A Pig In The Rumble Seat by Edward Hujsak is an extraordinarily written book that simply put, is just never the same from page to page. Each story has it's own style, taste, genre & thought process; from the "Sci-Fi" style first story of Goodbye Charley to the final short story of A Visit With Oliphant there is never a repeat of style or really, even genre. The book is like taking a break from the real world, to find yourself engulfed with a potpourri of styles & genres all wrapped into one delightful package!
When I first began reading the book the first short story immediately yelled "Sci-Fi" with a touch of eclectic character. As I finished the first story and moved onto the next, I realized that this author's style is not one of typical character. The ability to appeal to a vast diversion of readers is amazing. The memoir style stories hold the attention of the reader with a "manly" style of writing that makes sure he doesn't fall short of keeping his "own kind" entertained. A touch of more technical, engineering information is weaved into the stories of his memoir style short stories, just enough to make women continue to read for the final outcome while, my guess is, men hold on tight to the ins and outs of the various information that runs amuck in the authors ingenious mind! The ability to combine to two is simply quite amazing for most any author indeed!
The various settings of each story keep the reader intrigued. We move from outer space to the beautiful surroundings of Vermont and the New England states with ease. Each story bringing with it a new and intriguing tale, whether it be of fiction of fact - future or past.
The memoirs tend to be my favorite portions of the book. While I enjoy the authors exceptional way of telling a tale, especially those of "outer space" and futuristic oddities, I found great comfort in his own tales of the past recollecting times with friends from his younger days. The tale of the author and his friend traveling through the darkness of "the middle of nowhere" after a wondrous visit with his friend & family makes one chuckle at the simplicity of days gone by. A simple break of a fan belt back then was no big deal, yet in the world of today we know a single issue with a car can mean hundreds of dollars in new computer chips. Yet this same author has a sense of futuristic intricacy that is above and beyond the average and exemplifies it with his stories of Lazarus the "treasure hunter" from the planet Tilsen & Ydek the "creator" of "mankind" in a sense in his own orbital world as he plays games with life as if it were a game; which, to him it was more or less.
You simply won't get bored with this array of tales... from the obscure to the quaint & reminiscent. The simplicity of the idea of "Short Stories" is enhanced by the complexity of the diversity of the author himself & his styles of writing.
This book is definitely one that will keep any reader intrigued, page after page... but each time for an entirely different reason. ]]>
Depth in Literature
The Marquette Trilogy: Book One - Iron Pioneers is the first work I've read by Tyler Tichelaar. Generally, I am a fan of the historical fiction genre anyways, but I chose this book in particular because of the book's setting. A novel about the building of the Marquette, Michigan area as a native of the Great Lakes area myself this book has a special spot in my heart. I've lived on Lake Erie since birth and not only love but appreciate the history behind the Great Lakes area and all it has offered to our Nation as it grew into it's current strength. The small, individual stories behind the growth will never cease to amaze and Iron Pioneers is one of the greatest tributes to these small stories you will ever find.
Iron Pioneers begins with the origins of Marquette, as the "wilderness" slowly grows into a thriving city. The story line itself is interesting enough, but the depth and strength of each and every character involved is simply amazing. As you progress through the story you slowly grow with each character, so strongly that you become one of them. Through the roughest times when there's scarcely going to be enough food to survive a winter in this new uncharted territory, to the times of wealth and richness you bond with the friendships amongst the citizens as the town grows. Simply speaking, the depth & intrigue of the characters alone is a major selling point of this book. It's rare an author can bring so many people to life so easily & so well, but Tyler Tichelaar does just that.
In the beginning, you experience the trials and tribulations of a new land, untouched, trying to become livable. Death seems to be everywhere at some points, making you wonder how or why anyone would have borne the pains they did, simply to bring new wealth & industry to a new nation. As time goes on you watch the children grow into young men and women, finding love, marriage while others find pain, death & hardship. You quickly make your own choices of who to like and dislike, who to cry for and cheer for. Slowly you see a small town come into existence and then a small city. Eventually the growth and development of the area seems amazing and while you recall the painstaking efforts that made Marquette what it became, you quickly forget that so much was lost for so big of a gain. As a reader, Tichelaar seems to be able to pull you into the characters' lives, making you appreciate everything from honorable efforts of a rich, old man who knows his time is limited to the grand ideas and changes of the industrial revolution around them.
Simply put, book one of this Marquette Trilogy is not only the first step of a love formation for the upper Michigan peninsula but for the characters who created it. You're pulled in so deeply that book one finishes with you demanding the rest of the trilogy. It's definitely going to be an addiction, so don't pick it up thinking you can stop!
Amazing writing style, intense characters, amazingly intriguing & realistic plot that's never drudged down with historical "facts" to the point of making you bored. That's a combination that many historical fictions cannot easily bring to life between the pages. Iron Pioneers will guide you through the first years of the City of Marquette and bring you to the realization that you simply want to learn more. Book Two: The Queen City is but a few moments away on my list of books to be read! I can't wait! If you're a historical fiction fan of any type, this is a must read in the genre. If you think you "hate" history & figure "historical fiction" is going to bore you to death you are so wrong! Give this one a try. I guarantee you will be turned on to a whole new genre & definitely onto a whole trilogy of interesting characters you will both love & despise! It's a must read on my list!
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Alaskans by Tanyo Ravicz
I've always loved Alaska and have had a deep felt love of the state since I can remember. When I saw Alaskans by Tanyo Ravicz I knew I had to see what it was about. It reminded me of a book I had once read called "Ozark Memories" by Pam Prier, a book I loved & actually read more than once just because of the touching stories involved. Each author seemed to be able to tell a tale of stories about a place that they loved from deep within their hearts and the people who belonged there. Tanyo Ravicz's Alaskans immediately gave me the impression that the author not only knew about Alaska but Alaska was a part of who he was. While Prier's book Ozark Memories was a book of memoirs, Ravicz's book Alaskans was a combination of fiction, reality and memoirs that you knew had to of been based upon someone the author knew during his life in Alaska itself. You could tell the stories were of true Alaskan spirit in contemporary times.
The book is comprised of various short stories, ranging from a few pages to a substantial length for each. Each story has it's own feel, it's own character, it's own magic. Whether you enjoy the "outdoorsiness" of many of the stories or the traditions of some others, you will definitely find a touch of reality within each that sets it apart from the rest. No two stories are the same. You'll find stories of men, boys, women & animal. You'll be touched by traditions, simplicity, complexity and reality. As a matter of fact the variations of each story, each character or each situation keeps you wondering "What could be next" as you move through the book.
I always enjoy books that have a group of stories to read because it allows for breaks. Busy lifestyles often hinder reading and in this case it's so easy to finish a single story in one sitting that you'll find by the end of the book, you have felt like you've read ten different ones. It was always my "take along" book for such time as doctor's appointments and waiting for children to jump into the car when picking them up because I knew I could almost always finish at least one full story and walk away feeling complete. On lucky days, I'd get 2 or 3 stories read in a day!
The variations in plot & characters made the book very easy to read and hard to ever become bored with. One moment you were reading about a young boy slowly learning to become a "man" as he raised chickens and had to make tough decisions against nature, while the next moment you were chuckling along with fire fighters while they raised heck in the "local" bar. No two stories were alike, all were filled with authentic and realistic details that brought just a touch of a whole other world, the "world" of Alaska, into your lap.
If you've ever dreamed of going to, visiting, living in or simply knowing the true Alaska, this book is for you. Filled with great stories & interesting details that only an "insider" could know and you're given the privilege of being "one of them"... an Alaskan. ]]>
Jennifer Huffaker has been mourning the loss of her husband for quite some time now. Friends & family are tiring of her constant state of depression & inability to raise her daughter "normally". Enough is enough.
Jennifer notices herself that when her daughter is with others, she is full of laughter & smiles like a child should be. She starts to wonder if it's not best to end her own pain and leave Kaitlin with her grandparents, living a normal life again?
Henry is the "greeter" at a local department store she visits often. While they've shared greetings & quick comments, often in his native language, they're far from close friends. But tonight he senses something different & insists that Jennifer join him & his daughter at the diner down the road, promising it will only take a little bit of her time.
Henry shares his life story with Jennifer, explaining the harshness he has seen & showing that he too has felt "loss" above & beyond what one should be able to live with. Suddenly it all becomes clear to her, Henry had sensed what her mission was that night as she was checking out & he was sent to save her from her own desire to stop hurting herself & the ones she loves. He feels her pain, sees her struggle & knows her inner desire to just stop it all. They find too, that they are actually connected from Jennifer's childhood in an amazing way. This man has actually been a part of her life since she was a child & now he's here again, explaining that sometimes life is hard but you must move on. He is proof that it can be done.
Will Henry make a difference or will she realize that her child is better off growing up with people who can bring back normalcy in her life again?
Intense & intimately touching, this book won't let you down. The excellent, easy style of writing from author Kathryn Maughan makes the story flow along so quickly that you don't even realize you've read the book in literally a few short hours. Simply said, it makes one believe that perhaps we should "Expect Angels" when we need them most. ]]>
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An excellent novel, written in a style that only John Shors can accomplish.
The intertwining stories of the stranded shipmates makes for a very unusual and exciting life style. You find yourself wondering who will live and who will die; who will love and who will never be loved again. It's not only touching but endearing and so realistic you will enjoy your time spent stranded on this tropical island with characters that meld into your own heart.
Wonderfully written, beautifully presented, John Shors does it again - proving he's not a one time wonder when it comes to writing novels that will keep you interested! Great job John! ]]>
Beverly
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