Review: True Crime: A Memoir

True Crime: A Memoir by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Postmortem when nobody else was.  My mom bought them in hardback and kept them.  Whenever I came home to visit, I would devour the stack of the latest ones.  It was a love we shared.  It is no shock that I would want to read True Crime: A Memoir by Patricia Cornwell to understand the person behind those books.  To be fair, I have also read the Captain Chase and Jack the Ripper series.  Scarpetta is still my favorite.  

True Crime: A Memoir taught me that while I knew a little bit about Patricia Cornwell, I really had no idea about her and her influences.  I am not surprised that she is multi-faceted.  It is the facets themselves that are intriguing.  I would never have guessed she was so close to Ruth Graham.  Maybe if I had read Ruth's biography I would?  I would not have guessed that writing didn't come naturally or how her writing style is an extension of that discomfort.  It is how we get Scarpetta, and I am quite thankful for that.  

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Review: Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life

Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life by Sharon Blackie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life by Sharon Blackie is a different take on menopause.  It is part memoir, part mythology lesson.  Blackie embraces the concept of the hag as a life choice for middle-aged/elder women.  She would not approve of using senior there.  She explores the depiction of older women through the ages and how we can take what is often a negative stereotype and spin it into something positive.  She intersperses the history and myth with tales from her own life that have led her on this journey.  Best read while wearing a caftan and drinking a cup of tea.  

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Review: Reading behind Bars: A True Story of Literature, Law, and Life as a Prison Librarian

Reading behind Bars: A True Story of Literature, Law, and Life as a Prison Librarian by Jill Grunenwald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ever since my work with correctional institutions in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, I have been very interested in prison/jail reform and enrichment programs.  Even one of my dogs came from a prison rescue program!  Reading Behind Bars: A True Story of Literature, Law, and Life as a Prison Librarian by Jill Grunenwald seemed like a good fit.  This is a memoir and Jill Grunenwald is not perfect.  There are definitely cringe moments, even in the interactions with the inmates.  I liked the inclusion of actual prison regulations at the start of chapters.  I learned some things about prison libraries that may help me make future donations from my own collection.  I enjoyed many of the literary references.  For those who have issues with J.K. Rowling, there are a lot of Harry Potter references in this book.  It was published in 2019, so I give the author some grace for possibly not having the foresight to know how alienating those might be for people.

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Review: Penny: A Graphic Memoir

Penny: A Graphic Memoir by Karl Stevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you like cats in the least bit, you will want to read Penny: A Graphic Memoir by Karl Stevens.  The illustrations are great, but Stevens really gets at the inner life of Penny.  If you have or have had a cat, you have probably wondered what they were thinking.  Cats are often enigmatic.  This is a fun exploration of the cat mind.  

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Review: Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success

Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success by Jeff Hiller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read, rather than listened to, Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success by Jeff Hiller only because it was the version that came off hold from the library first. I think the audiobook version would be great. I don't usually reread books but I would make an exception to listen to this one. If you don't know who Jeff Hiller is, shame on you. You need to get HBO or HBO Max or Max or whatever they call it RIGHT NOW and watch Somebody Somewhere. I will wait...

I love that show so much because I feel like it gets me. I grew up near Lockport, IL where it was filmed. I moved away, saw the world, and now I am back in the Midwest finding my place. It gets me! I wanted to be besties with Joel and now Jeff. I love getting in my steps! But this book is not all about the show or Joel. It is about Jeff and the amazing, hilarious, and delightful person that he is. He should be in all the things because I would watch the hell out of them. When I lived in New York, I went to a debate on Flight vs. Fight specifically because Jeff was on the panel. Can you guess which side he defended? If you read this book, you would know. Have I convinced you yet? Seriously, watch the show, read or listen to the book. You will thank me later.

Bonus points for mentioning my favorite banana pudding place in NYC. And no, it is not Magnolia Bakery!

Extra bonus points for having the same taste in memoirs that I do. Every chapter I was like, I read that one and that one, yep, that one too.

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Review: Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause

Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts is a little bit of memoir mixed in with a lot of information about perimenopause and menopause for those who will experience it at some point.  It is never too early to educate yourself because it can happen much younger than you think as Naomi found out.  I read a lot about this topic, so I was familiar with much of the information.  I did jot down some suggestions though, including her own company focused on products for menopausal women.  It was just nice having another source reinforcing that everything you are going through is normal.  While Naomi is not a medical professional, she packs the book with plenty of experts and good resources to get reliable, factual information.  At the same time, it is easy-to-read and gives you good topics to discuss with your doctor.  

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Review: Cher: The Memoir, Part 1

Cher: The Memoir, Part 1 by Cher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've always been a big fan of Cher.  In fact, I had a Cher Barbie when I was young.  I also had a Sonny instead of a Ken, but even back then, I knew he was kind of an ass.  Cher: The Memoir, Part 1 by Cher confirms my suspicions of Sonny even if she still found a way to love him and co-parent with him.  I thought I knew a lot about Cher, but I clearly didn't know the half of it.  And now that I have read Part 1, I only know half of it.  I'm eagerly awaiting Part 2.  If you love Cher, you will want to dig into this!

Bonus points for no longer wearing fur!  

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Review: Salt, Sweat & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef

Salt, Sweat & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef by Brigid Washington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Readers Copy of Salt, Sweat & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef by Brigid Washington from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.  This book will be published on April 28, 2026.

I was drawn to Salt, Sweat & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef by Brigid Washington for two reasons.  I really wanted to know what it is like to attend the Culinary Institute of America (the other CIA).  I also have lived in the Caribbean and looked forward to indulging in some nostalgia given Brigid's Trini roots.  This book delivered on both.  I drove by the CIA when I visited the FDR library in upstate New York.  I wondered what it would be like to go there.  It has produced so many famous chefs, including Roy Choi (my very favorite).  It looks impressive even from the outside.  Brigid's descriptions of the campus and the courses are incredible.  If I had lots of money, no food allergies, and no aversion to meat products, I would absolutely want to go there.  It sounds intense, but the food sounds amazing.  Brigid also makes sure that her Caribbean heritage is prominently featured throughout the book.  It is important to her and her own food journey.  I was dying for some doubles and sorrel by the time I finished.  It was a reminder that the most meaningful food doesn't have to be fancy.  It is the heart behind it that makes all the difference.  That being said, I couldn't help but smile a bit at the mention of Eleven Madison Park.  EMP is hands down the best food experience I have ever had in my life.  It was fun to see a little behind-the-scenes there.  If you like food or cooking or ever thought about attending culinary school, I suggest reading this book.  

The book isn't just cooking.  Brigid attends the CIA to escape heartbreak and find her path in life.  It was a pretty expensive lesson, but who knows if she would have ended up where she did had she not taken that chance.  I give her props for sticking out what sounded like some really tough lessons.  It seems she ended up in a pretty good place though after all.

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Review: How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay

How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay by Jenny Lawson from Penguin Life via NetGalley.  This book is set to be published on March 31, 2026.

How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay by Jenny Lawson is slightly different from the other books or articles you may have read from Jenny.  Although it does include humor and stories of her life, this is more of a companion for you when times are tough and you need a pick-me-up or to know someone cares about you.  Because Jenny does care about you.  She knows as well as anyone what it can be like when the darkness starts to take over.  The book is segmented to address different times of not being okay.  The introduction of each part will give you examples of when it might be a good time to read that section.  The really nice thing is each "chapter" is fairly short, so you can pick it up and read it in a few minutes to get that refreshing burst you were looking for.  The timing of this book also feels like a gift because even if you don't feel like you have mental health struggles, you may still feel like nothing is okay right now.  This book will remind you that you aren't the only person who feels that way.  

Bonus points for giving the animals in our lives the credit, and snacks, they deserve.

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Review: The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London

The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London by Christopher Skaife
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I recently read a book involving ravens at the Tower of London that recommended The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Raves at the Tower of London by Christopher Skaife because it was used as part of that author's research.  I just happened to own a copy of this but hadn't gotten around to reading it yet.  I decided now was the time!  If you are curious about ravens or the Tower of London, this is a really good introduction.  As the title implies, Christopher Skaife was the Ravenmaster at the Tower of London.  He retired from that position in 2024.  The book has a lot of interesting information about ravens but also about becoming a Yeoman Warder and what life is like for those living at the Tower of London.  Before reading this, I didn't realize people live there.  How cool!  If birds freak you out, this book is probably not going to help with that.  Ravens are crafty.  I already thought they were cool, but this gave me whole new level of appreciation for them.  I will be sure not to confuse them with crows in the future!  This also reinforced my already firm belief that you should not piss off crows or ravens.  They remember faces and can hold a grudge!

If you are looking for an entertaining and informative book about birds, give this a read.  The writing is very accessible for those who don't know much about birds while still providing a fascinating perspective for those who do.  

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Review: One Aladdin Two Lamps

One Aladdin Two Lamps by Jeanette Winterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of One Aladdin Two Lamps by Jeanette Winterson from Grove Press via NetGalley.  This book is set to be published in January 2026.

One Aladdin Two Lamps by Jeanette Winterson is an exploration of life through the art and power of storytelling.  Winterson guides us through One Thousand and One Nights and how it can teach us about ourselves and help us find hope when things are bleak.  Great timing!  It has been a very long time since I read those stories.  It was interesting to revisit them as an adult.  Like most "fairytales," they aren't really for children.  I certainly didn't learn the same things from them as a kid that I took away during this revisit.  

If you are already a fan of Jeanette Winterson, this is also part memoir.  She learned to recognize that she could change her own story.  For me, that was the most valuable lesson of this book.  I am the story.  

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Review: My Year of Really Bad Dates: A Memoir

My Year of Really Bad Dates: A Memoir by Rachel Lithgow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of My Year of Really Bad Dates: A Memoir by Rachel Lithgow from She Writes Press via NetGalley.  It will be published around November 11, 2025.

My Year of Really Bad Dates: A Memoir by Rachel Lithgow is a snapshot of her life as she navigates divorcing, raising children, and trying to get back on the dating scene.  Rachel just confirms my experience with dating at this age.  It sucks.  I also realized that bad dates are almost tropes themselves.  They are universal stories.  I think I have dated some version of every guy she mentioned.  Ugh.  Still, I give her props for sticking with it and for also getting out of the unhealthy.  If you need to laugh rather than cry about your own dating journey, you might want to pick this up.

Bonus points for a cute cat on the cover.  As a crazy cat (and dog) lady, I will say it is not as bad as Rachel thinks.  

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Review: The Third Gilmore Girl

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to The Third Gilmore Girl written and read by Kelly Bishop.  I love watching Kelly Bishop act, so I was sure I was going to enjoy hearing the stories of her career.  What I wasn't expecting was how much I would love Kelly Bishop the person.  As a childless-by-choice woman, it is uplifting to hear someone else tell their story.  But where Kelly really got me was her love of animals.  That's basically my personality.  It was joyful hearing Kelly talk about the furry companions who have filled her heart with so much love.  Finally, I have always loved A Chorus Line but did not know that one of the characters is based on her.  It makes sense though, and I will never be able to watch it again without thinking of her.

Bonus points for Venus.  I have had that companion that I never traveled without.  I get it.

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Review: Cat

Cat by Rebecca van Laer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Cat by Rebecca van Laer from Bloomsbury Academic via NetGalley.  It will be published around October 2, 2025.

Cat by Rebecca van Laer is a standalone book in the Object Lessons series.  Each book in that series focuses on one topic.  Cat is about (surprise!) cats.  More specifically, it is the story of Toby and Gus.  Rebecca shares her experience with cats, these two in particular, and how they have shaped her life experience.  While I loved almost all of the stories, there were a few that I found difficult to read.  If you are very sensitive to animal pain/suffering/cruelty, you will want to approach with caution.  The good thing is it is fairly easy to just skip the uncomfortable bits.  I understand it can be difficult to tell the story of cats without mentioning how they have often been villainized and paid the price for it.  Caveat aside, this is a sweet book for the cat lover.  

Bonus points for including photos of the cats in the book.  

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Review: Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A friend, who kept refencing stories in it, recommended I read Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams.  I have read other tech memoirs and wasn't sure if this would bring anything new to the table.  I was so wrong.  First, I didn't know that Sarah Wynn-Williams is a former diplomat for New Zealand.  Former diplomats represent!  Second, she worked with Sheryl Sandberg, and I have very strong feelings about Lean In.  Not a fan.  I was not surprised to learn that (SPOILER ALERT) rich people feel very entitled.  If anything, this book really brought back bad memories of my former career. I kept thinking "that tracks" with every anecdote.  Wile I use the Zuck's platforms to stay in touch with people, and you might even be reading this on one of them, I don't have any illusions they exist to make the world a better place.  If you do have those illusions, you will want to read this.  If you still believe in Lean In, you will want to read this.  If you want to read about how crazy rich people can be, you will want to read this.  

Bonus points: If my Facebook and Instagram accounts disappear, you know someone read this.

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Review: In the Days of Rain: A Daughter, a Father, a Cult

In the Days of Rain: A Daughter, a Father, a Cult by Rebecca Stott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the Days of Rain: A Daughter, a Father, a Cult by Rebecca Stott is her story, but also her father's story.  Before he passed away, Rebecca's father was attempting to write his memoir.  He got stuck in a period of his life and never finished.  Rebecca honors him by doing the work to finally get the rest of the story down.  It is quite the story!  Rebecca grew up in a religious group that has had many names and splintered factions.  Her father at one point is even in the leadership of the group.  While Rebecca makes peace with her father, he wasn't an angel by any stretch of the imagination.  This book will appeal to anyone who is also interested in non-mainstream religions and cults.  

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Review: Girl Logic: The Genius and the Absurdity

Girl Logic: The Genius and the Absurdity by Iliza Shlesinger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Girl Logic: The Genius and the Absurdity by Iliza Shlesinger is a great read when you need a laugh.  I don't know if straight men will find it nearly as funny although they may recognize mentioned behaviors.  As a fan of Iliza's comedy, I could hear her voice throughout.  And even though I am Gen X, I can still very much relate to the issues she raises.  I have appreciated that she uses her platform to  raise other women up.  She acknowledges that wasn't always the case in her early career, but it is certainly the case now.  If you are in need of a laugh, give this book or one of her comedy specials a try.  

Bonus points for Blanche.  She was very special.  

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Review: Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift

Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift by Farrin Jacobs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift by Farrin Jacobs from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley. It should be published on January 7, 2025.

Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift by Farrin Jacobs is the PURRfect book for the Taylor Swift fan and/or the cat lover.  Some might think this is a children's book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it even though I am 50 years old.  Now, some might say I am a bit biased as I am a Swiftie and a bit of a cat lady myself.  However, I think I looked at this book through an impartial and critical lens.  It was so fun!  The illustrations by Katty Huertas are fantastic and really capture the spirit of this precious trio and their mother. Yes, I read it in one sitting.  Yes, I did go back to look at parts of it again and to enjoy the illustrations. Yes, you should buy a copy for the Swiftie(s) in your life.  They will thank you.  

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Review: Sinéad O'Connor: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations

Sinéad O'Connor: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations by Melville House
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advance Reader's Copy of Sinead O'Connor: The Last Interview: and other Conversations edited by Melville House from Melville House Publishing via NetGalley.  It should be available to the public October 29, 2024.

Sinead O'Connor: The Last Interview: and other Conversations edited by Melville House with introduction by Kristin Hersh is a collection of interviews with Sinead O'Connor that span her career basically from beginning up until her death.  Reading it made me miss her so much!  Not only was she an incredible singer, she always spoke her mind no matter what the consequences could be.  Not enough people do that in the world!  She had a tough life, faced so much criticism, and yet continued to make music that would smack you across the face with its beauty and insight.  She was so much more than the woman with the shaved head, or the person who tore up the picture of the Pope on Saturday Night Live.  If only people went after pedophiles as hard as they did Sinead after she did that.  How dare she call out child abuse!  Make no mistake, in reading these interviews, you can't ignore that much of what Sinead did was to call attention to all the different ways children are abused. She wanted a better world for her children and all children. She was way ahead of her time.  Now excuse me while I go listen to No Man's Woman.

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Review: The Last Dream

The Last Dream by Pedro Almodóvar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advance Reader's Copy of The Last Dream by Pedro Almodovar from HarperVia via NetGalley.  

The Last Dream by Pedro Almodovar is a collection of short stories, mostly fiction although some are/might be autobiographical.  If you enjoy his films, you should enjoy this collection as they explore similar themes and reflect his style. My favorite story was the titular, The Last Dream.  I won't spoil it by telling you what it is about, but it was so moving.  It made me think of my own experience.  I shed some tears.  But not every story tugs at the heart strings.  Some are fun or dark or fantastical.  It is an interesting read because you never know what to expect from the next story.  Of course, you don't need to read them in order.  You could read them however you want.  But definitely read The Last Dream.  And maybe have a tissue handy just in case!

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