I'm not particularly a fan of RuPaul, and I wasn't eager to learn more about him. But when I saw that he had a self-narrated memoir on audiobook I thI'm not particularly a fan of RuPaul, and I wasn't eager to learn more about him. But when I saw that he had a self-narrated memoir on audiobook I thought "well, that's gotta be interesting." While there were no bombshell revelations (aside from the fact his parents actually did name him RuPaul), it was nice to hear his gentle voice explain the moments that shaped his life and the opportunities he took to build his fame while being true to himself. Although his narration was peaceful, there were loud interruptions of vulgarity that caught me off guard, so be forewarned, especially if listening without earbuds....more
This book was pretty lackluster, for me, and I typically enjoy WWII historical fiction. I did not realize until the epilogue that this is actually noThis book was pretty lackluster, for me, and I typically enjoy WWII historical fiction. I did not realize until the epilogue that this is actually non-fiction, and the author's grandmother was the title character. But I think a book about the real hero of the story, Carlota, would have been far more interesting. As it is, this was the retelling of a bunch of second-hand (and third-hand) stories about an Italian Jewish family that got separated during the Holocaust, and it turned out to be far less dramatic than the summary suggests. Throughout the book, Vittoria is unhappy with her husband, and even seems to have a crush on his brother. But in the end the reader is suppose to be convinced that they had this epic love story.
The storytelling was mediocre with too many characters and a storyline that was all over the place. And the editing mistakes here so numerous they were distracting, especially near the end of the book. But I reserve my 1⭐ ratings for books that make my physically angry, and I don't hate this one....more
There were a lot of valuable lessons in this book about how to reframe the things that tend to stress us out or make us unhappy, as well as tips on hoThere were a lot of valuable lessons in this book about how to reframe the things that tend to stress us out or make us unhappy, as well as tips on how to not skimp on taking care of ourselves and our well-being. I'm especially going to remember to start considering difficulties as just lessons that are helping us grow and improve. My gripe with this book, however, was how much the same messages were repeated time and time again, it seems, just to reach that magical number of *100* strategies. I wonder if the author was sweating over how many different ways he could write about setting aside time for oneself. The short chapters and the informal and casual prose were great. The repetition was not great....more
If not for the jarring outbursts in this audiobook, it would have put me to sleep. Maybe if I had read, rather than listened, I would have enjoyed itIf not for the jarring outbursts in this audiobook, it would have put me to sleep. Maybe if I had read, rather than listened, I would have enjoyed it more. But it was hard to feel compassion for this lost girl, and hard to discern what was actual and what were hallucinations. I knew nothing going into this, aside from it taking place in New Hampshire, and authored by Stephen King. I had high hopes for an edge-of-my-seat thriller. Unfortunately, the story felt lazy, to me....more
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