Tag: Memoir • BookLikes

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review 2023-06-21 05:18

Avidly Reads Screen Time by Phillip Maciak

A Life With Books

Avidly Reads Screen Time

Rating: 4 Out Of 5 Stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this

advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

When I read the description of what this book was about I was intrigued by the subject matter and the timetable the book covers.

In the early 1980's my father worked for AT&T and I remember him telling my sisters and I that in the near future you'd be able to to see the person you are talking to on the phone on a screen! It was such an exciting concept to me and as a middle-schooler I was hoping this technology would hurry up already! (It wasn't fast enough for me!)

Phillip Maciak does a great job of covering all the bases of what screen time was way back when and the meaning of screen time in present day. The memories of what it was like to have to sit in front of a screen at the exact time a program was being broadcast to VCR's, DVR's present day streaming services and everything thereafter; the internet, personal computers, tablets, smartphones and apps

I sometimes felt really nostalgic reading this book, remembering simpler days. Maciak adds his personal touch to the book with stories of his family and screen time experiences. When you think about it technology really has come a long way in quite a short time. This book presented a coherent timeline of various forms of screen time and gave information and research I hadn't thought about.

If you're interested in the advances in technology over the past 30+ years and how it has changed how we communicate and entertain ourselves you will find this book interesting.

Purchase on Amazon @

Avidly Reads Screen Time

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review 2023-06-21 02:36

Late, Late At Night A Memoir by Rick Springfield

A Life With Books

Late At Night by Rick Springfield

Rating: 4 Out Of 5 Stars

Let me start out by saying I was in elementary school (4th grade to be exact) at the height of the General Hospital frenzy and Working Class Dog album. I was not watching the soap, but some older neighbor girls were. And of course the music was all over the radio. The movie, Hard To Hold was released in theaters in 1984 and I'm pretty sure I saw that a year or so after its release. Throughout the 80's Rick Springfield had many other hits that if I heard them now I would recognize many of the songs. This was pretty much the extent of my knowledge about Rick Springfield.

The very first thing that shocked (and I mean SHOCKED) me is that Mr. Springfield is only two years younger than my mother!!! As I write this my my Mom is 75, Spring field 73!!!!

This factoid totally threw me for a loop! I was very interested in his writings about his early years in Australia, his relationship with his parents, love of writing music, guitars and dogs. The parts I could've done without were all the intimate partners he had throughout his life. ( Don't get me wrong, I'm not naive about the rock star lifestyle, but I think Rick's 'adventures' were much more than the norm.) He's described it as a 'habit' rather than sex addiction.

I was unaware that he had some popularity in the early 70's in the United States and how editor-in-chief of 16 magazine, Gloria Stavers, was set on making Rick a teen idol just like David Cassidy. I also had no idea he dated Linda Blair from the movie Exorcist fame when she was only 15 years old!!

(Springfield was 25.)

Rick will be married to his wife Barbara Porter, for 39 years on October 27, 2023. This woman is a saint in my eyes. She endured Rick's infidelity for many, many, many years and it is beyond a miracle that the two of them are still together.

Happy for them that they are, but a lot of turmoil in this marriage to say the least. And he wrote the song "Don't Talk To Strangers" while he and Barbara were dating because HE was worried SHE was going to get involved with other people while they were apart! He has said, "Back then, I was scared that she was f**king around because I was doing the same thing." HA!!

The last thing I will leave you with in this book review is that Rick tried to commit suicide when he was 17 years old and has struggled with depression since puberty. He references his depression as "Mr. D" throughout the book; I never in a million years would've thought that he struggled with depression.

The insight to all he has dealt with throughout his life with depression is very sad, but extremely real.

I commend Rick Springfield for laying out the nooks and crannies of his life in this book. Although the writing style at the beginning of the book was a little choppy, he finds his voice throughout the book (with some flash forwards & flashbacks at spots) and he truly is an excellent writer. Don't underestimate this guy, he is talented and I believe he has a great heart.

Purchase on Amazon @

Late At Night by Rick Springfield

memoir book review non-fiction celebrity Musician

Source: allaroundthecircle.blogspot.com/2023/06/book-review-late-late-at-night-memoir.html

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review 2022-11-24 04:28

Against All Odds - Chuck Norris

Freda's Voice — feeling booklikes

Who wouldn't want to read about one of the best kick-butt actors of all time?!

The memoir did not disappoint. Whether you are a fan or not. You are familiar with his work. I was fascinated by some of the things that I didn't know about him, like his name is Carlos and not Chuck.

It was told in a great tone too. Chuck telling his story in a way that suited his Christianity also, which is appreciated. You have to respect a man who is not afraid to love God out loud, as Chuck does.

Great family too. Having children later in life, and his reasoning made sense to me. I almost chose to have later-life babies as well, but did not. I hope it's not a regret that I will one day garner deeply.

Good book though, as far as memoirs go.

memoir non-fiction

Source: www.fredasvoice.com/2022/11/against-all-odds-chuck-norris-50.html

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review 2022-11-13 19:26

Beautiful Scars - Tom Wilson

Freda's Voice — feeling dribble

A coworker lent me this book for two reasons. I read a lot of memoirs, and this guy is a Hamiltonian like us. We see him around the city, the studio he frequents is downtown where I live, so it was cool to learn more about him.

However, I liked him more before I read his story.

So he has a crazy life story, from his birth story to his life as a musician. I just found him to be more arrogant and stuck up which I didn't previously think he was. I liked this cloudy version of a celebrity that I had with knowing so little about him. I just knew the guy that said hi as you passed the studio, not the person inside this book.

It didn't help when he told us about his parents, and his mom was racist. Being Native that hit me in a way I didn't want... you know it kind of put me off from wanting to connect to Tom and his story after that. I know he isn't racist, but just hearing how awful his mom could be made it tough to digest. Like he is Native and she didn't want him to know that. That's messed up!

There were things I really loved about his story though. His feelings on being a dad and how he is there for his kids no matter what. Plus this guy was a huge addict and is sober now. That is always something to respect and applaud.

Sometimes it is better to just be a fan, and not know so much about a person though. Not every story will better than whatever you create in your head.

memoir biography non-fiction

Source: www.fredasvoice.com/2022/11/beautiful-scars-tom-wilson-49.html

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review 2022-04-25 00:07

Almost Interesting - David Spade

Freda's Voice

Almost Interesting: The Memoir - David Spade,David Spade,HarperAudio

When I saw this one on sale I had to grab it. David Spade is so funny, and I was hoping the book would be too!

It was, and it wasn't. I hate to admit, I liked him more before I read his book.

He's funny, sure, but most of this book was him telling stories about his life. The ones he chose to tell have my eyebrows raised, I mean, maybe he really isn't that interesting after all, but especially with Chris Farley, I was disappointed in what he revealed to us. They really were not the most flattering things, for a guy who says he loved him. You'd figure the tales he told would be more endearing, not embarrassing.

So I feel like I wasted a couple bucks here, but that's ok. Not everyone that you admire will be so admirable in the end.

memoir short story non-fiction

Source: www.fredasvoice.com/2022/04/almost-interesting-david-spade-17.html