Angela's Ashes

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

Finished April 18th, 2008

Rating: 6/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #9



This book started out fast and furious as the author jumped right into it telling his life story. I wasn't too keen on the writing style at first however as I started to get further into the book I did enjoy it a little more.

I found myself comparing the book to a similar Memoir "The Glass Castle" where the family also struggles to make ends meet and whose father also has a drinking problem and spends his earnings (when he does have a job) on alcohol. I didn't enjoy this book as much as The Glass Castle due to the writing style.

The book ends when Frank is 19 so I guess there must be a sequel to continue his story however I don't think I will be picking it up anytime soon.

Eat Pray Love

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Finished October 31st, 2007

Rating: 6/10

Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge Book #3



From Barnes & Noble
Oddly but aptly titled, Eat, Pray, Love is an experience to be savored: This spiritual memoir brims with humor, grace, and scorching honesty. After a messy divorce and other personal missteps, Elizabeth Gilbert confronts the "twin goons" of depression and loneliness by traveling to three countries that she intuited had something she was seeking. First, in Italy, she seeks to master the art of pleasure by indulging her senses. Then, in an Indian ashram, she learns the rigors and liberation of mind-exalting hours of meditation. Her final destination is Bali, where she achieves a precarious, yet precious equilibrium. Gilbert's original voice and unforced wit lend an unpretentious air to her expansive spiritual journey.


When I first started this book I thought I was really going to like it but then after about 50 pages it started to go downhill for me. I enjoyed reading about Liz's experiences in Italy and Indonesia however I found the India piece boring.

I watched the Oprah show when the author was on and I really liked hearing about Liz's experience firsthand. However, I found the book didn't strike the same chord with me as hearing the story firsthand from Liz.

Dispatches from the Edge

Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper

Finished September 3rd, 2007

Rating: 7/10

Non-Fiction Five Challenge Book #5



This was a very quick and easy read. It isn't so much a biography of Cooper's life although he does touch on some major personal events that has shaped him such as the death of his father and brother. It is more about Cooper's experiences and insights with respect to major events that have shaped and touched the world such as Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, Hurriance Katrina and the South East Asian Tsunami.

All in all it was an enjoyable read.

Eiger Dreams

Eiger Dreams by Jon Krakauer

Finished August 8th, 2007

Rating: 4/10

Non-Fiction Five Challenge Book #4




This is the third book I have read of Krakauer. I had previously read and really enjoyed Under the Banner of Heaven but disliked Into the Wild but decided to give this book a go anyways. I was not overly impressed.

The book is a bunch of short stories that Krakauer has written over the years for magazines about mountain climbing. Some of the stories are first hand experiences as Krakauer is an avid climber.

While some of the stories were interesting, more often I found myself a little bored reading this book. This could be due to the fact that I am not mountain climber and may not be able to appreciate the stories.

Measure of a Man

Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier

Finished June 10th, 2007

Rating: 5/10

Non-Fiction Five Challenge Book #2



I was expecting this book to be different then what it was. I guess I should have had a clue based on the subtitle "a spiritual autobiography" that it wasn't going to be a true memoir. The book started out very good as Poitier discusses his childhood in the Bahamas however the book lost me in the middle and end as Poitier talks about a variety of topics and his philosophy on those topics such as religion, racisim and mostly about the art of acting (which didn't really interest me). The book jumps from topic to topic as it is not in chronological order as a typical autobiography.

There were some really interesting stories mentioned however he chose to not go into much detail which was disappointing as I would really have liked to read more of those stories.

I finished the book with a better understanding of his views on various topics however I still feel like I never got to know him by reading this book which was my intent in choosing it.

Although I gave the book a rating of 5/10 as it was average to me, I would recommend it to others who are already familiar with Poitier and are interested in reading more about Poitier's views rather than a biography about his life.

I have never actually seen any movies that Sidney Poitier has starred in so I will have to make a point to rent some of his movies.

The Glass Castle

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Finished March 17th, 2007

Rating: 9/10

Decades Challenge Book #1 (2000s)

The first thing that struck me when I began reading this book was how easily the words flowed together, it was effortless. There was never a point in the story where I lost interest.

The writer is Jeannette Walls who tells the true story of being raised along with her siblings by her dysfunctional and eccentric parents. Their father has grand money-making ideas yet never acts on them and has trouble holding a job for any period of time while their mother refuses to take on the responsibility of raising her children and pursues her dreams of becoming an artist at the expense of her children.

The writer recalls her childhood without judgement or resentment and lets the reader decide for themselves what to think about the story.

This book will make you angry and sad as the parents prove to be neglectful from refusing medical care for their children to letting their children rummage through garbage cans for food to never having enough money for water or electricity and you are left wondering why these people had children in the first place.

At the same time it will touch your heart as you root for these children as they go through their struggles and strive to succeed in making something out of their lives.