The Weight of a Moment

by Michael Bowe

Winner for Literary Fiction at the American Fiction Awards 2020.

On list of “10 Best Indie Books of 2019” at Shelf Unbound Magazine.

Finalist for Best Novel at the Next Generation Book Awards 2020, (often referred to as the "Sundance of Books" in the media).

Winner of a Bronze Medal at the Readers' Favorite Awards 2020.

"Emotionally rich, psychologically exciting, and inspiring" - Readers' Favorite

”The Weight of a Moment is the best book I have read in a long time.” – Linda Carson, Host, Suncoast View, ABC 7, Sarasota FL

"Profound...replete with startling twists and turns" - Seattle Book Review

“One of the most compelling and thought-provoking pieces of literature I’ve read in quite some time.” - Blogger, booksinmylibraryblog .wordpress .com

And, Goodreads reviewers praised it also, calling it “profound,” “beautifully written,” "relevant," "powerful," and “one of the best books I’ve read this year.”

Critically acclaimed, this second novel from the author of Skyscraper of a Man is a brilliant sophomore effort.

The Weight of a Moment is a beautiful story about the fragility of life and the redemptive power of friendship. Nick Sterling, a Fenwick Prize winning journalist, can't move beyond a tragedy caused by one of his articles. Tom Corbett, a successful antiques dealer, is humiliated and shamed by an internet video that damages his business, marriage, and family. After their blunders, one shameful and one fatal, the two men run from their pasts, meet in a small Pennsylvania town, and, despite—or because of—the most unusual circumstances, help each other find redemption. Together, they make an unusual discovery that changes everything, one that unwittingly puts them back onto the national stage. Joined by fate, each man's journey is remarkable in its own right and only exceeded by their shared journey. In a profound final scene, Nick confronts his tragic mistake, asks for forgiveness, and the novel's title, The Weight of a Moment, is fully realized. Contrasting elements: big cities and small towns, modern and historic, priceless and valuable, compassion and condemnation, add to the richness of the tale. Critically acclaimed, this second novel from the author of Skyscraper of a Man is a brilliant sophomore effort.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Book Club, Journalism, Ebooks, Novels

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2019

About the author

In 2020, Michael Bowe’s second novel, The Weight of a Moment, won the American Fiction Award for Literary Fiction. It was also a finalist for Best Novel at the Next Generation Book Awards (often referred to as “The Sundance of Books” in the media) and included on Shelf Unbound’s “List of 10 Best Indie Books of 2019.” A graduate of Georgetown University and a recipient of a Master in Business Administration (MBA), Mr. Bowe is an accomplished businessman, entrepreneur, investor, and novelist, and a resident of Vashon Island, WA, a short ferry ride from Seattle.

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

UPDATE 9/14/2020: In case you were wondering if my positive review was legit, I recently saw that it won the category of Literary Fiction at the American Fiction Awards 2020. That's high praise!

UPDATE 11/5/2019: This is my write in selection for the 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards in the category of Fiction. I encourage others to do the same!

Two facts about author Michael Bowe:

- As of my writing of this review he is not very well known (but should be)
- His first two books are CONSIDERABLY better than some of the big named books that get lots of circulation and attention

With these two things in mind, if you like consistently good story telling, an emotional connection with what you are reading, unforced poetical prose, etc. etc. etc., you really need to give Michael Bowe a try!

The Weight of the Moment focuses on how life can very quickly be changed by a single, short lived event – sometimes as quick as the blink of an eye. In the examples that drive this story, the moments cannot easily be changed, erased, or taken back with a simple apology. I was frequently reminded of the book So, You’ve Been Publicly Shamed; where one ill thought out tweet or statement made in public can destroy the life of someone who had, up until then, lived a perfectly normal and happy life. In this day and age, I think almost all of us can relate to fears over how easy it is for a small mistake to be broadcast to the world.

How can demons of a single moment be exorcised? The amazing storytelling of Michael Bowe will take you from big city Philadelphia to rural Pennsylvania where the two protagonists, Nick Sterling and Tom Corbett form a friendship that helps them both overcome their own demons. Along the way they also manage to clean some skeletons out of Tom’s family closet. All the characters met along the way are wonderfully fleshed out – often with a side story (unrelated to the main story, but important none the less) that offers insight on the moment that defines them. Again, simply fantastic storytelling!

I guarantee that if you like great fiction that tugs at your emotions and leaves you thinking, you must give Michael Bowe a try. Either Skyscraper of a Man, The Weight of the Moment, or both. You just cannot go wrong!

Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! And, it is honestly great! 😊

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wherewithal
The Weight of a Moment is an absorbing novel that is psychologically intriguing. The story explores the personal fallout that a moment’s action can have on the lives of two men, Tom Corbett and Nick Sterling. We are also treated to great character development, touching on their history and exploring how they navigate their feelings of failure and blame towards friendship and a resolution.

A fascinating observation in the story is how momentary decisions and actions can shape our lives. When we make wrong decisions, sometimes with the best of intentions, we at least hope for the opportunity to correct them. In today’s environment, acts posted on social media, illustrate the fragile persona we have in the connected world and just how much it affects our real world. While our fickle world will move to the next ‘big’ story, the content nevertheless resides in the internet’s deep memory lurking for the moment when it can be dragged back to repeat the misery again and again.

A sequence of family events led Tom to an uncharacteristic outburst, which was unfortunately recorded and then disastrously went viral on social media. The repercussions cost him his job and had a direct social impact on his two children. His wife – well she’s crying on someone’s shoulders. Tom inherited a farm in Shelbyville and when he retreated there to fix more than the property, he met Nick, the owner of the local newspaper, 'The Sentinel'.

Nick has his own demons to wrestle with and as he narrates much of the story, it provides an intimate view of his anguish and his outlook on life. Nick is a prize-winning journalist, but when a news story ran with a photograph he selected, it inadvertently caused the death of a young policeman, leaving behind a wife and two children. Nick left his high profile job with the Philadelphia Post because he felt hopelessly responsible and returned to Shelbyville.

The interaction between the two men, as they work together on the property and discuss their respective misfortunes, is wonderfully presented. This scenario of men working it out while undertaking manual building restoration isn’t new but how Michael Bowe creates an atmosphere with clever dialogue, an appreciative nurturing friendship, and an interesting storyline, is utterly enthralling. This story holds deep meaning and social observations, yet doesn’t lose the entertainment quality, and that’s due to the talented writing. The novel is poignant and relevant and progresses to evoke an uplifting belief that no matter how difficult life becomes there is always a way forward.

A real consideration through this fictional story is that we all need to think twice about our actions on social media and remain diligent and mindful of the impact we can have on ourselves and other people. I would highly recommend this beautifully written book and I would like to thank Michael Bowe for providing me with an ARC version in return for an honest review.

[JEN A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book by the writer in exchange for an honest review. Full disclosure here - this is the first book that I’ve been given to review. I was a little worried about this because what if I didn’t like the book? Would I be able to give an honest review? fortunately for me, I didn’t have to deal with that question because I absolutely loved this book.

I don’t do long drawn out reviews that’s not my style. If you want a synopsis of the book read the back cover. But what I will tell you is you will not regret picking up this book to read. The characters are endearing and real. The friendship between the two main characters is inspiring and something we all hope for in our own friendships. The trials and tribulations these two men go through hits home for me. The weight of the moment is the perfect title for this book as it delves into how these characters deal with the moments that come to define their lives. I highly recommend this book plus you have to love a book that has a dinosaur named Digby in it.

[Will Byrnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was my own personal theory that most lifetimes could be summed up by ten to twenty moments, meaningful snippets ranging from a handful of seconds to a few spins around the clock face that contained both the best and worst of one’s character and experiences...In my case, it only took thirteen moments from my forty-three years to convey an insightful understanding of my life, twelve recollections that I told proudly and one that always stung a little bit in the telling.

It's the stinging ones that matter most here. Shit happens!

The core notion of the book is that entire lives can take a turn, for good or ill, on decisions, on actions that occur in a moment. As a result of two such moments, pooh of different sorts has found its way into the lives of Bowe’s leading men, who, having seen a sudden and dramatic downturn in their fortunes, find each other in a place somewhat less cosmopolitan than their former digs in Philadelphia. But it is really a full circle, as both had grown up there, in Shelbyville, PA.


Michael Bowe - image from Amazon

Nick Sterling, our primary narrator, is an award-winning journalist, late of The Philadelphia Inquirer. He made a mistake that resulted in a tragic loss of life. Went for a long swim in a very deep bottle, rimmed with some lovely powder and self-flagellation, retreated to the Podunk of his youth, and now is owner and editor-in-chief of an independent newspaper for all the people of Shelbyville. Still spends way too much time with his bestie, Glen[fiddich], but gets his paper out once a week, need it or not. Walked away from a pretty sweet relationship too.

Tom Corbett was a successful art appraiser, who’s big oopsy was getting filmed in a somewhat justified rage-a-thon in a public place. That bit of social faux pas goes viral, earns him an internet nickname, and the loss of his job. Really? I found this a bit of a stretch. There are ways one could have addressed this without it being a career-a-cide. Fine, ok, Tom’s fifteen minutes, his weighty moment, propels the story forward. But wait, there’s more. Tom’s choice of Shannon for a spouse was hardly the result of a moment. It took some time to commit to someone who would turn out to be that much less than a wonderful partner. Both his son and daughter get into serious trouble of different sorts. Adolescents! And don’t get me started on his paternal history. Maybe Tom should have been named Job. At least he has some resources to see him through. On the other hand, Tom comes into a bit of the less icky sort of luck, as a late, and unmissed, relation has gone legs up and left Tom, his only living family member, a nice farm in Shelbyville. Bit of a family curse on this place, though, rich as it is with the aroma of old sins, and unhappy memories. Tom had spent a portion of his youth growing up there, and is not eager to return. But, in his current situation, it will have to do.

And so, the returning natives, the now very urbanized Nick and Tom, find in each other true friends in this very ex-urban place. Both guys can appreciate the experience of the other’s ostracism, and maybe help each other rebuild, (an outhouse maybe?). The central thread is how Nick and Tom work together to try to re-construct their lives, emotionally. (actually, physically too, on a guesthouse)

Not all challenges need result in flushing your life. Bowe offers subsidiary characters who face hard times. Some cannot cope, but others manage to find their way through to a brighter road ahead. Will Nick and/or Tom?

Of course, there are positive moments as well, and seeing how the characters, primary and secondary, respond to such opportunities offers a bit of balance. The good moments can re-direct lives to greener fields, just as much a bad ones can send them coursing downhill. But what if you screw up the good chances?

Some of the supporting characters are delightful. AJ, a flamboyant art dealer, brightens up the page every time he swoops across one. A toxic local, spewing venom, is a page brightener, although for entirely other reasons. Austin, young Nick’s mentor, offers a warm, if too fleeting presence.

I have gripes. Bowe has a tendency, might be a compulsion, to tell, at the expense of showing. I certainly get that exposition can be necessary, that not all bits of information a writer wants readers to take in can be readily done in showing mode. But I felt that the balance was tilted too far to the telling side of that scale. For example,

Tom hoped this conversation was over and quietly stared out the car window at the faces of the strangers walking along Quince Street. One moment there was a stylishly attired couple and the next moment a homeless person in rags leaning against a wall. From his passing glance, he thought he saw a common loneliness in the faces of all three strangers and wondered if his weary mug made four. [the crossing out is mine]

NO, no, no. In another section, Bowe offers excessive detail about how Nick’s error resulted in awfulness. Yeah, we get it. It is not necessary to spell it all out for us. There is a lovely bit at Tom’s property later in the book in which Tom and Nick find something of considerable public interest. It works well as a metaphor, at least until the author has to go and spell out for us the exact meaning of the metaphor. I felt a bit like an audience member at the cinema who sees the little girl turn to go back into the room the monster/killer/alien just entered, so she can retrieve a favorite stuffy. No, Sweetie. Don’t do it! Don’t go there!

Some information is tossed out that I found problematic. Mention is made of the infamous “wilding” episode that provided tabloids plenty of ammunition back in 1989. It is used as an example of how cities were perceived as such dangerous places. But he fails to mention that the people arrested and railroaded for the crime were eventually exonerated. As part of that, Bowe also posits that subsequent increases in police staffing resulted in overall crime reduction, which is not necessarily so. Crime declined in most major US cities from the 80s into the 90s for a range of reasons. There is also reason to doubt the likelihood of the thing that is found on Tom’s property actually being found there, but that seemed entirely forgivable as the truth-stretching was so important to the story.

Finally, there is goopy sincerity that emerges in quantities that seemed Hallmarckian (not the cards, the movies. I have seen way too many of these.) For all these gripes I believe that a solid pass by an experienced editor could have made a world of difference.

On the other hand, I really liked the local diner as a distribution center for many details of Shelbyville’s personalities, as well as a place where much of the substantive conversation of the novel takes place. There is a fun element centered there, with some chuckles at the expense of a stubborn resident who is doing battle with some hostile fauna.

Bowe shows the growth in the trust and friendship between the two men beautifully. He expands the Weight of a Moment theme to subsidiary characters, showing how they cope, or don’t. Nick seeks redemption, not only for his error (which I felt was unmerited. I mean, really, can’t you go talk to a professional about this?) but for his own bad, as opposed to accidental, behavior. Also with Tom, his redemption is not so much for his moment of bad behavior, but for the life choices he had been making for a long time. Maybe more of a redirection than a redemption. So, in a way, while the weight of a moment notion may push a life in a particular direction based on a fleeting event, it is the larger, more deeply embedded values and behaviors that require addressing.

There are things I liked a lot about The Weight of a Moment and things that I liked not so much. But overall, it was a satisfying read, with interesting, relatable characters, facing challenging situations, and trying to come through with their humanity intact. Real life questions are addressed and the benefit of being able to get out of one’s head is shown. There is a segment here in which the power of words is addressed. It is celestial. There is an element of mystery embedded in here as well. So, a mix. Really a three and a half for me, but as GR does not allow such things, I am kicking it up to a four.


Review posted – January 24, 2020

Publication date – October 1, 2019


I received a copy of the book from the author in return for a honest look.

=============================EXTRA STUFF

Bowe’s page on Goodreads

I did not find any others.

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently this book was nominated a literary nomination at The American Fiction awards in 2020.
Congrats to Michael and well deserved. 🏆


NO SPOILERS...

“The Weight of a Moment”....
....absolutely takes my breath away. It’s uniqueness is more unique than unique. unparallable, incomparable, and inimitable!
It’s easy to read - yet gripping with intriguing gorgeous thought provoking prose.
It’s unlike other-fiction-storytelling-tales.
It’s very hard to describe the second-by-second experiences that come from reading each sentence.. each paragraph.
It doesn’t even make sense of why & how this book transforms into something masterfully... but it does:
YEP...its a literary MASTERPIECE!!!! ( not a word I toss around often)

DEFINITELY- A TOP
FAVORITE read this year!!!!!

Be clear... anything I write about this book from here on - can’t possibly do justice to the overall framework and full meaning - the contexture - from which this story is being woven - and linked together to connect the whole.
I’m in ‘aw’ with the impressive writing- and the feelings and thoughts that it generates.

A ‘little’ content: (just a taster-tidbit):
When Tom Corbett received a square white linen envelope, 4“ x 4“, stamped with twice the required postage, with no return address, marked ‘personal and confidential’, that his wife was having an affair with Daniel Nathan,
( every Thursday at 1pm in room 715 at the Saint Marcus Hotel), ..... my heart sank....but ‘also’ my mind took a nose dive because something so much bigger was going on behind every detail and circumstance happening.
At only approximately 21% into this PAGE TURNING - VERY INTERESTING BOOK WHICH WAS ALREADY BLOWING MY MIND in CONTENT & CONTEXT.....I HAD TO PAUSE. ( my bubble was popping)...
I needed a few moments to digest, reflect, and think about all that was happening. Messages were bursting the seams open. I knew more was coming...
I was on the edge dying to plough through all that was still yet to come.

Little by little wisdom - through the characters and their ‘moments’- ( as though looking into a mirror)...reflecting
our own magnanimity, and humanness through the depths of breakdowns, regrets, betrayals, tragedies, love, family, friendships, and ( ha), > social media.
I couldn’t help but think about the human condition that connects us all.

A ‘little’ more content:
Tom Corbett, had already received unsettling news from both of his teen kids prior to learning about his wife’s affair ...
.... his family ‘crisis-plate’ was overflowing.
His nineteen year old daughter, Nicole, (still living at home with no college education under her belt and a minimum wage type job), was ‘suddenly’ pregnant.
His 16 year old son, Alex, ‘suddenly’ was arrested for a DUI, no driver’s license, and a moving violation....
Goodness....
Tom Corbett & his family was having a very bad horrible day, week, month, & year.

I haven’t come close to sharing all the ‘other’ things going on in this book.
It’s packed with substantial-significant moments: exhilarating, devastating, and inspiring.

I never wanted to stop reading. I wanted to live inside this type of honest realistic storytelling forever!
I only paused because at times I was sooooooooo MOVED by the creation and brilliance, that this book is!!!

My God...why this author, *Michael Bowe.*, isn’t a household name -is beyond me.
This book is sooo good - I almost can’t contain my excitement for it!!!
I liked it sooooo much... that if it won the Pulitzer Prize for best fiction - I would be jumping up and down with joy.

From start to finish - I felt confident that I was being taken care. I don’t always want to take the complete journey ( as in not miss one word written), by even authors I passionately love - as much as I wanted to with this book.

I remember feeling this way with John Boyne’s book,
“The Heart’s Invisible Furies”....
...literally speechless in ‘aw’ over the discovery of it....
yet ‘trying’ to find words to express how ‘much’ I enjoyed the gift of its phenomenal storytelling and profound messages.
This is THAT book for me!!!

I want to ‘scream’ > READ THIS BOOK!!!!
I’m aware I’m annoying - and acting like a fricken cheerleader - ( hopefully readers can forgive me)....
It’s just one of those times when the most important thing to say is:
YOU GOTTA READ THIS BOOK!!!

Here is a sample excerpt that touched my heart, soul, and truth:
“Words can evoke emotions, change minds, teach lessons, convey ideas, lift spirits, or simply make us smile. I am here to tell you that as a young boy, when I read the great authors, the words sang and danced for me; the words caused me to dream; the words caused me to laugh and smile; The words gave me hope; The words brought me to tears. Young and unaware, I wondered how this is possible-how can words on a page in a book have such a profound effect on me? So many years later, I believe I finally know the answer to that question: Words are the foundation of our humanity. We exist in our words. We are the words that we choose. Words matter. It’s as simple as that”.

5+++++ Stars

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a superbly written book!!! I really enjoyed this from start to finish. Michael Bowe is a fabulous storyteller and his words flow flawlessly and the characters were memorable and very layered. This is a story about two men who each are running from events that have changed their lives. Tom thought he had a great life til he found out his wife had been cheating on him,yes he knew things hadn't been perfect but he didn't see this coming. Still reeling from shannon's deciption and not in a good place he blows up on a bunch of college kids and it goes viral and everyone's pissed.Nick is a top newspaper writer known for his articles and well respected. But when one of his stories inadvertently gets a police officer killed his life spins out of control! The guilt eats away at him and he self medicates with booze and drugs and when his wife leaves him because she can't keep watching him destroying his life,he hits bottom real fast.Tom has inherited the family farm and goes their to get his life in order and when Tom and Nick start up a friendship not only does it help them to heal together but secrets are uncovered and ghosts from the past are layed to rest and oh yeah theirs a dinosaur involved too! I highly recommend this book! Until next time Luv's💞💋

I believed that most lifetimes could be summed up by ten to twenty moments,meaningful little snippets that contained both the best and worst of one's character and expriences. Awesome ending quote😉

[MarilynW · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Weight of the Moment shows us the fragility of life, how all can be lost by a single action, whether through frustration and anger or with no malice or ill will. This is the journey of two men who are strangers to each other but who are brought together during the lowest points of their lives. We are with these two men as they process what they have done, where their actions have led them, and how they want to proceed in the future.

Antique dealer Tom, was already having a bad day, week, month, when he is videoed directing all his anger and frustration onto a group of college students. This video is put on YouTube and goes viral, causing Tom to lose his job and the respect of his wife and children. Tom goes to live at the ramshackle farm he's inherited, a farm where his abusive father died, that he and his mother left when he was a child. So many painful memories come with living at this farm but processing those memories and doing something about those memories helps Tom to also see what has happened in his present, differently.

Nick is a famous, award winning journalist who is thriving at the career that he had dreamed of since he was thirteen. When one of his articles and the accompanying picture cause the death of a good man, a husband and father, Nick cannot forgive himself and sinks into drink and drugs, losing his wife to his depression and despair. Nick takes over a biweekly newspaper, putting it out in a drunken, drugged stupor, just going through the motions. He's as low as he can go when Tom arrives in town, to begin living on his inherited farm. The two men began working on the farm, bonding while they work together.

Neither man thinks it's possible to move forward, to heal, to find peace again, and this is their story of working towards forgiveness, healing, and redemption. Friendship and compassion are key to the story and it's in forgiving oneself that man can find the path to living fully once again.What I loved about the book is that it shows that these two men are able to help others, as they help each other and themselves. Without putting others first, without accepting their past and present, they would have been unable to change for the better.

Thank you to the author, Michael Bowe, for providing me with a print copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. 

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actions...consequences....friendship.... discovery.... redemption...

Two men, two life altering actions bring them together in The Weight of a Moment. Tom Corbett is a married father of two who, while reeling after a painful discovery, makes a bad judgement call a.k.a. has a meltdown in public which is filmed and shared on public media. Needless to say, it has a very negative affect on his life. Nick Sterling is an award-winning journalist who chooses to use a photo in a story he is revisiting for an article. The choice of photos has a very tragic outcome. Both men are reeling from the results of their actions.

The book really lives up to its name. How one moment can change everything in one's life. How just one thing such as choosing a picture to go with an article or losing your cool in a public place, can change everything.

Wanting to get away from his problems, Tom retreats to the farm he has inherited in rural Pennsylvania. There he meets Nick. The two men who might not have ever crossed paths were it not for their lives falling apart, become friends. There on the farm, they make a few discoveries....

This is a beautifully written book about how life can change on a dime, about consequences, about friendship, about forgiveness, and about redemption. It is easy to care about the two main characters and feel for them. Who hasn't regretted something they have done or said, but what happens when you can't forgive yourself? What happens when you feel you have done the worst? What happens when the world sees you at your worst on the worst day of your life? How would this affect your, your life, your relationships, your self-image?

In addition to being beautifully written, I appreciated how the book delved into the psychology of the two men, and how they both individually and then together exercised their demons and found a way to move forward. A captivating and thought provoking read.

Thank you to Michael Bowe who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of The Weight of a Moment is that only a few moments actually define our lives. In this case, two men’s defining moments are of the big, splashy meltdown variety. Nick Sterling is an award winning journalist. Tom Corbett is a successful antiques dealer, married to an even more successful money manager. After their screw ups, they both end up in a small town in Pennsylvania where they meet.

The book focuses on redemption, on whether one can achieve it on one’s own. I have to say that my initial impression of the characters was anything but positive. Tom is living a materially rich, spiritually poor life. Within a few short weeks, his world begins to unwind. Then, in a moment of pique, he lets loose on a group of college students. The moment is videoed and goes viral. I had trouble believing this would be that big a deal. His rant seemed minor to me (maybe because everything he said was true.) Nick’s story comes out much more slowly and we are not privy to his tragedy until much later in the book. What we do know right away is that this tragedy has turned him into an alcoholic and a druggie and cost him his job and his marriage.

Bowe writes well and expresses a lot of thoughts that spoke to me. As Nick says in his acceptance each for the Fenwick Prize, “ words are the foundation of our humanity. We exist in our words. We are the words that we choose. Words matter.”

But while I appreciated Bowe’s writing, the story failed to truly move me. It just felt flat. But I will say that there is a fitting role that social media plays in the story, both for good and bad.

My thanks to Michael Bowe for providing me an advance paper ARC of this book.

[Canadian Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was humming and hawing as I wrote this review because as much as a good premise I thought it was, I struggled with the many directions this story took. Sometimes less is more.

I wasn’t able to make a connection with either of these characters and sometimes things just seemed a little far fetched. I found myself skimming through parts that were just not relevant to the story.
This wasn’t a bad read, just not one I could fully appreciate.
For that I’m giving it a 3.25 ⭐️

I did receive a free copy from the writer in exchange for an honest review. This is what I’m providing.

[Lindsay L · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

A character driven journey following two men who meet during extremely difficult times in their lives. Their friendship grows as they learn to accept and move forward from their struggles, each gaining strength from support of the other.

I enjoyed meeting these unique characters and thought their backgrounds and experiences brought interesting aspects to the story. I found myself sympathizing with each of them and hoping that they could find their way back to a life of happiness. It isn’t often that I read a story focused on the friendship of two grown men which I thought the author did an excellent job exploring.

The writing pulled me into the story from the start but I did find it slightly choppy at times. An interesting, entertaining and unique story that I enjoyed and recommend!

Thank you to the author for sending me a physical copy to read and review!

[Brandice · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Weight of a Moment, two men meet in the small town of Shelbyville, Pennsylvania, both escaping mistakes of their past. Nick Sterling is an award-winning journalist who returns home to Shelbyville to run The Sentinel after a story he wrote in Philadelphia caused irreversible consequences. Tom Corbett becomes infamous when a video of his momentary outburst goes viral. He inherits an old family farm in Shelbyville and throws himself into its restoration as a welcome distraction from his new found infamy.

Both men build a friendship as they work together, fixing up the farm. While working on this project and battling their own demons, Tom and Nick make an amazing discovery, which changes their lives in an unexpected way.

At its heart, The Weight of a Moment is about friendship and forgiveness. I really liked both Nick and Tom - good, genuine, people tormented by their honest mistakes and harsher on themselves than anyone else. Though the outcome of certain situations often isn’t as intense as it was in this story, it’s a feeling many people, self included, can at least at some point, relate to. I was rooting for both Nick and Tom to find closure and resolve.

The story was well-written and easy to become engaged in, one I truly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Thank you to author Michael Bowe for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Larry H · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...most lifetimes could be summed up by ten to twenty moments, meaningful snippets ranging from a handful of seconds to a few spins around the clock face that contained both the best and worst of one's character and experiences. Like a home movie on Super 8 film, twenty impactful moments that told the story of a life. Often those moments were first glances, tearful goodbyes, fortunate turns, unfortunate accidents, promises kept, promises broken, triumphs, failures, and regrets."

We often do not recognize the most profound moments in our lives until after they've passed us by. Sometimes they are defined by actual occurrences, while other times they are defined by connections.

When Nick Sterling and Tom Corbett meet one day in a small Pennsylvania town, they have no idea how that encounter will change both of their lives. Nick is a prize-winning journalist who unwittingly causes a man's death because of something he published. He can do nothing more than flee his old life, although he is left with feelings of guilt every day. Tom is an antiques dealer who realizes the indelible reach and effect of the internet, when a video of him melting down on a group of college students after he experienced a difficult day goes viral and jeopardizes his livelihood, his marriage, and his relationship with his family.

Tom has fled to the small town of Shelbyville after he inherits a farm from his uncle. While his initial intention is to check out the situation and leave again, something compels him to want to renovate the dilapidated farm. He and Nick start working on it, and in the process, two men from different walks of life, with different philosophies, become friends. In the midst of their work on the farm they uncover some long-hidden secrets in Tom's family, and then they make an amazing discovery of their own on the farmland, one that has real impact in their lives.

The Weight of a Moment is an interesting, powerful read for many reasons. How many of us haven't had a "bad moment" when we've done something we've regretted? How many of us feel utterly crushed under the ramifications of our mistakes?

In his second novel (after the terrific Skyscraper of a Man ), Michael Bowe explores the way relationships unfold, how they can lift us at our darkest of times, and help to heal us. Not many novels explore the psyche of men when they've been dealt a major blow, and Bowe does a great job with this exploration.

Above all, the greatest strength of this novel are Bowe's characters, which are complex, flawed, and feel tremendously genuine. This is one of those books that draws you in immediately and doesn't let you go. There was one plot twist I didn't particularly love, but for the most part this is a well-told, emotional story that will stay in my mind for a long time after it's done.

The author gave me a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available.

See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.

Check out my list of the best books I read in 2018 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2018.html.

You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.

[*TUDOR^QUEEN* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about two men who faced traumatic, life-changing experiences in their lives. Through happenstance, their lives crossed paths, they became friends, and through that friendship worked through their personal struggles to find peace and redemption.

Nick Sterling realized his dream of becoming a writer, ultimately working as a reporter at a newspaper. He was so talented that he won a prestigious reward for journalism. It was at this award ceremony that he met the love of his life, Chelsea. His downfall occurred after dredging up a gang murder case from years ago as the subject of his latest article. This opened up a can of worms, resulting in a retaliation murder. Nick was reeling from the guilt and it destroyed his relationship with Chelsea.

Tom is living a comfortable and pleasant life in a thriving antique dealer partnership. His wife Shannon works in finance, dabbling in customers' millions. They have two young adult children who seem to be going astray. Alex has just been arrested on a DUI after swiping his parents' Jaguar to visit some girls. Nicole has just gotten pregnant by her flighty and unreliable rocker boyfriend. The straw that broke the camel's back was when Tom discovered his wife was conducting a lurid affair. In a tortured frame of mind contrary to his normal, gentle demeanor, Tom takes a seat at the coffee shop a few doors away from his antique store. In come some college kids from the snowflake generation, spouting the liberal diatribes most colleges are indoctrinating their students with these days. Like a pressure cooker which has blown its lid, Tom springs up and launches into these young adults with what I read to be common sense facts. However, as one would expect in the upside down world we live in today, Tom is slowly persecuted for his lapse in temperance. The young barista running the coffee shop videotapes Tom and spreads it across social media. As the days go by, the video of Tom, now dubbed "The Dream Squasher" has been seen by millions. He is forced out of working in his antique shop due to the bad publicity.

Refuge comes unexpectedly for both Nick and Tom in Shelbyville, a charming and quiet Pennsylvania farming town. Tom was left some famiy property here in the wake of an uncle's death. He relocates to the country to meet with the lawyers and deal with the home he grew up in. However, it is the site of his father's death by tractor 40 years ago, and memories of domestic violence in the home. In addition, the property is in a dilapidated state and needs some refurbishing.

Nick now produces a weekly newspaper called 'The Sentinel" in the quaint town of Shelbyville, having left New York City, the tragedy, and former girlfriend Chelsea behind. He befriends Tom at "The Rooster", the diner where many of the town's occupants routinely have lunch. Tom invites Nick to help him with some projects like painting the house and building a guesthouse. This construction unearths surprises and also leads to solving a long standing mystery.

The takeaways (as I see it) are the importance of friendship, finding contentment in working with your hands (in the context of a simpler life), and coming to terms with disturbing memories from the past. On Goodreads I saw glowing reviews for this, but I found this read to be just okay. I guess I am an outlier. I really perked up with interest during what was supposed to be the worst moment of Tom's life, what he was being derided for, but I actually agreed with most of what he was saying. So I was disappointed that that was what he was being shamed for, but perhaps it was his harsh delivery of the facts that was treated like a crime. I also was skeptical at these two men's capacity to be able to build a guesthouse when one man is a writer and the other is an antiques dealer. Lastly, there were a few spelling errors in the book, but nothing major.

Thank you to the author who provided a digital copy of the book for my honest review.

[Sara Rebotim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to the author Michael Bowe for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my personal review.

I found this book contains a lot of background character development and story, of which I’m not a big fan off, but the general story was very good and impossible not to warm most peoples heart 💓
I’m glad I had a chance to read something different of what I’m used to.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

With an excellent premise and various great messages, I enjoyed the novel. The characters are an expression of redemption, new starts, friendship, and self-acceptance.

The main characters, Tom and Nick, battle their past missteps and the consequences they have rendered. Together, the men excavate the memories of their major fault in order to find the road to atonement. They explore how their past will fit into their future while trying to reclaim their present.
"The ultimate competition in life is with yourself..."

Nick and Tom's story that caused their major downfall is tragic and completely conceivable. I liked both of the characters, but felt little depth related to my connection with them because of the narration style. The story is told in first person, but reads like it is told in third person. The main characters are telling the story, but I felt like I was watching the story rather than being there in the story with them in their heads. Because of this, I felt like I could relate to the characters but I didn't feel a personal connection with the characters that deeply resonated with me.

There were several stories within the stories. The subplots caused the novel to jump around a lot. I felt like I was a school bus on my way home from school--excited to get home, but there are a lot of stops you have to make before you get there. Sometimes I felt like there were extraneous details which weren't relevant to the overall purpose of the plot's progression.

For an independent book, it was quite good. I really enjoyed the message about the consequences of our actions on social media. I would describe the main message as thought-provoking and relevant to our current society. With editing, it could have easily been a book that I really enjoyed and loved.

I read this with Mitchell who really enjoyed it! I will say, it did make an excellent buddy read and naturally prompted great discussion. This book provides a lot of topics for a group or book club read.

Thank you Michael Bowe for the copy! I have a lot of notes and highlights throughout this one. Opinions are my own and unbiased.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise was compelling and topical. A video goes viral on the internet that shames the main character and eventually damages his business and marriage. He flees the city to escape the infamy and make a new start on an inherited farm in the country.

I probably wasn’t the right reader for this novel. I grew up in a very small farming community; and, novels that I love with this setting usually provoke emotional resonance as I identify with the characters in the story. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case with this book. This section of the novel didn’t feel authentic. I adore the novels of Kent Haruf. He so closely captures the spirit and core values of citizens of a small farming town that I feel like I already know them.

My rating only reflects that this novel was competing with the Holt, Colorado stories by my favorite author and suffers by comparison.

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

“In every lifetime, sometimes more than once, a circumstance occurs that opens the heart to its fullest measure, where meaningful change is possible, failures and shortcomings are absolved, and a person is reborn.”

I am torn about what to say regarding this novel. It is an independently published text, and I was asked by the author to read and review it.
I wish I had better things to say about it.
First off, “The Weight of a Moment” would be a better book if it was put out by a publishing house and had the benefits of a professional editor. The writing needs that good editorial hand to clean it up, push it a little further to make it better. For instance, the author obsessively tells the exact time, and to no point. “At 11:54 AM on a hot August day”. So? It is the inclusion of clumsy details like these that a good editor can beat out of a writer.
The story follows two men who have each come to major life disappointments. The point of view shifts between these two characters, but when the POV changes there is no noticeable stylistic or voice change, so who is speaking seems random. Often the POV shifts are awkwardly executed and the narrator has access to information that they would not know because they were not witness to it. I can suspend my belief in a first person narrative when this occasionally happens, but it happens entirely too much in this text. Detracts from the novel at a distracting level.
A positive note, the text does have moments where there is writing that aptly expresses a nice truth of the human condition. Those rare moments, when they happen, are fine.
In all the two biggest issues: the need for an editor, and the story tries to do everything. The book has the components of 10 novels in it. Not just 1. Because the focus is too broad, it reads as melodrama.
The idea for the story is a decent one, but “The Weight of a Moment” does far too much telling and not enough showing.
The small details mentioned in this review, among others, hinders the work. A sharper narrative focus and some revision could make this an okay novel. As it is, it is not even a decent one.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pain, failure, personal tragedy, hopelessness... all can happen in a moment.
The power and beauty of friendship and how it can heal and help one to forgive themself and move on.
An inspiring story.

Thank you to the author for reaching out to me and sending me a copy of the book, I enjoyed it!

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book for an unbiased review.

I was impressed with this book. It exceeded my expectations. The book was very well written. The story is about two friends, Nick Sterling and Tom Corbett. Nick is a prize-winning journalist, who unwittingly caused the death of a police officer because of something he published. Tom is an antiques dealer, who comes from a dysfunctional family. Someone videotaped him turning on a group of college students. It goes viral and threatens his job, marriage and family.

How these two men support each other as they solve their issues makes for a great story. The characters are flawed, complex and realistic. The plot was primarily straight forward. The story was emotional but difficult to stop reading. I highly recommend this book.

I read this as a softcover book. It is 268 pages published by author in October 2019. The book I read was a 6x9 soft cover book that is well presented in easy to read fonts.

[Mark Porton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Due to the terrific reviews of The Weight of a Moment, I felt compelled to read this book and I wasn’t disappointed.

The premise of this book considers the impact our actions may have on others. The life changing actions of the main characters, antique dealer Tom Corbett and award-winning journalist Nick Sterling, cause a whole series of events which have a profound effect on others and to themselves.

The story takes us through each man’s family and professional life and paints a wonderful picture of who these people are, it is so skilfully written. This book is just a touch over 250 pages, but so much is said in this small read – you’d think it was an epic. I found myself loving some characters, being frustrated at others and there were one or two I just couldn’t stand. This was one of those reads where I found myself gasping “No way!!”, or “How could you be like that?”, I just couldn’t react quietly.

Tom and Nick become close friends by working on a project in regional Pennsylvania. The bond they form is close as they try and deal with their demons. Family and friends drop in and out of their lives and daily routines, keeping things interesting. Themes such as redemption, forgiveness, consequences, loving and love lost, despair and friendship figure heavily in this book.

One thing I really enjoyed was the sense of place I felt regarding the small town these guys spent with each other, the author successfully portrayed the familiarity and warmth you experience when living in such a community. But he also weaved in some of the skeletons in the cupboard which are present in all places. On that, the use of a significant metaphor (although slightly obvious) was brilliant and a wonderful and unexpected part of the story.

If I may paraphrase one poignant passage “In the 10-20 meaningful snippets of ones life that contained the best and worst of one’s character and experience, if we are graceful people and extend kindness and compassion to one another during these moments, we have the ability to impact one another’s moments, to impact one another’s lives” – How true is that?

Loved it – 5 stars!

[Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great American Novel… what does it contain? Well, bigger than life personalities living out grandiose lives, of course. (Think: Gatsby.) Their destinies either given or torn away from them.

I discovered Bowe last year with his first novel, “Skyscraper of a Man.” Here, the scope seems cracked open even wider—this sophomore novel is way more immersive, as the reader investigates and unearths histories that extend beyond humanity and others that are human in the biblical sense.

We have prose that’s more poignant than Donna Tartt’s (but comparable in its modern use of American lexicon). He is like a 21st century John Irving. In fact, this novelist's detailed and architecturally-centered details are reverential--a part of his poetics that make him stand out from other contemporary imagineers.

“Weight of a Moment” is endearing. It comes to the lucky reader in a nifty, easy to comprehend paradox (which is, in itself, also a paradox?!): it is both big and small, full of meaning in minutia both. Like all American lives.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Our lives are comprised of individual moments, moment after moment. Some of those moments and experiences build us up, some make us physically, emotionally, and intellectually better, strong, more compassionate toward others. Others are destructive, dismissive, tearing away at our feelings of self-worth, and some of those become internal voices that echo the words we were told by others in our past. Our childhood, before we ever begin to question our place in our family, our tenuous positioning among our friends. The hidden agenda of all of these gradually shape us, and to some extent, they begin to try and mold us into their likeness, at least in thoughts, and actions.

”For almost four years, I kept my moment locked deep within me, never willing to discuss my tragic choice and public humiliation. In a cowardly manner, I retreated to the small town where I was born and raised and tried to hide from my moment. But, my moment burned inside me like a steady flame in constant contact with the soft tissue of my soul. It was pain like I’d never experienced before – my discomfort ever-present, my regret weighty and overwhelming.”

Once in Shelbyville, Pennsylvania, the home of his birth, it becomes a refuge of another kind for Nick Sterling. A place to hide from the world, to retreat into another space of incoherence, hiding inside a bottle or substance where he could feel unseen, where his secret shame could remain unknown to these people. Avoiding the pain. Avoiding life.

”I knew I’d come to the right place to heal – I just didn’t know how to do it.”

And then one day he makes a new friend, Tom Corbett, a man who has also had his life destroyed. A video that captured him in one of his less-than-finer moments is shared on social media. He withdraws from his life, loses the business he helped to build, his marriage falls apart, followed by the rest of his family. A bond that will, eventually, strengthen both of these men, allowing them each to begin to rebuild their faith in themselves, and restore their faith not only in themselves, but in others.

An unearthing of burdens, along with a literal physical unearthing, bonds them even closer. It also puts them back in the spotlight of the world, which has an unexpected outcome.

”In every lifetime, sometimes more than once, a circumstance occurs that opens the heart to its fullest measure, where meaningful change is possible, failures and shortcomings are absolved, and a person is reborn. Some are healed or renewed by the experience, while others fail to recognize the opportunity and it simply passes by.”

We seek forgiveness from others, but in the end, it is for naught if we can’t begin to forgive ourselves.




Many thanks for the ARC provided by the author, Michael Bowe

[Matt]

First and foremost, a large thank you to Michael Bowe for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Thankfully, for all involved, I will not rate this book, as I could not stomach its completion!

I was contacted not too long ago by Michael Bowe to read and review this book. Interestingly enough, my GR feed and daily emails had been flooded with excellent reviews of this book, so it seemed almost as though fate were shining down upon me. When the book arrived, I tucked in, thinking that I could magically devour this book, as I do with many well-structured pieces that I enjoy. I faltered soon after beginning and thought to put it aside. When the arrival of COVID-19 gave me more time to read, I thought about this book and chose to pick it up again. Again, I faltered and had to put it down. At a time when we are to distance ourselves from things that could make us ill or cause distress, I felt I had no choice but to stop while I was still feeling well. Isolation should not be about reading pieces that do not interest the reader.

So, here is where we stand. A book with the promise, “If you don’t enjoy the book, simply contact me on Goodreads and I’ll refund your purchase price,” seems to create the cocky self-assurance new authors have about their work, almost goading you to admit you want a cash back. Alas, mine cost me nothing, so I cannot even be recompensed for the time utilised trying to make sense out of the opening pages. While I know I am in the minority here, I must say to anyone who is offered this book, do not let the money back guarantee hook you. Run away, for the weight of the moment you will enjoy this book is counteracted by the colossal pain of trying to spin something positive in your review, knowing the minions and trolls will attack you.

Kudos, Mr. Bowe, for the lovely cover jacket drawings. Perhaps, as well, for fooling many others into finding praiseworthy comments to cobble together!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[PamG · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE WEIGHT OF A MOMENT by Michael Bowe pleasantly surprised me. This is not the type of book that I normally read, but I have obviously been missing out on some great stories.

The book starts out with Nick Sterling, a prize-winning journalist. Then it switches to Tom Corbett’s life. The two stories do not come together until about a third of the way through the book. The book explores how one incident or event can change lives for the worse and how fragile relationships can be. However, it is much more than a look at the tragedies in these two men’s lives; it is also about getting beyond the humiliation and grief, moving forward and going through a healing process.

This novel was well-written and drew me into the lives of the two main characters. Nick and Tom had distinct voices and both felt very real. Their motivations were believable and the relationships between the characters were not contrived. Their stories move between large cities and small towns, between being at the peak of their careers and at the bottom.

Themes explored in the novel include tragic mistakes, forgiveness, domestic violence, family relationships, social media, drug use, alcohol overindulgence, murder, suicide, friendship, compassion, condemnation and much more.

This story is not one that I will forget and I recommend this novel to those readers that enjoy well-written, profound and moving stories.

Thanks to Michael Bowe for a copy of this novel and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can we say obsessed with the deus ex machinea (May have misspelled that lol) good lord

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to review his book, but I wonder if he’d rather I’d not.

Two men who on the surface appear to have everything going for them make spur of the moment choices that have negative effects on their lives and they crash and burn. Somehow they meet in the same small town and become fast friends. The friendship itself has its redeeming qualities, but what the men get up to is frankly farcical. I don’t like to discuss spoilers, but basically think of something outrageous, it probably happened.

This book would benefit from a superior rewrite and edit. It would behoove the author to tone down constant “what now” effect. Plus the overuse and often misuse of the the word impact was grating on the nerves.

I have the feeling this book would speak more to younger generations or those wrapped up in their social media accounts. They have a wider understanding of the consequences of the actions perpetrated by our protagonists.

[Blair · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Weight of a Moment is a self published novel by Michael Bowe. Many of you have been mighty generous with your reviews- lots of stars, lots of praise, and I was hoping my voice could join the chorus. But it can't.
It is the story of two men: Nick Sterling, a prize winning journalist and Tom Corbett, an antiques dealer and family man, each of whose lives are shattered by the 'weight of a moment' a poor decision on each of their parts that changes their lives forever. They meet, by chance, in the small town of Shelbyville (I couldn't get The Simpsons out of my head) and the story is about how their friendship and their unusual circumstances help each other heal.
It's a good human story and with an experienced editor and a revision or two, it has the makings of a good novel. But I found the prose stilted, the dialogue overly formal, and the shifts in narrative poorly executed. We have the first person POV of Nick Sterling, which is also somehow omniscient, shifting to 3rd person awkwardly with little change in voice or style.
I also felt the author talked down to the reader, overexplaining things:
' an excavator was a tractor with tank- like treads for mobility and a large arched arm and claw for digging and trenching... the attached claw had steel fingers to rip into the earth and a basket shape for removing the loose soil'
Uh, ok. He also explains earlier in the novel, in detail, what it means for a video to 'go viral'.
Also, somewhat ironically, at no time did I get the impression that the author did any meaningful research into his subject matter. Google maybe.
It sounds like I'm dissing this pretty heavily, but there is real potential here and I applaud and encourage the author to find an editor and I know we will be hearing more from you.

There are some good moments in the novel, some reflective upon the human condition, some funny, some poignantly constructive, but unfortunately, they don't add up to make a novel with 'weight'.

That is my honest opinion.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

After I "liked" a friend's review of this book, the author offered to send me a review copy. I should have said no. I should have kept in mind the fact that when I hit the Like button on a review, I am liking that someone has enjoyed (or occasionally hated) a book, and that he or she has taken the time to tell me about it. It doesn't mean I have any interest in the book itself. And, because serious books about "the fragility of life and the redemptive power of friendship" usually don't appeal to me, I should have said no. But, then I saw all those glowing five-star reviews, and thought to myself, "Heck, if this guy's the new John Irving, or even the new Jonathan Franzen, I don't want to miss out."

I really should have said no.

This is not a terrible book, but I believe with all my heart that it is also not a great book. The author is trying mighty hard to impress, too hard, in fact. There's no subtlety here - it's all tell, and no show. I had a lot of problems buying that Tom's minor kerfluffle caught on video would seriously ruin his life. And, I found it equally implausible how quickly Tom and Nick became best buds. It might have been more interesting if they had been two gay men who fell fast and hard for each other. I think instalove is a lot more believable than instantaneous heterosexual male friendship. And, perhaps a good editor could have pared down some of Bowe's excesses like unnecessary characters: did Tom really need to have kids, or even a wife? Did we need the story of the has-been high school hero who's now miserable? And, really . . . the dinosaur bones thing?

I realize this was a self-published effort, but I have read some very good self-published books, and this is not one of them. I kept Bowe's lack of an editor in mind when handing out stars, and that is the only reason the book gets three instead of two stars. I did not find this book to be "profound' or even "beautifully written" as the cover claims. And, yes, I realize I am in the minority here; others seem to see something in the story that I found lacking. Many people really did seem to love this book, but before you plunk down money for it, keep in mind that you might not be one of the many.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much!! If I didn't have a family tragedy of my own this month, I would have read it much quicker than I actually did. I did not know what to expect and went into it with no expectations. I was blown away! It was beautifully written, thought provoking, emotional, entertaining, and even a little funny at times. I could picture this entire story being played out in my head like a great movie. The details of the entire novel were so powerful and rich.

The title of this book is perfect - "The Weight of a Moment". Much of it is about how one tiny moment or decision can impact others or drastically change the course of your own life. The two main characters in this novel are fantastic. Nick Sterling, a prize winning journalist, had one of his articles cause a major tragedy. Tom Corbett is publicly shamed after a snippet of his bad behavior is caught on video and goes viral on the internet. They leave their damaged lives and meet up in a small town called Shelbyville. The small town, particularly the scenes and the characters in the diner, were some of my favorite! Together they forge a beautiful friendship through some good, old fashioned labor on the farm Tom has inherited.

I loved the alternating view points of these two characters. They were deeply flawed and genuine men who were lost in life. The discussion of the cycles of abuse, and their struggles on the path to redemption and forgiveness were so realistic and human. I felt deeply for both of them and was silently cheering them on the entire way. This was the best book I've read in awhile! Tragedy, redemption, forgiveness, friendship, choices, family, small town flavor, dinosaur bones... it's all here!

**Thank you to the author, Michael Bowe, for gifting me with a copy of this novel in exchange
for my honest review**

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It was my own personal theory that most lifetimes could be summed up by ten to twenty moments...contain[ing] both the best and worst of one's character and experiences...fortunate turns, unfortunate accidents...triumphs, failure, and regrets." Tom Corbett and Nick Sterling were members of an unfortunate fellowship-people whose worst moment is viewed by millions, and who are recognized and judged based on that moment from that day forward."

Tom Corbett was living "the good life". He was co-owner of Desjardins House, a business devoted to the world of antiques: acquisition, sale, appraisals and auctions. Tom was about to come undone. "...some kind of breakdown or blow-up was looming...his thoughts were frazzled; his emotions frayed...". His teenage daughter, Nicole was pregnant, son Alex had been arrested and charged with DWI and operating a motor vehicle without a license, and a "Confidential and Personal" letter arrived at his workplace. "Your wife is having an affair with David Nathan-they meet every Thursday at 1 PM at the Saint Marcus Hotel." The local coffee shop was usually a place to unwind, however, four college students were having a loud, lively discussion. Tom found their discourse to be "naive and obnoxious". Social media became home to a three minute U-Tube video of Tom's tirade involving the students. Unfortunately, it went viral. "The next morning...[the] video has fifteen thousand views...".

Nick Sterling traveled to New York City to accept the prestigious Fenwick Prize for Excellence in Journalism for his five part series, "The Stride". His name had become "a valuable brand" for the Philadelphia Post newspaper. Ten years after the unsolved murder of two young brothers, headlined "The Death of Innocence", Nick decided to revisit the case by writing a new article but posting an original crime scene photo. Nick's "newly printed article about the aftermath would produce more aftermath".

The Bashful Rooster, a forty seat diner in Shelbyville, Pennsylvania was "...the heart and soul...of this small community...You're going to like it here Tom," said Nick, sharing counter space with Tom. "Almost instantly, I realized Tom Corbett and I were kindred spirits and we would play a key role in one another's life." A dilapidated farm...a handwritten letter...a padlocked metal box...an amazing discovery...two men charting their paths to healing, forgiveness and redemption.

"The Weight of a Moment" by Michael Bowe is a magnificent read. Life changes can occur at the drop of a hat. Will Tom and Nick be able to confront their demons, taking one small step at a time? Author Bowe's well written novel had this reader totally engaged, hoping that each man would find inner peace. A must read!

Thank you to Michael Bowe for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.