| Title | : | Wise Men and Other Stories |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0982579411 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780982579411 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 150 |
| Publication | : | First published November 30, 2009 |
"Wise Men & Other Stories: Lessons from the Holidays on Santa, God, Heaven, Death & More Fun Stuff from Someone Who Still Has a Lot to Learn" is a collection of holiday-related essays that blends humor and poignancy in the tradition of Robert Fulghum, Dave Barry, Bill Bryson, P.J. O'Rourke and other great American humorists.
"This collection started with 'Wise Men,'" says O'Mary. "It was a story from my childhood about a poor kid from my old neighborhood and the lesson I learned when we were both cast as wise men in the school play." That story was published in newspapers across the nation and broadcast on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" program, and so began a tradition of holiday essays from Mike O'Mary.
Over the years, the essays in this collection were read as part of "Morning Edition" on Northern Illinois Public Radio, and published in the Sunday magazines of the Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Baltimore Sun, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Detroit Free Press and elsewhere. Along the way, O'Mary developed a cult following for his holiday stories.
Enjoy this priceless collection of humorous and thoughtful stories this holiday season -- and for many holidays to come.
--
Praise for Wise Men and Other Stories:
"O'Mary is a master at taking the ordinary and allowing us to see the extraordinary. He illuminates what we many times miss in the fog of our hurried, modern-day lives." David Berner, Any Road Will Take You There
"Indie Reader Approved! If you feel in need of some warm-hearted philosophical companionship, and a bit of holiday reflection on what really matters, this book is good company. 4.5 Stars." Catherine Langrehr, IndieReader.com
"Perfect at Christmas or any time. Twenty-three short essays that will make you laugh, make you think, make you glad to be human." Julie Rember, editor, Saying Goodbye to the People, Places, and Things in Our Lives
"This collection is a treasure. O'Mary writes poignantly about making ice cream out of snow, his sister being placed in an orphanage, and competing against the national Scrabble champion. The outstanding pieces are about a school play, and a moving story about a Christmas drive with his daughter." Stephen Parrish, The Tavernier Stones
"Poignant, Perceptive and Powerful. A collection of charming and touching stories full of personal insights." Peggy A., Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer
"Moving without being saccharine. My favorite book on my Kindle!" Guybrarian, Chattanooga, TN
"Sweet and sincere." The Sociable Hermit
Wise Men and Other Stories Reviews
-
I read this when it was originally published, and being Mike's daughter, I had read/heard some of these stories before. I just re-read it this week and I love it. Yes, I'm a bit biased and some of the stories are about me, so I get a little emotional reading some of them, but regardless of the personal attachment, these stories are wonderful. Short, sweet, funny, captivating. No fluff, but not boring. I love the writing of Roald Dahl in that its simple, but each story sucks you in and leaves you wanting more. Mike doesn't write disturbing stories like Dahl did (if you haven't read Dahl's short stories for adults, I highly recommend them), but he is successful in doing the same thing--reeling you in with every word and leaving you with either a smile on your face or a tear in your eye, or maybe both. Mike has perfected the art of capturing a moment and making you remember it forever, even if it didn't personally happen to you. I know I'll pick Wise Men up in a year and re-read it and enjoy it just as much as when I originally read it. You won't be disappointed!
-
I normally don't like anthologies. That said, I found Wise Men and Other Stories engaging. The short stories (more like news column articles) are held together loosely by a common thread - the early life of author Mike O'Mary. The stories are warm, witty, and each one reminds us of a life-lesson we most likely have learned during our own childhood but have forgotten or overlooked. My favorite story in the book is Wise Men although each of the others captured my heart as well. I think I would have liked the stories to be more chronological and each a bit longer. Each story of the twenty-three in this book is perfect for use with an Advent calendar, bringing home a life-lesson: gratitude, humility, caring for your neighbor, etc. Other than a general review it would be difficult to pick at any of the stories singly since each is unique.
I think Wise Men and Other Stories is a perfect little gift for that busy person who loves to read but around the holidays has limited time. It would be a great stocking stuffer or grab-bag gift. -
I won this book through Goodreads and it turned out to be a great gift!
I saved Wise Men and Other Stories to read over the holidays because it had 23 short stories/essays that I could read when free time permitted. That was an excellent choice. I would read a story/essay and put the book down. That gave me time to reflect on Mike O'Mary's memories and appreciate the simplicity of moments we live and reflect on how small gestures can add up to huge pay backs. O'Mary snippets are not only thoughtful but humorous. You will find yourself smiling and wishing this book was not such a quick read. -
An easy going collection of stories derived from the author's daily life.
I was fascinated how Mike O'Mary succeeded in meditating about any haphazard aspect of his life and deriving a lesson to share. If only one could cultivated such practice maybe we would probably look at life in a completely different way...and we might even write our own peculiar collection.
Mike O'Mary with this book reminds us that wisdom comes with being aware of what is happening, having the courage to look back, take stock and meditate with detachment. But most importantly make space for life to just be and lived. -
I won my copy of Wise Men and Other Stories from the Goodreads Firstreads giveaway. This was a lovely book of short essays from O'Mary's past. I first cracked it open when I had a little layover time between classes. I kept it in my bag as my "emergency book" yet found myself reading it every chance I got. I especially like the story "Lucky Duck". It was one of the longer essays in the book and it really spoke to me.
-
This is a wonderful book that takes complex matters and spins them in a way that is simple but articulate. Within the first few pages I was pulled in and could not stop reading, which is not surprising as this book is beautifully written, warm, honest and frequently very funny. I would absolutely recommend this book!
-
This was a worthwhile read. These short stories and essays are smart, easy to read, and easy to relate to. There's humor and relevance, and I would definitely recommend picking this up and reading it. I read one short story during my break at work, as I could - you should too!
-
Nice collection of holiday memories and Christmas short stories form author Mike O'Mary...many center on his young daughter and her pre-school class. He is learning some good lessons along the way and shares them all with us.
-
Wonderfully poignant little stories. Mike O'Mary has a superb way to illuminating what matters.
-
Retailers love guilt is just one of the thought-provoking observations in this eclectic gathering of stories. The one called "Wise Men" is my favorite. "The Scrabble Tournament" is an eye-opener. "The Best Meals" is also a gem.
-
Humorous narratives on one's life in its various stages.
-
Sincere sweet autobiographical stories from O'Mary's radio and newspaper columns. Tad weak in the wit and humor department.
-
Very mid-western. I had hoped for heart-warming or tear-jerking, but they were mostly good-natured stories. Pleasant, but not particularly memorable.
