Lonesome Lies Before Us by Don Lee

HI there!

Welcome to another bookish day here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  I warned you.  This month and next are chock full of new and new-to-me titles that I'm going to share, share, share, so best leave that book buying ban behind because frankly, it's a lost cause.  Hey, I say that with the most love possible and the biggest hug because, really, we're all in the same boat here.  ^-^

Today, we're tackling a book that released earlier this month via W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.  It's a work of Fiction that tries to lend a melodious sound to an aging musicians life soundtrack with...somewhat "B" side results.  If you're a music fan or of a certain age, you'll get the reference; if not, I'm shaking my head at you right now and will forgive you Googling the term before continuing.  Anywho, let's get this show on stage to better discuss its bits and pieces, shall we?  Today's book of choice is...

Lonesome Lies Before Us

by

Don Lee

9780393608816

W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

About the book...

A contemporary ballad of heartbreak, failure, and unquenchable longing, this novel presents Don Lee at his best.

Yadin Park is a talented alt-country musician whose career has floundered—doomed first by his homely looks and lack of stage presence and then by a progressive hearing disorder. His girlfriend, Jeanette Matsuda, might have been a professional photographer but for a devastating heartbreak in her teens. Now Yadin works for Jeanette’s father’s carpet-laying company in California while Jeanette cleans rooms at a local resort.

When Yadin’s former lover and musical partner, the celebrated Mallory Wicks, comes back into his life, all their most private hopes and desires are exposed, their secret fantasies about love and success put to the test.

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Okay, here's the thing...

I had high hopes for this one, really and truly.  I'm all for rooting for the underdog taken down by circumstances (mostly) beyond his control, seemingly insurmountable challenges, and unexpected second chances.  What I'm also for is some sort of forward movement for those in the aforementioned positions within a written work, and that simply did not happen here.

Yadin is an aging musician looking to release a "goodbye" album despite the fact that he's been out of the music business for the last 20 something years.  He had and still has the talent, the writing skills, and the voice, just not the personality, and his hearing is fading fast.  That was the real kicker.  Beyond the band and industry that couldn't say yes to a shadowed figure belting it out on stage in near darkness, the rare disease that is stealing his ear was the nail in the proverbial coffin.  He accepted his lot in life and moved on to a blue collar career where he dates the daughter of the owner and called it even.  But that's the problem.  His acceptance of things is "great" but doesn't truly make for a story that I was sold on, heart and soul.  His relationship (if you can call it that) is more of convenience than passion, his job is definitely a job with no real feel for the furtherance that the owner intends to present him with, and his designs on this project felt half hearted.  Even when presented with the blast from his past, he was shaken up enough to accept some help shaping his work but not enough to actually CHANGE in some small or monumental way. 

To all this I say....

KUDOS to him for sticking to his guns and not letting Mallory or anyone else tell him what to do.  FANTASTIC that he figures out what he needs in life to be happy even as he attempts to sabotage himself and simply settle.  WONDERFUL that he pursued risky avenues in order to try to see him dream to fruition. DARN IT ALL though that he was pretty much EXACTLY where he was when we first started out on this adventure.  Yes, he found himself a little more, and yes, he still had his songs, but where did that actually leave him and with what?  Exactly where he stated in the song and title of the book...with LONESOME being what LIES BEFORE US....

Recommended for Fiction fans that like a hint of music in their works and flock towards characters that never really seem to get their day in the sun, though they do figure out a thing or two about life along the way.

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About the author...

Photo (c) Melissa Frost

Don Lee is the author of the novels The Collective, Wrack and Ruin, and Country of Origin, and the story collection Yellow. He has received an American Book Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction, the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, an O. Henry Award, and a Pushcart Prize. He teaches in the MFA program in creative writing at Temple University and splits his time between Philadelphia and Baltimore.

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Special thanks to William at W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. for the copy for review.  (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title celebrated its book birthday June 6th, 2017, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

One Helluva Gig by Kevin R. Doyle

HI guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're going live a bit late but for a fairly valid reason...I didn't have a post pre-scheduled and it's my birthday so I was having a quiet day with the family.  Don't worry though, there was reading and now there will be blogging.  In honor of my day, I have chosen a novella length title for today's spotlight that features an aging (no jokes) rock star discovering that the path paved with platinum records and champagne isn't always what it's cracked up to be.  Ladies and gents, please join me as we welcome today's ebook of choice...

One Helluva Gig

by

Kevin R. Doyle

Vagabondage Press

About the book...

What if Elvis never left the building, but instead made a living as an impersonator of himself? 

“One Helluva Gig” chronicles several years of the life of newspaper reporter Frank Peters who comes to prominence through a series of associations with the major recording star, Rob Jeffers, who Peters first interviewed when Jeffers was still paying the college circuit. 

When Jeffers dies midway through his stratospheric career, Peters own career takes a downward spiral that ends with him working for a tabloid newspaper chasing years of supposed sightings of Jeffers, still alive. As Peters is sent once more to the middle of nowhere to investigate a Jeffers sighting, he discovers something unexpected - not only about the dead singer, but also about himself.

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Alright guys, so honesty wins as always with me.

It's not the most earth shattering of stories but it was moving nonetheless.  It's a quick and slighty crazy ride from start to finish but with life lessons you weren't expecting along the way.  The takeaway for me included several messages though, the likes of which I shall divulge now.  Let the lessons begin...

...be careful what you wish for - you never know that the rainbow you see is going to end in a pot of gold.  It may simply be a slide into the abyss, an evil leprechauns lair, or some other fated place.  The point is, no wish is perfect nor life without strife.  Rob Jeffers certainly didn't see that one coming when he started on his path to musical fame.

...the grass is not always greener on the other side - Peters saw this for himself.  He saw ups and downs in his own career and that of his "friend".  That third meeting with the man of the hour was rather emotional though not a tear was shed.  You could feel the precipice that Jeffers was standing on and despite the millions surrounding him, how much of an island he truly was...not the easiest pill to swallow.  I'm not sure what would be worse though, recognizing the loneliness or walking around oblivious to the truth?

...make the most of every moment - Peters didn't really execute this philosophy in his younger days but then again I respect him all the more for it.  Later in life he once again makes a judgment call that could change his career and while not the life altering decision you might anticipate, it showed his true character.  In the moment, those closing scenes, we see that "making the most" doesn't have to create chaos and scrambling; sometimes it's just realigning what we thought we knew into a more appealing light.

...and it is possible to be alone in a room full of people - again witnessed first hand by both gentleman time and again.  Jeffers had it all and yet he didn't; Peters could have tasted the same fame but chose not to.  Was either man better off for their decisions?  Maybe yes, maybe no.  One small change could have affected the whole outcome for them both but then again, if they never found peace within themselves, what would it have mattered?

In the end, while not a read for all, it's certainly a read for some.  It shows the power that music has to transform all of us.  It reminds us that every meeting, every moment can be monumental in its own right.  It tells us to never stop trying to be all that we seek to be even if it means upsetting the whole apple cart and starting again.  Recommended read for adult readers not for any questionable content but simply for the mindset of the story.

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About the author...

 A high school teacher and fiction writer living in central Missouri, Kevin R. Doyle has seen his short stories, mainly in the horror and suspense fields, published in over twenty-five small press magazines, both print and online. In 2012 his first e-book, a mainstream novelette titled One Helluva Gig, was published by Vagabondage Press. 

     Doyle earned a B.A. in English and an M.A. in communications from Wichita State University. He teaches English and public speaking at a high school in rural Missouri and has taught English, journalism and Spanish at a number of community colleges in both Kansas and Missouri.   

    In January of 2014, The Group, a suspense novel concerning political advertising and serial murder, was published in e-book form by Barbarian Books and February of 2015 will see the publication of his new horror/suspense novel, The Litter, by Night to Dawn Magazine and Books.

SITE    |    FACEBOOK

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Special thanks to author Kevin R. Doyle for the ebook for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a virtual shelf of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today I was perplexed by what title I should bring you.  I was in fact tempted to do a "teaser" post as I skipped that fun feature this week and as I'm working on a project for work from home, my time off to read has been in spurts.  (Go figure, right?)  However, I was going through my email and saw the catalog offerings of Lee & Low with a dandy little Nonfiction Storybook title just begging my attention.  It promised talent, music, and a spunky little girl named Melba who grew up to be a very famous trombonist.  Did you already know that?  Well if you did, my congrats; if not, you're in good company and I'm about to induct you into the "in" crowd.  Ready or not, today's book of choice is....

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone

by

Katheryn Russell-Brown

Illustrated by

Frank Morrison

9781600608988

Lee & Low Books, Inc

About the book...

Melba Doretta Liston loved the sounds of music from as far back as she could remember. As a child, she daydreamed about beats and lyrics, and hummed along with the music from her family’s Majestic radio.

At age seven, Melba fell in love with a big, shiny trombone, and soon taught herself to play the instrument. By the time she was a teenager, Melba’s extraordinary gift for music led her to the world of jazz. She joined a band led by trumpet player Gerald Wilson and toured the country. Overcoming obstacles of race and gender, Melba went on to become a famed trombone player and arranger, spinning rhythms, harmonies, and melodies into gorgeous songs for all the jazz greats of the twentieth century: Randy Weston, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, and Quincy Jones, to name just a few.

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Melba Doretta Liston was born in 1926, Kansas City...and the scene was primed for musicians and fans alike.  In this case, we're looking at some the roots to jazz, blues, and gospel...and Little Melba loved them all!  As she grew so did her love of music until one day, she wanted to add her own voice to those jivey tunes.  Her instrument of choice?  The trombone.  Unusual choice for a small girl?  Perhaps....but that didn't make the sounds she made any less sweet.

I must say, I enjoyed the story very much and learning about someone new-to-me is always a pleasure, especially someone as remarkable as this little lady! Eight years old and making her solo radio debut?  Wow!  I couldn't even fathom playing the instrument let alone being good at it.  Definitely not my thing, but go Melba, GO!  That's exactly what she did too with her trip to the West Coast.  It was a great leap of faith for her family but one that would eventually result in talent acknowledged, and dreams reached.  The operative word there is "eventually" now because times were still tough for Ms. Melba.  She was competing in a mostly male spotlight in areas that were not as friendly towards those with darker skin.  It was enough to turn her brown eyes blue and almost worked in pushing her away from her trombone for good....ALMOST.  Let's just say Melba has her day and then some in the spotlight she deserved.  

With all of that said, I was in awe of the artwork.  It matched perfectly with the tale being spun from moment to moment and feeling to feeling.  You could both read and see the exuberance Little Melba experienced at finally getting a chance to add to those musical scores she could hear throughout her neighborhood.  The warmth of her smile beams right off the page as she daydreamed of all the beats and tum-tums reverberating through her brain.  You could even feel the frustration she felt at not getting it right from the start but also the accomplishment that went along with mastering the skill in the end.  

Overall, it speaks of family, overcoming obstacles to reach your dreams, and being true to yourself...all  with a musical soundtrack that will carry you from page to page.  It's an interesting read on an educational level but also entertaining with it's expressive illustrations and emotional passages.  Recommended for readers of all ages, shapes, sizes, and interests...you can't go wrong with Little Melba's passion leading the way!

Ebook for review courtesy of the great team at Lee & Low Books, Inc.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by their official site, friend them on Facebook, chat with them on Twitter, check out their blog, or join them on Pinterest.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!