A Family’s Worth of Writings is a deeply personal collection of poems, essays, and reflections written by four members of a single family: James Stockton, his sister Joyce Culton, and his daughters Sara Skelton and Ellen Stockton. Spanning themes like love, grief, patriotism, faith, humor, and the everyday joys and struggles of life, this book reads like a scrapbook of heartfelt moments captured in verse. Each piece feels like a window into a different life experience, often raw, sometimes whimsical, and always earnest. It’s more than just writing, it’s a stitched-together portrait of a family’s emotional and spiritual fabric.

I liked James Stockton’s tone. It’s plainspoken, honest, and relatable. His writing doesn’t try to be fancy, but it doesn’t need to be. The emotional truth of his work comes through clearly in poems like “Don’t Cry for Me When I Die” and “I Had a Dream.” His reflections often lean religious and philosophical, but he never preaches. Instead, he shares doubts, fears, and faith in a tone that feels like a quiet conversation over coffee. The poems have a kind of homemade beauty to them, like a quilt made with love and imperfection. I found myself laughing at his light verses and nodding quietly at the heavier ones.

The structure is a bit scattershot, jumping from silly holiday lyrics to serious political commentary and back again. But there’s an honesty to that jumble. Life isn’t organized by genre, and neither is this book. The pieces by his daughters, especially the one by Ellen, added a touching layer of perspective. They’re not polished, but they’re genuine. And there’s something powerful about seeing every voice represented.

A Family’s Worth of Writings is sincere, it’s personal, and it’s full of love. I’d recommend this book to anyone who finds meaning in family, faith, and the small details of life. It’s for readers who don’t mind a little roughness if it comes with heart. If you’ve ever written something just to get a feeling out, you’ll find a kindred spirit in these pages.

Pages: 269 | ASIN : B0FB234Y17