Tag Archive: nonfiction



The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family MemoirThe Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir by Griffin Dunne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can’t remember where I learned of this book. I had no idea who it was about, and it took me forever to figure that out. For those of you who are clueless like I was, this is the guy who played Uncle Nick on This is Us. My husband knew who he was and a lot more about his life. This was a learn-as-you-go reading for me.

If you are knowledgeable about Hollywood, this book will reap deeper rewards. Mr. Dunne name-drops every page. I would only know who was being referred to occasionally. I’m sure my husband would have known everyone. I’ve never been that impressed with famous people.

Still, as an autobiography, I was able to wander through someone else’s life and experience the depth and heart of the man and his family. It was worth the journey. He read his own, so he knew what it was all about. It made a great audiobook. Libby loaned it to me.

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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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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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Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic EvolutionOrigins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution by Neil deGrasse Tyson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Yawn! I was looking forward to our personal astrophysicist narrating his own book. But alas, they found the most boring narrator, JD Jackson. I could still hear Neil deGrasse Tyson’s sense of wonder and humor coming through, but if they were hoping to rev up some interest in science, this audiobook falls with my 8 AM monotone chemistry teacher from high school. I have always loved science. When the bus got us kids to school early, I’d run to the library and find Popular Science magazine. And despite Mr. ‘Chem teacher,’ I stayed true to my actual waking hours interests. And this book will not dull my science passion.

That said, I have to admit to being lost a lot. I let the narrator drone on and often found something interesting every now and then. Mr. Tyson, please read to us with your science enthusiasm shining through!

Still, maybe it is due to reading at bedtime? Maybe others will love this audiobook. In this case, I suggest a paper book or Kindle.

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Yes PleaseYes Please by Amy Poehler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Carol Burnett (Narrator), Seth Meyers (Narrator), & 6 more,* including the author, actress, and comedienne Amy Poehler, made this probably the best memoir I’ve heard (read?). Yeah, I doubt it was nearly as fun in book form. These guests made the game of writing one’s autobiography nearly impossible to win.

I’m not much of a fan of Saturday Night Live, etc. But I do love experiencing stepping into other people’s lives. It brings about a bit of understanding for the world to see how similar we all are and enjoy individual differences.

I did have to be careful as this was my bedtime book. I about popped my eyeballs as I suppressed laughs. I didn’t want to wake the household. It was fun.

Maybe my favorite part was that Amy didn’t dwell on a tortured childhood. Sure, she had her share of problems, but she seemed to own her mistakes and forgive others’ errors as much as she could, making the book more about living life and things that have worked for her.

This was a Libby audiobook. I’m so grateful for how the libraries help us.

*Amy Poehler (Author, Narrator),
Carol Burnett (Narrator),
Seth Meyers (Narrator),
Michael Schur (Narrator),
Eileen Poehler (Narrator),
William Poehler (Narrator),
Patrick Stewart (Narrator),
Kathleen Turner (Narrator)

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