Series Review: Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

Call the Midwife: a Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth
Call the Midwife: Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth
Call the Midwife: Farewell to the East End by Jennifer Worth
Publisher: Penguin Books
Publication date: Originally 2002, 2005, 2009
Source: Library
For: Love the PBS series!
Series: Midwife Trilogy (three memoirs)

 

Summary:
These are three volumes of Jennifer Lee Worth, who as a very young girl left her pretty cushy life to become a midwife and work in one of the poorest parts of London during the 1950s and 1960s.

Things I Liked:
These stories are incredible! I wish I'd read the books before watching the series, but I was still blown away! It is absolutely amazing and awful and beautiful the kinds of conditions these women who were giving birth lived in. The midwives are incredible as well, but I read some of these stories and just felt almost embarrassed at how much I have and how whiny I can be about it. A wonderful look at a specific time and place and the women who played such a vital role. The first book was the most interesting to me, being more of a general collection of stories from Worth's experiences. The second and third were more general and had fewer stories of midwifery and the interesting people she met. Still, all of them were worth every minute reading. Can't recommend it enough and I adore the series as well (though not as much with Nurse Lee gone from the scene).

Things I Didn't Like:
It's been quite some time since I read these, and I don't remember anything in particular I disliked. It is pretty frank about sex and childbirth, so not exactly light reading. Also, abuse and other awful circumstances.

Read-alikes:
Nothing I can think of!

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
yep

mrg-factor: XXX
not gratuitous, also not surprising considering the topic

v-factor: ->->
some of the stories are simply appalling

Overall rating: *****

Book Review: Code Talker by Chester Nez

Code Talker by Chester Nez
Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: September 2011
Pages: 320
Source: Library
For: Interesting!

Summary (from goodreads):

Although more than 400 Navajos served in the military during World War II as top-secret code talkers, even those fighting shoulder to shoulder with them were not told of their covert function. And, after the war, the Navajos were forbidden to speak of their service until 1968, when the code was finally declassified. Of the original twenty- nine Navajo code talkers, only two are still alive. Chester Nez is one of them.

In this memoir, the eighty-nine-year-old Nez chronicles both his war years and his life growing up on the Checkerboard Area of the Navajo Reservation-the hard life that gave him the strength, both physical and mental, to become a Marine. His story puts a living face on the legendary men who developed what is still the only unbroken code in modern warfare.

Things I Liked:
This book really intrigued me.  I loved reading about those Native Americans who played such a unique and vital role in WWII.  His particular experiences made me realize just how little I know about the treatment of Native Americans in our history. I mean, I know it's always been bad, but this wasn't even always deliberately bad, just neglect and ignoring the kinds of things they experienced.  It was eye-opening and just plain sad.  I liked hearing it from his perspective and he never sounded bitter or angry about it.  His experiences during the war seemed so different from what the "usual" soldiers might have felt, but was still very painful and hard.  An inspiring and interesting read.

Things I Didn't Like:
I did like how it was really his words written down, but that also made for some grammar issues that I would notice and be annoyed about before remembering it was his direct narrative.

Read-alikes:
Can't think of any

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
some

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->->
he went to war!

Overall rating: ****

Book Review: As You Wish by Cary Elwes

As You Wish by Cary Elwes
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication date: October 2014
Length: 7 hrs, 1 min
Source: Audiobook from library
For: Fun!

Summary (from goodreads):

The Princess Bride has been a family favorite for close to three decades. Ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the top 100 Greatest Love Stories and by the Writers Guild of America as one of the top 100 screenplays of all time, The Princess Bride will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.

Cary Elwes was inspired to share his memories and give fans an unprecedented look into the creation of the film while participating in the twenty-fifth anniversary cast reunion. In As You Wish he has created an enchanting experience; in addition to never-before seen photos and interviews with his fellow cast mates, there are plenty of set secrets, backstage stories, and answers to lingering questions about off-screen romances that have plagued fans for years!

Things I Liked:
I listened to this on audio, read mostly by Cary Elwes, as suggested by a number of people.  I do recall my mind drifting during quite a bit of the beginning where Elwes tells his story about joining the cast and meeting everyone and all that preproduction stuff.  When it finally got to the stories from the movie, I really enjoyed it.  I loved all the funny, quirky, and hilarious antics they all seemed to get up to.  It sounds almost like an extended family reunion.  It was a lot of fun to hear it in their own voices (some of them) too.

Things I Didn't Like:
Yeah, the beginning was hard for me.  Otherwise, it was super fun to hear about one of my favorite movies.  I watched it again not that long ago and took great pleasure in pointing out things about the scenes that I learned from the book to my husband.

Read-alikes:
Can't think of anything...

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
maybe one or two

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

Book Review: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication date: October 2013
Pages: 352
Source: Library
For: Fun

Summary (from goodreads):

I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday.

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.

Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she has become a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Things I Liked:
What a beautiful story! I love how down to earth Malala and her father sound, yet they are making an extraordinary difference in their country.  Her story makes you think you could stand up and make a difference too.  She is inspiring in her tireless efforts to not back down when told to stop going to school.  I'm amazed at her courage and strength, especially for one so young.

Things I Didn't Like:
It wasn't the most well-written book, but I think that is part of what makes you feel like you connect well with her.

Read-alikes:
Nothing I can think of...

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none 

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
she kind of lives with violence in her part of the world

Overall rating: *****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielsen

Heaven Is Here: An Incredible Story of Hope, Triumph, and Everyday Joy by Stephanie Nielsen
Publisher: Hyperion
Publication date: April 2012
Pages: 320
Source: Library
For: Because I read her blog

When Stephanie Nielsen and her husband and friend were in a horrific plane crash, she had no idea just how much her life would change. But finding her way in life post-crash, while it has its ups and downs, has helped her focus on those small things, those beautiful details in life that she can cherish because she knows just how close she was to losing them.

Things I Liked:
What an absolutely riveting, amazing, powerful, heart-wrenching, hopeful, and every emotion in between story.  I have been a reader of NieNie Dialogues for a few years now, but I think I didn't start reading her blog until after her accident.  I remember some of the brave and amazing and overwhelmingly difficult things she talked about and I was completely blown away by all she didn't talk about (but which you can discover in this book).  Her experiences are amazing, but what really shines is her ability, with the help of God, her husband, children, family, and friends, to overcome the mountains of challenges she faces.  I think it can be enjoyed by those who are LDS (or Mormon) like me and those who are not, just as her blog is enjoyed by both.  I loved the evolution of how she views herself, especially in regards to physical appearance.  It is easy to say that appearance doesn't matter when we are pretty, but it is even harder after you've experienced being different than everyone else.  Just a wonderful story made all the more powerful because it is true.

Things I Didn't Like:
It was a bit hard for me to read about her experiences so soon after my nephew's passing, but it also brought some comfort, seeing her family gather around her and support her and hearing how she was able to overcome her challenges.  The writing is not great, but I think it makes up for that in honesty.  I highly recommend this one to anyone who is feeling sorry for themselves or needs a boost of morale to keep going in difficult times. 

Read-alikes:
Reminds me of books like Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and even The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
 
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
(that I recall)

mrg-factor: X
some references to her relationship with her husband

v-factor: ->
not violence exactly, but the crash was pretty horrific and those parts can be disturbing

Overall rating: *****

How do you feel about inspirational memoirs?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Retro Friday Review: On Writing by Stephen King

Retro Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Angie of Angieville and "focuses on reviewing books from the past. This can be an old favorite, an under-the-radar book you think deserves more attention, something woefully out of print, etc."

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
Publisher: Scribner
Publication date: 2000
ISBN: 9781439156810
Source: Library

 
Acting as both a brief autobiography and as a guide for aspiring writers, King's book brings together anecdotes from his childhood and early career and tips for those seeking to get into writing. 

Things I Liked:
I think this makes an appropriate NaNoWriMo book, for those who are trying to write a novel in a month (ok, confession: I'm unofficially trying this - yikes!)  I really liked the sections on writing and the way King creates and crafts his works.  I found a lot of what he said to be insightful and helpful for those struggling really in any part of the process from idea through revisions.  Also, he really had a interestingly morbid childhood, which kind of explains some of his fascination with the macabre.  Definitely a great book for anyone aspiring to write or just interested in improving their writing.  I wish I'd written down more of his tips, but alas, I'll have to check it out again.

Things I Didn't Like:
It reminded me just why I'd never be interested in reading his books.  I hate horror novels and some of his stories sound like they'd give me nightmares for weeks.  Also, I really could have done without all the swearing.  Yes, that's probably how he talks, but it would have been just as good with about 1/4 the number of f-words.  I think a few of his tips or tricks might be a little outdated, possibly with the publishing contacts and stuff, but most of it will be true forever.

Read-alikes:
I've not read any other writing books, but try The Art of Fiction by John Gardner or Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@#$%
lots and lots and lots of strong language (f-word all over)
 
mrg-factor: X
a little bit in passing

v-factor: ->
he does describe some of his books :)

Overall rating: ****

What are your writing book suggestions?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Retro Friday Review: A Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell

Retro Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Angie of Angieville and "focuses on reviewing books from the past. This can be an old favorite, an under-the-radar book you think deserves more attention, something woefully out of print, etc."

A Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell
Publisher: Zhivago Press
Publication date: June 2005
ISBN: 9781598720303
Source: Borrowed

The book is an account of Mike Ramsdell's experiences doing counter intelligence work in Russia at the end of the Cold War.  When his cover is blown and his life is suddenly in danger, Mike must flee from the Russian mafia boss who knows about his work.  Can he escape with his life, not to mention survive the cruel winter and near starvation that ensues?

Things I Liked:
This book had some really interesting stories.  I was fascinated with the small miracles that Mike experiences while doing this highly dangerous work in Russia.  His life seems like it would be so interesting to hear more about, having worked in such diverse and very different places in the world.  I was interested also in the descriptions of the Russian people and the things they suffered under some of the leaders in that country.  It was an inspiring as well as a thrilling adventure story. 

Things I Didn't Like:
It definitely had some pacing issues - the intriguing spy story interspersed with some slower parts about Ramsdell's history, family, and experiences.  It is also clear that Ramsdell is not an experienced writer, with some awkward wording and other similar problems.  I think, for those who are interested in his experience as a Mormon working in counterintelligence, it will be intriguing enough to keep you engaged.  Still, I whipped through it pretty fast, wanting to know how he'd get out of some of the scrapes he gets into!

Read-alikes:
Agent Bishop: True Stories from an FBI Agent Moonlighting as a Mormon Bishop by Mike McPheters

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
(there were a few edited words)

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
he has a few run-ins with KGB and the Russian mafia

Overall rating: ****

This is definitely outside my usual fare - what do you read outside your usual?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Retro Friday Review: The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Retro Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Angie of Angieville and "focuses on reviewing books from the past. This can be an old favorite, an under-the-radar book you think deserves more attention, something woefully out of print, etc."
  
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Publisher: Various
Publication date: 1971
ISBN: 0912376015
Source: Library, for book group

This is the true story of Corrie Ten Boom and her family, who become the center of an underground resistance in Holland during WWII.  When Corrie and her family are discovered, they are sent to prison.  Facing deprivations and transfer to a concentration camp, Corrie and he sister Betsie find beauty and bring religion to the people they meet.

Things I Liked:
What an absolutely inspiring story!  This book has the power to change people's lives and even better, their behavior.  I was entranced with Corrie's family - the descriptions of the daily things her father and sisters would do and say just exemplify a Christian lifestyle.  I loved the genuinely honest comments Corrie makes about herself and her little weaknesses.  She seems so willing to recognize her mistakes and to praise the strengths of others that you begin to see just how truly good she is as well.  Towards the end, when they are in the concentration camp, the scenes of utter despair and horror are so powerfully juxtaposed to the sisters' devoted and hallowed attitudes that I have no ability to describe my own feelings about it.  This book will make you so grateful for the many conveniences you enjoy and it will (hopefully) help you to see the good in every difficult situation you face.  An amazing account of sincerely religious and happy everyday people who were able to overcome the tragedies in their lives through faith in God.  Just a few of the many places I marked in the book.

Mama's love had always been the kind that acted itself out with soup pot and sewing basket.  But now that these things were taken away, the love seemed as whole as before.  She sat in her chair at the window and loved us.  She loved the peple she saw in the street - and beyond: her love took in the city, the land of Holland, the world.  And so I learned that love is larger than the walls which hut it in.  p 48

Back in the dining room I pulled back the coverlet from the baby's face.  There was a long silence.  The man bent forward, his hand in spite of himself reaching for the tiny fist curled round the blanket.  For a moment I saw compassion and fear struggle in his face.  Then he straightened.  "No. Definitely not.  We could lose our lives for that Jewish child!"  Unseen by either of us, Father had appeared in the doorway.  "give the child to me, Corrie," he said....  "You say we could lose our lives for this child.  I would consider that the greatest honor that could come to my family." p 99

Once again we considered stopping the work.  Once again we discovered we could not.  That night Father and Betsie and I prayed long after the others had gone to bed.  We knew that in spite of daily mounting risks we had no choice but to move forward.  This was evil's hour; we could not run away from it.  Perhaps only when human effort had done its best and failed, would God's power along be free to work.  p 123

But as the rest of the world grew stranger, one thing became increasingly clear.  And that was the reason the two of us were here.  Why others should suffer we were not shown.  As for us, from morning until lights-out, whenever we were not in ranks for roll call, our Bible was the center of an ever-widening circle of help and hope.  Life waifs clustered around a blazing fire, we gathered about it, holding out our hearts to its warmth and light.  The blacker the night around us grew, the brighter and truer and more beautiful burned the word of God.  p 194

And as the cold increased, so did the special temptation of concentration-camp life: the temptation to think only of oneself.  It took a thousand cunning forms.  I quickly discovered that when I maneuvered our way toward the middle of the roll-call formation, we had a little protection from the wind  I knew this was self-centered: when Betsie and I stood in the center, someone else had to stand on the edge.  How easy it was to give it other names!  I was acting only for Betsie's sake.  We were in an important ministry and must keep well.  It was colder in Poland than in Holland; these Polish women probably were not feeling the chill the way we were.  Selfishness had a life of its own. p 213

"...must tell people what we have learned here.  We must tell them that there is no pit so deep that HE is not deeper still.  They will listen to us, Corrie, because we have been here." p 217

Things I Didn't Like:
Honestly, while the writing may not have been amazing, I didn't even notice most of the time, because the story is so engrossing and powerful.  I encourage every person to read this book, no matter their religion or beliefs.

Read-alikes:
Anne Frank - The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Night by Elie Wiesel

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
probably one or two 

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->->
not exactly violence, but the cruelties of concentration camps are described

Overall rating: *****

Anybody else inspired by this memoir?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt

Making Toast: A Family Story by Roger Rosenblatt
Publisher: Ecco
Publication date: February 2010
ISBN: 9780061825958
Source: ARC provided by publisher

When Roger's daughter unexpectedly dies leaving her husband and three young children behind, he and his wife move in with them to help.  Adjusting to life without Amy seems impossible and too painful to imagine.  Roger must also relearn what it is like to live with children.  This memoir describes what that first year without her was like.

Things I Liked:
It was an emotional read for certain. How can it be anything else?  I loved the little glimpses of humor and happiness that happened anyway.  Especially with the children.  I think those kids made the whole book easier to read.  Without them, it would have been entirely too depressing.  They were sweet and I loved the relationship he was able to develop with those grandkids.  An interesting and also heartbreaking story.

Things I Didn't Like:
Honestly, I really struggled with the book.  I've read books about death and loss before, but I disliked how Rosenblatt dealt with it.  He seemed full of anger and frustration and hatred toward anything and everything (especially God) and I was hoping some of that would change.  Nope.  He never seems to come to terms with Amy's death and recognize anything good in his changed situation.  Possibly this might arise from my own personal beliefs, but I just thought how sad it was that he was so stuck on being resentful about her death that he never seemed able to move on.  It made the book more sad than hopeful and really hard to want to read.

Read-alikes:
Gosh, I don't read enough memoirs about grief to even think of any!

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@#
not so much in numbers, but there are a few f-bombs

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
not violence really, but it's a mature and rather depressing story/situation

Overall rating: ***

Anybody have suggestions for a more hopeful memoir about grief?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The Bread of Angels by Stephanie Saldana

*review copy provided by publisher*

The Bread of Angels: A Journey to Love and Faith is the memoir of Stephanie during her year spent living in Damascus.  When Stephanie leaves the United States as a Fulbright scholar studying the Muslim Jesus in Syria, she leaves behind a broken heart and a broken family.  As she tries to pull herself together, she decides to spend a month doing spiritual exercises in a remote monastery, changing her life forever when she comes to know a French novice monk.

Things I Liked:
The writing of this unique memoir is very beautiful - you can tell Saldana is a poet.  Phrases in the book would just pop out and surprise me with their depth and beauty.  You really begin to feel some of the things Saldana experiences very vividly.  I admire her for the passionate and complete ways she experiences religion and the scriptures.  She tends to throw herself completely into whatever she does.  The interesting views and ideas about religion and Christianity and Islam in particular really broadened my perspectives.  The little vignettes of life in the Middle East are so real and I just fell in love with the places and people she meets: the Baron, the Sheikha, Hassan, and Frederic of course.  Here are just a few samples of the parts I loved:

"I come to the Umayyad Mosque to witness a miracle.  At around five o'clock every evening, the sun begins to set over Damascus,and the light gathers in a pool over the white marble courtyard, illuminating the tiles, until everyone walking on it appears as though they are angels.  Light reflects from the ground up into their bodies...Each time I witness it, I am almost moved to tears - at the sight of humans so ethereal, so transcendent that they might have wings, might press their toes against the ground and then lift off, away from all of this madness.  Nothing appears sinister in that light." p65 of ARC

"The Eastern legend says that the monk leaves the world to take on the cloak of a stranger, to become nobody, that he becomes a stranger among strangers, a desolate wanderer who carries the entire world within his heart.  It is in this sacrifice that he is given a particular gift, to transform the entire world within himself through prayer.  So he walks, alone, carrying the world within his broken body, connected to others through breath and dreams, separated from all and united to all." p 100 of ARC

"I had wanted so much to save someone's life.  But it turned out that the only life that I could hope to save was my own." p167 of ARC

"...in the moment of suffering, humans take on a transcendent power and beauty.  In the Bible, the moment in which Abraham is asked to give up his son is the first time that love is mentioned by name: Take now they son, thy only son Isaac, whom thou lovest.  Love is given a name in the moment of sacrifice, at the moment in which we face the terrifying possibility of loss.  Suffering is the moment when love appears." p 216 of ARC

Things I Didn't Like:
The first 2/3 of the book really dragged for me.  Despite the beautiful writing and unique life Saldana leads, I really wanted to hear about the story of love that the blurb from the back focused on.  Frederic doesn't appear until about the last 1/3 of the book, so I really struggled with interest level.  Also, sometimes I thought she was a little too dramatic - she responds to things so violently, it was almost over the top.

Read-alikes:
It reminded me a little of The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
nothing too strong, but fairly frequent

mrg-factor: X
a few mentions, nothing graphic

v-factor: ->
not so much violent, but rather depressing at times

Overall rating: ****

Do you like to read memoirs of other people's spiritual experiences?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Between Me and the River by Carrie Host

*ARC provided by online publicist*

Between Me and the Riveris the beautiful memoir of Carrie Host following her life from the time she is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at age 40 and through all her subsequent treatments. The ups and downs of dealing with this disease are described without flinching - her true thoughts, her fears for her family, particularly her young baby, and her hope for a future.

Things I Liked:
The language Host uses is beautiful and descriptive, it brings to life all that she deals with and feels throughout this turbulent time. I loved the stories of her real life experiences, her struggles with the pain, sorrow, anger, and multitude of other emotions about having cancer. The river that she uses metaphorically, weaving it into her life and using it to describe what she feels, is just perfect.

Things I Didn't Like:
Some of the time, her words became a bit more about moralizing than about her experiences. I loved it when there was a story from her life attached, but a few times it was just a little like a sermon. Those few parts felt a little out of place.

Read-alikes:
I haven't read any other cancer memoirs, but The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman kept coming to mind

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
religious exclamations mostly

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

Do you think cancer patients and family members would enjoy reading memoirs? What about if they are not survivor stories?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage

BBAW Day 2: Book Review: The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman

Since I TOTALLY dropped the ball in getting myself signed up for a blogger interview swap, I will instead be posting my review of this fabulous book that is being released TODAY!

*ARC provided by the publisher*

The Possibility of Everythingchronicles Hope's experiences dealing with the sudden appearance of her daughter Maya's rather frightening imaginary friend, along with doubts in her life and marriage. When their family takes a trip to Belize, she makes an extraordinary decision to see a shaman healer that changes their lives forever.

Things I Liked:
I loved the religious/faith/philosophical ideas that are explored in the book. Edelman does a beautiful job of bringing her experiences to life - her writing is really gorgeous. I enjoyed the everyday things that happened, her interactions with Maya and Uzi. I was really astounded at how connected I felt to her and her family. The story arc surrounding Maya was really intriguing as well. I loved the ending - I thought it was a great (though perhaps not unexpected) conclusion to their remarkable experiences. I really appreciated throughout the honest depictions of her feelings - it must be really difficult sometimes to tell things as she really felt and experienced them. A beautiful family-strengthening story! Even if you're not a mother, I think you will find something in this story that will help you grow!

Things I Didn't Like:
Some of the tangents she seemed to go off on were a little distracting - describing some aspects of "unrelated" things a little too much. Sometimes I had a hard time reading through the parts that didn't immediately relate to the story. Some of them contributed more to the experience than others, though.

Read-alikes:
I haven't read a lot of stuff like this, but it reminded me of other mother-child stories I read in The Mother in Me edited by Kathryn Lynard Soper

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
a moderate amount of swearing

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

If you haven't seen this video, I found it a perfect addition to the book - photos of Edelman's family!

Book Review: A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel

A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland Indianawas a sweet memoir of Haven aka Zippy and how she experienced life growing up with her quirky parents and her gorgeous older sister. Zippy experiences everything, including terrifying neighbors who kill rabbits for fun or who may or may not be evil witches trying to kill her, with childish belief and witty writing.

I loved how everything seems to happen through a child's eyes. Things that as adults we wouldn't possibly believe are true. It was like looking back at all the funny things I thought and did as a child and feeling that nostalgic remembrance.

Read-alike:
Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish
other memoirs like The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohioby Terry Ryan (which is on my to-read list)

RATINGS:
s-factor: !
A few scattered throughout.

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

After an embarrassing number of days having this book review up without being complete, I decided to post it again, only with my ratings. Apologies for the mix up (I've been pretty busy at work - so busy I didn't check up on my blog :)

Book Review: Beyond the Chestnut Trees by Maria Bauer

Beyond the Chestnut Treesis a beautiful story about the author's return visit to her hometown of Prague after a forty year absence. As she walks the streets and sees familiar and unfamiliar sites, she remembers her own experiences growing up and escaping from the Nazi occupation. Her story, both past and present, is interesting and beautifully recounted.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I am not much for non-fiction, but since my parents are in the Czech Republic right now, I was interested in this somewhat obscure memoir. I thought it was really well written, and her story is fascinating and exciting, if somewhat charmed. I loved her descriptions of childhood and the places she knew and loved as she saw them again in their changed states.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !
A few scattered.

mrg-factor: X
Situations, but not details.

v-factor: ->
A few intense events.

Overall rating: ****

Book Review: Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish

Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression is a riot of a memoir about the author's childhood. She recounts a series of anecdotes from her life growing up on a farm during the depression and gives a glimpse of a time nearly forgotten for us young 'uns. Also replete with interesting recipes and humorous phrases from the time.

This book was so much fun to read! Kalish writes as if she was your own grandmother, recounting her childhood experiences. The quirky and endearing phrases she uses and first person narrative gives it a story-telling aspect. I laughed out loud during many parts and really learned a lot about what it was like growing up when and where she did.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
One section where she recounts how she learned about swear words. Easily skipped over for those likely to be offended.

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****