Fingerprintz is a memoir that explores how Lisa and her husband, Leon, navigate the emotionally and physically exhausting experience of caring for their premature sons, Harrison and Ethan, all while dealing with their demanding careers and life challenges. Trespasses portrays a scandalous affair set against the backdrop of The Troubles in 1970s Northern Ireland. And Source Code by Bill Gates offers an insightful memoir that blends personal anecdotes with reflections on his role in the tech industry, the founding of Microsoft, and his transition to philanthropy.

Determination and Love Will Get You Through

Fingerprintz by Lisa Printz Roday is a deeply moving and poignant memoir. Roday begins her story with the sudden death of her beloved forty-seven-year-old father. She does not allow his death to crush as one might think. This is a turning point moment in her life that will help her face life’s challenging situations in the future.
The characters are very well developed, each with their own unique voice and perspective, making them so relatable. This story is filled with twists and turns and as a reader you will be on the each of your seat to find out what will happen next in her life.

The memoir is really centered around the emotionally traumatic and physically exhausting experience that consumed the lives of Lisa and her husband, Leon following the birth of their first son, Harrison. He came into the world more than twelve weeks prematurely weighing 2.2 pounds. He fit into the palm of his father’s hand. Harrison spent the next three months at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mt. Sinai Hospital. It is an emotional three months as they both try to juggle their law careers, being at the hospital daily and taking time to be at home. Within a year of her first son’s birth, Lisa delivers a second premature son, Ethan. He will spend most of his first two months of life also in Mt. Sina’s NICU. They are back on the roller coaster of not knowing if this second precious baby will survive or not.

I could not put this book down. I was drawn into the story from page one. Roday’s book is so beautifully written with such courage, honesty and strength. The love these two people share with each other as well as their boys is truly amazing and remarkable. Roday shows us how some of life’s experiences that bring us to our knees or shake us to our core, can in fact make us stronger. This story shows the best in people when given really hard situations in life to deal with. Determination and love will get you through, as this story exemplifies. I cannot recommend this five-star read enough. Congratulations my friend, Lisa on your wonderful memoir. GET THE BOOK.

~Francene Katzen, advocate for parents of children with drug addictions

A Romance Among “The Troubles”

In Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, a scandalous affair is set amidst The Troubles in Northern Ireland in the 1970s. Cushla is 24, a Catholic school teacher living with her alcoholic mother, and working parttime as a bar maid in her family’s pub. Michael Agnew is twice her age, married with a child, a prominent Protestant barrister who seeks justice for Catholic youths who have been wrongly accused.

In her debut novel, Kennedy deftly portrays how violence in a conflict zone is intertwined and inseparable from daily life. Even during wartime, civilian life continues – clothes are washed, rumors are spread, dinner parties happen, and love is made. In a small town outside of Belfast, bombs and army raids are just part of life. (If you’re not familiar, The Troubles is a phrase used to describe to political and religious unrest in Northern Ireland from the 1960s until 1998, when the Good Friday Agreement brought peace).
In telling a fully realized romance that is also a fully realized story of the Troubles, Kennedy shines a light on her characters as they navigate self-awareness and social dynamics. The instant chemistry between Cushla and Michael leads to a tender and passionate relationship with steamy, frank sex scenes. Crossing social class divides, Michael, who is drinking in Cushla’s family pub, asks her to coach his well-to-do Protestant friends to learn to speak Irish to prove their open-mindedness.

Cushla also loves and cares for one of her young students, Davy McGeown, a boy in her class who has a troubled home-life and lives in a housing estate where his family are the only Catholics. They are frequently harassed by their neighbors and a savage beating leaves Davy’s father badly injured, unable to work.

A rising sense of tension builds as these two facets of Cushla’s life crash and come to a shocking head. This is a novel about people, love, and family set against the backdrop of The Troubles. It is a reminder of what human nature is capable of – kindness and the ability to care for one another while surviving the challenges of the rampant and unpredictable cruelty of war. GET THE BOOK.

~Joan Pagano, owner Joan Pagano Fitness

A Thoughtful Examination of the Impact of Technology on Society

Bill Gates’ “Source Code” is an illuminating memoir that peels back the layers of one of the most influential figures in technology and philanthropy. Gates, who co-founded Microsoft and played a pivotal role in shaping the software industry, offers readers a rare glimpse into his personal and professional life.
The book interweaves personal anecdotes, insights into his early years, and reflections on the founding of Microsoft. Gates’ writing is clear and engaging, making complex technological concepts accessible to a broader audience. His characteristic dry humor and introspective nature shine through, adding depth and personality to the narrative.

Gates delves into his upbringing, his passion for computing from a young age, and his time at Harvard. The chapters on his early programming endeavors and the genesis of Microsoft are particularly compelling.

Readers are treated to behind-the-scenes stories of Microsoft’s early days, the development of key products like Windows, and the intense competition with other tech giants. Gates provides candid reflections on successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

The latter part of the book focuses on Gates’ transition to philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He shares his vision for addressing global challenges such as poverty, health, and education, and offers insights into his approach to giving.
Gates’ ability to reflect on his journey with humility and clarity makes this book a must-read for anyone interested in the tech industry, entrepreneurship, or social impact. GET THE BOOK.

~ Cheryl Benton, The Three Tomatoes