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Snapshots in Time
Random³ Musings is your candid collection of reflections, rants, and remembrances that blend humor, grief, and unfiltered commentary into a conversation both raw and relatable. Why was this an important book for you to write?
In some ways, it is a therapeutic effort; I look back periodically to review the reasoning and logical thinking, or in some cases, the emotional responses I had recorded. It is important, I think, to encourage readers to engage in their own thoughts and develop their own.
Which section or story was the most difficult for you to write, and why?
In Passing, as it was entirely personal, with some recently passing and the ongoing sorrow of an estranged son.
You admit your biases openly in the book. How do you hope readers with different viewpoints will respond to that honesty?
I don’t have any expectations of a warm reception to some of them, as our current culture is rather explosive and expressed in the worst ways possible. To those who read past the chapter titles and the first few paragraphs, I hope I convey genuine thought or opinion. There are a few chapters I openly poke fun at or poke the bear, as it might be received.
Looking back, do you see Random³ Musings more as a journal of personal growth or as a snapshot of your voice in a particular moment in time?
A little of both, it can be said that all three books in this series are snapshots in time. I do see movement in the three titles, and growth, more growth may come as I review again over time and compare where my thinking has led me to conclude. Thank you for the interview questions, as they most certainly cause me to ponder these things and gather my thoughts that are more current and timely.
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As we continue to review, rationalize, and tackle some of what gnaws at us, it is suspect it does to some extent for each of us. It is a worthy effort to go back and revisit these mental exercises in thought when something doesn’t seem to fit or conflicts with thoughts previously resolved. It is healthy and fuel for growth to give weight to questioning such matters of importance. Sometimes these matters evolve, mold, and change. Other times it is our depth of rationalizing and understanding that has changed.
Random³ Musings: A Left Hemisphere Reveal
Mike Joyner’s Random³ Musings is exactly what the title suggests: a meandering, personal collection of reflections, sharp opinions, and off-the-cuff observations. The book moves through a wide range of topics, from heartfelt stories of friendship and loss to biting critiques of politics, media, and modern society. It mixes humor with anger, grief with gratitude, and storytelling with commentary. Sometimes the chapters feel like journal entries. Other times, they read like rants written in the heat of the moment. The voice is steady and familiar, like listening to a friend or neighbor talk.
I often felt like I was being pulled into a conversation that could change tone on a dime. One page had me nodding along with a story about kindness and connection, and the next page left me bristling at a fiery political jab. That unpredictability made the book lively. Joyner’s bluntness is his strength. When he strips things down to human moments, like reflecting on lost friendships or the fragility of life, the writing shines. It’s simple, raw, and moving. When he leans into politics, the words come out sharp and unfiltered, which can feel cathartic if you agree.
Joyner doesn’t hide his frustrations or dress them up. He admits his biases, he vents his anger, and he celebrates the little joys that keep him grounded. The prose is plainspoken, sometimes rough around the edges, but always true to his voice. I found myself liking the sections where he slows down the most, moments when he’s fishing, remembering friends, or pausing to notice the good in strangers. Those passages gave the book a warmth that balanced out the harder edges.
Random³ Musings feels like a long talk with someone who isn’t afraid to tell you what they think, even if it ruffles feathers. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy personal essays that mix heart and grit, especially those interested in the perspectives of someone who values tradition, directness, and lived experience. It’s not a polished or neutral read, but it is an honest one, and sometimes that’s exactly what makes it worth the time.
Pages: 170 | ASIN: B0F1K8VDC7
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