Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Publisher: Scribner

Genre: Memoir

Where I got it: When I was looking for an interesting book to read I found this book on Mrs. Meadow’s desk.

One sentence summary: Frank McCourt’s childhood with a drinking father and a mother trying to keep her family alive; is a struggle of poverty and sadness that is always able to make its entrance.

First sentence: My father and mother should have stayed in New York where they met and married where I was born.

First chapter review: The first chapter is an opening door to Frank McCourt’s childhood. In this chapter the author writes about how his parents met and got married in New York. He mentions that he had four brothers and at last received a baby sister. During this chapter he describes how the death of Margret—the baby sister—affected his father’s drinking habit and their decision to move back to Ireland.

Verdict: I would put this on the list of books that you’ll take time to read or read a couple times for all the details and events. I would suggest this book to anyone but young children because of death. This story is an excellent book; even better for some who have gone through a tough childhood. It will leave you wanting more.

Cover comments: Shows a filthy boy leaning against a wall without his shoes. The run down building and streets show the neighborhood isn’t as great as you may think. Though we can only assume the boy is poor, he still has a smile on his face.

Remember Me?

Sophie Kinsella overflows emotion in Remember Me? This is the story of a young woman who has had the worst day of her life. She’s outside of a bar, her boyfriend stood her up while she’s waiting for her ride, and everyone has gotten a bonus at work. (To show the financial year was better than expected.) However she didn’t get the bonus due to lack of qualification…missing one week of work. Everything has gone downhill until it gets even worse. As she hails a taxi and tries to get its attention from other customers; she slips on her cheap boots down stairs. The next thing she knows she’s in a hospital bed…three years into the future! From the old crappy life to the glamorous life of being skinny, rich, and having a wonderful husband…but is it really the dream life?

Remember Me? is a story with drama and comedy that will get you hooked in. Alexis (Lexi, the protagonist) has a bumpy life ahead of her after skipping three years of her 20’s (no one wants to miss those years) and can’t remember a thing in between. She’s now skinny, rich, with a great husband…and a secret affair? Last thing she remembers was being called “Snaggle-Tooth” and having the worst job in history. But when she wakes up, not only is she stuck with the life “Lexi” created, she’s nicknamed “The Cobra” for being snappy and a “bitch-boss-from-hell” from her friends…or should I say old friends. In three short years, her life has completely changed, she owns a gorgeous car, she lives in a huge house and it should be a perfect life. Her husband is perfect but doesn’t consider her feelings; on the other hand Jon (she was having an affair with) cares for her, but refuses to continue until they have something to link them together…a memory. This book is something you will NOT want to put down until you’ve finished, I’m not saying its short (389 pages) but it’s packed with juicy conflicts and emotional scenes that’ll kick the night raw.