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
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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
This is a very difficult book to cast into a genre. I thought I would be reading the history of poorly constructed architecture which caused accidents or deaths. Instead it felt like the author did look into architecture that sadly cause accidents or led the architect to commit suicide but it is also her feelings on the philosophy of suicide. Charlotte Van den Broeck is a talented author and I enjoyed sections of the book but felt that it
was very different from the book I thought I was reading. 3 stars 1889 Belle Epoque Paris
There lived a woman who wanted to be the queen of Parisian society, loved by all especially the powerful and rich men. She had learned how to use her sex appeal early in life taking lessons from her father who she had more than a close relationship with. Marguerite Steinheil would marry out of necessity and flaunt her charms to live the life she really craved. Meg had a range of lovers from the president of France to the richest and most powerful men in government but that almost didn't save her from a double murder scandal. After her mother and husband are found murdered and Meg tied up but unharmed, her accounts of what happened became more absurd and the police failed to turn up any suspects. Eventually Meg was tried for the murders. A fascinating and strange story of sex, politics and ambition in a time of great abandon in the city of light awash in sin. True crime lovers will be all in as will those who appreciate the lengths that women had to go to in order to enjoy the same freedom as men. 4 stars The story of the American "Jack the Ripper" might pull you in at first but just as interesting is the backstory of the early days of forensic criminal science and the control of corruption and gangsters after prohibition by an unlikely hero, Eliot Ness. 1934 and body parts are turning up all over an area of Cleveland. Police are dumbfounded as they have no clues and no way to connect the human puzzle pieces until the heads are found. Some are fresh and some have been preserved while all have been expertly dissected and dismembered. Was this the act of a mad serial butcher or a disgruntled doctor?
How many bodies were out there and when will the killings stop? Time to call in "The Untouchables" and new anti- crime boss of Cleveland - Eliot Ness. Daniel Stashower gives us all the gruesome details of these murders and the public's fascination with them as well as the headlines of the time and the methods used. One fact I found particularly interesting was how they invited the public to have their fingerprints made during the World Exposition in Chicago which gave the police the first fingerprint data base. The perfect follow up to Eric Larson's DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY. 4 stars |
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