Back of Book: 

Cristina's son was about to embark on gender-affirming care that might have endangered his future fertility. She realized the need to find options that would help him and in doing so she discovered a future—where living your life authentically doesn't mean giving up your fertility.

Through interviews with trans thought leaders and letters to her son, as well as practical advice for parents, Cristina weaves together a tapestry of voices from the trans community to tell a story that has never been told before—of transformation, and hormones, and hope. An amazing resource for parents of children undergoing gender- affirming care, and a beautiful meditation on the euphoria and challenge of transition. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir | Nonfiction | Parenting | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A thought-provoking memoir that explores one supportive mother and the lengths that she goes to show her trans son that she is on his side no matter what. 

When I got an email asking if I wanted to read and promote "About Bliss," I was instantly intrigued. It's not often that a trans memoir hits my inbox, so I instantly hit the apply button. I'm glad that I was approved, because this is the type of LGBTQIA+ resource that I'm happy to know exists. It's written by one of the most supportive mothers I have ever encountered and will make a great resource for parents of transgender teens or other individuals who are wanting to learn more about life as a trans kid in the United States during a tumultuous era (that we are still living through today in 2025). 

This book was written for two main reasons, as far as I understand. One, to help Cristina's son, Jake, better comprehend his own journey as a trans child in which his parents had control over many important decisions involving his future and the healthcare that he would receive. And two, to help other parents of trans children learn to better understand their own children and provide them with resources to help them be better, more supportive parents of trans kids. I think that this is an imperative resource for many other people, not just parents of trans and gender nonconforming children. The reflection questions may not be as helpful to other individuals, but that doesn't mean that this book won't help others gain empathy for their fellow humans and help enlighten them on many things that they've probably never stopped to think about before. 

Olivetti's memoir dives deeply into the politics, healthcare treatments, and other news centered around trans teens in the United States. The subject matter in this book occurred during the end of the Obama legislation into the beginning of the Trump legislation (and COVID, yippee), so these are certainly trying times for trans kids. I am sad to say that we are regressing in many ways since the events of this book happened, and I am wishing the best to Jake and all the other trans people who are being so poorly mistreated in this day and age. 

Throughout the course of this novel, Cristina interviews many different leaders that are standing up for trans rights, equality, and safe healthcare practices. These segments take a break from Jake's personal plight and showcase the many positive ways that people are standing up for the LGBTQIA+ community and putting up a fight for equal human rights. 

This book is written in second person, which I think is such a powerful tool to use when talking about trans and gender nonconforming people. I've seen this done once in the past, so I was quite used to this method that enhances the ease of telling a story featuring someone who has gone by various pronouns throughout their life. 

I think my biggest concern about this book is how quickly the information in it will (and already has) changed and become inaccurate. It took this story over five years to make its way into the world in a traditionally published format, and I can already see how this book has aged. Luckily, it is still a great historical piece logging Jake's journey and offers a great snapshot of trans life in 2019-2020. And many of the same political issues and notoriously disgusting mindsets still exist, so this book is still as prevalent as the moment Olivetti first penned it. 

I would love it if Olivetti would write more about her other life experiences that don't surround her child. In the acknowledgements, she talks about so many things that really intrigue me. I mean, she's met Cheryl Strayed, for Pete's sake! But what I would most love to hear more about is her experience being a caretaker for her husband who has ALS (AKA Lou Gehrig's Disease). This is another super personal topic, so I understand if she wouldn't want to share all of this with the world. She handled this book with such grace and nuance, though, so I feel many could benefit from her take on that experience, too. 

Overall, "About Bliss" is an enlightening memoir that is both moving and educational. This book is the perfect role-model for parents of transgender and gender nonconforming children, but it is a book that most people could learn a ton from. I feel that this book could teach anyone a bit more about the unfortunate circumstances that trans people in the United States (and around the world) are being forced to fight against on a daily basis. Cristina is a S-tier mother, and I am so grateful that people like her exist to stand up for our children and make the world a better place one day at a time. I would love to read more of her work in the future! 

Back of Book: 

For fans of You’ll Grow Out of It, this comedic patchwork of flash-prose, essay, and poetry snapshots a millennial performance artist’s journey from late bloomer to adult, inviting twenty-something women to embrace their self-worth, sexuality, and own-your-weird mentality.

Growing up in Santa Barbara, California, way too close to the Hollywood dream machine, Jenna Tico’s self-worth wanes to invisibility when her identity becomes enmeshed with validation from celebrities and spiritual F-boys... until she claws her way back to empowerment. Here, Tico shares vulnerable personal essays, stories, and poetry—all grouped following the cycles of the moon—chronicling her journey from late bloomer to full grownup. Observing the world of twenty-something relationships from perspectives as diverse as a bachelorette houseboat, a music festival afterparty, and the airplane ride to a death bed, she validates the experiences of women who feel like they have been abandoned by the generation that came before them. Her self-reflective stories encourage healthy life choices for young women without telling them where, what, or how to live their lives—and always with a healthy dash of humor on the side.

Simultaneously hilarious and poignant (without the whiff of morality play), Cancer Moon invites readers to embrace their twenties—aka the “age of wallowing”—as a humorous and necessary step toward understanding how we become who we want to be in the world.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir | Poetry | Essays 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟 

A chaotic memoir showcasing the early life of a girl who went through some pretty toxic relationships and managed to come out the other end of them alive (and with her sense of humor intact). 

In a collection of poems, journal entries, and personal essays, Jenna Tico gives the reader a front row seat into her often chaotic life from a crazy bachelorette party, to her experiences as a nanny, and even the nitty gritty details of some of her toxic relationships with many famous f-boys that thrive in the Santa Barbara area. 

Personally, I really couldn't get into the mass majority of this book. It had little to no structure or organization, and there didn't seem to be any coherency to why each essay/poem was placed where it was. It wasn't in chronological order, and the section headers didn't give me enough information to confidently say what the theme of each section is. Also, a great majority of this book explores Tico's sexual life, which is just something that I didn't need to know all about. I'm sure other people may find aspects of Tico's story relatable, but her life is just too out there for me to personally relate to anything and it often had me wondering if we were even living on the same planet. My life is pretty tame, so I feel that Tico's story just didn't resonate all that much with me. 

However, the end section of the book was totally worth reading and the context of the earlier sections of the book are necessary for it to resonate fully. Once she started talking about the things she had learned from the kids that she nannied, I found myself very interested in what I was reading. I felt that these experiences had life lessons that I could actually relate to and therefore glean info from. The way she talked about COVID and her own pregnancy at the end was also enjoyable, and made me feel that reading this book from start to finish might of actually been worth it in the long run. 

Overall, I didn't love "Cancer Moon" by any means and I often found it to be very confusing. I wasn't a huge fan of the immense amount of sexual content and toxicity, which made it not that enjoyable of a read for me. However, I do feel that many women could probably relate to this content, especially if they have found themselves in poor relationship time and time again. It certainly isn't a memoir for everyone, but I'm not leaving this one mad that I read it either. 

Back of Book: 

A memoir about growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity.

Michelle Zauner tells of growing up one of the few Asian American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother's particular, high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother's tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food.

As she grew up, moving to the East Coast for college, finding work in the restaurant industry, and performing gigs with her fledgling band—and meeting the man who would become her husband—her Koreanness began to feel ever more distant, even as she found the life she wanted to live. It was her mother's diagnosis of terminal cancer, when Michelle was twenty-five, that forced a reckoning with her identity and brought her to reclaim the gifts of taste, language, and history her mother had given her. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

The kind of stories you'd eavesdrop on in a bar—just to retell later for laughs. 

From driving a car down the hallways of a high school (on purpose) to leaping over a corpse mid-run, these true tales serve up the kind of chaos you couldn't invent if you tried. Ever sneak into a drive-in with a trunk full of friends? Work at a local radio station where everything falls apart? Convince an entire college that Neil Diamond's wife is roaming campus incognito? Yeah, it's that kind of story. 

You'll meet a few unforgettable dogs, endure a meltdown at Spaghetti Works, and sidestep a falling tree by the skin of your teeth. Whether it's demolition derbies, raising kids, wrangling a forest fire, or making gloriously bad choices on the back-roads of western Nebraska, this collection will throw you headfirst into the wild, messy comedy of growing up. 

If you're after the kind of stories that turn into legendary bar chatter, this book is calling your name. Grab a drink, settle in, and get ready for a rollercoaster of mischief and mayhem.  

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir | Short Stories 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A collection of real-life short stories that showcase just how exciting (and random) a single person's life can be!

After reading the first memoir written by Donald and Anna, "Where We Land," I was so happy to learn that these two have more stories to share with the world! This one is a collection of short stories that showcase a variety of different life experiences. Some of them are insane (like stumbling across a dead body on a run or diving headfirst into a wildfire) where others are more down to Earth and relatable (such as sneaking into the movies with a truckload of friends or enduring an extreme meltdown from a grouchy little sister). As with any collection, some of these stories truly shine while others aren't quite as brilliant.

I enjoyed learning more about Don and his family; there was so many things that caught me completely off guard despite the fact I've read an entire memoir about him already. Reading about his early years had me alarmed that some people can be this stupid, but I also see how taking risks really can build character. Don certainly grew up in a different era than I (I mean, he grew up in the 70s and I grew up in the early 2000s, so that's no surprise), and I found reading about his childhood to be quite enlightening. The way that this memoir recollects weird instances that occur over Don's entire life is pretty neat; there's a little something for everyone!

One of my favorite parts about this memoir is the simple fact that it really shows that everyone has a story to tell. Yes, Don has done some crazy things that most people will never experience (such as compete in a demo derby or heck, even fly a plane), but the majority of these stories are something that the average person can relate to themselves. Even if you don't do anything that you view as spectacular during your time on this planet, so many instances make for an amazing story if you know how to tell it right. I think this is a really neat sentiment and I hope that other people will feel just as comforted reading about Don's life as I did.

I read this one a few stories a night before bed, which I think is honestly the perfect way to read this memoir. There are so many different lessons and experiences to dig into, and I think digesting them slowly over time is the best way to consume them.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with "The Ding-Dong Altar Boy." Some of these stories are pretty insane, but this memoir does a fantastic job at making even the most mundane parts of life seem extraordinary. I am so glad that I have forged a connection with Anna online and that I had the opportunity to join her street team. I look forward to seeing what other stories that this dynamic duo has to share with the world. As long as they'll keep sending stories my way, I'll keep on reading them! 

Back of Book: 

Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her "head-for-the-hills bag". In the summer she stewed herbs for her mother, a midwife and healer, and in the winter she salvaged in her father's junkyard.

Her father forbade hospitals, so Tara never saw a doctor or nurse. Gashes and concussions, even burns from explosions, were all treated at home with herbalism. The family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education and no one to intervene when one of Tara's older brothers became violent.

Then, lacking any formal education, Tara began to educate herself. She taught herself enough mathematics and grammar to be admitted to Brigham Young University, where she studied history, learning for the first time about important world events like the Holocaust and the civil rights movement. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge. Only then would she wonder if she'd traveled too far, if there was still a way home.

Educated is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty and of the grief that comes with severing the closest of ties. With the acute insight that distinguishes all great writers, Westover has crafted a universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one's life through new eyes and the will to change it.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

In this uplifting debut memoir perfect for fans of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Deb Miller discards the myth of Prince Charming once she realizes he can’t get her to happily ever after and instead gets on the white horse herself, safely straps her kids on behind her, and figures out how to get there on her own.

In Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness, Deb Miller learns to slay the myth of Prince Charming and redefine what it means to live happily ever after.

When Deb’s college sweetheart can’t deliver the fairy tale she expects, she takes charge and creates her own. Her love of tennis opens new professional doors but also leads to a tumultuous second marriage. This powerful memoir chronicles her transformation from a Midwest housewife to a global executive as she navigates societal expectations, personal setbacks, and professional triumphs.

Throughout her journey, Deb draws fascinating parallels with Disney’s ever-evolving princesses, who have moved from damsels in distress to courageous, independent characters who embrace their unique strengths and forge their own paths. Along Deb’s winding, bumpy course to happiness, she learns a few lessons worth sharing. Her story will empower other women who might be taking a different path than the traditional one they were taught to tread. This is her tale of resilience, pursuing a better life for her children, and finding genuine happiness for herself. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

An inspiring memoir about overcoming societal stereotypes, persevering through tough circumstances, and discovering one's true happiness. 

I was really intrigued by how this book was pitched to me. I was told that it was a memoir that examined classic Disney fairy tales and flipped them on their heads. I found the way that Deb compared her life to fairy tales was quite astute, and the way that her life evolves with Disney's princess narratives was really interesting to hear unfold. 

Deb goes through two unsuccessful marriages, raises three kids practically on her own, and has an amazing career in the marketing sector. Despite everything that tries to hold her back, Deb perseveres and doesn't let anything stop her success story. Her life may not have played out like the fairy tales, but that doesn't mean that she hasn't found her happily ever after. 

The way that children are influenced by media is a topic that I am quite passionate about. From a young age, we condition our children (especially young girls) and tell them that they must find a mate to be happy and that they will be viewed as abnormal if they aren't seeking out love as soon as possible. I think this is quite sickening, and I think it is really important to showcase all types of lifestyles in which people are happy and thriving, even if they are unmarried, divorced, perfectly happy raising their pet cat, or any other form of living. Deb does a great job of showcasing how her life story was atypical to how it plays out in the movies, but that is perfectly alright (and honestly how it should be). Everyone should be able to live their life the way that they want to, and society has got to lose its hold on who one should love and how they should do it; it's truly not society's business anyway. 

I can definitely relate to some of the events that Deb had to go through with her second husband, Sergei. I am only a teenager myself, so I'm not married, but I see a lot of my dad in Sergei. It is always comforting to me to know that not everyone has access to the picture-perfect father, but I also find it soothing to know that my childhood could have been filled with even more strife at the hands of a man. 

Overall, "Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness" is a powerful memoir that is filled with inspiring circumstances and sound advice. The influence the media has on us is a topic that I find quite interesting, so I found Deb's thoughts on Disney princess movies to be quite interesting. The feminist themes in this book are ones that many young women need to hear, and I'm so glad that Deb was willing to share her story. I hope it reminds people that happiness isn't determined by the person you love, the things you wear, or the money you make. We all have the chance to find our own happiness, and it is up to us not to throw that opportunity away. This book is a solid reminder that it is never too late to follow one's dreams and try to make one's life just a little brighter. 

Back of Book: 

When he dies, I fall out of time. 

Amy Lin never expected to find a love like the one she shares with her husband, Kurtis, a gifted young architect who pulls her toward joy, adventure, and greater self-acceptance. On a sweltering August morning, only a few months shy of the newlyweds' move to Vancouver, thirty-two-year-old Kurtis heads out to run a half-marathon with Amy's family. It is the last time she sees her husband alive. 

What follows is a rich and unflinchingly honest account of her life with Kurtis and the vortex created by his death. Here After is an intimate story of deep love followed by dizzying loss; a memoir so finely etched that its power will remain with you long after the final page. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A memoir told in short vignettes that highlight the intense emotions that one experiences after the death of their significant other. 

I checked this one out from the library after a bookish event in which several of my local librarians recommended books. This one stood out to me because it was short, a memoir, and touched on the topic of grief. Little did I know that tragedy would impact my life this past weekend and that this would be the perfect book to get me through it. After reading this book, I immediately want to purchase it so I can reread it the next time I am faced with death in my life. This book did a great job of letting the tears flow freely and really had me reflecting on the things that we often take for granted in life. Human lives are truly fragile things and devastating events can happen at any moment, even when we least expect them. 

Amy and Kurtis both seem like fantastic people, and it saddens me greatly that Kurtis was taken from this world so young. I see a lot of myself in Amy, especially when it comes to her worrisome ways. She is definitely more pessimistic than I am, but I still found myself connecting with her and her writing on a very intimate level. Kurtis, on the other hand, really reminded me of my boyfriend, who I love with all my heart. Kurtis is a runner, is super indecisive, and always knows how to keep the mood light. He is also a musician who is quick to smile and won't back down from a chance to make others laugh. All of these things also apply to my boyfriend, which I must admit, did not make this the easiest book to read. But it did make it very relatable and so easy to picture what went down in Amy's life happening to me.

 It is hard to imagine the vortex that losing one's husband would leave, but this book did a very good job of helping me visualize this situation. I know that l would struggle just as much as Amy did and I would channel my thoughts in writing, too. I hope that this book was just as therapeutic for her to write as it was for me to read.  

Overall, "Here After" is such a raw and insightful memoir that looks deeply into the eyes of grief and showcases how one never really makes it to the other side; grief is forever. I relate to Amy immensely as a human, but I've luckily never had to go through anything as heartbreaking as she has (and hopefully I won't have to for a very long time). This is definitely one that I'm going to buy in the near future so that I can revisit during the difficult times in my life. If you read memoirs, I would recommend this one with no stipulations. 

Back of Book: 

A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.

Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.

In I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly, she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.

Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A touching and heartfelt memoir featuring a young girl's struggle to please her mother, her plight against the monstrosities of Hollywood as a child actor, and the resilience it takes to face the world when everything seems to be working against you. 

The first dozen times that I saw this book, I didn't realize that it was in fact Jennette McCurdy's memoir. After learning this, I was super intrigued and excited to give it a go. I have been meaning to get my hands on it for some time now, so when one of my friends brought it to me out of the blue one day, it was the perfect excuse to read "I'm Glad My Mom Died." 

This book was oftentimes difficult to read due to all of the things that McCurdy was forced to endure . The beginning of the book focuses on her early childhood and her career as a child actor. I can't believe all of the things that her mother put her through from bathing her until she was an adult, forcing anorexic ways on her, and compelling her to become an actor/singer despite her having zero interest in it. After seeing all of the torment that her mother put her through, I truly understand the relief that McCurdy must have felt upon her mother's passing. After all the mental, physical, and sexual abuse she faced at the hands of her mother, I can't even image the weight that this must have taken off her shoulders. 

The second half of this memoir was somehow even more difficult to read. After her mother's passing, McCurdy's life lost the little direction that it had (pleasing her mother) and yet she still forced herself to do the things that she hated. Her acting career continued its downward spiral as she dealt with alcoholism, a variety of eating disorders (mainly bulimia at this point), unhealthy relationships, and the journey of self-discovery after over a decade of pretending to be someone that she wasn't. I am so glad that she found a strong support system to help her through these tough times and she cut ties with family members and friends who were only adding toxicity to her life. 

As a kid that grew up in the early two thousands, I remember watching both "iCarly" and "Sam & Cat." Every scene that she mentioned filming for from these shows, I could consciously recall the moment that she was describing from the shows. Knowing that these shows caused her so much distress makes me really sad, but I'm also grateful for the work that she did on them. I feel that McCurdy has gained a bunch of loyal fans from these shows which gives her a perfect outlet to tell her story. I wish that she didn't have to suffer in the ways she did, but I'm glad that she has such a wide fanbase who is willing to listen. 

This memoir focuses on a few main topics: her relationship with her mother, the challenges she faced as a young actor, eating disorders, and growing up how she did. I think that all of these topics were very intriguing to learn about and she did a great job of selecting moments from her life to support these themes. McCurdy was so honest and vulnerable with her experiences and her thoughts, which allows for an in-depth look into these harsh topics and forces the reader to rethink some aspects of the world. 

Overall, "I'm Glad My Mom Died" is a memoir filled to the brim with interesting stories and important societal issues and lessons that I will not soon be forgetting. I didn't know exactly what I was getting into when I started, but this ended up being one of the best memoirs that I have ever read. It is heartbreaking and touching while also being funny and entertaining; McCurdy is truly a master at the craft of writing and I am so glad she decided to share stories from her life. I think it would be amazing to listen to the audiobook of this one sometime, because McCurdy narrates it herself. If you are looking for an interesting memoir, this would be one of the first books that I would recommend! 

Back of Book: 

Alexandra Chan thinks she has life figured out until, in the Year of the Ram, the death of her father—her last parent—brings her to her knees, an event seemingly foretold in Chinese mythology.

A left-brained archaeologist and successful tiger daughter, Chan finds her logical approach to life utterly fails her in the face of this profound grief. Unable to find a way forward, she must either burn to ash or forge herself anew.

Slowly, painfully, wondrously, Chan discovers that her father and ancestors have left threads of renewal in the artifacts and stories of their lives. Through a long-lost interview conducted by Roosevelt’s Federal Writers’ Project, a basket of war letters written from the Burmese jungle, a box of photographs, her world travels, and a deepening relationship to her own art, the archaeologist and lifelong rationalist makes her greatest discovery to date: the healing power of enchantment.

In an epic story that travels from prerevolution China to the South under Jim Crow, from the Pacific theater of WWII to the black sands of Reynisfjara, Iceland, and beyond, Chan takes us on a universal journey to meaning in the wake of devastating loss, sharing the insights and tools that allowed her to rebuild her life and resurrect her spirit. Part memoir, part lyrical invitation to new ways of seeing and better ways of being in dark times, the book includes beautiful full-color original Chinese brush paintings by the author and fascinating vintage photographs of an unforgettable cast of characters. In the Garden Behind the Moon is a captivating family portrait and an urgent call to awaken to the magic and wonder of daily life.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

"In the Garden Behind the Moon" magnificently blends personal stories, witty anecdotes, stunning artwork, and Chinese mythology to create an intriguing memoir unlike any that I have read before.

I have to give Alexandra Chan credit where credit is due. This book is raw, emotional, magical, and heartfelt. I am so glad that she was willing to share her family's story with a larger audience, and I am sure it will help many different people who are going through similar situations in their life cope. There were so many stories that got me thinking and there are many one-liners contained within that one could put on an inspirational poster.

This book may be extraordinarily beautiful, but it's biggest downfall for me has to be its winding organizational pattern. It made the narrative a tad hard to follow at times, though I do understand why the author chose to do this, in a way. We had to first be introduced to many of her life events before we could dive into the importance of the past and into certain details of her family history. The structure did take away from the book slightly, but if you read through the book slowly over many days, I feel like this isn't nearly as annoying as trying to read it all in a few sittings.

My favorite part of this book has to be Chan's usage of the Chinese lunar cycle to bring home her points. I love the magic that it added to her life and it pairs well with the events that her father did to try to keep magic alive in her life, too,

Overall, "In the Garden Behind the Moon" is a complex narrative that dives deep into American Chinese culture, the magic present in every day life, and the difficulties of losing loved ones. It is heartfelt, tender, and raw; Chan is completely open with all of her emotions. If one enjoys reading about other human's experiences, this may be another memoir to check out.

Back of Book: 

Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck—impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence "Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I'll shut up about it?"

Perhaps you want to know what Mindy thinks makes a great best friend (someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night), or what makes a great guy (one who is aware of all elderly people in any room at any time and acts accordingly), or what is the perfect amount of fame (so famous you can never get convicted of murder in a court of law), or how to maintain a trim figure (you will not find that information in these pages). If so, you've come to the right book, mostly!

In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls. Mindy Kaling really is just a Girl Next Door— not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka. 

Book Number: Stand Alone

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

I pulled this book out of a Little Free Library a while ago with no idea who Mindy Kaling was (yes, I live under a rock). I thought it looked like a funny book and I love reading memoirs, so I thought this would be a good fit. Flash to 2025 when me and my boyfriend started watching The Office together. I am constantly reorganizing my books and looking for more nonfiction reads, so when I once more came across this book, this time around I recognized who Mindy Kaling is. So why not dive into one of her memoirs? And that's exactly what I did! 

Even though me and Mindy have quite different lifestyles, ways of thinking, and humor styles, I still found myself really enjoying this memoir. Learning more about the film industry, scriptwriting, and acting was really neat. The fact that I've finally fallen into the hive mindset that is The Office, much of this book was really cool to read. I love learning about actors that portray iconic characters, so having such a personal view into the actor behind Kelly was awesome. And the fact that she is one of the writers on the show is also quite apparent; one can really read her humor style in the words that she pens. 

Mindy has big opinions on things such as celebrities, clothing, best friends, boyfriends, marriage, music, crying, filmmaking, and so much more. I enjoyed many essays in this book, whereas others did absolutely nothing for me. I'd say that there is a little bit of something for everyone in this memoir. 

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)." Mindy is quite an interesting human with strong opinions and often bizarre perspectives. It was neat learning more about her time on The Office and the early parts of her career. I'll definitely have to check out more of her books in the future! 

Back of Book: 

New York Times bestselling author Ann Leary offers a literary feast of humor and wisdom told from the perspective of a recovering people pleaser.

Having arrived at a certain age (her prime), Ann Leary casts a wry backward glance at a life spent trying—and often failing—to be nice. With wit and surprising candor, Leary recounts the bedlam of home bat invasions, an obsession with online personality tests, and the mortification of taking ballroom dance lessons with her actor husband. She describes hilarious red-carpet fiascos and other observations from the sidelines of fame, while also touching upon her more poignant struggles with alcoholism, her love for her family, her dogs, and so much more.

Prepare to laugh, cry, cringe and revel in the comically relatable chaos of Ann Leary’s life as revealed in this delighful collection of essays.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir | Essays 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A series of essays from a recovering people pleaser that address what it means to be "too nice." 

In "I've Tried Being Nice," Leary showcases different parts of her life and the moments that she realized that always being the nicest person in the room isn't necessarily a positive thing. Some of the essays didn't seem to connect back to the overall theme of people pleasing the greatest, but this is understandable because most of these essays were written for other anthologies, magazines, or literary collections. 

For the most part, I found most of these essays to be interesting, but nothing too special. There were a few that really stood out to me, such as "Batman," "Three Drinks Short," "The Greenhouse Effect," and "On Being Nice." I really do appreciate how open and honest Leary is about her life as an author, what it's like being married to a famous actor, and being both a recovering alcoholic as well as a people pleaser. She has many unique perspectives on things that are insightful and truthful. I just didn't find many of these essays to be very memorable, and I will probably forget most of this book before long. 

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Ann Leary and her essays featured in "I've Tried Being Nice." It isn't the best collection of essays I've ever encountered, but it was entertaining and filled with heart. Leary's life is very different than mine, but I can relate on how much she tries to please people and I thought her opinions on this subject were pretty interesting. Not a bad read, but not something I'll retain for all that long either.

Back of Book: 

An emotionally raw memoir about the crumbling of the American Dream and a daughter of refugees who searches for answers after her mother dies during plastic surgery.

Susan Lieu has long been searching for answers about her family’s past and about her own future. Refugees from the Vietnam War, Susan’s family escaped to California in the 1980s after five failed attempts. Upon arrival, Susan’s mother was their savvy, charismatic North Star, setting up two successful nail salons and orchestrating every success―until Susan was eleven. That year, her mother died from a botched tummy tuck. After the funeral, no one was ever allowed to talk about her or what had happened.

For the next twenty years, Susan navigated a series of cascading questions alone―why did the most perfect person in her life want to change her body? Why would no one tell her about her mother’s life in Vietnam? And how did this surgeon, who preyed on Vietnamese immigrants, go on operating after her mother’s death? Sifting through depositions, tracking down the surgeon’s family, and enlisting the help of spirit channelers, Susan uncovers the painful truth of her mother, herself, and the impossible ideal of beauty.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

In the vein of "Crying in H Mart" and "I'm Glad My Mom Died," "The Manicurist's Daughter" is an emotional memoir that touches on raw topics such as complex family relations, body image, and cultural identity.

"The Manicurist's Daughter" is a memoir by Susan Lieu which revolves around the complicated relationship that she had with her mother. It veers off onto many different trails, but her mother always remains the central focus.

Lieu was very open about the experiences she's had with her family, which I am very grateful for. From an outsider's perspective, one might think that Lieu's relationship with her entire family is toxic, but in reality, I think it is more accurate to say it is complex. Upon finishing this memoir, it is obvious that her family loves her immensely; they just have a unique way of showing their support.

Lieu did a great job of tackling self-image and self-identity in this book. Her aunts often body shame her for the way she looks, even after her mother died during a plastic surgery. Not having confidence about one's appearance is a major topic tackled in this book, and I really like how she portrayed herself overcoming her doubts and standing up for herself. Lieu also spends her life living on the border, making her feel not American enough while also not feeling Vietnamese enough. The identity issues tackled in this book are handled wonderfully, and I'm sure many people can relate to them.

Another thing I found really interesting about Lieu's book is the Buddhist elements tied within. Her father can channel spirits, her mother sends signs to her (usually through birds), and her family visit temples to pray and get their fortunes read. I love learning about different cultures and religion, so I found elements such as this to be great learning experiences.

The way that Lieu organized the book is also ingenious. In Vietnamese, the word "Ma" can mean many different things depending on how it is accented. Each segment of her book is named after these iterations of the world and the way that the words relate to the story are well though out.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Susan and the entirety of the Lieu family. I feel that their story is an important one that uplifts immigrants and allows them to reclaim their own narrative. I'm grateful that Lieu was willing to be so personal with the world and put the Lieu family story out there. If you are a fan of memoirs, learning about culture, or mother-daughter tales, you don't want to miss out on "The Manicurist's Daughter."

Back of Book: 

The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life. 

John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same. 

Marley quickly grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound steamroller of a Labrador retriever, a dog like no other. He crashed through screen doors, gouged through drywall, flung drool on guests, stole women's undergarments, and ate nearly everything he could get his mouth around, including couches and jewelry. Obedience school did no good—Marley was expelled. Neither did the tranquilizers the veterinarian prescribed for him with the admonishment, "Don't hesitate to use these." 

And yet Marley's heart was pure. Just as he joyfully refused any limits on his behavior, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley shared the couple's joy at their first pregnancy and their heartbreak over the miscarriage. He was there when babies finally arrived and when the screams of a seventeen-year-old stabbing victim pierced the night. Marley shut down a public beach and managed to land a role in a feature-length movie, always winning hearts as he made a mess of things. Through it all, he remained steadfast, a model of devotion, even when his family was at it's wits end. Unconditional love, they would learn, comes in many forms. 

Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

Parks and Recreation actor and Making It co-host Nick Offerman shares his humorous fulminations on life, manliness, meat, and much more in this New York Times bestseller.

Growing a perfect moustache, grilling red meat, wooing a woman—who better to deliver this tutelage than the always charming, always manly Nick Offerman, best known as Parks and Recreation's Ron Swanson? Combining his trademark comic voice and very real expertise in woodworking—he runs his own woodshop—Paddle Your Own Canoe features tales from Offerman's childhood in small-town Minooka, Illinois—"I grew up literally in the middle of a cornfield"—to his theater days in Chicago, beginnings as a carpenter/actor and the hilarious and magnificent seduction of his now-wife Megan Mullally. It also offers hard-bitten battle strategies in the arenas of manliness, love, style, religion, woodworking, and outdoor recreation, among many other savory entrees.

A mix of amusing anecdotes, opinionated lessons and rants, sprinkled with offbeat gaiety, Paddle Your Own Canoe will not only tickle readers pink but may also rouse them to put down their smart phones, study a few sycamore leaves, and maybe even hand craft (and paddle) their own canoes. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir | Essays | Humor

Review: 🌟🌟🌟 

From the man that brought us the iconic character of Ron Swanson in "Parks and Recreation" comes a humorous memoir that contemplates the fundamental parts of what makes life so great.

After finishing "Parks and Recreation" with my boyfriend, I thought it would be fun to check out some memoirs written by the cast. I decided to start with Offerman's "Paddle Your Own Canoe" despite the great allure of Amy Poehler's "Yes Please." There's something about the cover of this book that made me want to read it immediately; it is truly a classic Offerman photo.

There were many things that I really enjoyed about this memoir and other things that I found to be slightly annoying and others that I found to be straight up boring. I'll start with the positives.

Learning about Offerman's humble beginnings as a farmer boy in rural Illinois definitely explains a few things about his nature and overall vibe. Following his early years of living that brimmed with stupidity was also quite fun, especially when we transitioned over to his days doing live theatre in Chicago before he moved to Los Angeles. My favorite parts of this book were actually towards the end though, when he recounts meeting his wife, Megan Mullally, and how they fell for one another.

Learning about the behind the scenes of how he booked Ron Swanson was also certainly a highlight. He has much in common with the character, such as his love for red meat and whisky, the fact that he himself is also a woodcarver, and hey, he authentically played the saxophone in high school. It is always fun to see how actor's lives bleed into those of their characters while also learning more about their differences along the way.

Every chapter in this book is followed up by a humorous essay that mirrors a topic similar to that addressed in that chapter. Some of these essays were pretty funny and had me learning a ton about Offerman. Others were just crass, tried too hard to be funny, and didn't do much to move me. I applaud Offerman for giving this format a try, but I feel it was only sorta effective. On one hand, it made the book go by faster, but on the other hand, things often got to be a tad repetitive.

I think the thing that drug this book down the most for me was all the references to media I've never heard of and the allusions to people I didn't recognize. I'm sure if you are an Offerman super fan more of them would have meant something to you, but that wasn't the case for me. Also, there were a few times where the same thing just seemed to go on forever, but this only bugged me occasionally. And this mostly occurred when he was going on and on about some movie that I didn't care about or the greatness of an actor I've never heard of.

I can also say that I didn't always vibe with Offerman's writing style. He is definitely honest, which I appreciate, but he is also overly crass for next to no reason (I get it, it's part of his humor style). Sometimes, his urge to be funny taints the authenticity of the narrative a tad, but I appreciate that he's his unapologetically honest self the entire time.

Overall, it was really fun reading "Paddle Your Own Canoe" and learning more about Nick Offerman. He definitely has some interesting opinions, but he also makes a ton of great observations about the world. I may not have loved every page of this memoir, but the insight I gleaned from it was still beneficial to me. I feel I will pick up more of his work in the future (I'm especially interested in "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told," which is the book that he penned with his wife), but I think I'm going to take a breather from his work for a bit and jump over to his co-star Amy Poehler and see what wisdom she has to share in her memoir. 

Back of Book: 

As the “Seeing Eye Girl” for her blind, artistic, and mentally ill mother, Beverly Armento was intimately connected with and responsible for her, even though her mother physically and emotionally abused her. She was Strong Beverly at school—excellent in academics and mentored by caring teachers—but at home she was Weak Beverly, cowed by her mother’s rage and delusions.

Beverly’s mother regained her sight with two corneal transplants in 1950 and went on to enjoy a moment of fame as an artist, but these positive turns did nothing to stop her disintegration into her delusional world of communists, radiation, and lurking Italians. To survive, Beverly had to be resilient and hopeful that better days could be ahead. But first, she had to confront essential ethical issues about her caregiving role in her family.

In this emotional memoir, Beverly shares the coping strategies she invented to get herself through the trials of her young life, and the ways in which school and church served as refuges over the course of her journey. Breaking the psychological chains that bound her to her mother would prove to be the most difficult challenge of her life—and, ultimately, the most liberating one. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A raw memoir that gives the reader a front row seat of what it's like to survive a life of domestic violence, raise a household of young children as a kid, and the promise of a new life once one finally escapes. 

"Seeing Eye Girl" combined the experience of reading "A Child Called 'It'" and "I'm Glad My Mom Died." From that alone, you can probably glean just how much trauma that Beverly lived through in her lifetime. 

Growing up with a mom who struggled with an undiagnosed mental illness, went blind multiple times, and was known for her violent tendencies caused Beverly, the eldest of her siblings, to basically run the household. Luckily, she had a stepfather who provided them with food and money, but she was pretty much forced into doing everything else. Some of the accounts were so brutal to read, especially when her mother turned to weird forms of torture (such as eating a bar of soap while only wearing a diaper). It pains me that so many kids have to miss out on childhood and live through these types of living Hells. These types of memoirs always make me so grateful for my loving family and the fact that I've lived in the same lackluster house my entire life. Yeah, I got my share of problems, but these memoirs always put my stressors into perspective and fill me with immense gratitude for what I have. 

Throughout her life, Beverly not only has to deal with an abusive mother, an absent father, raising several young children before she even reached her teens, and hiding her injuries from the people at school, but she also gets sexually abused, struggles with eating disorders (both bulimia and anorexia), depression, OCD, suicidal tendencies, and living a double life. The fact that Beverly survives all this is a testament to how strong willed she is and this is all so inspiring to me as a reader. I am so glad that she was willing to share her story with the public. It may be a hard one filled with strife, but it is also filled with uplifting messages and showcases an extreme act of resiliency. 

This book is by far the memoir that is set the farthest back in time that I've ever read, meaning that I learned a ton about the era that Beverly grew up in. She was born in the 1940s, so the world she grew up in was so different than the world that I inhabit as part of Gen Z. Learning about someone who grew up during the Red Scare, faced a world filled with segregation, and who still used the term "going steady" to refer to exclusively dating someone was quite enlightening. Lately, I've been quite into the musical "Zombie Prom" which takes place during the atomic fifties, so learning more about this era was quite enjoyable for me. 

Overall, "Seeing Eye Girl" was often a very hard book to read, but it was such a beautifully penned account of a life that has much to teach future readers. I have so much respect for Armento and the fact that she was willing to revisit her traumatic past so many years later and share her tale of persistence for the world to hear. I wasn't expecting this memoir to be as uplifting or impactful as it was, so I am pleasantly surprised by this read. If you are a fan of memoirs that explore the complexities of family relationships, especially mother-daughter relationships, or other complicated circumstances such as abuse or mental health, I would definitely recommend giving this one a try, as long as you are ready to tackle some of life's hard topics. 

Back of Book: 

A debut memoir for fans of Love Warrior—a candid account of the emotional and psychological pain of infidelity and divorce; and the journey of a lifetime that one woman took to heal.

Few things can shatter our hearts like expectations. Sarah expected to live happily ever after. She expected her husband to honor his vows. She expected his military helicopter to land safely. But when the unimaginable occurred and her world unraveled so magnificently, the undoing of her expectations left her on her knees, fighting for her life. When everything we “expect” crumbles like ash after a fire, how do we reconcile what was lost?

One courageous step at a time.

Sarah packed her car, then set out to hike and camp across the country. But pain, codependence, and trauma challenged her as she moved forward. From a sailboat to a yoga studio, a therapist’s couch to a shaman’s ceremony, from selling everything and moving into a van—on the ashes of her former expectations, Sarah rebuilt, from the inside out.

She Journeys is a testament to the transformative power of healing. From darkness to light, from a marriage ended to a life reclaimed, we are reminded that it never matters how we begin. Only that we do. From wounds to wisdom, She is every woman who must find her way from heartbreak to homecoming. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir | Travel 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A moving memoir about learning to let go of the past and the journey it takes to acquire a powerful sense of self-love.

"She Journeys" reminded me of Cheryl Strayed's famous memoir "Wild" in many ways, so I hope that Sarah's book finds it ways to many of Strayed's fans. Sarah has lived through a tough childhood, an abusive marriage, and more trauma than I could ever imagine. Yet somehow, she has managed to find peace and joy in all apects of life. It obviously wasn't a quick or easy journey, but I find it so inspiring to hear people share their rough experiences and showcase how their life has managed to get better.

There are many different parts of this book that will resonate differently with certain readers. There are parts where Sarah is stuck in a dangerous relationship, parts where she is exploring the wilderness on her own, segments in which she is learning to live life on her own, and a great portion of the end of the book that features Sarah learning to love herself for who she is, not for what others view her as. There are so many valuable lessons packed into this book, and I feel that most readers will be able to relate to something penned in its pages.

One part of this book that really resonated with me is Sarah's exploration towards self-love. Much of the time, I am very proud of all of my accomplishments and how far I've come thus far in life. However, in today's society it's hard to feel like I'm not constantly falling behind or that I'm not good enough to meet other's expectations of me. Sarah talks about the most important kind of love is the love that you show to yourself. Everyone else's opinions are second and frankly, shouldn't hold as much weight as your own views. If you constantly think that you aren't enough, then you will truly begin to believe this outlook, and it will make your life miserable. Turning to others to find validation can be addicting, but it can also be dangerous. This book is a great reminder that seeking love from others is a vital part of being human, but that love should also be backed up by the love one feels for themself.

I think it is so cool that Sarah and her husband Andrew travel the country living out of their van, Rudy. To let go of the unimportant parts of life and pave a path to their own freedom is so amazing; I truly applaud them for being brave enough to take control of their own destinies like that. Following their book tour for "She Journeys" and Andrew's book "Now Is the Time: A Van Life Roadtrip" on social media has been really fun, and I encourage others to check out their travels!

Overall, I'm grateful that Sarah's book "She Journeys" found its way into my hands. It is a moving memoir that acts as a great reminder to what is most important in life. Sarah's story is uplifting and inspiring; I hope that her story reaches the ears of those that truly need it most. The trauma that Sarah has lived through is immense, but the strength she possesses to recover and seize the life that she truly wants for herself fills me with awe. I would definitely recommend this one to readers who love memoirs about resilient women overcoming life's obstacles. Also, if you are a fan of Cheryl Strayed's "Wild," I feel like you'd probably enjoy this book, too.

Back of Book: 

For fans of Lori Gottlieb’s Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, a contemporary memoir by a psychologist whose sexual conflict with her screenwriter husband threatens to destroy her marriage.

Can a loving relationship endure career setbacks, infidelities, and mismatched sexual desires? This is the question psychologist Bonnie Comfort grapples with as she navigates her unpredictable thirty-year marriage to Hollywood screenwriter Bob, while she provides marital therapy to others.

Bob is affectionate, brilliant, and hilarious—but his sexual desires are incompatible with Bonnie’s. Despite her misgivings, she indulges his kinks, which often include photographing her in lingerie. For a while, their life in Los Angeles is exciting. Eventually, however, Bob’s growing career frustrations lead to his complete sexual shutdown. Tensions rise, and Bob suggests Bonnie have discreet affairs and not tell him. She does just that—but when she confesses her infidelities five years later, his sexual demands become more extreme. When she complies, Bonnie feels shame; when she refuses, as she increasingly does, their fights threaten to tear their marriage apart.

With raw honesty and vulnerability, Bonnie recounts the passionate highs and lows of her marriage, culminating in Bob’s death. As she grieves, she reflects on her own role in their struggles and offers profound insights from her personal and professional experiences. Her story lays bare the complexities of love, the ongoing challenges women face in intimate relationships, and how even the most difficult marriages can find a way to thrive. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir | Psychology | Self-Help 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

An open and honest memoir that unravels the complexity of marriage, explores sexuality, and spares no details when it comes to the ugly parts of relationships and the compromise needed for marriages to thrive.

This memoir really had me thinking about so many different things. This book may be Bonnie's personal life story with her husband, Bob, but it is definitely part self-help book, too. Bonnie is a psychologist with over thirty years of experience, and this is quite evident in the way she writes and the way that she explores relationships. Bonnie truly gets people.

I don't think I've ever read a memoir in which the author was so open about their sex life. Bonnie felt sexually broken for most of her adult life, which is a feeling that most women can honestly relate to in some way. The sexual relationship she had with her husband Bob is quite abnormal and is a bit abusive at times. I couldn't imagine being with someone who treated her like that for so many years, but reading this memoir in full, I understand why Bonnie stayed with him through all the ups and downs. The questions this book raises about consent and what is allowed in a long-term relationship was also quite fascinating to consider.

The way that Bonnie eventually learns to accept herself sexually is inspiring. All the facts that she shares with the reader about women orgasming during intercourse were quite enlightening, and I wish that resources such as this would be more widely available to young women who are trying to discover their sexual desires and preferences so that they all get the chance to avoid feeling broken for things that are perfectly normal. I've definitely been there, so it was really reassuring to read some of these facts (even thought this isn't the first time I've read some of this information).

Marriage is really about finding someone that accepts you for who you are who is also willing to compromise when it comes to things that you can't agree on. If a married couple can't agree to disagree, this is how relationships often come to an end. It is so inspirational to see how Bonnie stays for the long haul with Bob, even when he was completely depressed, sexually abusing her, and treating her with disrespect. This gives me hope that no matter the pitfalls I'll experience, I will be able to maintain a long-term relationship. To be completely honest though, I would have left Bob if he forced me to do some of the things he pressured Bonnie into doing. Some of these instances were so hard to read about; I can't fathom the man I love doing that to me.

The end portion of this book turns the emotions up to one hundred percent. Not only was watching Bob deteriorate such a sad experience, but reading about Bonnie healing in the aftermath of Bob being gone was so beautiful. Bonnie went through so much in their time together, and there is so much that she realizes about her and Bob's relationship after he is no longer with her. This is such a strong reminder that it can be so hard to see other's pain, and that open communication is truly the only way to know another's thoughts. Poor communication seems to be the ultimate kicker when it comes to many relationships, and the end section of this book did a great job reminding me of that.

Overall, "Staying Married is the Hardest Part" is an emotional read that is completely open and honest about the immense challenge it is to keep a marital relationship thriving. Bonnie dives deep into her sex life, the outdated mentalities she was raised on, and the strategies she used to compromise with her husband that she often disagreed with. This book is mainly a memoir, but it also acts as a psychology self-help book that allows the reader to take a deeper look at their relationships (both platonic and romantic). I was quite moved by this memoir and am honored that Bonnie was willing to share her story with me and the rest of the world. 

Back of Book: 

Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it.

For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago.

Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you, receive wisdom for your busy life today the way you once did when you were younger?

Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final “class”: lessons in how to live.

Tuesdays with Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift with the world. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

Jim O’Heir, who played Jerry (or Garry or Larry) on Parks and Recreation brings fans a heartfelt look at one of America’s most beloved sitcoms, brimming with never-before-told stories featuring the cast and crew, along with dozens of unseen photos! 

For seven seasons, Leslie Knope and theParks and Recreation gang charmed millions of viewers with their quirky antics and unwavering positivity. The sitcom continues to be a fan-favorite for streaming services today, nearly a decade after its finale. Now for the first time, Jim O’Heir, who played the lovable Jerry (or, well, Garry/Larry/Terry/Barry, depending on the episode), invites readers back to Pawnee for an exclusive look behind the scenes.

Joined by his Parks and Rec pals, including Chris Pratt, Retta, Rob Lowe, and showrunners Greg Daniels and Mike Schur, Jim reveals how this “little show that could” came to be, thanks to the tireless dedication and comedic genius of Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, and the rest of the gang. As the show found its footing, the cast quickly bonded into a tight-knit family. Jim shares all his favorite unforgettable memories both on and off camera, from hilarious unscripted moments and epic dance-offs in the hair and makeup trailers, to iconic birthday parties at Rashida Jones’s house and quiet bonfires in Nick Offerman’s backyard.

Welcome to Pawnee is a loving tribute to Parks and Recreation, imbued with the same warmth and humor that endeared the show to millions.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

A memoir by Jim O'Heir that shines a light on some of his favorite moments with the iconic "Parks and Recreation" cast that also dives into many of O'Heir's other Hollywood endeavors. 

I want to start this review off with two statements of facts. One, this book is in fact a MEMOIR written by Jim O'Heir about his life and experiences. If you want to know all the juicy details about "Parks and Recreation," you won't be getting everything you desire in this book. Yes, this book showcases a ton of amazing memories on the set of "Parks," but it is no means an extensive guide or breakdown of the show. It truly only includes direct accounts with those that he is closest to. 

Please remember that Jim O'Heir is more than just the character he portrayed in "Parks." Also keep in mind that this book doesn't dive that deeply into his personal life, so this one is sort of a mixed bag that may not satisfy either party all that much. 

Secondly, I just want to forewarn those looking into this book that it has a ton of spoilers for "The Office" in addition to "Parks" (which I hope you could have surmised yourself). If you don't have a familiarity with "The Office" some parts of this book will probably seem pretty boring to you and may potentially spoil parts of the show if you do intend to watch it. You have officially been warned! 

Now, let's move on to the meat of this book. Jerry was definitely never my favorite character in "Parks," but I still found learning about Jim's life to be interesting. I've read several of the other memoirs by his fellow cast members, so it was fun to see how their experiences compare to his. There were definitely some familiar stories from Nick Offerman's "Paddle Your Own Canoe." I wasn't aware how many members of this cast were originally from the Midwest (specifically Illinois), and I found this to be an interesting bit that O'Heir and Offerman both touch on. 

I really like all the incidents that Jim shares about the show. It was truly nostalgic to walk down memory lane with him; it definitely made me want to rewatch certain parts of the show! His experience as a supporting role was really interesting to read about. I can totally understand why he was constantly stressed that Jerry was going to be cut. I mean, if they can write out Paul Schneider and Rob Lowe they can definitely write out the laughingstock that is Jerry.

Speaking of Pail Schneider, I found it comical that I literally forgot that Mark Brendanawicz existed. Despite having watched the show in the last year, I completely forgot about Mark's character and literally had to Google who he was. This isn't relevant to the book at all, but I found it to be comical. 

Much of this book is honestly just Jim musing about all the different actors that graced the set of "Parks and Recreation." If you aren't overly invested in the cast, behind the scenes casting decisions, and guest collaborations, I could see how one could find this book to be boring. However, I am a great fan of this show and I found Jim's thoughts to be entertaining. 

The thing that I think I loved most about this memoir is how strongly it presents the relationship between the cast members of "Parks and Recreation." It isn't terribly often that one comes across such an amazing found family as Jim did with his "Parks" colleagues. The love that they all have for each other is incredibly evident and it warms my heart to hear them discuss one another. Also, I was a bit blown away that Jim's closest cast members were Chris Pratt and Retta. I just found this to be an interesting tidbit.

Overall, "Welcome to Pawnee" is a great memoir filled with heart that reflects on a TV series that has touched so many people. Jim's life is filled with many interesting incidents, and it was great walking down memory lane with him and exploring "Parks and Recreation" in a new way. I enjoyed hearing about the found family that the cast established with one another and look forward to reading more about these people. I'm gonna check out Amy Poehler's "Yes Please" next, so I'm definitely excited for that!

Back of Book: 

Embark on a journey with Donald Osborn, a natural-born storyteller whose life unfolds like an exhilarating adventure across the globe.

Hailing from humble beginnings in western Nebraska, Osborn navigates the diverse landscapes of life, from small-town roots to the vast expanses of the world, collecting subjects and stories along the way. His career takes off from entry-level flight instructing to navigating the turbulent currents of the commercial airline industry.

Yet, Osborn's story is far from conventional. He's not just a pilot; he's a real-life character, exploring outdated safety protocols in the airlines, encounters with A-list celebrities and U.S. Presidents, and occasionally transporting human organs.

Balancing his time in the sky, Osborn engages in entrepreneurial ventures, from flipping houses to tree trimming, all while lamenting the downfalls of a bumpy career.

Where We Land is not just a memoir; it's a vivid journey woven with hard knocks, fortunate breaks, and a fair share of questionable decisions. Osborn's candid storytelling invites readers into a world where resilience, humor, and unyielding spirit prevails.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

An insightful memoir that showcases the world of aviation in all its glory, its humorous situations, and the struggles one encounters while being a pilot. 

I didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did. I knew next to nothing about airplanes, pilots, or the world of aviation before reading this book, so I found it to be rather enlightening about an industry that I knew next to nothing about. What I enjoyed even more though, was the lessons that Don has learned about the world through his time as a pilot. 

Something I really appreciated about this book was how it felt like playing catch-up with an old friend. I obviously don't know Don and will never meet him in my lifetime, but reading this book felt as though I was chatting with a friend. His sense of humor was also quite fun, and I really appreciate that he didn't just express it on the page, but showcased how he used his sense of humor in his job as a pilot. 

The topics in this book are quite varied. From the stipulations that were put in place after 9/11, to the joys of teaching the next generation of pilots, to all the interesting people and cargo Don has flown throughout his life, "Where We Land" is packed full with intriguing stories. I enjoyed every segment of it, and never found myself growing bored. In my opinion, I think the fact that this memoir is pretty short was actually a boon. Longer memoirs tend to get off topic and drag a bit, but I never felt this way when embarking on this journey with Don. 

Overall, I learned a ton about pilots, the human condition, and the importance of travel while reading "Where We Land." I was pleasantly surprised by the joy I felt from reading this book and am glad that I happened to come across this memoir. 

Back of Book: 

From the author of the beloved New York Times bestselling book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and the creator and star of The Mindy Project comes a collection of essays that are as hilarious and insightful as they are deeply personal.

In Why Not Me?, Kaling shares her ongoing journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life, whether it's falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, or most important, believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you're constantly reminded that no one looks like you.

In "How to Look Spectacular: A Starlet's Confessions", Kaling gives her tongue-in-cheek secrets for surefire on-camera beauty, ("Your natural hair color may be appropriate for your skin tone, but this isn't the land of appropriate-this is Hollywood, baby. Out here, a dark-skinned woman s traditional hair color is honey blonde.") "Player" tells the story of Kaling being seduced and dumped by a female friend in L.A. ("I had been replaced by a younger model. And now they had matching bangs.") In "Unlikely Leading Lady", she muses on America's fixation with the weight of actresses, ("Most women we see onscreen are either so thin that they're walking clavicles or so huge that their only scenes involve them breaking furniture.") And in "Soup Snakes", Kaling spills some secrets on her relationship with her ex-boyfriend and close friend, B.J. Novak ("I will freely admit: my relationship with B.J. Novak is weird as hell.")

Mindy turns the anxieties, the glamour, and the celebrations of her second coming-of-age into a laugh-out-loud funny collection of essays that anyone who's ever been at a turning point in their life or career can relate to. And those who've never been at a turning point can skip to the parts where she talks about meeting Bradley Cooper. 

Book Number: Stand Alone

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

I read "Is Everyone Hanging Out With Me? (And Other Concerns)" earlier this month, and I was intrigued enough by Kaling that I hunted down her second memoir almost immediately. I enjoyed learning more about Mindy as her career took off a little more and she had more secrets of the industry to share. 

This book talked in great detail about Mindy's work on her feature show "The Mindy Project." I've never seen this one, but I still found it fascinating to learn how she secured this gig and how a typical day on set and in the writer's room go. It was fun to see how much her career has grown, as well as see that she grew quite a bit as a person in the last few years since she wrote her first memoir. 

Mindy shares her opinions on fashion, sororities, the film industry, dating, alternate dimensions, and so much more in this quirky memoir filled with wit and heart. I love how she manages to be super transparent while also sharing the oddest anecdotes and crazy stories that I know aren't real in the actual sense. It is so easy to tell the difference though, which is a skill set in its own. 

On a super random note, I found the segment about filming sex scenes to be really interesting. This is something I've never really thought about and I found it super engaging to hear Mindy's thoughts and opinions on this topic. 

Overall, I enjoyed reading "Why Not Me?" in just a few days. It's quite a short book and certain segments fly by even faster than I expected them to. Mindy is quite an interesting lady with strong opinions, and it was fun to learn even more about her and her career through this book. 

Back of Book: 

At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State —and she would do it alone.

Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir | Travel 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

One woman's spontaneous decision to hike one of America's longest trails leads to many crazy situations, life lessons learned, and the overwhelming kindness of strangers. 

Me and Ms. Strayed have really been on a journey together these last couple of months. Every night before I head to bed, I read a little bit more of Strayed's memoir, meaning I consumed "Wild" in small doses and it had much time to sink into my brain. I really enjoyed my time alongside Cheryl as she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), despite the long list of poor decisions that she made. 

Where does one even start. . . Part of me finds it hard to believe that this book actually happened. How can a person be so unprepared for something and honestly not have it entirely blow up in her face? Yes, many things went wrong, mostly involving money shortages, lost boxes, too small boots, and a few run ins with crazy people, but for the most part, Cheryl hiked the PCT with minimal difficulties for someone who knew absolutely nothing about hiking and neglected to open any of her guidebooks before arriving in California at the start of the trail. Due to the fact that she was mostly clueless, this added to the humor of the book. There were many things that she did that were downright stupid that I found really funny. It always made me feel bad when she was suffering, but man, some of the choices she made were so illogical that one can't help but crack a smile. 

I think one of the coolest things about this book, is seeing the kindness of strangers on the trail. Yes, I'm sure that Cheryl embellished many of the interactions and some of the relationships she had probably felt stronger than they actually were in real life, but it is still awesome to read about complete strangers who were willing to give her rides, share their food, let her stay with them, or even give her gifts from their own limited supplies. Human generosity is an amazing thing, and it was great to see it alive and well in this memoir. 

Since it took me so long to finish this book, many parts of it are already blurred in my mind. However, there are many scenes that stick with me. The scene with the llama and the little boy named Kyle who sang her a song was absolutely adorable. The incident with Lady the horse has me slightly traumatized (here's to hoping that the memory will eventually fade). The moment where she throws her boot off the mountain is very cinematic and is painted in my mind's eye. I still find it so funny that she carried that one condom with her on almost the entire trail. And boy was I proud of her when she finally let it go. The complicated relationship she has with her mother's ghost is hauntingly beautiful, even if most of the decisions she made due to the loss of her mother were very questionable. 

This book may seem unlikely, silly, or downright stupid, but I'm glad that Cheryl went through a series of events that led to healing her heart, despite the illogical nature of many of the incidents. I know that "Wild" has reached many people since its release, and I'm glad to hear that she has reconnected with a ton of the people she met on the trail. It is very rare that you do something like hiking the PCT and getting to reconnect with the people that you met there due to the fact you published a book about it. What a unique situation that has helped many people for the better. 

Overall, reading "Wild" was quite the ride. My heart was touched, I sympathized with Cheryl's struggles, and laughed at her illogical decisions. Though many moments seem fairly edited, I'm glad that Cheryl was willing to share her experiences on the PCT to the general populace. I know her story has touched many people's hearts as it did mine. 

Back of Book: 

Do you want to get to know the woman we first came to love on Comedy Central's Upright Citizens Brigade? Do you want to spend some time with the lady who made you howl with laughter on Saturday Night Live, and in movies like Baby Mama, Blades of Glory, and They Came Together? Do you find yourself daydreaming about hanging out with the actor behind the brilliant Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation? Did you wish you were in the audience at the last two Golden Globes ceremonies, so you could bask in the hilarity of Amy's one-liners?

If your answer to these questions is "Yes Please!" then you are in luck. In her first book, one of our most beloved funny folk delivers a smart, pointed, and ultimately inspirational read. Full of the comedic skill that makes us all love Amy, Yes Please is a rich and varied collection of stories, lists, poetry (Plastic Surgery Haiku, to be specific), photographs, mantras and advice. With chapters like "Treat Your Career Like a Bad Boyfriend," "Plain Girl Versus the Demon" and "The Robots Will Kill Us All" Yes Please will make you think as much as it will make you laugh. Honest, personal, real, and righteous, Yes Please is full of words to live by.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A witty memoir penned by the queen of improv herself, Amy Poehler. 

"Yes Please" marks the third memoir that I've read by a member of the "Parks and Recreation" cast. It has been a fun journey thus far, and I must say, Amy's addition to the club was enjoyable. 

Amy's book is really a series of essays that vary in topic. Like any other book broken up in segments, some of them were amazing reads, while other of them bored me immensely. There were parts of this book that I found myself smiling over, and others that despised (I felt as though I was being forced to witness something I didn't sign up for on a few occasions. My favorite segments include "Plain Girl vs. the Demon," "My World-Famous Sex Advice," "Bad Sleeper," and of course, "Let's Build a Park." 

Learning about Amy's youth and her days doing improv in Chicago and New York was interesting enough, but it didn't always keep me the most invested as I am not a die-hard fan of her work. I've only ever seen her in the "Inside Out" movies and "Parks," so I'm sure these segments would have been more fascinating to other readers. 

The parts where Amy talks about "Parks" are pure gold. The segment in which Mike Schur annotates her work is pretty stellar and had me chuckling aloud. One of the best parts about Amy is that she is such a magnet for positivity, and you can really tell this by the way that other interact with her. 

Amy does go on and on about things such as drugs, alcohol, porn, and other less palatable topics which is entirely her right. (It is her memoir, after all.) However, this didn't make for the lightest of reading at times. Yes, she's Amy Poehler, so she coats everything in comedy, but that doesn't mean that it is always super easy to read about these things, so keep that in mind. 

I think this is one of the cases where the audiobook would have really enhanced the narrative. Poehler has a unique way of saying things and I think all of her humorous bits would have hit harder if I was hearing her say them rather than reading them quietly to myself. 

Overall, going on this journey with Amy Poehler during "Yes Please" was quite an experience. She is so positive and has so many great stories to share with the world. Unfortunately, many of her essays didn't resonate super strongly with me, but it was definitely still worth the read despite this. The memories she has to share are entertaining and her humorous anecdotes about the world are a perfect way to end a long day.