2020 Book List - Non-Fiction
Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett. "Jollett spent part of his childhood in Synanon, a violent cult in Santa Monica, California. He and his brother ultimately escaped, but life on the outside was enormously challenging, too. An immersive story, fluently written, and deeply honest. Jollett has given us a gentle memoir about a very ungentle childhood, an ultimately redemptive and forgiving tale that made me admire him deeply."
Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fettell Lee. Recommended by my friend Lee Prince’s blog www.elegantmayhem.com, “I cannot say enough good things about Ingrid Fettell Lee’s book...It’s a game changer! I just wish I had a workbook to go with it because it is PACKED with insights and so many things you can apply to your own home and lifestyle.”
The Last Castle by Denise Kieran. “Vanderbilt friends of the Great Beach Books editor will appreciate this great story of George Washington Vanderbilt (scion of Cornelius) who hired the best to design and build The Biltmore in Asheville, NC. Anchor Down!”
Morning Pages by Julia Cameron. Recommended by my friend Lee Prince’s blog www.elegantmayhem.com, “an approach called “Morning Pages,” which is basically carving out 30 min EVERY A.M. to throw down on paper everything bumping around in your over-crowded head. I’ve only done it for 1 wk but I can see the magic of it already.”
Open Book by Jessica Simpson. “I am embarrassed to admit how much I loved Jessica’s memoir. Before reading her book, I thought Jessica was insipid and untalented. I was not remotely a fan. After reading her raw and painfully honest memoir, I fell in love with her. Jessica proves that the shortest distance between not liking and liking someone is simply getting to know them. “Open Book” is a juicy, honest and detailed account of Jessica's life. Life hack: if you listen to this book on audible, I highly suggest speeding the pace up to 1.25 or 1.50 speed. I enjoyed her narration so much more when I speeded it up!”
Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway Musicals. by Tudd S. Purdum. "A well-paced portrait of the duo, who were temperamentally (and otherwise) quite different from one another, but who managed to work together to revolutionize broadway and bring us such classics as Carousel, South Pacific, Oklahoma and - of course - The Sound of Music. The book kept me really entertained. I would have gotten through it sooner had I not stopped reading constantly to watch the performances on YouTube or listen to the songs on Spotify."
Trouble in the Water by Rebecca Dwight Bruff. From Amazon: "Moving and inspirational, Trouble the Water reveals the little-known real-life story of Robert Smalls. Born enslaved before the Civil War, Smalls witnesses great privilege and immense suffering alongside his owner's daughter and the dangerous son of a firebrand secessionist. When he's only twelve, he's put to work in Charleston, where he loads ships and learns to pilot a cotton steamer. When the war erupts and his cotton steamer becomes a confederate warship, Robert attempts a harrowing escape to freedom for himself and the people he loves."
Untamed by Glennon Doyle. “I was in the minority about Glennon’s first popular book, ‘Love Warrior.’ I thought Glennon was a little sanctimonious and long winded. Her prose went in circles and lacked focus. In 'Untamed,' Glennon is the exact opposite. She is focused, raw, honest and sharp. Glennon picks up detailing her life where the last book ended. She leaves her marriage and marries the love of her life, Abby Wambach. This book is a masterpiece. I wish it was required reading for every person on this planet. I am so grateful that I took another chance on Glennon. Untamed is my new favorite book. I bought it in every form (kindle, hard copy and audible). If possible, I highly recommend listening to Glennon’s audio version. Hearing her heartfelt dictation is really moving. I can’t give enough praise for this book and for Glennon’s radical honesty. Glennon is a gifted writer and teacher.”