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Recommend this book:
Lost in Mother Russia
A Memoir
Jill McDowell
2020 Honorable Mention
100 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
Lost in Mother Russia: A Memoir by Jill McDowell is an intimate look at Russia set in the middle 1990s. The author, an ESL teacher who teaches at Moscow State University and at the school in the Japanese Embassy, decides to search for her roots in the remote village of Norka. Together with a colleague, they find themselves in the thousand-year-old village of Suzdal, getting lost in some remote backroad 350 kilometers away from Moscow, going to Estonia, to Warsaw, to Moscow and back. And this is in December when the temperature reaches thirty-nine degrees below zero. Throw in the notorious Russian red tape and an array of interesting characters and the result is a wonderfully wacky adventure.
Jill McDowell's Lost in Mother Russia: A Memoir is a funny, informative and highly entertaining trip in the vast snowy expanse of Russia. The memoir unfolds innocently enough but quickly becomes a series of events that are both hilarious and unfortunate. Driven by the desire to trace her roots, McDowell ends up writing a treasure of a memoir. Her writing style is direct, simple and meticulously descriptive. One can almost feel the chill of the wintry weather and the desire to rave and rant at embassy officials. And in the face of what seems like exasperating experiences, she never loses her sense of humor and that's what makes this memoir a gem of a book. This is a book that definitely deserves a precious space in your bookshelf. Have a nice trip!
Lost in Mother Russia: A Memoir by Jill McDowell is an intimate look at Russia set in the middle 1990s. The author, an ESL teacher who teaches at Moscow State University and at the school in the Japanese Embassy, decides to search for her roots in the remote village of Norka. Together with a colleague, they find themselves in the thousand-year-old village of Suzdal, getting lost in some remote backroad 350 kilometers away from Moscow, going to Estonia, to Warsaw, to Moscow and back. And this is in December when the temperature reaches thirty-nine degrees below zero. Throw in the notorious Russian red tape and an array of interesting characters and the result is a wonderfully wacky adventure.
Jill McDowell's Lost in Mother Russia: A Memoir is a funny, informative and highly entertaining trip in the vast snowy expanse of Russia. The memoir unfolds innocently enough but quickly becomes a series of events that are both hilarious and unfortunate. Driven by the desire to trace her roots, McDowell ends up writing a treasure of a memoir. Her writing style is direct, simple and meticulously descriptive. One can almost feel the chill of the wintry weather and the desire to rave and rant at embassy officials. And in the face of what seems like exasperating experiences, she never loses her sense of humor and that's what makes this memoir a gem of a book. This is a book that definitely deserves a precious space in your bookshelf. Have a nice trip!
Recommend this book:
 is the first in a collection of memoir stories and recollections penned by author Jeff Pearson. In this first act of tales, entitled Greenhorn, we meet our author as he makes his way through the murky waters of late adolescence and young adulthood, through nine chapters which recount some of the most b...){kind=link}
Miss Nude Canada's Shoes (And Other Fiascos)
A Memoir (Act I * Greenhorn)
Jeff Pearson
2020 Bronze Medal
197 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Miss Nude Canada’s Shoes (And Other Fiascos) is the first in a collection of memoir stories and recollections penned by author Jeff Pearson. In this first act of tales, entitled Greenhorn, we meet our author as he makes his way through the murky waters of late adolescence and young adulthood, through nine chapters which recount some of the most bizarre and chaotic experiences that happened to him in that time. Self-described as a fiasco-magnet, Pearson fumbles his way into many charming learning experiences with all different types of people in this crazy world and invites readers to look back on the nostalgia with him and learn its many life lessons together.
Author Jeff Pearson has a totally charming, witty and intelligent presence that runs through the narration of this book, making readers feel that they are in safe hands despite the crazy goings-on in the plot. The stories are genuinely larger than life and often ridiculous, but they’re just the kind of crazy that makes you relate to totally mad things which have happened in your own life, and so they’re relatable and fun in that way too. I particularly liked chapter 6, A Scientologist Cycles in the City, which was so hilarious I read it over twice. Pearson spins a yarn like a really entertaining friend would in a cozy bar, and each tale leaves you wanting more, but also adds to his journey and formation as a person overall. Miss Nude Canada’s Shoes (And Other Fiascos) is a highly recommended read for those who love a good comedic memoir.
Miss Nude Canada’s Shoes (And Other Fiascos) is the first in a collection of memoir stories and recollections penned by author Jeff Pearson. In this first act of tales, entitled Greenhorn, we meet our author as he makes his way through the murky waters of late adolescence and young adulthood, through nine chapters which recount some of the most bizarre and chaotic experiences that happened to him in that time. Self-described as a fiasco-magnet, Pearson fumbles his way into many charming learning experiences with all different types of people in this crazy world and invites readers to look back on the nostalgia with him and learn its many life lessons together.
Author Jeff Pearson has a totally charming, witty and intelligent presence that runs through the narration of this book, making readers feel that they are in safe hands despite the crazy goings-on in the plot. The stories are genuinely larger than life and often ridiculous, but they’re just the kind of crazy that makes you relate to totally mad things which have happened in your own life, and so they’re relatable and fun in that way too. I particularly liked chapter 6, A Scientologist Cycles in the City, which was so hilarious I read it over twice. Pearson spins a yarn like a really entertaining friend would in a cozy bar, and each tale leaves you wanting more, but also adds to his journey and formation as a person overall. Miss Nude Canada’s Shoes (And Other Fiascos) is a highly recommended read for those who love a good comedic memoir.
Recommend this book:
Think Like A Bartender
Recipes for Life
L.D. Morrow
2020 Silver Medal
146 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite
Think like a Bartender: Recipes for Life by L.D. Morrow is an engaging read for liquor fans and anyone looking for wisdom to enrich their life. While the author shares her experience of years of mixing cocktails, this book is not about mixing liquors, not about rum and coke, vodka and cranberry, or margaritas. In sharing great tips on becoming a bartender, the author shares her personal philosophy on life, one inspired by that experience; a philosophy that defines relationships, identifies factors that help people keep their cool and become productive in a fast-paced, chaotic environment, and secrets to bringing out the best in them. This book offers tips on handling interpersonal relationships, identifying value and providing value to business relationships, and understanding the boundaries. It is designed to help readers become creative in the way they face life and in the way they live it.
This book starts with the author’s first experience as a bartender when she had to learn a lot in so short a time and had to deal with the frustration that comes from difficult customers’ requests, complaints, and what seemed like a never-ending barrage of insatiability. She moves on to show the similarities between making cocktails and dealing with people in real life and offers lessons that will help anyone have perspective in relationships and work. Here is one great example: “In a bar, it's quite simple. You are given the drink you ordered and in turn, you agree to pay the designated cost for the product and service. It’s also expected that you demonstrate you can handle yourself appropriately.” The same rule applies to relationships and is even more visible. When one side feels they are giving more than the effort made by the other side, things become complicated. Think like a Bartender: Recipes for Life is a beautifully written book and I enjoyed the way the author's personality comes across in the book. It is witty, conversational, and humorous. L.D. Morrow entertains and instructs; she shares the wisdom that readers need to be more practical and to have a good perspective in life. A great read, indeed!
Think like a Bartender: Recipes for Life by L.D. Morrow is an engaging read for liquor fans and anyone looking for wisdom to enrich their life. While the author shares her experience of years of mixing cocktails, this book is not about mixing liquors, not about rum and coke, vodka and cranberry, or margaritas. In sharing great tips on becoming a bartender, the author shares her personal philosophy on life, one inspired by that experience; a philosophy that defines relationships, identifies factors that help people keep their cool and become productive in a fast-paced, chaotic environment, and secrets to bringing out the best in them. This book offers tips on handling interpersonal relationships, identifying value and providing value to business relationships, and understanding the boundaries. It is designed to help readers become creative in the way they face life and in the way they live it.
This book starts with the author’s first experience as a bartender when she had to learn a lot in so short a time and had to deal with the frustration that comes from difficult customers’ requests, complaints, and what seemed like a never-ending barrage of insatiability. She moves on to show the similarities between making cocktails and dealing with people in real life and offers lessons that will help anyone have perspective in relationships and work. Here is one great example: “In a bar, it's quite simple. You are given the drink you ordered and in turn, you agree to pay the designated cost for the product and service. It’s also expected that you demonstrate you can handle yourself appropriately.” The same rule applies to relationships and is even more visible. When one side feels they are giving more than the effort made by the other side, things become complicated. Think like a Bartender: Recipes for Life is a beautifully written book and I enjoyed the way the author's personality comes across in the book. It is witty, conversational, and humorous. L.D. Morrow entertains and instructs; she shares the wisdom that readers need to be more practical and to have a good perspective in life. A great read, indeed!
Recommend this book:
The 10 Greatest Gifts We Give Each Other
A Memoir on the Magic of Marriage Vows
Barbara Lynn-Vannoy
2020 Gold Medal
348 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Stacie Haas for Readers' Favorite
When The 10 Greatest Gifts We Give Each Other begins, Barbara Lynn-Vannoy, an elementary school teacher, has settled into her life having spent more than a decade as a single mother to her daughter, Katie. When a friend wants to set her up with a man, Barb is resistant until she finds out he is none other than Steve Vannoy, best-selling author of a book that provided valuable advice to her single-parent self. After a first meeting in which Barb finds herself inside a mansion, seduced by a library of books and the perfect song, she begins a journey with a man who is more than his wealth, fame and world travel. His life is full of music and adventure and yet he’s grounded by his commitment to faith and family, especially his beloved Ma and two daughters. As the pair prepares to merge their families and lifestyles together, they are intentional about writing 10 vows they intend to live out each day. They even hang them in the bathroom where they can’t be missed and highlight a few on the refrigerator door. After several years of marriage—not all of them smooth sailing—they find the reason for their leaving an eleventh vow blank—and it propels them into the next phase of their life as Katie starts out on her own and life transitions for the entire Vannoy clan.
I loved The 10 Greatest Gifts We Give Each Other: A Memoir on the Magic of Marriage Vows by Barbara Lynn-Vannoy. The writing is superb; it is both lyrical and efficient. This is an honest book where you get a very intimate, up-close look at a relationship from its very beginning. There’s much to love about the journey as it’s filled with touching moments, delightful doses of humor, and tear-inducing sadness. It’s a memoir; it’s also a guidebook on marriage, child-rearing, and teaching. Overall, it’s a beautiful tapestry filled with music, the love of animals and family bonds that shouldn’t be missed. The vows themselves truly are gifts for Barb and Steve, and now for all who read The 10 Greatest Gifts We Give Each Other. Highly recommended!
When The 10 Greatest Gifts We Give Each Other begins, Barbara Lynn-Vannoy, an elementary school teacher, has settled into her life having spent more than a decade as a single mother to her daughter, Katie. When a friend wants to set her up with a man, Barb is resistant until she finds out he is none other than Steve Vannoy, best-selling author of a book that provided valuable advice to her single-parent self. After a first meeting in which Barb finds herself inside a mansion, seduced by a library of books and the perfect song, she begins a journey with a man who is more than his wealth, fame and world travel. His life is full of music and adventure and yet he’s grounded by his commitment to faith and family, especially his beloved Ma and two daughters. As the pair prepares to merge their families and lifestyles together, they are intentional about writing 10 vows they intend to live out each day. They even hang them in the bathroom where they can’t be missed and highlight a few on the refrigerator door. After several years of marriage—not all of them smooth sailing—they find the reason for their leaving an eleventh vow blank—and it propels them into the next phase of their life as Katie starts out on her own and life transitions for the entire Vannoy clan.
I loved The 10 Greatest Gifts We Give Each Other: A Memoir on the Magic of Marriage Vows by Barbara Lynn-Vannoy. The writing is superb; it is both lyrical and efficient. This is an honest book where you get a very intimate, up-close look at a relationship from its very beginning. There’s much to love about the journey as it’s filled with touching moments, delightful doses of humor, and tear-inducing sadness. It’s a memoir; it’s also a guidebook on marriage, child-rearing, and teaching. Overall, it’s a beautiful tapestry filled with music, the love of animals and family bonds that shouldn’t be missed. The vows themselves truly are gifts for Barb and Steve, and now for all who read The 10 Greatest Gifts We Give Each Other. Highly recommended!
Recommend this book:
Cockloft
Scenes from a Gay Marriage
Kyle Thomas Smith
2019 Finalist
323 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Kris Moger for Readers' Favorite
Cockloft: Scenes from a Gay Marriage by Kyle Thomas Smith is a clever glimpse into the author’s life. The story centers on Smith’s experiences living in New York with his husband, Julius. Through the use of vignettes and short tales, the author makes the ordinary an enjoyable adventure. Despite what the title might suggest, this book is filled with moments and observations about a couple’s life while at home and traveling the world.
In Cockloft, Kyle Thomas Smith takes the reader on a journey built on humor, irony, and sincerity. I loved it. The humor brings a certain joy to each experience, giving meaning to everyday moments that most people dismiss. Smith shows there is richness in little things and has a gift for creating a clear scene with well-chosen words. The dialogue is snappy and filled with endearing banter. However, I think the biggest star of this book is the squirrel and the havoc it created as the invader of the author’s space.
Reading this book made me wish I could see my life with such well-crafted wit, especially in this time of political and social mess. Even with all the societal junk that people like the author face for living differently than some can accept, Smith does not apologize for anything. Instead, he celebrates his relationship with his husband and the people around them, even when things are not necessarily going well. Cockloft is a good read, no matter what a person’s perspective on life might be. Maybe reading this book might help someone open their mind to someone else’s life.
Cockloft: Scenes from a Gay Marriage by Kyle Thomas Smith is a clever glimpse into the author’s life. The story centers on Smith’s experiences living in New York with his husband, Julius. Through the use of vignettes and short tales, the author makes the ordinary an enjoyable adventure. Despite what the title might suggest, this book is filled with moments and observations about a couple’s life while at home and traveling the world.
In Cockloft, Kyle Thomas Smith takes the reader on a journey built on humor, irony, and sincerity. I loved it. The humor brings a certain joy to each experience, giving meaning to everyday moments that most people dismiss. Smith shows there is richness in little things and has a gift for creating a clear scene with well-chosen words. The dialogue is snappy and filled with endearing banter. However, I think the biggest star of this book is the squirrel and the havoc it created as the invader of the author’s space.
Reading this book made me wish I could see my life with such well-crafted wit, especially in this time of political and social mess. Even with all the societal junk that people like the author face for living differently than some can accept, Smith does not apologize for anything. Instead, he celebrates his relationship with his husband and the people around them, even when things are not necessarily going well. Cockloft is a good read, no matter what a person’s perspective on life might be. Maybe reading this book might help someone open their mind to someone else’s life.
Recommend this book:
Bed, Breakfast & Beyond
Twenty years of kooky guests, gentle ghosts, and horses in between
Jo Ann S Dawson
2019 Honorable Mention
244 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Bed, Breakfast & Beyond is a nonfiction memoir written by Jo Ann S. Dawson. For the first twenty years of their marriage, Jo Ann and Ted dreamed of opening a bed and breakfast. They started out their married life living in a trailer on her parents’ farm where they helped with milking the cows and established a small horse business. Then, three years later, they were selected to operate a county-run equestrian park that accommodated sixty horses. A small house was provided for them on the county property, which was perfect for them, but not nearly what could be turned into a functioning bed and breakfast. Their dream started taking shape with the news that the county administration had changed hands, and they would have to leave. They had managed to save enough to finally start hunting for the right property, but that perfect location remained frustratingly elusive until Jo Ann overheard something at an auction she was attending. It was a farm named Fairwinds, one she had actually visited years before, when she transported her clients’ horses to a show being held there. Now all Jo Ann had to do was sell Ted on the idea of leaving Delaware and moving to Maryland -- and convince him that the fixer-upper had promise.
Jo Ann S. Dawson’s Bed, Breakfast & Beyond will delight anyone who’s ever entertained the notion of opening a bed and breakfast. Dawson’s account shares the frustrations and hard work that went into transforming a run-down Victorian house into a respectable bed and breakfast, complete with resident ghost(s). Fairwinds sounds like it would be the perfect bed and breakfast experience, especially for horse people or those who want to learn about horses. I loved reading about her interactions with guests, both the marvelous and infuriating ones, and enjoyed every minute I spent reading this beautifully written and often humorous account of life as the proprietor of a bed and breakfast. While many former owners of B&Bs are ready to share their worst horror stories, Dawson’s account illustrates just how satisfying a life’s work it could be -- if you have the right temperament, endless energy and a lot of patience. Bed, Breakfast & Beyond is a fabulous read; it’s most highly recommended.
Bed, Breakfast & Beyond is a nonfiction memoir written by Jo Ann S. Dawson. For the first twenty years of their marriage, Jo Ann and Ted dreamed of opening a bed and breakfast. They started out their married life living in a trailer on her parents’ farm where they helped with milking the cows and established a small horse business. Then, three years later, they were selected to operate a county-run equestrian park that accommodated sixty horses. A small house was provided for them on the county property, which was perfect for them, but not nearly what could be turned into a functioning bed and breakfast. Their dream started taking shape with the news that the county administration had changed hands, and they would have to leave. They had managed to save enough to finally start hunting for the right property, but that perfect location remained frustratingly elusive until Jo Ann overheard something at an auction she was attending. It was a farm named Fairwinds, one she had actually visited years before, when she transported her clients’ horses to a show being held there. Now all Jo Ann had to do was sell Ted on the idea of leaving Delaware and moving to Maryland -- and convince him that the fixer-upper had promise.
Jo Ann S. Dawson’s Bed, Breakfast & Beyond will delight anyone who’s ever entertained the notion of opening a bed and breakfast. Dawson’s account shares the frustrations and hard work that went into transforming a run-down Victorian house into a respectable bed and breakfast, complete with resident ghost(s). Fairwinds sounds like it would be the perfect bed and breakfast experience, especially for horse people or those who want to learn about horses. I loved reading about her interactions with guests, both the marvelous and infuriating ones, and enjoyed every minute I spent reading this beautifully written and often humorous account of life as the proprietor of a bed and breakfast. While many former owners of B&Bs are ready to share their worst horror stories, Dawson’s account illustrates just how satisfying a life’s work it could be -- if you have the right temperament, endless energy and a lot of patience. Bed, Breakfast & Beyond is a fabulous read; it’s most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Lite Whines and Laughter
Mild Rants and Musings on the Mundane
Lee Gaitan
2019 Bronze Medal
142 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Louanne Piccolo for Readers' Favorite
Lite Whines and Laughter: Mild Rants and Musings on the Mundane by Lee Gaitan is a collection of essays with a unique humorous spin proving to us that real life is always better than fiction. It will appeal to women from baby boomers to young mothers, and anyone else with a wacky sense of humour. Lee is a 62-year-old grandmother who teaches English as a second language. She uses her own life as the backdrop to her musings, making us howl with laughter. In the space of 42 chapters, Lee compares her present Colombian husband to her ex-husband, discusses parenting, grandparenting, rebel squirrels, a voyeur possum, customer service, becoming invisible with age and mad hair. It's guaranteed to spice up your reading list and leave you chuckling long after you've finished it.
I loved this book. Fans of Erma Bombeck will love Lee Gaitan's perception of the world. She has a knack of targeting the mundane and making it joyously wicked. I'm certain she had a whale of a time writing Lite Whines and Laughter. The pace is quick and the essays short, like a good joke. I particularly enjoyed the extended metaphors and clever turns of phrase used to create light-bulb moments that had me exclaiming, “But this is MY life!” As a teenager, I read all of Erma Bombeck's books and was devastated to realize there would be no more, but with the discovery of Lee Gaitan, I have found a new laugh-out-loud guru to entertain me with her tongue-in-cheek humor and mischievous way of relating to the world.
Lite Whines and Laughter: Mild Rants and Musings on the Mundane by Lee Gaitan is a collection of essays with a unique humorous spin proving to us that real life is always better than fiction. It will appeal to women from baby boomers to young mothers, and anyone else with a wacky sense of humour. Lee is a 62-year-old grandmother who teaches English as a second language. She uses her own life as the backdrop to her musings, making us howl with laughter. In the space of 42 chapters, Lee compares her present Colombian husband to her ex-husband, discusses parenting, grandparenting, rebel squirrels, a voyeur possum, customer service, becoming invisible with age and mad hair. It's guaranteed to spice up your reading list and leave you chuckling long after you've finished it.
I loved this book. Fans of Erma Bombeck will love Lee Gaitan's perception of the world. She has a knack of targeting the mundane and making it joyously wicked. I'm certain she had a whale of a time writing Lite Whines and Laughter. The pace is quick and the essays short, like a good joke. I particularly enjoyed the extended metaphors and clever turns of phrase used to create light-bulb moments that had me exclaiming, “But this is MY life!” As a teenager, I read all of Erma Bombeck's books and was devastated to realize there would be no more, but with the discovery of Lee Gaitan, I have found a new laugh-out-loud guru to entertain me with her tongue-in-cheek humor and mischievous way of relating to the world.
Recommend this book:
The Ultimate Guide For The Avid Indoorsman
Life Is Better In Here
John Driver
2019 Silver Medal
224 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Geoff Habiger for Readers' Favorite
The Ultimate Guide For The Avid Indoorsman offers an exploration of the Great Indoors and how you not only can survive indoors but can thrive and reach the pinnacle of becoming an Avid Indoorsman. John Driver encourages you to first complete the “Indooreagram” to test your level of Indoorsmanship and get the most out of the book. Driver lays out the differences between the Indoorsman and the Outdoorsman and the dangers that each one faces, but the bulk of the guide offers important advice for the aspiring, or avid, Indoorsman, from how to dress and act like an avid Indoorsman, creating a healthy indoors routine, handling miscellaneous situations, and connecting with people.
This is a fun, tongue-in-cheek look at what it is like to be an Indoorsman. But as Driver stresses, being an Indoorsman doesn’t mean you have abdicated all contact with the outdoors. “Contrary to popular belief, the great Indoorsmen of the world are not necessarily anti-Outdoorsmen. They may be hunters, fishermen, runners, golfers. In other words, they may have conquered the outdoors.” Becoming an avid Indoorsman means you are able to handle the stresses and challenges we all face in our modern world. From dealing with the greatest dangers an Indoorsman will face (such as FOMA – or the Fear of Miscellaneous Assembly) to how to dress and act like an avid indoorsman, the Ultimate Guide stresses the best ways to live life to the fullest in the 21st century.
Part humorous take on our modern life and part useful guide to living (the advice and facts presented are very helpful), The Ultimate Guide For The Avid Indoorsman should be a must-read for anybody wanting to navigate our perilous modern world. John Driver makes learning how to handle the pitfalls of a modern, technological world fun and exciting so that you too can become an Avid Indoorsman.
The Ultimate Guide For The Avid Indoorsman offers an exploration of the Great Indoors and how you not only can survive indoors but can thrive and reach the pinnacle of becoming an Avid Indoorsman. John Driver encourages you to first complete the “Indooreagram” to test your level of Indoorsmanship and get the most out of the book. Driver lays out the differences between the Indoorsman and the Outdoorsman and the dangers that each one faces, but the bulk of the guide offers important advice for the aspiring, or avid, Indoorsman, from how to dress and act like an avid Indoorsman, creating a healthy indoors routine, handling miscellaneous situations, and connecting with people.
This is a fun, tongue-in-cheek look at what it is like to be an Indoorsman. But as Driver stresses, being an Indoorsman doesn’t mean you have abdicated all contact with the outdoors. “Contrary to popular belief, the great Indoorsmen of the world are not necessarily anti-Outdoorsmen. They may be hunters, fishermen, runners, golfers. In other words, they may have conquered the outdoors.” Becoming an avid Indoorsman means you are able to handle the stresses and challenges we all face in our modern world. From dealing with the greatest dangers an Indoorsman will face (such as FOMA – or the Fear of Miscellaneous Assembly) to how to dress and act like an avid indoorsman, the Ultimate Guide stresses the best ways to live life to the fullest in the 21st century.
Part humorous take on our modern life and part useful guide to living (the advice and facts presented are very helpful), The Ultimate Guide For The Avid Indoorsman should be a must-read for anybody wanting to navigate our perilous modern world. John Driver makes learning how to handle the pitfalls of a modern, technological world fun and exciting so that you too can become an Avid Indoorsman.
Recommend this book:
Porcelain Travels
Humor, Horror and Revelation in, on and around Toilets, Tubs and Showers
Matthew Felix
2019 Gold Medal
214 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite
In Porcelain Travels by Matthew Felix, enter the weird and wonderful world of avid traveler Matthew as we follow his backpacking adventures around the world. Whether he is in Morrocco, Copenhagen or Paris, Matthew doesn't require many luxuries, and he is the eternal optimist, but his expectations for basic toilet and bathing facilities always seem to fall short. Matthew proves to be quite resourceful in whatever situation he finds himself. From showering in a rubber bucket in Paris and maneuvering himself like a gymnast in filthy restrooms, to utilizing a plastic bottle when he was caught short while traveling in Turkey, Matthew's dignity and openmindedness are always tested, and even getting a massage proves to be far from relaxing. A simple visit to an internet cafe is filled with danger and a swim in the Dead Sea leads to the police being called. Matthew seems to attract disaster wherever he goes, and there is never a shortage of strange characters waiting to introduce themselves and their anatomies to him.
Porcelain Travels by Matthew Felix is a truly hysterical book from the outset. Matthew always seemed to prepare himself for the worst-case scenario but the reality was always much worse than he could imagine. I did want to empathize with his plight but I was too busy laughing to do so. The characters he encounters are colorful, to say the least, especially the exhibitionist in the Dead Sea. I absolutely adored his writing style; he describes situations and the emotions he felt so vividly. If you have ever traveled on a budget and stepped outside the comfort of a hotel, you are definitely going to relate to the embarrassing and cringe-worthy situations he encounters. This book will make you glad you are not in Matthew's shoes. It definitely puts a whole different spin on the term 'sightseeing' as he sees sights that you wouldn't wish on your worse enemy. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has a dry sense of humor and loves reading about others' embarrassing misfortunes.
In Porcelain Travels by Matthew Felix, enter the weird and wonderful world of avid traveler Matthew as we follow his backpacking adventures around the world. Whether he is in Morrocco, Copenhagen or Paris, Matthew doesn't require many luxuries, and he is the eternal optimist, but his expectations for basic toilet and bathing facilities always seem to fall short. Matthew proves to be quite resourceful in whatever situation he finds himself. From showering in a rubber bucket in Paris and maneuvering himself like a gymnast in filthy restrooms, to utilizing a plastic bottle when he was caught short while traveling in Turkey, Matthew's dignity and openmindedness are always tested, and even getting a massage proves to be far from relaxing. A simple visit to an internet cafe is filled with danger and a swim in the Dead Sea leads to the police being called. Matthew seems to attract disaster wherever he goes, and there is never a shortage of strange characters waiting to introduce themselves and their anatomies to him.
Porcelain Travels by Matthew Felix is a truly hysterical book from the outset. Matthew always seemed to prepare himself for the worst-case scenario but the reality was always much worse than he could imagine. I did want to empathize with his plight but I was too busy laughing to do so. The characters he encounters are colorful, to say the least, especially the exhibitionist in the Dead Sea. I absolutely adored his writing style; he describes situations and the emotions he felt so vividly. If you have ever traveled on a budget and stepped outside the comfort of a hotel, you are definitely going to relate to the embarrassing and cringe-worthy situations he encounters. This book will make you glad you are not in Matthew's shoes. It definitely puts a whole different spin on the term 'sightseeing' as he sees sights that you wouldn't wish on your worse enemy. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has a dry sense of humor and loves reading about others' embarrassing misfortunes.
Recommend this book:
I Still Want Fireworks
A Single-at-60's Odyssey Through Life, Love & Online Dating
Judith Hill
2018 Bronze Medal
346 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
I Still Want Fireworks: A Single-at-60's Odyssey Through Life, Love & Online Dating by Judith Hill is a compelling memoir that takes readers on a rollicking ride down the path of online dating with the author, a well-published fiction writer. It all starts as a joke and the protagonist convinces herself that this could be the path of inspiration for her next book, a how-to for online dating. But it isn’t long before she is pulled into a dizzying world where the line between reality and fantasy blurs. Follow her adventures as she meets and dates guys she finds online and as her mindset shifts. Question is: Can she really meet in real life the men who are what they pretended to be in virtual space?
Judith Hill’s book is packed with wisdom and insight, powerful lessons from the experiences of a woman who once hungered for love — perhaps desperately. I have read many stories about online dating, but haven’t read anything as exciting as I Still Want Fireworks, even close to it. And readers will love how the author weaves the themes of romance, online dating, online security, fraud, and a lot more into this memoir. What does it really feel like to be single at sixty? The author’s reply will surprise readers and make them change the way they look at relationships. The story is written in a very enjoyable tone and it is very engaging. Fast-paced and injected with a rare sense of humor, this book will keep you up all night.
I Still Want Fireworks: A Single-at-60's Odyssey Through Life, Love & Online Dating by Judith Hill is a compelling memoir that takes readers on a rollicking ride down the path of online dating with the author, a well-published fiction writer. It all starts as a joke and the protagonist convinces herself that this could be the path of inspiration for her next book, a how-to for online dating. But it isn’t long before she is pulled into a dizzying world where the line between reality and fantasy blurs. Follow her adventures as she meets and dates guys she finds online and as her mindset shifts. Question is: Can she really meet in real life the men who are what they pretended to be in virtual space?
Judith Hill’s book is packed with wisdom and insight, powerful lessons from the experiences of a woman who once hungered for love — perhaps desperately. I have read many stories about online dating, but haven’t read anything as exciting as I Still Want Fireworks, even close to it. And readers will love how the author weaves the themes of romance, online dating, online security, fraud, and a lot more into this memoir. What does it really feel like to be single at sixty? The author’s reply will surprise readers and make them change the way they look at relationships. The story is written in a very enjoyable tone and it is very engaging. Fast-paced and injected with a rare sense of humor, this book will keep you up all night.
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