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Fostering the love of reading, here are several reviews from myself.
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Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall
Star Rating: ★★★★
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Born to Run author Christopher McDougall is back with another great story to tell. He takes in a malnourished and neglected donkey, Sherman, who was a part of a hoarding situation on a farm. Sherman is untrusting of humans and uncooperative. Knowing that animals need to feel a sense of purpose, the author works toward getting Sherman into burro racing (running alongisde with donkeys). This story was of personal interest because we have seen the burro races many times in Colorado. But, Running with Sherman interestingly covers not only the personal story of Sherman, but also the many fringe benefits of exercise and animal interaction, which helps humans with mental and physical health. The data is fascinating to learn and intertwines into the story of Sherman naturally.
The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Leiber
Star Rating: ★★★★
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This book was necessary to read as a parent who wasn't taught about money. I learned so much about how to talk to my children about money, charity, donating to those less fortunate, giving to friends, etc. It did in part feel like homework, but most parenting books do. I learned a lot though and I think you will too. I took my time reading it, one subject matter at a time. It made it feel less daunting of a task to handle with my children as a result.
The Kingdom of Prep by Maggie Bullock
Star Rating: ★★★★
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If you love marketing, retail, and storytelling of a brand, The Kingdom of Prep is great for you! As a longtime fan of J.Crew, I thoroughly enjoyed this story of the history of the retailer. The narrator is borerline monotone to the point where it sounds AI-generated at times, so I would suggest reding the book for a great story on the beloved prep brand.
Taste by Stanley Tucci
Star Rating: ★★★★★
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I know the pandemic made a lot of people look at Stanley Tucci in a new light. But, as a long time fan of his, I have longed for this book! He lives such a great life off camera, exploring food and cooking passions. It was a great listen as he recounts his life through food. The audiobook is fantastic but you'll need the physical book for the recipes, so get both!
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy
Star Rating: ★★★
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I did not growing up watching iCarly, but the title drew me in immediately. I'm Glad My Mom Died is a fast listen narrated by the author, recounting her life as a childhood actor with a gutting family life. She really lets it all out in this book about her upbringing in an abusive household. She recounts multiple encounters of control and and physchological abuse her mother enacted upon her. And, while I commend her confessional in this book, I wish she would have explored more about how adult children can remove parents from their lives and be at peace to breathe a sigh of relief when these people die. It's a topic that is barely explored and yet she had the chance and didn't go all the way there.
Spare by Prince Harry
Star Rating: ★★
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I don't know if there is any other way to read Spare other than to have Prince Harry narrate it for you. It was the only palatable thing about the story, frankly. While I wasn't looking for a dirty, behind-the-scenes tell all, I also wasn't looking for what seems to be a continious paradox he faces - endlessly drawing attention to himself while condemning the fame he has. I admire how frank he is in his memoir, especially given how private The Royal Family is. But, the whole time I listened, I wondered if he maybe should have continued self-improvement and therapy before finalizing this memoir. I suspect in due time he will regret sharing many of these stories and I also question if the motive for sharing now in haste is due to the aforementioned paradox he seems to find himself in.
Indistractable by Nir Eyal
Star Rating: ★★★★★
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Indistractable is a really important book and I wish it was recommended reading for Juniors and Seniors in high school. I learned some great tricks on how to find traction and eliminate distraction..and the connection between the two. In a post-pandemic world where there is an increased lape of attentiveness, I wish everyone would read this book. Indistractable is essentially a handbook full of tips and tricks on building attentiveness against internal and external triggers.
The best of this book? It's logically laid out for one type of learner. But--it starts by stating that if you prefer to learn a certain way, then it leads you through a different order to read the book. How radically inclusive!
The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
Star Rating: ★★★★★
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The Year of Yes was a book club pick and I am so happy it was proposed as a pick because it is a great book! The audiobook is SO recommended because Shonda Rhimes intertwines recorded speaking engagements she has given with parts of the book where she discusses what we don't see backstage right before and after.
Shonda Rhimes is a force in Hollywood. And yet, it was so comforting to read how someone so public and so accomplished is also introverted and prefers to stay out of the limelight. Just because she is IN the limelight and gives speeches, doesn't mean that is what she thrives on. And so, she tried to say yes to everything for a year and this is her journey of growth while still holding a space for herself when needed.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Star Rating: ★★★★
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Crying in H Mart was a great audiobook. Michelle Zauner is found mourning the loss of her mother while in H-Mart, trying desperately to conjur up her favorite meals that her Korean mother did not have written recipes for. All to taste, all to smell, nothing written. I enjoyed reading the tale of food being comfort with her mother and for her mother once she died.
We Need to Talk: A Memoir about Wealth by Jennifer Risher
Star Rating: ★★★★★
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We Need to Talk: A Memoir about Wealth should be a bestseller. This book covers middle class people getting massive options from Microsoft and then more options from Amazon, ultimately amassing a huge wealth and retiring before 40. But, Jennifer Risher still details everyday consumer purchase decisions like what stroller to buy with other mom friends.
This book covers how people deal with money. How people handle gifting or loaning money. And you know what? Whether it is $8 or $8,000, I promise you the same emotions are there. It was so interesting to read the accounts of surprisingly practical "everyday" money problems...and especially interesting to read about how money truly doesn't solve every problem.
Educated by Tara Westover
Star Rating: ★★★
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Educated -- while this story is worth telling, I had a hard time getting why everyone was so obsessed with this story. Tara Westover's story is one of many. I'm glad it is out there and I hope it gives hope to people in a similar situation by seeing that education is freedom. This is not new information though. Jefferson said "Education is a passport to the future" and Mandela said it is "A powerful weapon you can use to change the world". So, while this is an important reminder of the known fact, I thought the overall storytelling was just okay.
Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
Star Rating: ★★★★★
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Hidden Valley Road is the true story about a family in Colorado Springs in the 1950's of 12 children, six of whom were diagnozed with schizophrenia. Incredibly, this family goes on to be the best case study for understanding the biological nature of this mental illness.
This book was a book club pick and I am glad I was alerted to it. I don't discuss this much, but my brother is a person with schizophrenia. It's very hard for people to understand if they have never had an upclose seat to the illness. Hidden Valley Road not only brings this illness to light but also discusses the way the other siblings process and deal with being in a familal relationship like this.
The Wreckage of my Presence by Casey Wilson
Star Rating: ★★
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I did not know who Casey Wilson is but the title of the book was hilarious to me. I love a self-depracting personal memoir.
Turns out she is an actress and writer of some mildly funny things I have seen and this book is on par with my opinion of her work to date. While I was really hoping for a Chelsea Handler style account of short stories, The Wreckahe of My Presence came up short.
But, I will give her credit for having the whole first chapter being an ode to being a "bed person" and living life in the horizontal position. She makes a solid case.
Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First. by Laura Tremaine
Star Rating: ★★
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As someone who has Tabasco level stuff to share, I felt this poblano pepper story was not for me. I don't want to diminish anyone's pain because it truly is relative. But, I just couldn't relate to this book. The audiobook was fine in terms of narration but this is more of a workbook. So, I would suggest getting the physical book vs. audio or kindle.
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The Widow Cliquot by Tilar J. Mazzeo
Star Rating: ★★★★★
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The Widow Cliquot is an insane story many people don't know about the famous champagne house. Rooted in the time of the French Revolution, we learn about a secret wedding and an untimely death, which leads our leading lady to continue running Veuve Cliquot, which literally translates to Widow Cliquot. It's right there on the brand and yet this story is only recently documented and shared. It should be made into a movie. The stories about hiding Champagne during the war, competing against the Moet house, and so much more and rich in detail.
A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
Star Rating: ★★★★★
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Somehow this man has lived more lives than a cat. This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. I don't really know him from SNL but the book title had me laughing so I gave it a go. Fast read about Colin Jost's insanely privileged life and the antics that ensued. He laughs at himself so much in this book that you can't help but laugh alongside him.
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The Answer is...by Alex Trebek
Star Rating: ★★★★★
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This was a fantastic palete cleanser from the heaviness of the pandemic. I honestly wept after finishing this bok. I always thought Alex Trebek was an amazing man but then I read this book and thought, "How is it even possible that he is this GOOD!?" (hint: he's Canadian).
The audiobook is fantastic, narrated by Alex Trebek and Ken Jennings. But, after hearing that the author donated all proceeds from the book to charity, I purchased the book as well. It's a book of short stories and lessons from life. A great book for the whole family to have on hand.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Star Rating: ★★★★
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The audio of this book was outstanding. But, after almost 30 hours and Barack Obama only makes it to the end of his first term?! Oof, that's a long winded storyteller.
Regardless of who I voted for, I still try and listen and empathize with someone. And our country's first Black president definitely deserves that much from me. Hearing some of the predicaments our President is placed in, especially during a recession, was very interesting. I worked on some of the benfits of the relief plan action (via SNAP benefits increase) and so it was very interesting to hear his side of the story and issue at hand.
Random but it was fun to hear his side of the same stories that Michelle Obama covered in her book. First Ladies and Presidents--they are just like the rest of us married couples. :)
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Star Rating: ★★★★
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There was no doubt the audiobook of Greenlights would be fantastic. Matthew McConaughey has a great voice. I tore through this book on audio. He details his life both before fame and during it, which were interesting to me as I still think of him as "the stoner that was arrested naked for playing the bongos too loudly".
But, in the wake of society working through how some are so privileged, this book seems ill-timed. A cis-gender, gorgeous looking, white, middle income male detailing stories of his "green lights" falls flat in 2021. And, listen, I don't need him making apologies of his privilege. I'm simply saying it was hard to accept some of his advice on life without also wondering if he realizes how limited or even not possible that advice is for many other segments of our society.
The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
Star Rating: ★★★★
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The Last Child in the Woods grounds itself in the theory of children, over the course of the last 100+ years, slowly moving indoors and what toll that has taken on humans as they grow. The writer coins the phrase, "nature-deficit disorder" and how it came about. Most interesting of note to me was the steady decline in college students choosing Earth science-based majors (chemistry, biology, geology, etc.) As a result, scientists are in a predicament of creating historical documents now for fear that progress will be haulted. If a mushroom was discovered in 2020 but not documented well, a scientist in 2050 may discover the same mushroom and not further our knowledge but rather hinder our progress and innovation.