I’m not a huge Mac fan. My family loves our ipods, but that’s about it. I don’t really care much about the growth of the computer industry or the particular person of Steve Jobs, but this book was riveting, and if you’re at all interested in the changes in our use of technology that have taken place over the last 20 years or so, there will be facts that inform and interest you in this book. I learned that Steve Jobs had a hand in so many things, including the success of Pixar, ebooks, and much more. Knowing what was coming — each new innovation from the growth of the personal computer, to the ipod to the iphone to the ipad — built a sort of tension throughout. Knowing that Steve Jobs had lost his battle with cancer right before the publication of the book lent it slightly more weight, and did make me consider the weight of the loss of that creative and innovative mind.

There’s been a lot of press about how the book reveals Jobs to be an unsympathetic and callous boss and person in general, and yes, that’s true. Isaacson doesn’t cut Jobs any slack on the issue, though it is usually manifested as a result of his desire for everything to be perfect.

Jobs cooperated with Isaacson on this project — in fact he asked Isaacson to author his biography — but did not have a hand in the finished project at all. He didn’t read the book before publication and didn’t read it before he died. Isaacson talked to personal friends and family, co-workers, those he had spurned and those who admired him.

This is a long book (although the amazon page says “abridged,” the Simon and Schuster audiobook I have is 20 long unabridged CDs), but I honestly was interested in every single chapter. Because it’s nonfiction, it’s easily the kind of book that you could work your way through when you had time. You could listen to the audio in bursts, or read a chapter here and there when you have time.

AUDIOBOOK NOTES: Dylan Baker read this book and he did a great job. Never did I get lost in the details or glaze over while listening to something that wasn’t interesting. Baker made Steve Jobs’ thoughts and words come to life, and allowed Isaacson’s prose to shine. Though the audio was log, I got through it within a month or so, which is probably sooner than I would have read the big chunkster of a book. But it was compelling enough — even though it was non-fiction and not a suspenseful novel — that I found myself finding time to listen.

Jennifer Donovan enjoys fiction best, but interesting, informative and readable nonfiction fuels her love of reading as well. She blogs at Snapshot.

After 47 days afloat their raft finally brought them to a Japanese-occupied island, and Louie soon missed the raft and sharks that surrounded them. He was held as a POW for 2.5 years, targeted by a sadistic guard for beatings and humiliation that were unbearable. But through all of his experiences, Louie remained unbroken. After his rescue – Zamperini and other POWs firmly believe that the atomic bombs dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki saved their lives – Louie sank in to a deep depression and alcohol-infused existence. Louie credits the evangelist Billy Graham for turning his life around and has spent the 65+ years since the war’s end — yes, he’s still alive and kicking — working with troubled youths and telling his story.

In Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, Laura Hillenbrand tells Louie’s amazing and at times unbelievable story, mixed in with statistics and facts about the Pacific POWs and Japan’s role in the war. Germany takes the brunt of blame for World War II but Japan’s cultural attitude toward surrender and the associated shame resulted in atrocious conditions and treatment of the POWs. The guards became extremely power-hungry – they starved, beat and humiliated the prisoners just because they could. The prisoners rebelled in their own small ways, maintaining their dignity and will to live, and Hillenbrand tells their stories with respect and admiration. Unbroken is well researched, well written and required reading for anyone with even a mild interest in World War II and its effects on the Greatest Generation, and I’ve added it to our Five Star Reads.

Notes on the audiobook: Unbroken is narrated by Edward Hermann. I have mixed feelings about listening to books read by well-known actors, my initial reaction is always one of excitement of hearing a voice I know, but then it takes some time to separate the picture in my head of a character that actor may have portrayed — such as Rory Gilmore’s grandpa –from the story being told. Hermann reads Unbroken with energy and emotion and quickly put my trepidation to rest, and it wasn’t long before I stopped listening to him and started listening to the story.

Nancy writes about her 2 boys, books and life in Colorado at Life With My Boys and Books.

And honestly, I’m glad that “Rob Lowe” attracted me to Stories I Only Tell My Friends, because it’s such an interesting look at how he pursued an acting career and trained himself by choosing to work with experienced directors and learning all he could from them. This is not your typical celebrity fluff or slam book.

The memories Lowe shares run the gamut from soul-plumbing honesty, specifically in regard to his parents’ divorce or his choice to get sober, to a more removed type of story — one that you would indeed tell your friends or trot out in a social situation where you were meeting new people.

He writes about following his dreams to be an actor, realized after seeing community theater at the age of 10 or so in Dayton, Ohio. From that time on, he persevered, doing whatever it takes, and making some bold moves. Though this book is not really appropriate for kids, it still spoke to me as a parent about encouraging my children to follow their dreams whatever they may be.

I would have been disappointed if this book did not also include insider information about the people he’s known and the projects he’s been a part of, and he delivers. He gave especially detailed information about working on the Outsiders, his first big movie, with the cast of young actors – Emilio Estevez, Rob Dillon, Tom Cruise, and C. Thomas Howell – and the acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola.

By the time he was just 21 years old, he had starred in a handful of movies and was getting a lot of attention. It stands to reason that by 30, he felt burned out and as if he had experienced life beyond his years. He felt the need to settle down, but knew he couldn’t do it with the fast and loose lifestyle he was living, so he went to a rehab center and emerged clean and sober.

Rob Lowe is not just another pretty face (not just, but c’mon…. ) He’s an actor who takes his craft seriously, whether playing “Number Two” in the Austin Powers’ movies, or the more dramatic Golden Globe Award Winning role of Sam Seaborn on the West Wing.

With Stories I Only Tell My Friends he also proves himself a skilled writer, knowing just when to hold back germane information in a story to provide a dramatic punch at the end. This book truly surprised me. I knew I’d enjoy it, but I wasn’t counting on how much.

If you are a fan of Rob Lowe’s movies or are curious about that rise to icon status of the “Brat Pack” back in the 80’s, you don’t want to miss this book. If you are curious about the making of movies and the professional life of any actor, you also need to read this book.

AUDIO NOTES:

Hearing the author share personal stories in his or her own voice generally adds to the experience (Elizabeth Gilbert did an excellent job with Eat Pray Love). This is no different, especially when that voice is Rob Lowe (I never claimed that I was a fan only because of his acting ability!). While at first the reading seemed a bit stilted, he either relaxed into it as the discs progressed, or I came to recognize it as his own unique speaking style. Either way, I’m glad I listened to this in this way.

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Susan over at 5 Minutes for Mom has just discovered audiobooks as well! Check out her reviews of this book and Tina Fey’s new memoir as well over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Jennifer Donovan blogs about books, parenting, and the stories she tells her friends over at Snapshot.

Mirjam Pressler is a beloved German author, and the award-winning translator of Anne Frank’s Diary. She organized these notes and letters and adds in some information about what others of that day would have been doing or wearing or were thinking, so that Treasures from the Attic: The Extraordinary Story of Anne Frank’s Family reads as a continuous narrative, not just a series of letters. Gerti and Buddy were additional sources that she used for clarification.

At first it was hard for me to get into, especially the audiobook version, because I was trying to make connections and draw the lines on the family tree, but then I relaxed and let myself enjoy the stories of this warm, loving and silly family, going all the way back into the late 1800′s. We learn that other relatives placed importance on keeping a record of their thoughts via a journal. It’s grave to consider the likelihood that Anne would never have journaled her time in hiding from the Nazis were it not such a valued habit in the family.

After the somewhat slow start (just because it wasn’t connected to the time period that I associate with Anne Frank), bits of information about the prejudice against Jews throughout Europe begins to surface. And here’s the real irony — though Jewish by birth, the Frank family was quite secular in practice, even celebrating Christmas as a holiday, and not even attending temple on the high holy days.

Less than halfway through brings us to the low point in Otto Frank’s life, as we find out that Edith, Anne, and Margot have all died, as we wrote letters and telegrams back home after he and the other concentration camp inmates were freed by Russia (a fact that was new to me). At this point, the story becomes quite absorbing — perhaps because it’s familiar, and perhaps because of the way we’ve gotten to know the rest of the extended family. We experience this shocking news along with them, as they feel guilty for their relative ease and safety in Switzerland during this time.

The last half of the book continues to focus on the other family members, grandmas Alice and Ida and their children and grandchildren, but primarily looks at Otto’s work getting the diary published in many countries, and protecting its reputation by fighting those who claim it’s fiction. The book did not become a bestseller until the Tony-award winning play was staged and traveled throughout the world. Then the movie followed.

Otto used most of the proceeds from the success of the book, play and movie to set up the Anne Frank foundation to fight racism and encourage religious tolerance, and built a museum at the site of the secret annex, which is now one of the top ten most visited museums in Europe.

Hearing all that was preserved in this family’s letters to one another, and how much it told — not just about the horrid events of the day, but of their close-knit ties, jokey manner, and the way they expressed love — makes me think about what sort of legacy important and influential teens of our day are leaving behind. Surely the text messages, emails, tweets, and wall posts of this generation will not be preserved.

In addition to fans of Anne Frank or those who want to know more about the Nazi occupation, those who enjoy late 19th and 20th century European social history will no doubt enjoy this look at daily life, along with the struggles to overcome the extreme prejudice and persecution of the Jews at that time. Since the last half of the book also deals with the family’s loss of Anne and Margot and their mother Edith, I would think that someone who’s suffered the loss of a child might feel comforted or at least understood in these pages.

AUDIO NOTES: Treasures from the Attic: The Extraordinary Story of Anne Frank’s Family is a quiet book about a serious topic, and the reading follows this course. Sherry Adams Foster fooled me! I assumed that it was a German reader, but she wasn’t. However, hearing the accent definitely helped me become more fully immersed than if I had just been reading it.

I also find that in history books such as this, listening to an audio version helps me stick with it. I enjoyed this audiobook very much.

Jennifer Donovan has a stash of love letters from her husband in her closet and during those college years, she also wrote long letters to her best friend from high school. Her day to day memories are now preserved in cyberspace at her blog Snapshot.

My husband has read many of Lewis’ books, including this one. They are investigative and informative. Because of this, Terry flatly refused to watch the movie with me. There’s been no negotiation, in spite of the fact that he likes Sandra Bullock and is generally not at all reluctant to view romantic comedies with me. Why the staunch avoidance of this popular movie, then?

“They took a good book about football and made a chick flick out of it. That’s stupid.”

Last month, Terry and I saw Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy speak at a benefit dinner for a local homeless shelter. They were funny and entertaining and inspirational. I thought he’d change his mind, because he liked hearing their story, so I put it at the top of my Netflix queue, but I still ended up watching it alone.

That’s okay. I’m glad I watched it, and I’m actually glad that I waited until I saw the real people, and heard more of their story, because I think it made the movie even more meaningful. I liked the movie. Loved it. It was a good story, and the message is truly inspirational.

As my husband points out, the book and the movie are two totally different animals. The success of the book brought the Tuohy family’s story to light, and the movie was made. So — book/movie — no comparison (in my mind the movie is far superior, since I tried to read the book, but could care less about how the game of football has changed or the role of the left tackle). In Terry’s opinion, the book is far superior and the movie shouldn’t even use that title.

However, the “real” story behind The Blind Side can be found in Sean and Leanne Tuohy’s book, In a Heartbeat (linked to my review). First I heard the Tuohy’s speak, then I watched the movie, then I listened to the audiobook that explained their practice of “cheerful giving.” It’s all changed the way I look at others and the way I think about the difference that one person can make in another’s life (and that person could be me!).

If I’m not the only person left on earth who hasn’t seen The Blind Side, I urge you to watch it. Sandra Bullock deserved the Academy Award she won for best actress, it’s pretty family friendly (for tweens and teens for sure), and it’s a great movie. But if you want to know the “real story,” be sure to check out In a Heartbeat.

Jennifer Donovan and her husband frequently disagree. Since they are both first-borns, neither of them are quick to let go of their opinions. Read more about the mysteries of her marriage at her blog Snapshot.

One of the biggest take-aways I got from listening to the book was the popcorn theory, which I wrote about more on my blog. Check it out if you often feel overwhelmed with all the needs in the world and feel bad because you can’t help everyone.

In the movie, it seems to be completely out of the blue, which makes the story more dramatic, but in reality the Tuohy’s had given and shared their lives with countless others who were in need over the years. What’s more, each of their backgrounds set them up to be inclined to help others. Leigh Anne’s parents cheerfully welcomed her friends into their home, and when they saw a need, like new clothes, they provided. Sean’s desire to help kids in need came from his own experience growing up on the receiving side of others’ generosity.

As with any memoir-type book, there is a bit of self-importance and over-sharing that might annoy those who don’t usually read memoir, but if you enjoyed The Blind Side movie, I know that you will like hearing more of their straight-forward thoughts (they are one opinionated and hard-driving couple!). If you like biographies, you will enjoy hearing how their upbringings affected them and led them to live out their philosophy of cheerful giving.

In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving has recently been nominated for a 2011 Audie award in the Faith-Based nonfiction category.

I have also given this book the “Christian” category label, but this is in no way a Christian Living sort of title that would only appeal to those trying to put their faith into action. In fact, when the Tuohy’s met Sandra Bullock, who has been skeptical of Christians and wondered if she could play Leigh Anne in the movie, she told Leigh Anne after she had been shadowing her, “Wow! I finally met someone who practices but doesn’t preach.”

I think that sums up the tone of this book on cheerful giving. Yes, the Tuohy’s are Christians. Sean references a sermon given on giving and tithing that impacted him a lot, but I still wouldn’t call this a “Christian book.” The Tuohy’s desires to give goes far beyond some sort of Biblical mandate. It’s who they are, and if you read it, you’ll be challenged to figure out in what way you can help others as well.

AUDIO BOOK NOTES: The first sections are actually narrated/read by Sean and Leigh Anne themselves. While they aren’t professional voice actors, it makes their story seem authentic. I heard the Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy speak at a benefit dinner right before listening to this, and their voice is authentic! You might think it’s over-the-top, but if anything, it felt understated as compared to the funny, confident people I saw on stage.

When the professional narrators step in, the quality improves, but it does lose some of the personal touch.

This is a great book suitable for the whole family (certainly from 9 up), so I think it would make an excellent book to listen to in the car on a road trip.

Check out my GIVEAWAY of this title (on another post about audiobooks).

Jennifer Donovan tries to notice and respond to others’ needs, but she is often too wrapped up in her own world (about which she shares with the world at Snapshot).

I was so pleased to be able to see Lombardi on Broadway while it was in previews. While I haven’t read the book that it was based on, When Pride Still Mattered : A Life Of Vince Lombardi, the show contained all the elements I listed above that I love to see in a biography.

It’s more than just a football story. It’s a story about what makes men great, and how those characteristics can be an asset as well as a liability. It’s a story about family. It’s a fun look at the 50′s and 60′s.

Dan Lauria and Judith Light are awesome. If you live in the NYC area (or plan a visit soon), I can highly recommend it, whether you are a football fan or not.

If you can get into NYC, you don’t want to miss this show. Please click over to 5 Minutes for Mom to read my full review, and enter to win a pair of tickets to this show at the amazing Circle in the Square theater. The giveaway closes on Sunday. Please enter now!

Comments are closed here. Please leave your comments (and giveaway entries) there.

Immediately, I was pulled in by Colum McCann’s writing and characters. However in books like this, regardless of how good the writing is and how compelling the characters are, if something doesn’t pull the vignettes together, it doesn’t stand up as a novel to me. Colum McCann did this masterfully. He pulled these characters together in ways that were not at all predictable, and the theme of the world turning in the midst of everyone’s separate lives runs through it completely.

I was intrigued by his ability to write in the voice of such a wide variety of people — a working class middle-aged black woman, an upper crust middle-aged white woman, an Irish immigrant priest, a mother-daughter pair of prostitutes (this is the NYC of old — gritty!), an artist couple who are trying to escape the lure of the New York partying life. Yes — all of those characters are written with such a true and natural voice, and it was amazing to read.

The real-life event that this novel centers on is the basis of Philippe Petit’s book Man on Wire, which I have not read. However, I was so captivated by this time period as McCann created it, and the event that he uses to anchor the stories together, that I rented the Man on Wire Documentary that has received much acclaim.

This movie is told in interviews from him and those who helped him over 30 years ago. It was interesting to watch, because if you are like me, you always wonder, “Why do people do things like that?” And after reading the novel, I definitely wondered “How in the world did he do that? And why??“. Except for a few drug references (referring unfavorably to someone who was high much of the time), and an odd quick scene right at the end of the movie that contains some nudity, this would be a great movie to watch with your older kids (and certainly teens could watch the whole thing).

Whether on screen or in the pages, managing editor Jennifer Donovan enjoys a great story.