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Be Free and Fly
Drums of a Distant Tribe is a memoir that weaves together moments of joy, recklessness, grief, and revelation, sharing with readers your story of survival, resilience, and the search for truth about life and what may come after death. Why was this an important book for you to write?
From the Book, Drums of a Distant Tribe: A Son’s Message from the Great Beyond:
As I reflect on this amazing journey, I realize I’ve been visited by nothing less than miracles that prove the greatest gift to mankind is real. Perhaps we should not be so surprised. Those who chose to follow Jesus in antiquity reported many miracles. The Gospel of Mark 16:20 says, “And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.”
When these followers experienced miracles, they felt compelled to report what they witnessed. This, I also feel compelled to do. I cannot keep this to myself. But how can I tell this story in a way that will make sense to others? I can only do my best to explain these events as accurately as possible to help others during their challenging test of life.
Perhaps a message I received on Wailea Beach after discovering the Church of New Beginnings explains this sense of responsibility better than I can. As I read old notes from a special evening under the glow of torches, protected now in a plastic bag and only being weathered slightly from hours spent on the beach and the many years that have transpired between, and looking like they had been penned yesterday, I notice the following entry: “You are beginning to see the good in what your life has come to. So, you will see the greatness in our experiences . . . Be like a freedom fighter . . . The tide on Earth is changing. Catch the wave and help to pioneer a new consciousness . . . Your pen will fly with the excitement of many souls. And like the crashing of waves on the massive rocks of the shore that slowly break them into sand, our words will reduce the rigid structure of conventional wisdom and help to create a palette that will form the foundation of life’s effervescent force.”
I ask, “Why is it important that we share these experiences with others? People are set in their ways, and most will dismiss our words.”
“There are important reasons. It is part of evolution. It is a path toward order. It is a path toward goodness. It is for relief of suffering and the pursuit of wisdom. The quest is endless, but it is the quest that is important . . . Act with love and there will be love. Quest for truth, and there will be truth. Search for beauty, and there will be beauty. To share our experiences is to spread the joy and happiness we found. This in itself is the reason. What becomes of this knowledge after we share it is like asking, ‘What happens to a beam of light?’ Nothing and everything. It is still just a beam of light. The fact that it is light is what is important . . . this light will survive into eternity, it is its own end . . . Thus, it is with our work. Even those who do not believe will be illuminated by it. They may not recognize it, but they will benefit, whether consciously or not. . . May the light we shine illuminate the darkness!”
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Life tends to be overwhelming and out of our control at times. I think it’s important to take a step back periodically and view the picture as someone who will survive all the challenges and come out the other side. Hopefully this book will help provide that perspective.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of writing this book was doing the subject material justice. After all, those much greater than I have already covered the important part of the message. The most rewarding part of writing the book was doing an honest job of telling the story. Whether I told it effectively is up for the reader to decide. But I am satisfied that what I have written is an accurate description of the events that occurred.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope that the readers can relate personally to the story and gain a sense of freedom from the message that we will survive; the afterlife is real. “It’ll be alright. It’ll be alright. Be free and fly.”
Author links: Facebook | Amazon
Walk slowly lest you miss your turn in the forest.
Remains of Silence : A Memoir of Breaking, Building, and Becoming
The memoir Remains of Silence is a raw and unflinching journey through a fractured childhood in South Africa and the long road toward healing and self-discovery. Stef-Albert Bothma recounts the turbulence of growing up with instability, neglect, and silence as constant companions, weaving together vignettes of fear, longing, and survival. The story traces his movement across landscapes both external and internal. From moments of danger on the road with an intoxicated mother, to nights of hunger and loneliness, to the later blossoming of a voice strong enough to speak truth, this book is both a testament to endurance and an offering of hope.
Reading this, I was struck by the stark honesty of the writing. It doesn’t hide behind fancy phrasing or soften the blow of hard truths. Instead, the words come at you plainly, almost like sitting across from someone who’s finally ready to say what they’ve never dared to. I felt anger rising at the injustices he endured as a child, and then a quiet admiration at his strength. The mix of sorrow and resilience pulled me in. There were moments when I had to set the book down just to breathe, but each time I picked it back up I was drawn deeper, eager to see how he pieced himself back together.
At times, the prose almost felt sharp, but that suited the story. Life in these pages isn’t polished, and the writing reflects that. What I appreciated most was the way Bothma balanced the heaviness with glimpses of beauty and grace. Small moments, like finding comfort in the kindness of strangers or the simple act of filling a tank of gas all the way full, took on the weight of triumph. The ideas in the book stirred something in me. I found myself reflecting on my own assumptions about strength, silence, and what it really means to survive when survival has become second nature.
I’d recommend this memoir to readers who value truth told without varnish, especially those who have lived through difficult beginnings or who seek stories of perseverance. It would also resonate with people drawn to reflections on family, memory, and the messy art of becoming whole. This book isn’t always easy to sit with, but that’s part of its power. It leaves you unsettled, moved, and somehow lighter for having walked alongside the author through the remains of his silence.
Pages: 357 | ASIN : B0FR2FLX4S
The Choice Between Dreams
Just Play Like You Do in the Basement: Coming of Age as the Drummer for the Greatest Entertainer in the World is your memoir, sharing your journey from a basement in Cleveland Heights to the stages around the world on tour alongside Sammy Davis Jr. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was an extraordinary experience to perform with a legendary entertainer. But because I was fairly young—just out of high school—the sense of wonder and the impact of those experiences hit me even harder than they might have if I’d been a seasoned musician in my thirties or forties. That’s why I framed the book as a coming-of-age story.
When I returned home, at least two people who heard my stories urged me to write a book. Within a few years I began taking notes, outlining, and drafting chapters. I eventually put the project aside when I became absorbed in researching my grandfather’s murder, which led to my first published book. Still, the vivid memories of traveling with Sammy Davis, Jr. and the people I worked with and friends I met, stayed with me for decades.
In 2023 I finally returned to the project in earnest. By then I understood the potential of my experiences to become not just a music story, but a powerful reflection on family, identity, and the choice between two very different dreams.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I can think of three or four. First, the influence of family. In my case, it was positive. I had a natural interest in jazz and the drums, but it was my father, my brother, and later my drum teacher who educated, coached, encouraged, and helped me build both talent and confidence. My father’s friendship with the great drummer Louie Bellson also provided a unique connection that shaped my style.
Second, the importance of commitment. My skill didn’t develop in a year or two—it took seven or eight years. Countless hours of practice went into learning the instrument, developing a jazz feel, mastering big band arrangements, then gaining performance experience. Often, when friends were out playing or partying, I was home working through a drum lesson or playing along with jazz albums.
Finally, I wanted to share how my journey forced me to face two competing dreams: the one my father and I shared, and the one that only I envisioned. Choosing between them ultimately set me on a path that was, in many ways, foreign to my family, a disappointment to my father, and changed the course of my life.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
My memoir was a significant departure from writing books about organized crime, like To Kill the Irishman, which had become my comfort zone. The most difficult part was being honest about my vulnerabilities as young Ricky Porrello—my vulnerabilities and flaws. But I knew authenticity was essential if the story was going to resonate with readers, and that meant allowing emotional depth to come through. My editor, Cherie Rohn, helped by often asking the uncomfortable but necessary question: “How did you feel?”
I also wrestled with writing about lovemaking. The tone I envisioned for the book didn’t include explicit physical detail, yet intimacy was part of the story. I needed to convey the pull of attraction, the thrill of discovery, and the feelings of love that shaped my coming-of-age as a young man traveling the globe.
What advice do you have for aspiring memoir writers?
Remember that an autobiography and a memoir are not the same. An autobiography has a wide view—this is the story of my life. A memoir is a slice of life, however small or large, that reveals a deeper truth—what you learned or experienced about some universal theme.
In Just Play Like You Do in the Basement, my primary theme is coming-of-age. Other central ideas include family, identity, and choosing a path. At its heart, though, the story is about a boy becoming a man—set against the backdrop of a successful musical family and the extraordinary experience of touring with a legendary entertainer.
Over the decades, many aspiring authors have consulted with me. A common mistake I’ve seen is summarizing a life as a simple chronicle: this happened, then that happened, then something else happened. The episodes may be interesting, but anecdote after anecdote—without emotional depth, story threads, and a clear beginning, middle, and end—does not make a memoir. You must identify the theme or themes and be willing to tell the truth with honesty and vulnerability. With focus and commitment, you can do it!
Author Website
Just a Little Witch, Mostly a Mom
The book tells the story of grief, memory, and the odd ways magic seeps into everyday life. Author Diana Jonas writes about her mother’s death, her own role as a mother, and the weight of family history. She stitches together stories of her Cuban refugee mother, her painter father, her mischievous brother, and the life she built on Centre Island. The narrative shifts between the sharp pain of loss and the shimmering texture of ordinary moments, with hints of magical realism that make the past feel alive. It is a memoir that reads like a spell, part mourning and part celebration of the ties that shape us.
Reading it, I felt pulled in two directions. On one hand, the writing is raw. She does not hide the ugliest moments, like hospital chaos, family fights, and financial collapse, and that honesty can sting. On the other hand, the prose often sings. Her images of the bay, her parents’ love and rage, the dogs, the music, the childhood friends, they glow with life. I found myself laughing in one moment and aching in the next. It reminded me of sitting with an old friend who refuses to sugarcoat but still makes you feel safe.
The ideas in the book struck me hardest when she leaned into the quiet magic of family. I loved the way she wrote about ordinary dinners and car rides like they were part of some greater ritual. She does not romanticize, not really, but she shows how beauty hides in the mess. The small spells are the ones you don’t notice until later. That theme ran through the whole book, and I kept nodding along. Sometimes I wished she had held back on a detail here or there, since the sheer weight of memory can be overwhelming, but maybe that is the point. Grief is overwhelming, and she lets us feel it without guardrails.
Just a Little Witch, Mostly a Mom is tender and fierce, funny and tragic, messy and beautiful. I would recommend it to readers who like memoirs that feel alive with both pain and humor, especially those who have lost someone close or who believe in the strange magic of ordinary life.
Pages: 295
The Lie That Changed Everything: The Memoir of a Little Rascal
From the first page, Gary Trew makes it clear this is no sugarcoated stroll down memory lane. The Lie That Changed Everything is a memoir that blends sharp humor, biting honesty, and painful recollections into a story that feels both chaotic and deeply human. Trew recounts his early years with a mix of wit and grit, pulling readers through family dysfunction, childhood scrapes, and the bruising aftermath of being raised in a world where love often arrived tangled in trauma. It’s a tale of survival told with an irreverent laugh, even as it shines a light on moments of loneliness, rejection, and heartbreak.
I was taken in almost immediately by Trew’s voice. His writing has a rhythm that swings between wild comedy and gut-punch sadness, and that constant shift kept me hooked. Some chapters had me laughing at his absurd family stories, while others had me pausing to let the weight of what he endured sink in. The mix is unusual, but it works. He doesn’t let the pain take over, and he doesn’t let the jokes cheapen the truth either. At times, I found myself frustrated with the sheer cruelty he describes, but then he’d toss in a line of dark humor, and it felt like sitting in a pub listening to a mate tell a story he can only tell because he survived it.
There were moments where the writing felt a little jagged, but that roughness actually added to the authenticity. It made me feel like I was being trusted with unpolished truths rather than a neatly packaged memoir. I also found myself admiring his willingness to talk about shame, resentment, and fear without dressing them up. His honesty struck me as both brave and disarming. The book reminded me that family histories are rarely tidy, and sometimes the best way to survive them is to laugh at the madness and keep moving forward.
By the time I reached the final chapters, I felt both drained and strangely uplifted. This isn’t a book for someone who wants a gentle or inspirational memoir. It’s for people who appreciate raw honesty, gallows humor, and the messy beauty of a life that didn’t follow the script. If you’ve ever grown up feeling like the odd one out, or if you’re drawn to stories that reveal both the scars and the resilience of childhood, this book will resonate.
Pages: 278 | ASIN : B0FGKN1M47
No Filter: From Skateboard Kid to Entrepreneur
No Filter tells the story of a man who grew up in a home marked by abuse, found escape in skateboarding, entered the Army at 19, and lived through combat, trauma, and broken relationships before turning his pain into purpose. Author William Stephens lays out his journey with raw honesty. He doesn’t hold back on the violence he witnessed as a child, the battles he fought overseas, or the mistakes he made as a father and husband. Woven through it all is the growth of his platform, 1821 Productions, a community built on giving voice to those who feel unheard.
The writing itself isn’t polished or pretty, and that’s what makes it powerful. The short bursts of thought, the blunt admissions, the cursing when softer words won’t do. It all feels alive and immediate. I could hear his voice in every sentence, like he was sitting across from me, telling it straight. Sometimes the stories are hard to read because of the pain inside them, but that rawness makes them believable. It’s the opposite of a filtered memoir. At times, I felt frustrated with the choices he made, especially in how he treated his family, yet I also felt the weight of the demons he carried. That mix of honesty and imperfection made me respect the story even more.
What also stood out was the message underneath the chaos. Stephens isn’t asking for pity; he’s asking people to listen, to learn, and to keep going. His thoughts on credibility, leadership, and authorship resonated with a kind of tough love I didn’t expect. He’s not telling readers how to be successful. He’s warning them about the traps, the scammers, and the fake promises that he himself fell for. I could feel his hope that others might avoid the same scars. That blend of hard lessons and encouragement gave the book a surprising warmth, even when the stories got dark.
I’d recommend No Filter to anyone who values real, unvarnished storytelling. It’s not for readers looking for smooth prose or neatly tied-up endings. This is for people who want the truth, spoken in a voice that shakes but doesn’t quit. Veterans, struggling parents, survivors of abuse, and even aspiring writers will find something here to hold onto. It’s a tough book, but it’s also a hopeful one, and I’m glad I read it.
Pages: 80 | ASIN : B0FNZ89LND
Meaningful Work Is Messy Work
Serving the Leftovers shares with readers your journey from a fractured marriage and unfulfilling jobs into a life defined by compassion, chaos, and canine companionship. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I thought I was simply documenting the brutal mathematics of animal rescue—the endless cycle of intake and loss that defines the South’s overpopulation crisis. But somewhere between chronicling emergency calls and heartbreak, I realized I was excavating something deeper: the emotional archaeology of a life rebuilt from scratch. People think we just “like” dogs, but I was drowning in stories I couldn’t tell at dinner parties—stories that revealed I’d been rebuilding myself one rescue at a time, transforming from someone just existing through disappointment into someone living with purpose. The book became my way of honoring both the dogs we’ve saved and the ones we couldn’t, while showing readers that animal rescue isn’t charity work—it’s emergency medicine for a crisis most people never see. It is also proof that transformation can happen to anyone brave enough to follow what calls to them, no matter how impossible it seems.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I realized I’d documented a blueprint for quiet revolution—completely reimagining your life when everything feels impossible. The core message: the life you’re meant to live is already speaking to you. For me, it was that first dog I couldn’t turn away from. Each rescue was the universe saying, “This is your work.” Transformation doesn’t require permission or perfect timing. I started with a fractured marriage—hardly ideal conditions for a life-changing mission. Stop waiting for readiness that never comes. That thing pulling at your heart isn’t a hobby—it’s your next chapter trying to get your attention. Sometimes you have to trust the pull toward something that makes no logical sense.
Ultimately, our vision isn’t too big. Our current life is too small.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
Untangling the Beautiful Mess
The biggest challenge was trying to impose narrative order on what felt like controlled chaos—how do you create a coherent storyline when one day you’re fielding divorce calls while having an epiphany about purpose? Writing forced me to connect dots I’d been too busy living to notice—that every dog that changed my life had arrived exactly when I needed the lesson they carried, and that I hadn’t just been saving dogs, I’d been saving myself, one rescue at a time, building the person I needed to become to handle the life I was meant to live.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope readers walk away understanding that meaningful work is messy work—and that’s not a bug, it’s a feature. I want readers to stop waiting for a calling that comes without complications. The work that will transform your life isn’t the work that fits neatly into your existing schedule or makes sense to everyone around you. It’s the work that demands you become someone bigger than who you were yesterday—and becoming bigger always involves growing pains. The unglamorous parts aren’t obstacles to your dream—they ARE the dream. The sleepless nights, the impossible decisions, the moments when you’re too emotionally spent to remember why you started—that’s not evidence you’ve chosen wrong. That’s proof you’ve chosen something worth the fight.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
James Dean: An American Icon
When I picked up James Dean: An American Icon, I expected another glossy tribute to the Hollywood rebel who burned bright and left too soon. What I got was a detailed and surprisingly intimate look at Dean’s rise, struggles, and enduring legacy. The book walks through his early years in Indiana, his faltering start in California, his transformative move to New York, and, of course, his brief but legendary Hollywood career with East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant. Brennan doesn’t shy away from Dean’s flaws, his mood swings, his stubbornness, his combative nature, but he also makes clear why Dean’s presence electrified audiences in a way that hasn’t quite been matched since.
Reading about James Dean’s close relationship with his mother, followed by the devastating impact of her death from cancer when he was only nine years old, carried a profound emotional weight. Brennan convincingly links this formative loss to Dean’s later restlessness and at times reckless ambition, and that connection resonated with me strongly. The scene in which Dean reads the 23rd Psalm to his dying mother was particularly affecting, leaving me in thoughtful silence. It served as a poignant reminder that behind the iconic figure of Hollywood’s brooding rebel was a young man who continued to long for stability throughout his life.
I also loved the sections about Dean’s relentless push to carve out an acting career in New York. Brennan captures his raw hunger in those years, washing dishes, living at the YMCA, and taking tiny roles just to keep himself afloat. The anecdote about Dean working as a stunt tester on Beat the Clock, practicing silly tasks until he mastered them, made me smile. It showed his obsessive streak but also his refusal to quit. And when Brennan describes Dean writing to his young cousin Marcus Jr., warning him not to draw prisons and weapons but to draw trees and animals instead, I saw a softer, gentler James that doesn’t usually make it into the legend.
Of course, the Hollywood chapters are the most exciting, and Brennan delivers them with energy. I especially enjoyed the behind-the-scenes glimpses of Rebel Without a Cause. The way Dean pushed against Nicholas Ray’s direction, the way he made a scene electric even when he ignored the script, it made me feel like I was there on set, watching history being made. Brennan also notes how critics dismissed him at first as a Marlon Brando knockoff, only to eat their words after Rebel and Giant. I found myself almost cheering for Dean while reading these pages. It’s hard not to admire someone who stayed true to his craft, even if it made him “difficult.”
By the end, I felt both inspired and a little hollow. Inspired because Dean really did change cinema, Brennan shows how he gave voice to young people’s discontent long before it was fashionable. Hollow because I couldn’t shake the thought of what roles he might have taken on had he lived past twenty-four. The chapter on his death is sobering, but the final chapter on his lasting impact balances it with hope, showing how his spirit still touches new generations.
I’d recommend James Dean: An American Icon to anyone who loves film history, but also to anyone curious about the messy, human side of stardom. It’s not just about the myth of James Dean, it’s about the boy, the actor, the rebel, and the artist. For me, it was both a celebration and a reminder that brilliance often comes with shadows.
Pages: 318 | ISBN : 1587906880
LITERARY TITAN 