Gravel on the Side of the Road-True Stories From A Broad Who Has Been There
3.5 star readI normally don't read a lot of nonfiction unless it pertains to topics I'm interested in (namely comparative religion, Islam, Muslims, tea, perfumery, aromatherapy, etc.), so when the opportunity came up to read Gravel on the Side of the Road - True Stories from a Broad Who Has Been There by Kris Radish I wasn't quite sure what to expect. To say that I was pleasantly surprised while reading this book is a major understatement.
Gravel On the Side of the Road is a collection of essays that spotlight different experiences in Kris Radish's life. Each essay stands alone and all are quickly read. Some essays made me smile – "Jesus Drives a Thunderbird," "The Turquoise Ring," and "The One Thing I Wanted." Some made me laugh – "Wong's Silver Spur, Dead Deer, and the Dance-Floor Stabbing." Others made me want to cry – "Even Now," "The Mothers in Bosnia," "I've Picked Out My Husband's New Wife," and "I Will Always Be Their Mother." All are presented without frills and unapologetically for a life lived without compromise. Each essay provides a fascinating glimpse into the amazingly wondrous experiences Ms. Radish has had over the years. I can't say that there were any essays that I didn't enjoy as they all provided me a little insight into Kris Radish, where she's been and why. Having said that, as a true book diva I think the essay that tops my favorite list is "Eudora Welty" where Ms. Radish has a fangirl moment with Ms. Welty and then proceeds to overcome it and be the professional journalist she dreamed of being (not to mention the wonderful writing advice she received from Ms. Welty). Whether you're a fan of nonfiction or not, Gravel on the Side of the Road is a wonderfully written collection of essays by an amazing woman and author. I highly recommend you add this to your TBR list . . . actually don't just add it to your TBR list, grab a copy and read it.
(NOTE: I guess I should give you a little warning that although the first essay is quite funny the last one may require that you grab some tissues.)
