Memory Cards

by Michael K. Brantley

Memory Cards is a journey down a dusty rural road, but also back in time to where as late as the 1980s, neighbors still used mules for transportation and outhouses for other necessities. There is plenty to see, hear and smell, from the oppressive heat and pungent smell of row upon row of tobacco, to the mobile library that brought air conditioning and the aroma of paper, glue and binding each week of the summer. The author grew up in a functional family, but with different interests than his siblings, particularly ones that offered unknown prospects.


As the road from the farm widens, readers encounter firebrand preachers, snake-handling churches, guns, baseball, Baptists, Coca-Cola, Elvis, suicides, mysterious deaths, PTSD, houses inhabited by haints, pork barbecue, tea cookies, cornbread, fishing, arrowheads, ice hockey and basketball.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Autobiography

ebook

First published June 10, 2015

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! I couldn't put it down.

[Aphra Behn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The richly woven stories that make up Michael Brantley’s “Memory Cards” move through his upbringing in the rural south, surrounded by family and faith, to his recently embraced life as a writer. The presence of strong women dominate the stories – Granny, Mama and eventually his wife, Kristi, all influence and advance his understanding of life, most of the time in quiet, subtle ways. Brantley has a flair for descriptive passages, especially recalling the food of his youth – toasted pimento cheese sandwiches, a glass of 7up over crushed ice, and the warm and buttery tea cookies that his Granny baked. There is plenty of time devoted to the encounters of being the youngest male in the household, from coming to grips with his veteran fathers' PTSD to the passed down family tradition of responsible gun ownership. I especially fell deep into Brantley’s childhood stories – his unforgettable excursion to Six Gun Territory amusement park and the Mickey Mouse ears he never got.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book fit for greatreads (if that existed). Never too long or too slow, this book clips along at the perfect pace and has a little bit of something for everyone. A memoir that both talks about sensitive and personal topics as well as a book that shows what a humorous essayist Brantley can be, the tone of the narrator throughout the book is approachable. Defying stereotypes brought to mind when "southern literature" is mentioned, Brantley is both proud of his upbringing and unafraid to differ from the norm (so what if he never shoots an animal again?)I applaud the work that went into crafting such a memoir and feel that each word used in this book is just right.

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of stories from rural North Carolina. Growing pains and simple pleasures; farm life; sports; unique characters; family; summer jobs and graduate school; success and setbacks--- all told with flavor that puts you into the past and makes you feel as if you lived it, and maybe you did somewhat. I highly recommend this collection of memories. Brantley's writing is witty but not pompous. He is open and engaging. Just a great read.

[Kevin McAllister · Rating 4 out of 5]

When going through a mid life crisis a lot of men will leave their wives for a younger woman and buy a fast car. Michael Brantley quit a job he felt no passion for, looked back on his life, got a Masters degree, became a teacher, and wrote a book about the journey. A class act all the way !

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories are not something I enjoy. However this book, laid out with many short stories woven into a complete book, was great fun! While this sometimes bumped into repetitive reading, it was very enjoyable to read.

[KG · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I enjoyed it so much because I grew up in the South. Many of his stories seemed like my own childhood. It's a great start for a new writer.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Southern charm

I absolutely loved this book. It appealed to me because of the author's skill in storytelling as well as all the cultural references that - as a fellow southerner - had me in turns tearing up, nodding my head, and laughing out loud.

[Charlene A. Lester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith and honesty

Interesting story about the twists and turns of ones religious beliefs. Periods when your beliefs are questioned because life doesn't seem to be going the way we think it should be.

[Kenneth McLennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn into Memory Cards - each card a new insight to a real life lived.

[Dave Crisp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing alone makes this book a must read for anyone who enjoys great writing. The story thus becomes worthwhile, despite being about a life I would never choose to lead myself. The insights and observations are great, again despite being often diametrically opposed to things I would think or believe. If the purpose of reading is to expand ones mind, this certainly achieves that.

I can hardly wait for the 'how to write' that I sincerely hope is coming. Those types of books are also highly revealing of the way an author's mind works, how their insights develop as well as how they get them into very readable shape that draws others in as quickly, completely and steadily throughout as this does. I can't believe I held off reading this for so long due to the description of the contents and doubt I would like it. Once started I couldn't put it down, which is rare for me.

[Susan Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a walk down a country lane

Walking down a country lane on a beautiful day, letting your life drifting through your mind, is this insightful book. The author examines his choices and experiences through the lens of his older eyes, a 20/20 hindsight view. Exquisite prose flows like a stream through the trees, leaving peace in its passing.

[Gina Schwartz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting memoir

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thinking

Story made be think about my life. The people, places and things and to look at them in a different light. We they really how I had been seeing them and where do I go from here.

[Chris Gregory]

Wonderful reading experience!

I love this book because it's written in a matter-of-fact, realistic, enjoyable fashion. These types of stories are my favorites. And this book especially gives. The reader a feel for the time period and the region.

I'm from the Pacific Northwest, but spent two years in eastern North Carolina and attended East Carolina University. That was over forty years ago but, while reading, I could smell and taste barbecue, smell the aromas of the trees, and feel the humid, sticky, sweltering heat. And the rich relationships - those took me back to my own childhood friends. Most of them are gone - cancer, heart attacks, car wrecks, Vietnam, but I remembered them all while reading this author's true to life experiences.
I strongly recommend this read and thank the authors for his vivid experiences.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely reminiscences...quick, easy, captivating read!

I loved this touching autobiographical memoir! My only complaint is it ended too abruptly, leaving me wishing for more! The writing style is random, anecdotal, and not chronologically arranged, but still manages to weave a lovely story of one man's efforts to find his calling, from childhood to adulthood and beyond. Brantley evokes a nostalgic longing for a forgotten way of rural, small town life in America that has been all but obliterated by modern technology and so-called "progress." This eBook could use a good proofreader to peruse for typos and/or insert the missing articles, verbs, etc., (thus the 4 rating). Despite those minor flaws, I can highly recommend this book!

[Harry Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memoirs are often interesting because they are penned by people who have lived interesting lives; this is not one of those. It is a rather elegiac reminisce of a place, eastern North Carolina, and times, namely the last half of the twentieth century. Being of the same general age cohort, and having grown up in a community not too unlike Hope Springs, I relate strongly to Brantley's narrative. He uses an unusual narrative technique wherein each chapter has a general topic, but consists of a series of vignettes that are not necessarily chronological. A bit odd, but I thought it worked.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful journey of a life. Harrison Keillor meets Gene Sheppard!

[Elizabeth Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

Author has written a book that touches you deeply and reminds us the importance of family, work ethic, character and family ties. A very patriotic book in these the troubled times. The writing is beautiful and insightful. I will be passing the good word to all who want to read a heart warming book that that talks about life' s realities, struggles and beauty! Well done!

[Kimberly Trivette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Enjoyed

This was a nice sit down, and take a look at someone else story. Mr.Brantley drew you in by the awesome tales of his childhood, while speaking highly of family, friends, and the town he grew up in. While I may be partial, as NC is home, he couldn't have described it better. Thank you Mr.Brantley.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of this book was pre-published in newspapers and magazines. Each chapter stands alone, but taken together are a lovely look at life in southern USA. Always amazing what people accept as matter of course there that we would be outraged by. For me, it speaks to why there is so much misunderstanding at the global level.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. It is memories written of Michael Brantley's life- not necessarily chronologically. It was a great way to capture memories and just think about how it has all affected you. It made me reflect on my own life. I enjoyed how in his reminiscing his love for people and places came through.

[Correne Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

This is a wonderful, life affirming book. I read it in one sitting in about six hours. I would recommend, and do recommend this book to anyone. It has something for everyone of all ages.

[Suzanne Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sweetness of memory

I read this book while at my father's home, getting it ready for sale after his death. These vignettes of life fit my mood well as I went through family photos, decades of old files, and the other trappings of a long life well lived. A very enjoyable read.

[River Kirsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting and sometimes confusing format. The first book strikes me as fairly linear later devolving into snippets of memory going back and forth in time. Some things become repetitive.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is comprised of vignettes from the author's life. Surprisingly, I found myself pulled in and didn't want to put it down. I look forward to reading more of his work.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free nook books are always worth it. This memoir about growing up in the South is worth more than most.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memory

I loved all the stories. The characters all seemed so real & I could identify with the dilemmas. It was a very enjoyable read.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't know who Michael K. Brantley is when I began to read his book, and as I closed it at the end I still don't know. The book had some little chapters that were amusing, some that rang true about human nature or told a bit about his experiences in various sports and jobs. There is a tendency to repeat things to the point that this reader felt as if she were sitting with an elderly gentleman musing over a variety of memories from his past. I was often moved to admonish, "you already told me that."

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different style of book but once I got into it a bit I really enjoyed it. Each chapter is a grouping of memories (hence the memory card name) around generally a theme. The author lives in the NC area (born in the 1970's I think) and his memories reflect around that area. There is a rough story line and recounting of his life and yet there is a lot of jumping around and flashing back. It wasn't confusing though, it just didn't flow as a normal novel might. Glad and I read this and I would read something by this author again.