Memoir Review: That Bird Has My Wings by Jarvis Jay Masters
That Bird Has My Wings: The Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row
Author: Jarvis Jay Masters
Narrator: Korey Jackson
Published: September 22, 2009
Audiobook: 9 hours 48 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: March 18-23, 2024
Jessica’s Rating: 3 stars
Audiobook Description:
That Bird Has My Wings is the astounding memoir of death row inmate Jarvis Masters and a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit and the talent of a fine writer. Offering scenes from his life that are at times poignant, revelatory, frightening, soul-stirring, painful, funny, and uplifting, That Bird Has My Wings tells the story of the author’s childhood with parents addicted to heroin, an abusive foster family, a life of crime and imprisonment, and the eventual embracing of Buddhism.
Jessica’s Review:
This was our book club read for March and I think I went in expecting another The Sun Does Shine, which it wasn’t. This was just a depressing book for me. It wasn’t uplifting at all. So many examples of Masters life which was always negative and only a few chapters focused on when he went to prison. He is still on death row for the murder of a prison guard. Is he an innocent man? No, he actually did commit assault and theft. But he is also a casualty of his family upbringing and a broken foster care system.I can’t say much more than this, because this is someone’s actual life, but it was just too much for me. Masters can write well for someone with limited schooling and can tell his story in his own way. His memoir just was not for me.
Audiobook Review: I Need a Lifeguard Everywhere but the Pool
I need a Lifeguard Everywhere but the Pool
Series: The Amazing Adventures of an Ordinary Woman #8
Authors:
Lisa Scottoline
Francesca Serritella
Narrators:
Lisa Scottoline
Francesca Serritella
Published: July 11, 2017
Audiobook: 5 hours 30 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: March 12-16, 2024
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
The bestselling and “perennially hilarious” mother-daughter team is back with a new collection of stories from their real lives, guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. Join Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella as they regret drunk-shopping online, try smell-dating, and explore the freedom of a hiatus from men – a Guyatus. They offer a fresh and funny take on the triumphs and facepalm moments of modern life, showing that when it comes to navigating the crazy world we live in, you’re always your own best lifeguard.
Jessica’s Review:
This mother/daughter combo just know how to bring on the laughs! And I listened to it at a time when I really needed some giggles. These ladies cover just about everything in these short essays (yes, there are some politics too).
You get to know both women through the essays they write- whether you are already a reader of theirs or this collection of essays is new to you. And they also narrate the audiobook, which makes it even better!
I thought from the cover that this was going to be a book to gear you up for the summer, but holidays and elections are mentioned, so it can really be listened to at any time!
If you are a woman, you need to listen (or read) these books! The titles of the books in this series just shows the humor and honesty these ladies possess.
Bring on more books to the series ladies!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Book Review: Triumphant! By Jessica Roberts
Triumphant! One Woman’s Journey from Prison to Purpose
Author: Jessica Roberts
Published: January 12, 2019
224 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: October 24-31, 2023
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
I tried to live my life the way I’d been shown, and early on, it wasn’t as hard to do. But as I got older, choices weren’t so black and white. Love can make you do things that you otherwise would not do. Haven’t you ever done something that you really didn’t want to do, but it was for someone you really loved? I’ve come to understand that sometimes, the places we find ourselves and the experiences we encounter serve to prepare us for our purpose. Now that I have the benefit of age, experience, and wisdom, I can see how the things I went through has shaped the woman I am now. The dreams and goals I have now were not the dreams I started out with. My love and my choices left me facing a ten-year prison sentence! In spite of my choices and what I thought I wanted for my life, my dreams took a different turn. My new dreams have been directly influenced by the direction my life took.
Coincidence? Read my story and then you can decide.
Jessica’s Review:
I met the author at an event for authors from Georgia telling you about the books they wrote. At first I didn’t realize that Jessica’s book was telling her story, but when I did, I had to get it and read it! Fortunately, I was finishing my current read and I was able to pick up her book and read her story.
Roberts’ story is a quick read with short chapters and once I got started I wanted to keep reading! I inhaled it as a “read in my free time” selection. If you are short on time this would be a memoir that can be read very quickly.
Jessica tells her story to us directly and candidly. We see how the decisions she made shaped her life, and pointed her in the direction her life eventually goes. The reader sees what happens through her words, and the book evokes strong feelings to go with it: It just didn’t seem like the attorney really wanted to represent her. Your lawyer is supposed to be #TeamClient and Roberts’ lawyer appeared to be working against her. Why take on the case then? This wasn’t a court appointed attorney but a privately hired one.
We go through the criminal case as Jessica tells her story, and her life after she is released. She has people who helped her and her young daughter, and now Roberts is working to help those women who need it as she did. Through everything she had Faith and still does.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
