Blog Archives
Straight Outta Skokie
Straight Outta Skokie is a memoir that follows Al Krockey through a pivotal year in his life, starting in 1968 and echoing backward to the Chicago and Skokie of his youth. The book moves from his pandemic-era reflections to vivid scenes of adolescence and early adulthood filled with deli counters, bowling alleys, pool halls, protests, street hustles, and the ever-present soundtrack of soul and rock. It captures a moment in American history when neighborhoods felt small and the world around them shook from events far bigger than anyone could see coming. The pages drift through family struggles, the thrill of hustling souvenirs at Wrigley Field, the chaos after Dr. King’s assassination, and the budding counterculture that tugged him into adulthood.
The writing has a loose, conversational rhythm that made me feel like he was talking right to me. Sometimes the stories rushed forward, squeezing decades into a few pages, and sometimes they slowed into tiny moments that were emotionally resonant. I enjoyed how grounded it all felt. The details about Skokie diners, late-night runs to Jack’s, Maxwell Street blues drifting in the air near the hot dog stands, and the characters he knew from the ballpark made the world feel lived in and real. The way he told stories about scraping together money, wandering from job to job, and learning from the people around him made me root for him without even noticing I was doing it.
I also felt a weight in the way the book handled the darker turns. The shock of Dr. King’s assassination, the violence on the West and South Sides, and the way Krockey realized how insulated his own community was hit me right in the gut. There was a raw honesty there that surprised me. He didn’t try to wrap those moments in pretty language. He just let them sit. And that directness made me trust him as a narrator. There were times when the book meandered, or when the slang and side stories spun around a bit, but I didn’t mind. It felt like hanging out with someone who has lived a lot and is eager to tell you everything because each story still means something to him.
If you like memoirs that feel like a long, winding conversation full of humor, grit, music, and heart, then this book will hit the spot. It is especially fitting for readers who enjoy stories about Chicago history, coming-of-age in the late sixties, or simply digging into a life shaped by both ordinary moments and historic upheavals. It would also resonate with anyone who finds comfort in nostalgia or who grew up in a neighborhood that felt like its own little planet.
Pages: 281 | ASIN : B0FTTLJ6L3
Little Boy, I Know Your Name: A Second-Generation Memoir from Inherited Holocaust Trauma
Readers looking for a book that hits you right in the feels and leaves you thinking long afterward, will not want to miss Little Boy, I Know Your Name by Mitchell Raff. This memoir dives into the author’s life, showing how inherited trauma from the Holocaust shaped him and the people around him. It’s raw, emotional, and brutally honest, painting a picture of a childhood full of pain, survival, and moments of unexpected love.
From the first chapter, this book pulls no punches. Raff shares heartbreaking stories of his abusive mother and the chaos that surrounded his young life. One scene that will stick with me forever is when his mom threw him out of the house into the cold night. It’s gut-wrenching, and I couldn’t help but feel for the little boy he was. But there’s balance in the way he writes. He also talks about the kindness and stability he found with his uncle and aunt, who stepped in as surrogate parents. Their love gave the story some much-needed light, and I found myself rooting for them just as much as for Raff.
The focus on his childhood trauma is the primary focus of the book, and I found myself wishing for more information about his father’s struggles or his adult life. But maybe that’s the point, though. It really allows readers to sit with the weight of everything he went through. A moment I remember was when his therapist called him a “well-dressed poser.” It was a wake-up call for Raff and, honestly, a moment that made me reflect on my own life, too. We all wear masks, don’t we?
What really makes this book special to me is how it tackles inherited trauma. Raff’s family, like so many Holocaust survivors, tried to bury the pain. But it seeped through in ways they couldn’t control. It’s these quiet and powerful memories that make the book more than just a story about one man’s struggles.
By the time I finished, I felt a mix of heartbreak and hope. The ending, where Raff reflects on his son Joshua and the possibility of breaking free from the cycle of pain, strikes just the right note. It’s not a happily-ever-after, but it’s real, and it left me believing healing is possible.
I’d recommend Little Boy, I Know Your Name to anyone who loves memoirs that dig deep. If you liked The Glass Castle or Night, Raff’s writing will resonate with you. It’s not a breezy read, but it’s the kind of book that reminds you of the strength it takes to confront the past and move forward.
Pages: 235 | ASIN : B0CLL22MMG
The Importance of Perspectives
You Are Allowed: A Story of Finding Where You Belong, Not Where You Began shares your story of searching for your birth mom while exploring your own emotions and memories of growing up and how it has impacted your personal identity. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was an incredibly important book to write because I was feeling lost and without a true sense of belonging. Living that way, without roots or a solid foundation, is incredibly difficult. Writing this book helped me process those feelings and begin to find my own place in the world. Ultimately, I found my sense of belonging within the pages of my memoir—within myself.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
I think the whole book was difficult to write. Initially, I started writing from the perspective of a victim—being adopted made me feel like I had been abandoned. But as I wrote, the manuscript led me to face some of the hardest stories of my life. When I began, I never imagined I would share such intimate parts of my journey, but doing so allowed me to forgive and release. By the time I finished, I was grateful for my adoption. I let go of judgment and found internal peace and freedom.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
One of the most important ideas I wanted to share is the importance of perspectives. We all see things differently, and I believe this is an opportunity for connection between people. I’m sure my parents, my birth mom, and my sister all have very different views of what really happened with my adoption. But that’s the beauty and freedom that writing gives us—space to explore our own perspectives. Another key theme for me was the complexity of the relationship between a mother and her daughter, particularly being both a daughter and a mother myself. That dual experience really shaped my writing.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope readers understand that they have the power to reflect on their own lives, release past hurts, and experience rebirth. But most importantly, I want them to take away that it’s essential to forgive themselves first, love themselves first, and respect themselves first.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Freegiftfromodelia | Amazon
Esther, a young woman living in a kibbutz in the south of Israel, undertakes a journey to find her biological mother who abandoned her at birth in Paris. She is fueled with the belief that reuniting with her birth mother will provide the answers she’s been searching for and will fill the void she’s been feeling her entire life.
In careful and precise writing, You ARE Allowed takes the reader through turbulent pieces of Esther’s life journey: her childhood in France, a relationship with an Israeli woman that exposes her to a world of crime and danger, an unplanned pregnancy, and a seemingly routine life in Israel filled with secrets and old wounds.
Survival, Hope, and Resilience
The Lilacs I Once Knew: Friddie’s Poems is more than a collection of poetry; it is the story of a woman who was unjustly impressed and her story of survival against inhumane conditions. What inspired you to share her works with the world?
The Lilacs I Once Knew: Friddie’s Poems is inspired by a deep commitment to honoring Friddie’s incredible journey of resilience and hope amidst the horrors of unjust imprisonment. Her powerful story of survival against inhumane conditions needed to be shared to give voice to the silenced and highlight the enduring human spirit. By sharing her works, I aim to preserve her legacy and shed light on the historical atrocities she endured.
How did you go about deciding what photos and quotes to include along with Friddie’s poetry?
Deciding which photos and quotes to include with Friddie’s poetry involved meticulous curation to ensure each element complemented and enhanced the emotional depth of her poems. I selected images that visually represent the themes of her poetry, such as survival, hope, and resilience. The quotes were chosen for their ability to encapsulate the essence of Friddie’s experiences and to provide context, creating a powerful and immersive reading experience.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from Friddie’s poetry collection?
I hope readers take away a profound sense of empathy and awareness of the historical injustices faced by Friddie and countless others. Through her poetry, I aim to inspire readers to recognize the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Additionally, I hope Friddie’s story encourages reflection on the importance of preserving and sharing personal histories to ensure that such stories are never forgotten.
Are there more poems or writings from Friddie that you plan to publish in the future?
Yes, I plan to publish more of Friddie’s poems and writings in the future, but for a different audience. While in prison, Friddie also wrote books and poems for children, each carrying a greater message about pursuing justice, kindness, and dealing with adversity. I am currently working on this project to ensure that her inspiring words reach a broader audience and continue to impart important lessons and values.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | Amazon
At 18, Friddie married a charming, charismatic scientist named Freddy; but their union was tragically short.
Just two weeks after the wedding, Freddy disappeared, and Friddie was unjustly accused of a crime she had never committed. She spent nine years in a Romanian prison, followed by four years in a communist labor camp.
Despite the harsh and inhumane conditions, Friddie found solace in writing poetry.
Friddie’s poems reflect her journey through life, imprisonment, and hope. They speak of joy, loss, fear, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit.
After her death, her family discovered hundreds of letters and postcards where Friddie shared her poems with her cousin, Aaurica.
Friddie’s story was first told in the award-winning novel Where the Lilacs Bloom Again(StoryTime World, 2022). Now, her powerful words are brought to life in this collection.
The Lilacs I Once Knew: Friddie’s Poems
The Lilacs I Once Knew: Friddie’s Poems is a captivating poetry collection with a compelling backstory. Roni Rosenthal meticulously restored and translated these works to share Friddie’s tale with the world—an account of a talented Romanian poet unjustly imprisoned during the war and communist era.
Each poem in the collection breathes life into Friddie’s emotions, evoking a spectrum of feelings such as hope, love, betrayal, and misery. One of the most poignant sections depicts Friddie’s journey of healing and self-forgiveness. Her profound words create a sense of shared healing with the reader. Through her reflections and vivid contrasts of nature and war, readers gain a renewed appreciation for life. The collection’s variety of rhyming patterns and unique structural elements keep readers engaged and curious throughout. Roni Rosenthal’s translation skillfully preserves the original message and rhythm of the poems, ensuring their impact remains intact. The book’s design complements Friddie’s touching words beautifully. Impactful images, quotes, and photos of Friddie and her family are thoughtfully placed throughout the book, enhancing the emotional resonance of each section and bringing Friddie’s story to life.
The Lilacs I Once Knew is heartbreaking, promising, and beautiful. It honors the memory of one of the many victims of inhumanity and serves as a testament to the enduring power of poetry and resilience.
Pages: 167 | ASIN : B0D9RK929F
Outside Voices: A Memoir of the Berkeley Revolution
Outside Voices by Joan Gelfand is a candid memoir that delves into the author’s experiences during the vibrant and transformative 1970s in Berkeley. Gelfand navigates through her adventures, marked by involvement in the feminist movement, an exploration of her sexuality, and the pursuit of her artistic passions. Her narrative oscillates between her carefree social life, including encounters with drugs and diverse romantic relationships, and her deeper, more introspective struggles with family loss and societal expectations.
Gelfand’s prose is notably rich and evocative, breathing life into her experiences with a flair that goes beyond mere storytelling. Her ability to convey complex emotions and thoughts is particularly striking, as she uses vivid imagery and poetic language to share insights, such as her introspection about mortality and fear. The memoir gracefully weaves through various phases of Gelfand’s life, from an idyllic childhood marked by a close relationship with her father to the sorrow and adjustment following his passing. The narrative is peppered with captivating anecdotes, encompassing fleeting romances, detailed observations of her surroundings, and reflections on art, history, and culture. This blend offers readers a textured and multi-faceted view of the era and Gelfand’s journey within it. While the book’s multifaceted nature can occasionally feel overwhelming due to the multitude of themes and elements introduced, this complexity also contributes to the richness of Gelfand’s story. Her evolution from a youthful, rebellious spirit to a more grounded individual seeking stability and self-identity is a compelling aspect of the memoir.
Outside Voices is particularly resonant for readers interested in historical contexts, especially those pertaining to women’s roles and societal changes in the 20th century. Gelfand’s story is a blend of the personal and the historical, offering both an intimate look at her life and a broader reflection on a dynamic period of social change. The memoir stands out for its vivid storytelling, historical insights, and its exploration of personal growth and identity in times of societal upheaval.
Pages: 256 | ASIN : B0BYXGCQXZ
Places We Left Behind: a memoir-in-miniature
In her riveting memoir, Places We Left Behind, Jennifer Lang crafts an inspiring narrative about love’s resilience in the face of geographical distances, cultural differences, and familial challenges. Lang explores her journey across three continents, juggling the upbringing of three children and managing the complexities of divergent religious beliefs. This tightly packed memoir resonates with poignant undertones of homesickness and self-sacrifice, revealing the remarkable strength of a woman who ceaselessly prioritizes her family’s welfare over her personal needs.
In Places We Left Behind, Lang chronicles her personal trials and tribulations and delves into the complexities of culture, religion and their impact on interpersonal relationships. The memoir is a testament to the immense power of love and sacrifice in holding a family together.
This concise yet deeply emotive memoir is ripe with hidden layers of meaning, making each page a journey in itself. Though Lang’s story is an extraordinary one, readers who have experienced the uncertainties of a new environment or have strived for harmony within marital relationships will find her tale highly relatable.
While it isn’t necessarily a self-help book, readers stand to gain invaluable insights from Lang’s resilient coping mechanisms and indomitable courage in the face of grave adversities, including her experience navigating terrorist attacks to ensure her family’s safety. Amidst all these challenges, her humility and warmth remain intact, creating a strong bond with her readers.
Lang’s unique narrative style, sprinkled with effortless humor and candid confessions, humanizes her as more than just an author – she feels like a familiar friend sharing life experiences. The book is cleverly structured with timelines, diagrams, and footnotes, creating a creatively educational format. This is particularly beneficial for readers unfamiliar with certain key themes in the book, such as Judaism and yoga.
She skillfully alternates between prose and poetry, adding a captivating rhythm to her storytelling. A particularly engaging feature is a series of reflective questions provided at the end of the book, prompting readers to introspect and connect more deeply with her experiences.
Pages: 95 | ASIN : B0C5Y5YY91
In Herschel’s Wake
In Herschel’s Wake by Michael Wohl is a memoir that recounts the author’s journey to his father’s burial. He is accompanied by his siblings on this trip. The style is very intimate, and the subjects are delicate as it deals with death, complicated father-son relationships, grief, and forgiveness. The author’s realization of who his father was might remind the reader of The Stranger by Camus, in which the main character only comes to understand his mother when approaching his own death. This memoir belongs to a larger group of works wherein complex parent-child relationships are only understood when it is too late. It also explores dynamics between siblings which can be tough to navigate as well.
The strength of this book is how honest it is and raw. The reader will feel as though they are reading the author’s personal diary, which might be uncomfortable but also makes it even more beautiful and easy to read. It is truly a page-turner. Although the subjects that are tackled may seem heavy, the tone is humorous at times and make it easier to read. This is an emotional and profound memoir; any reader will find elements that will resonate with them and that they might relate to.
In Herschel’s Wake is an eye-opening memoir about family and relationships. It should be noted that it might need a trigger warning for people with a challenging relationship with their own family that they have not resolved. However, it is definitely a book I would recommend to someone who has gone through grief and has come to terms with it.
Pages: 258 | ASIN : B0B8PCKNZG
LITERARY TITAN 