Wise Men and Other Stories Mike O'mary Author

A New York Times Best Seller (#23 on the NYT Best Seller Nonfiction E-Book List 12/15/13) and IndieReader.com Best Seller (#5 on 12/9/13). 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 blend 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.O'Mary has a gift for simple, frank exposition of life's most poignant moments, says author Stephen Parrish (The Tavernier Stones). In Wise Men and Other Stories, O'Mary shares that gift with all of us. Enjoy this priceless collection of humorous and thoughtful stories this holiday season -- and for many holidays to come.--Praise for Wise Men and Other StoriesO'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, author of Any Road Will Take You ThereIndie 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.comPerfect 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, author of The Tavernier Stones Poignant, Perceptive and Powerful. A collection of charming and touching stories full of personal insights. Peggy A., Amazon Top 1000 ReviewerMoving without being saccharine. My favorite book on my Kindle! Guybrarian, Chattanooga, TNSweet and sincere. The Sociable HermitA real gem. Don't take your life for granted. I recommend this book whole-heartedly. Laura J. Hart, West VirginaVery enjoyable book. Lots of humor, lots to make you think about your life and relationships. Ray Zeitler, WashingtonMoving, touching, meaningful, and easy to read. A classic. Craig Allen, Amazon.com--MORE GREAT BOOKS FROM DREAM OF THINGS (all for $2.99 or less!):Dream of Things is an independent press focused on distinctive voices, meaningful books. Other books include:Everything I Never Wanted to Be by Dina Kucera: A family's battle with alcoholism and drug addiction. Raw and funny. Joel Stein, Time MagazineLeaving the Hall Light On by Madeline Sharples: A mother's story of living with her son's bipolar disorder and surviving his suicide. A moving read of tragedy, trying to prevent it, and coping with life after. Midwest Book ReviewBetty's Child by Don Dempsey: In the tradition of Angela's Ashes, a memoir of one boy's ordeals with poverty, violence, religion, and abuse. Heartrending and humorous. KirkusSwimming with Maya by Eleanor Vincent: A memoir of healing after the traumatic death of a loved one. Vincent's poignant decision to donate Maya's organs will resonate with even hard-boiled readers. BooklistDaughters of Absence: A collection of twelve essays written by daughters of Holocaust survivors. A powerful, life-affirming read. Midwest Book ReviewSaying Goodbye: to the people, places and things in our lives. Tender perspectives helping readers with their own goodbyes. Midwest Book ReviewBe There Now: Travel stories from around the world. More of an experience instead of reportage; I was truly THERE instead of HERE. Marginalia