Dean & Me (4)

DEAN & ME by Jerry Lewis

I’m still waiting for my new library picks to come in, so we’re still reading out of my personal collection. I warned you I might read something Dean Martin or Rat Pack-related again next. Well, my threat was real. You are gonna love it. 

RATING SYSTEM

 

1 – I did not like the book at all.

2 – It was decent, but I would not recommend it.

3 – It was an enjoyable read. Recommendation could go either way.
4 – It was a very good book. I would recommend it.
5 – It was an excellent book! Must read!!
6 – A new personal favorite – new top ten spot. Must read!

BOOK RATING

I give this book a 4.

“DEAN & ME” SYNOPSIS

This is a book written by Jerry Lewis about his ten-year, comedic partnership with Dean Martin.

From their very humble beginnings, nearly broke, just happening to meet on the streets of Manhattan, to their rise to fame as one of the biggest stage acts in America, to their break up and how they moved on with their lives.

Filled with heart and heartache; truth and humor. I would definitely recommend this book.

STATS

Pages:                         328

Published Year:        2005     
Personal Rating:       4 (of 6)
Type:                           Hard Cover, Personal Collection, Top Ten
Genre:                         Non-Fiction, Biography, Entertainment

THOUGHTS

I love this book and it’s in my Top Ten.

People younger than forty or perhaps even fifty probably do not even remember Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis as a partner act, but indeed they were one of the most successful comedic duos of all time.

Jerry writes with such love for his former partner. He is also honest about his rise to fame, how his ego got in the way, his addiction to pain killers, etc.

I feel like this book is such a must-read. It really gives you a feel for the times – they started out in the mid-1940’s. The book is both hilarious and touching.

Interesting note: Dean & Jerry just happened to meet through a mutual friend on the corner of 54^th & Broadway (three blocks from where I work). They also just happened to be booked (separately) at the Havana Night Club on 51^st & Broadway, which is now the Iridium Jazz Club, which is also the basement to my restaurant! At the Havana Night Club is where they first began joking around together one late night during a 2am show, to which only six people attended. That joking around became an act that caught on like wildfire and the rest is history.

PERSONAL

This new library is only letting me request five books at a time for the first month, so it’s taking forever for the books to come in. After the 30 days are up, I can request as many as fifty books at a time and then they’ll really start rollin’ in. I’m giving you winners though. Keep reading!

TOP TEN (AS PROMISED)

 
I’m not sure if they are in exactly correct order, but close.
 
1.   Gone With The Wind        /        Margaret Mitchell
2.    Once Is Not Enough        /        Jacqueline Susann
3.    Valley of the Dolls            /        Jacqueline Susann
4.    A Fine Balance                 /        Rohinton Mistry
5.    She’s Come Undone       /        Wally Lamb
6.    Dean & Me                       /        Jerry Lewis
7.    Gone Girl                          /        Gillian Flynn
8.    Chasing Daylight            /         Eugene O’Kelly
9.    My Decent Into Death   /         Howard Storm
10.  The Help                          /         Kathryn Stocket

EXTRAS

1.    Forgotten Garden               /        Kate Morton
2.    The Space Between Us      /        Thrity Umbrigar
3.    Before I Go To Sleep         /         SJ Watson
4.    Gasping For Air                 /         Jay Mohr
5.    Hope: A Tragedy               /         Shalom Auslander
6.    Tuesdays With Morrie     /         Mitch Albom
7.    Something Borrowed       /         Emily Giffin
8.    Save Karyn                        /         Karyn Bosnak
9.    Water for Elephants       /         Sara Gruen
10.  His Way                            /         Kitty Kelley

Memories Are Made of This (4)

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS by Deana Martin

Let’s dive into our first non-fiction review!

RATING SYSTEM

1 – I did not like the book at all.

2 – It was decent, but I would not recommend it.
3 – It was an enjoyable read. Recommendation could go either way.
4 – It was a very good book. I would recommend it.
5 – It was an excellent book! Must read!!
6 – A new personal favorite – new top ten spot. Must read!

BOOK RATING

I give this book a 4.

“MEMORIES ARE MADE…” SYNOPSIS

This is the story of Dean Martin’s life and career from the perspective of his daughter and namesake, Deana Martin.

It is very thorough and takes you through his entire life, section by section. Every time period – early years, successful years & the end – makes you feel as if you are currently living in it.

Very well-organized and detailed; it is written with a lot of heart, but also truth.

A great read!

STATS

 
Pages:                          285
Published Year:         2004      
Personal Rating:       4 (of 6)
Type:                           Paperback, Personal Collection
Genre:                         Non-Fiction, Biography

THOUGHTS

So obviously in order to like this book you have to like two things: Dean Martin & biographies. I love both.

This is not, by any means, a dry read. Deana writes this biography from the perspective of having lived it personally; having been Dean Martin’s daughter.

As I said, the book is written with great detail and heart, but she does not soften the unpleasant bits. Deana writes very honestly about both the good and the bad; she tells it like it was. Sometimes it was very good… and sometimes it wasn’t.

This is a fantastic read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a book from my personal collection and it was my second time around reading it.

I highly recommend it. This might put me on a short Dean Martin/Rat Pack kick.

NOTE

I have changed the Rating System a little bit. Number Six used to say that I would “add the book to my collection” and while it’s true that I only buy books I love and think I could read a second time that does not mean they are automatically a “six.” I glance at my book shelf and see “threes to sixes” that I highly cherish.

Therefore, in order to get a rating of “six,” the book must now knock out of place one of my top ten to fill the spot. I expect this to rarely happen and I will make a “six” only a “six” meaning that “five” will be the highest rating a book can get without making it into the top ten and there will be no rating of “five-point-five.”

I will include my personal top-ten in my next blog.

PERSONAL

I have moved!! I am in my new apartment and I love everything about it. I still have a few boxes to unpack and a few pictures to hang, but everything is going fabulously! Even the commute to work is easier!

I’ve applied for a card at the local library and am now just waiting for all my picks to come in. New books soon! Hmm… what shall I read next?

ADDITIONALLY

 
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