This Time Together - Laughter & Reflection

Title: This Time Together - Laughter & Reflection
Author: Carol Burnett
Genre: Memior
Summary: From Booklist: Comedy legend Burnett looks back fondly on her long and successful career in short, easily digestible chapters that part the curtain on her private life. Told in a chatty, intimate way, the stories encompass the star’s childhood; early days as an actress doing bit parts in New York City, appearing on game shows and various variety shows; her 11 years hosting The Carol Burnett Show; and life after the show ended its run. Readers will enjoy the comical reminiscences included, such as how she once used her famous Tarzan yell to disarm a mugger, funny interactions with fans who recognize her on the street, and the origin of famous scenes from the show, such as Scarlett O’Hara in a curtain-rod dress. Burnett doesn’t shy away from sad subjects and occasionally touches on personal losses. She also dishes about her famous costars and friends, including Jimmy Stewart, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, Julie Andrews, and, of course, Carol Burnett Show regulars Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner. Fans of both the show and the actress will enjoy this mostly lighthearted though sometimes poignant look back at Burnett’s career. --Kathleen Hughes Rating: Good, enjoyable, sometimes lol.
Why I Like It: Funny, always interesting. Easy to follow.
Other: Audio, read by Carol Burnett which made it very entertaining!
Reviewer: Patsy

Seabiscuit: An American Legend

Title: Seabiscuit: An American Legend
Author: Laura Hillenbrand
Genre: Biography
Summary: Amazon.com Review:  Seabiscuit was one of the most electrifying and popular attractions in sports history and the single biggest news maker in the world in 1938, receiving more coverage than FDR, Hitler, or Mussolini. But his success was a surprise to the racing establishment, which had written off the crooked-legged racehorse with the sad tail.

Seabiscuit rose to prominence with the help of an unlikely triumvirate: owner Charles Howard, an automobile baron who once declared that "the day of the horse is past"; trainer Tom Smith, a man who "had cultivated an almost mystical communication with horses"; and jockey Red Pollard, who was down on his luck when he charmed a then-surly horse with his calm demeanor and a sugar cube. Hillenbrand details the ups and downs of "team Seabiscuit," from early training sessions to record-breaking victories, and from serious injury to "Horse of the Year"--as well as the Biscuit's fabled rivalry with War Admiral. She also describes the world of horse racing in the 1930s, from the snobbery of Eastern journalists regarding Western horses and public fascination with the great thoroughbreds to the jockeys' torturous weight-loss regimens, including saunas in rubber suits, strong purgatives, even tapeworms.
Rating: Amazingly excellent
Why I Like It: Kathy had mentioned in her comment about another book, “Unbroken,” by the same author, that she had read “Seabiscuit” - and said it was very good. Other people had mentioned this to me, so I finally got it & really enjoyed all the historical information included. It was interesting to learn more about the depression years & think about the ages of our parents as the events of Seabicuit were going on.
Other: Audio – starting listening to it on my trip to Whitehouse over Memorial Weekend. I felt very connected to the race at Bellmont, this past weekend, with the possibility of the first triple-crown winner in over 30 years. And it happened! American Pharoah won it June 6, 2015.
Reviewer: Patsy

Dear Mr. Knightley

Title: Dear Mr. Knightley
Author: Katherine Reay
Genre: Fiction
Summary: From Amazon: " Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others, namely, her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story by giving that story to a complete stranger. Sam is, to say the least, bookish. An English major of the highest order, her diet has always been Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. The problem is, both her prose and conversation tend to be more Elizabeth Bennet than Samantha Moore. But life for the twenty-three-year-old orphan is about to get stranger than fiction. An anonymous, Dickensian benefactor (calling himself Mr. Knightley) offers to put Sam through Northwestern University's prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress. As Sam's dark memory mingles with that of eligible novelist Alex Powell, her letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional. While Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it's straight out of a book, old secrets are drawn to light. And as Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.
Reminding us all that our own true character is not meant to be hidden, Reay's debut novel follows one young woman's journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.
Rating: Good
Why I Like It: This book has a lot of references to Jane Austen's work, which I really enjoyed. Also, the main character is an adult that has been through the foster care system. I have a special place in my heart for orphan's and children in foster care. I have worked with some of these kids as an occupational therapist. This book is a good example of how we can love the people around us and provide family for them whether they are blood family or not.
Reviewer: Brigette