10% Happier, by Dan Harris

10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works by Dan Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened this this one and found it surprisingly entertaining! I say surprising because I’m not a big fan of the self-help genre and I don’t watch broadcast news, so I wasn’t optimistic about this combination. I am intrigued by meditation and there was no waitlist for this audiobook on my library’s Overdrive audiobook collection, so I dove in, albeit with trepidation. The other surprise came when I realized that Dan Harris is actually one of the many illustrious alums of the high school where I’m a librarian. Who knew? I found the book to strike a nice balance between interesting famous person’s backstory and well-researched journalistic content delivered with wry wit and self-effacing charm. I might even read his next book! ~ Ms Dimmick

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Student Review: Night, by Elie Wiesel (Reviewed by Jessica S.)

Night by Elie Wiesel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Taken from their homes, their nice life, family, and friends, Elie and Moshe were stripped of all the goodness in their lives and put into a concentration camp in Germany, where they lived their lives in fear.

They were separated from the rest of their family, Elie’s sister, and mother. While living in the camp, they did not know what would come next, they did not know how much longer they would have to live, and they did not know if they would ever see the rest of their family, they did not know anything. While in the camp, Elie witnessed many horrifying and tragic things. People being beaten in front of their eyes, people killed in an instance, and people crying and praying for their life around him.

Elie Wiesel does a very nice job or portraying and persuading people to believe and feel that while they are reading this book, they are in a concentration camp, fell how the people felt, or at least feel bad for the people who suffered during this time period. By using key facts and information about life in a concentration camp, this book is a great one to read. I would definitely recommend it for people who really want to get a good understanding of the Holocaust and the effects of life in a concentrations camp. Again, it clearly covers the life in the camps and how scary it was to wake up every morning not knowing what is going to happen.~Student: Jessica S.

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Student Review: Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness, by Susannah Cahalan (Reviewed by Sara F.)

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The novel “Brain on Fire; My Month of Madness” explains the tragic and true story of author Susannah Cahalan and her time of insanity. Susannah Cahalan a New York Post journalist tells her story on what it was like to go insane and how she and her family around her conquered her illness.

There were many things I liked in the book. To begin, I am not usually a huge fan of non-fiction books. I really enjoyed the fact that this book was not like most non-fiction books in the sense that it did not just state facts, it told a story. I also found this book to be very interesting because you were able to look into the life of a mentally insane person, something I have actually been curious about in the past. In addition, this book taught me a lot about the human brain. I have never been extremely interested in medical things, except for the occasional Grey’s Anatomy. But, this book actually made me more interested in learning about the human brain as well as just making me more knowledgeable on the topic.

Lastly, this book was a quick and easy read. Only containing 250 pages, it is a great read for when you don’t want to consume too much of your time. Though there were many things I enjoyed there were also some negatives to the book. First off, at times the book seemed to drag on. There was a lot of repetition in this book, so at times I was bored or needed to take a break. Also, even though I found it very interesting, the overall outcome of her disease (what you find out was the problem) was a bit of a let down. There was too much build up in my opinion.

Overall, the positives outweighed the negatives. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is in their teens and/or adult years. In the end, “Brain on Fire; My Month of Madness by Susannah Callahan” is a great read for any type of reader.~Student: Sara F.

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Student Review: Red and Me: My Coach, My Lifelong Friend, by Bill Russell (Reviewed by Zachary R.)

Red and Me: My Coach, My Lifelong Friend by Bill Russell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If I could pick any play in the National Basketball Association to start a franchise, I would definitely choose Bill Russell. He is the smartest player ever to play the game as well as an astounding team leader. Bill Russell is a very private, but competitive at the same time and the reason that they worked so well together is because ultimately, they both had the final objection to win. The novel is an in-depth look at this dynamic duo’s success and friendship that led them to 11 NBA Championships.

The author, Alan Steinberg, uses facts to tell the story by giving the reader real-life evidence from their friendship and stories about their championships. This creates the non-fiction feel to this book, but also could be categorized as a biography.

I really loved the book and would give it five out of five stars because not only am I very interested in sports, but I love Bill Russell and he is a massive sports role model and icon. I would recommend this book to anyone that is a sports lover or wants to learn about one of the greatest basketball players ever. Bill Russell is a legend and his basketball accomplishment will be listed down as one of the most elite players ever.~Student: Zachary R.

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Student Review: Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls, by David Sedaris (Review by Aaron F.)

Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

David Sedaris is a particularly reflective person. I guess to have the success writing memoirs that he has had you have to be. He is so connected to his inner monologue that reading his work is much like listening to your train of thought at 3:30 in the morning when your mind is allowed to flow unabated, which can sometimes lead bizarre places.

Sedaris has been known for using this inner monologue style in a comedic self-deprecating manner which is certainly displayed in “Lets Explore Diabetes with Owls”. In this series of essays however he delves deeper into personal struggles. Whether it be with his interesting family relationships, or his well known past drug issues, Sedaris is less afraid of having raw emotional moments.

The stories he tells are not always well structured plots but more provide an insight into how his experiences have affected how he feels about people. Sedaris doesn’t write to achieve some greater rhetorical goal, but because it simply entertains him, and when his thoughts become more painful, is therapeutic. That’s what is so refreshing about his writing, he would do it whether he was successful or not, or even weather he was good at it or not. He just loves the art.~Student: Aaron F.

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Student Review: Yes Please by Amy Poehler (Reviewed by Sally N.)

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In her memoir “Yes Please,” Amy Poehler offers insightful comments told through a serious of witty, heartfelt and honest anecdotes. As she recounts everything from her childhood in Burlington, Massachusetts, to her improv life in Chicago, to her days at Saturday Night Live, she incorporates smart and kind advice about everything from self-perception to careers.

A very light and easy read, I enjoyed “Yes Please” although, it was trite at times, often lacked a flow from topic to topic and quite frankly was a little underwhelming. I would recommend this book to a forgiving reader and fan of Amy Poehler. I appreciated learning about her life and her words made me feel her warmth as a seemingly genuine woman but that was all it was; a comforting tale of her life with some shallow wisdom weaved in to the stories. Poehler’s personality seems to come across in this piece even though the writing is certainly not the best. She did use humor to her advantage with some quality jokes worked in to her stories that often saved some of the less interesting chapters. Overall, it was a classic celebrity memoir; fun and interesting but not a lot of depth and certainly not “literature.”~Student: Sally N.

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Student Review: Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, by Misty Copeland (Reviewed by Emma F.)

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The book “Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina,” by Misty Copeland, is an Autobiography about the struggles she had becoming a professional ballerina and only African-American soloist in the American Ballet Theatre.

Misty grew up living in a motel with her five siblings. She started dancing at an after-school community center and since the start she had amazing natural talent. The book shows a very unique perspective into the cutthroat world of ballet. Its filled with highs and lows from her first audition to dancing center stage. It is a great book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. It is a book that inspires you to go after what you want to do, no matter how old you are or the circumstances you are in.~Student: Emma F.

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Student Review: The Answer to the Riddle Is Me: A Memoir of Amnesia by David Stuart MacLean (Reviewed by Max G.)

The Answer to the Riddle Is Me: A Memoir of Amnesia by David Stuart MacLean

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wake up in the middle of nowhere and have no idea why you are there or who you are? Well then, welcome to “The Answer to the Riddle Is Me,” by David Stuart MacLean, a fascinating recollection through memoir of how its author became an amnesiac. The book’s main draw comes from the fact that it is a true story; it makes it extremely interesting to read about what it is actually like to lose your memory. The format of the book reflects that too, being broken into short, fragmented sets of pages, each representing an individual memory of the author.

David wakes up in a train station in India when he realizes he has no idea who he is, and from there he is rescued by a police captain, housed by an sonless elderly mother, captured and taken by government officials to an insanity ward, and then everything else is an upward spiral to his recovery. Pictures and documents from when the events actually happened are scattered throughout as well, really placing the reader in the moment.

My only complaint is that as the book goes on, events become less exciting, and sometimes it becomes a bit of a chore to read. Regardless, the majority of “The Answer to the Riddle Is Me” is hooking, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone in need of a new nonfiction book.~Student: Max G.

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Student Review: Angela’s Ashes, by Frank McCourt (reviewed by Zoe F.)

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Angela’s Ashes is the incredible memoir of Frank McCourt, born during the depression in Brooklyn, and raised in Limerick, Ireland. His family has no money to eat because of his rarely working father, Malachy, who quickly uses the occasional money he makes to drink. Despite Malachy’s failure to provide for Angela, Frank’s mother, and his family, Frank looks up to him for his stories of Cuchulain. Malachy tells the story of how Cuchulain saved Ireland, along with the story of his mother’s name, the Angel on the Seventh Step and Frank lives for it. As he grows up, Frank faces responsibility at a far too young age, taking care of his siblings, nearly starving, and dealing with poverty. It also illuminates the hardships and conditions that millions dealt with, from alcoholism of his father to poverty to the submissiveness of his mother because of societal norms. His story is heartbreaking, but he tells it with energy, understanding, beautiful and unique diction, and a small amount of strangely placed love. In his writing, McCourt uses historical references of the time period and direct memories to convey his ideas and help the reader stay with the story. I recommend this book for anyone looking for an amazing book that mixes humorous anecdotes with a longer, deeper plot that is heartbreaking and beautifully honest. ~ Student: Zoe F.

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Student Review: The Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank (Reviewed by Emily D.)

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This piece of literature is a great book to read as a young, teenage girl, and I would recommend it to anyone. The book’s author is Anne Frank, who is posthumously one of the most famous figures of Jewish life when the Nazis occupied the Netherlands. The diary was originally a gift for her thirteenth birthday, but seventy-three years later it has sold millions of copies and has been translated into more than 60 languages. It glances into her life in hiding above her father’s office with seven other people: the van Daans, Mr. Dussel, her parents, and her sister. In this diary she shared her innermost thoughts of those surrounding her and her own personal feelings of love, loneliness, and loss.

I was surprised on how deep and thoughtful Anne was in her diary. Previously I had assumed that the book would be full of facts on how the Nazis were invading the Netherlands, but after reading it I know that I was wrong. The facts and timeline of the war are beautifully integrated into the story, thus creating a vivid historical context for the story to unfold in. Hiding indoors from those who want you dead for two years changes one’s perspective and thoughts on life, and since Anne is a young adolescent, these thoughts are only intensified. She often expresses her thoughts on boys and sex, which are sometimes vulgar, but are expected as a teenager. As the reader you witness her blossom into a bright young woman with opinions from an innocent child, which is a change that I would hope every woman to witness in their life.~Student: Emily D.

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