet memoir about a very special golden retriever. His story is told through a series of garden-journal entries that chronicle Harry’s arrival and his life in the household that he enlivens with his quirks and cheerful personality. The author conveys her heartfelt affection for this loveable breed through a series of dated entries that chronicles her journey with Harry and are sprinkled with philosophical musings and contemplations of how close he was to his wolf brethren. She supports some of her observations with quotes and citations of various individuals who have studied wolves in the wild, and illustrates her story with black-and-white pictures of the personable Harry.
The cycle of life is poignantly portrayed for both Barney, who is in residence when the whirlwind subsequently named Harry arrives, and for Harry himself. Be advised that tissues will be required, as the highs and lows of loving a fur-baby are depicted.
Harry’s story is conveyed in a kind of stream-of-consciousness manner, which was a little difficult for me to connect with at first, but I eventually became accustomed to the style, and I became invested in his story. I love that the author allowed us to see that he wasn’t perfect (I had to laugh at her initial fear that he was a sociopath, given his disregard for rules or the consequences of breaking said rules) but still manages to convey how important he was to their family and how he changed their lives. We should all be so blessed to meet a character such as Harry, and I daresay many of us who read this story will suddenly develop a need for puppy cuddles, especially with a Golden Retriever.
A copy of this story was provided for review...more
“A Voice Out of Poverty” by Jillian Haslam is a sobering yet ultimately inspirational memoir that details the author’s extremely humble begin4.5 stars
“A Voice Out of Poverty” by Jillian Haslam is a sobering yet ultimately inspirational memoir that details the author’s extremely humble beginnings and the factors that made her into the success and role model that she has become.
This is a distressing and eye-opening insight into the harshness of life in a poverty-stricken country combined with the reminder that we can be inordinately cruel to one another or we can rise above ourselves and learn to extend kindness in a multitude of ways.
There are a few areas that I would have liked to have had more clarity on, and those who are sensitive to mentions of abuse of all kinds should read with caution, but I am reminded of one of my favorite axioms…that we are who we are because of what we have experienced, and we can regret what has happened, but if it hadn’t, we wouldn’t be the person we are today.
The author is a very strong person, honed by a crucible of unimaginable experiences, and I think that every person who reads her saga cannot help but be changed for the better by learning from her example.
The following quotes from the book say it best…
“This book is about prejudice and the sadness and suffering it causes. But it is, above all, about resilience and finding the mental strength to get back up every time the rug of life is pulled from under your feet.”
“My parents repeatedly extolled the value of gratitude, that we should be grateful for everything we had, for life was a blessing, no matter how sad the conditions or how prevalent the abuse and daily suffering.”
A copy of this title was provided for review ...more
"The Art of Fully Living: 1 Man. 10 Years. 100 Life Goals Around the World" by Tal Gur is a memoir that chronicles the author’s journey from3.75 stars
"The Art of Fully Living: 1 Man. 10 Years. 100 Life Goals Around the World" by Tal Gur is a memoir that chronicles the author’s journey from a mind-numbing existence to a series of adventures that allow him to stretch his boundaries and experience new cultures and challenges.
I had to take a break from reading this book as I wasn’t quite in a frame of mind to appreciate it due to personal issues. This is a memoir and naturally, centers on the author. Unfortunately, I wasn’t enamored by his propensity for shedding all encumbrances when he decides to change direction…including romantic relationships. I admire his zest for life and ability to assess his situation and whether it is truly fulfilling and I am impressed with his determination to conquer and excel at new endeavors. I think that I would have been more drawn in if I had a more in-depth view of those whose lives he touched, whether through his charitable activities or his business associates or his training partners and instructors. For me, it grew exhausting to read about the extremes that the author went to, even though it was fascinating to watch him move around the world. Those who like to read about people reinventing themselves and overcoming obstacles will be inspired by this book and enjoy meeting this powerful and determined individual.
A copy of this title was provided for review...more
"Cat-tails: Heart-warming Stories about the Cats and Kittens of RESQCATS" by Jeffyne Telson provides a lovely portrait of one woman’s passion and the "Cat-tails: Heart-warming Stories about the Cats and Kittens of RESQCATS" by Jeffyne Telson provides a lovely portrait of one woman’s passion and the lives she has touched while pursuing her chosen vocation. This is a fascinating look at the power one person has to change the world around her, and a tribute to her dedication to improving the lives of all of the felines that she has come into contact with. Each chapter goes into detail about a particular kitty (or kitties) who have been rescued by the author but also describes how each of those felines impacted on her life and taught her life lessons.
I was touched by the observations about human nature as well as cat behavior as various scenarios were described, and sympathized with the frustration described as the author shared some of the less desirable tendencies to treat a living being as a commodity to be discarded when no longer wanted or convenient. Fortunately, the heart-warming tales far outshone the negative stories, and the author’s determination to do the best for her charges—even at the expense of her own health—is readily apparent. I enjoyed learning about some of the cats who have enriched the author’s life, and cheered for those who found a forever home while marveling at the lengths the author was willing to go to in order to rescue a lost soul. This is a charming and inspirational book and it supports a very worthy cause and I can only hope that everyone can be inspired to follow such a beneficial passion and change the world a step at a time.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
“Loves of Our Lives” by A.C. Chenier is the first story in the 'Past Lives' series and is a book that combines historical and contemporary ro3.5 stars
“Loves of Our Lives” by A.C. Chenier is the first story in the 'Past Lives' series and is a book that combines historical and contemporary romance. Centering around Katie Benjamin’s exploration in the field of past life regression as influenced by the writings of Dr. Brian Weiss, the story explores the lives of several people in the past on two different continents and their connection to and influence upon Katie in her modern existence in Calgary, Alberta. Katie’s relationships with her husband, a stranger met on the train, and a dying friend are all influenced by her growing familiarity with Elinor, an English woman living during the mid 1700s, and Catherine, a woman living in Philadelphia during the late 1800s.
This intriguing story has a slow and somewhat somber onset that gradually shifts to a descriptive experience of two very different lifestyles that are nonetheless connected. There is a richness of subject matter that touches upon women’s rights, prejudice, class distinctions, and societal upheavals even as the heroine gradually has her own epiphany about the life she lives. I liked the growth that she experiences even though I found the awkwardness of skipping from life to life and the multiplicity of points of view a little frustrating. I think that the struggle to integrate so many secondary characters resulted in most of them being fairly superficially described but the overall concept of the story is thought-provoking and imaginative. This story will probably appeal to those who are curious about the idea of reincarnation and fate as well as those who enjoy the concept of time travel.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review...more
"Better to Have Loved" by Christy Jackson Nicholas is a story centering around a young artist, Julie, and her adventures during the late 60s3.75 stars
"Better to Have Loved" by Christy Jackson Nicholas is a story centering around a young artist, Julie, and her adventures during the late 60s, interspersed with the saga of a young girl, Kirsten, and her persistent search for her never-met father. Julie’s career as an employee of a church takes her to several countries and across the United States and she encounters several individuals who will change her life forever. Kirsten has her own journey to undertake and must decide whether she can live with the results she has or if it is worthwhile to continue.
The title refers to a well-known phrase by Tennyson and this story indeed prompts one to contemplate the truth of the maxim. Julie’s travels are intriguingly described by the author, particularly the laid-back psychedelic culture of San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury, and one gets a glimpse of multiple countries throughout the story. I am not a big fan of flashbacks and it was disconcerting to me to shift between Kirsten and Julie’s stories, plus I was a bit puzzled about the church Julie worked with and how and why it was so pervasive and needed a publicity department. It was disappointing to me that there was not more depth to most of the other characters as the majority of the story is in Julie's point of view. There are several particularly heart-wrenching events that are covered, and one has to admire Julie’s courage in living her life as she pleased but I was not impressed by Paul, despite the ultimate outcome of their relationship.
Learning that the story is a homage to the author’s parents and that there are distinctly autobiographical elements to the tale makes it a little uncomfortable to critique these characters but I can truly say that I admire the courage and tenacity displayed by both Julie and Kirsten and salute their real-life models for being willing to share their story with the world. I think this story will be appreciated by those who enjoy memoirs as well as those who would like to read about an intrepid woman who was not afraid to open up her heart to others and experience new cultures and new and sometimes risky adventures.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review...more