I typically do not love a graphic memoir by a celebrity that drops a lot of names and has that "tell all" sensationalist vibe.  That is especially true for celebrities who it is obvious are financially struggling and the books feels like a way to help them maintain their celebrity lifestyle instead of doing something akin to regular work.  This book had all of that feel to it.  But, I have to say that I was indeed significantly invested in his story as he described the abuse and neglect he experienced while being a child actor in Hollywood.  The sex abuse, his mother's addiction issues, and his father's exploitation of his career were heartbreaking.  His own use of drugs to manage the abuse he encountered was unsurprising and the train wreck was hard to turn away from.  I was surprised that the book is now more than a decade old.  His defense of Michael Jackson, although softer than his initial support of him in the wake of the initial waves of allegations of abuse, are still heartbreaking.  His portrayal of Corey Haim was similarly heartbreaking.  All of this was long before #metoo, but nevertheless a precursor to the harsh, harsh world of child entertainers.  

​Not not recommended.

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After watching the new Bob Dylan bio-pic (A Complete Unknown) a few weeks ago, I realized that I didn't know as much about Pete Seeger's experience with the House Un-American Activities Committee during the McCarthy Era, so I went looking for a biography that might provide a deep dive into this topic.  Alas, this was the only thing I could find on an available audio version.  It wasn't bad, it just wasn't as in depth as I would have liked.  I was hoping for something more like the recent CIA and FBI books I have read.  Seeger is such an inspiring example of lifelong activism and commitment to his values and I really wish there had been more that just a quick overview.
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Not not recommended.

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As a general rule, when reading a microhistory, I either really love it or really hate it, but in this case I came out of the book with mixed feelings.  Perhaps it was because a lot of this book is about art history and, not being very interested in that topic, I was often bored and found it difficult to even listen for the larger themes in those sections because they were so detailed about things I just don't care much about.  Yet, there were other parts that I did find really fascinating, including the history of BMI and the focus on weight as part of health having been started by the health insurance industry glomping onto bad data and then pushing this idea that to be thin was to be healthier than to be plump.  I also thought the shift in Christian thought towards austerity and self-denial went hand-in-hand with the idea that it was unChristian to be "fat" because it was associated with gluttony and indulgence was interesting.  Finally, while I had heard about the racist history of fat shaming, I was surprised that for quite a while, "doctors" and purported "scientists" had strong opinions that considered the Irish to be much closer "racially" to Black people than white people with respect to the heathenism they associated with larger bodies.  I was also not expecting the discussion about pastors pushing "diets" to lose weight and, in particular, how messaging from the Seventh Day Adventist church leaders played a roll in these cultural shifts.  I didn't know that the vegetarian, high water diet came from a religious judgment about weight rather than a place of health.  The book is full of side-facts and small details that I found interesting--like that Kellogg and Post cereals both came about as part of the movement that valued slim builds and saw vegetarian diets that included a lot of milk as the answer.  So, overall, lots of obscure and fascinating tidbits, but not enough to hold my attention for the whole book. I suspect people who are more versed in art history would like this a lot more than I did.

Not not recommended.

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Light romance with a heartwarming and feel good story, set against the backdrop of grief and family obligations, I liked it overall. The biggest issue with the writing was the dialogue--and I do love a writer who can write good dialogue.  I found the lack of flow in the dialogue a distraction from the rest of the writing, which, for what it was, was solid.  I think particularly in an audio book that if the dialogue doesn't feel genuine, then as a flaw it is really amplified.  Nevertheless, a fun little love story.

​Not not recommended.

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One of the best unreliable narrator books I have read in a while, the twists and turns of this little gem took me on a journey I was not expecting.  Without giving spoilers, I didn't love the ending, which was the only unexpected turn in the entire book and was kind of a let down after so much work went into the plot up until then.  It is a story of tourist, on a vacation to try to escape the recent trauma of her life, who meets a local that turns into a one-night fling that takes a dramatic turn.  It is a fun, free audible book that I can't quite recommend, but definitely cannot not recommend.  A solid end to a full year of reading.

Not not recommended.

This is a fascinating read that certainly is not for everyone. It provides a unique perspective on the sex industry, including the author's time as a dancer and as a porn star.  The emotional abuse she experienced as a child led to physical and sexual abuse as an adult and ongoing mental health and addition issues.  In many ways, the books is self-aware an insightful, while at other times demonstrating the sometimes baffling nature of trauma.  While she never seems to see herself as having been exploited, it is hard not to read that into the story.  In fact, she is defensive of her choice to do sex work and articulates it in many ways as a choice that was empowering. At times she seems oblivious to the toll it took or how it related to the myriad of issues that she had.  Despite its drawbacks, it really is a fairly captivating read with a lot of explicit content--not just the assaults and abuse, but also the sex.  Proceed with caution, but while I can't fully recommend it, I also can't really not recommend it, either.

Not not recommended.

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Cute, light book when a nouveau-riche influencer meets her sister's future brother-in-law on a flight to the extended family's first Christmas together.  

​Nothing offensive, just a classic, mindless holiday romance

Not not recommended.

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There is a lot to like about this book written by a young adult about her rape at a prestigious boarding school during her sophomore year. She reports the case and the book follows her through the aftermath of the subsequent court cases.  At the very end of the book. she has some self-awareness of the amount of privilege she had, which it feels icky to talk about, but really the amount of support she got from family and the various law enforcement and attorneys involved is unlike almost any case I have ever personally seen.  In just about every way, she was what is generally referred to as a "perfect victim" and that very much plays out in this book--and yet still the experience is excruciating for her. The response of her peers was not unexpected and the school's attempts to avoid any responsibility or change was predictable, but one thing this book demonstrates is how much having a functional family that believes you and supports you matters in cases like this.  Overall, it is a decent, but not outstanding read.

Not not recommended

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Recommended

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