Tag Archive: memoir



Citizen: My Life After the White HouseCitizen: My Life After the White House by Bill Clinton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was fortunate to borrow this audiobook from Libby. And unfortunately, I didn’t quite finish before it was due back. And people were waiting to read it, so I had to let it go back. I put it on hold to finish the read. But I think I have read enough to review the book.

Surprised. I was surprised that I liked the book as much as I did. I felt I learned new things in many different areas of Mr. Clinton’s life, and how history played a part in our story. He wrote about his family life in ways that were remarkable, loving, and full of pride. I expected a lot of political jargon and boring, dry subject matter. I look forward to finishing the book later.

I nearly forgot that Steven Weber (narrator) easily and naturally lent his voice to President Clinton. I think this was a good choice. I’m sure the president’s voice would have been acceptable, but it might not have held up to the constant reading.

As I said from the beginning, I was surprised at how I liked this book. I thought I would be bored or lost, but I felt educated by the time I returned the book.

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I Sleep Around: The Humorous Memoir of a Nomadic WriterI Sleep Around: The Humorous Memoir of a Nomadic Writer by Sue Ann Jaffarian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was refreshing and fun. Sue Ann Jaffarian has a wit that keeps the writing about traveling light and wistful.

I have to admit that I often feel I would love to travel by RV and sleep wherever the road leads me. But the lack of money and courage keep me housebound.

With Text-to-Speech on Kindle, this was a fast read. And vicariously, we get to hit the road!

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Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About MenopauseDare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you are a female from young to old, this book will have something for you. Even though I am 75 and a few years beyond menopause, I found things that I might be able to help my physical and mental health even now.

Naomi Watts (Author, Narrator), Mary Claire Haver MD (Author), and Allyson Ryan (Narrator) helped the reader stay involved with the topic that could otherwise get heavy in medical jargon.
Naomi Watts keeps the book personal enough for the average woman to find common ground, even if they don’t follow the same path through the hormonal jungle. Having personal stories with medical backups helps the reader decide about her health.

I was fortunate to listen to the Libby audiobook. I need to get the paper version to research the lists of products or clinics. By the way, this would be a great book for family and friends to have a starting point for discussions. Take notes to share with your medical team.

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Burn Book: A Tech Love StoryBurn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the 80s, we had a Commodore 64 (my friend and I visited on a Bulletin Board!), a Tandy Sensation, and bits and pieces of others. The internet went from the exciting screaming of connecting modems to what we have today. Remember AOL, NetZero, PeoplePC, Prodigy, and everything in between. This cyberworld has been an adventure and sometimes scary place to visit.

It was fun to think about that history and see it from Kara Swisher’s point of view. She is a techie and journalist.

I found this edition in Libby and found it had to be read while alert. Not a bedtime story. You have to think while listening. I hope everyone gets a chance to listen to this book. Ms. Swisher is intelligent and can help us see how the industry has changed and progressed. She has some cautions for us as we proceed.

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Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and LibertySomething Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty by Hillary Rodham Clinton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m glad I got to read/listen to this as a Libby audiobook. Libby makes sure those of us with meager salaries can still afford to read currently popular books. Unless there is a hold. I didn’t know this had a timeline. Sadly, many like me will read it after the fact. Not that it would have changed my mind. And I doubt those who think differently than me would have changed their minds. Tribes seem set with their own.

I rarely give five stars to autobiographies. Mainly because it feels like I am being judgmental about the author’s life. It was what they lived and what they remembered; what was important in the moment.

What I liked about this book was it felt like we were having a conversation and she was relating her thoughts. And as with anyone you might have a cup of coffee or tea, you feel close. There are times you laugh. And there are times that are deep and honest. And the strong emotions that can crop up. Forgiveable with anyone.

If you have the curiosity, you may enjoy, even if you don’t politically agree, her work with women, here and abroad. Give her and her chat a chance.

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My Grape Wedding (The Grape Series, #5)My Grape Wedding by Laura Bradbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this autobiographical series! I read them on Kindle on my old phone. These are the only books I actually read with my eyes: no text-to-speech or audiobook. My tracking issues take a long time. But I love the French phrases scattered throughout. With the little bit of French, I do on Duolingo, these are easy enough, and I mostly don’t need help. But Kindle has the feature to show translation if needed or a dictionary lookup for words I might not get, such as food or other things that are foreign to me.

I feel I am traveling as I read these, and I love Laura Bradbury’s family, friends, and her sweet husband.

Look, I know it is a book about a wedding, and the series seems to surround the romance of Laura and Franck, but these are more the growing process and educational adventures of Ms. Bradbury. As I mentioned, it seems more travel and food than the yucky, sweet, snuggling stuff that can get annoying in other books.

I look forward to reading more of this series. Sorry, it takes so long.

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In Gad We Trust: A Tell-SomeIn Gad We Trust: A Tell-Some by Josh Gad
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First of all, is there a connection between wishing for snow, singing to my husband, ‘Do you want to build a snowman?’ He and I laughed and and ‘pht-no’ And cold temps and snow that lasted more than a week so far, and listening to Josh Gad narrate his book? Okay, probably no connection. Still…

This was a fun book. I felt maybe one of the best autobiographies I’ve read. For a young man I feel Josh has the wisdom of an old soul. His sense of humor keeps it light even when discussing less than best times.

I highly recommend Josh’s book, especially the audiobook.

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Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your NarrativeMaster of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative by Keke Palmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Keke Palmer has quite the personality. I remember seeing her as a child actress. Her energy was terrific. And I remember her in Grey’s Anatomy as a pregnant teen. She has always been a great actress with a lot to say.

Though I wanted to love this book it seemed Ms. Palmer couldn’t decide if she was writing an autobiography or a self-help book for herself. Either way was okay. I still enjoyed her take on life and trying to make it a good place for everyone.

Probably teens or young adults will connect to this best. But if you like Keke, you’ll enjoy it, too.

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This post is part of Just Jot it January, and the prompt word, “personality,” comes to us from Astrid. Check out her blog here!


Three WomenThree Women by Lisa Taddeo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The dangers, frustrations, and excitements of being female are explored through the lives of three women. I found myself relating completely to some situations, yet I could not relate to others. What was made clear is that just because we are all women, we are all so different. And honestly, viva that difference! The one sure thing that can be learned here is we are not to judge. Maybe we can learn lessons from the mistakes or the successes of others.

I feel some of my readers may want the warning that the book is sexually explicit, but knowing how closely sex is to a depth of relationships, you learn why the women have such difficult choices in their lives.

I am now interested in watching the series on Starz.

Feminism is clearly seen here, where we can claim our strengths and weaknesses to work on. If you like strong open books about contemporary women, this book is for you. I must admit that listening on the Libby audiobook to the four narrators, one for each of the main characters, helped the reader to feel their story deeper. They are Tara Lynne Barr, Marin Ireland, Mena Suvari, and author/narrator Lisa Taddeo. Great work, all.

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See the Just Jot It January rules here. Today’s prompt brought to us by Barbara. Check out her blog here!

Force of Nature: Three Women Tackle the John Muir TrailForce of Nature: Three Women Tackle the John Muir Trail by Joan M. Griffin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anna Crowe narrated so well that I thought it had to be the author reading her own work. This was a nice hike with a few women on the John Muir Trail. I felt like I was right there without freezing or mosquito bites, vicariously eating a high-calorie diet to keep alive while moving up and down the mountains.

This was inspiring writing for sure. I want to do that kind of camping and climbing. I want to be able to write as well as the author. She felt old in her fifties. But here I am inspired by her and hoping I can find a way to do this kind of thing. It is time to start getting in shape. Maybe by summer, I can walk more than two miles a day. They managed 10 a day. I believe it can be done. I think these old bones would be happier with me if I tried.

If you can’t get into nature, maybe it’s too cold right now. But this book will help make you feel it is summer and you are making the JMT with friends. I recommend this read!

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