Book Review- Kimberly Rae Miller's Coming Clean

Kimberly Rae Miller's memoir, Coming Clean has popped up on several must-read lists. I'm currently taking a personal essay writing class and memoirs have been on my pleasure reading radar, so when Miller's memoir went on sale , I took the opportunity to purchase it.

PLOT- Kimberly Rae Miller grew up in the 1980's in New York, as the only child to loving and supportive parents, who also happened to be hoarders. Their hoarding problems went in cycles, where they would start to clean up their act, but soon slide back into old habits.

At one point they lost everything, including many pets, when an electrical fire destroyed their house. They lived in constant fear of nosy neighbors and the potential for child protective services to tear apart their family. At one point, their home was so overwhelmed with stuff, that they stopped maintaining it and had plumbing issues that forced them to join a gym to shower. As she transitioned to adulthood, Miller struggled with trying to help her parents and her need to move forward with her own life. She found that the trauma she suffered as a child of hoarders stayed with her.

LIKE- Miller's memoir is a force. I was amazed by her brutal honesty regarding her family and the way she grew up. It's often cringe worthy and although clearly she loves her parents, she exposes their issues. I imagine that this was a very cathartic memoir for her to write. I related to her being an only child and needing to be the one to step up and take care of her parents, when they couldn't take care of themselves. I cannot relate to the hoarding, thank goodness! She mentions her sadness at people watching shows like Hoarders for entertainment value and being judgmental. I guarantee if you read Rae's memoir, you'll never look at an episode of Hoarders the same way again. She's right though, there is a curiosity and disgust towards hoarders, however Miller does a keen job at balancing the "OMG" moments with the human emotions of a family that loves each other and is bonded. 

DISLIKE- Nothing. Miller allows us a fascinating look at her family and is a likable protagonist. I found myself rooting for both her and her parents to succeed. 

RECOMMEND- 100%,! Coming Clean is a must-read memoir. It's throughly fascinating and filled with drama. It's a page-turner that I couldn't put down.

Book Review - Kathleen Cremonesi's Love in the Elephant Tent

Who hasn't dreamed of running away and joining the circus? Kathleen Cremonesi didn't just run away with the circus, but she did it in Europe. When I saw her memoir, Love in the Elephant Tent, on NetGalley, I just had to read it. Thank You to ECW Press for allowing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT - Set during the 1990's, Love in the Elephant Tent is the memoirs of Kathleen Cremonesi, an American, who spent her twenties traveling around Europe. Free-spirited Cremonesi found an opportunity to join a circus troupe in Italy, working as a dancing girl. While with the circus, she fell in love with Stefano, an elephant keeper. As her love for Stefano deepens, Cremonesi finds herself become immersed in circus life and Italian culture, causing her to lose herself in this temporary life-style. 

LIKE - The best parts of Cremonesi's memoir are the ones that focus on her life in the circus. Beyond dancing, Cremonesi rode an ostrich, swam with sharks and befriended a shy giraffe. The animal lover in me, connected with the animal lovers in Cremonesi and Stefano. I felt for them in their dilemma of wanting to stay to care for these animals, even though they felt having the animals perform in the circus was wrong. This story is strong with ethical vs emotional content. Having both the circus and Europe as backdrops, fills this memoir with many layers. Cremonesi struggles as an outsider in this strange world. I loved getting a backstage view of this unique lifestyle. 

DISLIKE - More than an adventure story, this is a love story. Cremonesi struggles with her love for Stefano, as their cultures and communication styles often clash. Although the love story is important, I found that it took up too much weight in this book. I was far less interested in Stefano, than I was in the world of the circus. I couldn't understand her love for him, until late in the book. It was distancing. 

RECOMMEND - Yes. Love in the Elephant Tent is for anyone with wanderlust. If you've dreamed of running away with the circus, Cremonesi's story will speak to you. On a side note, if you love animals, especially elephants, a percentage of the proceeds from this book are going to elephant rescue groups. That's just cool! 

Book Review - Alexander McCall Smith's The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe

The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe is the fifteenth installment in Alexander McCall Smith's popular No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I've read them all and each new book is like spending an afternoon with an old friend. 

PLOT- The title of the book, The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe, is in reference to Grace Makutsi's latest business venture as a restauranteur. She is still working as a recently promoted co-owner of the detective agency, but her marriage has made her a wealthy woman with new ambitions. On the opposite end of the financial spectrum, is Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. His garage is seeing less business and he must make the tough decision to let-go of his apprentice, Charlie. Mma Ramotswe comes up with a plan to help Charlie out, by selling off her cattle to pay for him to work as an assistant detective. The agency is struggling to solve their latest case involving the identity of an Indian woman with amnesia. 

LIKE - This series gets better with every book and I think that is owed to the rich and wonderful characters that Smith has created. There is a sweetness and moral to every story, but it is never preachy. Last month, while I was on jury duty, I was discussing the series with a fellow juror and Smith fan. The conclusion that we drew as to why we found the stories so endearing, is that they always left us with the warm fuzzies. The world needs more books that leave you with the warm fuzzies.

DISLIKE- Nothing to dislike, but I did miss the "Africa" repetition at the end. Where was it? I'm so used to it closing all of the stories and it was missed.

RECOMMEND- Yes. If you're a fan of the series, it's a must. If you haven't read the series...what's wrong with you? Get to a bookstore immediately!