The Good Neighbor: The Life & Work of Fred Rogers

The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers

By Maxwell King

Audiobook Narrated by: LeVar Burton 

Published September 4, 2018

Length 14 hrs and 7 minutes 

My review 4 stars out of 5

I read this book to complete a prompt in the Story Graph Genre Challenge: a biography about someone you don't know much about. 

The definitive biography of Fred Rogers, children’s television pioneer and American cultural icon, an instant New York Times bestseller

Fred Rogers (1928–2003) was an enormously influential figure in the history of television. As the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was a champion of compassion, equality, and kindness, fiercely devoted to children and taking their questions about the world seriously. The Good Neighbor is the first full-length biography of Fred Rogers.

Based on original interviews, oral histories, and archival documents, The Good Neighbor traces Rogers’s personal, professional, and artistic life through decades of work. It includes his surprising decision to walk away from the show in 1976 to make television for adults, only to return to the neighborhood to help children face complex issues such as divorce, discipline, mistakes, anger, and competition. The Good Neighbor is the definitive portrait of a beloved figure.

I really enjoyed this look at the life of Fred Rogers, the man behind the character we all know as Mr. Rogers. It seems he really was this genuinely nice man. 

I loved seeing how he grew up, how he gained his education and got his start in television. Though his family came from money, and he was granted many opportunities, he never became a spoiled rich kid. I love that he used his musical abilities all his love to help others. 

This story delves into every part of his life. From when and where he was born, his childhood, and his eventual death. If you have the chance, grab the audiobook. It is read by LeVar Burton (of Reading Rainbow) so it really took me back to that time in my life where I watched Mr Rogers and then just stayed on the couch and listened to a story read to me by LeVar. It was a simpler time. 

We could all use a little more Mr Rogers in our life about now.

Wherever She Goes

Wherever She Goes

By Kelley Armstrong 

Audiobook narrated by: Thérèse Plummer 

Published June 25, 2019 

My review 4 of 5 stars

I read this for my UBN book challenge for the prompt: Read a book by and award-winning Canadian author.  never mind then I guess I just read it for FUN! 

In looking more, it appears she doesn't meet this prompt, she is a bestselling author, but not award winning. UGH! 

From New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong comes a brand new psychological thriller about the lengths one woman will go to in order to save a child.

“Few crimes are reported as quickly as a snatched kid.”

That’s what the officer tells single mother Aubrey Finch after she reports a kidnapping. So why hasn’t anyone reported the little boy missing? Aubrey knows what she saw: a boy being taken against his will from the park. It doesn’t matter that the mother can’t be found. It doesn’t matter if no one reported it. Aubrey knows he’s missing.

Instead, people question her sanity. Aubrey hears the whispers. She’s a former stay-at-home mom who doesn’t have primary custody of her daughter, so there must be something wrong with her, right? Others may not understand her decision to walk away from her safe life at home, but years of hiding her past – even from the people she loves – were taking their toll, and Aubrey knows she can’t be the mother or wife she envisions until she learns to leave her secrets behind.

When the police refuse to believe her, she realizes that rescuing the boy is up to her alone. But after all the secrets, how far is she willing to go? Even to protect a child.

What would you do if you witnessed a kidnapping, but the police didn't believe you? 

In this book, that's exactly what happens to Aubrey. That's when she brings out the skills from her past life, from the life she buried to find a boy no one else is looking for. 

This was a page turner for sure. I kept wondering, oh my gosh who has this kid?! And then, "oh my gosh, where did this lady get these skills?!" 

In the end, you learn all the secrets, both where the child is, why no one was missing him, and all the secrets Aubrey was keeping. Totally worth the listen.

Her Last Whisper (Detective Katie Scott Book 2)

Her Last Whisper

By Jennifer Chase

330 pages

Published October 21, 2019

My review: four out of five stars

Katie focuses her mind, trying to keep another anxiety attack at bay. The victim’s long brown hair is slick and wet, her body rigid in the grass. She looks more like a mannequin than the woman Katie had spoken with only yesterday, the woman she had promised to protect…

When a cold, naked body is discovered by a couple on a jog through the lush woodlands of Pine Valley, California, new recruit Detective Katie Scott is stunned to discover the victim is Amanda Payton – a much-loved local nurse and the woman at the heart of an unsolved case she’s been investigating whilst getting a grip on her crippling PTSD.

Weeks earlier, Amanda had run, battered and bruised, out into the headlights of a passing patrol car. She claimed to have just escaped a kidnapping, but with no strong evidence, the case went cold. The Pine Valley police made a fatal mistake…

Katie is certain the marks on Amanda’s wrists complete a pattern of women being taken, held captive and then showing up dead in remote locations around Pine Valley – and she won’t let someone die on her watch again.

But then a beautiful office worker with a link to the hospital where Amanda worked goes missing. With only days before the next body is due to show up, can Katie make amends for her past by saving this innocent life?

Totally gripping crime fiction for fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh. Nothing will prepare you for this nail-biting roller-coaster ride…

This is the second book in the Detective Katie Scott series. This case isn't quite as harrowing for Katie, but it still has some action in there. This story starts out with Katie in her new position as the head of the two-person cold case division in her hometown police force. 

PTSD is a strong force in her struggles in this book, especially when an old friend from her time overseas in the military makes an appearance. I really identified with the panic attacks that Katie had in these books. 

The characters relatable, and the story was a quick enough pace to keep me reading but not so fast that I was left wondering what the heck just happened. Great "who dunnit" book - planning to read the next book for sure.

How Y'All Doing?

How Ya'll Doing? Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived 

By Leslie Jordan

Audiobook read by the author

208 pages 

Published April 27, 2021

My review 4.5 out of 5 stars

I read this book to complete a prompt in the Story Graph Genre challenge: a nonfiction history book about an LGBTQIA+ issue or person. 

Viral sensation and Emmy Award-winner Leslie Jordan regales fans with entertaining stories about the odd, funny, and unforgettable events in his life in this unmissable essay collection that echoes his droll, irreverent voice.

When actor Leslie Jordan learned he had “gone viral,” he had no idea what that meant or how much his life was about to change. On Instagram, his uproarious videos have entertained millions and have made him a global celebrity. Now, he brings his bon vivance to the page with this collection of intimate and sassy essays.

Bursting with color and life, dripping with his puckish Southern charm, How Y’all Doing? is Leslie doing what Leslie does best: telling stories that make us laugh and lift our spirits even in the darkest days. Whether he’s writing about his brush with a group of ruffians in a West Hollywood Starbucks, or an unexpected phone call from legendary Hollywood start Debbie Reynolds, Leslie infuses each story with his fresh and saucy humor and pure heart.

How Y’all Doing? is an authentic, warm, and joyful portrait of an American Sweetheart— a Southern Baptist celebutante, first-rate raconteur, and keen observer of the odd side of life whose quirky wit rivals the likes of Amy Sedaris, Jenny Lawson, David Rakoff, and Sarah Vowell.

Loved this collection of essays by Leslie Jordan. 

Bittersweet after his passing to know there won't be any new stories from this amazing man. He's a treasure to the world. I'm glad that he wrote this book to be treasured by those who loved him. You can literally see him in your head telling these stories. I listened to this one in two sittings, just laughing along with his infectious giggle. 

I would say this one is worth picking up the audiobook to listen to, just to hear his voice telling his stories.

Graphic Novels

My local library has this great program called Hoopla where you can borrow digital entertainment. You can learn more about it here. Have I mentioned how much I love my local library?? Anyway, I started borrowing graphic novels with this service a few months ago. These are just a few of the titles I have borrowed recently. 

Cryptid  Club

By Sarah Andersen

112 pages 

Published September 20, 2022

My review five out of five stars 

The latest from New York Times bestselling, Goodread's Choice Award-winning, Eisner Award-nominated and Ringo award-winning author Sarah Andersen is a delightful peek into the secret social lives of some of the world's most fascinating, monstrous, and mysterious creatures.

Do you hate social gatherings? Dodge cameras? Enjoy staying up just a little too late at night? You might have more in common with your local cryptid than you think! Enter the world of Cryptid Club, a look inside the adventures of elusive creatures ranging from Mothman to the Loch Ness Monster. This humorous new series celebrates the unique qualities that make cryptids so desperately sought after by mankind (to no avail). After all, it's what makes us different that also makes us beautiful.

This book had me laughing out loud. Makes the Cryptids feel so relatable. Definitely will be buying this one for my coffee table.

The Secret Garden: A Graphic Novel 

By Mariah Marsden (adapter)

Illustrated by Hanna Luechtefeld

192 pages

Published June 15, 2021

My review five out of five stars (LOVED it!)

Green-growing secrets and powerful magic await you at Misselthwaite Manor, now reimagined in this bewitching graphic novel adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's beloved tale. From Mariah Marsden, author of the critically acclaimed Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel, comes the second installment in this series of retold children's classics.

Ten-year-old Mary Lennox arrives at a secluded estate on the Yorkshire moors with a scowl and a chip on her shoulder. First, there's Martha Sowerby: the too-cheery maid with bothersome questions who seems out of place in the dreary manor. Then there's the elusive Uncle Craven, Mary's only remaining family--whom she's not permitted to see. And finally, there are the mysteries that seem to haunt the run-down place: rumors of a lost garden with a tragic past, and a midnight wail that echoes across the moors at night.

As Mary begins to explore this new world alongside her ragtag companions--a cocky robin redbreast, a sour-faced gardener, and a boy who can talk to animals--she learns that even the loneliest of hearts can grow roots in rocky soil.

Given new life as a graphic novel in illustrator Hanna Luechtefeld's whimsical style, The Secret Garden is more enchanting and relevant than ever before.

Just a beautiful little book. It is a graphic novel retelling of The Secret Garden. I loved the book as a child and love this graphic novel. The pictures are simple, colorful and stunning. Planning on purchasing this book to keep on my shelf just to flip through and look at occasionally. It makes me happy just looking at the pictures and reading the beautiful story.

When Breath Becomes Air

When Breath Becomes Air

By Paul Kalanithi 

Narrated by: Sunil Malhotra

231 pages

Published January 12, 2016

My review: 4.25 stars out of 5 stars

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST - This inspiring, exquisitely observed memoir finds hope and beauty in the face of insurmountable odds as an idealistic young neurosurgeon attempts to answer the question What makes a life worth living?

NAMED ONE OF PASTE'S BEST MEMOIRS OF THE DECADE - NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review - People - NPR - The Washington Post - Slate - Harper's Bazaar - Time Out New York - Publishers Weekly - BookPage

Finalist for the PEN Center USA Literary Award in Creative Nonfiction and the Books for a Better Life Award in Inspirational Memoir

At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade's worth of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, and the next he was a patient struggling to live. And just like that, the future he and his wife had imagined evaporated. When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi's transformation from a na ve medical student "possessed," as he wrote, "by the question of what, given that all organisms die, makes a virtuous and meaningful life" into a neurosurgeon at Stanford working in the brain, the most critical place for human identity, and finally into a patient and new father confronting his own mortality.

What makes life worth living in the face of death? What do you do when the future, no longer a ladder toward your goals in life, flattens out into a perpetual present? What does it mean to have a child, to nurture a new life as another fades away? These are some of the questions Kalanithi wrestles with in this profoundly moving, exquisitely observed memoir.

Paul Kalanithi died in March 2015, while working on this book, yet his words live on as a guide and a gift to us all. "I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed nothing and everything," he wrote. "Seven words from Samuel Beckett began to repeat in my head: 'I can't go on. I'll go on.'" When Breath Becomes Air is an unforgettable, life-affirming reflection on the challenge of facing death and on the relationship between doctor and patient, from a brilliant writer who became both.

This is just a beautiful story about a doctor who goes from his job of being a neurosurgeon (nearly done with his residency) to being a cancer patient, one with stage 4 lung cancer. 

It is sad, but it is also a moving story about the relationship between doctors and patients. The way that changes when you are the doctor and how that makes treatment different (or the same). You hear at the end from his wife and I thought that was just a beautiful touch.

Cemetery Boys

Cemetery Boys

By: Aiden Thoms

Audiobook narrated by: Avi Roque

352 pages 

Published September 1, 2020

My review 4.5 stars out of 5

I read this book to complete a prompt in the Boise Public Library's Ultimate Book Nerd challenge: Read a book about a holiday tradition you don't celebrate. 

A trans boy determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family summons a ghost who refuses to leave in Aiden Thomas's paranormal YA debut Cemetery Boys.
Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.


This story is about a trans boy trying to prove his place in his traditional latinx family. It includes some magical elements and lots of tradition. 

I loved the inner-city setting and the diverse mix of characters. The narrator, Avi Roque, did an amazing job of bringing Yadriel to life and making him feel like a real person. To be able to be in the mind of a transgender person, to see life from their eyes, it was enlightening. 

Though a work of fiction, I like to think that Thomas (the author) used some real-world stories to bring this character to life. He certainly felt real to me. There will be more in this series of books, but I loved that this was a full and complete story all on its own. No waiting for book two to know what happens because this book wrapped things up nicely. Other authors could learn a few things about books in a series! 

Another thing I really loved about this story was the way that the stories of Yadriel's culture were woven in. I feel like I really got to know a bit about the Latinx culture and why they celebrate el Día de los Muertos. That is why I originally picked up this book. I needed a book that fit the prompt: Read a book about a holiday tradition you don't celebrate. This fit it perfectly. I just saw this on the amazon q&a with the author about his inspiration: "What inspired you to write Cemetery Boys? Cemetery Boys was inspired by a writing prompt I saw on Tumblr — “What happened if you summoned a ghost and couldn’t get rid of it?” How great is that?!