This book is one I have re-read and referenced time and time again. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I learned. I wish the title were differentThis book is one I have re-read and referenced time and time again. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I learned. I wish the title were different, but at the same time, it completely fits the contents. I have also listened to the audio narrated by Dr. Greger and love his passion for this topic.
Now to start walking the walk myself... and following this, again!...more
I’m drawn to stories about the Great Depression. My grandparents were young then, and that time period had a huge effect on their 4 interesting stars!
I’m drawn to stories about the Great Depression. My grandparents were young then, and that time period had a huge effect on their lives (at least our family has rationalized it that way).
Plennie Wingo’s story takes place in this hard-hitting time. Living in Texas, the bank foreclosed on the restaurant he owned, and Plennie is forced to dig ditches to feed his family.
An adventurous soul, Plennie decides he needs to leave his mark in a different way; by walking around the world backwards. I wish I could ask my grandparents if they remembered his story. It was all over the newspapers at the time.
Plennie could not take on this adventure without training, so for six months he practices walking backwards. His sunglasses have mirrors so he can see behind him. His plan- to sell picture postcards for himself, and all the while, he is looking for a sponsor. His first trek has him taking off towards Dallas.
Through Plennie’s travels we get a bird’s eye view of the cold, dark, devoid times of the depression. He is met with the utmost generosity and likewise a victim of scammers.
Ben Montgomery’s impeccable research follows Plennie through the United States and includes famous events of the time (Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde, the Dust Bowl, Charles Lindberg, etc.), and traveling on to Germany where Hitler is on the rise, across European countries to Turkey.
Plennie walks backward for thousands of miles, but you’ll have to read the book to find out if he is successful. He is an entertaining character on the search for fortune and fame, but will he find it? And at what cost?
Thanks to Little, Brown for the copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
4.5 stars to the powerfully written My Country: A Syrian Memoir! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .5
The stories and images out of Syria have haunted me. I want to know mor4.5 stars to the powerfully written My Country: A Syrian Memoir! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .5
The stories and images out of Syria have haunted me. I want to know more, read more, understand more. I thought My Country would be a fortunate reading opportunity for me to attempt those things, and I am grateful that Kassem Eid survived to tell this story, his story.
Eid, a Palestinian immigrant, describes his childhood in Syria, the jasmine-scented streets, and his experiences in school. He notices that he is treated differently at school because he is Palestinian. He is always an outsider, and his accomplishments are somewhat limited because of that.
While Eid is growing up, Bashar al-Assad becomes the new leader of Syria, and any wish that he would be more tolerant than his father is quickly dashed. Al-Assad is known for his tyrannical ways to this day, and as his hold on Syria grows stronger, a revolution is generated in response. Al-Assad, in turn, reacts with arrests and extreme violence. As a result, Eid experienced a civil war in his country during his teen years.
In 2013, Kassem Eid is living in Moadamiya, Syria, just outside of Damascus, when there is a gas attack by the government. While a large number of residents are killed right before his eyes, Eid survives. The same day, he is hit by a mortar while he is assisting the Free Syrian Army against al-Assad’s army (i.e., the government’s military). While Eid survives physically, all around him is completely wiped out. He loses everything, and he continues to feel the aftershocks and ongoing devastation that happens in Syria on a daily basis.
This book is beyond timely and exceedingly important. Eid’s experience is human, raw, and beautifully written. My favorite parts are his descriptions of the majesty of Syria during his early childhood and his family life, but the salient, paramount parts, though difficult to read, are everything else.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for the ARC. My Country: A Syrian Memoir will be published on July 3, 2018.
4 inspiring stars to First Ladies of the Republic! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This was another recommendation from my friend, Marialyce! Thanks for a great read!
Mar4 inspiring stars to First Ladies of the Republic! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This was another recommendation from my friend, Marialyce! Thanks for a great read!
Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, and Dolley Madison, the United States’ first three First Ladies, were responsible for shaping the important role, especially as the presidency itself in a young nation was also in its infancy stage.
There was a fine line walked for these women in supporting their husbands and serving as their best confidantes, while also bringing respect to their new roles, and in what they believed to be a stark contrast to the royal values from which the US was separating.
What I loved most about this book was that it was not just about being “First Lady.” It was also about defining new roles for women in a new America. Overall, this was a fascinating read for me, and I highly recommend it for fans of history, especially early US history.
Thank you to Jeanne Abrams, NYU Press, and Netgalley for the ARC. First Ladies of the Republic is available now!
4 stars to Robin, a thorough and well-written biography of the life of one-of-a-kind Robin Williams! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This book came highly recommended by 4 stars to Robin, a thorough and well-written biography of the life of one-of-a-kind Robin Williams! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This book came highly recommended by my friend, Toni. I’m so grateful I read it.
My earliest memory of Robin Williams includes my mom’s hysterical laughter mixed with my own, while watching re-runs of Mork and Mindy. Robin’s silly humor even translated to small children! My favorite memory of him is when he came to my college’s campus to film Patch Adams, and I walked right by him and managed not to faint! Patch Adams remains my favorite Robin Williams’ movie.
Robin is a biographical compendium of Robin Williams’ life. This book is long on pages, but it does not feel that way when reading. Yes, there are tons of footnotes, but the author clearly did his job of interviewing and researching most every aspect of Williams’ full and varied life. I did not know much about his early life, or even his early career, so I soaked in all the details, and tried to put together the intricate pieces of the Robin puzzle.
Also included was information about his final diagnosis, Diffuse Lewy Body Dementia, which unfortunately, was not a diagnosis Williams’ received when he was still alive. One can only hope it would have offered him some understanding of what was going on physically with his body and cognitively with his thoughts.
Robin Williams was in a league of his own. This biography is a must for any fan, and even if you were not a fan, this is a perfectly written biography full of heart.
Thank you to Dave Itzkoff, Henry Holt and Co., and Netgalley for the ARC. Robin is available now!
5 King Salmon stars to Kings of the Yukon! 🐟 🐟 🐟 🐟 🐟
We traveled to Alaska and the Yukon Territory on our honeymoon, and I must say, I have never seen5 King Salmon stars to Kings of the Yukon! 🐟 🐟 🐟 🐟 🐟
We traveled to Alaska and the Yukon Territory on our honeymoon, and I must say, I have never seen anything more majestic, pristinely beautiful, and untouched, as the Yukon, its waters, the land, the mountains.
In Kings of the Yukon, Adam Weymouth weaves a tale of adventure, his own in fact, as he travels the Yukon River by canoe in order to study the migration patterns of the king salmon, also including the history of the fish.
But this book isn’t just about salmon...Weymouth shows the connection between the people of Alaska and fish by painting descriptive vignettes of the characters he meets along his journey.
I found the writing to be as stunning, intriguing, and pristine as the Yukon. Well-done, Adam Weymouth!
Thank you to Adam Weymouth, Little, Brown and Company, and Netgalley. Kings of the Yukon will be available on May 15, 2018.
5 empowered, emboldened stars to Eunice: The Kennedy Who Changed the World! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Prior to reading this book, I familiar with Eunice Shriver’s en 5 empowered, emboldened stars to Eunice: The Kennedy Who Changed the World! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Prior to reading this book, I familiar with Eunice Shriver’s enormous contributions to society on behalf of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families, creating the Special Olympics, among many others, but this book quickly illuminated all of Eunice’s accomplishments, her strength of character, her passion in advocating for individuals with disabilities, and her love and devotion for her family.
I read a nonfiction book a couple months ago about Rosemary, Eunice’s sister, who had an intellectual disability and had a very difficult time obtaining schooling tailored to her needs, and Eunice’s book had some overlap with family backstory, while clearly focusing on Eunice’s perspective.
Eunice grew up in a male-dominated family, and she was often limited by her father (and society) in what she had access to as a female, but she forged ahead, accepted challenges, and made her own destiny based on her strong faith and family values.
Bottom line, Eunice’s life was fascinating, empowering, inspiring, and I can’t imagine living in a world where her contributions had not laid the foundation for a more accepting society for individuals with disabilities.
Thank you to Eileen McNamara, Simon Schuster, and Netgalley for the ARC. Eunice is available now!
5 bold stars to Patriot Number One, a nonfiction masterpiece! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Lauren Hilgers is an American journalist who met a man named Zhuang while repo5 bold stars to Patriot Number One, a nonfiction masterpiece! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Lauren Hilgers is an American journalist who met a man named Zhuang while reporting on site in his village in China. Zhuang, a free-thinker, had been arrested for staging protests and was labeled a dissident. He called Lauren one day to say he would be traveling to America and had plans to abandon his tour group, along with his wife, and live in Chinatown in Flushing, New York.
I found the build-up of what would happen with Zhuang and Little Yan in America completely enthralling, centered around the underground, secret world of immigrants, both documented and undocumented, including language schools, dormitories, off-the-record banks, and employment agencies, all put in place for mere survival of people trying their best to live the American Dream.
Even with the ingenuity of these supports, it continues to be a challenge to survive for Zhuang and his family. The jobs are few and far between, and what is available is low paying. The housing is abysmal and unsafe. After their arduous work to get to the United States, will they achieve their dreams? Will Zhuang and Little Yan qualify for political asylum, allowing them access to better jobs and an improved way of life?
Hilgers presents this nonfiction story in a way as compelling as any fictional character study. Zhuang and his wife, Little Yan, are endearing, engaging people, and Hilgers’ writing is silky smooth.
I never tire of books on the immigrant experience. It’s an often heated debate in this country, and stories such as Patriot Number One offer opportunities for discussion and understanding at a deeper level.
Patriot Number One came highly recommended by my Goodreads friend, Fran. Thanks, Fran, for an unforgettable read!
Thank you to Lauren Hilgers, Crown Publishing, and Netgalley for the copy to read and review. Patriot Number One releases on March 20, 2018....more
❄️ 4 adventurous, Antarctic stars to The Stowaway ❄️
I enjoy reading nonfiction, and it’s a delight when I read nonfiction that feels like fiction. I ❄️ 4 adventurous, Antarctic stars to The Stowaway ❄️
I enjoy reading nonfiction, and it’s a delight when I read nonfiction that feels like fiction. I would say this particular book feels mostly like fiction, but it is a bit on the detailed side. This worked perfectly for me, but I wanted to mention it for fiction fans who might be considering this book.
What fascinated me from the start is I was yet again reading about the 1920s in the United States! I’ve read several books lately set during that interesting time. Billy Gawronski was a captivating figure. How exactly does an 18 year old manage to be a stowaway on one of the most famous expeditions? What will his parents think? Wait until you read the story of his endearing parents.
Admiral Byrd, the leader of the expedition, was another absorbing character, as were the other captains of the ships. Also covered were past expeditions by Byrd and others, as well as the controversy surrounding them (i.e., did they really go to these places, or did they lie about their coordinates for the fame?).
Polish culture, the struggles of the time for different races, the Great Depression, and many other important issues were covered revealing the context of what was happening around Billy.
Billy was intelligent, resourceful, and persistent in making his enormous dream come true, and I absolutely loved him; however, his second wife and their story 💕 ended up stealing the show for me towards the end of the book. The Author’s Note that ties into that story is not to be missed!
These days, instead of giant multi-ship expeditions, people take cruises to Antarctica. I admit I’ve thought about it. We love a cruise and a big adventure. 🚢 Luckily, there’s still much about Antarctica that’s left untouched and undiscovered. That’s special and so is this book. The Stowaway met my expectations for a thrilling adventure!
Thank you to Laurie Gwen Shapiro, Simon & Schuster, and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC to review.
The Stowaway will be published on January 16, 2018....more
4 resilient, brave stars to The Only Girl in the World and infinite stars to Maude Julien for her resilience and bravery ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
From a little gir4 resilient, brave stars to The Only Girl in the World and infinite stars to Maude Julien for her resilience and bravery ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
From a little girl, Maude Julien was deprived of love, affection, and any comfort at all. On top of that, she was tested and challenged by her father to some standard I never really understood. Basically, he used it as an excuse to torture her. Maude learned compassion through her pets- thank goodness for her animals! And through incredible inner fortitude, Maude learned to reinforce the inner goodness that her parents did not.
This is a tale of survival and strength, but wow, it was difficult reading to the end, and I kept thinking- I’m just reading this book. I’m not being forced to live how she did. I was heartbroken thinking of Maude growing up, and in the end, when she escaped (no spoilers, it’s in the synopsis), I was uplifted by her spirit and will to be a loving mother, a helper, and a citizen contributing positively to society.
Overall, a book well worth reading. I’m grateful for Maude Julien sharing her story with the world and hope it’s helped her healing.
The Only Girl in the World was published on December 12, 2017. Thank you to Maude Julien, Little, Brown and Company, and Netgalley for the complimentary copy to review. ...more
5 brave, bold stars to The Girl Who Smiled Beads! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
The Girl Who Smiled Beads has been the memoir I’ve most anticipated reading this year, and5 brave, bold stars to The Girl Who Smiled Beads! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
The Girl Who Smiled Beads has been the memoir I’ve most anticipated reading this year, and when I finally got to it, it was just after reading a fictional account of the genocide in Rwanda, In the Shadow of 10,000 Hills by Jennifer Haupt, which is definitely a favorite of mine. The Girl Who Smiled Beads was a fitting complement to In the Shadow, and I experienced on a more visceral, individual level the pain, fear, sacrifice, and absolute terror experienced by Clemantine and her family.
This book is easy to read due to the exceptional writing, and I found it hard to put down; however, at times, I had to in order to absorb the abject torment suffered by Clemantine and her sister, Claire, from fleeing practically barefoot across multiple African countries to digging bugs out of the soles of their feet.
This is Clemantine’s story, how she shares her anguish, horror, loss, and despair, and in turn, how she claims her individuality and begins to heal. This book is important, urgently so given what is happening in our world right this very minute, and raw and stunning at the same time. Highly recommended for fans of nonfiction, memoirs, cross-cultural works, and profoundly emotional writing.
Thank you to Clemantine Wamariya, Crown Publishing, and Netgalley for the ARC. The Girl Who Smiled Beads is available now! ...more
I learned, I was absorbed, I was emotionally invested = 5 stars.
Review of the audio.
Rosemary Kennedy, the third child and first daughter born to RoseI learned, I was absorbed, I was emotionally invested = 5 stars.
Review of the audio.
Rosemary Kennedy, the third child and first daughter born to Rose and Joe Kennedy, was intellectually disabled due to a trauma during her birth. It was both interesting and devastating to learn how the Kennedys, the medical field, and the mainstream U.S. culture, felt about the disability at the time. I hope we’ve made some strides in this area, but there is definitely room to grow.
The Kennedys were staunch in their beliefs that, as a young child, Rosemary could grow developmentally and reach the achievements, both physically, academically, and cognitively, of her siblings. As she got older, the Kennedys were tireless in their efforts to find an appropriate school for Rosemary, where she would excel. She had so many transitions, and transitions were hard for her. As she got older, Rosemary had some anger and outbursts more frequently, and the family went in search of another type of care for her. They literally tried all of what was available for her at the time, and some of these things were positive (like the Devereaux School which was ahead of its time) and others were traumatic and destructive. The author follows from before Rosemary’s birth (how her parents met, the two sons born before her) all the way through the end of Rosemary’s life and after.
This was a nonfiction book filled with well-researched detail about the Kennedy family and the time period. Rosemary is whom it’s all about, and she was on my heart. I can’t help but wish she had been born in a different time when intellectual disabilities were more accepted, where treatments were safer, and where she could be free to be the lovely, radiant person she was. Even if they didn’t always express it how I would have, I was struck by her family’s love for her, especially Eunice’s devotion. The last few paragraphs of the book include some thoughts from Rose who had a conflicted relationship with Rosemary, but early in her life, she had been her biggest advocate and protector. Rose discussed what she felt the purpose of Rosemary’s life had been for the family. That was touching. She finally got it. Or a little bit of it.
I never felt bogged down in the details on this one. It was a pleasure learning about the time period, which gave context to Rosemary’s life. Overall, this was a solid listen....more
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader
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