Scattering the Ashes

by Paul Semendinger

Sam Holmes is a young, enthusiastic school teacher living an uneventful, albeit pleasant life – even if he won’t admit to himself how lonely he is. Dedicated to teaching, and inspired by the kids passing through his 8th grade history class, Sam is energized by the end of the school year. Now he has the time to dedicate himself fully to training for the historic New York City Marathon - his first.

But Sam’s simple life is radically changed when his father suddenly passes away and the Last Will and Testament are read to him. Sam learns that his father’s final wishes are unique, and as such special burden has been placed solely on Sam. To earn his inheritance, Sam’s father is sending him on a quest; to travel to the places that had been significant and scatter his father’s ashes at these destinations. Now, instead of a pleasant summer, Sam is thrust into a journey he neither wanted nor asked for.

While fulfilling is father’s wishes Sam meets Rachel Parker, a young woman who brings direction, clarity, and companionship to Sam’s lonely life. As he faces the struggles of a contract dispute at work, a budding romance, and running in his first marathon, Sam Holmes must make the critical decisions that will impact the rest of his life.

278 pages, Hardcover

Published October 22, 2019

About the author

Dr. Semendinger is a passionate educator who, in his close to thirty years has served in almost every capacity - teacher, vice principal, principal, and college professor. Dr. Sem currently serves as the principal of the most wonderful elementary school in the world!

An accomplished speaker and original thinker, Dr. Semendinger also shares his insight with educators across the country at conferences and workshops.

As a writer, Dr. Semendinger demonstrates great diversity in style and is also an accomplish essayist. Dr. Semendinger's first book of essays, "Impossible is an Illusion" and his first novel, "Scattering the Ashes" have been praised. "Scattering the Ashes" has won numerous book awards. Dr. Semendinger is the Editor-in-Chief of the Start Spreading The News Yankees blog. His unique history of the Yankees "The Least Among Them" comes out in 2021.

An active runner, Dr. Semendinger has completed 21 marathons. He also still plays competitive baseball and softball.

More than all of this, Dr. Semendinger is a devoted husband and the proud father of three wonderful sons. It is Dr. Semendinger's family that brings him the most joy.

Reviews

[Divya Mahajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scattering the Ashes by Paul Semendinger is an easy read about family especially father son relationship. After the death of his father, Sam is given letters written by his late father by his father's attorney; to scatter his ashes in places special to them both and has to go on series of excursions to fulfill the wishes though not compulsory. Initially Sam is reluctant and resentful of the burden placed om him and his other two siblings, still he reluctantly agrees and goes on a life changing journey that brings him closer to his father and also finds his future wife and is more at peace with his self and is clear about his goals in life. As an Indian, I can understand the urge to fulfill loved one's last wishes as it is considered our sacred duty to do so.
This books takes you on a beautiful warm journey that brings a glow to your heart.
Thanks @BookTasters for this book

[M.E. Aster · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Actual rating 3.5 stars)

Spreading the Ashes was an introspective read focusing on themes many of us can relate to including loss, love, and perseverance.

Sam is a teacher and runner striving to deal with the loss of his father, his budding love life, his teaching career, and his goal of running a marathon.

To be completely honest, I didn’t love Sam as a character. He was pompous and selfish at times, and his view of the world was a bit too grandiose for me, but I found myself wanting to know more of his story anyway. His imperfections made him a believable character, if not a likable one for me.

My favorite character in fact was Sam’s father, who passed a few chapters into the story. I loved how he was written though. His love for his son mixed with his down to earth personality had me looking forward to every small appearance he made in Sam’s memories and his letters.

I loved reading about Sam’s journey to spread his father’s ashes. That was my favorite theme of the book. I found myself bored at time when the plot shifted to Sam’s running and eventually his romantic partner, but the prevalent theme of the story was focusing on his father’s death and saying his goodbyes to him and that was the plot point that kept me reading.

Although it felt messy and almost too much at times, I did enjoy Spreading the Ashes. The author obviously put tons of work into this book and I appreciate their effort and all the tiny quirks and facts they included. I wish the plot had been a bit more refined and focused mostly on Sam and his father instead of having so many side stories but overall it was a good read.

*I was given a free copy of this book from Booktasters and this is my honest, voluntary review.*

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a father and son's relationship through life and the father's death, and how the son deals with his grief, his memories and his personal life and job. It was really interesting to see how Sam's father helped him with his grief, even though the letters were a different idea! I didn't realize the book wasn't a true story, because it felt like it was. I won a copy of this book through Library Thing.

[Delilah Bluette · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I’m going to admit it took me a really long time to finish this book. Not because I didn’t like it (I actually did enjoy it quite a bit), but because it is told from the first-person perspective and I have trouble immersing myself in those books because my brain hates me apparently. (There’s even a clause in my paid review page that I will not review first-person point of view books for money because of this.) Luckily, “Scattering the Ashes” is a wonderful book.

I immediately identified with Sam, the main character, as he is a runner. I like to run also (not well or fast), and his descriptions of running and runners (at least some of us) are pretty spot-on. The character is fun and quirky and full of spunky ideals. I liked Sam and he is an easy character to empathize with throughout most of the story. But since we are in his head, we get to know when he’s being a jerk even if he does not. Those parts of the story were frustrating and luckily did not last that long.

This confession will probably make me sound like a flake (Guilty, I’m a flake. I don’t just sound like one.), but I didn’t read the entire synopsis when I got the book, so I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a love story. Like a wholesome, no naughtiness, love story. Complete with a meet-cute and the insecure and desperately lonely Sam’s internal monologue of how to not mess up this fortuitous event and somehow make a good impression of the woman he has managed to meet.

Sam’s father is alive at the beginning of the book, and he becomes such a vivid character and intrinsic part of the story that by the time he dies, I was heavily invested. I forgot he was supposed to die and that the story was about scattering his ashes. It was a sucker punch in the gut and the book actually made me cry. Heck, telling my mom about the story over the phone made her misty-eyed and a little sniffly. (And yes, I had to stop reading to call my parents and just enjoy talking to them since this book makes readers think about how little time, we all have.)

While I adored Rachael, the love interest, as she is described, she was almost not as real as Sam’s father to me. Overall, it is a good read. If you love sweet romances and stories that remind you about falling in love and appreciating the joy in your, this is a great book to read.

[Suhasini · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the name of the book suggests, this book is about the journey of our main protagonist, Sam to scatter the ashes of his father, in order to fulfill his last wish.

Sam is a school teacher and would be living alone. He is also a runner. He keeps meeting his father every weekend and is really close to him. After his father's death, Sam has to complete a rather strange wish of his father, before he can claim his inheritance. He would be handed over a set of letters and asked to scatter his father's wishes at chosen places. Now instead of spending a pleasant and long summer all alone at his house, Sam is forced to embark on a new journey, where he has to visit those places which have real significance in their life (to both father and son) and fulfill his father's last wishes.

Sam grows up along this novel from a lonely, self-obsessed school teacher to a family man (yes, he falls in love too) to a marathoner and embraces the world with all the humility and goodness this travel teaches him. Sam's transition is the first part that I liked in this book.

The second part is the series of letters, each one though short in nature contains deep inner meanings and captures the love between father and son very beautifully. Reading letter after letter made me wish to receive such letters one day. The last letter is the high-light which I read it multiple times.

Rachel (the love interest of Sam) is also another strong lady, who provides a sense of direction to Sam, apart from his father's letters. I also loved the Rachel has been projected in the novel both her positive and negative sides.

Last but not least, the way Sam has been portrayed in this book shows that all is not really well with the world. But eventually, we humans evolve from our own mistakes, and too much thinking always hinders us.

Thanks to Booktasters for providing me this book for an honest review. This book highlights the father and son relationship and takes it to the next level. I would recommend this book for an easy read for anyone.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - it turned out to be a page-turner, very hard to put down!

As the title of the book hints, part of the story revolves around Sam's task of scattering his late father's ashes. We meet his dad briefly at the start of the story, in the nursing home where he lives, to which Sam runs regularly from his own home as part of training to run his first marathon. However, we get to know his dad even more after his death, due to the unusual instructions he has left for Sam regarding the scattering of his ashes, and the trips Sam makes down memory lane as he works to fulfil his dad's wishes.

Sam is a young man of 28, still living in his family home. In addition to his Dad, and running, he loves baseball and his teaching job. He is single, although apparently not by choice. Whenever he notices an attractive young woman, he daydreams that something might come of it (if only he would speak to her). On one part of his journey to fulfil his late dad's wishes, he does meet (and talk to!) a young woman, and things begin to develop.

All the threads of this story kept me entwined and entranced with it: Sam's ashes-scattering quest; his budding romance with Rachel; his teaching job and the things that happen there; and his marathon training. At times Sam seems a bit immature and self-focused, but we do also watch him learn and grow (after a few notable setbacks).

There were a few minor quirks in the writing that struck me as odd or awkward - for example, most of the time whenever Sam buys anything, he says he "purchased" it, whereas I just felt like "bought" would have been a more natural-sounding term to use. I also began to wonder if this book was in the genre of "Christian fiction", due to the mostly chaste state of affairs (although twice he seems to *almost* be about to wind up in bed with another girl), Sam's tendency to pray (often aloud), his best friend being a man of the cloth, and to Rachel's declaration (rather late in the piece, I thought) that she wants to wait until she is married to have sex. Not that there is anything wrong with "Christian fiction", and I have in fact read and enjoyed a couple of other novels in that genre (albeit accidentally).

Primarily, I couldn't put this book down. I read it in just 5 days, super fast for me. I was always fascinated to find out how each thread of the story would go - what would happen next?

Overall this is beautifully written, and the threads culminate in a well put-together tapestry that I think leaves the reader satisfied.

[Maria Rivas-mc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paul Semendinger’s ‘Scattering the Ashes’ is the second book I’ve read during our COVID19 stay-at-home that deals with a protagonist fulfilling a loved one’s last requests. In this one, Sam is a 28 year old teacher who loves his vocation. He lives alone in his family home but yearns for a companion. His siblings live their own lives far away and his father is in a living-assisted facility. We meet him reminiscing on the year his father died, the turning point in his life.

It is through Sam’s eyes that we get snapshots of the people with whom he interacts and relive the events that move him from a self-absorbed solitary to a man who grows in understanding of abundance and love. Interestingly, one of the places that his father chose to have some of his ashes scattered is the Ramble - “a series of quiet paths, some seemingly going in circles, that make the walker forget he is even in a city”. It is, we are told, ‘a place for reflection and thought”. Reading this just a few days after the Christian Cooper/Amy Cooper incident in the Ramble meant the author allowed me to have another, and better, image of this “idyllic wilderness in the middle of Manhattan”.

I enjoyed reading Semendinger’s book (and the places to which he takes us) but feel it could have done with some tightening so that we don’t get too bogged down in Sam’s “thinking things through” (even his girlfriend accused him of that). My thanks to the author and Booktasters for a free copy in exchange for a fair review.

[Charletta Barksdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make The Days Count

This was a very heart warming, soul searching story. Sam is a teacher that is training to run a marathon. He also takes care of his aging father who soon passes away. In between his teaching, training and tragedy, he has to find time to grieve, learn how to love someone and run in a marathon, all at the same time. Can we say Superman is back lol.

The book is a long read but I enjoyed and appreciated that the chapters were short. I liked the crafty way the author wrote chapter 17, 18 & 29... by the way, if I may add, were my favorite chapters ☺️ and I found them very comical.

It was also a very enduring and heartfelt story. If you have recently lost a love one, get your tissues out. I don’t know if it was because we recently lost two family members to the coronavirus, or what. But I found it very hard to get through some of the chapters without crying, especially reading all of the letters from Sams father. Not to give to much away but, what a wonderful way to reflect, heal, grieve all at once and a perfect idea for a time share.

I appreciate the storyline, although it was long... every bit of it was a joyful read and happy ending. Sorry readers, I had to share a little spoilers. If anyone needs a good book to read to pass time, laugh, cry and just enjoy it. Pick up “Scattering The Ashes,” you won’t regret it.

[Jenny (jenjenreviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Paul Semendinger and Booktasters for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Given that this is an adult novel, I had expected Sam to be more mature than he actually was. In the beginning of the book, I found Sam kind of creepy and childish. I kept mentally yelling at him to just grow up. I’m happy to say that his character does develop throughout the book and he’s much better at the end.

Something that I appreciated about this book was the subplot dedicated to Sam’s work. As a professor, this particular storyline really resonated with me. I think a lot of educators tend to think only of themselves and forget about the students they claim to want to help and I'm happy that this book tackles this issue.

My favorite part of the novel, though, was reading the letters Sam’s father left for him. They were emotional and heartfelt and I feel like they would pull on anyones heart strings. I think most people would hope to have as strong as a relationship as Sam and his father had.

Read my full review here: https://jenjenreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Sian Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wholesome read.
An unusual request in his father’s will sends Sam on a journey, both literally and figuratively. The goal is to scatter his father’s ashes at various significant locations. This is definitely a book I’d categorise as wholesome, and if religion is important in your life, all the better because it comes up throughout the book. ‘Scattering the Ashes’ is a sweet story about determining what is really important, although I felt it lost direction in the middle, especially when the protagonist went through a short phase that I personally found out-of-character and frustrating. Having said that, I enjoyed accompanying Sam to all the places he visited and I found the end well-rounded and satisfying. It was a story that, although not fast-paced, kept my interest and had, on the whole, believable, likeable and well-constructed characters. Overall, I would recommend this book.

[Chandni Majumdar · Rating 5 out of 5]

After his father's death Sam Holmes is given some letters by his father's attorney. Those letters sent him to places where he has visited with his family as a child. Sam's father wanted Sam to put a small amount of his ashes in those places. The story starts when Sam's father was still alive and ends with his final letter. In this small period we get to know about Sam's dream to run a marathon, problems in his career as a teacher and how he meets the love of his life among other things.
The story is very unique. Seldom do we come across a story which is so personal. It is almost like reading someone's diary. It is bound to pull the strings of the reader's heart.
The book creates a strange and strong connection between the writer and the reader, which lingers even after the story comes to an end.
Highly recommended.

[Sally Beaudean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Story

For me, giving a 5-star rating is rare. Scattering the Ashes, however, is certainly deserving of an outstanding score. If you are a runner, you will love this book. I am certainly not a runner. If you are a teacher, you will love this book. I am a retired teacher. But the reason I loved this story was the gritty, honest, sometimes flawed main character and his personal growth as he grapples with the bizarre requirements he has to fulfill before inheriting his father's estate. I laughed and I cried -- a perfect response to a really good story. Read it; I think you'll love it, too.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely rate a book with five stars...Scattering the Ashes brought me to tears several times..I thought it based upon the authors personal experiences,but his acknowledges did not seem to indicate that.
Not being a religious person in the church attending aspect I was moved with his love of God and of his father. I felt his loneliness in the early part of the book and was glad he met Rachael,but felt their relationship was a little unrealistic by today's standards.
Overall I enjoyed the book because this type of book is a little out of my normal comfort zone and chose it after reading of synopsis.

[Sommer Pratte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written by an author with a far kinder, sweeter soul than mine. It is intelligent, and has a deep consideration for family ties, but it is not a romance novel. I prefer fast paced and dramatic stories, which this is not. I firmly believe each story has a well matched reader, and this just wasn’t my preferred tale. To each is own. If innocent, slow and steady wins the race, and that’s your preference, this book is for you.

[Rick Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read

I usually read suspenseful mysteries, but this book caught my eye. The characters come alive and you get emotionally involved in their lives. It made me think of my parents and brother. It highlights the struggles we go through in life. I didn't want the story to end.

[Marygrace Brinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a touching story of a father’s last wishes for his son. The son, Sam, has to bring his father’s ashes to destinations that his father found special. Each envelope brings Sam closer to his father, and closer to the love of his life. Through this touching story Sam finds what truly means to him, and is able to travel with his father one last time.

[Marilyn Levia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letting go is hard.

When this story started I was concerned that someone would have his child hold on to his ashes. And to have him try to place them in public places it was just.....wonderfu!

[thea Capazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks

Not only is the book good for the soul but so is the author can’t thank you enough for your caring.

[Judy Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

This was such a touching book, I wish everyone had a family and a childhood like Sam. it will make you laugh and cry

[Dr. Pj Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t Miss It

I began this book reluctantly, thinking I wouldn’t like it. However at some point it caught me and I couldn’t put it down.

[Barb Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book very different. The son took his father’s ashes to different places to remember things they had done. I really enjoyed it.

[Luis C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, different, dragged a bit at times.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Are you diabetic yet?

Tolstoy said happy families are all the same, and it's as though he had read, in advance, this book.

Maybe it's the way he drops his life to scatter his father's ashes, as though he owed a dead person anything (he's dead, you could put them under the floor and it wouldn't matter). Maybe it's how practically perfect his characters are. But for me, it's how idealized the whole world is for the main character that me want to reach for a dose of insulin to counter the sickly sweetness.

All of the glowing reviews aside, the undertones of the book sat poorly and I found myself rejecting the effort to read it with any depth. The author utterly fails to create believable family life for me and the current of his religious views ran like a river through it (or maybe I catch those things).

In any case, this is not a writer I would ever read again.