Sunday, June 23, 2013

Ray's Reviews: Bootstrapper by Michigan author Mardi Jo Link

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Mardi Jo Link will be signing books on Wednesday at 7 PM at Schuler Books, 
Meridian Mall, 1982 W. Grand River, Okemos.

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"Bootstrapper" by Mardi Jo Link (Knopf, $24.95) is subtitled "From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm."

It's an enjoyable, intriguing memoir from a strong-willed, contemporary woman about raising her three sons and their struggle for survival. 

Told in a realistic, down-to-earth style, Link recalls a variety of her family's challenging lifestyle experiences in Northern Michigan in 2005-2006.

This could easily have been turned into a depressing memoir about all the things that went wrong in her life. Instead it's a fascinating look at her family's ability to persevere and use assorted, often creative innovations to succeed. 

It opens with her reflections upon her upcoming divorce from her husband of over 19 years (dubbed sarcastically as "Mr. Wonderful").

Divorce court looms, there's a large amount of debt; she wants to hang on to the century-old farmhouse near Grand Traverse Bay that's been in her family for generations.

Raising three energetic kids with little money is no easy task either. Her economic hardship is eased a bit by unusual circumstances, such as winning a zucchini-growing contest, which gives her a year's supply of local bread. 

She and her sons raise a hog, then run into problems when it reaches 220 pounds. She suffers through intense illness and has to deal with massive area snowfalls. 

There are other catastrophes that can't be overcome, including heartfelt emotional loss and frustrations when usually reliable resources fail.

In an effort to deal with an aggravating school official, she must learn to swallow her pride. She continues to seek a fitting church that her family will want to attend. 

They decide to raise chickens, but this too has hilarious and sometimes unexpected sad consequences. Link's memoir is full of scenes of self-discovery and growth, even though she doesn't always like what she sees.

This is a change of pace for Link, the author of two true crime volumes and the winner of a Michigan Notable Book Award.

"Bootstrapper" has a well-deserved praise on the book's rear dustjacket from Garrison Keillor, Wade Rouse and Jon Pineda.

It's great summer reading for those who enjoy entertaining escapism; it's ideal as well for local libraries.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, 
has reviewed Michigan books and crime novels regularly since 1987.


Find this and other books by great Michigan authors
at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 
book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop
307 East Grand River Avenue
East Lansing, Michigan
517.332.0112
This review was published by the Lansing State Journal on June 23, 2013.

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Sunday, June 9, 2013

Ray's Reviews: Vader's Little Princess and Human Interest Stuff by Terhune

It's summertime - and the reading is easy. Take a break and escape reality with a pair of unusual and innovative books.

"Vader's Little Princess", written and illustrated by Jeffrey Brown (Chronicle Books, $14.95), is the hilarious sequel to his smash 2012 best-seller, "Darth Vader and Son."

It's a funny book, filled with carefully crafted color cartoons showcasing Vader as you've never imagined him.

It's tough not to giggle as you follow Vader through his struggles to raise his young daughter Leia, as she grows from a sweet little girl into a rebellious teenager.

If you thought he had problems trying to destroy the heroic Rebel Alliance, just imagine him dealing with a young Leia, who has invited him to an unusual tea party. There are many more memorable and enjoyable images, such as Vader giving Leia instructions on how to brush her teeth or how to steer in outer space.

He's got problems with what she's wearing and with the intentions of her boyfriends. Die-hard fans will recognize many scenes from the movies.They're not likely to have given thought about Vader, Leia, and a host of other familiar characters attending a ballet performance.

"Vader's Little Princess" is an imaginative book that you won't want to miss - a useful and pleasant way to easily escape reality.

"Human Interest Stuff", by Albert Payson Terhune (Wisconsin Writer's Association Press, $4.00), is an adaptation by Rodney Schroeter featuring the artwork of Brighton illustrator William Messner-Loebs. It's a comic book, but it is presented in a magazine format, similar to TIME, with color covers and a black-and-white interior.

While it's 32 pages long, only the first part of the book is styled like a short graphic novel. The rest of the book offers the text of the original story by Terhune, which appeared in 1936 in "The Critter and Other Tales", an anthology of dog stories.

The superb adaptation by Schroeter really makes the enjoyable tale flow smoothly. The first scene opens with a young reporter who's hot to write an eye-opening story about a man and his protective dog.

The story is told from different viewpoints, including flashbacks. Dilemmas abound; Messner-Loeb's excellent and distinctive artwork captures the time period and attitudes perfectly in a style reminiscent of the masterful Will Eisner.

More information on "Human Interest Stuffcan be obtained at rschroeter@silentreels.com.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, 
has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.


Find books by great local authors (and more!)
at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 
book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop
307 East Grand River Avenue
East Lansing, Michigan
517.332.0112
This review was published by the Lansing State Journal on June 9, 2013.

Read More...