Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Life Is Just A Bowl Of Choices is an autobiography written by Robyn Russell. What is a life well spent? The author contends that the choices one makes ultimately shape one’s life and, as long as one is still breathing, that life story is continually being shaped and defined. Her own story began in Mombasa, East Africa where her mother moved with her husband, whose family owned a farm there. Her father left her mother when Russell was three months old, and his family forced his wife and children to leave the farm. They moved to Kenya and later to Tanzania. Russell was 10 years old when the family moved to the south coast of England where she’s lived her entire life. Russell had her first child relatively early in life -- she was 18 years old when Ian was born. Her husband is a musician, artist and healer. Russell has pursued a number of professional occupations, most recently working with her husband’s musical group.

Robyn Russell’s autobiography, Life Is Just A Bowl Of Choices, is a plain-spoken and often matter-of-fact account of the author’s life and the impact her own choices had upon it. I was especially fascinated by the author’s stories about her mum’s wartime experiences and her accounts of her early years spent in Africa. Those stories give the reader so much insight into the colonial culture in Africa during the last century. Russell shines when she recounts the pets she and her siblings had, especially Chico, the monkey, and the parrot who learned to call them in for tea. She describes long, endless days of playing outdoors, running barefoot and living a more natural life. Her Scottish adventures are also light-hearted and filled with insight. Russell’s autobiography is well-written and her stories are engaging. Life Is Just A Bowl Of Choices is recommended.