Reviewed by A. L. Peevey for Readers' Favorite

Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters, Lizbeth Meredith’s personal narrative of regaining her kidnapped daughters, is nothing if not poignant. Of course, the subtitle tells us the story’s resolution, but reading about her herculean struggles to get her daughters back from the unscrupulous clutches of her Greek ex-husband are nothing short of heart-wrenching, and mirror her own childhood when her unstable and unloving mother took her and various siblings into hiding. It is one thing to hide out in the U.S. with one’s kidnapped children, but quite another to escape to a foreign land where the laws and regulations vary widely and may be beyond the reach of the U.S. government. The narrative is told in the present tense with flashbacks not only to the everyday events of Meredith’s childhood, but to her life with Greg, her once-husband and the father of her two very young daughters.

Pieces of Me is a well-written yet plain-spoken book about complex events. Primarily told in the present tense, it can be raw, pulling no punches and putting you in Lizbeth Meredith’s predicament; you feel what she feels, and you will find yourself telling her to trust her motherly instincts and not let their father take the children on that occasion. The support she receives from much of her community and from Greek people themselves offsets the anguish of not knowing what her daughters are experiencing, part of which is their transformation into little Greek girls. Pieces of Me is a triumph not only for Meredith, but for any parent faced with the sudden, brutal kidnapping of their children.

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.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

When it comes to memoirs, there’s one thing writers need to remember: people love happy endings, especially when the writer’s life has been filled with struggle and heartache, as was Jessica Aiken-Hall’s life in The Monster That Ate My Mommy. That monster nearly finished off Jessica too as she spent the years from early childhood into adulthood searching, in all the wrong places and with the wrong people, for the love she wasn’t getting from her mother.

Typical of abused children, Jessica was desperately lonely and desperate for love. The only person through most of those years who showed her true love was her grandma. But Gram’s love wasn’t enough to sustain Jessica. She hooked up with several men, even when her gut told her it wasn’t a good idea, because her mother’s rejection made her doubt that she was worthy of love. She made a lot of bad choices and decisions along the way. But ultimately, as readers of Jessica’s story hope, Jessica finds the strength she needs inside herself as she raises her three children, and life finally brings the right person her way. Today, Jessica Aiken-Hall is a social worker and Reiki master, focused on helping others heal as she did. This is the happy ending readers look for in memoirs.

The Monster That Ate My Mommy by Jessica Aiken-Hall is an easy to read book in terms of language and style, but may be triggering for others who have suffered domestic, sexual or physical abuse. But we need books like this, written by those who understand what it’s like to feel unloved and unworthy through no fault of their own. Jessica Aiken-Hall was one of those. The Monster That Ate My Mommy should enjoy a wide readership as there are so many others who will identify with Jessica and her story.

Reviewed by Lorraine Cobcroft for Readers' Favorite

Andrea Jarrell's evocative memoir, I'm the One Who Got Away, tells of her early life with a single mother who struggled to overcome a destructive attraction to an abusive, alcoholic ex-husband. Vivid and inventive descriptions carry us into Andrea's world, bringing scenes and characters to life in brilliant Technicolor. We get to know Andrea, and the people in her life, intimately. They are real people; people we know and love. The way she conveys emotion is neither soppy nor trite, but she makes us feel it intensely. She does not ask for pity, and we do not feel inclined to offer it, but we cannot help but cheer her victories. She does not judge, but explores, and her exploration paves the way for a better understanding of ourselves and our world.

Andrea's candor and courage are reflected in a very honest account of her quest for security, love, and self-acceptance. She writes with rare compassion and understanding, both of the significant others in her life and of her own strengths, mistakes and character flaws. Also the only child of a single mother, I found it easy to relate to Andrea's curiosity about her dad and to her yearning for a "normal" family. I also found a synergy in the fact that my mother's second husband was both addictively charming and abusive. Like Andrea, I was torn between wanting a father, wanting to protect my mother, and wanting to respect my mother's right to make her own choices. And finally, as I suspect many other readers will, I related because of my own experiences with alcoholics. Andrea challenged me to consider parallels in our stories, and to explore how my own experiences and relationships have shaped me and my relationships.

Perhaps the measure of a worthwhile memoir is the extent to which it enables the reader to look inward and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their world. Ultimately, though our experiences may differ greatly, we are all similarly challenged to learn how to be comfortable in our world, to have confidence in our strength and courage, and to believe that we are worthy of love. I Was the One Who Got Away left me pondering whether perhaps we don't all "get away" from something or someone. Andrea Jarrell tempts us to consider who or what we got away from, and how our getting away (or perhaps not getting away) shaped our life and character. I closed this book having walked in Andrea Jarrell's shoes and experienced her trials first hand. I finished reading I'm the One Who Got Away with a keen awareness of my own successes and failings, and confidence that, like Andrea, I can achieve a sense of peaceful belonging and self-worth. This is an enthralling story; the work of a stunning writer.

Reviewed by Steve Leshin for Readers' Favorite

Dear Prudence: The Story Behind the Song by Prudence Farrow Bruns is a personal memoir about growing up with an exceptional family ensconced in the 1940s-1950s Hollywood lifestyle up through the culture of the 1960s and beyond. Most importantly, it is the personal growth of Prudence Farrow. As the title states, the author is the subject of the song “Dear Prudence” by the Beatles and recorded on their famous “White Album”. How she became an inspiration for the fab four to pen the song is deftly chronicled by the author, complete with pictures of the Farrow family.

As a life-long Beatles' fan, I am familiar with the song “Dear Prudence”. Before I read this book I knew it was about a real person, possibly Mia Farrow, who was known to accompany the Beatles on their visit to the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the late ‘60s. Prudence is a real person all right, as the reader will discover in this book. Prudence paints a tapestry of life as one of seven children born to a famous actress, Maureen O’Sullivan, (she was Jane in the early Tarzan movies) and director, actor and writer, John Farrow (Around the World in Eighty Days). Why Prudence as a name? As she tells it, her father named her after a long-lost aunt from Australia. We find out later, the aunt never existed. The angst of growing up with famous parents and her older sibling, Mia Farrow, contributed to her struggles with adolescence, with the family constant traveling due to tax laws, and John Farrow’s movie locations in exotic parts of the world. We find out how Maureen O’Sullivan is discovered and we are introduced to Prudence’s very eccentric grandmother.

As a teen, Prudence discovers alcohol, drugs and LSD, whatever was available at the time. Raised a Catholic in a very religious family, her hunt for spirituality and peace would not come easily. With unfiltered candor, she takes the reader through her complicated relationship with her mother and father, her spoiled rich kid phase, her struggles with religion, years of treatment for mental illness and her experiments with mind-bending drugs. She admits her sibling rivalry with older sister Mia Farrow and gives an honest depiction of her stint in different boarding schools. Without giving too much away, let us say we find out how the song “Dear Prudence” came to be, her inside observations of John Lennon and George Harrison while in India with the Maharishi, and how she found redemption through the power of TM (Transcendental Meditation).

Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite

Where do I even begin after walking down such a beautiful, heartbreaking, inspiring, terrifying, and hopeful Memory Lane with the author? I would like to try to jot down all the thoughts that crossed my mind and heart while reading this amazing memoir. In While They're Still Here: A Memoir, the author, Patricia Williams, writes about the time when her parents needed her more than ever and they had to be brought to live closer to her. Their deteriorating medical conditions necessitated that Trish, as they lovingly called the author, take them under her wing. She had anticipated that this transition was not going to be a smooth one, and her game plan included the family's tried and tested weapon: don't ask, don't tell. However, this weapon was put to the test multiple times when she had to decide whether this weapon would be the best one at the moment. As her parents' medical issues began surfacing, she struggled to keep up with the information. Her to-do list kept piling up and every now and then she questioned her abilities and strength.

The memoir is extremely honest and its authenticity is evident in every single line of every chapter. Although she described how her mother's unpredictable mood swings made her walk on eggshells around her, Ms. Williams remained respectful of her mother's memories throughout the book. The author has defined the characteristics of her parents in a very elegant manner. When the author mentioned that her mother was a Gemini, I, being a Gemini myself, instantly managed to relate to her. I could understand the faraway look that her mother had in her eyes, her excitement as the holiday season approached, her attachment to many memories, and her mood swings. I empathized with Ms. Williams because I know how difficult a Gemini can become when feeling low. Her mention of the zodiac sign definitely helped me understand her situation and her mother's helplessness in a much better light. I believe readers who have even the slightest knowledge of zodiac signs would appreciate the inclusion of this information. Her description of her father did not come in terms of any zodiac signs, but by the numerous stories that he shared. Being a man who fixed everything himself, he did not take the loss of good vision very well. However, what touched me the most were the clever and heartfelt ways in which Ms. Williams made him feel needed.

While They're Still Here: A Memoir is more than just a book. It is a mirror that will encourage you to cherish your parents while they are still here. Although taking care of anybody in their old age seems like a cumbersome task, it is undoubtedly the most rewarding experience. And when the people in question are your parents, then you must try your best to be at their side. Ms. Williams' parents did not ask her for things; instead, they dropped hints. If she wanted to, she could have easily ignored their subtle little signs, but she chose to do the honorable thing and felt relieved about doing so. There are so many emotions in this book that it's almost impossible to convey all those feelings in one go. This is a memoir for readers who are taking care of their parents or are soon going to start this journey. We must cherish our parents while they are still here.

Reviewed by Lucinda E Clarke for Readers' Favorite

Waking Mathilda by Claire Crisp recounts the chain of events from 2009 when she took their youngest two-year-old daughter to the National Health Service in England to be innoculated against swine flu. It was not long after that Mathilda’s whole persona changed from a lively toddler to one who did not sleep, suffered terrible nightmares, fell down when walking and regressed developmentally. Thus began a life of doctors, clinics, hospital appointments and numerous tests, none of which could pinpoint the condition. At home, lack of sleep impacted the whole family including father Oliver and Mathilda’s older brother and sister. Claire Crisp recounts how she tried to juggle homeschooling, running a household, holding her family together while being a full-time carer for Mathilda with practically no sleep at all.

While reading this book I could feel the pain suffered by all five family members, it came across loud and clear. Waking Mathilda is beautifully written. Claire Crisp takes us into her home and shares their frustrations and pain as she faces one obstacle after another. She shares the terror she felt, watching her young daughter in severe pain, yet unable to do anything to relieve her suffering. To watch her youngest writhing in agony, day after day, was a test beyond human endurance. We can only admire her patience and tenacity as one doctor after another sweeps aside her concerns, even suggesting she attend parenting classes, or undergoes psychological counseling for what was obviously a physical condition, not a mental one. Their lack of empathy is simply incredible and a sad reflection on the UK NHS. Only one doctor, from India, was the first to diagnose that Mathilda suffered from narcolepsy – the inability to sleep – caused by that same innoculation the NHS had encouraged parents of young families to have administered.

This is a heartwarming tale, despite the anger and frustration that even the reader must share, of a family pulling together through dark times, changing jobs, moving house and finally relocating overseas. Their faith, extended family, and friends all helped them through their worst hours. Narcolepsy is untreatable, those brain cells controlling sleep have been destroyed forever, yet Claire and her husband never gave up hope and did everything in their power to provide the medication that Mathilda so desperately needed. Beautifully written, this book touched me deeply. It illustrates the depth of parental love, and yet despite the frustrations and setbacks, it’s the story of a family who never gave up hope.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Anyone who has ever had to take on the onerous task of being chief caregiver to parents, once they have become incapable of fully looking after themselves, will fully relate to Virginia A. Simpson's memoir, The Space Between. In my own late adult years, I faced this same challenge with my mother, for about the same length of time as "Ginni" did, and like the author, I nearly fell apart at the seams with the load I had chosen to carry. And yet, just as Virginia found, that load brought about one of the best times in my entire relationship with my mother. It was a time when, at last, we came to know so much more of each other than we had during all the The Space Between our mothers' healthy days and subsequent decline, a time when honesty mattered more than keeping face and always being strong.

This is the story that Virginia A. Simpson shares in The Space Between. With the help of Linda Joy Myers of the National Association of Memoir Writers, Simpson has "gone deep", where one should go when writing a memoir. By doing so, by baring her innermost thoughts, fears, and regrets about her past relationship with her mother, and through this chance that life has now given them both, they get to know and understand each other so much better. Virginia discovers the real reasons why her mom was the way she was and why she, in turn, became who she is. And the most important thing they each discovered was that all along, they had indeed truly loved each other, but too many things had gotten in the way of expressing it. That was exactly what I had experienced with my mother.

I am a huge believer in the importance of writing memoirs. It is stories like The Space Between that puts into print what everyday people live with and feel. The world wide web can fill us in on what we need to know when we become chief caregiver to someone we love. But it is memoirs like The Space Between by Virginia A. Simpson that will tell us how it really feels to step into that role.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Some people call it ‘survivor’s guilt’, that violent sense of abandonment from reality, that robot-like functioning in a world that carries on, the survivor forever feeling guilty for having survived when all around him or her have died, have been sacrificed. The generation that followed the Second World War is full of stories of children abused by parents who suffered, in one way or another, the tragedies of such a horrific war. Jewish children, born of parents who survived the Holocaust, were brought up in a home full of ghosts and guilt, a melancholy full of fear and anger. While the world recalls in horror the events of the Holocaust itself, the world also overlooks the aftermath, the victims of the victims, the children of the survivors.

Florence Grende’s heartrending account of her Jewish upbringing, a child of Holocaust survivors, weaves a story of pain and sorrow, fear and anger, and the hidden melancholy (the Dee Melchome), the depression that makes monsters out of otherwise ordinary people. The Butcher’s Daughter is a memoir that speaks for those too traumatized to voice their stories: the survivors and their children. The story is unveiled in patches, fragments of a fragmented childhood and an uncertain survival even in the land of plenty and opportunity, America. And the symbolism of the torn black ribbons worn at Tateh’s funeral, the story, which at first appears fragmented, becomes a testament of the sorrows of not just one generation, but two: the Holocaust survivors and their children.

And through it all, the ever-uttered words, “Ess. Ess.” (Eat. Eat.) Survivors who have faced starvation enforce the importance of eating – and eating lots – on those they love. It’s a means to protect those remaining loved ones. The author claims that she “grew up among the dead”, and, in many ways she did. In between the lines of her story unravels the story of her parents; Tateh, who was a Guerrilla in the Polish woods, fighting back and providing food for the starving Jews hiding in the woods, and Mameh, who, as a young girl, survived the harsh Polish climates by hiding in a dugout in the woods. Tateh and Mameh lost family in the Holocaust, but they survived. They married after the war, but they never seemed happy or content with each other.

Food, the ever present need of nourishment, something that was sorely missing while surviving in the woods, reappears frequently in the story. Food is the sustenance that binds body, mind, soul and the unity of friends and family. In her mother’s notebook, the author finds incomplete recipes, which reminds her of “the spaces within and between us. Only the basic amenities moved our brief conversations – stock greetings, inquiries into health, family news: never a topic that might carry the weight of emotion, the hint of vulnerability, or the gift of the personal.”

This story is much more than just a memoir. It’s a testament: a statement of a life shattered because of a brutal war. Hitler’s evil affected more than just those who lived through it. His evil stretched into the next generation, not just amongst the Jews, but also amongst the children and the grandchildren of high ranking Nazis. A powerful story told with compassion. A must-read.

Reviewed by Kayti Nika Raet for Readers' Favorite

The Sportscaster's Daughter is a moving memoir by Cindi Michael, the daughter of legendary sportscaster George Michael. Anyone looking at Cindi would see a person with a charmed life, a loving husband, beautiful children and a successful career.
She seems to have it all yet she still longs for the love of her estranged father, having been abruptly ousted when she began to show independence and refused to bend to his controlling demands. Still, throughout her twenties, she longs to find out how did things go so wrong? How did her father turn from the man who fought for sole custody of her and her siblings, saving them from a neglectful home, to one who would become verbally and emotionally abusive at every turn. Despite it all, Cindi still remained hopeful of a reconciliation, all the way up to George Michael's death and the shocking realization that she had been written out of his obituary.

The Sportscaster's Daughter by Cindi Michael is a tale of forgiveness and self acceptance. I'm not an avid sports listener by any means so I feel that I was able to dive into The Sportscaster's Daughter without any preconceived notions of the man who for a time was such a dominant figure in her life. While that lack of knowledge was a boon as I was able to fully grasp the scope of Michael's story and see how much the need to please and prove herself affected many decisions in her life, I also felt that a lot of the emotional impact in this memoir was predicated on knowing at least a little about George Michael himself. Still, I found myself rooting for Cindi at every turn, hoping that she would find the stability and love she so desired, to find her own triumph despite the rejection she faced. The Sportscaster's Daughter by Cindi Michael is a great read for anyone looking to dig deeper into the legend, to find not a god, but a man with flaws like everyone else. A man whose flaws hurt the people who loved him most.