How does a successful woman, wife and mother, spiral out of control? Drugs will do that to you. Addiction will pin you down anMama Mia. What a memoir.
How does a successful woman, wife and mother, spiral out of control? Drugs will do that to you. Addiction will pin you down and keep you there. At the cost of losing your children. Losing yourself.
Lara Love addicted to heroin and opiates until she gets charged with 32 felonies. She flips her hustle into healing in jail. Her empathy, compassion and education moving her up through the ranks. She acquires the title, Mama Love, and the respect from the inmates. But returning to the real world is like clawing your way out of a deep, dark hole. Fighting the cycle of addiction. Including those who you surround yourself with. Fighting the stigma of being a felon. Even old neighbours can hold a grudge for years. However, hope and perseverance can light the way- even when three steps back are required to move one forward.
This is a story of a girl who leaves Nova Scotia to get employment to repay her student loans. She heads to My first graphic novel and likely my last.
This is a story of a girl who leaves Nova Scotia to get employment to repay her student loans. She heads to Alberta and its Oil Sands in 2005.This is where the money is at. Primarily for men, however.
The author does disclose that this is her story. Two years of her life subjected to misogynist behaviour. Assault, harassment; questioning her own identity. The loneliness from being isolated. The environmental erosion happening. Toxic in more ways than one.
I can honestly say this format did not appeal to me. However, I think there are a number of important messages here that Beaton shares. And they are disturbing ones. 3.5⭐️...more
A tough read. The opening pages of this memoir were so shockingly disturbing. A horrific tragedy of a mom who violently dies by the hands of her mentaA tough read. The opening pages of this memoir were so shockingly disturbing. A horrific tragedy of a mom who violently dies by the hands of her mentally ill son.
Everything is fine is a delusion. It’s a cover up for the ugly, fearful truth. The truth that surrounds this family whose son, Tim, suffers from untreated schizophrenia. Not because the family hasn’t tried. But because the system failed them. A harsh look at what mental illness can do to a person. A harsh look that strips the family down to what ifs that may have changed an outcome. A harsh look at how a family can become fragmented.
This is the reality of a system that is broken. Of doctors who can only do so much if a patient isn’t willing to help themselves.
Thank you for sharing your personal journey of grief and forgiveness, Vince. There are no words.
Given the last year and half with Covid, mental illness has been brought to the forefront. A positive move but still miles away of ensuring more timely treatments and support for not only those afflicted but also for their families. Mental illness affects us all. It just varies on the spectrum on where it sits. ...more
Imagine living in a country as a woman with no voice. Imagine not being able to dance, sing, walk alone, get an education, read or write. Imagine havinImagine living in a country as a woman with no voice. Imagine not being able to dance, sing, walk alone, get an education, read or write. Imagine having to wear a burka in 100 degree heat under the law. Now imagine having a son who has been taken away from you as you do not want to be wife #2. This is a love letter from a mother to her son. A woman Who left Afghanistan to write where it is accepted and to be an activist for the women of her country. A woman who made the greatest of sacrifices that came at such a huge cost. 4.5⭐️...more
C-U-L-T. Born into it then escaping it 5 years later with his older brother and mother. For years, Mikel strugglThis knocked the breath out of me. Raw.
C-U-L-T. Born into it then escaping it 5 years later with his older brother and mother. For years, Mikel struggles to find his identity. His mother, constantly battling depression and falling in with the wrong men. The children - collateral damage. How messed up he felt- taking on different personas to fit in. Running, academically, musically. All escape tactics. Each the final Hail Mary? Or saving grace. It saved him from the drugs and the alcohol;from the shadows.
The conflict of Not knowing how he should feel- being told he doesn’t feel anything from that former life by his mother thereby denying his own existence for those early years. He moves in with his dad as a young teen hoping to find some definition there. This memoir is heartbreaking. A son of 5 having to comfort his mom while suppressing and suffocating in his own trauma behind a shield he wouldn’t allow to crack. Jollett has mastered the skill of honesty and the fuckedupness of his upbringing that shaped who he is; who he became along with his amazing relationship with his father. 5⭐️...more
I am stupefied. What talent! I'm dazzled and stunned by the brilliance of not only your divine writing, but of the way in which you have exposed your I am stupefied. What talent! I'm dazzled and stunned by the brilliance of not only your divine writing, but of the way in which you have exposed your authentic self through these letters to the men who have touched your life in various ways. Some briefer than others but all have left a lasting impression and likely defined who you are today.
I have to be honest, I wasn't a fan. I hesitated picking this up but the timing was right. It is a book one can read in small sittings.
Thank you Mary Louise Parker for sharing your life stories. You've certainly added another dimension to the woman we see onscreen.
For all the men in her life, how poignant she dedicated this book to her mom. This was a worthy of 5★ Now I need to find me some weed(s). ...more
Unforgettable is what Verghese says in his foreword. I agree and am fighting for my own breath to write my thoughts about this stunning memoir that haUnforgettable is what Verghese says in his foreword. I agree and am fighting for my own breath to write my thoughts about this stunning memoir that has left me gasping for air. The writing. The emotion. The beauty in the darkness of dying. I mourn the death of this writer, a surgeon of great potential. A doctor of great compassion. But the message he has left us is quite eloquently simple: make life as meaningful as you can in the time you have. Be grateful. The touching epilogue his wife Lucy wrote. My tears runneth over. 5⭐️ - have upped this. This one will stay with me for a long while. ...more
4 guys decide they want to do something exciting with their lives and change the world. They create a bucket list of 100 things they want to accomplis4 guys decide they want to do something exciting with their lives and change the world. They create a bucket list of 100 things they want to accomplish before they die in order to uncover their buried lives. Streak across a game field; pay off their parent’s mortgage; spend a night in jail; finish their college degrees are just some. For every 4th or 5th item they cross off their list, they help someone cross something off theirs. A lot of epic deeds, cool experiences and dreams transpire. A quick and inspiring read about how much more life can be. The book is structured in a picture book fashion to reflect the submissions received as a way of reading like a story. I saw them on Oprah a couple of years ago. Pretty cool and something different to mix it up. 4 ★ P.S - I'm starting to build my own list now....more
This was absolutely an eloquently written, satirical reflection of Hepola's memoir from alcoholism to sobriety. From waking in strange hotel rooms witThis was absolutely an eloquently written, satirical reflection of Hepola's memoir from alcoholism to sobriety. From waking in strange hotel rooms with alarming states of vanished time; not knowing what happened, where and with whom. Liquor seductively lured her in, possessed her, made her feel loveable and brilliant. It took her more than once to get clean and she compares getting sober to a nasty breakup: when you hate and despise the other person but so long for that touch. This was a journey of self discovery and recognizing the potential of being a greater person without the 'voodoo' of alcohol. Truly a brave feat overcoming the disease and having the voice in which to tell it. 4 ★...more
***UPDATE*** DR Gawande has been appointed to Biden's COVID team. An outstanding physician...and this book is brilliant*** Happy for you Americans. I ***UPDATE*** DR Gawande has been appointed to Biden's COVID team. An outstanding physician...and this book is brilliant*** Happy for you Americans. I can't emphasize enough to read this one. I'd give it a triple star if I could.
Simply put: This is a book about dying. But, on one's own terms. Gawande boldy argues that the medical world has got it wrong when it comes to the treatment of the dying. The objective of medicine should not be to ensure health and survival; rather it should be about the quality of life and what it means to die with dignity, a sense of purpose, and most importantly, control over one's life. It's about being able to write the final chapter the way you want to and to enable well-being in the sense one wishes to be alive. It's considering hospice vs emergency room care. What an unpleasant topic, but WHOA, what a relevant one! Through a series of interviews with seniors and the terminally ill, he asks them what means the most to them; what are they willing to sacrifice and what they won't, in order to extend their life a little longer. He examines how the dying were treated historically to the cultural, traditional institutionalized view we have now. Written humanely by an emergency physician who in my opinion, has got it so right. I can only hope to have a physician as intuitive and caring as he, as I shape my ending chapter. 5* read....more
Why did I wait so long to read this? Well, a couple of reasons: 1) It’s about rowing…No offense, it’s just not a sport I’m wowed by. 2) It’s about a gWhy did I wait so long to read this? Well, a couple of reasons: 1) It’s about rowing…No offense, it’s just not a sport I’m wowed by. 2) It’s about a group of Americans going to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Hey, I’m Canadian, eh... American patriotism and propaganda isn’t my gig. So finally I picked it up; put it down. Then thought to hell with it, I’m doing this. I cracked the spine, sat down and for the last few days, every spare moment has been living and breathing this story.
It starts with the life of Joe Rantz, the crew member who sat in the 7th seat of the boat. The abandonment he experienced as a child that shaped him into becoming the man he did. It’s of course about the sport - which in itself is a paradox - while the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, each member brought unique qualities and experiences to compliment each other to make a successful and cohesive crew . The determination, the skill, the heart, soul and passion that goes into the making of an athlete; the making of a team; the realization of a dream. It’s about the two faces Germany wore for the hundreds of thousands of spectators who came to watch. The deception and political ploys used to prevent suspicions from being roused. It will always eclipse the event to a certain degree.
But most of all, it’s an inspirational read and one that will remain most memorable to me. 4 ★...more
In 1959, 9 experienced hikers disappear in the Ural Mountains. What becomes a search and rescue mission, unfortunately becomes a recovery one. It takeIn 1959, 9 experienced hikers disappear in the Ural Mountains. What becomes a search and rescue mission, unfortunately becomes a recovery one. It takes months before all of the bodies are located. Speculation and theories surround the mystery of what happened to make them leave the security of their tent, in subarctic temps, scantily clad, and bring them to their death. It was well researched and fascinating. This is Eichar's take of what he suspects happened to them. We may never know exactly but this seems to be the theory that comes closest to the truth. However, that being said, I'm still left with a feeling of not being satisfied. As they say, proof is in the pudding. I give it a 3.5....more
An amazing memoir of a family in prison for 20 years ! A story of courage and strength and the love that held them through the darkest times of their An amazing memoir of a family in prison for 20 years ! A story of courage and strength and the love that held them through the darkest times of their lives. Emerging from a life in a palace for Malika Oukfir, to living in the squalor of the Moroccan gaols. Tremendous dignity upheld by all throughout. Unbelievable disturbing account of political injustice. 4 stars....more
Picked up this book after my massage therapist recommended it as I was complaining about my running injuries...have you read this? This book will chanPicked up this book after my massage therapist recommended it as I was complaining about my running injuries...have you read this? This book will change how you think running should be. Not only was it about minimalistic running but it was a great story of the Tarahumara tribe and their running history. "You don't stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running." The joy of running comes from being carefree and not in constrained structures we wear on our feet...it's a theory that totally makes sense. Well done. 4 stars....more
Canadian Jen
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