A well organized, well written, fact-laden account of the 2020 election and subsequent January 6th attack on the Capitol. Every American should read tA well organized, well written, fact-laden account of the 2020 election and subsequent January 6th attack on the Capitol. Every American should read this book. Cheney leaves no doubt about the danger Donald Trump poses to our country, our democracy. Many of the revelations uncovered by the Special Committee she co-chaired are startling. She concludes by saying, “Every one of us—Republican, Democrat, independent-must work and vote together to ensure Donald Trump and those who have appeased, enabled, collaborated with him are defeated.” ...more
Kate Harris writes beautiful prose and with enough detail to take you along on her adventure. Biking throughout Asia, following Marco Polo’s Silk RoadKate Harris writes beautiful prose and with enough detail to take you along on her adventure. Biking throughout Asia, following Marco Polo’s Silk Road, is nothing like his journey. Today there is pollution, toxicity, and enforced borders that destroy the romantic notions of the path. But despite that oppression, she manages to convey the wonder of the landscape, the skies filled with stars and the kindness of strangers. Giving up on her childhood dream of going to Mars, she still holds that desire to explore. “But exploration…the experience feels singular, unprecedented and revolutionary, despite the fact that others have been there before.” Her prose is often dreamy, “How the mountains shone like bits of fallen moon all around me, glowed for a moment and were gone.” And while she writes how borders separate us,, making us feel “alien,” she references Voyager, the space ship searching for other life in the universe, making the point that we here on the blue dot (earth) are one species, despite all our ethnic differences. We are human. This book above all is a paean to friendship. Traveling thousands of miles—difficult miles—through thick and thin, she and Mel remained friends, with Kate admitting she could not have made that challenging trip without her. ...more
An astounding inside look at Gaza and what it means to be a Palestinian, and female. Living in the USA, it is hard to comprehend the fear, the anxietyAn astounding inside look at Gaza and what it means to be a Palestinian, and female. Living in the USA, it is hard to comprehend the fear, the anxiety, the despair of living in a place constantly under bombardment, being controlled by narrow minded religious zealots. And appreciating the freedom of speech that is our right, that we take for granted. Written prior to the current conflict, Asmaa writes from her heart, about the country, the community, the family she loves, being threatened, arrested, beaten for writing what she believes. “I...was in favor of the freedom of thought and expression...this was more important than religious freedom.” After seeing so much death, including 9 of her relatives, in 3 wars in 6 years, she says, “Never talk to me about peace again.” After seeing dead children, she writes, “The words ‘barbarity’ and ‘massacres’ seem like inadequate cliches.” Startling, gut-wrenching, this book will not soon be forgotten. ...more
When the first line of a book is: “I was sitting in a taxi, wondering if I had overdressed for the evening, when I looked out the window and saw Mom rWhen the first line of a book is: “I was sitting in a taxi, wondering if I had overdressed for the evening, when I looked out the window and saw Mom rooting through a dumpster.”, you know it is going to be a captivating read. Jeannette Walls childhood was extremely challenging, frought with hardships of all sorts, yet, she and her siblings grew to be functioning, successful adults. Her parents were renegades, unconventional, anti-establishment —yet brilliant—folks who lived out in the fringe dragging along their 4 children. Underprivileged, hungry and poor they survived, even thrived, under severe circumstances, becoming independent, self sufficient, resourceful adults. Despite the depravity, Walls writes objectively, without bitterness, with such detail and candor, to hold the reader in awe. A book that is hard to put down, and one not easily forgotten. ...more
A beautiful homage to Pat Conroy. This firsthand view of the incomparable author helps to explain so much about his memorable, affective books. LargerA beautiful homage to Pat Conroy. This firsthand view of the incomparable author helps to explain so much about his memorable, affective books. Larger than life, a friendly, caring, giving man was also volatile, and stubborn. So much of what he wrote about—insanity, suicide, an abusive father, betrayal—he lived. Cassandra King writes with love and candor about the years she spent with this brilliant author, and the great sense of loss with his passing. ...more
A brutally honest account of growing up hard in a gutted mill town of Massachusetts. Dubus recounts his life in beautiful prose, describing in graphicA brutally honest account of growing up hard in a gutted mill town of Massachusetts. Dubus recounts his life in beautiful prose, describing in graphic detail growing up poor, hungry and angry in a falling down house and town. His narration is vivid of a life filled with violence, alcohol and uselessness, and so much profundity: “like a sick lover has finally died and the one left behind is on the cusp of knowing she’s relieved.” So many metaphorical passages: “But these thoughts were not in my head, they were only mute spaces of air between heartbeats I was trying to calm with steady breathing.” Or, “I felt more here, like water leaking from an ear you hadn’t known was blocked, and then something warm and wet is on your skin and now you can hear.” I want to read everything he has written. ...more
Bringley gives a private, intimate tour of the fabulous Metropolitan Museum of Art, from the Grand Staircase to the coat check. With his background inBringley gives a private, intimate tour of the fabulous Metropolitan Museum of Art, from the Grand Staircase to the coat check. With his background in art history he enlightens the reader on the region, the time, the artist, the medium. He worked as a guard at the museum for 10 years , spending countless hours in every gallery, sharing with us his observations of the art, the patrons, the guard procedures. He makes us question the notion of time in that seemingly timeless institution. But most importantly, he finds comfort and solace in art as a way to manage his grief. This book is profound, prophetic, and his beautiful prose makes it a thoroughly delightful read. This is a book I will read again and again for its many lessons. ...more
As a book of Hawaiian history and mythology, this book is remarkable. As a memoir, it is quite dull and unremarkable. I appreciate the distinction betAs a book of Hawaiian history and mythology, this book is remarkable. As a memoir, it is quite dull and unremarkable. I appreciate the distinction between kanaka, local and haole, but Machado’s life story left me cold. ...more
Everything you want to know about Nigerian tribes, culture, language, customs, Daniel has compiled a comprehensive, authentic reference. I appreciatedEverything you want to know about Nigerian tribes, culture, language, customs, Daniel has compiled a comprehensive, authentic reference. I appreciated her immigrant story, wandering the world, searching for a place to belong. For me, the narrative had an objective feeling, from someone outside looking in, with no emotion, no passion. There was not one passage I wanted to write down and hold forever. The prose is factual, from the brain, not the heart. ...more
Riveting, hard to put down, well written. Sally Field removes all the facade, unpeeling all the layers to show us her true self, with all her fears, hRiveting, hard to put down, well written. Sally Field removes all the facade, unpeeling all the layers to show us her true self, with all her fears, her insecurities, her shame, her rage, her self-loathing. A woman who always seemed so solid and confident was trying to be what every man in her life wanted her to be, but suffering inside to speak up, to ask for what she wanted. Needed. Powerful, gritty, endearing. Should be required reading for all teenage girls. ...more
Having worked at Estée Lauder at the time of her reign, I naturally was interested in her memoir. Being young and naive at the time, it never occurredHaving worked at Estée Lauder at the time of her reign, I naturally was interested in her memoir. Being young and naive at the time, it never occurred to me that she was just like me with fears, insecurities, afraid to just be myself, not what others want me to be. Her honesty and plain speak are refreshing, thus the title. Not a traditional memoir, but rather a compilation of essays, she nonetheless tells her life story, as the subtitle states, “the good, the bad and the beautiful.” There is some repetition, but she has much to say about love, grief, betrayal, anxiety, loss and aging, words to comfort so many women. She is real and honest and a necessary voice for all women, especially young women grappling with body image. ...more
Ebadi gives us an inside look at Iran . She is an accomplished,educated. Nobel peace prize winner forced into exile She endured imprisonment, interrogEbadi gives us an inside look at Iran . She is an accomplished,educated. Nobel peace prize winner forced into exile She endured imprisonment, interrogation, surveillance, intimidation and threats to keep silent as she fights for human rights for her country and her people. Makes me so grateful to live in America, where freedom is a right ...more
Sexual violence, Everest, family Vasquez-Lavado bares her soul in this courageous memoir. Suffering sexual abuse as a child, alcoholic, burying the moSexual violence, Everest, family Vasquez-Lavado bares her soul in this courageous memoir. Suffering sexual abuse as a child, alcoholic, burying the mother she feels deserted her, she climbs the Seven Summits as a way to heal her trauma, release her pain, overcome her rage and create community from her isolation. A triumphant book, highlighting the outrageous endeavor of climbing Everest as a woman, the healing that comes from strenuous physical exertion. The chanting nuns of DeBoche bring transcendence to the victims of sexual abuse she climbs with, releasing their trauma. (12-15000 Nepali girls are trafficked to India each year). This book is about sisterhood—you are not alone. Love this line:”Sometimes it takes a long walk to see how far you have come.”...more
Bravo Katy Tur for your candor, your integrity, your resilience. A captivating read about journalism, the insecurity of being a woman in a mans world,Bravo Katy Tur for your candor, your integrity, your resilience. A captivating read about journalism, the insecurity of being a woman in a mans world, and having a crazy parent. Written with style, grace and unmitigated composure and honesty. And kudos for the female voice: “I sometimes felt small, lacking, unworthy of my anchor chair.” I always liked Katy but now have newfound respect for her accomplishment. I now understand how she was able to cover Trump so unflappably. ...more
Ukraine, Trumps impeachment, State Department. I have mixed feelings about this book. Marie Yovanovitch is someone I have admired since her recall froUkraine, Trumps impeachment, State Department. I have mixed feelings about this book. Marie Yovanovitch is someone I have admired since her recall from her post as ambassador to Ukraine. Her integrity, honesty, patriotism is above question. I like her. But at times I found her obtuse, naive and perhaps that is my backward looking vision. Perhaps in the moment, she was just too trusting. Far more than a memoir, this book is long and windy with repetition. A 20-21st century history of the former Soviet Union as well as the inner workings of the State Department, much of the text is quite dry. But her idealism, her courage, her honor are refreshing. As is her hopefulness. “We must offer all Americans the dignity of equality and freedom. We must work to make sure that all Americans believe that they have a stake in our communal future, that regardless of our differences we are all part of one united country...If we fail at home by denying Americans their rights, we will not have the moral authority abroad to create the international environment that makes our country more just, more secure, and more prosperous. “She would make one hell of a President. ...more
North Korea, defection, family. This is a powerful, honest account of life in North Korea. From the two photos that must be hung on every home, adoredNorth Korea, defection, family. This is a powerful, honest account of life in North Korea. From the two photos that must be hung on every home, adored and cared for, to the fealty that must be shown, the lies that are perpetuated about the Kim dynasty and the country’s history, this book is a shocking revelation. Well organized and written, it is hard to put down. Hyeonseo Lee is a smart and brave young woman you can’t help but cheer for. Makes me so grateful to be American with rights and freedom. ...more
Powerful and revelatory, Davis does a fine job of capturing the trauma and heartbreaking scars of poverty. Having found herself, she bares her soul, cPowerful and revelatory, Davis does a fine job of capturing the trauma and heartbreaking scars of poverty. Having found herself, she bares her soul, conveying “the invisibility of the one-two punch that is Blackness and poverty is brutal.” She writes, “There is an emotional abandonment that comes with poverty and being Black. The weight of generational trauma and having to fight for your basic needs doesn’t leave room for anything else.” She describes herself as broken, of being “saturated in shame,” yet she carried on. Excelling, succeeding, achieving greatness. I loved her candor, her wit and unpretentious style. Bravo, Ms Davis. ...more
