1. Shout “Pshaw!” into your computer screen?
2. Immediately commence composing a reply explaining how you aren’t really popular, just good at making it look as if you are, (in which case, you truly aren’t a good choice for book promotion)?
3. Melt into a pool of butter the likes of which Land O’Lakes has never seen?
(I did all three, but you already knew that.)
For those of you who weren’t previously hyper aware of this fact, I am woefully susceptible to flattery which is why, a number of email communiqués later in which I was mentally and emotionally “handled” (“manipulated” is far too evil a word to attach to this guy) with great skill, I agreed to do a review of said stranger’s book on my blog . . .
. . . even after making it pretty clear to him that I didn’t want to have anything to do with reviewing books on my blog b/c I am a total wimp who doesn’t want to lie but doesn’t want to hurt the feelings of others, either, and sometimes it just has to be one or the other . . .
. . .even after explaining to him how ever since I learned I was going to have a book between official published covers, my internal editor has been such a screaming meanie that I can’t even read fiction for my own personal pleasure without tossing the book across the room in disgust (Regency Gold by Marion Chesney excluded) . . .
. . . even after telling him that LDS fiction is SO not my thing (I am pretty sure I read Charly when in high school but it was b/c I was babysitting and bored and it was sitting there on the couch, those big eyes staring up at me through wisps of blonde bangs, and I loved it but hated the sequel and have never really read LDS fiction since) (I blame you, Jack Weyland) (though I’m pretty sure it’s my natural state of “deeply romantic idealist” that ruined Sam for me just as it has huge chunks of my life) and that surely there were plenty of other, more appropriate, choices for a stop on his book blog tour than me, myself and I.
Ummmmmmmm, where was I? Oh, yes! In spite of all of that, he still asked and I still said yes. Why? Because said stranger, heretofore to be known as (pay attention—you’re going to be hearing this name a whole lot more in the not too distant future) Braden Bell, is utterly charming and a shameless flatterer to boot, and b/c my susceptibility to flattery is a much larger flaw in my character than my rather recent inability to read a piece of fiction without my internal editor yelling in my head (which is actually getting better--thanks so much for asking). And you know what? I’m so glad I did!!!
(Official disclaimer: I have purposely been avoiding other reviews written about this book b/c I want mine to be utterly original even if it’s not (in which case, I don’t want to know about it) therefore these thoughts and comments are 110% mine alone (or not so alone, in which case, I am glad for Braden’s sake, who is—did I mention?—an utterly charming fellow who I am happy to be able to say “I knew him when”).
(Going into official book review mode, now.)
When I first heard the title “The Road Show”, I was expecting said book to be a comedy, because, let’s face it, what is there about a road show that isn’t a laugh a minute? It wasn’t until I saw the cover of the book that I got a good picture of what could be going on backstage and that it wasn’t going to be one of those “How the Ward Turns” kind of books (which I enjoy, by the way). I knew this was the author’s freshman publication and wasn’t exactly sure what I would be facing but wanted to have an open mind since it wasn’t so long ago that my freshman effort was published and I could really relate to what this author might be feeling.
My first reaction was one of relief. This guy knows how to hook the reader from paragraph one, how to paint a picture in the mind with deft strokes and how to write about LDS people without sounding as if it was written by someone with no other perspective than that of an LDS person (though, I had to kind of chuckle to myself that there was absolutely no swearing in this book even though a character in particular is involved in much deeper sin than the occasional expletive). (What can I say?--I wasn’t raised in Utah. That being said, I don’t swear, either.) Sensing that I was about to experience a highly enjoyable ride, I hunkered down and read the book from beginning to end in one sitting.
I don’t want to give away too much of this book b/c discovery of who the characters are is what this book is all about (and b/c I'm one of those who reads for many other reasons than "what the book is about" b/c I enjoy learning that as I read and am self-centered enough to assume everyone is like that). Therefore I will limit my comments to saying that:
1. this book is full of characters at least one of which every LDS person will be able to relate to in one way or another (and a story in which all believers of Christ and his mission here on earth will be drawn to, regardless of denomination)
2. if the characters were not drawn as specifically LDS, The Road Show would be the next The Christmas Box, complete with ensuing Hallmark Hall of Fame movie
3. the characters are so lifelike and relatable, they seem to jump from the page
4. it’s a Not To Be Missed Must Read book that is full of hope for one and all
5. I am particularly excited to read what Mr. Bell has in store for his next book.
Never heard of Braden Bell before now? Mark my words, it won’t be long before everyone in the LDS community will know his name.
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