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…

Read More...

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….

Read More...

Britt Kaufmann's Mini-Memoir: On Raising Chickens

Look out Barbara Kingsolver, here comes Britt Kaufmann! I am pleased to present yet another guest blogger. This time, a former student, who is publishing up a storm and making her teacher proud. Not only is Britt a poet and a playwright, but she has published her first chapbook and has had her first play…

Read More...

Mentors, Mourning, and Memories: Introducing A New Guest Blogger

I’m a regular listener to The New York Times Book Review Podcast. Every week I look forward to Julie Bosman’s “Notes from the Field.” In her case the field is “publishing.” In our case the field is “memoir.” And our reporter is Kathleen Friesen. If you’ve been reading this blog regularly, you started seeing Kathleen’s comments…

Read More...

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…

Read More...

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…

Read More...

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…

Read More...

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…

Read More...

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…

Read More...

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….

Read More...