THE GLASS CASTLE: A MEMOIR
by Jeannette Walls
Jeannette Walls had a chaotic upbringing. Her mother, Rose Mary, was an eccentric artist, who could care less about taking care of children and a house, while Rex, her father, was a self-made man, who was not able to keep a job and was known as the town drunk.
Walls, along with her siblings, had to be resourceful. When there was no money, they foraged in trashcans for food and used markers for their skin, so that the holes in their pants wouldn't show.
The Glass Castle is an incredible story of poverty, survival, hope, and love.
Highly recommended.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
MY LIFE AS A TRAITOR
by Zarah Ghahramani
In 2001, while walking home from the university, Ghahramani was arrested and taken to the infamous Evin Prison in northern Tehran. Her crime? Protesting against the severe regime in Iran. For the next thirty days she endured both psychological and physical torture, with grueling interrogations and sadistic beatings.
Nothing from her sheltered upbringing prepared her for such a brutal ordeal.
My Life as a Traitor is a harrowing memoir of bravery and survival.
To understand Iran, read this book.
by Zarah Ghahramani
In 2001, while walking home from the university, Ghahramani was arrested and taken to the infamous Evin Prison in northern Tehran. Her crime? Protesting against the severe regime in Iran. For the next thirty days she endured both psychological and physical torture, with grueling interrogations and sadistic beatings.
Nothing from her sheltered upbringing prepared her for such a brutal ordeal.
My Life as a Traitor is a harrowing memoir of bravery and survival.
To understand Iran, read this book.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU: GROWING UP HAUNTED
by Jennifer Finney Boylan
In the 1970's, Boylan, a Pennsylvania native, moved with her family from Newtown Square to Bryn Mawr. They settled into a mansion known as the "Coffin House." The residence dates back to the 1700's.
I'm Looking Through You is a memoir of growing up in a haunted house and feeling haunted yourself. Creaking floorboards, whispering voices, and floating blue mists are everyday occurrences.
From a cast of eccentric characters, which includes family, friends and ghostbusters, Boylan has written a marvelous story.
by Jennifer Finney Boylan
In the 1970's, Boylan, a Pennsylvania native, moved with her family from Newtown Square to Bryn Mawr. They settled into a mansion known as the "Coffin House." The residence dates back to the 1700's.
I'm Looking Through You is a memoir of growing up in a haunted house and feeling haunted yourself. Creaking floorboards, whispering voices, and floating blue mists are everyday occurrences.
From a cast of eccentric characters, which includes family, friends and ghostbusters, Boylan has written a marvelous story.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
THE AIRMEN AND THE HEADHUNTERS: A TRUE STORY OF LOST SOLDIERS, HEROIC TRIBESMEN AND THE UNLIKELIEST RESCUE OF WORLD WAR II
by Judith M. Heimann
While flying in a B-24 bomber, during 1944, over the Borneo Coast, army airmen were shot down by the Japanese. The aviators were met by jungle natives called Dayaks, who were known as headhunters.
Heimann writes a gripping tale of how the tribesmen fed and sheltered the airmen and hid them from the Japanese occupiers.
A little known piece of history from World War II deserves to be read.
What a terrific book!
by Judith M. Heimann
While flying in a B-24 bomber, during 1944, over the Borneo Coast, army airmen were shot down by the Japanese. The aviators were met by jungle natives called Dayaks, who were known as headhunters.
Heimann writes a gripping tale of how the tribesmen fed and sheltered the airmen and hid them from the Japanese occupiers.
A little known piece of history from World War II deserves to be read.
What a terrific book!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
THE MASCOT: UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF MY JEWISH FATHER'S NAZI BOYHOOD
by Mark Kurzem
In 1941, when Alex Kurzem was five years old, he left his home in Russia and escaped into the forest. There he hid from the Nazis who slaughtered his family and villagers. Eventually, Alex was "saved" by a group of Latvian SS soldiers, who gave him a miniature uniform with boots. He became their mascot, but, in reality, he was used in the most horrifying of ways.
For over 60 years, Alex kept the secret of his past to himself, until, finally, he revealed the story to his son.
From the first chapter to the last the narrative is riveting. Mark Kurzem does a remarkable job.
Highly recommended!
by Mark Kurzem
In 1941, when Alex Kurzem was five years old, he left his home in Russia and escaped into the forest. There he hid from the Nazis who slaughtered his family and villagers. Eventually, Alex was "saved" by a group of Latvian SS soldiers, who gave him a miniature uniform with boots. He became their mascot, but, in reality, he was used in the most horrifying of ways.
For over 60 years, Alex kept the secret of his past to himself, until, finally, he revealed the story to his son.
From the first chapter to the last the narrative is riveting. Mark Kurzem does a remarkable job.
Highly recommended!
Friday, January 11, 2008
AMERICA, 1908: THE DAWN OF FLIGHT, THE RACE TO THE POLE, THE INVENTION OF THE MODEL T, AND THE MAKING OF A MODERN NATION
by Jim Rasenberger
So many things happened in the year of 1908. Rasenberger writes, effortlessly, about what was going on in our nation one hundred years ago.
Theodore Roosevelt was president; the Wright Brothers (originally bicycle mechanics) had conquered the sky with their airplanes; the New York Giants battled the Chicago Cubs in one of the most exciting baseball games in history (Fred Merkle's nickname would, forever, be "Bonehead"); women would be cleaning their homes with a new device called a vacuum; etc.
These facts are just a smattering of what you will read in America, 1908.
If you are a history buff, or just want to brush up on some trivia, then grab this marvelous book.
by Jim Rasenberger
So many things happened in the year of 1908. Rasenberger writes, effortlessly, about what was going on in our nation one hundred years ago.
Theodore Roosevelt was president; the Wright Brothers (originally bicycle mechanics) had conquered the sky with their airplanes; the New York Giants battled the Chicago Cubs in one of the most exciting baseball games in history (Fred Merkle's nickname would, forever, be "Bonehead"); women would be cleaning their homes with a new device called a vacuum; etc.
These facts are just a smattering of what you will read in America, 1908.
If you are a history buff, or just want to brush up on some trivia, then grab this marvelous book.
Monday, January 7, 2008
HOUSE OF HAPPY ENDINGS: A MEMOIR
by Leslie Garis
Imagine growing up as the granddaughter of the people who wrote the Uncle Wiggily series, The Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift and numerous other books for children. Was life idyllic to match the stories?
In House of Happy Endings Garis pulls away the layers of what happened to her family. Her father, Roger, was not very successful in his attempts at writing novels, plays and magazines.
Each failure pushed him deeper into depression. His mental illness tore everyone apart.
Garis writes with unflinching honesty.
The book is a masterpiece.
by Leslie Garis
Imagine growing up as the granddaughter of the people who wrote the Uncle Wiggily series, The Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift and numerous other books for children. Was life idyllic to match the stories?
In House of Happy Endings Garis pulls away the layers of what happened to her family. Her father, Roger, was not very successful in his attempts at writing novels, plays and magazines.
Each failure pushed him deeper into depression. His mental illness tore everyone apart.
Garis writes with unflinching honesty.
The book is a masterpiece.
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