Kid Konnection: Hey, Kiddo

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a terrific graphic novel.

Summary: In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka's teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett's family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and in and out of Jarrett's life. His father is a mystery. Jarrett doesn't know where to find him, or even what his name is. Jarrett lives with his grandparents. Two very loud, very loving, very opinionated people who had thought they were through with raising children until Jarrett came along. Jarrett goes through his childhood trying to make his non normal life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing even as so little is being said to him about what's going on. Only as a teenager can Jarrett begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father. Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive. -- Scholastic

Looking back at Book Expo, one of the highlights was getting a signed copy of HEY, KIDDO: HOW I LOST MY MOTHER, FOUND MY FATHER, AND DEALT WITH FAMILY ADDICTION by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. I have been a big fan of the Lunch Lady series for years; and when I found out that the author had written a memoir about his childhood, I just knew it would be something special!

HEY, KIDDO is truly a wonderful graphic novel about Jarrett Krosoczka's complicated childhood. His mother was an addict, who was absent for long periods from Jarrett's life; and he didn't really know his father at all. He lived with his maternal grandparents who undoubtedly loved him, but weren't always the easiest people to life with.

As Jarrett grows older and becomes more aware of his family situation, he begins to realize the truth about his parents. He learns to accept his mother and he even begins to have a relationship of sorts with his father. Despite all of this things, Jarrett does his best to just be "normal," and in the process, he finds that his love of drawing helps him not only survive, but thrive!

Words cannot express how much I adored HEY, KIDDO. This graphic novel has fantastic illustrations (of course!), but I was truly blown away by how these drawings were able to convey the different characters' emotions. I'm not a huge reader of graphic novels (although I do enjoy them when I pick one up!), and I guess I didn't realize just how intense they can be.

It certainly didn't hurt that Mr. Krosoczka had a powerful childhood story. His situation was definitely complicated; and it's a true testament, both to him and his grandparents, how he was able to use art to cope. I found Mr. Krosoczka's strength to be admirable, and I think middle graders and high schoolers will find much to appreciate in this story.

However, it's how much this book has the potential to help children in similar situations that really makes HEY, KIDDO so amazing. Mr. Krosoczka's story is not only heartwarming, but it also shows children that it's possible to get through difficult times with a good support system. Furthermore, it's also possible to get through difficult times if you find something inside of yourself that can make you happy, like Mr. Krosoczka love of drawing.

HEY, KIDDO has already been chosen as a 2018 National Book Award Finalist, and I honestly can't think of a book (or author) that is more deserving. Highly recommended!

I received a copy of HEY, KIDDO at the 2018 Book Expo.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Review: My Ideal Bookshelf

Summary: The books that we choose to keep --let alone read-- can say a lot about who we are and how we see ourselves. In MY IDEAL BOOKSHELF, dozens of leading cultural figures share the books that matter to them most; books that define their dreams and ambitions and in many cases helped them find their way in the world. Contributors include Malcolm Gladwell, Thomas Keller, Michael Chabon, Alice Waters, James Patterson, Maira Kalman, Judd Apatow, Chuck Klosterman, Miranda July, Alex Ross, Nancy Pearl, David Chang, Patti Smith, Jennifer Egan, and Dave Eggers, among many others. With colorful and endearingly hand-rendered images of book spines by Jane Mount, and first-person commentary from all the contributors, this is a perfect gift for avid readers, writers, and all who have known the influence of a great book. -- Little, Brown

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing with you some great gift-giving ideas for the book lovers in your life. The first book I "discovered" is MY IDEAL BOOKSHELF, art by Jane Mount and edited by Thessaly La Force. It's actually perfect for book lovers, and it's as gorgeous as it is interesting!

MY IDEAL BOOKSHELF is terrific for nosy readers like me. (I prefer inquisitive, but I think nosy is probably a better description!) I'm one of those people who believe I can tell so much about a person based on their reading tastes. In addition, I am always on the lookout for book suggestions to add to my huge book wish-list. One of the first questions I always ask authors when I meet them or have the opportunity to interview them is, "What is your favorite book or who is your favorite author?" And if I ever have the chance to meet any celebrities, I'm sure I'd ask them the same question.

And that's the beauty of MY IDEAL BOOKSHELF -- it's a collection of book recommendations from famous people! Actually, MY IDEAL BOOKSHELF  has essays by over one hundred pop culture icons, including authors, musicians, artists, actors, producers, and more, about their favorite books. These first person essays were put together by Jane Mount based on interviews with the subjects; and naturally, they are as unique as the individuals who "wrote" them. Some talk about how particular books have changed their lives, while others discuss their favorite authors.

I was so caught up in learning what some of my favorite celebs had to say about their ideal bookshelf that I initially just focused on reading their essays. However, I found that I kept stopping to look at the beautiful illustrations by Thessaly La Force. Ms. La Force created colorful renderings of book spines for each contributor's bookshelf. I knew that I was attracted to the cover of the book, but it was the inside artwork that really captured my attention. I enjoyed the illustrator's interpretation of each bookshelf -- some were very organized while others were arranged more haphazardly. Either way, she did a wonderful job of capturing the "personality" of each celebrity's book collection.

On a personal note, I found many of the essays to be interesting; however, I did have a few favorites. I thought Judd Apatow's was pretty funny, and Roseanne Cash's touched my heart when she talked about her relationship with her father. However, I have to say that I most appreciated the various authors' bookshelves. I absolutely loved reading about their favorite books and how these books influenced not only their personal lives, but also their writing styles.

In conclusion, THE IDEAL BOOKSHELF is a gem of a book; and I think book lovers will appreciate this wonderful tribute to the importance of books.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

Review: January First

Summary: Michael Schofield’s daughter January is at the mercy of her imaginary friends, except they aren’t the imaginary friends that most young children have; they are hallucinations. And January is caught in the conflict between our world and their world, a place she calls Calalini.  Some of these hallucinations, like “24 Hours,” are friendly and some, like “400 the Cat” and “Wednesday the Rat,” bite and scratch her until she does what they want.  They often tell her to scream at strangers, jump out of buildings, and attack her baby brother. 

At six years old, January Schofield, “Janni,” to her family, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, one of the worst mental illnesses known to man.  What’s more, schizophrenia is 20 to 30 times more severe in children than in adults and in January’s case, doctors say, she is hallucinating 95 percent of the time that she is awake. Potent psychiatric drugs that would level most adults barely faze her.

A New York Times bestseller, January First captures Michael and his family's remarkable story in a narrative that forges new territory within books about mental illness. In the beginning, readers see Janni’s incredible early potential: her brilliance, and savant-like ability to learn extremely abstract concepts. Next, they witnesses early warning signs that something is not right, Michael’s attempts to rationalize what’s happening, and his descent alongside his daughter into the abyss of schizophrenia.  Their battle has included a two-year search for answers, countless medications and hospitalizations, allegations of abuse, despair that almost broke their family apart and, finally, victories against the illness and a new faith that they can create a life for Janni filled with moments of happiness. 

A compelling, unsparing and passionate account, January First vividly details Schofield’s commitment to bring his daughter back from the edge of insanity.  It is a father’s soul-baring memoir of the daily struggles and challenges he and his wife face as they do everything they can to help Janni while trying to keep their family together.  -- Crown

JANUARY FIRST: A  CHILD'S DESCENT INTO MADNESS AND HER FATHER'S STRUGGLE TO SAVE HER by Michael Schofield is not a book that I'd typically read. While I do enjoy the occasional memoir, books about mental illness and children aren't ones that I usually seek out. However, I was definitely intrigued by the description of JANUARY FIRST. In addition, I've seen some marvelous reviews for this book popping up around the book blogosphere.

JANUARY FIRST is a father's story of bringing up a young daughter with schizophrenia. Michale Schofield and his wife always knew that their daughter Janni was a difficult child. She was restless, prone to tantrums, and seemed to live in her own little world. As a parent, I realize that those descriptions can describe many, if not most, children (mine included!); however, these conditions in Janni were extreme. So extreme, that she would even try to seriously harm her baby brother when he cried.

For two years, her parents tried to get Janni some help, but doctors were hesitant to give her "disease" a name. In addition, their insurance company's rules were such that it was hard to have Janni kept under observation for more than a few days. Janni was finally diagnosed with schizophrenia and doctors began trying to find a combination of drugs that would help Janni have some relief from her pain and suffering. Ultimately, the Schofields had to find ways (some rather drastic and unconventional) to deal with Janni and keep their family together.

Naturally, JANUARY FIRST is a tragic story about a family on the edge and it broke my heart. That's not to say that there are moments of hope, but overall I found it very difficult to read about Janni's behavior. My heart went out to the entire Schofield family because no one is equipped to handle a situation like this; and I felt frustrated that they had to battle their insurance company time and time again just to get Janni the help she needed. I just kept thinking the entire time I read this book that something this tragic could happen to any of us... any time; and I quite honestly don't know how I'd handle it.

However, I have a feeling that I'm going to be in the minority when I say this, but I am very torn about whether I "liked" the book. Of course, the subject matter is horrific so "like" is an odd choice of words to use, but I just found that I thought the book was just "okay." That's not to say that I didn't devour the story because I read it very quickly -- it was almost like a car wreck in that I didn't want to look at it, but I couldn't help myself. Rather, I just had some general issues about the writing and how the story was told. For example, there were a few occasions when major incidents would just seemingly come out of nowhere -- with little, if any, explanation. It's possible that I missed an earlier reference, but I just thought something was off with the pacing and/or flow of the book.

In addition, I had a very hard time relating to how the Schofields handled Janni's behavior; and there were even a few times when I registered disbelief over Mr. Schofield's story. I feel horrible for saying that considering what the Schofield family has been through; and I know I couldn't have handled things any better if I had had a child like Janni -- who am I to even question what they tried to do to save their daughter? It's just that I felt as if I were missing some aspects of their total story.

JANUARY FIRST would make for a very interesting book club pick. There is no doubt that this book generated a lot of different reactions from me (including rage, disbelief, disapproval, and sympathy), and I'm sure my friends would feel similarly. I can only imagine the discussions we could have about parenting, mental illness, and health care -- all very controversial subjects!

Overall, JANUARY FIRST was a fascinating read, albeit a disturbing one. I recommended to fans of memoirs and readers who enjoy books about mental illness. If you'd like to learn more about Michael Schofield's story, you can check out his blog Jani's Journey.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book.

Review: Man Made

Summary: The smudge looked suspicious. The doctor confirmed: "That's the baby's penis!" Joel's reaction? Pure panic. "I pictured having to go camping and fix a car and use a hammer and throw a football and watch professionals throw footballs and figure out whether to be sad or happy about the results of said football throwing." And so begins Joel's quest to confront his effete nature whether he likes it or not (he doesn't), by doing a 24-hour shift with LA firefighters, going hunting, rebuilding a house, enduring three days of basic training with the Marine Corps, and going into the ring with UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture. Seeking help from a panel of experts, including his manly father-in-law, a racecar driver, Boy Scouts, former NFL star Warren Sapp and some celebrities, he expects to learn that masculinity is not defined by the size of his muscles but by the size of his heart. This is not at all what he learns. -- Grand Central

I first learned about MAN MADE: A STUPID QUEST FOR MASCULINITY by Joel Stein in my go-to source for books -- Entertainment Weekly. MAN MADE is Mr. Stein's personal story about his attempts to do "manly" things in preparation for the birth of his son. I thought the premise behind this book sounded so original, and I was really looking forward to reading it. In addition, I knew that Mr. Stein was a columnist with a reputation for being controversial (more on that later!) so I figured this book had the potential to be outrageous and most likely funny!

And MAN MADE was all of those things and more. I did enjoy MAN MADE and I thought Mr. Stein was a very funny guy. When I sat down and read just the Introduction, I had a feeling that I was in for a treat. I enjoyed Mr. Stein's self-deprecating humor as well as his writing skills, and I couldn't wait to read about his adventures.

First and foremost, MAN MADE is a seriously funny book. Mr. Stein is the first to admit that he's not the most manliest of men, so when he found out that he was going to have a baby boy, he decided that he better start becoming one. Not only did he want to be able to teach his son these lessons, but he also figured it would help him to bond with his boy -- pretty good intentions, right? Well, Mr. Stein's pursuit of masculinity turned out to be very funny! I found myself laughing quite a bit at Mr. Stein's quests and the situations he found himself in.

I even appreciated how the book was laid out. MAN MADE is divided into eleven chapters which tell the various stories of Mr. Stein's attempts to become more masculine. Some of the activities he pursued include hanging out with firefighters, going hunting, and basic training with the Marines. He also hung out with some professional athletes, boy scouts, and even an expert on scotch. Even the titles of the chapters were humorous. For example, the first chapter tells the story of when Mr. Stein went to boy scout camp... as a grown man; and it's called Surviving the Outdoors. Another chapter tells about his attempts to learn some basic do-it-yourself things around the house and it's called Building Shelter. It's probably just me, but the chapter titles made me chuckle.

I have to admit that I thought the first half of MAN MADE to be much funnier than the second. I find that this happens to me a lot when I read humorous memoirs. I don't know if I got used to (or tired of) the author's humor or whether I was just more interested in his earlier attempts to be a manly man. I also think I tend to read books very quickly and I might have appreciated MAN MADE more if I had read just a few chapters at a time rather than the entire book in a few hours.

While I did find MAN MADE to be very entertaining, I have to say that the book also touched my heart. While the premise was quite funny, I do think the author really did want to be a good father to his son. I appreciated that each of his adventures taught the author a thing or two about himself. And by the end of the book, Mr. Stein had definitely learned that a man doesn't have to be manly to be a good father. It's much more important that a son sees how much his father loves him (and his mother.) So overall, MAN MADE truly did have a wonderful message for men and especially fathers.

I mentioned earlier that Joel Stein had been a bit controversial throughout his career. As a mother to a child with food allergies, I most definitely was aware that he had written an article for the L.A. Times where he questioned the severity of food allergies. I remember the outrage and I admit that I felt a little bit of resentment towards him. In an extremely unfortunate set of events, Mr. Stein learned that his young son had an anaphylactic reaction to nuts; and he was forced to reevaluate his statements and make an apology. I know some of the food allergy moms felt some sort of vindication, but personally, I would never wish life-threatening food allergies on anyone! I appreciated that Mr. Stein addressed these events in MAN MADE, and personally, I think his candidness shows that he did "man up."

MAN MADE is a hilarious look at one man's attempt to become more masculine, but it's also an interesting look at what our society considers to be manly. I think many men out there would benefit from reading Mr. Stein's story.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

And Happy Father's Day to all of you dads out there!

Guest Review: American Sniper

Summary: He is the deadliest American sniper ever, called “the devil” by the enemies he hunted and “the legend” by his Navy SEAL brothers . . . 

From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more than 150 of Kyles kills (the previous American record was 109), but it has declined to verify the astonishing total number for this book. Iraqi insurgents feared Kyle so much they named him al-Shaitan (“the devil”) and placed a bounty on his head. Kyle earned legendary status among his fellow SEALs, Marines, and U.S. Army soldiers, whom he protected with deadly accuracy from rooftops and stealth positions. Gripping and unforgettable, Kyle’s masterful account of his extraordinary battlefield experiences ranks as one of the great war memoirs of all time. 

A native Texan who learned to shoot on childhood hunting trips with his father, Kyle was a champion saddle-bronc rider prior to joining the Navy. After 9/11, he was thrust onto the front lines of the War on Terror, and soon found his calling as a world-class sniper who performed best under fire. He recorded a personal-record 2,100-yard kill shot outside Baghdad; in Fallujah, Kyle braved heavy fire to rescue a group of Marines trapped on a street; in Ramadi, he stared down insurgents with his pistol in close combat. Kyle talks honestly about the pain of war—of twice being shot and experiencing the tragic deaths of two close friends. 

American Sniper also honors Kyles fellow warriors, who raised hell on and off the battlefield. And in moving first-person accounts throughout, Kyles wife, Taya, speaks openly about the strains of war on their marriage and children, as well as on Chris. 

Adrenaline-charged and deeply personal, American Sniper is a thrilling eyewitness account of war that only one man could tell. -- William Morrow

When AMERICAN SNIPER: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE MOST LETHAL SNIPER IN U.S. MILITARY HISTORY by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice arrived on my doorstep, I immediately thought of my dad. I thought he might enjoy this autobiography about the deadliest American sniper in U.S. military history, so I decided to share it with him. Here are his thoughts:

When I started reading Chris Kyle’s AMERICAN SNIPER, the first thing that came to mind was LONE SURVIVOR by Marcus Luttrell which I reviewed last year.  Chris Kyle and Luttrell were Navy SEALs, each lived in Texas and aspired to a military career at a very early age, each fought in the War on Terror, each lost close comrades in battle and each described the bravery of our military.  Both stories are about heroism, patriotism and self-sacrifice.

Chris Kyle begins his autobiography by briefly describing his pre-military life and then moving on to his experiences in becoming a Navy SEAL and the horrors of Hell Week.  It was amusing and ironic to learn that Kyle hated the water.  Kyle then goes on to tell the reader about his training to become a sniper and his four deployments to Iraq over a ten year period.  KYLE talks about his numerous sniper kills but does not try to glorify them.  An interesting aspect of his sniper career is that he worked with other branches of the U.S. military such as the Army and Marines.  It was also interesting to learn that U.S. snipers work without spotters and all “kills” must be witnessed.

The stories Kyle tells give the reader a view of war that is not told by the media.  The stories relate to the sacrifices and demands our military men and women make to protect our country.  The stories that describe the deaths of two of his closest friends and of his being wounded twice are accounts that will capture the hearts of any reader.  The veil of invincibility that Kyle portrays throughout the book was certainly challenged by these events.  

An interesting element of the book is the brief personal accounts of Kyle’s wife, Taya, describing the strain of war on their marriage and children.  These are spread throughout the book as a contrast to some of Kyle’s military stories.  Both Chris and Taya openly discuss the difficult adjustments that arose during home leaves and after retirement from the military.

Kyle also spends some time talking about the hazing, hell raising and bar fights that seem to be a not-so-glamorous right of passage for Navy SEALs.  The “rough” language used throughout the book may leave some readers uncomfortable. 

AMERICAN SNIPER is not the best written story but is Chris Kyle’s deeply personal account of his experiences as the most prolific sniper in U.S. military history.  This is what makes AMERICAN SNIPER a worthwhile read. 

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book and for Booking Pap Pap for his insightful review.

Guest Review: Lone Survivor

Summary: Four US Navy SEALS departed one clear night in early July 2005 for the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border for a reconnaissance mission. Their task was to document the activity of an al Qaeda leader rumored to be very close to Bin Laden with a small army in a Taliban stronghold. Five days later, only one of those Navy SEALS made it out alive.

This is the story of the only survivor of Operation Redwing, SEAL fire team leader Marcus Luttrell, and the extraordinary firefight that led to the largest loss of life in American Navy SEAL history. His squadmates fought valiantly beside him until he was the only one left alive, blasted by an RPG into a place where his pursuers could not find him. Over the next four days, terribly injured and presumed dead, Luttrell crawled for miles through the mountains and was taken in by sympathetic villagers who risked their lives to keep him safe from surrounding Taliban warriors.

A born and raised Texan, Marcus Luttrell takes us from the rigors of SEAL training, where he and his fellow SEALs discovered what it took to join the most elite of the American special forces, to a fight in the desolate hills of Afghanistan for which they never could have been prepared. His account of his squadmates' heroism and mutual support renders an experience that is both heartrending and life-affirming. In this rich chronicle of courage and sacrifice, honor and patriotism, Marcus Luttrell delivers a powerful narrative of modern war. -- Little, Brown

Note: This review was written by my dad.

With all the current interest in the Navy Seals after the Bin Laden adventure, I asked Booking Mama if I could write a review for LONE SURVIVOR: THE EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF OPERATION REDWING AND THE LOST HEROES OF SEAL TEAM 10 by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson, a book I had read more than a year ago. Luttrell was the sole survivor of a 2005 Navy SEAL mission in Afghanistan which claimed the lives of three of his combat partners.

The book begins with the difficult task of Luttrell informing family and friends about the death of loved ones. The book then goes back to the beginning of Luttrell’s story of the SEALS and his training. Marcus and his twin brother had always wanted to be SEALS and began training at age 15 with a former U.S. Army soldier. Luttrell then uses the grueling period of training known as “Hell Week” to describe some of what he and his brother endured to become SEALS. He does a fantastic job telling of the mental and physical toughness it takes to make the grade.

Luttrell then describes Operation Redwing where he and three other SEALS were dispatched into the rugged Afghanistan Mountains to capture or kill a well-known terrorist aligned with Osama Bin Laden. After being spotted by some goat herders who apparently revealed their location, the SEALS were surrounded by a band of as many as 200 Taliban soldiers. After several hours of fighting three of Luttrell’s team were killed. During the fighting a distress call from one of the SEALS led to a helicopter being sent in for a rescue attempt. Unfortunately the helicopter was shot down resulting in the death of eight more SEALS and eight Army special force members. Despite being wounded several times, Luttrell somehow survived and was rescued by a group of Pashtu villagers who cared for and protected him for several days until he could be rescued. Luttrell’s detailed account of the story is remarkable. He was even able to recall the exact locations where each members of the team lost his life. Each body was later recovered.

In January, 2010 I had the opportunity to hear Marcus Luttrell’s first hand account of his mission. As Marcus continuously paced the stage during his presentation one had the feeling that he was reliving the experience. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Marcus Luttrell was not a polished speaker but was telling the story from his heart.It was not an experience he enjoyed and he thought he would never have to tell this story again after he wrote the book. But I’m sure he tells the story over and over in memory of his fallen comrades. All proceeds from book sales go to the Lone Survivor Trust whose mission is to welcome home, empower and restore America’s wounded warriors, their families and surviving families.

LONE SURVIVOR is an action packed and patriotic story about a brave group of men defending their country. I recommend this true story to anyone who wants to better understand the dangers and sacrifices our military members go through each day in the fight against terrorism.

Thanks to Booking Pap Pap for his very relevant review of LONE SURVIVOR.

Review: At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream

Summary: Finally fed up with the frenzy of city life and a job he hates, Wade Rouse decided to make either the bravest decision of his life or the worst mistake since his botched Ogilvie home perm: to uproot his life and try, as Thoreau did some 160 years earlier, to "live a plain, simple life in radically reduced conditions."

In this rollicking and hilarious memoir, Wade and his partner, Gary, leave culture, cable, and consumerism behind and strike out for rural Michigan–a place with fewer people than in their former spinning class. There, Wade discovers the simple life isn’t so simple. Battling blizzards, bloodthirsty critters, and nosy neighbors equipped with night-vision goggles, Wade and his spirit, sanity, relationship, and Kenneth Cole pointy-toed boots are sorely tested with humorous and humiliating frequency. And though he never does learn where his well water actually comes from or how to survive without Kashi cereal, he does discover some things in the woods outside his knotty-pine cottage in Saugatuck, Michigan, that he always dreamed of but never imagined he’d find–happiness and a home.

At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream is a sidesplitting and heartwarming look at taking a risk, fulfilling a dream, and finding a home–with very thick and very dark curtains. -- Three Rivers Press

I think I might have mentioned that my reading time has really fallen by the wayside these past few weeks. I've been swamped with holiday preparations, plus both kids have been home... do I really need to say more? So I decided that it was the perfect time to pick up AT LEAST IN THE CITY SOMEONE WOULD HEAR ME SCREAM: MISADVENTURES IN SEARCH OF THE SIMPLE LIFE by Wade Rouse. This memoir is a collection of adventures (or misadventures as the title states) that the author and his partner experience when they decide to leave the big city and move to rural Michigan. I found this book to be laugh-out-loud funny and highly entertaining -- and exactly what I needed to read right now.

I admit that the premise of Mr. Rouse's story was appealing to me. He decided to quit his job, move to a very small and very rural town, and lead a "simpler" life... kind of like Thoreau. My husband and I kind of did the same thing when we left Washington, DC and moved to Central PA, but I'm the first to say that it was no where near what Mr. Rouse and his partner Gary did when they upped and moved to the country. I could no sooner imagine living without my Starbucks and shopping, then well....they could have. I thought I might be able to relate a little bit, but nope! Not even close! Mr. Rouse's experiences were absolutely, positively side-splitting. There were even a few times that I think I might have snorted...like the raccoon story.

I do think Mr. Rouse and his partner's experiences were funny; however, Mr. Rouse's writing actually brought this book to the next level for me. His voice is smart, witty, and occasionally a bit snarky. In addition, he has a unique ability to make fun of himself. But what I really appreciated about this book was how these adventures (or misadventures) actually changed Mr. Rouse's life. It's pretty obvious that living in the country would drastically affect a man; however, I loved how it improved his writing, his relationship with Gary, and even his perspective on life. While the overall tone of the book was very funny, there were also some poignant and heartwarming parts that definitely touched my heart.

AT LEAST IN THE CITY SOMEONE WOULD HEAR ME SCREAM is a hilarious book but also one that just might make you a little bit about your own life and your priorities. This book should so be made into a movie! Highly recommended!

Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book.

Review: Open

Summary: Far more than a superb memoir about the highest levels of professional tennis, Open is the engrossing story of a remarkable life.

Andre Agassi had his life mapped out for him before he left the crib. Groomed to be a tennis champion by his moody and demanding father, by the age of twenty-two Agassi had won the first of his eight grand slams and achieved wealth, celebrity, and the game’s highest honors. But as he reveals in this searching autobiography, off the court he was often unhappy and confused, unfulfilled by his great achievements in a sport he had come to resent. Agassi writes candidly about his early success and his uncomfortable relationship with fame, his marriage to Brooke Shields, his growing interest in philanthropy, and—described in haunting, point-by-point detail—the highs and lows of his celebrated career. -- Vintage

I'm always up for a good memoir and OPEN by Andre Agassi most definitely fits the bill. I had read the rave reviews about this book when it first came out in hardcover, but unfortunately I never got around to reading it. I so regret waiting this long because OPEN will probably be one of my favorite books of 2010. I can't really say that I remember reading a better memoir than this one. Agassi's life story was fascinating and the writing was excellent; however, I think it was Agassi's "openness" and honesty that really blew me away.

I wasn't always an Andre Agassi fan, though. I thought he had an awful temper and was more worried about his image than winning tennis matches. In fact, for many years, I was probably more of a fan of Pete Sampras', Agassi's arch rival. It wasn't until Agassi was a little older (and more of an underdog) that I came to actually find myself rooting for him. And towards the end of his career, like many Americans, I had warmed up to him and considered him the most exciting player in American tennis.

So I admit that I picked up OPEN, I already had a soft spot in my heart for Andre Agassi. I knew he had his fair share of ups and downs both professionally and personally, but I respected his ability to turn his life around. And I really appreciated how much time and money (over $85 million) Agassi has spent on the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy for underprivileged children. I kind of knew that it would be one of those stories that would just warm my heart.

And I was right -- I absolutely loved Agassi's story as well as almost everything about this book. I read it over a weekend and couldn't put it down. My poor husband probably knows more about Andre Agassi than he ever cared to know. This truly is a book for fans of tennis, but also anyone who loves a good story.

I was immediately hooked on OPEN from the first few pages. The book begins with a scene titled "The End" and it's an extremely powerful chapter. To be honest, I was really, really impressed with the writing. So much so that I turned to the Acknowledgments section to see if Agassi really penned this book by himself (I was thinking that he could have had a career as a writer if that entire tennis gig didn't work out.) I wasn't totally surprised to see that he had some help in the form of J.R. Moehringer, author of THE TENDER BAR (another really great book, by the way.) Even though there was another writer, the book was still entirely Agassi's story. OPEN read as if Agassi was just having a conversation with a friend, and I thought it was filled with the same passion and intensity that we came to recognize in Agassi's on-the-court actions.

And that brings me to the next reason that I loved this book so much -- Agassi was so incredibly honest... and open. (I have to add that the title is absolutely perfect!) Agassi doesn't hesitate to delve into the many problems he had in his life from his relationship to his father, to his drug problems, to dropping out of high school, to his failed marriage to Brooke Shields, to the ups and downs of his career, to his insecurities about his hair (or lack thereof), and even to his hatred of the game of tennis. As I read this book, I couldn't help but feel bad for Agassi because for so much of his life, he seemed like a tortured soul. Even though it seemed like he had it all -- fame, fortune, etc., I don't think he found true happiness until he met his wife Stefanie Graf.

Agassi's story is an incredibly interesting one, but at its heart, I thought this memoir was extremely uplifting. Throughout Agassi's entire life, he struggled with accepting himself and finding some sort of contentment and happiness. With the support of some wonderful people that wouldn't give up on Agassi (or let him give up on himself), Andre Agassi was able to turn around not only his career, but also his entire life. Despite Agassi's amazing life and career, I think OPEN resonates with readers because we learn that he isn't really all that different than many of us. And personally, I found his story to be one that inspired me -- especially when it came to his perseverance and how much he gives back to his community.

Needless to say, I adored this book (and I admit that I love Andre Agassi now too!) Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book.

Review: Marriage and Other Acts of Charity

Summary: In her award-winning memoir Here If You Need Me, Kate Braestrup won the hearts of readers across the country with her deeply moving and deftly humorous stories of faith, hope and family. Now, with her inimitable voice and generous spirit, she turns her attention to the subjects of love and commitment in MARRIAGE AND OTHER ACTS OF CHARITY. As a minister, Kate Braestrup regularly performs weddings. She has also, at 44, been married twice and widowed once, and accordingly has much to say about life after the ceremony. -- Reagan Arthur

I'm going to preface this review by saying that MARRIAGE AND OTHER ACTS OF CHARITY by Kate Braestrup is not a book that I'd normally pick up. I tend to read a lot of fiction; and even though I enjoy the occasional memoir, I'd rather read something about a celebrity (I know, I know... how terrible is that?) And that's one of the reasons that I am so glad that I joined the Reagan Arthur Books Challenge. It "forced" me to read a book that was totally out of my element. And guess what? I really, really liked it!

I am finding it difficult to articulate why I enjoyed this book so much. I have never read a non-fiction book on marriage, and I didn't pick up this book with any expectations that it would "fix" anything. (Oh my, that didn't sound right. I have a wonderful husband and a really good marriage so it's not like we need "fixing.") I'm not even sure if I had much in common with the author. All I know is that I just enjoyed reading about the author's life experiences and her wonderful insights into everyday life, love, and relationships.

Kate Braestrup is the chaplain for the Maine Warden Service. She is also a mother and wife. She has had life experiences that I can only begin to imagine including losing her husband when he was killed in a traffic accident while on duty as a state trooper. She was suddenly left all alone with four young children. I absolutely loved how she showed all aspects of their marriage -- the good, the bad, and the ugly. I also really liked how she allowed the reader to see her pain, her healing process, and finally her new love.

While I was definitely hooked on the author's story, I think my favorite parts of the book were her insights on everything from marriage, to love, to relationships, to parenting, to friendship, to religion, to God, etc. I rarely do this, but I found myself quoting bits of this book to my husband because so many of her thoughts just echoed either what I feel or what I want to feel. I was so surprised (in a very good way) by how much this book touched my heart and caused me to evaluate myself. MARRIAGE AND OTHER ACTS OF CHARITY was extremely inspirational to me.

One thing that concerned me a little bit when I picked up this novel is how the author's voice would come across. I mean she is chaplain and I wouldn't have been surprised if the tone was a little preachy. I am so happy to say that this book was anything but preachy, and I was so impressed with the author's writing style. I thought this book was very well written (at times, her prose was beautiful and at the same time powerful), and I absolutely loved how she was constantly giving me something to think about.

I realize that MARRIAGE AND OTHER ACTS OF CHARITY isn't for everyone, but I actually thought it wasn't for me either. I encourage you to take a chance on this book even if you don't think you'll appreciate it. You just might be pleasantly surprised by how much this book will affect you.

Thanks to Kathy (aka Bermuda Onion) for sending me a copy of this book.

Guest Review: My Paper Chase

Summary: In My Paper Chase, Harold Evans recounts the wild and wonderful tale of newspapering life. His story stretches from the 1930s to his service in WWII, through towns big and off the map. He discusses his passion for the crusading style of reportage he championed, his clashes with Rupert Murdoch, and his struggle to use journalism to better the lives of those less fortunate. There's a star-studded cast and a tremendously vivid sense of what once was: the lead type, the smell of the presses, eccentrics throughout, and angry editors screaming over the intercoms. My Paper Chase tells the story of Evans's great loves: newspapers and Tina Brown, the bright, young journalist who became his wife.

In an age when newspapers everywhere are under threat, My Paper Chase is not just a glorious recounting of an amazing life, but a nostalgic journey in black and white. -- Little, Brown & Company

It's been awhile, but Booking Pap Pap is back with another great guest review. This time, he's talking about MY PAPER CHASE: TRUE STORIES OF VANISHED TIMES by Harold Evans. I just knew when I read this description that this book sounded like on that he'd appreciate. Here are his thoughts:

MY PAPER CHASE is the memoirs of Harold Evans, one of the most recognized newspaper editors of the twentieth century.

Mr. Evans takes the reader through his childhood in a war-torn England, into his newspaper career culminating as editor of the Sunday Times and The Times of London and finally into a brief account of his more than two decades in the United States.

The author describes his youth in significant detail and gives a good understanding of his humble beginnings. Nothing came easy for Evans as his yearning for an education took him through grammar school and passing the Matriculation Boards, through Business College where he learned typing and shorthand, and later through university life at Durham, the third oldest university in England. The stories of a young Harold Evans recount in vivid detail his memories of school, friends and home life. His descriptions of bombing raids and food rationing give a glimpse of the bleak grey life in England during World War II.

The centerpiece of this autobiography is Evans’ newspaper career. Eva’s first newspaper job in 1944 at age 16 was as a junior reporter for a small newspaper. Except for three years in the Royal Air Force and three years to attend university, Evans worked continually in the newspaper industry finally reaching the pinnacle of his career in 1966 becoming editor of the Sunday Times. Evans was probably best known for his investigative reporting and grassroots journalism, newspaper practices he identified as important while briefly traveling and studying journalism in the U.S. in the mid-1950s. Evans gives the reader a picture of the U.S. in the 1950s as he describes his experiences in New York after arriving, his time in Chicago living at the International House at the University of Chicago and observing the Suez crisis and the McCarthy hearings and his time in the Deep South and West observing the strife of the Native Indians and Blacks.

Harold Evans generated a powerful list of investigative stories and editorial crusades during his tenure in the newspaper industry. Amazingly, he did this in an environment where British law could be a deterrent to this style of reporting. Among those described in great detail in the book were: pollution in North East England, the thalidomide and pap-smear controversies with the English Minister of Health, the conflict in Northern Ireland, the atrocities in East Pakistan, the crimes of Uganda leader Idi Amin and the murder of David Holden, foreign correspondent and suspected spy.

Evans goes to great length in discussing the thuggish trade unions and their role in the decline of the Sunday Times and the Times and there sale to Rupert Murdock in1981. After the acquisition of the Sunday Times and the Times by Rupert Murdock, Harold Evans was named editor of the Times only to be fired by Murdock one year later.

Evans moved to the U.S. with his second wife and had a successful U.S. career, albeit not in the newspaper industry, culminating as president and publisher of the Random House. There he had the opportunity to associate with influential people such as Marlon Brando, Richard Nixon, Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan. Unfortunately Evans does not discuss his career in the U.S. in the same detail as his life in England and misses the opportunity to share with the reader his impressions of these unique individuals.

In MY PAPER CHASE, Harold Evans illustrates his love of the newspaper business and gives the reader his insights into the world of journalism in a very entertaining way. He gives his account of what responsible journalism really is and describes a time in the history of newspapers when they were really important. Even though it took me a while to adjust to Evans’ writing style, MY PAPER CHASE is well worth the time it takes to read it.

Thanks to the publisher for sending a review copy of MY PAPER CHASE and to Booking Pap Pap for his interesting review.

Review: My Life in France

Summary: Julia Child single handedly awakened America to the pleasures of good cooking with her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and her television show The French Chef, but as she reveals in this bestselling memoir, she didn't know the first thing about cooking when she landed in France. Indeed, when she first arrived in 1948 with her husband, Paul, she spoke no French and knew nothing about the country itself. But as she dove into French culture, buying food at local markets and taking classes at the Cordon Bleu, her life changed forever. Julia's unforgettable story unfolds with the spirit so key to her success as as a cook and teacher and writer, brilliantly capturing one of the most endearing American personalities of the last fifty years. -- Anchor

My book club decided to read MY LIFE IN FRANCE by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme for our December meeting. You can read more about our discussion here. I was thrilled when the book was chosen because I had already read JULIE & JULIA and I had even seen the movie (and I never see movies) with two members of our group. I absolutely adored the movie, and I especially enjoyed the Julia Child/Meryl Streep parts. It was a natural extension that I wanted to learn more about the woman -- Julia Child.

I vaguely remember seeing Julia Child on television when I was a young girl, but I don't remember much beyond her very distinctive voice. While many households owned copies of Julia Child's cookbooks, ours was not one of them! I really knew little, if anything, about her before picking up JULIE AND JULIA. But once I saw the movie, I was definitely charmed by her vibrant, larger-than-life personality.

This book was such a treat to read! I loved it each and every page! I found the book to be very interesting, and I even liked seeing how the movie portrayed Julia versus how she appeared to me in the book. This book really had to so much to offer the senses -- from the food and wine details to the descriptions of France. In addition, it also touched my heart because it gave some insight into the relationship between Julia and her husband Paul.

I really can sum up this book by calling it a love story! But it was a love story on so many levels. Not only did Julia realize that she "belonged" in France and she really did appreciate almost everything about the country, but she also discovered that cooking and writing cookbooks was what she was destined to do. In addition, she found her true love in her husband Paul. They had a very special relationship built on mutual respect! How very fortunate Julia was to get to live out her passions each and every day.

I have to admit that I was much more interested in getting to know Julia Child that I was with all of the French recipes. I felt the same way when I read Julie and Julia! I just don't think I have "an appreciation" of French food. Most of the meat recipes sounded absolutely disgusting to me; however, the dessert and bread recipes sounded wonderful! I guess that tells you what I like to eat.

I wasn't sure how MY LIFE IN FRANCE would translate into a book club discussion, but it did. I'm not going to say that it was our best, most thought-provoking meeting of the year; however, I think we were all excited by the book and did manage to talk about the book (and the recipes) for quite awhile. There is no doubt that we all enjoyed the book, and I actually think we caught some of Julia's joie de vivre! The publisher doesn't have a reading guide, but we did find some questions here.

I'm not entirely sure you can tell how much I enjoyed this book! Needless to say, I highly recommend MY LIFE IN FRANCE! It would make a wonderful gift too!

December 2009 Book Club Meeting

Summary: Julia Child single handedly awakened America to the pleasures of good cooking with her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and her television show The French Chef, but as she reveals in this bestselling memoir, she didn't know the first thing about cooking when she landed in France.

Indeed, when she first arrived in 1948 with her husband, Paul, she spoke no French and knew nothing about the country itself. But as she dove into French culture, buying food at local markets and taking classes at the Cordon Bleu, her life changed forever. Julia's unforgettable story unfolds with the spirit so key to her success as as a cook and teacher and writer, brilliantly capturing one of the most endearing American personalities of the last fifty years. -- Anchor

A few nights ago, The Preschool Moms Book Club met to discuss MY LIFE IN FRANCE by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme. I absolutely loved the book, and I was very anxious to hear what my friends thought. Everyone seemed to enjoy the story (although a few were surprised that they liked it.) We actually found a great deal to talk about, and I think our meeting was a wonderful way to end the year!

What would a book club meeting be without food? And since we read a book about one of the most famous chefs of our time, our hostess decided to make a Julia Child recipe for chocolate mousse. It was absolutely delicious, and she swears that it wasn't difficult to make! We haven't had many "themed" meetings in our seven year existence, so I definitely appreciated the book and food tie-in! I think we should try to do more of that in the future.

For the past few holiday seasons, our book club has done a "Yankee Swap" -- I guess it's becoming a tradition. Each of us takes a new or used book that we want to share, wraps it and brings it to our last meeting of the year. At the end of our meeting, we take turns picking out presents to open. We can either pick a wrapped gift or steal from another member if we really want a book that has already been opened. It is always a lot of fun! I ended up with two books this year (bonus!) -- THE RUSSIAN CONCUBINE and THE GIRL FROM JUNCHOW by Kate Furnivall.

In January, we will be reading THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson. I have been wanting to read this book for so long, and I'm really excited that I now have the perfect excuse! Of course it is on the long side of what we normally read for book club, so I'm going to have to give myself some extra time.

I'm pretty sure that I'm going to enjoy THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, but I'm not sure if the book will lend itself to a good book club discussion. Sometimes the books that we like the most aren't the best discussion books -- you know what I mean? I did breathe a little sigh of relief when I found this reading guide.

Summary: An international publishing sensation, Stieg Larsson's Girl with the Dragon Tattoo combines murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue into one satisfyingly complex and entertainingly atmospheric novel.

Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pieced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption. -- Vintage