Category: memoir
Review: Becoming by Michelle Obama
By now you’ve heard raves about Michelle Obama’s memoir, and I can echo those. Her book was exactly what I was hoping for: well-written and insightful, it’s not just her story but Barack Obama’s as well. And for those interested in recent history, it’s… Continue Reading “Review: Becoming by Michelle Obama”
American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures, edited by America Ferrera
American Like Me is a compilation of essays about what it means to live in America, from actors, athletes, writers, and activists who are either immigrants or the children of immigrants. The general theme of the book is celebrating the multiculturalism of the United… Continue Reading “American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures, edited by America Ferrera”
Review: In the Shadow of Statues by Mitch Landrieu
I saw Mitch Landrieu on the Daily Show a few months ago and immediately put this book on my TBR list. It’s a fascinating look at race and the history of the American South, from slavery to Civil War to Civil Rights. As the… Continue Reading “Review: In the Shadow of Statues by Mitch Landrieu”
Review: Love, Loss, and What We Ate by Padma Lakshmi
I expected a book about Padma Lakshmi to be fascinating, and it was. She’s interesting to me for a few reasons. She hosts one of my favorite series, Top Chef, a show that somehow avoids the dumb theatrics and contrived plots of most reality… Continue Reading “Review: Love, Loss, and What We Ate by Padma Lakshmi”
Review of Miss Ex-Yugoslavia by Sofija Stefanovic
This book wasn’t what I expected but I appreciated Stefanovic’s unique perspective. I especially liked that this book gave me a much better understanding of what happened in Serbia in the 1990’s, with a focus more on the politics of Slobodan Milosevic’s reign. I’ve… Continue Reading “Review of Miss Ex-Yugoslavia by Sofija Stefanovic”
Review of My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
I read this for a book club meeting; it’s not my usual type of read, but I love Greece, and reading a memoir about life on a Greek island definitely appealed to me, especially in the dead of winter. Gerald Durrell was a British… Continue Reading “Review of My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell”
Nonfiction November: My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
For anyone who is thinking about becoming a lawyer, or trying to make the most of their legal career, I highly recommend Sotomayor’s memoir. I also recommend it to anyone who simply wants to be inspired by this smart, caring, and dedicated woman. I… Continue Reading “Nonfiction November: My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor”
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
I liked this book a lot more than I expected to, and I find myself referring to it often. It’s well-written and Vance tells his story in an engaging and meaningful way. More importantly, he humanizes the people living in the Appalachian area while… Continue Reading “Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance”
In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrero
With the current news about deportations and ICE arrests, it felt important to me to read a book from the perspective of someone who has experienced it firsthand. Guerrero is not an immigrant herself, but her parents and older brother were born in Columbia. … Continue Reading “In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrero”
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah’s memoir of his childhood in South Africa is compelling reading for anyone who wants to know more about South Africa and apartheid. At times humorous, and at times devastating, Noah brings his unique voice to this story. He writes like he speaks,… Continue Reading “Born a Crime by Trevor Noah”
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
I was really saddened by Carrie Fisher’s death last month. It was so sudden, and she was only 60. And we had just seen her in Rogue One and Star Wars: A New Hope. I was especially sad for my husband, who grew up… Continue Reading “Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher”
The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer
I expected Amy Schumer to be clever and funny. I like her in-your-face style of humor and I like that she wants women to talk about sex. Let’s face it: we can be drunk, stupid screw-ups just as much as men. I can identify with… Continue Reading “The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer”
