Category Archives: Bios and Memoirs

Where Have You Been Bobby Marr?: Friend, Felon, Hero – Morris Dalla Costa

(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch) #CommissionsEarned Where Have You Been Bobby Marr? is the memoir of Bobby Marr, a young man who left the US to fight in Viet Nam as a whole man, but came back in pieces, physically … Continue reading

Posted in Bios and Memoirs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Where Have You Been Bobby Marr?: Friend, Felon, Hero – Morris Dalla Costa

Things I Have Withheld – Kei Miller

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “…the place where I have always felt most comfortably gay is in Jamaica. In Jamaica, I know the language and the mannerisms of queerness. In Jamaica, I know how to dance. In Jamaica, I do not … Continue reading

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Immigration, Short stories, Social Justice, World Literature | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Things I Have Withheld – Kei Miller

Here, Right Matters: An American Story – Alexander Vindman

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Regardless of any impact on the president, the domestic and foreign policy consequences, or personal costs, I had no choice but to report what I’d heard. That duty to report is a critical component of U.S. … Continue reading

Posted in American Politics, Bios and Memoirs, History, Immigration, Non-fiction, Our Best, Politics, World Issues | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Here, Right Matters: An American Story – Alexander Vindman

Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guys – Joe Coulombe with Patty Civalleri

(Reviewed by Don Jung) Becoming Trader Joe is a true story about a marketing genius who went against conventional mega grocery store chains to create his own style of branding, with a name with unusual food products. Joe Coulombe started … Continue reading

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Business, Non-fiction | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guys – Joe Coulombe with Patty Civalleri

Nine Moons – Gabriela Wiener, Jessica Powell (Translator)

(reviewed by JD Jung) “Europe is the best place for a Latin American to starve to death and drink good wine.” Gabriela Wiener and her husband originally travelled from Peru to Barcelona on student visas. However, when these two journalists … Continue reading

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Latin American Literature | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Nine Moons – Gabriela Wiener, Jessica Powell (Translator)

Where Silence Ends – Angela Ruiz, Mary Ruiz

(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) Where Silence Ends is a beautiful story about how a young girl finally breaks silence over all the abuse and trauma she has gone through. Reading through four generations of Mexican American culture, family drama, and … Continue reading

Posted in Bios and Memoirs | Tagged , | Comments Off on Where Silence Ends – Angela Ruiz, Mary Ruiz

Hits, Heathens, and Hippos: Stories from an Agent, Activist, and Adventurer – Marty Essen

(Reviewed by Don Jung) Marty Essen is an interesting personality who went from being in the music industry to becoming a political activist and then a travel writer/lecturer covering seven continents. This autobiography has a laid-back narrative that feels like … Continue reading

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Hits, Heathens, and Hippos: Stories from an Agent, Activist, and Adventurer – Marty Essen

Snow Blind: Recovering After the Random Shooting – William M Johnson

(reviewed by Ann Onymous ) “Why was I given the gift of almost immediate acceptance of what had happened, when othersweren’t?“ July 1991 found our author, Bill, shot in the head, which left him  permanently blind. He was working in … Continue reading

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Snow Blind: Recovering After the Random Shooting – William M Johnson

This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism – Don Lemon

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Racism is a cancer that has been metastasizing throughout this land ever since Columbus showed up. It’s persisted because the right people had the luxury of ignoring it. Not anymore.” In fact, Donald Trump, a blatant … Continue reading

Posted in American Politics, Bios and Memoirs, History, Non-fiction, Politics, Social Justice | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism – Don Lemon

Keep Walking, Your Heart Will Catch Up: A Camino de Santiago journey – Cathay O. Reta

(reviewed by JD Jung) “There is something mystical, magical about the Camino…I’m seeing a profound connection between the body, the mind and the heart. I’m finding a deep shaking as they join forces and get on the same page.” Newly … Continue reading

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Philosophical reads, Travel, Your Best Self | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Keep Walking, Your Heart Will Catch Up: A Camino de Santiago journey – Cathay O. Reta