Recently in Memoir Category

Just in from the Associated Press:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is promising to visit more cities than a conventional book tour when her memoir "Going Rogue" is published later this month.

Palin says the locations of her book tour will be announced later this week by her publisher, HarperCollins. But in a Facebook posting Tuesday, the former Alaska governor says she's decided to travel to cities outside of the typical book tour venues.

Her book hits stores Nov. 17. Palin will appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" the day before the book release.

Palin says she's also trying to line up other interviews with hosts such as Bill O'Reilly, Barbara Walters and Rush Limbaugh.

J. Michael Brunner, associate lay pastor at Emanuel United Methodist Church in Loganville, has written "Memoirs From the Middle -- How I Survived Being a Middle Child."

It is available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com under the Christian contemporary genre.

From the Associated Press:

NEW YORK -- An online book special offered by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is turning into a full-fledged price war with Amazon.com.

Wal-Mart got things started Thursday, offering $10 prices on such upcoming hardcover releases as Sarah Palin's "Going Rogue" and John Grisham's "Ford County," a cut of 60 percent or more from the regular cost. Wal-Mart will also offer free shipping.

Amazon.com, the largest online bookseller, matched the $10 price, prompting Wal-Mart to take its offer to $9. By Friday morning, Amazon.com also had priced the books at $9.

From the Associated Press:

FRANKFURT -- Nelson Mandela will release a new memoir focusing on the best of his personal archives and letters from his time as anti-apartheid activist and former South African president, the publisher Macmillan said Wednesday.

Why would a young American woman want to live in Tehran? Azadeh Moaveni has many reasons.

In "Honeymoon in Tehran" she explains them -- she works as a Middle East correspondent for Time Magazine; she has roots in Iran, her parents having emigrated from there to the United States before she was born. Her extended family of aunts and cousins in Iran help with housing and lend moral support. And, most important, she meets an Iranian man she wants to marry.

But it is 2005, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has just been elected and as the government cracks down, life gets uncomfortable for many Iranians and for Moaveni.

Best-sellers at Borders Books & Music in Springettsbury Township for the week that ended Sept. 20.

1. "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown.
2. "True Compass" by Edward Kennedy.
3. "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks.
4. "Say You're One of Them" by Uwem Akpan.
5. "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls.

From the Associated Press:

MIAMI -- Juanita Castro, the exiled sister of Cuban leaders Fidel and Raul Castro, is set to release a first-person memoir in which she talks at length about her brothers.

The more than 400-page book entitled: "My Brothers Fidel and Raul. The Secret Story," is set for release Oct. 26. It is co-written by Spanish-language journalist Maria Antoineta Collins and will be published by Santillana USA.

Juanita Castro left the island in 1964. A longtime Miami resident, she has kept a low profile and for years could be found behind the counter of the small pharmacy she owned. She retired in 2007.

According to a Santillana news release, Castro dictated the story to Collins a decade ago but refused to publish until now.

From the Associated Press:

NEW YORK -- Sen. Edward Kennedy did not live to see his dream of universal health care passed, but he did complete a cherished and more personal project: his memoir.

"True Compass," the greatly awaited summation of his life and career, comes out Sept. 14 with an announced first printing of 1.5 million copies. Kennedy, diagnosed with a brain tumor in May 2008, just months after his book deal was announced, died Tuesday night at age 77.

Last week I persuaded my husband to go with me to see "Julie & Julia." The movie is based on two books -- "Julie & Julia" by Julie Powell and "My Life in France" by Julia Child.

Reader Loretta Martin reviews "Jokes My Father Never Taught Me" by Rain Pryor with Cathy Crimmins:

I found this a fascinating read from cover to cover.

Rain was 4 years old when she first met her father, comedian Richard Pryor, in 1973. As a girl who grew up adoring her father even as she feared him, Rain gives an intimate memoir.

It's quite frank and gives insight into the man as she knew him right through his death from MS in 2005.

A review from reader Loretta Martin:

I definitely wanted to know what made Madonna such a phenomenon, and who better to tell me than her brother?

For 47 years Christopher was very close to Madonna, playing an important role in her life as her backup dancer, personal assistant, dresser, decorator, art director and tour director. It was Madonna who made him realize he was gay. And it was Madonna who made it possible for him to travel all over the world with her on her tours and special appearances.

Reader Loretta Martin reviews "Crazy for the Storm, A Memoir of Survival" by Norman Ollestad:

Ollestad recounts his life as he recalls a plane crash in February 1979 which took the life of the pilot, Ollestad's father and Sandra, his father's girlfriend, leaving the 11-year-old boy to fend for himself as he manages to escape alive.

From the Associated Press
On the morning after Michael Jackson died, literary agent Joy Harris began getting the e-mails: When, publishers wanted to know, would Jackson's memoir "Moonwalk" be returned to print?

"It did seem abrupt to me," Harris said. "But when I thought about it, it didn't surprise me, in the way that everything is so immediate these days."

"Moonwalk," originally acquired by then-Doubleday editor Jackie Kennedy and published in 1988, will be reissued in October by Random House Inc. with a first printing of 100,000 copies and a new introduction from a Jackson friend who has not been identified.
The book is also coming out in Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

This Sunday (July 26), PCN (Comcast channel 21) will air programming featuring the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, who passed away on July 19 at the age of 78.

At 3 p.m., the network will re-air the "PCN Profiles" program in which McCourt spoke candidly about his life, achievements and inspirations. McCourt's speech during the Speakers' Millennium Lecture from 2008 will air on PCN at 4 p.m. Replays of the "PCN Profiles" featuring McCourt have also been scheduled to air at 10 p.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday.

A son of Irish immigrant parents and native of Brooklyn, McCourt gained international acclaim after being awarded both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award for his memoir, "Angela's Ashes."

Sad news from the Associated Press:

NEW YORK-- Frank McCourt, the beloved raconteur and former public school teacher who enjoyed post-retirement fame as the author of "Angela's Ashes," the Pulitzer Prize-winning epic of woe about his impoverished Irish childhood, died Sunday of cancer at age 78.

Thomas (Wally) Clarke of Spring Garden Township has written "General George S. Patton's Typical Soldier."

Clarke's account of his experiences as a World War II combat infantryman includes maps, photos and battle descriptions. Letters to his parents and siblings are interspersed throughout the text.

From the Associated Press:

NEW YORK -- Former Vice President Dick Cheney has a book deal with a conservative imprint at Simon & Schuster.

The memoir by Cheney, widely considered the most powerful vice president in history, is expected to be published in Spring 2011, a few months after President George W. Bush's book comes out. Cheney's work is currently untitled and will cover his long career in government, from chief of staff under President Ford to vice president under Bush.

Known for his secrecy while in the Bush administration, Cheney has made clear for months that he was planning a book. He is working on it from his home outside of Washington, D.C., with the assistance of his daughter, Liz Cheney.

From the Associated Press:

NEW YORK -- A journalist jailed for four months in Iran on charges of espionage has a book deal.

Iranian-American Roxana Saberi, 32, is working on a memoir that HarperCollins will publish in March 2010. Saberi's book, currently untitled, will tell of her arrest in January, her initial sentence to eight years in prison and her release in May after being granted a two-year suspended sentence.

Best-sellers at Borders Books & Music in Springettsbury Township for the week that ended May 24.

1. "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer.
2. "The Girls from Ames" by Jeffrey Zaslow.
3. "Gone Tomorrow" by Lee Child.
4. "Horse Soldiers" by Doug Stanton.
5. "Resilience" by Elizabeth Edwards.

Some people just seem to string words together better than most of us. Rick Bragg is one of those people.
This beautifully written book tells the story of Bragg's father, a poor hillbilly of Alabama, who was an alcoholic and scofflaw, the "prince" of his milltown, Frogtown.

David Kushner's "Levittown."

David Kushner tells the story of York, Pa.'s Bill and Daisy Myers and the discrimination they faced after moving into a new house in Bucks County's Levittown in 1957.

Kushner's 2009 work draws from - and expands upon by bringing in many other sources -Daisy Myers' 2005 memoir "Sticks 'n Stones."

For more, click on the post: New book 'Levittown' tells about the Myers family's quest to live the American dream - in York, Pa., too.

Anita Cherry of Spring Garden Township has written "Letters to Sam." She says her book is "a poetic telling to her adopted daughter of the author's reflections on early-adulthood ovarian cancer, infertility and recurring thyroid cancer, and moving beyond the pain to celebrate life and growth.

The cover of the book is an original painting done by Cherry in 1981.

She will sign her book during the American Cancer Society Relay for Life June 12 and 13 at York County School of Technology.

Copies of her book, at $11.95, can be purchased at Collage, the York Health Boutique for Women at Apple Hill, the office of Dr. Scott Cherry, 955 S. George St., York; the American Cancer Society and amazon.com.

Just in from the Associated Press:

A son's memoir about his adventure-seeking father is the latest Starbucks book pick.

In "Crazy for the Storm," author Norman Ollestad tells of surviving a plane crash as a child, but also reflects on his father's passion for surfing and skiing and competitive sports. Published by Ecco, a HarperCollins imprint, the book comes out June 2, in time for Father's Day, and will be featured at thousands of Starbucks stores.

From the Associated Press:

You knew it was coming: Sarah Palin is ready to tell her side, agreeing to publish a memoir with HarperCollins. The book comes out in spring 2010 -- the year she is up for re-election.

Just in from the Associated Press:

Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has signed a deal to publish his memoir -- a close-up look at his encounters with major world figures and events.

Nancy Duncan, children's librarian at Red Land Community Library, reviews "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle":

What a commitment! The family of novelist Barbara Kingsolver -- two parents, two daughters -- pledges to live off the land for one year, eating only locally grown food and meat. They move from their home in Tucson to a family farm in the Appalachians of Virginia. They start their experiment in March, just when the ground is waking up from winter.

Dr. Philip A. Hoover's book wonderfully explores country doctoring in the 20th century.

It's been 15 years since Philip A. Hoover's "Echoes of the Health Century: A Physician's Memoir" came out.

Its 222 pages are packed with anecdotes about the situations - often humorous, sometimes severe - that a country doctor would often face.

The York Town Square blog post explores one such issue, a pragmatic Pennsylvania Dutch view of teen pregnancy.

The book is available via the York County Library System.

Joan McInnis, librarian for the Daily Record/Sunday News, reviews "Cherie Blair: Speaking for Myself":

From a girlhood in working class Liverpool to wife of Prime Minister Tony Blair at No. 10 Downing Street, Cherie Booth Blair tells her remarkable story.

From the Associated Press:

Former President George W. Bush, who once famously called himself "The Decider," is writing a book about decisions.

"I want people to understand the environment in which I was making decisions. I want people to get a sense of how decisions were made and I want people to understand the options that were placed before me," Bush said during a brief telephone interview Wednesday with The Associated Press from his office in Dallas.

This just in from the Associated Press:

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's memoir is scheduled to come out sooner than originally planned -- in the fall.

and that definitely applies to book lovers.

The following Web sites offer used books for purchase or exchange, some for as little as the postage to ship them.

Check them out, and if you know of any others, please let us know.

www.bookmooch.com

www.bookins.com

www.swaptree.com

www.paperbackswap.com

A review from reader Loretta Martin:

Sometimes you read a book review that makes you say to yourself, "Hey, sounds like a good read -- hearing about growing up the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, not to mention being the famous Princess Leia of 'Star Wars' -- all of which supposedly lead her to become an alcoholic with a sense of humor, all on top of being bipolar ..."

From the Associated Press:

NEW YORK -- Diane Keaton is telling all -- about her bond with her mother.

The Academy Award-winning actress, whose films include "Annie Hall" and the three "Godfather" movies, is working on a memoir -- currently untitled -- that the Random House Publishing Group plans on releasing in 2012.

Keaton's mother, Dorothy Keaton Hall, died last fall and had suffered from Alzheimer's. The actress began working on her book shortly after her mother's death.

I love cookbooks. That isn't to say I like to cook, I'm more of a baker than a cook. But I love looking at cookbooks, especially ones with glossy photographs. My favorite section to hang out in at libraries and bookstores is the cookbook area.

Steve McKee's "My Father's Heart" - a poignant story of growing up in York - is due out soon in paperback.

The York Catholic grad's site, www.steve-mckee.com, gives this summary of the book:

"An extraordinary story of an all-too-ordinary scenario: A father dies, a son remains, and the loss casts a long shadow across a generation. Rich in evocative detail of time, place, and family, it is a powerful memoir of love, forgiveness, and finding oneself."

And for those wanting a taste of its contents, click here.

This just in from the Associated Press:

First lady Laura Bush has sealed a deal with Scribner to publish a memoir that will encompass her recollections of personal and historical moments, including her eight years in the White House.

Following were best-sellers at Borders Books & Music in Springettsbury Township for the week that ended Dec. 28:

1. "Eclipse" by Stephenie Meyer.
2. "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" by J.K. Rowling.
3. "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer.
4. "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch.
5. "The Christmas Sweater" by Glenn Beck.

The paperback edition of "My Father's Heart: A Son's Reckoning with His Legacy of Heart Disease," by local author Steve McKee, will be released Feb. 1. To read more about McKee and his book, click here.

Following were best-sellers at Borders Books & Music in Springettsbury Township for the week that ended Dec. 7.

1. "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" by J. K. Rowling.
2. "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer.
3. "Eclipse" by Stephenie Meyer.
4. "The Christmas Sweater" by Glenn Beck.
5. "Multiple Blessings" by Kate Gosselin.

that books make great gifts, but now we can listen to famous authors tell us why.

I am on a memoir kick. I just go to the library and scan the shelf until something pops out at me. This time it was "All Over But the Shoutin'" by Rick Bragg.

The name Bragg is familiar to journalists, especially feature writers. His works covers the pages of journalism compilations. And, yes, he was also accused of plagiarism in 2003. But he is a brilliant writer.

He chronicles the story of his poverty ridden life sans his father in Alabama. He just has this way of describing situations without using cliches. And it's just the right balance. If it hadn't been a library book, I would have highlighted dozens of sentences.

Like the one that said the snowflakes were murdered by the warmth on the sidewalk. That's just brilliant. We all think of snowflakes melting, but not getting murdered by warmth.

Here is a review from one of our readers, Loretta Martin:

Being the celebrity watcher that I am, I sometimes wait for years to find out the true story about what had really happened when a scandalous incident occurs. Around the world the tabloids put out every scenario you can -- or can't -- imagine. Usually there are so many versions of what actually happened that you don't have any idea which one is really true, and most of them aren't. You finally end up picking the one with the reasoning that fits with your line of thinking -- and then you sit back and wait for the truth to be told.

The death of Robert Wagner's wife, Natalie Wood, and the circumstances surrounding her death in late November of 1981 were a shock to everyone. They were on board their boat, the "Splendour." Christopher Walken and Wood were in the middle of filming "Brainstorm" and he was an invited guest the night the tragedy occurred. The tabloids had a field day making up their versions of the story and Wagner had been advised by his attorney not to answer any questions the reporters might ask. So he didn't, and I wondered if we would ever hear the truth from Wagner himself.

Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett

This book left me in wonder. I had to wonder at the depth and strength of Ann Patchett's friendship with Lucy Grealy, a fellow writer, but more than that I had to wonder that Lucy didn't give up sooner.

They are both writers. They meet in grad school. Oh, and Lucy is missing a big chunk of her face.

I just finished reading Richard Engel's "War Journal."

Engel, who has been reporting from Iraq since the beginning of the war, pulls no punches in this graphic account of war from the frontline.

I think every American owes it to himself to become as informed as possible about Iraq and what America is trying to do there. Engel's book is a good place to start.

To read a review by one of my co-workers, click here.

Can anyone recommend any other good books about Iraq?

This review is by staffer Teresa Cook:

My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D.

Jill Bolte Taylor was a brain scientist, when, at the age of 37, she suffered a massive stroke. But as part of her brain shut down, the other part allowed her to feel a deep inner peace.

I've heard of Gordon Ramsay and think I even saw a segment of his Fox show Kitchen Nightmares some time ago.

Bleep this and bleep that. He was pretty mean.

Then shortly after Gloria posted a summary of "Roasting in Hell's Kitchen" (which you can read here) she let me borrow it, knowing I enjoy food and writing about it.

And I learned a little.

Voni Grimes recounts his long life in his autobiography "Bridging Troubled Waters."

Voni B. Grimes, respected community leader, has labored for months to write about his long life.

The result is a 90-page book with more than 20 photos of a life well lived.

For details, see: New book gives insight into community leader Voni B. Grimes at York Town Square blog.

You may be familiar with chef Gordon Ramsay from his Fox reality show "Hell's Kitchen."

Or you may have seen him on the BBC America hits "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" and "The F Word."

But you really don't know him. Not until you read his book, "Roasting in Hell's Kitchen: Temper Tantrums, F Words and the Pursuit of Perfection."

Those who fell in love with John Grogan's "Marley & Me" will be happy to learn the author is planning a prequel.

Speaking of summer reads, here are the top book-related searches on Yahoo!

Barnes&Noble.com has added three new features to its Barnes & Noble Studio multimedia site that are well worth a look.

In Guest Books, found out what writers read as authors talk about their top three favorite books. David Sedaris is featured this week.

5 Books selects five titles that will help readers sharpen their skills on a particular topic. Read all about wine.

The Book Files tells the story behind the book. This week’s featured book is James Joyce’s “The Dubliners.” Upcoming are Jerzy Kosinski’s “The Steps” and Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham.”

Visit http://www.barnesandnoble.com/bn-studio/videos-podcasts/index.asp?.

Daisy Myers' "Sticks 'N Stones," Mary Hamilton's "Rising from the Wilderness," and Carol McCleary Innerst's "York College of Pennsylvania" are three books that merit reading this summer - or any time of year.

For more details, see: Central Pennsylvania histories make smart part of summer reading stack over at sister blog, York Town Square.

Those of you of a certain age (and you know who you are) who are members of AARP will want to check out Borders’ latest promotion.

Just go to www.borders.com and click on “Exclusive offer for AARP members.”

You can save from 10 to 35 percent on books purchased both online and at the store. And if you’re not a member, they will sign you up on the spot.

Occasionally getting older has its advantages.

Readers would rather curl up with a printed book than go online or read an e-book, a new Random House/Zogby poll finds.

Respected York Daily Record columnist Jim Hubley died Tuesday, but his work lives on for public enjoyment via his 1994 book "Off The Record, York County Life Through a Newsman's Eyes."

The 165-page book, published by the York Daily Record and the York County Heritage Trust, is packed with a sampling of the 1,300 columns he had written through 1994. It's out of print but is available via the York County Library System.

A sampling of his work is also available on the Web via the searchable blog yorktownsquare.com, particularly the post YDR columnist James A. Hubley: 'What I prefer is a simple, Jim.'.

It’s rare that I take great pleasure in proofreading pages. But the other day I was asked to tackle our newest publication, “All In One Room: York County’s Schoolhouses.”

I have always loved looking at old photos — even when I didn’t know a soul in them. But “All In One Room” proved to be a gold mine of memories for me, someone too young to have attended one.

Sometimes, as much as we hate it, we have to part with our books.

What else can we do when there just isn't enough shelf space for all our recent purchases?

By ABIGAIL STOLLAR
Spring Grove Area Senior High School

In her personal memoir, “Eat Love, Pray,” Elizabeth Gilbert shares her journey through Italy, India and Bali.

Massachusetts' first black governor, Deval Patrick, is writing a memoir that will be published by Broadway Books in 2010.

Have you just finished reading a book you couldn't put down, or one that kept putting you to sleep?

We want to hear about it, good or bad.

Send your book review to gfogal@ydr.com and we will post it here.

While my husband watches basketball on television, my nose is in a book.

But now I’ve discovered that we literary types can get hyped with a March Madness of our own.

Following in the footsteps of James Frey and Laura Albert, yet another writer has admitted her memoir is just a bit of creative writing.

Margaret Seltzer says her book, "Love and Consequences,'" was made up.

Read more by clicking here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/books/05fake.html?th&emc=th

“Wonderful Tonight -- George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me” by Pattie Boyd with Penny Junor.

Pattie Boyd was married to two of the biggest rock stars and was the subject of the hit songs, “Something,” “Layla” and “Wonderful Tonight,” but her life, as she writes in her autobiography, doesn’t seem particularly charmed.

First of all, her childhood was rocked by her parents’ strange marriage, her father’s and later her stepfather’s infidelity and several moves to different countries and cities and schools.

Steve McKee

Steve McKee is a York Catholic grad and an editor for the Wall Street Journal.

His "My Father's Heart, A Son's Story" covers a lot of ground. It's a story about heart disease, the relationship between father and son, the painful aftermath of a loved one's death and a story about growing up in York in the 1960s... .

By JOSEPH MALDONADO
For the Daily Record/Sunday News

A book is like a warm quilt comprised of many threads, colors, textures and images. And like any quilt, a book takes tremendous know-how to transform it from an idea to something people curl up with in their favorite chair.

In May, the literary group Pennwriters will host its 21st annual conference, “A Writer’s smorgasbord.” The three-day event will feature scores of publishing experts, including many pub
lished authors.

Have you just finished reading a book you couldn't put down, or one that kept putting you to sleep?

We want to hear about it, good or bad.

Send your book review to gfogal@ydr.com and we will post it here.

Have you just finished reading a book you couldn't put down, or one that kept putting you to sleep?

We want to hear about it, good or bad.

Send your book review to gfogal@ydr.com and we will post it here.

Raymond Sechrist's "Skinny Dipping in the Codorus" has been available to the public since 1991, but it merits a look by those who have never read about Sechrist's boyhood adventures... .

"When A Crocodile Eats the Sun," Peter Godwin's brilliant memoir of his family's experience
in present day Zimbabwe, refers to a native belief that whenever a solar eclipse occurs, the crocodile snuffs out the life-giving light of the sun. And it is an apt metaphor for Zimbabwe, where
the dictator Mugabe has driven a once economically booming country to collapse and snuffed out all opposition.

Have you just finished reading a book you couldn't put down, or one that kept putting you to sleep?

We want to hear about it, good or bad.

Send your book review to gfogal@ydr.com and we will post it here.

"90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life” by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey

This book is not only for people who believe in heaven, but also for those who don’t.

The Rev. Don Piper was driving home from a conference when he was hit by a tractor-trailer. He and his car were so mangled that the police and EMTs pronounced him dead. As they waited for a coroner to arrive to officially pronounce him, the Rev. Dick Onerecker, another minister from the same conference, came upon the accident.

James Frey, whose addiction memoir "A Million Little Pieces" turned out to be largely fabricated, is writing a novel.

"Bright Shiny Morning," described by the publisher as a portrait of modern Los Angeles, will be released in summer 2008 by HarperCollins.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in the kitchens of fancy restaurants, or why people decide to spend their lives preparing food for others to eat, you’ll want to read Bill Buford’s book, “Heat.”

"Eat, Pray, Love"

Yep, that about describes my day.

The minute I heard the title of Elizabeth Gilbert's book, I knew I had to read it.