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Shoulda – Woulda – Couldas
Parables for Today is a collection of modern-day stories, some fictional, some heavily autobiographical, that aim to offer moral or spiritual insights akin to the teachings of Jesus. Why was this an important book for you to write?
There were situations and issues from my life that were nagging me with a host of shoulda-woulda-couldas, one of which was leaving about 30 grand in a backpack the trash collectors hauled away because I didn’t learn the money was there till it was too late. So I wrote about that and other events adding the outcome I would like to have seen rather than what actually happened. I did this to help put my mind more at ease.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
As you observed, I wanted to challenge my readers on their own virtuosity by allowing them to insert themselves into my stories in place of the main characters in order to tweak their consciences just like Jesus did!
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Many years of writing for newspapers and magazines with success. I felt like it was time to make the next step and see if I could author a best-seller.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Parables for Today?
I want them to realize they have many opportunities for self-improvement if they just resist the temptation to get set in their ways!
Author Links: GoodReads
His parables were profound, powerful, and packed with meaning – and they were also subject to interpretation. They have withstood the test of time as each new generation has been able to discover a new message in the tales He shared. They have as much meaning today as they did back then.
In this book, the author imagines what situations Jesus would reference today to present His rich spiritual teachings. He shares stories that will help the spiritually hungry find their way back to the Lord while finding solace and peace.
Topics highlighted in the book include fame, forgiveness, what happens when we die, drug addiction, and the rules for living a successful life.
The eleven stories the author shares will make you think. Perhaps they’ll even change the way you view the world.
Parables for Today
In Parables for Today, Mike Mulhern reimagines the ancient tradition of parable-telling by placing it in a contemporary context. The book is a collection of modern-day stories, some fictional, some heavily autobiographical, that aim to offer moral or spiritual insights akin to the teachings of Jesus. Mulhern’s tales span themes like fame, forgiveness, grief, addiction, ambition, and redemption. Each chapter presents a different scenario, designed to speak to readers facing the complex realities of modern life while steering them gently toward reflection and self-awareness.
Reading this book felt like sitting across from someone who has lived a lot, thought even more, and now needs to get it all out in one breath. There’s an urgency and rawness in Mulhern’s voice that’s hard to ignore. The opening parable, “The Fame Game,” is a sprawling meditation on the obsessive chase for recognition. It’s part stand-up monologue, part sermon, part social critique, and it’s both hilarious and sad. I found myself laughing one minute, then pausing to reflect the next. Mulhern is clearly passionate, and the prose often reads like a stream of consciousness. But the emotion is real. The man cares deeply about his message, and that sincerity shines through.
What I appreciated most was the book’s earnestness. Mulhern isn’t trying to impress you with vocabulary or literary tricks—he’s trying to reach you. Some stories are deeply touching, like “A Supreme Act of Forgiveness” and “Coping with the Torment of a Drug-Addicted Child.” These resonated with me. You can tell he’s either lived these stories or walked very closely with someone who has. Other parables, like “The Shrink” or “The Sinister Sisters,” are more playful, even theatrical. Occasionally, I wished for tighter structure or more variety in tone, but the underlying ideas stayed with me long after I finished each tale.
This book is best suited for people looking for spiritual comfort or those who enjoy moral storytelling without pretense. Great for folks who read Chicken Soup for the Soul or who tune into late-night philosophical conversations with friends. If you want something honest and always heartfelt, Mulhern delivers. I’d recommend it to seekers, soul-searchers, and anyone who needs a nudge toward hope.
Pages: 206 | ASIN : B0DYQC98SJ
LITERARY TITAN 