Nik's Piks: Memoirs

Too many books, too little time!

Yet, even if time permitted, it would not be feasible for me to go back and review all my favorite novels. Why? Because I write my reviews immediately upon finishing a book in order to capture my first impressions and how the book made me feel. BUT, unfortunately, that means that there are tons of great books out there that I've read but I will not get to share with my readers.

Until now that is.

I've come up with the idea to periodically share miscellaneous book suggestions. Not reviews, but books I feel are worth a mention and ones I think you will enjoy.

So here goes. My first list  consists entirely of  memoirs, some I'm sure you've heard of, a couple perhaps not. But all worth reading.  I've included excerpts from their official book blurb taken from Amazon with a few sentences on my personal thoughts.

Enjoy and Happy Reading!

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The Story of Rose: A Man and His Dog by Jon Katz  

From Amazon:

In the Fall of 2003 "...Katz embarked on a quixotic quest, moving from the suburbs of New Jersey to a sprawling farm in upstate New York to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. And by his side was Rose, his unswervingly loyal and unflappable new dog. With warmth, insight, and emotional honesty, Jon Katz has written a joyful remembrance of a one-of-a-kind dog. The Story of Rose reaffirms the profound bond people share with their pets, and the ways that animals indelibly shape our lives." 

My Thoughts:

It's been a few years since I read this heartwarming story of the author and one of his beloved farm dogs, Rose, yet it still resonates with me. This e-book exclusive is a must-read for all dog lovers. Of course you are going to cry. Read it anyway.

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Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom 

From Amazon:

"Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final “class”: lessons in how to live. Tuesdays with Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift with the world."

My Thoughts:

I will go as far as to say you must be living under a rock if you haven't heard of Mitch Albom or his numerous books, of which I've read several. Tuesdays with Morrie is by far my favorite. I cannot comment on the movie because I never sat through it, just read the book!

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Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert 

From Amazon:

"A transformational journey through Italy, India, and Bali searching for pleasure and devotion—

This beautifully written, heartfelt memoir touched a nerve among both readers and reviewers. Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali." 

My Thoughts: 
While this novel remains one of my most favorite books of all time, I do know people who disliked it. Ironically, I could not get into the sequel, Committed, and this remains the only novel by Gilbert I've read.

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Christian the Lion by Anthony Bourke and John Rendall

From Amazon:

"As Ace and John, two friends, are searching for holiday gifts in London, they come across a lion cub for sale in Harrods, the famous department store! Unable to bear the thought of leaving the cub, Ace and John take him home and name him Christian. After a year of fun and mischief Christian has grown up, and Ace and John realize that their pet needs to be among other lions and deserves to live free, in his natural environment. Luckily, friends help introduce Christian to the African wild. Christian the Lion tells the riveting true story of one animal’s ability to adapt to life in the wild, and captures the unexpectedly enduring connection between man and animal."

My Thoughts:

This is actually the youth version of the true-story A Lion Called Christian that tells of the remarkable, and now, thanks to the Internet, famous bond between two friends and the lion they raised and then, with the help of the Born Free Foundation, returned to the wild. I read this along with my son years ago and it touched my heart.

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