Memoir Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Woven in Time by Ron Theel

An affectingly reflective collection of autobiographical stories, Woven in Time by Ron Theel offers a kaleidoscope of perspectives on life’s biggest and smallest moments.

From nostalgia-heavy road trips through the dusty West to the heartbreaking reality of seeing your heroes falter, these anecdotal snapshots are intimate insights into the author’s life and mind. Whether he is curiously musing on the bizarre power of fingers, witnessing unseen details of the natural world, or reflecting on the struggles of artists and creatives, there is an earnest simplicity to the writing that is both endearing and compelling. The pieces are accompanied by atmospheric […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-09-08T17:06:21+02:00September 8th, 2026|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|

Review: Play Like He Would by Heath Hamrick

Tragedy and triumph collide beneath the Friday night lights in Play Like He Would by Heath Hamrick, a gritty true story of perseverance, honor, and the lasting impact of loss.

After a tough string of losing seasons and discouraging setbacks, “Slugger” Hamrick eagerly takes over as the head coach of the Bremond Tigers – a small and scrappy football team from East Texas. The town still remembers what vicarious victory and gridiron glory feel like, fueling dreams of young players and the excited hopes of a community. After a modest start at Bremond, Hamrick needs to deliver a playoff run […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-08-21T11:03:01+02:00August 20th, 2026|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Sports Book Reviews|

Pediatrics Around the Block by Stan Block, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Capturing his inspiring and impactful career in an emotionally demanding realm of medicine, Pediatrics Around the Block: The Journey from Country Doctor to Nationally Renowned Pediatric Researcher/Opinion Leader by Stan Block, M.D., F.A.A.P. examines the essential relationship of hard science with empathy, curiosity, and radical care.

Both a revealing memoir and a methodical manual for rare pediatric diseases, the text is composed of essays, formal case studies, published research, and narrative fascia to fill the gaps. Though the book is framed by the lens of a doctor, educator, researcher, and leader in his field, the book is far from a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-07-09T14:17:19+02:00July 9th, 2026|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Health Book Reviews, Memoir Book Reviews|

Visiting by Polly Walker Blakemore

An unfiltered portrait of mortality and an intimate exploration of hospice care, Visiting by Polly Walker Blakemore is a touching story rooted in devotion, duty, and dignity.

In this visceral memoir, the author bears witness to her mother’s multi-year decline into dementia, illustrating their profound moments of connection, tender snapshots of daily routine, and the emotional toll of parental role reversal. From in-depth discussions of the Food Network and the daily circuit of household movements to panic over the pandemic and the flexible nature of memory, this is a revelatory account of a mother-daughter bond in its final chapter.

The […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-06-15T14:42:39+02:00June 15th, 2026|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Health Book Reviews, Memoir Book Reviews|

Review: From Woodstock to Wisdom by Vicki Thomas

A thoughtful reflection on choosing happiness and remaining relevant, no matter how many candles are on your cake, From Woodstock to Wisdom: A Boomer’s Journey to 80 by Vicki Thomas is a nostalgic and timely roadmap to the good life.

In this collection of “snackable” essays, the author artfully offers the wisdom she has gained through the trials, travels, and tribulations of a humbly impressive life, with a focus on maintaining a purposeful and satisfying existence in your golden years. Marked by sardonic humor and the willingness to laugh at her own expense, Thomas has a pitch-perfect narrative voice, making […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-06-02T10:11:00+02:00April 28th, 2026|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Self-Help Book Reviews|

Review: The Character Route Tree by Marc R. Schneider

A self-help guide focused on the development of moral integrity and internal strength, The Character Route Tree: A Memoir, a Method, a Mastery of Obsessive Character Development by Marc R. Schneider is an innovative manual for growth, resilience, and situational success.

Penned by an author with a lifetime of experience in navigating the challenges of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, this book is more than a strict resource for others with this diagnosis; it contains his remarkable personal story and the highlights of his life’s work, distilled into a usable reference for people of all walks of life, not only those with […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-04-02T13:32:22+02:00April 1st, 2026|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Self-Help Book Reviews|

Review: Belonging to the World by Barry Hoffner

An emotional adventure that transcends borders and the boundaries of devotion, Belonging to the World: A Journey from Grief to Connection in Every Country on Earth by Barry Hoffner details the author’s epic journeys through love, loss, and healing.

In 2017, Hoffner’s life was upended when his wife Jackie died suddenly while travelling in Africa, leaving him heartbroken and drifting in the face of unimaginable loss. Beginning with the fateful trip that led to her death and the subsequent months of traumatic fallout, this memoir shifts back to the past, laying out the decades of chance decisions and international leaps […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-04-08T16:26:09+02:00February 20th, 2026|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Travel Book Reviews|

Exile of the Heart by Rasheed Abou-Elsamh

A raw account of the author’s long journey to find a place to truly be himself, Exile of the Heart: A Memoir Across Three Continents by Rasheed Abou-Elsamh is a vulnerably written and engrossing memoir.

Born to a Saudi father and an American mother, the battle between conflicting values and ideas was an unavoidable part of his identity, but one that he channeled into a free-ranging interest in the wider world. As Rasheed comes to embrace his homosexuality and recognizes the danger of that identity in Jeddah, he dreams of another life, somewhere his desires aren’t considered a crime. Moving […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-12-09T16:40:42+02:00December 9th, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: LGBTQI+ Book Reviews, Memoir Book Reviews|