I could not have guessed that my favorite read this year would be about a Mormon Librarian Strongman with severe Tourette Syndrome. I was trying to describe the author and my love for his book to my family at dinner, and they said Wait. What? It's that kind of book, full of unlikely and fascinating juxtapositions, and among my very favorite memoirs. It's hard for me to separate out how much of my praise for this book is based on how much I like the author and his voice, or how much his story and world view resonated with me.
Josh writes in a forthright, honest, sparse manner, describing his childhood, his work and the characters he meets in the public library, his love of books and stories, his supportive family and his struggle to gain some control over his body, which rarely obeys his wishes. Finding strength training gives him moments of calm and a needed distraction from his daily struggles for normalcy.
I found Josh's story to be at times funny, thought provoking, shocking and heart warming, and was moved to tears several times, but in a good way. I highly recommend this memoir and hope it finds an eager audience.
I enjoyed discovering Josh's blog and facebook pages as well, and will enjoy watching his transition from librarian to successful author. He is a gracious in responding to comments.
You can read a Library Journal interview with him here, or check out his blog here. You will be glad you did.
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