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Recommend this book:
Garbage Bag Suitcase
A Memoir
Shenandoah Chefalo
2016 Honorable Mention
196 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Memoir
Reviewed By Susana Pena for Readers' Favorite
Garbage Bag Suitcase by Shenandoah Chefalo is a very emotional story about the author’s difficult and lonely childhood. Her alcoholic and drug addicted mother and step-father lacked the adequate parenting skills needed to raise a child. They lived as nomads, always running away from something and constantly moving to different places. The author endured physical and mental abuse at the hands of her parents. She was locked in her room for long periods of time, starved as a form of punishment, belittled by being called stupid and worthless, and was often hit. Her birthday and the holidays were never celebrated, and her only true friend was Love Bunny; her favorite stuffed animal that kept her feeling safe. The author always wished for a family that would love and protect her. She thought she would find that while in foster care, but that never happened. She had to become independent at a young age and this taught her to strive for a better life and future. The end of the book also mentions ideas on how to improve the broken foster care system because it is clearly in need of being repaired.
I really enjoyed reading Garbage Bag Suitcase by Shenandoah Chefalo, because it was a very interesting and heart-breaking autobiography. The author was brave enough to share her story about her abusive childhood where it was common for her to be locked in her room and starved. This led her to feel lonely and sad all of the time, because her parents didn’t seem to love her and she felt unsafe in her house. It was very sad to read all of the abuse that the author was put through, because kids shouldn’t have to suffer that way. Kids need to feel loved, protected, and wanted. They also need to be fed healthy meals, kept clean, and be treated with respect. The author also mentions her stay with a foster care family that didn’t give her the love and attention that she had hoped for. They clearly took her in because of the money that the government had to pay them in order to raise her. The second half of the book contains eye opening statistics on foster care children and it elaborates on different solutions that are needed in order to end this cycle, and I agree with what was mentioned.
Garbage Bag Suitcase by Shenandoah Chefalo is a very emotional story about the author’s difficult and lonely childhood. Her alcoholic and drug addicted mother and step-father lacked the adequate parenting skills needed to raise a child. They lived as nomads, always running away from something and constantly moving to different places. The author endured physical and mental abuse at the hands of her parents. She was locked in her room for long periods of time, starved as a form of punishment, belittled by being called stupid and worthless, and was often hit. Her birthday and the holidays were never celebrated, and her only true friend was Love Bunny; her favorite stuffed animal that kept her feeling safe. The author always wished for a family that would love and protect her. She thought she would find that while in foster care, but that never happened. She had to become independent at a young age and this taught her to strive for a better life and future. The end of the book also mentions ideas on how to improve the broken foster care system because it is clearly in need of being repaired.
I really enjoyed reading Garbage Bag Suitcase by Shenandoah Chefalo, because it was a very interesting and heart-breaking autobiography. The author was brave enough to share her story about her abusive childhood where it was common for her to be locked in her room and starved. This led her to feel lonely and sad all of the time, because her parents didn’t seem to love her and she felt unsafe in her house. It was very sad to read all of the abuse that the author was put through, because kids shouldn’t have to suffer that way. Kids need to feel loved, protected, and wanted. They also need to be fed healthy meals, kept clean, and be treated with respect. The author also mentions her stay with a foster care family that didn’t give her the love and attention that she had hoped for. They clearly took her in because of the money that the government had to pay them in order to raise her. The second half of the book contains eye opening statistics on foster care children and it elaborates on different solutions that are needed in order to end this cycle, and I agree with what was mentioned.
Recommend this book:
With Angel's Wings
Stephanie A. Collins
2015 Silver Medal
304 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Memoir
Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
In With Angel's Wings by Stephanie A. Collins, Laura is a military wife who is expecting her second child. She has a beautiful three-year-old daughter and another beautiful girl on the way. But before she can give birth to the baby, her husband Kevin is deployed. At birth, the new baby is perfect, but thirteen days after her birth the doctor detects a heart murmur. Left alone with the responsibility of a young child and a toddler, Laura is desperate, but she never backs down. Soon her other daughter is also diagnosed with a disease that cripples Laura. With two children with special needs, she has to navigate a very narrow path. The horrors of both diseases bring out the strong woman in her and make her understand her own powers.
There are very few writers who have the ability to make the reader live the story. Stephanie A. Collins is one of those writers. With Angel's Wings is such a powerful tale of motherhood and love that your heart will cry for her. I really appreciated the fact that Collins did not sugarcoat anything. When diseases are this bad, there is nothing magical. Her passion and her despair were real and the reader could feel the emotion. You will not find many flowery words in the novel, but the words used are enough to move your heart and soul. Kudos to Collins for verbalizing her story in such a beautiful and riveting manner. Five stars!
In With Angel's Wings by Stephanie A. Collins, Laura is a military wife who is expecting her second child. She has a beautiful three-year-old daughter and another beautiful girl on the way. But before she can give birth to the baby, her husband Kevin is deployed. At birth, the new baby is perfect, but thirteen days after her birth the doctor detects a heart murmur. Left alone with the responsibility of a young child and a toddler, Laura is desperate, but she never backs down. Soon her other daughter is also diagnosed with a disease that cripples Laura. With two children with special needs, she has to navigate a very narrow path. The horrors of both diseases bring out the strong woman in her and make her understand her own powers.
There are very few writers who have the ability to make the reader live the story. Stephanie A. Collins is one of those writers. With Angel's Wings is such a powerful tale of motherhood and love that your heart will cry for her. I really appreciated the fact that Collins did not sugarcoat anything. When diseases are this bad, there is nothing magical. Her passion and her despair were real and the reader could feel the emotion. You will not find many flowery words in the novel, but the words used are enough to move your heart and soul. Kudos to Collins for verbalizing her story in such a beautiful and riveting manner. Five stars!
Recommend this book:
Life, Love, and a Hijacking
My Pan Am Memoir
Wendy Sue Knecht
2015 Bronze Medal
208 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Memoir
Reviewed By Roy T. James for Readers' Favorite
Life, Love, and a Hijacking by Wendy Sue Knecht begins with the great elation she felt at her selection by Pan Am, the joy of flying and the greater joy of clearing the bone caliper test. Getting nicknamed goodie-goodie for her adherence to rules, falling in love with her job, how the sweet aroma of travel as well as the fun of living with pools made this a remarkable life to lead; how each of the lands she frequented had their own distinct olfactory experience - like the pungent spicy smell of India or the smoky Turkish aroma of Istanbul - find description here. Missing out on planned events by unscheduled stops and delays, as well as her most idiotic move, a solo visit to Africa on an eight-day off, add anxious twists to this page turner.
Life, Love, and a Hijacking by Wendy Sue Knecht is a collection of memories rich in its variety and content. The excitement of the glamorous life the high flyers lead comes alive in these pages. Though in this book she mentions a condition, OCD, obsessive cleaning disorder, I think it is more likely that she has ORD, obsessive recollection disorder. I can tell that there aren’t many opportunities for entertainment or celebrations associated with a flying career that are not mentioned here. An excellent read, it held my attention from the moment I started till I turned the last page.
Life, Love, and a Hijacking by Wendy Sue Knecht begins with the great elation she felt at her selection by Pan Am, the joy of flying and the greater joy of clearing the bone caliper test. Getting nicknamed goodie-goodie for her adherence to rules, falling in love with her job, how the sweet aroma of travel as well as the fun of living with pools made this a remarkable life to lead; how each of the lands she frequented had their own distinct olfactory experience - like the pungent spicy smell of India or the smoky Turkish aroma of Istanbul - find description here. Missing out on planned events by unscheduled stops and delays, as well as her most idiotic move, a solo visit to Africa on an eight-day off, add anxious twists to this page turner.
Life, Love, and a Hijacking by Wendy Sue Knecht is a collection of memories rich in its variety and content. The excitement of the glamorous life the high flyers lead comes alive in these pages. Though in this book she mentions a condition, OCD, obsessive cleaning disorder, I think it is more likely that she has ORD, obsessive recollection disorder. I can tell that there aren’t many opportunities for entertainment or celebrations associated with a flying career that are not mentioned here. An excellent read, it held my attention from the moment I started till I turned the last page.
Recommend this book:
Broken Pieces
Essays Inspired By Life
Rachel Thompson
2015 Bronze Medal
106 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Memoir
Reviewed By Lia Simitsiadou for Readers' Favorite
Broken Pieces by Rachel Thompson is truly a unique book. A compilation of essays, each one independent of but connected to the rest, so as to construct a seemingly random string of confessions from the very soul of the author. Seen as one, they make up a powerful narration of her life. Life-changing, scarring experiences that no woman should have to endure, such as childhood abuse and a passionate, karmic, but destructive love, deeply affected the author's psyche. Each word, each line leads the reader through her experiences, the depth of her emotions, flowing seamlessly from past to present, depicting how her past marked her marriage and family and formed the remarkable person she is today.
Rachel Thompson endeavors and eventually succeeds in getting the reader emotionally involved in her life's story, the unfathomable darkness and rawness of a multitude of the feelings she describes but which a large majority of readers will relate to. Every woman can relate to another woman's emotional world, her soul and the impact of tragedy, love, family and motherhood on a female's life. A large majority of women will even be able to identify with many of her expressed (or unexpressed) thoughts and emotions, even the more delicate nuances and colors. Broken Pieces is not only a memoir of the soul-searing experiences of a special woman. It is a tribute to the greatness of every woman's truth and essence, how deep she can love and trust, how dark the depths of her grief and pain are, but simultaneously how magnificent is her ability to rise from her ashes and love again. That's what all women are: the total sum of our scars - but glorious, nonetheless.
Broken Pieces by Rachel Thompson is truly a unique book. A compilation of essays, each one independent of but connected to the rest, so as to construct a seemingly random string of confessions from the very soul of the author. Seen as one, they make up a powerful narration of her life. Life-changing, scarring experiences that no woman should have to endure, such as childhood abuse and a passionate, karmic, but destructive love, deeply affected the author's psyche. Each word, each line leads the reader through her experiences, the depth of her emotions, flowing seamlessly from past to present, depicting how her past marked her marriage and family and formed the remarkable person she is today.
Rachel Thompson endeavors and eventually succeeds in getting the reader emotionally involved in her life's story, the unfathomable darkness and rawness of a multitude of the feelings she describes but which a large majority of readers will relate to. Every woman can relate to another woman's emotional world, her soul and the impact of tragedy, love, family and motherhood on a female's life. A large majority of women will even be able to identify with many of her expressed (or unexpressed) thoughts and emotions, even the more delicate nuances and colors. Broken Pieces is not only a memoir of the soul-searing experiences of a special woman. It is a tribute to the greatness of every woman's truth and essence, how deep she can love and trust, how dark the depths of her grief and pain are, but simultaneously how magnificent is her ability to rise from her ashes and love again. That's what all women are: the total sum of our scars - but glorious, nonetheless.
Recommend this book:
Unsinkable Spirit
One Man's Journey that Changed the Lives of Thousands of Children
Fred Engh
2015 Honorable Mention
112 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Memoir
Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Unsinkable Spirit: One Man's Journey that Changed the Lives of Thousands of Children by Fred Engh is an inspirational memoir where the author takes readers into the world of sport. The book reveals the ugliness that exists in sports, thereby hampering the growth of a person. Fred Engh, a true visionary, dedicated his entire life to making a difference in the lives of children. This book is his story of fortitude, belief, determination and perseverance, and is definitely a book for all coaches, parents and children, irrespective of their age. The author created a global organization from humble beginnings that altered the landscape of youth sports for the better forever.
The book shows the spirit of Fred Engh, how he overcomes the obstacles in his life to create a non-profit organization, The National Alliance For Youth Sports (NAYS), that provides safe sports to the youth of America. The author's story and the pictures shared in the book help readers connect with the author and his story. The author's achievements speak of his caliber and his efficiency. The book is uplifting and changes the perspective of readers about sports, training and sports management. The author's passion, vision and commitment to reach out and help children throughout the world as well is motivational. An interesting memoir that speaks about one man's dedication to reach out to the youth and give them a healthy ambition to pursue sport.
Unsinkable Spirit: One Man's Journey that Changed the Lives of Thousands of Children by Fred Engh is an inspirational memoir where the author takes readers into the world of sport. The book reveals the ugliness that exists in sports, thereby hampering the growth of a person. Fred Engh, a true visionary, dedicated his entire life to making a difference in the lives of children. This book is his story of fortitude, belief, determination and perseverance, and is definitely a book for all coaches, parents and children, irrespective of their age. The author created a global organization from humble beginnings that altered the landscape of youth sports for the better forever.
The book shows the spirit of Fred Engh, how he overcomes the obstacles in his life to create a non-profit organization, The National Alliance For Youth Sports (NAYS), that provides safe sports to the youth of America. The author's story and the pictures shared in the book help readers connect with the author and his story. The author's achievements speak of his caliber and his efficiency. The book is uplifting and changes the perspective of readers about sports, training and sports management. The author's passion, vision and commitment to reach out and help children throughout the world as well is motivational. An interesting memoir that speaks about one man's dedication to reach out to the youth and give them a healthy ambition to pursue sport.
Recommend this book:
Hard Days Hard Nights
From the Beatles to the Doors to the Stones... Insider Stories From a Legendary Concert Promoter
Pat DiCesare
2015 Honorable Mention
208 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Memoir
Reviewed By Roy T. James for Readers' Favorite
Hard Days Hard Nights by Patrick J. DiCesare is the story of the birth of the rock ’n roll concert business in Pittsburgh. The book begins with Pat's rather humble beginnings, migrating from Italy in 1920, and dwells on his childhood, earning nickels by delivering newspapers and learning music on a second hand bass. Soon he starts playing, joining a newly opened nightclub, and is eventually offered a position as the head busboy. The author describes arranging a Beatles’ show, the sensation of the times, with great difficulty, only to find himself drafted, and every month collecting a part of his share of the show’s profit (a hundred dollars) and feeling like the highest paid soldier in the US Army, as well as hobnobbing with bigger names like Jim Morrison, Led Zeppelin or Aerosmith, and conducting his own concerts and shows.
Hard Days Hard Nights by Patrick J. DiCesare is an authentic report of the early days of rock, with Pat being a pioneer of great repute, an entrepreneur and rock concert promoter. In these pages we can feel the trials and tribulations Pat faced in his early days, and how his father’s implicit faith in him by advancing 5000 dollars through a lien on the house, and other motivating factors, made him the highest earning concert promoter in the USA. Deeply inspiring, this book chronicles all the efforts that went unseen during the latter half of the 20th century of the music industry in general, and of his hometown Pittsburgh in particular.
Hard Days Hard Nights by Patrick J. DiCesare is the story of the birth of the rock ’n roll concert business in Pittsburgh. The book begins with Pat's rather humble beginnings, migrating from Italy in 1920, and dwells on his childhood, earning nickels by delivering newspapers and learning music on a second hand bass. Soon he starts playing, joining a newly opened nightclub, and is eventually offered a position as the head busboy. The author describes arranging a Beatles’ show, the sensation of the times, with great difficulty, only to find himself drafted, and every month collecting a part of his share of the show’s profit (a hundred dollars) and feeling like the highest paid soldier in the US Army, as well as hobnobbing with bigger names like Jim Morrison, Led Zeppelin or Aerosmith, and conducting his own concerts and shows.
Hard Days Hard Nights by Patrick J. DiCesare is an authentic report of the early days of rock, with Pat being a pioneer of great repute, an entrepreneur and rock concert promoter. In these pages we can feel the trials and tribulations Pat faced in his early days, and how his father’s implicit faith in him by advancing 5000 dollars through a lien on the house, and other motivating factors, made him the highest earning concert promoter in the USA. Deeply inspiring, this book chronicles all the efforts that went unseen during the latter half of the 20th century of the music industry in general, and of his hometown Pittsburgh in particular.
Recommend this book:
Breathe
A Memoir of Motherhood, Grief, and Family Conflict
Kelly Kittel
2015 Honorable Mention
384 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Memoir
Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
In Kelly Kittel's Breathe: A Memoir of Motherhood, Grief, and Family Conflict, a woman understands the value of real family and the sacrifices you need to make to keep it safe. Kelly Kittel had learnt early on that family is everything. That has been the only thing that actually mattered to her. She has a beautiful fifteen-month-old son and a husband who adores her; was there anything else she needed in life to make it even more perfect?
Her world comes crashing down when her sixteen-year-old niece runs her infant son over by car. Too soon after that, her doctor makes a terrible mistake and she and her husband have to bury yet another child. If the family she cherished does not stand by her, then what is family for? Was it all for nothing? As she tries to keep her family together at this terrible time, she is questioning everything. What is real family? Did she actually have it or was it just an illusion.
Kelly Kittel's Breathe: A Memoir of Motherhood, Grief, and Family Conflict was a heartbreaking book. I expected a lot of heartbreak and emotion, but this was a lot more than that. I was immersed in Kelly's life, I felt her pain and her hardship. I really loved this memoir, even though I was crying from the moment I started reading it. Not many writers have the ability to do that. I praise her for accomplishing that. Kudos to the writer!
In Kelly Kittel's Breathe: A Memoir of Motherhood, Grief, and Family Conflict, a woman understands the value of real family and the sacrifices you need to make to keep it safe. Kelly Kittel had learnt early on that family is everything. That has been the only thing that actually mattered to her. She has a beautiful fifteen-month-old son and a husband who adores her; was there anything else she needed in life to make it even more perfect?
Her world comes crashing down when her sixteen-year-old niece runs her infant son over by car. Too soon after that, her doctor makes a terrible mistake and she and her husband have to bury yet another child. If the family she cherished does not stand by her, then what is family for? Was it all for nothing? As she tries to keep her family together at this terrible time, she is questioning everything. What is real family? Did she actually have it or was it just an illusion.
Kelly Kittel's Breathe: A Memoir of Motherhood, Grief, and Family Conflict was a heartbreaking book. I expected a lot of heartbreak and emotion, but this was a lot more than that. I was immersed in Kelly's life, I felt her pain and her hardship. I really loved this memoir, even though I was crying from the moment I started reading it. Not many writers have the ability to do that. I praise her for accomplishing that. Kudos to the writer!
Recommend this book:
Shattered by the Wars
But Sustained by Love
Hi-Dong Chai
2015 Finalist
258 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Memoir
Reviewed By Roy T. James for Readers' Favorite
Shattered by the Wars: But Sustained by Love by Hi-Dong Chai is the story a Korean boy tells in his own words of his childhood at the time of World War II, the Korean War, communism and associated turbulence. The disturbances in his life are further accentuated by his religious background and the constant interference by the authorities. To compound their miseries further, Dong’s brother, the smartest and the brightest one in the family, decides to become a communist. One day Dong finds his father being abducted. Both mother and son are forced to abandon their home. Added to this is the uncertainty of the future. Dong’s excitement at finding a job for himself, though non-paying, as a fish cleaner, searching for his mother and finally reuniting with her, teaching Korean to an American boy, and many other incidents are movingly narrated.
Shattered by the Wars: But Sustained by Love by Hi-Dong Chai is a story celebrating the hope of the future. The indomitable human spirit of the mother and her son will leave a long lasting impression on the reader. The dangers of totalitarian thinking, supported by whatever form of government, can be identified in the events and occurrences described in this book; all those who read this will realize that anyone could have been in Hi-Dong’s position. The narration and the honest rendition of events are quite absorbing. I found it difficult to put down the book.
Shattered by the Wars: But Sustained by Love by Hi-Dong Chai is the story a Korean boy tells in his own words of his childhood at the time of World War II, the Korean War, communism and associated turbulence. The disturbances in his life are further accentuated by his religious background and the constant interference by the authorities. To compound their miseries further, Dong’s brother, the smartest and the brightest one in the family, decides to become a communist. One day Dong finds his father being abducted. Both mother and son are forced to abandon their home. Added to this is the uncertainty of the future. Dong’s excitement at finding a job for himself, though non-paying, as a fish cleaner, searching for his mother and finally reuniting with her, teaching Korean to an American boy, and many other incidents are movingly narrated.
Shattered by the Wars: But Sustained by Love by Hi-Dong Chai is a story celebrating the hope of the future. The indomitable human spirit of the mother and her son will leave a long lasting impression on the reader. The dangers of totalitarian thinking, supported by whatever form of government, can be identified in the events and occurrences described in this book; all those who read this will realize that anyone could have been in Hi-Dong’s position. The narration and the honest rendition of events are quite absorbing. I found it difficult to put down the book.
Recommend this book:
America's Got Talent Winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr
From Washing Cars to Hollywood Star
Landau Eugene Murphy Jr,Rick Robinson
2015 Gold Medal
160 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Memoir
Reviewed By Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
America’s Got Talent Winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr: From Washing Cars to Hollywood Star by Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. and Rick Robinson is a story about the 2011 AGT winner’s humble beginnings, success and his new life as a singer. I followed AGT almost devotedly in 2007 when Jerry Springer was the host along with judges David Hasselhoff, Sharon Osborne and Piers Morgan. The participants, especially the ones with incredible talent, were enjoyable to watch. Afterwards, due to the inconsistent airing time of the show (at least on my side of the world) AGT simply fell off the radar for me, but I’m always aware with its popularity.
I searched for Landau’s videos on YouTube starting from his audition, which I always consider the best part in any talent show. “The funny thing is, I didn’t enter America's Got Talent expecting that I would win.” This is the first sentence that begins his story and he looked relaxed enough during the audition. However, in his own words, “I was so nervous from the interview (with host Nick Cannon) I forgot to toss my gum into the garbage can before I walked onto the stage.” He was told by Piers Morgan to spit his gum, which he had to put in his pants pocket. Then he wowed the crowd with Sinatra’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”
With a clear-cut and witty prose, this is a great book and I enjoyed looking at the included photos of him with friends, fans and famous people. Gifted with a great voice, Landau’s story is humble yet deeply inspiring. To have a crooner like him is truly a blessing, as I don’t really get what the ‘kids’ are listening to today.
America’s Got Talent Winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr: From Washing Cars to Hollywood Star by Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. and Rick Robinson is a story about the 2011 AGT winner’s humble beginnings, success and his new life as a singer. I followed AGT almost devotedly in 2007 when Jerry Springer was the host along with judges David Hasselhoff, Sharon Osborne and Piers Morgan. The participants, especially the ones with incredible talent, were enjoyable to watch. Afterwards, due to the inconsistent airing time of the show (at least on my side of the world) AGT simply fell off the radar for me, but I’m always aware with its popularity.
I searched for Landau’s videos on YouTube starting from his audition, which I always consider the best part in any talent show. “The funny thing is, I didn’t enter America's Got Talent expecting that I would win.” This is the first sentence that begins his story and he looked relaxed enough during the audition. However, in his own words, “I was so nervous from the interview (with host Nick Cannon) I forgot to toss my gum into the garbage can before I walked onto the stage.” He was told by Piers Morgan to spit his gum, which he had to put in his pants pocket. Then he wowed the crowd with Sinatra’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”
With a clear-cut and witty prose, this is a great book and I enjoyed looking at the included photos of him with friends, fans and famous people. Gifted with a great voice, Landau’s story is humble yet deeply inspiring. To have a crooner like him is truly a blessing, as I don’t really get what the ‘kids’ are listening to today.
Recommend this book:
Higher than Me
The Story of the Voices of Glory
Claudia Stewart Farrell
2014 Finalist
382 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Memoir
Reviewed By Christine Nguyen for Readers' Favorite
Higher than Me: The Story of the Voices of Glory is the account of a family’s struggle and strength at the time of a horrific crisis when their mother, Felicia Cole, was hit by a drunk driver. The story follows Michael Cole’s story of how he had to care for his beloved wife while she was in a coma while juggling the care of his three children, Mikey, Avery, and Nadia, and his job at IBM. It also goes into Mike’s background of generational poverty that he had to endure at a young age with his ten siblings and how they were all separated by child services. The story explains how Mike’s remarkable children were inspired to create their own singing group with their “The Voices of Glory” and how their group went on to achieve national recognition.
Claudia Stewart Farrell writes with compelling depth and sensitivity about Mike Cole’s real life tragedy and how his strong faith in religion and God helped him and his family through it. The book is truly an inspiring book about hope and faith that the world needs urgently. I’m not particularly religious, but this book will move you even if you don’t believe in God. It is also a story about deep family values and how love will get you through the tough times. I shed many tears while reading this book and it warmed my heart to read about the inspirational Cole family. They really touched my heart and my life. They taught me many valuable lessons about tenacity, strength, and perseverance. There are many levels to this book and, overall, it is inspiring and insightful!
Higher than Me: The Story of the Voices of Glory is the account of a family’s struggle and strength at the time of a horrific crisis when their mother, Felicia Cole, was hit by a drunk driver. The story follows Michael Cole’s story of how he had to care for his beloved wife while she was in a coma while juggling the care of his three children, Mikey, Avery, and Nadia, and his job at IBM. It also goes into Mike’s background of generational poverty that he had to endure at a young age with his ten siblings and how they were all separated by child services. The story explains how Mike’s remarkable children were inspired to create their own singing group with their “The Voices of Glory” and how their group went on to achieve national recognition.
Claudia Stewart Farrell writes with compelling depth and sensitivity about Mike Cole’s real life tragedy and how his strong faith in religion and God helped him and his family through it. The book is truly an inspiring book about hope and faith that the world needs urgently. I’m not particularly religious, but this book will move you even if you don’t believe in God. It is also a story about deep family values and how love will get you through the tough times. I shed many tears while reading this book and it warmed my heart to read about the inspirational Cole family. They really touched my heart and my life. They taught me many valuable lessons about tenacity, strength, and perseverance. There are many levels to this book and, overall, it is inspiring and insightful!
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