Reviewed by Robert Rose for Readers' Favorite

Jeannie Davide-Rivera spent most of her 38 years alone in her mind. Her insensitivity to others’ thoughts, feelings, and actions kept her from making meaningful emotional connections. One grandmother was an exception. She understood one aspect of her hyper-sensitivity. She took her to the yarn store and let her pick out - by smell and touch - the fabrics that she used to make her clothes. Otherwise, as the title suggests, she’d wear only her birthday suit. This was one of the ways her sensory system reacted badly to what was ‘normal' to others. At school the sounds and sights that others found helpful in learning were, to Jeannie, chaotic and confusing. Being sent out to sit in the hall was a relief to her and she could read and do her schoolwork in peace. She had taught herself to read at age 4. Her hyper-memory made it easy for her to be an “A” student in any type of academic setting. She managed to get through junior high despite her hypo sensitivity to others, but her high school days were spent anywhere except in school. She probably went to class for a total of one year. Yet at 17 she passed the GED, missing only 3 questions and made 1400 on the SAT. Like many who are seen as “different” she followed her own path without regard what others thought. She was attractive so she used men as well as they used her. She pursued her husband and he deserves a medal because beside her autism, they have 3 sons with varying degrees of it. They together read widely and 'discovered' her autism.

Jeannie has written an autobiography that is well-organized, well-crafted, filled with honest gut wrenching drama, and reads like a good mystery. It shows the glaring problems of our health delivery system. It demonstrates the problems of inattention (not listening to patients) of health professionals, their tendency to jump to quick conclusions based on inadequate information (misdiagnosis), and to prescribe treatments and drugs that often don’t work or make the patient worse (patients’ and drug companies’ pressure on doctors.). These are compounded by our education system's inability or refusal to teach each individual how his complex body and mind works and how these functions affect himself and others. "Twirling Naked in the Streets and No One Noticed" is a book that could be life changing for anyone with any medical condition and for all of us who will face some or be the caregivers of those afflicted. Thanks, Jeannie.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

"Tasting Home: Coming of Age in the Kitchen" was written by author, Judith Newton. I absolutely love this book. Each chapter of this delightful book combines a story from the author's life with a corresponding recipe. This book is divided into five sections, each representing a different era. The chapter titled The Queen of Pies concerns the author’s mother and the fact that she rarely measured anything. She complimented the tale with a recipe for creating her flaky pie crust. Judith Newton’s memories come to life on the pages in delicious detail. The recipe for Shortbread Cookies was one I could not resist trying. The recipe for Cream Scones is next on my list.

Like the author’s mother I rarely measure ingredients. I love the author’s unique way of sharing her memories, and matching them to her recipes was a brilliant idea. While I enjoyed reading the stories I loved the recipes even more. An index is included in the back of the book and a reference to the origin of the recipes. "Tasting Home" is a clever and fun way to try some new delicious recipes, I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Readers' Favorite

Mary McDonough began playing the part of Erin Walton on the TV program "The Waltons" when she was just ten years old. She shares her memories and experiences from that period of her life in her novel "Lessons From The Mountains". It also explores the real Mary McDonough who is not only an actor, but a dancer, singer, speaker, and an activist for women’s health.

Mary faced many issues in her life, including the baggage that came with being a child actor. She held in her feelings, but thanks to a suggestion by fellow actor John Ritter, she began journaling which allowed her to release her pent up emotions.

After "The Waltons" was canceled Mary had to rediscover herself. “Whether I wanted to be or not, I was off of the mountain...Little did I know the road would be filled with boulders, potholes, and even a little quicksand.” Mary's health began to decline but it took years for her to receive a diagnosis of Lupus.

Mary McDonough writes from the heart and it is that raw emotion that pulls the reader along with her on the extraordinary journey of her life. Although much of this book is focused on "The Waltons" years for which she is best known, I found her later years very gripping as she searched for a diagnosis and her self identity. McDonough is a very talented woman. It is amazing how this quiet introspective woman has found her voice in the role of an advocate for women's health, especially for those with Lupus.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Linda Naomi Katz, the author of "Surviving Mental Illness" begins her book by defining mental illness. Some mental illnesses are congenital, some are brought on by chemical imbalances, and others come from a psychological upset and some from an emotional upset such as a divorce, death or substance abuse. Mental illness carries a deep shame and humiliation to both the victim and the family. Many “normal” people will shun the mentally ill. I suspect it is out of ignorance. They do not know how to react to the bizarre behavior of the schizophrenic, the highs and lows of the bipolar, or the discouragement of being around a depressed person. It is to be remembered that they cannot control their moods or emotions. "Surviving Mental Illness" focuses on mood disorders: depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She defines them and offers readers a guide for dealing with the illness. The section on bipolar drew my attention for I know more than one person with this disorder. She did an excellent job describing the illness and the actions of the victim. Those suffering from any of the three disorders are not capable of thinking logically. They take medicine and begin to feel better so they stop taking the meds or they miss the highs and stop taking meds so that they can achieve those highs.

Katz’s story is one that will hit close to home with many. It will touch the hearts of all the readers. She tells her story in a simple, easy to understand manner. This book is not meant to be a text book although I strongly suggest those in the medical profession read it. It is written for the lay person in the hope of offering them encouragement and help. This book is well-written, informative and touching. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

Author Sean Furey writes about his military experience in Germany in the peaceful years of the 1980's. In "Hemau", Sean recalls serving in a unit whose job it was to maintain and secure nuclear weapons. Sean Furey tells of the wide variety of people he served with and their ups and downs and go-rounds with the local residents and local hang-outs of Hemau, Germany. On the book's back, Author Furey writes "Get to know the psychological frame of mind of the people in charge of man's most deadly technology. Then pray to whatever god you believe in, and hope there are no more units like this one." The reader will meet Jerry Grose who turns danke shurn into "donkey shorts", Bob and Bing, two of the local girls, Buttons who is gay, and Tim Sounders the Souther boy. And these are the men in charge of nuclear weapons?

"Hemau" is well-written, well-edited and filled with Sean Furey's accounts of his life in the military, on base and off-base with the local townspeople. Coming from a home background that wasn't always delightful, Sean Furey finds his family in the men of the 36th Army unit. He writes of one incident after another with Gino, Jackson, and his other unit members. They come alive for the reader as will the author himself as the men of the 36th visit the Rosarium, Hemau's local nightspot and get into fights with each other. "Hemau" is a memoir that the reader will enjoy for its humor and humanity.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

"Single, Black, and Government Owned: A Memoir" by O. Keeys touched my heart. I began reading and could not put the book down until I had read the last page. It is her fault I had to work the next day with only 2 hours of sleep. Her book had me crying, laughing, fearful and triumphant. Keeys’ life has not been an easy one, and at times it seemed as if adversity was searching for her. She was an unwed teen mother who refused to be a statistic. She could have stood in a welfare line the rest of her life but she wanted more for herself and her child. Keeys was a track star and earned a complete college scholarship. Regardless of the fact that she “graduated” with a 3.89 the college refused to grant her the degree she earned, claiming she owed money...impossible on a complete scholarship. After weighing her options, Keeys decided to join the Air Force. It was not an easy decision, especially knowing she would have to leave her son with her mother and sister. This is the point where Keeys' memoir really begins.

Keeys is a remarkable woman. In her book she comes across as a loner, but also explains why. I felt as though we were old friends sipping tea, while she shared her life with me. I think the part of the story that made me the angriest was Lette’s attitude. The woman was downright mean. Keeys is a very talented author and I highly recommend her book. It will offer strength, courage and hope to everyone who reads it.

Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

With the book "Nothing but Respect" the author Julie-Anne allows readers a close and personal look into her life. She not only shares her triumphs but her tragedies as well. We follow her from being a well-adjusted teen who loved to water ski, an overachiever who was loved by her family to someone who became a victim of rape and spiraled down into self doubt and lost all self respect for herself. As we follow her journey we slowly come to realize that we all deserve nothing less than respect, and watch her become a strong confident woman willing to open herself up and share her story so that she might help others.

This story really piqued my interest from the beginning, but I must say on a few occasions I wavered, wondering how in the world the sexual escapades and the poor relationship choices made by the author would ever inspire me, but I am so glad that I continued reading her story, because by the end of the story the message was loud and clear: we all deserve respect, and no matter what choices we might make in our life, we have to learn to forgive ourselves if we are really ever going to move forward, and the key to true happiness isn't something that we can buy or find in someone else but has to come from within. I have to commend the author for exposing her innermost feelings, and telling them in such a conversational way that not only allowed me to connect with the story, but also feel as if the author was a dear friend by the end of the book. I also found the information that she shared about Fibromyalgia and the pain one suffers from this disease to be very informative. While there were a few minor editing issues for me it didn't detract from the story. Overall, this author bares her heart and soul and in doing so will certainly help others who are going through similar situations. A true victim to victory story that leaves me wishing the author the best, and also wondering where life's journey will take this remarkable person.

Reviewed by Rita G. for Readers' Favorite

"Highway Odyssey" by Alexander Flint is the story of a man attempting to discover himself. The year was 1978 and he found himself a single father after his recent divorce. He started traveling with his seven year old son. Together they made adventures: back packing across the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. The trek was not without dangers; they did not posses practical gear but managed to conquer Hurricane Pass. Alex recounts who they visited. He shares old friends and new ones. The descriptions of the places and people bring them to life. I felt as if I were looking at them myself. He expresses the cultural difference between families and embraces it. To some degree this is a travel journal, yet it is so much more. This book offers great insight. "Highway Odyssey" is a fascinating read through two decades of a man’s life. The reader looks through a window at his marriage, is privy to his emotions and watches as the metamorphosis of his being takes place. He faced his self doubts and overcame them. By reaching back into the past of his ancestors, Flint found himself and became a responsible single parent. For twenty four years Flint continued to travel and seek adventures.

I love this book. Flint discovered what some never do...what is most important in life. I found this book easy to read and it held my attention. It is much more than this man’s travel journal; it is the search for identity. I envy his free spirit and ability to face the challenges of life and overcome them. I find this book inspiring.

Reviewed by Lisa Miller for Readers' Favorite

"And Rainedrops Fall Down My Cheeks" tells of the author's many different life experiences, in which she establish a justification of the reason for them is much more than being human and we have guardian angels.

I thought this book was a bit abstract through several chapters, however as I continued reading I became aware of the author's explanation of the medium and paranormal reasoning for many different life experiences. The author mentioned several experiences during her life that were devastating, such as the death of her grandmothers, her Dad and a family cat. Also, a very serious car accident was the highlight of her reflection into the medium, she believed she had the power to sense things from other people and guide them through communication of the spirits.

As mentioned towards the ending of the book, the author states; "I carry a deep belief from those times of near death experiences there is someone who await for each of us with an abiding love that is greater than any love experienced on this earth." In my understanding of the author's experiences, she has a very strong belief in the paranormal. I connected to Raine's ideas of having the sense of being watched and having the sense of a voice saying be watchful and listen to everything as well as communication through animals.

Warning! Before reading this book, grab a box of tissues. This book was well written and entertaining. Being an animal lover the sections that dealt with animals were my favorite. This book grabbed my attention from the beginning. The topic is fascinating. The author shares her experiences with readers and encourages them to develop their gifts. Fascinating!

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

While I Was Learning To Become God is based on the life of Sybil Vaughn. Roxana Jones sat at Sybil's bedside and listened intently as Sybil told her story which included "guardian angels." Guardian angels have been watching out for Sybil her entire life. Sybil was only one year old when she became very ill. Her mother, Cassandra, feared her daughter would not survive. However, it wasn't Sybil's time yet. A guardian angel told her mother to give her green coconut milk. Within a few months, Sybil was thriving. In another instance she was playing behind her father's truck where he could not see her. The quick action of her guardian angel caught her father's attention before he backed over her. Sybil's life and experience are unique and remarkable. She was only six years old when she communicated with dolphins telepathically. After her first marriage ended in divorce she visited a commune. During a worship/meditation service she once again saw her guardian angel. In an out of body experience she conversed with him. She found peace in her meditations.

Sybil had been controlled all of her life, first by her mother and then by her husband. I see Sybil as a butterfly. Her story is one of metamorphism, the reader watches as Sybil changes. I'm not sure I completely understand or agree in Sybil's belief system. However, I found her story fascinating. I have attempted to be vague and brief in sharing Sybil's life story, as my review would be too long if I shared all of the amazing events in her life. I can only imagine the joy and awe Roxanne Jones felt as she listened to Sybil. It is obvious they formed a great friendship. Sybil's discussion of her spiritual life was intriguing. I have a couple of questions I wish I could ask her.

Roxana Jones did an excellent job bringing Sybil's story to life. I felt as if I knew her personally. She also described the Guardian Angels in such a way that I could see them in my mind's eye, Sybil was a remarkable woman and this is a remarkable book.