Touching, impressive life story
929919
Had not watched Trevor Noah as host of the Daily Show before reading this book but am now a big supporter and am amazed by the hurdles he faced and overcame growing up
4314821
I consider myself very blessed in that my family is healthy. My children (currently six and three) are, as far as I know, the picture of good health. Inside the walls of my home, I can live in an isolated world free from disability and grief.

Grotes wonderful portrait of her severely-disabled sister, Annie, shatters that perfect world. She brings the reader into the room and makes you open your eyes to Annies story. And its a marvelous story. Its a touching tribute to her sister, who was a giant part of the authors life. But its also an accurate depiction of what its like to care for a severely-disabled adult for five decades.

Grote pulls no punches. She is honest and upfront with her feelingsthe good and the bad. She brings the reader face to face with a world many hope to never encounter, but she does so in a touching, captivating, and dignified way.

DANCING IN HEAVEN is a powerful book, and youll be a different person after reading it.
2359358
I recommend reading this book.  This is a life story of a sensitive person keenly watching the world around her.  Memoir is a difficult genre.  Many people try it and fail because it is hard to make the story of ones life interesting not just to a limited group of close friends and relatives.  Ella Miriams wonderful book transcends the genre confines, because this is not just a story of her life, or her familys life, but the story of a whole generation of people striving to find freedom, the fight we know so little about.  And yet this is a very personal story.  Ella is not afraid to bare her soul to the reader.  Ella Miriam is a talented narrator, and it is difficult to put this book down once you start reading.  The reader is swept away and carried along by the torrent of events which Ella makes us the witness of.
3045114
Wow, I was not prepared for such a compelling story. Because I've come to know Jan through social media, I bought this book to learn more of her personal journey. On one level, this can be read as the story of one woman's health and financial challenges that led her to leave the United States and start over as a single woman living in Costa Rica, and all the discoveries that inevitably came with adapting to a new culture. This alone reflected uncommon courage, resolve and imagination. She navigated the challenges of this transition with humor, warmth and flexibility, all of which are reflected in her delightful writing. That's what immediately struck me about this book -- how well it is written, and how eminently qualified Jan was to write it given her unusual combination of strengths as a fine artist, a scientist and a very able writer.

But then things got interesting -- she met a man and they bonded deeply. And then he died, and she had to cope with the greatest loss of her lifetime. At this point Jan's journey became highly unusual -- I've never read anything like it. If a lesser writer were telling what happened, I would have given up and closed the book. But Jan explains it in a way I can accept and understand, and that I find inspirational. I commented to Jan recently, "You examine the subject of life and death very thoughtfully and without fear. I found your approach uplifting and reassuring." Jan's response was, "All of us live at the interface between life and death, even when we don't know it until we are pulled out of the water or wake up the next morning."

I think any reader who picks up this book will be richly rewarded with much to consider, and immense reassurance about the possibilities of both life and death.
2248956
Author Celestine Washington draws deeply on her own life experience in writing this inspirational memoir, claiming It is my hope that after reading... you will find what you need to activate faith in Christ and love for your fellowman. Her story is one of serious abuse and neglect, redeemed by forgiveness and a stunning generosity of spirit. While others might make life more complex than it really is by doing too much... think[ing] too much, worry[ing] too much the reader will soon learn that the authors own life was indeed more complex than most of ours. But she offers a path of faith-filled satisfaction, built on her wounds and recovery.

The book reads rather like listening to a friend, with diversions and distractions from a well-planned argument, occasional grammatical surprises that fit the authors voice, some confusing bits of narrative easily respected for the authors pleasing tone, and a wealth of fascinating stories, from childhood scrapes, to cruel neglect, to parenthood of her own. There are even tales of the authors 14-year-old self when my mentality was not that far advanced as for wanting to be grown in any sense of the word.

But wounded child becomes woman, marries and has children. Some wounds are born of nurture, others imposed by cruel accident. And a belief that God is in charge and knows what hes doing will certainly help. We can appreciate the difference in others by recognizing ourselves in everyone we meet, embracing the spirit of God in them, and not judging them -- wise advice that separates this book, perhaps, from many of its genre. The author practices what she says and does not judge her mothers gay partner, nor others who might not quite fit into the boundaries of our churches.

Strive to be satisfied is a dark memoir blessed with a generous, forgiving and non-judgmental spirit, telling a tale thats hard to read, and that just might bless a life thats hard to live.

Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I offer my honest review.
2257274
I found  myself quickly immersed in this very human story of sincere ideals and the nitty  gritty of  living  them out across cultural differences and in a faraway beautiful  place.  Medical challenges with their joys and difficulties, relationships with staff and colleagues, communicating with another mentality--- are offset by challenges in the setting:  only a drip of a water supply, generators to deal with for electricity, burglary of anesthetic and other supplies,  roosters in hospital rooms and outdoor toilets to be rescued, washboard roads and flash flood areas...to name a few, all demanding creativity at every level, and all described with story-telling skill.  I also particularly liked the childhood memories that resonated with their own perspective.

 In this atmosphere of  authenticity , the insights of John Toso's  experience stand out, some heartbreaking in the face of limitations, whether inside or out:  the author speaks refreshingly openly.  The overwhelming balance, however, are  of truly meaningful interactions,  extraordinary medical help and the sharing of faith  made possible by this caring, dedicated family and the people who hosted them. Inspiring!
2955946
When an autistic, dyslexic and functionally illiterate individual writes a book, it is surprising. When that book turns out to be the account of an odyssey from a troubled youth, including a suicide attempt and dealing drugs in the underbelly of Chicago, to a successful life as high tech entrepreneur with a warm and happy family, it is fascinating. When, however, the book reveals a spirit of such indomitable integrity that it will not be crushed, no matter how high the cards are stacked against him, it is truly awe-inspiring.

"Dummy" is a beautifully written and riveting read on many levels. It provides an articulate insider's understanding of the subjective experience of autism and how, by dint of incredible dedication on the part of his mother, he was able to penetrate the usual autistic shell of isolation and forge meaningful, and indeed insightful human relationships. It provides sobering testimony to the failure of the school system to understand and cater to his cognitive challenges, making drug dealing a default choice of livelihood.

It is an interesting commentary on society that David couldn't adjust to its social norms of bullying, lies and duplicity, whereas with thugs and criminals he was better able to cope, because at least they said what they meant and he knew where he stood. In the end, what gave David the biggest push toward changing his life was the power of love, but not in any cliched sense of the word. In a dynamic reminiscent of the Prayer of St. Francis, at age 14 he found a young woman even more broken than he was.

Throughout the book there an innocence and sweetness of character that keep shining through the dark events of his youth. After years of incredible trials and despair after his girlfriend's near overdose, he had a spiritual epiphany that changed his life:

"Now I realized that it wasn't about becoming more than I was, but about accepting who I am. I wondered to what degree the life I was living and the world I was living in were of my own making. Were they the result of what I believed the world to be? ... if the world was a place of meaning and my life had a greater purpose than mere survival, then my choices and actions had profound significance. They shaped and defined who I was."

David's story and message are a gift to us all, and I would not be surprised if this book rises to the plane of spiritual classic.
4282839
A touching story about one family's journey with Autism.  This book is unique from other books about Autism in that it the author is both a mother and a psychologist working with children with special needs.  The author beautifully weaves the deeply emotional and sometimes heart-wrenching experience of raising a child on the spectrum with the latest research about causes, treatments, and outcomes.  It is rich with knowledge and perspective that one can only obtain by being both a parent and a professional.  Beyond Rain Man is an honest, moving, and inspirational story about how no parent is perfect, but ultimately unconditional love can triumph.
3516069
I stayed up until 3 a.m. reading this remarkable book, so personal and yet so easily accessible for any reader. The author does a brilliant job writing about his life while moving the story of his mother forward, weaving in and out of events and emotions. I don't know how he managed to clarify all the issues in his head and heart, but he clearly did. I was particularly impressed by the way he described his feelings with such truthfulness and integrity and without the slightest hint of self pity. A wonderful book."
1517651
Sarah Nickerson and her husband, Bob, have a successful if utterly chaotic life. Sarah is the VP of human resources for an international HR consulting firm and Bob works for a struggling technology startup, they have a beautiful house in an affluent Boston suburb, and they rarely have any time that doesn't involve their jobs or their children. While the pressure is staggering, especially after their oldest child, Charlie, is presumed to have ADHD, Sarah knows this is the life she wants to lead. And one day, while looking at an email on her phone, Sarah gets into a car accident and sustains a traumatic brain injury which manifests itself as Left Neglect, in which Sarah's entire left side--of her body and her vision--has vanished from her.

A significant portion of Left Neglected follows Sarah from when she wakes up from her accident through recovery and rehabilitation, as well as the adjustments she and her family need to make. This is a tremendously well-written, heartfelt, compelling book; while you may not be able to identify with Sarah, either pre- or post-accident, the book certainly brought to light for me many "what if" questions. Genova has a PhD in neuroscience and while you may never have heard of Left Neglect, she does a great job of explaining it in layman's terms.

What gripped me about this book, however, is Genova's ability to give voice to what Sarah is thinking as she struggles with recognition that she--and her life--are different following her accident. The battle between type-A Sarah and recovery Sarah is emotional and very interesting, and the people around her behave much as many people do in situations like this. I really enjoyed this book, and found it a little less depressing (although no less good) than Genova's wonderful first book, Still Alice, which dealt with early-onset Alzheimer's. This is a great story and while it's not a light read, it's well worth your time.
Posted by LHH at 7:08 AM No comments:
1264881
As the mother of a child on the autism spectrum, I applaud Sally Pla, not just for writing such a heartfelt, touching story, but for her honest, respectful depiction of Charlie. Charlie has OCD/ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). His routine is suddenly uprooted when his siblings and their mysterious babysitter Ludmila go on a cross-country trip to be with Charlies father in a hospital in Virginia. Charlies world assaults him on their cross country road trip. New smells, foods, people, and experiences are thrust upon him. Along the way, Charlie adopts a three-legged dog that he names after his bird guru hero, Tiberius Shaw; the dog smells, but thats okay. In fact, a lot of things that would have upset Charlie before are suddenly becoming a little easier to bear. Sallys honest writing makes Charlies inner thoughts, anxieties, and compassion ring true throughout this charming page-turner.
2666883
I could not put this book down - a truly compelling memoir of a truly unique life.  Be prepared to open your mind to Philip Smith's unusual upbringing and appreciate the amazing and often mind-boggling experiences that formed his world (how many fathers can "spy" on you via their army of spirit friends?  how many dads cure cancer in their free time?).  For those of us who can only wish to experience even one small part of what Philip Smith did, you may find yourself frustrated with his continued resistance and rebellion to his father's gift.  But ultimately, no matter how "normal" or "abnormal" our childhoods might have been, the lessons and examples set by our parents indelibly imprint themselves on us; and clarity is often only achieved with age and time.  Philip Smith recounts this process in a beautiful, readable manner.  Even those who will find themselves distracted by skepticism about the metaphysical can enjoy this memoir for the more universal themes of growing up, rebelling, and ultimately reaching peace with one's parents.
1282832
Armin Saeger was an activist, social worker, bioenergetic therapist, life guide, and author.  His well-received memoir, Sowing My Quaker Oats, remains available here at Amazon.  It's worth the read.

Daddy, This Is It tells the story of Armin's final days and his passage from this dimension to the next.  It's a story of courage, honesty, and true humanity.  Even as his time here came to an end, he reached out and taught those he loved.

Daddy, This Is It is only one part about Armin Saeger.  It's really the story of Armin's daughter, Julie, how the bond between them grew in his final days, and ultimately how his life and example provided her the guidance and strength to help him as he crossed to the world beyond.

Julie Saeger Nierenberg's account of this time is both heart-rending and inspirational.  There is an integrity and truth in her words; compassion in her voice; and rock solid faith in the compassion she demonstrates by sharing this wonderful story and resources.
1441900
Dorothy Rice's book is smart, meaningful and touching, not just on its immediate subject--the biography of an artist who produces daily through the decades to continue to learn his craft. It is maybe most moving because of her painfully honest re-telling of what it meant to be the aspirational child of a brilliant and mercurial parent. Dorothy Rice achieves something powerful here. I cannot wait to read her next book.
3279215
Change of Plans is an incredibly touching, sad, yet inspiring story of a young woman fighting a terminal illness, and in her selflessness trying to do the last good deed for the sake of her husband and family  find them a new wife and a mother. Gennas courage in the story was indeed worth admiration. The spectrum of emotions that all the family members were experiencing was brilliantly grasped by the author, and it certainly causes a very strong emotional response for the reader as well. The story dwells on the subject of life and death, love and sacrifice, and of course hope, that comes together with Emily.
Change of Plans is a brilliantly written, highly emotional read that will move you to the core. Not your usual love story, but one very much worth reading. Highly recommended!
2927866
This is the story of the friendship between a poor black man and a rich white man.  It's about reconciliation, about the courage to step outside your comfort zone and trust another person, and about not judging people by appearances.  It's also about perseverance, and coming to terms with death and the presence of evil in the world.  It's a fascinating story, and one that you should read for yourself.  I'm not going to give any more of it away than I already have.

It is an autobiography of sorts.  The two men alternate chapters in telling the story of how they grew up, lived their lives in separate worlds - one an international art dealer and the other a homeless man - and eventually met.  That aspect of the book makes it very hard to review, for me.  I don't find it difficult to evaluate (and even criticize) people's arguments or writing styles when I write a review, but criticizing this book - in which both men shared deeply about themselves - would feel as if I were judging these men.  I don't want to do that.  Sure, there were times in the book where I thought, "I would have handled that situation differently," but in the end, who am I to judge?  I didn't live these men's lives.  I haven't gone through what they've gone through.  After all, one of the main messages of this book is to not judge people by appearances.  I can only say, in the end: thank you, Ron and Denver, for sharing yourselves with us, warts and all.  It was touching, and it was better than fiction.

Note: thanks to Thomas Nelson for a review copy.
3764318
Jean Lees memoir Alzheimers Daughter is at once a moving, highly personal and informative account of how the brain-devouring monster simultaneously swallowed up both her parents lives, and a universal story.  It offers solace, through experiences shared, to millions of people currently confronting the same impossible decisions and living through the same heart-breaking moments that this retired American teacher from small-town Ohio has known and of which she writes so well.

For this alone it is worth reading. (It is one of the best individual accounts of living with dementia that I have come across).  But it is far more.  Punctuating the sad, steady (and by now to many of us all-too-familiar) tale of decline due to Alzheimers with poignant wartime love letters between her mother and father, lends Lees memoir an added depth. She reminds us of the broader picture, of the generation-upon-generation that constitutes a family, of the never-ending cycle of life. And it is this that, for me, marks out her book.

Reading her memoir one has a sense of Jean Lees wider life as the working mum of grown-up children and of her position in the broader family. In the midst of the heartache and remorse of taking everything away from parents who had given us everything there are moments of pure happiness, such as at her daughter Susies wedding. Jean describes how her parents Ibby and Ed seemed normal as they laughed and giggled like lovebirds themselves  and with their earlier love letters offering tantalising glimpses of the dewy-eyed young lovers they once were we are reminded of their own rounded selves, the people they were and still are, Alzheimers and all.

Its a point well made when Ed, who survives Ibby by several months and whose dementia has thickened to the point of being a solid wall with only little pinpricks of clarity coming through nears the end of his life. His daughter knows that despite this she has much to learn from him. She puts it like this: The most beautiful part of Dad was what still remained.

Alzheimers Daughter never shies away from the truth. Towards the very end Jean Lees pastor asks her if shes given herself permission to fall apart after Ed dies. Her reply: Absolutely not. I don't believe Ill fall apart, because Mom and Dad will suffer no more. Ive fallen apart for the last ten years. Now Ill put myself back together.

How that resonated with me. As did virtually every line of the book  except to say its author may have been a better Alzheimers daughter than I was. But perhaps we all think that. And perhaps, ultimately, the overriding power of this memoir may be to show us that however flawed we are, however impossible coping with dementia often seems, we aren't alone. Its a beautiful book in which its author not only bares her considerable writing skills but her soul. Do buy it and read it.