570News - Gary Doyle

I don’t review fiction. It’s too subjective. That’s the party line. That’s what I tell book publishers and unknown authors who are eager for publicity. That’s what I told Patrick Hughes. His book (The Valiant Unheroic) would not get a mention on the show. He sent me a copy anyway looking for my thoughts. I am an avid reader. When it arrived, my first thought was “450 pages!” This better get my attention fast. It did.

The story centers on Eric Verrity, a young man who cannot be injured. The games people play with him and his life jump off the page. From his foster brother to his shrink, everyone has a “use” for Erics’ gift, but not so much Eric. I won’t give much away, suffice to see I was glued to it and enjoyed every word. Some of which are now underlined in yellow. (I do that).

For my money, it was the highlight of the summer reading season. After I put it down, I picked up my 7th book in the last four weeks and started on it. But I can’t shake one line.

“Every gift is not be a blessing.” The story of Eric Verrity is. Well done Patrick Hughes and send me another.

The Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival may have needed temporary bailing on the weekend, but the music was better than ever. My wife and I happily sat through the friday night card. We got there early enough to secure seats in the 4th row. By the time Molly Johnson was ready for her encore I turned around to look at the crowd and was stunned at how many people had crammed in behind us. The oddest thing though. I wasn’t wearing the loudest shirt this year. I have to update the wardrobe.