Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started listening to this book.  I know Trevor Noah from the Daily Show.  And actually I only know him from clips of the Daily Show on Facebook.  I must say I am so glad that I listened to this book rather then read it.  Read to me by Trevor himself, who better then to tell his story.
At times I couldn't believe half of what I was listening to.  I would stop and research to see if he was taking creative licence with his life.  But as it turns out he didn't need creative licence his life was exactly as he told it.  I laughed until I couldn't breathe and I cried just as much.  His life is incredible.  He is inspiring.  I highly recommend this biography.  If you can, listen to him tell his story.  You won't want him to stop.

El Deafo by Cece Bell

This autobiographic graphic novel tell the story of Cece Bell.  Cece contracted spinal meningitis when she was just four years old and suffered severe hearing loss.  El Deafo tells the struggle she had with learning how to come to terms with and adjusting to this.  The book focuses on her elementary school years, and like many children she is learning to make new friends and fit in.  Cece just wants to be accepted and have friends like a normal hearing kid.  Under times of stress we see inside her and the superhero person "El Deafo" she created to help her get through difficult times.  This Newberry Honor book tells this story that anyone who has gone through elementary school would relate to.  There is crude humor, some misbehavior, a couple of tantrums, and just plain adolescent behaviror.  The comic book illustrations which are reminiscent of Marc Brown's Arthur support the story throughout.