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@thememoirenthusiast
Title: Clear Cut: A Woman’s Journey of Life in the Body Author: Ginny Jordan
The author took us through her experiences by body part... which weren't really interesting or inspiring for me. But she got me thinking, how much of my body determines my womanhood? When left without breasts or ovaries, Jordan allowed me to realize that my purpose doesn't depend on my femininity. We have a life with a unique purpose no matter what our physical body takes form.
Title: My Life as a Traitor Author: Zarah Ghahramani
"May the people of my country who live by the certainties of the mullahs come as one to their senses, pack a picnic lunch, and head for the parks and forests with their wives, their girlfriends, their husbands and boyfriends. May they kiss and gambol into the evening. May their children fall asleep under the stars and awake wondering what joys the day will bring. May Ellie awake with her scarf fallen to her shoulders, and may she smile at the touch of the sun on her hair... Oh, dream on, Zarah!" My Life as a Traitor tells the life in Iran through the eyes of a student and her experiences in prison - the consequences of her defiance to the societal norm and mindset. Bold and honest, that's what I thought of Gharamani. She sought for truth and courage through books and did not conform to the what her society dictates. She built her own principles and admired people selectively. Though she wasn't the typical strong-willed person during painful situations, she was honest about her weakness at the time when she felt dying and alone. Her experience was traumatic and yet she lived on to tell the story. Her hope resounds and it is inspiring.
Title: When Breath becomes Air Author: Paul Kalanithi "At those critical junctures, the question is not simply whether to live or die but what kind of life is worth living." Paul was a man who dedicated his life to literature and medicine. In the course of his life, he sought to understand death through books and patient care. Then came a stunner. He had cancer. This book is really amazing to me as it talked about life in the face of death. How he hoped, how he struggled, how he faced the reality of his situation and maximized his days. It got me thinking, what might change in my day to day if I find out I have a terminal illness. It is certain that we'll all die and soon. It might be on the way home or in our sleep. We don't really know. Somehow for me, knowing what you'd die of and the prognosis of the illness makes dying more cruel. But reading When Breath Becomes Air compels me not to dwell on the ending sense of death, but on the legacy of the life that would be left behind. His life really is an inspiration.
Title: Limbo: A memoir Author: Anne Manette Ansay
At first sight of the book, I got curious how a memoir could be entitled "Limbo". I read the back cover and left still wondering why. I just really had to read what's inside. "But the human body, like the life it leads, is ultimately, a mystery, and to live my life without restraint, to keep moving forward instead of looking back, I have had to let go of that need to understand why what has happened has happened, and indeed, is happening still." This book contains admirable wondering and coming to terms to the unanswerable why. She was able to draw the reader to see her past as a pianist and the changes that happened since the 'disabling'. What I learned from reading this book is this: It is unknown what life holds ahead of us. It may be magical or tragic or simple in all aspects. The suspense allows us to hope and it's our choice that we do. No matter what, life goes on. No matter how uncertain, just hold on.
Title: On the Right Track Author: Marion Jones Very honest and compelling. I am inspired by her virtuousness towards her family, co-inmates, and the people around her. I can read how eager she is to tell other people what she's learned. Her athletic nature of doing her best and being motivated towards a goal shows in the way she writes. It is true that a person need not to fall to learn, it is possible to live in moral goodness from other stories told and lives lived. Great is the God who kept her going and used her for His glory. Thank you, Marion Jones, for writing this book. I praise God for your life!
Title: Aftermath: On Marriage and Separation Author: Rachel Cusk 4/5 stars. An art to fall into, as much as it is a memoir. Thin slice of a creative and figurative analysis. After finishing this, I'm left to my own thinking - to reflect upon aspects of life I've never seen in the way that Cusk has had. Filled with personal and impersonal events in life intertwined in one, Aftermath is written like an harmonious piece inviting the audience to really go into the understanding of the composer's head and perceptions. Having been married and separated, she gives the reader more than a glimpse of what she lives and 'thinks' through. I think, this book isn't emotional at all but is rather full of feelings and I liked that it isn't and is. Nevertheless, it's very engaging.
Title: Plain Faith Author: Ora Jay and Irene Eash I have read an amish-written memoir before which became my introduction to the community. But that book focused only on the simplicity of life and how to minimize living. What's great about Plain Faith is that they described how they were brought up in the community including their values, traditions, belief system, how the services go and how the people commune. I was really interested how they grew up and more in the knowledge of God's word. It truly amazes me how alive and transformative His word is. Their life is a great testimony. I love how they always include scripture at the beginning of their letters. I'm inspired to do the same.
"My story is unique, so is yours. Autism is a major influencing factor in my story, but the people we are is dominant." Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at a late age of 43, Mayocchi writes an account of his discovery of Autism and his life from childhood - coming to terms to what made him the way he is. In fact, as he grows, he has managed to learn (or at least try to) cope by researching, watching social patterns and experimenting on his own behavior. More often he fails, but he has kept on. It involved decisions of being noble and configurations to an extent which I found admirable. At a young age, he already knew he was different. He knew something is wrong with him but he couldn't name it. Having only discovered what his condition really was when he was already an adult, he says it has "resulted in a confusing life in which mistakes have been compounded with guilt". As his life went on, he took turns for the worse even up to a point of severe depression. "Yet I stayed alive, I went to work, I wondered how I could continue," He tells of specific events in his life as a child, as a pupil, as a man, as an employee, as a husband and a father. These give the readers a peek through the mindset of someone in the spectrum. He narrates and keys in his point-of-views which was for me not only interesting and captivating but also informative. In addition to his personal exposé of his life, he quotes various facts, statistics, and articles that provide a bridge to the bigger realm. "To say I'm a fighter is true, I have survived for many years and there is still further for me to go." Big factor there was Cyndella. Their story was truly an inspiration. Another reason to love this book. "She walked into the rain, And loved. She suffered because of his ignorance, But believed. He discovered love, he regained hope, Together they dreamed, She saved his life."
Title: This Thing of Ours: How Faith Saved My Mafia Marriage Author: Cammy Franzese Another 5/5 for me! I usually can't read a book in one sitting. I was surprised I did with this. How do I even start. It's just so inspiring! It caused me to hope that 'everything will work out just fine', to pray-pray-pray! and trust in God. Someday, I hope to be as strong a woman/wife/believer as Cammy and Irma were and be a testimony to the children I might have or to my other friends just as they did.
Title: What's So Funny? Author: Tim Conway I made a list of books with "Funny" in their titles and this is the first that I finished reading. When I saw this in the bookstore, I didn't have second thoughts of procuring. After reading it, I can say it was really worth it. I used to place this on my bedside to read before I sleep. After a while, I realized it definitely wasn't a good idea. Why? Because instead of lulling me to sleep, Tim, with his very funny stories, make me just laugh like I'm hearing him himself talking to me in person. It was really an entertaining book even though I had no encounter of the comedian author in the past. #WhatsSoFunny #TimConway #BookReviews
Title: Call of a Coward (2011) Author: Marcia Moston This is a story of inspiration filled with convictions complicated by circumstances that the author wasn't used to. As a person awaiting a call such as hers, I learned a lot having read her personal experiences. "Bien. I am well. All is well." This was a statement that I stopped at, praising God for His work in her life. Marcia had to face situations as a missionary that she had a difficulty adjusting to but nevertheless, changed her for the better. She came to love the people and understood why God made her go. Overall, her testimony magnifies God and that makes this such a good read. #CallofaCoward #MarciaMoston #BookReview
Title: Escape from Camp 14 Author: Blaine Harden Beyond the fear and thrill, I read of hope in Shin's escape story. I rate this as 5/5 because the author did not simply narrated what happened to Shin with clarity but he also supplied the readers with data, excerpts and facts from different publications, interviews and statistical presentations. The book enables the readers to somehow gauge the reality that happened to Shin as a prisoner and also of North Korea as a nation. The question I face every time I read real life stories is, "What do I do with what I just learned/knew about?" Maybe the answer lies in the opportunities I get presented with or with what I'm ready to pursue head on. Right now, I admit that there is nothing significant that I can probably contribute to the matter. But I'll carry this awareness in my heart for whatever the future may present to me.
Title: The Glass Castle Author: Jeannette Walls It's been a while since I last read a memoir and to restart with this is a good choice. This book was recommended to me by a friend who doesn't really like memoirs but she herself was caught back by the difficulties that Jeannette's family had experienced. I really like their family composition. Rex and MR trained up their children to be tough and to learn from life through the rawest experiences. They love their children despite their flaws and circumstances. The children learned well from books and excelled in school despite being bullied and looked down upon by other children. They knew how to find their own means to survive. They support each other, sometimes not admitting the pain to keep the others from feeling the same. The big twists in their story came about in New York. Suddenly, each of them are living new lives, unhindered by poverty and their past. Overall, I like that Jeanette loved her father, that she did not give up on her family, that she cared for them all, that she worked so hard and that she pursued what she wanted to do. #memoir #reviews #theglasscastle #jeannettewalls
Title: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother (2011) Author: Amy Chua I know quite a number of friends born in a family where either or both of their parents are Chinese. They have varying experiences of being raised - some of them try to live up to their kin's expectations while some were given freedom to do what they want to do. While I was reading Amy's detailed family life stories initially, I felt horror for the children. But as I continued, I began to appreciate the values she upheld and realize more her desire for her children to be the most successful people they could be in their own lines of career. One thing I learn from here is that generations change and people should make certain adjustments to better relate and care for the people of that certain era. I especially liked how Lulu turned out in the end of the book. She pursued what she likes and did not totally abandon what she came to love that is the violin. Really awe-inspiring.
Title: A Work in Progress (2015) Author: Connor Franta The title means to me gracious development. Connor told several stories that allow the readers to secondhandedly understand where he's coming from. From those stories, I was able to relate to him. Though simple, a lot of his 'suggestive advices' are worth highlighting. His honesty and openness in the book also encouraged me to write my own. However, I was not spared from the shock (not disappointment, no) from his revelation at the latter part of the memoir. It just proves true his progress in finding out who he really is.
Title: The Island of the Color Blind and Cycad Island (1997) Author: Oliver Sacks In these islands, certain mystery diseases are common. Causes - whether hereditary, environmental, radiological, or communicable - are still debatable and indefinitely proven. That's the interesting science in the book. However, the unfavorable circumstances that resulted from these diseases have made several people endure long sufferings and limitations. I commend Dr. Sacks for writing about these cases and letting people know that they exist. This is a read for people seeking to learn things but not for people seeking entertainment.
Title: This star won't go out (2014) Author: Esther Earl Such a tearful read. At the back of the room, while class is ongoing, I felt the first pang of pain from this book in the introduction of John Green and Esther's parents. As I continue, I felt a mix of loneliness and hope. Anyone who's at a point of losing their minds to the hardships of life should read this. Esther, at a young age, found out that she has cancer and she fought the pain, sadness and the thoughts of death with LOVE. Separation from such a loving person and a beloved really is painful. Nevertheless, this book is beautiful because despite the pain, life went on with an understanding of the grace of God.