Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk

If you are familiar with Chuck’s work, you know that it is very bizarre and out of the ordinary.

If you are not familiar, well – he is the author of Fight Club.

Stranger Than Fiction is his collection of non-fiction essays. Most of them are about other people, but there is a section at the end that is all about his experiences.

Throughout the book, he gives clues as to what influenced some of his novels. He gets his inspiration from talking to people and hearing their stories. It is interesting to see what exactly influenced books that I have read.

That being said, some of the stories seemed a bit longer than they needed to be and they got a little slow at times.

There were also some very interesting ones. The ones that entertained me the most came from his own experiences and also the story about him talking to Marilyn Manson.

3/5 stars. It was interesting, but it did get a little slow at times. I guess every story isn’t for everyone. 

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When Good Boobs Turn Bad: A Mammoir by Jill Foer Hirsch

As you can probably conclude from the title, this is a memoir (or “Mammoir”) about Jill Hirsch and breast cancer.

While cancer is a very serious topic, Jill was able to get through her diagnosis, treatment, and recovery by using humor. She displays that in this book of hers.

It takes you through every stage of her battle with cancer, and it is laced with humor the whole way through.

It is very informally written, almost as if you are reading a journal written by Jill. It keeps the book interesting and fresh.

Jill proves that you can get through any struggle with the support of family, humor, (plus making people feel sorry enough for you to buy you gifts….).

This is a lovely little book. Little because it is pretty short. It was very light hearted for such a heavy topic.

5/5 stars. Fun to read and very well written

It reminded me of a book I reviewed at the beginning of the year Chief Complaint: Brain Tumor by John Kerastas

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Forever a Blackhawk by Stan Mikita

Since I love hockey, and I love my Blackhawks, this was obviously a great read for me.

It details Stan Mikita's home life as well as his life to becoming a hockey player and finally playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

It is everything you would want from a sports memoir including statements written by former team mates as well as tons of pictures.

It is great to get a personal look at the life of a great Blackhawks legend and now a team ambassador.

If you are a hockey fan, or especially a Blackhawks fan, you need to pick this up.

5/5 stars

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Chief Complaint: Brain Tumor by John Kerastas

Fun and enlightening with a side of emotion

I just want to start by saying this is one of the most humorous books that I have read in a while.

(this could be due to the fact that I usually read  crime novels/thrillers… but moving on..)

John has a unique way of dealing with his diagnosis of a brain tumor. He uses humor.

He takes you through his diagnosis and procedures dealing with his tumor and makes it an interesting experience.

This book is great for anyone looking for a memoir of someone going through a similar experience or for family members as well. Whats great about it is that is also great for the average reader.

John has a great writing style that keeps you hanging on throughout the whole book. It is short as well, it only took me a few hours to read.

Clear an afternoon and pick up a copy. You will not regret it.

5/5 stars. I loved John’s sense of humor and his ability to tell his story through this.

Also, it takes place in Chicago, so I liked it even more… haha. 

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Read ahead for spoilers

This Möbius Strip of Ifs by Mathias Freese

This Möbius Strip of Ifs is not a book for those who do not wish to think a lot while reading.

This is a collection of short essays and memoirs by the author Mathias Freese. It is a very intellectual writing with a hint of emotion as well.

I found each different essay to be interesting in its own ways. Reading through each one was thoroughly enjoyable.  

I find it hard to review books of this sort because they are all different. The writing styles are different, the subjects are different, and so on.

So, I will say this. If you want to pick up a book that reads sort of like an intellectual diary, I would pick this up.

Note that when I say diary, I am not lessening the effect of what Mathias has to say. I mean it in the way that he is the man behind each of these essays saying how he feels about different topics.

Overall 4/5 stars I really enjoyed it, but a few of the essays lost me. Bound to happen I supposed. 

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Oil, The 4th Renewable Resource by Shawn Alli

This book is in direct contrast with the one I just read in the way that it is really short! So much so that I got through it in only a few hours – with taking breaks as well.

Shawn Alli argues in his book the legitimacy of the oil shortage scare.

He provides many examples as well as in-depth research to further his arguments.

I feel like this book is very eye-opening. It is short, and easy to read. I believe it is a book that anyone interested in the topic or wanted to know more should pick up.

It should also be a side read in Universities, but Im not sure they would change their curriculum that easily. Maybe some day.

5/5 stars. For a book all about oil and fossil fuels (not a topic I enjoy TOO much), it was really interesting and kept my attention.  

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Crochet Saved My Life by Kathryn Vercillo

My first impression of this book – Wow, this is long!

Now, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sometime books must be long to achieve its goal. I feel like this one could have been condensed though. There were times where I felt that what I was reading was a bit redundant.

That being said, it was a very interesting book. I was wondering how a book completely about crochet could be interesting all the way through, but it was.

Kathryn explores many different mental and physical ailments that can be helped by the use of crochet. I didn’t know something so simple could help many symptoms of these complicated disorders. It was interesting to read each different section.

She gives a brief description of each disorder and then explains how the use of crochet helps different symptoms. She shares her own persona stories as well as stories of other individuals. I think this is what keeps the book interesting and not feeling like a text book.

Anyone who needs a new hobby, something to help a disorder you are suffering from, or if you already enjoy crochet, I would say you should pick this up and at least read the sections that pertain to you. Or you can just read it the whole way through.

3.5/5 stars. A bit redundant at times, and long – but, overall, it was very interesting. 

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The Life of a Stripper: 50 Exotic Dancers Confess Their Personal Experiences in the Adult Entertainment Industry by Romana Van Lissum

As the title suggests, this book is a compilation of stories about Exotic Dancers’ experiences with their jobs. 

Some are current dancers, and some are retired. No matter the age, they all have their set of stories.

Al of their stories seemed to be a little similar, but they were all different as well. It was interesting to read about the different circumstances that led them to joining this field of work as well as their good and bad experiences.

I feel like this book could be an eye-opener for those who think dancers are just drug-users and prostitutes. It is way beyond that. These are just girls that either need the money, or genuinely enjoy dancing. That’s why I feel this is a good book. It shows both sides of that.

I also feel like any aspiring dancer should read this just to see the experiences of other ladies.

Over all, I this was a really good book. It was really interesting.

5/5 stars

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Sons of Suicide by Dan Andrews

Sons of Suicide is a non-fiction novel told through the eyes of the author, Dan Andrews.

This book is the story of him as a young boy having to deal with the loss of his mother. She had committed suicide, and his life was never the same.

This tragedy made his childhood rough, but as he began to grow older and mature, he found a way to turn his pain into a positive thing. He decided that he wants to help others, whether through this book or by coaching in a gym.

Dan’s story is very real. It is one that not many people experience, but at the same time, too many people experience it. The pages of this book are filled with emotion that you may not find in many other writings. It was truly written very well.

Sons of Suicide is not a sob story. Dan isn't trying to get the world to feel sorry for him. It is quite the opposite. He is opening up and sharing his experience to show that it is possible to get through tragedy. You will always have the scar, but you can turn your life around and become a better person.

This is a great read, I loved every bit of it. It was emotional, sad, and happy as well.

5/5 stars. The writing was great, the purpose of the writing was even better. 

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Through the Crimson Mirror by Daniel Alexander Dinnie

This book is interesting. It is a non-fiction/memoir book.

I feel like it read sort of as a journal, but was also trying to teach a few lessons through the author’s past experiences.

I felt like the beginning of the book was setting it up to be more about parenting from a child’s perspective, and while that theme did come up in every chapter, I don’t feel as though it was the main point of this book as I continued my reading.

It became more of a book about communication and how the author felt certain people in his life were not communicating properly, often referring to an ex-girlfriend and also bosses in the workplace.

So, at times I was a little confused as to what the actual purpose of this book was.

You can approach it in two ways, I think.

1.       You read it as though it is just a memoir. The author is only telling his past experiences and what he has learned from them.

Or

2.       You read it as an educational book, but with a lack of real structure.

I feel like the intro set it up to be an educational book, but it ended up as a memoir, which as I said before was a little confusing. It wasn’t mainly focused on parenting like I feel it was set up to.

That being said, it was a very interesting read. The author gives interesting insights into the topic of correct communication.

He does state that you should read this book with an open mind, and I think if you remember that throughout, you will be able to take something away from it.

3/5 stars. The way it was set up didn’t really equal what it ended up being, but it was indeed an interesting read.

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E-Learning 101 by Dr. Liz Hardy

This is a nifty little handbook for learning in an online setting.

It’s a very short handbook, so getting through it is easy, and it is informative.

Dr. Liz Hardy does a very nice job of calming the nerves of those who may be interested in taking an online class but aren’t sure if they can handle it.

As long as you set your mind to it, you can do it.

There are activities in the handbook that help you plan out your study schedule and also to limit your distractions and reasons for procrastinating.

Overall, 5/5 very simple handbook to get through, plus you get cute pictures of dogs on each page. What more could you ask for!

Travel, Sex, and Train Wrecks by Julie Morey

For starters, this is not your average travel book. It really lives up to its title; that’s for sure.

That being said, I thought it was a great book. It isn't very long, so it is easy to get through. There are entertaining stories lacing each and every page, and it keeps you holding on until the very end.

It felt more like read a travel diary than reading a travel novel, and I really liked that. She shares the good, the bad, and the crazy. I felt like I was actually there with her while reading this. It is very descriptive, but not to the point where it just drags on until you forget what you are even reading about.

It is wonderfully written, and it is a fun read.

It made me want to travel, but I have to get over my fear of flying first.

5/5 stars!

Grab this book for free today and tomorrow on amazon! I really recommend it. 

If you can't download it in the next two days, don't worry. It is inexpensive and worth the purchase!

http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Sex-Train-Wrecks-ebook/dp/B008NQUWHE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350067128&sr=8-1&keywords=travel+sex+and+train+wrecks