Blog Archives
THE PERILS OF A LOSS ADJUSTER
Richard Thurstan’s memoir, The Perils of a Loss Adjuster: A Short Memoir, offers an unexpectedly entertaining glimpse into a career that may not typically be associated with hijinks and hilarity. As an insurance loss adjuster, Thurstan encountered a wide array of peculiar and memorable situations, each vividly detailed in his collection of “incidents and amusing tales.” Through his straightforward and droll narrative, he demystifies the complexities of insurance claims while highlighting the bizarre and often humorous moments he experienced on the job.
Thurstan’s anecdotes range from the outlandish to the downright embarrassing. Whether dealing with claimants in unusual circumstances, such as discussing claims in the nude, or assessing damaged merchandise of a particularly sensitive nature, he illustrates that even the most ostensibly mundane careers are rife with unexpected adventures. His detailed explanations of different types of insurance claims provide an informative backdrop to these tales, making the book both educational and entertaining.
The Perils of a Loss Adjuster does a commendable job of showing that even a seemingly dull profession can be filled with bizarre moments and unanticipated challenges. From catching fraudulent claimants to dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters, Thurstan’s experiences reveal the hidden excitement in his line of work. His matter-of-fact recounting of these incidents establishes a clear picture of a career that is far from boring.
While Thurstan’s narrative style is straightforward, it adds a unique charm to his storytelling. The memoir is filled with situations that have the potential for laugh-out-loud moments, and this unembellished approach gives the reader a clear and honest view of his experiences. Thurstan’s recounting is both informative and intriguing, offering a candid glimpse into the life of a loss adjuster.
The Perils of a Loss Adjuster provides an enlightening and occasionally amusing look at the life of an insurance loss adjuster. Richard Thurstan’s memoir’s greatest strengths lie in its candid depiction of the profession’s more unusual aspects.
Pages: 81 | ASIN : B0CYMC4G7Q
The Real King of Miami
Eric Sande’s The Real King of Miami offers a gripping dive into the world of crime through the eyes of Ray “Li’l Ray” Thompson, who recounts his story from Death Row at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution in Pasco County, Florida. This true crime novel stands out for its unique perspective, as it is largely based on interviews between the author and Thompson. Instead of an analytical recounting of facts, Sande delivers a narrative that reads like an intense thriller akin to Scarface or Narcos.
The prologue hooks readers immediately with the climactic murder of Jimmy Savoy, one of Ray’s employees who had betrayed him by stealing a substantial amount of money. From there, the narrative rewinds to delve into the author’s fascination with Li’l Ray, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of Ray’s operations in the marijuana smuggling world. The story, though dense with characters, ultimately centers on the critical event aboard the boat where Jimmy was killed. This book is not for the faint of heart. Its pages are laden with expletives, adding a raw and authentic feel to the storytelling. For readers who can overlook the language, these elements contribute significantly to the book’s realism and immersive quality. The narrative is so compelling that many readers might find themselves finishing the book in one sitting.
The Real King of Miami is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts looking to break away from dry, report-like accounts. Sande’s book offers a shorter yet equally hard-hitting experience, making it a standout addition to any true crime fan’s reading list.
Pages: 164 | ASIN : B0BMPDC4DH
A Happier, Wider State of Mind
The River Beyond the Dam: Shooting the Rapids of Progressive Christianity: A Memoir shares with readers your journey looking for a church that breaks from traditional dogma and focuses on being better community members and climate activists. Why was this an important book for you to write?
In a word, I couldn’t find anything like it. I stumbled into a progressive church almost by accident, encountering an old strand of Christianity so unlike the Christianity I knew (and had rejected) that it blew my mind. Why didn’t I know about this before? The only books I could find along this line were by religious professionals—clergy, theologians—exactly the kind of book I would never have picked up after rejecting the faith.
Yet my new experience was not simply an interesting discovery I wanted to share—it was changing deep thought habits in me. I had an American habit of judging others, of turning sour when disappointed, and trying to live as a modern person, one who sweeps away various disappointing heritages. And these narrowing habits were being replaced by—can I say it? A happier, wider state of mind.
I thought maybe a personal memoir, with a regular person’s findings of what church can be in this real world of ours, might reach and surprise general readers, especially those who, like me, had thrown out the baby with the bathwater.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to encourage a deeper look at the common conclusion that we would “be better off without organized religion,” even though I tended to agree with some of that, about hidebound religion. I wanted to see if I could get beneath the accrued barnacles of social control that put a few white males on top and get a look at the magnificent whale beneath those metaphorical barnacles. Just as important, I wanted to challenge the idea that, in spiritual matters, solo traveling is essentially the same as traveling with a community. Last, that churches can help pull together responses to the interconnected challenges of our time.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Yowza. I was sorely tempted to exclude some of the personal stuff, like my silly overreaction to getting testy at the council meeting. As a worrier type of introvert, I would have liked to keep the personal at arms-length from the discoveries I wanted to talk about. But something told me to bite the bullet—that the story required I get real, get personal.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
Whether or not you choose church for yourself, I hope that in your activism, whether on the environment or on race and gender equality, you will be open to finding allies in unexpected places. And that your daily life becomes happier.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
She experiences firsthand what she cannot get from a solo journey, including what it is to support Native Americans, and how Black womanist theology can make her a better white ally of Black women. Paddling the river, she is helped around fallen trees of biblical mistranslation and anti-woman dogma. After a cold-water crash, she repairs her canoe and emerges joyful again with a new, more flexible strength. Looking ahead, she follows clues about how the river is changing other churches–renewing and making them better neighbors and climate activists.
The River Beyond the Dam: Shooting the Rapids of Progressive Christianity
Growing up, going to Church was just something I had to do. I did not really understand the purpose, as my mother would drop me off for Sunday school and mass while she went for coffee and bagels with friends, only to return to pick me up. Church was an obligation, and as I grew older, I questioned more and more about it, drifting further off and away. Much like Jean Waight’s canoeing analogies, I felt stuck on a rock or headed for waters that just were not part of the enjoyable experience I had heard about and hoped for. I never felt the close-knit family and support system that everyone told me Church should be. As I grew older, my distrust and dislike for patriarchy and intolerance of LGBTQ+ issues caused me to drift further away from Christianity.
One of the first things readers will notice is the woodblock prints that open each chapter. They are like a small window into what is to come. Reading Jean Waight’s memoir, The River Beyond the Dam: Shooting the Rapids of Progressive Christianity, I felt like I was talking to a friend, someone who really got what I was thinking when it came to Church. Her blunt and direct approach to sharing her story was inspiring. In her book, she reminds readers what the real purpose of community is. It is not sitting in a building singing hymns; it is coming together to improve the community by buying diapers for those in need or taking on the coal industry standing with the Lummi. She does not just accept that men take leadership roles in the Church; instead, she brings feminism to the forefront of the discussion, saying it isn’t enough just to have women in leadership roles; they need to actually be treated as equals and allowed to hold leadership positions over men. Jean actively questions the dogma surrounding religion and holds those around her to higher standards, not settling for the status quo.
The River Beyond the Dam is not a book that readers can pick up and read cover to cover. If they do, they are missing a great deal. Each chapter is a chance for reflection and unpacking preconceived notions. Jean references multiple resources, providing insights that back up her thought process. Providing a full bibliography at the end of the book allows readers to continue their own research and personal journey after reading this memoir. For those who feel the Church is a lost cause, her story offers a glimmer of hope, a chance that, while slow, change can come if enough people put in the work.
Pages: 247 | ASIN : B0C2BGC4N9
My Baja Snapshot
Jo Dibblee’s My Baja Snapshot is an enthralling narrative that transports readers from the familiar comforts of Canada to the vibrant spontaneity of Baja California, Mexico. This memoir isn’t just a recounting of a couple’s relocation but a source of inspiration and guidance for those considering a similar leap. Dibblee’s vivid storytelling and personal insights illuminate every aspect of their new life, from settling into a tiny home to savoring the local cuisine, language, and landscapes.
The book is a cultural odyssey, peppered with practical Spanish phrases essential for any traveler venturing into Mexico. Dibblee doesn’t merely tell a story; she educates, offering invaluable tips on local wines, culinary delights, and the intricacies of obtaining permanent residency. Her descriptions of Mexican delicacies, especially the beloved Cafe de Olla, are so vivid and enticing that they might just prompt readers to explore these flavors firsthand. The book is masterfully organized into well-titled, informative, and concise sections. Dibblee’s writing style is natural and engaging, with a humor that captivates and entertains. Her anecdotes, from the comical comparison of their unorganized documents to a more meticulous applicant’s, add a layer of personal charm and relatability to the narrative.
This travel memoir is a comprehensive guide that offers more than just a glimpse into a new life in Mexico. It’s a journey through the senses, with vivid descriptions of food, insightful stories, and even Spanish lessons, all complemented by beautiful photographs. My Baja Snapshot is an essential read for travel aficionados and anyone contemplating a move to Mexico. It is a revelatory guide that engages readers with a perfect blend of humor, cultural insights, and practical advice.
Pages: 62 | ASIN : B0CC356BLP
Cuba, your children cry! Cuba, tus hijos lloran
In Cuba, Your Children Cry, Otto H. Iglesias delivers a profoundly moving exploration of his first-generation American-Cuban heritage. This riveting memoir illuminates the plight of refugees through a deeply personal lens, a perspective that strikes an emotional chord in readers.
Imbued with the vibrancy of Cuban culture from a young age, Iglesias’s upbringing was steeped in his homeland’s traditional cuisine, language, and stories. Yet, an inherent longing to connect with his roots simmered within him, only to be initially quelled by his parents, Cuban refugees themselves, due to legitimate safety concerns.
The narrative takes a turn as, after forty-six years, Iglesias is granted permission to visit Cuba. Accompanied by two companions, equally passionate about travel and history, his journey into the heart of Cuba commences, revealing untold chapters of his heritage.
One of the book’s most striking aspects is the compelling depiction of human resilience in adversity. Iglesias paints a vivid tableau of Cuban endurance, persevering despite facing debilitating sanctions. Readers are drawn into the complex love-hate relationship his parents maintained with their homeland, eliciting deep empathy.
Cuba, Your Children Cry is a layered narrative, shedding light on the interplay of political decisions and individual destinies. It expertly melds historical occurrences with present realities, providing a unique viewpoint that merges the objective observer with the intimately involved.
Iglesias’s memoir stands as a powerful testament to silenced voices and the quiet strength of an oppressed people. His vivid prose breathes life into the Cuban landscapes and culture, effectively transporting readers to the bustling streets of Havana and various significant landmarks.
The memoir’s principal strength lies in its evocative depiction of the indomitable human spirit and an underlying narrative of love. It serves as a poignant reminder of the vital role of passion and perseverance in our lives. Cuba, Your Children Cry is an indispensable read, one that inspires readers to appreciate the complex yet fundamental human connections that define our collective and individual identities.
Pages: 270 | ASIN : B09XWFL4M9
We Are All Worthy Of Love
Redemptive Trauma: Confession of a Defrocked Priest shares your story about living with addiction and mental health issues and how you now advocate for the de-stigmatization of them. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The book is a memoir; a eulogy to both the first half of my life and my life as an ordained Anglican priest. It is a book about male vulnerability and learning the deep value of empathy, while tackling mental health and the associated stigma, which often buries those who suffer. I tell stories about sex, drugs, alcohol and abuse, through the lens of grace, mercy and love. This book is about generational trauma and rediscovering family. Ultimately, Redemptive Trauma is about reconciling hope, and calling home prodigals of all kinds.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest thing to write about was my Mum. In many ways, we grew up together. There is no one who sacrificed more so I could tell my story.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Idea 1: Love is the most bullshit word in the English language. Understanding the lack of English vocabulary for love, and discovering new ways to break open the word at its core, provides new lenses to see the heart of one of the most important words across all languages.
Idea 2: We are all worthy of love. No matter what you have done; no matter what you are going to do… you are worthy of some form of love.
Idea 3: Secrets keep people sick. Secrets are what cause families to stay quiet about abuse, and trauma, and neglect. Secrets are how addicts force their loved ones to enable their behaviour. Secrets are how gossip poisons communities and relationships and toxifies the brain with deceit. Failure we all have. Darkness we all face. Brokenness we cannot escape. But secrets, we can defeat.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
No matter how bad things are: There is hope.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Having spent a decade as an Anglican cleric in Southwestern Ontario, David served in leadership in three urban social-justice focused appointments as a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada. David was deprived of ministry and terminated from his appointment as incumbent priest of his parish on December 12th, 2018. He was in his fourth month on medical leave. David was formally accused, investigated and found guilty of sexual misconduct, all while he was drugged out, melting down on social media.
As someone working to heal from traumatic stress injuries from childhood, David’s diagnosis with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2018 led him to become a public advocate for the de-stigmatization of mental health and addiction issues (especially when related to generational trauma). He quickly learned the challenges and opportunities this presents, as he himself is one of the examples. Redemptive Trauma: Confession of a Defrocked Priest is a memoir embracing hard truths of trauma to help others heal their own.
David holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Huron University College at the Western University in London, Ontario. For most of his adult life, David served as a street-involved pastor in Toronto and London. His major focuses of ministry were related to social outreach, restorative justice, and learning to wrestle with life and faith in the rapidly evolving social media age.
The author is almost certain that if you don’t like stories about sex, drugs, rock stars, alcohol, and the uneven rise and fall of the guilty and the innocent, you probably won’t like the Bible either. Or this book. Otherwise, go ahead, dig into both.
Redemptive Trauma
Redemptive Trauma: Confession of a Defrocked Priest is a deeply personal and engaging exploration of the complexities of author David Giffen’s life experiences. Born to immigrant parents and raised in Canada, David’s childhood was marked by instability and a lack of emotional support. His parents’ separation only exacerbated his emotional struggles, leading him to seek solace in a life increasingly detached from reality. As he matured, David became embroiled in the world of sex, violence, alcohol, and drugs, trying to escape his troubled past. Despite his rebelliousness, he longed for stability and normalcy. Ultimately, he turned to spirituality and became a priest, starting a new chapter in his life. However, his past continued to haunt him, and he was eventually stripped of his priesthood due to his vulnerability.
Throughout the book, David’s writing is candid and introspective, inviting readers to explore his struggles and the challenges he faced on his journey. His reflections on spirituality and religion are particularly insightful, offering a nuanced and deeply personal account of the role these forces played in his life. His writing is infused with a sense of hope and resilience, reflecting his unwavering commitment to self-improvement. The book is structured non-chronologically, which may be confusing at times, as it can be easy to mix up the past and the present. Nonetheless, the writing is easy to follow, and David’s unfiltered accounts of his childhood provide a refreshing perspective on the issues of addiction and spirituality.
Redemptive Trauma is a compelling and honest memoir that offers a unique perspective on one man’s journey through life. I highly recommend it to readers seeking an engaging and deeply personal account of the challenges of addiction, spirituality, and self-discovery.
Pages: 138 | ASIN : B08LR15B1V
LITERARY TITAN 