Moloka'i - Brennert

Title: Moloka'i

Author: Alan Brennert

Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.

Book Source: Borrowed from a friend
 
Recommended if you like: Historical fiction, Stories of Hawaii

 
What Its About:  
The Kalama family have lived a happy existence in their native and idyllic 1890's Honolulu, Hawaii, until one day their youngest daughter Rachel develops a rash on her leg. Rachel's mother is horrified and tries desperately to make sure Rachel hides the rash. But through a careless comment, Rachel's sister shares the horrible infomation that her sister is a leper, suffereing from leprosy.  Rachel is quickly shuttled off to the local hospital and held for months while doctors try to save her.  

Eventually, seven-year-old Rachel (a bit of trouble maker, she is a child after all), is deemed a lost cause and sent to Kalaupapa, an isolated leper colony on Moloka'i island. Rachel spends most of the rest of her natural life on Moloka'i watching friends and family come and go, struggling to understand why her mother has disappeared from her life without writing or visiting, and dreaming of that day when she will get to leave the island and reunite with her mother, siblings and a child that she bears who is taken from her before the child can be infected.

It is only in her old age that Rachel finally learns the fates of her sister and brothers and the depth of her mother's love.

The Bottom Line: 
A beautifully written, historically accurate, story of those who found themselves inflicted with leprosy in those days and times. 

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Love Life - Lowe

Title: Love Life

Author: Rob Lowe

Genre: Memoir
Rating: 3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.

Book Source: Library
 
Recommended if you like: Memoirs, 1980's 

 
What Its About:  
In his first book, Rob Lowe shared with readers his life history, how he got into acting, his experiences in Hollywood, and his struggle with partying and alcohol. And 1980's teens swooned and read in droves.

Years older and wiser, Lowe's new book shares older and wiser stories from his adult life, post party-boy. His new stories focus on issues such as coaching his children's basketball team, learning about his genealogy, seeing his first son off to college for the first time, and ultimately how he has learned the importance of and what a gift his marriage and wife are. It seems he is maturing, as are his fans, and he shares his experiences with pride and acceptance.

The Bottom Line: 
When I first saw this title, I thought... "Hmm, sounds like he will be talking about relationships." His title would have, perhaps, been more aptly named "Love Life!" An exclamation, or direct order, rather than noun. An older and more mature Rob Lowe communicates perfectly with his older and more mature fans. As with his first title, after reading you are left with more of an understanding and absolute respect for this man.  Well written and exceptionally entertaining!

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Working Stiff - Melinek/Mitchell

Title: Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner

Author: Judy Melinek/T.J. Mitchell

Genre: Memoir
Rating: 3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.

Book Source: Library
 
Recommended if you like: Memoirs, medical stories/books, stories about 9/11

 
What Its About:  
An interesting new look at death, Working Stiff is the story of Judy Melinek, a up and coming doctor who discovers that her passion is not where she expected. While she likes medicine, she finds working in a hospital setting less than desirable. She opts to explore the option to study pathology. She is awarded the opportunity to train as NYC medical examiner.

She begins her training just before the September 11 attacks and quickly gains experience and knowledge in her field. Dealing with daily NYC death, with causes ranging from shootings and stabbings, to drug overdoses, to natural causes, Melinek learns the ropes of working in a profession that many could not imagine. She develops not only her medical and legal knowledge, but also her ability to separate the world of death at work and life with her burgeoning family.

All of that experience is tested when on September 11th, her entire world is shaken as she walks to work and see a large plane flying very, very low. Too low. Upon arriving at work, she is informed of the events unfolding and spends the next months in the proverbial trenches with her coworkers assisting with the horrific recovery effort. Ultimately, she finds her place in her new field and 

The Bottom Line: 
Interesting look at the every day life of a medical examiner and the trials they face in their work. Melinek shares the truth behind the glamorized depictions seen on shows like CSI and Law & Order.

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Tuesday Tunes - 07/07/15

A good lyric is like a great book...

You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile

Harry Connick, Jr.

Martin Charnin, Writer

Hey, hobo man,

Hey, dapper dan,

You've both got your style,

But, brother, you're never fully dressed

Without a smile!

Your clothes may be beau brummelly

They stand out a mile,

But, brother, you're never fully dressed

Without a smile!

Who cares what they're wearing

On main street or saville row?

It's what you wear from ear to ear,

And not from head to toe,

That matters.

So, senator,

So, janitor,

So long for a while.

Remember you're

Never fully dressed,

Though you may wear your best.

You're never fully dressed

Without a smile

Smile!

Smile!

[Spoken:]

Smile, darn ya, smile!

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Etched in Sand - Calcaterra

Title: Etched in Sand: A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island

Author: Regina Calcaterra

Genre: Memoir
Rating: 3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.

Book Source: Library
 
Recommended if you like: Memoirs, stories of struggle, stories about children


What Its About:  
Regina Calcaterra's rags-to-riches story of growing up in Manhattan with her multiple siblings suffering at the hands of a neglectful, abusive, alcoholic mother for years before being able to find a way out. Calcaterra's mother repeatedly leaves her children home to hit the local bars and returns months later to discover that her daughters have kept themselves and their siblings alive by stealing food and nailing windows shut for safety.

Calcaterra eventually manages to be the first in her family to attend college, going so far as to get her law degree, and goes on to an admirable legal career in New York politics and activism.

The Bottom Line: 
Well written and heartbreakingly honest, Calcaterra's story shares a childhood of horror while giving the reader hope that there hope beyond adversity.

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