Helpful Score: 6
I really enjoyed this book. The recolection of a childhood hazed by alcoholic relatives as well as a cloud over the writers memory was quite clear. Everyone wants a place you can go and feel like it is your family. This guy found that at a local bar.
Helpful Score: 6
What a stunning memoir this is - heartfelt, overflowing, with longing, topped off with joy... This book was too sad for me, but very well written,
Helpful Score: 4
JR does well at capturing the personalities of the corner bar that pretty much raised him. His reporter's sense keeps the narrative pretty much just the facts, ma'am, but they're pretty fascinating facts, especially for those who have a Friends bar they, too, call almost home.
Helpful Score: 4
A good read, but I was ready for it to be over long before the end of the book. I find the author to be a bit self-serving, especially concerning the obsession with his name, but all in all it's a good book.
Helpful Score: 3
I really enjoyed this memoir - this man has a big heart and great perspective on family, friends and all the "characters" he grew up with.