If You Ever Need Me, I Won't Be Far Away by Bruce Farrell Rosen

If You Ever Need Me, I Won't Be Far Away by Bruce Farrell Rosen
Published By: Alma Rose Publishing
Release Date: October 27, 2011
Format: Paperback - 660 pages / Kindle - 1793 KB / Nook - 3 MB
ISBN: 0615499430
ASIN: B0062QOO6W
Genre: Memoir


About The Author:

An investment officer at a major financial firm by day, Bruce F. Rosen is an award winning writer by night. He has been featured in such venues as The San Francisco Chronicle, the Baseball Hall of Fame, and on the BBC with his slice of life pieces titled "Diary of  a Creative Banker". The father of two sons, he lives and works in San Francisco. 

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author's publicist in exchange for my honest review and for hosting a virtual book event on my book review blog site.

Virtual Book Event: On Thursday, June 7, 2012, author Bruce Farrell Rosen participated in a virtual book event with an Author Guest Post and Author Interview on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/author-guest-post-author-interview.html


Book Description:

This is the heartfelt memoir of award-winning writer Bruce Farrell Rosen. As Rosen faces the unraveling of his marriage, he delves deeply into the nature of his greatest loves - for his psychic mother, his wife of 25 years, his two talented sons, music, world travel and exploration in all of its forms. Rosen offers a road map for all of us who are struggling with life's momentous problems to come to terms with all that has been given us and to prepare for what may be in store. Ultimately, it is a book about joy, the memory of joy, and the joy we carry with us.

My Book Review:


If You Ever Need Me, I Won't Be Far Away is a beautifully written memoir by Bruce Farrell Rosen documenting the meaningful memories in his life. Written in a journal style, the author takes us through the memorable times of his life: his loving relationship with his mom; his marriage, family life and divorce; and the life lessons learned from the choices and decisions that he had made as the years went by. This is an insightful look back on his life, thoughtfully written to show how he coped with the various challenges that life threw his way: the joys, the sorrows, the disappointments. It is his hope that by reading the memoir, the reader will be able to find the joy in their lives.

The title of the memoir was the last thing that the author's mother said to him before she passed away, and the author lovingly pays homage to his beloved mom, Alma throughout the book. I personally loved reading his memories about his mom, it took me back to my loving relationship with my deceased mom. There is nothing more precious than the love shared between a mother and child through the years, and Bruce eloquently captures it in a beautiful way that honors his mom's memory.

The author also shares the adventures he's had over the years: London, Paris, Costa Rica, Florence, Bangkok, New York, San Francisco and riding the rails across country. This world traveler certainly led an adventurous life, and reading his accounts was like a fun behind the scenes travel guide of events and scenic locations.

He also offers his thoughts on such topics of sports, philosophy, religion and economics (the financial crisis) in a educational and insightful array of essays that provides the readers with some food for thought.

I think what I liked most of all in this memoir is the author's love for music and the references of the songs that defined the music of his life. I think it's true that as a person looks back upon their life, a lot of the memories are brought forward through the songs/bands that capture those snapshots in your life.

If You Ever Need Me, I Won't Be Far Away is a thoughtful memoir that will encourage the reader to contemplate their own lives. It is the author's hopeful message that through all of life's challenges, adversities and lessons, the reader will become empowered to find the joy in each day of their life.


RATING: 4 STARS ****