Book Report

 The Less People Know About Us by Axton Betz-Hamilton – A memoir. The author is an only child in rural Indiana. When she’s a kid, her family – including herself – is the victim of identity theft. It keeps happening over and over again – they keep getting bills, in trouble with the law, their credit is ruined (even Betz-Hamilton’s, from the time she’s like 9). She spends her life studying the issue and becoming an advocate. So, the book is nonfiction but there’s a big twist….which I saw coming miles away. But no matter. The book still impossible to put down, and I had to read every word of Betz-Hamilton’s story. Loved it. Grade: 8

 

Rx by Rachel Lindsay – A graphic memoir. The author struggles with mental illness, and she is forced to hold down a day job she hates so she can pay for her meds. And the irony is particularly acute because her job involves helping drug companies sell their wares. This can be read in one or two sittings, but it’s no lightweight. It’s a stark look at life – and healthcare - in the US today. Grade: 7

 

The Sugared Game by KJ Charles – This is book two in a series that I raved about a couple of book reports ago. Historical fiction that centers around a gay couple!! I should say a bit more about it, since my last review was just me frothing at the mouth over it. This series centers around Will Darling, who fought in World War I, has returned to England, and like many others is having trouble making ends meet. A shady aristocrat named Kim Secretan soon enters his life, and trouble follows – but the two guys find they are always pulled together like magnets. Both books have plot twists and double crossings, and I just love the Will/Kim relationship. Also, Will feels like a fully-realized character, with a backstory, friends, a life. Can’t wait to read the 3^rd book though I think it might be the last. Grade: 8

 

I, Rigoberta Menchu by Rigoberta Menchu – First published in 1982, this is the memoir by the Nobel Peace Prize winner who still to this day fights for human rights. She was born in Guatemala to indigenous parents. I’ve kind of always known that indigenous people were (are) treated horribly throughout Latin America. I can’t even describe the horrors that Menchu and her family endured. (Where do I start? Being loaded into trucks multiple times each year to work in fields where they sprayed toxins that killed Menchu’s brother and many others, not being paid, sexual abuse, soldiers just entering their villages and torturing people, and on and on and on). Somehow, though, this book is still readable. Menchu weaves in information on her people’s traditions and culture. And she fights back against the repression. This book will definitely stay with me for a while. Grade: 8

 

I Have Something to Tell You by Chasten Buttigieg – Why do I love a good memoir so much?? Oh how I loved this! If you didn’t know, the author is married to Transportation Secretary and former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. I loved reading his life story. Growing up in suburban Michigan, knowing he is different, fearing rejection, getting into college debt and medical debt, finding that the gay singles scene SUCKS (everyone just wants a hook up or someone to hang out with, with no commitment), dating one guy for a couple years until he is dumped via text, and then meeting Pete who is the real deal. And then….whirlwind life on the campaign trail. This was literally everything I wanted in a memoir, and I read it in like a day and a half. Grade: 9

 

And yes, the two gay-male themed books in this book report got rapturous reviews by me. The lesbian fag-hag.