Thank you, Dr. Gagne, for allowing me into the living room of your mind. I need this reminder that none of us is completely good or evil. The earlier Thank you, Dr. Gagne, for allowing me into the living room of your mind. I need this reminder that none of us is completely good or evil. The earlier in kids’ lives we recognize that, the better. Superimposing ideas of how people should be, rather than striving to see one another for who we truly are, is disrespectful and destructive to all involved. Now how can non-sociopaths avoid getting duped and worse by sociopaths?...more
Surely Elliot Page’s print version of his autobiographical “Pageboy” is riveting, but he does such a completely amazing job reading it aloud, that I cSurely Elliot Page’s print version of his autobiographical “Pageboy” is riveting, but he does such a completely amazing job reading it aloud, that I can’t imagine it any other way. His account about how, from early on, he felt more male than female, is as personal as one might imagine. His lessons about gender, however, are universal.
It took navigating childhood, parents, celebrity, and life in general to arrive where he could fully embrace his genuine self. He describes how we’re conditioned from the time we’re born. The same as out and out aggression hurts us, micro-agressions work so subliminally that they can be impossible to see and to overcome.
As a cisgender heterosexual woman, Elliot’s experiences brought to mind conversations I’ve had with my husband. If someone were to attack my honey or any of his loved ones, he’d have absolutely no problem with lashing out to the extent of murder. That’s how he was raised. Because I was raised to be “nice” above all else, I seriously doubt I’d be able to do anything better than run. That’s if I didn’t simply freeze. And that’s with me fully aware that I should fight.
Before I married, the men I dated were chosen foremost by whether they might harm me. Especially during my 20s, I found that if I didn’t have a boyfriend, quite a few men regarded me as an open target, one who they had no problem needling regardless of how obnoxious they became. Sadly, movies portray men who persist as love-struck, rather than as the stalkers they often are. I could go on and on about the many ways society is shaped by our early gender messages.
Elliot helps us regard others and ourselves with more compassion, something the world needs more of....more
Love, family, politics, prejudice, our place in the world... Born to Korean parents who gave her away to anglo parents who raised her among only angloLove, family, politics, prejudice, our place in the world... Born to Korean parents who gave her away to anglo parents who raised her among only anglos, Nicole Chung's experience offers us a chance to ponder. From a practical viewpoint, she shares with it was like for her, first as a child and now as a mother. Relatable to anyone who has ever felt different, known a family, or experienced inequality. Janet Song does a lovely audio narration....more
Ariel's brave recount of growing up far beyond the absolutes of what society deems "conventional beauty" illustrates how truly limiting those confinesAriel's brave recount of growing up far beyond the absolutes of what society deems "conventional beauty" illustrates how truly limiting those confines are. Gorgeously and honestly written, she reminds us what each of us unfortunately needs to be reminded of over and over again. Our "shoulds" about our bodies don't serve us unless they include our souls and our uniquenesses....more
This is her autobiography. She’s dark-skinned, born in Trinidad, moves to New Jersey just before she starts elementary school. Her family then moves tThis is her autobiography. She’s dark-skinned, born in Trinidad, moves to New Jersey just before she starts elementary school. Her family then moves to Texas, next to Florida, and later she lives in New York. The longer she’s in the U.S., the more unwelcome she sees that people of color are. Taking us on her journey of self-discovery and realization, she ultimately finds she’s better off back in Trinidad. So are her children and her mother, where they all live now. Apologies to what can only amount to an oversimplification of the insights she shares as she steps us through just how insidious prejudice is, how profoundly it can harm the spirit....more
One of his best. Happy-Go-Lucky hits the nail on the head when it comes to showing how things aren't always black or white — that they can lie within One of his best. Happy-Go-Lucky hits the nail on the head when it comes to showing how things aren't always black or white — that they can lie within the confusing rainbow in between. ...more
Entertaining and candid, Foxx offers a good look at what it takes to become a star. I don't have kids, so I didn't listen to it for parenting advice.Entertaining and candid, Foxx offers a good look at what it takes to become a star. I don't have kids, so I didn't listen to it for parenting advice....more
Great read! Thoughtfully & vividly written. I'm only half way thru & am enthralled.Great read! Thoughtfully & vividly written. I'm only half way thru & am enthralled....more
While this is auto fiction, Heti offers a realistic and honest account of what it's like to thoughtfully choose whether to become a mother in today's While this is auto fiction, Heti offers a realistic and honest account of what it's like to thoughtfully choose whether to become a mother in today's U.S. society....more
"Call yourself what you want, be what you want, and don't blame your parents." If anyone else wrote this, I'd call that a pat answer. Coming for Barry"Call yourself what you want, be what you want, and don't blame your parents." If anyone else wrote this, I'd call that a pat answer. Coming for Barry, who masterfully describes his wretched upbringing without rancor, these are generous words of wisdom. The humor in his writing comes from his unflinching bravery to call a spade a spade and move through, then forward. Your honesty, Barry, is much appreciated....more
Unflinching and honest, Nadia Owusu lays bare her life, good and bad -- and offers us an example of how our acceptance of ourselves can allow us to blUnflinching and honest, Nadia Owusu lays bare her life, good and bad -- and offers us an example of how our acceptance of ourselves can allow us to blossom. The author performs an excellent audiobook reading....more
An honest glimpse into what it's like to be the daughter of a celebrity writer in the 1950s. Wish she wrote a sequel about what happened later.An honest glimpse into what it's like to be the daughter of a celebrity writer in the 1950s. Wish she wrote a sequel about what happened later....more
Honest, intelligent, big-hearted -- & inspiring. Quindlen ponders her slice of experience growing up in U.S., and muses on how the experiences of womeHonest, intelligent, big-hearted -- & inspiring. Quindlen ponders her slice of experience growing up in U.S., and muses on how the experiences of women in America. She does a wonderful job of narrating her audiobook....more
Thank you, Diana, for your faith in yourself--& all of us! I recommend anyone anywhere any-age any whatever check out her amazing account of alchemiziThank you, Diana, for your faith in yourself--& all of us! I recommend anyone anywhere any-age any whatever check out her amazing account of alchemizing her challenging childhood and superhuman physical goal into pure gold. Great reading of audiobook as well....more
Don't believe the title for a nanosecond--Tig is amazing! As the last person to hear of Tig Notaro, the only one to meet her through this intriguing aDon't believe the title for a nanosecond--Tig is amazing! As the last person to hear of Tig Notaro, the only one to meet her through this intriguing autobiography, I am blown away by what she's accomplished. She performs a fabulous narration about the challenges that she's surmounted as an adult--and the incredibly inspiring outcome of her childhood....more
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