Boomer Tales: Hula Hoops Hippies Hemp and Hijinks, Agresti Larue

An engaging, vivacious memoir told with heart, raw honesty, and droll humor. LaRue takes you on a wild read of growing up in Chicago in an eccentric Italian family, living with a mentally ill mother, sisterly bonds, the sex, drugs, and rock and roll of hippie life, an illegal abortion, a bad marriage, single parenting and caring for parents with Alzheimers and cancer. Chapter 14 is a jewel in itself. Reading it is akin to opening an early 1970s time capsule. Told through original letters to her sister from a bizarre communal living arrangement in the hippie haven of the Florida Keys, it is loaded with wild tales and fantastic hippie vernacular. All chapters of the book are infused with unique characters and events that make it a page-turner. Her journeys and struggles are always met with a positive and humorous attitude, making this book very germane and inspiring to all ages of readers. The Boomers especially will relate to this story as much of it encapsulates their experience as a generation. the GenXers and Millenials can live vicariously through the pre-aids and smartphone era. You might laugh and cry but you will not want to put it down.