Stitches: A Handbook on Meaning, Hope, and Repair by Anne Lamott

Title: Stitches:  A Handbook on Meaning, Hope, and Repair
Author: Anne Lamott
Read by: Anne Lamott
Publisher: Penguin Audio

Length: 1 hour and 47 minutes (2 CDs)
Source:  Review Copy from Penguin Audio – Thanks!

Stiches was unfortunately, an audiobook I could not finish.  I did listen to one CD, but could not compel myself to listen to the second CD.  I think it was because I was hoping for a book on meaning and hope, but instead found the audiobook to be rather depressing.  Driving back and forth to work during endless cold and snowy days, listening to Anne Lamott tonelessly discuss her friend’s untimely death from cancer, and her own inability to let go did not really inspire me.  I’m not sure if I needed to listen or read some of her other work first to feel inspired, but this audiobook did not catch me or make me want to listen to more.  What are your thoughts?  What am I missing with Anne Lamott?

We by Michael Landweber

We is a novel with a unique premise.    Ben Arnold awakes from an accident in the body of his childhood self.  He quickly realizes he is at the point of time in his childhood just before his family fell apart, the week that his teenage sister was raped by her boyfriend’s brother and his two thuggish friends.  Ben knows that he must somehow warn his sister and change the fate of his family, but how?  Ben exists in the mind of his childhood self together with the consciousness of this young self.  Together they are “we.”  How can he make his young self-understand what is at stake and how exactly can he help his sister?

I really liked the unique premise and felt engaged with the story, family, and Ben.  I really wanted to know how this would end.  The only part I didn’t like was that Ben would sometimes go off into psychiatry with various terms for parts of the brain that I know nothing about and frankly bored me.  Luckily those sections were quite brief and it was back to Ben’s remembrances of his childhood self and future regrets.  Overall, I enjoyed this quick and intriguing read.

I read this book as part of the TLC Book Tour.  Unfortunately due to my hectic schedule this semester, I missed my postdate.  I apologize!

Book Source:  TLC Book Tours

After I’m Gone by Laura Lippman

I love Laura Lippman.  Her novels intrigue me and leave me pondering the story long after I have read the last page.  I discovered her as an author a couple of years ago.  I look forward to her new novels and I need to catch up on her previous works as well.

In After I’m Gone, Felix Brewer is a con artist with a magic touch that makes money.  Unfortunately it also lands him in trouble and he takes off to parts unknown to avoid arrest.  He leaves behind his beloved wife Bambi and three daughters, Linda, Rachel, and Michelle with no means of support.  He also leaves behind his mistress, Julie. When Julie goes missing ten years to the date after Felix, most people assume she has gone to join him.   Until her remains are discovered in a park and the mystery deepened.

Sandy Sanchez, a retired Baltimore Detective, picks up the cold case of Julie’s murder in hopes of not only solving the case, but also of making some money.  Sandy soon finds himself obsessed with the case and closer to the answer than anyone has ever been.  

The novel switches back and forth between Sandy’s investigation in current day to the past and how Felix and Bambi met and the lives that his ladies lead once he is gone.  His disappearance affects the future for how they all live.  And they are always hindered with the question of, where is Felix?  Is he still alive?  I found myself riveted by this mystery and really wanting to know the answer.  I also loved the story of the women and how they moved on without Felix.  I thought the ending of the novel was masterful.  I highly recommend this novel.  Not only is it a great mystery, but it was a good character study and also a good study on what family truly means.

Source:  Review copy from William Morrow.  Thank-you!

Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked by Chris Matthews

Tip and the Gipper:  When Politics Worked by Chris Matthews

Title: Tip and the Gipper:  When Politics Worked
Author: Chris Matthews
Read by:  Chris Matthews

Publisher: Simon & Shuster Audio

Length: 10 CDs, approximately 12 hours
Source: Review Copy from Simon and Shuster Audio.  Thank-you!

I’ll admit that I don’t really know much about Chris Matthews.  I know he exists and that he is a political commentator, but I knew nothing else about him (not even his politics) before listening to this audiobook.  My entire reason for wanting to listen to this book was the title, Tip and the Gipper:  When Politics Worked.  I wanted to learn more about the Gipper, President Ronald Reagan, and Tip, Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill.  I was born in 1978 and grew up in the 80’s.  I was too young to really care about the politics of the time at that point, and I wanted to learn more about them.  In our current time when politics really does not seem to work, I wanted to learn about a time when they did!

This book gave a great background of both Ronald Reagan and Top O’Neill’s rise to power.  Both men had completely different ideology, but they were able to put their differences aside for the good of the people.  I only wish our leaders today could do the same thing.  My favorite was that Speaker O’Neill told President Reagan that they could be friends after 6 PM.  And the two men did seem to get along wonderfully.  Things weren’t always rosy though as the two men did have major disagreements and frankly the way politics worked even back then annoys me (it’s  a lot about who you know and power plays).

I also liked how Chris Matthews told the story from his point of view.  He worked as a speech writer for President Jimmy Carter and then as an aid to Speaker O’Neill.  I liked the personal touch and remembrances.

Chris Matthews was a wonderful narrator and I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook on my drives to and from work.  I only wish I could keep listening to it!

Still Foolin’ ‘Em by Billy Crystal

Still Foolin’ ‘Em by Billy Crystal

Title: Still Foolin’ ‘Em:  Where I’ve Been, Where I’m Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys?
Author: Billy Crystal
Read by:  Billy Crystal

Publisher: MacMillian Audio

Length: 7 CDs, approximately 8 hours
Source: The Kewaunee Public Library

Still Foolin’ ‘Em by Billy Crystal was quite frankly, one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to.  In this audiobook, Crystal talks about turning sixty-five and growing older with his trademark humor and a lot of sincerity.  He also talks about his life growing up, falling in love and getting married, having children, and breaking into comedy and movies.

In a unique twist, several of the chapters are performed before a live audience.  I loved it, especially Crystal’s interactions with the audience.  I have enjoyed Crystal’s movies in the past, but truthfully I didn’t know much about him.  I loved hearing his life story and was impressed by his love for his wife (since he first met her at age 18!), daughters, family, and friends.  I felt like Crystal was a very down to earth and sincere man despite his fame.  This book only made me like him more.  I really want to see his movies that I haven’t seen and revisit old favorites.  I definitely should look for more of his books.  

Overall, this audiobook made me laugh and also brought a tear to my eye.  It was an enjoyable book about life, living it, and growing older.  I highly recommend it.