Another 1st for me - A Political-Based Book

Becoming

By: Michelle Obama

Genre: Autobiography

Pages: 426

Published: 2018

Read:  January

3.5 out of 5 stars

I am probably the most unpolitical person I know. I have never watched a debate or a presidential address and don’t even follow the news much. I was under the impression (although not sure why), that this was a book more about “becoming” a woman versus Michelle becoming Michelle. It was definitely more biographical then I expected. I found a lot of it pretty mundane, but so well written I didn’t have the desire to give up.  I feel Michelle didn’t lead a very rough life. Although she did her best to not brag, some parts were definitely just that.  She claims to have grown up pretty poor, but her parents still sent her to Paris in high school with her class and she managed to go to Harvard. Doesn’t sound like a rough life to me.

The part of the book I found most interesting was, ironically, after Obama moved into politics and eventually ran for President. Michelle was and still claims not to be into politics and focused her efforts on improvements for children – better school lunches, better education, healthy food habits, etc.  She grew as a woman, as a mother, and a role model for woman to look up to. I did find this empowering. Although not my type of autobiography, I am glad I read it and I did in fact learn a bit about the political world. 

I was surprised by how much I loved this book!

I Hate Myselfie

By: Shane Dawson

Genre: Autobiography/ humor

Pages: 228

Published: 2015

Read: November

5 out of 5

I usually do not read humor books. I also don't particularly enjoy short stories. However, this book is hilarious. I was not aware there were "youtubers" out there and definitely not youtubers that also write books.

A few of my regular teens requested I purchase some of their books. Not knowing what they were about, I wanted to read one first. While I recommend this book to readers that have a (sick) sense of humor, I do not recommend these particular book to teens.  

The Carter Family...

The Carter Family: Don't Forget this Song

By: Frank M. Young

Genre:  Adult graphic novel

Pages: 192

Published: 2012

Read: November

3 out of 5

A graphic portrayal of June Carter-Cash's musical family - it does not cover June's life but rather the life of her parent's. Even more so her aunt, uncle, and cousins. This was a huge disappointment. I was definitely looking forward to reading about June, her sisters, and Maybelle, which were the individuals I thought made up The Carter Family musical group . It was actually Alvin Pleasant (A.P.), Maybelle's brother-in-law, that began the group. He was a huge jerk, and worse, to everyone.  I honestly don't know how any of them put up with him.  I was blown away with how he is portrayed in this graphic novel - nothing was held back.  I appreciated that there was a family tree at the beginning since I referred to it often.  Also, my copy included a music CD as well, but only 4 songs :(

My music Idol

Johnny Cash: The Life

By: Robert Hilburn

Genre:  Biography

Pages: 688

Published: 2013

Read: June

3.5 out of 5

I love Johnny Cash. He is definitely one of  my music idols. However, this biography was a little too much detail and redundant; not really the author's fault there was just a period of Johnny's life that not much exciting happened. He had some hits, some flops, some drug related relapses but I felt reading about each and every one was extremely boring...for this particular period of his life I wish I read the cliff note version.  I learned a lot I didn't know with two of the most profound aspects being his strong friendship with Bob Dylan and some songs I never heard.  I also could not believe how determined he was too continue to record and perform so late in his life when his health was deteriorating so quickly.  A huge Johnny fan and avid reader would probably enjoy this book, otherwise I would recommend a shorter biography.

Genealogy Book - A Memoir

Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self-Discovery

By: Michael Sidney Fosberg

Genre: memoir

Pages: 338

Published: 2011

Read: January

2.5 out of 5

I thought the premise of this book was very interesting - being African American and not knowing until you were in your 30's. However, Fosberg is actually only 1/4 African American and states he "felt" it his entire children and others weren't surprised at that discovery either.  He started living his life as though he was black (trying to walk the walk; talk the talk) and wanted everyone to know. I understand the feeling of being left out as a child, but believe that is because he is adopted not because he is a different ethnicity. Overall, I felt he was full of himself and actually didn't put African Americans in the best of light. I do think it is an achievement how he traced back his heritage and everyone should do that!

First Graphic Novel of 2014

Bag of Marbles

By: Joseph Joffo

Genre: YA Graphic Novel

Pages: 126

Published: 2013

Read: January

3 out of 5

Not knowing until I finished, this is yet another nonfiction autobiographical graphic novel. It is the true story of two Jewish brothers' journey to freedom during World War II.  It was a good adaption for his novel and the illustrations were artistic (except everyone looked like they either had bags under their eyes or black eyes). I enjoyed the few German phrases (with interpretations) included in story. I wasn't overly impressed though nor would I go out of my way to recommend this graphic novel to everyone. However, it would be a great read for teens that need some insight of Jewish life during WWII, but don't want to read an entire history book.

And another biographical graphic novel

My Friend Dahmer

By: Derf Backderf

Genre: Biographical graphic Novel

Pages: 224

Published: 2012

Read: December

4 out of 5

I was very surprised when I started this book to discover it was actually written and drawn by an elementary friend of Jeffrey Dahmer. So after never reading a biographical graphic novel, I read two in one week.  I can’t say I enjoyed one more than the other and I felt both did enough reliable research to be considered biographical in nature.  Dahmer’s story also included a major gap in his story, however the author did not know him then and similar to Cash’s story the public definitely has heard that part of his life. I guess you can say I enjoy biographical graphic novels more than ones of other genres. 

A Bibliographical Graphic Novel

Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness

By: Reinhard Kleist

Genre: Biographic Graphic Novel

Pages: 224

Published: 2009

Read: December

4 out of 5

Even though I knew his music and remember where I was when I heard he died (2003) I didn't become a big fan of Johnny Cash  until I saw the movie, Walk the Line (2005).  I was very excited when a friend of mine handed me this book.  I have never read a biographically or nonfiction graphic novel; I found it very original and artistically drawn. However, I was largely disappointed because the story skipped from Johnny and June's first kiss to Cash's recording of, I See a Darkness (1999). I feel this gap is an essential part of Johnny's life both musically and with his relationship with June Carter and would have added a great detail to the book.  Therefore, as with most graphic novels, I felt I was only reading half the story.  I also enjoyed how the story incorporated some of his songs into the graphical story.

The Inspiration for Downton Abbey

Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid’s Memoir That Inspired Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey

By: Margaret Powell

Genre: Biography

Pages: 212

Published: 2012

Read: October

3.5 out of 5

First published in 1968, this biography is written in the high standards that avid readers place on books today. This was not only impressive, but also unique. In the retelling of her life as a servant, Powell does so with humor and grace.  The reader won’t feel sad for her, but instead proud of her and her accomplishments.  I do believe this was her intent and the book was not written to gain sympathy, just awareness. This biography also exemplifies the difference between good and bad employers. Powell stresses several times throughout the novel, what a difference a good employer is to a servant’s, or any employee’s, attitude towards work. My favorite aspect of the book was the comedic side of Powell’s storytelling.

Margaret Powell, who died in 1984, also wrote Servants’ Hall: a Real Life Upstairs, Downstairs Romance which was published in 1979.