We've just recently blogged about the memoir, Perfection, by Julie Metz. For a better look at Julie's new life, as well as the events she discusses in her memoir, don't miss this incredible profile from Wednesday's New York Times. Happy Friday!
-Kayleigh
We’re thrilled to have two of our titles on Oprah’s summer reading list of ‘The 25 Books You Can’t Put Down’
http://www.oprah.com/slidepopup/omagazine/200907-omag-summer-reading-list/1
They are:
EYE OF MY HEART by Barbara Graham – a compilation of 28 original essays by noted journalists, novelists, and essayists, each one a grandmother, that delves into the cracks as well as the wonder of grandmotherhood today. The contributors are a stellar group of gifted and well known writers representing a wide range of voices and experiences. The list of luminaries includes: Elizabeth Berg, Judith Viorst, Jill Nelson, Anne Roiphe, Judith Guest, Beverly Lowry, Carolyn See and Ellen Gilchrist.
A PEARL IN THE STORM by Tori Murden McClure is a riveting memoir by the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. This is an unforgettable story of an explorer who maps her own world with rare emotional honesty. A story of high adventure, hurricanes, and finding love.
Happy Reading!
- Virginia
This morning I saw this article on male-only book clubs that have been springing up around the country. Here's a fantastic quote from the piece:
"'We used to just sit around and drink beer and read Charles Bukowski, nothing great," says Pride, 51, of Quincy. 'But the other night we were talking about evil. Drinking our red wine and talking about evil. We're moving into a deeper dimension. We don't want to read junk.'"
Groups may focus instead on a shared topic of interest, like history, sports, or even poetry. Other book groups don't read the assigned book at all, but use the time as a chance to catch up with old friends. Whatever the reason, book clubs are a great way for men to build a sense of community and fellowship. Here's a quick little list of titles that might work, depending on the book club.
For new dads, or the agriculturally-inclined:
Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting by Mike Perry
For thriller-lovers:
Shadows Still Remain by Peter de Jonge
For memoir-addicts:
In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White
For vampire fans:
The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan
For outdoorsmen:
The Last of His Kind by David Roberts
For ultimate fighters:
Got Fight? by Forrest Griffin with Erich Krauss
For history buffs:
Masters and Commanders: How Four Titans Won the War in the West, 1941-1945 by Andrew Roberts
-Kayleigh
In March, I wrote about the House at the End of the Road, written by W. Ralph Eubanks, Director of Publishing at the Library of Congress and his search to find the truth about his maternal grandparents; Jim Richardson, a white man and Edna Richardson, a light-skinned black woman. W. Ralph Eubanks will be interviewed by NPR’s Talk of the Nation scheduled for Tuesday, May 19th. Listen in as he discusses the House at the End of the Road and the fascinating journey of discovering his unique racial and cultural identity. For more information, visit:
http://www.npr.org/
-Bobby
In March, Virginia gave us a preview of Michael J. Fox’s new book, Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist. If you want to see just how he remains optimistic in the face of adversity, check out this clip of Michael on Good Morning America, where he discusses his upcoming ABC-TV special with Diane Sawyer. He also mentions his new book, Always Looking Up, on sale now.
On Thursday, May 7th, watch ABC-TV’s The View (check your local listings for times) where Michael will be interviewed about the special and his book, Always Looking Up. Finally, later that evening keep your television on ABC-TV to watch his special, Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist. Michael J. Fox hosted and produced the piece.
Watching Michael J. Fox in action gives me motivation and inspiration. If he can stay optimistic no matter the circumstances, so can I…and so can you! Enjoy!
-Bobby
I just had to share this. Yesterday Gawker posted a video of Captain Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger talking about book amnesty at the San Francisco Public Library. They wrote: "In case there was any doubt he's a walking angel among us, Chesley Sullenberger has done penance for being overdue on a library book stuck in that plane he safely landed on the Hudson River." That same angel is, as you know, publishing two books with William Morrow. Check out the video and get ready for Sully's publishing debut!
-Kayleigh
Last month, I wrote about Chris Gardner’s amazing follow up to his New York Times bestseller, The Pursuit of Happyness. Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in the Pursuit of Happyness, on sale in May of 2009 gives over forty lessons on how to not only make your dreams reality, but help you navigate on this crazy road we call “life”. After each lesson there are “assignments” or exercises that you can do to fully understand that lesson and make it a part of your life. Check out Chris Gardner’s video where he talks about the motivation behind Start Where You Are and how you can gain that needed push to start your life anew. Enjoy!
-Bobby
We're loving Jon Stewart's interview with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and the author of This Child Will Be Great. In her stirring memoir, Sirleaf shares the inside story of her rise to power, including her early childhood; her experiences with abuse, imprisonment, and exile; and her fight for democracy and social justice. Stewart referred to her "remarkable journey," and went on to say "You've got to read this book." Check out the clip below, browse inside the book, and let us know what you think!
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | M – Th 11p / 10c | |||
| Ellen Johnson Sirleaf | ||||
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-Kayleigh
While I am so excited that the weather in New York will actually reach (dare I say it) 80 degrees, I am still taking in a good book. I am reading a fascinating, yet heart-breaking autobiography. That Bird Has My Wings: the Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row, written by Jarvis Jay Masters is a compelling memoir that talks about all that he went through and what he continues to discover about himself.
That Bird Has My Wings, on sale in September of 2009, chronicles his early life, growing up with his four siblings and being surrounded by drugs at the hands of his mother and stepfather. He also shares how he survived violence at the hands of his biological father. They were left home alone days and weeks at a time, with no food or even the proper basic care. After he and his siblings were taken out of the home by social services, they were put in the foster care system where his life became extremely unstable. He was sentenced to prison at 19 for armed robbery and was put on death row at age 23 for being named an accessory in the death of a prison guard. Since being in prison, he has written one book and several articles. He also won a PEN Award for one of his poems. What is even more amazing is that he does all of his writing with ball point pen filler, as that is the only writing instrument available to those in maximum security prison.
Currently there is a campaign where the goal is to get his sentence overturned. There are those that believe he is innocent and the California Supreme Court is investigating new evidence that could lead to his release. More information can be found on www.freejarvis.org.
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Have you ever read a story that took you on an emotional rollercoaster? Did it take you from happy to sad all with the turn of the page? Remember the Sweet Things is just that kind of story. It’s the true story of a woman’s twenty-year marriage where she found the love she was looking for and truly deserved.
Remember the Sweet Things, written by Ellen Greene is a touching memoir where she talks about the love she found and the love she gained for herself. Ellen was divorced, with two children. After her failed marriage and an ill-fated relationship, she decided to move across the country from New Mexico to Massachusetts to start a new life for herself and her children. While there, she met her future husband Marsh. She found him to be kind, charming, and respectful. Since she just knew this amazing behavior wouldn’t last, she decided to write down everything he did wrong so when the relationship was over, she would be justified in getting out. However, she couldn’t find anything negative to add to the list. Instead, she decided to write all the good things (good deeds, jestures, and sayings) that he made.
Check out this video of Ellen Greene as she discusses Remember the Sweet Things:
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In 2008, an astounding 157 million people watched The Beijing Olympics. Many of them, myself included, watched in the hopes of seeing Michael Phelps break Mark Spitz' record. But when Michael achieved the impossible with his record-shattering eight gold-medal wins, Debbie Phelps nearly stole the show. Few could forget the homage that Michael consistently paid to the one person most responsible for making it all possible: his mom. While Beijing will forever beremembered the world over, very few know the behind-the-scenes stories as lived by the members of Team Phelps—a roller-coaster ride full of dramatic ups and downs, heartbreaks, and disappointments, yet one guided to triumph by vision, courage, and tenacity. Now at last, in A Mother for All Seasons, we're given the untold story as lived by the mom on the team. Check out this Associated Press story on A Mother for All Seasons, and Debbie's interview on the Today show. Be sure to let us know what you think of this buzz-worthy memoir!
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
-Kayleigh
Do you ever have those moments where you allow your mind to wonder about life? Do you think about where you are and where you are going? Have you ever thought about a dream you once had, but allowed it to become a distant memory? Start Where You Are gives realistic strategies on how to put a new spring in your step.
Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in the Pursuit of Happyness, written by Chris Gardner gives over forty lessons on how to not only make your dreams reality, but help you navigate on this crazy road we call “life”. After each lesson there are “assignments” or exercises that you can do to fully understand that lesson and make it a part of your life.
Start Where You Are, the follow up to his best-selling memoir The Pursuit of Happyness, answers the two questions he is asked more than any others…”How did you do it” and “How can I do it too?” Start Where You Are, on sale in May of 2009 gives us even more inspiration by showing us examples from Chris Gardner’s life experiences.
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