Winter Update - Inspiring Books!
Hello Friends!
As I decide whether or not to drag myself to the gym in the aftermath of Winter Storm Kenan (I don’t remember when, or even WHY, we started naming winter storms), I thought I’d provide a little Richie the Caseworker update. For my new friends, that’s my first novel from Faraxa Publishing, a story of a twenty-something New York Yankees fan who suddenly finds himself working as a caseworker in a homeless shelter. Look for it this spring!
We’re working hard on the cover art, and promotional activities are on the way. Excerpts from a chapter or two will also be available soon. And, if you’re a blogger, media person, influencer or book club leader, and are interested in a review copy, feel free to contact me via Goodreads, Facebook or Instagram.
In the meantime, frigid temps leave lots of time for thought and introspection, so I thought it might be fun to list a few books similar to Richie the Caseworker or whose style and prose inspired me. Here we go:
Known to Social Services, Freya Barrington. Also produced by Faraxa Publishing, this is the story of a child services worker in the UK and her myriad struggles to care for her clients and herself amidst some devastating circumstances. It’s about as clear and honest a picture of what it’s like to be a social worker I’ve ever read outside of real case notes. As I noted in my Goodreads review, not for the faint of heart. It has a great main character and exceptional detail. A must-read for anyone looking to get into the business.
A Fan’s Notes, Frederick Exley. A unique “fictional memoir” reminiscent of Bukowski. OK, Richie is not Exley (yet), but they both have a chance encounter with a sports hero and pin their hopes on their success. I scared the crap out of someone at my daughter’s swim class this summer when I burst out laughing at one segment. The sports angle isn’t as overwhelming as you might think, and if you stick with it you can find a great tale of finding oneself.
Fourth of July Creek, Smith Henderson. A superb novel about a social worker investigating the life of a young boy in the wilderness of Montana. Wonderfully complex in its emotions and the descriptions of the natural wonders of Big Sky country are expertly woven within. It was one of those books that told me, “Yeah, I could probably do this.”
Everbody’s All-American, Frank DeFord. The gold standard for sports fiction, this is the classic tale of a 1950s college football legend, his rise to glory and his struggle to gain life satisfaction once the shine of his past trophies begins to fade. It’s told from the perspective of a best friend and is set against the backdrop of many social upheavals of the time. DeFord is a master of snappy conversations, and I did my best to make my characters speak like his. You might also check out Bliss, Remembered while you’re at it.
We Are Not Ourselves, Matthew Thomas. An extremely relatable and simultaneously gripping story about a young man growing up in Queens as his father deteriorates with Alzheimer’s. Reminds me a lot of Richard Russo or John Irving in its delicate and empathic portrayals of everyday people dealing with trauma, loss and life decisions. It’s introspective and thoughtful while also clever with its dialogue and fast-moving in its plot. Another that gave me confidence to give writing a try. Thomas is a graduate of Regis High School, where I’ve worked for fourteen years, and teaches at my alma mater (Xavier HS).
Please explore each of these novels as you curl up on the couch with a cup of tea, hoping your boss issues a two-day-late snow day. And look for more updates on Richie the Caseworker on Goodreads, Instagram and Facebook.
Take care!
CF
Richie the Caseworker
Everybody's All-american
Known to Social Services
Fourth of July Creek
A Fan's Notes
We Are Not Ourselves
As I decide whether or not to drag myself to the gym in the aftermath of Winter Storm Kenan (I don’t remember when, or even WHY, we started naming winter storms), I thought I’d provide a little Richie the Caseworker update. For my new friends, that’s my first novel from Faraxa Publishing, a story of a twenty-something New York Yankees fan who suddenly finds himself working as a caseworker in a homeless shelter. Look for it this spring!
We’re working hard on the cover art, and promotional activities are on the way. Excerpts from a chapter or two will also be available soon. And, if you’re a blogger, media person, influencer or book club leader, and are interested in a review copy, feel free to contact me via Goodreads, Facebook or Instagram.
In the meantime, frigid temps leave lots of time for thought and introspection, so I thought it might be fun to list a few books similar to Richie the Caseworker or whose style and prose inspired me. Here we go:
Known to Social Services, Freya Barrington. Also produced by Faraxa Publishing, this is the story of a child services worker in the UK and her myriad struggles to care for her clients and herself amidst some devastating circumstances. It’s about as clear and honest a picture of what it’s like to be a social worker I’ve ever read outside of real case notes. As I noted in my Goodreads review, not for the faint of heart. It has a great main character and exceptional detail. A must-read for anyone looking to get into the business.
A Fan’s Notes, Frederick Exley. A unique “fictional memoir” reminiscent of Bukowski. OK, Richie is not Exley (yet), but they both have a chance encounter with a sports hero and pin their hopes on their success. I scared the crap out of someone at my daughter’s swim class this summer when I burst out laughing at one segment. The sports angle isn’t as overwhelming as you might think, and if you stick with it you can find a great tale of finding oneself.
Fourth of July Creek, Smith Henderson. A superb novel about a social worker investigating the life of a young boy in the wilderness of Montana. Wonderfully complex in its emotions and the descriptions of the natural wonders of Big Sky country are expertly woven within. It was one of those books that told me, “Yeah, I could probably do this.”
Everbody’s All-American, Frank DeFord. The gold standard for sports fiction, this is the classic tale of a 1950s college football legend, his rise to glory and his struggle to gain life satisfaction once the shine of his past trophies begins to fade. It’s told from the perspective of a best friend and is set against the backdrop of many social upheavals of the time. DeFord is a master of snappy conversations, and I did my best to make my characters speak like his. You might also check out Bliss, Remembered while you’re at it.
We Are Not Ourselves, Matthew Thomas. An extremely relatable and simultaneously gripping story about a young man growing up in Queens as his father deteriorates with Alzheimer’s. Reminds me a lot of Richard Russo or John Irving in its delicate and empathic portrayals of everyday people dealing with trauma, loss and life decisions. It’s introspective and thoughtful while also clever with its dialogue and fast-moving in its plot. Another that gave me confidence to give writing a try. Thomas is a graduate of Regis High School, where I’ve worked for fourteen years, and teaches at my alma mater (Xavier HS).
Please explore each of these novels as you curl up on the couch with a cup of tea, hoping your boss issues a two-day-late snow day. And look for more updates on Richie the Caseworker on Goodreads, Instagram and Facebook.
Take care!
CF
Richie the Caseworker
Everybody's All-american
Known to Social Services
Fourth of July Creek
A Fan's Notes
We Are Not Ourselves
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