Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Waratah: From the Ashes of the Vietnam War, Grew a Spirit that would not be Stopped by Ha-Le Thai is the author's story, a tale of courage, heartbreak, and new beginnings with the challenges that come with it. Ha-Le escapes the threat of communism and death when she leaves her country, Vietnam, on a crowded boat for Australia. While she is aware that it isn't going to be easy, she is determined to succeed. But her child, born of an interracial couple, is educated and ready to face life, so Ha-Le has to change her beliefs to accommodate her when her daughter prepares to introduce her boyfriend.

The worst form of pain that Ha-Le experiences is her heartbreak. Now she must choose how to face a new form of threat, of rejection and silent death. Does she have the courage to start all over again? The author tells her story and shares the common experiences of refugees and the effects of war and communism. The author writes with a simplicity of style that makes the narrative addictive and her manner of exploring her emotions with insight will be an added delight for readers. Waratah: From the Ashes of the Vietnam War, Grew a Spirit that would not be Stopped is a memoir that redefines grit and resilience and explores what the human spirit can endure. Written in beautiful prose and featuring scenes of adventure, it is emotionally charged and filled with wisdom for expatriates. A true story that reads like an exciting fictional tale.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Memoir of a Schizophrenic by Karl Lorenz Willett is a compelling read with a strong appeal for fans of memoirs that explore the minds of those with mental illnesses. In this memoir, the author takes readers on a journey through schizophrenia. Written for his family, it starts with early memories at Davis Infant school and documents the author’s experiences living “at the edge of human experience,” and battling thoughts of darkness, obsessed with a reality that is as elusive as it is illusionary. The author writes about his mental battles, moments of depression, and suicidal tendencies, letting readers in on how distorted his reality could be. Even assistance in a psychiatric hospital at an early age didn’t help. But how did this man cope with his condition, where did he find the stability to establish a family and raise children?

While the prose isn’t impeccably good, the narrative is poignant and psychologically rich. The author writes with honesty and allows readers a powerful glimpse of his troubled mind. The author worried about spiritual realities; he suffered with the idea of hell and blamed the church for not teaching the values of love, compassion, understanding, joy and happiness. This was one of the causes of his deep-seated fear and anxiety. He writes: “The preaching of gloom and doom hence the coming of Christ had consigned everyone to ‘hell’, always the wages of sin, death and the devil.” The narrative is emotionally and spiritually rich and the reader will feel connected to the protagonist.

Memoir of a Schizophrenic is a moving story and while it speaks of the struggles of Karl Lorenz Willett, it also delivers a powerful message of hope — we can always find meaning and healing when we are deeply connected to a support system, to a family, and to friends. The book conveys the message that love heals, nourishes us and empowers us to overcome the most difficult challenges.

Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite

Gemini Joe by Janet Sierzant is a memoir on the life and family of her father, Joe, referred to as Gemini Joe. It is set in the earlier parts of the 20th century mainly in and around Brooklyn, NY. After a long estrangement with her father, Janet connects with him in his old age and convinces him to record his life memories or stories. The story takes us through the very early parts of the century when Italian immigrants were coming to the New World.

Born in the time of the Great Depression of the 1920s and 1930s, Joe takes us through his childhood, where he, being the youngest child, always seems to be overshadowed by his older siblings and family. He describes their games, the Italian culture in their home and society in the area of New York where they lived, the siblings and their relationships with each other, his own jobs, marriage, and children, his wonderful handyman skills and craft, his alcohol addiction, his health issues, estrangement from his children, and living in a mobile home with a dog towards the end of his life, while at peace with his world for the most part.

I loved reading Gemini Joe: Memoirs of Brooklyn and it had my attention right from the beginning to the end. It is a simple story of an ordinary life, but that is precisely what makes it special. I enjoyed reading about all of the day-to-day life in their household with the big Italian dinners, fishing, sports, daily life, their connection with what is known as “the Mafia,” and so much more. Janet is able to write as a silent observer and this to her credit because the narrative genuinely feels like Joe talking to the reader and, at times, to his daughter. It’s a very engaging and well-written book and probably one of my favorite memoirs I have read in a long time!

Reviewed by Jessyca Garcia for Readers' Favorite

I really enjoyed The Blue Chameleon: The Life Story of a Super Cop by Daril Cinquanta. This book is filled to the brim about Cinquanta’s experiences while working as a police officer in Denver, Colorado. It also tells why Cinquanta finally retired. Daril Cinquanta certainly had many exciting experiences while working as a police officer. I am glad that he decided to share his experiences in The Blue Chameleon. In this day and age, police officers are greatly misunderstood and often portrayed in a negative light. It is nice to read positive stories and see how an officer has improved his community.

Not only did Cinquanta chase bad guys, but he did it all while having lupus. Never once did he let it affect his job or complain about it. Cinquanta also had a unique way of doing police work. Memorizing faces and facts about people is pretty clever. Reading this book has also given me a new view on police departments and how they always make one of their own pay. That is the only thing I did not like about this book. It is not always fair how they punish their own.

I liked how Cinquanta organized his stories based on the years he worked in each department. I also learned something about Elvis Presley. I never knew he collected guns! I do not think they make cops like Cinquanta anymore. If they do, we could sure use one in Chicago! Overall, I really enjoyed The Blue Chameleon: The Life Story of a Super Cop by Daril Cinquanta. I hope that Cinquanta continues to share his stories from on the job.

Reviewed by Kathryn Bennett for Readers' Favorite

A Gift From the Enemy (A True Story of Escape in War-time Italy) by Enrico Lamet takes the reader into the author's boyhood during the hard and perilous times of World War II. Born to a Jewish mother and father, Lamet started his life with happy years in Austria. When the drums of war began, however, the young boy's family became like a band of gypsy folk, moving through places like Milan, Nice, Paris, and San Remo before finding sanctuary in Ospedaletto. This memoir is a look into simple daily life during this time and the sacrifices that were often made during the war. With his father in Poland, Lamet is given strength and love by a steadfast mother. Times are certainly dark, but light can be found within even the darkest of times.

In recent years I have found myself wanting to expand my knowledge of World War II. I love history but have usually stayed within the realms of the American Revolution and earlier. However, the urge to learn more about World War II and being a sucker for a memoir made this book one I wanted to read, and I was not disappointed. Enrico Lamet has a way of writing and telling his story that is very open and makes the reader feel as if they are sitting together over a cup of tea and hearing the story firsthand. I cannot imagine the hardships faced during this war. I can only imagine the fear and worry of seeing a German soldier and the pain that would have come from starvation.

Yet the tone of this book is not only hardship and pain. There are still moments that show humor and lightness, reminding all of us that no matter how dark things are, if we look we can find moments that are good. I want to thank Mr. Lamet for sharing his story with the world. I feel privileged to have been able to read his firsthand account of what it was like growing up in the Nazi era. Anyone who is interested in learning about this era in history and about the resilience of human nature should get this book and read his story.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

No Tougher Duty, No Greater Honor: A Memoir of a Mortuary Affairs Marine by GySgt L. Christian Bussler (Ret.) is a clever military non-fiction story of a Mortuary Affairs Marine. We meet the protagonist in 2002, employed as a postal letter carrier in Springfield, Ohio. But then the call comes and he is thrust into a world of violence and terror, with war raging, and uncertainty a characteristic of his day-to-day experience. Follow him as he walks the streets, stricken by terror, on foot patrol to recover fallen bodies. In this gripping memoir, he takes the reader through the devastating story of being on the path of war, of loss, and the grueling insanity and turmoil that punctuate the story of a Marine who went out to return those who died at war with honor. It’s heart wrenching and very revealing of the horrors of war.

I was taken by surprise with the quality of writing, crisp and captivating in these reminiscences. The author immediately draws the attention of the reader to what his job was like, allowing them to perceive his innermost thoughts and emotions. I connected with the protagonist from the very first sentences of the story. The first person narrative style is accomplished to perfection, allowing readers to see the world, the events, and to experience the conflict from the point of view of the protagonist. It is absorbing and the reader is riveted throughout the narrative. No Tougher Duty, No Greater Honor: A Memoir of a Mortuary Affairs Marine by GySgt L. Christian Bussler is a beautifully told story that will bring tears to the eyes of readers while pricking their consciences.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

In the spirit of James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, Grant Harper Reid’s Harlem Bible: In the Beginning is a memorable offering that helps readers rediscover the soul and spirit of black culture in Harlem. In this spellbinding autobiography, the author relives wonderful and touching memories of his childhood, growing up as a black man in Harlem. The author explores the dreams of black families, poised for the revolution — perhaps gentle like the wind — that was a promise of an upward movement in the American economic status. Readers are introduced to the shift in culture, thanks to the advent of gentrified folk. But what was Harlem like among the black community? This book answers that question and offers more.

Harlem Bible: In the Beginning is a wonderful book, a well-crafted memoir that explores the dynamics of black culture in Harlem and redefines the very soul and spirit of the “black man” within a well-defined historical context. The writing is beautiful, laced with arresting images and, I must say, Grant Harper Reid has a phraseology that gives a unique signature to his writings. The language is fluid and laced with humor and symbolism. For instance, just few lines into the narrative, he describes his usual visits, accompanied by his dad, to the house of one wealthy man: “Whenever my dad and I went to visit Mr. Llewellyn, he'd be either wearing a smoking jacket or a bathrobe on his balcony deck. If that wasn't dressing for success, I don't know what is.” The reader finds themselves smiling quite often as they read through the gripping and enjoyable narrative, the cultural and social commentaries opening a whole new world for the reader to navigate.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Shaped Notes: How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced My Life and Career is a nonfiction inspirational memoir written by Larnelle Harris with Christine Schaub. Harris has won five Grammy Awards, eleven Dove Awards and a Stellar Award during a singing career that has spanned over forty years. In his preface, Harris notes how he may have been looked at “as just another poor black kid from the back roads of Kentucky,” except for the magic that happened when he opened his mouth, and he began to sing. Harris was blessed with a clear and strong soprano voice, and Miss Georgia Donehy, the local church organist and piano teacher, soon realized what a gift he had. She became the first of the mentors who helped Harris make the best of his gifts and helped him learn how to use them in a life devoted to spreading the word of God. Harris had other mentors during those early years: Miss Dale, his second-grade teacher who also led the choir, Miss Fisher, the wise and dedicated librarian, but particularly Mr. Summers, the principal whose paddle was feared by all, but who surprisingly called the shy kid who was constantly teased about his soprano voice, into his office and showed him in a most eloquent way just how wonderful a gift it actually was.

Shaped Notes is a moving and well-written account of a life dedicated to the service of his Lord. I particularly enjoyed Harris’s accounts of his early life and his interactions with those teachers and other mentors who made such a difference. I especially appreciated learning about Miss Fisher and Mr. Bate, and the genesis of the Bate School, and how Harris expanded his musical gifts to the saxophone and drums as well. I felt excited for him as he went to Band Camp and found the impetus to learn to sight read and become the talented drummer he had the potential to be. The full scholarship he was offered by Western Kentucky University seemed the culmination of all the effort he and his various mentors had put in; however, his progress continues on to this day. Shaped Notes is a marvelous story, one that kept me engaged and inspired throughout, and the pictures that are included in the book are a real plus for making Larnelle Harris’s story come to life. I also took the time to pull up some YouTube performances so I could hear his extraordinary vocal skills for myself. Shaped Notes: How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced My Life and Career is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Robert A. Groves for Readers' Favorite

Proud American: The Migrant, Soldier, and Agent by Sergio Tinoco is a first-person account of three distinct phases of the author’s life. Beginning his senior year in high school, Sergio realizes he wants to be the one to break the cycle of migrant work his family has used for multiple generations to provide their sole means of support. He has bigger dreams for himself and enlists in the United States Army as a vehicle to finally break that cycle. His active duty years encompass the period the nation was involved in Bosnia-Herzegovina. His telling of the horrors he experienced during a deployment there is breathtaking. Following the deployment, Sergio demonstrates remarkable resiliency in battling PTSD symptoms. But, Tinoco’s service to the nation does not end with the military. Perhaps his most important contribution, and one that has the most positive impact, is his years of service with the Border Patrol as an agent on the southern border. Being of Mexican descent, he can relate to immigrants without apology.

Sergio Tinoco’s Proud American: The Migrant, Soldier, and Agent is a story for the present when the topic of immigration is a hot button issue. Sergio’s story is one of the best American dream tales I’ve read. His perseverance to make a better life for himself warms the heart. One will gain a greater sense of tolerance for an under-represented segment of our population – the migrant worker. There were parts of Tinoco’s story that made me smile and clap, some which made me laugh out loud, and yet others which caused tears. He has included it all here. Proud American will empower everyone who yearns for a better life to just do it!

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Survivor: The Benny Turner Story by Benny Turner (with Bill Dahl) is the autobiography of blues musician Benny Turner, the younger half-brother to blues legend Freddie King. Benny’s journey begins in Texas in the sunset of 1939 with an overview of his family history, delving immediately into the lineage of his paternal grandfather, a white plantation owner. Turner tells stories of growing up, picking cotton alongside his brother, Freddie; a childhood fraught with light memories and dark scars, segregation, a poverty that necessitated eating red clay dirt when candy wasn’t affordable, hunting, and reading comic books at night with the brother he shared a bed with. The story soon grows into Benny and Freddie listening to the blues until the opportunity to earn a guitar presents itself. From Texas, the boys join the Great Migration to Chicago, where Benny found himself being bullied and the harshness of day-to-day life could be offset by moments where his world became wrapped in music.

In reading Survivor: The Benny Turner Story, it feels like Benny Turner is sitting with you as a friend at the kitchen table, sharing his history. The book is both acute and easy to read, with Turner’s voice prevalent in every word. While the subject matter is often difficult to absorb by sheer virtue of its portrayal of the author’s hardships, the writing is so comfortable that it makes even the book’s most heartbreaking moments palatable. I was unfamiliar with Benny Turner before delving into his autobiography, but now that he’s penned his life in such a vivid memoir, I’d like nothing more than to recommend readers to invite him to a place at their table, so they too can appreciate how aptly named Turner’s book is. There can be no doubt that Benny Turner is the ultimate survivor.