Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion
Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir read in 2019
The Riverside Killer, Christine Keers4 stars!
A very good read, co-authored by one of the case investigators. In this true story we see the police's point of view first, as Christine Keers and her co-workers find one mutilated body after another in a small area in California. Then we backtrack through the killer's entire life, taking us through crimes the Riverside investigators didn't know about until much later, then go back through the women's murders in order, seeing them in terms of what was going on in the killer's head. Despite being told the whole story twice I never saw the book as repetitive. The authors treat the victims with a lot more respect than the killer was capable of. I did long to hear more from the killer's family of origin and his ex-wives. Not to mention his defense counsel. What did they see going on with this guy? I highly recommend this book. Be warned that the crime-scene photos are truly hideous.
Mod
5 stars
This is the second time I've read this charming book about a cat who was found in the book drop at a small town library and was adopted, not just by the library, but by the town. The book is actually three stories: the story of a cat, of a town, and of the author. Living within an hour of the town where the book takes place, I can say the author does an excellent job of describing small town living and the challenges of a small rural community and its people. I thought she did an excellent job of bringing Dewey into our hearts and her enormous love for Dewey shows. It was amazing how Dewey always seemed to know just what someone needed. I cried buckets at the end, perhaps because it has only been 6 months since I also had to make a decision about a beloved pet.
Aw...have you also read A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets??? Was made into a movie, starring Bob the cat.
Mod
No I have not. But speaking of cats, this morning I let my black cat in and then fed all three of my cats. A few minutes later there was a stray black cat outside my window. I had to stop and think if I had let my cat in. I must be getting old.
Koren wrote: "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron5 stars
This is the second time I've read this charming book about a cat who was found in the book drop at a s..."
I really liked that book! We discussed having a cat in our library but nothing ever came of it. We did have a bird for awhile. One of the staff found a parakeet on her porch and brought it in and we kept it a cage at the desk. After it passed away, we put a fake bird in there for the kids to look at. Now that we are undergoing a renovation the bird and the cage are gone.
Nella Last's Peace: The Post-War Diaries of Housewife, 49
Author: Nella Last
4 Stars = Outstanding. It definitely held my interest.
I really enjoyed this! Nella was part of a program that asked for volunteers to write diaries about their daily lives. And did she ever! For 27 years! From 1939 until 1966. This book has compiled excerpts from the diaries of August 1945 through December 1948. Earlier diaries were featured in another book Nella Last's War.
She puts down her thoughts, and feelings, with a very skilful hand. It's not a boring diary ... far from it. While she captures the events ... births, deaths, illnesses ... of her life, she also takes us inside her mind, and heart. She doesn't hold back, and she's up-front about all aspects of her life.
She often feels she is a bit 'different' from other folks, but I think most of us have felt that way, at times. It's obvious she is an astute judge of character, and a deep thinker. It was interesting to realise that a 1940s British woman often had the same exact thoughts I've had! It made me feel a bit less alone, or less 'different', I suppose.
If you like reading about ordinary folks in post-WWII Britain, you'll love this. If you like reading a woman's perspective on her life, you'll love this, too. I did.
Diane wrote: "Nella Last's Peace: The Post-War Diaries of Housewife, 49
Author: Nella Last
4 Stars =..."
Sounds interesting-going to add this to my list!
Julie wrote: "Sounds interesting-going to add this to my list!"There are actually 4 books compiled from Nella's diaries. Here are the other three.
Nella Last's War: The Second World War Diaries of 'Housewife, 49'
Nella Last in the 1950s: Further diaries of Housewife, 49
The Diaries of Nella Last: Writing in War and Peace
Diane wrote: "Nella Last's Peace: The Post-War Diaries of Housewife, 49
Author: Nella Last
4 Stars =..."
Also added to my list ! Looking forward to this one in the near future
Pamela wrote: "Also added to my list ! Looking forward to this one in the near future"Hope you enjoy it, Pamela. I can't wait to read the other 3 now.
Diane wrote: "Julie wrote: "Sounds interesting-going to add this to my list!"There are actually 4 books compiled from Nella's diaries. Here are the other three.
[book:Nella Last's War: The Second World War Dia..."
Thanks for the info!
Mod
5 stars
This is the second time I've read this charming book about a cat who was found in the bo..."
It would take not just a special cat but special people in charge to have a library cat. Vicki Myron was the perfect person to do it. There were times most people would have said that was enough and quit.
Quite a while ago I worked in a nursing home that decided to have two resident cats. It didnt go so good and they ended up getting rid of them. Not everyone was a cat lover. Cat lover that I am, I didnt enjoy going to work and cleaning cat barf and emptying litter boxes.
Julie wrote: "Thanks for the info!"You are most welcome, Julie. :)
Al Capone and the 1933 Worlds Fair
William Hazelgrove
4/5 stars
This book is about the end of Capone’s career as a gangster and the building of the 1933 World’s Fair that took place in Chicago during the depression. Not a long book but a fascinating look at the time period, though in this book Capone and the World’s Fair weren’t really linked together but were events occurring at the same time. This reminded me of Erik Larson’s fascinating book The Devil in the White City which was about a serial killer who lured and killed visitors from the 1893 Exposition in Chicago.
Remembering Denny, Calvin Trillin4 rather sad stars
This was a short read but it takes you all over the place. The author contrasts his own humble beginnings as a grocer's son in the Midwest against those of the guys with whom he attended Yale -- many of whom were terribly wealthy but only fair in the brains department. He uses this as the backdrop of his attempts to make sense of the early death of another college friend, Denny Hansen, who killed himself despite being great-looking, universally liked, great at everything he did, brilliant academically, athletic and successful in his (self-made) career. Trillin and Hansen both graduated from public high schools in 1953 and were becoming adults just as all the rules of society, culture and government were about to be upended by the Love Generation. I've probably read 2 dozen books discussing how those changes improved everything for everyone. This is the only book I've ever read that talks about how bewildering it was to be a member of the privileged set -- a white male with a degree from Yale and the expectation that he would one day be a big deal in the world -- and discovering that a happy, stable future was not guaranteed after all. I can't recommend this one too highly.
EDIT: This would be a perfect companion read for Halfway Heaven: Diary of a Harvard Murder.
I love memoir and rate Suzanne Kaysen and Alexandra Fuller very jhighly and I have now written my own which as a good reads author I think I am allowed to share with you https://www.amazon.com/Travelling-Alp...
Mod
4 stars
If you've never been in the author's shoes, this book may tell you something you didnt already know. For me, this book brought back a lot of memories of days where no matter how hard you worked it seemed like you never got ahead. It's a fact of life that a lot of the hardest jobs are the lowest paid. I applaud the author for forging ahead and trying to make a better life for herself. It's too bad that a lot of these jobs force people that are working full time to accept public assistance. There is no political commentary here. If I could tell the author one thing, I would tell her that what doesnt kill you makes you stronger. I wish everyone could go through hard times working at a dead end job so they could learn to appreciate what they have.
I agree that tough times in life can make you a lot stronger but i do know people whose tough times were too much for them and they were too young and they may never be anything beyond broken - here's hoping though, They have a different value to offer in life - to make up more compassionate and show what happens when we are not - to face up to the reality that some times people can be inspirational and amazing and sometimes plain horrific to each other too. Will read the book though since I love reading and writing memoir myself - your review caught me.
Beyond the Lagoon: Hoverdoctors to Papua New Guinea
Author: Cecil D Pearse
3 Stars = I'm glad I read it.
Cecil gets involved with a group of fellow Christians who are donating two hovercrafts to the Balimo Health Centre in Papua New Guinea. The Centre has one doctor, with occasional extra help, modest facilities, and yet serves the whole of the Western Fly Province with over 100,000 people of the Gogodala tribe.
Cecil is a Christian, as are the other volunteers, and their religious faith is touched on in this book, but very lightly. So, if you have an aversion to books preaching to you (as I do), you won't have to worry about this one, it doesn't.
It's not a real page-turner, merely an interesting slice of life about the hoverdoctors, and the Gogodala.
Mod
3 stars
This is a memoir about a man who loses his wife a day after she gives birth to their daughter. The rest of the book is about the year following her death and how he handles the grieving process. As you might guess, it is pretty sad and depressing throughout. I did stick with it because I was hoping for a happy ending. Nope, I'm not going to give any spoilers. The book was written in 2011 so Maddy would be a teenager now. I hope things are going well for them.
Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith by Barbara Brown TaylorA 'professional holy person' leaves church - to become a teacher of religion and one of the pew-sitters. This woman was the priest in an Episcopalian church and got burned out. She had been ordained straight from seminary it seems and after a stint in an inner-city congregation in Atlanta, landed the in-charge role, a dream congregation in the country to look after, but after about five years she left as it got all a bit too much.
So its not like she left faith just left church and all its trappings, and in the espiscopalian church seems like there is a lot to trap you - clerical collars, clergy robes, being called 'reverend' and what not. Was God just telling her to take a sabbatical and stop trying to work so hard? Compassion fatigue perhaps - she couldn't say no to anything?
I think she over-stated her case of feeling just ordinary after leaving and not going back to the congregation she left, but then maybe she really did need a wilderness experience that you don't get when you start a careers straight out of college. The interesting chapter was when her husband let Native Americans - Lakotas have a sun dance on their land. I felt she could have written more about that rather than continuing to navel gaze. Ok I get you feel guilty about leaving the church. Its ok, take a break. Its probably one of the hardest jobs, and not everyone can handle, and there's probably a reason why many women don't do it, aside from the scriptural ones that suggest its meant to be a man's role.
Her husband, who's an engineer.. doesn't really figure much in the narrative, I just wonder if he was cooking her dinner or giving her massages or anything! I think the author had too much religiousity and perfectionism for my liking and trying to constantly rationalise her decision. But why didn't she just pray and ask God Himself?
Katie.com: My Story
Author: Katherine Tarbox
3 Stars = It was just 'okay'.
Katie was a lonely 13-year-old who made friends with someone called 'Mark' in an online chat room. Eventually, they began to talk on the phone, too. Then Katie decided to meet Mark in person. She only told one girlfriend - who didn't approve, and said so. If you read the blurb, you'll get a good idea of how that meeting went, so, I won't write anything on that, to avoid any 'spoilers'.
It was just an 'okay' book for me. Others may get more from it.
Over The Top, Arthur Guy Empey3 solid stars
I was quite disappointed to see that the Kindle reprint of this classic included all the photo captions from the original but none of the photos. With that said, it's easy to understand how this book became a runaway bestseller. It's well-written, skates carefully around the gory details of combat (and, curiously, any details at all of his life before he left for England or after he returned home) but is also full of wry trench humor and talks frankly about the miseries of sitting in the mud in the rain while Germany is launching bombs at you. He makes an effort to make it sound glorious, but also real. It was written by the guy so many future Sammies wanted to be in those days -- a real, live American who went "over there" and lived to tell the tale. I liked this one so much I hope to find a print copy so I can see the photos. Highly recommended.
Mod
5 stars and a heart
My library has a challenge this month to reread a favorite book. I seldom reread books but this one I could read over and over. Rick Bragg is my favorite author. His writing is almost lyrical and he has a unique way of looking at life. If you have read Angela's Ashes and liked it you will like this book. I love how the author's love for his mother shines through and how he admits his shortcomings as a son. His family is a family I would like to know. It shows how we can overcome adversity and how it isnt about what you have but what you make of it.
Mod
4 stars
Nancy Clarke worked for 6 First Ladies as the White House florist. I did not know what a big job that is or how much input the first ladies have. If you are looking for any dirt on president's wives here you are not going to find it. The author liked and got along with every one of them. At times I wondered if so much money needed to be spent on flowers or decorations but it seems that this is a very important job. This is a short book with lots of pictures and it was very interesting.
Mod
3 stars
The author is director of a women's shelter in Georgia and gives case histories of women she has met. First names only. After the first couple of stories they all started to sound the same- childhood abuse and/or molestation followed by traumatic teenage years which led to drug abuse and prostitution until they entered her program and found Jesus. On the plus side it was a quick read, started and finished in one day.
The Desert Vet: How a City Boy Became a Bedouin Nomad and Spent Thirty Years Caring for a Menagerie of Camels and Other Exotic Creatures
Author: Alex Tinson
3 Stars = I'm glad I read it.
Interesting book about an Australian vet, and how he became a camel vet for the President of the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Funny thing was ... he didn't know much about camels when he took the job ... lol But he learned as he went along.
The book's not just about camels. He talks about adjusting to a totally different society, and how he came to absolutely love living there. He made me want to visit the Arabic nations ... right up until he told us about the camel spiders.
If you like books about vets, Arabic cultures, or men who follow their dreams, you'd probably like reading this book.
Mod
4 stars
Ruth Bader Ginsberg has led an interesting life. She went to law school when very few women did and became a lawyer, mother, and wife when very few women worked outside the home, let alone worked as a lawyer. She worked tirelessly for human rights and specifically for gender and racial equality. She became a Supreme Court judge and was only the second woman to do so. I thought her personal life was interesting but got bogged down with the details of the court cases she has worked on. An interesting lady who is still going strong in her 80's.
Mod
1 star
I was very confused by this book. I thought it would be a tell-all about the rock and roll industry as told by someone who works in the background. The back cover blurb says he has worked for the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, and the Allman Brothers, and yet there is virtually nothing in the book about these bands or working for them except to mention their names. It also says it is a coming-of-age book, which I generally like, but in my opinion a coming-of-age story starts at childhood and ends on the threshold of adulthood. This book starts about the time he graduated high school and doesn't talk at all about his childhood. Instead, this book seems to be a long, drawn-out story of his drug usage and personal opinions of the times, which is the 1960's. I seldom stick with a one star book but I stuck with it because I paid full-price, thinking this book was something different but at least it was quick. I powered thru it in a day just to get done.
The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick
Mallory O'Meara
5/5 stars
Mallory O’Meara, the author of this book and also a horror screenwriter and film producer, through sheer tenacity was able to track down and put together the story of Milicent Patrick. Patrick came from an artistic family and grew up in the town near the Hearst Castle in California where her father worked on superintendent of construction on the Castle. Milicent, who was quite artistic, was involved in the designing of the monster from the movie The Lady From the Black Lagoon and also worked on the animation/drawings of A Night on Bald Mountain from Fantasia but who eventually lost her job due to a jealous boss. What a wonderfully interesting book!
Julie wrote: "[book:The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milic..."
Now that sounds like a must-read title!
Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime, Ron Stallworth4 stars!
This is the happiest, most positive true-crime story I've come across in ages. Told from the point of view of a very new police officer, the very first black detective Colorado Springs PD ever had, who was working an intelligence detail when he stumbled across an unusual opportunity, and grabbed it and ran with it. There were some genuinely satisfying, and hilarious, results. Some people are just born to break new ground, but who on this planet expects to be the first-ever black member in good standing of the KKK? The story is simply not to be missed. Alas, this was almost entirely about the investigation and divulges little of the author's private life or even his feelings about the story he was telling. Well written, though -- I found exactly two (2) typos in the whole book. Read this book!!!
Fishface wrote: "Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime, Ron Stallworth4 stars!
This is the happiest, most positive true-crime story I've come across in ages. T..."
I didn't realize this was a book first- the movie was pretty good.
Mod
4 stars
I've often wondered what happens to people that accidently kill someone in an accident. How do they live with themselves. The author hit a girl on a bicycle when he was a senior in high school and the girl was a classmate although he didnt know her well. The rest of the book deals with his grieving and how he never really got over the accident. If it sounds like a sad book, it is. If you want to read something happier this would not be the book to read. It is very dark and depressing but I think does a good job at answering the question of how someone goes on when someone dies in an accident they were involved in.
Hi All. My books are nonfiction/memoir. They are full of adventure and excitement. They have lots of 5 star reviews. They are FREE on Kindle Unlimited. Can I post them here? Or am I in the wrong Place? Thank you...TJhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Mod
There is an author's thread...https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
or if you like you can start your own discussion page. Either way, welcome to the group.
Thank you Koren, I will try that. Have a nice day
A Friend Like Ben
Author: Julia Romp
5 Stars = Exceptional. It made a significant impact.
I really loved this book. Julia, a single mum, has an autistic son, George. Life's a struggle, but she is doing her best, her very best. When a stray cat starts visiting their garden, George is captivated by him. But the cat is very sickly, and eventually Julia is able to catch him, and get him to a vet. And so the story unfolds ....
Julia isn't a professional writer, and those of you who are picky about such failings, may find small faults with her style. I didn't. Nothing could have dimmed the love I felt pouring out of those pages. Her love for George, her herculean efforts to help him in any way she could, matched my own devotion to my daughter. Then when Ben went missing, and she spent many days/nights looking for him, again, I was reminded of myself. I, too, would have done the same. The lengths she went to were astounding to many folks ... probably folks who don't have a beloved only child, and a beloved only cat (that is missing). I totally, and completely, understood.
The book has a happy ending, as I'm sure you've already surmised from the blurb, but the story Julia tells to get us to that happy ending will pluck your heartstrings over, and over.
So, if you're not a mum (or dad), if you've never had to go to the lengths of the earth for a child (or pet), you may not be enthralled by this book. But if you do fit that description, you should love this book.
Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey
Betty DeGeneres
4/5 stars
This book covers the life of Betty DeGeneres up to 1999 when it was first published. Betty and her kids had a tumultuous life. Betty was divorced, remarried and divorced again. She talks about her marriages and life after marriage, her children and their lives and struggles and especially the events surrounding her daughter Ellen and her coming out. Well written and very interesting.
Mod
4 stars
She is called Australia's sweetheart and she certainly is that. In her memoir she seems to like everybody and everyone is her friend. But she seems sincere and she is definitely a likeable person. You will get inside info about her music and her movies. I loved that she is an animal and environmental activist and also started a cancer clinic after her bouts with cancer. She is a very upbeat person and experiences life to its fullest, which I admire. If you are a fan, you will love this book.
In Extremis: The Life of War Correspondent Marie ColvinThis bio brought back memories of the Middle East wars from my college days up to the present day. The book made an impact the determination and conviction Marie Colvin had for not only her craft, but for humanity. I loved this book. At times the story felt so surreal, it made me gasp.
Hi All. I have a live giveaway on Amazon for my book, (Our Teenage Years). It's nonfiction/memoir. It's an exciting adventure about life as a teenager, best friends and epic road trips. Its free if you would like a copy. Thank youhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Mod
Thanks T.J. I downloaded the free copy and will get to it as soon as possible.
For group members: If you would like a free copy click on the above link and look for the link to Amazon and you can download from there.
Thank you Koren. I really appreciate the support. Everyone here on Goodreads has been awesome. Have a great day...TJ
Koren wrote: "Half a Life by Darin Strauss4 stars
I've often wondered what happens to people that accidently kill someone in an accident. How do they live with th..."
That does sound like a fascinating topic, but as you said, so depressing !
Mod
4 stars
I've often wondered what happens to people that accidently kill someone in an accident. How do the..."
Sometimes it helps just to know that others are going through the same thing you are and I think this book would be good for that.
And it would pay to bear in mind that not everyone reacts the same way to the same kind of disaster.
Mod
4 stars
A lot of people don't know what a U.S. Marshal does. Basically, it is a cross between the FBI and a bounty hunter. A marshal doesn't investigate the crimes. They are given the name of a fugitive or fugitives and track them down. The book tells us what is involved in this very dangerous job and gives numerous short case stories that the author experienced. Very interesting and at times humorous. It is amazing what lengths some criminals will go to to avoid arrest. This book was very interesting but I am deducting one star because some of the stories started to sound the same after a while.
Koren wrote: "Don't Stop Believin' by Olivia Newton-John4 stars
She is called Australia's sweetheart and she certainly is that. In her memoir she seems..."
Must read, Grease was my favourite movie growing up.
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3 stars
This was the biography of a town, specifically Hudson, NY, which was known for almost 100 years as a place with a thriving red light district where just about any sex act you might want was up for sale. Hall doesn't tell the story through the eyes of a social reformer from the Victorian era or a policeman trying to clean the streets. He collects all manner of ancedotes from people who remembered those days, from the newspapers and from locals who opened their photo albums to him. He paints the many hookers of Hudson as empowered women leaving no-good husbands, independent types who wanted to make and keep their own money -- they are never described as victims of traffickers or troubled people who couldn't run their lives properly, as such women are seen today. A really odd sidelight is the fact that the author is an actor who appeared in "Romper Room" before going on to "The Muppets Take Manhattan" -- he's pretty versatile, having also written a children's book and a memoir about growing up in Chinatown, among other accomplishments in a very short life. This is a great choice if you're looking for non-violent true crime.