Pretty much anything from my favorites here. These are all books that I couldn't put down.

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This thread is old. I'm just barely catching up on old threads. I love memoirs and have been reading quite a few lately. I didn't even notice that I was doing so until my daughter pointed it out. :lol: Here are some of the memoirs I've read, many of which I love, and some of which were just okay. I've rated/reviewed them all.

Jane, you're most welcome and I'm happy to hear that you liked it. Yes, this is certainly not an upbeat book and it's certainly not for everyone. Few books are!

Robin, thank you for these wonderful links and book suggestions. :) I've read several on the GR links and it's nice to find more suggestions.

Robin, "The Source" is one of my favorites. I'm going to look into the other titles that you mentioned. I read Day - 2 Stars - I was disappointed with this one even more than I was with “Dawnâ€. “Night†is powerful and the other two are a definite let-down and depressing. I cannot understand why these three books are part of a trilogy. The last two are a bit muddling and all over the place. I almost abandoned both of them. MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

Yes and I wouldn't hesitate for one moment.

I read All Things Bright and Beautiful - 5 Stars - What can I say? I simply love James Herriot. He was an absolute natural with story-telling. This book, just like his first, is heartwarming and puts the reader through an entire gamut of emotions. MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

Stacia, I'm so very sorry.

I read Dawn - 3 Stars - This is a follow-up to Night, which I found to be a bit odd. It’s not that I didn’t like “Dawnâ€, I did and it definitely affected me emotionally, but “Night†is much better. It’s the only book in the trilogy that’s a memoir, so obviously the styles are different. I wonder what “Day†will be like. I plan on reading that soon. MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

I loved this and plan on reading it again.

Robin, thank you for another wonderful thread. :grouphug: I read Night - 4 Stars - I read this incredibly powerful memoir several years ago and decided to re-read it since I didn’t even know that this is part of a trilogy, the rest of which I plan on soon reading. Elie Wiesel was fifteen when he was taken with his family to concentration camps. The story is obviously heart-wrenching to say the least. I didn’t give it 5 stars, since there are other holocaust-type books that I have found to be more compelling, “Mausâ€, for example. Nonetheless, I think that all of these books should be essential reading. A tragedy like this should never be repeated. My Name is Mahtob - 5 Stars - This is a wonderful follow-up to Betty Mahmoody’s books, “Not Without My Daughter†and “For the Love of a Child.†In fact, of all three books, this one is my favorite. I loved reading the story from Mahtob’s perspective and could hardly put it down. I found it very engaging from the beginning and I went through it quickly. Mahtob strikes me as a beautiful, compassionate soul who, despite all that she has gone through, seems to feel no bitterness whatsoever. Her resilience and faith are incredible. Some of my favorite quotes: “As hard as I fought to hold on to my anger, to continue to hate my dad, the tugging of the good memories eventually found an inroad to my heart. No one is all good or all bad. The reality that my father would forever be a part of me was inescapable. A big part of making peace with myself was rediscovering the good in him and claiming that as my inheritance. The act of forgiving wasn’t like flipping a switch—forgiven . . . unforgiven . . . forgiven . . . unforgiven . . . forgiven.†“It was baffling to me that some people viewed our story as an anti-Iranian or anti-Muslim statement. That simply was not the case. The story is nothing more than an account of a piece of my family’s journey. If anyone reflects poorly on Iran and Islam, it is my dad for doing what he did, not Mom or me for talking about it. Even so, it’s unfair to judge Iranians or Muslims by my dad’s behavior.†Finally, when she talks about her struggles with Lupus: “The body is reached through the spirit. First you have to heal the soul. Then you can work on the body.†MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

I read The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary - 2 Stars - I liked this at the beginning and thought for sure that I would be rating it highly. Some of the stories were truly heart-wrenching while others were amazing and even had a bit of humor and cuteness to them. I shared these with my family and said that it’s like reading a wonderful article in “National Geographicâ€. Then I got turned off. The author has an agenda, which is fine and of itself, but when it’s one that I don’t care for, and when it’s quite biased overall and strong, my red flags started to go up and the book became a bit too preachy and less enjoyable for me. I really didn’t care for the woman in charge of the sanctuary. Her intentions are good. I just didn’t care for the negativity towards meat eaters. What I particularly didn’t care for at all was her support for PETA. MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

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:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: I hope that things ease up soon and that your migraines go away. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Thinking of you lots dear Stacia and hope that life becomes less stressful and more enjoyable very soon.

I can't even imagine buying a cookbook or something of that nature as an ebook. That would drive me nuts! :lol:

I read A Man Called Ove - 4 Stars - This was uplifting and sweet. The characters are all memorable. Ove made me laugh and the more I read about him, the more I loved him. Some of my favorite quotes: “We always think there's enough time to do things with other people. Time to say things to them. And then something happens and then we stand there holding on to words like 'if'.†“And time is a curious thing. Most of us only live for the time that lies right ahead of us. A few days, weeks, years. One of the most painful moments in a person's life probably comes with the insight that an age has been reached when there is more to look back on than ahead. And when time no longer lies ahead of one, other things have to be lived for. memories, perhaps.†“You miss the strangest things when you lose someone. Little things. Smiles. The way she turned over in her sleep. Even repainting a room for her.†and Ben and Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream and Dessert Book - 5 Stars - I bought this book when I first visited the U.S. twenty-nine years ago. At the time, the places that I happened to visit didn’t have any Ben & Jerry’s stores and I didn’t see their ice cream anywhere. Seeing this ice cream recipe book was the first time I heard about them. I read this cover-to-cover back then and had so much fun with my mom trying out many recipes in the few months that I had with my parents before returning to the U.S. to start college. My husband just got me a fabulous new ice cream maker. So I dug this book out once again. It was pure nostalgia and fun to re-read, especially to see my notes. I haven’t yet had time to try the recipes again. I plan on doing so very soon. I remember loving every one that we tried out. The recipes are great and the book is pure pleasure and enjoyment. and Theories of Everything: Selected, Collected, and Health-Inspected Cartoons, 1978-2006 – 2 Stars - Roz Chast wrote a wonderful cartoon memoir of her aging parents, an absolute must-read in my opinion, hence why I chose this book. I probably read it all wrong and should have spent more time on it, reading it slowly while reading other books. I don’t think that this collection of cartoons (400 pages) is meant to be read all at once. However, even if I had taken my time with this, I can’t imagine giving it more than 3 stars. Some of the cartoons were funny, but not particularly funny for me. I was disappointed. At least I didn’t pay full price for it and bought it used. MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

One more thing that I forgot to mention: I bought a non-fiction/self-help-style book several months ago and loved it. Kindle/Amazon had a limit on the number of highlights I could make :cursing:. That drove me nuts. Seriously. I paid for it. It's mine. If I had a regular hard copy, I could do with it as I wish. My dh had to do a gazillion tricks to work around that. I wouldn't have been able to do so myself. I think that's a stupid, stupid policy. They're also not good when it comes to book sharing. I've always loved sharing books with friends. Apparently now one can share with family members. Whoop de doo. :lol: Nonetheless, I love my Kindle and e-books for all the reasons that you mentioned, but certainly not for these problems. Lesson learned: If I plan on making many highlights, I'll stick to the hard copy.

If anyone wishes to read "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", it's $1.99 on Kindle, at least for today. :)

Kathy, not quoting you on this, but let me just say that I love your siggy quotes. :D

Kathy, I've had almost the exact same experience and thoughts with regards to the Kindle as you. I love my Paperwhite and never thought that I would. My dh also got one for me and I was skeptical, thinking for sure that I would prefer hard copies any day. I still like a regular hard copy from time to time, but the ease of the Kindle can't be beat - for all the exact same reasons that you mentioned - looking up words, fitting it into my handbag, and not waking up dh while reading in bed. :) I haven't tried audio books yet. No one's quiet enough around here and car rides are usually not very long on this small island that we live in. Plus, my listening skills leave much to be desired. Dh loves audio books, however. I wish I could. Maybe some day when the house gets quieter. Again, if you can, I would try to read her three books in order, but not back-to-back. I cannot understand why "Islam and the Future of Tolerance" was not already on my wish list. Just added it. Thank you for the reminder! :)

Rose, yes, isn't the cover just perfect? You could read this one by itself, although I personally would prefer to read Infidel, followed by Nomad, and then Heretic. Mind you, when doing so, and with most books like this that are in a series/have a similar theme, I prefer to space them out a bit with other books in between. Her first two books are more memoir (but lots of fascinating and important stuff interspersed throughout). This one could be read alone, but I'm glad that I read them in order.

I read Losing Mum and Pup: A Memoir - 4 Stars - I’m glad that I took a chance on reading this. It has been on my to-read list for quite a while. This is a beautiful and heartwarming memoir of Christopher Buckley’s parents – William F. Buckley and his wife Patricia. Before reading this, I knew very little about them other than the fact that William F. Buckley was a staunch conservative. Regardless of where one stands with his political viewpoints and all, this is a worthwhile and surprisingly entertaining read, despite the sad subject matter (losing one’s parents). I would recommend it to all who have dealt or may soon be about to deal with losing one’s parents. Some of my favorite quotes: William F. Buckley often told his son, “Industry is the enemy of melancholy.†“Perhaps, after all, the most beautiful words in the language are I’m sorry.†“A twenty-minute eulogy, unless composed by a) William Shakespeare, b) Winston Churchill, or c) Mark Twain, is sixteen minutes too long. Technical note: It is better to tell a eulogist to speak for four minutes not five minutes. ‘Five minutes’ to the modern ear sounds like ‘around five minutes,’ whereas ‘four minutes’ means ‘four minutes.’†“Once they’re both gone, your parents’ house instantly turns into a museum.†I also read Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now - 5 Stars - Everyone should read this important and incredible book. Wow! Talk about thought-provoking. If you'd like to add me as a friend on Good Reads, my page is here. :) MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

You are so sweet and your very kind words have made my morning. :grouphug: Thank you. You've embarrassed me. I don't believe that I was anything much here at all. I need to visit these boards more regularly because of lovely, warm-hearted people like you. :grouphug:

This thread is pure nostalgia and makes me miss the way these boards used to be, or at least, the way I used to be (far more active than I am now). I barely post here anymore and I do miss doing so. Thank you, thank you, thank you! :hurray: :grouphug: :hurray: Bill, because Kashk is far better than Red Velvet rubbish. :lol: