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In 2000 Patrick Bringley was 25 and working for the New Yorker as a journalist at the cusp of his career when two things happened - his brother died from cancer and he realized he hated his job. This is when he went for an interview for a guard's position at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and found two things - peace and fulfillment. A beautiful memoir of family, grief and finding your passion in an unexpected place. Patrick's decade spent at the museum not only gives us an inside look at one of the world's most phenomenal places but also a new way to experience art and art lovers. This is a must read for New Yorkers and museum groupies but also for those of us that seek beauty from the past as a way to explore our own soul. 3 1/2 stars 
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Being a fishing Captain in Iceland is not high on my list of ideal professions with the harsh climate and even tougher economic conditions not to mention that it is not something most women do. This is exactly what one woman did in the late 1700's and excelled making her one of the most talented and heroic fishing Captains of all time. The living conditions were miserable and her family along with others in a very remote part of the island were struggling between starvation, disease and freezing. Conditions and the danger of fishing were considerable as well and many men were lost each season at sea. This story is just as much about fishing as it is what life was like for women during this time. Not an easy read for those who can get tangled up in Icelandic names but fascinating. 3 stars  The moving story of a doctor who has devoted his life to understanding and truly helping the homeless population of Boston. Dr. Jim O'Connell took a different approach to treating those who needed help the most but couldn't find ways of obtaining it. He found that most of the people he was trying to help were caught in a spiral of not knowing where to go for help, not having a way to get there and not having someone to advocate on their behalf. His warm and constant caring approach has earned him the trust and thanks of hundreds of people over the years. This book is a moving tribute to the man and his quest. 3 1/2 stars  There are only a handful of books about mothering that will have 60 year old grandmothers shouting in agreement as much as their daughters and some granddaughters are. This is one of them. While we have made some improvements in the workforce we have not taken any great strides in correcting the misconceptions and reality of becoming a mother. The author takes us through her pregnancies, births, hidden costs and adjustments where she found herself in a hostile environment trapped between guilt and frustration at not being able to live up to the "super mom" myth. Social media, the work culture and dealing with the guilt of staying at home and giving up a successful career you have spent time and money creating to the guilt of trying to have both and failing at both. The author gives a no frills honest account of what she sees as an impossible situation with unattainable goals. The odds are stacked against new moms and it is just one jenga piece away from falling down. 4 stars  A cat and mouse chase in Liverpool England to prevent the amassing of ships for the Confederacy. Nothing like the gift of a gunboat to cement a friendship with Jefferson Davis and get much needed ships back to the U.S. to free the South from the Northern blockade. Thomas Dudley, the lion, is the unlikely U.S. Council in Liverpool who created a spy network to find and thwart James Bullock's, the fox, attempts to purchase and build ships. He was very persistent yet always seemed one step behind. This is the hidden world of spies, arms smuggling and underhanded ship building from the author who brought us the story of the first spy ring initiated by General George Washington. A good fit for history buffs and those who are fascinated and appalled by conditions in Dicken's Liverpool. 4 stars  This in depth biography begins with childhood acting jobs and run ins with studio bullies that shows how tough this young woman had to be to survive and how that toughness helped make her who she was. She loved well in all her eight marriages but none more than Richard Burton. The author used a multitude of information sources to present this well rounded look at a film legend. This is the unvarnished portrait of the woman we thought we knew from her films and who was so much more. 4 stars  As a plus size child and adult Evette was constantly told that her weight was the fault of her being lazy. Even after being diagnosed finally with severe asthma and pulmonary disease (a broken heart) many of her doctors still led with the advice to lose weight instead of treating her ailments. We know that larger people are socially shunned and mocked both by children and adults alike and this is not a new story but Evette adds the medical aspect and encourages taking charge of your own care. Due to the medicine she was taking as a young girl her body matured faster than her years and she had to deal with traumatic abuse from her classmates and others. It is this loss of innocence and backward medical care that robbed her of years of her life yet even with sharing this her story remains hopeful. 3 1/2 stars  Rabia Chaudry is known for her popular podcast and legal work but she will attract many new fans with this memoir. Born in Pakistan and raised in the U.S. Rabia began her childhood lean and with much family attention in Pakistan but fell prey to the lure of abundant, unhealthy fast food in the states. As soon as she discovered the joys of eating whatever she wanted, whenever she needed an escape, her weight and dependance on comfort through food increased rapidly. Her family became anxious and worried the worst may happen - that no man would want to marry her. And marry she does in a disastrous first marriage. Even after putting herself through law school while raising young children she still felt her weight was a high hurtle she had no idea how to jump. This is an honest and open hearted love letter to food, its power over us and all the hellish punishments we put our bodies through combined with delicious commentary on culture and cuisine complete with her favorite recipes. It turns out body image and managing family expectations are pretty universal. 4 stars  31 ordinary people who made major strides in the creation of this magnificent city - their stories along with background of what the city was like at the time provide insight with a broad timeline. These are somewhat average people who you probably haven't heard about before and some of their contributions seemed insignificant at the time but they added to the progressive spirit and character of New York City. Most were immigrants or first generation Americans from artist's muses to politicians to criminals and their victims or those whose one voice stood out for justice amidst so many. Sam Roberts, as the obit writer for the NEW YORK TIMES provides an interesting history lesson that is a must for every resident of New York or those interested in New York as an example of how immigrants made this country what it is today. 3 1/2 stars  It is amazing to me the high limits we have for human cruelty and racial/ethnic injustice. At a low period in our history during WWI and years after we stopped welcoming the world's downtrodden and shut the flow of immigrants we had welcomed with open arms. At the same time a world at war and mob mentality made us suspect our European neighbors(especially German) and Black Americans with renewed fervor. Workers looking for a better life who spoke out were tortured or worse and mobs treated any organized meetings with violence. It is also the story of a young J. Edgar Hoover and his collection of spies and informers creating fear to control the masses. The pace is good and considering how much information is shared, it is very readable. Historians as well as political aficionados will appreciate how similar this is to current day. 4 stars
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