Tag books

‘Just a Regular Boy’ Is No Regular Book

Reg Spittle Leave a comment

No spoilers here. Except for one: Just a Regular Boy could spoil you by setting a bar so high you may have trouble topping it in your future reading.

The book, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, grabbed me from the opening pages and, days after I finished it, I still feel its pull.

Remy Blake is five years old and has lost his mother when his survivalist father moves him to a remote Idaho cabin devoid of modern facilities. His father tells Remy he is finally free, but that he should fear the world and trust no one. In fact, he and his son stay sealed off from the outside.

You will cheer, worry, and feel his fear as the boy takes on the characteristics of a feral animal. When his dad’s heart gives out, Remy is just seven years old, and when he runs out of supplies, he must venture into the “evil” world. His dad’s old truck is his only way out, but he is too short to drive and crashes off a road, breaking his leg, adding to the broken ribs he sustained while trying to survive.

Remy fights for his life, even as he wonders if it is worth living. He is desperate and the depth of his character reveals itself. Will anyone help him? Will the goodness at the core of his heart find a chance to shine? A warning: If you are determined to keep your eyes dry, Remy Blake’s story may not be for you.

Hyde, who has penned more than 40 books, is the author of Pay it Forward, which was adapted into a motion picture. You’re right; I look forward to reading more of her books.

Now Read This: Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

Reg Spittle Leave a comment

I have joined enthusiastic readers around the globe in applauding Matt Haig’s books. He creates characters and stories with intriguing themes and compelling stories.

Reasons to Stay Alive is Matt Haig’s very personal story. He opens his heart and his mind as he describes his long battle with depression and anxiety. His book presents important realities about mental illness and overflows with strategies he has tried over the years. He writes that other people’s stories of suffering and survival have comforted him.

Here is a taste of the book’s topics:

Depressives don’t seek happiness; they seek to be free of pain. They feel like no one is going through what they face.

Anxiety added to depression can be a deadly cocktail.

Why do so many more men than women commit suicide?

Mental illness is just as much an illness as cancer, so don’t tell someone who is suffering to “cheer up.”

Travel and exercise can be antidotes to some symptoms.

The world is designed to make us feel like we need more, leading some to become depressed and/or anxious. Happy people are not good for the economy. The more we join the race to acquire stuff, the more it makes life speed by, effectively shortening it.

There are ways to slow down the mind and reduce anxiety. The book includes a list.

A thin skin is an enemy of mental wellness.

It is impossible to think just happy thoughts, but it is possible not to become the bad thoughts if you accept all your thoughts.

If you want to explore related books, Anxiety Relief by Russell Kennedy and Toxic Positivity by Whitney Goodman are two I have reviewed that complement Reasons to Stay Alive. Drop me a note or comment on this post if you have other books to recommend.