In this book the author writes with wit and humor about the many times he and his dog get together at the end of the day to have a smoke and a brew an...moreIn this book the author writes with wit and humor about the many times he and his dog get together at the end of the day to have a smoke and a brew and talk about stuff, just like Alan Shore and Denny Crane did at the end of each episode of the sitcom Boston Legal.
And what does a man talk about with his dog over a cigar and a beer? Anything ranging from chasing squirrels, barking, chewing on things, and eating, to having a hard day at the office, the responsibilities any dog owner has to live up to, and even some philosophy! Sometimes they give each other a hard time, sometimes they reminisce about the good old days, and sometimes they just pause to enjoy how the afternoon lazily drifts into night.
Reading this book I felt I was entering the world of two best friends and being privy to their conversations. Dog is quite smart and sophisticated, for a dachshund that is, but still prone to let his dog urges take over. Because of this he often finds himself defending his bending and sometimes breaking of the rules that his master has laid out for him. The author however, seems to understand this and is more amused than upset with Dog getting out of line.
My favorite chapters were “First Dog,” which was spooky and “The Last Conversation with my Dog (for this book!),” which was really sweet. Overall I thought the author did a pretty good job in presenting his canine companion’s point of view regarding the many issues discussed, but just in case he included a rebuttal by Dog to set the record straight!
Stephen Ullmon has written a book that will be enjoyed both by dog lovers and lay people alike. Not only is it funny, but it also displays a keen understanding of canine psychology as well as respect for our four legged friends and their world. (less)
The lush forests surrounding the Nantahala River in North Carolina serve as the backdrop for this sweet and multifaceted tale. This book is many thing...moreThe lush forests surrounding the Nantahala River in North Carolina serve as the backdrop for this sweet and multifaceted tale. This book is many things. It is a ghost story, a romance, a tale of friendship, an examination of the ways in which we deal with adversity, a chronicle of how the world you know slowly disappears with the passage of time, and a celebration of the things that never change (and should never change).
I loved the complexity of the character of Edward Caulfield. Sitting on the porch of his home, Edward is often swept away by whirlwinds of memories that take him back to happier times. He has many things to think about, and one of them is why he is the only one who cannot see the Lady of Nantahala; the specter of a woman waltzing alone over the dark waters of the river under the moonlight. Edward in his old age is assisted by his trusty house help Betty, who is quick with her wit and doesn't think twice about speaking her mind. They have a relationship where both support each other, but Edward’s and Betty’s world is changed when Lena, a young woman with a troubled life, walks into their midst.
There are other things I liked about the book such as the way the author presents the wisdom of both a people and a generation through the comments and thoughts of Edward, and the superb descriptions of the landscape both natural and man-made. The only thing I didn't like was the villain who was a bit too perfect for my taste. But this detail did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. The heart and soul of the narrative is the interaction between Edward and Lena and how it affects each other, because ultimately Moonlight on the Nantahala is a story about finding the perfect rose, but you are going to have to read the book to figure that one out! (less)
In the introduction to this book, the author Adrienne Joyce wonders if “like,” “love,” and “hate” are the basis of every other emotion there is, and t...moreIn the introduction to this book, the author Adrienne Joyce wonders if “like,” “love,” and “hate” are the basis of every other emotion there is, and then she sets out to examine them in a quartet of poems.
She first does this by viewing these emotions as a whole in the eponymous poem “Like, Love, Hate.” This is the sort of poem that challenges the word-association ability of poets. The author wrote down a list of several things that she likes, loves, and hates, and then proceeded to string them together. This is how she comes up with phrases like “hope sundae,” “the ocean oozing from the sides of a karma sandwich,” or “sweeping up the dust, lies, and Tuesdays.” I love it when poets do this but still succeed in conveying a clear meaning with the resulting poems, which is something Adrienne Joyce manages to do very well.
After giving us the bird’s eye view, the author then proceeds to dissect each of these emotions and consider them in isolation. A girl shopping at a store with her mother (Victoria’s Dress) represents “Like,” a lover reflecting on the many faceted enigma of love (The Buddha of Questions) represents Love, and my favorite, “The Beginning and the End,” represents “Hate” and for a very good reason. I finished reading this last poem and it must have been almost a minute before I realized I had stopped breathing.
The book is very well made and formatted. All the links work and the cover (which is related to one of the poems) is simple but effective. My only qualm is that it was too short: I wanted more! (less)
In this book you will meet Space Orville, a youth commandeered by the Universal Protection Service to rescue Miles O’Teeth, inventor of the irreplacea...moreIn this book you will meet Space Orville, a youth commandeered by the Universal Protection Service to rescue Miles O’Teeth, inventor of the irreplaceable Fog Napkin, who has been kidnaped by the Candy-Apple Weezle Bums. Space Orville sets out on a quest that will take him from the safety of a torus-like structure orbiting Earth all the way to the most enigmatic of the layers of the universe: Narvosis. In true superhero style he has a sidekick called Neutrofuzz who gimbles, thimmers, tingulates, felingers, and many other verbs that you never knew existed. Along the way Space Orville and Neutrofuzz team up with a motley crew of characters that will aid them in their quest and also solicit their help to fight a most dangerous criminal bent on dominating the galaxy: Bizmo the Inconceivable!
Brought to you by the intriguing mind of the erudite wordsmith Jeff Whelan, this book is a wild romp, part fantasy and part science fiction. The science fiction is very well thought out with convincing explanations being presented for many of the gadgets used and the phenomena encountered. The characters are also portrayed very well, especially Space Orville who learns a thing or two about himself and grows up with the experience. But what I found most amazing is the sheer descriptive ability of the author. Jeff Whelan literally paints with words bringing to life worlds full of multicolored shape shifting landscapes that engage the senses. Here is a sampler:
“Bubbling waves of purple and green gave way to a solid sheet of icy blue laced with rippling ribbons of pink. This landscape blended into a fresh, white froth that eventually smoothed out into rolling orange hills patched with splashes of red.”
Although the author has remarked that he was inspired by the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the outlandish science fiction of Dr. Who, and the bizarre humor of Monty Python, in Space Orville Whelan has found his own voice by creating a unique blend of reality and lunacy. If you want adventure spiced with zaniness and astounding writing that engages the senses, Space Orville is the book for you! (less)
Meet Chief (of should I say Chef?) inspector Terrence Morgan who is recruited to come up to Bloome Manor and solve a most baffling and also seemingly...moreMeet Chief (of should I say Chef?) inspector Terrence Morgan who is recruited to come up to Bloome Manor and solve a most baffling and also seemingly trivial mystery involving the excitable Lady Chatterly. The good inspector thinks he will have this one nailed in no time at all, but little does he know that he is about to embark on an adventure that will have him bitten by ferrets, falling on ashes, singing to hounds, wearing ladies clothes, and pursuing a love interest.
This book is an interactive fiction co-creation by author Lia London and several collaborators. The twists and turns of the plot are as funny as the British-sounding names of some of the characters including Mr. Crumbfellow, Mrs Moulderswich, and of course Millicent Fargenstropple. Reading this book reminded me of the BBC comedies that I used to watch with my family on NPR. The Brits have always been adept at capturing in everyday language the nuances of the human condition ranging from the solemn to the silly, and the author does a good job of reflecting this here.
Lia should be commended not only for writing a great story and doing it very well, but also for coordinating all the moving parts of this interactive experiment. The book is well formatted, has a functional table of contents, and each chapter has a distinctive title, which is something I always like because it makes navigating back and forth among the chapters easier.
If you want to relax, and have a good time “The Fargenstropple Case” is the book for you! (less)
In her debut novel Molly Greene introduces us to Madison Boone, real estate agent extraordinaire who also “flips” houses in her free time. Madison fal...moreIn her debut novel Molly Greene introduces us to Madison Boone, real estate agent extraordinaire who also “flips” houses in her free time. Madison falls in love with a cottage that is being sold in unusual circumstances, and she is able to buy it with the assistance of her no-nonsense lawyer friend Gen. But as Madison embarks on yet another remodeling project, the past of the house begins to unfold piquing her curiosity. However she is not alone. A motley crew of characters in the neighborhood and beyond is also interested in what Madison finds and their interest grows as she unravels the mysteries behind her dwelling and its former owners. These mysteries are of course eventually resolved, but perhaps the most important mystery that Madison figures out is that about her own self.
The book sports a superb cover by Jan Marshall. It is very well written and formatted, and all the characters are believable-from the sleazy Levi Velasco to the flamboyant Genevieve Delacourt. I liked how the author weaves the symbolism of the ever present Loon into the story, and connects it to the past owners of the house and to Madison. I also liked her vivid descriptions of the cottage with its lush gardens set in California’s Sonoma County. For example: “An English cottage right out of the Shire was set back in the midst of a clearing. Built of native stone, it looked as if it had been picked up by a tornado in the Cotswolds Judy Garland-style and plopped down here among the rainbow hues of the wild abandoned garden.” Reading passages like these makes images appear in your mind as though you had taken a picture, and there are many more where this one came from.
Mark of the Loon has intrigue, romance, friendship, mystery, danger, and even a little touch of the supernatural thrown in for a very pleasing read, and I recommend you treat yourself to the experience! (less)
This book of poems might have never made it. It could have been thwarted by a disbelieving second grade teacher who accused the author, then a little...moreThis book of poems might have never made it. It could have been thwarted by a disbelieving second grade teacher who accused the author, then a little girl, of plagiarizing a poem she wrote for an assignment. Or it could have been stifled by an education that strongly discouraged any desire for recognition. But thankfully for us, Barbara found her way. “First Kiss” is her first e-book of poems some of which were available previously in her print book “Singing Magic.”
This e-book is a collection of 24 poems that cover a diverse number of topics, and the author weaves them all dexterously into a pleasing multicolored tapestry. There are poems about family and friends, and about the hardships and rewards of love and growing up (including that “First Kiss”). There are poems inspired by photographs, and beds, and sculptures, and others that just celebrate everyday life in all its glory.
Many of the poems are surprisingly simple but yet very effective in delivering their meaning such as “Carnival Music” and “Spinning.” Other poems including “K-Street,” “Castle Cats,” or “Jewels on Her Hat” resemble snapshots of frozen time. But the ones I enjoyed the most were poems like “Oddly American”, “Afterlife” or “Before Dark”. They have layers within layers, and as you peel the layers metaphors spin out and soar in every direction. My personal favorite is “A Child’s Poem,” which is in part about that incident with the second grade teacher, but it goes much deeper. You finish reading this poem and the last words resonate like an echo inside your head.
The book is well written and formatted. The cover art by Michele Bulatovic is superb. The table of contents allows for easy navigation among the poems, and the links all work. Barbara in the introduction quotes President John Adams telling his son that he will never be alone with a poet (book of poems) in his pocket. If that is so, make sure you include Barbara’s “First Kiss” in yours! (less)
There may have been a simpler time in the past when it comes to many things. A time where something was either black or white, not shades of grey. But...moreThere may have been a simpler time in the past when it comes to many things. A time where something was either black or white, not shades of grey. But alas, it is doubtful that this was ever the case for the subject matter of this book: love.
In this book Sunny Lockwood presents to us six stories of individuals seeking or reexamining love. The characters of the stories are engaging and the author imbues them with considerable depth. Some of the characters are mired in relationships with contradictions and/or conflicts. Others are seeking that special someone who hasn’t arrived. There are all shades of love here: love for mates, for spouses, for parents, and for family. At times dramatic and at times funny, Sunny’s book is an in depth exploration of this most exalted of emotions within the human condition.
In the story “Something Special” a daughter struggles to come to terms with the particular style of her mother’s love towards her. In “Hilda’s Secret” a woman holding a terrible secret reexamines her life and her marriage. “My Worst First” is an autobiographical account of a first date that goes terribly wrong, while “Longing for Love” is the story of a lonely woman who seeks to fulfill her right to be loved, but first has to deal with the handicap of her disability. In “The Door” a daughter and a father struggle to accept each other. My personal favorite is “Love’s Echo” where a man staunchly opposes any intrusion of his past into his present.
The book is well written, has a functional table of contents, and a “Preview” section both at the beginning of the book and at the end of each story that presents a synopsis of the stories with a link to each one. If you want a short enjoyable romantic read that is not “black and white,” then Shades of Love is the book for you. (less)
For the purpose of this review the author provided me with a Microsoft Word copy of her work, so I have not read the actual e-book.
This book is intend...moreFor the purpose of this review the author provided me with a Microsoft Word copy of her work, so I have not read the actual e-book.
This book is intended both as a memoir and a portrayal of the effects that the holocaust had on its survivors and their children. The first fourth of the book centers on the lives of the author's mother, Channa Perschowski, and father, Nathan Poltzer, beginning when these lives begin to unravel. Channa was taken by her brother Issac to join the resistance against the Nazis at the tender age of 12 while Nathan at age 18 was deported to a concentration camp. They both managed to survive their brutal ordeal but they lost their family and friends. These chapters were harrowing to read.
Eventually Nathan and Channa traveled to America, met and got married. When their first son was born Nathan thought to himself that "Hitler had not won" because his lineage would continue. As it turns out, even though Hitler indeed had not won, his poison had become embedded deeply in both Nathan and Channa.
The rest of the book chronicles how this poison affects their marriage and their children resulting in a deeply divided and dysfunctional family. Hence the title of the book: "Broken Birds." Jeannette Katzir deftly describes in minute detail and analyzes how her parent's insecurities, unresolved anger issues, and a mistrust of strangers verging on paranoia slowly spread over the years into her and her four siblings affecting everything from their choice of spouses to how their own children were treated.
We often have the notion that if a person survives a period of intense hardship that person can face whatever life throws at them. The author in this book dispels that myth. The skills that one may develop to survive a war may not be the ones required during peacetime to have a healthy marriage and raise balanced children.
Overall reading Jeannette Katzir's book was a powerful experience. It is both a very intimate look at the inner workings of a family affected by the holocaust and a slice of history that documents very trying times for a group of people persecuted for their race. (less)
In this book author Joyce Faulkner treats us to a breathtaking and eclectic collection of short stories. They range from the complexity of dealing wit...moreIn this book author Joyce Faulkner treats us to a breathtaking and eclectic collection of short stories. They range from the complexity of dealing with the challenge of modern day relationships to seduction, betrayal, murder, and revenge, from the mundane, to the afterlife and the supernatural, from individuals fighting to bring to the surface the trauma in their lives and come to terms with it, to those hiding terrible secrets: this book has it all.
The stories are well written and very engaging. A few are shocking in their brutal honesty and others shy away from a "happy ending." A character asks in the story "The Menagerie", "Whoever said life was fair?" another character declares in the story "Unforgivable", “Sometimes there are no good choices...only a bunch of bad ones." Often the best we can hope for is resolution and closure, and that is what many of these stories are about.
Some of the stories are structured around individuals coming to grips with feelings. Dealing with a estranged family including an ill mother (Winding Down), with the memory of an abusive father (Unforgivable), with being overweight and self esteem (Fattie Mattie), with the death of a relative (Empty House) and with returning home after war (Just Hold Me). Particularly heartbreaking and painful to read was "Infinity", where women deal with rape and its aftermath.
The stories "Lilith" and "One Chittendon Drive" deal with classical monsters while others like "Chance" and the title story "Losing Patience" deal with perhaps the most complex, terrifying, and least understood of all monsters: ourselves.
Among my favorites are: "The Brafferton", where two warriors from different ages and realms share their stories with each other. "Elizabeth Rose", where the perfect punishment for a bigot is dispensed. The humorous "Rubber Dome", where a widow decides to reactivate her sex life in a very matter of fact way but with an unforeseen result, and "In my Fashion", where a woman receives an unusual gift.
My only qualms about the book are a glitch with my copy that prevented me from navigating directly to the table of contents and another glitch where the first page of each story was displayed without the title upon clicking the table of contents. However, these did not detract from the experience of reading the book.
This book is not a "light read", it will not distract you from real life, rather it will propel you into the thick of things and make you think. If this is your mindset, then Joyce Faulkner's "Losing Patience" is the book for you.(less)
Can you name all the children in your Kindergarten class? Suzanne McLain Rosenwasser can, and the name of the bus driver, and the policeman, and even...moreCan you name all the children in your Kindergarten class? Suzanne McLain Rosenwasser can, and the name of the bus driver, and the policeman, and even the garbage man! In this great book the author describes with exquisite detail what it was like to live in Manhasset, Long Island in the three decades following the 1950s. This is not only a memoir but also a portrait of small town, America as it changed along with the world around it.
The book is made up of twelve 2-3 page stories (and one recipe), two of which have been featured in the New York Times, and one of which earned a Long Island Press Association Award. The stories cover everything from vacationing at beach 9 where the hotdogs were so crisp they snapped when bitten, to the author being a "popover girl" at Patricia Murphy's Candlelight Inn Restaurant. There is even a (very) short mention of slumber parties at the convent of Our Lady of Grace where some of the girls went (gasp!) skinny dipping in the pool while the nuns slept.
Alternating between nostalgic and funny, this book is an examination of the glue that holds a community together in the midst of change, and of the values, experiences, and metaphors which over the years turn children into adults who have a clear sense of belonging. The author's writing is so casual and engaging that when you are reading you feel she is talking while seated next to you.
Whether you want to read Manhasset Stories as entertainment, as history, or as a blueprint for jotting down reflections about your own life, you will not be disappointed. Buy Suzanne's book and join her in her quest to seek old Manhasset in the shadows of memory. (less)
Who doesn't like stories where the protagonists overcome difficult challenges to succeed and make their dreams come true? In this world of broken drea...moreWho doesn't like stories where the protagonists overcome difficult challenges to succeed and make their dreams come true? In this world of broken dreams that is one of the purposes of fiction, to allow us to visualize a better life for ourselves, even if it may be unrealistic and beyond our grasp. But who needs fiction when you can read Ingrid Rick's true story "Hippie Boy"?
This the tale of a young girl and her siblings immersed in the maelstrom of a family that unstitches at the seams. It is about dealing with poverty, about dealing with the imperfections of those entrusted to care for you, and about proving yourself by fighting, not only against the things without, but also against those that lurk within.
The book is engaging and well written. This is a memoir, and the author tells it like it is, both the good and the bad. She does not sugarcoat the shortcomings of the members of her family. I was particularly impressed by the contrast that Ingrid draws between the passages depicting the asphyxiating environment of the family home, where a an excessively devout mother permits the stepfather to employ religion as a means of control, and those describing the freedom that the author experiences when she is on the road selling tools with her dad. Reading the latter passages you actually feel the crisp cool morning air on your face as you drive down the highway with Willie Nelson on the radio singing "On the Road Again."
I agree with her father when he asks rhetorically, "This is the life, isn't it?" while relaxing in a motel room drinking sugar-free Doctor Pepper after a hard day's work. Indeed, nothing beats being your own boss, doing things your way, and making your own rules. But alas, while when you live on the edge and get the thrills, you also get the spills. In that sense Hippie Boy is also a tale of growing up and realizing you can't depend on others. You need to find your own way and your own voice, something Ingrid Ricks has achieved. This is her story.
Be it for curiosity, inspiration, entertainment, or to learn the life-lessons of "the road" I recommend you read Hippie Boy.(less)
The French surrealist poet Paul Éluard once remarked, perhaps figuratively, "There is another world, but it is in this one." Robert David McNeil would...moreThe French surrealist poet Paul Éluard once remarked, perhaps figuratively, "There is another world, but it is in this one." Robert David McNeil would agree, literally. In his thriller "Iona Portal" he has conjured up worlds within worlds whose fates are intimately linked with that of our own, and he uses science, history and psychology effectively to argue for his vision.
Iona Portal is a science fiction page turner in which the author mixes fantasy and reality in just the right amounts. He includes maps of the locations where the story takes place as well as handsome illustrations of some of the events, which makes the narrative much more engaging and believable.
Robert centers his epic on a real place, the mysterious island of Iona, which for centuries has been a destination for pilgrims who are willing to traverse the Scottish lochs, glens, and bogs in order to gain enlightenment and perhaps witness some of the enigmatic things that allegedly happen there. Iona Portal is the story of one such pilgrimage, but with the fate of humanity at stake.
In many ways this is a classic tale. However, the author gives the story the necessary twist that makes it original, while at the same time linking it to rich historical traditions. The pilgrims are stalked by the evil Archons, who due to their large numbers are winning the war. But the Archons are hypersadistic, disorganized, and invariably overplay their hand. The pilgrims are protected by the Irin, who are benevolent and brave, but due to their few numbers, are losing the war. The pilgrims must reach their destination and learn to use their gifts to tilt the balance of the conflict towards the forces of good.
The book is well written and has an interactive table of contents, which is important due to its size. I found a formatting error in one page, but that did not detract from the reading experience. I recommend reading Iona Portal. It is science fiction, but next time you have a string of bad luck or watch the nightly news, it will make you wonder. (less)
From the first sentence I was drawn into Laura's story of former reporter Clari Drake, now turned full time mom, struggling to come to grips with her...moreFrom the first sentence I was drawn into Laura's story of former reporter Clari Drake, now turned full time mom, struggling to come to grips with her career choices, her weight, and the strange world of the rich folk in the upscale Berkeley school to which she and her husband send their two children. When Clari and some friends uncover evidence of some shenanigans in the upper echelons of the school's management, this world gets stranger and more unsettling with each new revelation until the surprise ending.
I was blown away by the author's prowess for description. She can make the most mundane things and events meaningfully jump out from the page, and she endows her characters with layer upon layer of complexity that she peels like an onion before your eyes as the plots unfolds. I was so enthralled by her writing that I found myself doing something that I disapprove of: I was jumping chapters so I could find what happened next!
The read was also fun. Clari and her friends have a very unique sense of humor. I specially enjoyed their meetings at the Ice Pick Cafe with its very sui generis menu items. Did the author make this up or is there really such a place? The book is well written and formatted, with only a typo or two, and the links work. All in all, a thrilling and pleasant read.
So, does the hero of the story find clarity? To figure this out read the book, but consider the following: Today's world is complicated, and the motivations behind people's actions are so much more so. This is reflected in Laura's book, and she pulls no punches. Gone are the days where the good guy felt everything he did was right and everything the villain did was wrong. Finding clarity is about searching for the light amidst the shades of grey, both outside and within. (less)
This is not a book about writing. Mr. Locke admits that he is not a great writer, but he also states he doesn't "suck". And this is fine because, as h...moreThis is not a book about writing. Mr. Locke admits that he is not a great writer, but he also states he doesn't "suck". And this is fine because, as he also points out, he writes to entertain, not to impress. So this book will not improve your writing. This is a book about how to sell what you write. Between being the best novelist and the best selling novelist, the author states he'd rather be the latter, and many would say he has succeeded.
Mr. Locke begins the book by telling us about all the mistakes he made spending thousands of dollars to market his books while his sales languished. Then he tells us about how he developed and applied his system, which caused his sales to take off. The interesting thing is that his system involves things many writers already do like writing a blog and using twitter, but he uses these tools in his own particular way which often runs against conventional wisdom.
For example, haven't we all been told that we need to constantly tend our blogs, posting daily if necessary? Well Mr. Locke posts only 12-15 times a year in his blog! And Twitter, I have used Twitter for one year. Well, after the author revealed how HE uses Twitter I had one of those "duh" moments. I can't believe I didn't figure that out by myself!
While many writers may find it difficult (I would even say "unnatural") to follow Locke's central directive on how to go about writing, I still think the book has a lot of great ideas to improve your sales strategy. At $4.99 this e-book is towards the high end of what e-books should cost. However, as the author states (and he sounds very sincere), he would have paid $10,000 for these ideas when he was in low-sales limbo. If you are also in this sales netherworld or want to avoid ending up there, this book may give you the framework that you need.(less)
I can only compare reading Barbara's Mirror talk to appreciating a pointillist painting. When you begin to read it up close, the author lays down the...moreI can only compare reading Barbara's Mirror talk to appreciating a pointillist painting. When you begin to read it up close, the author lays down the colored dots of her life leaping from past to present and back. Sometimes you wonder what she is up to, but as you keep reading, and you step back, the dots form patterns, and patterns of patterns, until finally you get to the end and are able to see the whole; and it all makes sense. Anyone can live a life and write about it, but poets like Barbara have the best skill to examine said life, and place the right dots side by side to conjure up a gestalt that they can present to others in a way that is beautiful, meaningful, and entertaining.
But this book is not one of the many self-serving memoirs you read out there. In this one Barbara deals honestly with the rough edges of family life, her religious upbringing, her faith, her life choices, and she does not shy away from expressing her opinions. She is curious about her journey and her destination, about who she was, who she is, and who she wants to be.
There were many things that I particularly enjoyed. Chapters like "Make Mine Cognac" or "The Snowball Incident" were very funny, whereas other chapters like "The Goddard Experience" really soared. The metaphor of the three balloons was amazing and Thalia's request to Zeus was hilarious. Barbara also includes in this book a few fine poems of which "A Child's Poem" is truly riveting.
All in all it was an enjoyable and thought-inspiring read, the sort of experience that enriches your life. I recommend that you buy her book and read it before facing that mirror on your wall.(less)
It was difficult to read Charles Dowdy's "I Wear the Shorts in This Family", not because it was actually difficult to read, but because I kept doublin...moreIt was difficult to read Charles Dowdy's "I Wear the Shorts in This Family", not because it was actually difficult to read, but because I kept doubling over laughing. In this book the author takes us on a tour of his experiences in courtship, marriage, pregnancy, and parenthood, but he does it with a keen eye for finding the humorous amidst the mundane. Charles has a knack for making the circus of bringing four kids (two of them twins) into this world, and parenting them, come to life in all its glorious lunacy.
Among the topics that are touched in this book are: thank you note writing for wedding presents, maternity clothing, visits to the doctor, the kids destroying the house, in-laws, family functions and vacations, puppies, oversized lawnmowers, letters to Santa, an attempt to change the neighborhood constitution, and even that close call with the pickle jar that all men dread and have nightmares about. But not everything is fun and games. Towards the end of the book in the chapters "Beaks and Freaks" and "Crawfish in the Family" Charles presents deep and true reflections on the ways in which having children changes people.
The book is very well laid out with a working table of contents that links to the 24 individual stories, and it is very well written. There is a typo or two but this does not detract from the enjoyment of the stories. Now the pressure is on the author, as he acknowledges in the preface, to deliver a second book that is just as good. But the teenage years should provide him with enough material for that!(less)
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