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Love and Kisses, Charlie
Everyone with a cavernous, cluttered old attic dreams of finding treasure there. And that’s exactly what happened to Joshua Gerstein on a visit to his parents house. The WWII letters referred to in the subtitle of Love and Kisses, Charlie are copies of the real-life correspondence sent by Gerstein’s grandfather, Charlie Fletcher, to his family during his time serving in the Second World War, and found stashed away in an attic.
The letters are set out in strict chronological order, from the time of Charlie’s enlistment in the fall of 1943 right up to his discharge and return home in March 1946. The account is enriched with photos, images and commentary from Gerstein to explain Yiddish and military expressions and to add historical context. Through his own voice, we get to know an honorable and likeable young man who is devoted not only to his country and fellow soldiers, but also to his family and his Jewish heritage.
Charlie carefully recounts his day-to-day life for his parents so that they won’t worry about him. He describes his living conditions, the food he is eating, the friends he is making and the dates he is going on. He even marks religious festivals so that they know he is still dedicated to his faith.
As you might expect from true letters, much of the content is personal and provides a deep look into one persons life and thoughts. Charlie held administrative posts, so he was able to avoid the front line. But there are moments when the reality of war creeps in, such as when he meets Polish Jews who survived the death camps. Unlike other WWII books this one keeps things focused on Charlie. This provides a thoughtful look at a mans life, in a moment in time, which happens to be a momentous moment in history.
Love and Kisses, Charlie is a sensitive and personal account of one soldiers life and shows how, even though we are far from home, we still carry our family and faith with us. I highly recommend this interesting book to anyone interested in history, or readers looking for a memoir that is stirring and thought-provoking.
Pages: 634 | ASIN: B0BHL2XLFZ
Running Dreams
Running Dreams by Carlos Servan is a story about determination and following your goals. The author details his life with the Peruvian army and the important choices he makes to dedicate his life to an important role, with physical and mental fitness preparation and a focused mindset. He realizes his dreams when he enters his first year as a cadet at the School of Officers for the Peruvian Investigation Police, entering his first patrol, which changes his life.
This book begins with the author’s childhood, where his dreams center around protecting his country, which would eventually become realized and change the direction of his life in unexpected and sometimes dangerous ways. I appreciated the amount of effort spent on detailing childhood memories, which creates a clear picture of Servan’s personality, family relations, Peruvian background, and ambition.
I found the book to be deeply moving and impactful, as the author details not only his rise to success within his early adulthood but the challenges he faces and his ability to cope. There is sincere openness throughout the book, which gives readers a sense of Servan’s personality and impressive resilience as a hero. This stirring memoir gives readers a sense of inspiration and understanding about the author and his incredible journey.
Running Dreams is a beautifully written story about strength and determination. Carlos Servan has written a fantastic memoir that instills hope and faith in readers through an incredible story that will keep you engaged from the very start.
Pages 278 | ASIN 1639886435
So Many Incredible Stories
Sleeping With Lions: A Year in Tanzania shares your experiences in East Africa and your personal journey to rediscover who you are. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I love a good story, and there were so many incredible stories that I experienced during the year I lived in Tanzania. I wanted to share these experiences for many reasons—for example, to dispel misconceptions back home about what a year in Tanzania was actually like for me. More than anything, this is a valentine to my friends and family in Tanzania, especially the four Tanzanian priests who invited me to live with them. It is a unique love story centered on brotherly love. It was also important to write this book to celebrate Tanzanian thought, philosophy, culture and language. It was such a joyful, contemplative, and rich experience filled with wonderful people. I wanted to acknowledge and honor an incredible year in a beautiful place where I was surrounded by love, profound thought, natural wonders, and the best friends anyone could ever have. I wanted to share something optimistic and positive.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
First of all, thank you. When I first started writing about these experiences, it was as a diary, so that is probably why it is so candid. Writing about my personal journey was the easy part; trying to capture the beauty and atmosphere of Tanzania was probably the hardest part. It is like when people share photos and say “this photo does not do the subject justice.” There is a reason Tanzania is such a popular adventure travel destination with Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, and The Serengeti Desert, but it is also so much more than that. The hardest part of writing about my year in Tanzania was truly capturing the beauty of the landscape, the culture, the languages, and the history. As happy as I am with the book, I still know that my writing did not do the country, or my friends there, justice.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
It is funny because the one piece of advice that changed my life came from my mom who is not one to generally offer advice, and I am not one who is generally inclined to take it. Many years ago, noticing how I was struggling as a young, first-time mom and trying to still pursue my own dreams, she said: “You can do all the things you want in life, just not all at the same time.” It was one of the few times I have taken advice from anyone, but I am glad I did. She encouraged me to recognize different seasons in life and to prioritize my time. She added that the school where I taught could always replace me but my daughters could not. Although the culture around me was telling me I could “do it all,” my mom modified that by adding “…just not all at once.” She also repeatedly emphasized how quickly children grow up, something that is hard to recognize in the exhausting early years. Because of this, I prioritized early motherhood and my daughters. My mom was right: these years flew by, and I was able to continue with a career I love and reconnect with my own dreams later on. I hope this book reflects the appreciation for the seasons of life and this loving advice from my mom.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
The one takeaway I hope readers will take to heart is to reconsider the cultural stereotypes and misconceptions about places in Africa like Tanzania. I hope readers come away with an enhanced understanding about the culture, history, and wonder of Tanzania. More than anything, I hope the voices of my Tanzanian friends and colleagues that I have tried to capture here will be amplified and show readers that there is a lot to learn from the Tanzanian way of life.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Living with four priests in Bukoba, Tanzania on the western shores of Lake Victoria, the author teaches at a small college and works closely alongside her research partner, a Kenyan linguist and poet. Throughout her year in Tanzania, she establishes new friendships and also travels throughout the country, visiting places like Kilwa, the Serengeti Desert and Zanzibar.
In this true story, Lee Anne McIlroy celebrates the rich cultural, historical, natural, and linguistic landscapes of Tanzania while reflecting on her own life, exploring what it means to be a mother, a woman, and most importantly, a human being in the modern world.
PARDONABLE OFFENCES
Pardonable Offences by Perry Leary is a lighthearted memoir of the author’s experiences he encountered growing up, along with other experiences that were shared with him. Born in South Africa during the war, Leary lived with his mother, brother and grandmother while his father went off to war. We learn of his experiences and the friendships made throughout his school years in prepatory school. Similar to that of heartfelt children’s story The Sandlot, we follow the author’s lifelong friendships and their fond and not so fond memories growing up.
Author Perry Leary provides readers a collection of fascinating anecdotes that inspire thought and a chuckle. The author’s writing style is succinct and his wit comes through well, making this an interesting read. His descriptions of people he interacted with were vivid and unique; he once described the barber as slightly boozy-looking and was a chain smoker of the evil smelling Cavalla cigarettes. I always looked forward to his descriptions after this.
The author does an excellent job of describing unpleasant experiences through a comedic lens so that they are more palatable and allow the reader to absorb the experience more readily. Not to say that this memoir is purely humor, Leary encountered many tragedies and shares them with his readers. He touches upon the cultural aspects of living in South Africa and how things were different during the war. I enjoyed that the author tells reader what became of his friends as they grew older, this gives the story a nice well-rounded feel that leaves you satisfied.
Pardonable Offences is the perfect read for those who are looking for a quick but thoughtful story that will make you laugh and reminisce about your childhood experiences.
Pages: 207 | ASIN: B0B1VXS9BP
I Rode The Second Wave
I Rode the Second Wave: A Feminist Memoir by Fran Abrams details the author’s first-hand experience as an activist in the second wave of feminism, expressed in poetry. This pivotal era paved the way for many women, including modern-day opportunities and equal rights. While the earlier first wave set the stage in the fight for equality, the 1960s’ second wave provided more women with the same professional and financial opportunities as men.
While I enjoy reading the history of feminism and human rights’ movements, I found Abrams’ style of verse added a deeply personal, almost romantic, touch to the memoir, which kept me interested and intrigued. The story guides the reader through various periods of the author’s life, starting from childhood, where she quickly learns and discovers a world where women are taught their “rightful place”, which at that time, was considered running the household and raising children. The author also references the racism of that era, which also had a profound impact on many women who were not represented equally within the feminist movement.
The poetry is subtle, story-like, but makes an impact from the voice of an active participant, without becoming too ambiguous. Abrams does an outstanding job describing historical events from a woman’s perspective, and pointing out the ways of thinking at that time, and how racism and sexism impacted her life personally. Abrams discusses the challenges of falling in love with someone of a different ethnic background, and the difficulties they faced and overcame together.
I Rode the Second Wave: A Feminist Memoir is an excellent memoir that follows the hardship of one woman in a male-dominated field, personal relationships, and the related challenges with striking accuracy and passion. I recommend this book for its thought-provoking content, engaging poetry, and how it conveys the importance of remembering history and learning about the struggles of equality from someone who experienced it personally.
Pages 88 | ASIN 1639886540
I Hope It Makes Them Smile
Sally Stevens Author Interview
I Sang That tells your story about life in the music industry in Hollywood and as a single mother working in this field. Why was this an important story for you to share?
I started working in music at a very young age, and I also became a wife and mother at a very young age. The music business was so competitive in those days—it still is, of course, but the activity was much greater here in town. I began to get calls to work for very significant projects, for important vocal contractors, and the schedule became very intense—sometimes six days a week from 9 in the morning till 10 or 11 at night. My first husband, Susie’s daddy, and I were divorced when she was 4 years old. I became the supporter of our little family then, and felt I had to accept every call that came up. Additionally, if I did not show up for something, they very likely might find someone they liked better, and I would lose that contact. So I really was “on call” 24/7. Susie had no brothers and sisters, and we were blessed to have good ‘caring for’ situations, but I know she felt very alone, very abandoned a lot of the time. I wish I could make amends for it, but alas… my daughter is 60 now, with daughters of her own. It’s just hard to move on from those feelings of how I disappointed her, how I wish I could have done it better.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
I think the hardest thing was talking about the business in a way that was honest, that allowed me to express thoughts and opinions about it, but that wouldn’t hurt or harm anyone else. You just never know what someone would rather not see discussed on the pages of a book! I didn’t share any personal relationship information that I think would be hurtful, but the interactions and relationships within our business get political at some point. I tried to be respectful and still be honest about my thoughts and opinions.
The chapter too about the tragic event at the Toluca Lake House—it’s always painful to think about, to write about, to share.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
I sometimes wish I had been encouraged to “follow my dreams” a bit more enthusiastically—I really had at one time wanted to be a song writer/artist—it likely would have been a much shorter career than this long journey I’ve had…and I think in the long run it was the wisest thing I could have done, and undoubtedly the most interesting and diverse—but sometimes we need encouragement to follow our dreams, but still be as realistic as we can about the choices and paths we follow.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I honestly hope it helps them understand and gain respect for the huge community of artists—musicians, singers, composers—that might never become famous, but are at the core of almost every film they view, every record they listen to… I hope somehow it brings to the front of the stage the people whose skills and talents are often responsible for bringing emotions to life in the scenes we see on the screen—those actors most of the time are great, yes… but try looking at a film without the underscore sometime. It feels empty, hard to relate to, like nothing much of great importance is really going on.
I also hope that they find moments we shared—moments they may have forgotten about in their own lives, or tried to forget about… to see it on the page, to see it in another person’s life… the happy moments and the sad moments sometimes help us feel the events of our own lives more deeply. I hope it makes them smile, or laugh, and I hope it makes them think.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
It’s about a long singing career that began in 1960 with concert tours – Ray Conniff, Nat King Cole, and later, solo work in concert with Burt Bacharach – to thirty years of vocals and main titles for The Simpsons, vocals for Family Guy…vocals on hundreds of film & television scores & sound recordings, plus twenty-two years as Choral Director for the Oscars. It’s also the personal story of growing up in a “his, hers and theirs” family in the forties and fifties, and how a shy little girl became a second-generation singer in the ever-evolving music business of Hollywood.
A Healing Exercise For Me
Life Giving Dementia Care is part memoir and part self-help book for those in the role of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The caregiving experience is such a roller coaster of emotion. Fear, discovery, fun, fatigue, isolation, joy and pain. I did many things pretty well during that time, but I also made mistakes. I wanted to use my experience to help my sons if I ever develop dementia, and ultimately help other caregivers, through the experience; to help them have an easier time than I did. Doing this also ended up being a healing exercise for me, which was unexpected.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The times I failed my mom were tough to revisit. But the few months between her broken hip and passing were especially difficult. When I recorded the audiobook, there were sections I had to re-record several times because i kept crying. She declined so quickly and became a shell of the woman I knew. At the same time, she became someone new who I found great joy in knowing. Mom’s body failed before her mind completely left her, so we became closer toward the end, if that was even possible.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about dementia?
That it’s all about patients forgetting things. Forgetfulness is part of dementia, certainly. But overall it is a small part. There are a myriad of challenges to deal with on a daily basis. Some originate from forgetfulness. Many from physical changes.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
That a dementia diagnosis is not an instant black cloud. It’s a long road. If caregivers prepare, plan, and have appropriate expectations for themselves and their loved one, this can be a journey of growth and of joy.
Author Links: GoodRead | Twitter | Facebook | Website
If you are caring for a parent who has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, what do you do first and where can you get help?
Written by a daughter who provided care for her mom, Life Giving Dementia Care is an easy-to-read, non-technical Amazon bestselling book (May 2021) that walks you step-by-step through dealing with all stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s care. It’s like you’re chatting with a friend who has “been there and done that,” candidly sharing their own fears, pain, joys, and lessons learned as a caregiver.
Featuring useful chapter takeaway summaries and an appendix with helpful resources and comments by other caregivers, inside you’ll learn:
how to spot early signs and get a diagnosis
understand and manage their mental and physical decline and increasing medical needs
work with day-care, in-home, and nursing homes
make financial, legal, and funeral plans
and finally, how to care for yourself and recover
The key purpose of this essential book is to help caregivers be confident, and even experience joy, as they provide care for a parent, the elderly, or other adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Life Giving Dementia Care, a book about Alzheimer’s and dementia care, will help both family members and caregivers understand and meet the many challenges of this disease. Buy a copy now for yourself and a friend.
Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again
Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again is based on the true historical experiences of generations of a Jewish Romanian family and their acquaintances before World War II. The novel focuses on Friddie, a young woman of Romanian descent who dreams of living freely. At eighteen, Friddie rebelliously cancels her marriage and, against her family’s wishes, marries Freddy. Their union is short-lived however, leading to years of adversity for Friddie. Her story is told alongside that of her family members, like Aunt Rosa, Uncle David and her Cousins who are victims of the dictatorial and communist rule that plagued Romania for years.
It is clear from the author’s narration that Friddie’s story is an important landmark in the family’s history, passed down from generation to generation. Although I felt the stories were disconnected at the beginning, they slowly came together with different perspectives. It is a tragic story of a large family that was scattered abroad due to anti-Semitism. It is sadly ironic that Freddie, who dreams of living as a free woman, spends the better part of her youth locked up under the worst circumstances.
This thought-provoking and impassioned novel showcases the gruesome loss of lives, grief and the inhumanity during one of the most difficult times in human history. Some of the scenes are graphic, featuring explicit descriptions of maiming, slavery, genocide, and infanticide. Despite these, a love story is forged in the most unlikely place, reestablishing the theme of keeping hope alive when things seem hopeless.
The author’s writing style is easy to follow and how she tells the story keeps the reader engaged throughout. There are heartbreaking moments, but the book also shares wisdom and great life lessons. Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again by Roni Rosenthal is a tragic but beautiful story that is evocative and heart wrenching but ultimately uplifting.
Pages: 203 | ASIN: B0BC5LF1KQ
LITERARY TITAN 