Nonfiction

Book Review: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Author
Angelou, Maya
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

I find that sometimes I give 5 stars to what are clearly very good books, but then something like 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' comes along and I realize that there are very few books I've read that are as important and wonderful as this one. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. Maya's voice is beautiful, honest, and so very observant and wise. I recommend this book to everyone in the world, period.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous

Author
Bragg, Georgia
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

This book is hilarious, clever, disgusting, educational, and all-around awesome! I read it during my lunch break at work which I don't recommend as the content is really gross. But seriously, read this awesome disgusting book!

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: Dress Your Best

Author
Kelly, Clinton and London, Stacy
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

This was more of a 3.5 stars. It was very enlightening, but the clothes choices were pretty much way too dressy for my situation. I mean, a blazer for weekend wear? I live in Colorado. Jeans are the norm. But there was welcome advice on fit for my body type.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: The Truth About Style

Author
London, Stacy
Rating
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review

I'm not sure I got a lot out of this book. I did like that it had a list of stores in the back of the book that specialize in specific needs. I also liked Stacy's voice. It was warm and honest. It seemed like this book was aimed at city dwellers, which is fine. My style needs aren't that, though. Oh well, I'm still going to read her other book.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants

Author
Gladwell, Malcolm
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

This book was very good. I learned a lot about the mindset and behaviors of the underdog and the necessity of power to promote legitimacy. My favorite part was about the Civil Rights movement and how the leaders used their underdog situation to it's full advantage. So interesting! However, the book ended very abruptly. I would have loved to have seen one more chapter that summed everything up. Oh well.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn
Genres

Book Review: This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection

Author
Burnett, Carol
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

I listened to Carol Burnett read this on audio and it was very good. I didn't watch her show as it was before my time, but I liked hearing stories about her life in show business. Thumbs up, especially on audio.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: Hungry

Author
Renn, Crystal
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

Crystal Renn's memoir is very powerful. Her description of her battle with anorexia is riveting and her realization that she was killing herself and her decision to become a plus size model was awesome. I love her positive body image. She encouraged me to find my 'set point' and love my body for what it is. Thanks Crystal!

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: Rock the Kasbah

Author
Loerzel, Marie
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

Rock the Kasbah is an entertaining book written by a Colorado Springs local author. Marie and her family lived in Morocco. This book had me laughing out loud more than once. It is personal and touching and brutally honest. I highly recommend it. (p.s. It may not be for the faint of heart)

Local Author?
Yes
Reviewer's Name
Jan