Turning: A Year in the Water by Jessica J. Lee

Title: Turning: A Year in the Water
Author: Jessica J. Lee
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Hamish Hamilton
Publishing Date: May 2, 2017
Rating:★★★★






Jessica, a native Canadian, moved to Berlin at the age of 28 to complete her thesis. Along with her work, she brought personal troubles that took a toll on her well being and outlook on life.

"Love was a lot like fear. It swallowed you whole, like water."

Turning: A Year in the Water is Jessica's story of how she turned her love of swimming into a source of motivation and healing.  The book opens with the list of lakes swum and maps of their locations. What follows is a beautifully written account of Jessica's journey of how she balanced her goal of swimming in these 52 lakes in Berlin while still continuing on with her work.

Throughout her journey, we get a glimpse into Jessica's past that has driven her to this point in her life. Her parents' divorce and struggles with her mother's mental illness was a start. As she got older, Jessica experimented with drugs, struggled with alcohol abuse and chose to have an abortion while in college. The emotional struggles continued as she finalized her own divorce.

The paths Jessica took to swim in the lakes contributed to her healing. In her travels she some times went with friends, but mostly traveled to these locations on her own. She allowed herself to be immersed in the culture and people that lived around the lakes. She began to find a new sense of purpose and belonging in Berlin. The new start that she was looking for.

"I think of what the lakes meant to me then and what they mean to me now. In the middle of the lake, I'm completely present. I'm no longer afraid to be alone. I've conditioned myself to the lake, to the cold, to the pain of it. I can hold it. I've made it mine."

Jessica's inspiring story is proof that overcoming obstacles, no matter how painful both physically and emotionally, are possible. Readers who have a love of swimming will enjoy this read. Jessica is very descriptive of her feelings while in the water and the ambiance of the lakes. Turning can also be appealing to those who have experienced or are experiencing the need for a fresh start. But, regardless of the reason for deciding to read this book, know that you will find comfort in her words and finish the book with a sense of empowerment and strength.

Disclaimer: I received a finished copy Turning: A year in the Water by Jessica J. Lee from Penguin Random House Canada for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Crazy Is My Superpower by AJ Mendez Brooks

Title: Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules
Author: AJ Mendez Brooks
Format: Paperback ARC
Pages: 271
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Crown Archetype
Publishing Date: April 4, 2017
Rating:★★★★




Synopsis from publisher's website:
Recently retired WWE superstar AJ Mendez Brooks is a powerhouse—strong, quirky, and totally confident. But that wasn’t always the case. With humor and tremendous heart, she opens up for the first time about her harrowing struggle to understand her demons and the diagnosis that helped her gain control over her life.

Everything I was told should be my greatest insecurities and weaknesses, everything that I’ve been labeled—SHORT, NERDY, SKINNY, WEAK, IMPULSIVE, UGLY, TOMBOY, POOR, REBEL, LOUD, FREAK, CRAZY—turned out to be my greatest strengths. I didn’t become successful in spite of them. I became successful because of them.

Growing up AJ was a quiet girl trying to act “normal” when she felt anything but. As her family struggled with drug addiction, poverty, and mental illness, she found escape through comic books and video games, and was inspired by the tough and unconventional female characters. It wasn’t until she discovered pro wrestling that she learned superheroes could be real.

Determined to become the superhero she’d always admired, AJ trained and sacrificed for years to achieve her dream of wrestling professionally. Yet she quickly faced industry pressure to play the role of the damsel in distress and to dress more provocatively to cater to male fans. But she fought back and created an ass-kicking alter ego that was a genuine representation of herself: nerdy, enthusiastic, and a little bit crazy.

With humor and tremendous heart, AJ opens up for the first time about her harrowing struggle to understand her demons and the mental illness diagnosis that helped her gain control over her life. What most people view as a hardship, AJ embraced as inspira­tion for her superhero persona, shattering the stigma attached to mental illness.

Charting her journey from a scrappy girl in an unstable home to an empowered wrestling champion, Crazy Is My Superpower is an un­flinchingly honest story and brave confessional about her long road to self-acceptance.


Review:
This book is NOT at all what I expected.

Like most books that I review, I did not read the full synopsis...for this one, I didn't read it at all. The title was enough to catch my attention. So, when I received the ARC in the mail, to my delight, I found out this book was about a female WWE wrestler and her rise to the top.

I have an on and off relationship with the WWE. Back when AJ Lee was proving herself in the ring and striving for fame, I was likely riding on the UFC bandwagon. The fact that I did not know her prior to reading this book added extra emphasis on what she stood for.

AJ describes her past so vividly. Born into a family that was constantly down on their luck, moving from one place to another, never really settling on a place to call home. She was the youngest of three children, with parents who were children themselves. In a nutshell, she had a hard life. After striving to get into college, NYU, nonetheless,  she was forced to drop out to care for her ailing mother who was diagnosed as bipolar. Even as a child, the one thing that managed to bring her joy was her love of the WWE. As an adult, she made a decision to pursue her dream and entered the WWE training camp. From that point on, AJ was focused on one thing - being the best!

After reading her book, AJ Lee has become an inspiration to me. She outlined many times in her life where she showed her ability to put family and her own mental health struggles first. She knew that by not caring for herself, there was no way she could care for others and fulfill her own dreams. Once she learned how to manage her illness, AJ put the pedal to the metal and didn't look back.

She did a lot for women in the WWE. Changing the executives' and fans' perception of what a female wrestler should look like was the first thing. She stepped out of the Diva spotlight and expectation and fought in the ring in street clothes. A t-shirt, jean shorts and knee high Chucks. AJ aimed to capture the love and popularity from not just male fans, but from female fans who hope to one day follow in her footsteps.

One of the most powerful parts of the book that stood out for me was when she was describing a storyline that was pitched to her that required her to act as "The Crazy Ex-Girlfriend". Given her own experience with mental illness, she confidently refused and readily accepted any repercussions including the potential of ending her career. This was important, because AJ refused to bend. She refused to fuel the fire and stereotype that women are needy and dependent on men when a relationship ends. In the end, standing her ground put her in an even better position with the WWE and furthered her professional and personal life.

Even if you don't know who AJ Lee is or are not a fan of the WWE, I would still recommend picking up this book. Crazy Is My Superpower is a powerful autobiography that speaks to mental health, standing up for what you believe in and women overcoming barriers in a male dominated profession.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of Crazy Is My Superpower by AJ Mendez Brooks from Penguin Random House Canada for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

2016: The Year of the Memoir

As I started to put away a few of my 2016 reads, I realized, that over half of the books I read were non fiction. Of those books, a majority of them were memoirs or collections of essays about the author's life. They were all filled with inspiring words, hilarious stories and some very personal sentiments. Here mini reviews of a few of my recent reads:

Title: Where Am I Now?
Author: Mara Wilson
Publisher: Penguin Books
Format: ARC from the publisher
Publishing Date: September 13, 2016
Rating: ★★★★

I have always wondered what happens to child actors/actresses when they grow up. I often click on articles titled "Where are they now?". When I found out that Mara Wilson was writing a book, I knew I just had to read it. I mean, have you read her Twitter account? From her tweets alone you can tell she is a free spirited, confident and outspoken woman. Much like the character she plans in one of her movies, Matilda.

Mara Wilson's book dives deep into the life of a former child actress who, as most of them do, fell out of the "cute" phase and eventually could no longer find work in Hollywood. Her collection of essays is a mash up of stories that at times, can make you laugh uncontrollably and others that make you shed a tear. Mara's book is an easy read that gives you a look into what it's like to grow up as a young child, having all the same problems as most, with the added pressure of being a star. Definitely a recommended book for fans of Mara's movies or those looking for a light read.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of Where Am I Now from Penguin Random House Canada for review purposes. Opinions are my own.



Title: Scrappy Little Nobody
Author/Narrator: Anna Kendrick
Publisher: Touchstone
Format: Audiobook
Publishing Date: November 15, 2016
Rating: ★★★★★

I was first introduced to Anna Kendrick in the film Up in the Air. When I saw Pitch Perfect, I became a fan. Anna Kendrick's collection of essays is her way of "letting the crazy out". We get a behind the scenes look behind her broadway debut, her experiences on the set of the Twilight films and just how quirky, cool and composed she really is.

For anyone interested in reading this book and hasn't yet purchased it, I highly recommend the Audiobook. I've said this before, but listening to an audiobook that is written and narrated by the author really gives it that extra bit of enjoyment. The changes in their tone and spurts of sarcasm don't stand out as much on paper as they do when it's being read to you. Regardless of the format, fans of Anna Kendrick will definitely enjoy this whimsical series of essays that takes a look into her road to stardom.

Title: Born A Crime
Author: Trevor Noah
Publisher: Penguin Books
Publishing Date: November 15, 2016
Format: ARC from the publisher
Rating: ★★★★★

I have to admit, other than knowing that Trevor Noah hosts the Daily Show, I didn't know much else about him. My husband is actually the one who told me I HAD to get this book. When Penguin Random House Canada offered to send a review copy I jumped at the chance and I'm SO glad I did.

The book begins with some background on the laws of Apartheid and brings light to the author's title choice. During the years of apartheid, sexual relations between a white man and black woman was illegal, making their children a crime.

Trevor Noah's story is nothing that I've read before. His life journey from being raised by his mother in secret, to overcoming hardships presented by his skin colour was eyeopening. Born A Crime serves two purposes. It's partially a history lesson in what it was like growing up in South Africa during these times and the difficulties it's people endured in the years after apartheid was abolished.

As expected, this book had more than its share of laugh out loud moments. But, what I appreciated most was his openness to share about his upbringing and how it was affected by blatant racism. What I found most inspiring was how he and his mother approached and endured torment from both black and white people. Both of them had learned how to be a chameleon among them.

Hands down one of the best books I've read and one that I woudn't hesitate to pick up and read again.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of Born A Crime from Penguin Random House Canada for review purposes. Opinions are my own.



My next read...
The next memoir I have on my to be read list is The Elephants in My Backyard: A Memoir
by Rajiv Surendra. Rajiv is was born and raised in Toronto. Once an actor with a dream, that was never fulfilled. This memoir is filled with joy, heartache and a desire to overcome the pain.

My past reads...

If you're looking for some other recommendations of memoirs to read, here are a few others that I've reviewed and really enjoyed this year:

Have you read any interesting or inspiring memoirs recently? Leave me your recommendation in the comments below.

The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer

Title: Me Before You

Author: Amy Schumer
Format: Audiobook Download
Source: Purchased
Narrator: Amy Schumer
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publishing Date: August 16, 2016
Book Rating:★★★★
Narrator Rating: ★★★★★






Synopsis from the publisher's website:
The Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, writer, and star of Inside Amy Schumer and the acclaimed film Trainwreck has taken the entertainment world by storm with her winning blend of smart, satirical humor. Now, Amy Schumer has written a refreshingly candid and uproariously funny collection of (extremely) personal and observational essays.

In The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, Amy mines her past for stories about her teenage years, her family, relationships, and sex and shares the experiences that have shaped who she is—a woman with the courage to bare her soul to stand up for what she believes in, all while making us laugh.

Ranging from the raucous to the romantic, the heartfelt to the harrowing, this highly entertaining and universally appealing collection is the literary equivalent of a night out with your best friend—an unforgettable and fun adventure that you wish could last forever. Whether she’s experiencing lust-at-first-sight while in the airport security line, sharing her own views on love and marriage, admitting to being an introvert, or discovering her cross-fit instructor’s secret bad habit, Amy Schumer proves to be a bighearted, brave, and thoughtful storyteller that will leave you nodding your head in recognition, laughing out loud, and sobbing uncontrollably—but only because it’s over.


Review:
I've been on an audiobook binge since the end of July. After listening to Me Before You and After You by Jojo Moyes, I was hoping for a lighter read. It was late Monday evening and I was going through my Twitter feed when I realized Amy Schumer's book was being released at midnight. I purchased the audiobook and downloaded it an hour later. At 3am, I was a few chapters in and hooked on her story.

I was never an Amy Schumer mega fan. In fact, I didn't know who she was until my husband told me I HAD to watch the movie Trainwreck. I enjoyed the movie and started to dabble in a few of her shows. What I took away from those shows was that Amy was not only hilarious, but she was also very confident and had a few hidden stories. Those hidden stories were aired out in the pages of this book.

Amy is very transparent in this extremely personal memoir. She reminisces about her rise to fame and tells readers intimate details of her past relationships. Readers/Listeners are also reminded that although Amy is a celebrity and is, now, often in the spotlight, she is an introvert. Someone who enjoys retreating to a quiet place for some alone time.

"If you’re a true introvert, other people are basically energy vampires. You don’t hate them; you just have to be strategic about when you expose yourself to them—like the sun"

Amy's life was not always one filled with glamour. Her upbringing taught her to appreciate what she had and never stopped reminding her that she had to work hard to succeed. Throughout the book she gives her readers boots of confidence.

"Love yourself! You don’t need a man or a boy or a self-proclaimed love expert to tell you what you’re worth. Your power comes from who you are and what you do! You don't need all that noise, that constant hum in the background telling you whether or not you're good enough. All you need is you, your friends, and your family. And you will find the right person for you, if that's what you want - the one who respects your strength and beauty."

I would recommend this book to fans of Amy Schumer and to those who enjoy inspiring memoirs - though this one may be a bit more crude that you're used to. I would also recommend the audiobook over the physical/eBook. This is mostly due to the fact that Amy herself narrates it. It makes the book and its lessons so much more impactful. You can hear the changes in her tone as she recalls the events of her past. So, if you're looking for a new read, or just want to catch up on some celebrity biographies, The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer should definitely be your next choice!

Alone Against the North: An Expedition into the Unknown by Adam Shoalts

Title: Alone Against the North

Author: Adam Shoalts
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Purchased
Publisher:
Publishing Date: May 10, 2016 (First published in hardcover on October 6, 2015)
Rating:★★★★






Like most of my 2016 reads, Alone Against the North was introduced to me by Janet Joy Wilson. Her "Earth Day Rocks!" edition of the #TMSBookClub briefly talks about climate change, the importance of bees and a quick tale about Canada's Indiana Jones. The last one really spoke to me. I picked up a copy and like many all of J.J.'s recommendations I did not want to to put it down. For three days, I took the non express trains to work so I could have a few more minutes to read about Adam's adventures.

"So the world still does contain remote, unexplored territory and the age of exploration is not over...which is where I enter the picture. my vocation is to explore one of the world's last great wildernesses." - p20

In the days of Google Earth and advanced satellite technology it's hard to believe that there are still parts of the world that have not been explored.  In Alone Against the North, readers are immersed into Adam's adventures as he embarks on several thrilling journeys into an unknown part of Canada within the Hudson Bay Lowlands, located in Northern Ontario.

"My objective was simple enough: to make the first detailed exploration of and substantial published account of the Again reiver in history. The idea alone -the first in history- was positively intoxicating." - p26

Adam's journey was not an easy one. This was not one of those expeditions you see on TV. At the time, he did not have big name sponsors to fund an adventure of this magnitude. He travelled light carrying only the basic necessities to survive, similar to those of the explorers that came before him.

In the pages that follow, you are absorbed into Adam's world as he goes through the Canadian wilderness. Just as you would expect there are stories of bears, goshawks and insects. His descriptions of blackflies had me swatting the air and shuddering at the thought of being swarmed by them. I tried to visualize the descriptions of the waterfalls and lagoons wishing that there were pictures included in the book. I followed along as Adam overcame his goal of reaching the Again River and all of dangers and triumphs that came along with it.

I put down this book yearning to know more about the Again River and my country. Alone Against the North is definitely a recommended read for anyone looking for an adventure. Adam's story is both educational and uplifting. His ability to overcome the physical and mental barriers during his expeditions will leave you inspired and empowered.

"To quit -to accept defeat, to admit the river had beaten me- was out of the question" -p218

There is no greater triumph than achieving a personal goal no matter how big or how small. Alone Against the North serves as a reminder that you can achieve anything if you believe in yourself. 

You can learn more about Adam Shoalts and his adventures from the video below or take trip to his website.

The Reason You Walk by Wab Kinew

Title: The Reason You Walk
Author: Wab Kinew

Publisher: Viking
Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

On Sale Date: September 29, 2015

Rating: ★★★★★

I am embarrassed to say that before last year, I had no idea who Wab Kinew was (Sorry!). Before starting my blog, reading Canadian literature was a rare occurrence. Enter, Canada Reads 2015. From the moment I learned about the competition, I immersed myself in everything I could including reading all of the short listed books, participating in the Google Hangout, live tweeting the first four days and attending the final debate in person at the CBC. I also began researching (this is the same as Googling right?) the authors, panellists and of course the host of the show, Wab Kinew. I picked up The Reason You Walk a couple weeks after it was released and I only wish I had read it
sooner. I don't even think I can write a review that can properly express how I feel about this book. But, I will try...

The Reason You Walk is Wab Kinew's ode to his father, Tobasonakwut. Tobasonakwut was a survivor of the Residential School program in Northern Ontario and Manitoba whose mission was to "kill the Indian in the child". Tobasonakwut grew up in hardship, away from his parents and forced to forget his culture and beliefs. He grew up in a country that did not recognize him as a citizen, a visible minority with few rights and freedoms. But, despite all of this negativity, he managed to turn it all around and rise above it.  Tobasonakwut became an inspiration to his children, his community, those striving to preserve Anishinaabe culture and everyone who is pushing for Indigenous equality across Canada.

"More than any inheritance, more than any sacred item, more than any title, the legacy he left behind is this: as on that day in the sundance circle when he lifted me from the depths, he taught us that during our time on earth we ought to love one another, and we out to work hard to make them whole again.

This is at the centre of sacred ceremonies practised by Indigenous people. This is what so many of us see, no matter where we begin life.

This is the reason you walk."

The Reason You Walk is more than just a memoir. It is a moving piece of literature that educates you on Canadian history and the real struggles that Indigenous people faced through out the years and still face today. Wab Kinew focuses on a once broken relationship between father and son that was mended through spiritual connections and pure love. Reading this book opened up a flood gate of emotions leading me to often stop and think about my own relationship with my parents. I have been lucky enough that our relationship has not suffered the turmoil and disconnect that Wab has experienced.This book reminded me that I need to be more respectful and caring towards them - not taking anything they do for me, for my family, for granted. I need to set a better example for my kids.

"If a son helps his father when he is sick, then his son will help him when he is old."

To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement. The amount of raw emotions it elicited and the soul searching that it prompted will stay with me for a lifetime. Thank you Wab Kinew for masterfully telling your story and helping make the world a better place for our children.

"We have a choice in life-we can choose how we are going to behave. We can determine whether we reflect the good around us or lose ourselves in the darkness."

Gratitude by Oliver Sacks

Title: Gratitude
Author: Oliver Sacks

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Canada
Format: Hardcover

Source: From the publisher

On Sale Date: November 24, 2015

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis from the book jacket:
No writer has succeeded in capturing the medical and human drama of illness as honestly and as eloquently as Oliver Sacks.

During the last few months of his life, he wrote a set of essays in which he movingly explored his feelings about completing a life and coming to terms with his own death.

"It is the fate of every human being," Sacks writes, "to be a unique individual, to die his own death."

Together, these four essays form an ode to the uniqueness of each human being and to gratitude for the gift of life.

Review:
How does one even begin to review this book? No matter what words I use to describe it, it still will not do it justice. The four essays compiled in this collection were written in the last two years of Oliver Sack's life.

The first of essays, Mercury, celebrates the joy of aging. In it Sack's includes, some minor regrets he had but mostly reflects on the enjoyment he's had in his own life and the pleasure of sharing experiences with those who have passed before him.

"One has had a long experience of life, not only one's own life, but others' too."

Mercury is followed by My Own Life. A brief retelling of the emotions and thoughts going through Sack's mind as his condition had worsened. The third essay, My Periodic Table relates to the treatment of his ailments. The fourth and final essay, Sabbath, he retells parts of his family life, upbringing and religious beliefs.

Gratitude is a small book packed with a ton of emotion and food for thought. It's intriguing and uplifting to see inside the mind of someone who knows that the end is near. This is a book that I know I will cherish for many, many years.


Disclaimer: I received a finished copy of Gratitude from Random House Canada. All opinions are my own.

My Fight Your Fight by Ronda Rousey

Publisher: Regan Arts
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Publication Date: May 12, 2015

I have been a Ronda Rousey fan since I watched her debut at UFC 157 on February 23, 2013 when she defended her title versus Liz Carmouche. I remember watching the pre fight trailers thinking she is going to be a star. Fast forward two years and she's still on top.

Ronda "Rowdy" Rousey is highly known for her superiority in the Octagon. She is the Undefeated UFC Women's Bantamweight champion and an Olympic medallist in Judo. Ronda was also recently given the title of "World's Most Dominant Athlete" by Sports Illustrated. Aside from her MMA career, we have also started to see Rousey appear films including Expendables 3 and Furious 7. She also has a part in the new Entourage movie that will be premiering next month.

Rousey's debut book, My Fight Your Fight, is an open and inspiring memoir on what it takes to get to the top. The book begins with a forward by UFC President, Dana White. His respect for Ronda is very evident as you read through the pages. He believes that she is a role model for women and girls. Dana also calls Rousey a "game changer" on more than one occasion.

"Ronda has changed the world of sports, and by the time she's done, she may change the world as well." - Dana White (p. xv)

In My Fight Your Fight, we get an in-depth look on what it takes to become a champion. Ronda's sheer determination to come out on top in combination with the (sometimes tough) love and support of her parents has been a formula for success not only in the octagon, but in life as well.

"Life is a fight from the minute you take your first breath to the moment you exhale your last."

My Fight Your Fight is a phenomenal book, one of the best I've read this year! The book was motivational and at times quite hilarious. The style of writing fit perfectly to Ronda's story. It almost feels like you are reading a really long letter from a longtime friend. I would not hesitate recommend this book to anyone. But, I think aspiring athletes who are looking for motivation and/or a manual on how to succeed in their sport may enjoy it a bit more than others.

Autographed copies of My Fight Your Fight are available now at Indigo.ca

Rating: ★★★★★

The Man Who Learned to Walk Three Times: A Memoir by Peter Kavanagh

Publisher: Knopf Canada
Format: Hardcover
Source: Requested Review Copy from Publisher
Publication Date: April 14, 2015

Review:
The title of Peter Kavanagh's memoir gives you a pretty big hint about what the book is about.  As you start reading it however, you learn that it's so much more. The book is a memoir of his medical journey. As an infant, he suffered from Polio and has had to endure many medical procedures as a result of the complications. In addition to Peter's health issues, the Kavanagh family also had to deal with an unstable home having to constantly move from city to city. With these moves came the search for a new house, new schools for the five children and new doctors and specialists to keep up with Peter's medical needs. In addition to Peter's physical pain, we as readers also get a glimpse into the emotional strain that his disabilities have caused. Peter shares his memories of getting bullied at school, feeling like an outcast within his own family and his insecurities about his need for walking aids (i.e. crutches, canes and braces).

This book surprised me. For one, I learned so much about Polio and the epidemic that plagued Canada in the 1950s. Peter's memoir also shed some light on the history of the Canadian health system. It also quickly highlighted his experiences at Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital, a place that I have a deep connection with. The detail in which this book describes his treatments and rehabilitations are eye-opening. It is hard to believe how much pain and suffering Peter has endured in his lifetime.

The Man Who Learned to Walk Three Times is an inspiring story of courage, rehabilitation and the ability to develop one's identity even when faced with impossible situations. I am so happy that I selected this book as one of my April reads and I hope that more Canadians get an opportunity to enjoy it as much as I did.

Disclaimer: I requested a finished copy of this book from Random House Canada in order to provide an honest review.

Rating: ★★★★★

The Wild Oats Project: One Woman's Midlife Quest for Passion at Any Cost by Robin Rinaldi

Publisher: Random House Canada
Format: Hardcover
Source: Requested ARC
Release Date: March 17, 2015
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:
The project was simple: An attractive, successful magazine journalist, Robin Rinaldi, would move into a San Francisco apartment, join a dating site, and get laid. Never mind that she already owned a beautiful flat a few blocks away, that she was forty-four, or that she was married to a man she’d been in love with for eighteen years. What followed—a year of sex, heartbreak, and unexpected revelation—is the topic of this riveting memoir, The Wild Oats Project.
   
An open marriage was never one of Rinaldi’s goals—her priority as she approached midlife was to start a family. But when her husband insisted on a vasectomy, she decided that she could remain married only on her own terms. If I can’t have children, she told herself, then I’m going to have lovers. During the week she would live alone, seduce men (and women), attend erotic workshops, and partake in wall-banging sex. On the weekends, she would go home and be a wife.
   
At a time when the bestseller lists are topped by books about eroticism and the shifting roles of women, this brave memoir explores how our sexuality defines us—and it delivers the missing link: an everywoman’s account of sex. Combining the strong literary voice of Cheryl Strayed’s Wild with the adventurousness of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, The Wild Oats Project challenges our sensibilities and evokes the delicate balance between loving others and staying true to oneself.

Review:
I requested an advanced copy of this book from Random House Canada for review purposes.

When I saw the list of books for March release, The cover of the Wild Oats Project jumped out at me. After reading a bit more about it, I was definitely intrigued. It is a deeply honest and fearless memoir by a woman who strives to put her needs and desires first. I admire the author's courage to share this very personal journey with the world.

I found Robin's story inspiring. I don't mean that it made me consider an open marriage, but it speaks volumes to gathering one's to strength and courage to speak up and put your needs first. This is something easier said than done for myself, a full time working wife and mother of two, but I still found it empowering.

I enjoyed Robin's story from beginning to end. It's definitely the perfect book to recommend for International Women's Day.

Intolerable: A Memoir of Extremes by Kamal Al-Solaylee

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Purchased
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:
In the 1960s, Kamal Al-Solaylee' s father was one of the wealthiest property owners in Aden, in the south of Yemen, but when the country shrugged off its colonial roots, his properties were confiscated, and the family was forced to leave. The family moved first to Beirut, which suddenly became one of the most dangerous places in the world, then Cairo. After a few peaceful years, even the safe haven of Cairo struggled under a new wave of Islamic extremism that culminated with the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981. The family returned to Yemen, a country that was then culturally isolated from the rest of the world.

As a gay man living in an intolerant country, Al-Solaylee escaped first to England and eventually to Canada, where he became a prominent journalist and academic. While he was enjoying the cultural and personal freedoms of life in the West, his once-liberal family slowly fell into the hard-line interpretations of Islam that were sweeping large parts of the Arab-Muslim world in the 1980s and 1990s. The differences between his life and theirs were brought into sharp relief by the 2011 revolution in Egypt and the civil war in Yemen.

Intolerable is part memoir of an Arab family caught in the turmoil of Middle Eastern politics over six decades, part personal coming-out narrative and part cultural analysis. This is a story of the modern Middle East that we think we know so much about.

Review:
Prior to this year, a lot of the books I've read were non-fiction books focusing on life in the Middle East and the impacts that war and terrorism have on the people that live there. Although this book wasn't completely centred around a war, I still thought I'd be able to connect with it a lot quicker than I did.

This book is a memoir of Kamal Al-Solaylee's life. He details his family's luxurious life in Yemen and their immediate exodus into Beirut after his father was kidnapped and forced out of the country. From Beirut, his large family flees to Cairo to save themselves from the ever growing danger. It is in Cairo where Kamal begins to recognize that he is different from his brothers and most boys his age. After a brief visit to the UK to visit his sister, Kamal returns to Cairo a different man. One that is confident in who he is and begins to explore the underground gay scene in Cairo. By this time he was in his early twenties and enjoying a somewhat frivolous life. Just when he was getting comfortable in this new lifestyle and new found freedom, his father decides to uproot the family once again and return to Yemen, their homeland. Now in his twenties, Kamal dreaded the return. In Yemen, he was required to complete one year in military service. After acting as a translator, a unique opportunity to study abroad in the UK. Kamal jumped at the chance to leave Yemen. Only one thing appeared to hold him back, telling his mother. She instead was surprisingly supportive with a one word response, "escape".

Now in his fourth country of residence, Kamal studied at Keele University earning himself a PhD. In English. During his studies, he continued to search for a way to escape his homeland and become a citizen in a western country. His search eventually ended when he met an immigration official from Canada. In December 1995, his wishes were granted and was eligible to claim residency in Canada. Before immigrating he stayed in England long enough to confirm that he completed his PhD and flew to Toronto that same week. His lifelong dream has now come true. Kamal gives us a look at his new life, struggles and freedoms that he worked through in his first years in Toronto. In this final chapter we also begin to see the final disconnect between him and his family in Yemen.

I think Intolerable is a very fitting title for this memoir. Kamal outlines his journey through countries that he could not stand to live in. For me, the book started off a bit slow but I know it was necessary to educate readers on the state of the Middle East at the time. There were parts that I enjoyed specifically Kamal's journey to finally be himself in Cairo and reading about his early life in Toronto. I just wish there was more of it. I would have liked to learn more about his transition into his new, permanent, home. I would recommend this read to anyone who is looking to learn about the history of Yemen and its people's struggles. I also think those who are looking for a glimpse of what it was like to grow up in the Middle East in the 1960-1980s would appreciate the details of Kamal's life.

This is fourth book in the Canada Reads 2015 series that I've read. The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King is the last one on the list. Once I've read and reviewed it, I'll be posting a summary of my thoughts on all the books and reveal my top two contenders.