Condoleezza Rice: A Memoir of My Extraordinary, Ordinary Family and Me by Condoleezza Rice

I'll never forget the first time I saw and heard Condoleezza Rice. She was at the Republican National Convention in August 2000. George W. Bush had just received the nomination to run on the Republication ticket for president of the United States. Her speech that night spoke of her support for George W. Bush and it gave us glimpses into her family's story. Her father is a Republican because at that time in Alabama the Republicans allowed him, an African American, to register to vote whereas the Democrats did not. I listened as she told us of her grandfather working hard to attend college because he knew with education he could succeed. Mind you, at that time few people had the funds to attend college and even fewer African Americans. Condoleezza Rice's grandfather began a tradition that kept her family college-educated ever since. I listened intently as this young woman spoke with such eloquence and sincerity I thought, she could be our next president!

In her autobiography, Condoleezza Rice: A Memoir of My Extraordinary, Ordinary Family and Me, you'll be impressed by Ms. Rice's story. She is a very accomplished woman and I attribute that to her parents and grandparents' commitment to education. Her interests are varied including being a concert pianist and longing to be the Major League Baseball commissioner! She has served President George W. Bush in several capacities and as the first African American woman Secretary of State.

If you long to learn about strong women, you must read this book. You will be inspired.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Have You Looked at Blogger Lately?

Blogger is about to have some major upgrades! This blog that you are reading, BHS Reads, is written on the Blogger web-based platform. Stay tuned for design changes, just as soon as they are available and I explore them. Watch this cute video, Have You Looked at Blogger Lately?, for some amazing stats on blogging and bloggers. We're WRITING!



Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

After reading Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman, I'm inclined to think that Ms. Hoffman loves the South. Although her novel begins with 12 year old CeeCee living in Ohio with her parents, we soon learn that her mother longs to be back home in the South lamenting often that living in the North isn't living at all. CeeCee's life is tragic because her parent's lives are also tragic. Her father is often away leaving CeeCee alone with her crazy mother. You'll quickly realize that life in Ohio is a train wreck waiting to happen. Indeed, after her mother's accident, CeeCee is swept away to live with her wealthy, southern great aunt Tallulah.

This book can be over-the-top sweet unless you are a fan of southern charm novels. It is interspersed with underlying tensions such as southern racism, mean-spirited ladies, and the loss of CeeCee's parents. The story moves along from one vignette to another, one character's story to another, but the end result is satisfactory. You'll cheer on CeeCee and Oletta, the African American cook and housekeeper, as they take on one challenge after another. I was troubled by the lack of young friends for CeeCee, with one exception. She seemed to be happy being swept up in the Savannah ladies' circles for most of this book. It is a nice story on many levels. I hope you'll enjoy it too.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm