As Good As Can Be' by William A. Glass is not only a novel, but a snapshot of mid-century America through the eyes of a young man. Dave Knight is the As Good As Can Be' by William A. Glass is not only a novel, but a snapshot of mid-century America through the eyes of a young man. Dave Knight is the son of an Army officer who is brought back to America with his family after living in Iran for most of the first five years of his life. Little Dave comes from a big family, with a father, a mother and four siblings so getting attention as a child most often comes in the form of acting out. Becoming a bit of a problem child, Dave barely scrapes his way through high school and is just getting his life together when he is drafted into the Vietnam war.
There is nothing I love more than a period novel and there just don't seem to be enough mid-20th century ones out there, so this was an exciting read for me. The look at the 1950's and 1960's was so nostalgic and warmhearted that I have to assume William A. Glass has as much love for that time period as I do. Of course, things take a slightly darker turn when Dave goes to Vietnam, but the juxtaposition of the country entering the war and ending it's 1950's hay-day as a metaphor for growing up was so well executed and brilliantly done.
This is a commendably written novel and one that I will be thinking about for a long time to come. Glass writes skillfully and with just enough emotion to keep you invested in the characters and desperate to see what happens next. When Dave finally began to settle down and become an adult I found myself saying 'aww' out loud because I almost felt that I'd watched him grow up throughout the book. Not too many books stir that type of emotion within me. I highly recommend this one for your next read! ...more
'13 Billion to One' is not only a memoir but a cautionary tale in the most unadulterated sense. At the beginning of 2015, Randy Rush was just a normal'13 Billion to One' is not only a memoir but a cautionary tale in the most unadulterated sense. At the beginning of 2015, Randy Rush was just a normal guy. After growing up poor and surviving on welfare, Randy suffered some difficult setbacks in his 20's and ended up having to move back in with his parents. But, after managing to get back on his feet and find work in an equipment rental agency, he cleaned up his life.
That was, until he won 50 million dollars in the Canadian lottery. Saying that Randy's life changed suddenly is a bit of an understatement, I think most of us would struggle to imagine the shock of suddenly winning such a large amount of money when you only left the house to pick up cat food. Of course, money like that can bring out the criminal in people. Randy quickly found out who his real friends were and who was kissing up to him for a taste of the wealthy lifestyle. Particularly, the son of a friend who convinced Randy to invest in his tech start up, only to later turn out to be a scam.
Randy, who comes across as a very nice and personable guy, had never experienced betrayal like that. The memoir goes on to show his process through the courts trying to get his money back and the eventual beginnings of his crusade to help fight white-collar crime.
This book was a very enjoyable reading experience for me, as I absolutely love memoirs and this story was a doozy. From the opening pages, where Randy wins the money to the eventual betrayal by his friend, I was hooked! This guy has lead a pretty unbelievable life and has quite the story to tell from it. He also goes on to help a charity in Africa that educates children. After visiting a charity run grade school he decides he wants to help in a big way and builds a high school. There is also some lighter laugh out loud moments, from now on Meeka’s canned cat food will be called “premium soft-serve.� That is what Randy calls his cat, Conway Kitty’s, cat food. I highly recommend this excellent book!
Merged review:
'13 Billion to One' is not only a memoir but a cautionary tale in the most unadulterated sense. At the beginning of 2015, Randy Rush was just a normal guy. After growing up poor and surviving on welfare, Randy suffered some difficult setbacks in his 20's and ended up having to move back in with his parents. But, after managing to get back on his feet and find work in an equipment rental agency, he cleaned up his life.
That was, until he won 50 million dollars in the Canadian lottery. Saying that Randy's life changed suddenly is a bit of an understatement, I think most of us would struggle to imagine the shock of suddenly winning such a large amount of money when you only left the house to pick up cat food. Of course, money like that can bring out the criminal in people. Randy quickly found out who his real friends were and who was kissing up to him for a taste of the wealthy lifestyle. Particularly, the son of a friend who convinced Randy to invest in his tech start up, only to later turn out to be a scam.
Randy, who comes across as a very nice and personable guy, had never experienced betrayal like that. The memoir goes on to show his process through the courts trying to get his money back and the eventual beginnings of his crusade to help fight white-collar crime.
This book was a very enjoyable reading experience for me, as I absolutely love memoirs and this story was a doozy. From the opening pages, where Randy wins the money to the eventual betrayal by his friend, I was hooked! This guy has lead a pretty unbelievable life and has quite the story to tell from it. He also goes on to help a charity in Africa that educates children. After visiting a charity run grade school he decides he wants to help in a big way and builds a high school. There is also some lighter laugh out loud moments, from now on Meeka’s canned cat food will be called “premium soft-serve.� That is what Randy calls his cat, Conway Kitty’s, cat food. I highly recommend this excellent book!...more
First I have to say that I am a huge fan of Christopher Meeks. I have loved all of his short stories and novels. So, when I heard he was publishing anFirst I have to say that I am a huge fan of Christopher Meeks. I have loved all of his short stories and novels. So, when I heard he was publishing another short story collection, I jumped for joy!
‘The Benefits of Breathing are 11 short stories about love, romance, relationships, and divorce. The way the stories are ordered made perfect sense and make the stories flow from one to the next very well and add to the enjoyment.
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Christopher Meeks is a master in the art of writing short stories. In short 11-20 pages, he is able to accomplish what most writers would need an entire novel to get their story across. He has done so with his trademark humor and quirky characters, as well as his keen observation of the human condition.
I love all 11 stories but if I was forced to pick a favorite ‘Joni Paredes� would be it. I could relate to this character so much. She has a hard time making a commitment. I was married at 20 and divorced two years later. After that I dated a lot and even had a couple 4-6 months relationships but as soon as they guy started talk of moving in or marrying, that was it, I severed ties. It wasn’t until I met my husband Bill at the age of 30 that I met my match. We took it slow and lived together for a year before he even hinted at marriage. It seemed the Joni finally met her match but she ended up running. I’m so glad I took a different path; it just took me awhile to trust myself and a man again. Were coming up to our 25th anniversary in June. Other favorite stories are ‘A Dog Story� and ‘You Wreak Me Baby�.
If you don’t like short stories, I challenge you to read this collection! Short stories are special, in the hands of the right author. It is a true art form and Meeks always gets it right! Meeks comes out swinging from the first story! I cannot recommend this collection highly enough! ...more
It is 1950, as Rowen Hart is about to go off to college, his world splits apart when his father commits suicide. His mother takes to her bed and the oIt is 1950, as Rowen Hart is about to go off to college, his world splits apart when his father commits suicide. His mother takes to her bed and the only one left to help pick up the pieces is their housekeeper Adeline. Rowen has a summer job picking tobacco but he slacks off quite a bit. As the book opens, he has slacked off to attend a trail that 10 year old Eden is called to testify at. Her father died around the same time and Rowan’s father. She testifies that her uncle shot her father but no one believes the 10 year old, including her own mother. Eden shows up on the doorstep of Rowans and asks his mother if she can live with them.
She looks up to Rowen and takes to following him around. He goes to his Uncle, who was in business with his father to get his father’s share. His uncle said there was nothing left from his father’s share and gives him a little money for his mother. He says he will give his mother a small sum every month but Rowen will have to pay for college and also make up the balance his family will need to survive. He suspects his uncle is lying about his father’s share but just doesn’t have the backbone to argue. Against his mother’s and Adeline’s wishes, he decides not to go to college. Rowan’s luck turns when their neighbor Claude stops by to repair the broken gate that Rowen keeps putting off fixing. Actually, he doesn’t really know how and doesn’t have the proper tools. Rowen comes out of the house to ask Claude why he is fixing their fence and then proceed to help as Claude directs them. Claude sees something in Rowen and invites him to work for him on his construction crew until the end of summer when he will leave for college. Of course he doesn’t go to college.
As the months and years go by, Rowen starts to mature. He marries and has 3 children and keeps bring money home. However, he still has a long way to go. There are many times I wanted to slap some sense into him. I wanted someone to slap some sense into him!
The characters leaped of the page and welcomed me into their dysfunctional lives. I couldn’t help joining them; I was caught like a deer in headlights. I especially loved Eden, so precocious and full of life despite her lot in life. I would love to tell you more but don’t want to risk spoilers.
I really had a hard time putting this book down and be warned, there were parts that made me cry like a baby. Jamie Lisa Forbes owes me a box of tissue! She really captured the 1950’s south, warts and all. Her take on the human condition reminds of the greats like John Steinbeck and Harper Lee! This is her third book and I also read and loved the first two. The first two won awards and I believe ‘Eden� is just as deserving! She really captures the heart and soul of her characters. I imagine they haunt her as they will haunt me for a long time to come. I just can’t get them out of my head. I highly recommend ‘Eden�! ...more
Whoo-boy, what a read! I have read a couple of Shelly Frome’s books before, so I knew I was in for a whirlwind when I started this one and I was not dWhoo-boy, what a read! I have read a couple of Shelly Frome’s books before, so I knew I was in for a whirlwind when I started this one and I was not disappointed. Frome’s style of story telling is exactly the type of thing that I enjoy� fast-paced, quick, witty dialog and smart characters who can actually manage to get themselves out of their own predicaments. I absolutely adored the other books of his that I read and this one was no exception.
I’ve read the previous Miranda Davis book before this one, but it was a while ago and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to remember the character or the setting very well. Of course, I should never have doubted, Frome’s writing brought it all back instantly.
In this book, Miranda starts out trying to enjoy a simpler life after the end of her last tense case. Unfortunately for her, while she is shopping at the farmer’s market she’s approached by her cousin who turns out to be embroiled in a case of his own. This one involves World War II code breaking, a massive conspiracy and a stolen cat. Miranda agrees to take the case initially to try and help her cousin find his cat, but ends up getting pulled into something much bigger and much more international than one simple purloined feline.
As a mystery, this was pitch-perfect. It kept me guessing the whole way through and at the end of the book, when everything started working itself out, I had one of those beautiful “Ah-ha!� moments that we mystery readers love so much. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It’s a fun ride and one that I won’t be forgetting. I can’t wait to read what Shelly Frome cooks up for his next story! I highly recommend it....more
I don't think I've ever read a memoir quite like this one. Never have I laughed and cried and held my breath quite so much while reading about the lifI don't think I've ever read a memoir quite like this one. Never have I laughed and cried and held my breath quite so much while reading about the life of someone that I didn't know. What a life the author has had!
Michaela Renee Johnson experienced her first major upheaval in 1992 when her parents decided to sell their house to cover the expenses for their fledgling construction business. After this, Johnson's parents moved their entire 5-person family into a 27-foot trailer with no running water or electricity in Northern California. At 11 years old, Michaela was perfectly poised to be the most uncomfortable of her siblings with the new living situation.
The book actually starts with a story about her shaving her legs for the first time in an irrigation ditch. A shift of the familiar rite of passage that I think most of us are happy we cannot relate to. Michaela turns many of her semi-horrifying childhood moments into funny stories and it's clear she has found a way to look at it through rose-colored glasses.
The second portion of the book is more focused on stories from Michaela's adult life, and these were a bit more emotional and heartbreaking. At times, this part was hard to follow as it just didn’t have the flow of the first part. However, it was still worth reading.
Leading such an unsettled childhood certainly affected her emotionally as an adult and lead her to do some interesting things. I definitely felt for her with what she dealt with during her marriage and it's clear by the end of the book that she has worked a lot on herself and her own personal growth.
I admire her a lot and found myself rooting for her. Johnson writes beautifully, with just enough wit and humor to make most of the book sing. The detail and atmosphere she added to her stories were well-executed. The heights that she achieves in her career after such a challenging childhood are inspirational. ...more
In 1998 Darla’s mother died and a year later her father remarried and she does not get along with her step mother. Obviously, her father doesn’t eitheIn 1998 Darla’s mother died and a year later her father remarried and she does not get along with her step mother. Obviously, her father doesn’t either because they argue all the time. Today is Darla’s 16th birthday and her dad and step mother are arguing again. Darla has to get out of the house. She takes her camera and dog, Sonny and goes for a long walk. The sun starts to set when she realizes she should get home but the path turns strange and all of a sudden she ends up in 1954. It takes her a while to realize this but when she takes a miss step, still trying to get home, she stumbles and falls down a hill and onto the edge of a road. A car passing by screeches to a halt and the woman gets out to help. When Darla realizes it is Marilyn Monroe, she realizes that she is either dreaming or she somehow went back in time.
Marilyn takes her in and they become fast friends. Darla use to watch Monroe’s movies with her mother and is a huge fan. She also knows Monroe’s fate and starts to wonder if she can save her.
I loved the way the time travel itself is written. It is quite imaginative. Elyse Douglas always writes excellent time travel novels and ‘Time With Norma Jeane� is no acceptation! They captured the time and place expertly. They really made Darla and Monroe come to life and catapulted me back to 1954 with them! There was a scene with a very young Johnny Cash that I adored!
This is a book that is impossible to put down. I cried when it ended because I didn’t want it to ever end. I would love a sequel. It probably wouldn’t make sense for a sequel with Marilyn Monroe but Darla could end up in another time with a different person. How about the man in black, himself? The possibilities are endless. I highly recommend ‘Time With Norma Jeane�. ...more
In 1890’s Colorado, 13 year old Hannah Owens mother has just died. Her father is useless and just spews scripture, as always. So Mrs. Hughes takes herIn 1890’s Colorado, 13 year old Hannah Owens mother has just died. Her father is useless and just spews scripture, as always. So Mrs. Hughes takes her home with her to learn to be a servant for herself and wealthy doctor husband. It seems kind of Mrs. Hughes at the time but she is not a kind woman as the welts and scars on Hannah can attest to.
After Dr. Hughes abandons his family for his mistress, Pearl DeVere, Mrs. Hughes throws Hannah and the cook, Zuma out. They end up living on the high class brothel finances by Dr. Hughes and run by Pearl. They take in the brothel’s laundry and darning to be able to live. Hannah is also hired twice to sing on special occasions at the brothel. However, that life falls apart too and Zuma is sent to jail for something she did not do. Hannah is now completely alone. Enter Winfield Scott to save her or does he just want a piece of her?
Hannah is thrown from the frying pan and into the fire many times throughout this novel. How will she survive? It is clear that Mim Eichmann did her research. She captured the period and place well. Her characters popped off the page and kidnapped me into their world. Even though I finished reading, they still have me and won’t let go. I just can’t get them out of my head. Luckily, I found out at the end that there is a sequel coming next year. The wait will be excruciating. I highly recommend ‘A Sparrow Alone� to historical fiction lovers and give it 5 stars....more
“I married a hero,� one of Mary Daniels letters begins, and another states: “According to Life [Magazine], the engineers are the ELITE of the army. I'“I married a hero,� one of Mary Daniels letters begins, and another states: “According to Life [Magazine], the engineers are the ELITE of the army. I'd rather he'd be in the finance corps.�
Such letters being sent to a young wife's family members in 1941 were probably not all that uncommon. After all, World War II was raging, Japan had just recently bombed Pearl Harbor and countless men had been drafted to fight on the front lines. Many a wife was left at home, missing her husband and praying for his safety. But the situation with Mary's husband was just a little bit different. You see, Alec Daniels was not fighting in the trenches but he was battling against the Nazis in a slightly different capacity.
Alec was a support officer, a soldier who was in charge of maintaining the infrastructure, administration and logistical aspects of the war effort. As an electrical engineer, Alec's job was, as the title suggests literally “keeping the lights on.� As the memoir says, these support troops were an enormous part of the war that is often overlooked and not talked about.
Because of the delicate nature of Alec's work, he could only relay so much in his letters home, so he focused more on his thoughts and feelings about his work than any specific details. Many of the letters between Mary and Alec are used in the memoir and they add such a lovely element of realness that really makes the book sing.
Reading their thoughts from that time in their own words, along with the beautiful black and white pictures used throughout the memoir made this book a home run for me. A timeless story about love and war, 'Keeping the Lights on for Ike' is one to be read and read again. ...more
Coleman Hightower is a clergyman with a bright future ahead of him. He has a great mentor and leader in the church he works and lives in. Dr. BrowningColeman Hightower is a clergyman with a bright future ahead of him. He has a great mentor and leader in the church he works and lives in. Dr. Browning is well respected all over New York. ‘A Place Called Jubilee opens with Coleman attending JFK's inauguration. When walking home he is thinking to himself and ends up in the wrong neighborhood and is beaten and left for dead. The young black men did not take too kindly to a young white man wondering onto their turf. Luckily a young black woman, Rosalee finds him and brings him to the boarding home where she lives and tends to his wounds. Coleman falls for her. He goes back to the church but can’t keep his mind off of her and ends up going to a civil rights meeting in hopes of seeing her. He knows that his mentor would not agree with his pursuing a black woman, he does not agree with the “mixing of races� but Dr. Browning does find out and gives him an ultimatum. What should Coleman do? He doesn’t want to lose his job and go back to the dirt poor life he lived as a child. This is a story about a young white man who has a political awakening. He eventually decides to travel south to sit in and the lunch counter and also try to win over the woman he falls in love with. She doesn’t think it would work and constantly pushes him away. At the same time, their lives become endangered and they end up in a small mysterious town call Jubilee. While there, they have a mystery to solve. Will they solve the mystery and up together? My lips are sealed. This is a civil rights historical fiction unlike any I have read and I have read a lot. Just wait until you read it and get to the part about Jubilee and you will know why it’s so unique. I loved the characters, especially the quirky ones in Jubilee. There was a twist with Dr. Browning I did not see coming. I love when a book catches me off guard! Timothy J. Garrett does that and so much more. He captures the time and landscape of the era expertly while keeping the reader entertained and wanting more. I read a lot in the bathtub and the water went cold while reading this book! It’s hard to believe this is his first book! I hope he keeps on writing. I do think a sequel would be in order. I would love to spend more time with Coleman and Rosalee and follow them on more civil rights adventures! I highly recommend ‘A Place Called Jubilee�. ...more
I have been fascinated with the Kennedys for as long as I can remember. I was born just 13 days before the assassination of JFK. My mother always claiI have been fascinated with the Kennedys for as long as I can remember. I was born just 13 days before the assassination of JFK. My mother always claimed that I watched the funeral on television with my bottle. Perhaps that is what started my fascination, LOL! I can’t remember how I first heard about this book but as soon I heard about it, I looked to see if the ebook was available on Net Galley for review. It was and I was approved to download it. I am so glad I did. I have read a lot of fiction and non-fiction about the Kennedys. Some are better than other but ‘And They Called It Camelot� is now at the top of my list of fiction favorites. Stephanie Marie Thornton really captured the persona of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. I always knew that she stayed with Jack because she really had no choice while he was president. However, I think it was more complicated than that. Of course, there were the children but perhaps there was love between them despite Jack’s countless affairs. Thornton hints at this. Thornton must have done a lot of research to dive into Jackie’s persona so deeply. It felt like I was reading Jackie’s diary. I kept having this guilty feeling for reading it. I’m sorry Jackie, I couldn’t help myself! Thornton really captured Jackie’s thoughts and emotions as well as the events she had been through. I know how much Jackie valued her privacy so I can only guess she would not have approved of the publication of this book however; I do think it was written in a respectful manner. I rarely read a book more than once but I am certain I will revisit ‘And They Called It Camelot� again! I cannot recommend it highly enough! I give it 5/5. ...more
Nothing gets my adrenaline pumping quicker than a good western, and this one starts off with a bang—literally. As with any great Western, it starts wiNothing gets my adrenaline pumping quicker than a good western, and this one starts off with a bang—literally. As with any great Western, it starts with a gunfight, and only ends when blood is drawn.
I haven’t read the first two books in the ‘Clown William� series, but I can only imagine that the second must have left off with one hell of a cliffhanger based on the way this one started. William is literally in a life-or-death battle with Jesse Evans, the man who killed his friends and started him on the path to becoming a gunfighter. The fight ends with Jesse wounded, but having escaped into the cold wilderness.
Of course, William must track him down but when he discovers that Jesse has been arrested and relieved of his weapons, he is unable to kill an unarmed man, even if that man is a murderer. William realizes that he must help Jesse get out of prison in order to finish his unfinished business with the man, and now he must go up against the might of the military at Fort Sumner to do it.
As I said, I love a good Western, and this was a great one. Even without having read the first two books in the series, I was instantly transported into William’s world. A world of gunfights, horses and lawlessness. Where a man’s word is his only currency and debts are expected to be paid in full—even if it means paying with your life.
Robin Elno is a talented author, who perfectly executed that view of the old west, with it’s succinct way of speaking but broad and spanning vistas. I would love to read more from this series and plan to get the first two books. I want to know what will happen to Clown William next! I give it 4.5 stars....more
There is a reason I rarely read suspense novels, like those by Mary Higgins Clark. I read two of her books as a teen in the 70’s and they both seemed There is a reason I rarely read suspense novels, like those by Mary Higgins Clark. I read two of her books as a teen in the 70’s and they both seemed like they were the same book but with different characters. However, when I read the description or ‘The Water’s Fine� and saw the scuba diving angle, I was intrigued. I am so glad I decided to give it a try!
Catalina is a scuba diving dive master working on a boat with customers on a scuba diving trip. She has worked on various boats for 6 years and is very experienced. For this week-long trip she is assigned a group of other very seasoned divers, some of whom are dive masters themselves. She is happy to get a break from working with less experienced divers.
Bertie is a woman in the group who is there with her husband Max. She has a zest for living and people can’t help but like her right away. She and Catalina hit it off right away. The trip is going well and the group has seen some amazing things on their dives. However, on the last dive something goes terribly wrong. Is Catalina to blame?
I love the relationship that Bertie build up long distance after the trip. They are both strong, resilient women but question that strength and resilience. Janice Coy is an excellent writer. She grabbed my attention from page one! I love the descriptions of the dives on the trip and felt like I was there. The characters are fresh but realistic. There was one small thing that I thought was a bit unrealistic in the plot which I can’t go into without giving away a spoiler. However, it did not ruin the book for me at all. ‘The Water’s Fine kept me up into the wee hours of the morning because I could not put it down. I highly recommend it and want to thank Ms. Coy for breathing fresh life into the genre! I can’t wait to read her next book! ...more
You may be old enough to remember Don Defore from the television shows “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet� and “Hazel.�. However, even if you are mYou may be old enough to remember Don Defore from the television shows “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet� and “Hazel.�. However, even if you are much younger, you may have seen the re-runs on Me TV or a different channel. Perhaps you saw some of his many movies. In 'Growing Up In Disneyland', Don DeFore's son brings us back to the time when Don DeFore was a household name. Ron uses his own memory as well as Don's unpublished memoir to share his father's Hollywood legacy. However, 'Growing Up Disney' is not just a biography about Don DeFore but also Ron DeFore's memoir and what he has gone on to accomplish in his life. Hint, he has accomplished a lot!
In 'Growing Up In Disneyland', Ron DeFore recounts his childhood, growing up as a child of a famous actor. Through his memory and the words of his father, he recounts the life and vast works by Don DeFore, and he recounts his own adulthood and triumphs. He also recounts his time as a small child when his father owned Don Defore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue in Disneyland’s Frontierland. Can you imagine having Disneyland as your playground?
This is a riveting biography and memoir. I learned some things that I did not know. I did not know that Frank Capra was slated to direct 'It Happened On Fifth Avenue' but instead directed 'It's a Wonderful Life', two of my favorite films to watch around Christmas time! Don DeFore was in the first. If you haven't seen it, look for it in December on the channels that show old movies. I also learned the entire DeFore family got to meet the Beatles in 1964 and Ron's sister got to kiss all four! There is a treasure trove of stories like this. I also found Ron DeFore's life fascinating from the time he was a well known DJ to his work with President Ronald Regan.
I loved this book! It would make the perfect gift for a baby boomer or those who just love to read about pop culture. The writing is fresh and grabs the reader's attention from the first page! I also enjoyed the many photos included in the book! ...more
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