My Crazy Beautiful Life / Kesha / 192 pages

In honor of Kesha's 32nd birthday as well as the start of Women's History Month, I thought I'd start off with this autobiography.

The autobiography begins with Kesha at the Galapagos Islands, with only a notebook and a pen.  As she stares out at the ocean, she writes the first word that comes to mind: Warrior.

She goes into some detail with her early life; her mother and older brother were the main inspirations for her when it came to music and songwriting, but plenty of rock musicians between the 1960s and the 1980s helped too.  Working her way to achieve her dream, she had to move from Nashville to LA and work many side-jobs before getting an uncredited appearance in Flo Rida's "Right Round", and even later making her big hit "Tik Tok".  She  calls back to her most memorable tours, from Manchester to Budapest to Rio, closing with the Galapagos Islands and the many thanks to her friends, family, and fans.

I've had some mixed views with this book;  I loved the photography (her brother Lagan did a good job with a lot of them).  However, this book was published in 2012, prior to her admiting that her producer then was a corrupt and horrible person to her, so I was REALLY unnerved by the only-positive bits she writes about him. 

Personally, I'm just glad she left that studio and has improved overall as a result.

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography / Neil Patrick Harris / 291 pgs

Leave it to NPH to come up with this "Choose Your Own Adventure" style format for his autobiogaphy. For the most part, I enjoyed this book. The choose your own adventure format allows you to quickly read through his book in the span of an afternoon and get most of the major plot points of NPH's life story. However, you won't get all of it. For that, you need to sit down and read the book cover to cover and know that you'll be skipping around most of his life, but that's alright. Even then, you still will finish the book in a day with no problem. NPH doesn't WANT you to do that, however, as there are a couple of hidden pages you shouldn't find yourself on UNLESS you read cover to cover.

My only misgiving is that NPH is frank about drug use. Though he says he never used cocaine or heroin, fearing what others might think of him - "There goes a total cokehead!" - he seems quite open about his use of pot, even recounting a time not long ago when he and his partner, David, got some in Amsterdam and lit up in a scary Irish castle that evening. Or he talks about the time he tripped on acid in New Mexico and thought he saw that a tree was made up of frogs hanging from the branches by their hind legs. That wasn't my cup of tea and I found the blasé way NPH refers to his drug use as disheartening.

Read it for the humor, however, don't believe everything you read. 

Imagine Wanting Only This / Kristen Radtke / 278 pgs

Very few books make me want to throw it across the room, burn it, then throw it again. Usually, if I don't like a book, it's because the book is boring or just not that well written. This one made me furious. The only redeeming quality it has is that the artist/author is really good at drawing. It was depressing, navel-gazing, and self-serving. It's autobiographical, and the author chose to capitalize on a sad tale of a man who died tragically, a stranger she didn't even know, without consulting the family of the deceased man to make sure it was okay. Let's just say I won't shed a tear the moment this awful graphic novel is taken out of circulation at my library.

However, if all what I said before doesn't deter you from this book, or has now made you almost morbidly curious, here's a summary of what it is about:

College girl loses her favorite uncle at a young age due to a genetic heart condition that runs in the family. She begins a years-long obsession with ruins, whether they be the ruins of a theater in a dying town, like Gary, Indiana, or Ancient Greek ruins all the way in Europe. Meanwhile, her increasing depression makes her break off an engagement and stop finding meaning in anything in her life, because all of life is just dust and future ruins, doncha know? Interspersed are historical stories that have nothing to do with the author's own life other than to just illustrate the futility of life.

One of my favorite quotes is from Doctor Who, "Sad is happy for deep people." Well, I guess I'm more shallow than I thought because the author's kind of depression was too much for me.

This is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare/ Gabourey Sidibe/ 246 pgs

I don't often (think never) read biographies, but this one intrigued me. Gabourey (I learned this rhymes with cabaret) is an actress, a still young one, but she has thoughts. Funny thoughts. Insightful thoughts. She talks about her childhood (stable but she's a worrier), her parents' possibly illegal marriage (immigration fraud) and eventual divorce, her relationship with both of her parents, and her first job (fascinating). This is a quick, sometimes humorous, always real, read.

True Tails of Baker & Taylor/ Jan Louch / 274 pgs

My second non-fiction book of the year:-) This is the biography of two cats who worked at a small public library in Minden, Nevada. The book was written by one of the librarians who initially brought these two Scottish Fold cats, Baker and Taylor, into the library. The cats were extremely popular with the patrons and staff alike and it was great fun to read about their antics and their different personalities. What sets these felines apart from other library cats is that they became world famous. For those not familiar with libraries, Baker & Taylor is a book distribution company. The cats were named after the company because the librarians were familiar with it. However, once the company caught wind of their furry namesakes, they wanted to use them for advertising. Baker and Taylor grudgingly submitted to photo shoots for posters and promotional items and soon their adorable faces were known the world over. People from across the country even visited the library just to see the cats.

The story of the cats' lives was interesting. At times the librarian veered off into the story of her own life and I have to say I did not find that part as fascinating. Of course, about halfway through the book it dawned on me that cats born in the early 1980s...well, they would no longer be with us:( So by the end I needed a box of tissue. But I have no regrets about reading their story.

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter / Kate Clifford Larson / 320 pgs

What an amazing book all about the Kennedys, but specifically on Rosemary and her heartbreaking life. Rosemary was a beautiful young lady who, unfortunately, never progressed beyond a 4th grade intellect, and who was prone to outbursts and temper tantrums. Her parents moved her from school to school, never really telling the schoolmasters about Rosemary's issues, just leaving it to them to find out. In 1941, Joe Kennedy learned of a newer procedure that would cure people with social and intellectual problems, what we now know as a frontal lobotomy. The lobotomy left Rosemary with almost no speaking or physical capabilities. Over time, she did get better physically, but she was never the same as she was before 1941.

Her story is wrenching and her parents were just so uncaring and preoccupied with political ambition. Towards the end of the book, the reader does start to feel a bit better after learning about the work of Eunice and the oodles of money that were donated to causes for mentally challenged people by Joe, Rose, and the Kennedy children and grandchildren. Still, it seems one person's life had to be sacrificed to help so many other lives. A great book if you want to start to learn about the inner workings of the Kennedy family.

West With the Night / Beryl Markham / 294 pgs

West With the Night is my book club's book for the month of March. Beryl Markham was a real lady who grew up on a farm/plantation in what is now Kenya back in the first half of the 20th century. She was born in 1902 and wrote her book in 1942. She started out her career as a horse breeder and trainer and moved on to flight in her 30s, becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west, which is much harder than flying west to east since you're going against the tradewinds. She very nearly became the first human to do so, but was beaten by a man by a matter of a few weeks.

Although I enjoyed the author's descriptions of Africa and definitely felt her love for the continent, I was disappointed with a few things. First, as you can imagine, colonial thinking was pretty blatant through out. There were times Ms. Markham spoke out against certain practices, like the killing of elephants for their ivory, but at the same time, she took a job in which she flew big game hunters to where they could find elephants and shoot them. She spoke of how she used to be friends with a young African boy, and on equal footing with him, but had no problem that once they were both grown, he showed deference by walking behind her. The author also conveniently forgets to mention that she was married three times, her last name, Markham, was her second husband's surname. In fact, she never speaks of any of her relationships throughout the entire book. When she writes of nights in which she is woken up to bring needed medicine to a dying person hundreds of miles away, she never talks about how these midnight calls affected her marriages.

Those things colored my view of the book, and I found myself really wishing I didn't have to finish it. Though she was a very unique woman, especially for her time, I don't find myself admiring her in the least, and so this is a book I just can't recommend.

Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology / Leah Remini / 228 pgs

This is my second autobiography by an actress in the last couple of weeks. I can't quite compare the two because Carrie Fisher's newest and last book The Princess Diarist was short and only focused on her time making Star Wars and afterwards, mainly focused on the new revelation of her affair with Harrison Ford.

However, I think Troublemaker was so much better. I've been meaning to read this book for a while, but it was her new docuseries, Scientology and the Aftermath that made me actively put a hold on the book and I finally got a chance to read it. I finished it over the course of this weekend. First, I must admit that I listened to the audio book while at home doing cross stitch. Ms. Remini narrates her book and does a wonderfully hilarious job with it. She's a girl from Brooklyn, and so Brooklyn salty language abounds, but I got over it pretty quickly. Ms. Remini goes over her childhood, her family, her introduction to Scientology, her time in the Sea Org, her trials in trying to get cast in 80s and 90s sitcoms, her fame, and her years slowly coming to the realization that Scientology was not all she thought it was. If you are a Scientologist, you will not care for what she has to say about her former religion. However, I loved listening to every minute of it and find that I admire Ms. Remini more and more. She begins the book with acknowledging all of her flaws. I admire her for that as well.

If you're interested in learning more about Scientology. If you like funny ladies. If you want to learn about how crazy Tom Cruise really is. If you want to read an honest account of a flawed human being (and we are all flawed human beings), then get this book and read it, or better yet, listen to it. Highly Recommended!

The Princess Diarist / Carrie Fisher / 257 pgs

Like many others, I wasn't as interested in reading Carrie Fisher's book until she passed at the end of December. Since I am always interested in reading diaries (one of my favorite books is The Reagan Diaries), I thought this must be of interest. Before the book came out in October, I remember being less than impressed with Carrie Fisher revealing her affair with Harrison Ford (then married to his first wife) while they were on the set of Star Wars. I thought it was tacky and tasteless for her to do so while both Harrison Ford and his first wife were still living. It turns out, that if she had not revealed the affair in this book, the secret would have likely died with her.

The book is a bit weird. I've never read Carrie Fisher's writings before, and so I was unfamiliar with her style. It was very stream-of-conscious, which I have enjoyed in novels like The Road and Blindness but found confusing in what was supposed to be autobiographical. Also, there were times it seems Ms. Fisher was an unreliable narrator, acting like she couldn't quite remember how certain conversations go but speculating on them nevertheless. It turns out only about 60 pages of the 250 page book were her writings from the time the first Star Wars movie was in production. The rest is just lead up and aftermath. Obviously, there are times when Ms. Fisher mentions how she wants to be remembered when she dies, the effects of getting old, getting things on paper before she dies, but of course write as someone who had no idea how quickly death was coming for her. At the end, in her acknowledgements, she tells her mom how happy that she is still around and chastises her for an apparent recent health scare. She was never to know that her mom would pass the very next day after Carrie died. An interesting book for those who are interested in the making of Star Wars and want to read something juicy about beloved movie stars. I was less than impressed with her affair, and more interested in how she was doing in those last few years before she died.

Settle For More / Megyn Kelly / 352 pgs

I have dying to read this book ever since I heard that it was coming out. I've been a long time fan of Megyn Kelly's because I perceived her as being one of the most independent journalists on the FOX News Channel.  I've seen her interview tons of people on various shows she has been on, and she doesn't suffer fools gladly. When Donald Trump started going after her last year, I was impressed on how she handled herself. At the same time, I was curious as to her actual political views since the liberals like to accuse her of being conservative and many conservatives like to accuse her of being liberal. To me, that seemed to mark someone who was really good at staying independent.

Her autobiography details her life growing up, her time in college, life as a lawyer, her two marriages, and learning to be a mommy. The language at first seemed stilted, like someone who is more used to writing legal reports than personal narratives, but it seemed to improve as she went along. In her book, Ms. Kelly explains that she was bullied in middle school, but as fickle kids' cliques go, she quickly went from being ostracized by classmates to becoming popular. She applied that lesson when Trump started bullying her last year. Besides talking about Trump, she addresses the issues with Roger Ailes and Gretchen Carlson. At times she names names, but often she doesn't, likely because she still works with the people on FOX, and doesn't want to embarrass them or herself.

I recommend the book for those who are fans of Megyn Kelly or would like to know more about what she calls "The Year of Trump."

Destiny and Power/ Jon Meacham / 836 pp

This biography paints a pretty positive picture of George H.W. Bush - there's no big scandals uncovered. He's lived an amazing life. The youngest WWII fighter pilot to be shot down. Vice-President. President. Father of a President. The author has access to his diaries so you get a sense of what he is thinking at various points in his life. Some surprises are GHWB's opinion of the man who followed him to the White House, Bill Clinton, and how that opinion changed over time.

I listened to this book on a trip and enjoyed getting an insider look at a presidency I remember well.

Crippled America / Donald Trump / 193 pgs

As promised, I've finished reading the other current book by a presidential candidate. This is a short one and I was easily able to finish it in less than 48 hours. As before, I am not going to give you my opinion on the book or its author, and rather just post what the book is about.

Essentially, Crippled America is a campaign manifesto, published just this past November, months after Trump announced his candidacy and even after the first two televised debates took place. Therefore, Trump is able to give his take on how the first few months of the presidential campaign is shaping up. His chapters deal with the media, his views on immigration reform, health care reform, tax reform, education reform, the military and ISIS, and the economy as a whole. He includes pictures of himself growing up and many of his Trump Towers and other holdings, but this isn't an autobiography, unlike Cruz's A Time for Truth. So, if you are looking for Trump's views on politics, this is a starting point, but if you want an autobiography, you probably need to find his The Art of the Deal which I have yet to read myself.

A Time for Truth : Reigniting the Promise of America / Ted Cruz / 400 pgs

I actually read Cruz's auto-biography earlier this year, but I wanted to wait until he was out of the race before posting this. I am looking towards reading a Donald Trump book next, and then either a Sanders or Clinton (or both) book later this year. I am going to only post a summary without political commentary.

In his book, Cruz details the lives of both of his parents before Cruz was born. He then moves on to his own childhood. Cruz talks about how he changed his mind from pursuing a career in computer science (the profession of both of his parents) to law when he was in high school. After going to school at Princeton and Harvard, Cruz talks about his early career, his campaigning for George W. Bush in 2000, which is where he met his wife, Heidi, and his time as a solicitor general of Texas. The second half of the book is about his senate campaign in 2012, what he has done in the Senate since he was sworn into office in early 2013, and then ends with his vision for America in the future.

The Wright Brothers / David McCullough / 320 pgs.

I read The Wright Brothers for the Brown Bag Book Discussion I lead. I've read both The Path Between the Seas and John Adams by McCullough in the past and I really love him. The Wright Brothers did not disappoint. I knew next to nothing about them or their quest to be the first in flight other than the first flight occurred in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. I am now an expert. Wilbur and Orville were two very different brothers, although they both had a wonderful work ethic. However, they didn't reach their goal of flight alone. Their sister, Katherine was a huge help in taking care of their bicycle shop in Dayton. One of their employees, Charles Taylor, actually built the first motor for that plane. Their choice of Kitty Hawk (over just about anywhere else in America) was because of the sand dunes and the wind speed. McCullough did an amazing job once again, and I can only hope he can write a lot more in the years he has left. Highly recommend!

Lost Tudor Princess: The Life of Lady Margaret Douglas/ Alison Weir/ 536pages

The Lost Tudor Princess: The Life of Lady Margaret Douglas written by Alison Weir is a biography of Lady Margaret Douglas, niece of Henry VIII and contender for the English and Scottish thrones.  Weir traces Margaret's life through detailed written documentation including poetry and letters.  Included in the book are maps, photos, and family trees.  Margaret was the daughter of Henry VIII's youngest sister.  Aware of her place in the royal family tree Margaret spends most of her life manipulating marriage contracts for both herself and her children to her advantage.  This activity lands her in the Tower of London on more than one occasion.  Unfortunately, Margaret does not live long enough to see her grandson, King James VI of Scotland elevated to James I of England.  The books includes experts of letters and poems to support the author's take on Margaret's life.  It does not deal in depth with the daily life of Elizabethan England.  On the whole it was an enjoyable read about a less known Tudor even though some area's bog down with documentation.  For more info click here to visit the SCCCLD website.

Yes, Please / Amy Poehler / 329 pgs.

I listened to Amy Poehler's Yes, Please while commuting to and from work the past week and loved it. Poehler talks about dealing with hating how you look in the mirror, childbirth, her start in show business, and trying to get rid of her Boston accent. She's hilarious. Along for the ride are other famous celebrities like Seth Meyers, Patrick Stewart, Kathleen Turner, and Carol Burnett. I highly recommend listening to the audio book rather than reading the book, as there are some extra goodies that the print book just does not have. Besides, the audiobook won an Audie when it came out a couple of years ago. **WARNING** Frank discussion of drug use occurs sparingly throughout but a whole chapter devoted to it occurs on the 6th disc.



As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Princess Bride/ Cary Elwes/ 259 pages

As You Wish, written by Cary Elwes, takes the reader behind the scenes of the Princess Bride.  From screenplay to the 25 Anniversary of the movie' release, Cary, aka the 'Dread Pirate Roberts, aka Westley, shares information on how the project was started, stalled and finally brought to life by Rob Reiner.  Along the way the reader learns how much work went into the 'greatest sword fight in modern times' and how performed with a broken toe.  Cary tells the story through his experience and members of the cast and crew relate their impressions.  Who played the ROUSes?  Which actor had a fear of heights?  What is 'the American'?  If you liked the Princess Bride, now some what of a cult film, you will enjoy this book.  For more information check out the SCCCLD website.

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates/Wes Moore/250 pgs.

There are two Wes Moore's--both were born in Baltimore, lived a few blocks apart, and were raised without a father. In one case, the one Wes Moore's father died when Wes was young; the other Wes's father was absent by choice. It's a fascinating story how choices made, opportunities, and differing support systems resulted in one Wes Moore becoming a Rhodes Scholar, successful businessman, etc., and the other Wes Moore ends up in prison serving a life sentence. It's a timely read, and highly recommended.

Stalin's Daughter: the extraordinary and tumultuous life of Svetlana Alliluyeva/ Rosemary Sullivan/ 741 pages

Stalin's Daughter: the extraordinary and tumultuous life of Svetlana Alliluyeva, written by Rosemary Sullivan is an engaging biography of Stalin's daughter, Svetlana Alliuyeva.  Born in the USSR in 1926, Svetlana grows up in the Kremlin raised by her nanny.  In 1966, after years of  unhappiness and losses in the Soviet Union, she defects to the United States.  Life in the USA brings more sadness and difficulties for Svetlana.  This was an easy to read biography about an interesting woman living in an interesting time.  Near the end of her life, Svetlana has ties to  St. Louis, MO.  For more information and read a likes see SCCCLD website.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns)/Mindy Kaling/222 pgs./April challenge

Mindy Kaling, probably best know for her work on "The Office," and "The Mindy Project" writes a very entertaining celebrity biography. In addition to being an actress and comedian, Mindy is also a writer and producer. She comes across in the book as very down-to-earth, as well as being quite funny. Recommended!