Mary Karr’s The Liars’ Club set a new standard for memoirs when it came out in 1995. In it, Karr tells the story of her well-educated, artistic, alcoholic mother and the uneducated, hard-drinking, doing-the-best-he-can dad her mother married as they struggled with life in east Texas and Colorado. It isn’t a story of a financial struggle;Continue reading “Book Review: The Liars’ Club”
Tag Archives: memoir
Book Review: The Glass Castle
In The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls tells of her unorthodox upbringing by her artist mother and inventor father, during which she and her siblings—older sister Lori, younger brother Brian, and younger sister Maureen—survived frequent moves across the country, inconsistent access to school, and long periods of poverty so severe the children had nothing to eatContinue reading “Book Review: The Glass Castle”
Book Review: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
In On Writing, King introduces himself through his early life experiences, suggests what tools I should keep in my toolbox, and then shares what works for him when he writes. His unpretentious writing style made me feel as though King were sitting in my living room, sharing a cup of coffee along with his stories.Continue reading “Book Review: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft”
Book Review: As Is: Confessions of a True Fatty
The author sells herself short in that she assumes all her readers face the same challenges with weight that she describes. In fact, her message is appropriate for anyone who hasn’t yet discovered his or her authentic self. Wagner’s challenge is her addiction to food which she uses to compensate when she feels unappreciated. ButContinue reading “Book Review: As Is: Confessions of a True Fatty”
Book Review: Shooting Saddam
Dennis Lynch tells the story of his three trips between 2005 and 2006 to Baghdad to oversee the videography and recording of the trial of Saddam Hussein and his co-defendants. A well-written account, he relates his impressions of the trip, the environment, and the events with a sense of humor alongside a genuine respect forContinue reading “Book Review: Shooting Saddam”
Book Review: Fourteen
This coming-of-age tale of three years in the life of Leslie Johansen, from age 12 to 15, centers on her father’s planned around-the-world sailing adventure with Leslie and her two sisters, one older and one younger, as his crew. Leslie’s father had sole custody of the three girls after the parents divorced when Leslie wasContinue reading “Book Review: Fourteen”
Book Review: The Accidental Truth
Lauri Taylor’s story of discovering her mother’s secrets and the secrets surrounding her death is masterfully told. Taylor unveils the distress of her mother’s disappearance and then the discovery that her body has been found in Mexico, bringing the reader with her for the suspenseful ride. The death is ruled suspicious, then a murder. Each step inContinue reading “Book Review: The Accidental Truth”
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