Tag: Memoir

Leaving Washington: Why Jen Thompson Walked Away from Political Power in ‘Wild Pivot’

‘Wild Pivot’ by Jen Thompson is an impactful memoir about choosing truth over approval. Photo: Barnes & Noble.

Book Review: Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten by Jen Thompson

Release Date: September 22, 2026 | Status: Available for Pre-Order

As a successful and prominent young Republican strategist, Jen Thompson possessed the power and prestige she had always strived for, yet it was built on an underlying current of personal disconnect. Her inner voice warned that she was living someone else’s definition of a meaningful life. It took a near-fatal car accident on a high-profile Senate campaign trail to shatter her trajectory, forcing her to question the identity she had built and the loyalty that kept her tied to it.

Told through short, engaging vignettes, this memoir traces Thompson’s journey from political ambition to profound personal transformation.

The Plot: From Capitol Hill to Down Under

The narrative opens on February 14, 2023. Jen is attending an outdoor screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney, Australia, reflecting on a tumultuous year. She has been sued and slandered on the front pages of newspapers, cheated on, lied to, and nearly killed in a car crash.

After running a successful political campaign to elect Congressman Jim Talent to the U.S. Senate representing Missouri, she put as much distance as possible between herself and Washington by escaping to Australia. There, she finally felt free. Turning down numerous high-level job offers, her Republican peers thought she was crazy. What she couldn’t tell them was that her core political views had fundamentally shifted. The people she once worked alongside were now dominating the headlines, and new acquaintances in Australia were stunned to learn about her past.

From there, Thompson shares her life story:

  • Childhood Foundations: Growing up in a Christian Scientist family and facing her father’s demand at age 11 to lay out a twenty-year career plan.
  • The DC Pressure Cooker: Recounting the brutal stress of her years as a political strategist and how those struggles opened her eyes to a world she had never envisioned.
  • A New Path: Committing to living a life of truth and personal freedom, regardless of the cost.

Table of Contents

Part I: Wired

  • Chapter 1: Time Bomb: Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Boom
  • Chapter 2: Becoming Wired
  • Chapter 3: The Monster Unleashed
  • Chapter 4: Truths
  • Chapter 5: Gravity
  • Chapter 6: Becoming Unwired
  • Chapter 7: After the Caribbean
  • Chapter 8: Chasing the Boar Part I
  • Chapter 9: Chasing the Boar Part II
  • Chapter 10: Healing
  • Chapter 11: Last Two Months of the Campaign
  • Chapter 12: The Election

Part II: Rewired

  • Chapter 13: Alternative Endings
  • Chapter 14: White Privilege
  • Chapter 15: Consequences
  • Chapter 16: Love

Book Review

Jen Thompson delivers a candid look at the high-stakes world of American politics and the terrifying cost of living an inauthentic life. In walking away from her career, Thompson illustrates that genuine evolution—aside from being uncomfortable—can often be isolating. Yet, her journey toward healing proves that dismantling an old life is a necessary step toward true freedom. Especially memorable is her willingness to examine her past without protecting her ego.

Chapter Highlights

  • Chapter 2: Thompson recounts the happiest day of her life: her first day working for Congressman Jim Talent on Capitol Hill. She describes growing increasingly driven, working over 80 hours a week through holidays. Yet, when left alone, she became consumed by a fear of failure:

“My fears grew into a raging monster that roared with an unstoppable push to succeed.”

  • Chapter 6: The turning point arrives with a horrific car accident on her way to Springfield. Though the vehicle was left unrecognizable, she survived—and in the quiet shock of the aftermath, clarity struck:

“That very moment is suspended in time as the one when my life began to change.”

Core Themes & Final Verdict

The vignettes move with unflinching honesty and sharp wit through a non-linear format. Central to the narrative is an exploration of blind loyalty and the seductive, destructive desire to belong. Her story also examines the themes of identity, transform tion, and liberation and the uncomfortable process of confronting the beliefs that once defined us. Thompson examines how institutional validation can quiet our intuition, compelling us to trade internal truth for external applause.

Overall, Wild Pivot is a compelling memoir about what happens when success no longer feels like success. It’s a story about choosing truth over approval and discovering that sometimes the most courageous pivot is the one that leads back to yourself. It stands as a powerful testament to the courage required to rewrite your story—no matter the price. Readers who enjoy insightful, deeply human memoirs will find this one hard to put down.

“In the stillness, it occurs to me that meaning can only come by way of wholeness, and wholeness, it must be said, does not come easily.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the Author

Jen Thompson is a former high-powered Republican strategist and congressional lawyer who famously walked away from Washington at the peak of her career. She managed the nationally watched 2002 campaign that tipped the divided U.S. Senate back to Republican control, overcoming a massive deficit by orchestrating high-profile events with the President of the United States. Alongside her political work, she served as a lawyer-lobbyist at top international law firms and spent eight years as a chief political commentator for NBC and ABC news affiliates in Richmond, Virginia.

** Thank you to Fauzia Burke and FSB Associates for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

From Tehran to Triumph: The Powerful Story Behind ‘Passport to Freedom’

‘Passport to Freedom’ is a memoir of faith, exile, and survival. Photo: Meryl Moss Media, used with permission.

Book Review: Passport to Freedom: From Tehran to Triumph

By Nizam Missaghi, MD

Born an American citizen but raised under Iran’s theocracy, a teenage boy risks everything to escape religious persecution and reclaim the freedom—and responsibility—of choosing America. (Simon & Schuster, 2026)

Release Date: September 22, 2026, available for pre-order.

The Story

Nizam Missaghi was seven years old when he was expelled from school for the first time in Tehran. It wasn’t for misbehavior or poor grades, but for belonging to a faith the Islamic Republic refused to recognize. In post-revolutionary Iran, being Baha’i meant fractured futures: no university, no profession, and no way to support a family.

By 1986, he was a ten-year-old boy living in Tehran as a new middle class began to emerge. A revolution was underway—the “Constitutional Revolution”—but it would remain unfinished.

During this time, Nizam became captivated by the upcoming Halley’s Comet viewing, seeing in its glow an illuminated path to progress. He made a silent pact with the comet: by the time it returned in 75 years, his country would be a completely different Iran.

Meanwhile, hidden deep in a dresser drawer was a golden ticket: a United States passport, quietly renewed in secret every five years.

 Born in New York (while his mother completed her pediatric residency)
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Taken to Iran as an infant
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Grew up free on paper, but trapped in practice

As adolescence gave way to urgency, Nizam had to decide whether hope was worth the risk of escape. With surveillance closing in and doors slamming shut, he faced an unthinkable choice: remain invisible, or gamble everything on a document that could either save or destroy him.

Structure of the Book

The memoir is elegantly split into two distinct acts:

  • Part I: Looking Back – Documents his childhood in Iran, capturing the harsh realities and daily hurdles of living under state-sanctioned religious discrimination.
  • Part II: Looking Ahead – Details his journey to and within the United States, tracking his evolution from a newly arrived college student to a proud medical graduate following in the footsteps of his mother and ancestors.

Review: A Powerful Testament to Resilience

Passport to Freedom is a gripping, deeply personal memoir that sheds light on a little-known aspect of life in post-revolutionary Iran. Missaghi blends intimate storytelling with historical reality as he struggles to preserve his faith, identity, dignity, and most importantly, his future.

Told through the eyes of a boy gradually awakening to the systemic limitations imposed upon him, the reader acutely feels the emotional toll of discrimination, uncertainty, and exclusion. The secret U.S. passport becomes a brilliant symbol of hope, possibility, and the heavy choices that accompany true freedom.

Missaghi writes with honesty, clarity, and immense gratitude. The narrative driving tension beautifully balances two opposing forces: the cosmic hope pinned on Halley’s Comet and the grounded, dangerous reality of his American passport.

“Like the comet streaking bright and brief across the darkness, that visibility illuminated a path toward progress, showing Iranians what could be.”

When Nizam finally decides to risk it all, the memoir shifts gears into a high-stakes thriller. The prose becomes urgent and evocative, reminding us that freedom is a fragile construct often sustained by the quiet bravery of allies.

Top Takeaway: “…the importance of standing up for what is right, even when fear grips you.”

Inspiring and deeply thought-provoking, Passport to Freedom exposes the devastating human cost of systemic religious persecution. In an era where authoritarian regimes continue to outlaw conscience, this timely memoir stands as a poignant reminder of why America’s promise of refuge remains so vital.

“Medicine became, for me, another passport—not out of a country, but into people’s lives. A way to honor the value of every human being, especially those whose dignity has been denied. And in that sense, the journey that began with a hidden passport had always been leading here.”

Rating: 5 out of 5.

About the Author

Nizam Missaghi, M.D., is an Iranian-American physician. After being barred from higher education in the Islamic Republic due to his faith, he left Iran upon completing high school to pursue his dreams abroad.

  • Education: Completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia and earned his medical degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.
  • Current Practice: Following his anesthesiology residency, he relocated to the Phoenix metro area. He is a founding member of Grand Canyon Anesthesia and serves as a clinical assistant professor of anesthesiology at both the University of Arizona School of Medicine and Midwestern University.
  • Advocacy & Philanthropy: Dr. Missaghi is the current chairman of the board for the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, where human rights abuses in the Islamic Republic are verified and documented. He is also the founder of The Simpatico Foundation, an Arizona-based nonprofit that promotes diversity and the arts.

**Thank you to Tracy Goldblatt/Meryl Moss Media for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

A Story Between Survival, Hope, and Reckoning: ‘Israel: A Personal History’

In ‘Israel,’ Göran Rosenberg, son of Holocaust survivors grapples with the dream of Zionism and its consequences. Photo: Other Press

Book Spotlight: Israel: A Personal History by Göran Rosenberg

On Sale: October 7, 2025 | Published by Other Press

Combining poignant memoir and historical research, Israel: A Personal History tells the story of a son of Holocaust survivors grappling with the dream of Zionism and its consequences. Originally published in Swedish, this highly acclaimed book will be available in English this fall. (Other Press, 2025)

Where the Story Begins

Israel picks up where Göran Rosenberg’s internationally acclaimed and award-winning childhood memoir, A Brief Stop on the Road From Auschwitz, leaves off.

After his father’s suicide in 1960 in a small industrial town in Sweden, Rosenberg’s mother emigrates with her two children to Israel. At first, young Göran is swept into the world of pioneer Zionism—enchanted by its ideals, visions, and ethos. But as he grows, his journey becomes one of uncovering betrayed ideals, buried stories, false promises, and erased villages.

A Personal and Political Exploration

The result is a work that is both deeply personal and meticulously researched. Rosenberg explores the contradictory visions that shaped the Zionist project, alongside the ethnic violence, oppression, discrimination, and dispossession that followed in its realization.

Part memoir, part history of ideas, Israel is also the political autobiography of a Jewish European intellectual—“a child of dreams and disillusionments, an astute observer of our times.”

About the Author

Göran Rosenberg was born in 1948 in Sweden, the son of Auschwitz survivors. He is the author of several books, including:

  • Det förlorade landet (Israel: A Personal History in Swedish)
  • A Brief Stop on the Road From Auschwitz (Other Press, 2015)
  • Another Zionism, Another Judaism (Other Press, 2025)

📚 Recognized by Publishers Weekly: Israel: A Personal History was longlisted in Publishers Weekly’s Fall 2025 Fiction & Nonfiction Preview: History.

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The Art of Failing Forward: Lessons from Dr. S. Irfan Ali’s Unconventional Journey

The power of failure and how it fuels success. ‘Fractured but Fearless’ is the inspiring new book by S. Irfan Ali, MD. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Fractured but Fearless: The Art of Failing Forward with Dr. S. Irfan Ali

We live in a culture that celebrates success stories—highlight reels of achievement, brilliance, and arrival. But too often, we overlook the how behind the journey. According to Dr. S. Irfan Ali, that’s just human nature. In our rush to applaud the victors, we forget the losses, the missteps, and the quiet resilience that fueled the climb. (The Authority Company, 2025)

Dr. Ali knows this journey intimately. A physician, CEO of multiple healthcare companies, nonprofit founder, artist, and photographer, his path has been anything but linear. In his new book, Fractured but Fearless: Embracing the Art of Failing Forward, Dr. Ali reflects on the failures that shaped him—and how they ultimately propelled him forward.

Drawing from a rich personal and professional background, including his immigrant experience bridging East and West, Dr. Ali shares candid stories—many of them humorous—from his early days as a medical hopeful in a new country, working the most humbling jobs while chasing big dreams.

Witty, honest, and deeply inspiring, Fractured but Fearless is more than a memoir. It’s a compelling blend of life stories, leadership lessons, and visual artistry. Each chapter reads like a standalone essay, yet together they form a cohesive roadmap for aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and healthcare professionals alike. The book is also visually stunning, featuring Dr. Ali’s original photography and artwork, elevating the reading experience into one of both intellectual and artistic inspiration.

At its heart, this book is a tribute to the growth found in adversity—and to the quiet, often overlooked art of failing forward.

Key Takeaways from Fractured but Fearless:

  • Setbacks can become stepping stones to personal growth, emotional intelligence, and lasting impact.
  • Resilience isn’t born—it’s built through reflection, support, and repeated encounters with adversity.
  • Mental health care is broken. Systemic change and personal awareness are both essential.
  • Innovation thrives through unconventional thinking and trusting your instincts.
  • Career success means little without personal fulfillment and meaningful relationships.

About the Author

S. Irfan Ali, M.D. is a board-certified physician and co-founder, president, and CEO of Pioneer Medical Group, a leading hospitalist organization in Florida. He also founded Pioneer Medical Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to serving the homeless.

Dr. Ali earned his medical degree from the University of Karachi in Pakistan and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts. He later received a fellowship from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School and completed a leadership fellowship in hospital medicine at AdventHealth/CTI.

Whether through his medical work, nonprofit leadership, or art, Dr. Ali continues to embody the ethos at the heart of Fractured but Fearless: that within every failure lies the blueprint for greatness.

Grief, Grace, and the Signs We’re Given: Kathryn Henry’s Powerful Memoir

‘A Dime to Say I Love You’ will be released July 15, 2025. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚Book Spotlight: A Dime to Say I Love You by Kathryn Henry
For Readers Navigating Grief, Love, and the Spiritual Unknown

For readers navigating grief, spiritual seekers questioning the nature of love and the afterlife, or anyone who’s ever whispered I miss you into the void―today’s book spotlight is especially for you. (Advantage Media, 2025)

A Dime to Say I Love You: A Journey of Love, Loss, and Spiritual Awakening by Kathryn Henry is a profoundly moving memoir that charts a path through unimaginable heartbreak and into unexpected transformation. It will be released on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

When Henry lost her wife Lisa to a rare and aggressive cancer, she plunged into a deep well of grief that threatened to consume her. But what followed was more than mourning—it was a spiritual reckoning. This memoir chronicles not only their final days together, but also Kathryn’s unfolding inner journey, marked by raw honesty, resilience, and a search for meaning beyond death.

This is not your typical grief memoir. Grounded in the brutal reality of terminal illness and lifted by transcendent moments of love, humor, and insight, Henry’s voice emerges—shaped by trauma, tempered by devotion, and illuminated by spiritual inquiry. Their life together—renovating homes, hiking in Japan—comes alive on the page, where even the smallest details carry sacred weight. And then, there are the dimes: tiny silver tokens that begin appearing as signs, metaphysical breadcrumbs that hint at Lisa’s enduring presence.

Each chapter blends storytelling with meditative reflection, offering readers space to pause, breathe, and explore their own emotional landscapes. This is a book for anyone who has loved deeply and lost deeply—and is looking for light in the darkness.

For fans of Cheryl Strayed, Joan Didion, and Thich Nhat Hanh, A Dime to Say I Love You doesn’t offer easy answers. What it does offer is resonance: a reminder that pain is not the opposite of love, but its echo.

Kathryn Henry’s journey—from a turbulent youth and high-level corporate career (at lululemon, Gap, Levi’s), to a spiritual awakening forged in the fire of personal loss—is as extraordinary as it is relatable. Her story is a testament to love’s lasting imprint, and the quiet ways the universe may still speak, if we are listening.

Hard Work, Humility, and the Human Spirit: A Powerful Read from Elyezer Shkedy

‘Who the F*ck is Michael?!’ is the debut bestselling book by General (Ret.) Elyezer Shkedy. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: “Who the F*ck is Michael?!” by Elyezer Shkedy
Leadership, Humility, and the Power of Personal Responsibility

If you’re looking for a book that packs a punch in both inspiration and life wisdom, “Who the F*ck is Michael?!: An Israeli Air Force Chief’s Uncompromising Code for Achieving Greatness” by Elyezer Shkedy deserves a spot on your reading list.

The Premise

In this thought-provoking collection, Shkedy—former Commander of the Israeli Air Force—distills over 100 life stories into concise lessons on leadership, success, integrity, and personal responsibility. The stories are short, engaging, and packed with real-world relevance. Each one describes a real event in his life as he remembers it and are not presented in a linear format.

The provocative title comes from a story about humility and hidden greatness. Michael was the principal at their son Omer’s school and one day he told them that Omer would never learn to read or write. The phrase became their family’s defiant battle cry whenever someone would tell them they couldn’t do something they were determined to do. It sets the tone for what’s to come: a reminder that extraordinary people often live quietly among us.

Life Lessons

This collection of stories contain life lessons filled with emotional intelligence. Shkedy doesn’t lecture—he shares. His anecdotes range from military missions to personal reflections, each offering a glimpse into the kind of leadership that values character over charisma and action over words. He manages to do all this without sounding condescending and by using straightforward language. Most of the stories end with a section on the specific lesson he learned.

Some of these stories include:

  • Superhighway to Change
  • The Real Estate Shark
  • You Have No Approval
  • The Ego Beneath the Surface

Highlights

21 – They Are Just Like You – He grew up in an institution for children at risk because his father ran the place and the family lived on the premises. He was taught at an early age that we’re all basically the same, this is one of the lessons that he took to heart during his lifetime. Part of his gold rule for living is to treat others like you would like to be treated.

129 – You Wouldn’t Want to Live In The Past – “When you have completed a significant chapter of your career, let it go.” Be proud about what you did, but move on.

Whether you’re in business, education, healthcare, or just navigating life, this book will challenge you to think deeply about what it means to lead, serve, and strive for excellence.

Final Thoughts

Overall, “Who the F*ck is Michael?!” is more than a leadership book—it’s a mirror for anyone who wants to live with purpose and accountability. It is recommended for readers who appreciate sensible personal advice and also enjoy books on business leadership and personal success.

“A person may appear pitiful and pathetic at first glance; their accent and vocabulary may not be impressive; their attire may not be striking — but that tells you nothing about their ability, their wit, their intelligence or their potential.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book and received a copy. The view and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Related post: Leadership Lessons from a Military Commander: What Elyezer Shkedy’s Book Teaches Us About Success

What Psychoanalysis Really Feels Like: A Review of Joan Peters’ ‘Untangling’

‘Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis’ by Joan K. Peters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Book Review: ‘Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis’ by Joan Peters
What It’s Really Like to Be in Psychoanalysis—From the Patient’s Chair

If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens during psychoanalysis—or what it feels like to unravel years of emotional knots on a therapist’s couch—Joan Peters‘ “Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis” offers a rare, intimate glimpse into that world.

Unlike most writing on psychoanalysis, which often comes from the perspective of clinicians, “Untangling” is told from the inside out. Peters chronicles her decades-long analytic journey with striking vulnerability, courage, and clarity. This journey consisted of two different analysts: Lane when she was 28 and Kristi when she was 67. While Lane was helpful, she remained impersonal and impartial. Kristi actually got to know her because she used relational psychoanalysis, a psychoanalytic approach that emphasizes the importance of the relationship between the therapist and patient in the therapeutic process. Peters brings readers into the room with her, detailing the subtle shifts, long silences, and emotionally charged breakthroughs that define the therapeutic process.

Highlights:
Chapter 7 – Schizoid – Peters admits to Lane that from ages 14 to 19, she had lived an alternate existence because when she was 14, she started hearing voices. These voices guided her every action.
Chapter 4 – Lane Explains Me to Me – Focuses on her family background, memories of her as a two year old seeing her mother preparing the morphine syringes for her dad who was dying of cancer. This explained her nightmares about syringes and being given injections with poisons. Two months after talking about this, her needle nightmares ended. That’s when Joan discovered the complicated issue of subconsciousness and how it affects our lives.

At its core, honesty is what makes this memoir so powerful. Peters doesn’t offer easy answers or dramatic resolutions—instead, she shows how transformation unfolds slowly, often painfully, through the act of being deeply seen and heard. It reveals how analysts’ methodology differ and how patients respond differently with age and life experience. Her writing is vivid and lyrical, making even the most abstract aspects of psychoanalysis feel grounded and human. “Sitting back in her chair, patient as a fisherman in a placid lake, she listened, questioned, interjected while I mostly avoided the story, as if its invisible tentacles might entangle (or strangle) me.”

Overall, “Untangling” is a courageous and necessary contribution to the literature on mental health. It demystifies a process often veiled in secrecy and offers an authentic voice to the patient experience. For readers curious about psychoanalysis—or the complexities of healing—this memoir is both enlightening and deeply moving.

“My question back in Vermont had loosened a scab; now the wound bled, unstoppable. She had offered me silence, and I had refused her gift. Now, at times, I felt I might drown in her words.”

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book and received a copy. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Related post: Inside the Analyst’s Chair: Joan Peters’ Raw and Riveting Journey in ‘Untangling’

‘The Last Real Showgirl’: Diane Christiansen’s Ode to Showbiz Survival

‘The Last Real Showgirl’ by Diane Christiansen. Photo: Amazon

“The Last Real Showgirl” by Diane Christiansen is a dazzling, heartfelt memoir that takes readers behind the velvet curtain of old Vegas glamour and other such clubs around the world, including Paris, Montreal, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and New York. With charm, wit, and vulnerability, Christiansen recounts her journey from a small Illinois town girl to a star showgirl in the golden age of Las Vegas-like entertainment. Her voice is unapologetically authentic, brimming with the confidence of a woman who knows she lived a life few could imagine.

It begins in 1969 when Diane auditions, with butterflies in her stomach, for the Rockettes at Radio City Music hall as a 17 year old high school student. Her first professional job takes her to Montreal, where the training was so intense, she often wishes she could quit and go back home. The thought of returning to a turbulent home life was her incentive to tough it up and keep going. Her persistence pays off, as she is soon traveling the world from one exotic locale to another, all the while dating some of the men she meets along the way. All in all, she was a dancer, a showgirl, and an actress, and ultimately, the #1 acting coach in Hollywood.

The chapters are short and the first person narrative is immersive and engaging. With vivid language, her story unfolds as readers get glimpses of her struggles: “It had profoundly quenched my parched soul like an endless fountain of inspiration and had given me a glimpse of the reality to all my dreams of becoming a great dancer and actress.”

Highlights include Chapter 3: Meet My Mom & Dad where she gives her parent’s backstory and the home life she was fleeing and Chapter 12: Insomnia that describes her struggle with diet pills and the insomnia they caused her.

Christiansen manages to capture the sparkle and grit of showbiz. She doesn’t shy away from the sacrifices and pressures that came with the spotlight, nor does she downplay the camaraderie, artistry, and pride of being part of a now-vanishing world. Her stories are vivid and entertaining, painting a portrait not just of herself but of a bygone era where beauty, discipline, and performance reigned.

Overall, “The Last Real Showgirl” is a celebration of resilience and self-definition. Diane Christiansen’s story is a love letter to showgirls past and present—a reminder that strength can be found in sequins, and history can be told through high kicks and hard work. A captivating read, it’s recommended for readers intrigued by performance, identity, and the magic of old Las Vegas.

“With each storm, we grow a little more into the soul we are meant to become, like branches on a tree that have been struck by lightning. I could feel the accelerated growth inside me at this juncture.”

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book and received a copy. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Related post: Sequins, Spotlight, and Stories: A Look at Diane Christiansen’s Dazzling Memoir

Exploring the Tapestry of Human Connection: A Review of ‘Connecting the Web of Humanity’

‘Connecting the Web of Humanity’ by John E. Zett III. Photo: Barnes & Noble

“Connecting the Web of Humanity” by John E. Zett III is an exploration of the human condition as it relates to love, sex, and interpersonal relationships.

Set up as a journal/memoir, it begins on Sunday November 3, 2002 where Zett establishes that authors don’t write books, that instead, they write manuscripts that publishers turn into books that hopefully sell copies. This sets the tone upfront as he combines his personal story of becoming a published author with reflections on topics such as human sexuality, the intricacies of the human soul, the challenges facing the book industry, and the ongoing debate about marijuana legalization.

His philosophical musings center around the three sides of our humanity: the body, mind, and soul, and how if we go through life with an open mind, we can establish a deeper connection with others. By sharing his personal struggles, such as the challenges of owning a small business with his wife, dealing with his father’s health problems, and balancing work and family, he connects with readers on a deeper level.

I appreciate his candidness and his ability to approach complex and often controversial subjects with a sense of depth and understanding. He doesn’t shy away from his own vulnerabilities, offering an authentic and sometimes raw portrayal of his experiences. This book challenges readers to reconsider societal norms and rethink their own perspectives on issues like sex and the soul. Especially insightful is his ‘live and let live’ view of life, but he also emphasizes personal accountability: “If you don’t hold onto your personal reins, who does?”

One of the most fascinating aspects is his commentary on the book industry, giving readers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to become a published author in today’s rapidly changing world. His unique insights make the book a valuable resource for aspiring writers and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of the literary world.

By using a stream-of-consciousness narrative style that he calls Extreme Creative Nonfiction, and presented in a memoir/journaling format, he relates to readers in an informal and personal way. It’s almost as if he’s speaking to them directly, albeit with a few curse words here and there. Be advised that his discussions on sex can get honest but descriptive.

The language is vivid and humorous: “Sometimes, I go off like the popcorn kernels in a microwavable bag of Explode-O-Pop Popping Corn…” Since the narrative switches back and forth between his personal story and his professional struggles to make it as an author, it can be hard to follow at times, but it fits with the journal-like presentation.

Overall, “Connecting the Web of Humanity” is an engaging, thought-provoking work that will resonate with readers interested in exploring life’s biggest questions. It is recommended for fans of philosophy and social sciences who also appreciate learning about the reality of getting published.

“Everybody is their own individual. Everything is what it is. And we are what we are. People are people.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

‘Son of Birmingham’: Randall Woodfin’s Powerful New Release

‘Son of Birmingham: A Memoir’ by Mayor Randall Woodfin. Photo: Barnes & Noble.

Birmingham, AL – “Son of Birmingham,” the highly anticipated memoir by Birmingham’s youngest modern-day mayor, Randall Woodfin, is available now. This gripping narrative weaves together Mayor Woodfin’s life story with his bold vision for a more equitable future, offering an intimate look at the man reshaping the urban South. (Iron City Communications, 2025)

Through candid storytelling, Woodfin shares how his roots in Birmingham, the lessons from Morehouse College, and the beats of Southern hip-hop shaped his journey. From bagging groceries as a teenager to addressing systemic challenges as mayor, “Son of Birmingham” is a call-to-action for servant leadership, resilience, and unity.

Randall Woodfin was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. After earning his degree at Morehouse College and later his law degree at Samford University, he returned home to serve his community. Elected mayor in 2017, Woodfin has been nationally recognized for his progressive leadership, including a keynote speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Key Topics in the Book

  • The journey from grocery store clerk to mayor
  • Southern hip-hop’s influence on leadership and grit
  • Declaring gun violence a public health crisis
  • Building unity across Birmingham’s 99 neighborhoods
  • Leading Birmingham through pivotal moments in history

Don’t miss this unforgettable story of hope, resilience, and the power of leadership.

Praise for Son of Birmingham

“Being from the South, I know the power of legacy and tradition. Mayor Randall Woodfin embodies that. Son of Birmingham is a love letter to Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, and I’m honored he accredits inspiration to Outkast.” – Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, Grammy-winning member of Outkast

“A love letter to Birmingham and the resilience of its people. Woodfin combines modern hope with timeless wisdom.” – Geoffrey Canada, President of the Harlem Children’s Zone

“Woodfin’s journey fills my heart with hope. His leadership is a blueprint for justice and inclusion.” – Medaria Arradondo, former Minneapolis Police Chief

“Son of Birmingham captures the story of a city in transformation and the leader guiding its evolution. This memoir is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of change.” – Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland

“If Alabama has a chance to overcome its past and reach its potential, it will be because of leaders like Randall Woodfin. Son of Birmingham is a moving memoir of perseverance and progress.” – Roy Wood Jr., Comedian and Journalist