Magical Memoir Moments
The Architecture of Grief: A Review of Project Rebirth
When guest blogger Lanie Tankard, who has reviewed a dozen other books on this site, read my last post about Courtney E. Martin, she was ecstatic because, unbeknownst to me, she had just finished a review of Project Rebirth and had planned to send it to me. Synchronicity at work! Project Rebirth Survival and the…
White Elephants: A Memoir about Surviving a Mother's Bipolar Illness and Alcoholism
Madeline Sharples, author of Leaving the Hall Light On, reviewed here, has volunteered to review another memoir about mental illness. White Elephants: A Memoir. Chynna T. Laird, Eagle Wings Press, 2011. Reviewed By Madeline Sharples Everyone knew something was terribly wrong with her mother, but nobody did anything about it …that is until Chynna T….
Leaving the Hall Light On: A Mother's Memoir of Living with Her Son's Bipolar Disorder and Surviving His Suicide: A Review
A Review of Madeline Sharples’ Leaving the Hall Light On. Lucky Press, LLC, 2011. by Guest Reviewer Dr. Jason M.Dew. Madeline Sharples accomplishes in Leaving the Hall Light On what no mother or parent, for that matter, would ever want to accomplish: an eloquent, honest recounting of events before and after the suicide of her oldest…
Leon Fleisher's Memoir My Nine Lives: Reviewed by Beverly K. Lapp
Introducing Beverly K. Lapp, Associate Professor of Music at Goshen College. Bev came into my life first as a student at Goshen College, then as a faculty colleague. She writes as well as she plays piano and teaches–which is saying a lot. Enjoy her review below. Fleisher, L. & Midgette, A. (2010). My nine lives: A…
The Sound of Rain on a Corrugated Iron Roof: Another Lanie Tankard Review
Our popular guest blogger Lanie Tankard has reviewed a pre-publication copy of One Day I Will Write About This Place: A Memoir by Binyavanga Wainaina Minneapolis, MN: Graywolf Press (July 19, 2011) Reviewed by Lanie Tankard Binyavanga Wainaina busts clichés about Africa in his memoir, One Day I Will Write About This Place, due…
Bird Cloud: A Memoir Reviewed by Lanie Tankard
Constructing a House, Deconstructing a Life By now you know that when Lanie Tankard pens a guest post review of a memoir, you want to read the review whether or not you read the book! Bird Cloud: A Memoir by Annie Proulx (New York: Scribner, January 2011) Reviewed by Lanie Tankard Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie…
Things Seen: A Review of Annie Ernaux's Book from Lanie Tankard
My thoughtful friend Lanie Tankard, knowing that I was in the midst of that wrenching process known as moving, sent me another delicious review. I loved the idea of books as food that she borrows from Annie Ernaux. Her description of this book as an amuse- bouche was perfect, don’t you think? Hope it makes…
Just in Time for Halloween: A Review of Out of the Transylvania Night
Lanie Tankard, guest reviewer, is back! This time she has chosen a book that connects to an experience of her own life. I think her “bookend” intro and conclusion is as interesting as the review herself. I also think Lanie could write a great memoir some day. Perhaps this guest gig is getting her ready….