“On Pluto” by Greg O’Brien

Blurb:

This is a book about living with Alzheimer’s, not dying with it. It is a book about hope, faith, and humor—a prescription far more powerful than the conventional medication available today to fight this disease.

Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the US—and the only one of these diseases on the rise.
More than 5 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia; about 35 million people worldwide.

Greg O’Brien, an award-winning investigative reporter, has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s and is one of those faceless numbers. Acting on long-term memory and skill coupled with well-developed journalistic grit, O’Brien decided to tackle the disease and his imminent decline by writing frankly about the journey. O’Brien is a master storyteller. His story is naked, wrenching, and soul searching for a generation and their loved ones about to cross the threshold of this death in slow motion. On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s is a trail-blazing roadmap for a generation—both a “how to” for fighting a disease, and a “how not” to give up!

My Thoughts:

This was a very difficult for me to read because the subject matter hits very close to home. I found myself having to read it in small chunks so I didn’t get overwhelmed. That being said, this book is chock full of good information about Alzheimer’s. Mr. O’Brien relates his daily struggles with the disease in a way that is very approachable for the reader and also gives the reader an immense amount of insight into what this disease looks like as it progresses and the kind of challenges that loved ones and caregivers will face as time goes on. This book is also full of hope. The author talks a lot about what is happening in the medical community in regards to treating Alzheimer’s: the various avenues of research that scientists are pursuing, the treatments that are currently available, and the kind of lifestyle changes that can help the patient and caregivers cope with the symptoms. If you know someone with Alzheimer’s or have it yourself, I think this book is a must-read for the insight and hope that it will give you.

Alinefromabook’s rating:

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“A Georgian Heroine” by Joanne Major & Sarah Murden

The Intriguing Life of Rachel Charlotte Williams Biggs

It’s easy to think of the Georgian period as all fancy dress and good manners … until you read this book. Rachel Charlotte Williams Biggs has barely reached adulthood when she is stalked, kidnapped, raped and held captive for 2 years by a man who claims to love her. But there is still a whole life to be lived where she will work as a spy for the government, be held captive by the French, and never have the opportunity to be with the man she has always loved.

With little to go on, the authors have crafted the story of Rachel Bigg’s life. It seems at times that the universe is set against her but she is nothing if not persistent and capable of pulling herself up from her adversity time and time again. I found this story very intriguing and written in a style that kept me wanting to know what happened next. If you’re looking for something a little different in the way of biography, then check this one out. I definitely recommend it.

Alinefromabook’s rating:   4 stars!!

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Links:   Amazon US   |   Amazon UK   |   Goodreads

“The Fact of a Body” by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich

Alexandria takes a job as a summer intern at a Louisiana law firm that defends murderers. When she sees a videotape of Ricky Langley’s confession she does not expect the maelstrom of personal memories and emotions that bombards her, or the journey that she will embark on as a result. In this book the author tells us the story of Ricky Langley side-by-side with her own story. Both of these stories are moving and compelling, addressing the complexity of family relationships and how they shape who we are.

I found this book really easy and enjoyable to read even though the subject matter is at times very dark. The author spent years researching the Ricky Langley case and has put together a very thorough presentation of his story. At the same time, she has opened herself up in a heart-wrenching way in order to relate her own story. The story is well-written and moves seamlessly between the two narratives. This is a great biography/memoir/true crime story.

Alinefromabook’s rating:   4 stars!!

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“Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance – Audiobook Review

Narrator: J.D. Vance

“Hillbilly Elegy” is the story of J.D. Vance’s life growing up in Ohio and Kentucky. His family originates from the Appalachians and still carry their Hillbilly character. In the process of telling his personal story, the author exposes the reader to the intricacies of the Hillbilly culture. The author discusses how various public policies have affected this working class population, the effects of drug addiction on the families and children in particular, and how the economics of the region have impacted their lives. The story is tragic and hopeful at the same time, and brings awareness to a portion of the population that is largely ignored or forgotten.

I was drawn to this book because I have always had a curiosity about the Appalachian culture. The story is well written and flows in a natural way. The author did a great job of narrating the story and I found the narration to be consistent and well produced. There are some great characters in the author’s family and the story kept me fully engaged throughout. This is a great biography and would also be interesting to readers who want to learn more about the culture.

Alinefromabook’s rating:   4 stars!!

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“The Principal’s Daughter” by Russ Katz

My deepest thanks to Russ Katz for bringing this story to life! In “The Principal’s Daughter” we are introduced to Kim, whose father is the principal of the school in the South Vietnamese village they live in near Saigon. Kim grows up during the war and her village becomes the center of the Tet Offensive when she is still a young girl. She endures the deprivations of the war and subsequent Communist regime with the hope of one day emigrating to America.

I found this story to be very moving and enlightening. Reading Kim’s story opened my understanding of the Vietnam War in a new way, and introduced me to a culture I previously had no knowledge of. I was also very impressed with the author’s writing. This book was fairly easy to read, although there is use of Vietnamese language, particularly names, which threw me a bit in places. As I understand it, this is the author’s second book and first piece of non-fiction, and I just have to say, “Job well done”. The personalities of the people come through in a way that I felt as if I was sitting with them hearing the story from their lips. I think that stories like this go a long way towards helping us as individuals to see the people of other cultures as not just different but as fellow humans on a journey to fulfillment. I hope that many people will read this book and allow it to give them new insight.

Alinefromabook’s rating:    5 stars!!

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Thank you to NetGalley and Dog Ear Publishing for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“The Lengthening War” by Michael Goode

Genre: Biography

World War I was a pivotal event in the history of the world. In “The Lengthening War”, Michael Goode shares the diary of Mabel Goode, which contains her thoughts and perceptions of the war as it stretched out longer and longer. Mabel is a young woman, unmarried, at the start of the war. In the beginning the people of Britain thought that the war would last a few months and then everything would go back to normal, and this rather casual viewpoint is evident in the diary. She is fervent in her desire to help out and to see her brothers participating as well. As the war lengthens and becomes more of a burden to the British populace, Mabel’s enthusiasm also begins to wane.

I enjoyed this book very much and through reading gained some insight into WWI that you won’t find in your history books. The first half of the book uses quotes from the diary to point out different aspects on the war. There are chapters on how different people’s roles in British society changed during the war, and how the spirit of the British people was altered as the war began to stretch out over the years. The author also takes the time to talk about the diarist brothers and how their lives were affected by war. The second half of the book then presents the diary in its entirety. Michael Goode has done an excellent job of researching and presenting the story of Mabel Goode and her brothers, and the many ways that the war changed the culture.

Alinefromabook’s rating:  4 stars!

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Book Review: “Madame Presidentess” by Nicole Evelina

It’s election season 2016 and as we look to the possibility of electing a female president for the first time, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to read this book, “Madame Presidentess”, about the first woman to run for president in this country. That’s right! Hilary Clinton is not the first woman to RUN for president. That honor belongs to Victoria Woodhull who was a candidate for election in 1872 as an independent. Mrs. Woodhull, sometimes referred to as “Queen Victoria” turns out to be a fascinating character. She did not have an idyllic childhood and certainly did not come from money, but she was passionate about rights for women and never let anybody tell her she couldn’t do something because of her gender. Victoria was the daughter of a con-man who was mean and abusive to his children, but she was determined to have something better. On her way to becoming a presidential candidate she was also the first woman to own a Wall Street brokerage firm. Her naysayers along the way were vicious in their attacks and more than one friend turned against her but she never stopped believing in her cause.

If you’ve been following me for a while you know that I occasionally enjoy exploring the lesser known corners of history. This book is no exception. I found the life of Victoria Woodhull to be fascinating and the author has done an excellent job in telling it. I have to say that I’ve never really given too much thought to the feminist movement before the 20th century and this book really opened my eyes to the work that was being done by women starting in the 2nd century of this country. Victoria Woodhull and her fellow suffragists didn’t get to see all the fruits of their labor during their lifetimes but I suspect that they look down with pride at what has been accomplished with the groundwork they laid. While the reader may not agree with everything she espoused (do any of us ever agree 100% with another person’s views), she is nevertheless a hero of the women’s movement in the United States and should be remembered as such. I highly recommend this book.

Alinefromabook’s rating: TWO THUMBS-UP!!

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Book Review: “The Disappearance of Maria Glenn” by Naomi Clifford

This is a biographical account of what happened to Maria Glenn in the early 1800’s. It is the story of her abduction and the lawsuits that resulted from it. It is a story of greed and the lengths people will go to in the pursuit of money.

Maria Glenn is a teenager, in the care of her aunt and uncle, in Taunton. She is very reserved, dresses modestly and is rarely out on her own. She is loved and nurtured by the Tucketts and her cousins. Shortly before her 16th birthday, Maria and her cousins are stricken with a potentially deadly virus and sent to a farm outside the city of Taunton to recuperate. The owners of the farm have a good reputation in the community and have taken in other children previously for this purpose. Mr. Tuckett is a lawyer and has investigated them thoroughly before leaving his children in their care. What Mrs. Bowditch fails to tell him is that one of her sons, James, also lives in the house. The Bowditches upon learning that Maria is expected to inherit a fortune upon the death of her mother and that she will soon be 16, concoct a plan to abduct Maria, after her birthday, and force her to marry James. They use threats to “convince” Maria to go along “willingly”. Maria is rescued before the ceremony can take place and her uncle decides to bring criminal charges against the Bowditches. What appears to be a straightforward crime turns into a legal battle that lasts for years and forces Maria to live in exile for almost 30 years.

I was quite frankly astonished by this story and the way that Maria was tormented throughout, not only by her abductors but afterward by the citizens of Taunton. Naomi Clifford has done a masterful job of researching the case and relating the shifting tides of the legal battle and public opinion. Even more surprising is the way in which Maria is able to bear up in the face of horrible false accusations. This is a great book for anyone interested in legal history or women’s history in England. Included in the book is the complete transcript of Maria’s statement of her abduction and the events leading up to it.

Alinefromabook’s rating: THUMBS-UP!

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Book Review: “Sky Rivals” by Adam L. Penenberg

This book will take your breath away! There are so many thrills that reading this story is like riding a roller-coaster. Having been born into a flying family, I have always admired the pioneers of aviation and the risks they would take just to see if it could be done. The two rival pilots in this story, Wiley Post and Jimmie Mattern, were the best of their day. During this Golden Age of Aviation, pilots were competitive but also willing to help each other out. Jimmie and Wiley were determined to beat each other at circumnavigating the world, but only one can be the winner. This is their story.

Adam Penenberg has done a fabulous job of telling this story. You will be right there in the cockpit with these guys, and it’s a thrill. These two were flying around the world before there were instruments to tell you where you were. They get lost and found and lost again, and they have the whole world waiting to see if they will be heard from again. Sometimes they go days without contact, living on chewing gum and tomato juice. And Wiley is doing it with just one eye. I think everybody should read this book but it will be especially appealing to aviation history buffs or lovers of thrilling stories.

Alinefromabook’s rating: TWO THUMBS-UP!!

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Book Review: “Good Morning Diego Garcia” by Susan Joyce

Batten down the hatches! This memoir will take you on a wild ride across the Indian Ocean on a 54’ yacht. This is the second book in a series of Susan Joyce’s memoirs. In this book she and her husband Charles agree to join their friends Dylan and Mia as they sail a yacht from Sri Lanka to the Seychelles. The author’s vivid descriptions have you feeling like you are right there with her. When she described the storms on the ocean I actually started to feel queasy. This story takes place in 1975 and the author incorporates well the political upheaval taking place in India and Sri Lanka at the time. The trip also turns out to be a significant personal journey for the author and she includes her many reflections throughout the story.

I really enjoyed the story and the author’s descriptions of all the places they visited. If I were planning a trip to India, this book would certainly give me lots of ideas for things to do and see.

Alinefromabook’s recommendation: THUMBS-UP! To a great travel story/memoir.

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To purchase click here: http://astore.amazon.com/alinefromab00-20/detail/1943158908