Tag Archive: non-fiction



Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life InterruptedBetween Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I ran out of things to read a couple of nights ago and found this available. I had to give it another listen. I love it so much that I may try to find this book on Audible and paperback. There is so much wisdom in this book. It offers ideas for anyone or anytime one needs to take their mind off worries and find something creative to do, such as the 100-day challenge. Once again, I highly recommend this book!

Below is my previous review.
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For the depressing diagnosis, this book turned out to be quite positive. And a very interesting read. The author was quite the narrator, too.

What started as itching feet and legs became leukemia. Readers go with Suleika Jaouad as she learns the cause of her discomfort and how to navigate medical issues while only in her twenties.

I highly recommend this read. Ms. Jaouad not only writes well but does quite the podcast. Oh, and I feel quite silly. I didn’t realize that the Jon she talks about towards the end was none other than Jon Batiste.

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The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara WaltersThe Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters by Susan Page
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Susan Page wrote and narrated this book. As much as I enjoy learning the process of an autobiography, a biography seems less personal and often feels a bit of a betrayal to the person, even if it wasn’t meant to be. I guess that’s why folks say, “It wasn’t my tale to tell.” Sure, it might tell unflattering things that may actually be more honest, but often, the motivation of why a person did this or that, even if in self-delusion, is still more honest than hearsay. The ‘why’ is important.

Barbara Walters has passed, so sadly, she couldn’t put her two cents in on this book. Still, I did learn a few things that happened within my history that I didn’t realize. So I don’t cross off this book. It just wasn’t a favorite. You may like it better. Besides, I wasn’t feeling well when I read it. I know life and health can color how you feel about books.

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The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin OlympicsThe Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading the book by Katie Ledecky, I thought another Olympic story would be fun.

While not as positive as Katie’s book, this one was full of conquering spirits during a bad time in history. I learned a lot about rowing, but I have to admit this isn’t my kind of sport. I’d rather be in a clean pool than out on the ocean or a lake.

I think this book is one others may like better than I did. If I had to rate it more accurately, it would be three and a half stars. I rounded up. But maybe it was more the fever of COVID than the book itself. Edward Hermann narrated Daniel James Brown’s book with gusto.

Try it! You might like it.

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Just Add Water: My Swimming LifeJust Add Water: My Swimming Life by Katie Ledecky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Writers are told to include tension in their writing. I don’t like tension. There are always goals and needs to take care of, but I really don’t believe tension and negativity are needed to lead a book. This book was led by Katie Ledecky, her wishes and excitement in the water. Such a relief!

My inner child wants to be Katie Ledecky when I grow up. I started swimming lessons when I was 12. I see now that I was too old, but my early dreams never found the footing to fly. (I’m 74 now.) Through this book, I see how it can be for kids now. Her family, coaches, and friends were supportive. The drive Katie had was supported. Isn’t it nice to read an autobiography that shares that positivity? Aim for something. Support others’ dreams and goals. No one loses out with that kind of love.

Libby supplied this audiobook. I highly recommend this inspirational splash of fun and focus.

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Lily's Promise: Holding on to Hope Through Auschwitz and Beyond—A Story for All GenerationsLily’s Promise: Holding on to Hope Through Auschwitz and Beyond—A Story for All Generations by Lily Ebert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading the book about Masha the cat, still wiping the tears streaking down my face, I hesitated to start reading Lily’s Promise. How could I read something about the Holocaust and not feel so depressed and helpless? I was wrong. Yes, the subject matter was as sad and maddening as you can imagine, but the spirit of Lily, her sisters, and family brightened and encouraged my own spirit.

Look, I know it was one of the hardest things for a person to go through. We can only hope no one has to deal with that kind of thing again ever in history. But when you think of our inconveniences that strike us daily, cost of living, etc., and remembering to live with it all with as much grace as we can muster for those around us, thus even lifting our lives to staying alive and doing our best with what we’ve been given. And to rise even higher for those around us. Saving more than life, saving love. That is the wealth in this book.

Lily, great-grandmother, and Dov, her great-grandson, bring their perspectives to current thoughts about the Holocaust, and memories that most have tried to forget and hide bring the light. It is a beautiful book.

While Lily does some of her own reading, Anna Cordell (narrator) takes over the heavy vocal challenges. Dov reads his parts as he is used to podcasting with his great-grandmother.

I highly recommend this read, especially as an audiobook. I was lucky to find it on Libby.

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My Beloved Monster: Masha, the Half-wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued MeMy Beloved Monster: Masha, the Half-wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued Me by Caleb Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

COVID may have flavored how much I loved this book. We are at a stage without pets. It is killing us not to have a furry buddy around all the time, so we take our pets in virtually for now.

I knew the job was dangerous when I took on the reading of this book about a sweet cat. They have short lifespans. It’s the reason we are catless and dogless right now. So, I knew the book would not leave me laughing. Yes. My Kleenex were close at hand.

Meanwhile, going into the book, I enjoyed every moment of the author’s journey with his new cat.  James Lurie (Narrator) was excellent. I loved how the author and cat bonded. I loved how honest he was about his life before and after Masha.

A warning, if you are feeling the slightest bit vulnerable, you might want to wait. Because I have no self-control regarding books or pets, I went ahead. I was still feverish. So that ending had me ugly crying. My husband was worried for me, But I told him what it was about. He is well now and still can bring himself to read this. Even though a lot of the story Caleb Carr relates sounds like my husband’s relationship with his bonded friend, Rosey. It’s all too raw.

But love is like that. It hurts because of how close we get to the loved one, but it is well worth it every time. So I suggest, if you feel you can handle it, this is one of the best books I’ve read recently. I was lucky to find it on Libby, but I may buy it sometime just to enjoy that love again.

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True Gretch: What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in BetweenTrue Gretch: What I’ve Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between by Gretchen Whitmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this over a week ago. I think it was even before I caught COVID. It was thankfully short as my attention span for the past couple weeks. But I do remember it fondly.

This is a memoir that covers a portion of someone’s life. I appreciated her take of her own life. She seems a strong person with good values. She embraces her family and the lessons learned along the way. She also has a good attitude about being as kind and helpful to others as possible.

Don’t you love Libby, where you can borrow books, even audiobooks? This one was read by the author and her personality shows through.

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All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This WayAll in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way by Fred C. Trump
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fred Trump narrated his book quite well, I must admit. I love biographies now. Since writing my own, I have seen what goes into them. You need to be sensitive to others who shared your history over the years. Fred tried to make as many allowances as he could for slights, perceived or real. He stayed true to his wife and children, writing a book that could make them proud—or at least feel honest.

It’s worth the read. My audiobook was from Libby.

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My Broken LanguageMy Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh my! This was so different than any other memoir. It came at me like my own crazy memories. In and out. Mine are mostly English. But if I were raised with another language spoken around me, it might have sounded like this.

Cousins and relatives played a big part in this book. Exactly like my memories, just different.

If you have a lot of Spanish in your vocabulary, it might be even better. My meager amount barely got me by. At least the author, as she narrated, helped me hear her implications.

I picked up this Audible version after hearing about it on a talk show. I had the spare credit, so grabbed it. I’m thinking I will try to find the paperback so I could I can work on the Spanish more.

Please read some of the more eloquent reviews. Even if you have no Spanish, there is enough to absorb this beautiful story. I’m glad I own it so I can go back and enjoy it and Quiara’s voice and spirit again.

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The End of Alzheimer's: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive DeclineThe End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline by Dale E. Bredesen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I was in my forties, both of my grandmothers died of Alzheimer’s. As you can imagine, I am working hard to avoid what has been assumed to be my fate. Genetically, I seem to favor the heavier side of the family, so when 2020 warned us to lose weight or get hospitalized with COVID, I went on a fasting diet. After losing 30 pounds, I have kind of plateaued. Even still, in my 18/6 or sometimes 20/4 fast, I am trying to eat as healthy as I can: veggies and a little fruit. I don’t like meat, but I do eat salmon in my daily salad and minimize anything processed. Lots of water or tea. One or two cups of coffee. I have increased my exercise and am trying to get cardio and weights. I’m still not optimum on any of it. I try to get better and better.

Meanwhile I have increased learning a lot of new things. I have 11 languages I’m playing with on Duolingo. There’s a lot of knitting and diamond painting. And I am bringing back my piano playing, learning new songs while awakening old ones I had forgotten. I’ve since started playing recorders, soprano, alto, and tenor. Then I took up the ukulele, and now adding violin. I feel learning new things helps my brain. I work at my sleep hygiene aiming for 7 or 8 hours.

Imagine my surprise to see that I am doing a lot that Dale E. Bredesen recommends in his book. I was able to get the Kindle version through Libby. But now I have ordered the audiobook and my own copy of the paperback. The text-to-speech helped me read the book but I felt I could use a knowledgeable voice to read the technical terminology. And there are charts of the supplements and other aids that I want to be able to follow more closely. So, even after I return the library versions, I will have my own copy to refer to regularly.

I highly recommend this book. It’s quite user-friendly, not too sciency but you can follow the science if you like (I like).

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