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Recommend this book:
Behind the Green Apron
It’s just coffee, right?
R. L. Farrar
2023 Finalist
188 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Behind the Green Apron by R. L. Farrar is a non-fiction professional memoir in which the author details some of their most interesting stories working for twelve years as a Starbucks barista. Baristas are the coffee chain's front-of-house staff, the employees who facilitate the running of the shop, and all that encompasses making our favorite drinks. Over the course of nearly two dozen chapters, Farrar shares experiences that range from the good, such as the woman who quite brilliantly figures out how to save a dollar on her drink by ordering off-menu; the bad, like the order with 24 packets of white sugar; and the ugly, which comes in the form of people like the overbearing customer who casually openly carries a gun at his hip.
An Uber driver, a mobile app user, and a guy named Bimbo walk into a Starbucks... Oh, have you already heard this one? Probably not, as the cornucopia of stories R. L. Farrar recalls in Behind the Green Apron is unique not only to those who work in the service industry but specifically to the foot soldiers who churn out coffee and grab-and-go treats. The writing style is conversational and relaxed, which suits the tone of its narrative really well. There are some bits where I actually did think the barista was in the wrong and the tenor can occasionally push beyond witty sarcasm into condescension. Still, the book overall is heaps of fun and has a wonderfully fair share of jaw-dropping experiences. The drink recipes at the end are an unexpected delight and make me want to go right out and get a Paradise drink. I promise not to make eight customization requests.
Behind the Green Apron by R. L. Farrar is a non-fiction professional memoir in which the author details some of their most interesting stories working for twelve years as a Starbucks barista. Baristas are the coffee chain's front-of-house staff, the employees who facilitate the running of the shop, and all that encompasses making our favorite drinks. Over the course of nearly two dozen chapters, Farrar shares experiences that range from the good, such as the woman who quite brilliantly figures out how to save a dollar on her drink by ordering off-menu; the bad, like the order with 24 packets of white sugar; and the ugly, which comes in the form of people like the overbearing customer who casually openly carries a gun at his hip.
An Uber driver, a mobile app user, and a guy named Bimbo walk into a Starbucks... Oh, have you already heard this one? Probably not, as the cornucopia of stories R. L. Farrar recalls in Behind the Green Apron is unique not only to those who work in the service industry but specifically to the foot soldiers who churn out coffee and grab-and-go treats. The writing style is conversational and relaxed, which suits the tone of its narrative really well. There are some bits where I actually did think the barista was in the wrong and the tenor can occasionally push beyond witty sarcasm into condescension. Still, the book overall is heaps of fun and has a wonderfully fair share of jaw-dropping experiences. The drink recipes at the end are an unexpected delight and make me want to go right out and get a Paradise drink. I promise not to make eight customization requests.
Recommend this book:
Higher Connections
Humor and Inspiration from a Certified Public Pothead
Eric and Alexandrea Right
2023 Honorable Mention
297 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Higher Connections: Humor and Inspiration from a Certified Public Pothead is a work of non-fiction discussing lifestyle and recreational drugs. It is best suited to the adult reading audience owing to the drug references and some use of strong language, and it was penned by the team of Eric and Alexandrea Right. In a world where many people worry about serious life issues in a collapsing economy and a hateful political climate, Eric and Alexandrea take time out from the hubbub of this wild modern landscape to discuss the benefits of marijuana, and the changes it has made to their outlook, social life, and general happiness.
There are many advocates out there for the use of marijuana as a social lubricant, stress reliever, and health-improving drug, and it will certainly be refreshing for many readers to take this slice-of-life work by Eric and Alexandrea Right in their stride, rather than reading a medical or prohibitive text. The narrative feels like a friend telling you the tale of their journey with the drug, which is not without its ups and downs but certainly promotes a lifestyle where we simply don’t worry as much. This is a message a lot of people could certainly get behind. Higher Connections offers a light-hearted and enjoyable read for those who want to experience the positive side of life and those who are either already marijuana enthusiasts or have wondered what its benefits might be to their own lives.
Higher Connections: Humor and Inspiration from a Certified Public Pothead is a work of non-fiction discussing lifestyle and recreational drugs. It is best suited to the adult reading audience owing to the drug references and some use of strong language, and it was penned by the team of Eric and Alexandrea Right. In a world where many people worry about serious life issues in a collapsing economy and a hateful political climate, Eric and Alexandrea take time out from the hubbub of this wild modern landscape to discuss the benefits of marijuana, and the changes it has made to their outlook, social life, and general happiness.
There are many advocates out there for the use of marijuana as a social lubricant, stress reliever, and health-improving drug, and it will certainly be refreshing for many readers to take this slice-of-life work by Eric and Alexandrea Right in their stride, rather than reading a medical or prohibitive text. The narrative feels like a friend telling you the tale of their journey with the drug, which is not without its ups and downs but certainly promotes a lifestyle where we simply don’t worry as much. This is a message a lot of people could certainly get behind. Higher Connections offers a light-hearted and enjoyable read for those who want to experience the positive side of life and those who are either already marijuana enthusiasts or have wondered what its benefits might be to their own lives.
Recommend this book:
Life Lessons From a UFO Catcher
An Autobiographical Manga
Kenny Loui, Ph.D.
2023 Bronze Medal
150 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Are you a fan of manga or comic books? If the answer is yes, grab a copy of Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga by Kenny Loui, which concerns a young arcade game enthusiast whose mission in life is to free as many plush dolls as possible from captivity. Based on the author’s own escapades, the book follows young Kenny as he sets out to accomplish his mission to rescue all the plushies of the world by playing "UFO Catcher." But there are unexpected hurdles along the way, including a fierce nemesis named Killian, who has a knack for getting into Kenny's path. However, Kenny also has his allies, including Somi, his guardian spirit, and others who share their wise insights at just the right moments when Kenny needs them most.
Gamers and manga lovers will have a blast with Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher. Kenny Loui draws from his own life experiences and brings a sense of intrigue and adventure to arcade games that feels not only authentic and entertaining but also immersive in a way so that you can't help but lose yourself in the pages. The narrative moves at a blistering pace, with each chapter flowing into the next. I loved the dialogue and the artwork by Yamawe. It is reminiscent of the young adult Japanese mangas that I used to read as a kid. The story will entertain you as well as teach you some valuable lessons that you're bound to find helpful in life.
Are you a fan of manga or comic books? If the answer is yes, grab a copy of Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga by Kenny Loui, which concerns a young arcade game enthusiast whose mission in life is to free as many plush dolls as possible from captivity. Based on the author’s own escapades, the book follows young Kenny as he sets out to accomplish his mission to rescue all the plushies of the world by playing "UFO Catcher." But there are unexpected hurdles along the way, including a fierce nemesis named Killian, who has a knack for getting into Kenny's path. However, Kenny also has his allies, including Somi, his guardian spirit, and others who share their wise insights at just the right moments when Kenny needs them most.
Gamers and manga lovers will have a blast with Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher. Kenny Loui draws from his own life experiences and brings a sense of intrigue and adventure to arcade games that feels not only authentic and entertaining but also immersive in a way so that you can't help but lose yourself in the pages. The narrative moves at a blistering pace, with each chapter flowing into the next. I loved the dialogue and the artwork by Yamawe. It is reminiscent of the young adult Japanese mangas that I used to read as a kid. The story will entertain you as well as teach you some valuable lessons that you're bound to find helpful in life.
Recommend this book:
Life Lessons From a Late Bloomer
Vignettes of a Small Town Girl
Jackie Ewing
2023 Silver Medal
174 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
Life Lessons From a Late Bloomer: Vignettes of a Small Town Girl by Jackie Ewing is a personal memoir about self-discovery told through different vignettes of her life. The book consists of ten life lessons divided into ten chapters. Most of the life lessons Jackie shares are from personal experiences. She taps into the various aspects of her life — from parenting to career, and cultivating self-confidence. Ewing mixes her life-changing and unpleasant experiences with humor, allowing for an easy and entertaining read that will keep you turning the pages. It is said that experience is the best teacher because you experience the consequences of your actions, but sometimes it's easier said than done. So if you'd rather learn from someone else's experience and avoid some consequences, then Jackie Ewing's book is tailor-made for you.
Life Lessons From a Late Bloomer by Jackie Ewing seems to me like a self-help book rather than a memoir. With each chapter representing a specific life lesson, it is a self-help textbook on self-discovery and personal maturity. However, Ewing's journey and growth, combined with witty anecdotes and a humorous tone, more than make up for the memoir/self-help genre debate. Her emphasis on humor adds a deeper layer to the devastating experiences she's been through. As a reader, I can easily access the world Ewing shows us, and some parts are thought-provoking. With her way of translating complex life truths into simple wisdom, I am once again reminded that no matter how bad the world gets or how heavy you feel inside, we must not take ourselves too seriously and that we should always be grateful for what we have. Truly a humbling and inspiring read from start to finish.
Life Lessons From a Late Bloomer: Vignettes of a Small Town Girl by Jackie Ewing is a personal memoir about self-discovery told through different vignettes of her life. The book consists of ten life lessons divided into ten chapters. Most of the life lessons Jackie shares are from personal experiences. She taps into the various aspects of her life — from parenting to career, and cultivating self-confidence. Ewing mixes her life-changing and unpleasant experiences with humor, allowing for an easy and entertaining read that will keep you turning the pages. It is said that experience is the best teacher because you experience the consequences of your actions, but sometimes it's easier said than done. So if you'd rather learn from someone else's experience and avoid some consequences, then Jackie Ewing's book is tailor-made for you.
Life Lessons From a Late Bloomer by Jackie Ewing seems to me like a self-help book rather than a memoir. With each chapter representing a specific life lesson, it is a self-help textbook on self-discovery and personal maturity. However, Ewing's journey and growth, combined with witty anecdotes and a humorous tone, more than make up for the memoir/self-help genre debate. Her emphasis on humor adds a deeper layer to the devastating experiences she's been through. As a reader, I can easily access the world Ewing shows us, and some parts are thought-provoking. With her way of translating complex life truths into simple wisdom, I am once again reminded that no matter how bad the world gets or how heavy you feel inside, we must not take ourselves too seriously and that we should always be grateful for what we have. Truly a humbling and inspiring read from start to finish.
Recommend this book:
When the Church Burns Down, Cancel the Wedding
Adventures from the Other Half of Single
Sara E. Braca
2023 Gold Medal
193 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Treat yourself to a humor-filled account of Sara E. Braca's journey of self-discovery as a solo traveler with When the Church Burns Down, Cancel the Wedding. Sara's preferred church burnt down a week before her wedding, which should have rung alarm bells. However, she went through with the wedding, and six years later, the marriage broke apart when her husband cheated on her. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, Sara took a trip to Amsterdam. Over the next few years, she traveled all over the world, discovering new experiences, including winning an essay writing competition to meet Michael Bublé, getting adopted by a Greek family, falling in love with Santorini, showering naked with colleagues by the Dead Sea, meeting a handsome stranger in Porto, and many more.
Follow one woman's journey to freedom, independence, and happiness in When the Church Burns Down, Cancel the Wedding. Sara E. Braca's inspiring story will empower you to pack your bags and hop on the next flight to the place you've always wanted to go but just couldn't find the motivation. Infused with humor and wit, Braca tells a memorable tale you aren't going to forget soon. What I loved about this book is that each chapter takes you through a different phase of Sara's life with a different holiday destination, where she meets new people and shares unique adventures. Sara's story has an important lesson about having the self-belief to discover one's own path to happiness and fulfillment. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.
Treat yourself to a humor-filled account of Sara E. Braca's journey of self-discovery as a solo traveler with When the Church Burns Down, Cancel the Wedding. Sara's preferred church burnt down a week before her wedding, which should have rung alarm bells. However, she went through with the wedding, and six years later, the marriage broke apart when her husband cheated on her. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, Sara took a trip to Amsterdam. Over the next few years, she traveled all over the world, discovering new experiences, including winning an essay writing competition to meet Michael Bublé, getting adopted by a Greek family, falling in love with Santorini, showering naked with colleagues by the Dead Sea, meeting a handsome stranger in Porto, and many more.
Follow one woman's journey to freedom, independence, and happiness in When the Church Burns Down, Cancel the Wedding. Sara E. Braca's inspiring story will empower you to pack your bags and hop on the next flight to the place you've always wanted to go but just couldn't find the motivation. Infused with humor and wit, Braca tells a memorable tale you aren't going to forget soon. What I loved about this book is that each chapter takes you through a different phase of Sara's life with a different holiday destination, where she meets new people and shares unique adventures. Sara's story has an important lesson about having the self-belief to discover one's own path to happiness and fulfillment. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
Hold the Apocalypse - Pass Me a Scientist Please
and other humorous essays from an optimist in dreamland
Bob Lorentson
2022 Finalist
200 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite
Hold the Apocalypse - Pass Me a Scientist Please by Bob Lorentson looks at us as “Modern Humans” and shows us what our world has become. But don’t take it too seriously. Even though the subject may be serious, Bob, the environmental scientist, helps us see the funny side of our development and the animals with whom we share our doomed planet. Through 50 essays and poems, Bob gives us food for thought by showing us the differences between men and women and animals. In some cases, there is little or no difference. Included in the book are subjects that no person would ever think could be written about – but where there’s a will, there’s a way – and now we finally know the answers to all the questions that nobody ever thought of asking.
Hold the Apocalypse - Pass Me a Scientist Please is best read when you have nothing else planned for the day. If you have anything else to attend to, you can be guaranteed that it won’t get done once you start reading Bob’s hilarious tales, essays, poems, and theories. Also, make sure you are alone because otherwise you will annoy everyone around you with bouts of laughter and “listen to this” while you read passages from the book to them. If you are looking for a gift for anybody, look no further; you just found the perfect book. There is even a section on reducing stress, but you won’t need any additional stress release methods after reading this. Hold the Apocalypse - Pass Me a Scientist Please will certainly take your mind for a walk.
Hold the Apocalypse - Pass Me a Scientist Please by Bob Lorentson looks at us as “Modern Humans” and shows us what our world has become. But don’t take it too seriously. Even though the subject may be serious, Bob, the environmental scientist, helps us see the funny side of our development and the animals with whom we share our doomed planet. Through 50 essays and poems, Bob gives us food for thought by showing us the differences between men and women and animals. In some cases, there is little or no difference. Included in the book are subjects that no person would ever think could be written about – but where there’s a will, there’s a way – and now we finally know the answers to all the questions that nobody ever thought of asking.
Hold the Apocalypse - Pass Me a Scientist Please is best read when you have nothing else planned for the day. If you have anything else to attend to, you can be guaranteed that it won’t get done once you start reading Bob’s hilarious tales, essays, poems, and theories. Also, make sure you are alone because otherwise you will annoy everyone around you with bouts of laughter and “listen to this” while you read passages from the book to them. If you are looking for a gift for anybody, look no further; you just found the perfect book. There is even a section on reducing stress, but you won’t need any additional stress release methods after reading this. Hold the Apocalypse - Pass Me a Scientist Please will certainly take your mind for a walk.
Recommend this book:
 is an eminently readable and fascinating memoir of Chris Korman’s childhood and young adulthood in the show business arena of a bygone generation. It reveals t...){kind=link}
OMG! It's Harvey Korman's Son
Chris Korman
2022 Honorable Mention
174 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Jon Michael Miller for Readers' Favorite
OMG! It’s Harvey Korman’s Son! by Chris Korman with Ron Brewer and forewords by Carol Burnett and Peter Marshall (the title representing the constant refrain ringing in Chris’s head) is an eminently readable and fascinating memoir of Chris Korman’s childhood and young adulthood in the show business arena of a bygone generation. It reveals the advantages and disadvantages of being an acting legend’s offspring and of the ups and downs of stage and screen. There is virtually no star left unnamed in this autobiography, for as Chris Korman tells it, his father rubbed shoulders with every performer from Carol Burnett and Tim Conway to Whoopi Goldberg and Vin Scully. Chris experienced the heyday of television, film, and even Broadway, firsthand.
Chris Korman confesses that he and his co-writer Ron Brewer are merely “milking” all these celebrity names and anecdotes to introduce the reader to a much more important story. Chris was born with a learning disability (LD), a hyaline membrane condition that can lead to methemoglobinemia disease. The main theme of the book highlights Chris’s trials and victories as he negotiated his way through the advantages and disadvantages of growing up in an often chaotic though loving world. Chris and Ron feature his education through a series of programs helping such kids to “compensate, endure, persevere and succeed.” We witness Chris’s first public speaking presentation with his dad at his school’s celebrity golf tournament. We also delight in his several acting gigs, his minimum wage jobs, and. his marriage and fatherhood. We are saddened at the death of his father, as well as wish him well in his current business venture. Through the enduring love and nurturing of his parents and often their famous friends, we see that with the proper education and empathy, kids like Chris have a real chance of a happy and productive life. OMG! It’s Harvey Korman’s Son! is not only a picture of celebrity but a moving portrait of hope.
OMG! It’s Harvey Korman’s Son! by Chris Korman with Ron Brewer and forewords by Carol Burnett and Peter Marshall (the title representing the constant refrain ringing in Chris’s head) is an eminently readable and fascinating memoir of Chris Korman’s childhood and young adulthood in the show business arena of a bygone generation. It reveals the advantages and disadvantages of being an acting legend’s offspring and of the ups and downs of stage and screen. There is virtually no star left unnamed in this autobiography, for as Chris Korman tells it, his father rubbed shoulders with every performer from Carol Burnett and Tim Conway to Whoopi Goldberg and Vin Scully. Chris experienced the heyday of television, film, and even Broadway, firsthand.
Chris Korman confesses that he and his co-writer Ron Brewer are merely “milking” all these celebrity names and anecdotes to introduce the reader to a much more important story. Chris was born with a learning disability (LD), a hyaline membrane condition that can lead to methemoglobinemia disease. The main theme of the book highlights Chris’s trials and victories as he negotiated his way through the advantages and disadvantages of growing up in an often chaotic though loving world. Chris and Ron feature his education through a series of programs helping such kids to “compensate, endure, persevere and succeed.” We witness Chris’s first public speaking presentation with his dad at his school’s celebrity golf tournament. We also delight in his several acting gigs, his minimum wage jobs, and. his marriage and fatherhood. We are saddened at the death of his father, as well as wish him well in his current business venture. Through the enduring love and nurturing of his parents and often their famous friends, we see that with the proper education and empathy, kids like Chris have a real chance of a happy and productive life. OMG! It’s Harvey Korman’s Son! is not only a picture of celebrity but a moving portrait of hope.
Recommend this book:
Funny Face
A Memoir
Peggi Davis
2022 Bronze Medal
196 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
Funny Face is a compelling, hilarious, and profoundly educative narrative that reveals different stages of Peggi Davis' active life: the excitement and eagerness of youth, the challenges and thrills of being a stepmother while juggling a colorful career with creating happy memories with friends, and the mellowness of retirement and having to deal with the invisibility that comes with aging. In Funny Face, nationally recognized fashion art and creative director Peggi Davis shares the beautiful and not so beautiful moments in her life, including meeting a real-life cowboy in Texas, sharing a memorable and delicious meal with friends at Dallas' Steak and Ale, laughing uncontrollably at inappropriate times, and losing her mother. Through Peggi's story, we see the importance of getting off social media and leaving a mundane, work-centric reality for a life that involves making beautiful connections and exploring all the wonderful experiences life has to offer.
Before reading Funny Face, I wouldn't have imagined being bothered by the state of mentally remaining the same person you were when younger but looking different and less attractive when older. Thus, one of the reasons I love reading sincere, soul-baring memoirs, like Funny Face, is that they help me prepare for some circumstances that I would have, otherwise, been unprepared for. Peggi Davis' book also tells others who are already at the stage she is that they are not alone. The book's combination of wise quotes, interesting psychological terminologies, and profound conclusions add depth and meaning to the entertaining events it contains. Peggi's artistic use of words and her exciting, diverse experiences make her book an addictive read—which I see becoming one of my favorite memoirs in all of 2022!
Funny Face is a compelling, hilarious, and profoundly educative narrative that reveals different stages of Peggi Davis' active life: the excitement and eagerness of youth, the challenges and thrills of being a stepmother while juggling a colorful career with creating happy memories with friends, and the mellowness of retirement and having to deal with the invisibility that comes with aging. In Funny Face, nationally recognized fashion art and creative director Peggi Davis shares the beautiful and not so beautiful moments in her life, including meeting a real-life cowboy in Texas, sharing a memorable and delicious meal with friends at Dallas' Steak and Ale, laughing uncontrollably at inappropriate times, and losing her mother. Through Peggi's story, we see the importance of getting off social media and leaving a mundane, work-centric reality for a life that involves making beautiful connections and exploring all the wonderful experiences life has to offer.
Before reading Funny Face, I wouldn't have imagined being bothered by the state of mentally remaining the same person you were when younger but looking different and less attractive when older. Thus, one of the reasons I love reading sincere, soul-baring memoirs, like Funny Face, is that they help me prepare for some circumstances that I would have, otherwise, been unprepared for. Peggi Davis' book also tells others who are already at the stage she is that they are not alone. The book's combination of wise quotes, interesting psychological terminologies, and profound conclusions add depth and meaning to the entertaining events it contains. Peggi's artistic use of words and her exciting, diverse experiences make her book an addictive read—which I see becoming one of my favorite memoirs in all of 2022!
Recommend this book:
Why Some Animals Eat Their Young
A Survivor's Guide to Motherhood
Dallas Louis
2022 Silver Medal
210 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
I should have eaten mine. It did cross my mind at times, not seriously, of course. But when things were going majorly awry, it did make me ponder the possibility and the irritating question, “Will this ever end?” Believe it or not, there are ways to cope, ways to find some humor, some sanity in these often insane moments. But face it, life isn’t easy and neither is being a parent. “This life thing is hard. Parenting is hard. But you can do it.” We all can. All we need to do is garner support from other like-minded, similarly stressed parents and realize that we’re not alone. And, although we would never do it (I hope), it’s not unnatural to consider eating our young. Remember, it’s all about survival and that old adage, “survival of the fittest.”
Dallas Louis’s self-help book, Why Some Animals Eat Their Young: A Survivor’s Guide to Motherhood, is a compassionate and rather humorous look at motherhood from one woman’s perspective. Marrying the man of her dreams and having three babies in just over two years may seem to some like a “Brady Bunch” scenario like no other (emphasis on the ‘no other’). Told in her own voice, this first-person narrative is a romping memoir that will lead the reader through those mine-inflicted challenges of motherhood. Sharing her story and some well-earned advice, the author provides readers with an opportunity to reassess their own predicaments that involve the often unruly and definitely unpredictable scenarios brought on by the inquisitive young minds of children. Being a mother is undoubtedly one of the most difficult (if not the most difficult) occupations on this planet, but this book paints another view, one that will have readers feeling refreshed and ready to once again face those little --- whatever you want to call them. And, no, I wouldn’t suggest eating one’s young – for one thing, they might taste a little like something they just ate. A great, light-hearted read.
I should have eaten mine. It did cross my mind at times, not seriously, of course. But when things were going majorly awry, it did make me ponder the possibility and the irritating question, “Will this ever end?” Believe it or not, there are ways to cope, ways to find some humor, some sanity in these often insane moments. But face it, life isn’t easy and neither is being a parent. “This life thing is hard. Parenting is hard. But you can do it.” We all can. All we need to do is garner support from other like-minded, similarly stressed parents and realize that we’re not alone. And, although we would never do it (I hope), it’s not unnatural to consider eating our young. Remember, it’s all about survival and that old adage, “survival of the fittest.”
Dallas Louis’s self-help book, Why Some Animals Eat Their Young: A Survivor’s Guide to Motherhood, is a compassionate and rather humorous look at motherhood from one woman’s perspective. Marrying the man of her dreams and having three babies in just over two years may seem to some like a “Brady Bunch” scenario like no other (emphasis on the ‘no other’). Told in her own voice, this first-person narrative is a romping memoir that will lead the reader through those mine-inflicted challenges of motherhood. Sharing her story and some well-earned advice, the author provides readers with an opportunity to reassess their own predicaments that involve the often unruly and definitely unpredictable scenarios brought on by the inquisitive young minds of children. Being a mother is undoubtedly one of the most difficult (if not the most difficult) occupations on this planet, but this book paints another view, one that will have readers feeling refreshed and ready to once again face those little --- whatever you want to call them. And, no, I wouldn’t suggest eating one’s young – for one thing, they might taste a little like something they just ate. A great, light-hearted read.
Recommend this book:
The Ins and Outs of My Vagina
A Penetrating Memoir
Karin Freeland
2022 Gold Medal
312 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite
Readers may be daunted by what to expect if they dare to read The Ins and Outs of My Vagina. I must say that author Karin Freeland has real guts to share so much of her intimate life. Without a doubt, more reserved female readers may be positively scandalized by what Freeland airs about her voyage with her vagina in this work of memoir and creative non-fiction. Others will envy her courage and applaud her honesty. Her style is friendly and conversational: you’ll feel like the two of you are close friends having a “girly” conversation over several glasses of wine.
I confess, I didn’t select this book to learn more about a very private part of my anatomy; there are plenty of medical books to consult if I need that information. No. I decided to read The Ins and Outs of My Vagina from sheer curiosity about how and what Karin Freeland would write in a “penetrating memoir” (pun obviously intended) with such a clever and provocative double-entendre title. Was she going to shock or amuse me? I just had to read this memoir! Let me start by saying Freeland’s memoir is unique, not just because of its subject but also because if women were game enough to be as open as Freeland is, we might all be less hung up on the paradox of those blessed curses called vaginas; those incongruous sources of so much pleasure, pain, and confusion.
As Freeland traveled back into her childhood and first real awareness of her vagina, I found myself laughing. Once she entered puberty, I recognized myself in all her questions, fears, and misgivings about her anatomy. And when it came to her desire and eventual struggle to experience that “big O,” I heard the voices of so many of my women friends who have confessed to faking it instead of making it. Guess what, ladies? You are far from alone in getting your vagina to co-operate during sex!
Readers may be daunted by what to expect if they dare to read The Ins and Outs of My Vagina. I must say that author Karin Freeland has real guts to share so much of her intimate life. Without a doubt, more reserved female readers may be positively scandalized by what Freeland airs about her voyage with her vagina in this work of memoir and creative non-fiction. Others will envy her courage and applaud her honesty. Her style is friendly and conversational: you’ll feel like the two of you are close friends having a “girly” conversation over several glasses of wine.
I confess, I didn’t select this book to learn more about a very private part of my anatomy; there are plenty of medical books to consult if I need that information. No. I decided to read The Ins and Outs of My Vagina from sheer curiosity about how and what Karin Freeland would write in a “penetrating memoir” (pun obviously intended) with such a clever and provocative double-entendre title. Was she going to shock or amuse me? I just had to read this memoir! Let me start by saying Freeland’s memoir is unique, not just because of its subject but also because if women were game enough to be as open as Freeland is, we might all be less hung up on the paradox of those blessed curses called vaginas; those incongruous sources of so much pleasure, pain, and confusion.
As Freeland traveled back into her childhood and first real awareness of her vagina, I found myself laughing. Once she entered puberty, I recognized myself in all her questions, fears, and misgivings about her anatomy. And when it came to her desire and eventual struggle to experience that “big O,” I heard the voices of so many of my women friends who have confessed to faking it instead of making it. Guess what, ladies? You are far from alone in getting your vagina to co-operate during sex!
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