I enjoyed this book. However, it took me forever to read. Each short story deserved a moment of contemplation. I tried reading several in a row and nothing stuck. I suggest reading gradually over time. Several were insightful- even if you disagree with Stone a good think over was enjoyable. ( )

I recently finished How To Train A Rock by Paul Steven Stone. If you enjoy a good chuckle then this is the book for you. How to Train a Rock is a compilation of what the author calls "Short Insights and Fiction Flights," Paul Steven Stone has written a column for years in one form or another and thisbook captures some of the best.

I love humor, not fart jokes but when an otherwise unfunny topic is given a humorous slant. When an author can take a moment and infuse it with funny, throw in a little witty banter and I am hooked. How To Train a Rock has just that, there are serious topics offered up with just the right amount of humor to put a smile on your face and at times you can't help but to let loose and laugh out loud. If you are wondering what I mean exactly just visit the author's website www.paulstevenstone.com, you will immediately understand the type of humor I am talking about (or you won't and in that case I can't help you).

Let me give you a little example:

Buy this book and save hundreds of dollars! I lied.

Those are the first two lines you see as you open How To Train A Rock and they are an excellent indicator of the humor found throughout.
Interestingly (at least to me) when I look back at the book is my choice for favorite chapter. It is the one that speaks to my place in life right now, I have a soon-to-be 3 year old toddler as I am watching him grow into a little boy and the thoughts of having another baby float around in my head I find my favorite chapter is:

The Fifth Rock Trick:
Boys and Girls Together
Wherein a Father of Three
Discovers the Joy, Laughter
and Heartache of Fatherhood
yet Still
Walks Away Humming.

Stone's words so obviously come from the heart in this chapter that they can't help but touch his reader's hearts too.

In short if you are looking for a humorous book that hasn't lost it's heart then How To Train A Rock is for you and can be purchased on Amazon.com and through your local bookstore. ( )

This was a very different read. If you are interested in novels, do not read this one. If you like quirky, amusing short stories about trivial things, this one is for you. It was an entertaining book and easy to read. There are no mysterious plots, threatening gunmen, or long, lost loves. ( )

it made for a very good summer read.

How to train a Rock is a collection of the author’s writings from his newspaper column, “A Stone’s Throw”. With titles such as: Listen to The Wind, Perhaps Love, If You’ve Been Wrongfully Murdered, What Happens to Snow That Never Falls, Dear Lord, Can I have a Raise, and many more - you will read stories that make you laugh, wonder, scratch your head and say “Huh?”, and maybe even shed a tear. It is an enjoyable collection of stories that are well written, insightful, and sometimes philosophical.

My favorite quote from the book was when I first opened it and read:

“BUY THIS BOOK AND SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS!
I lied.”

You may not save hundreds of dollars but you will have an enjoyable book to read. ( )