Today's post is a special summer vacation book review! See my review for all six books, below. Happy reading!
Chasing the Merry-Go-Round: Holding on to Hope and Home When the World Moves Too Fast, non-fiction by by Kelly Bargabos .
This autobiographical, non-fiction story begins when a family adopts a boy named Bobby, and is told by his older sister.
The boy grows up, but always finds it hard to keep a job, or even a place to stay.
To quote the GEICO commercials, "Life comes at you fast." Too fast for Bobby! The successful life he wanted was like a merry-go-round moving too fast for him to hop on it, and his wretched existence is like a merry-go-round moving too fast for him to safely get off of it.
Eventually, Bobby is diagnosed with a mental disability, which explains why his life has been so difficult, but this diagnosis is only the beginning of a war his big sister wages to get him the care he needs.
This tale of a woman's unconditional love for her literally made me cry. If you're looking for a tear-jerker, this book is the one! I would have to say this one of my favorite of the six books I am reviewing today. We could all use a little more empathy, and learn to withold our judgement of people. You may not know what eveyone else is dealing with in this life.
Sanity Lost and Found: A true Story of Brainwashing and Recovery, non-fiction by Tarra Judson Stariell
This is the true story of a young woman named Sandy, who, inspite of being intelligent and attractive, finds herself in an abusive, cult-like relationship that lasts for years and years, when she becomes involved with a man who psychologically enslaves her without the need of physical restraint.
This book gives amazing insight into mental illness, domestic abuse, and cults.
I found the book draining to read because of all the intense situations which seemed to keep repeating themselves as the protagonist finds her way out of "the darkness." This is not a "fun," "light" summer read, but a worthwhile read, nonetheless.
I'm Leaving you, For Me, non-fiction by Alex Nicollet Delon
This autobiographical book is a deeply personal, no-holds-barred look into the life of a woman in her sixties, who leaves her husband after decades of marriage. I think this book is a great read for anyone that has ever been in a relationship. It gives insight into what an unhappy, unhealthy marriage is like. Topics covered in this book include dating after divorce, sexual assault, and living on one's own for the first time, later in life, after living with the same spouse since being a teenager, building a successful family business, and having grandchildren.
A victim of sexual assault myself, I find that, of all of the six books I'm reviewing here, this is the one I can most relate to, and the one I most highly recommend.
All the F*cks I Cannot Give, fiction by Michael Carlon
This book is the perfect length for reading during a weekend get-a-way (320 pages).
I can somewhat identify the the main character, a man named Kelly Carson, who is a doormat: His wife doesn't love him, and neither his boss nor his father-in-law respect him.
Three weeks before Christmas, while waiting to catch a flight home, he receives a phone call to inform him that he will no longer have a job when he gets there. Coincidentally, Terri Flynn, an actress en route to New York to start a new life after walking off the set of her last film, overhears this phone conversation, and sympathizes with him. Then their flight to New York is cancelled, so they decide to fly to Maui, Hawaii instead.
During the events which follow, Kelly learns what is important to him, and to not worry about the small things that just don't matter. He deals with the loss of his job and marriage, and has the adventure of a lifetime, where he learns to stand up for himself.
I am not really a fan of the crude, vulgar humour and language in the book, so, if that also bothers you, you may want to pass on this one.
Winning Streak, fiction by Michael Carlon
If All The F*cks I Cannot Give was crude, Winning Streak is the exact opposite, even though it is by also by Michael Carlon.
It tells the story, primarily, of a young, professional golfer named Patrick "Trick" Evans. On what should be one of the greatest days of his life, the day he finishes winning all four of the world's major golf tournaments in one year, Trick suffers one of his life's greatest tragedies; he learns that his father has unexpectedly passed away. Trick pulls away from the spotlight, and returns to his home town of Chatham, Massachusetts, where he meets an unlikely partner who eventually leads him back to the life he loved.
This story is also about two other people: A woman named Casper Quinlan, and a man named Robert McMullen.
Casper is still recovering emotionally from an automobile accident when she is tasked to obtain an interview with Patrick.
Robert McMullen hasn't been to Chatham for decades, but returns, on a quest he is sent on by his dying wife.
The tragic lives of all three of these people (Patrick, Casper, and Robert) instersect, and the result is uplifting for them and readers of this novel alike!
Uncorking a Murder, fiction by Michael Carlon
I read Uncorking a Murder in one day, so I would say this mystery really keeps your interest. (It usually takes me at least two days to read a novel, and, at 348 pages, this is the longest.)
It is a great, light summer read, and it's perfect for those who like murder mysteries!
There's sex, murder, and money - all the ingrediants to make a thriller a thriller!
This book is about a retired detective who wants to right a wrong, and see a convicted felon whom he believes is innocent and wrongfully imprisoned set free. He asks a successful podcaster named Farrah Graham to investigate the case. Curious as to why a retired detective would want to overturn the case of a convicted felon, she travels to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she discovers a narcissistic Chief Executive Officer and a corrupt U.S. Senator.
Will the wrongfully imprisioned be freed? I won't spoil it for you, but I will say that there is one, very large twist in the book that really sends you for a loop!
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*sponsored post
, by John J. Miller, MD. The Book of Spells is a young adult fantasy, but is something I think will appeal to older adults as well, especially if they are fans of the fantasy/magic genre. At 197 pages, The Book of Spells is short, but not exactly "light" reading. 
