The Fairbanks Four: Murder, Injustice, and the Birth of a Movement
by Brian Patrick O’Donoghue
Lessons of wrongful convictions (3/30/2025)
Overall I found the book to be extremely interesting and loaded with information. I previously had not heard about this case, even though I consume lots of true crime both in print and in podcasts. One of the things that stands out is that it really points out how witnesses testimony/memories can be very biased and based in what they firmly believe, be it the truth or not, and in the end lead to devastating outcomes. And there are times that these outcomes must be reversed in the name of justice. The road is often very long and difficult.
There were times, however, that I felt the book was a little difficult to follow, especially because chapters were broken down even further, and I would have to go back to reread something to make sense of what I was reading, so that made it take longer to read. There were other times where the author went off on a tangent that would confuse things.
With respect to the factual aspect of the material, it was definitely very thorough from the arrest right up to the overturning of the convictions. Overall, I thought the book was a really good read and would recommend it to any other true crime consumer.
Going Home: A Novel
by Tom Lamont
You really can go home (11/24/2024)
Going home, demonstrates not being a good parent doesn't have to be blood related. Also it demonstrates that you really can go home. When the unthinkable happens to a single mom, Lia, leaving her toddler, Joel, motherless, one of her closest friends. Teo becomes Joel's guardian, more or less by default. The story follows the next year of Joel and Theo's journey, navigating the newly structured family with the help of friends and family, particularly Teo's, dad. It's a story about fathers and sons, and how it really does take a village to raise a child. It is a heart warming and thought-provoking story. I definitely would recommend it
You'll Forget This Ever Happened: Secrets, Shame, and Adoption in the 1960s
by Laura L. Engel
Could not put this book down (1/30/2023)
This is by far one of the best memoirs I have ever read. The writer's emotions completely enveloped me from the first page to the last page. It is a strong reminder of how far we've come when it comes to dealing with unexpected pregnancies.