I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya AngelouMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Audiobook Version: This one was read by Maya herself who has the calming grandmotherly voice I could listen to all day. At times, a little too calming and I missed some content, but overall, I always love hearing people's stories, and of course Maya puts her's together beautifully. This one covered part of her childhood, from about 8-17 years old. She was passed back and forth from her mom, dad, and grandparents, enduring most of the shifts with her beloved brother Bailey. It was nice to get a little background on this epic author.
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I had been wanting to read this book for years. I, like many Americans, was curious how someone was held prisoner for 18 years, and how the prisoner is now faring. The book was written by Jaycee shortly after her release. She tells a candid, not in too horrific detail, account of her ordeal. She was kidnapped at age 11 by Phillip and Nancy Garrido in California. Jaycee was held mostly in the two adjacent buildings behind Phillip's mother's house (who was living in the house and had dementia). Jaycee held a sense of hopelessness for much of the time, but once her daughters were born (at age 14 and 17), she was given a new purpose. Jaycee took raising and educating her daughters very seriously and worked tirelessly to educate them, even beyond the fifth grade education she received. She has an inspiring amount of resiliency. I would love to hear more about how she's doing now, but she has intentionally stayed out of the spotlight in an effort to shield her daughters from prying eyes. This was not the most comforting, relaxing read, but certainly a testament to human strength.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
In this novel, Ringwald ties characters together through short story vignettes The format is easily readable, and it does seem she captures emotion well. The dominant story-line revolves around a family of three torn apart by infidelity with a much younger lover. The book wasn't anything earth-shattering but interesting enough to see all the way through.
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