Kbrooks' Biography Reviews
Men Stitches
by David Small
This memoir is a graphic novel. I must say it is the first graphic novel I have ever read. David Small's use of graphics to display emotions is beyond extrodinary. It is genius. Following the lines of his art puts you in the mood to what is happening in his childhood bout with sinus troubles, to exploring the hospital where his dad was on staff, to the day his father used xrays on him to find out why his sinuses was such a problem, and to all of the other inflictions of his life. Bring your box of tissues for this one, it will be a emotional ride. I give it ***1/2 out of four stars.
Quiet Please
by
Scott Douglas
This books is for all of the librarians in the world whether they are public, academic or school. You will find something to relate to in this quick read. The author is funny and will make you pay more attention to the characters in your public library. I give it *** out of five stars.
Closing Time
by Joe Queenan
The Teacher who Couldn't Read
by John Corcoran
John was a teacher that held a master's degree, with 17 years of service, yet he had a secret. He could not read. He kept this secret from his teachers while in grade school, his parents and everyone else. He developed ways to cheat the system to obtain his diploma and degrees. The only person he confided in was his wife but she really did not understand the severity of the situation. After walking away from teaching he began a very successful real estate business. After his million dollar business began to fail, he decided that he needed help so that he could finally realize his lifelong dream of reading. This story will inspire any teacher who is faced with passing a student who really needs to be retained until they can read. It is a sad story of the American public educational system and yet we know that this problem continues today. The story is very well written and I give it **** out of five stars.
The Last Lecture
by Randy Pausch
Randy Pausch only had three months to live due to terminal cancer. He was asked by Carnegie Mellon University to give "The Last Lecture which is a prestigious talk at the school. Since he had just been diagnosed with cancer he decided that his talk would be a lasting memory for his three kids that he was leaving behind. His children were so young that they would probably not remember him and he wanted them to know how much he loved them. He had the lecture taped and he wrote this book. If you are looking for a sad tale then this is not the book for you. Pausch is upbeat and funny and is able to reflect on his life in ways that most of us only hope that we would be able to do. This book is hard to put down. I give it **** out of five stars.
Dreams from My Father
by Barack Obama
The Measure of a Man
by Sidney Poitier
Honeymoon with my Brother
by Franz Wisner
Brother, I'm Dying
by Edwidge Dandicat
Not a Genuine Black Man
by Brian Copeland
What I know for Sure
by Tavis Smiley
Climbing Higher
by Montel Williams
Bad Boy
by Walter Dean Myers
Walter Dean Myers, who is beloved by young adults everywhere, writes a colorful novel about growing up poor and with few positive role models. He reminisces about his life in Harlem at a time when music and the arts were emerging from that area and bringing to the nation great talent. Myers was not a good student and ended up dropping out of school to join the Army. In his teens he hung out with some questionable characters and even dabbles in the drug trade as a "deliverer of packages." He remembers the advice of a teacher that tells him to never stop writing and thus begins his writing career. I give it *** out of five stars.
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