Tag Archive: memoir



Piglet: The Unexpected Story of a Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy and His FamilyPiglet: The Unexpected Story of a Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy and His Family by Melissa Shapiro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, my goodness! This book was fun from the very beginning. My eyes have difficulties tracking to read; even since cataract surgery fixed a lot of my issues, tracking remains nearly impossible. I have been an avid reader since I was little. Reading was slow going, but I got through the ten books allotted by the library every three weeks. The heft of the books was unwieldy, but I didn’t ask for help.

So, I began reading this book on my old phone using the Kindle app. It took me quite a while to get through even half the book. Finally, I caught up with the Libby audiobooks I had checked out, and Piglet became my bedtime book. Now, I could use text-to-speech and speed up the reading quite a bit. And give my eyes a rest.

Another reason I got into this book is my own dog, Kali, passed last spring after being nearly blind and having doggy dementia and bad hearing. It was so hard at the end of her life, but we had such a hard time from the beginning trying to learn from each other that the bond for her was strong in the end. I miss her so much and feel the need to help another dog as soon as I can. Meanwhile, Piglet helped me. Now I feel even stronger about getting another dog. I know there is one out there that needs me as much as I need him or her.

I think this book has a couple of other inspirational stories within. Melissa Shapiro is a veterinarian who tells her story of how she and her husband got together. Then, she shares her children’s aspirations with music. She tells of their college experiences.

By the way, one of her daughters and her husband have honest and raving reviews on the Piglet GoodReads page. I was delighted to read these as I felt I knew them from the book.

This book is full of the good feels a person needs these days. I look forward to looking all over the internet to find videos and follow the dogs, Melissa, and her family, and all the good they are doing for disabled people and animals.

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When I feel I am floundering, I need to remember the floundering Ms. Shapiro and her husband went through with that one-pound blind, deaf puppy screaming his needs to them. Floundering is how one finds one’s balance. That is what February gives me. Meanwhile, today my turtles got a little more colorful.


Per Linda:

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 28th, 2024 is “congregate.” This prompt is brought to us by  Fandango’s blog Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Making It SoMaking It So by Patrick Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was lucky to read this on Libby Audio. I must admit that hearing Sir Patrick’s voice made it so–much better than (see what I did there?)

This book takes you on Sir Stewart’s life journey from the beginning through even the pandemic, bringing the reader (listener) as close to the present as possible.

For me, there were a lot of surprises. But I am not much of a follower of movie stars. I have always enjoyed Star Trek and enjoyed our knight’s appearances in a few cartoons. The sad part of my life is that I never got to take classes or learn about Shakespeare; so much of his work is lost on me. Still, I guess the best part of a book is that it piques one’s curiosity. I need to check out the Bard and learn more than a little bit that I have been introduced to. I can sing the songs of Oliver. Does that count?

Anyway, gathering a congregation of Trekkies to learn what Sir Patrick can teach us of William, not Shatner. That’s what this book inspires. I plan to become more aware.

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Private Equity: A MemoirPrivate Equity: A Memoir by Carrie Sun
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this Kindle version ARC up on NetGalley. Thank you.

When I was sent the book, I must have known it was an autobiography. But it was a while before I started the read. I couldn’t believe the amount of financial information that showed up around 10% of the book. Remember, by now, I was thinking it was fiction. I couldn’t imagine why a person would include all that information that seemed to go on and on. I almost gave up on it. The story was triggering because of my time working in a corporation. Even the friendliest becomes a monster, a vampire to its employees. So again, I nearly gave up.

But about halfway through, I was hooked. I wanted to know what Carrie would do to find her own life again.

The ending was wonderful. Let me just say she does finally find a way.

Now I want a more positive life written so I can enjoy her new life!

Thank you for letting me read this book!

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Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a WarningOath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can’t say I enjoyed this book. But it is a necessary book. And I was lucky to get to hear a copy from our library app, Libby. Liz Cheney reads it herself, giving it all the authenticity it needs. Regardless of your political stance, this is an essential look into our government and the laws of this country we all love.

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My Grape Year (The Grape Series, #1)My Grape Year by Laura Bradbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who knew that a book about a foreign exchange teenager would have me in tears and longing to read the next in the series immediately? This book is the reason I read books. It took me to a place I hadn’t been before. It challenged a lot of preconceived notions. And I picked up a word or two more of French. That probably doesn’t count for much, but every little word counts, right?

Laura Bradbury can write an engaging book. When I found I couldn’t read it tiny bits at a time, I longed for more of the story than the time reading it took. I added Whispersynch, and the voice of Hope Newhouse (Narrator) made the story even better, especially since she pronounced the words text-to-speech or my own struggles with unfamiliar French words.

I don’t remember how I heard of the Grape books, and I hope it might be in connection with a movie or television series because this could be quite good in that medium, too. Anyway, I got the first Grape on Kindle Unlimited but decided to buy it and buy the Audio to go with it as I love the layers it adds to the written word.

I highly recommend this to teens and older. Even if 18 is 56 (yikes!) years ago, I still remember the angst of those years quite well, sometimes better than I remember where I put the keys, ya know?

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If You Would Have Told MeIf You Would Have Told Me by John Stamos
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

John Stamos was on a talk show promoting this book. Immediately, I put it in the search area on Libby. And there it was!

This is an honest account of Mr. Stamos’s life. In that, I feel I can’t really be a judge. It feels like he wrote it in his own voice, and as he narrated, it sounded quite real.

In a sense, I found myself a bit bored. But a great life well lived isn’t always full of action, adventure, and conflict. It was good for bedtime, and it didn’t keep me up worrying or stressed. I cared about what he was talking about and felt his feelings about it all.

Some ratings are very high. Others are quite low. Judge for yourself. It was interesting. And I am glad he is finding success in his life.

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Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian TrailGrandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Though Patrick Lawlor (Narrator) did a good job telling the story, I felt it would have been better with a female narrator. Still, it wasn’t about the narrator or the author. This book was dedicated to Grandma Gatewood, her life and times, and the many hikes she walked just because.

Regardless of the way the story is told, I felt inspired by Grandma Gatewood. Granted, I find a walk of a couple of miles more than enough. I think maybe because I have other things planned for the rest of the day. I wonder, if I told myself that this day is for walking if I would find it more enjoyable than trying to get back on time for this or that appointment. On the other hand, this is winter and the wind is horrid. And I might melt if it rained, excuses, excuses.

Anyway, I was lucky to find this on Libby You might like it too.

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EnoughEnough by Cassidy Hutchinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This young woman has been through enough. Meanwhile, she has proven she is honorable and brave.

I can’t say I enjoyed this book. In fact, it was challenging to listen to. It isn’t fiction. And yet it pulled me like the best mystery or sci-fi adventure. Knowing it was true made me feel so afraid for Cassidy. I hope she can continue being strong and safe. I hope others learn how to stand up to the bullies with truth.

I highly recommend this read. I was lucky to read it on Libby.

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My Planet: Finding Humor in the Oddest PlacesMy Planet: Finding Humor in the Oddest Places by Mary Roach
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The world is far too serious. A person needs to step away and see the humor where they can. Here is a step in the right direction.

Have you read Mary Roach’s Stiff? If so, you will need no pushing to pick this up. Ms. Roach has the best sense of humor. This is a dangerous book if you are attempting to be quiet while your partner sleeps. I almost blew a gasket, trying to prevent the laugh-out-loud experience.

I wasn’t thrilled with narrator Angela Dawe’s voice, but I got used to it, and she had a handle on the reader or listener’s funny bones. Mary Roach just told stories about her life, or her take on life, and I can guarantee these situations you have lived through and had similar thoughts but maybe didn’t laugh as hard as the stories caused.

Though this was an Audible, I bet you could pick this up at the library. Give yourself a break for joy.

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I Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My MinivanI Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan by Katie Porter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don’t know how I heard of this book, but as often happens, I hear about it and go straight to Libby and put it on hold. I love the ability to get audio or Kindle versions of books even when I can’t afford to buy them. I do enjoy hearing the book read by the author, especially in the case of a memoir.

I must admit to feeling refreshed when Katie Porter shows up on a show. She pulls no punches and speaks honestly, not buying into the usual memes of either political party. As a young mom, being in any career seems challenging. Single mom, even harder. But she chose to try to make life better for others. It seems more accurate when you know what she has given up to be where she is.

The hardest part of this book was listening before going to sleep. Her raspy voice and the exciting topics she brought up made sleep hard to come by.

Even so, I highly recommend this book, especially in audio form.

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