Tuesdays with Morrie - Book 137

One of my favorite books from my first book club was The Five People You Meet in Heaven, so I couldn't wait to read Tuesdays with Morrie, which I'd heard so much about. Until I opened the book I had no idea that it was non-fiction, but the tale of Albom's past and present relationship with his dying college professor and the life lessons that he learns from him is as riveting as any novel. It's written in a simple and accessible style and is an easy read. Highly recommended.

A Long Way Gone - Ishmael Beah - Book 124

You might think that A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier would be a depressing read, but considering its subject matter it was surprisingly upbeat. Author Ishmael Beah tells of his life in Sierra Leone when he was conscripted into the army to fight the rebel forces. It helps that we know from the start - really from the blurb - that he made it out alive.

For those of us safely removed from daily violence, what he had to endure seems unimaginable, yet he is matter of fact about his actions and feelings through the horrors of war and the actions he is forced to take, then comes to accept as normal. The story of his rehabilitation is also moving. I thought this was an excellent read. Highly recommended. 

Steve Jobs Biography - Book 113

Steve Jobs' biography was a fascinating read. I've always followed part of his story, intrigued by the inventions that shaped part of my working life. I used an early Mac, switched to a PowerMac when that became the norm in business desktop publishing environments and then watched the iMac, iPod, iTunes and iPad phenomena. This book gave the background to those well known successes and a few equally well publicized failures. It reveals a man whose management style left something to be desired while at the same time eliciting brilliance from his team and creating the world's top company while he did it. Although I got the feeling that the editor could have made another pass (there was some unnecessary repetition, in my opinion), I expect the book was rushed to publication when Jobs passed away and it didn't detract from an otherwise enthralling read. Recommended.

The Girl Who Couldn't Say No by Tracy Engelbrecht - Book 111

Something about this book reminded me of Juno - perhaps it was the matter of face attitude of the heroine and her refusal to be bowed down by events some might view as cataclysmic. She is forthright and unashamed to admit mistakes, while keeping a firm handle on what she did right.  Here's Amazon's description:

A sharp, occasionally shocking, memoir that will change how you look at teenage mothers, The Girl Who Couldn’t Say No is told with frank South African humour and refreshingly mature insight. Tracy Engelbrecht tells the story of how she came to find herself pregnant at 15, and how she coped with pregnancy, birth and homework.

This was an easy, fun read and very compelling, leaving you wanting to know more about the character. Recommended.

My Word Is My Bond - Roger Moore - Book 28

Roger Moore's self-deprecating humour permeates this autobiography. It's a quick and enjoyable read, which all Bond/Moore fans are sure to enjoy. For me, it was particularly interesting to read it after reading Michael Caine's autobiography a few weeks ago, as their stories occasionally intersect. I give this one 4 stars.

Amazon's description:

One of the most recognizable big-screen stars of the past half century, Sir Roger Moore played the role of James Bond longer than any other actor. Still, Bond was only one in a lifetime of roles stretching back to Hollywood’s studio era. Moore has seen and heard it all. He has hobnobbed with the glamorous and powerful, counting Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Seymour, and Cary Grant among his contemporaries and friends. He has outrageous stories about foulmouthed Milton Berle, surly Richard Burton, and kindhearted Richard Kiel, infamous as Bond enemy Jaws. The stories in My Word Is My Bond are priceless, a treasure trove of Hollywood history. Sir Roger Moore has left nothing out—especially the naughty bits.

Call Me Crazy - Anne Heche - Book 20

Call Me Crazy by Anne Heche is both an easy and a difficult book to read. Easy - because Anne Heche tells her tale in an easily accessible style. Difficult - because the subject matter is sexual abuse. It is a poignant and funny story of Anne Heche's double life as a child and adult in a family who never talked about the things that weren't right, and as a successful actress. We follow Anne's journey as she comes to terms with her past, confronts her demons, goes crazy and comes out the other side, rooting for her all the while. This is an emotional read - and you'll come out the other side with a renewed appreciation for all that's good in your own life, as well as respect for someone who's survived a devastating experience.

Michael Caine biography - Book 15

For my next book selection, I moved from fiction to non-fiction. Titled The Elephant to Hollywood, Michael Caine's biography is a great read. It's the second biography he's written; the first one dating from when he though his career was over. However, even if you haven't read the previous one, this autobiography fills in all the blanks, covering his development as an actor from childhood to the age of 77.

Having spanned a few generations of Hollywood actors, Michael Caine has worked with or known anyone who is anyone and there's liberal name dropping throughout the book. It's not done in a boastful way, but in a matter of fact manner. Along the way, Michael Caine shares the lessons he learned about acting and his favorite films (both his and those by others).

I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. Michael Caine's voice was evident throughout, with British humor and an attitude of not taking things too seriously. Highly recommended!