A couple of years ago, I read a powerfully moving book titled Etched in Sand. It's the story of Regina Calcaterra and the abuses she and her four siblings endured at the hands of their mother and the utter failures of the foster care system. It's a heartbreaking story that is hard to read but also showcases the power of perseverance. In her book, Calcaterra carefully … [Read more...]
Mara Wilson is Not Matilda – She’s Even Better
At a young age, Mara Wilson became a Hollywood darling. She is perhaps best known for her role as Matilda, the movie that inspired book memes and gifs around the world, but she also rose to fame in Mrs. Doubtfire and Miracle on 34th Street. Unlike many child stars, Mara did not go down the path of self-destruction via drugs, sex, and alcohol, but her time as a child … [Read more...]
5 Easy Celebrity Memoirs You Don’t Want to Miss
If you have kids, then you're well aware that summertime - and free time - is coming to a close. This also means that you probably do not have time to pick up that heavy 500 page book you've been eyeballing. Instead, you're going to need an easy read that you can pick up and put down, preferably in the form of an audiobook as you shuttle your children back and forth … [Read more...]
Survival Wins in Remini’s ‘Troublemaker’
Before listening to Leah Remini's Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, I had a general idea of who she was. I've watched King of Queens in syndication and liked what I knew about her. I didn't know she was a Scientologist and, as someone who doesn't follow a lot of entertainment news, only had vague recollection of the frenzy surrounding her leaving the church. So … [Read more...]
Brain on Fire a Fascinating Story of Madness
Imagine knowing that you are embarking on a downward spiral but being powerless to stop it. Sounds horrifying, right? It is, and it's exactly what happened to Susannah Cahalan, a 24-year-old New York Post reporter. What began as a bite mark and a few overreactions quickly led to seizures, physical and mental deterioration, and to a troubling diagnosis. Was it because … [Read more...]