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Scribblings From Storage : The Confessions of an English Major
Scribblings from Storage is a jaunty memoir by a long-time seasoned attorney Charles Guittard...told in his bright and breezy style... Bob Darden
From materials accumulated in his storage units over the years, Charles Guittard has created a treasure trove of humor and insight. Mikeal Parsons
What happens when you unearth boxes of old letters, dog-eared essays, rebellious cartoons, and forgotten report cards from a dusty storage unit? You get SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE, The Confessions of an English Major—a candid, witty, and deeply human memoir by Charles Francis Guittard, Baylor class of 1964.
Told through the artifacts of his so-called “permanent record,” this unconventional memoir traces Charles’s winding journey as an earnest but often insecure teenager stumbling reluctantly toward adulthood. Dating dramas, debate, bridge and ping-pong competitions, college decisions, fraternity bids, career anxiety, and spiritual curiosity all collide as he tries to figure out who he is—and what on earth he’s meant to do.
Whether he’s sun-lamping to improve his skin or studying The Art of Dating to prepare for when a girl answers the phone, Charles’s story is hilariously specific—and surprisingly universal. Somehow, despite his worrying confusion and anxiety, he makes it through.
How he did it, who helped, and what he’s made of it all—as an English major turned attorney turned author—is revealed behind the storage unit doors at Elysian Fields U-Store-It.
Complete with original illustrations by Amanda Colborn, SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE invites you to sift through the carefully stored clutter of one man’s long road to self-understanding seven decades later—and maybe recognize a little of your own story inside.
Memoir, identity crisis, humor, adolescence, dating, protests, pranks, Baylor, SMU, letters, law school, cartooning
Charles
From materials accumulated in his storage units over the years, Charles Guittard has created a treasure trove of humor and insight. Mikeal Parsons
What happens when you unearth boxes of old letters, dog-eared essays, rebellious cartoons, and forgotten report cards from a dusty storage unit? You get SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE, The Confessions of an English Major—a candid, witty, and deeply human memoir by Charles Francis Guittard, Baylor class of 1964.
Told through the artifacts of his so-called “permanent record,” this unconventional memoir traces Charles’s winding journey as an earnest but often insecure teenager stumbling reluctantly toward adulthood. Dating dramas, debate, bridge and ping-pong competitions, college decisions, fraternity bids, career anxiety, and spiritual curiosity all collide as he tries to figure out who he is—and what on earth he’s meant to do.
Whether he’s sun-lamping to improve his skin or studying The Art of Dating to prepare for when a girl answers the phone, Charles’s story is hilariously specific—and surprisingly universal. Somehow, despite his worrying confusion and anxiety, he makes it through.
How he did it, who helped, and what he’s made of it all—as an English major turned attorney turned author—is revealed behind the storage unit doors at Elysian Fields U-Store-It.
Complete with original illustrations by Amanda Colborn, SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE invites you to sift through the carefully stored clutter of one man’s long road to self-understanding seven decades later—and maybe recognize a little of your own story inside.
Memoir, identity crisis, humor, adolescence, dating, protests, pranks, Baylor, SMU, letters, law school, cartooning
Charles
443 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 17, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 24, 2026
SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE: THE CONFESSIONS OF AN ENGLISH MAJOR is an autobiographical memoir by Charles Francis Guittard encompassing the latter’s life from promising high school student, Baylor University freshman, SMU law student, to practising attorney, self employed litigant, civil trial specialist, Alternative Dispute Resolution expert and author.
Readers are invited to follow a young Charles as a promising if somewhat socially awkward school bandsman to aspiring undergraduate student who experiences several personal identity crises during 1960-1970; including dating, fluctuating levels of confidence relating to his own intelligence and competencies, personal faith, and uncertainty about postgraduate study opportunities.
The author utilises his vast repository of family correspondence and official documentation—all safely crated at Elysian Fields U-Store-It; to engage, inform and to navigate the reader through the Guittard family lens during a period that incorporated transition within Baylor University and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Guittard has written a slow burner that gradually and evenly fans into flame. At 443 pages, the Kindle edition may perhaps be forgiven for the inclusion of the occasional typographic error; which incidentally did little to mar the current reviewer’s experience.
Source Notes, Bibliography and select Biographies round off and otherwise complete the reading experience. Readers who enjoy clean, well articulated and appropriately annotated biography peppered with occasional whimsical monochromatic illustrations, together with well intentioned fatherly advice, will not be disappointed.
Readers are invited to follow a young Charles as a promising if somewhat socially awkward school bandsman to aspiring undergraduate student who experiences several personal identity crises during 1960-1970; including dating, fluctuating levels of confidence relating to his own intelligence and competencies, personal faith, and uncertainty about postgraduate study opportunities.
The author utilises his vast repository of family correspondence and official documentation—all safely crated at Elysian Fields U-Store-It; to engage, inform and to navigate the reader through the Guittard family lens during a period that incorporated transition within Baylor University and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Guittard has written a slow burner that gradually and evenly fans into flame. At 443 pages, the Kindle edition may perhaps be forgiven for the inclusion of the occasional typographic error; which incidentally did little to mar the current reviewer’s experience.
Source Notes, Bibliography and select Biographies round off and otherwise complete the reading experience. Readers who enjoy clean, well articulated and appropriately annotated biography peppered with occasional whimsical monochromatic illustrations, together with well intentioned fatherly advice, will not be disappointed.
September 6, 2026
SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE starts as one man sifting through decades-old letters and report cards from a storage unit and turns into something genuinely moving, mostly because Charles Guittard never tries too hard to make it so. He was an anxious, socially uncertain kid trying to figure out dating, faith, career direction, and his own intelligence all at once, and he writes about it with enough honesty that you forget you're reading about the 1960s.
The letters from his father are a highlight I didn't expect. There's real warmth in how the elder Guittard guided without pushing, offered perspective without dictating, and trusted Charles to find his own footing. It's the kind of parenting that feels quietly radical even now. The illustrations by Amanda Colborn add a lovely, unhurried texture to the reading experience too, the sort of small detail that tells you everyone involved actually cared about making this book feel like something.
At 443 pages it's a commitment, and it does take its time getting going. But that pacing ends up suiting the material. This is a book about a long, winding road to self-understanding, and Guittard earns the length. If you're drawn to memoirs that feel personal without being indulgent, this one is worth the time.
The letters from his father are a highlight I didn't expect. There's real warmth in how the elder Guittard guided without pushing, offered perspective without dictating, and trusted Charles to find his own footing. It's the kind of parenting that feels quietly radical even now. The illustrations by Amanda Colborn add a lovely, unhurried texture to the reading experience too, the sort of small detail that tells you everyone involved actually cared about making this book feel like something.
At 443 pages it's a commitment, and it does take its time getting going. But that pacing ends up suiting the material. This is a book about a long, winding road to self-understanding, and Guittard earns the length. If you're drawn to memoirs that feel personal without being indulgent, this one is worth the time.
July 26, 2026
Charles Guittard has crafted a memoir that is as entertaining as it is deeply reflective, transforming ordinary keepsakes into an extraordinary journey of self-discovery.
Scribblings From Storage: The Confessions of an English Major is filled with wit, honesty, and timeless insights that make every chapter engaging.
The author's creativity shines through his unique storytelling, blending humor, nostalgia, and heartfelt reflection with remarkable skill.
His ability to breathe life into forgotten memories makes this book both personal and universally relatable.
Readers will find themselves laughing, reflecting, and reconnecting with the moments that shape who we become.
This is more than a memoir it's an inspiring celebration of growth, resilience, and the enduring value of our personal stories.
Charles Guittard deserves high praise for delivering such a memorable and beautifully written work with lasting emotional impact.
If you enjoy thoughtful memoirs with humor and heart, this is a book well worth adding to your collection don't miss the opportunity to grab your copy.
Scribblings From Storage: The Confessions of an English Major is filled with wit, honesty, and timeless insights that make every chapter engaging.
The author's creativity shines through his unique storytelling, blending humor, nostalgia, and heartfelt reflection with remarkable skill.
His ability to breathe life into forgotten memories makes this book both personal and universally relatable.
Readers will find themselves laughing, reflecting, and reconnecting with the moments that shape who we become.
This is more than a memoir it's an inspiring celebration of growth, resilience, and the enduring value of our personal stories.
Charles Guittard deserves high praise for delivering such a memorable and beautifully written work with lasting emotional impact.
If you enjoy thoughtful memoirs with humor and heart, this is a book well worth adding to your collection don't miss the opportunity to grab your copy.
August 30, 2026
Charles Guittard shares his letters and musings from his storage units over the years from high school and college. I enjoyed his letters to his family and friends during his college years as I didn't go away to college, but got my degree online. I was able to get a firsthand look at what it looked like. I can appreciate his wanting to get specific courses with specific teachers.
I also enjoyed reading the letters from Guittard's dad. He offered solid advice while leaving room for Charles to decide for himself when it came to religion, dating, career questions, and more. He didn't force Charles in the way to go but was a solid presence. We need more parents today, like Charles' dad, who accepts that their children are individual people, as opposed to a mini-me, like the adult.
Scribblings From Storage even came withe cute and whimsical illustrations by Amanda Colborn. I'd recommend Scribblings From Storage if you want to see what college was like fifty years ago from an English major turned lawyer.
I also enjoyed reading the letters from Guittard's dad. He offered solid advice while leaving room for Charles to decide for himself when it came to religion, dating, career questions, and more. He didn't force Charles in the way to go but was a solid presence. We need more parents today, like Charles' dad, who accepts that their children are individual people, as opposed to a mini-me, like the adult.
Scribblings From Storage even came withe cute and whimsical illustrations by Amanda Colborn. I'd recommend Scribblings From Storage if you want to see what college was like fifty years ago from an English major turned lawyer.
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September 1, 2026This is one refreshing memoir and reflects on the past relatably. The author reviews various cartoons, essays and letters, which are part of his life and they tell a unique story. It is mostly unfiltered which adds a personal edge and it is like walking through someone's past life and unboxing myriads of past memories. It shows that a person is only complete with their ordinary memories which may sometimes seem more extraordinary than they should be.
The author is certain and honest which makes it enjoyable at the same time. Charlie is a unique character and despite his insecurities covering his career, academic issues, and dating, there’s a lot more to his experiences. The author adds humor to it and it covers for the different vulnerabilities involved in the main character.
The old art makes the novel unconventional and it highlights the creativity of the author as it is not just not nostalgic but it is also a great improvement to the genre. The illustrations are not just part of the book, but they add a personality to it.
The author is certain and honest which makes it enjoyable at the same time. Charlie is a unique character and despite his insecurities covering his career, academic issues, and dating, there’s a lot more to his experiences. The author adds humor to it and it covers for the different vulnerabilities involved in the main character.
The old art makes the novel unconventional and it highlights the creativity of the author as it is not just not nostalgic but it is also a great improvement to the genre. The illustrations are not just part of the book, but they add a personality to it.
August 31, 2026
An Inspiring and Fun Read
SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE by Charles Francis Guittard is an interestingly unique memoir put together by a collection of pieces of records from the author’s early years kept in various storage facilities. Charles reflects on every event, step, and milestone of his life so well, as if it just happened yesterday. Moreover, he does it with a good sense of humor, making it more enjoyable to read.
Reading this book makes one reflect on their own lives and inspires them to document it too. It feels like watching a film in which you are the main character. One of the most impressive things about this recollection is how the author was always cautious and tried to make preparations before taking any step in their life, and how their parents tried to help shape their character. This memoir is a worthy read, and people who like coming-of-age stories will equally enjoy it too.
SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE by Charles Francis Guittard is an interestingly unique memoir put together by a collection of pieces of records from the author’s early years kept in various storage facilities. Charles reflects on every event, step, and milestone of his life so well, as if it just happened yesterday. Moreover, he does it with a good sense of humor, making it more enjoyable to read.
Reading this book makes one reflect on their own lives and inspires them to document it too. It feels like watching a film in which you are the main character. One of the most impressive things about this recollection is how the author was always cautious and tried to make preparations before taking any step in their life, and how their parents tried to help shape their character. This memoir is a worthy read, and people who like coming-of-age stories will equally enjoy it too.
September 25, 2026
In his memoir, Scribblings from Storage: The Confessions of An English Major, Charles Guittard recalls some of the most consequential and non-consequential events of his life from childhood to reflections of present-day as he unearths artifacts from his past. This auto-biographical journey is interspersed with cartoons, illustrations, and other pertinent documents that were pivotal to his family and career. Other resources include letters to and from his parents which display both humor and depth of thought, making Scribblings from Storage truly a unique volume.
Scribblings from Storage is an eclectic autobiography told from an intriguing perspective. The author has an incredible knack of being funny and vulnerable at the same time. He covers everything from his childhood to his career, while doling out dating advice. There are places in the narrative where the prose is somewhat dense. However, if you like substantive, light-hearted, and perhaps irreverent memoirs, Scribblings from Storage, may interest you.
Scribblings from Storage is an eclectic autobiography told from an intriguing perspective. The author has an incredible knack of being funny and vulnerable at the same time. He covers everything from his childhood to his career, while doling out dating advice. There are places in the narrative where the prose is somewhat dense. However, if you like substantive, light-hearted, and perhaps irreverent memoirs, Scribblings from Storage, may interest you.
September 13, 2026
Going through a lifetime of old memories hit me harder than I thought it would. SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE by Charles Guittard is a real joy to read. It’s a funny, honest memoir put together from old letters, essays, report cards, and other keepsakes he found in a storage unit.
What I like most about the book is how different it feels from a regular memoir. Guittard pulls from old letters, essays, cartoons, report cards, photos, and other personal stuff he kept stored away for years. They’re not just add‑ons; they make the book feel genuine. It doesn’t feel like someone looking back years later and trying to recall his youth. It feels more like finding his younger self exactly as he was back then.
What I like most about the book is how different it feels from a regular memoir. Guittard pulls from old letters, essays, cartoons, report cards, photos, and other personal stuff he kept stored away for years. They’re not just add‑ons; they make the book feel genuine. It doesn’t feel like someone looking back years later and trying to recall his youth. It feels more like finding his younger self exactly as he was back then.
August 24, 2026
Unique presentation
SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE provides a unique format for the author's memoir. Charles Guittard doesn't just write about his life but includes tangible pieces he saved over the years in a storage locker. Each chapter ends with items such as excerpts from his writings, cartoons, and letters from his college days.
While the actual text is a bit long, I found these pieces from the storage locker fascinating. It is one thing to read about someone's life and quite another to indulge in the evidence of it.
If you are the type of person who has a memory box with pieces of your past, this memoir is likely to resonate with you.
SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE provides a unique format for the author's memoir. Charles Guittard doesn't just write about his life but includes tangible pieces he saved over the years in a storage locker. Each chapter ends with items such as excerpts from his writings, cartoons, and letters from his college days.
While the actual text is a bit long, I found these pieces from the storage locker fascinating. It is one thing to read about someone's life and quite another to indulge in the evidence of it.
If you are the type of person who has a memory box with pieces of your past, this memoir is likely to resonate with you.
July 12, 2026
A treasure trove of memories…
What’s truly charming about this book is that, although it recounts wonderfully specific anecdotes—such as his hilarious attempts to understand “the art of dating” or his college escapades—it manages to strike a universal chord. Reading his confessions, it’s impossible not to see yourself reflected in that confusion so characteristic of youth, in the fear of not measuring up, and in the eternal search for identity.
What’s truly charming about this book is that, although it recounts wonderfully specific anecdotes—such as his hilarious attempts to understand “the art of dating” or his college escapades—it manages to strike a universal chord. Reading his confessions, it’s impossible not to see yourself reflected in that confusion so characteristic of youth, in the fear of not measuring up, and in the eternal search for identity.
September 1, 2026
fun and memorable
This is an unconventional memoir built from things Guittard kept over the years of his life.
It follows him from adolescence through college and law school as he wrestles with dating, friendships, choosing a career, spirituality, and figuring out who he wants to become.
I love how well Guittard mixed in some humor to the more serious reflection because I feel that gave the memoir an even more relatable feel.
This is an unconventional memoir built from things Guittard kept over the years of his life.
It follows him from adolescence through college and law school as he wrestles with dating, friendships, choosing a career, spirituality, and figuring out who he wants to become.
I love how well Guittard mixed in some humor to the more serious reflection because I feel that gave the memoir an even more relatable feel.
September 3, 2026
Relatable and reflective
The author used old letters, essays, cartoons, photographs, and other pieces from his “storage” collection to reconstruct his younger years.
SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE is a nostalgic, humorous memoir about growing up, and finding yourself.
It's interesting how Guittard digs through his past to share his "confessions". I felt special, just reading through memories.
The author used old letters, essays, cartoons, photographs, and other pieces from his “storage” collection to reconstruct his younger years.
SCRIBBLINGS FROM STORAGE is a nostalgic, humorous memoir about growing up, and finding yourself.
It's interesting how Guittard digs through his past to share his "confessions". I felt special, just reading through memories.
July 10, 2026
An engaging memoir
Many people keep memorabilia from childhood and through stages of life after that. But not many people have the notes lying around to compose a memoir. Fortunately this author had letters, drawings etc. that he is able to pull from and write this delightful book. It was a joy to read.
Many people keep memorabilia from childhood and through stages of life after that. But not many people have the notes lying around to compose a memoir. Fortunately this author had letters, drawings etc. that he is able to pull from and write this delightful book. It was a joy to read.
October 21, 2026
Scribblings From Storage is a memoir built from the paper trail of a life. Guittard writes about dating dramas, fraternity bids, and the anxious search for identity with a sharp, self-deprecating wit. The original illustrations and old letters make it feel like you are sifting through the boxes with him.
July 10, 2026
Transported back in time
This is one of those books that reminds you how powerful old memories can be. As I read it, I found myself relating to the author's experience of rediscovering pieces of the past. For me, college was thirty years ago. One thing I especially appreciated was how the author had kept old letters and other personal mementos. Reading about them made me wish I had saved more of my own correspondence instead of letting it disappear over the years. Those handwritten letters captured moments that can never truly be recreated. If you've ever opened a forgotten box in the attic or storage room and been transported back in time, you'll likely find yourself connecting with this book.
This is one of those books that reminds you how powerful old memories can be. As I read it, I found myself relating to the author's experience of rediscovering pieces of the past. For me, college was thirty years ago. One thing I especially appreciated was how the author had kept old letters and other personal mementos. Reading about them made me wish I had saved more of my own correspondence instead of letting it disappear over the years. Those handwritten letters captured moments that can never truly be recreated. If you've ever opened a forgotten box in the attic or storage room and been transported back in time, you'll likely find yourself connecting with this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews