The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides

August 25, 2025

The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides

Although lauded as a hero in his own time, Captain James Cook has now become a controversial figure and something of a pariah in many circles, particularly Polynesia. One of the best mapmakers of his age, his explorations are blamed for the introduction of colonialism with all its evils, including epidemics, venereal disease, the subjugation of indigenous cultures, theft of relics and artifacts, and disruption of ecological systems. Cook's third and final voyage differed vastly from his earlier voyages. His crew noted that he appeared to be suffering from an unknown illness, either physical or mental, which caused an abrupt change in his behavior and personality. Sensitive readers should be aware that there are descriptions of both human and animal cruelty, as well as brutal violence.

Captain James Cook

Wild Thing by Sue Prideaux

August 17, 2025

Wild Thing by Sue Prideaux

A comprehensive biography of the artist Paul Gauguin. Most of us know Gauguin for his paintings from Tahiti and his friendship with Vincent Van Gogh, but his life and work were far wider ranging that that. During his time living in Polynesia, he fought tirelessly for the French to return government rule to the Polynesian peoples, while painting their images in a more natural style than accepted European tradition.

One of Gaugin's self portraits

Pathogenesis: a History of the World in Eight Plagues by Jonathan Kennedy

August 1, 2025

Pathogenesis: a History of the World in Eight Plagues by Jonathan Kennedy

A history of the world and our species based on the evolution of bacteria and viruses. As the author notes, most of what we call history is based on the exploits of a few "great" white men and how they shaped the story, much of which is wrong. The ultimate life form turns out to be microorganisms. Some of the plagues he discusses are not what you expect, like poverty and obesity. Recommended for readers who enjoy science-based nonfiction.

Cellar Rat by Hannah Selinger

May 16, 2025

Cellar Rat by Hannah Selinger

I've always had a secret desire to open a restaurant or a bar, probably because I enjoy cooking and feeding people, but the author here makes it sound a lot less appealing. She worked in fine and ultra fine dining establishments, first as a server and then as a cellar rat while she learned about wines and later as a sommelier or wine steward (a cellar rat is one of the people who unpacks cases of wine and stocks the wine cellar). It is not at all a healthy environment, as it turns out: the hours are long, the work is hard and thankless, and chefs and restaurant managers prey on vulnerable staff members. Sensitive subjects include child abuse, sexual abuse, workplace abuse, body image, and misogyny. The whole memoir comes off as repetitious and a little whiny. The author read the audio version - it might have been better if she'd hired a professional reader. A much better memoir of the restaurant industry is Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential

I'll Look So Hot in a Coffin by Carla Sosenko

May 11, 2025

I'll Look So Hot in a Coffin by Carla Sosenko

This is the best book title I've seen in a while. Born with a rare health condition, Sosenko was a pretty face attached to what she considered to be a grotesque body. I was horrified at the insensitive things people did (like reaching out to touch the hump on her back) and the ugly things they said, particularly men. I am glad the author realized that she is just fine exactly how she is and absolutely entitled to live her life how she wants. Sensitive readers should be aware of subjects that may be triggers, including mental illness, wanting to die, physical disability, abusive relationships, and stupid insensitive people (who are unfortunately ubiquitous). Will appeal to readers who enjoyed Jennette McCurdy's memoir I'm Glad My Mom is Dead.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson

April 8, 2025

The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson

An examination of the five months between Abraham Lincoln's election and the start of the Civil War. I have enjoyed Larson's other books a great deal, but for me, this one didn't measure up to his earlier works. I think the sheer volume of research and the number of characters causes the narrative to bog down. Normally Larson's books are gripping page turners, but I had to work to finish this one.

 

Atomic Habits by James Clear

April 7, 2025

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Everyone can think of behaviors they would like to become a habit, as well as existing habits they’d like to break. It’s not like we don’t know what we should or shouldn’t do (I think most people know that smoking bad for their health, and that eating fast food every day isn’t good on a number of levels). James Clear tells us that it’s not that we are weak or have no self-control, it’s that we are using the wrong system. His method is based on tiny changes, improving 1% at a time, resulting in huge cumulative change. Much of his plan is based on our identity, how we think of ourselves or the person that we want to be. He details an innovative four-step system for creating new habits and shedding bad habits, different than the usual repeat-an-action-for-30-days-to-create-a-habit plan. 

Dirtbag Queen by Andy Corren

February 17, 2025

Dirtbag Queen by Andy Corren

Corren's irreverant memoir of Renay, his outrageous Jewish redneck mother who raised six kids (sort of) by herself after she split from her husband, isn't like any other memoir you've read. Everyone in their town near Fort Bragg knew Renay, manager of the local bowling alley, gambler and party girl, collector of strippers, card players, bowlers, and other strays who needed a place to sleep for the night. While Renay may not have excelled at cooking, keeping house, or hanging onto money, she lived life to the fullest.

Outofshapeworthlessloser by Gracie Gold

February 12, 2025

Outofshapeworthlessloser by Gracie Gold

Ice skater and Olympic bronze medalist Gracie Gold details her triumphs and losses on the ice, her struggles with mental health and addiction, and her road to a healthy, fulfilling life. Many of the problems with being an elite athlete and the toxic culture surrounding the Olympics and national competitions have been detailed by others (e.g., struggles with weight and body image, the physical toil that long hours of daily hard training takes on the body, an unnatural childhood and adolescence that focuses only on training and competition, thoughtless coaches unconcerned by the overall health of the young people they coach, sexual predators who prey on young athletes, a governing and judging body that chooses to ignore or hide anything unpleasant). She details the way that being an elite athlete skews one's judgment: after winning a bronze medal in the team Olympic event, she threatens to throw it in the trash because she didn't get a gold medal. Honey, you may not have won a gold medal but there are THOUSANDS of athletes who didn't even get the chance.

Gracie had some terrible experiences but she also portrays herself as a victim betrayed by those around her, including her sister, who had the nerve to quit skating and make a life for herself, rather than remain available at all times to manage things during Gracie's next crisis.

Gracie Gold

The Dressmakers of Auschwitz by Lucy Adlington

January 25, 2025

The Dressmakers of Auschwitz by Lucy Adlington

An astounding story of a designer dressmaking salon run out of Auschwitz concentration camp, mostly staffed by Jewish women, patronized by the wives of high-ranking Nazis and SS officers. The Nazis were well aware of the importance of clothing to elevate or degrade people, and even in the middle of a war and clothing shortages, they and their families wanted to be well-dressed. (The Nazi culture was so bizarre, wanting to obliterate anyone who didn't fit their mold and keeping meticulous records about how they did it, yet using the talents of those same people when it suited them.) 

Sewing literally saved the dressmakers' lives, while at the same time allowing them to participate in sabotage in the camp. Many parts about the horrors of camp life and the way the inmates were treated were hard to read, but the stories of these smart, courageous women need to be told. The author had the privilege of interviewing the last surviving seamstress while researching this book. Stellar in-depth research. Recommended for readers interested in women's history and the Holocaust.

Berta Kohut and her sister Katka, two of the seamstresses of Auschwitz who survived the war

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough

January 24, 2025

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keogh

A memoir of growing up Presley by the daughter and granddaughter of Elvis Presley. Like the children of many celebrities, Lisa Marie led a troubled life, expected to follow in her famous father's footsteps. The story shifts back and forth from Lisa Marie to her daughter Riley. At times, it was hard to remember who was talking, because both Lisa Marie and Riley refer to their mothers as "my mom" - it would have been clearer if Lisa Marie would have referred to her mother as Priscilla and Riley would have referred to her mother as Lisa Marie. 

Even though she was four when her parents divorced, and then nine when Elvis died, for all of her life, Lisa Marie worshipped the memory of Elvis. The media was frequently cruel to her, criticizing her singing career and also her problems with her weight. There are some really weird things too, like after her son committed suicide, Lisa Marie kept his body in a room at her home on ice for months. She died way too young, from a variety of causes including drug abuse and an unstable life. A look at a sad life that should have been so much more. If you are looking for a biography of Elvis, this isn't it.

Lisa Marie near the end of her life

Me by Elton John

January 15, 2025

Me by Elton John

From his boyhood in a London suburb to being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, Elton John (nee Reginald Dwight) has led a drama-filled life. His recent memoir talks about his meteoric rise to fame, his addiction problems, and his celebrity friends (and losing many of those friends to addiction, suicide and AIDS). 

He also talks about his personal life, finding lasting love, becoming a father, his philanthropic work, and the trauma of losing his hair. Recommended for music fans, especially 1970s/1980s rock.

Elton John in his 1970s glory

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson

December 15, 2024

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson

A collection of stories from librarians and booksellers about the magic of reading and making books available. One of the best stories is from a Charlotte, NC, bookstore owner who brings her rescue Corgi to the bookstore with her every day and the dog is so well-known at the city newspaper does a story about her (several stories feature dogs or cats). Another is the bookseller who tells people it's okay to not finish a book that they are struggling with. There are stories about librarians surviving hurricanes, the 2008 recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommended for anyone who loves books, libraries, bookstores, and reading.

Diamond Dust by Russ Swain

September 17, 2024

Diamond Dust by Russ Swain

After borrowing $10,000 from a loan shark and realizing he had no way to repay the loan, Russ Swain decided to put his artistic skills to good use and forged a pile of $20 bills that were so good even the Secret Service had a hard time detecting them. After his life crashed down around him, Swain used his talent to rebuild his life.

Who doesn't love a good Mormon book? A lot of information about what makes U.S. currency unique (who knew there was silk in the paper or that the surface has a slight grit to it), as well as how to counterfeit a $20 bill. Will appeal to readers of true crime, general nonfiction, and do-it-yourself.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Example of a counterfeit $20 bill

Feast Without Fear: Food and the Delay, Don't Deny Lifestyle by Gin Stephens

August 1, 2024

Feast Without Fear:  Food and the Delay, Don't Deny Lifestyle by Gin Stephens

Follow-up to the author's two previous books on intermittent fasting. This one is more science-y and not quite as readable as the other two books, but still has a lot of good information as well as a bunch of links to studies. What to eat and how much to eat during my eating windows was one of the things that most confused me when I started IF, so this had some useful information about eating and also why Gin doesn't recommend or endorse any specific diet plan, or give sample menus or food lists. 

Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby

July 4, 2024

Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby

A collection of essays/rants by comedian Samantha Irby about her adventures moving to a small town in Michigan after living the first 40 years of her life in Chicago. Some of the essays completely passed me by, like the one about making a mixed tape where I didn't know any of the songs (although I did know most of the artists, like Pearl Jam). One of the funniest essays is called We Almost Got a Fucking Dog, to which I can completely relate. Cute rabbit on the cover. Recommended for readers who enjoy the rants of David Sedaris and Randy Rainbow.

LGBTQ author Samantha Irby

Low Hanging Fruit by Randy Rainbow

June 23, 2024

Low Hanging Fruit by Randy Rainbow

A collection of rants by comedian Randy Rainbow. Like all essay collections, some are better than others. There is an essay called "I Feel Bad About My Balls" that made me laugh until I cried. Even straight men would find it funny. Love the cover. Recommended for readers who enjoy essays and rants especially in the LGBTQ category.

People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn

June 22, 2024

People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn

Dara Horn has written several historical novels that feature Jewish characters in unexpected roles, such as Confederate spy. In this nonfiction work, she explores the inexplicable ways that Jews have been persecuted throughout history, up to and including the recent rash of attacks against synagogues and Jewish neighborhoods. Winner of the National Jewish Book Award. Recommended for anyone interested in exploring Jewish history.

My Love Story by Tina Turner

June 12, 2024

My Love Story by Tina Turner

The late Tina Turner's second memoir, which focuses on Tina's life and career after Ike. She notes early on that she lived without Ike twice as long as she was with him. In her second husband, Erwin Bach, Tina met the love of her life and became an international superstar.

A sweet heartfelt memoir about the second half of Tina's life. She is candid about her joys and tragedies, including her oldest son's suicide and her increasingly serious health issues in later life. Recommended for anyone who enjoys memoirs or the lives of musicians.

Tina Turner still shaking it in her 60s

Tangled Vines by John Glatt

June 16, 2024

Tangled Vines by John Glatt

The Murdaugh family of South Carolina were a celebrated dynasty often compared to the Kennedys. They ruled local politics, society, and the SC legal system for decades. But underneath their glossy exterior lay the truth: they engaged in illegal acts, deliberately bilked their legal clients out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlements, and even committed murder. 

At the risk of sounding cold and callous, it's hard to feel sorry for any of the Murdaugh clan. They engaged in so many nefarious acts, cheated and stole from people who trusted them, and used their connections to avoid paying for their crimes, believing they were above the law. They reminded me of the Borgias. Alec was convicted of murdering his wife and son Paul, while older son Buster (what kind of a grown man goes by the name Buster?) was suspected of murdering a gay classmate that he had a liaison with, while Paul (yeah, the one Alec killed) crashed his boat while drunk, killing a friend on board. Paul may also have killed the family's housekeeper. And yet local law enforcement and prosecutors were hesitant to go after any of them. Recommended for fans of true crime and despicable families.

The Murdaughs, a few years before Alec killed Maggie and younger son Paul