What do you think?
Rate this book
Struggle Bus: The Van. The Myth. The Legend.
The Struggle Bus: The Van. The Myth. The Legend. is designed to take you, dear reader, on a ride with the Wood family in the van that became an Internet sensation.
This one-of-a-kind literary adventure you are about to embark on is about more than a viral van. It's about managing the wonderful chaos of a family of 11. It's about parenting. It's about marriage. It's about success. It's about failure. It's about faith. It's about fun. It's about a van becoming a metaphor for life as it is given a fun-filled beatdown for the ages.
As you roll along with the Wood family, you just might feel driven to:
• connect a little more with the God who made you.
• give yourself a little more grace when you fail.
• smile and laugh a little more—both at the Wood family's expense and your own.
Hop in, buckle up, hold your nose, laugh, and join the Wood family to explore one of life's fundamental truths: the struggle is real.
This one-of-a-kind literary adventure you are about to embark on is about more than a viral van. It's about managing the wonderful chaos of a family of 11. It's about parenting. It's about marriage. It's about success. It's about failure. It's about faith. It's about fun. It's about a van becoming a metaphor for life as it is given a fun-filled beatdown for the ages.
As you roll along with the Wood family, you just might feel driven to:
• connect a little more with the God who made you.
• give yourself a little more grace when you fail.
• smile and laugh a little more—both at the Wood family's expense and your own.
Hop in, buckle up, hold your nose, laugh, and join the Wood family to explore one of life's fundamental truths: the struggle is real.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2020
16 people are currently reading
4233 people want to read
About the author
Josh Wood
4 books96 followersJosh Wood is a native of Amarillo, Texas. He and his wife, Careese, are graduates of Texas A&M University (Gig ’em). Josh went on to obtain his MBA from Baylor University (Sic ’em).
Newly wedded Josh and Careese made a number of definitive statements regarding their future, including the following classics: “We’ll never move back to Amarillo.” “We’ll have three or four kids. Those kids will never throw fits in Walmart.” “We’ll never home school our children.” “Home churches are weird.”
They live in Amarillo. They have nine kids. They home school. They are part of a home church. They’ve wiped numerous tears off the Walmart floor. Their hobbies include raising children and trying to avoid definitive statements about their future.
Newly wedded Josh and Careese made a number of definitive statements regarding their future, including the following classics: “We’ll never move back to Amarillo.” “We’ll have three or four kids. Those kids will never throw fits in Walmart.” “We’ll never home school our children.” “Home churches are weird.”
They live in Amarillo. They have nine kids. They home school. They are part of a home church. They’ve wiped numerous tears off the Walmart floor. Their hobbies include raising children and trying to avoid definitive statements about their future.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Currently reading
April 5, 2021I give this book 5 stars. Full disclosure: I wrote it. My mom would totally give it 5 stars. She said it was wonderful. Since she’s not on Goodreads, I feel moderately justified.
November 7, 2020
Josh Wood wrote an ad to sell his 15 passenger van, and it was so hilarious and honest that it went viral. Wood has expanded on this in a fun and enjoyable book. Josh uses lines from the ad to describe the life and lessons learned by his Christian family of 11 while they owned this van.
Recommend for anyone interested in humorous biographies and Christian nonfiction.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Recommend for anyone interested in humorous biographies and Christian nonfiction.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 7, 2020
Phenomenal Read!
The author’s prose is exquisite! It was so easy to read. I found myself laughing at every page. While I don’t have as many children as the author, I found myself relating to every word written. If more books are written by Mr. Wood, I’ll definitely be purchasing.
The author’s prose is exquisite! It was so easy to read. I found myself laughing at every page. While I don’t have as many children as the author, I found myself relating to every word written. If more books are written by Mr. Wood, I’ll definitely be purchasing.
June 19, 2020
Great read.
I laughed. I cried. I could relate with most situations, except having so many kids. Enjoyed your talent of story telling.
I laughed. I cried. I could relate with most situations, except having so many kids. Enjoyed your talent of story telling.
November 11, 2020
Buckle up for a heart-warming, heart-felt, side-splittingly funny adventure in life and learning aboard the Struggle Bus!
Authenticity surges through this book like an electrical current. No canned answers or pious platitudes here. This is Real Life 101. Or maybe, Real Life 11, because it’s told by a father of nine. Yep, nine.
That’s why this upbeat, engaging narrative begins with the Craigslist sale ad for the family’s geriatric 15 passenger Ford van. The “full disclosure” ad generates scores of responses from families “sharing eerily similar stories.” Ditto messages urging the author to “write more.” So he does. Hence, this hilarious, cogent book about the struggles, successes, and adventures of a large family. Each chapter is based on sections from the Craigslist ad.
Struggle Bus is a worthy read. It nimbly charts the nitty-gritty details of failure, exhaustion, disappointment, embarrassment, laughter, discovery, forgiveness, connectivity, exhilaration, love, hope, and faith encountered along the Woods’s parental highway (and maybe yours, too). Topics include making mistakes in marriage and child rearing. Teaching, training, nurturing and starting over. Also learning how, when, and where to find joy in the journey.
Chapter standouts include chapter six, The Ghost of Vomit Past and chapter eleven, The Oil Change. Any parent who’s ever traveled with a sick kid or two or nine will relate to the former. Anyone who’s ever fogged a mirror will relate to the latter. I laughed out loud so many times it started to freak out the dog.
Also: ‘Daddy, did Jesus make that lady fat?” Unsolicited advice about unsolicited advice. The “vomit comet.” Grocery store line evangelism on proper parenting. (Been there. Heard that.) Sometimes life is better when we quit things. “Embrace the crazy.” Quit counting to ten. It’s okay to not have all the answers. Preventative maintenance. The Wood family songbook. “Get up, dust yourselves off, learn, and try again.”
A strong stream of truth swirls through every chapter. The style is nimble and quick. The voice is fresh and lithe. Both clever and lively, observations are keen, incisive, and peppered with a generous dose of self-deprecating humor. In light-hearted, lyrical prose, the author conveys some pretty weighty life lessons and observations while neatly side-stepping pedantic or preachy.
Indeed, the gentle, homespun wisdom imparted isn’t the kind that’s shouted from a mountain top or thundered from a pulpit. It’s quiet. Mellow. It sneaks up on you and gently smacks you upside the head when you’re not looking.
A delightful collection of stories and excruciatingly insightful prose, this light-hearted, free-wheeling romp through Real Life 101 is a gem. There’s an “every person” quality to this book that will appeal to anyone with at least half of a functional funny bone. Highly recommended for anyone who’s vertical and breathing or has ever had to say, over a driver’s seat, “We’ll get there when we get there!”
I loved this book. It’s just… "fantastic."
Authenticity surges through this book like an electrical current. No canned answers or pious platitudes here. This is Real Life 101. Or maybe, Real Life 11, because it’s told by a father of nine. Yep, nine.
That’s why this upbeat, engaging narrative begins with the Craigslist sale ad for the family’s geriatric 15 passenger Ford van. The “full disclosure” ad generates scores of responses from families “sharing eerily similar stories.” Ditto messages urging the author to “write more.” So he does. Hence, this hilarious, cogent book about the struggles, successes, and adventures of a large family. Each chapter is based on sections from the Craigslist ad.
Struggle Bus is a worthy read. It nimbly charts the nitty-gritty details of failure, exhaustion, disappointment, embarrassment, laughter, discovery, forgiveness, connectivity, exhilaration, love, hope, and faith encountered along the Woods’s parental highway (and maybe yours, too). Topics include making mistakes in marriage and child rearing. Teaching, training, nurturing and starting over. Also learning how, when, and where to find joy in the journey.
Chapter standouts include chapter six, The Ghost of Vomit Past and chapter eleven, The Oil Change. Any parent who’s ever traveled with a sick kid or two or nine will relate to the former. Anyone who’s ever fogged a mirror will relate to the latter. I laughed out loud so many times it started to freak out the dog.
Also: ‘Daddy, did Jesus make that lady fat?” Unsolicited advice about unsolicited advice. The “vomit comet.” Grocery store line evangelism on proper parenting. (Been there. Heard that.) Sometimes life is better when we quit things. “Embrace the crazy.” Quit counting to ten. It’s okay to not have all the answers. Preventative maintenance. The Wood family songbook. “Get up, dust yourselves off, learn, and try again.”
A strong stream of truth swirls through every chapter. The style is nimble and quick. The voice is fresh and lithe. Both clever and lively, observations are keen, incisive, and peppered with a generous dose of self-deprecating humor. In light-hearted, lyrical prose, the author conveys some pretty weighty life lessons and observations while neatly side-stepping pedantic or preachy.
Indeed, the gentle, homespun wisdom imparted isn’t the kind that’s shouted from a mountain top or thundered from a pulpit. It’s quiet. Mellow. It sneaks up on you and gently smacks you upside the head when you’re not looking.
A delightful collection of stories and excruciatingly insightful prose, this light-hearted, free-wheeling romp through Real Life 101 is a gem. There’s an “every person” quality to this book that will appeal to anyone with at least half of a functional funny bone. Highly recommended for anyone who’s vertical and breathing or has ever had to say, over a driver’s seat, “We’ll get there when we get there!”
I loved this book. It’s just… "fantastic."
July 21, 2020
Struggle Bus: The Van. The Myth. The Legend. is the debut title by author Josh Wood. Struggle Bus is based on the adventures that Josh’s family experienced while owning a 15 passenger van. I became familiar with the Wood family’s adventures after reading the van’s brutally honest and hilarious Craiglist ad that went viral. In the post, Josh had included a link to his blog and when I learned that he and his family are also Christians living in Texas, I signed up for his blog’s email updates. A while after the post had gone viral, Josh announced that a book based on the ad was in the works and I’ve been looking forward to reading it ever since.
Each chapter of the book begins with a section of the Craigslist ad. Within the chapters, Josh expounds on the details of that part of the ad and gives readers a front-row seat to the crazy antics that naturally accompany parenting. Reading about the Wood family was truly delightful. It is evident to me that they love God and each other which is why they are able to enjoy life even when it is crazy.
Some parts of the book include Josh’s thoughts about how the Bible applies to various aspects of life. I really enjoyed reading these and found them to be greatly encouraging. At one point in the book, Josh gave a brief overview of what biblical marriages ought to look like. Although this book isn’t about marriage, it is clear that Josh and his wife Careese love each other and I found this to be such a sweet picture of how Christ loves His bride, the church.
As a parent, I was able to relate to many of the things that Josh and Careese have experienced. I laughed out loud many times while reading the book but laughed the most while reading the chapter on vomit. I suppose this is probably because at the time our family had just endured a round of the stomach flu and I could relate to the horrors Josh described.
Overall, Struggle Bus is pure fun and I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more from Josh in the future.
Each chapter of the book begins with a section of the Craigslist ad. Within the chapters, Josh expounds on the details of that part of the ad and gives readers a front-row seat to the crazy antics that naturally accompany parenting. Reading about the Wood family was truly delightful. It is evident to me that they love God and each other which is why they are able to enjoy life even when it is crazy.
Some parts of the book include Josh’s thoughts about how the Bible applies to various aspects of life. I really enjoyed reading these and found them to be greatly encouraging. At one point in the book, Josh gave a brief overview of what biblical marriages ought to look like. Although this book isn’t about marriage, it is clear that Josh and his wife Careese love each other and I found this to be such a sweet picture of how Christ loves His bride, the church.
As a parent, I was able to relate to many of the things that Josh and Careese have experienced. I laughed out loud many times while reading the book but laughed the most while reading the chapter on vomit. I suppose this is probably because at the time our family had just endured a round of the stomach flu and I could relate to the horrors Josh described.
Overall, Struggle Bus is pure fun and I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more from Josh in the future.
November 18, 2020
If you enjoy laughing. If you enjoy originality. If you are looking for a good read, get a copy of this book. It shares the adventures of the Woods family and their family bus. It does have a few gross moments but it blends in well with the nature of the book and as Josh says: kids are gross. This was really an easy, fun book that I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it. It reminds the reader that we all have struggles, no one is perfect but we have to keep driving on in our struggle bus. Congrats Josh and family, great job!
April 2, 2020
My favorite aspect of this book was the wit and humor Josh Wood used. He took a book about a serious subject and made it wholly relatable and fun to read about.
Sometimes we need to take a step back laugh at our struggles, see the good in some of the bad, etc.
It's great to understand that at times the majority of us are having our own problems and just trying to make it through. We need to rely on our faith to help us in those moments and understand we are not alone.
I loved Wood's outlook and how he navigated this subject. I found it so very helpful and inspiring!
Sometimes we need to take a step back laugh at our struggles, see the good in some of the bad, etc.
It's great to understand that at times the majority of us are having our own problems and just trying to make it through. We need to rely on our faith to help us in those moments and understand we are not alone.
I loved Wood's outlook and how he navigated this subject. I found it so very helpful and inspiring!
October 9, 2023
Enjoyed this memoir of a big family whose experiences, if not exactly the same as mine, were more than ordinarily relatable! And the life lessons and spiritual applications drawn from the different experiences were also nice. I got several good chuckles. ;)
Content--mentions of various accidents including bodily fluids; a few mentions of gross humor
Content--mentions of various accidents including bodily fluids; a few mentions of gross humor
May 1, 2020
What a perfect title for this book! I love how much Josh Wood makes us laugh along the way. This book does not feel preachy, it’s a great outlook on many issues that arise in our daily lives while trying to navigate parenting. I found this really helpful!
April 1, 2020
The best thing about this book was the way Josh Wood approached the topics. I think it was done with knowledge and understanding while also being self-deprecating and relatable for the reader.
The faith-based way this book is ultimately put together gives it even more value.
The faith-based way this book is ultimately put together gives it even more value.
May 10, 2020
I really enjoyed your story. It could be in the comedy memoir genre! Thank you for the book, note, and gift card. I'm going to pass this on to my friend to read while she is recuperating from a serious auto accident. She is a Christian with a large family and a great sense of humor and I know she will love it. Keep writing! Happy Mother's Day!
March 31, 2020
I really loved the way Josh Wood put together this book. It is consice and clear while being full of so much great information. I loved the way that he made us laugh along the way. It's a spiritual and inspirational book that will give you a clear vision of parenting in a Christian manner.
May 9, 2020
What a fun, encouraging, and helpful read! As a homeschooling mom of six kids it was relatable and a perfectly refreshing read in the midst of my own chaos.
July 20, 2020
Excellent book!!!
March 8, 2020
Such a great read! If you like books that make you laugh out loud, encourage you as a parent, and motivate you to live a little bolder and adventurous this book is for you !
February 6, 2020
Love this book! It's full of humor and one liners. The author pokes fun at himself while teaching valuable life lessons. "We like big bus and I cannot lie", priceless.
October 16, 2020
The Struggle Bus: The Van. The Myth. The Legend. is designed to take you, dear reader, on a ride with the Wood family in the van that became an Internet sensation.
This one-of-a-kind literary adventure you are about to embark on is about more than a viral van. It's about managing the wonderful chaos of a family of 11. It's about parenting. It's about marriage. It's about success. It's about failure. It's about faith. It's about fun. It's about a van becoming a metaphor for life as it is given a fun-filled beatdown for the ages.
Full disclosure -- I did receive this book as a gift from the author, but my review is an honest one. I doubted that the book would make me laugh, but after many hysterical sessions here is my review.
As a father of a large family, not as large as Josh Wood's family, but large enough I could relate to this book. As much as you try to stay on top of cleaning the house, cleaning out cars, doing laundry, etc. it is just impossible unless you refuse to allow your kids to be involved and make them do nothing but chores every night. It is not that we do not want to have the show house where everyone can come over or that we want trash to fall out of the car when we open the doors, it is just that there is not enough time in the day or energy in a parent to always manage those things. So yes, I relate to this book more so than maybe I wanted to admit.
The chapter that spoke to me the most though is Chapter 11 -- Oil Changes. This chapter is about the importance of regular maintenance and while it is premised on the need to get oil changes for a car, it is applied to the need for maintenance for ourselves, both inside and out. One of my favorite quotes from this chapter is:
"I think one of the most dangerous things Christians do to their kids is raise them in an isolated, socioeconomic, racial, and ideological bubble."
There were several other quotes in this chapter that I underlined, but I also want to point this one out:
Our advice to you is that regular maintenance is important. Without it, something is bound to catch on fire -- literally or figuratively."
Both of these quotes speak to the importance of the perspective we must maintain in our lives. On one hand, we must keep the perspective of seeing outside of our world. Our problems seem so small in comparison to what is happening around us when we take the time to look and listen. On the flip side though, no matter how small our problems might seem, they are still our problems and without addressing them they will lead to bigger issues. This balance is so important as we move from day to day.
Overall, the book is funny, insightful, and enlightening. It is a short read and a quick read, but one that will leave you thinking. I encourage you to pick up a copy.
May 25, 2023
In Struggle Bus, Josh Wood presents a captivating chronicle of his life revolving around a family bus that rose to internet fame through a viral Craigslist ad. The narrative is a rich tapestry of humorous, personal, and unforgettable tales about Wood's large family of eleven and the myriad adventures they embark on. Some of these journeys take place aboard the iconic Struggle Bus, while others transport them beyond national borders, immersing them in diverse cultures and lifestyles.
With a lively family of nine children, the book is a treasure trove of engaging moments - from comical blunders and emergency situations to enlightening encounters with refugees and profound reflections on faith. The Struggle Bus itself is more than just a backdrop to these stories. Its physical attributes and even its flaws, such as scuff marks and a malfunctioning air conditioner, become integral narrative elements, each with a story to tell.
Yet, beneath the humor and the tangible, Wood deftly weaves profound themes of Christianity, social consciousness, travel, family, parenting, and the pursuit of happiness. He skillfully employs conversational language and inventive metaphors, crafting a narrative that is both entertaining and deeply thought-provoking.
Wood's book provides valuable insights into parenting, both directly and indirectly, making it a valuable resource for parents managing a large family. One particularly inspiring example is Wood's commitment, along with his wife, to regularly host refugee families for dinner. This simple act of welcoming strangers into their home and educating their children about global disparities embodies their personal contribution to shaping a better world.
Struggle Bus serves as a poignant reminder that life and parenting are not about seeking perfection but about cherishing love and togetherness and finding joy in our shared experiences. It highlights the wisdom to be gained from remaining open to life's lessons, as Wood himself learns from his children, his bus, and even his own comedic errors.
If you're a fan of memoirs or books that delve into the intricacies of family life, Struggle Bus: The Van. The Myth. The Legend is a must-read. You'll find yourself laughing, learning, and reminiscing about your own cherished moments with your loved ones. Dive into Josh Wood's entertaining and introspective world; you'll be glad you did.
With a lively family of nine children, the book is a treasure trove of engaging moments - from comical blunders and emergency situations to enlightening encounters with refugees and profound reflections on faith. The Struggle Bus itself is more than just a backdrop to these stories. Its physical attributes and even its flaws, such as scuff marks and a malfunctioning air conditioner, become integral narrative elements, each with a story to tell.
Yet, beneath the humor and the tangible, Wood deftly weaves profound themes of Christianity, social consciousness, travel, family, parenting, and the pursuit of happiness. He skillfully employs conversational language and inventive metaphors, crafting a narrative that is both entertaining and deeply thought-provoking.
Wood's book provides valuable insights into parenting, both directly and indirectly, making it a valuable resource for parents managing a large family. One particularly inspiring example is Wood's commitment, along with his wife, to regularly host refugee families for dinner. This simple act of welcoming strangers into their home and educating their children about global disparities embodies their personal contribution to shaping a better world.
Struggle Bus serves as a poignant reminder that life and parenting are not about seeking perfection but about cherishing love and togetherness and finding joy in our shared experiences. It highlights the wisdom to be gained from remaining open to life's lessons, as Wood himself learns from his children, his bus, and even his own comedic errors.
If you're a fan of memoirs or books that delve into the intricacies of family life, Struggle Bus: The Van. The Myth. The Legend is a must-read. You'll find yourself laughing, learning, and reminiscing about your own cherished moments with your loved ones. Dive into Josh Wood's entertaining and introspective world; you'll be glad you did.
June 23, 2020
Funny, sweet and inspiring. I had not read Josh Wood's Craiglist ad for his 15 passenger van previous to reading this book but it sure was funny. Struggle Bus is a book that came out of that ad and is loosely structured around it. It sounds like an odd thing to have a book based on a Craigslist ad, but it works here.
The Woods are a large Christian family (nine kids!) who live in Amarillo, Texas. The aforementioned ad is for the sale of their used van. He wanted to be honest, so he told it like it is: paint scrapes down the side, possible chicken nuggets hidden in the open speaker hole, a history of kids vomiting in the van, etc. Each chapter is titled based on a component of the ad/vehicle, and the story of the van is really the story of raising a big, chaotic family. For instance, the first chapter is "The Oil Change" and he talks about how you rush to get your car in when the service light comes on if you only have one kid, but as it progresses to more and more kids instead of rushing in to get it looked at you ask your spouse "but is there smoke?".
There are some funny stories that any one who has a kid can relate to, even those of us with smaller families. A few gems: when Netflix bingeing at night and the browser asks if you are sure you want to watch another "2:00 am is no time for judgement, Netflix! Yes, I am still watching Friends. I changed 74 diapers today, cleaned spaghetti off the ceiling, and fished baby poop out of the bathtub. Let me be!" Also "One day, my wife walked into the bathroom to witness our four-year-old song standing on top of the tank of the toilet whilst attempting to pee into the bowl down below. It would have been more funny than awful if he hadn't had his hands on his hips whilst swiveling them in a circular motion...It was like a war zone in there. Fortunately, God made bleach".
This is very much a Christian book and it is obvious that their faith is very important to the family. They seem to be truly working to use their faith in a positive, useful, loving way instead of just giving lip service to Jesus. He talks about how prayer is meant to be active. If you are praying for people who are starving to death, your kids should also see you doing something to try to help them. He also says that "one of the most dangerous things Christians do to their kids is to raise them in an isolated, socioeconomic, racial and idealogical bubble". I just love that sentiment and we would all be so much better off if everyone ascribed to that idea.
The Woods are a large Christian family (nine kids!) who live in Amarillo, Texas. The aforementioned ad is for the sale of their used van. He wanted to be honest, so he told it like it is: paint scrapes down the side, possible chicken nuggets hidden in the open speaker hole, a history of kids vomiting in the van, etc. Each chapter is titled based on a component of the ad/vehicle, and the story of the van is really the story of raising a big, chaotic family. For instance, the first chapter is "The Oil Change" and he talks about how you rush to get your car in when the service light comes on if you only have one kid, but as it progresses to more and more kids instead of rushing in to get it looked at you ask your spouse "but is there smoke?".
There are some funny stories that any one who has a kid can relate to, even those of us with smaller families. A few gems: when Netflix bingeing at night and the browser asks if you are sure you want to watch another "2:00 am is no time for judgement, Netflix! Yes, I am still watching Friends. I changed 74 diapers today, cleaned spaghetti off the ceiling, and fished baby poop out of the bathtub. Let me be!" Also "One day, my wife walked into the bathroom to witness our four-year-old song standing on top of the tank of the toilet whilst attempting to pee into the bowl down below. It would have been more funny than awful if he hadn't had his hands on his hips whilst swiveling them in a circular motion...It was like a war zone in there. Fortunately, God made bleach".
This is very much a Christian book and it is obvious that their faith is very important to the family. They seem to be truly working to use their faith in a positive, useful, loving way instead of just giving lip service to Jesus. He talks about how prayer is meant to be active. If you are praying for people who are starving to death, your kids should also see you doing something to try to help them. He also says that "one of the most dangerous things Christians do to their kids is to raise them in an isolated, socioeconomic, racial and idealogical bubble". I just love that sentiment and we would all be so much better off if everyone ascribed to that idea.
April 21, 2023
Struggle Bus is a book by Josh Wood. In 2018, Wood and his wife decided to sell their 2005 Ford E350 XL Extended fifteen-passenger van, lovingly coined the “Struggle Bus” by their family. The author wrote a colorful advertisement on Craigslist, fully disclosing the vehicle’s pitfalls. After an overwhelming outpouring of requests and advice in response to his ad, the author decided to write a book about the van. The story includes anecdotes about his family’s journeys and misadventures.
Josh Wood delivers a book in a comedic style, showcasing the sarcastic thoughts many parents have uttered to themselves throughout the ages. If you like to give condescending advice to parents with screaming children in the checkout line, you may not fully understand the hilarities in the book. However, if you’ve ever wondered why one of your toddlers is wearing just a shirt and the other is wearing only pants, this book is for you. Readers will enjoy every page without missing a single line, as they’ll never know when Wood will deliver one of his fantastic one-line comments about a mostly innocuous situation. The author shows that something as seemingly insignificant as a family vehicle has the power to unite people across the nation and bring a family closer as they make special memories in it. Struggle Bus is a great book for any parent or child caregiver, for even if they seem like they have everything together, most likely, they can relate to several or more of the stories.
Josh Wood delivers a book in a comedic style, showcasing the sarcastic thoughts many parents have uttered to themselves throughout the ages. If you like to give condescending advice to parents with screaming children in the checkout line, you may not fully understand the hilarities in the book. However, if you’ve ever wondered why one of your toddlers is wearing just a shirt and the other is wearing only pants, this book is for you. Readers will enjoy every page without missing a single line, as they’ll never know when Wood will deliver one of his fantastic one-line comments about a mostly innocuous situation. The author shows that something as seemingly insignificant as a family vehicle has the power to unite people across the nation and bring a family closer as they make special memories in it. Struggle Bus is a great book for any parent or child caregiver, for even if they seem like they have everything together, most likely, they can relate to several or more of the stories.
August 27, 2020
I loved this book! On almost page I laughed out loud at something, and three times in the book I laughed until there were tears in my eyes. I have been reading it out loud to my husband. It’s that good.
I feel I know Mr. Wood and his family. I don’t, but I would truly like to. The author seems to be (and I don’t think he could fake it) a genuinely decent man, husband and father, who looks on his mad life (nine children and a hoard-worthy van) with tolerance and humor. He displays kindness toward himself and all of his family for their mistakes and learnings, and patience during the trials and tribulations of trees falling on houses, parts breaking in the van, and Chicken nuggets in speaker holes.
And it is always the humor that rises to the top. Laughing at life – at the things that go wrong, the things children say and do, and at himself. I love that – he laughs at himself.
Struggle Bus is well-written and well-edited. Mr. Wood is a very good writer, showing a wonderful sense of comic timing.
I am planning to buy a few copies of this book to give to friends for Christmas, and will love hearing how much they laughed as well.
Thanks, Josh, for the great stories and a fun time!
6 stars if I could for the pleasure you gave me.
I feel I know Mr. Wood and his family. I don’t, but I would truly like to. The author seems to be (and I don’t think he could fake it) a genuinely decent man, husband and father, who looks on his mad life (nine children and a hoard-worthy van) with tolerance and humor. He displays kindness toward himself and all of his family for their mistakes and learnings, and patience during the trials and tribulations of trees falling on houses, parts breaking in the van, and Chicken nuggets in speaker holes.
And it is always the humor that rises to the top. Laughing at life – at the things that go wrong, the things children say and do, and at himself. I love that – he laughs at himself.
Struggle Bus is well-written and well-edited. Mr. Wood is a very good writer, showing a wonderful sense of comic timing.
I am planning to buy a few copies of this book to give to friends for Christmas, and will love hearing how much they laughed as well.
Thanks, Josh, for the great stories and a fun time!
6 stars if I could for the pleasure you gave me.
July 29, 2020
It began with a Craigslist ad. A funny one. A really funny one. Josh woods needed to sell the much loved family van and he needed to do it in the most creative way. Why? Because "much loved" is putting it lightly. This van...this bus....was loved to the core...and more.
Funny, witty, absolutely creative way to gain notoriety over the selling of the family bus. Little did Josh Wood know that some whimsical little details would gain that notoriety but it did. In this day and age we call it "going viral" and going viral it did. What I enjoyed so much of this book was the format in which it was done. Each chapter begins with a snippet of the ad. From there we can certainly see what made this ad so amusing to so many. Entertaining, enlightening, a dive into the lives of a very large family that do good for their community (and others), hold strong to their faith, and went through all the many complicated and wonderful growth experiences that a family goes through....and they did it all with this van. I don't come from a large immediate family. I don't have one of my own. I mean...compared to them a family of 6 is small beans. Still the book felt nostalgic to read. This family is lovely. They were entertaining to read about. Parents can certainly relate to all the funny and annoying little fiascos that happen in the family vehicle. I would buy the book if Author Josh Wood wrote about the selling of the family home because surely there are stories to tell about that place!!
A great read. I highly recommend....
Thanks to the good people of goodreads and to Josh Wood for my copy of this book won via giveaway. I received. I read. I reviewed this book honestly and voluntarily.
You can also find this review on Amazon...
Funny, witty, absolutely creative way to gain notoriety over the selling of the family bus. Little did Josh Wood know that some whimsical little details would gain that notoriety but it did. In this day and age we call it "going viral" and going viral it did. What I enjoyed so much of this book was the format in which it was done. Each chapter begins with a snippet of the ad. From there we can certainly see what made this ad so amusing to so many. Entertaining, enlightening, a dive into the lives of a very large family that do good for their community (and others), hold strong to their faith, and went through all the many complicated and wonderful growth experiences that a family goes through....and they did it all with this van. I don't come from a large immediate family. I don't have one of my own. I mean...compared to them a family of 6 is small beans. Still the book felt nostalgic to read. This family is lovely. They were entertaining to read about. Parents can certainly relate to all the funny and annoying little fiascos that happen in the family vehicle. I would buy the book if Author Josh Wood wrote about the selling of the family home because surely there are stories to tell about that place!!
A great read. I highly recommend....
Thanks to the good people of goodreads and to Josh Wood for my copy of this book won via giveaway. I received. I read. I reviewed this book honestly and voluntarily.
You can also find this review on Amazon...
December 29, 2020
“The Struggle Bus: The Van. The Myth. The Legend.” is written by first time author Josh Wood. Wood has written with clarity, love, and lots of humor. When he and his wife wrote an ad for Craig’s List, in order to sell their older vehicle, their honesty and humor catches the attention of many.
This is a good read. I enjoyed many serious, but funny, stories about Wood’s children and about their family life. The truth is sometimes harsh, sometimes painful, and sometimes, you just need to laugh! Each chapter in the book is based on a line from their ad. And yet, somehow, Wood has a story, or ten, about the vehicle and his family to share with each chapter. He seems to be down to earth, and very gentle and loving. He finds the humor in everyday stuff. When his child is urinating on the floor, he finds a way to use the actions of the child to teach us a lesson and to show parents how to laugh at our lives and carry on.
The Struggle Bus is an easy reading book, it is clean, entertaining, and encouraging. Wood tells us to love our families, love our circumstances, and love our God. 5 stars for The Struggle Bus!
This is a good read. I enjoyed many serious, but funny, stories about Wood’s children and about their family life. The truth is sometimes harsh, sometimes painful, and sometimes, you just need to laugh! Each chapter in the book is based on a line from their ad. And yet, somehow, Wood has a story, or ten, about the vehicle and his family to share with each chapter. He seems to be down to earth, and very gentle and loving. He finds the humor in everyday stuff. When his child is urinating on the floor, he finds a way to use the actions of the child to teach us a lesson and to show parents how to laugh at our lives and carry on.
The Struggle Bus is an easy reading book, it is clean, entertaining, and encouraging. Wood tells us to love our families, love our circumstances, and love our God. 5 stars for The Struggle Bus!
October 22, 2021
Welcome to the life of a large family, with somewhat of a focus on their van - the ad to sell which attracted so much attention and ultimately sparked this book. Being from a large family myself, it was interesting to see things from the parents' perspective - though I'd have to say that many things in no way matched my experience (possibly due to having more kids closer together in age?). Nevertheless, this is a great book with plenty of humour but also with some important and useful lessons drawn from life experiences of the van and its owners. Better still, it's presented in a very readable way, and the writing is good. All in all, an enjoyable and thought-provoking book that beautifully balances humour and life lessons. I don't know whether the author has plans to keep writing, but I'd be interested in reading it if he does!
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
PS Don't read this anywhere you might be embarrassed if you start laughing out loud - it's not safe! :-)
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
PS Don't read this anywhere you might be embarrassed if you start laughing out loud - it's not safe! :-)
April 17, 2023
This was a really annoying read about an entitled man.
1. It's 2023. Didn't we all move past calling something broken/sloppily repaired ghetto? Gross.
2. The writer shares a story in which he feels great embarrassment because one his children loudly asked if Jesus made a woman fat in front of her. The writer has no such qualms when he writes about a " fat friend" or his "chubby friend"
3. While the writer seems to think the takeaway of his family vomit session is the vomit and his zany way of recounting the tale - my takeaway is that he's an entitled twerp that exposed a lot of people to a stomach flu so they could continue on their vacation plans.
4. Expired registration because you're embarrassed to get it inspected is sure funny. Unless you're a person of color.
5. It was not a miraculous act of God that got your son shunted to the front of a months long medical waiting list at the expense of others. It's privilege pure and simple. And I say that as someone who's been privileged enough to be bumped to the front of a line. At least recognize it, dude.
6. All in all, i feel gross for having read this.
1. It's 2023. Didn't we all move past calling something broken/sloppily repaired ghetto? Gross.
2. The writer shares a story in which he feels great embarrassment because one his children loudly asked if Jesus made a woman fat in front of her. The writer has no such qualms when he writes about a " fat friend" or his "chubby friend"
3. While the writer seems to think the takeaway of his family vomit session is the vomit and his zany way of recounting the tale - my takeaway is that he's an entitled twerp that exposed a lot of people to a stomach flu so they could continue on their vacation plans.
4. Expired registration because you're embarrassed to get it inspected is sure funny. Unless you're a person of color.
5. It was not a miraculous act of God that got your son shunted to the front of a months long medical waiting list at the expense of others. It's privilege pure and simple. And I say that as someone who's been privileged enough to be bumped to the front of a line. At least recognize it, dude.
6. All in all, i feel gross for having read this.
September 21, 2020
This is the funny story of Josh Wood and his family of 11, in their never ending adventures with their struggle bus. A humungous 15 passenger Ford van. It's also a collection of their hilarious situations that all us parents have found ourselves in, except multiplied by 10. It's a short book (135 pages) but will keep you laughing to yourself, and sometimes even out loud. It will cause your wife to say, "What the hell are you reading?" This book won't change your life, teach you how to flip houses, or make you eat right and loose weight. But it will make you chuckle. And isn't that what we all need right now? Just a few more chuckles. Obviously I would recommend it. It would also make a great gift for someone who doesn't read. The thickness of the book won't scare them, and the writing will grab them right away.
September 19, 2020
I absolutely loved this book
I loved the honesty of this book. I met Careese, in a bible study, when h was first starting their family. What a sweet couple. We went to the same church for several years, as I watched their family grow. The last time I saw them was at a homeschool function, my g’boys were home schooled too. By then the Woods family had really grown. I haven’t seen them in years but have enjoyed Josh’s blogs from time to time. I laughed all the way through this book. To think of the young man in his bio picture, white shirt, dressed to the tee, very business like..........Well now I know the rest of the story. I envy their chaos! I recommend this book to anyone that can find humor in the real struggles of real life.
I loved the honesty of this book. I met Careese, in a bible study, when h was first starting their family. What a sweet couple. We went to the same church for several years, as I watched their family grow. The last time I saw them was at a homeschool function, my g’boys were home schooled too. By then the Woods family had really grown. I haven’t seen them in years but have enjoyed Josh’s blogs from time to time. I laughed all the way through this book. To think of the young man in his bio picture, white shirt, dressed to the tee, very business like..........Well now I know the rest of the story. I envy their chaos! I recommend this book to anyone that can find humor in the real struggles of real life.
January 5, 2021
This is a very engaging book. The author writes it in a very humorous tone. He tells of family events using the family van as the center of the story. He skillfully weaves the story through the very detailed ad he placed when he was selling the van. I liked everything about this book, except for the sections where he became way too detailed about his religious beliefs. I do not mind a person letting you know he has faith, but the detailed Bible verses were a bit over the top. I did not feel it was necessary to be given a Bible lesson while reading this book. To be honest I skipped past these passages. Without these passages I would have rated this book two stars higher.
April 15, 2022
I listened to the audio book, which is read by the author. (There is no GR link at the time of this review.)
An amusing chronicle of purchasing, owning, and traveling in his family’s 15-person van through Texas and beyond.
Wood’s stories will make you smile, groan, grimace, and laugh out loud as the author describes deficiencies, faults, and accumulated odors that made the van, aka the “Struggle Bus,” unique.
The dose of religion begins about 1/3 of the way into the book.
If you like family stories or blogs turned into books, this is a story for you.
For a review of the performance (by the author), see AudioFile Magazine http://www.audiofilemagazine.com
An amusing chronicle of purchasing, owning, and traveling in his family’s 15-person van through Texas and beyond.
Wood’s stories will make you smile, groan, grimace, and laugh out loud as the author describes deficiencies, faults, and accumulated odors that made the van, aka the “Struggle Bus,” unique.
The dose of religion begins about 1/3 of the way into the book.
If you like family stories or blogs turned into books, this is a story for you.
For a review of the performance (by the author), see AudioFile Magazine http://www.audiofilemagazine.com
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews