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Summer of Light
"You never know what the day will bring..."
Mick Brannigan, a construction worker, loses a good-paying job because of some freak accident, sort of his fault but not his fault. Adding insult to injury, he finds himself playing nursemaid to his three kids.
"Mick's whole life felt like an accident..."
Even more flustered is his wife, Layne, now forced to get a job to keep a paycheck coming in. Mick isn't the stay-at-home-dad type, she's sure. He's a good dad--when she is there to supervise it all…the unrelenting daily stuff. Keeping the house clean, food in the fridge. Attacking the ever-mounting laundry. Supervising their five acres of land and the menagerie of animals....
"It wasn't his idea to stay home with the kids..."
A lot is on the line, and just how the Brannigan family will survive--that is, without anyone getting seriously hurt or killed, the kids not ending up psychologically and emotionally damaged, the laundry not undoing their marriage--all remains to be seen....
Packed with humor, true-to-life characters, and themes to enlighten the soul, Summer of Light is altogether poignant, witty, entertaining, and delightfully down-to-earth.
Mick Brannigan, a construction worker, loses a good-paying job because of some freak accident, sort of his fault but not his fault. Adding insult to injury, he finds himself playing nursemaid to his three kids.
"Mick's whole life felt like an accident..."
Even more flustered is his wife, Layne, now forced to get a job to keep a paycheck coming in. Mick isn't the stay-at-home-dad type, she's sure. He's a good dad--when she is there to supervise it all…the unrelenting daily stuff. Keeping the house clean, food in the fridge. Attacking the ever-mounting laundry. Supervising their five acres of land and the menagerie of animals....
"It wasn't his idea to stay home with the kids..."
A lot is on the line, and just how the Brannigan family will survive--that is, without anyone getting seriously hurt or killed, the kids not ending up psychologically and emotionally damaged, the laundry not undoing their marriage--all remains to be seen....
Packed with humor, true-to-life characters, and themes to enlighten the soul, Summer of Light is altogether poignant, witty, entertaining, and delightfully down-to-earth.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
52 people are currently reading
910 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
July 19, 2008
As a new parent, I am just getting into some of the same situations Mick related, and I found myself laughing. But the book was more than just a funny tale of being a stay at home parent. It addressed themes such as overcoming your history or past, being yourself and accepting yourself for who you are (and others for who they are), having faith (and "street faith), and being present as a parent. I just loved Mick and Dylan's relationship, with Dylan being Mick's sidekick, his assistant. The book was an enjoyable read.
October 12, 2016
Dale Cramer has shown once again what a real skill he has at telling a story. He leads his readers though about a year of life with Mick Brannigan and his family, a family dealing with all the usual types of issues that many families face. For Mick though, the year that he takes off from working in construction to be a stay-at-home dad, is a life-changing experience. It's a real journey of self-discovery, and opens his eyes to the world around him in a new way.
Mr Cramer tells the story with a light touch. There are a lot of humorous incidents, but also some very profound moments. The characters are all very real, including the four-legged and winged ones. At points this book made me smile and laugh, and at points it made me stop in my tracks and think.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever been part of a family, and to anyone with an interest in people.
Mr Cramer tells the story with a light touch. There are a lot of humorous incidents, but also some very profound moments. The characters are all very real, including the four-legged and winged ones. At points this book made me smile and laugh, and at points it made me stop in my tracks and think.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever been part of a family, and to anyone with an interest in people.
April 26, 2014
Am I the only one who doesn't love this book? I listened to the audio book, and several times almost stopped listening, but I kept waiting for something to happen and nothing ever really did. The plot is slow. Basically everything goes wrong, Mick becomes a stay at home dad, he has no idea what he's doing, then suddenly everything goes right. If only life were that simple. Maybe this book is geared toward men because I could not get into the endless descriptions of construction work, etc. Also I found Mick's view sexist- he kept stating that he wasn't a mother/housewife- he's not, he's a father, and they have responsibilities around the house/taking care of children too! I thought Lane's role was rather flat- she asks him to stay home and then is constantly nagging at him for all he does wrong, until the end when suddenly she is all lovey and trusts him? The entire book they did not seem to connect as a married couple, only she as a boss telling him what he's doing wrong. It seemed odd that none of the homeless people on Beale street minded Mick taking pictures of them- oh sure you're a stranger who yelled at my friend with a fancy camera he uses to feel meaningful and earn some extra cash to supplement his lawyer wife's salary? OK. Also what's with Aubree and Sully? They go from trash talking Mick's family to helping them out and suddenly everyone is best buds. Ugh.
July 22, 2008
"How often do you mop the floor?" she asked.
He shrugged. "whenever it pulls my socks off?"
This book reconfirmed my belief that having a spotless house is not the most important thing in the world. Besides that, it made me laugh a lot. It seems that my children are not the only ones who are over the top in creative ways to wreak havoc!
On a second reading, this book spoke to me more than it did the first time. It really is amazing that god guides our lives through little, everyday things. And gifts are often discovered when we try something new. We don't know if we will excel at something until we try!
He shrugged. "whenever it pulls my socks off?"
This book reconfirmed my belief that having a spotless house is not the most important thing in the world. Besides that, it made me laugh a lot. It seems that my children are not the only ones who are over the top in creative ways to wreak havoc!
On a second reading, this book spoke to me more than it did the first time. It really is amazing that god guides our lives through little, everyday things. And gifts are often discovered when we try something new. We don't know if we will excel at something until we try!
September 25, 2023
This is a lovely book. It made me laugh and cry.
Unlike many novels about modern family life, it did not make me feel more stressed - probably I feel inferior to the mothers in those books, and hearing about their tasks and anxieties recalls my own to my mind. But this is about a stay-at-home dad and it's totally different, so it provided real escape.
I suspect a lot of the incidents happened to the author's family, including the visit to "Hell" (which seems to mean Disney World).
It's about a lot more than a "house husband", of course. For one thing, there's a child who has what's now called sensory processing disorder (it's called something else that starts with "sensory" in the book). I love the way his family cherishes and helps him, almost by accident. There are a lot of apparent accidents in this book - that's one of the themes.
There's a lot about art and loving your neighbors and misjudging people. There's an enlightened view of a woman's career. There are interesting looks at high-rise construction workers and at homeless people who live under bridges.
It's one of those very low-key Christian books which I suspect an unbeliever could enjoy without being annoyed more than a few times.
This would be fine for anyone 12 and up, though I suspect adults would enjoy it more.
Unlike many novels about modern family life, it did not make me feel more stressed - probably I feel inferior to the mothers in those books, and hearing about their tasks and anxieties recalls my own to my mind. But this is about a stay-at-home dad and it's totally different, so it provided real escape.
I suspect a lot of the incidents happened to the author's family, including the visit to "Hell" (which seems to mean Disney World).
It's about a lot more than a "house husband", of course. For one thing, there's a child who has what's now called sensory processing disorder (it's called something else that starts with "sensory" in the book). I love the way his family cherishes and helps him, almost by accident. There are a lot of apparent accidents in this book - that's one of the themes.
There's a lot about art and loving your neighbors and misjudging people. There's an enlightened view of a woman's career. There are interesting looks at high-rise construction workers and at homeless people who live under bridges.
It's one of those very low-key Christian books which I suspect an unbeliever could enjoy without being annoyed more than a few times.
This would be fine for anyone 12 and up, though I suspect adults would enjoy it more.
March 13, 2018
Mick started out life with a father who told him to sit down and shut up. He had type of humor that people didn’t get, and finally cost him his job. Which really wasn’t his fault, yet it was. He loved being an iron worker, but a stay at home dad, the choice was made for him. He needed to work so he wouldn’t be like his dad, leaving them.He questions the purpose of life, work, home, to everyday handling it. Now at home and three kids, trying to organize, instead of things piling up. Coming to terms with the past, and finding the joy thru your children’s eye, of the new each day. A touching story of a stay at home dad.
September 6, 2022
Truly a delightful heart-warming read. Lots of funny moments but in the midst of those are poignant lessons in love and faith. A beautiful portrayal of family. Can you tell I loved this one soo soo much!?
Mick is an iron worker who looses his job and ends up staying at home with the kids while his wife goes back to work. Along the way he learns just how much it takes to be a stay at home parent and just how blessed you are to have that time with your children.
One of their children has special needs. This storyline, like the entire book, is handled with great intentionality and care.
This is most assuredly one of my top reads of 2022!
Mick is an iron worker who looses his job and ends up staying at home with the kids while his wife goes back to work. Along the way he learns just how much it takes to be a stay at home parent and just how blessed you are to have that time with your children.
One of their children has special needs. This storyline, like the entire book, is handled with great intentionality and care.
This is most assuredly one of my top reads of 2022!
September 25, 2025
Mick Brannigan is a construction worker, but when he has a freak accident he loses his job. Layne, his wife, has a good job with a law firm,; so she demands that he become a house husband and take care of the kids and all housework. But Mick knows nothing about housework, meal preparation, or laundry; but he does know about kids. When a neighbor gets Mick interested in photography, little does he know that this will lead him into a new field.
A delightful story full of fun with Mick's children and his neighbors that bring out a side of Mick that he never knew he possed. Great storyline from Dale Cramer.
A delightful story full of fun with Mick's children and his neighbors that bring out a side of Mick that he never knew he possed. Great storyline from Dale Cramer.
November 11, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was so hilarious and so true to life. It tells the story of Mick Brannigan, an ordinary man with an extraordinary life...
I expected it to end differently, but the book was so enjoyable overall. The antics of his children were just too funny and multiple times I had to share some crazy-funny moments with my family.
So many heartwarming moments and touching themes.
I would definitely recommend this book.
I expected it to end differently, but the book was so enjoyable overall. The antics of his children were just too funny and multiple times I had to share some crazy-funny moments with my family.
So many heartwarming moments and touching themes.
I would definitely recommend this book.
January 23, 2025
I discovered Dale Cramer when my dad came home and said one of his students’ dad was an author. I’ve loved every book of his that I’ve read. My previous favorite was Levi’s Will. This one is right up there because it’s set in my small town area, and has a lot to do with photography(one of my hobbies) and children with special needs (one of my professional interests). Realistic and deep without being preachy-the epitome of show, not tell.
September 21, 2018
What a terrific book! Dale Cramer took a serious subject, a macho man suddenly having to stay home with the kids, and wrapped it in so many unforgettable lessons. Rarely does a book make me actually laugh out loud, this one nailed it. You are really missing something special, if you skip this book.
June 4, 2023
This book threw me for a loop. I kept reading and reading about this regular family and their daily lives with occasional weird things happening thrown in, and I kept waiting for "something" to happen, to determine where the story was going. What I realized by the end was that the whole story was one big happening. A picture of our own lives with the Lord wrapped around it. Truly a magical book.
December 17, 2024
This book is about a man who is a high-rise construction worker and is hurt on the job in a freak accident. His wife convinces him that he should take care of their son instead of sending him to day care since she has a good paying job. At first it was only to be for a short while, but it doesn't turn out the way they expected.
May 27, 2017
I was gifted this book and picked it to read for a book club. I'm so glad I did. I laughed more than I thought I would. It covered all parts of being a parent/spouse/neighbor. It was a really good book.
June 3, 2017
This wonderful book is in my top five list!!! I felt like I was there with the family in this book. I laughed out loud too many times to count. My thoughts are five stars just are not enough to rate this book.
May 14, 2018
I did not know anything about this author, but fell in love with the flow of the novel. When the husband Mick, needed to stay home with his children, while his wife worked, it was interesting to see how things evolved in his life.
August 27, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It covers the life of a stay at home dad and his family. There are funny situations he gets himself into. He learns about himself and discovers a new talent he didn't know he had. Well written.
August 17, 2020
I really tried to get into this book, but I couldn't. I rarely leave a book unfinished, I read to 49% of the book and just had to give it. I like a lot of dialogue and not a ton of descriptions. The writing of this book was good, it's just not my style I guess.
January 17, 2023
Love this story!
Masterful storytelling. I love the way he weaves words together. This was a lighthearted story about everyday family life that had me laughing but also a beautiful journey of transformation for a blue collar dad.
Masterful storytelling. I love the way he weaves words together. This was a lighthearted story about everyday family life that had me laughing but also a beautiful journey of transformation for a blue collar dad.
July 3, 2024
Fast, easy read in one day! An interesting story of the positive influence a father can have on his children that a mother can't achieve because of the difference in the roles we are designed to fill.
June 13, 2017
Laugh out loud funny!!
August 2, 2017
Great book. I love all of Cramer's books, so this came as no surprise!
September 25, 2017
Boring. Plain.
October 25, 2017
Makes you think.
August 19, 2018
The role of Father
Excellent read, stay at home dad deals with the reality of running the show and helping his special needs son flourish while learning about himself.
Excellent read, stay at home dad deals with the reality of running the show and helping his special needs son flourish while learning about himself.
August 24, 2018
One of the best books I've ever read. Such a breath of fresh air in the "Christian" genre. So very poignant and relevant to real life
January 29, 2019
This book was in my Kindle for a looooong time. Shame. It is a sensible, inspiring, beautiful book. I went to sleep at 4:30 a.m. couldn't put It down. Very impressive.
March 18, 2019
So funny! Great story
Wonderful book. Laugh out loud funny and makes you feel like you’re there with them. Loved this book! A definite must read!
Wonderful book. Laugh out loud funny and makes you feel like you’re there with them. Loved this book! A definite must read!
August 26, 2019
Yet another that I didn't finish because I couldn't get into the story.
February 7, 2020
Great book, loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews