biography

If you are tired of hearing celebrities whine about how hard it is to be rich and famous, don't check this out. I knew practically nothing of Carrie Fisher before listening to this audiobook, and now I wish I could go back to that. Fortunately, Fisher is able to poke fun at her own egotism, and in the end she is a "shockingly" likeable person.

DeGeneres offers a definite view on subjects ranging from what to do about clutter to tardiness. It reads like one of her monologues, as she floats from topic to topic. She has a breezy style of writing that seems like conversation with a friend. The comedian includes chapters on her bucket list, the first item being “Buy more buckets.” She also discusses using yoga and meditation to improve your memory and tips on casino gambling. I loved her comments on the back book cover. Instead of comments from other writers praising her book, she has written messages to her readers. A light and fun read.

Greitens, a Rhodes scholar and Navy Seal, tells the story of his journey  to protect the weak from the atrocities of war.  After spending time with refugees and street children in Bosnia, Rwanda, and Bolivia, Greitens comes to the conclusion that humanitarian aid will never prevent genocide and other barbarous acts, and is himself willing to put word into deed and defend the powerless. This is a compelling portrait of a compassionate warrior and an interesting reflection on contemporary masculinity.  My only complaint is that Greitens reads his own work in the audiobook and he has a tendency to let his voice trail off at the end of sentences, making it hard to understand.