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Looking Up: A Memoir about Life's Sudden Exits
Losing her TV news career and her home in the same year wasn’t on Casey Roman’s 2018 Bingo card. Neither was sleeping in Walmart parking lots and nearly deciding to end her own life. But the world is full of blind curves, and salvation comes in unusual forms, like a cargo van. What began as a three-week road trip to erase her “news lady” image became a 12,000-mile solo journey that saved Casey’s life.
Looking Up is a riches-to-rags-to-rebellion memoir that reads like a love letter to small-town America. Hop in the passenger’s seat and ride along for encounters that are sometimes scary and often hilarious, from rapping in the “Murder Capital of the US” to luring a moose with a bag of bread in Maine. For anyone looking for direction who feels like they’re running on empty, Casey Roman’s story is a reminder to keep driving toward the horizon, no matter what. Hope is out there.
Looking Up is a riches-to-rags-to-rebellion memoir that reads like a love letter to small-town America. Hop in the passenger’s seat and ride along for encounters that are sometimes scary and often hilarious, from rapping in the “Murder Capital of the US” to luring a moose with a bag of bread in Maine. For anyone looking for direction who feels like they’re running on empty, Casey Roman’s story is a reminder to keep driving toward the horizon, no matter what. Hope is out there.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2023
17 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Casey Roman
1 book2 followersIt started when I tricked a TV station into hiring me as an on-air news reporter in 2008. In exchange for the occasional headache, I won them enough journalism awards (including two Edward R. Murrows) to re-panel a wall, and solo-produced 5 documentaries.
Born in New Jersey, I have hopscotched across the country so many times USPS once called to report fraud. I have roadtripped much of America and a fair amount of foreign lands. Always with a camera in hand.
Today I call Wilmington, NC home where I own both a video production company and a real estate brokerage. “Bob,” my diesel pickup truck, is the love of my life. Together we are building a useless farm in the country filled with smug donkeys.
Born in New Jersey, I have hopscotched across the country so many times USPS once called to report fraud. I have roadtripped much of America and a fair amount of foreign lands. Always with a camera in hand.
Today I call Wilmington, NC home where I own both a video production company and a real estate brokerage. “Bob,” my diesel pickup truck, is the love of my life. Together we are building a useless farm in the country filled with smug donkeys.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 16, 2023
Looking Up by Casey Roman. A Memoir about Life's Sudden Exits. Story telling at its best.
This is a fantastic read. I am so pleased Casey decided to self-publish this book and tell her story in her own way, it makes this book feel very authentic and raw. Casey is a great story teller and her love for small US towns shines through, the quirky stories, the historical information and her connections to random people she meets along the way is fun to read. I liked all the still photography of the wonderful old buildings in places I will never get to travel to. This is a memoir and a #vanlife story so of course not everything is unicorns and rainbows, but that makes this such a relatable read. Thank you, Casey, for writing your story, showing your vulnerability and strength of character to pivot your life "to do you" with all the lows and highs to remain true to yourself and your ambitions to create stories for your audience wherever they may be. Well done.
I purchased the e-book with 420 pages with pictures and links to photos on Casey Roman's website and videos from her You tube channel, at US$ 5.99, it is great value.
This is a fantastic read. I am so pleased Casey decided to self-publish this book and tell her story in her own way, it makes this book feel very authentic and raw. Casey is a great story teller and her love for small US towns shines through, the quirky stories, the historical information and her connections to random people she meets along the way is fun to read. I liked all the still photography of the wonderful old buildings in places I will never get to travel to. This is a memoir and a #vanlife story so of course not everything is unicorns and rainbows, but that makes this such a relatable read. Thank you, Casey, for writing your story, showing your vulnerability and strength of character to pivot your life "to do you" with all the lows and highs to remain true to yourself and your ambitions to create stories for your audience wherever they may be. Well done.
I purchased the e-book with 420 pages with pictures and links to photos on Casey Roman's website and videos from her You tube channel, at US$ 5.99, it is great value.
December 15, 2023
Warmed my heart, touched my soul and had me laughing out loud
I love how Casey sought out stories that belonged to real people. Her storytelling skills brought back memories of places I have traveled treating me to experiencing them with a new perspective. She delivers with somewhat sarcastic hilarity, mixed with an irreverently reverent belief in listening to the Lord and letting that belief steer her wheels.
I love how Casey sought out stories that belonged to real people. Her storytelling skills brought back memories of places I have traveled treating me to experiencing them with a new perspective. She delivers with somewhat sarcastic hilarity, mixed with an irreverently reverent belief in listening to the Lord and letting that belief steer her wheels.
January 22, 2024
6 days ... It took me 6 days to read a 410-page book!
I was hooked in the first few pages, and all throughout her book, I kept on wondering what was going to happen next!
Her story is raw, unfiltered, courageous, and she's vulnerable about her own life struggles!
I only just recently came across her book and then started following her on Facebook, which I'd recommend doing, also!
This was an inspirational book, and I'd HIGHLY recommend this book!!!
I was hooked in the first few pages, and all throughout her book, I kept on wondering what was going to happen next!
Her story is raw, unfiltered, courageous, and she's vulnerable about her own life struggles!
I only just recently came across her book and then started following her on Facebook, which I'd recommend doing, also!
This was an inspirational book, and I'd HIGHLY recommend this book!!!
February 2, 2024
Excellent Read!
As an avid reader I am very particular about how I spend my time absorbed in a story. I was absolutely in love with this one after a few pages. Witty, clever and meaningful would be a thumbnail description of this tale of despair and eventual redemption. My hope is for an equally entertaining sequel "down the road".
As an avid reader I am very particular about how I spend my time absorbed in a story. I was absolutely in love with this one after a few pages. Witty, clever and meaningful would be a thumbnail description of this tale of despair and eventual redemption. My hope is for an equally entertaining sequel "down the road".
February 15, 2024
Hilarious and soulful with a sprinkle sass, this book will make you feel like you are riding shotgun on her journey. A true love affair with the open road and America itself, Casey will make you feel inspired to travel and look within to find your true purpose. The one liners alone are worth the read!! I will be buying this book as a gift for every reader I know!
February 19, 2024
Like talking to an old friend! We have the paperback of Casey Roman’s debut book but when the bridge between Leland and Wilmington closed and doubled my commute time I brought Casey to the car! She’s real. She’s comedic, and she spares no detail. As long as the traffic stays backed up I’ll play this on repeat!
February 18, 2025
I mostly enjoyed it, though I don't watch the channel - so that piece was lost on me.
Endearing, but annoying at points - she's judgy of others while occasionally behaving in a way that invites judgment.
I did like the tidbits of local history and lore. I'll have to check out the website to see the pics in color.
Endearing, but annoying at points - she's judgy of others while occasionally behaving in a way that invites judgment.
I did like the tidbits of local history and lore. I'll have to check out the website to see the pics in color.
January 10, 2024
If you like her on YouTube, you will love this book.
If you have never seen Casey Roman on YouTube, you will still love this book.
This is a heartwarming book of adventure, American history, courage, and triumph told as only a great storyteller can do.
If you have never seen Casey Roman on YouTube, you will still love this book.
This is a heartwarming book of adventure, American history, courage, and triumph told as only a great storyteller can do.
February 13, 2024
The Education You Get From Travel
This was a good entertaining read. She did a good job of explaining her aspirations, dreams, disillusion and changes this trip called into being. Would recommend to all who like new experiences and aren't to old to remember their own.
This was a good entertaining read. She did a good job of explaining her aspirations, dreams, disillusion and changes this trip called into being. Would recommend to all who like new experiences and aren't to old to remember their own.
September 29, 2024
Down to Earth
Casey Roman is my hero for telling about #vanlife as it really is and not the Instagram version. During her travels she had a veritable slew of adventures that were both fascinating and a little bit crazy. I really hope she writes a sequel to this story.
Casey Roman is my hero for telling about #vanlife as it really is and not the Instagram version. During her travels she had a veritable slew of adventures that were both fascinating and a little bit crazy. I really hope she writes a sequel to this story.
January 17, 2024
Loved this book so very much. Very realistic and comical look at RV’ing. Great job Casey Roman!
March 4, 2024
Small town America with a dash of van life.
Amusing and honest book but lacks the spice of her vlogs. Still a great fan of Casey Roman and her unique perspective on life ☺
Amusing and honest book but lacks the spice of her vlogs. Still a great fan of Casey Roman and her unique perspective on life ☺
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews