Good Behavior a memoir

Good Behavior a memoir by Nathan L. Henry
Distrubing. I think this book does for juvenile crime what Go Ask Alice did for drugs only Nathan L. Henry is alive at the end. Good Behavior is about the year 16 year Nathan spent in jail for armed robbery and how he got there. The chapters alternate between his childhood and the year he spends in jail. This a tough read but one worth reading.

Johnny Cash The Life

Johnny Cash The Life by Robert Hilburn
I grew up listening to Johnny Cash and have always been interested in the man and his life. We all know the story of Johnny Cash, The Man in Black, but Hilburn was a friend and had a more personal look into his life, love and addictions. He divides the book into 5 parts. It starts with his humble beginnings in Arkansas and ends with his recording of "Hurt" in 2002 and the death of his wife June Carter Cash in 2003.

If you are a fan of Johnny Cash you will not be able to put this book down, if you are not, you will be by the time you finish.

Pilgrim's Wilderness: A True Story of Faith and Madness on the Alaska Frontier

Pilgrim's Wilderness by Tom Kizzia
This is a hard review to write because there is so much I want to say about this book. First let me say I loved this book, although I will admit there were parts that were hard to read. Papa Pilgrim is a horrible human being and his family suffers terribly under his tyranny. I use the word tyranny because Papa Pilgrim considers himself the supreme leader. There is only one way and it is his way, the law do not apply to him.

We first meet Papa Pilgrim aka Robert Hale in Texas. He meets and marries his sweetheart 16 year old Kathrine. Six weeks later she kills herself with a gunshot wound to the back of the head. The only one home at the time is Robert but he is never charged. Jump ahead several years and several wives and Papa meets and marries his fourth wife, 16 year old Kurana Rose. He is 33 at the time. This is when he finds religion or at least his interpretation of it. They settle in New Mexico until gets into trouble with the law. This is when he decides to move to  Alaska. The family lives in Fairbanks for awhile but Papa can not stay out of trouble, so he moves his wife and 13 children to Macarthy. The sleepy little town has no idea what is heading its way.
                                           

The Boys in the Boat

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
I loved this book!! It was inspirational, after I finished reading it I felt like I could do anything.

It follows nine poor boys from the University of Washington on a journey that will change their lives forever and gives a country hope at a time where there wasn't a lot to be found. There is not more I can say but watch the book trailer and be inspired.

                         

Impossible Odds

Impossible Odds by Jessica Buchanan and Erik Landemalm
Jessica Buchanan was a humanitarian worker in Kenya. This was something she always dreamed of doing but on October 25, 2011 her life changed forever. Jessica and a co-worker, Poul, were kidnapped by Somalian pirates and held for ransom. This is her story and the unwavering effort of her husband, Erik, to get her back.

I really liked this book. This is an incredible story of strength and faith.

UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand
I loved this book!!!! It is the incredible life of Louis Zamperini and it is truly a story of survival, resilience and redemption.

Louis  is a rebellious teenager. He spends most of his time getting into fights and running from the police. It all changes when his high school track coach realizes he is a natural runner. Louis puts all his "energy" into running and it pays off. He earns a spot on the 1936 Olympic Team and continues to run until life gets in the way. It is 1945 and WW II is in full swing. Louis wants to do his part and joins the Army. While on a routine mission over the Pacific his plane gets shot down, this is where Louis' life spirals completely out of his control. Want to know more then you 'll have to read the book. You won't be disappointed.

What to Look for in Winter: a memoir in blindness

What to Look for in Winter.... by Candia McWilliams
Can you imagine losing your sight? Now imagine you make your living writing books.  Well that's what happened to Candia McWilliams in 2006. Forced to face the reality of blindness Candia chronicles her life from her mother's suicide, to her failed marriage, to the slow onset of blindness. She does this with both humor and candor.

This book is not for everyone. You will laugh as she thinks back over her life but there are also times when you just want to cry.

In Stitches: a memoir

In Stitches: a memoir  by Anthony Youn, MD

Even at a young age Anthony Youn was always trying to fit in but the one thing he  was sure of is  that he wanted to be a doctor. This is the story of his life, his struggle to fit in and the hard work and determination it took to get through medical school. 

Funny and informative at the same time, anyone thinking about becoming a doctor should read this book.