Norman Coutts (Atmosphere Press)
The Naked Sailor by Norman Coutts is an evocative memoir recounting the author’s journey through Southeast Asia aboard a yacht, inviting readers to navigate the turbulent waters of life, fear, friendship, and self-discovery. The story revolves around Coutts’ unexpected sailing trip, prompted by an invitation from his childhood friend Rob. Despite his initial trepidation about sailing, ignorance of the sea, and the looming threat of pirates, Coutts' journey becomes a personal metamorphosis shaped by his surroundings' natural beauty and cha...
Janice S. Ellis, Ph.D. (USARISEUP, Inc.)
From Liberty to Magnolia is a profoundly moving memoir that chronicles the life of Janice S. Ellis, reflecting on the intersections of race, gender, and personal ambition against the backdrop of the American civil rights movement. The narrative begins with the author’s childhood in Mississippi—specifically, the towns of Liberty and Magnolia—during a time of racial division and social upheaval. Through her recollections, Ellis recounts the systemic challenges she faced as a Black woman in a predominantly white, patriarchal society, explorin...
Victor Costa (Atmosphere Press (September 17, 2024))
Victor Costa's Copycat is a fascinating memoir that melds the glitz of haute couture with the grit of a personal journey, offering a heartfelt narrative that resonates beyond the realm of fashion. From his humble roots in East Houston to the sophisticated streets of Manhattan's Upper East Side, Costa's story celebrates ambition, creativity, and grit, all set against the backdrop of a world captivated by the glamour of 1940s Hollywood. Costa’s tale begins at age ten, with a pencil in hand and dreams fueled by the elegance of classic fi...
Mary Garden (Justitia Books)
Mary Garden’s My Father’s Suitcase delivers an intricately woven memoir that examines familial dysfunction, family secrets, and sibling abuse, framed within the heart-wrenching narrative of a daughter’s complex relationship with her aviator father, Oscar Garden, and her troublesome sister, Anna. The book's title suggests a weighty representation of memory and inheritance; the old suitcase serves not merely as a relic of the past but as a vessel filled with trauma, memories, and struggles lingering in the shadows of familial love. Mary...
Peter P. Mahoney (Atmosphere Press)
In I Was A Hero Once, Peter P. Mahoney recounts the events of 1968 that altered his life. Joining the Army as an infantry lieutenant, he found himself deployed to Vietnam, where the war’s crude experience shattered his youthful ideals. Upon returning, he became a prominent voice in the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, thrust into the spotlight of the Gainesville Eight case, where betrayal cut deep. From establishing the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial to falling in love with a Russian woman, Mahoney’s transformative journey reflects on...
Jeffrey L Carrier (Anson Breck Publishing (April 5, 2024))
Jeffrey L. Carrier’s memoir is a compelling exploration of what it is like growing up as a gay preacher's son in the conservative South. Spanning from his childhood in rural Tennessee to his struggles with identity and acceptance, Things I Never Told My Father: Growing Up Gay as a Preacher’s Son intricately intertwines personal anecdotes with broader themes, such as the conflict between sexual identity and religious norms. The narrative arc begins with Carrier's idyllic early childhood memories but quickly unravels as he navigates the dissonanc...
Judy Haveson (Self)
Oldest Mom on the Playground by Judy Haveson is a hauntingly humorous memoir that examines the unique journey of becoming a mother later in life. Written as a collection of essays, Haveson’s work cleverly translates the laughter, chaos, and self-discovery that accompany modern motherhood, particularly from the perspective of a first-time mom at the age of 43. The author’s irresistible voice grabs readers instantly as they start reading this fascinating book. Her candid reflections on the insecurities that swirl around her status as an older mot...
Radu Guiasu (Addison & Highsmith Publishers)
Radu Guiașu’s The Faraway Mountains melds the themes of friendship, freedom, and the haunting shadows of life under a repressive regime to deliver a spellbinding experience for readers. Set against the backdrop of Romania's communist past, the narrative hinges on a hiking expedition that unfolds as both an adventure and a philosophical exploration. The plot centers on three friends—Alex, Victor, and Dan—embarking on a challenging trek in the mountainous wilderness. Their camaraderie and personal struggles emerge vividly as they traverse the rug...
Lara Gelya (Life Journeys Books)
In this remarkable memoir, Lara Gelya recounts her life journey, spanning over five decades, from her childhood in Ukraine to her years in Uzbekistan and eventually to her new life in the United States. The book examines humanity’s capacity to adapt, persevere, and thrive in adversity. Gelya's story begins in Vinnitsa, Ukraine, where she was born in 1950 to a Jewish family. Her childhood was marked by discrimination and stigma due to her Jewish heritage, which she experienced firsthand during her early years in school and social interactions. H...
Mitchell Raff (River Grove Books)
Little Boy, I Know Your Name by Mitchell Raff is a personal and emotional exploration of the author's journey as a Holocaust survivor's son. The book is a powerful exploration of the trauma and pain that can be passed down through generations and the author's struggle to come to terms with his own identity and sense of self. The book is divided into Part One, “A Mother's Betrayal,’ and Part Two, “The Inheritance.” The first part is a detailed account of the author's childhood and his relationship with his parents, who were both Holocaust surviv...
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