Biography/Memoir Book Discussion (Jan '23)

[Heidi M Simone]

We will be starting the New Year with reading and discussing books that fall into the biography and memoir genres.

Here are some guiding questions to generate discussion:

• Share the title and author of the book you read (or are reading) for this month.
• Was it a biography or a memoir?
• Were there other genres woven into the text? If so, which one(s)?
• Why did you chose this specific book to read?
• Share your overall impressions and rating of the book you read.

As always, let's have fun and enjoy a month fun and books!

[Hazel Mae Bagarinao]

Last July, I read the book Slippery Road by L.M. Bollers. It was an inspiring memoir. Bollers have a tough childhood where he enter into many jobs at a young age to support his mother. He has 9 siblings. By adulthood, he migrated to America and live his dream life. I related so much to his memoir since I have a big family too (7 sisters). And I have dream to travel outside of my country. The book's theme lies in family love, brutality, racism, to name a few. The book taught how determination and perseverance are so important to succeed. Since the book moved me deeper, it deserved 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to anyone who have big dreams in life since this book portray it.

[Heidi M Simone]

Last July, I read the book Slippery Road by L.M. Bollers. It was an inspiring memoir. Bollers have a tough childhood where he enter into many jobs at a young age to support his mother. He has 9 siblings. By adulthood, he migrated to America and live his dream life. I related so much to his memoir since I have a big family too (7 sisters). And I have dream to travel outside of my country. The book's theme lies in family love, brutality, racism, to name a few. The book taught how determination and perseverance are so important to succeed. Since the book moved me deeper, it deserved 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to anyone who have big dreams in life since this book portray it.

That does sound pretty inspiring and unique. I love that you were able to relate to the author in some ways. I truly believe that we are more apt to enjoy a book if we can relate to the either the person the book's about or a character (if it's fictional). It's wonderful that this book moved you. That doesn't happen all the time, so I'm happy that you were able to have this experience with this book.

Thank you for sharing!

[Heidi M Simone]

I'm planning to read Educated by Tara Westover. It's one that I've been wanting to read for quite some time now.

Has anyone read this one?

[Jenna Floyd]

I'm planning to read Educated by Tara Westover. It's one that I've been wanting to read for quite some time now.

This is at the top of my list, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. I would love to hear from someone who has read it!

[Heidi M Simone]

I'm planning to read Educated by Tara Westover. It's one that I've been wanting to read for quite some time now.

This is at the top of my list, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. I would love to hear from someone who has read it!

I started it and am really liking it so far! I'll keep you posted as I continue reading it.

[Leonie Vermaak]

I've read It's me Anna, by Elbie Lotter aka Anchien Troskie as well as the sequel The State vs Anna Bruwer this month. It based on a true story, which I guess you can say is a memoir with some fiction. Hopefully the right book for this genre for this month.

I've read the first book years ago when it was just published. Years later the second book was published and although I received it as a gift, I never got around reading it. After a conversation with one of my acquaintances and her take on the book, I decided to read it again just to be able to read the second book as well. I read both books in a weeks time, it's that engaging!

It is an extremely gripping book and definitely not for the faint-heart. It's the authors recollection of growing up being molested and raped by her stepfather from the age of 8 until the age of 16. How she was forced into silence and the implications it had on her life. This was and extremely emotional read that takes you into the raw reality of what horrors happens behind some closed doors. The family you might see as such a happy and well functional one might just be the one that has the most horrid skeletons hiding in the closets. One of the things that I like about the book is that the author writes with honesty and in such away that you can't put the book down until the last page. In no instance you get the feeling that the author pities herself. Another thing that I appreciated about the book was that she added a piece on child abuse at the end. A full description of things/behaviors to look out for that will give you and indication whether a child is being abused. This to me might just help to save other children who's going through the same thing. My rating for this book is a definite 5 out of 5 stars.

[Hazel Mae Bagarinao]

I've read It's me Anna, by Elbie Lotter aka Anchien Troskie as well as the sequel The State vs Anna Bruwer this month. It based on a true story, which I guess you can say is a memoir with some fiction. Hopefully the right book for this genre for this month.

I've read the first book years ago when it was just published. Years later the second book was published and although I received it as a gift, I never got around reading it. After a conversation with one of my acquaintances and her take on the book, I decided to read it again just to be able to read the second book as well. I read both books in a weeks time, it's that engaging!

It is an extremely gripping book and definitely not for the faint-heart. It's the authors recollection of growing up being molested and raped by her stepfather from the age of 8 until the age of 16. How she was forced into silence and the implications it had on her life. This was and extremely emotional read that takes you into the raw reality of what horrors happens behind some closed doors. The family you might see as such a happy and well functional one might just be the one that has the most horrid skeletons hiding in the closets. One of the things that I like about the book is that the author writes with honesty and in such away that you can't put the book down until the last page. In no instance you get the feeling that the author pities herself. Another thing that I appreciated about the book was that she added a piece on child abuse at the end. A full description of things/behaviors to look out for that will give you and indication whether a child is being abused. This to me might just help to save other children who's going through the same thing. My rating for this book is a definite 5 out of 5 stars.

I think I'm going to love reading this book!

[Leonie Vermaak]

I've read It's me Anna, by Elbie Lotter aka Anchien Troskie as well as the sequel The State vs Anna Bruwer this month. It based on a true story, which I guess you can say is a memoir with some fiction. Hopefully the right book for this genre for this month.

I've read the first book years ago when it was just published. Years later the second book was published and although I received it as a gift, I never got around reading it. After a conversation with one of my acquaintances and her take on the book, I decided to read it again just to be able to read the second book as well. I read both books in a weeks time, it's that engaging!

It is an extremely gripping book and definitely not for the faint-heart. It's the authors recollection of growing up being molested and raped by her stepfather from the age of 8 until the age of 16. How she was forced into silence and the implications it had on her life. This was and extremely emotional read that takes you into the raw reality of what horrors happens behind some closed doors. The family you might see as such a happy and well functional one might just be the one that has the most horrid skeletons hiding in the closets. One of the things that I like about the book is that the author writes with honesty and in such away that you can't put the book down until the last page. In no instance you get the feeling that the author pities herself. Another thing that I appreciated about the book was that she added a piece on child abuse at the end. A full description of things/behaviors to look out for that will give you and indication whether a child is being abused. This to me might just help to save other children who's going through the same thing. My rating for this book is a definite 5 out of 5 stars.

I think I'm going to love reading this book!

You definitely will but prepare yourself for some tears and anger along the way

[Hazel Mae Bagarinao]

I've read It's me Anna, by Elbie Lotter aka Anchien Troskie as well as the sequel The State vs Anna Bruwer this month. It based on a true story, which I guess you can say is a memoir with some fiction. Hopefully the right book for this genre for this month.

I've read the first book years ago when it was just published. Years later the second book was published and although I received it as a gift, I never got around reading it. After a conversation with one of my acquaintances and her take on the book, I decided to read it again just to be able to read the second book as well. I read both books in a weeks time, it's that engaging!

It is an extremely gripping book and definitely not for the faint-heart. It's the authors recollection of growing up being molested and raped by her stepfather from the age of 8 until the age of 16. How she was forced into silence and the implications it had on her life. This was and extremely emotional read that takes you into the raw reality of what horrors happens behind some closed doors. The family you might see as such a happy and well functional one might just be the one that has the most horrid skeletons hiding in the closets. One of the things that I like about the book is that the author writes with honesty and in such away that you can't put the book down until the last page. In no instance you get the feeling that the author pities herself. Another thing that I appreciated about the book was that she added a piece on child abuse at the end. A full description of things/behaviors to look out for that will give you and indication whether a child is being abused. This to me might just help to save other children who are going through the same thing. My rating for this book is a definite 5 out of 5 stars.

I think I'm going to love reading this book!

You definitely will but prepare yourself for some tears and anger along the way

Oh, it seems like I need a roll of tissue for it. I'm easily touched by this kind of book.

[Leonie Vermaak]

I think I'm going to love reading this book!

You definitely will but prepare yourself for some tears and anger along the way

Oh, it seems like I need a roll of tissue for it. I'm easily touched by this kind of book.

Lol definitely. Even me. Memiors are my most favorite although it's sad to read what people went through, it's such a motivation in many many ways.

[Hazel Mae Bagarinao]

You definitely will but prepare yourself for some tears and anger along the way

Oh, it seems like I need a roll of tissue for it. I'm easily touched by this kind of book.

Lol definitely. Even me. Memoirs are my favorite although it's sad to read what people went through, it's such a motivation in many many ways.

Yes, I agree %! The pure and authentic motivation you get!