A Story of Redemption and Recovery: Trejo By Danny Trejo

 Title: Trejo

 Author: Danny Trejo

 Genre: Memoir/Autobiography

 Rating: 4 out of 5 paws

 Danny Trejo is one of the most recognized actors in Hollywood.  On screen he is a baddie who has been killed at least 100 times; he's been stabbed, shot, hung, chopped up, even squished by an elevator.  Off screen he is known as a hero in the recovery community.  Raised in an abusive home he has a history of heroin abuse, stints in some of the most notorious and scary prisons: San Quentin, Folsom and others.  He learned how to survive on the inside and once he got out.  He has had roles in some of the most well known cult classics such as Heat, and of course his most well-known role of Machete.  In his memoir, he recounts how he managed life in prison, his spirituality, his recover and his mission to helps others along the road of addiction recovery.  His book is a reflection of a magnificent life of redemption, tragedy, pain and ultimately success.

Before reading this book I already knew some of his past and the things this actor has been able to accomplish and overcome throughout his life.  But there was so much that I didn't know.  Reading through his hardships and everything he has overcome including reconciling with his children, makes me love him even more.  He is not ashamed of his past because it made him into the man he is, he learned from it and he may still have some more to learn as he reflects on certain aspects of his private life.  It was amazing to see how he turned his life around and founded numerous recovery centers and how he'd go to the baddest parts of town looking for people to help.  He is a true treasure and gem.  Danny Trejo proves that 1. you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and 2. that someone's past doesn't define who they are now.  It contributes to who they become but just because there was addiction then, doesn't mean it will continue.  He worked hard to get to where is today and should be proud of everything he accomplished.

Memoirs/autobiographies are not typically my cup of tea, but I have been trying to branch out a little more and I am glad that I picked up this one.  I seen it and said "this one I need to read" and I am glad that I did.  Reading the stories through Danny's words made it all so entertaining, I could almost hear his voice sometimes.  It was very interesting to hear how Machete came about including that children have dressed up as the character for Halloween (not exactly what I'd call a kids movie, but it goes to show the impact this man has had in pop culture, as well as society.)  True to Danny Trejo, this novel is raw, unfiltered and unashamably him.  Definitely recommend.

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Review: Year of Yes By Shonda Rhimes

Title: Year of Yes
Author: Shonda Rhimes
Genre: Memoir
Source: Paperback
Rating: 3 out of 5 paws

Shonda Rhimes is the creator of hit shows like Grey's Anatomy and Scandal. In her memoir she discusses taking a year and saying Yes to anything that scares her and takes her outside of her comfort zone.  Throughout her book Shonda discusses the events that put her outside her comfort zone and how those moments helped her grow, and become a stronger woman.

I was super excited to read this book because I love Shonda's shows and from what I have read about her she is a strong powerful, and inspirational woman. I was excited to see what she learned about stepping outside your comfort zone because that is something I also do not do.  If it is something scary to me then I do not do it. That being said, I have to admit I feel a little let down with this book.  Don't get me wrong I love her writing style and at point I was laughing and I enjoyed the book for the most part, but it was not what I was expecting.

A good bit of what she talks about deals with her fame and as she continued to remind readers, how she's a big time Hollywood writer. Now I think it's amazing she found success, but what I wanted to learn along the way was how did she find that success?  What rejections did she have, what lead her to where she is, maybe that's a different book.  BUT what I was hoping for was what did she learn from giving a speech at Darmouth, not reading what the speech said.

The best sections where when she discussed her body image and saying yes to accepting who she is, but also saying yes to wanting to get healthy rather than fitting into a certain body image, and when she realized she didn't want to be married which ultimately ended a relationship.   Those points felt true and honest, that we got into a deep part of Shonda, but the rest of it felt more like a "look at me" type of story.  She talks about the importance of her family, but we don't get many story about her family and how they have helped her through the year of yes other than something her sister said which prompted the experiment.

I so wanted to like the book more than I did, and like I said it is not so much her writing style which is very fun and pleasant.  It was more of how she presented herself.  I wanted more depth to the book, much like what we see in her shows, but we don't get that.  Though it did prompt me to ponder doing a year of yes myself and see what happens.

Born Again

Title: Born Again
Author: Tom Harpur
Genre: Non-fiction, Spiritual, Memoir
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Tom Harpur is an Anglican priest, Rhodes Scholar, Professor at University of Toronto, writer and editor for Toronto Star and a published prolific author.  His previous book "The Pagan Christ" has received critical acclaim.  In this book, Harpur delves into his spiritual journey away from fundamentalism and into spiritual freedom.  He discusses his struggles and triumphs along the way to spiritual self discovery.  What Harpur brings to his audience is more than a memoir, it is something personal and gives us a glimpse into his life.





When I seen this book on Netgalley I was interested in reading someone else's spiritual quest, but also was unsure of what to expect.  I have read a few memoirs that fell short and didn't seem as interesting as the synopsis made it seem, but this book held my attention from beginning to end.  Harpur basically opens the door to his own life for readers to experience.  He doesn't bore readers with every little detail of  his life, but pinpoints the critical points along his journey.


He writes with a knowledgeable, sage voice and include very candid comments about things he observed throughout life which made reading the book all the more real.  He makes it personal and relatable which is something I love about his memoir as opposed to others.  I haven't been able to feel connected to my author the way I did while I was reading this book.  Harpur address some of the things I have been thinking in my own personal spiritual odyssey.


Throughout this memoir, there is a lot of insight and revelation that leads to his personal renewal, his personal freedom from the fundamentalism of organized religion.  This book really hit home as I admit it is something I struggle with in my own personal walk.  I found it very resourceful and know I will find myself returning back to it time and time again., and I feel each time I return to it, I will find something else that will be helpful.


I recommend this to anyone who longs for spiritual freedom, and someone who enjoys memoirs.  It is definitely one of those reads that will get you thinking about things. 

Boys In The Trees By Carly Simon

Boys In The Trees is the memoir of singer Carly Simon.  It is a sincere reflection on Carly's childhood and the events that led to the beginning and end of her career.  She opens up not only about her past loves, but also struggles she had to overcome to become the success that she was.

I am not one for memoirs, as a reader, I honestly do not get much out of them.  But occasionally there are some that have been inspiring such as When Breath Becomes Air and entertaining such as Carol Burnette's memoirs.  Boys in The Trees was unfortunately neither of those for me.  I found this memoir a little difficult for me to read.  Carly seemed to drone on about things, and skipped around a lot, so it was difficult keeping track of any sort of timeline. 

Some of the things she talked about seemed over-exaggerated or embellished a little bit.  While some moments were entertaining and interesting to read, it felt like there was something she was hiding, something she was holding back on.  There were points in the story that became difficult to read because of this.  There were things she began to describe, but didn't follow through it.  There was an overwhelming feeling that this book is incomplete, which brings the overall feeling of the book down a little.

I would recommend this if you are a fan of Carly Simon and music.  I will warn you though, you might be disappointed with it as I was.  I would give this a 2.5 out of 5 stars.

This Time Together

Title: This Time Together by Carol Burnett
Media: Print: Paperback
Rating 5 stars

Recommendation:  I cannot recommend this book enough, it was wonderful to read.

I grew up watching the Carol Burnett Show and Mama's Family.  Carol quickly became one of my all time favorite actresses.  On each show she was funny, had command of the stage, and just had this presence about her that made her audience simply love her.  When I stumbled across her book, I needed to get it and read it.  And I loved every minute of it.  Her book discusses her time in show business from meeting Jimmy Stewart who was her inspiration to her show and the friendships she made during that time.  Each anecdote takes you back in time to when each even occurred.  She reminisces about the times spent with her friends as well as the sadness's she endured as well. 

I gobbled this book up and finished it within a day.  As she was on the stage, she is class and beauty throughout her novel.  As I was reading it, I could hear her unique voice telling each of these stories. Everyone she speaks about, she speaks with respect and admiration for, she never once says a mean word about anyone.  Once again showing her class and dignity. It was a pleasure getting to read these stories, now I need to get her other memoirs, as well as those written by some of my other favorite actors and actresses.  Pick up this book today.

Miss Fortune

Miss Fortune: Albina Hume
Media: E-book: Nook
Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Recommendation:  If you enjoy memoirs and life stories.  Would I return to it?  Probably not, memoirs are not my go to read, but I did enjoy reading this one.  Albina has a voice that resonates off the page.

All Albina Hume wanted was to either hide her inability to pronounce the letter “R” or correct it.  Never did she think her inability would take her down the paths that it did.  She struggled to find ways to hide her mispronunciation including trying to learn English.  Her journey begins with her fear of being unable to find love and get married because a boy in her class called her a “crow” and in her mind ‘who would want to marry a crow?’  This instills her fear of the inability to pronounce R words.  That fear takes her down many roads including a pyramid beauty business, strip clubs, even a prison cell for 51 days.  She encounters con men, unhealthy relationships, endangering friendships, and more.  Everything she goes through drives her force to find her dreams, yet she is held back by her fears.  Once she releases those fears, the possibility for her dreams become endless.

From the very beginning, in the prologue, Albina pulls at the readers’ emotions as she describes her excitement for her wedding.  While reading readers can’t help but also wonder what significance the day has until she reveals it is on the same date she was raped 10 years prior.  She mentions this incident early on in the story giving the impression, the book will have something to do with overcoming it and the emotions related to the act.  But once readers get to that point, it is done and over with and she moves on to something else.  With that being said the rest of the books keeps readers mystified as Albina struggles with her inability to pronounce the letter ‘R’, to being conned into travelling to Greece illegally, and even being in jail for several days among other things.  Despite everything the story is that of a woman who overcomes all her struggles, all the bumps and bruises of life to find all her dreams coming true.  

The tone of the book is very casual as if the author is speaking to a close personal friend; this allows the reader to feel connected with her and her story.  It is a touching tale of a woman struggling to find the happiness we all long for.  Her quest for this happiness causes her to make decisions based on impulse and desire.  She hops from one relationship to another looking for love it isn't until she meets Abelardo and his desire to NOT have children does she look out for her own desires.  She then gets introduced to the man who will become her husband.  Her journey is not an easy one, it is filled with trials, and heartache.  

Frank Sinatra: My Father

Title: Frank Sinatra: My Father by Nancy Sinatra
Media source: Paperback
Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

Recommendation:  I highly suggest this novel to anyone who enjoys not only Sinatra's music, but music in general, as well as those who enjoy biographies and life stories.  This is definitely one to add to the collections.

This is a biography/memoir about one of the greatest musicians of all time (in my opinion) as told through he eyes of his daughter.  This book depicts the emotions and understanding that comes from someone who was close to the singer, and knew the intricate elements of his life.  Nancy gives detailed accounts of her father's career in music and film as well as his rumored involvement with the mafia.  She also provides accounts of his torrid love affairs, in addition to her brother's kidnapping.  There are so many life events, good and bad that this book includes.  Readers will get a glimpse into a side of Sinatra they wouldn't otherwise see.

I have been an avid Frank Sinatra fan since I was a teenager.  Since the moment I heard "High Hopes," his music had me hooked.  I devoured anything related to Sinatra and not only his work, but his life as well.  This biography was the perfect thing to add to my collection of literature in my little library, as well as feeding my hungry for more of this talented musician.  Nancy's way of describing things in not only her father's life but her own put a new perspective on things, a new perspective of this man.  This book showed there was more to him than being a famed singer and movie star.  It portrayed his as a man with faults, a father, and a friend.  This book includes family pictures which just add to the effect of Nancy's stories about her father.  It is evident throughout the book the influence this man had on our culture at the time and still today.  This is a fantastic read, and you will not be disappointed when reading it.