This Ain't Shakespeare...But It Sure Is Real: A Collection of Memories (Paperback)

~ Debra Conklin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What's this book about? You, me and every other woman that's turning forty and wondering, "When did this happen? How did I get here and what have I done with my life?" There's humor, happiness, love, loss and lust; kids, husbands, parents, and siblings. Main characters in this book include a tired old washing machine, an uncooperative bicycle, undergarments and barnyard animals. It's a book about life, living it, loving it and hopefully learning from it.

Product Details

• Paperback: 71 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica (November 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413745318
• ISBN-13: 978-1413745313
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,867,709 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome writing!, August 2, 2005

By	Jess Witney - See all my reviews

I've read a lot of nonfiction 'poetry/memoir' books and most make me want to gag, but Debra's book made me smile and nod my head in agreement. So many of the subjects she writes about are so real that more than likely we've all gone through them. She really knows how to get to the heart of things and make it all real again. I look forward to reading her next novel. If it's as good as this one, I'll be shelling out the bucks for it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Ain't Shakespeare...But It Sure Is Real, January 5, 2005

By	Denise Sawtell - See all my reviews

Denise Sawtell, author

Reading this book was like reading about a friend. It was so real. This Ain't Shakespeare..., absolutely captures the essence of the everyday woman. A juggling act of real life events. Debra Conklin has included stories from her childhood as well as her adult life. She has written how a washing machine can turn our day upside down by simply not working right to lost love and how to move on from it. There are uplifting words about her children, her family and nature. Her writing lets us visualize the beauty of a sunrise and how a flower garden, that finally blooms, can make the day seem just a little brighter. Debra knows about real life and describes it with finesse and wit. This book took my emotions on a roller coaster ride and I loved every minute of it. Ms. Conklin is a astute and observant writer and here's hoping we see more from this new talent.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning From Experience, December 28, 2004

By	Robert D. Holt (Mantua, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Debra Conklin is a self-employed mother of three from Maine who has felt more than her share of the pains of youth and growing older. In "This Ain't Shakespeare," her first collection of poems and essays, Conklin shares her memories of younger days and shows her readers how to turn life into a continued learning experience.

Debra Conklin has included items in this collection to which any reader may relate during their life's experiences. Along with stories about child rearing and love of family, she takes an introspective look back at learning some of the wrong things from her father, and explains how she copes with the loss of a brother. She also relates humorous tales about her ongoing battle with an old washing machine, and reflects upon the excitement of not being as fat as she expected.

Then Conklin's strong imagery and perspective take readers right along with her as she paints beautiful pictures of life's often overlooked simple pleasures, like a walk through the woods and the dawning of a new day.

This collection is thoughtful, inspirational, and often amusing, and it is a credit to anyone who, like the author, maintains an undying drive to succeed. You really want to buy this book. It may not be Shakespeare, but this volume is an extremely worthwhile addition to anyone's bookshelf by a truly gifted new artist.