Van Halen is one of my all time favorite bands, so I started this with a bit of trepidation, as I didn't want to end up hating the men behind it. ThanVan Halen is one of my all time favorite bands, so I started this with a bit of trepidation, as I didn't want to end up hating the men behind it. Thankfully, I needn't have worried as Alex and Eddie were as I expected them to be: talented, flawed, funny (especially Alex),driven, hopeful, and so deeply loved by one another. I also gained quite a lot of insight about the music industry at the time. Thanks for an enjoyable and educational read, Mr. Van Halen! ...more
I was hoping for something different, more insightful and truly funny. What I got was fairly mean spirited jabs disguised as humor, whether it pertainI was hoping for something different, more insightful and truly funny. What I got was fairly mean spirited jabs disguised as humor, whether it pertained to people, food, or the overall American experience....more
What a delightful slice of London life, from the eyes of a long-time, long-distance admirer making her first visit. Witty, fun, and evocative. I ate iWhat a delightful slice of London life, from the eyes of a long-time, long-distance admirer making her first visit. Witty, fun, and evocative. I ate it up!...more
Ever imagine running a used book store? Here's the reality in vivid detail.Ever imagine running a used book store? Here's the reality in vivid detail....more
A heartfelt memoir of family, friendship, and loss, and the giant paper mill looming large above it all. Monica Wood writes of her life and grief in bA heartfelt memoir of family, friendship, and loss, and the giant paper mill looming large above it all. Monica Wood writes of her life and grief in bracing detail, beautiful and vivid in its sharpness....more
This slim volume beautifully skims the surface of all the places I could not stomach traveling with Lanegan in his pugilistic and self-destructive "SiThis slim volume beautifully skims the surface of all the places I could not stomach traveling with Lanegan in his pugilistic and self-destructive "Sing Backwards and Weep," as well as giving colorful insight to the murky depths of a COVID induced coma and its far-reaching ramifications. Interspersed with a stunning collection of his poems, I imagined them sung in his singular, gravelly voice....more
Not being a Twitterer and generally a few years behind the times, I had never heard of Duchess Goldblatt. Thanks to a little nugget of an interview wiNot being a Twitterer and generally a few years behind the times, I had never heard of Duchess Goldblatt. Thanks to a little nugget of an interview with Katie Couric in the NYT stating she read the memoir a SECOND time, I had to check it out. I devoured every morsel of everything that is Duchess: the pain, sorrow, wisdom, courage, and sheer delight. Definitely the right book at the right time for me....more
A must read for abuse survivors, caregivers, friends and family! Stephanie Foo writes in a very accessible way, all while filling the work with study A must read for abuse survivors, caregivers, friends and family! Stephanie Foo writes in a very accessible way, all while filling the work with study after study on abuse and the resulting trauma. I saw myself in these pages and learned so much about my own C-PTSD.
I was also surprised to learn that I partially misunderstood generational trauma, believing it is not only witnessing abuse and repeating it, but the change in DNA that is passed down! I sat aghast pondering the effect of the bigotry my Great Grandmother (also one of my abusers), who was a small mix of white and mostly Mexican and Native American, passed on from all the code switching between English and Spanish, and witnessing such hatred toward her family, a popular sign in the West "No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed" just one example. Or my grandfather who survived the Bataan Death March and 3.5 years as a prisoner of war? Like the author with her family history, I also wondered who could I have been without it?
The absolute zinger was learning 80% of women with endometriosis are survivors of abuse. Whaaat?!
So, thank you, Stephanie Foo, for your sheer endurance, not only of your parents, but in your search for all the tools and the right therapist to help you create the best possible kit for a successful inner and outer life. My hat is off to you!...more
Tabitha Brown's soul shines bright! Though she says little most of us don't already know about kindness and self-love, she speaks in a manner that is Tabitha Brown's soul shines bright! Though she says little most of us don't already know about kindness and self-love, she speaks in a manner that is so rife with honesty, patience, compassion, and humor, that the reader devours every word....more
A difficult read in light of the horrible emotional and physical abuse Alan Cumming endured at the hands of his father, but his spirit shines through A difficult read in light of the horrible emotional and physical abuse Alan Cumming endured at the hands of his father, but his spirit shines through with wit, wisdom, love, and humor....more
Viola Davis, goddess of stage and screen, is one of the finest actors of our time. A woman of poise, fierce self-love, actualization, and acceptance, Viola Davis, goddess of stage and screen, is one of the finest actors of our time. A woman of poise, fierce self-love, actualization, and acceptance, but, rather sadly, not a writer. The book is a bit of a mess, scattered and repetitive....more
Thank heavens for the bravery of Jennette McCurdy! First, for shedding a light on the cruelties inflicted upon child actors in the entertainment indusThank heavens for the bravery of Jennette McCurdy! First, for shedding a light on the cruelties inflicted upon child actors in the entertainment industry. Second, for showing the enormous pain and difficult work of overcoming the crippling hold of disordered eating. Third, and most importantly, for her incredible honesty about her relationship with her highly abusive mother. Our society has this illusion that all mothers are wonderful creatures who may make a mistake now and again, but we should always want to reconcile with them and memorialize them in the best possible light. What garbage! It is about time someone shred this paradigm and admit that the death of a mother can be a tremendous blessing....more
Enjoyed reading this candid history of Molly Shannon's life. I loved seeing how she's grown to really understand why she behaved as she did after her Enjoyed reading this candid history of Molly Shannon's life. I loved seeing how she's grown to really understand why she behaved as she did after her mother's death, particularly how codependency ruled her life as a young person....more
What a treasure to have discovered Anne Lister through the Gentleman Jack television series. The book is a wonderful companion, with the show closely What a treasure to have discovered Anne Lister through the Gentleman Jack television series. The book is a wonderful companion, with the show closely following the actual events in Anne Lister's life. I remain gobsmacked and delighted at what a force of nature she was, especially for her time! An inspiration and LGBTQ+ hero, to be sure....more
Famous people, most of whom are completely foreign to me, contemplate life during the height of the pandemic. Much of it is quite touching, as our hopFamous people, most of whom are completely foreign to me, contemplate life during the height of the pandemic. Much of it is quite touching, as our hopes and fears are largely the same....more
As much as I love Japanese Breakfast, H-Mart, Korean food, and Michelle's Zauner's writing, this book is a hard NO. As a survivor of familial physicalAs much as I love Japanese Breakfast, H-Mart, Korean food, and Michelle's Zauner's writing, this book is a hard NO. As a survivor of familial physical and emotional abuse, I refuse to support the normalization of this behavior....more
On the one hand, Souleika Jaouad's harrowing journey with one of the worst cases of myeloid leukemia, sadly beginning at the ripe age of 22, is a mustOn the one hand, Souleika Jaouad's harrowing journey with one of the worst cases of myeloid leukemia, sadly beginning at the ripe age of 22, is a must read for anyone wishing to have a deeper understanding and empathy for the tragedy that is a young person afflicted with cancer. On the other, it is an intolerable master class on entitlement, narcissism, and deep-seated codependency. Pick your poison....more
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