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Category: Nonfiction

Review: The Last Goodnights by John West

[ 7 ] September 4, 2010

Reviewed by Claudia R.

“I don’t know what my booze bill was for that time, but I’m sure it was big. I had good reason, though: I had to kill my parents. They asked me to. Actually, they asked me to help them with their suicides, and I did.” – John West

Assisted Suicide is the common term for controversial actions by which an individual helps another person die upon their wanting to do. This is a concept almost always reserved for people who are terminally ill. In the United States, only three States “allow” assisted suicide: Oregon, Washington and Montana. Even then, there is a mountain of red tape and legalities that must first be dealt with, rendering the entire process a living nightmare.

When John’s ailing father asks his son to aide him with his suicide, John does not hesitate. His father, a prominent doctor, understood what would happen to him as the cancer progressed, and John was sure of his father’s mental faculties at the time of the request. Together, they schemed and plotted the last goodbye. In his book, The Last Goodnights, John details the days leading up to the final moments, the aftermath, and the inevitable consequences, first for his father and then again for his mother.

In journal form, John takes the readers through the experience, describing a unique and personal perspective in the lives of all involved, offering a different opinion of death with dignity, driving home the point that each situation is intimate, and should never involve government intrusion in the first place. Having to dance around the legalities of assisted suicide during such a grievous time is like adding insult to injury. The government should not have any rights over our bodies and the choices and decisions we make with them at any time during our lives.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Death is as natural as life, and should be sweet and graceful”. I agree. We should ultimately all have the choice to leave this earth when and how we see fit. Unfortunately, at this time, most of us do not.

Unfortunately, many do not see it this way and John’s book brings the controversial subject to the forefront in his memoir. Definitely a conversation piece, this book is sure to make you think about your own d-day and the choices you can or can’t make. Simple, tender, honest, brutally honest, The Last Goodnights will linger in the back of your mind long after you’ve finished reading it.

For more information, please visit The Last Goodnights website.

Claudia lives on Cape Cod with her husband and two children. She entertains her passion for reading in between being a full-time Mom, aspiring writer, avid photographer & volunteer for Missie’s Closet, an emergency food & necessities pantry for the low-income in her area.

This book was provided free of any obligation by John West. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Keeping the Feast by Paula Butturini

[ 8 ] September 2, 2010

Reviewed by Carly M.

Like many books set in Italy, Keeping the Feast is a book that revolves around food. Buying food, preparing food, enjoying food…these tasks are the constant background noise to a story that is, in many ways, the exact antithesis of culinary pleasures. Where the food comforts, the story agitates. Where the food tantalizes, the story repels. Where the food strengthens, the story despairs. Such is the back and forth in this memoir about the lives of two journalists whose lives took a sudden and tragic turn.

Paula Butturini and John Tagliabue met in Italy while working as foreign correspondents. Marginally successful in their careers and satisfied with their lives abroad, the pair decided to marry and make a life for themselves. However, within a month of their marriage, John was shot while on the job. This book tells the story of the strain that his injuries, many surgeries, and resulting depression took on their young marriage as they tried to rebuild their life in Rome.

I was initially excited to read this memoir, after hearing some good reviews. I was disappointed, however, to find that Keeping the Feast did not live up to my expectations. Although Butturini’s story is complex and intriguing, I found the constant discussion of food and the continually leaping back and forth in time to be very distracting. I feel like this book would have worked better if it had been separated into two projects: the flowery celebration of food in Rome and the detailed, gritty story of the events that made up the first few years of their marriage. The combination of the two just didn’t work for me.

Carly lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and their two cats. Her favorite thing to do is to curl up by a window with a library book.

This book was provided free of any obligation by Riverhead Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Eight Days in Darkness by Anita Wooldridge and Angela Roegner

[ 5 ] August 29, 2010

Reviewed by Claudia R.

Eight Days in Darkness: The True Story of the Abduction, Rape, and Rescue of Anita Wooldridge of Anita Wooldridge by Angela Roegner and Anita Woodridge takes readers, in intimate detail, through the horror and violence of the eight days Anita was held captive. Written with the help of her therapist, Anita gives an insider glimpse of the moments leading up to and subsequent days of her abduction, and the emotional and physical toll they took upon her and everyone in her life.

This isn’t a book for everyone. Every detail of her torture, including sexual acts, are described in great length. Written as a healing tool as well as a way to demonstrate the cruelty and disgustingly perverse mind of her captor, Eight Days in Darkness relives for the readers the hell of each day and the effects on family, friends and authorities as they desperately sought to find Anita, alive.

Abducted from her home by a casual acquaintance, Anita is forced to sleep in a locked metal cabinet, as well as stay in it when ‘the mole’ (her captor) could not watch her. Surrounded by squalor and filth, Anita must perform the most degrading acts as well as entertain her captor in an effort to survive; prayer and determination are the only weapons she possesses.

Readers are introduced to the team that worked diligently to track her down and save her, as well as friends and family and the ripple affects of the abduction on a small town. No one is innocent, everyone is a suspect, every lead followed, no matter how bizarre or far fetched with one common goal: finding Anita alive.

The writing isn’t spectacular, alas. Religion, God and prayer is sprinkled liberally and without limits throughout. I struggled a few times with both, because for me, it made the story even more, too much more, personal. But I understand that Anita experienced a living hell few can claim, and helped write this book as a means to demonstrate the hate and love, good and evil that exists in the world. As well as providing a case study for the FBI which is still used today as a training tool.

This is as real as it gets, however, and anyone anticipating a light, bare bones read won’t find it here. Dark, scary and no holes barred, Eight Days drags readers in to Anita’s hell and the ensuing struggle that only victims of such heinous crimes can understand.

Still healing, Anita has begun to move on from this part of her life and shares her tale through public appearances and lectures, opening heart and soul to the public in an attempt to protect and prevent future attacks. For those interested in the human mind in all it’s shapes and incongruities, this is a must read.

Please visit the official book website to learn more.

Claudia lives on Cape Cod with her husband and two children. She entertains her passion for reading in between being a full-time Mom, aspiring writer, avid photographer & volunteer for Missie’s Closet, an emergency food & necessities pantry for the low-income in her area.

This book was provided free of any obligation by Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Matches in the Gas Tank: Trial by Fire in the Armstrong Cult by Carla Powers

[ 5 ] August 28, 2010

Reviewed by Lauren K.

Matches in the Gas Tank is a commanding memoir about religion and family. The emphasis of the book lies not on the inner workings of the Radio Church of God, but instead on the inner workings of the Powers family and how the church influenced and ultimately had a hand in destroying them.

Carla Powers tells her story in a careful, yet poignant way. She is not quick to pass blame on the church but instead shows the error of their ways and their teachings in regards to her family and herself. Despite Herbert W. Armstrong’s, the church’s founder and leader, looming influence, Carla does not fill the book only with his words and views. This memoir is one of a woman coming to terms with her lack of a relationship with her alcoholic and non-existent father.

Carla has overcome poverty to become a successful lawyer in Texas, far from her sheltered beginning in the Radio Church of God. When she receives the call that her father is dying, she is instantly thrown into the memories she has worked long and hard to forget. As she goes to the hospital, she joins her mother and two brothers, Steve, who still thinks fondly of their father and Dan, who never even knew him, and the four of them push through the memories and hurt to figure out care for the man laying the hospital bed. This is the very man that almost destroyed them all, individually and as a family.

Powers’ memories are vibrant and clear. She remembers details with amazing accuracy yet does not overwhelm the reader with useless information. You can feel her pain in listening to her parents argue, feel her shame when the ministers come to inspect the house, and ultimately feel her triumph when she realizes the lessons she learned and that her upbringing helped shape her into the strong woman she became. For those looking for an intimate look into a fanatical religious movement, this is not that type of story; this book is for anyone looking for a success story, one of a woman who started with almost nothing and came out with so much.

In addition to working on her own personal writing, editing Messy Magazine, and writing for multiple sites, Lauren is also currently pursuing her MFA in English. More of her work can be found at goldiesays.wordpress.com.

This book was provided free of any obligation by Bright Sky Press. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: The Mommy Files by Jen Klein

[ 18 ] August 25, 2010

Reviewed by Poppy J.

The Mommy Files by Jen Klein is written for new moms as well as experienced mothers who simply want to learn more about their babies. The author has not forgotten anything. She begins at the first moment that the pregnancy is discovered, and move along to when the child is independent and ready to explore the world on his or her own.

The book reminds new mothers that they can’t do it all, and should not be so hard on themselves when they come home with their new babies from the hospital. The Mommy Files provides information on working outside of the home, developing a network of other mothers through playgroups, and time management skills. Klein also emphasize that it is important to create time for oneself as a new mom, and that this is often put aside, because new mothers are naturally absorbed with their babies.

The Mommy Files offers simple advice for managing it all, and shares “She Knows Secrets” for the reader to note when waiting for the birth and managing the hectic days afterwards. For example, the author speaks in authoritative voice on the issue of cosleeping and discipline, and the readers will get many sides of the issue from the book so that they can make the best decision for their families.

After a decade of working in several NYC law departments and teaching, Poppy decided she enjoyed writing full-time. She currently works as a freelance writing consultant, and lives with her husband and sons on the East Coast.

This book was provided free of any obligation by FSB Associates. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: The Classics: All You Need to Know, from Zeus’s Throne to the Fall of Rome by Caroline Taggart

[ 5 ] August 23, 2010

Reviewed by Meg M.

Having penned a number of books in the I Used to Know That series, Caroline Taggart’s latest book, The Classics: All You Need to Know, from Zeus’s Throne to the Fall of Rome, is destined to be another bestseller. Taggart provides a fantastic combination of an extensive knowledge of Roman and Greek culture with an often irreverent sense of humor.

Taggart aids readers in the understanding of the Greek alphabet, and takes this a step farther by providing a list of Greek and Latin words, many of which have proved foundational for the English language. Arguably the most hilarious chapter within this work is Taggart’s interpretation of Greek and Roman mythology, highlighting the incestual nature of the majority of the deities. Taggart also outlines many years of Greek and Roman history, and philosophies made famous by Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.

This book was a really entertaining read. The chapters can be read through fairly quickly, and would be ideal for travel or a quick lunch break. For those who take history too seriously, this isn’t the read for you. While Taggart is clearly educated, she presents her facts in a tongue-in-cheek manner that anyone with a sense of humor would enjoy!

Meg lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Ryan. Marketing professional by day, freelance writer by night, Meg writes about life, entertainment and everything in between on her blog, Morning Cup With Meg.

This book was provided free of any obligation by FSB Associates. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Giveaway: Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer

[ 117 ] August 23, 2010

3 readers will win a copy of Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer!

Like many young Americans, Jonathan Safran Foer spent much of his teenage and college years oscillating between enthusiastic carnivore and occasional vegetarian. As he became a husband, and then a father, the moral dimensions of eating became increasingly important to him. Faced with the prospect of being unable to explain why we eat some animals and not others, Foer set out to explore the origins of many eating traditions and the fictions involved with creating them.

Traveling to the darkest corners of our dining habits, Foer raises the unspoken question behind every fish we eat, every chicken we fry, and every burger we grill. Part memoir and part investigative report, Eating Animals is a book that, in the words of the Los Angeles Times, places Jonathan Safran Foer “at the table with our greatest philosophers.”

Join the Eating Animals Facebook page

Visit EatingAnimals.com and JonathanSafranFoer.com

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This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only. Deadline to enter is midnight on September 10th.

Giveaway copies are provided free of any obligation by Back Bay Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: 100 Essential Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know by John Barrow

[ 5 ] August 19, 2010

Reviewed by Caleb S.

While the title 100 Essential Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know is a bit of hyperbole, it is still a fun and interesting read. I happen to like math so I was able to follow along when it was explained. However, well over half of the chapters contain little or any actual math. There are even two or three math ‘tricks’ that non-math people can easily use to stump others. One chapter explains why spaghetti noodles break into at least three pieces when bent to the breaking point without using actual math. Another explains conditions that can happen at a race track that will guarantee winnings if the correct betting method is followed. There is also a decent explanation of the Monty Hall problem.

100 Essential Things is fairly low key on the math and most people will find the facts inside quite interesting. A few chapters are more involved but could be easily skipped for those who find math to be a chore. Overall, I found the book to be a fun little read, taking a chapter or two at a time in between other activities. I learned a bit, I was reminded of some things I had forgotten and gained new insights along the way. All in all, the read was well worth my time.

Caleb is a software engineer and amature woodworker living in southern Minnesota. He has more hobbies than he has time or money for, and enjoys his quiet time reading.

This book was provided free of any obligation by W. W. Norton & Company. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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