Halfway Hopeless?

There is no way you can read this book and not feel frustrated, disheartened, and all the other somber words the thesaurus can throw at you. I kept finding myself mired down by all the gloominess and futility of the penal system and how aberrant it is, and wanting some kind of handhold to grasp. A solution of sorts--something. As horrific as the constant barrage of negativity was regarding the whole shebang of arrest, trial, imprisonment, and then parole, I suppose the real horror is that this system runs so deep in the fiber of our culture I don't know if there is an answer. The author deftly and effectively makes his point here, and it's a heavy one. The fallout from this systemic imprisoning machine ultimately affects all of us.

So True, and So Simple

This teeny-tiny book says, in simple terms, why feminism is important for all of us, and how training girls and boys to realize this could make the world a better place. You'll breeze through this in one short sitting, but think about it long after.

Masterful Fusion

Family quirks and imperfections take center stage in this beautiful tale. From the four Padavano sisters, to their parents, to Will, the loner who married into the fray, author Ann shies away from nothing. Mental illness, single parenthood, alcoholism, estrangement and forgiveness are all here. Although that may sound like a giant cry-fest, the overarching sentiment was one of hope and healing. I found this book sublimely readable and thought-provoking.