Author Guest Post
The Spring of My Discontent (Part 1)
From time to time, someone will ask me about the inspiration for my book. I always share the following story:
I was visiting Barcelona for a short solo vacation. I had spent days imbibing the culture, the wine, and the food. And I was struck at how these people – people outside the States – often seemed content on less. I’m not suggesting they are happier than Americans; I’m saying they seemed content with less: fewer cars, smaller homes/apartments, more vacation, less obsessed with their 401K plans.
It made me wonder – what makes me content? And was I content with all I had done up to that moment? At the end of the journey – and not the European journey but life’s journey – would I be able to look back and be content with my life?
That introspection inspired the book.
I had said many times (since I was 10) that I wanted to write a book. Finally, I was compelled to finish it and to put a check mark beside one of the items on my “bucket list.” I was determined that I wouldn’t look back in “shoulda, woulda, couda.” I wouldn’t look back in discontent.
And the plot? Well it seemed natural that the plot should be about life’s journey – about being imperfect, about accepting ourselves and accepting others, about friendship and love, about mistakes … about striving to improve but trying to be content.
Fast forward 2-3 years, the book is published and reviews begin to come in. Some people love the book; others hate it. And while I cherish everyone who says, “I love this book, it reminds me of me and my friends,” and I value the feedback of all those who despised the book, in the end it’s about neither one. In the end, it’s about my journey, my step forward, my work to do all the things I should and I that can. Is that easy? Definitely not. But I know that the world holds a beautiful tapestry of diverse people who are meant to be enjoyed. That life is a journey, while fraught with danger, is meant to be taken, and that contentment and happiness – the kind that comes from giving – is meant to be pursued fiercely.
So I will strive to know my character. Continue to improve and connect with others. Find contentment. Be happy.
May you do the same, Dear Reader; may you do the same.
About The Author
You can find him wandering around his loft most times of the night. His friends say his sarcasm belies a warm heart and he's tried MATCH.com not once but twice.
Sometimes Ya Gotta Laugh is his first novel. It's a fictional story of love, friendship, acceptance, and the journey we take to make ourselves better each day. He hopes that those who purchase it will enjoy reading it as much as he enjoyed writing it.
AUTHOR WEBSITE
GOODREADS
Book Review
Sometimes Ya Gotta Laugh by Timothe Davis
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: May 16, 2012
Format: Paperback - 302 pages / Kindle - 965 KB
ISBN: 0615602150
ASIN: B008475DHG
Genre: Chick Lit / Romantic Comedy
BUY THE BOOK: Sometimes Ya Gotta Laugh
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Jordan thought that their friendship would last forever. But with each day, they drift further apart. Should he fight for the friends who have become his family? Or has the season of their friendship past?
Set to the soundtrack of his life, Jordan Spencer will learn that in a world full of sex, lies, and drag queens, that even the best of friends occasionally lie to each other. Sometimes they cry for each other. But in the end, sometimes ya just gotta laugh."
Book Excerpt:
Alicia once said that I needed to share. I wasn't ready.
I've dated women who interpreted my lack of sharing, and the entire male species lack of sharing, as being a detached and unemotional creature.
What is this bullshit that men are a stoic species from another world, adhering to the edicts of ESPN, our sole mission being to practice procreating?
The Church of ESPN is powerful and good. And I don't know a guy who doesn't enjoy practicing the procreation process. But stoic? That's a behavior learned from social programming. Dad teaches it, brothers teach it, the guys on the football field teach it, the Church condones it. Truth is, men are some of the most emotional people I know. Raw emotion rages right beneath the surface – tears, angers, confusion, frustration, sadness. But we are always told to control it. Men don't share and they don’t the cry. The poor slob who is introspective enough to be a communicator and in touch with his feelings get labeled as gay.
A five year old girl breaks her Barbie. She runs to Mommy who sweeps her up and says, “It's okay.” Okay to be sad and okay to cry. A five year old boy breaks his model train and just as Mommy sweeps him in her arms, Dad says, “Put him down, stop babying him.” And then he says to his son, “Stop crying. You'll get you another one. Big boys don't cry.”
And so the cycle has begun. Only to be repeated again.
And again.
And again.
Is it any wonder we struggle for words when a women says, “Tell me how you feel. Talk to me.” Are you serious? Here is what we are really hearing: Speak Latin.
Find the words of a language that is dead to us and articulate it fluently.
And that's why I wasn't ready to share. I was searching for words.
Besides, is not talking necessarily a bad thing?
I picked up the phone to call Alicia. Not to have the discussion but to hear her warm voice.
No answer. I left her a message, picked up the clicker, and caught the second quarter of the Mavs game. They were up 42-24.
I've dated women who interpreted my lack of sharing, and the entire male species lack of sharing, as being a detached and unemotional creature.
What is this bullshit that men are a stoic species from another world, adhering to the edicts of ESPN, our sole mission being to practice procreating?
The Church of ESPN is powerful and good. And I don't know a guy who doesn't enjoy practicing the procreation process. But stoic? That's a behavior learned from social programming. Dad teaches it, brothers teach it, the guys on the football field teach it, the Church condones it. Truth is, men are some of the most emotional people I know. Raw emotion rages right beneath the surface – tears, angers, confusion, frustration, sadness. But we are always told to control it. Men don't share and they don’t the cry. The poor slob who is introspective enough to be a communicator and in touch with his feelings get labeled as gay.
A five year old girl breaks her Barbie. She runs to Mommy who sweeps her up and says, “It's okay.” Okay to be sad and okay to cry. A five year old boy breaks his model train and just as Mommy sweeps him in her arms, Dad says, “Put him down, stop babying him.” And then he says to his son, “Stop crying. You'll get you another one. Big boys don't cry.”
And so the cycle has begun. Only to be repeated again.
And again.
And again.
Is it any wonder we struggle for words when a women says, “Tell me how you feel. Talk to me.” Are you serious? Here is what we are really hearing: Speak Latin.
Find the words of a language that is dead to us and articulate it fluently.
And that's why I wasn't ready to share. I was searching for words.
Besides, is not talking necessarily a bad thing?
I picked up the phone to call Alicia. Not to have the discussion but to hear her warm voice.
No answer. I left her a message, picked up the clicker, and caught the second quarter of the Mavs game. They were up 42-24.
My Book Review:
In his debut novel, Sometimes Ya Gotta Laugh, author Timothe Davis weaves a humorous and entertaining tale about the longtime friendship relationships between three friends: Jordan, Gabby and Chris. As the reader follows along with the life experiences and trials and tribulations of the three friends, it is a realistic portrayal of the changing dynamic within friendships that happens over time, everyone can relate to it and snicker as they remember their own friendships.
The author makes it so easy to connect with the three friends, the snapshot of a year in their lives reflects their experiences, struggles, and dilemmas, there is a great mixture of humor and emotion throughout the story that makes it so much fun to follow along.
I loved that each chapter started with song lyrics that relates to the narrative within that chapter, it set the tone for the characters' experiences that was very apropos and thoughtful. The author tackles some very sensitive social issues within the story: intimacy, domestic abuse, addiction, sexual orientation, and various relationship dynamics; all situations that are realistic and easy for the reader to relate to. Who hasn't ever wondered about their friendships and the lengths that they would go to maintain the ties that bind them together? As we all journey through our life experiences, we experience the full gamut of emotions, and the author's take on the best way to get through life is sometimes ya gotta laugh is right on the mark!
Sometimes Ya Gotta Laugh is a thought provoking and humorous take on friendships that could be a soundtrack from everyone's life!
RATING: 4 STARS ****
Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway
Win Jewelry Valued At $100
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Tour Schedule:
February 18 – Chick Lit Club Connect – Guest Post
February 19 – A Blue Million Books – Q&A & Excerpt
February 24 – The Book Fetish Blog – Review & Q&A
February 25 – Christy’s Written Word Love – Excerpt
February 27 – Sweets Books – Q&A & Excerpt
February 28 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
March 3 – Samantha March – Q&A & Excerpt
Thanks for being in the tour!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to host the virtual book tour event. I really enjoyed reading this book, it is a wonderful debut for Author Timothe Davis. :)
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