Relationships Books

This book outlines a simple and positive approach to maintaining intimacy with loved ones. It encourages us to look to the innate wisdom we all possess for answers to life's questions. Pransky's work is based on the inspiration provided by Syd Banks. I have been fortunate enough to attend a number of workshops led by Dr. Pransky and his associates and I came away with an awareness that has revolutionized my life. My partner and I love and cherish one another and we read this book to help us make things even better between us.
Sadly, the book was shipped in very wasteful packaging, a practice followed by too many Amazon sellers in this time of increasing shipping costs.

This book is really awesome because it's very positive and made me much more hopeful about my relationship and actually spurred me to set a date for my wedding!

bought a present for a member of the family - Amazon made it easy and affordable

As CEO Coach, Poet and author of a leadership book that helps leaders unleash their genis, the genius of teams and the genius of corporations, I have found the teachings in this book to be of great help to my marrage, but also useful in coaching CEO's who are having problems with team members. The Relationship Handbook is a great work and should be required reading before marrage, or if you are having problems with anyone in your life. Paul David Walker Unleashing Genius: Leading Yourself, Teams and Corporations

This book is a classic. To a great extent it is about building and maintaining a positive outlook on others, and really about everything that comes to us. Highly recommended.

This was a hilarious book and I laughed throughout the whole thing. I think it is meant to be more humorous than an accurate test of personality. I had a lot of fun with this book.

I have seen the author perform and she's awesome. But writing and performing are very different disciplines. I have to say I was blown away by how funny she is on the page. Amazing. The jokes come rapid fire. I think the "relationship" theme is great but people should be aware it's not serious selp-helpy, it's just really really funny, for men and for women. It's the perfect gift for any friend who has gone through dating madness... and who hasn't?

Lots of fun, somewhat helpful

Not only did I laugh out loud at every page - but I actually gained insight into my relationship! This book is extremely well written, irreverent, and speaks to smart funny women. Buy it and enjoy!

Even an old married lady like me had a few things to learn from this hilarious take on heterosexual romance. If you've seen Allison's standup or "one woman, two backup dancers" shows, you'll recognize the wacky, knowing tone. (And if you haven't, shame on you.)

One thing that keeps book reviewing an interesting task is the sheer variety of the books I am privileged to read. In the past month I've read biographies, theology and devotionals. I've read about marketing the church, reclaiming the church and new ways of doing church. And now I've read about singlehood, admittedly a topic I know little about. Because my wife and I began dating when I was eighteen and we married when I was twenty-one, I have difficulty relating to the situations of men and women who find themselves single or single again in their late twenties, early thirties and beyond. Because of this I assumed that Single Servings by Lee Warren would have little to offer me. But it turns out that I was wrong.

Single Servings is a devotional book targetted at single adults. Author Lee Warren ministers to singles as a columnist for Christianity Online. He has been published in several other publications and often travels to speaking engagements. He is well-qualified to write a book to challenge and encourage other singles.

I must admit that because my schedule did not allow me to spend 90 days on a single book, I read the entire book in just a couple of days. I felt afterwards like I had eaten 90 single servings in only a couple of sittings. While I enjoyed it, I know I would have been able to digest more of the book if I had been able to read it the way it was intended.

The book is divided into nine parts: Community, Completeness, Emotional Health, Physical Desires, Longing For Love, God's Timing, No Fair, Expectations and Embracing Life. Each of the 90 chapters follows a typical devotional format. It begins with a verse of the Bible and that is followed by the author's reflection. There are also five questions that help apply that day's text.

A chapter that especially caught my attention is one entitled "Our Spiritual Act of Worship," in which Warren discusses the satisfying of physical desires. He writes, "Why then do we as singles dwell on what we're missing? God's people have no rights over their bodies. We have no right to demand that our physical desires get met. God is happy to do so within the context of marriage, and someday he may choose to give us a spouse. But until then we can show our love for him by laying our physical desires on the sacrificial altar as an act of worship. And in so doing, we will experience the joy and contentment that always come from sacrifice" (page 95). Insights like that are as valuable to a married man as to a single man. There are plenty of similarly valuable reflections throughout the text.

There are a couple of areas I might suggest some improvement. I would liked to have seen some serious interaction with Paul's statement about those who are given the gift of celibacy and how these people differ from those who are single because God has not yet seen fit to bless them with a spouse. The author also writes quite often about hearing God or listening to God's voice, but without indicating whether this is to be done only through Scripture or whether he refers to hearing God's voice through subjective impressions and so on. Clarity in this matter would have been useful. An index of Bible passages would also be welcome for later reference. And while I'm putting together a wishlist, the gratuitous mention of Mother Teresa on the last page could also disappear without harming the book's impact.

I found this to be a valuable book, not only in edifying me, but also in helping me to understand the unique challenges faced by singles. Warren works well within a restrictive format. He is transparent without being exhibitionist, vulnerable without being whiny. He does not back down from presenting a serious challenge to single adults. At the same time, he does not offer them false hope or allow them to bemoan their condition. He rightly sees singlehood as an opportunity for great blessing and unrestricted service to the Lord. Singlehood, while it may be difficult, can and should be a great blessing to the church. And Warren clearly hopes that all singles who read his book will accept this challenge. I am happy to recommend this book.

The devotionals in this book lift you up and help you to realize, you really are not alone. So many churches aren't really addressing the issues of singles, but this book does not back off from any of them. I love the "Digging Deeper" questions into the Bible passages at the end of each devotion. If you are single, for whatever reason, or you know someone who is--this is the book. Get it.

I wish this book had been around when I was single. Warren's devotionals are insightful, thought-provoking, and above all, encouraging. It's tough to be single when you're surrounded by couples and families, but Single Servings points out that God's plan is perfect for everyone, and His timing is always the best. Highly recommended.

Lee Warren's Single Servings lives up to its subtitle as it filled this single's soul. While so many singles' books-even in the Christian market-are focused on finding your mate or becoming the perfect mate for someone in the future, Lee's focuses on our value as singles, our lives in the here-and-now, and how we in this season of singleness can live our lives to the fullest, complete in Christ.

From dealing with the longings we face and nosy relatives who question our marital status to being content as singles and allowing God to use us in amazing ways, Lee's book encouraged and inspired me to use this time for God's glory. Lee urges readers to not put their lives on hold for marriage, but to live life to its fullest where God has you right now! While I still pray for a future mate and family, I can honestly agree with the author's closing devotion-"I Like Being Single!" A must-read for Christian singles!

Lee Warren makes every word count in each of these power-packed devotionals for single adults. In a culture that questions people's singleness, this book is truly a gift to anyone whether they have chosen to remain single or are waiting for God's choice of a mate. Single Servings uses scripture, true-life stories, biblical examples, and thought-provoking questions, to help singles find their satisfaction in Christ.

Single Servings is one of the most relevant, well-written books on the market for single adults. Every single adult ministry needs to buy this book by the case to use for small group discussion or individual study.

i loved this book. i couldn't put it down. i highly recommend that anyone trying to have kids or already has them read it. it gives you lots of stuff to think about.

Touching book about conceiving and the messages and lessons our children-to-be have for each of us. A gem of a book filled with wonderful stories that make you realize there is so much more to being born and coming into the world. What a gift to read and share. Great insight into abortion, adoption, pregnancy and fertility issues.

I purchased this book because the name caught my eye. I have been trying to concieve for a few years and i am trying to figure out why i haven't been successful. Though i cannot say i am pregnant yet (i haven't had a chance yet since i just got the book a few weeks ago!), it is well worth reading. The author gives lot of examples of couples and their "babies" and different reasons the babies weren't coming. It is easy to read and i finished it in just a few days. Anyone who wonders why they were adopted or what happens when a miscarriage occurs should read this book.

This is a warm, happy book that will help you understand that you will receive the baby you are meant to have, no matter how it comes to you.

This is an absolutely excellent book, it was referred to us after the loss of our twin boys at 23 weeks. Even my husband, the biggest skeptic in the world loves this book. I would have given it 5 stars, but I found the chants a bit airy fairy. We often feel the presence of our sons and feel that they will visit us again in the future when their time has come. There really is something in here for every parent, adoptive parents, parents who have lost a child, parents trying to concieve.

This book kept me interested. It is a pretty good read. There were alot of errors in the book but other than that it was okay. I am kinda of curious about the sequel.

Kevin is an author suffering from writer's block.To get his creativity flowing for the next story he heads back to his hometown of Chicago.His ex-girlfriend Yolanda shows up and from there that's when all the drama begins.All I have to say is if you haven't read it, you will not be disappointed.You will find out just how crazy Yolanda really is!This is my first time reading Darrin Lowery's work and I am looking forward to reading the sequel Still Crazy II and his other books!!

I have read all of Darrin Lowery's novels. I must say that he is doing his thang on each novel.If you haven't had the pleasure of reading any of his novels. Please do so,you will not be dissappointed.

This book had a lot of drama in it and I liked that. As an author from the windy city myself, I truly liked the book. I enjoyed the descriptions of the city, the way that the lead character thought as well as the storyline itself. This was a story about life, love, drama, infidelity and forgiveness. The love scenes were detailed (they keep your attention) and the mini stories of things going on in the hood were off the chain. The descriptions were written in a way that you could picture the events as anyone's neighborhood from the 5th ward in Houston to Compton to the Bricks on the east coast. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Due to lack of payment of royalties for the second quarter, I am asking that my readers NOT purchase this version of "Still Crazy" This fall I will re-release the title under the same name but the ORIGINAL cover. For those of you that have been waiting, I will also release the sequel, "Still Crazy II" Crazy About You. I will make improvements on the original "Still Crazy" and have someone do the editing that the publisher didn't. For more information about Darrin Lowery or copies of "Still Crazy" that you would like to purchase, visit Darrin Lowery's website.

How you sing the song of so many women... It was awesome. A definite page turner. A phenomenal read that hit home. I couldn't put it down. Thank you for the ride MJ! Awesome!!

I was totally caught up in this book and read it completely in one sitting! Thank you for sharing the events of your life. We all have stolen moments and I am not sure that I would have the courage to share mine. This is a great testimony that could help heal others who are struggling with their own stolen moments.

I could not put it down from the moment I turned the first page. The ability to share the personal love and the pain caused from a relationship in your first book is absolutely remarkable. Opening up to this degree, personally, not only takes courage, but also is a testament to your trust in Almighty God...a lesson for us all! I look forward to the "rest of the story"!

"Stolen Moments" is an excellent novel. This book should not only reference Male-Female relationships, but it reference just plain ole friendships; because alot of times in our lives we spend so much of our time trying to fit our lives into the lives of other people that is not even interested in us.
These are stolen Moments away from our own lives, that we will never be able to recapture again, even though we learn from them.
If we begin to focus on what is important from the beginning then we would not be looking for countless moments that we can't recapure. Our main focus is God of course and we should look for things and people that will bring productivity to our lives.

I had the opportunity to read "Stolen Moments", once I started I couldn't stop. I finished the book in one day. This book really makes you think of all the time you say "what if I would have done this instead of that". I enjoyed the entire book. This is a recommend read. Oprah, this one is a definite for the Book Club.

Marlon (Tony) Ball
Charleston SC

This book is a wonderful mixture of fictional literature combined with the political backdrop of the reunification of Germany and an insider's view of the classical music world as seen through the eyes of a student conductor, Cooper Barrow, a conservatory dropout returning to his first love, although the challenges he faces are significant. The story follows Mr. Barrow's studies with a master conductor suffering from his own demons, in Germany where the culture, language and methods are not familiar, where he falls in love with a fellow musician, which of course has its own complications. The book is extremely well written, and is a pleasure to experience, sweeping the reader into the world in which Mr. Barrow is trying to make his mark. He is tormented by his teacher, trying to learn all he can under extremely difficult conditions pitted against other student conductors in an overly competitive environment, always with the fear of failure hanging over his head. The lessons he learns take him to new heights in his musical endeavors, forever changing his perceptions of music, and through his affair, his perceptions of life.

There is a bootcamp sort of relationship between our protagonist and his tough German professor who has been through the worst of Hitler's attrocities. Both wounded geniuses need a little bit of love and a chance to realize their true talents and role as real players in the world of concertmasters. A female oboeist from Eastern Germany plays a role in both of their lives while she deals with her own deamons escaping from the East. There is real passion in the romance that occurs, but the over-riding theme seems to be the affects of the pain and suffering that some of the Germans have lived through during the reign of communism and Hitler.

Sometimes, the story seemed a bit harsh and strained, although in the end, I think it was very realistic and the outcome certainly not a stretch. And for a non-musician, there is huge and interesting insight into the world of musicians and the huge effort and talent it takes to get to the top.

Identity and power characterize both the themes of The Student Conductor and the writing itself. Ford knows the world of classical music profoundly. Everything is depicted correctly. Astonishingly, he simultaneously captures the tremulous mindset of an American in 1989 Germany. This is a novel in the mold, curiously, of Faulkner. It is about a time and a place, but it is mostly about memory and love. Like Faulkner, Ford explores both individual and collective experiences of history as well as of life and music. While perhaps not quite on Faulkner's plane, Ford is a superb writer, though given to the occasional stiff turn of phrase. This is an extraordinary novel, and ranks with Frank Conroy's Body and Soul as one of the best fictional depictions of the world of classical music.

BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT. This for me was one of those rare books that one cannot put down. I love this book. The story keeps you involved and surprised at many of the twists and turns. Mr. Ford has managed to convey such emotion through his magnificent descriptions of the times, the music, the little know world of the conductor, wonderful descriptions of the German scene and on top of all that gives us beautiful love scenes and the tragedy and politics of Nazi Germany. Bravo Mr. Ford. Your book was a true gift.

After finishing 'The Student Conductor' and replacing the dust jacket, I noticed that the front flap contained a blurb comparing its author, Robert Ford, to John Fowles. I hadn't thought of that but instantly agreed on seeing it. In fact, make it a blend of Fowles and Erich Ambler. Mr. Ford's writing exudes erudition and clever insights without even a hint of showing off or straining for effect. He effortlessly creates an authentically European ambiance and engages the reader with his characters' (and his own?) finely-tuned sentiments contrasting today's healthy Germany with its profoundly divided and dysfunctional predecessor during the cold war. In this setting Ford weaves an Ambler-like tale of intrigue involving a promising American apprentice conductor, a brilliant but unstable teacher who seems bent on surreptitiously destroying his best pupils, and a beautiful oboist with an enigmatic past.

But that's not all. Ford delivers much more than just an engaging yarn to anyone who might be curious about the trade secrets of conducting, the ambitions and anxieties of classical musicians, and the nuts and bolts of orchestra management. He has mastered the technique of using professional jargon and recondite references in such a way that the reader is gradually drawn into the psyche of the protagonist (Cooper Barrow, the student conductor) and begins to acquire an enhanced musical understanding that feels real. And in fiction, the feeling is what counts. I confess to a little thrill of edification on learning that the famous tuning note A-440 actually vibrates 443 times per second.

A trio of tiny glitches stands out only because the book is, overall, so perfectly crafted. On page 15 "lay" is used where "lie" belongs. On page 216 "lay" again appears where "laid" should be, and on page 231 "affect" incorrectly takes the place of "effect."

Mr. Ford's first novel is a treat on several levels and I am glad to recommend it with enthusiasm.

very good,worth reading,written by various people.....
enjoyable,gets you thinking,nice photographs too.
As you may or may not know African coyly hair is quite unique in vision, texture, behaviour and probably in chemical make up too. Coily haired women around the world, go to the most extremes in terms of spending.
(Spending time, spending pain and the spending price to have African coily hair styled)
A hairstyle that we believe looks good or will help us to become socially and economically advanced.
Or maybe for our own self-esteem and maybe to attract the charms of a love interest. Either way your hair is a reflection of the state of your consciousness, your internal beliefs and your relationship with the world.

This book is like having group therapy or interviewing other women,but it is not all black women's views.I am reviewng it because I think it is worth a read.

As you may or may not know African coily hair is quite unique in vision, texture, behaviour and probably in chemical make up too. Coily haired women around the world, go to the most extremes in terms of spending.
(Spending time, spending pain and the spending price to have African coily hair styled)
A hairstyle that we believe looks good or will help us to become socially and economically advanced.
Or maybe for our own self-esteem and maybe to attract the charms of a love interest.
Either way, psychologically and philosophically I believe that your hair is a reflection of the state of your consciousness, your internal beliefs and your relationship with the world.
What about exploring physics through african hair?
For example how much pressure, gravity and tension and tearing do we put our hair through by combing it?
let alone excessive harsh combing.
Mathematically speaking how many of you readers can tell me how many curls/coils per inch your hair has, and does it vary in coil and moisture?
Next question:When does the nature of the hair change and why?
(i know it does!)
It seems to me all these books on afro hair are good and I welcome it, but we still need to be more informed and they all seem to need better editing, just like Black American beauty magazines.I must campaign for better grammar and less air brushed photos!!!
It is as if we like to see ourselves falsely rather than the reality of what we are...
Black women need to demand more scientific reasoning from our books and be less competitive over black men which only fuels their egos and as a result probably creates more baby-mothers!!!
Sorry but I had to vent out my opinions.

I give this book four stars for the effort and time invested as a writer I know it takes time...
I maintain that it is still worth reading,more than any carcinogenic chemical so called hair treatment that you pay for.

Anyway what do I know I am a black african british woman!!!!
Most of you Americans think we in Britain have no trains or any kind of progressive development!!!
Anyway if I wrote my book answering my questions that I put to you how many of you would buy it?

This is a wonderful book for anyone who would like to explore the issues that Black women face vis a vis our hair from a variety of viewpoints; not just the "politicaly correct" ones.

The book was all that, very positive, and at times emotional (I'm thinking of the passage where a father is trying to figure out how to braid his daughter's hair since her mother is across the country. His trying, and eventually getting it right, turned into bonding sessions for them. It was beautiful.) Of course the book had my favorite culture critic, bell hooks, and as usual she gave me a new persepective: to look at the whole "perm" phenomena as initiation into womanhood. Just about any Black woman who was on the brink of adolescence and was dying to get a perm should relate to that. I did. That's what this book does, it helps Black women to see just how similar our trials have been with our hair; and it's not just a generational thing. Black women from 50 to 80 years ago had the same issues and thoughts Black teenagers have today. Everyone remembers hot combs and Goody pink rollers and Royal Crown grease. Looking back many women had feelings of remembered pain, and not just from the burns on the tips of their ears and on their scalps, but inside their hearts for our collective struggle with an unattainable beauty standard.
What I also admired about this book was that it touched on the subject of hair and erotic intimacy. There was a whole section devoted to hearing the responses of Black women and men when confronted with the bedroom question: Can I run my fingers through your hair? It showed a depraved relation to our hair. In order to get and keep that salon fresh look, sleek and shiny, it must not be touched (by you and most especially your lover). Hair does not bring pleasure in the sense of us luxuriating in how it feels. How can you when it's not even yours? Weave. A woman tells the story of a young man with whom she was getting intimate with, and he wanted to run his fingers through her seemingly long shiny tresses. The moment was interrupted when he felt the hard tracks on her scalp before she could effectively slap his touch away. "You have to train these men early," another woman admonishes, "not to touch the hair." A man married for over 20 years complains of his wife's hair roller pins always poking him when she's "going down on him." He also hates, but has gotten used to, her wearing a head scarf anytime they make love. It is described in the book as Black folks having perpetual menege trios, he, she, and the head scarf. Another man wakes up to his girlfriend's "100% Korean Hair" all over the bed and floor after an especially heated night; he later ends up paying $200 dollars to have it all put back in again. The women speak of not even wanting to touch their own hair, refering to it being "hard as a rock" from gels and hair sprays. It's all in the name of a certain look, the processed one. (It's this look that lured their mates in the first place right?) It's sad that Black women talk about orchestrating certain sex positions around not messing up their fresh 'do. "You don't even think about it after while." They compensate not allowing their men to touch their hair with confidence and boldness in their performance, "It's so good he won't even be thinking about touching my hair."

I love this book. It isn't just politics or just us behind closed doors. Every possible reference to what is done to our hair is mentioned, even going bald. A Muslim woman opened my eyes to how not showing her hair takes away from having to compete for attentions based on beauty standards of hair, by being above them. It reminds us that as women, we shouldn't let physical beauty define us, even though most times it does, and we let it. "Ms. Strand" tells her tale with humor, cultural criticism, African storytelling, and 'round tha way truthfulness, barring nothing from the conversation. Truly, Tenderheaded should not be passed over.

I expected to really enjoy this book, but was disappointed. Some of the stories/essays were very good, but some of them were poorly written and/or could have done with some serious editing. It might have been better if some of them had been omitted: the book would probably have been half as long, but the overall quality would have been significantly improved.

I was also disappointed by the way the book was laid out. It seemed jumbled and poorly conceived. Photos, illustrations and cartoons/comics were seemingly thrown in randomly, with little context or relation to the surrounding content. The graphic content of the book was good, but the layout just did not display it to full advantage.

The idea behind this book was a good one, but the execution could have been a little bit better.

This is a very unique book. I have to say I LOVED IT! My being a young black woman, all the stories hit close to home. This book gave a non-bias look at black women's hair, and black culture all around the world including here in America. It gave many view points, from men women, blacks and even whites. I recommed this book to anyone who is confused about their hair and themselves. Nappy is defiantly Happy!!!! Peace.

This is an good book that explores the relationships between mothers and daughters. New mothers should read it to understand how they can shape there daughters lives. This might make them think before the say negative comments to their children. It might give them ideas on activities to introduce to their children.

I loved the book.

When I picked up this book, I expected it to be about mothers and daughters who had really good relationships and were sharing information about such. Some of the tales were heart-wrenching and really make you appreciate who you have as a mother.

This mother's daughter is essays from daughter about their experience with their mother. The only thing is I wanted to read more from the mother's point of view.

BELLE Magazine January 2001

A remarkable woman of spirit and accomplishment, Nelvia M. Brady went from the Chicago projects to the highest levels of education in that city, being both the first African American and the first woman to serve as Chancellor of the City Colleges. Now she has pulled together a rich collection of anecdotes, advice, and just plain sass in a book called This Mother's Daughter. Her stories and recollections of the wisdom passed on from mothers to daughters in the African American tradition will strike chords with every woman who reads it. Sometimes the epitome of devotion, sometimes the scars of classic conflicts delineate these pages, and taken all together they comprise a wonderful evocation of the mother-daughter relationship. The striking cover is the work of Ophelia M. Chambliss, a fine artist whose work we would like to see more of. Brady self published this book and features it on her website www.thismothersdaughter.com adding entrepreneurship to all of her other achievements.

One of the strongest relationships that can shape and mold a young woman's life is the one between her and her mother. Nelvia M. Brady's "This Mother's Daughter" is a collection of real-life stories taken from the daughters of African American mothers. These stories reflect the good and the bad, the joyful and the painful, and the wisdom and messages that these daughters received from their mothers...and thus USED in order to try and make their own lives as women and mothers better. I was profoundly touched by these stories and found myself moved to smiles and tears as I read the words from these women, women taken from all walks of life, from the attorney to the administrative assistant, from the middle-class/upper-life to the poverty level, from the happy childhood to one of abuse and adoption. Each story will resonate a strong powerful message to mothers and daughters everywhere. The book ends with a section titled RECLAIM YOUR STORY that contains questions for readers to answer in order to reflect upon their own relationships with the women in their lives. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to every woman...It conjured up thoughts of my own loving, beautiful connection I have with my mother...and had with my grandmother, and made me truly appreciate the beauty of the ties that bind. Shonnell Bacon

Enough people have commented on the book, so I'll go to the personal part. The rumors of Mr. Kun's death are bizarre. I went to college (Johns Hopkins) with him, and at our 20th reunion last year he was alive and well.

I enjoyed "A Thousand Benjamins," but it's been so long that I can barely remember it anymore. What I do recall about it was that it included some of the funniest scenes in any novel I've ever read. Last summer, a friend e-mailed me a copy of a book called "The Locklear Letters" with a note that said, "You must read this. I defy you not to laugh out loud." It was, simply, the funniest thing I've ever read (including David Sedaris), but at the same time it was a very complex and touching story. For some reason, it took me several months to connect the dots and realize that it was the same author as "A Thousand Benjamins." In the last few months, I've told so many people about "The Locklear Letters," and I was always surprised when it didn't show up on amazon.com. Until today. Apparently, it'll be out in June. And, apparently, I'm not the only one who will be standing in line to get a copy. It is a comic masterpiece, pure and simple. Now, I only wish I could figure out if the author is still alive or not. These customer reviews are terribly confusing on that subject. Surely someone knows if he's still alive, right?

The first book written since his tragic death (a sporting accident, not a car crash), The Locklear Letters, will be published this spring. You can't review it yet, but believe me, I'd give it five stars - I got to read an advance copy, and I laughed my fill. What a funny guy Mike was. I know the ladies like the sensitive stuff, but man, he could make a guy laugh.
Also, there is the second novel written after his death waiting in the wings - I like that one even better. So it's good news for all us fans of Mike, even if it reminds us of a talent lost. And it should remind us to always wear a batting helmet, even in the slow-pitch cage. You knew me, Mike, and we miss you, bud.

I was just checking on amazon and saw that Mike Kun has a new book coming out in June called "The Locklear Letters." I've been smiling since the moment I saw that, and I imagine I'll be smiling until the book comes out! I can't pretend to be unbiased: I knew Mike back in college, have always thought that he was a PHENOMENAL writer, and, to my husband's dismay, I've had a mad crush on him for almost 20 years. Mike is probably the most talented person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, and people who have only had the opportunity to read "A Thousand Benjamins" are missing out on a lot. The same guy who wrote that sweet and tender book is also the hands-down funniest writer ever to walk on this planet. Anyone who's ever read his short stories knows that he has an impeccable sense of comic timing. God only knows whether "The Locklear Letters" will be one of his sweet books, or one of his funny ones (or both), but I have no doubt that it'll be terrific.

Last summer, my wife and I attended a wedding in Michigan. It was a lovely affair by all accounts, but there is one thing in particular that we will always remember, and that I suspect everyone else in attendance will always remember as well: the toast by the best man. The best man was a rather nondescript looking man in his mid-30s. Even now, I couldn't tell you what he looked like other than to say he was about 5'10" and had curly hair; he may have had glasses. When we were all gathered in the banquet room, he took the microphone and began to speak. And, for the next 10 minutes or more, he held us all in the palm of his hands like I've never seen before in my life. He was charming, he was witty (he told one joke about how the groom once claimed to like to brush up on his Spanish by watching CSPAN), he was self-deprecating, he paused at the right moments and for exactly the right length of time. He was, simply, brilliant. Then, when he had us laughing loud and long, when no one dared to move because they might miss something he said, he pulled the carpet out from us like a magician and ended with such a sweet and touching comment that left most people in tears. It was stunning, absolutely stunning, and he clearly understood that by making us laugh at first he was softening us up for the good stuff later. As soon as he was done, he was mobbed like some kind of pop star. I've never seen anything like it before, particularly at a wedding. Everyone had to talk to him. We asked who he was, and got a number of answers: he was Mike Kun, the groom's brother; he was some hot young trial lawyer; and, finally, someone said, "He's the best writer you'll ever meet, but he doesn't write anymore." My wife was too nervous to talk with him, but I grabbed his ear for about 5 minutes and left wishing I had a daughter to introduce him to. He's a remarkable young man, as I've since confirmed by reading "A Thousand Benjamins," his first novel. I've recently learned that he in fact hasn't stopped writing, and a new book called "The Locklear Letters" will be out shortly. I understand it's something of a comedy. If it's half as charming as his best man's toast, I'll bet it'll be a bestseller.