Me by Elton John

October 29, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Me by Elton John
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In his first and only official autobiography, music icon Elton John reveals the truth about his extraordinary life, from his rollercoaster lifestyle as shown in the film Rocketman, to becoming a living legend.

Christened Reginald Dwight, he was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three he was performing his first gig in America, facing an astonished audience in his bright yellow dungarees, a star-spangled T-shirt, and boots with wings. Elton John had arrived and the music world would never be the same again.

His life has been full of drama, from the early rejection of his work with song-writing partner Bernie Taupin to spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar; from half-heartedly trying to drown himself in his LA swimming pool to disco-dancing with Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury, and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation to conquering Broadway with Aida, The Lion King, and Billy Elliot the Musical. All the while Elton was hiding a drug addiction that would grip him for over a decade.

In Me, Elton also writes powerfully about getting clean and changing his life, about finding love with David Furnish and becoming a father. In a voice that is warm, humble, and open, this is Elton on his music and his relationships, his passions and his mistakes. This is a story that will stay with you by a living legend.

Tantrums and Tiaras had nothing on this book.

I went into this book knowing I loved Elton John’s music. I assumed I’d like him as a person, too. He’s complicated and can be a bit of a pain in the behind, but I wouldn’t expect him any other way. His writing is honest and flows well. Plus, he’s candid. He doesn’t pull punches. He talks about his relationship with his mother, his father–both ridiculously complicated–and his love life. Then there’s his music.

In the grand scheme of things, he rather glosses over the music. It’s almost like it’s there, but it’s not the focus. I kind of liked that because he talks more about himself than the songs. But if you’re looking for his insights on his music, then this might not be the right book.

I loved how he described his feelings about David, his husband, and how he fell in love and opted to have kids. It’s sweet, complicated and worth the read. There are the kiss and tell moments, but this is more than that. It’s his honest recollection of his life–full of dents, holes, wrong turns and love.

If you want an autobiography that doesn’t come off preach and will keep your interest, then this is the book to try. Elton John fans, check it out!

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson

October 23, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson
Publisher: Crown Business
Genre: Contemporary, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Brilliant and engagingly written, Why Nations Fail answers the question that has stumped the experts for centuries: Why are some nations rich and others poor, divided by wealth and poverty, health and sickness, food and famine?

Is it culture, the weather, geography? Perhaps ignorance of what the right policies are?

Simply, no. None of these factors is either definitive or destiny. Otherwise, how to explain why Botswana has become one of the fastest growing countries in the world, while other African nations, such as Zimbabwe, the Congo, and Sierra Leone, are mired in poverty and violence?

Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson conclusively show that it is man-made political and economic institutions that underlie economic success (or lack of it). Korea, to take just one of their fascinating examples, is a remarkably homogeneous nation, yet the people of North Korea are among the poorest on earth while their brothers and sisters in South Korea are among the richest. The south forged a society that created incentives, rewarded innovation, and allowed everyone to participate in economic opportunities.

The economic success thus spurred was sustained because the government became accountable and responsive to citizens and the great mass of people. Sadly, the people of the north have endured decades of famine, political repression, and very different economic institutions—with no end in sight. The differences between the Koreas is due to the politics that created these completely different institutional trajectories.

Based on fifteen years of original research Acemoglu and Robinson marshall extraordinary historical evidence from the Roman Empire, the Mayan city-states, medieval Venice, the Soviet Union, Latin America, England, Europe, the United States, and Africa to build a new theory of political economy with great relevance for the big questions of today, including:

– China has built an authoritarian growth machine. Will it continue to grow at such high speed and overwhelm the West?

– Are America’s best days behind it? Are we moving from a virtuous circle in which efforts by elites to aggrandize power are resisted to a vicious one that enriches and empowers a small minority?

– What is the most effective way to help move billions of people from the rut of poverty to prosperity? More philanthropy from the wealthy nations of the West? Or learning the hard-won lessons of Acemoglu and Robinson’s breakthrough ideas on the interplay between inclusive political and economic institutions?

Why Nations Fail will change the way you look at—and understand—the world.

Written by an economist and a political scientist, this book attempts to answer an intriguing question about why some countries enjoy prosperity and other sink into desperation. Economics, politics, and history are the lenses readers will look through to partake of these important insights.

Which factors come into play? The authors compare countries in the present and the past side-by-side, discussing political and economic decisions that shape citizens’ lives. They go over the possibilities of climate, geography, culture, religion, etc. testing differences against prosperity or ruin and convincingly show that factors like these are not the reasons nations sink or swim.

Though many nations are discussed, a particular good look into the differences between North Korea and South Korea serve to highlight their point in an exceptional way.

Using history as a backdrop brings the lofty topic down to a more engaging level. Reading this book is enlightening, and those who are curious about the wider world will get much out of it.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

If You Ask Me: (And Of Course You Won’t) by Betty White

October 20, 2020 By 1 Comment


If You Ask Me: (And Of Course You Won’t) by Betty White
Publisher: Berkley Books
Genre: Contemporary, Non-Fiction, Memoir
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The New York Times bestseller from the beloved actress and Hollywood icon who’s made us laugh on shows from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to Golden Girls to Saturday Night Live!

In this candid take on everything from the unglamorous reality behind red-carpet affairs to her beauty regimen (“I have no idea what color my hair is, and I never intend to find out”), Betty White shares her observations about life, celebrity, and love (for humans and animals). Filled with photos, If You Ask Me is funny, sweet, and straight to the point—just like Betty.

Want a feel good read? Then this is it.

Betty White is a simple writer, but she’s a funny one. This book was just plain good. It made me feel good reading it and like I was talking with a friend. It’s an easy read and fast one. I’m guessing this is exactly how she talks in conversation and I loved it.

She’s got great little stories. She talks about female empowerment and the fun she had on her various movie and film sets. I like how she built the people around her up. I want more stories about her and Craig Ferguson riffing, too. I also loved her story about her hair color. She’s touched it up and colored it for so long that she can’t remember what color it’s supposed to be. How human is that? It made me grin.

If you’re looking for a book that will take you away for a few hours, will make you smile and just feel good, then this is the book you’re looking for. Recommended.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

How to Survive the Office by Jeremy Young

October 19, 2020 By Leave a Comment


How to Survive the Office by Jeremy Young
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

There is an enormous stress and anxiety pandemic spanning workplaces all over the world. To survive this pandemic, we must start by understanding and accepting the dynamics of office life as it really is and then create our path towards a peaceful future.

I have seen the insides of more offices than I prefer to count. I worked for numerous public, private, family-owned American, European, Middle Eastern, and Asian businesses across many different countries, for more than 20 years. The similarities of office life all over the world are striking. The problems experienced by junior associates, executive staff, and C.E.O.s, though at different levels of complexity, are remarkably alike. Equally similar are the promoted solutions in M.B.A. degrees and business books that do not solve office staff’s everyday problems. Why? Because they ignore the core office reality and paint a picture of a non-existent fairy tale.

There is still much drama in the workplace. Most, if not all, of it can be avoided.

Read “How to Survive the Office” to craft your own way out of the office. Contribute your office stories to www.HowToSurviveTheOffice.com to help heal the office life.

These are the unspoken rules for thriving in an office setting.

Every company has its own unique culture. I appreciated the author’s stories about the various places he’s worked and why he recommends being so cautious, especially in the early days when a new employee is still learning how everything works and what their new coworkers and bosses are truly like. There’s definitely something to be said for making a gentle entrance in order to avoid accidentally stepping on anyone’s toes.

One thing I do wish this book had gone into more detail about was the interview process itself. It would have been interesting to read Mr. Young’s thoughts on the red and green flags to look for when deciding whether one is actually interested in working for a particular company. It also would have been helpful to get more advice from him about how to put one’s best foot forward during the interview process.

Some of the most interesting passages came from Mr. Young’s thoughts on how to identify and manage a toxic work environment. Whether it was caused by one person in particular or by multiple problematic folks, he had a lot of sensible advice about how to minimize the effects of working with people who have trouble relating to and communicating with others.

How to Survive the Office was a thought-provoking and educational read that I’d recommend to anyone who is looking for a new job at the moment or trying to decide how to navigate the social scene at their current workplace.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

My Sister: How One Sibling’s Transition Changed Us Both by Selenis Leyva, Marizol Leyva

September 24, 2020 By Leave a Comment


My Sister: How One Sibling’s Transition Changed Us Both by Selenis Leyva, Marizol Leyva
Publisher: Bold Type Books
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Contemporary, LGBTQ
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A powerful memoir by two sisters about transitioning, family, and the path to self-realization.

When Orange Is the New Black and Diary of a Future President star Selenis Leyva was young, her hardworking parents brought a new foster child into their warm, loving family in the Bronx. Selenis was immediately smitten; she doted on the baby, who in turn looked up to Selenis and followed her everywhere. The little boy became part of the family. But later, the siblings realized that the child was struggling with their identity. As Marizol transitioned and fought to define herself, Selenis and the family wanted to help, but didn’t always have the language to describe what Marizol was going through or the knowledge to help her thrive.

In My Sister, Selenis and Marizol narrate, in alternating chapters, their shared journey, challenges, and triumphs. They write honestly about the issues of violence, abuse, and discrimination that transgender people and women of color–and especially trans women of color–experience daily. And they are open about the messiness and confusion of fully realizing oneself and being properly affirmed by others, even those who love you.

Profoundly moving and instructive, My Sister offers insight into the lives of two siblings learning to be their authentic selves. Ultimately, theirs is a story of hope, one that will resonate with and affirm those in the process of transitioning, watching a loved one transition, and anyone taking control of their gender or sexual identities.

Touching, riveting and worth the read.

I knew this would be a gut-wrenching book when I picked it up. I can’t imagine being in Marizol’s position–having your body one way, but feeling another inside. Reading about her transition, the bullying, the fear, confusion…I wanted to hug her. I loved that Selenis and the rest of the family gave her the love and respect she deserved on this journey. The parts concerning her birth parents was particularly hard. I can’t imagine what she went through at the hands of her father.

This book has been described as an open letter between sisters or a dialogue between them. It is. This isn’t all from Selenis’s point of view. Yes, she tells of how she felt as Marizol transitioned, but it’s more about Marizol. Truly.

This book shows how one can accept themselves, how their family can accept them and how it’s okay to be authentic. You have to be yourself.

If you’re interested in reading about Marizol’s journey, then check this book out.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel

September 10, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Historical, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

As America’s Mercury Seven astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, television cameras focused on the brave smiles of their young wives. Overnight, these women were transformed from military spouses into American royalty. They had tea with Jackie Kennedy, appeared on the cover of Life magazine, and quickly grew into fashion icons.

Annie Glenn, with her picture-perfect marriage, was the envy of the other wives; JFK made it clear that platinum-blonde Rene Carpenter was his favorite; and licensed pilot Trudy Cooper arrived with a secret that needed to stay hidden from NASA. Together with the other wives they formed the Astronaut Wives Club, providing one another with support and friendship, coffee and cocktails.

As their celebrity rose-and as divorce and tragedy began to touch their lives-the wives continued to rally together, forming bonds that would withstand the test of time, and they have stayed friends for over half a century. THE ASTRONAUT WIVES CLUB tells the story of the women who stood beside some of the biggest heroes in American history.

You’ve heard about the astronauts, but have you heard about the wives?

For these women, being a wife wasn’t the half of it. It wasn’t the hardest part, either. I’ve read the books about the astronauts. There’s an immeasurable amount of testosterone going on there. What else would one expect? They’re test pilots. But the wives. Now there’s something interesting that I hadn’t learned. The writing is crisp, but can be choppy at times, but the story is good.

Each woman is different and had her own set of challenges. If you don’t know the women, this is a great way to get to know them. I knew almost nothing about Michael Collins’ wife, nearly nothing about Louise Sheppard, Joan Aldrin…The only reason I remember Annie Glenn having a stutter was that John Glenn was our state senator forever and I remember seeing her on television. I respected each of the wives more and liked how they banded together. Marge Slayton become the mother of the group. Everyone rallied around the See, Basset, Chaffee, White and Grissom families. It’s touching, heartbreaking and interesting.

If you want a book about the unsung heroes behind the astronauts, then this is the one for you to check out. Read it.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The History of China in 50 Events by Henry Freeman

August 20, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The History of China in 50 Events by Henry Freeman
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Historical, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

☆ Chinese History in 50 Events ☆
As one of the oldest civilizations in the world, China has a vast, rich history. In order to assist with the study of Chinese history, this book has been broken down into a series of straightforward, easy-to-read vignettes.

Inside you will read about…
✓ The Great Flood
✓ The Great Wall is begun
✓ The Terra Cotta Army is created
✓ Gunpowder is invented
✓ Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution
✓ Marco Polo travels to China
✓ The Forbidden City is completed
✓ First Opium War
✓ SARS outbreak
And much more!

This book will provide in-depth insights into some of the most important events in Chinese history while providing an overall context within which these events took place. Designed as an introductory overview of Chinese history, this book is the perfect resource for those who are seeking to expand their knowledge of China and world history.

History lovers will likely appreciate this quick, accessible book about the history of China. Within these pages, readers become enlightened about China, dating back thousands of years. The good part is that this information is compact and straight to the point. You get to the core of the matter.

The topics discussed are chosen for their relevance and familiarity, but even if readers have heard about certain of these subjects, they are sure to learn more interesting aspects about them. Some of the topics brought up are: The Great Wall of China, Confucius, The Terra Cotta Army, the invention of paper, important dynasties, when the Romans first reached China, and many other good themes.

This book is short and an easy read. It is definitely worth the time to advance one’s knowledge in world history. The writing is engaging, not a dry history book, and readers can get through it quickly then feel like they’re taking away something good from the experience.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

June Book of the Month Poll ~ Binding Circumstance by Kelley Griffin

June 30, 2020 By 3 Comments


Binding Circumstance by Kelley Griffin
Publisher: Champagne Book Group
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense/Mystery
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Alstroemeria

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

To save the life of the man she loves, she’ll have to risk her own.

Costume designer, Leslie Carroll has mastered the art of flying under the radar. She’s had to, or risk being found by the psychopath who almost killed her.

When she literally falls into Hollywood heartthrob Charlie Erickson’s dressing room on her first day of employment, their mutual attraction is instant and undeniable. Despite his star status, Charlie is a sweet southern boy at heart, and for the first time in a long time, Leslie begins to think she has a chance at happiness.

When her harrowing past catches up to her and targets Charlie, will she run to save herself, or face her monster to save the man who is her future?

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Horror, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery/Suspense, Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Uncategorized, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: ,

May Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ Monty and the Monster by Rhonda Smiley

May 31, 2020 By 3 Comments


Monty and the Monster by Rhonda Smiley
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Middle Grade, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (232 pages)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

When seventh grader Monty Hyde moves for the fourth time in two years, it’s the same old story. New neighborhood, new school, new bullies, no friends. With his dad working all the time and his older brother too popular to notice, he’s the lonely outcast yet again. That is until he finds a mysterious replication serum in his basement and decides to make a friend. From scratch.

But when his creation turns out to be a stinky, hairy eight-foot-tall monster that might be eating the neighborhood kids, Monty knows he must undo his experiment. Problem is, it’s the best friend he’s ever had.

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Horror, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery/Suspense, Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: ,

The Dog Diet, A Memoir by Patti Lawson

May 28, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Dog Diet, A Memoir by Patti Lawson
What My Dog Taught Me About Shedding Pounds, Licking Stress and Getting a New Leash on Life
Publisher: HCI Publishers
Genre: Contemporary, Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Length: Full Length (271 pgs)
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

We live in a diet-obsessed age, when we lose five pounds just to gain ten, delude ourselves that the next exercise contraption we buy from that midnight infomercial will finally take that extra inch off our thighs, and become convinced that the latest diet fad of beet soup and goat’s milk will help us look good in a bikini. But now you can forget the Zone, Atkins and South Beach! It turns out that the ultimate weight-loss plan is owning a dog: Man (and woman’s) best friend is the fail proof personal trainer-dietician-nutritionist you’ve been looking for you all your life.

That’s just what Patti Lawson found in her dog, Sadie.

A diet-obsessed, single lawyer, Patti spent the winter indulging in multiple brands of chocolate while mourning the demise of her latest relationship. Spring found her pudgy and pitiful, when Fate – and a fortuitous trip to PetSmart – brought rascally puppy Sadie into Patti’s petless, pristine, if a bit sterile, life. Since that day life hasn’t been the same for Patti or Sadie.

A life that began together with 3:00 a.m. walks through the park, incessant barking and stolen moments of trying to eat just a crumb of breakfast without puppy-interference soon morphed into a partnership of exercise and healthy eating with the added bonus that Sadie taught Patti a thing or two about letting go and stopping to smell the roses.

A memoir-cum-diet, The Dog Diet takes a tongue-in-cheek look at our obsession with weight loss and will have you laughing out loud as you recognize your own dysfunctional relationship with food. In the process you’ll learn a simple and natural method for shedding unwanted pounds without the usual stress and disappointments that go along with typical dieting regimens.

A dog, a diet and the drive.

I picked up this book because I wanted to read about someone’s journey with their dog. A journey to a better them. I’ll be honest, on the surface, this is a cute book. Girl has problems in life, girl thinks she’s at rock bottom, girl gets dog. Life looks up and she’s happy. The writing is paced well and I wanted to learn more about the author and Sadie, her dog.

But things went a tad off the rails for me. I totally understood the author’s hesitancy to get a dog. Some people aren’t dog people. There’s no crime in saying you’re not a pet person. The dog grew on her. Again, I get it. Sometimes you don’t know what you can do until you’re tasked to do it. Where this took some turns I wasn’t expecting and wasn’t a fan of involved how she crated the dog at night. It’s a personal thing. Some readers might not be bothered. I was. Then there was the diet aspect of the book. The lengths this author went to find quiet food so the dog wouldn’t know she was eating was a little odd. Dogs have keen hearing. I swear they know when you’re thinking about opening something to eat and show up. Some of her diet advice was interesting, too. Her advice involved, in a nutshell, moving around before you eat. Cool, but you have to go with the dog’s schedule–at least I do. The author wrote like these discoveries, like not getting your coffee until the dog has eaten and pottied, were revelations. Maybe I’ve had dogs for so long this was all second nature. I don’t know. I thought this would be more of a memoir and that was the part I liked the best.

I did like the book, though. I liked reading about her travels with Sadie, the author’s being slowly won over by the dog and how the author came to realize dogs are work, but they’re not nearly as bad as she thought. The author’s stories and way of writing were crisp, so check this book out. It might be just what you’re looking for.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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