Sarca
I was probably “done” by the midpoint based solely on this horrific story, but I managed to read the whole thing in the end. A tough read by all measures. I do like horror, and this made my hair stand on end til the end. The subject matter is just...awful. I will never forget it.
My least favourite memoir of Peart's...probably because of the “been there done that on a motorcycle” vibe. Not a major crit; I still enjoyed this book. Just not as much as his others.
Although not my “absolute favourite” Peart book, this one was still great and I learned a lot from him about what influences him. Very well written.
I first read this book in 1997. Being a RUSH fan, I was eagerly anticipating this book's release, and I was not disappointed. The man takes us on a journey through West Africa- on a bike!! His experiences were so thoughtfully written, and it didn't take me long to breeze through this memoir. I have since read it twice more. It's certainly one of his best.
Not as good as Toxic Parents, but some nuggets of truth picked up. I skipped over the self-help workbook stuff (I'm not gonna burn paper or stuff balloons). The level of narcissism I experienced was not as severe, but still traumatic. I would recommend this to women who are exploring the effects of their abusive or judgemental mothers on their present (or past!) lives.
I first took this out of my library and read it quickly. I then took it out of the library a few months later and my husband said, “Again??” Yes, again! I have since bought my own copy. For some reason, I hate Michael Malice and feel sorry for him, yet I love this graphic novel. The tale Pekar weaves is so simple and everyman. I've worked with people like Malice - maybe that's why I enjoyed the story so much. At any rate, I recommend it. But, be prepared to become infuriated!
Ego-centric memoir that only a sociopath could write. Yet, I couldn't stop reading. Not really well-edited, and a bit all over the place, but some interesting tidbits.
One of the most insightful and validating books on the subject of narcissistic abuse. This has helped me immensely in my healing journey. I'll be thinking about what was taught in these pages for years to come. Highly recommended!
I remember watching in horror the news reports from the night of the Station Nightclub fire. Being a fan of attending live band shows, and having been to some venues with questionable fire safety and capacity limits in my time, the thought that what happened that night could have happened to me has crossed my mind. John Barylick presents the Station story thoroughly and respectfully. There were a couple of chapters where he reviewed the legalese stuff that I glazed over...but most of it is riveting. I recommend it!
I wasn't sure what to expect with a title like “Eden Close”. Initially I thought it referred to a place in England. But, it really refers to a character's name in the book.
The book tells the story of Eden Close, adopted as a child, hated by her mother and loved by her father. She lived in a rural town and was known to be a bit of a tease. The boys crushed after her, including Andrew, her next door neighbor. One night, guns shots were heard next door to Andrew's that left Mr. Close dead and Eden blind. The truth about what happened that night - who was responsible - remained a mystery.
Suspicion about what happened that night made the rounds through the town, and was still the subject of gossip on the residents' lips as Andrew discovered 17 years later when he returned to his childhood home to pack up his deceased mother's house and settle her estate. At this stage in his life he had been through a divorce and trying to work through his own troubles. Eden was still living next door with her mother. Feelings Andrew had about Eden resurface...the mystery as to what happened also is revealed.
I was into the book from the beginning - a great bathtub read.
Tells the true story of Lisa Steinberg, the six-year-old who was killed at the hands of her adoptive lawyer father and mother.
She's Not There was pretty decent. It's a story about Caroline whose daughter was abducted many years ago while the family was on vacation in Mexico. She is contacted 15 years later by Lili, a girl who claims to be the missing daughter. Meanwhile, Caroline has been suffering in dealing with her daughter's disappearance, losing her job, being a suspect...the plot overall was suspenseful, but I have to say, predictable, as I guessed early on who the perp was.
Lastly, it's 2016, and no one uses a smartphone to look things up? At least Fielding heard of DNA...
This was a good project in theory. It intrigued me that someone would dedicate an entire year to the task of cooking every single meal in a Julia Child cook book. Questions were raised when I first started the book: Did Julie survive the year? Did she resent her project eventually? Alas, I really couldn't get past her neurotic ways. I've also decided I don't really like reading about the process of cooking. I did, however, want to read more about Julia Child's history, but that desire could fulfilled reading some other book about Julia. I didn't finish this.
I was reading this thinking, “oh yeah, that previous employer? Definitely had psychopaths running the show from top to bottom!” Anyone who thinks these stories are made up? You have not lived through working in a place where this stuff takes place. Believe me, it does.
The book did tend to repeat itself, but was an interesting read nonetheless.
My sister read the Pistachio Prescription multiple times growing up. I never did, but I thought I should see what it was about. Somewhat relatable story of a girl who has aloof parents and who lives with anxiety. Some of it is cute, but I quit after 60 pages. It was killing my buzz for reading, probably because it was meant for a 12 year old, not someone of my vintage. It is a bit dated too. Changing the cover art for more modern times doesn't help improve that. Anyhoo...
Whew! Short and terrible! The worst Joy Fielding to date. Read like a teenager's written assignment. I expected more from this author.
Embarrassingly, it took me at least six months to finish this book. Why? I can't be sure other than the story was so heavy on me that I had to take it one page at a time and savour it. The book was brilliantly written, and I was sad to see it come to an end.
The plot in a nutshell is this: Allie has had enough of America and decides to pack up his family and move down to South America to live off the land in peace. He is a genius inventor so their life takes on normality in no time. Along the way the family meets some interesting characters, who, along with Allie's opinionated way of thinking, eventually makes life difficult for them. The story is being told through the eyes of his 13-year-old son.
It was very well-written. The character-building was astounding. For one thing, I was genuinely interested in what Allie had to say, even though I didn't agree with everything he said. I was also interested in his wife - someone who was willing to give up life in America to pack up the kids and rough-it in the jungle...that's lovin'!
I truly recommend this book. I'd say it goes in my top 20 favorites.
This memoir by Neil Peart takes the reader through his solo travels through North America on motorcycle while he overcomes the grief from the loss of his partner and teenaged daughter within months of each other. I swear, I think I cried at some point in every chapter. Descriptively written and very honest. Highly recommended.
This one has been on my to-read pile for years, and I wasn't disappointed. A lot of twists and turns. Great prose. I think I'll pick up more from Jesse Kellerman.
This was a really interesting read for the Rush fan. About my only critique is that there could have used a tiny bit of editing. I felt some of his thoughts and stories go on a little long.
I read this book years after the whole “true story” scandal came out, and when I bought it from a used bookstore, my people kind of gave me a look like, “You know that's fake, right?” Other friends of mine read the book before the scandal, and resented Frey afterwards for misrepresenting his story as true. Let me preface this by saying that I was intrigued by the ire readers expressed in finding out the story they read was fiction. Personally and ethically, I do think it was wrong of Frey to say this was a true story when it wasn't. I read this after the scandal - who knows how I would feel finding out the memoir I just read was fake...? So going into it, knowing everything I know, here are my thoughts:
I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN!! Okay so yes, the weight of what happened to Frey has been taken out of the book because of it being a fictionalized account, but looking at it from a story's perspective, taking out all the scandal, I really liked this book. I jumped in feet-first and drank it up until the end. I enjoyed his writing style - not what I would normally go for - and it worked very well in telling this tale. I have two other Frey titles on my bookshelf, waiting patiently for me to pick them up.
Riveting! Thorough and informative, but examples could use an update for current times. Hare gives no hope or cure for psychopaths, nor to those who have to live/deal with them. We don't have a prayer!