Memoirs of Southern Women :Celebrity Edition

 My Top 4

Southern Celebrity Women's Memoirs

One of my favorite genres is memoirs, and biographies. As I've mentioned several times,  I love reading about people. I love hearing their stories. People fascinate and intrigue me.

Especially, good, old-fashion southern women. They truly are a whole special breed. They will make you laugh, scold you, pray for you, give you their last biscuit, pour you a cup, and bless your heart all in the same day.

For me, there is a great respect and comfort for those people. It's almost like a sure thing. They've always been that way, and probably always will. 

These 4 memoirs I have chosen, in no particular order, are a few of my favorites.

(Don't come at me. Loretta will get a whole post of her own!)

She's A 1 at the top, top of my favorites.

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics

I was raised listening to Dolly. I would bet, I knew lyrics to whole songs of hers, before I could recite my address and phone number. Yes, Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, and 9 to 5 are still some of my favorites.

In this book, Dolly takes you through the stages of her life, through lyrics. She tells how so many of the songs she has written came to be.

{Jolene has two parts. First, the name came from a little girl (fan) asking for an autograph. Dolly asked her name, and she replied, "Jolene". Apparently, Dolly didn't want to forget it, so she claims to have repeated it over and over until she could write it down. Jolene, Jolene, Jolene...

The story of the song, is about a red-headed woman at the bank who seemed to have a serious crush on Dolly's new husband.}

The book is full of these stories and so much more.

I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook edition, and I'm so glad I did. Dolly does the narration, so it truly is like sitting around listening to her tell you all her stories.

Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon

Reese quotes her grandmother, Dorthea "A combination of beauty and strength made Southern women "Whiskey in a teacup." We may be delicate and ornamental, on the outside, she said, but inside, we're strong and fiery."

From the beginning of this book, you'll see how Reese truly embraces her roots.

She talks about her love of wallpaper, her collection of handmade quilts, and even her flea market frog soap dish she displays.

Each one of these, to me, says southern home.

Would you agree?

There are also a few recipes in the physical book.

This one I also had the audiobook, and again I feel the author being the narrator created a wonderful experience to hearing the story.

 

My Extraordinary Ordinary Life by Sissy Spacek

Sissy Spacek will forever be "Coal Miner's Daughter, Loretta Lynn" to me. That is where my love for her began. Through the years I've come to admire her and enjoy so many more of her roles, in films such as, Carrie, The Straight Story, and The Help.

Her book covers everything from growing up in rural Texas, to going to New York as a seventeen-year old with two guitars on her back, off to California, and finally to Virginia with her husband and daughters. She has been East, West, North, and South. 

This book, for me, shows no matter how small you feel, or how ordinary; you can achieve big dreams and still be you.

Knee Deep in Paradise by Brett Butler

As a teen, I remember watching Grace Under Fire. I loved her 'take no crap' attitude, and her nurturing love through all the struggles. She was hilarious, and always seemed so real to me. I had no idea how much her character had in common with her real life. Born in Alabama, and moving at least two more times by early childhood, she not only grew up around alcoholism, abuse, and mental health issues, sadly she began repeating the cycle. Her book takes you through all of it in true Brett fashion. She's never been one to sugar coat things, and she keeps true to that. This was one of those that you have to say "I loved it, but it was so sad." kind of books.

Writing this review has made me want to go back and re-read these. Ah, but which one first?

Have you read any of these or looking forward to? Leave me a comment.

The reviews may be short, but I do recommend all four of these.

 I'm trying to get back into writing and blogging. I hope you'll watch for more to come.

You can always go back and read some of my older reviews and recommendations also.

Happy Reading!

Book List: Memoirs and Biographies of Child Abuse

Sometimes, reality is scarier than fiction.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone had a magical, care-free childhood?

Memories filled with loving families, summer vacations, and holiday traditions.

Unfortunately, that isn't the case for far too many.

This article here quotes: "Approximately 3 million cases of child abuse and neglect involving 5.5 million children are reported each year."

That is absolutely tragic! Can you imagine how many go unreported???

Fortunately, there are so so many survivors that have come forward. To raise awareness, to tell their stories, and to help those in situations who are too scared to speak up.

I always find these stories so heartbreaking, yet the victims courage is empowering. Even if you aren't a victim yourself. It gives us some glimpse of hope that we can do better, as a society. As humans!

I have read several books

focusing on many forms of abuse. To me the most heart wrenching are always the ones about children. They are usually born into these situations with no defenses and most times, they aren't aware that what is happening is wrong, or bad. It is the only thing they know until they are shown or learn different.

This list is only the beginning of so many books in a horrific genre of...

Memoirs and Biographies of Child Abuse

* This post contains affiliate links. If you follow a link and make a purchase I will receive commission at no extra charge to you.

1. Sickened- Julie Gregory (several)

2. A Child Called "IT"- Dave Pelzer (and his series) (several)

3. The Glass Castle- Jeannette Walls (several)

4. Pieces of My Mother- Melissa Cistaro (3 copies)

5. Mommy Dearest- Christina Crawford (out of stock)

6. Broken- Shy Keenan (1 copy)

7. Hope's Boy: A Memoir- Andrew Bridge (several)

8. House Rules- Rachel Santag (2 copies)

9. Running With Scissors- Augusten Burroughs (several)

10. Living With Evil- Cynthia Owen (1 copy)

11. Damaged: The Heartbreaking true story of a forgotten child-Cathy Glass (several)

12. Another Forgotten Child- Cathy Glass (several)

13. Street Kid-Judy Westwater (several)

I have listed beside each title the numbers of copies that are currently available at Thriftbooks at the time this post was published.

If you would like to follow the link below

Shop now for thousands of quality used biographies & memoirs books starting at under $4 I love this site and have used them for years.
They always have a huge variety in any genre I am looking for.
Several of my other posts show my loyalty to them...even before I became an affiliate.

I hope you enjoy this list and always check back for more lists, reviews, TBRs and much more!
Happy reading!

"Family is supposed to be our safe haven. Very often, it's the place we find the deepest heartbreak."

Iyanla Vanzant

Book Review: Wonderfully Dysfunctional

Wonderfully Dysfunctional,

it must be genetic

by 

Buffi Neal

Quote: "To be dysfunctional, you have to not function as a family. We function great as a family." ~ Randi pg. 92

Started: June 22, 2018

Finished: June 30, 2018

paperback~ 198 pages

From the cover:

Buffi's mother refused to wear a bra and her father refused to leave his first wife. Her brother slept in a kitchen cabinet, her sister was kidnapped by her grandmother, and the rest of the family had an uncontrollable urge to laugh at funerals. Buffi always knew her family was unusual, but she was lucky enough to have escaped that gene. Or was she? In a nursing home, seated next to her dying grandmother, Buffi looked around at her family and realized she fit right in; no bra, dirty sneakers and a new ex husband. Maybe it really is genetic- maybe she never had a chance. Buffi began a journey to find normal, but found herself instead.

My Review:

This book had me hooked from page one!

I absolutely loved it from cover to cover.

Buffi Neal is unashamedly honest and quirky. That is my kind of girl!

She now embraces her odd, unusual...dysfunctional family.

Aren't we all somewhat dysfunctional?

I think that is what drew me in, and why I loved it so much. Through out her life she was fighting,...running from what was, in her own mind, "not normal".

Through ups, downs, ins, outs, and life...she realizes she is, has become, exactly what she thought was dysfunctional. What wasn't the norm. And is now accepting of that, and of herself.

The book is written in clips/chapters of memories and events of her life. It has everything most families have.

Buffi Neal shows us that no matter what strange things or people you share DNA with, we all have the same concept that our family is the odd one, the dysfunctional one, the strange one.

Guess what? That makes us all the same. Just filled with different people and places.

Does that make dysfunctional...normal? Who know?

We all have the eccentric aunt, the criminal uncle, the hermit grandpa, the hoarding friend, the crazy cousin, the weird sister, the forgetful grandma, the annoying brother, the dangerous nephew...

They are all among each of us, maybe, somewhere?

Buffi has opened up Pandora's box into her own family and now embraces who she is. Who she shares her genes with. Even if we don't agree with them or desire to be like them. They are a part of who we are. Genetics are no joke.

I liked that each chapter starts with a quote. There are several great ones!

"While people may never change, the way you see them often does."

"Which is stronger: the physical will to live or the mental will to die?"

"People have both good and bad in them; you can choose to see either."

This book, for me, was one where I had a lot of those moments where I kept catching myself laughing out loud or thinking, Oh, I know where she's coming from! I love a book where I can connect with the author or the story. this definitely was one of those books! It will stick with me...probably when I am thinking of something...odd about my own family.

I hope you've enjoyed my review and that you will give this book a read, if you haven't.

Book Review: Augusta, Gone

Augusta, Gone

by

Martha Tod Dudman

Quote: "She's only fifteen. You have to remember that. She's just a kid."~ Martha(Mom) pg. 62

Started: June 7, 2018

Finished: June 14, 2018

paperback 256 pages

From the cover:

True, she had stopped coming down for breakfast. Stayed up in her room, ran out the door late for school, missed the bus and had to have a ride. But, you think, well, that's how they are, aren't they, teenagers? And you try to remember how you were, but you were different, and the times were different and it was so long ago. And she's suddenly so angry at you, but then, another time, she's just the same. She's just your little girl. You sit with her and you talk about something, or you go shopping for school clothes and everything seems all right. And you forget how you stood in her room and how the center of your stomach felt so cold. When you found the cigarette. When you found the blue pipe. When you found the little bag, she said it was aspirin.

My Review:

*spoiler-ish* information

This book was a hard one for me to get through. Not because of Augusta, or even all her crazy rebellious acts or her cussing or her scary path she was taking.

The worst part for me was absolutely....MARTHA!

Seriously, this woman, this mother was the whack job, not her daughter.

I can't even say she was blindsided or naive. She knew!

She knew and saw and heard and STILL never really got it! Or never cared to take any responsibility.

I won't go so far as to say she was 100% responsible for her own daughter's chosen path, but she sure as Hell saw it coming, witnessed enough to know, made up every excuse, and completely ignored every opportunity at early intervention.

There are several quotes and thoughts from Martha herself where she saw things, heard things, assumed and either never mentioned them to Augusta, or waited until it was too far gone for those first little things to even be relevant.

Several conversations:

"You can't come get me. I'm not coming home!"~ Augusta

"I'm not. Can I have the phone number?"~ Martha

WHAT??? She's your daughter! 

(Oh, ok honey. Mommy will just sit on my thumbs while you run around town all night... Call me!)

And, my quote I posted above.

She is 15! You are telling a girl who has just told you that she is a 19/20-year-old college dropout, that you know YOUR daughter is hanging around with in a "party house" that SHE, SHE needs to remember your daughter is just a kid!

Wow, Lady! Wow! #motheroftheyear

I haven't even gotten to the stuff that really ground my nerves about "mom"!

She has got to be the most selfish, me, me, me person I have read about.

All she keeps going on and on about is her damn hikes! Up the mountain, down the mountain!

Maybe she should have spent that time, oh, I don't know, focusing on BOTH her kids.

Yup, that's right. There is a son. Younger even than fifteen-year-old Augusta.

He's pretty much a non-existent participant in the book(I had to go back and find his name in the book. I couldn't even remember him), which seems to be his role in real life.

He's probably 13 or 14 when the book starts and nope, mom not there. He's just cruising town, doing his own thing too. He's only mentioned briefly and makes his big appearance...when he gets in trouble and suspended from school.

Way to show her how to get attention, Jack!

Martha also has this very arrogant or maybe snobbish attitude. She is constantly judging others by their appearance.

Augusta gets a bad spider bite while at camp, and Martha actually makes several comments throughout the book about her daughter's "ruined face."

When she meets Rose, Augusta's favorite teacher/adviser, Martha says "As I expected, really fat."

And later when they have a dance,

"I hope no one has to dance with her, she is enormous!"

There was another line, I can't find, where she makes a remark about a boy's appearance. I can't quote it, but I got the impression, based on one glimpse of him and his attire, he wasn't the type for her daughter.

She just made me feel like everyone was less than her, and she was so above anything going on around her.

This whole book was about her. Not her daughter or the struggles THEY went through.

It was about her divorce, her working, her time to hike, her hiding things from co-workers, even her damn boyfriend that she was really just keeping around to have someone to call at 2 or 3am when she couldn't sleep. It was all about how everyone and everything was such an inconvenience to her life or the life that she wanted.

Boo, you Martha! 

While, I did complete this book, I will not be recommending it to anyone, unless they want to read a book about a self-centered mother and all her woes.

Click below if you'd like this book.

Augusta, Gone by Martha Tod Dudman

Review: The Invisible Wall

The Invisible Wall

By~ Harry Bernstein

Quote: "Joe already told me. I'm very grateful to Arthur. I think it was a wonderful thing that he did, and I'm going to make up a basket of fruit for him. But he's a Christian, and I don't want him in the house and I don't want you in his house."~ Mother

(pg. 70)

Started: August 8, 2017

Finished: August 13, 2017

paperback/297 pages

From the cover:

On the eve of World War I, in a small English mill town, Harry Bernstein's family struggles to make ends meet. Harry's father earns little money at the Jewish tailoring shop and brings home even less, preferring to spend his wages drinking and gambling. Harry's mother, devoted to her children and fiercely resilient, survives on her dreams: new shoes for young Harry, her daughter's marriage to the local rabbi. Then harry's older sister does the unthinkable: She falls in love with a Christian boy. But they are separated by an "invisible wall" that divides Jewish families on one side of the street from Christian families on the other. When Harry unwittingly discovers the secret affair, he must choose between the morals he's been taught all his life, his loyalty to his selfless mother, and what he knows to be true in his own heart.

My Review:

I am always a sucker for a good memoir and this was no disappointment.

I have always been fascinated with other people's stories. Who they are and how they got there.

Harry Bernstein does a wonderful job of showing the reader exactly where he came from and how he struggled, dreamed and thrived in his situation. 

I will say I feel like the "love story" aspect of the book was overrated. Yes, it was a huge experience in Harry's life and the book is HIS memoir but in my opinion the "Invisible Wall" was there with or without the Jewish/Christian affair between his sister and Arthur.

The religions were separated already.

He shows that by the way the headmaster, neighbors, and peers treated them.

They were only cordial or interacted on a have to basis already.

As he shows in using them to light the fires or when having to shop at a Christian store.

In some ways they were dependent on the Christians yet the prejudice/dislike was mutual.

Yes, the affair stirred up even more issues and caused more tragedy and heartache.(As it had previously between Sarah and Freddy). I'm sure for them it was just as Harry describes. Horrific for their mother and unsettling for the Christians also.

I just don't feel that was the biggest struggle they were dealing with.

His father was a drunk who wasted what money they did have. He was violent and feared by his entire household. The mother seemed to dream through her children to the point of pushing them away completely. She may have been resilient, but I see a woman desperate and hopeless.

Again, it's just my opinion. I completely admire Mr. Bernstein for his willingness to retell his story to the world and to let us share his memories.

He is a wonderful writer and although he was 96 years old when The Invisible Wall was published, he managed to finish 2 more books The Dream:A Memoir and The Golden Willow before he passed away in 2011 at the age of 101!

I definitely will read his other two books.

And you can also find out more about him and his life here>> Harry Bernstein

I hope anyone who loves a great memoir. A true story or anyone needing to be reminded how prejudices can cause more harm than the good some believe by sticking to what they have been taught. This is a wonderful example of how fear and hatred lead to hurt, harm and even death.

5 Stars for The Invisible Wall

Review: The Glass Castle

The Glass Castle

by Jeannette Walls

Quote: "It's good we raised you young' uns to be tough, Because this is not a house for the faint of heart."~ Dad(Rex Walls) pg. 150

Started: Sept. 5, 2012

Finished: Sept. 11, 2012

288 pages/paperback

From the cover:

The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. When sober, Jeannette's brilliant and charismatic father captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and how to embrace life fearlessly. But when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Her mother was a free spirit who abhorred the idea of domesticity and didn't want the responsibility of raising a family.

 The Walls children learned to take care of themselves. They fed, clothed, and protected one another, and eventually found their way to New York. Their parents followed them, choosing to be homeless even as their children prospered.

 The Glass Castle is truly astonishing-a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family.

My Review:

Wow! This is definitely one of those OMG books! This is going to be hard to review. There is so much to this book, and more because it is a memoir, non-fiction, no faking, the real deal! Wow!

I have always been intrigued to learn real stories about real people. I am fascinated with learning about other people, places, times. Also, being a parent myself I love reading about people's childhoods. What they perceive their parents done right or wrong. As a parent what did they feel was the right choice at the time and so forth. 

This book would be the "What NOT to do" as a parent handbook!

Seriously, some of the things these children went through(hunger, poor living conditions, criminal activity, injuries untreated, sexual abuse...) that were ALL well known by BOTH parents! These things were brushed off or even laughed at as "learning experiences" that would "toughen them up" while running out of money for booze, cigarettes or art supplies were major issues. To me it was a classic case of book smart, intelligent people who have absolutely NO common sense or the mental ability to deal with any "real life" situations.

I have heard so many people's reviews about how RoseMary(Mom) was raised by a distant, rough around the edges, fearless mother who seems to have taught her daughter(however unintentional) to be a free-spirited, make your own rules up as you go kind of parent. Well, I think that is pure BS! I did read Half Broke Horses and I never got any clue as to that type of parenting. RoseMary(and Rex) were two of the most selfish people I have ever heard of. They had SO many chances, opportunities, ways of making a much better, easier life for themselves and their children who had no choice in the matter. Yet, they CHOSE to live in poverty, involve themselves and their children in criminal activity and let them be exposed to so many things no human, let alone a child should ever have to face. For what? All because they wanted to be greedy, make their own rules, and defy laws and society and how they felt society viewed and judged them. To prove a point to who? America, civilized people, their parents....

I will call this book sad, tragic even, but I have absolutely NO pity for RoseMary or Rex Walls.

*5 stars* for an amazing story written with complete honesty and heart

Review: Don't Forget To Write

Don't Forget to Write

By Pam Hobbs

Quote: " More likely we'll be sold for half price tomorrow. ~ Iris pg. 70

Started: June 29, 2012

Finished: July 8, 2012

paperback/ 347 pages

From the Cover:

In June 1940, ten-year-old Pam Hobbs took the long journey from her council home in Leigh-on-Sea to faraway rural Derbyshire.

 In some foster homes Pam found a second family, with babies to look after, car rides and picnics. But other billets took a more sinister turn, as the adults found it easy to exploit the children in their care.

 Returning home, the war was far from over. Making do with rations, dodging bombs and helping with the war effort, Pam and her family struggled to get by.

  In Don't Forget To Write, Pam describes a time that was full of overwhelming hardship and devastation; yet also of kindness and humour, resilience and courage.

My Review:

 I loved this book for many reasons. First off I enjoyed reading a book based on World War II from a non-Jewish view point. I have always been fascinated with the subject but have rarely if ever seen it wrote from this side of the fence. It was wonderfully written by an child evacuee that shares her experiences and daily life throughout such a traumatic and uncertain time for anyone, let alone a ten-year-old child.

 This story made me feel as if a grandmother or old friend was right there with me, telling their story. It brought this story to life! 

 Some may get mixed up with all the characters(7 children, 2 parents, aunts, uncles, foster families), but it is well worth it to read it through. Coming from a large family of story tellers, this book was wonderful for me!

*4 stars!*

Review: Girl, Interrupted

Girl, Interrupted

by Susanna Kaysen

Quote: "She's completely blotto. Of course, they're giving her something." ~ Georgina pg. 23

started: April 10, 2012

finished: April 12, 2012

paperback(school edition)

168 pages

From the cover:

In 1967, after a session with a psychiatrist she'd never seen before, eighteen-year-old Susanna Kaysen was put into a taxi and sent to McLean Hospital. She spent most of the next two years on the ward for teenage girls in a psychiatric hospital as renowned for its famous clientele-Sylvia Plath, Robert Lowell, James Taylor, and Ray Charles- as for its progressive methods of treating those who could afford its sanctuary.

   Kaysen's memoir encompasses horror and razor-edged perception while providing vivid portraits of her fellow patients and their keepers. It is a brilliant evocation of a "parallel universe" set within the kaleidoscopically shifting landscape of the late sixties. Girl, Interrupted is a clear-sighted, unflinching document that gives lasting and specific dimension to our definitions of sane and insane, mental illness and recovery.

My Review:

 This is one that I wish, I had I known of it years ago, and had read the book  before seeing the movie. Honestly, the entire time I was reading it I kept seeing Wynonna, Angelina, Brittney, and Whoopi! With that said, it was still a good book. I can say that the movie is pretty much spot on the book. The only big difference is apparently, Valerie(Whoopi Golberg), the head nurse, was a tall, lean, blonde, twenty-something woman!

The book actually does give somewhat of an epilogue which was nice, but since it is non-fiction and Susanna doesn't have contact with any of the characters anymore, there isn't much detail into what happens next for them. 

  This is still a good read. It does make us question what makes a person sane or insane. By whose guidelines are we judged/labeled/diagnosed? If we are insane, do we ever truly "recover"? One of my biggest questions regarding medicating certain "insane" is if they aren't curable, what is the medicine for? Honestly, in SOME cases, I believe they are medicated more so that the caretakers can handle them easier, or not have to deal with them at all. I understand some may need it to protect themselves or others, but it is so heartbreaking seeing people doped up into a comatose state...for what? How sedated do they need to be before they are "safe"?  Which would be worse, believing that you see clowns and water running on the walls, or being strapped to a bed drooling uncontrollably?  Believing that you have 3, 4, more people in your head telling you what to do and not do or being wheeled around in a chair and spoon-fed because you are too doped up to stand or feed yourself?

What are your thoughts? Any opinions on the book/movie or subject?

Review: Sickened

Sickened

A Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy MBP childhood

By Julie Gregory

Quote: " Look, there has got to be something wrong with this kid, she can't even do one simple test. This has never happened before; she must have something seriously going on here. Can the doctor just please look at her?" ~ Mom  pg. 62

started: Jan. 25

finished: Jan 27, 2012

*This post contains affiliate links

From the cover: 

A young girl is perched on the cold chrome of yet another doctor's examining table. Just twelve she is tall, skinny and weak. It's 4 o'clock and she hasn't been allowed to eat anything all day. Her mother on the other hand, seems curiously excited. She is about to suggest open- heart surgery on her child to " get to the bottom of this". She checks her teeth for lipstick and, as the doctor enters, shoots the girl a warning glance. The child will not ruin her plans.

My Review:

This book was a hard one to get through. Any dealing with child abuse, neglect or pain should be, in my opinion.  Julie Gregory makes you feel like you are there. The scenery and scenarios come to life. While most of the book Julie is the naive, immature, believing victim, she shows that with God's faith and love she had strength. A strength that she had all along but never knew. Through the blood, sweat, fear, broken bones,chaos, and confusion she survived. I really liked that it does have a "happy" ending, yet the scars will remain. 

A few things I didn't like were that she was so separated from her brother and other than a few trips back and forth(which were obviously hard) the book never really gives much of his feelings or opinions. Also, that her father was so cowardly toward the mother's behavior and also gullible.

My rating: 3 1/2 stars

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