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.

Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite

Gringo: My Life on the Edge as an International Fugitive by Dan "Tito" Davis is a gripping memoir that focuses primarily on Dan’s years as an international fugitive and a “wanted man” from America on the run internationally. After a brief background and introduction, the book dives into Dan/“Tito’s” early life in South Dakota in a small town. He recounts some of his early experiences, his later move to and college in Las Vegas, his first experience with drugs of any kind, how he goes from selling drugs as a way to earn easy money to selling hundreds of dollars worth of drugs a week, his later warrant and escape to Mexico and Latin American countries without knowing Spanish, his relationship with his wife and subsequent relationships with women, serving time in the US, etc.

Gringo: My Life on the Edge as an International Fugitive by Dan "Tito" Davis is an exciting book and provides a glimpse into the world of drug trafficking, especially on a large scale. Throughout the story, we also get a hands-on account of life on the move in various countries in South America with their local culture and customs, as well his travels in countries as far east as India. The writing is crisp, very fast-paced. Indeed, Tito’s life itself is fast-paced during his time as an international fugitive on the move, trying to escape from the law. Tito’s behavior towards his wife is obviously not great, but he himself admits this in the book. In general, the story is well told and certainly makes for an exciting read.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Behind the Microphone by Lew Dobbins is a powerful book that brilliantly captures the broadcasting career of Lew Dobbins, underlining the factors that brought him to fame since his early audition in 1963, announcing the death of a President of the United States. Follow the author as he recounts his history with music, radio and TV, capturing a captivating culture in beautiful, somewhat lyrical prose, and in a style that is atypical. In a compelling way and in a powerful voice, the author weaves his personal stories with anecdotes from some of the most brilliant and reputable names in the music, radio, and TV industries, drawing the reader into the life and successes of some of the greatest stars America has produced.

Lew Dobbins’ writing is excellent and it combines short, quick sentences with concise and vivid descriptions to offer readers great entertainment. Behind the Microphone features just the kinds of stories I have always wanted to read, the personalities I would yearn to meet, and the author makes them come to life with his beautiful words and the accompanying pictures. In these pages, readers will find history, personal and inspiring stories from celebrities, anecdotes that are downright entertaining, and a lot of behind-the-scenes stories about American stars. This is one of those books that will allow readers to get a glimpse of some of their favorite radio, TV, and music stars, and from one who mingled with them, spoke with them occasionally, and got to interview them. It is a satisfactory story, beautifully written and a pleasant read.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

From the Rift Valley to the Dream of Freedom: Memories Of Lisungo by John Kachamila is a mesmerising memoir, a compelling story. John William Kachamila and his parents left his hometown when he was just four years old to seek better opportunities in Tanganyika. The author documents vivid memories of his early life and moves on swiftly to offer a spellbinding account of his life, his career in the National Liberation Struggle, and the government. Now serving as honorary consul of Serbia in Mozambique, Kachamila’s life illustrates a journey in search of justice and truth, for equal opportunity for all, a journey of freedom, and one man’s unshakable faith in himself, and the belief that he can make a huge difference in the lives of others.

The memoir is written in a simple, accessible, and captivating style and readers will love the picturesque scenes the author offers of his childhood along the shores of Lake Niassa. I was pulled in from the very beginning of the story with the dramatic moments, the vivid descriptions of the setting, and the author’s unique outlook and perspective on life. This book is filled with numerous and wonderful historical references and the reader will feel as though they are navigating the political landscapes in Africa with the characters. A lot has happened to the protagonist, including a deadly attack on his life, but what will surprise readers is the fact that he has decided to create his own path towards inner freedom and service. From the Rift Valley to the Dream of Freedom: Memories of Lisungo is every bit as captivating as it is inspiring.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Paralian by Liam Klenk is a very long story. Too long? Only if you're an impatient reader. Liam Klenk has so much to share in this fascinating memoir that, despite its length, those readers with a thirst for knowledge and inquisitive, intelligent minds much like the author's will be utterly riveted. Even when you think you just can't read another page, you find yourself turning it to see what more can you learn from Paralian, a book with an unusual name and an intriguing subtitle: "Not just transgender."

You see, Paralian is not just about a female who transitions to male in her young adult years. While that's a key part to understanding the protagonist's restless disposition and endless search for self, that search takes Liam and readers into the heart and soul of countries in a way they are never depicted in travel brochures. Be prepared for a surprise, for instance, at what you might witness in a public park in Zurich in comparison to a park in North America.

The Paralian, born Stephanie and adopted by a neurotic mother and gay father, eventually locates her birth mother and a sister she didn't know she had, only to be rejected by both later. As a new male, he falls in love more than once, marries twice for convenience, once his father's and once his own. Gifted with a brilliant mind and a need to prove his worthiness mostly to himself, Liam embraces one challenge after another: he becomes a photographer, an artist, a theater and events co-ordinator, and much later, despite an innate fear of, but love for water, especially the ocean, he masters the sport of scuba diving. His travels take us around Germany, Switzerland, Malta, Macau, Hong Kong and the US. His observations and reflections on each country and culture, many very detailed, along with his struggles to understand himself as a transgendered person trying to fit into society, are what make Paralian such a long, often intensive read.

This is not a memoir for the squeamish. Details are raw, vivid, honest. Nor, as mentioned above, is it a read for the impatient or someone looking for quick entertainment. Paralian is for those who enjoy learning something new when they read and who like finding themselves still thinking about what they have read long after they finish the book. If that sounds like you, read Paralian by Liam Klenk.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Nothing Is Predictable by Adalina Mae is the story of a woman who fights her way out of her troubled past, but her past is always there to haunt her. Zara had just been a child when her father accidentally killed himself while he was drunk out of his mind. That one memory has a terrible impact on Zara and how she sees men and her relationships with them. She cannot create romantic attachments, no matter how hard she tries. Emotionally detached and unable to connect with anyone, Zara wants love, but she has no idea how to find it.

Even though her life had a rough start, she is a fighter and she will not bow down to the hardships of her life. She is ready to fight for what she wants and she will get it at all costs. She wants a full life, a life filled with love, trust, emotional fulfillment and nothing that would terrify her in intimacy. But it is hard. Her past experiences and the trauma of living with her deranged alcoholic father are stopping her from moving forward. Can she find herself in the process? Can she get the life she wants and deserves?

Intense, fast paced and moving, Nothing Is Predictable is a real journey through human life and the ups and downs a person feels. Zara’s life, her character and her development were very emotional and intense at times, but the way the author made the mood lighter with her witty humor was really fun. Some themes in the novel were dark, such as abuse and loss but the author kept the tempo and the atmosphere alive and had me reading on. So thought-provoking and brilliant.