Welcome to the May book review! At the end of each month, I review the books I’ve read. Enjoy!
The Book: Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe
The Category: Memoir
In Three Words: Star-studded. Surprising. Successful.
Biggest Takeaway: As I was born in the early 80s, I missed the bubble of idolizing Rob Lowe the teen. I got to know him only as an adult actor, in great shows like The West Wing and Parks and Recreation. I had no idea of his sordid past, or how linked in he was with the Hollywood scene. I wished he’d written more about his character on Parks & Rec, but otherwise enjoyed his candid storytelling.
The Book: The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury and the Scandal Behind America’s Favorite Board Game by Mary Pilon
The Category: Nonfiction
In Three Words: Inaccurate history corrected.
Biggest Takeaway: My family hates playing Monopoly with me because I am an aggressive player who always goes for the win. This book vindicated me. Players are SUPPOSED to have a love/hate relationship with the game, depending on whether they’re the capitalist winner or the low-class schmuck. The game was designed to teach people about the evils of monopolies, not the glory. The message got distorted by Parker Brothers, but I think people still feel that dichotomy when they play.
The Book: Twisted Sisters by Jen Lancaster
The Category: Fiction
In Three Words: Rivalry gone wild.
Biggest Takeaway: Lancaster’s fiction requires a lot of suspended belief, but I think (for the most part) it works. I loved the return of the character Diva from one of Lancaster’s earlier novels, Here I Go Again.
The Book: Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler
The Category: Memoir
In Three Words: “Shun, Un-Shun, Re-Shun…”
Biggest Takeaway: For an “English” person, I think I know a lot about the Amish (my first published short story was called “Amish Girl,” after all). But I still learned a lot from this book, particularly that even among Amish communities, there are subtle differences in ordinances and rules. I was amused that the Lancaster, PA Amish are considered to be snobbish because they’re more inbred than other communities.
The Book: Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie
The Category: Mystery
In Three Words: Ultimate conspiracy theory!
Biggest Takeaway: I’ve read this one before; I had an inexplicable craving to re-visit it. Guess what? It’s even better when you know the ending. Christie gets me every time.
The Book: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
The Category: YA Fiction
In Three Words: Deformed kid’s world.
Biggest Takeaway: There were a lot of things right about this book, including the endearing character of the facially deformed Auggie and the fierce loyalty of his family and friends. But it was spoiled by the extremely saccharine ending, and the fact that the stakes just never got high enough before Auggie gained yet another ally.
The Book: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris
The Category: Memoir
In Three Words: Magic! Theater! Sex!
Biggest Takeaway: I used to love the Choose Your Own Adventure books as a kid, but would never have expected the format to work for a humorous memoir. I actually listened to it on Audible, and even though I couldn’t choose the story pathways, it was still awesome. Best part? Harris narrating his own fake “deaths” complete with the ever-ominous “The End.”
Have you read any of these books? Please share your opinion via the comment section! And hey- if you’re liking Words From The Sowul posts in general, consider subscribing via email (see sidebar)!