Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion

Happy New Year and a best ever year in reading!

Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World
Authors: Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman

3 Stars = I liked the book.

Two actors travel around the world on BMW motorcyles. The book reads like a diary, with each actor writing alternating chapters. They get homesick. There are personality conflicts with their support crew, David, and Russ. They traverse some horrid off-road areas. They meet some locals. They are sometimes beset by paparazzi. They stay in hotels/motels, private homes/gers/shacks/etc., and when the need arises, they camp in the tents they have with them.

It's not stellar travel writing, it's more of a bit of fluff, but not a totally unappealing bit of fluff. If you're a fan of the actors, you might enjoy this more than the average reader. I had no idea who they were, or what movies/TV they had done, so, that wasn't a factor for me.

Sufficeth to say, Paul Theroux has nothing to fear from these two writers. ;)

I Don't Want To Fight By Lulu
Memoir of Lulu, the sixties pop singer and star of To Sir With Love. Its a bit of a whirlwind of name dropping, she knew everyone from the Beatles to the Monkees, married a Bee Gee, wrote songs with Elton John, hung out with Mick Jagger. I didnt know she was from Glasgow and her real name was Marie. She was discovered at age 14 and went on to a charmed life, and amazingly did not get onto drugs and alcohol like everyone else (her dad was an alcoholic) but she might have had issues with co-dependency. However she did seek spiritual enlightenment from some gurus, so I will give her that.
If you are a fan of sixties music scene well she was one of those who actually remembered it. Also has photos of her huge hairdos and mini skirts.

Selina wrote: "I Don't Want To Fight By Lulu
Memoir of Lulu, the sixties pop singer and star of To Sir With Love. Its a bit of a whirlwind of name dropping, she knew everyone from the Beatles to th..."

Loved her in To Sir With Love and love her voice.

Me by Elton John
5 stars


I dont think Elton John left anything out of this biography. At times he seems very egotistical and at other times his insecurities are apparent. He is not afraid to tell his faults, from relationships to drug and alcohol addiction) and you never get bored because he goes from extraordinary thing to the next without spending too long on any one subject. Many celebrity bios spend a lot of time on their career achievements but this one doesn't. He mentions many of his accomplishments but doesn't spend much time on any of themMe by Elton John , preferring to spend more time on personal matters. I think this is one of the more well-written celebrity bios I have ever read and from reading the reviews it looks like most people agree.

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World by Malala Yousafazai



I always see this book around but never read it till now. Its not the same as another book called I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced which looks similar because both are muslim girls.

Anyway in this one, a Pakistani girl stands up for girls education when the Taliban threaten to enforce Sharia Law on everyone in Pakistan. A reign of terror starts and girls are forbidden from going to school and learning anything except cooking and cleaning because its seem as unislamic. Malala anonymously writes a blog diary exposing what is happening in Pakistan to everyone all over the world, it is picked up by world journalists (her father happens to be the Principal of a girls school she attends) but when her cover is blown the Taliban then start threatening her life, after suicide bombings and destroying schools. She gets shot one day on her way to school, the bullet narrowly misses her brain and and she wakes up in Birmingham, England, where her family is now living. Somehow strings were pulled so she was airlifted to England.

This book is especially written for young readers. The chapters are short and sweet. She was 12 at the time she was shot. She has won numerous Peace awards and wants to be a politician when she grows up. It is mostly about her school and family, and is quite inspiring. She has a great dad who believes in girls being educated. Her mum is now learning to read. I'm horrified whenever I read about extreme Islamic terrorists, especially the way these men treat females.

Too Close to Me: The Middle-Aged Consequences of Revealing a Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer
3 stars


I so wanted Dave to have a happy life after being rescued from a childhood of horrific abuse by his mother, but alas, this is not to be. He continues to struggle with relationships (2 failed marriages and still estranged from his brothers). I gave this book 3 stars because of the repetition of telling us about his abusive mother, which he has told us in his other books, although if you haven't read A Child Called It, you maybe dont already know about this. There were very little uplifting moments and he dwells too much on the people that dont believe he is telling the truth and his difficulties with getting his book published. If he writes another book, I hope he has found peace and happiness in his life.

Diane in Australia wrote: "
Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World
Authors: Ewan McGregor and [author:Charley Boorman|..."

Ewan MacGregor has starred in heaps of movies.. some you might know- Moulin Rouge, Trainspotting, Star Wars, Beauty and the Beast, Emma, Miss Potter, Little Voice, Down with Love...
I have never heard of Charley Boorman, apparently he is a British TV presenter.

The Old Patagonian Express: By Train Through the Americas
Author: Paul Theroux

3 Stars = It was just 'okay', but not sorry I read it.

I am a fan of Paul Theroux ... just so you know. ;)

Having said that, unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of this particular book. It was just 'okay', in my humble opinion. Usually, when reading Theroux, I am drawn into the journey, and find myself truly caring about the people, the places, and, of course, Paul's thoughts and feelings. Not this time. Maybe it is just me. Your mileage may vary.

I did enjoy reading the conversations he had with the folks he met ... well, most of them, anyway. But, somehow, the rest of the book just felt 'flat' to me.

A Field Full of Butterflies: Memories of a Romany Childhood
Author: Rosemary Penfold

4 Stars = Outstanding. It definitely held my interest.

What a sweet book! Rosemary was born in a Gypsy wagon in 1938, and experienced a wondrous childhood ... the kind that is so very rare these days. She takes you through her childhood ... the close-knit loving family, the fun times, the tragic events, the discrimination leveled at them, her childish games and pranks (she could be a handful! ... lol), and so much more.

In the preface she says, "These are my memories and mine alone." So, if it seems she makes less of the rough times, and emphasises the good times, then that is probably how it felt to her growing up. I, for one, appreciate how deeply she enjoyed her childhood, and I'm glad she shared it with me.

Diane in Australia wrote: "
A Field Full of Butterflies: Memories of a Romany Childhood
Author: [author:Rosemary Penfold|4472931..."

Now that sounds like a great read!

Diane in Australia wrote: "
A Field Full of Butterflies: Memories of a Romany Childhood
Author: [author:Rosemary Penfold|4472931..."

Sounds like a nice change of pace from the child abuse stories I've been reading lately.

Fishface wrote: "Now that sounds like a great read!"

It made me wish I had lived her childhood. Kids today are missing out on a lot, in my humble opinion.

Koren wrote: "Sounds like a nice change of pace from the child abuse stories I've been reading lately."

Definitely. It would air your brain out. :)

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

Here's a memoir for the buzzfeed millenial crowd, star of Pitch Perfect, Into the Woods and other indie movies pint size actress Anna Kendrick spills the beans and actually writes a lot more about what its like to actually be an actress that any other movie star bio I've read. Stuff like knowing your lines and life on the set and presenting Academy Awards, that kind of thing. Like Mara Wilson she does have some issues about actually growing up, but its not too painful and drawn out thanks to her sardonic wit.
Warning, she can swear a blue streak. Otherwise a fairly readable memoir for those under thirty. She starred with George Clooney in Up in the Air and does not really say much about him...I'm sure anyone older would have made a play for him.

Breaking Blue by Timothy Egan
5 stars!!!

Wonderfully written story of a true-life Don Quixote type who couldn't let go of his unanswered questions until he got to the bottom of the very last one. This is a pair of biographies, of the killer and the man pursuing him, both well-drawn and gripping. This book gave me a taste of what it was like to live in the utterly different world of the 1930s. Just read this one; you won't be sorry.

Some light summer reading...actually I might have read this one before I can't remember now but I did read the previous three
Spelling It Like It Is by Tori Spelling

In this one Tori Spelling has two children back to back, bringing her family to 4 (plus one stepson) and mostly about her children, her financial mishaps of living a beer budget lifestyle on a champagne budget but trying to make it look like a beer budget...and sometimes the other way around so it's a bit confusing...as she says she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth it's hard to go plastic.

I don't even know if her husband Dean works for a living. So if they are in dire financial straits he doesn't seem to mind as her mum could always bail her out.

If you don't mind TMI, then Tori's your gal. Does anyone tell her its not normal to take photos of your own poo and share them with everyone? But then again she's an actress so I suppose anything to get people's attention, whether it's upstaging everyone at preschool by throwing themed parties and showboating, or moving hotels on a whim due to no room service. Or finding out Martha Stewart, her idol, does not actually want to be best buds with her. She is after all, a TV Drama Princess. If it's good for tv, it's good for Tori.

In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox by Carol Burnett 3+ stars

This audiobook won a grammy for best spoken word recording and it deserved it! Carol Burnett makes a fabulous narrator. The book was well written and documented--she rewatched every single episode of the Carol Burnett show before writing this. The book was 3 stars with or without the audiobook because I wasn't always interested in hearing as much detail about some of the skits, but if you remember this show and liked it (we liked it at my house when I was growing up) you might love that part of it.

One of the things I liked was that it didn't get into a lot of gossip and many stories about nasty things. She touches on a couple of things, but doesn't even name one idiot. That is Carol Burnett to a tee as I remember her. That's not to say that memoirs were there was abuse (it sounds like she had a good childhood overall and that's okay, too) are wrong, but I think that it doesn't need that to be interesting, particularly when it's about a comedy show.

I am happy I "read" this (listened on audio in the van).

I forgot to add this one!

Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song by Sara Bareilles 3 stars (audiobook is very well done)

To be frank, I'd never even heard of Sara Barielles before, at least not by name, before I came across this book. I haven't listened to mainstream radio for years and my kids don't do that much, either. I listened to this on audio, which is largely read and partly sung by Bareilles, although there is a preface read by the man who wrote it, and there are bits read by others who contributed a few anecdotes, etc. The music reflects what is in the essays, and as the essays touch on parts of her life that overlap but mainly move forward in time, there is a development in melodic lines, etc that reflects her growth as an artist.

I found this interesting and would give the reading of it and the audio 5 stars, but overall the book itself is 3 stars for me.

The Green Reaper: Memoirs of an Eco-Mortician By Elizabeth Fournier

Elizabeth's mother dies when she is 8 years old and it turns out Elizabeth soon finds out her calling isn't to be a dancer but a mortician/funeral director. She traces her journey from her apprenticeship on mourning to owning her own funeral home and running a business, with some romance along the way. The 'green' bit comes about because of her student days in Portland Oregon and, well everyone is a bit hippie there. She ends up settling in a country funeral home in a town called 'Boring' Oregon and I swear she does not crack one joke about it's name.

I enjoyed this memoir, it's not one with gallows humour like others I have read because she actually does talk to her dead mum, it's more about finding one's vocation. The only part I find rather disturbing is the description of cremation, where people go through a cremulator, and the living pick out their pacemakers and pins and stuff out of the loved ones cremains. Although some people choose this I think I'd prefer a green burial of being wrapped in a blanket over being pumped full of formaldehyde just so someone can take a good look at my dead body before it's locked in an expensive casket.

Inside Out by Demi Moore
3 stars


After reading this book, I'm still not sure what rating to give it. I'm not a fan of hers but I've seen and liked quite a few of her movies. I felt she was open and honest, but I didnt feel like she had a lot of happiness in her life and I felt a lot of that was because of her own decisions. Even at the end, it felt like she didnt have many close relationships, although she gave the impression that was changing. So I'll go down the middle and give this 3 stars. Didnt love it but didnt hate it.

Kind Is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously by Candace Cameron Bure

I wouldn't really class this is a memoir or autobiography even though it says on the back it's in that category it's more of a Christian motivational book but since Candace is mostly talking about her own life and sharing things then I suppose there's a bit of leeway. I remember her from the TV series Full House as DJ, and now there is a Netflix series 'Fuller House' although I haven't seen it cos I don't have Netflix, it carries on 25 years later with the same cast, although I don't know if the Olsen twins make an appearance.

So anyway if you are a Full House fan or open to take tips from an actress who happens to be a Christian (like her brother Kirk Cameron, star of Growing Pains) then this is a light read that doesn't contain anything too controversial (aside from sharing she received some nasty tweets from outraged viewers with different opinions).

Selina wrote: "Kind Is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously by Candace Cameron Bure

I wouldn't really class this is a memoir or autobiography even though it says on the back it's in tha..."

I am the wrong age for Full House as are my kids, but I have seen her on Hallmark before (and of course a few Full House episodes) and I love the title so I'm going to read it at some point.

Karin wrote: "Selina wrote: "Kind Is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously by Candace Cameron Bure

I wouldn't really class this is a memoir or autobiography even though it says on the b..."

One of my sons loved Full House. I have the autobio by Jody Sweetin so that is on my TBR list.

Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U.S. Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocent Man
Lynn Vincent
Sara Vladic
5/5 stars
This book tells the tale of the WWII ship Indianapolis. During the war this ship had a secret mission to deliver one of the atomic bombs that was used on Japan to help end the war. After that mission, a Japanese submarine attacked the boat causing it to sink, losing the lives of many of the crew. Despite the heroic actions of Commander McVay and the lack of help from the Navy, he was court martialed for not following procedures. Many of his crew were upset with the charges and it took years to have someone look into and dispute the charges. This was so interesting and there was also a wonderful special on PBS that lead me to read the book. I recommend both. Check out more information at https://www.pbs.org/show/uss-indianap...

Blitzed: Drugs in Nazi Germany, by Norman Ohler
3 stars

An intriguing reframe of the decline and fall of Nazi Germany, seen through the lens of the incredible intake of perfectly legal, over-the-counter methamphetamine available to every German of every age during the Second World War. Backed up by a small avalanche of citations. This would make a great companion read with Dr. Feelgood: The Shocking Story of the Doctor Who May Have Changed History by Treating and Drugging JFK, Marilyn, Elvis, and Other Prominent Figures, not least because the doctors in both books are products of the same time and place. I found this a depressing read for a lot of reasons -- so depressing I had to take a break for a while before finishing -- partly because Hitler's deterioration reminds me of all the drug-and-alcohol biographies about people I admire. Partly it makes clear that the Nazis might not have been so difficult to defeat if they weren't using these chemical booster rockets, helping ordinary soldiers become unstoppable homicidal maniacs, still being fed to children today as if the stuff were perfectly harmless.

Fishface wrote: "Blitzed: Drugs in Nazi Germany, by Norman Ohler
3 stars

An intriguing reframe of the decline and fall of Nazi Germany, seen through the lens of the incredible intake of perfectly l..."

I dont see an end to the mind-set that all of our problems can be solved with a pill.

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes 4 stars

Unlike many of you, I am one of those who remembers life before The Princess Bride. In fact, I remember where I was the first time I saw it on VHS somewhere in the first few years of the VHS becoming popular--most likely 1989, but definitely before the fall of 1990 because it was before I was dating that cellist which was before I dated my now husband. But, and this may come as a shock to some of you fans, I've only seen the movie twice. But that has been enough that there wasn't one scene discussed in this audiobook that I didn't remember, so that's saying something.

What's more, I was never one to stay up late watching SNL and I really didn't know who most of the actors were--Peter Falk, of course, since he played Columbo--but no doubt I'd seen some of them without knowing their names. This was made before Google was born, and certainly before IMDB.

Yes, a solid four stars and I recommend this if you like well narrated audiobooks and have seen this film--even if you aren't one of those people who can quote very line. If you've never seen this film and you live in the western hemisphere or down under, then I suggest you do, since even the Pope and the US president at that time were huge fans, I kid you not. I am sure there are people who don't like this film, since there is no such thing as a film that everybody likes, but it definitely has a wide appeal to people of multiple generations.

Enduring Courage: Ace Pilot Eddie Rickenbacker and the Dawn of the Age of Speed by John F. Ross

This biography of Eddie Rickenbacker spends a great deal of time in World War I, since that is where he became the United States' greatest Ace as far as number of enemy killed. However, the first section deals primarily with is childhood and his years in the auto industry and as a automobile racer, and in the last section there is a chapter about his harrowing three weeks on a life raft adrift in the Pacific with seven others during World War II.

Did I love this? No, but then I am not fond of descriptions of battle nor of descriptions of developing machines, so this is no sleight at the author who has done a good job. This book straightens things out quite a bit from the grossly exaggerated books which were published during Eddie's lifetime. If you are interested in these subjects, then this is most definitely a book for you.

This Life I Live: One Man's Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and the Woman Who Changed It Forever by Rory Feek

This is more than just the love story of Joey and Rory, a former country music duo, but it is also a memoir/biography of Rory Feek as a fair bit of it covers his life from his childhood until he met Joey. For those not familiar with what happened since not everything that floods the internet and Facebook (if you even go there) is something we see, Joey was diagnosed with cancer shortly after giving birth and died within a couple of years.

Rory had been a successful country music songwriter for a number of years before they met--some of his songs had already topped the charts as various singers recorded them and even won Grammy Awards, and although it took a while for his song writing career to start (for more you can read the book or scour the internet). The two rocketed up to stardom after being finalists on a show I don't think I had ever heard of before reading this book, called Can you Duet? on CMT.

This was an easy read, not boring, not saccharine, but even though much of his music is secular, part of this book is his testimony of becoming a committed Christian and changing his lifestyle, but that is not nearly as unusual in the Country Music world as it might be in other music genres.

Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud: The Rise and Reign of the Unruly Woman
Anne Helen Petersen
5/5 stars
Petersen writes an engrossing book on the way the world views certain women that buck the traditional roles of mother, wife and female role model. Told through the stories of various women, including Serena Williams, Hillary Clinton, Lena Dunham, Melissa McCarthy and others in the public eye, this book will astound you about the treatment of women and the double standards that they have had to deal with.

Karin wrote: " [book:This Life I Live: One Man's Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and the Woman Who C..."

Love Joey and Rory and watched them on Can You Duet and followed them through Joey's cancer battle. I always thought she was one of the most beautiful people I had ever seen, both inside and out, and her cancer journey was heartbreaking. Rory is one of the most sincere people in the world and the greatest husband and father in the world. Worth a read or youtube search to see what great things he has done for their daughter who was born with Down's syndrome. He even built a school on his property so she could get the education he thought she deserved.

Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: " [book:This Life I Live: One Man's Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and t..."

After finishing the book, I did go and see one video where he was walking with that daughter to the school and thought it lovely. I also wanted to hear them sing and they have (had for Rory) so much talent. Plus in the music video I watched it was obvious that their enjoyment of each other was natural and not the product of good acting. I checked out a few things on Youtube about them, but after reading the book don't feel a need to read the blog entries about it.

If you haven't yet read this, I think you'd really enjoy it, or was it your review that got me motivated to read it? If you are the GR friend I have who gave it a high rating, then thanks! That's how I first heard of it.

Karin wrote: "Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: " [book:This Life I Live: One Man's Extraordinary, Ordin..."

I'm sure it was my recommendation. I read it when it first came out. Before Joey died it was on my bucket list to go to their concert hall, which is an actual barn. If you like country music check out a list of the songs he has written. You have probably heard of some of them. A lot of them are clever and funny. Some Beach by Blake Shelton comes to mind.

Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: " [book:This Life I Live: One Man's Extrao..."

Another One Man book! Add it to the growing list....

Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: " [book:This Life I Live: One Man's Extrao..."

I like some country music, but am not a big pop music fan (pop as in popular not as in "pop" music). I do plan to check out some of their other songs, though.

In Pieces by Sally Field
3 stars


After reading the Goodreads reviews for this book, I must be the only one that didnt really like this memoir. For me it came across as being whiney, feel sorry for me. It seems there was seldom a time that Sally was truly happy with her life. The most disappointing was that she went into great detail about her childhood and her early television and movie years (spoiler alert- she never really liked any of her shows or movies and absolutely hated Gidget), but when she finally got to the point where she made the movies I know her best for and liked the most (Mrs. Doubtfire, Forrest Gump, and Steel Magnolias) were only mentioned to say she brought her baby to the set. Her life with Burt Reynolds never mentions a time they were happy and made me wonder why she was ever with him. I wasn't really all that surprised that she never mentioned her often made fun of acceptance speech at the 1985 Oscars.

Koren wrote: "In Pieces by Sally Field
3 stars


After reading the Goodreads reviews for this book, I must be the only one that didnt really like this memoir. For m..."

Interesting--I am inclined to agree about the a bit whiney, which is one of the reasons it didn't get 5 stars from me, but I liked it better than you did :).

Karin wrote: "Koren wrote: "In Pieces by Sally Field
3 stars


After reading the Goodreads reviews for this book, I must be the only one that didnt really like this..."

Not to talk at all about Mrs. Doubtfire or Steel Magnolias was the most disappointing thing for me.

The Work: My Search for a Life That Matters by Wes Moore
3 stars


I read Wes Moore's first book, The Other Wes Moore, a few years ago. I thought that book has a great premise. Two young African-American boys with the same name, living close by each other but did not know each other, similar economic backgrounds. One grows up to spend his life in prison and the other goes to college and a good job. If you wondered what became of Wes Moore after his first book, this book tells you. This book also has chapters about other people that Wes admires that went on to do great things. I thought the first book was more emotional. This one was not as interesting as interesting as the first.

Absolutely agree on the comment of Me by Elton John. A fantastic celebrity read. The perfect mix of personal life, career accomplishments, humor, and everything you could ask for.

Jacinda Ardern: The Story Behind an Extraordinary Leader by Michelle Duff


Hagiography of NZ's current Prime Minister. Journalist Michelle Duff explores how Jacinda brings kindness into politics.
Pregnant, and at the time, unmarried, Jacinda takes her 26 weeks parental leave, her partner is a stay at home dad, and then comes back to the top job in the country...which she didnt really want to do in the first place. i.e she was called to do it, she didnt put her self forward. Amazing. She brings the country together after the worst mass shooting in the history of NZ. She's prioritising families, healthcare and education.
Feminist? yep. But this is the new feminism so...sorry blokes, deal with it. Her motto? Let's do this. Cant help but admire her after years of pony tail pulling, smug, do nothing but pander to white male privelige pop leadership of John Key....

Selina wrote: "I Don't Want To Fight By Lulu
Memoir of Lulu, the sixties pop singer and star of To Sir With Love. Its a bit of a whirlwind of name dropping, she knew everyone from the Beatles to th..."

excellent review ! I remember her in To Sir With Love

Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "Koren wrote: "In Pieces by Sally Field
3 stars


After reading the Goodreads reviews for this book, I must be the only one that didnt re..."

I didn't really enjoy it either for some reason but I find Sally Field so likable that I just didn't do a review.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Picking Cotton

Just finished this book an wow! A great story. I really like how what was going on in both Jennifer and Ronald’s lives were shared throughout the timespan of the book. It really shows how one thing effects multiple people’s life situations and how different they can be. I found it easy to follow and was really moved by the outcome. It was touching how the goodness in humanity is reflected in their relationship from hatred to kindness, and making a bad situation into something wonderful.

Also, I am new to this group and new to groups in general on here and hope I posted the book right! Looking forward to others reviews,
recommended reads, and discussions :)

Pamela wrote: "Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "Koren wrote: "In Pieces by Sally Field
3 stars


After reading the Goodreads reviews for this book, I must be the only one..."

Agree. She is in some of my favorite movies so it was a huge disappointment that she didnt talk about any of them.

Koren wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "Koren wrote: "In Pieces by Sally Field
3 stars


After reading the Goodreads reviews for this book, I must ..."

So I guess she didnt mention working with Robin Williams either?

No real mention of Robin Williams either. One of my favorite movies is Mrs. Doubtfire and like everyone else, I wish she would have talked about it more as well as some of the other movies.

Koren wrote: "In Pieces by Sally Field
3 stars


After reading the Goodreads reviews for this book, I must be the only one that didnt really like this memoir. For m..."

This is on my list but maybe I will skip it.

Julie wrote: "Koren wrote: "In Pieces by Sally Field
3 stars


After reading the Goodreads reviews for this book, I must be the only one that didnt really like this..."

See if you can get it from the library. The reviews on this book are mixed. I would be interested in your opinion.