Tag Archive: nonfiction


Review: Cher: The Memoir, Part One by Cher

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December 23, 2024

Cher: The Memoir, Part OneCher: The Memoir, Part One by Cher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

And the Beat Goes On for the best member of that team!

I loved, loved, loved this autobiography from one of my favorite singers from the 60s. It was a chance to relive my life. She kept me singing, dancing, or laughing during good or bad times.

Cher wrote an accessible story about part of her life. As she stated, dyslexia is one of those abilities many share, and can understand why she needed a part-time narrator. Stephanie J. Block took over the story seamlessly. Sometimes, it was hard to tell who was reading. But suddenly, there was a deep voice and accent that made you realize it was Cher. But I never could tell when Ms. Stephanie took over.

I can hardly wait for part two. But I may try to listen to this one again and add my musical playlist to bring it to life. I would love to see this as a movie or series. Cher has been through several lifetimes of good and bad times.

I highly recommend this autobiographical masterpiece. Please enjoy the audio version!

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Review: Finding Baby Holly: Lost to a Cult, Surviving My Parents’ Murders, and Saved by Prayer by Holly Marie

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November 10, 2024

Finding Baby Holly: Lost to a Cult, Surviving My Parents' Murders, and Saved by PrayerFinding Baby Holly: Lost to a Cult, Surviving My Parents’ Murders, and Saved by Prayer by Holly Marie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was worried about reading this. I thought it would add to the stress of the day. But actually, I found it relaxing and positive. Thanks to Libby for making so many books available to the poor for free.

If you don’t mind a person expressing their religious points of view, this is a good book. But some might find it a bit heavy in the beliefs end of things. I always feel we see a unique person’s point of view in an autobiography. The best way to understand others is to start with their belief system.

The narrator, Stephanie Richardson, was easy to listen to and displayed humor and love throughout.

The end of the book is a bit of a cliffhanger. Since there is no answer to what happened to Holly’s parents, the ending that would be most satisfying would be someone out there who reads this and might get a spark of memory that they witnessed something they didn’t know might be a clue to solve the case.

So bear with or enjoy the book, but you may be the key to solving this mystery.

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Review: America’s Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History by Dana Bash

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November 7, 2024

America's Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American HistoryAmerica’s Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History by Dana Bash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Libby is a wonderful way to read books, especially if you are financially challenged. I rarely find myself in this position. I didn’t finish before it was due. And there was a waiting list. So, I had to let the book go back. Today, I listened to it on Audible at the speed of 2.5. Dana Bash narrates quite well at normal speed and surprisingly well at chipmunk speed. Still, I only got to 75% before the book was pulled.

All that to say, this still was an interesting history lesson. Remember, I am not a history person. That and chemistry, or geometry, just bored me in school. But Ms. Bash did a fantastic job keeping my interest. I had no idea all that had happened. I probably would have done better at a different time reading this and still have come away with anxiety.

Anyway, I’m on the waiting list to finish the read later. I will update this review when I finally get the chance. Meanwhile, if you get the chance to read or listen to this book, I think you will find it quite educational yet engaging to the reader.

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Review: Lovely One: A Memoir by Ketanji Brown Jackson

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November 4, 2024

Lovely One: A MemoirLovely One: A Memoir by Ketanji Brown Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As soon as I can, I will buy this audiobook. I was charmed by Ms. Jackson’s way of telling a story. I love her ability to show her deep faith and fair justice. Oh, and her ability to sing hymns. If I weren’t supposed to be getting to sleep, if I weren’t supposed to be quiet so my husband could sleep, I would have been singing along. She has a beautiful voice both musically and in narration.

Autobiographies mean more to me now that I’ve written my own. And now, I look for different things in what I listen to. I have to admit that those who seemed to cause their problems without learning the lessons of that action are not as interesting as those who learn not just from their mistakes but take note of what happened to others. Ketanji is exceptionally intelligent. She loves learning.

This audiobook made me feel as if I were having coffee with her. She is so interesting. This is a book I highly recommend, especially the audio. I got this one through Libby.

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Review: You Can’t Be Serious by Kal Penn

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October 31, 2024

You Can’t Be SeriousYou Can’t Be Serious by Kal Penn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was fun. And educational. And laugh-out-loud-after-everyone-was-asleep funny. Sorry, dear.

I’m really sad that the book ended. It was the distraction I needed. As a humorist, Kal Penn sees serious matters that a lot of people do, but he can find the levity in it all.

I remembered Mr. Penn from House. I hadn’t seen the movies he was in, so for me, there was only the author and his voice. And I enjoyed both thoroughly.

I highly recommend this audible book.

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Review: Walking in My Joy: In These Streets by Jenifer Lewis

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October 27, 2024

Walking in My Joy: In These StreetsWalking in My Joy: In These Streets by Jenifer Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not a good bedtime book. Ms. Lewis is boisterous and loud. Occasionally, she is ‘laugh-out-loud’ funny; other times, she is angry and shows it. It’s okay. It’s her autobiography, her life, her experience. Who can judge that?

I picked this up from Audible a while ago and needed a book to finish my night reading time. It was too long to finish in one sitting, so I spent two nights trying to listen quietly on my headphones and not wake my husband with my laughing.

I’ve never watched Jenifer Lewis’s shows. I have seen her belt out a song. Quite the voice! I had never read her previous books, so a bit of this left me a bit lost. But not so much that I couldn’t enjoy her take on life and love.

I bet this would be a great commuting listen.

What is interesting in this book is she sings or recites poetry that is strong and lovely.

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Review: The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

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October 25, 2024

The Woman in MeThe Woman in Me by Britney Spears
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was surprisingly intriguing. Ms. Spears writes eloquently. Michelle Williams narrates with heartfelt empathy.

I’m not star-driven, but since writing my memoir, I have read many of them. The mechanics of the writing and reading aside, we dive deeply into Britney’s well-known life. The crazy news surrounding her from the beginning always made me feel sorry for her and angry for her. Hearing her side of it, I feel even more compassion for her.

I was able to pick this up on Libby. If you get the chance, you might like the book, too. Memoirs give us a chance to walk in another’s shoes.

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Review: Connie: A Memoir by Connie Chung

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October 22, 2024

Connie: A MemoirConnie: A Memoir by Connie Chung
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fun memoir! It was quite a surprise after some of the ones I’ve read recently. Connie Chung’s voice is surprisingly rich and personable. Somehow, I didn’t expect that. My impression of her is classic journalism and of the age of nearly regal news reporting. But even in telling her story, you feel that class and strength of character.

Equal to the class, there are parts that make her more human. As she brings up her husband, Maury, we feel her straight laces come undone to humor and that opposite attractiveness. She is not as she appears, not completely. Mischief and a sense of adventure come forth in her book. And her forever-feminist nature.

I highly recommend this book for a sense of history, at least. I was lucky to find the audiobook on Libby.

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Review: The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls

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October 21, 2024

The Glass Castle: A MemoirThe Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I saw the show a while back and wondered how it was as a book. I finally got a chance to listen to it from Libby. I didn’t realize this was autobiographical until I was setting up for this review. Whew! As the author’s personal story, her voice made it sound real enough. Though it’s been a while since I watched the movie, I remembered a lot of it. I didn’t like the movie’s ending but felt more depth in the book.

There are elements that I recognized from my upbringing. Maybe people who have had less money will see the positive effect of dreams and affirmations, even when it seems hopeless. Jeannette Walls and her siblings found strength in each other and whatever truths they could hang on to. Even the sad or maddening parts keep you reading or listening. I think there is a lot we can learn from Ms. Walls’ story.

If you get the chance, it is worth the read. I plan to watch the movie again soon.

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Review: Coming Home by Brittney Griner

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October 18, 2024

Coming HomeComing Home by Brittney Griner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Autobiographical books offer a chance to walk in someone else’s shoes. Sometimes, those shoes are uncomfortable, but they enlarge our lives by allowing us to understand another person’s pain or achievements.

There has been a lot of news about Brittney Griner’s life for a while. The newsfeeds seem confused; for one minute, they are putting her on a pedestal, and for another, she’s the worst. I prefer seeing what people say about themselves. See how they see life day by day. Sure, there are autobiographies full of self-delusions, but one can learn the truth in sincerity. Research will help if you aren’t convinced by the end.

I feel Ms. Griner did the best she could. Her writing is easy to follow. I don’t know if I could have lived through what she did.

By the way, Andia Winslow narrates most of the book. I think her voice contributes emotional context to the story. But it is nice to hear Brittney’s voice at the beginning and end of the book.

I hope you try this book. I think you will feel a new level of understanding.

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