I Found My Tribe

For my readers that do not know I was recently diagnosed with neurofibromas and schwannomas (you can read about my journey on my personal blog).  This diagnosis has completely turned my world upside down and from what my neurologist says I'm only at the beginning of my journey.  Even in your darkest times there is the realization that things could always be worse.  I am thankful that, at this point, on most days, I am still able to use my arms and legs and function for the most part but then there are those days that I rely heavily on my husband, my two sons and my friends and family; my tribe. 

Ruth Fitzmaurice was a 32-year-old aspiring writer with a film-maker husband, and three small children at home.  Life was busy but it was good.  In 2008 Simon, her husband, was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (or MND) and given four years to live.  I Found My Tribe is their story.

"It all started in his foot.  His right foot went floppy," then before long Simon lost complete use of his body, having to use his eyes to communicate.  Before Simon completely deteriorated, him and Ruth were able to conceive and have twins, so now Ruth not only cares for her husband (with the help of around the clock home healthcare) but also their five children.  

As women, we tend to bottle everything up and put on a brave face for our families and Ruth is no exception.  In these times, you have to have something to diffuse that pressure; a moment to just forget it all.  For Ruth it's swimming in a local cove near her house in Greystones, Ireland.  Some days she takes a dip companionless and other days her children join her.  But on most days she swims with the Tragic Wives' Swimming Club; a group of women who are each dealing with their own lives' struggles.  

Ruth and two members of the Tragic Wives' Swimming Club

It doesn't matter if it's summer or winter, these women daily dive into the Irish sea without abandon.  Some nights, if the moon is full, they even swim naked, leaving all of their burdens behind, getting lost amid the waves, and soothing their souls.  

I Found My Tribe is written like a dairy with the author jumping from stories of the past and intertwining them with what is currently going on in her life.  You can feel her anguish when she reminisces about their life before MND and the hard choices that she has had to make since, like having to leave her marital bed due to all of the medical equipment needed to keep her husband alive, or the heartbreaking decision to put their family dog to sleep.  Their story is heartbreaking yet beautiful; a crazy, messy, hard, wonderful life.

The Fitzmaurice Family

I hope to see a lot more from Ruth Fitzmaurice.  She has a refreshing tone to her writing style and you can really feel the emotion in her words.  After finishing the book, which I did within a few days, I did more research on Simon and Ruth and found out that Simon Fitzmaurice lost his battle with MND and passed away on October 28, 2017 at the age of 43, thus adding to the torment in my own heart for this beautiful family.  My prayers are with them as they now have to again adjust to a new life.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bloomsbury and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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Fire on the Track

When you watch the Olympic games there are always those few events that you really enjoy watching.  For me personally, for the summer games, I love all of the water events, gymnastics, and all the track and field events.  I've always admired runners and have had a secret dream of being a runner myself.  Long distance running would more likely be more to my taste but the sprinting events are just incredible to watch, and I've always wanted to know more about the sport as a whole, which is why I was so excited that I found Fire on the Track by Roseanne Montillo.

When I first started this book I thought it was going to focus mostly on Elizabeth "Betty" Robinson, the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal, but Ms. Montillo went above and beyond, focusing not only on Ms. Robinson but numerous other Olympic women and the struggles that they faced not only during the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Olympics, but also in their personal lives. 

Extremely well researched and written, the author takes you to a time where a woman's place was in the home.  Women were not supposed to be athletes or even educated for that matter.  Every woman was supposed to be content being a house wife and having a family but this was a time of change in America.  We had made it through World War I and were about to be thrusted into the throws of Great Depression.  Everything was changing.

The first woman participated in the Olympic games in Paris in 1900, and even then they were only allowed to participate in "safe" events like lawn tennis and golf.  The 1928 games was the first Olympics that women were allowed to compete in the track and field event.  This came with a lot of opposition because it was feared that women participating in track and field events would either deem them unattractive to men or actually turn them into men.  After a struggle between the International Olympic Committee and the Fédération Sportive Féminine Internationale women were allowed equal entrance into the Olympics.

Betty Robinson at the 1928 Olympic Games

Fire on the Track gives a detailed background into many of the women athletes that competed in track and field.  You get a clear picture of the events that took place and the people that were there to experience them.  Some of the details are incredibly personal and graphic but it helps you gain an understanding of that individual and appreciate what all they had to overcome to compete at such a high level.  They had to endure prejudice as well as family opposition, their own personal trials and tribulations, and personal demons on the road to the Olympics.  All of these women paved the way for all female athletes today and I am honored to now know their story.

This was such an interesting biography and a subject I now find myself fascinated with, not only with women athletes in the Olympics, but the Olympics as a whole.  It is extremely well written and with such incredible attention to detail that at times you find yourself getting lost in that world. 

The book is divided into three sections: the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, and finally the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.  While I enjoyed the book as a whole the details of the 1936 games were the most intriguing to me, especially knowing what Hitler and the Nazi party were up to at that time, and seeing how much they kept covered up while hosting the games.  It's sickening but it also gives you another dimension into this tumultuous time.

I highly recommend this wonderful resource and promise you will not be disappointed!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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The Girls in the Picture

I have been drawn to historical fiction novels lately.  I truly believe that there is a lot to learn from the past, and reading about other people's lives, and knowing that these events happened, is simply fascinating to me.  

Of all the books I've read lately The Girls in the Picture is by far my favorite.

Let me start by saying that Melanie Benjamin is an incredible writer.  I have never been interested in old Hollywood before but Ms. Benjamin had a way of pulling me into this early teens and 20's era and allowing me a glimpse into that world.  She brings to life a story of two women who made incredible strides not only in the cinematic world, when gender barriers abounded, but also in their personal lives, and to show that women were more than just mere housewives and mothers, but could be true voices and make a real difference in the world.

 

It's 1914 and moving pictures, or "flickers" are in their inception.  Frances Marion has just left her second husband and moves to Los Angeles for a fresh start.  She is immediately mesmerized with this new medium and finds herself writing stories for this new, blossoming industry in Hollywoodland.  A young actress catches her attention and before long she befriends the adorable Mary Pickford, who shares her vision for a world where stories could be told and to make art and not just entertain people.

The Girls in the Picture is the story of Mary and Fran's incredible friendship.  Their love for each other runs deep and keeps them bound throughout their entire lives, despite turmoil and heartache.

Photo Credit:  Mary Pickford Company/United Artists [public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Fran deals with fighting to be more than just Mary Pickford's scenarist, and longs to write screenplays that make a difference in people's lives.  Mary, on the other hand, has quickly become America's Sweetheart, and the rush to stardom is a little more than overwhelming, seeing her struggle to adjust to the spotlight.  Both women long for true love and find their soulmates, only for tragedy to strike, just like in the movies.

I couldn't put this incredible book down.  Your heart aches for both Mary and Fran as they fight against gender prejudice in the industry, as well as the waves that each of their personal lives take.  I've never been interested in early Hollywood history or silent movies before but I can truly say that has all changed thanks to The Girls in the Picture.  

I do have to warn that this novel does have adult language but other than that it was an imaginable read.  When I finished, I did some more research on Mary Pickford and Frances Marion to see how much of the story was true and was pleasantly surprised!  Melanie Benjamin was extremely accurate with the exception of omitting some facts about each woman's life, which she explains in her author's note at the end of the novel.  You finish the book with complete satisfaction and thankfulness for these two women who "paved the way for the women working in film today." Mary and Frances, you will not be forgotten.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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Pokémon Cards: The Unofficial Ultimate Collector's Guide

I truly feel like my generation was the best.  Being a child of the 80's meant you got to play with the coolest toys (He-Man and She-Ra, Rainbow Brite, and Cabbage Patch Kids, not to mention Nintendo and the birth of gaming as we know it today.

In 1995, I was a freshman in high school, so when Pokémon came out I wasn't that interested.  I had enough on my plate with school and extracurricular activities.  One of my friends, however, was obsessed so I would watch her and another friend of ours battle during lunch and after school.  I never did get what the big deal was.  The only thing I did that was Pokémon related was watching a few episodes of the cartoon, which wasn't too bad.  I fell in love with Pikachu, but I was not a fanatic by any means.

When my boys were in third and fourth grade a Pokémon craze hit the elementary school and it was huge.  Every birthday and Christmas for a good three years all my boys wanted was Pokémon cards.  They now have a pretty impressive set that is collecting dust on a shelf in their closet, which seems like a waste to me, but I've heard that some Pokémon cards go for a lot of money, so I decided to do a little detective work.  That's when I stumbled on Pokémon Cards: The Unofficial Ultimate Collector's Guide by Ryan Majeske.

Since my boys were the Pokémon fanatics in the family, I thought it would be fun to include them in this review.  They are now in seventh and eighth grade, so getting them to sit down with a book was a struggle, but once they did, I heard a lot of "Wow! That's crazy!" or "Oh! I have that card!"

What we all loved about this book was all the pictures of the most valuable cards out there.  I doubt any of us will ever see any of these cards in our lifetime, so being able to see what they looked like, as well as how much they are valued at, was really fascinating.

My boys loved reading about the history behind Pokémon at the beginning of the book, and were shocked that one card could be worth so much money!  They also loved how it describes in detail how to read the cards (even though they already knew how) and all the tips for collectors. 

I too loved the part about how to read the cards because it's always baffled me.  I can't say that it made me want to "battle" anyone, but I still think it's neat how the cards are set up, and I love the history of pretty much anything.

Now that my boys are older they have contemplated getting rid of their collection, but after seeing how much a card can gain value in the future they've decided to keep them all and, instead of playing with them, become collector's themselves thanks to this book.

I thought I would be bored out of my mind flipping through this book but it ended up being really fun and a good family bonding time, which I am always grateful for at this age.  I highly recommend this resource for anyone who has Pokémon cards or is interested in collecting them.  This book is highly informative and will not disappoint.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Krause Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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The Benzo Devil

When I was seventeen years old I started working at a local pharmacy as a cashier.  That position quickly turned into a technician position and before long I had been a certified pharmacy technician off and on for over 15 years at multiple pharmacies.  In that time, I have seen things that would shock you.  There is a dark side to the pharmaceutical industry that many do not think about and one of those aspects is prescription drug addiction.    

The Benzo Devil by R.W. Pharazyn is the story of Rob Pharazyn, a man who becomes addicted to the highly-addictive, yet commonly prescribed drug, Ativan, and his journey from addiction to recovery.

Reading Rob's account was difficult for me, and brought up a lot of memories of my own journey.  After starting the prescription drug Cymbalta, without researching it first, I went against doctor's orders and quit the medication cold turkey.  It was one of the worst experiences of my life.  All of the experiences that Rob had to suffer through mirrored my own experience and the memories came flooding back.  I wouldn't wish this experience on my worst enemies. 

Coming off of many prescription drugs can be compared to someone coming off of heroin, with side effects including "brain zaps" (or electric shock sensations), nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and insomnia, to name a few.

Though painful to read, I commend Mr. Pharazyn for accounting his journey in such great detail.  He describes the effect of recovery on every aspect of his life and shows how things can get worse before they get better, but they do get better!  I can see how The Benzo Devil can give those who want to break their prescription addictions hope but Rob does not sugar coat a thing.  His storytelling is raw and real but shows the good with the bad, which is both sad and refreshing at the same time.

I will say, in all honesty, this book was one that was hard for me to get through and was a struggle to finish.  The Benzo Devil is eye-opening and is a story I think everyone should read, as hard as it is to read.  It is so important to research the prescriptions that are prescribed to you before you begin them, read the side effects carefully, and make an educated decision for yourself.  Knowledge is power!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from The Acorn and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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Stones of Remembrance

The end of 2017 was a hard one for me (you can read about the whole ordeal on my personal blog post, A Year Like No Other).  Going through a difficult time in your life it's easy to wallow in your circumstances, and only focus on what surrounds you.  It takes a conscious effort to look up and out of what you're currently going through and Stones of Remembrance by Dr. Daniel G. Amen is a great resource to help you look past your situation, and put your focus where it needs to be: on Jesus.

Stones of Remembrance is a companion to Dr. Amen's book, Memory Rescue, which I haven't had a chance to read yet.  I read the book as a stand-alone resource, and let me tell you, this is a small book that packs a big punch!

This wonderful, spiritual tool is separated into three parts.  The first part is 12 Spiritual Disciplines for Improving Your Memory.  Each discipline is only a few pages long but explains why that particular discipline is important as well as Scriptures that go along with that discipline.  The second part is Scriptures that are organized by theme which is perfect when you need a quick reference point.  The third part highlights twelve verses every Christian should know.  Each part is clearly defined and easy for you to find what you're looking for.

I highly recommend this resource for those that are new to memorizing Scripture, those that are new to sharing their faith, or anyone that has read Memory Rescue and would like the accompanying resource.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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Creative Freedom

I wanted my first review of 2018 to be something for everyone, and I knew this was the perfect book to start a new year.  Inspirational, practical, and encouraging, Creative Freedom is the perfect tool for those that want "to make a comfortable living doing what you love and get off the hamster wheel of hustle so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor".  Who doesn't want that?!

It's the American dream, doing what you love and getting paid for it.  In Creative Freedom, Lisa Robbin Young shows you step by step how to achieve this goal.  Lisa mixes stories from her own personal experiences of being a creative entrepreneur with practical, applicable guidelines to help us achieve creative freedom ourselves.

Do not be fooled by the title.  So many of us feel like we are not creative types as Lisa says, "Everyone is creative in their own way." 

This book is so rich with information that most of my book is highlighted and marked with my own notes and ideas.  The end of each chapter Lisa has included practical assignments to aid in your journey to creative freedom.  It is wonderfully written and has more of a coaching feel that a manual. 

Creative Freedom is a wonderful resource and one that I can see coming back to again and again. Highly recommend!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lisa Robbin Young and Ark Entertainment Media in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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