Genre: Children/Biography

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Through the years I have enjoyed reviewing Brad Meltzer’s adult novels. He weaves intrigue into history and keeps the readers on the edge of their seats. I must admit, I am equally enthralled with his children’s series, Ordinary People Change the World.  We have reviewed several books in this series, each one informative and charmingly illustrated.

I am Billie Jean King (Ordinary People Change the World) is the latest in his series, and tells the story of the tennis champion’s introduction and further adventures in the sport she excelled in. The first pages introduce us to a very young Billie Jean who is mesmerized by all kinds of sports. Unfortunately, growing up in the forties and fifties made it difficult for her, as a female, to be accepted into the world of sports.

Meltzer shows us how, with the support of her family, she discovered her talent in tennis and never looked back. There are so many lessons in this well done children’s book, that I think it should be required reading for young children facing a world that isn’t always accepting of them. The author seems to have a talent for picking out “heroes” that ultimately change our world for the better.

I enjoy the combination of narration and dialogue that should definitely keep children interested as they learn more about working hard and achieving their goals.

- Beverly

​Publisher - Dial Books
Date of Publication - February 5, 2019

​Genre: Memoir/Food & Wine

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I have been a fan of Gourmet Magazine for many years, and Ruth Reichl’s name has been a familiar one for many years. In her book, Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir, Reichl did a masterful job showing us how an eight year old little girl grew up to change the world of food.

Ruth read her first Gourmet while on a business trip with her dad when she was eight. She was hooked, but a great deal happened in her life between then and when she was offered the position as Editor in Chief of the very magazine that changed her life.

Before she took that position, she spent years as a restaurant critic, coloring her writing with a touch of her Berkeley hippie past. She had become a bit disenchanted with the stodginess of Gourmet and felt the magazine was not keeping up with the times.

When she was offered the top position at Gourmet, her first inclination was to turn it down. She felt as though they would hold her back in their desire to maintain the status quo. They convinced her that they wanted to modernize the magazine, and so began her reign as queen of all that is delicious.

This is a comfortably written book that introduces us to great chefs, great writers, and great food. I loved reading about her life before and her tenure at the magazine that helped me through many a cooking crisis. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves to cook, read about chefs or simply loves to eat.

- Beverly

​Publisher - Random House
Date of Publication - April 2, 2019

Genre: Biography

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When Andrew Morton’s book, Diana: Her True Story - in Her Own Words, was first published in 1992, it was quite scandalous. It was banned from several bookstores in England, people believed it did not show the true story of the much loved Princess Diana. Since he had promised her anonymity, it was difficult to prove what he was writing. When the truth of Diana’s involvement did come out, after her death, it changed the way people viewed the monarchy.

Morton was one of many palace journalists when a friend of Diana’s, Dr James Colthurst approached him in 1986 and asked if he would be interested in writing Diana’s story. He had met with the princess several times, but he had no idea what her life was actually like.

Diana was a bit unstable, but her husband and his family and friends played on her weaknesses and tried convincing her that she was being paranoid about Charles’ relationship with Camilla. Their affair was known among a nervous staff that had to cover for him, but when she tried to talk about it with Charles and the Queen, she was made to feel as though she was acting irrationally.

Diana realized she had to get out, but she was not in a position to leave. The world thought she was living a storybook life, and if she left the royal family would paint her as unstable. She felt this was the only way to get her story out, but she realized that she couldn’t meet directly with Morton. The servants would recognize him, and he would be banned. So she began meeting with Colthurst, an old friend who would arouse no suspicion. He would ask the questions that were supplied to him and deliver the answers to Morton.

Morton continues to revisit the many tapes of Colthurst’s interviews with Princess Di, and has updated the book several times. The book has her biography, transcripts of her interview and things that happened after the original publication date. The author adds in much detail about things I wasn’t aware of, and I learned more than I expected in his book.

Reading her words made me feel sad for this young woman who had the possibilities to live every young girl’s dream but was caught in every woman’s nightmare. If you have any interest in Princess Diana and have not read this book, buy yourself a holiday treat. You won’t be sorry.

- Beverly
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Publisher - Simon & Schuster; Anniversary edition
Date of Publication - ​December 1, 2009

Genre: Memoir

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Elizabeth Warren comes from humble begins and never allows herself to forget how difficult life can be for those who work hard to make ends meet. A Fighting Chance begins in a small Oklahoma town where her father and mother worked long hours to support her and her siblings. She talks about “growing up” when she turned twelve and watched her parents struggle after her father’s heart attack. The memoir highlights her desire to go to college, her early marriage and life as a working mother.

We watch her go from a teacher to a politician, and she explains what drove her, and still drives her, along the way. Her horror at the predatory banking practices that affect the middle class started way before the mortgage debacle that destroyed many lives, and this memoir explains what she has been doing to protect those who can not protect themselves.

The book is easy to read and gave me a bit of an insight into a time I lived through without fully understanding it. I enjoyed reading about her dealings with other politicians on both sides of the political lines, although I did find the disfunction in Washington politics disheartening. Her war against many of the GOP representatives and ideas shows us the strength that drives her, and I hope she remains in politics for many years to come.

I understand that this book is written from a rather singular viewpoint, but since it is her memoir, she is entitled to move it in the direction of her choice. While it is certainly political in nature, i found myself getting to know the person behind the politician, and I appreciate that aspect of this book.

- Beverly

​Publisher - Metropolitan Books
Date of Publication - April 22, 2014

Genre: Memoir

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This memoir begins with a mother and her three small children laughing together until her world is quickly destroyed.  Several police officers arrive with a court order and take Myrtle's children. She is accused of being an unfit mother and never sees her three children again.

This story takes place in Australia and is written by one of Myrtle's later seven children after Myrtle's death.  Author JB Rowley found information which her mother kept hidden that included the birth certificates of the children who were taken from her.  Rowley tracked down her mother's secrets and shared them with us in Whisper My Secret: A Memoir.

We learn about Myrtle's early life and the tragedy that befell her family. We see her mother, Etti,  fall apart and Myrtle's attempts to live a normal life.  We follow her relationship with her neighbor,  Henry Bishop, a pregnancy, and subsequent marriage that was doomed to failure.  Henry spent little time with his wife and child and although she had three more children with him, their relationship never improved.  Henry's mother Agnes felt that her only child had been trapped into marriage and convinced him to divorce her and have the children taken from her.  Myrtle lost her children and her own mother convinced her to move away without a fight.

Happily, Myrtle meets and marries a loving man, George, and together they have seven children.  Her life with George is a good one, and she keeps her secrets until her death.  The author does a wonderful job tracking down the various truths of her mother's early life and the lives of Etti, Henry, Agnes, etc.  Her descriptions are vivid and help the reader understand how this wonderful mother walked away from the children who were her world.  While much of the dialogue is imagined, it rings true as the layers of Myrtle's life are revealed.

It is difficult to write someone else's story, even your own mother's, after that person is gone, but JB Rowley has done a strong job sharing a troubled past with us.  I was captured by Myrtle's story and recommend it for your non-fiction library.

- Beverly 


Publisher - JB Rowley; 1 edition 
Date of Publication - January 15, 2014

Genre: Legal Thriller

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I spend so many hours a week reading books with serious plots or messages, every now and again I need a break.  I find that reading books written by some of my favorite comedians is sometimes the perfect antidote to a stress filled week.  I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This: and Other Things That Strike Me as Funny by Bob Newhart fit the bill perfectly for me this week.  I have been a fan of his since his original television sit-com, and still enjoy his role on Big Bang Theory every now and again.

Newhart's dry wit is evident in his writing, from the introduction (which he believes many don't bother reading) until the very last page.  This book, written ten years ago, is the first he wrote, and he explains a bit about himself as the book progresses.  Yes, apparently the stammer is all his, not some affectation for his act, and yes, he actually was an accountant before he was a comedian.

Newhart talks about how comedians see thing differently than other people.  They have a sensitivity to even the slightest visual mistakes, and lock them away for future use. He tells his readers anecdotes about the shows he was in, his family and friends, his hobbies and the hilarious albums that he recorded.  He talks about his celebrity friends and the people he admired through the years.

I loved the tidbits that he shared from his various sketches and found myself smiling through much of the book.  I always thought that he was a real down to earth guy who never let success go to his head, and this book just strengthens that opinion.  If you ever enjoyed watching the comedians of the days of earlier television share their humor, then this is a book I whole heartedly recommend to you.

- Beverly


Publisher -  Hachette Books
Date of Publication - October 9, 2007

​Genre: Memoir

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Don starts Rickles' Book, A Memoir with a funny story about his favorite subject.  I had actually heard the story before, but I couldn't help but chuckle.  The story was classic Rickles (he asked Frank Sinatra for a favor, and when he obliged, Don made a fool of him) and classic Sinatra (Frank burst out laughing...then had him removed).  Then he moves right on to his childhood.  

He talks fondly of his father, Max, telling us what a special man he was by example, not praise. I liked the story about his dad (an insurance salesman) paying his customers' monthly payments if they ran into hard times.  He kept a debit book but never pressured anyone for payment.  When Max died, his customers came to his funeral, put a box by his grave, and paid off their debts.

He goes on to speak of school days, Navy days and a life well spent.  He shares his ups and downs in his career and with women.  He shares his feelings when his father died and he and his mom became "the two of us."   The reader gets to know the kind man behind the sarcastically witty comedian. 

He name drops constantly, but that is okay.  Even though his comedy act is filled with barbs about people, this book shows us the admiration that Don feels for the people he shares the entertainment business with, and there is no doubt that most of them return the love and admiration.

I liked the book.  It is simply written, with short paragraphs and uncomplicated stories.  There are interesting pictures to help us along this journey into the world of Don Rickles, and there is always a smile to be shared.  Don Rickles passed away yesterday, at the too young age of ninety, but his warmth and humor have left their marks on an audience who won't forget him.

- Beverly

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​Publisher - Simon & Schuster; Reprint edition
Date of Publication - ​May 8, 2007

Genre: Biography

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Will Rogers was a writer, an actor, a politician and an amazing master of words.  His many quotes are legendary and have taken us through the best and worst of times.  He was able to put our hopes, dreams and fears into words that generally made us smile.  Although he died in 1935, his political musings ring true today.

"I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." – Will Rogers.

Anybody who has picked up a newspaper or watched the news during this past year can relate to those words.  American Legends: The Life of Will Rogers is an interesting biography about a fascinating man.  It begins with a bit of family history and goes on to tell the tale of a man whose life was cut short in an airplane crash.  He packed a great deal into his fifty-five years though, and his name is familiar to generations who followed.

We see a man who came from wealth but never exploited it.  He was down to earth and honest, and although he often joked about politics, he was never mean spirited. He spoke often and strongly about freedom of speech and religion, and he believed in equality for all. 

This book is very short, 34 pages, and left me wanting more.  It is simply written, but gives us quite a few relevant facts about Rogers.  For example, I never realized that his mother died when he was ten, and though he rarely spoke about it, that loss colored his life.  If you want to know some basic facts and stories about this American legend, I recommend this book.

-Beverly

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​Publisher - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 
Date of Publication - ​​November 27, 2013

Genre: Memoir

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Parents have expectations for their children's future from the moment each child is placed in their arms.  The jokes about "my son, the doctor" ring true in many homes.  It is unfair for us to expect our children to fit into the mold of those expectations, but sometimes it takes parents a while to readjust to their new reality. Betty Degeneres does an excellent job sharing her emotions and telling the story of her life and the life of her daughter, Ellen, in Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey.

In a fictional account of Ellen's coming out, her mother might have offered to bake a cake and have a party, but in the real world, Betty walked along side her daughter in a moment of stunned silence.  When she saw the tears in Ellen's eyes she reacted as any mother should, and she comforted her while proclaiming her love for her daughter.  Then she questioned weather Ellen was perhaps mistaken.  It took quite a bit of time and patience on both sides for Betty to reach full acceptance, but through the journey their relationship remained consistent, and ultimately Betty has become a loud voice for The Human Rights Campaign's Coming Out Project.

This book tells Ellen's story, but more specifically it tells Betty's story, and I think that was her point in writing it.  She had her own difficulties with marriages and pinned many dreams on her children.  Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey follows Betty's life and shows us how to accept a different path when it is presented to us.  It is a well written book for the most part, although it did drag just a bit as I read the last half.  The reader gets a bit of insight into Ellen but even more insight into her mother, and I am sure that was Betty's intention in writing it.

-Beverly


Publisher - It Books 
Date of Publication - May 28, 2013

Genre: Memoir

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In the 1930s, Betty Halbreich's parents were well-to-do and quite glamorous. She was raised in Chicago, and loved getting lost in her mother's fabulous closet amid the most stylish of outfits.  She didn't want for much materialistically, but she craved love and attention from parents too preoccupied to provide it. Ultimately her own marriage failed, and Betty decided to become a working woman.  Sticking to what she knew best, she decided to invent the perfect job, and she became a stylist.

After nearly forty years as a personal shopper at Bergdorf Goodman, eighty-six year old Betty decided to share her life with us, and I am glad she did.  When I'll Drink to That was recommended to me, I quietly rolled my eyes.  I was sure that I would be utterly bored reading about some snooty woman, shopping for other snooty women.  I was wrong.
Betty's charm ran through this story of a woman thoroughly enjoying her time at work.  

The first chapter made me want to go to my local Saks or Nieman Marcus, and find a lovely grey haired lady to transform me with several perfect outfits.  Unfortunately, I remembered that I would have to pay for these outfits, so I decided to read a few more chapters instead.  

In the next few chapters she shared her growing up years, which I found both horrifying and fascinating.  Her relationship with Sonny Halbreich started when she was still a teenager, and the courtship and marriage felt wrong to me.  Betty shares her thoughts through the marriage and its demise, and I couldn't help but feel badly for this woman who seemed to be reaching for affection throughout her younger years and never really finding it.

Of course the meat of the book introduces us to fashion and those who love it.  She worked for well-known designers, and dressed the famous and the not-so-famous, always making her clients feel special and beautiful.  She shares little stories about these clients but never divulges too much.  I liked reading about the time, perhaps my mother's era or grandmother's era, when women wore furs and broaches and carried hankies. Of course the thought of owning any of those things myself causes me to shudder, but it was I time when fashion ruled and women loved it.

There were some parts of the book that dragged a bit for me, but for the most part I enjoyed being a part of her world and encourage you to join her in this well written memoir.

Beverly

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Publisher - Penguin Books  
Date of Publication - ​September 4, 2014