Saturday, March 19, 2016

I Should Be Dead: My Life Surviving Politics, TV and Addiction by Bob Beckel



Book: I Should Be Dead: My Life Surviving Politics, TV and Addiction

Author: Bob Beckel

Release date (if applicable): Published

Synopsis: Bob Beckel discusses this very poignant memoir his life raised in an impoverished, alcoholic home and the continued lifelong struggle with addiction..all while under the glaring spotlight of politics and television. 

My rating: 5 Stars

My opinion: So, I have to say that I come into this book review with a bias. I absolutely adore and respect Bob Beckel and, in his time with Fox News, learned so much from him regarding accepting people for who they are versus political ideology, it isn't even funny.

As a COA, this was a tough read for me, but it is also what makes it an incredibly powerful read. As a child of an alcoholic, Mr. Beckel writes with such brutal honesty  and insight  into his early years in an abusive, alcoholic home that I found myself reflecting on incidents in my own home growing up while numerous moments of catching myself holding my breath. This insight isn't only on blaming parents for a less than idealistic home life. With keen insight, Beckel takes a deep look into the progression of his own addiction and the behaviors that followed.   

I have to admit that I paid very little attention to the political or television side of the memoir with the exception of how they played into the addictive behavioral pattern. 

Source: Purchased

Would I recommend? : As a COA and former addictions counselor, this book has risen to my number one book to recommend for those in treatment or recovery. Beckel, in his typical humility, has taught lessons that every addict should walk away with regarding the past impacting the present and the fragile state of recovery. This story gives excellent discussion points for use as a form of bibliotherapy. 


Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand Alone

Note: Idealog comments bashing either Mr. Beckel or Fox News will not even see the light of day of this review. Don't bother wasting your time typing them. Comments on this blog are very closely monitored. 

On that note (and since it is MY blog), I can say is the day Fox News fired Beckel was the last day  this LOYAL viewer stopped watching Fox News. I remember the day  they did the show from Washington DC and now see that as being a prop versus a true support of Bob Beckel. If Beckel would have had cancer, upon his return, as many other news stations have done, Beckel would have been paraded around and put on a pedestal. Just food for thought.....

Goodbye to the Dead (Jonathan Stride #7) by Brian Freeman

Goodbye to the Dead (Jonathan Stride, #7)




Book: Goodbye to the Dead (Jonathan Stride #7)

Author: Brian Freeman

Release date (if applicable): Published

Synopsis: Stride's past is coming back to haunt him when a gun used in a previous crime is used in the brutal murder of another person. Did Stride get the killer wrong sending an innocent woman to prison for the murder of her husband?

My rating: 5 Stars

My opinion: GOOD GAWD, this series never gets old. Freeman has managed to take us back to solve two murders. The first when Stride's wife, Cindy, is still alive and diagnosed with cancer and the present involving his new love and fellow detective, Serena Dial and new charge, Cat Winters. Along the way, we get a complete picture of the pain that Stride holds internally that blocks him from his emotional growth in his current relationship.  

Flipping from past to present, as predicted, Freeman pulls this off seamlessly and builds pulse pounding momentum to the very last scene in the book. I could not put this book down from the second it showed up on my doorstep. 

I wouldn't expect any less from this author and, as usual, he delivered. It always amazes me how he, after seven releases, can keep this series as fresh as the first. 

So, don't trust me? Let me give you my husband's perspective. While coming down for his monthly visit, upon entering our apartment, his eyes immediately went to our bookshelf where the book was sitting and immediately widened. I got a "What the hell? You are holding out!" He picked the book up immediately and was done with it forty eight hours later. My husband has nowhere the speed that I have in reading, so this was quite the feat. 

Source: Publisher for review. 

Would I recommend? : Hell yes! Today and now! Brian Freeman is on my list for top 3 American mystery writers and this series is the reason why. Do yourself a favor though....start with book one. I say this with every release. Brian Freeman is one of the most character driven authors I know. It is well worth your time because I know that I have a deeper appreciation and attachment to the characters having done so. 


Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Number 7 in series.