An Eagle Named Freedom by Jeff Guidry

I've had the paperback edition of An Eagle Named Freedom by Jeff Guidry in my possession for over 5 years and finally read it in September of this year.

I enjoyed reading about Jeff Guidry's time spent as a volunteer at the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center in Arlington, Washington. He not only forms a strong bond with Freedom, but he also shares stories about several of the other animals and volunteers he comes to know during his time spent volunteering at the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center.

The author also fights and wins his battle over cancer. Guidry's relationship with Freedom helps him during his battle with cancer. 

I also enjoyed reading about Jeff Guidry's respect and love for animals, wildlife, and being an advocate for animals.

Below is a summary for An Eagle Named Freedom by Jeff Guidry from Amazon:

In the tradition of A Lion Called Christian and Alex and Me comes An Eagle Named Freedom, Jeff Guidry’s remarkable story of how he rehabilita Carted a severely damaged bald eagle back to health—and how the majestic bird later inspired the author to triumph over cancer. Animal lovers and readers fascinated by the spiritual ties between animals and humans will not soon forget this beautiful, inspiring true tale of an extraordinary friendship.

I am giving An Eagle Named Freedom by Jeff Guidry a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on The Decision Not To Have Kids by Meghan Daum (Editor)

There was a time in my life that I had assumed that I would marry and have children of my own when I became an adult. However, by the time I was about 16 years old, my decision to have children in the future quickly fell by the wayside and I wanted to be childless forever. There were several reasons for this decision that I won't get into here.

As a side note, it's always been amazing to me that people assume that you will have children once you've become an adult, have finished college, started a career, and are finally married... In fact, you no sooner start a serious relationship as an adult and people start peppering you with questions as to when you'll get married... Then no sooner are you married, the questions start coming from well meaning family members and friends as to when you'll both be having children!! And, it seems to me like the woman in the relationship is always asked these types of questions about when children will be coming along, etc. and RARELY is the man ever asked these types of questions. 

Additionally, I've received some strange comments in the past from people that I barely know when I said that I wasn't having children. Mind you, these comments were made after I had been asked when my husband and I were having children. Hence, I was never simply volunteering my decision not to have children. Most people have been polite and respectful with my decision not to have children, especially close family members. 

It's just weird that a few people have had a problem (or have made the odd comment) with my decision not to start a family when it was never their decision to make in the first place.

So when I came across Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on The Decision Not To Have Kids by Meghan Daum, I looked forward to reading these essays. Thirteen of the essays were written by women and three of the essays were written by men. The essays are diverse and varied. I enjoyed most of the essays with the exception of two of them.

The following is a summary for Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on The Decision Not To Have Kids by Meghan Daum from Goodreads:

Sixteen Literary Luminaries On The Controversial Subject Of Being Childless By Choice, Collected In One Fascinating Anthology.

One of the main topics of cultural conversation during the last decade was the supposed "fertility crisis," and whether modern women could figure out a way to way to have it all--a successful, demanding career and the required 2.3 children--before their biological clock stopped ticking. Now, however, conversation has turned to whether it's necessary to have it all or, perhaps more controversial, whether children are really a requirement for a fulfilling life. The idea that some women and men prefer not to have children is often met with sharp criticism and incredulity by the public and mainstream media.

In this provocative and controversial collection of essays, curated by writer Meghan Daum, sixteen acclaimed writers explain why they have chosen to eschew parenthood. Contributors Lionel Shriver, Sigrid Nunez, Kate Christiensen, Elliott Holt, Geoff Dyer, and Tim Kreider, among others, offer a unique perspective on the overwhelming cultural pressure of parenthood.

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed makes a thoughtful and passionate case for why parenthood is not the only path in life, taking our parent-centric, kid-fixated, baby-bump-patrolling culture to task in the process. What emerges is a more nuanced, diverse view of what it means to live a full, satisfying life.

I am giving Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on The Decision Not To Have Kids by Meghan Daum a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

My Top Ten Favorite Nonfiction Books About Animals

I enjoy reading nonfiction books about animals. Below are ten books I've really enjoyed reading about animals in recent years.

1. Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior by Temple Grandin
2. Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence—and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process by Irene M. Pepperberg
3. Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacey O'Brien
4. An Eagle Named Freedom: My True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Jeff Guidry
5. Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean by Jackson Galaxy
6. Grayson by Lynne Cox
7. Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs by Caroline Knapp
8 The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony
9. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings by Mark Bittner
10. Making the Rounds with Oscar: The Inspirational Story of a Doctor, His Patients and a Very Special Cat by Dr. David Dosa

Please share with me a few of your favorite nonfiction books about animals in the comment section below as I'm always on the look out for good books!!

Dapper Dan: Made In Harlem: A Memoir by Daniel R. Day

I received an advance uncorrected paperback proofs copy of Dapper Dan: Made In Harlem: A Memoir by Daniel R. Day through the Goodreads Giveaway program. 

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Dapper Dan: Made In Harlem: A Memoir by Daniel R. Day.

I think Dapper Dan: Made In Harlem: A Memoir by Daniel R. Day is the 8th memoir I've read this year so far... Anyway, I enjoy reading memoirs quite a bit as I enjoy learning about people from all different walks of life whether they are famous or not. I find people to be interesting and feel like each person's life experience has something of relevance to offer to other people/readers.

Dapper Dan: Made In Harlem: A Memoir by Daniel R. Day is an excellent read. Prior to reading Dapper Dan's memoir, I didn't know who he was at all. I enjoyed reading about Dapper Dan's life as it made for interesting reading as he has lived a very colorful life. Dapper Dan is a very smart, creative individual who reinvents himself multiple times and overcomes many obstacles/hardships throughout his life. But he never gives up on himself and always seems to end up landing on his feet. Dapper Dan is the epitome of perseverance and reinvention.

Below is the publisher's summary for Dapper Dan: Made In Harlem: A Memoir by Daniel R. Day from Amazon:

With his now-legendary store on 125th Street in Harlem, Dapper Dan pioneered high-end streetwear in the 1980s, remixing classic luxury-brand logos into his own innovative, glamorous designs. But before he reinvented haute couture, he was a hungry boy with holes in his shoes, a teen who daringly gambled drug dealers out of their money, and a young man in a prison cell who found nourishment in books. In this remarkable memoir, he tells his full story for the first time.

Decade after decade, Dapper Dan discovered creative ways to flourish in a country designed to privilege certain Americans over others. He witnessed, profited from, and despised the rise of two drug epidemics. He invented stunningly bold credit card frauds that took him around the world. He paid neighborhood kids to jog with him in an effort to keep them out of the drug game. And when he turned his attention to fashion, he did so with the energy and curiosity with which he approaches all things: learning how to treat fur himself when no one would sell finished fur coats to a Black man; finding the best dressed hustler in the neighborhood and converting him into a customer; staying open twenty-four hours a day for nine years straight to meet demand; and, finally, emerging as a world-famous designer whose looks went on to define an era, dressing cultural icons including Eric B. and Rakim, Salt-N-Pepa, Big Daddy Kane, Mike Tyson, Alpo Martinez, LL Cool J, Jam Master Jay, Diddy, Naomi Campbell, and Jay-Z.

By turns playful, poignant, thrilling, and inspiring, Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem is a high-stakes coming-of-age story spanning more than seventy years and set against the backdrop of an America where, as in the life of its narrator, the only constant is change.

I am giving Dapper Dan: Made In Harlem: A Memoir by Daniel R. Day a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Joyce Carol Oates Teaches the Art of the Short Story via Masterclass

The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony

I LOVE, Love, love elephants!!! So deciding to listening to the unabridged audio version to The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony was a no brainer for me. Additionally, The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony is narrated by the phenomenal, Simon Vance, which made my experience that much better.

Listening time for The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony is 10 hours, 55 minutes.

The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony exceeded my expectations. It's a work of nonfiction and has a lot more depth to it than I expected. I highly recommend reading The Elephant Whisperer.

The following is a summary for The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony from Audible:

When South African conservationist Lawrence Anthony was asked to accept a herd of "rogue" wild elephants on his Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand, his common sense told him to refuse. But he was the herd's last chance of survival: they would be killed if he wouldn't take them. In order to save their lives, Anthony took them in. In the years that followed he became a part of their family. And as he battled to create a bond with the elephants, he came to realize that they had a great deal to teach him about life, loyalty, and freedom.

The Elephant Whisperer is a heartwarming, exciting, funny, and sometimes sad account of Anthony's experiences with these huge yet sympathetic creatures. Set against the background of life on an African game reserve, with unforgettable characters and exotic wildlife, it is a delightful book that will appeal to animal lovers and adventurous souls everywhere.

I am giving The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony a rating of 5 stars out of 5 star.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

Reading Quote of the Day!!!