RaveBooklistRyan’s short chapters act as memories and moments filled with reflection, bursts of emotion, or in some cases, mystery. Ending with Ryan’s delightful wink to his readers, The Queen of Dirt Island is a touching tribute to the strength of motherhood, female companionship, healing, regret, and forgiveness.
Kerri Ní Dochartaigh
PositiveBooklistDeeply personal ... Woven throughout is the connection between the destruction of the natural world and the turmoil that has plagued the Irish border and her own growth ... Ní Dochartaigh’s unique writing moves between a personal journey of healing, the fragility and importance of the environment, and a powerful call for peace.
Sara Freeman
RaveBooklistFreeman’s prose is beautiful and translucent. Mirroring the ebb and flow of water, short paragraphs leave lots of empty spaces on the page, enhancing the emotional gut punches latent in the text, while moments of heightened action run uninterrupted. In the end, Mara continues to carry her old and new pains but ultimately reasserts herself, promising readers a glimmer of hope and new beginnings.
Stevie Van Zandt
PositiveBooklistVan Zandt’s bravado shines through his prose, and he’s refreshingly honest as he takes readers through his many professional triumphs and disappointments. Sprinkled throughout are a truly impressive history of rock and roll and entertaining digressions about famous friends in the music and film industry that will appeal to all readers. Known as the \'Underboss in the E Street Band,\' Van Zandt is front and center in this wild, fun memoir.
