Okay, so I just finished 'Second Chances' and wow – it's not your typical prison story. At first, I thought it might be heavy or depressing, but Craig Grossi makes it feel hopeful.

The way he describes the inmates' writing class in Maine State Prison is eye-opening. These guys have such raw, honest perspectives that you'd never hear otherwise. And the dog training program? Genius! Made me want to adopt a rescue pup immediately.

What really got me was how Craig connects with these men. It's not some sappy 'save the prisoners' tale – he shows their humanity while keeping it real about their crimes. The Guantánamo guard's stories? Chilling but necessary to hear.

Pro tip: Read 'Craig & Fred' first if you can. That book about rescuing his dog in Afghanistan gives this one extra emotional weight when Fred makes cameo appearances.

Fair warning – I teared up multiple times (especially during the VetDogs chapters), but also laughed at the prison humor. The writing flows so naturally it feels like Craig's just telling you stories over coffee.

If you're into memoirs that make you see the world differently, this is your next read. Just don't be surprised if you start researching prison volunteer programs afterward!