11-22-63 – Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian

Just what does that even mean – “Life turns on a dime?” A quick Google search will offer up some explanations for folks unfamiliar with the phrase:

“Since a dime is the smallest U.S. coin, the ability to “turn on it” is a figure of speech meaning you can change direction very quickly in a very small space. In this case, it means that life can change course very quickly. Depending on the circumstances, it can be either good or bad, but either way it will be rapid.“

To “turn on a dime” means turning sharply and/or suddenly. To say that “life can turn on a dime” means that a person’s life can change radically in an instant (or very quickly). It’s more often used to mean someone going from a “good place” to a not-so-good place, but it can also mean suddenly taking a turn for the better.

Turn on a dime is an English idiom meaning change dramatically, suddenly and without warning or coming out of the blue unexpectedly. It usually results from a single event that dramatically alters the course of events either as a negative or a positive.

Stephen King uses that quote quite a bit in his time travel book 11.22.63. It is almost like a theme throughout it. One thing can change history (as in the case of the book) in the blink of an eye. I guess another way of explaining it is that life can change just like that (imagine a finger snap here.)

I had totally prepared to work on my article for the next round of Turntable Talk today, but some things have been tossed into our path that has led to this one instead. I write this as a reminder to you and myself to take nothing for granted. I write this as a reminder to live each day to it’s fullest. I write this as a reminder that life is a fragile thing.

In the baseball game of life, we are thrown many curveballs. Some of those we see coming and some brush us off the plate. Some of those we get ahold of and can knock them out of the park, while many of them we swing at – and miss.

Enjoy every moment. Never miss an opportunity to say “I love you.” Life is too short to hold grudges. These are all things that I have said in one way, shape or form in previous blogs.

It has been hard for me to scroll Facebook lately. So many of my friends are hurting because of sickness, death, grief, or struggle. I pray for each of them daily. Sure, there are plenty of happy moments shared on social media, but in amongst those things are people I care about – hurting. Life turned on a dime for them. Factor in some other news that we’ve been made aware of over the past few weeks and we see life turning on a dime again, this time closer to home.

The storm is off the coast. It is clear as day on the radar. Heading toward us. We will watch it’s course and the skies. We will prepare the best we can. We will do our best to be ready for it. In the meantime, we will enjoy the moments and savor each one.

I love reading. I don’t get as much time to do it as I’d like. I have a stack of books on my “to read” pile right now. I really need to stop going to the library because every time I do, I bring home three or four and the “to read” pile doesn’t go down.

I was challenged to write this blog by another blogger I follow. Interestingly enough, a different blogger had posted a few blogs about books and we had brief conversation about doing a blog like this, and then I received the challenge from a second blogger.

I took a piece of paper out and jotted down the first few books that came to mind and stopped when I reached 5 for the three categories. Included is a brief description of each, should you be moved to read them.

Fiction

Pandora’s Clock – John Nance

A plane carrying a “super virus” that could leave all the passengers dead within hours. Word gets out about the plane and no one wants them landing at their airport. Reviews I read afterward were not that great, but I enjoyed the book.

True Crime – Andrew Klaven

A man is about to be executed for a crime he didn’t commit. He tells his story to a reporter who investigates and finds the real killer. It is a race against the clock to stop the execution. I read this in one day! I couldn’t put it down. The movie made based on this book was a huge disappointment.

The One Man – Andrew Gross

One of the best historical thrillers I have read. A man is sent to sneak into Auschwitz concentration camp to save a man who has information that can start a war – or end it. Loved this book!

The Godfather – Mario Puzo

A classic! I can re-read this over and over. The story of the Corleone Crime family, which was turned into an Academy Award winning film. A story you can’t refuse!

11-22-63 Stephen King

What an amazing premise for a story! Already fascinated with the assassination of JFK, this was a must read for me. I was not disappointed. A high school English teacher is recruited by a friend to stop the Kennedy Assassination by going back in time through a time portal in the neighborhood diner. This is also on my “books to read again” stack.

Non-Fiction

Hiroshima – John Hersey

Powerful and eye opening story of the bombing and aftermath of Hiroshima, Japan. It is truly amazing to read the stories of people who survived this horrific event.

A Night to Remember – Walter Lord

The minute by minute account of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. I first read this in high school for my Survey of Non-fiction class. It remains one of the most accurate accounts of the tragedy.

Maus – Art Spiegelman

I read this for one of my first college classes. The true story of a Holocaust survivor, as told by his son. It is a graphic novel based on conversations between father and son.

The Michigan Murders – Edward Keyes

One of the first true crime stories I ever read. Between 1967-1969, there were many murders of young women in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area of Southeastern Michigan . The killer was being called the Ypsilanti Ripper. At times gruesome, the story was fascinating.

Exit The Rainmaker – Jonathan Coleman

I first learned of this book from a co-worker who was reading it one night at the radio station. The book tells of the true story of Jay Carsey, a college president, who walked away from his wife, work, family and friends to start a new life. I learned afterward that he not only did this once, he did it twice! Carsey died in 2000, but his story makes you wonder just what makes someone do what he did!

Biography

Sid Caesar – Where Have I Been?

Sid was a very funny guy, but boy did he have demons! I had no idea just how many issues he had until I saw this one on a library shelf and picked it up.

Jack Benny – Mary Livingstone

There are many other biographies about Jack Benny (by Irving Fein, Milt Josefsberg, and his daughter Joan Benny), but I chose this one written by his co-star and wife, Mary Livingstone. I have read this one a few times, and even though the stories are the same, it just makes me love Benny even more.

One Fine Stooge – Steve Cox

Steve Cox and Jim Terry do such an amazing job with this book on one of the most underrated classic comedians – Larry Fine. Great stories, great photos, and a wonderful tribute to my favorite Stooge.

Moe Howard and the 3 Stooges – Moe Howard

Moe on Moe. In his own words, and with lots of pictures, Moe shares many stories from his days as leader of the Three Stooges. This was one of the first books I ever bought on the Stooges, and remains one of my favorites.

Soupy Sez – Soupy Sales

I wasn’t young enough to watch Soupy in the 60’s, but I did get to see his 70’s revival show on TV as a kid. I also loved listening to his Moldie Oldies Show on the radio. Soupy tells some great stories in this biography.

Closing Thoughts

I am sure if I really thought about it, I could come up with many more books I enjoyed. For now, this satisfies the challenged posed to me. What books are your favorites? Tell me about them! I’d love to add them to my list of books to read!

Tag: 11-22-63

Books I Couldn’t Put Down