Hello, fellow Friday 56ers!
This week, I'm featuring You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir by Christina Applegate. I tried my best to obtain a review copy but was unsuccessful. I briefly considered ordering a copy, but luckily, I found it at a Walmart in a neighboring county that actually stocks its bookshelves. Note: I live in a small town with no actual bookstores, but there's a Walmart that has unfortunately downsized its already limited book section by half and then failed to restock it.
As many of you already know, I don’t typically venture into the realm of nonfiction unless a topic truly ignites my interest—it’s a guiding principle of mine. After all, why waste time on something that doesn't spark curiosity? This brings me to Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, a Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism by Leland Vittert (with Don Yaeger), set to hit the shelves on September 30th. Mark your calendars and make sure to snag a copy [*]; you won’t regret it. Although the book is marketed under the categories of family and relationships, and Autism Spectrum Disorders, I prefer to label it an inspirational memoir—because that’s exactly what it is: a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the life of someone who has navigated the complexities of living with autism.
So, who is Leland Vittert, you ask? Picture this: you’re flipping through channels and stumble upon Leland hosting his nightly national cable show on NewsNation. He appears a composed journalist, deftly drawing out insights from his guests as if he’s some sort of interview wizard. If you’ve witnessed his work over the years at Fox News Channel, you’ve seen him reporting from the most intense hot zones—from the ravaged battlefields of the Middle East to the polished anchor desk and the chaotic grounds of the White House. Curiously, no one—friends or colleagues—has ever truly known the extraordinary story of his life and the incredible journey that led him there.
Didn't I just say it was too early to dive into Christmas-themed books? I’m not losing my marbles here; I distinctly remember shouting this in another review. Yet, here I am, gleefully thorny about yet another book that really should've waited until the leaves started turning and the air turned crisp—preferably November or December—not September, for crying out loud! It’s not even Halloween yet! Jeez. But enough with the nitpicking; let’s get on with the meat of it...
Last week, out of the blue, an ARC of The Heart of It's a Wonderful Life by Jimmy Hawkins landed on my doorstop like a snowflake in July. Hawkins, the man who played the adorable Tommy Bailey in the 1946 classic, brings to life a story that was surprisingly born as a flop; back in the day, audiences didn’t quite know what to make of it. This book, more of a novella at 183 pages, turned out to be a quick read for me, courtesy of the fine folks at Harper Horizon. I’ve got a stack of books that would rival a skyscraper, and this happened to be my second unsolicited read of the week. Normally, I would brush these aside, but something about this one piqued my interest—maybe it was my greedy hands savagely reaching for nostalgia.
But I digress.
In this delightful little book, Jimmy Hawkins leads us to the heart of what makes It’s a Wonderful Life resonate with audiences—even today. It’s not just about an iconic message or unforgettable lines; it’s about the sheer unstoppable passion behind its creation, fueled by the vision of director Frank Capra.
