Category Archives: Blogging

You with the Sad Eyes – A Memoir by Christina Applegate

You with the Sad Eyes - A memoir by Christina Applegate

F**k.

Despite that being the first word of this review, there is no shortage of words to describe this woman. Resilient. Dogged. Fighter. Modest/humble. Survivor. Ostensibly vulnerable, yet never weak. Funny, often self-deprecating with her humor and at times facetious. Most of all, human.

Very human.

So, before you start, I need you to get Kelly Bundy out of your head. It isn’t about her. Don’t get excited about, or look forward to, stories about Samantha Newly (Samantha Who?), Jen Harding (Dead to Me), Veronica Corningstone (Anchorman movies) or even her stint opposite Ricky Schroeder on Silver Spoons (yeah, I had no idea either … apparently Jason Bateman and Alfonso Ribeiro were regulars along with appearances by Matthew Perry, Sharon Stone, Joey Lawrence [whoa!] and Whitney Houston [a month before her first single, Saving All My Love For You, hit #1].

You With the Sad Eyes is not about any of them. This is about Applegate, and not a trip down memory lane with Bud, Peg and Al.

It is a very human story that talks about a less than enviable childhood, being drugged and sexually abused, breast cancer, and Multiple Sclerosis. It is about an angering and heartbreaking period of her life trapped in a relationship which was physically, emotionally and verbally abusive.

That was excruciating to read. It makes you better understand how women – regardless of fame, fortune, influence and appearances – can be trapped and feel unable to escape in abusive relationships for genuine fear of their life, and those they love. If it doesn’t, you’re a psychopath (yes, I know the difference between this and a sociopath).

It doesn’t matter who you are, or your station in life, thousands upon thousands of women live in fear of men who use varying forms of abuse to feel in power. These are small-minded, weak and insignificant little creatures who thrive on making women live in constant fear. Men who deserve to feel unspeakable and indescribable amounts of pain with little-to-no chance of reprieve, for the rest of their days.

As a woman I admire and love greatly once told me, “Forgiveness is God’s job, not mine.”

Applegate never says who he was, but I hope his name will surface one day and his comeuppance will be made public, and well documented.

It was a month before its release that I learned she had a book coming out. I was excited to hear everything about her, and I decided then and there I am going with the audiobook. I wanted to hear her tell me everything.

Well, she does.  So, prepare yourself. I’m nearly certain it will leave you stunned and wordless. I finished this book a week ago and didn’t feel right about saying anything until now.

Yes, the first word of this review began with a swear which began with an “f” ended with a “k,” and wasn’t firetruck. I am aware of this. But it was not used gratuitously to garner attention. It was because it was my first thought, and the first word which passed through my lips, moments after I finished.

Who knows? It might cross your mind, too.

This gets five stars from me but not only because of how it was written and or how well she narrated it (very well, I might add).   But also, because of how raw and exposed she let herself be.

It was staggering.

…and I am not going to call her brave for doing so, mostly because I do not like that word and think it is thrown around too frequently diluting its true meaning.  We are not talking about women and men who work in emergency services or ducking artillery in a bunker.  I will, however, use words like altruistic, enduring and doting – all hopefully received here as the very best of someone. A person whose life story can be a channel for those who come after, seeking help and the support they deserve, yet made to feel by others that they aren’t.

Well, they are deserving.

You are deserving.

… and she wants to make sure you know it.

Dad, and the Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor

Today is December 18, 2025. On December 18, 2022 my Dad died. On December 16, 2025 the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame sent a press release announcing those who’ve been selected for the 2025 Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor.

I do not believe in coincidence but I do find the timing interesting. But above all else, I am bursting with pride for Dad to be recognized in this way. I am also feeling bit of self-pride for being the one who went through the thousands of pages of articles to build a presentation for consideration.

As the son of a writer who loves thoroughbred horse racing as much as his Dad, THIS is the pinnacle. THIS is the greatest professional honor he could receive.

To be counted among the elite, the best the business ever saw, is the most wonderfully overwhelming experience.

(Looking up to Heaven…) I love you Dad. You are, now, officially in the eyes of your peers and racing brethren alike, a legend. I may have always thought it, but this confirmed it for the world to know.

The River Is Waiting

 by Wally Lamb

Wally Lamb has written an unforgettable novel in The River is Waiting. 

I can also tell you it is the hardest book I have read since A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. They’re completely different stories, mind you, but they have one thing in common. The subject matter is heavy. 

I mean HEAVY. 

It’s a lot. 

The story is centered around something that tragic that happened which may not sit well with some readers. It didn’t with me, to be frank. But someone whose opinion I value told me to stick with it. So I did. 

Damn her (lol).

A part of me is so glad I did. Wally Lamb is an exceptional writer. Exceptional. You probably already knew this and that’s the reason I continued. I love terrific writing. I also know I did the right thing in completing it. 

But if, as you read this, you’re getting some feelings of hesitancy from me, you’re not off base. It is because it demanded so much of my emotions. 

So much. 

When I closed the book I was exhausted. 

You can’t sit and read this and not look inward. Deeply inward. It’s not that kind of book.  The River is Waiting will require your undivided attention and you WILL give it. This is a book that will demand so much from you and you will let it. 

If you read it, all the way through to the end, you will have no choice but to surrender yourself to what has been asked of your heart. 

If you are not prepared for that to happen – and I am not bulls****ing you – do not read this book.

If you are, then buckle up buttercup.

I won’t give any spoilers of course, but … that ending? Damn.

It was so many things. It was beautiful and sincere. It was sweet and torturous. It fills your heart and gives you hope. It shreds it in two and devastates you. There was a sense of understanding which humanizes us. It did for me.

In it, I found grace.

But it’s really hard getting there.

Like I said, Lamb is an exceptional writer. Exceptional.

Dogs of Venice

Oh Paul.  You poor fellow.

Our guy comes home one day and receives some unexpected news. His husband, Darren, feels he has had enough, and tells him so. Their five year marriage had run its course. They just weren’t the couple they thought themselves to be. 

To add insult to injury Paul had spent months planning a getaway for them both.  A trip to Venice, Italy during the Christmas season. It had all the makings for a romantic getaway.  But now, it’s a romantic getaway for one. 

You see, Paul is a little clingy and Paul can be anxious at times. Maybe neurotic, too. You can ask Darren. But make no mistake, Paul is also a very dear man and a hopeful soul. He is easy to root for. 

Not long after arriving he sees a street dog. A bit scruffy. A little worse for wear.  He went table to table getting scraps and ear scratches. But it was his confidence that caught Paul’s attention.  There was a self assurance he had that Paul wanted. So, he followed him.  He wanted to learn how this dog thrives on its own and walks with the confidence of a lion.  Because he wanted to do that too. 

A novella that is typical Steven Rowley – charming, engaging, well thought out and funny – we play witness to a good man finding an independence he didn’t know he was missing. Furthermore, he is doing it all in the most romantic city on earth. 

With a sincere thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, The Dogs of Venice is set to be released October 14.  Not coincidentally in time for Christmas. 

It was very sweet. I completely enjoyed it and Paul – as I said already – is a hopeful soul. Those are some of our best people. 

And when you’re done with this, go read his book The Guncle.  It’s rare that a book has me laughing out loud. Like, OUT LOUD. The Guncle did … often. 

More or Less Maddy

In the blink of an eye Maddy Banks went from a typical college student, studying at NYU, to a young woman unable to control her behaviors. Manic episodes that scared those who love her in ways they never experienced before, and certainly never saw coming. 

One day at school, and feeling depressed, she went to the students health center to talk to someone. They put her on an antidepressant and that drug triggered the bipolar disorder that was, at the time, (somewhat) dormant. It was then that Maddy became an extreme version of herself – believing Taylor Swift needed her to write her biography and Netflix is going to sign her for a stand up comedy special. 

Listen to me when I tell you this … it ain’t an easy read if you have issues with your mental health.  I do  (depression, not bipolar) and there were instances which brought back memories of my worst time on earth.  Like, being a person I never knew before which prompted the discontinuance of some relationships and changing the way I am seen (or so I believe) by others.

This story could be a rough go for some. 

Lisa Genova did what she always does. She takes a serious health issue which impacts millions (36M worldwide – 7M in the US) and expertly helps us to better understand it.  I mean, Maddy’s manic episodes made me genuinely, and uncomfortably, anxious.  Like REALLY anxious. 

I appreciated so much that her storytelling was done with care, compassion, and thoughtfulness.  She did a lovely job creating a more sympathetic understanding without it being trite or diluting the realities of it. 

There were times the subject matter upset me, through no fault of the author, of course. The memories it stirred, and the hurt that paired with it, evoked a flood of feelings of contrition and sadness. I imagine there will always be something which reminds us of a dark time when fighting this battle.  But that’s ok.  It’s part of our healing process. 

Maddy gets it, too. 

4.25/5.0