Customer Reviews

Burning Embers and Other Stories of Marriage, Work, and Family

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first read the title, I wasn't sure what I was in for, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a delightful journey of a book. Really, many books in one, because each story comes alive all on its own.

These stories are warm, funny and infectious. Charlie has an unassuming way of moving through his stories with a bright eyed openness to whatever is about to happen next and the surprises are so close to home I feel like I am right there with it happening.

This is an uplifting series of stories that remind me of a very special time in my own life when my wife and I were just getting started together. It is a joy to read and I hope the author has more in store for us.

This is a wonderful book!!!!! Aside from being touched by these stories on a very PERSONAL level, having originated from the same part of the world (Pacific Northwest), and having been though a number of similar life experiences to those the author relates, this collection of anecdotes is to be savored by anyone, from anywhere, who enjoys a good laugh!

Charlie Close writes in a way that could not be considered ultra-polished. Instead, reading this book is more like sitting in a comfortable chair in one's own living room, perhaps with a group of friends, lingering over a good cup of coffee (Starbuck's, of course!), while listening to a master story-teller regale us with their best, funniest and sweetest moments in their life, tales told well, as in "life of the party." As one sits, listening and chuckling (often at the expense of the teller), one comes to realize how funny and good life can be. I consider reading this book as definitely time well spent!!! A really feel-good experience!

And who knows? This fellow COULD be the next Papa Hemingway (who, I might add, ALSO lived for a time in our part of the country!!).

"Burning Embers" is a pleasurable reading experience, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a joyful and positive book. Please do yourself the favor of picking up a copy at your earliest convenience, then settle into a comfortable chair, bring along your favorite munchie and beverage of choice, and spend a truly delightful couple of hours! While you're at the store, you should also grab several more copies for friends and family!!! This is a G-rated book, rather a rare find these days!! In fact, I think I have about half of my Christmas/birthday list just about filled out!

Bravo, Charlie! I truly hope to see more covers with your name on them! It was one of those books I hated to see come to a (please forgive the awful pun) Close.....

If Charlie Close's collection of true short stories is any indication, there's still room in the library for feel-good, misery-free literature. Thanks to Burning Embers, we can still treat ourselves to chuckle-worthy true stories that remind us of the good and not-so-good times, without all the darkness. Here we have a narrator who's not afraid to be himself, however embarrassing that may be at times, and who also isn't afraid to embark on a nutty adventure or five.

Makes a great vacation read, commuting read, or business travel companion. Told from a man's point of view, I recommend it to gentleman readers looking for something light, and it also makes a great gift for newly married or engaged couples.

If you need to laugh then curl up in a warm fuzzy blanket, add this book, and enjoy. Now you have all the ingredients to have a conversation with a funny friend (minus the friend in person- of course). Burning Embers and Other Stories of Marriage, Work and Family delivered as promised. Charlie Close relates tales of life in a voice that reminded me of stories often told at dinner parties full of friends who love to make people laugh. Close's stories were easy to relate to and will appeal to most adults with similar life experiences: moving cross-country, integrating with in-laws, job oddities, and so much more. As a fellow procrastinator and reformed slob I laughed along with Close's words as his wife patiently trained him to her liking much as my own husband has been doing with me in our first years of marriage. Close uses humor with a soft handed touch that made me smile, laugh, and feel good just like the conclusion of an evening among friends. I recommend you read this book in bits as the stories are too precious to be rushed through. The chapters are various lengths lending themselves to a quick read before ending a day. Now enjoy reading and make sure to share with friends who will appreciate the book as well- there is something about the book that screams "share me!"

Charlie Close is a master of the metaphor (and analogies too). This book of short stories about the life of Charlie, his wife Kathy, and their friends and family, is a hidden gem. He speaks about life in an enlightened way...knowing you can't take it too seriously. Close is seriously gifted with description, creating life stories that are very detailed. Some of the stories were extremely comical and I definitely had a few laugh out loud moments. There are a lot of notable observations that I was very impressed with because they made me think about things (such as packing) in a new way. I do agree that sometimes Kathy was portrayed as the "bad guy", but I don't think she was meant to be that way, and I'm sure she's lovely! I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it.

As I read the book the characters came alive and I felt like I was chatting with a friend who was telling me about some funny anecdotes in his life. I enjoyed the easy pace and simple narration. The book is very entertaining and the stories will make you chuckle. You can easily relate to the dynamics that plays out between the soulmates/companions. I would recommend this book to anybody looking for an enjoyable afternoon of happy thoughts and feel good reading.

This is a delightful book filled with smiles and giggles. Charlie has a way with words that will often make you do a double take--or double read--as he will slip little phrases in that you simply must re-read. His stories of marriage and getting to know and accept the one you love as they are should be required reading for all young couples. And a joy to remind those that have been married for a long time about the delight they found in each other early on.

Charlie has a gentle way of looking at the world, himself and all those around him. I found myself frequently laughing out loud as he related their adventures.

If you are looking for a gift to give a couple who are getting married, newly married, or long-time married, I would suggest this book. And I would also recommend it to people that are in a relationship, have been in a relationship or are even considering getting into a relationship! In other words, this is a light-hearted, joyful book that is easy for everyone to enjoy!

You will get good laughs out of this book. It's organized in small little stories that describe different funny events. I like this kind of books so I can still enjoy reading it even with interruptions. It's a good read even my 4 years old son liked it. He was interested in the cover as it is kind of cartoonish, so I started reading it for him. I was reading a story about playing cards and I guess the word play and cards got him interested. There were also some card sounds that he was laughing when I read it to him.

An interesting collection perhaps better suited as a local newspaper column. Quite funny and social, one needs to care about the characters and as a novel it is not quite there: as individual snippets it works in a clever fashion. Great little anecdotes of life reminiscent of Mel Ellis or Gerald Kloss' works.