Memoir – Jill's Book Blog

Review: The Purpose of Getting Lost

Title: The Purpose of Getting Lost
Author: Tracy Smith
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Compass Story Press
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 11, 2026
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Purpose of Getting Lost isn’t a story about travel—it’s a story about what happens when a woman finally stops living on autopilot and starts choosing herself.

As Tracy Smith approached fifty and her kids grew up, she realized she’d spent years taking care of everyone but herself. So she booked a trip. Then another. And another. Thirty countries and five continents later, the miles she collected turned into something she didn’t clarity.

In airports, alleys, homestays, temples, and the quiet moments in between, Tracy found pieces of the woman she used to be—and the one she wanted to become. Written in a candid, heartfelt voice that explores what it means to be a woman at midlife—independent, curious, a little scared, and completely alive—this memoir traces how getting lost taught her to build a life that feels like her own.

For readers who

Honest, emotionally rich memoirsStories of reinvention and midlife transformationSolo female travel and self-discoveryBooks that blend adventure with heartThe Purpose of Getting Lost is a testament to the courage it takes to step into the unknown—and the joy of finding yourself there.

Review:

This is an entertaining memoir about how the author found herself through travel. I enjoyed reading about her world travels. The trips that she went on were more adventurous than the trips I go on, so I enjoyed reading about this different perspective. Tracy had the courage to step outside of her comfort zone and discover herself along the way!

The Purpose of Getting Lost is a great memoir!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read The Purpose of Getting Lost? What did you think of it?

Review: The Boy and the Man

Title: The Boy and the Man
Author: Terence Ang
Genre: Graphic Novel, Memoir
Publisher: Independently published
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 2, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the harrowing pages of A Cry in the Dark comes The Boy & The Man, a poignant graphic novel that delves deep into the extraordinary journey of Terence Ang. Once a dynamic leader at the pinnacle of his career, Terence’s life is abruptly derailed by a life-altering stroke. Stripped of his former abilities, he faces the daunting task of relearning basic skills and reclaiming his life from the shadows of despair.

As Terence grapples with his new reality, his mind conjures a vivid hallucination— a new “team” at his workplace. Each member, flawed yet eager, becomes a mirror of his own struggles. Terence feels an inexplicable drive to guide them, to push them towards success. Through their fumbles, failures, and eventual victories, Terence begins to see these figures for what they truly manifestations of his fears, his doubts, and his unyielding determination to move forward.

Every victory, no matter how small, brings Terence closer to reclaiming his voice, his strength, and his identity. The vulnerable boy within him—the one who trembles in the face of fear—begins to walk hand in hand with the man he is becoming. Together, they navigate this treacherous path, forging a way out of the darkness.

The Boy & The Man is not just a tale of survival; it is a raw, unflinching testament to the indomitable human spirit. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the incredible strength that lies within each of us. For anyone who has ever felt broken, lost, or on the brink of giving up, this novel serves as a powerful even in the face of unimaginable challenges, you can find your way back. You can rewrite your story.

Review:

The Boy and the Man is a powerful graphic novel memoir about survival and resilience. After his stroke in 2020, Terrence Ang had to relearn how to use his limbs. He didn’t give up, and this made him a stronger person. I loved how accessible this graphic novel is to more readers, especially younger readers. Terrence has turned his life around to become a successful author and an advocate for stroke survivors.

The Boy and the Man is a powerful graphic novel memoir!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Have you read The Boy and the Man? What did you think of it?

Review: Fire in the Hole!

Title: Fire in the Hole!
Author: Bob Parsons, Laura Morton
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Forefront Books
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In Fire in the Hole!, Bob Parsons, founder of GoDaddy, shares his story of extaordinary success as a self-made serial entrepreneur.

Born in the tough town of East Baltimore to parents who were inveterate gamblers, billionaire philanthropist Robert Parsons’ early years were marked by hardship and financial struggle. While he vowed his own children would never lack for anything, never did he imagine the wealth he would ultimately amass as the founder of Parsons Technologies, GoDaddy, and ultimately YAM Worldwide. In his literary debut, Fire in the Hole!, this extraordinary entrepreneur recounts the exploits of his youth, his hellish days at the mercy of Catholic school nuns, his harrowing tour of duty in Vietnam as a decorated US Marine, his pioneering contributions to the software and internet industries, and his latest ventures in power sports, golf, real estate, and marketing. Along the way, we witness his remarkable resilience as he copes with his mother’s mental illness and his father’s infidelities, battles PTSD resulting from both his childhood and war traumas, and mounts a quest to find new and effective treatments for himself and others who suffer from this affliction. He strongly supports veterans organizations, and believing in the concept of paying it forward, has awarded grants to more than ninety-six charities and organizations worldwide through the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation. Perhaps the only thing that has come easy to Parsons is his gift for storytelling. His reflections are at turns heartbreaking, heartwarming, humorous, and inspiring. If ever there were a story about a self-made man whose wealth can be measured as much by the contents of his heart as by the contents of his bank account, this is it.

Review:

Before Bob Parsons became a philanthropist, he fought in the Vietnam war, worked as an accountant, and created GoDaddy. This memoir tells his story from his tough childhood in Baltimore to his successful life today.

One thing that stood out and really made Bob successful was his attitude. He had a positive attitude and outlook. Instead of getting upset over any setbacks, he looked for solutions to his problems. I don’t read a lot of nonfiction, but I’m so glad I read this fascinating memoir!

Fire in the Hole! is an inspiring and fascinating memoir!

Thank you Bob Parsons and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: war, PTSD, drug use, mental illness, child abuse

Have you read Fire in the Hole? What did you think of it?