PositiveLibrary Journal... delightful and entertaining ... She writes mouth-watering descriptions of the foods of her Pakistani heritage and her adopted American life that gave her joy and brought her family together. She also includes recipes at the end of the book for some of the dishes she raves about, which is a treat for readers. Her hilarious anecdotes about her large and supportive family are relatable to any reader with zany relatives, and she fills out the narrative with descriptions of Pakistani culture, traditions, and her highs and lows as she emerges as the advocate and self-assured figure she is today.
Linda Kinstler
PositiveLibrary JournalAt times, there is an abundance of information, narratives get confusing as they skip around timelines and countries, and readers will occasionally forget who’s at the center of the book, but Kinstler enthralls audiences as clues are revealed.
Alice Sedgwick Wohl
PositiveLibrary JournalWohl’s hyper-focus on Edie’s time in New York with Warhol seems a little tedious but does offer a perspective on how groundbreaking Warhol was and how Sedgwick was involved in his art making ... This is a good recommendation for those who like to read about family dynasties, the mid-century modern New York art world, or people who have a lasting fifteen minutes of fame.
Kendra Allen
PositiveLibrary Journal... reads like a stream of consciousness work of her child-self, grasping at concepts just beyond her understanding but processing them as best she can as she grows. She reacts to the adults around her and describes traumatic events from her childhood in ways that a child would, making the reader not quite recognize what has happened until the realization drops suddenly. The point-blank observations of her younger self cut to the core with their honesty. The memoir is not told chronologically but builds circularly, revealing more of the writer and her background from different angles. It’s a penetrating look at life with divorce, sexual assault, crushes, family strife, and school drama all factoring in. The conversational tone, with poetic cadences, help the reader quickly engage and understand the writer’s background and culture ... This memoir is troubling and difficult at times, but also candid and familiar. Recommended for general collections.
Ann Hood
PositiveLibrary JournalNovelist Hood’s delightful memoir of her stint as a TWA flight attendant in the late 1970s is full of amusing trivia, hilarious stories, and all the warmth of her novels ... n engaging memoir perfect for fans of Hood’s and readers interested in aviation history or who love a good coming-of-age memoir.
Geoff Dyer
PositiveLibrary JournalInteresting trivia and thought exercises for readers. Dyer pontificates on his own life’s endings, bringing in a memoir appeal, but also relates stories from the sports worlds of tennis and boxing ... While structured loosely into three parts, each vignette connects into the next as a kind of meandering train of thought, giving the reader ample room to question how we are remembered and how an ending can be altered and perceived, all while enjoying the commentary. At times the book seems a little random, but Dyer leisurely ties it all together with humor and inquisitiveness and offers a satisfying collection of reflective essays on life and memory that can be read with pauses to think ... Recommended for general collections, but probably has more appeal for older readers.
Nell McShane Wulfhart
RaveLibrary Journal... engaging ... has an eye-opening anecdote on every page; even the union negotiations are entertaining and informative ... Wulfhart’s book demonstrates how the stewardesses’ labor fight affected the state of modern American employment and helped enshrine many of the workplace rights women have today ... Recommended for readers of women’s history and histories of the airline industry, and anyone looking for an engaging and entertaining read.
Brian Morton
RaveLibrary JournalA son\'s loving and hard reflection of his mother ... Morton’s writing is conversational and engaging throughout, offering a vivid portrait of a sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-challenging relationship between a mother and son ... This is a charming and sad memoir, reminding readers of life’s inevitabilities, the beauty of the journey, and the lesson to hold on to those close to them with a fierceness.
Kathryn Schulz
PositiveLibrary Journal... a charming and relatable portrait ... Schulz collects profound insights into love, how relationships develop and grow, and the new things we continue to find in loved ones, even after they’re gone ... Overall, the narrative is somewhat philosophical and perhaps a little cerebral, as it discusses loss and seeking, but it’s full of curiosity and a great deal of love and compassion that readers will relish. Recommended for most libraries and an excellent book club selection.
Lucy Adlington
PositiveLibrary JournalAdlington brings new research to many decades of Holocaust studies ... The book gives a solid overall impression of life in Auschwitz-Birkenau (including how hierarchies were formed and how prisoners coped), and relays insights about high-ranking Nazi officers and their families, especially their wives who also benefitted from and profited off the work of the imprisoned seamstresses. Adlington posits the importance of clothing among both guards and inmates, in a rich historical narrative that relies on extensive primary sources and includes archival photographs of some of its subjects ... This book’s staggering accounts of inhumanity can be difficult to read, but the incredible stories of Holocaust survivors and the lives they built during and after the war are worth it.
Arthur Herman
PositiveLibrary JournalThe entire book is interesting and thoroughly researched, but most readers (perhaps especially those of Scandinavian descent) will be particularly interested once Herman’s narrative reaches U.S. soil, where familiar historical figures and events begin to factor in ... As in Herman’s previous books, his writing is engaging and accessible and will engage fans of popular history. It doesn’t aim to be an in-depth, exhaustive history, but rather offers some highlights and bite-sized narratives that make it an excellent armchair read.
Liz Brown
PositiveLibrary JournalThis is a rags-to-riches story, weaving in well-known celebrities and familiar events, that will keep readers wondering what could happen from one page to the next. The author offers plenty of backstory, allowing for a deeper appreciation for the actions of the book’s main figures, and their motivations ... This is a definite must-read for fans of early Hollywood, and those interested in LGBTQ history, with plenty of scandals and gossip to grab interest.
Sharon Stone
PositiveLibrary Journal... sincere ... [Stone\'s] candid writing brings readers into her life before and after her stroke ... Her writing is conversational and engaging, especially as she tells the powerful stories that demonstrate resilience and grit in many facets of her life, from her childhood to her acting career and beyond. She warmly embraces and explains the aspects of her spirituality—especially her path toward Buddhism—that have guided her through life and provided comfort when she needed it the most. At times, the narrative seems to meander, but Stone never loses sight of the things that keep her centered—faith and support from loved ones ... A welcome memoir of finding your way when life doesn’t go according to plan. Stone’s vulnerability and rediscovery will resonate with many readers.
Mark Henick
PositiveLibrary JournalHis memoir is eloquently written, able to evoke a wide range of reactions as we follow along his journey of discovering and better understanding his mental health struggles ... While it may be a difficult read for some, this book is a wonderful and redemptive prize to finish. A definite recommendation for those who want to better support their loved ones with mental health issues, and a great start for further discussion.
Jeffrey H. Jackson
PositiveLibrary JournalWhile the first part deals in some amount of speculation on the author’s part, piecing together stories of other subversive actors on the Channel Islands and those who knew the women, the latter half is rooted in primary documents and spotlights these unsung heroes of the Nazi resistance. Well-chosen photographs help place the women and their lives in context ... This is a satisfying contribution to World War II scholarship, highlighting a sophisticated, cultured, and still grassroots resistance effort. Recommended for public libraries.
