I Feel So Unnecessary

Genre: Non-fiction/Memoir 208 pages Publisher: University of Minnesota Press, 2015 In this moving memoir Bruce Kramer writes of his life after being diagnosed with ALS. He decided to live life even though he was facing death. Cathy Wurzer's was facing her own struggles as her father was descending into dementia. Together, they teamed up to write this amusing, uplifting, and wholly gratifying memoir. I recommend it. 4 stars ( Author photos courtesy of Michael Ekern, University of St. Thomas and MPR News) Three signed copies of the book are being given away. To enter just leave your name and e-mail in the comments. Lisa

Gone in a Heartbeat: A Physician's Search for True Healing by Neil Spector My rating: 4 of 5 stars Dr. Neil Spector, one of the nation's top oncologists, led a charmed life. He was educated at prestigious universities, trained at top medical centers, and had married the woman of his dreams. It seemed too perfect. And it was. In 1994, it all came crashing down. He and his wife lost two unborn children. And a mysterious illness brought him to the brink of death. In his compelling memoir, "Gone in a Heartbeat," Dr. Spector describes in great detail how he was misdiagnosed and, despite being a medical insider, was often discounted by his fellow physicians. As he recounts his own unorthodox approach to medicine and physician/patient relationships, Dr. Spector encourages readers to never surrender their power to a third party. He tells of courageous patients who served as role models, he conceded that doctors do a disservice to patients when "we tre...

Dyslexic Dick II: The Marine Corps Truly Uncommon Experience By: Richard " Dick" Kraemer Genre: Memoir 522 pages Published: March 2014 This book is an autobiography of Kraemer's life in the Marine Corps and as someone with dyslexia. It is a story of how both things led him to accomplish things in his life. It is a unique story that is at times humorous and always interesting. I enjoyed reading it. So, I'm giving it... Also check out Dyslexic Dick: True Adventures of My World Author website Twitter Facebook Buy the book here Lisa

Chemo-Therapist: How Cancer Cured A Marriage By: Mary Potter Kenyon Genre: Memoir/Caregiving 224 pages Publisher: Familius , 2014 I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. When Mary's husband of 27 years is diagnosed with cancer it puts an added strain on an already troubled marriage. But after visiting her husband post surgery she finds herself falling in love with him again. A horrible disease ended up making their marriage stronger. I found this to be a brutally honest memoir that was poignant and uplifting. It also provided useful information on caregiving and explaining a loved one's sickness to young children. I recommend it. About the author:  Mary Potter Kenyon graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in Psychology. She writes a weekly coupon column for the Dubuque Telegraph Herald newspaper and is the Director of the Winthrop Public Library. Mary is widely published in magazines, newspapers, and anthologi...

No Saints Around Here: A Caregiver's Days By: Susan Allen Toth 256 pages Genre: Memoir/Essays/Caregiving Publisher: University of Minnesota Press, 2014 In this book Toth writes in short essays that chronicle the last 18 months of her husband James's life- who suffered from  Parkinson's Disease. An honest, poignant, and darkly funny book. Susan Allen Toth's collection of essays about her caregiving days are not just a must read for caregivers; they're a must read for all readers.      Here's some book links: Goodreads / Amazon / B&N / University of Minnesota Press About the author: Susan Allen Toth  has written for the  New York Times , the  Washington Post ,  Harper's , and  Vogue , among other publications. Her many books include  Blooming ,  Ivy Days ,  My Love Affair with England ,  England As You Like It , and  Leaning into the Wind: A Memoir of Midwest Weather  (Minnesota, 2006). A...

Eat Now; Talk Later: 52 Tales of Family, Feasting, and the American Dream By: James Vescovi Genre: Memoir 136 pages Publisher: AuthorHouse, 2014 In this short memoir James Vescovi tell the stories of his grandparents Tony and Desolina Vescovi. They immigrated to American from Italy in the 1920s. This collection of short essays provides a glimpse into immigrant life and is a loving tribute to his grandparents. The stories are told with love and filled with interesting characters. The book is a quick read and the stories are funny and poignant. However, I feel some of them end too abruptly. I wanted the author to give a bigger glimpse of his grandparents' lives. I still found it to be a sweet tribute to this colorful couple. * I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Book links: Goodreads         Amazon             B&N          ...

Turning This Thing Around An Inspirational Self Help Memoir By: Keith Maginn Genre: Memoir 86 pages Publisher: Keith Maginn Publication Date: January 2011 Synopsis: Turning This Thing Around is an inspiring memoir of overcoming personal struggles. This brutally honest, deeply personal account of redemption takes readers on a moving spiritual journey. Confronted with a myriad of obstacles–a debilitating arthritic disease, narcolepsy, anxiety and depression–the author was outwardly happy, but inwardly miserable. Pushed to the lowest point of his life, Maginn shares how he gradually turned things around and used his experiences to grow as a person. Supplemented by heartfelt poetry by the author and with quotes from Gandhi to Dr. Wayne Dyer to Eckhart Tolle, Turning This Thing Around has universal themes that speak to nearly everyone, as we all must face challenges as part of being human. It is a self-help memoir of sorts: the author discusses not only what he ove...

Round the Bend: From Luton to Peru to Ningaloo, A Life After Redundacy By: Alistair McGuinness 256 pages Genre: Travel Memoir Publisher: Matador Publication Date: November 26, 2013 Buy it here: Amazon * I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Three things happened simultaneously. The lioness charged, Alistair fled across the parched savannah and his wife screamed for him to run faster. Stuffed deep inside his tattered rucksack was a guidebook containing advice on what to do in wildlife emergencies, which he planned to read if he survived the next thirty seconds. Future plans to climb Kilimanjaro, teach English in the Amazon and live in Australia were temporarily forgotten as he turned to face the pouncing lioness, thinking back to the words of advice from his mother-in-law. "Don't do anything silly, and look after Francine." From deep underground in a remote Bolivian mine to the scorched Australian outback,...

The Bohemian Love Diaries: A Memoir By Slash Coleman Genre: Non-fiction/Biography 249 pages Publisher:Lyons Press Publication Date: July 16, 2013  Where to purchase: Amazon   Barnes and Noble   Add it On: Goodreads   * I was given a free copy via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.* Book Synopsis: Infused with southern charm, this irresistibly weird and wonderful story chronicles Slash Coleman’s upbringing in a warped but warm-hearted household of eccentric artists. Descended from a posse of off-beat immigrants--including a grandfather who danced at the Moulin Rouge--and raised near the capital of the Confederacy during the 1970s and ’80s, young Slash sets out to find true love. Unfortunately, he’s his own worst enemy. Obsessions with Evel Knievel, rock band KISS, and crisscrossing the country to find the girl of his dreams set his quest for happiness on a hapless course.        ...

* I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Paperback Kindle Nook Publisher: Alex Clermont November 2012 75 pages Synopsis:   Imagine leaving behind everybody and everything familiar to live in a foreign country where you don't speak the language and don't know a soul. Worst yet, you look different from everybody there. People find your cultural norms insulting, and you can't get a date to save your life. Imagine you wrote a book about your time there... Eating Kimchi and Nodding Politely is a collection of snapshots that cover the two years that Alex Clermont lived in the country of South Korea as an English teacher. Scribed with a flair for humor, emotion, character and depth, these introspective narratives do more than act as a travel guide. They are creatively written windows into the life of of someone discovering new things about himself, the world, and the people who he shares it with-all w...

Paperback or E-book format 228 pages Publisher: Talisman Book Publishing (December 2012)  Synopsis:  Kersten Kelly travels on airplanes A LOT, so she decided to take her traveling experiences and write a book about them. She recalls life lessons from strangers on topics as various as love, humility, dreams, and family through a serious of brief anecdotes.  My Review:   A unique book about the lessons the author learned when encountering fellow travelers on airplanes. I found it interesting how she incorporated what people told her into learning experiences for herself. It was a different kind of memoir and I found it to be interesting. I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.   Get it at: Barnes and Noble Amazon Smashwords   Learn More About Talisman Book Publishing And the Author http://theeconomicsbook.com/ My Rating: