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Authenticity and Sacredness
Improvising in Italian is a heartfelt memoir that shares your journey of moving to Modena, fueled by a blend of optimism, romance, and idealism, and the personal unraveling that follows. Why was this an important book for you to write?
When we moved to a small town in northern Italy, we were surrounded by beautiful scenery, ate delicious food, and met wonderful new friends, all while dealing with the country’s notorious bureaucracy. The typical things you’d expect from Italy. But our experience living there ended up being a unique one. We found ourselves in crazy, once-in-a-lifetime situations like getting involved in trying to sell Stradivarius violins and a Raphael painting, and we met colorful people. Then, when COVID-19 hit, we were in strict lockdown, and this put a strain on our marriage. All this made me reflect on my childhood living in various countries around the world, my mother’s death, and raising my children.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Some of the themes in my book center around the idea of freedom, change, being categorized – the world broken down into clubs – and our search for the perfect meal, especially traditional dishes made with unprocessed ingredients, which represents authenticity and sacredness.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of writing my memoir was exposing my vulnerabilities and ignoring the voice in my head that worried about what people were going to think of my story.
The most rewarding thing about writing this memoir was being able to look back on an interesting but difficult time and learn something from it.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
That life is about change, and even though there are no guarantees that things will turn out as planned, we should be open to new possibilities.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Improvising in Italian, narrated with candor and humor, is an honest appraisal of the romance and pitfalls of being a global nomad in a fast-changing world. It follows the couple as they survive missteps and setbacks-while struggling to maintain their love and friendship-improvising their way through it all.
A Multipronged Approach
Mighty Joe Mui: The Untold Underdog Story at Cornell tells the story of a Chinese-Canadian soccer player who defied expectations at every turn and became a prominent athlete and successful entrepreneur. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was very important for me to write this book primarily because of its invaluable lessons. Students, athletes, and entrepreneurs can learn so much from this memoir about admirable character traits such as perseverance, courage, and integrity. As a teacher interacting with students, I see and hear their struggles on a daily basis. Meeting Joe Mui and hearing his story was an excellent way to address the critical needs of students today. When Joe and I discussed his memoir, we developed the book with one goal in mind… to inspire. One reason why this book has been a success with readers of various backgrounds is because Joe’s stories are relatable to so many people outside the soccer firmament. “Mighty Joe Mui” transcends race, religion, and gender. His story connects with readers of various backgrounds because of his struggles and timeless advice.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Joe and I implemented a multipronged approach to reach our readers. Joe’s life story combined with my field experience in education and film/TV were conducive to writing the ideal book for the “edutainment” genre. Our goal was to combine education with entertainment to produce a text that would engage readers through Joe’s inspirational life story. Ultimately, we published a book recognized under four genres: Biography/Memoir, Sports, Business, and Self-Help/Motivational.
The final chapter of Mighty Joe Mui includes educational resources such as graphic organizers. Graphic organizers in the classroom are effective tools used for helping students who struggle in the area of organizing themselves.
An implicit message behind this book is to be respectful of anyone you interact with. Joe met countless individuals long before they became influential household names in business, sports, and entertainment. Several of these individuals remained supportive of Joe’s endeavours and initiatives because of his humility exhibited decades prior. To this day, because of Joe’s rapport, he can still pick up a phone or shoot a text that’ll be responded to by such influential figures because of his humble and respectful nature.
The most important theme in Mighty Joe Mui is to persevere. Joe and I wanted to inspire our readers to remain tenacious in their pursuit of achieving dreams! Simply put, never giving up is the answer to reaching your goals.
What was the most challenging part of writing this biography, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of writing this biography was determining what risks to take. I’ve learned that in the creative world, one cannot satisfy everyone. And I am fine with that. I completely understand. It’s an aspect of art that I respect. For instance, I attempted to use a creative approach while storytelling that entailed jumping back/forth in Joe’s chronological timeline. While some readers enjoyed this aspect of storytelling, others preferred sticking to a more linear timeline. I embrace feedback, but for any aspiring writer who might be reading this interview, be mindful that risk-taking comes with the territory.
Another challenging aspect of writing this biography was making decisions on omissions. There were interesting side notes and stories that could have added intrigue, but to avoid controversy, we remained focused on conveying what was pertinent to Joe’s life story.
The most rewarding part of writing this book is being able to offer a beneficial text to readers. Another rewarding part of writing this book was being able to tap into the creative area of my mind. Because of this project, I’ve become more sharp in writing, marketing, and negotiating. Unfortunately, we live in a world where you’re pigeonholed and even excoriated for wanting to explore avenues outside of “your lane.” This project gave me the opportunity to explore my potential outside the “norm.” I will always be thankful for this project.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from Joe Mui’s story?
Inspiration! Joe and I want our readers to leave this experience feeling inspired.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Mighty Joe Mui – The Untold Underdog Story At Cornell
Some stories stick with you because they’re about more than just one person. Mighty Joe Mui is one of those books. It’s a memoir that follows the life of Joe Mui, a five-foot-three Chinese-Canadian soccer player who defied expectations at every turn. From his humble beginnings in China to making a name for himself in NCAA soccer at Cornell and beyond, Joe’s story is an underdog tale in the truest sense. But this book isn’t just about sports. It’s about grit, resilience, and breaking barriers—often without even realizing it. The book takes us through his journey, from playing “crab soccer” in Hong Kong to facing off against the legendary Pelé, all while navigating life as an immigrant, an athlete, and eventually, a successful entrepreneur.
One of the things I loved about Mighty Joe Mui is the way it captures Joe’s relentless drive. The guy simply did not know how to quit. Even when he faced obstacles, like language barriers, financial struggles, and people telling him he was too small to compete, he found ways to push through. The book is filled with moments that showcase this, like when he first arrived in Canada and had to sharpen a pencil in class. That may sound small, but the teacher forced him to ask for it in English, something he barely spoke. It was sink or swim, and Joe chose to swim. Later, when he played for Cornell, he didn’t just compete, he dominated, earning All-American honors and leading his team to success despite being smaller than most of his opponents. The storytelling in these moments makes you root for Joe, even if you don’t know a thing about soccer.
The writing shines when it explores Joe’s life off the field. He was an immigrant kid figuring out a new world, a student navigating Ivy League academics, and later, a businessman making his mark in real estate. The book highlights how his discipline in sports translated into other areas of life. One part that stuck with me was when Joe, despite his busy schedule, still found time to mentor young athletes, passing down what he had learned. He never lost sight of where he came from, and that humility makes his story even more compelling.
While I enjoyed the book, I felt it sometimes jumps around a bit, especially when it mixes past and present moments. One second, we’re with young Joe in Hong Kong, the next, we’re with older Joe reflecting on meeting Ted Turner. It’s an interesting approach, but at times, I wished it stuck to a more linear timeline. But it’s a minor issue in an otherwise engaging read. The writing is conversational, which makes it easy to follow, and there are plenty of funny, heartwarming, and even frustrating moments that make you feel like you’re right there with Joe through it all.
Mighty Joe Mui is perfect for sports fans, but even if you don’t care about soccer, there’s a lot to take away from Joe’s story. If you love underdog tales, immigrant success stories, or just reading about people who refuse to let circumstances define them, this book is worth your time. It’s about perseverance, adapting to change, and proving people wrong.
Pages: 238 | ISBN : 1738328406
LITERARY TITAN 