Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb

Bess Kalb, Emmy-nominated TV writer and New Yorker contributor, saved every voicemail her grandmother Bobby Bell ever left her. Bobby was a force–irrepressible, glamorous, unapologetically opinionated. Bobby doted on Bess; Bess adored Bobby. Then, at ninety, Bobby died. But in this debut memoir, Bobby is speaking to Bess once more, in a voice as passionate as it ever was in life.

Recounting both family lore and family secrets, Bobby brings us four generations of indomitable women and the men who loved them. There’s Bobby’s mother, who traveled solo from Belarus to America in the 1880s to escape the pogroms, and Bess’s mother, a 1970s rebel who always fought against convention. Then there’s Bess, who grew up in New York and entered the rough-and-tumble world of L.A. television. Her grandma Bobby was with her all the way–she was the light of Bess’s childhood and her fiercest supporter, giving Bess unequivocal love, even if sometimes of the toughest kind.

In Nobody Will Tell You This But Me, Bobby reminds Bess of the experiences they shared, and she delivers–in phone calls, texts, and unforgettable heart-to-hearts brought vividly to the page–her signature wisdom:

If the earth is cracking behind you, you put one foot in front of the other.
Never. Buy. Fake. Anything.
I swear on your life every word of this is true.

With humor and poignancy, Bess Kalb gives us proof of the special bond that can skip a generation and endure beyond death. This book is a feat of extraordinary ventriloquism and imagination by a remarkably talented writer.

Thoughts
This was a touching, emotional, funny book! I loved the relationship between Bess and her Grandma Bobbie. I don’t remember either of my grandmothers, they died when I was really young, but this is what I hope my relationship with them would have been like!

The book is based on their talks, phone calls, and texts. It made me laugh out loud and made me tear up, but mainly it made me miss my grandmothers even more than I always have.

The book is rated 4.8. Both women and men have rated this book 5★.  A lot of them read it in one sitting.

I think you should read it.

Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service by Gary Sinise

Narrated by: Gary Sinise

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-12-19
Language: English
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

As a kid in suburban Chicago, Gary Sinise was more interested in sports and rock ‘n’ roll than reading or schoolwork. But when he impulsively auditioned for a school production of West Side Story, he found his purpose – or so it seemed.

Within a few years, Gary and a handful of friends created what became one of the most exciting and important new theater companies in America. From its humble beginnings in a suburban Chicago church basement and eventual move into the city, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company launched a series of groundbreaking productions, igniting Gary’s career along with those of John Malkovich, Joan Allen, Gary Cole, Laurie Metcalf, Jeff Perry, John Mahoney, and others. Television and film came calling soon after, and Gary starred in Of Mice and Men (which he also directed) and The Stand before taking the role that would change his life in unforeseeable ways: Lieutenant Dan in the Academy Award-winning Forrest Gump.

The military community’s embrace of the character of the disabled veteran was matched only by the depth of Gary’s realization that America’s defenders had not received all the honor, respect, and gratitude their sacrifices deserve. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, this became Gary’s mission. While starring in hits like Apollo 13, Ransom, Truman, George Wallace, CSI:NY, and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, Gary has worked tirelessly on behalf of those who serve this country, entertaining more than a half-million troops around the world playing bass guitar with his Lt. Dan Band, raising funds on behalf of veterans, and eventually founding the Gary Sinise Foundation with a mission to serve and honor America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.

Grateful American is the moving, entertaining, profoundly gripping story of how one man found his calling: to see that those who defend this country and its freedoms are never forgotten.

Thoughts
I’ve been a fan of Gary Sinise for a lot of years. I love his acting, how much he’s done for vets, his band (Lt. Dan Band),  and after listening to this book I like him even more.

The book is full of so many stories about his life from childhood through adulthood. I learned about things that he and his wife have gone through in their marriage and as parents, and so much more. He has led a very interesting life full of ups and downs, and if you read this you’ll find out what an amazing man, husband, and father he is. I knew quite a bit about what he’s done but this book is full of things that I had no clue about.

I loved this book and recommend it whether you are a fan of Gary’s or not.

Audiobook Challenge

2020 Reading Challenge Month-by-Month

It’s Not What It Looks Like by Molly Burke

Audible Audiobook
Listening Length: 3 hours and 5 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Original recording
Publisher: Audible Original
Audible.com Release Date: August 1, 2019
Language: English, English
ASIN: B07TXLSL83

Close your eyes and get ready to see the world in a new and more positive way. As a child in Toronto, Molly Burke was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa and became completely sightless as a teenager. Now an award-winning YouTube star and global Influencer, Molly shares what it’s like to be a purple-haired, pink-obsessed fashion and makeup lover in a seeing world. She speaks with authenticity and candor about how she tackles the preconceived notions we have around blindness; Molly has made it her mission to make us see her – and ourselves- in a wholly empowering way. Learn about her struggles with bullying and anxiety, her quest for inclusivity, how she built a successful Influencer business (with more than 1.8 million followers), and what it’s really like to travel with the true star of this audio, her service dog, Gallop.

Thoughts
I had never heard of Molly Burke before seeing this Audible Original. After listening to it I subscribed to her YouTube channel.

Molly tells us what it was like loosing her site from a young age and up to the time she wrote the book. I learned alot about what it would be like to loose your site slowly, after years of being able to see. She is brutaly honest about many things, and talks about her fears, accomplishments, family, friends and what it was like to be bullied for being blind. That part upset me a lot. Bullying is just plan wrong in any circumstance, but especially so when the person is disabled in any way.

I really enjoyed listening to Molly talk about her service dogs, her love for them was evident in her voice. She talked about how people can make it so hard for someone who depends on a service dog, and what is ok and not ok to do when you see someone with a service dog.

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook, the author did a great job with the narration. I would recommend it to everyone.

2020 Diversity Challenge

2020 Non-Fiction Challenge: Medical Issue

2020 Audiobook Challenge