Review: Strings Attached by Joanne Lipman and Melanie Kupchynsky

Summary
If you're lucky, somewhere in your past is that one person who changed your life forever. The one who pushed you to dream bigger and to reach higher, and who set you straight on what matters in life. Perhaps it was a coach, or a professor, or a family friend.

For Joanne Lipman and Melanie Kupchynsky, that person was a public-school music teacher, Jerry Kupchynsky, known as Mr. K--a Ukrainian-born taskmaster who yelled and stomped and screamed, and who drove his students harder than anyone had ever driven them before. Through sheer force of will, he made them better than they had any right to be.

Strings Attached tells the inspiring, poignant, and powerful story of this remarkable man, whose life seemed to conspire against him at every turn and yet who was able to transform his own heartache into triumph for his students.

Lyrically recounted by two former students--acclaimed journalist Joanne Lipman and Mr. K's daughter, Chicago Symphony Orchestra violinist Melanie Kupchynsky--Strings Attached takes you on a journey that spans from his days as a forced Nazi laborer and his later home life as a husband to an invalid wife, to his heart-breaking search for his missing daughter, Melanie's sister.

This is an unforgettable tale--a captivating narrative that is as absorbing as fiction--about the power of a great teacher, but also about the legacy that remains long after the last note has faded into silence: lessons in resilience, excellence, and tough love.

Strings Attached is for anyone indebted to a mentor and for those devoted to igniting excellence in others.

Review
As we grow up, the most important people in our lives besides our parents are teachers. Whether we like them or not, their influence can help shape who we are and who we will be. As I sit and reflect on "Strings Attached", this is one of those books that play in your mind a harmonious melody that welds childhood nostalgia with a reflective appreciation of the teacher who impacted your life the most. 

This is one of those books that I believe will resonate with you on so many levels. It will bring back memories and emotions that will challenge and have you appreciate every tough teacher you thought didn't care. What I loved so much about this book was the story. It's beauty collectively put together about the life of teacher Jerry Kupchynsky or better known as "Mr K". Although his teaching style may have been tough, it was undeniable the heart and commitment to his students to excel and succeed past their own limitations to aspire to be better.

This book was originally not going to be published. What a shame if it hadn't been. It was written by one of his daughters Melanie along with a former student of her dad's Joanne Lipman. The book alternated with each one of their perspectives and gave an engaging account of a person whose life defined more than his perceived tough persona.  

As a reader, through their engaging narrative, you get a vivid portrait painted of his life. They take us on a heart breaking at times but inspiring account of a man who as a Ukrainian immigrant survived an abusive past and was given a lifeline that inspired his will to live a life that could be much better. He turned his obstacled pain into triumph, raised a family with challenges and whose unconventional teaching methods may have been harsh at times but influenced generations of people who credit his tough discipline with their lifelong successful ethic.

I always say everyone has a story. This is one that is definitely meant to be read. There is so much more to this book that I will leave up to you to read so you can enjoy. In times like this, where so many kids have little or no direction, we could all wish we had a teacher like this.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Book Information
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Release date: 10/1/13
Pages: 352

Review: January Sun by Richard Stengel

After reading this book, it really puts life in a real perspective. Many people take for granted life especially if you are an American, the day the day luxuries that we never think about compared to someone who may live somewhere across the world. Our individual rights, freedom of speech, going and doing and living as an individual seems fit is something we know nothing beyond for many of us. 

When you look at history and you think about what so many different types of people went through, you think about how awful certain periods of time were and you become very grateful that is not your current existence. When I started reading this book, I was thinking this is probably a long time ago but it wasn't. It was within the last thirty years. It was shocking and hurts in a way because I wish so many people could have the kind of life we have but is it right for everyone.

There is a passage in the book that totally sums up something many people outside of the US feel. One of the people in the book stated, "He views the United States as the principal exploiter of the Third World and seems to think that if America did not exist, the Third World would thrive." Hold this thought in your head.

This book followed three families who were Black, White, and Indian. What I loved about this book was how as you read, you really get to know them individually. You get their thoughts, feelings, and history. You really get a great grasp of all their existences collectively. This is a society that was judged solely based on who they are. He did a really great job with bringing these pages alive. 

That statement I mentioned before about how he felt. That seems to be felt by everyone. What was interesting throughout the book was that no matter how much they were oppressed and treated so bad because of who they are, they were individually happy with who they were and their own individual cultures. 

I truly recommend you reading this book. It is so moving and inspiring. When you finish reading this book, you will really look at your life differently.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Book Information
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release Date: 3/30/10
Pages: 202

Review: Living With the Devil - A Mediation on Good and Evil by Stephen Batchelor

Before I read this book, I had in mind what I thought the book was going to be about and it wasn't what I thought. When I read the description, it piqued my curiosity not only because the subject matter but because it was written by a former monk. I have to say this there has never been a book like this that I have ever read and probably never will. 

The style of the book was written so beautifully. I didn't know too much about Buddhism before I read this, but he really through his references make it comprehensible. The way he wrote, the things that he said really made you think about the struggle we have as people to be good and the challenges we face. It really makes you think in a way that you never thought before. 

If you have read this, than you know what I am talking about. Drawing upon Western and Buddhist philosophies, there is a meditative, insightful, introspective feeling that resonates with you as you go through the book. You gain that insight into finding that peace within yourself and that clarity of who you are an where you are going.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Book Information
Publisher: Penguin Group
Release Date: 6/3/04
Pages: 240

Review: Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer

This was a wonderful book. So many people today are going through tough times. Whether your a spiritual person or not, this book will resonate with your inner compassion. It was inspirational and thought invoking. It was filled with human stories of relatable people some of which I was amazed by their resilience to never give up despite their obstacles and challenges. 

It is amazing so many times people give up because they get discouraged or obstacles get in there way. Sometimes in life it takes hearing people who really met despair and that will give anyone the motivation to keep going.

Book Information
Publisher: FaithWords
Release Date: 3/17/09
Pages: 272

Review: It's All Well With My Soul, The Extraordinary Life of a 105 Year Old Woman by Emma Mae Cheeks Johnson with Patricia Mulhany

Sometimes you come across a book that really makes you appreciate the life you have in despite of what the obstacles that you may be facing. This book was about a really incredible woman, Emma Mae Cheeks Johnson, who happened to pass away last year at 106. What a really amazing life to really define living life to the fullest. Here is a woman, who came up through all the definable moments in our history and literally lived to tell about it.

When we pick up a book that talks about the past, usually all we get is a sense of just what happened. As you read this book, not only to you feel like you are reliving each moment with her but you feel like you were right there. Her wisdom, good heart, the love that she had for people and her family really permeated every page. Each page you turned, you just wanted to know more. You felt what she felt and rarely do we come across genuine wonderful people but it was really nice.

What a great book to inspire and that for a woman who came up in a time where limitations and obstacles surrounded her life, she not only worked hard to achieve the best life but also lived every moment to make it the best possible.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Book Information
Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: 3/31/10
Pages: 224

Review: Along the Cherry Lane by Milton Okun

A light hearted inspiring memoir of a man who’s love of music transcended the pages of the book. Born to immigrant parents, from their summer folk festivals at their resort to his evenings as a young boy at the opera, they showed him a passion for music that ignited an appreciation and love of it that has been gifted to so many over the years.

When a childhood illness nearly shattered his dreams and he was going to give up, Dean Nixon, a music conductor came into his life and ignited another spark that encouraged him to pursue his dreams. Although he left a career in teaching, as many would say he has taught them so many lessons personally and professionally in their lives that have transcended through their entire careers. 

Along the Cherry Lane, as told with his son in law Richard Sparks, was a delightful and funny memoir of one of the music industry’s most beloved and respected producers.  This told in stories of those who have shared his life and career, including his family, friends, and some of the most influential people in the business. You get a first-hand account of what it was like to work with some of the best in the business and his transforming names like Placido Domingo, Peter, Paul and Mary and John Denver into big successes. 

From his humble beginnings to creating a successful publishing company, his 50 year career is definitely a remarkable one.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Book Information
Publisher: Cherry Lane Music Company
Release Date: 7/14/11
Pages: 256