I normally don’t review non-fiction books, but this was a real eye-opening experience for me. I did take half a star off because it predominately featI normally don’t review non-fiction books, but this was a real eye-opening experience for me. I did take half a star off because it predominately featured those who have an anxious attachment over the others, so I would’ve liked to hear more about avoidants and anxious-avoidants. I’d still like to learn more about attachment theory, so I’m open to your suggestions!...more
This was a lot of fun, especially since so many housewives participated, but there is very little "tea" provided. I knew it would be "real housewives This was a lot of fun, especially since so many housewives participated, but there is very little "tea" provided. I knew it would be "real housewives tea lite" as Andy Cohen is publishing the book, but figured it would be a fun ride. I'm not mad that I read it, but they didn't really dive too far into the juicy details that fans really want to know about....more
Couple Found Slain: After a Family Murder is definitely one of the stronger true crime books that I've read lately. I navigated the story by alterCouple Found Slain: After a Family Murder is definitely one of the stronger true crime books that I've read lately. I navigated the story by alternating between audiobook and the written book, and the audiobook was much stronger. This book started right into the case of Brian Bechtold and his family's murder. We dive into a world people tend to forget - post conviction prison life. This book provides an in-depth account of Brian's post-arrest and his psychological diagnosis. The narrative was very strong and at times I felt like I was listening to a show on Investigation Discovery (my favorite tv channel). Highly recommend....more
I normally don't read memoirs as I feel like public figures tend to pick and choose what they'd like to talk about, but Margaret Josephs holds nothingI normally don't read memoirs as I feel like public figures tend to pick and choose what they'd like to talk about, but Margaret Josephs holds nothing back in her upcoming memoir. This no holds barred story talks about her upbringing with a mother who was a friend rather than a parent, living with traditional Hungarian roots and forging her own path in fashion. We can scandalous tales of sex and romance, loss and tragedy, and career set backs. Of course, we are given a bird's eye view on everything Real Housewives, but I really loved hearing about Margaret's past before becoming a reality tv staple. As mentioned on The Real Housewives, Emily Liebert is the ghostwriter for this book and she captured Margaret's voice perfectly! I had Marge's voice in the back of my head as I kept turning the pages. My respect for Margaret has grown immensely after reading this book and I really think it'll be a popular read for not only housewives fans, but people who want to read read about women commanding their own respect in work and in life....more
I rarely read true crime, even though I'm trying to read more. One of my most anticipated true crime reads on my TBR was Elon Green's Last Call: A I rarely read true crime, even though I'm trying to read more. One of my most anticipated true crime reads on my TBR was Elon Green's Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York, a detailed depiction of a serial killer often overlooked, The Last Call Killer. At a little over 200 pages, you can read this book in one sitting easily!
Last Call tackles the backstories of The Last Call Killer's victims, while also talking about how life was for queer people in the 1960s up until the last victim's death. This book was so interesting to me, because as a gay man, I always want to know why people are continuously trying to bring my community down. As I ventured on with the story, the author does a great job immersing you into the case. I did feel that the writing was a bit dry, but I've come to accept that when it comes to nonfiction storytelling. I do wish we got more into the serial killer's backstory, but I do believe that Elon Green did the best he could with the content he was able to find. I'm excited to see what's next for Elon Green's true crime writing career....more
Full disclosure- I love Rachel Bloom. I do not, however, enjoy memoirs, but Rachel Bloom's I Want To Be Where the Normal People Are is a 3.5 stars
Full disclosure- I love Rachel Bloom. I do not, however, enjoy memoirs, but Rachel Bloom's I Want To Be Where the Normal People Are is a really cute memoir. It's a very fast paced read and I read it in one sitting. I enjoyed hearing the background of Rachel's upbringing—I related to her childhood of being bullied and her feeling different and eventually being diagnosed with some mental conditions. While I don't suffer from OCD like Rachel Bloom does, I do relate to the feeling of not feeling "normal." Feeling "normal" is a constant battle in Rachel's life and this book does a cute job of showing that—whether it be through poems, drawings, or analogies. I think if anyone is a fan of Crazy Ex Girlfriend, Rachel Bloom, or wants to read a fun memoir, pick up I Want To Be Where the Normal People Are....more
Deeply moving and raw, ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE touches on the social constructs of being both black and queer. I couldn’t recommend this book enough—it sDeeply moving and raw, ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE touches on the social constructs of being both black and queer. I couldn’t recommend this book enough—it should be mandatory reading. ...more
Wow, this book is heavy on my heart. If you need a book to put things into perspective right now while dealing with COVID-19, like me, this book will Wow, this book is heavy on my heart. If you need a book to put things into perspective right now while dealing with COVID-19, like me, this book will help you realize that your struggles and pain are valid. I could not put this book down because the stories really gripped me from chapter one. Dealing with drugs, alcoholism, sexuality, gender, marriage, religion, Craigslist Confessional is a deeply profound dialogue between Helena Dea Bala and various people who she's interviewed through Craigslist. This book will stay with me for some time. I can only imagine how much Helena's perspective on life has changed from encountering these people. ...more
This book is the perfect housewarming gift or coffee table book for LGBTQ+ friends. I know a lot about queer history and I am so happy to find a book This book is the perfect housewarming gift or coffee table book for LGBTQ+ friends. I know a lot about queer history and I am so happy to find a book that really dives deep in a fun and educational way. I thoroughly enjoyed this entire read and think it's important for LGBTQ+ kids to pick this up when they realize their school systems don't educate about famous queer history. I cannot recommend this book enough! ...more
I'll be honest and tell you that I read American Dirt earlier this year and fell victim to the book's sensationalized storyline. Sometimes as a white I'll be honest and tell you that I read American Dirt earlier this year and fell victim to the book's sensationalized storyline. Sometimes as a white man, I don't understand my privilege as much as I should due to also being a gay man. When I heard that Karla Cornejo Villavicencio was coming out with a non-fiction book with real life accounts of undocumented people sharing their journey and struggles, I knew that I wanted to read these stories. As a New Yorker, I tend to believe that my ideals tend to gravitate towards more accepting and sympathetic when it comes to the topic of America's undocumented population, but I know that no matter what I believe, I still need to learn more. Karla Cornejo Villavicencio doesn't have all the answers in The Undocumented Americans and she doesn't claim to have them. This book is unapologetic, raw, and compassionate. I read it in one sitting....more
This book is insightful and really makes you think. I highly suggest reading Glennon Doyle's new book while in quarantine because it really is just a This book is insightful and really makes you think. I highly suggest reading Glennon Doyle's new book while in quarantine because it really is just a great "feel good" type of book. I really felt much better about my current surroundings. I didn't identify with everything that the book talks about, but the pieces that I did, really hit home for me. I feel like a better person after finishing this book....more
To be honest, the show is better! I hate saying that, but the way this book reads does not keep my interest. It took me almost a month to get through To be honest, the show is better! I hate saying that, but the way this book reads does not keep my interest. It took me almost a month to get through this audiobook because the writing style is very over the top and detailed, rather than straight to the point. I prefer non-fiction and crime-fiction to just focus on the conversation at hand. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I definitely think readers should check out the show, but if you haven't yet, then maybe pick up the book first. That way, you won't get disappointed when you pick this up. It does provide insight on what future seasons of the show could be, which is very exciting and has my mind racing. ...more
While the audiobook narrator was phenomenal, this book really just was plain jane boring for me. There are people who don't need to come out in real lWhile the audiobook narrator was phenomenal, this book really just was plain jane boring for me. There are people who don't need to come out in real life and I think that this would be a book for you to read. For those of us who do need to come out, this book is not anything you haven't already heard of. ...more
I may have been the last person ever to read I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, but it definitely came at the right moment. My work/life balance has been ridicI may have been the last person ever to read I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, but it definitely came at the right moment. My work/life balance has been ridiculous lately, and the advanced copies that I’ve been reading and reviewing have been meh as well (more on that later when you see my review posts for them ...more
I am completely shocked that My Friend Anna is a real story! This non-fiction book has been optioned for a Netflix show, produced by Shonda Rhimes. I I am completely shocked that My Friend Anna is a real story! This non-fiction book has been optioned for a Netflix show, produced by Shonda Rhimes. I read My Friend Anna in ONE SITTING folks, one sitting! That hasn't happened in forever. Read the synopsis and then jump in!
I can't fault Rachel DeLoache Williams on believing Anna Delvey (real name Anna Sorokin)'s lies, because if there's one thing about New York, it's that you meet a ton of rich people all the time. New York the city with the most billionaires in the world, so why would Rachel have any doubt that Anna isn't a trust fund baby? Especially after initially being wooed by her financially? I don't want to dive too much into the story, but if you are participating in #nonfictionnovember, I urge you to pick up My Friend Anna. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NETFLIX SHOW! I've been googling this story all morning! ...more
“When I sat with Putin in meetings, he looked more like one of those guys on the subway who imperiously spread their legs wide, encroaching on everyon“When I sat with Putin in meetings, he looked more like one of those guys on the subway who imperiously spread their legs wide, encroaching on everyone else’s space, as if to say, ‘I take what I want,’ and ‘I have so little respect for you that I’m going to act like I’m lounging at home in my bathrobe.’ They call it ‘manspreading.’ That was Putin.” LOL sorry but this is hilariously accurate.
Hillary Rodham Clinton's What Happened is a brilliantly written, deeply honest, humbling account of her upbringing, family life, and of course - her 2016 run for President. I will keep my review short and as objective as possible, as I do not want to be attacked by trolls (which is also covered explicitly in an entire section of this memoir), nor do I want my review to be baiting to anyone politically. Coming into this with an open mind, Hillary takes accountability for her mishaps in the election; how the media and the press, along with Russian intelligence and Wikileaks helped shape Donald Trump into being the 45th President of the United States. I thoroughly enjoyed Hillary's candor in regards to how they campaigned in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. She also dives into the Flint, Michigan water crisis and other varying social controversies taking place in modern day America. I thoroughly enjoyed that the book was broken up into distinct sections, where for the most part could be read at its own pace, and not consecutively. It was refreshing to see her own up to campaign oversights while also being vulnerable like a normal human being. The media has portrayed her to be robotic and unsympathetic to the average American. After reading What Happened, they couldn't be further from the truth....more
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