Dona's Book Blog

Thank you to the author Brittany Means, publishers Zibby Books, and NetGalley, for an advance digital copy of HELL IF WE DON'T CHANGE OUR WAYS. All views are mine. Opening Quote: I can tell you that having certainty is sometimes a mirage you create for yourself so you can keep taking steps through the sand. Loc.1875 Three (or more) things I loved: 1. At the end of this book, a lot of readers may hold that Brittany's mom doesn't deserve her children's forgiveness, especially Brittany's. A lot of people in my life have told me in my life that my mother doesn't deserve mine. But our mothers do deserve forgiveness. I forgive my mother. It is a courageous act I engage in ever day. Brittany shows the same courage. This book does many things, including importantly that it instructs deeply on the universal gift of forgiveness.  2. The opening page of chapter 1 is one of the most beautiful and haunting things I've ever read. I make note of my weight p...

Thank you to the author Lynsi Snyder, publishers Thomas Nelson, and TLC Book Tours, for an advance hardback copy of THE INS-N-OUTS OF THE IN-N-OUT BURGER. Thank you also to NetGalley for an accomanying widget. All views are mine. Being a veteran of the restaurant industry, having experienced the family one can find between the quiet tables of a pre-opened dining room, reading this book written by a restaurant heiress with a deep love of the burgers that uplifted her family and so many others felt like coming home for me. Three (or more) things I loved: 1. It was really interesting to read about how, in In-N-Out's early years, the "hamburger shop" fit in with popular culture: Elvis and rock n' roll, poodle skirts and shared milkshakes... the author's grandparents satisfied a craving this whole country had no idea it had. 2. The author's father was abused in childhood, which is relevant to this family's story in more than one way. But I thought i...

Thank you to the author Sherry Sidoti, publishers She Writes Press, as well as BookSparks, for an advance physical copy of ᴀ sᴍᴏᴋᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ sᴏɴɢ. "'Practice listening.... [your dad's] just a man. And men have limits.... Remember, his truth may not be your truth or the truth at all, for theat matter. Everyone has their side of the truth."p66 Sidoti's memoir grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I felt so connected to this young girl, growing up in the 80's, whose parents were uninvested in a child's affairs, especially their emotions. I grew up in the same decade, and it's true: parents of that era just didn't care about the same things that they do now. That was, "my daughter's my best friend" and "stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about" era. When Sidoti wrote about trying to make her parents and sisters happy, and how elusive that goal was, I felt the potency of the scenes. How could adults expect ...