Jewish Girls Gone Wild: A Memoir of Skokie, Scottsdale & the Seventies

Ever since I finished the last page of Linda Pressman's first book LOOKING UP, I have been waiting for Part 2 of her memoir. Jewish Girls Gone Wild. (Love the title) My curiosity was running wild about what was yet to come, in the new book. As she drove away from with her family, from Skokie, Illinois, I knew it would be new territory for us both. Alot of my own growing up took place in Skokie, Illinois also. Exactly the same neighborhoods she lived in. Although I am not Jewish, my memories are filled the people I met over the years, in those homes. The Survivors, many with numbers on their arms. Their gentle natures, their strength, I learned so much, from their stories, that were so hard for them to share. And her story flowed along with my mind's eye watching her adventures, like a movie. Ms. Pressman does not disappoint with her new book Jewish Girls Gone Wild. Her talent at story telling is a true gift. Although I was not on familiar turf anymore. Our heroine picks up exactly where she left off & takes us on completely new adventures, along with all her pre-teen insecurities & mindset. I was again spell bound. She tells an excellent story.

I was intrigued to read “Jewish Girls Gone Wild” because it was written by a former highschool classmate of mine. I was hoping it would be fun to read about life in the 70s from another’s perspective. And It was! I read about people I knew, places I’d been, and life just as I had experienced it. What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with a girl I barely knew decades ago. Through her eyes and through her story I got re-introduced to someone who had experienced fun and excitement in the midst of pain and suffering. She and I had hung out in different groups (the Cowboys, the Jocks, the Nerds, and the Freaks, or “Hippies” as she called them), but we were all looking for the same response — love and acceptance.I highly recommend this book. All who read it will relate to the pains and struggles of being a teenager. You never know; change a few dates, times or places and it could be your story, too.

After reading Linda Pressman's first book, "Looking Up: A Memoir of Sisters, Survivors and Skokie", and loving it, her perspective, empathy, and comfort with sharing her life experiences, my interest was piqued when I received an email letting me know that she had launched another book. This book "Jewish Girls Gone Wild" is exceptional. She's written another funny, witty, heart-wrenching account of her life but, this time she focuses on her teen years she spent growing up, struggling to find, know herself in a state, city, family that was also in a state of flux, Scottsdale, AZ. Beautifully written, entirely relatable (and I'm not Jewish), Linda Pressman has just released another story of her life that just makes you love her more. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who has suffered through puberty, loss of a parent, or even loss of your sense of humor. She'll help you find your laughter again, in spite of yourself.

I had so much fun reading this book. Ms. Pressman totally captures the the experience of being a midwest teenager in Scottsdale in the 70s. I had vivid flashbacks of tract homes, vast stretches of dirt between them and dust storms complete with tumbleweeds. Pot was plentiful, walls were scarce and belly buttons were on parade. Ya had to be there! And if you weren't, this great book will take you there. Thoroughly enjoyable read!!

Growing up, I used to love to read. As an adult i can’t tell you how many books I’ve started and never finished. I’m picky, and TV and podcasts are so easy.But there is really nothing like a good book. And this is a good book. Funny, emotional, insightful, and so raw in its honesty, that escaping into this book felt like escaping the noise out there, back into the center of myself.I didn’t want it to end and I’m still sad, the next day, that it’s finished. I hope the author continues and writes another. I’m a forever fan of Linda Pressman.Get this book, you won’t regret it.