David Belisle

The story follows Brian aka D.B. aka Buddy aka a lot of other names befitting man's best friend (sorta) from his new start in life, or rather his NEXT life....as a dog. It seems he "bit it" on the shores of California after living hard-ish, fast-ish, and most certainly neglecting his own health as well as the well-being of the family/friends that surrounded him. I know, it sounds harsh, but really...he wasn't the greatest of men. Hence why it makes sense that his spirit is imbued in the four-legged friends we turn to, depend on, care for, and ultimately love as much as they love us, when his reality was so much different. Perhaps he'll learn a lesson or two...and eventually, he might be able to TEACH a lesson or two as well.

I admit, it wasn't a bad story and I think the grittiness will help reach a larger audience while showing all too well how people are affected differently by change. It encourages us to reach out to our fellow man because you never know who that struggling person on the corner was before or who they could be one day...yet in the mean time, they ARE still a person, situation be darned. There's definitely a "seize the day" quality to it, as well as a high esteem for man's best friend and the lessons they can teach us. What I found funny though is that I enjoyed looking at life much more through Buddy's eyes than Jake's...perhaps it was the wisdom Buddy had already obtained versus the extreme nature of Jake's dive off the reality wagon into ambiguity, but I felt much more for Buddy's plight than Jake's.

A curious read that will have you looking at your fellow man with new eyes and a greater respect for the history they hide beneath their veneer. Recommended for adult readers.


***copy received for review… (más)

The Trumpassic Period -Year One by David Belisle is a very clever, witty book that really cheered me up. This last year of Drumpf setting America back decades, causing friction and chaos, and his own ignorant and arrogant behavior has had me so upset. I wake up each day wondering what he has done or will do to embarrass Americans today.
This book takes the main highlights from last year and creates a funny world that tickled my funny bone. He is suppose to be a archeologist and he describes what he finds and imagines what would've been happening. So funny! I smiled almost full time at the cleverness. Giggles, snorts, and full laughs did ensue. It was a full length book too! Great job! Need one on the Bush era now...… (más)

STORY-LINE I WAS JUSTIN'S NANNY:

Author David Belisle crafted an insanely funny tongue in cheek political satire in I Was Justin's Nanny. Marie Bellehumeur, finds herself nanny to the new Prime Minster of Canada's, Justin Prudhomme's, children. Marie has been around the block, and probably all around the entire city of St. Louis-du-Ha-Ha, her native home. Marie is no newbie to life. Through clerical error Maria lands this plum job. Or is it? Full of off the wall situations and observations, the reader sees a side to politics, politician's family life, and life situations, which we usually are not allowed to see.

Can Marie manage to keep her job or will political maneuvering and mishaps oust Marie from 24 Sussex? Grab a seat, my contemporary novel review of I Was Justin's Nanny follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

Author David Belisle filled I Was Justin's Nanny with tongue in cheek satire. As a result, I laughed from start to finish. Not only is this political satire hilarious, his irreverence for the political arena is clear. Showing politics in all their irreverent light, grab your favorite beverage and get ready for first-rate entertainment. Satire at its best; after all, I wonder, deep down how we actually feel about politicians and their maneuvering. Belisle shows it in all its ridiculous nature. Classically Saturday Night Live at its best, could be said of I Was Justin's Nanny.

Beginning with the ridiculously funny names for his characters to the funny situations they found themselves, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Names such as: Senior Officer for Disclosure of Wrongdoing, Alfred Little Flood, Chief Pound Cake, Governor-General Idrinka Sparkling, to name a few. The reader will find bumbling Parliamentary representatives, a hot bed of political issues, disastrous kidnapping, and, best of all, PICNIC. You will have to read the book to find out what PICNIC represents. I Was Justin's Nanny is a highly entertaining and enjoyable read!

Furthermore the plotting and pacing of the story was in line with the length of the novel. I found myself shaking my head at times, as the nanny's, Justin, Josie, and the children stumbled and bumbled from one situation to another.

Finally, in concluding my contemporary novel review, this novel contained solid writing and character development along with laughter and satire. Belisle, sets the hook early and reels the reader in, holding their attention throughout. I look forward to seeing other works by Belisle.

I WAS JUSTIN'S NANNY RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4

In addition, I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend. Suitable for young adults and adults; if you enjoy funny political satires, this is the book for you.

FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:

Additionally, I received this book from the author and chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest contemporary novel review. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, the ARC did not affect my voluntary contemporary novel review.… (más)

This book is essential for any R.E.M. fan. It is a bit light on text to accompany the photographs, but it provides insight into the band nevertheless.

The amount and quality of the photographs seem superficial. Too many of the photos are taken while the band is on stage. Fans already get to see this side of R.E.M., so the pages would have been better spent with showing the band that typical fans don't see. As they are, too few photos go beyond snapshot quality.

As a photographer myself, I have no doubt I could have produced better images that capture the spirit of R.E.M.. The poetry of their music deserves higher quality art. So while this book provides a taste of the band, it fails to really capture their soul and artistry.… (más)