The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing by Lara Love Hardin

The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing by Lara Love Hardin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook, narrated awesomely by the author, Lara Love Hardin, was excellent! I did not like Drug fueled Lara and I rooted for her sobriety and a normal life. I love her journey and also the book she co-authored with Anthony Ray Hinton, The Sun Does Shine, which is a MUST READ too!

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Solito by Javier Zamora

Solito by Javier Zamora
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A gut wrenching memoir written and narrated by the author. When he was 9 Javier was going to finally be with his parents in America. Crossing the border was supposed to take 2 weeks; ended up taking 2 months. It was fierce seeing it from a 9 year old's eyes. A must read!

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The Sun Does Sine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook forward was read by Bryan Stevenson & narrated by Kevin R. Free. This nonfiction story written by Anthony Ray Hinton is about his 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He is a good man who is first astonished he is convicted & then remains in angry stony silence for a few years because he can't imagine why this travesty happened to him. But when he begins to let himself turn a corner because his mother and best friend visit him weekly; he also gets involved in reading & sharing it with his fellow prisoners in a book club. Bryan Stevenson is the lawyer who changed things for Anthony Ray---becoming his friend and believing in his innocence. This is a must read that will make you angry and make you cry, but Anthony Ray keeps a positive outlook and believes he will one day be free--but he sees many of his prisoner/friends die in the electric chair as he fights the battle for his freedom.

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My Broken Language: A Memior by Quiara Alegria Hudes

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

Quiara Alegria Hudes' biography/memoir contains her life as a child of a Jewish father and Spanish mother but the world she lives in is what she writes so compelling about---history her activist Puerto Rican mother has told her and shown her over the years. Using stories we learn about her life in North Philadelphia and her time in Malvern, we learn about the barrio, the many players in the life the author wants to know more about and read/write/sing about.

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The Pale-Faced Lie by David Crow

The Pale-Faced Lie by David Crow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my cousin, Colleen Bresnahan for recommending this true story of David Crow, his father and David's family as they are targeted many times throughout their life by their bully of a father. Pontificating all the time, just being a blow hard, David and his brother and sister live in a reign of terror during their entire life as their father tries to draft them to kill their mother and others he abhors. Told by David, who is a hell cat himself, David has a side that feels empathy, while his father only feels empathy for animals. Constantly telling David about the people he killed and got away with, his convict father also has a side that beguiles others---like the doctor in jail that gets him out early and the women who marry him. Despite his learning disabilities David loves to read and continues to go to school to better himself. It is only through counseling and forgiving his mother, father and himself that David feels he can have a relationship and makes his way successfully in the world.

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Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him by Luis Carlos Montalvan

Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him by Luis Carlos Montalván
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this true story about a battle scarred veteran from Iraq, who is saved by a golden retriever, Tuesday. This story shines a light on the veterans' lives from the Iraq War and the failings of the Army and the Veteran's Administration as well as the workings of dog rescue agencies. I loved Luis Montalvan's voice, this book kept me riveted as I learned so many things about war, soldiers who are wounded warriors, and how they try to adapt the world after war.

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Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives by Kareem Rosser

Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever by Kareem Rosser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG! This is definitely a MUST READ! Many thanks to my reading neighbor, Carrie Ogorek, for so fully pushing this book into my hands. The life Kareem Rosser describes in "The Bottom" of West Philadelphia was so sad, fraught with death, violence, and trauma. With a mother and many brothers and sisters, many fathers - all absent, Kareem is a shy, shell shocked child who grows into a fearful teen--but his older brothers lead him to the Fairmount area on one of their explorations and it is there he falls in love with horses. The horses are the balm that Kareem needs to live, to heal, to grasp for something better out of the bottom. Fraught with problems every step of the way, he is able to grow in the Work to Ride program, white owner, Lezlie Hiner provides---he also learns how to play polo with his brothers and together they dream of a life away from the violence that is their neighborhood and life. I could not stop turning the pages, Kareem writes from the heart about his life of undiagnosed panic attacks, his daily fear for the members of his family and friends, and his "new" life as he strives for better against all the odds thrown up time and time again. This is a MUST READ for all! I donated immediately to the Work to Ride program because "they---Kareem as a fundraiser too-- want to build an indoor polo field and I also read that he has partnered with famous polo player, Nacho Figueras is bringing the 1st Philadelphia Polo Classic in September 2022, what an amazing event.

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With a Star in My Hand: Ruben Dario, Poetry Hero by Margarita Engle

With a Star in My Hand: Rubén Darío, Poetry Hero by Margarita Engle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow I just continue to love all the novels in verse Margarita Engles writes and Ruben Dario's life was depicted authentically in this poetic rendering. I loved how Engle uses poetry to tell his story, also how he created the Modernismo literary movement blending poetry and prose. From his first beginnings as a cast away child, listening to the magical stories from his uncle and others and vowing to be like them wandering and speaking and writing like the storytellers who grew up listening to. With the passing of his uncle, life moves on and known as Felix Ruben Garcia Sarmiento as a lad, his adopted family decides to change his name to Ruben Dario and so begins his journey in nature, life and adventures in poetry. This is a must read!

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Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad

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

Thanks so much to Tara Smith, MaryAlice BD, and Pat Graham for your high recommendations that pushed me to read it immediately! Flawlessly narrated by the author, Suleika Jaouad's story had me captivated from page 1! As a 22 year old she contracts a form of leukemia 60 year olds deal with. Over a four year period, Suleika will share her treatments, her relationships, her friendships and her blog that the NYT picks up as a way of helping others, helping herself and coming to terms with what her life will be after cancer. This is a must read, I will think of Suleika and what she has accomplished whenever I want to feel sorry for myself---this book is a testament to the beauty of life even during cancer. She gave me meaning, hope, and beauty with her emotional truth and her triumphs as she learns how to drive and visits some of the people who wrote to her after reading her column, Life Interrupted.

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The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell by Jordan Sonneblick

The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell by Jordan Sonnenblick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jordan Sonneblick's memoir about his middle school years was funny but also achingly sad. His asthma medicine gave him so many side effects that really affected him in school. In addition, he had an awful teacher who really did not like him, took perverse pleasure in blaming him for everything, and caused him to really dislike school. His many stories about what happened to him during this time will provide humorous stories, anecdotes, and insight into the time he went to school (parents did not really support their children but listened to the teacher, which was so wrong in Jordan's case). I loved when Jordan had people he cared about---he appreciated and enjoyed a caregiver, his drum teacher, his new teacher at his new school; best yet was his dedication at the beginning of the book to a beloved teacher! Enjoyable and very insightful from Jordan's point of view- the reader gets the good Jordan and the bad Jordan experience!

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Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood by Gary Paulsen

Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood by Gary Paulsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a crushing memoir from awesome author, Gary Paulsen. Aimed at middle grade readers, this book would also be very interesting to YA readers and adults. Referring to himself as the boy, Paulsen describes parts of his upbringing and how it shaped him---from a mother who used him in bars to sing at the young age of five, to a doting grandmother and awesome Aunt and Uncle who instilled love and the beauty of nature to his time in Manila, running from his alcoholic parents and school, finishing school with a vocation and then his time in the army. Paulsen's writing made me so angry at times due to what his parents did or did not do to him. But when he talked about his time on the farm with his aunt and uncle and his love of the woods and their farm I was enthralled with how much love and beauty this world and these people gave to Paulsen when he was six years old. Thankfully his awful childhood made him resilient due to the calming influence of his grandmother and aunt and uncle---those parts of the book transported me and I fell in love with Paulsen's descriptions of the food, animals, livestock, pastures, mushroom gathering and fishing in this part of his life. This book will interest many kinds of readers, Paulsen was not a student and reluctant readers will identify with Paulsen's feelings about school. A must read; this book will speak to many different people.

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The Beauty in Breaking: A Memoir by Michele Harper

The Beauty in Breaking: A Memoir by Michele Harper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my friend and librarian, Mary Alice, for giving me her copy of this debut by Dr. Michele Harper, a memoir about her adolescent life and her life as an emergency room doctor. Michele's compassion and love for her work as a doctor helping those seeking emergency room services was far reaching, humbling, and so moving. This is a must read and I for one am so glad we have the many doctors who valiantly care for patients in their care!

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Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant by Roz Chast

Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Milly Neff for recommending Roz Chast's awesome, compelling graphic novel about her life with her parents as they age (so does Roz!!!) I have passed it on to my mother, who is 84 years old, living in a continuing care facility with my father---she will see some parallels and the laughs Roz generates with her illustrations and conversations!

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You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to Sherman Alexie narrate this moving, gripping, honest book about his life, his mother's effect on him throughout his life, memories of his Indian upbringing and move from the reservation school to a white high school, his family (wife, Diane and 2 sons), his regrets, his accomplishments, and his health. Using poetry and essays and Alexie's poignant voice I was mesmerized by everything he had to say about life, his family, the world and the way he speaks in this memoir and love/hate relationship with his mother.

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Reading With Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-Changing Friendship by MIchelle Kuo

Reading with Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-Changing Friendship by Michelle Kuo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my wild librarian group for this gripping read! Michelle Kuo is a very special, committed teacher who working in the Delta as a Teach America teacher, who has a life changing experience as she struggles to reach the poor, reluctant students in Helena, Arkansas. Over the disagreeing, but loving immigrant parents, Michelle becomes entrenched with Patrick, a student who has a poor attendance in school, a father with questionable parenting, and a mother he loves very much (she also is the only working parent). As Michelle begins to see Patrick as special and promising, she leaves for law school. When she finds out Patrick is in jail for murder, she returns and tries to help him through reading, writing and poetry. I could not put this heart breaking book down and it was due to Michelle's writing, her personality and her commitment that she and Patrick connect and begin a life long friendship.

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Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming by Michelle Obama
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A beautiful book and narration by Michelle Obama. This was supposed to be our book club's March selection for the Free Library of Springfield but since the library has been closed for the quarantine there will be no discussion of this memoir that has so many topics, issues and themes.

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In Waves by A. J. Dungo

In Waves by A.J. Dungo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a beautiful, haunting graphic novel! Thank you to Jennifer LaGarde for this wonderful recommendation- graphic novel, memoir of love, grief, and honor. A.J. Dungo weaves his love of Kristen, who has been stricken with cancer but keeps a fierce love of life, surfing, and friends and family as the illness ravages her. Interspersed with chapters on the history of surfing narrating the heroes Duke Kahanamoku and Tom Blake, done in beige, white and black illustrations---the chapters on Kristen, her cancer, their love of surfing with friends is painted with aqua blue, white and black. Haunting, yet riveting, I loved learning about the history of surfing while being ensconced in A.J.'s life and love of Kristen, a romance at once so sad but honoring his memory of Kristen.

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Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes

Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nikki Grimes life encapsulated in this fierce novel in verse was awful and beautiful because her words made this book so compelling. I can't imagine the life she endured, yet she survived and this book speaks to traumatized kids and how they manage to survive and thrive because Nikki Grimes is one such person and author who brings her life to YA readers and oh what a life it was! A must read, haunting and real.

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Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi

Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved Sara Saedi's memoir of her teen years as an undocumented immigrant in the U.S. Teens will enjoy her humor, her family observations, her cultural references but be saddened by the fear she suffers on being deported if anyone finds out she is not a citizen of the United States.

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The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to awesome author and narrator, Tiffany Haddish, as a result of my Nerdy hero, Donalyn Miller's recommendation. Tiffany Haddish is funny, sassy, and wants us to know about her life. It was not easy; she suffered physical, mental and verbal abuse at the hands of her mother, was placed in foster care, and never knew her father. Because she was positive, funny and a true comedian, Tiffany struggles through life but there are some special people who reach out and help her to become the person she is today---not perfect but in control of her life. There were many times I was laughing out loud; a very enjoyable memoir!

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