I read this on the recommendation from Modern Mrs. Darcy. The story is very raw and real (but a touch aspirational since one of the characters used to be someone famous). It’s one of those stories that’s not looking for a happy ending. It wasn’t great for me, I think, because this book was marketed to me as a light summer read, but it ended up being a bit heavier in tone (the book address the issues of family dynamics, addiction, and fame). I usually give books like this 3 stars; however, I really wasn’t a fan of the writing style. I usually enjoy stories told from multiple points of view, but they read like short stories, didn’t follow a particular timeline, and sometimes seemed unncessary to the plot. So it was an experiment that didn’t compel me.

This wasn’t the pageturner I expected. The book is slightly convoluted, and does not tell the stories in order. I had to keep flipping back and forth between the chapters and the pictures, so I could keep track of who was who. Despite this, I enjoyed McNamara’s unusual take on the Golden State Killer, and of course it was particularly exciting to read as the news was breaking.

I bought this book to on the recommendation of Anne Bogel of ModernMrsDarcy.com. I have such great respect for Eleanor Roosevelt, her dedication to doing good, and her simple timeless advice. There is nothing particularly groundbreaking in the book, but its almost like she dictated the words, and they are preserved in this book exactly as she said them. I very much enjoyed her “voice.”

Surprisingly, I read this book in one day, it’s not dry and bogged down by details like many non-fiction books tend to be. The best true crime books read like stories, and this one definitely did with its colorful characters and tight descriptions. More classes should include these types of stories against historically oppressed people groups. Highly recommended if you’re interested in little known events like this one.

Great, lyrical reading. I give the book 4 stars because I could tell where the story was headed about a third of the way into the book, and so it made the last third drag a bit. The book does deal with some heavy subject matter regarding race, violence, poverty, single parents, imprisonment, and drug abuse. However, Jessmyn Ward has a way with words that haunted me yet drew me in.

Another compelling YA read. Definitely easy to read; I think I read it in a day. But nevertheless, Jennifer Latham writes a good story - emotional, thought-provoking, and interesting with the two parallel plots. I would definitely recommmend this book to older kids and adults alike.

Intriguing story and good, tight writing, although I can never know how much is true. Its fascinating how current events can shape how we think about an issue; in this case, how Patricia Hearst’s case influenced our ideas about Stockholm syndrome.

3.5 stars.