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Fostering the love of reading, here are several reviews from myself.
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The League of Wives by Heath Hardage Lee
Star Rating: ★★★★
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Women who would hardly describe themselves at "feminists" end up taking off the pearls and lace gloves to take on the US government to lobby and negotiate a safe return for their husbands. Based on an incredible true story, The League of Wives is about wives from all branches of US military joining together to get their POW and MIA husbands home from the Vietnam War. Early on, reports were saying that both sides were following the rules of the Geneva Convention. Until one POW uses his eyes to send Morse code "torture" back home during his TV interview.
Putting aside all party lines, these wives work tirelessly to get their husbands home. Many of these women were without their husbands for nearly a decade and it's crazy to read the account of being a wife but not a widow in a time when women couldn't have credit cards, couldn't access their husband's savings accounts, etc.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Star Rating: ★★★★★
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Regardless of political party, I always love learning about First Ladies. My favorite point of view of someone walking alongside history.
So, naturally, as our nation's first Black First Lady, I was very interested to read her story. And she does not hold back. She openly discusses how hard it is to be with her husband, someone whose energy level and ethics are so high, when she feels so human. I also enjoyed reading about her conscious decision to allow her career to take a backseat to her husband's (been there). The story is all so relatable for ambitious women who work their way up and out.
I wish more people who maybe didn't vote for this family could read the stories with an open mind. Because, at the end of the day, this is a story about humanity, sacrifice, and love.
Five Presidents by Clint Hill
Star Rating: ★★★★★
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An apolitical view of our country during a very politically divisive time. Secret Service Special Agent Clint Hill recounts his career, serving five US Presidents. "Walking beside history" is the introduction and it so perfeclty describes why I love stories from this point of view. He can tell stories from quiet observation without proividing any influence or getting into the politics and taking sides. What he does get into is how he used his influence to expand detail of the Secret Service to more than just the President as well as helping hire the first female Secret Service officer.
A very good storytelling of many things we missed in history class but helped mold our nation during a time of constant crisis and turmoil.
Small Fry by Lisa Brennan-Jobs
Star Rating: ★★★★
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I did not know much about Steve Jobs as a person or his personal life. I can get some Jeopardy level questions/answers about him and that's about it.
But, this book intrigued me. I didn't know he had a family. And I was curious what it was like growing up with THE Steve Jobs as a dad. Well, I had no clue how mean of a father he was to his first born, Lisa. This story is about her memories as a child. So, while it does cover Steve Jobs, it also covers what life was like in Palo Alto in the very early days, which was the more interesting part of the book to me.
Maid by Stephanie Land
Star Rating: ★★★★
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A memoir of a woman who grew up in working lower middle class in the Pacific Northwest. She ends up pregnant before applying to college and, instead of working her way through college to a more stable life, ends up not applying and leaving an abusive relationship with a newborn for a homeless shelter. She then claws and cleans her way to a better life over years of scraping by and relying on the government systems in place.
Personally, I identified with a story a great deal. Among many other jobs through college, I was a maid at one point while working two other jobs and still not making enough, requiring me to still rely on FAFSA. I would not be where I am without the Pell Grant, HOPE scholarship, and so many people who helped as they could along the way. But, I was petrified to become pregnant because I knew my fate would be sealed.
"It felt like things were falling into place. So much so that I started to grow suspicious. Maybe it was too good for us. Maybe we didn't deserve something that good."
If you know that feeling, my heart goes to you.
I did not rate this 5/5 because, while I really wish for everyone to know the struggle of social mobility, I wish there was more about her childhood so the reader could see how hard the climb is when you start underground.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Star Rating: ★★★
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Dr. Paul Kalanthi, an Indian-American Neurosurgeon, is diagnosed with stage IV metastatic lung cancer in his last year of residency. AS his entire life is finally about to begin, he is handed a death sentence and experiences life as a patient. He tells a vivid tale of the juxtaposition of the two roles from his experience.
This was a very quick read and I did enjoy it. But, I would have really liked more about Paul growing up. The book breezed through that part of his life but I feel there are some stories that rooted him as a person that would have added to the overall story.