What do you think?
Rate this book
Tightrope #1
Don't Call Me Jupiter - Book One "Tightrope": Memoir of a Reluctant Hippie Kid
Don’t Call Me Jupiter is a true coming-of-age memoir of psychedelic adventure about growing up in a vagabond family led by a self-absorbed, eccentric hippie mother during the age of Aquarius. Devastating family drama, abandonment, and drugs are balanced with laugh-out-loud humor that will keep you turning pages. You'll laugh, cry, cringe, and be left begging for more.
The story begins with an episode that occurred in 1974. When Tom Bross (age 12) experiences a sudden move from Davis to San Anselmo to live with their God Family. Just two months later they move back to Davis with no place to live. His brother and sisters are dropped off at their friend's houses. Tom ends up in the garage of one of his mother's ex-lovers. It's from this dreary location that he recalls his family's truly strange transition.
Led by his mother, the Martha Stewart of Hippies, they transform from a normal conservative, mid-western, Catholic family into a clan of liberal, psychedelic-bus-tripping, pot-smoking, nature-loving, California free spirits.
The story begins with an episode that occurred in 1974. When Tom Bross (age 12) experiences a sudden move from Davis to San Anselmo to live with their God Family. Just two months later they move back to Davis with no place to live. His brother and sisters are dropped off at their friend's houses. Tom ends up in the garage of one of his mother's ex-lovers. It's from this dreary location that he recalls his family's truly strange transition.
Led by his mother, the Martha Stewart of Hippies, they transform from a normal conservative, mid-western, Catholic family into a clan of liberal, psychedelic-bus-tripping, pot-smoking, nature-loving, California free spirits.
299 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2021
2075 people are currently reading
2764 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
May 22, 2025
In the Early Seventies, I was earmarked by a young Yorkshire lass to be her Other Man in a Love Triangle, starting that night, if I consented. My Moditen refused. Thank Heaven.
I was hot to trot, but my meds were not.
Of course I thank my Lord and all His Saints now, but in the seventies I was cannon fodder for such foolishness, being, like Tom Bross, the child of new age parents.
But even they they kept it hidden from scrutiny, as most do in the suburbs. Hippies excepted.
Tom's folks are of that ilk, alas. At mid age Tom can't stand the pressure of his past, and so implodes, breaks down and spills the beans - millions of em - to a shrink.
That's the spoiler. This book is his life story to that shrink.
His beans swim in Jalapeño Sauce. Extra silent but extra deadly.
This book is the first of a trilogy, which purportedly improves in redeeming value as it goes on. Tom finds HIS redemption in the final book, through an ongoing act of selfless family love.
But all Peace has its price…
Folks, honestly, reading this I wanted to retch. The Seventies were my private Family Curse. This book took me back there.
Ghouls and all.
Love it or leave it, Fergus. I left it. DNF.
If you see it, it's probably cheap in stores. The content is cheap as well, if you have half a scruple.
Don't go there unless you've already got scruples, and are thus proof against its depravity.
I was hot to trot, but my meds were not.
Of course I thank my Lord and all His Saints now, but in the seventies I was cannon fodder for such foolishness, being, like Tom Bross, the child of new age parents.
But even they they kept it hidden from scrutiny, as most do in the suburbs. Hippies excepted.
Tom's folks are of that ilk, alas. At mid age Tom can't stand the pressure of his past, and so implodes, breaks down and spills the beans - millions of em - to a shrink.
That's the spoiler. This book is his life story to that shrink.
His beans swim in Jalapeño Sauce. Extra silent but extra deadly.
This book is the first of a trilogy, which purportedly improves in redeeming value as it goes on. Tom finds HIS redemption in the final book, through an ongoing act of selfless family love.
But all Peace has its price…
Folks, honestly, reading this I wanted to retch. The Seventies were my private Family Curse. This book took me back there.
Ghouls and all.
Love it or leave it, Fergus. I left it. DNF.
If you see it, it's probably cheap in stores. The content is cheap as well, if you have half a scruple.
Don't go there unless you've already got scruples, and are thus proof against its depravity.
November 2, 2021
I found the book entertaining and riveting. I grew up down the street and was classmates with Tom’s two older sisters. I was on the outside looking in and always trying to figure out what the heck was going on. One of my closest friends was Chris’ best friend and even her explanations couldn’t help me make sense. What, the he mother is just gone?! How does that happen? Tom’s humor and clear descriptions of his crazy circumstances were compelling. They took me back in time and actually answered some of the lingering questions that my child brain could not fully understand. Thank you Tommy for not only being vulnerable enough to share, but for having such a exquisite command of the English language to paint such a beautiful picture of your family and life in Davis and the Bay Area.
May 27, 2025
I can not understand all the hype around this book. Very drawn out and it’s a set-up to get you to buy 2-3 more books. Lacked a lot in my opinion. I’ve read far better memoirs and how this is even remotely compared to The Glass Castle is a big mystery to me.
October 21, 2025
Honest, raw and hilariously funny.
On to book 2, all 3 are currently included with audible 🎧
On to book 2, all 3 are currently included with audible 🎧
April 1, 2024
I was totally captured by this true life story, told with wit and humor, blatant honesty, tenderness, and the most incredible experiences growing up in this family. I am close in age to the author, and while I did not share most of Tom’s most extreme family experiences, I did get a kick out of the way he so accurately describes the times we were in, especially the 70s as teens. I certainly knew people like his family (ok, not QUITE!)
The story is told as memories, often from his comfortable spot in his therapists office. Time jumps from the past childhood memories to his current adult struggles and experiences- back and forth again. It works. I am already in to the 2nd book and know I’ll read the 3rd immediately after. Tom has written his story as I imagine him actually TELLING it. He brings his family members to life with brutal honesty great compassion. Highly recommend if you like hearing about someone’s life so different from most. Yet, I find so much to relate to and think about in my own life.
One thing I did not jive with was the audible version with Tom reading it himself. While I usually appreciate authors reading their own books, especially memoirs, It was hard to listen to- so fast, little regard for performance with few inflections, pauses, or even sentence stops at times. I slowed down my audible play speed just a bit , and it helped significantly.
I will note that I’m into the 2nd book now, and Tom’s audible reading has improved - although I have still slowed down the play speed a bit, again.
The story is told as memories, often from his comfortable spot in his therapists office. Time jumps from the past childhood memories to his current adult struggles and experiences- back and forth again. It works. I am already in to the 2nd book and know I’ll read the 3rd immediately after. Tom has written his story as I imagine him actually TELLING it. He brings his family members to life with brutal honesty great compassion. Highly recommend if you like hearing about someone’s life so different from most. Yet, I find so much to relate to and think about in my own life.
One thing I did not jive with was the audible version with Tom reading it himself. While I usually appreciate authors reading their own books, especially memoirs, It was hard to listen to- so fast, little regard for performance with few inflections, pauses, or even sentence stops at times. I slowed down my audible play speed just a bit , and it helped significantly.
I will note that I’m into the 2nd book now, and Tom’s audible reading has improved - although I have still slowed down the play speed a bit, again.
November 13, 2022
This "story," which is really Tom's upbringing, paints such a vivid picture of a mother trying to find her way in the world and discover who she is at this stage in her life. Chapters open with Tom sitting in his therapists chair, feet propped up on a footstool, and then sinking back into memories; since memory is not linear (and neither is grief) the timeline flows exactly how it should.
Tom's life and family have lived in my mind and heart since turning the first page. Within these pages is a loss of innocence and a strong desire to persevere, all while having deep family ties.
I loved the humour and inside jokes, Mare's use of my favourite swear "rat-bastard," and the whole tenth chapter as we witness a transformation.
The back cover quote really sums this book up perfectly: "Funny, yet its central theme is abandonment."
I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants a further look into the 60s, especially after reading books like Songs In Ursa Major.
☮☮☮☮☮/5
Signed your prickly wildrose Canadian friend, Julie (the wannabe hippie).
Thank you Tom Bross for the complimentary copy to read and review.
Tom's life and family have lived in my mind and heart since turning the first page. Within these pages is a loss of innocence and a strong desire to persevere, all while having deep family ties.
I loved the humour and inside jokes, Mare's use of my favourite swear "rat-bastard," and the whole tenth chapter as we witness a transformation.
The back cover quote really sums this book up perfectly: "Funny, yet its central theme is abandonment."
I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants a further look into the 60s, especially after reading books like Songs In Ursa Major.
☮☮☮☮☮/5
Signed your prickly wildrose Canadian friend, Julie (the wannabe hippie).
Thank you Tom Bross for the complimentary copy to read and review.
June 21, 2021
I can't wait to read the next book. Somehow, Tom's story of a tragic, terrifying, and sometimes awesome childhood left me wanting to know so much more. The author's sanguine voice comes through even as he faces humilition, lonlieness and loss.
None of the adults in the book are heroes. They are dysfunctional hedonists whose pursuits frequently harm and sometimes amuse the author and his siblings. Tom's mother is center stage in the unfolding story. His stepfather is not portrayed in a good light, but provides the only structure the children ever have. His father's antics are fewer only because he sees his four children every couple of years.
In addition to volume two, I would like a concordance where I can learn: if Tom's father paid child support, what happened to Alex's dad, where is everyone now, what about Peggy and her kids? I have so many questions that I hope will be answered soon.
A good read.
None of the adults in the book are heroes. They are dysfunctional hedonists whose pursuits frequently harm and sometimes amuse the author and his siblings. Tom's mother is center stage in the unfolding story. His stepfather is not portrayed in a good light, but provides the only structure the children ever have. His father's antics are fewer only because he sees his four children every couple of years.
In addition to volume two, I would like a concordance where I can learn: if Tom's father paid child support, what happened to Alex's dad, where is everyone now, what about Peggy and her kids? I have so many questions that I hope will be answered soon.
A good read.
July 20, 2021
Humorous, raw, and brutally honest, Tom’s memoir will, at times, make you weep, but more often it will make you laugh out loud. Tom has an infectious sense of humor. Whether it was an innate gift he inherited from his father, or a coping mechanism he developed, it’s clearly served him well in navigating his very unusual childhood - and live to tell the tale! And how brilliantly he tells it! I was prepared for a good read, but found, instead, a GREAT read! Tom has mastered the art of writing his memoir, infused with prose and wit, so that it reads like fiction and draws the reader in to his family’s strange, but captivating world. I never wanted to put the book down! Can’t wait to read book 2!
February 5, 2022
Loved this book. One of those books that I didn’t want to put down, and when I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. As soon as I finished, I handed it to my wife to read and started on book two. Great story!
October 16, 2024
Meh
I don’t know about this series. I think it could be boiled down to 1/3 its length. A bit too much of the same thing over and over becomes a bit less amusing….
I don’t know about this series. I think it could be boiled down to 1/3 its length. A bit too much of the same thing over and over becomes a bit less amusing….
March 4, 2022
Loved this book! Tom has a wonderful writing style that makes it difficult to put the book down, meandering through the crazy antics of a dysfunctional family. Can't wait to read Book Two-Lightning Crashes!
June 25, 2025
This was a disappointing read after seeing all the promotional hype from Amazon; although Bross does have a sense of humor and a quick wit, it fails to carry the weight of the overall story. Living now in an age where countless lives have been taken or ruined by drugs much more harmful than marijuana, it is hard for me to see the humor of this autobiographical account of living with a “hippie” mother. I suppose the children were fearful of reporting their mother’s behavior, thinking they could be split up and sent to foster homes. They were in fact split up several times when their mother lost their rented lodging. I wonder why the father didn’t comprehend how harmful his ex-wife was to his children. But what turned me off completely was the plea on the final page to purchase book two of the series to see what happens next. It really is sad that many people become parents who shouldn’t. It is even sadder to think about the lives children could have if they lived in more stable homes. I think the Bross children were more fortunate than many who have addicted parents who fail to show them a lifestyle that is not totally damaging; but how many of the children of addicted parents make poor decisions that limit their ability to have a much more fulfilling life.
December 13, 2022
Five star memoirs "hit" differently than fiction, and, for me, often result in spending a lot more time digesting the writers experiences before being able to share my thoughts. Here is my spoiler free review.
Tom Bross' wit and magnetic presence on Bookstagram brought my attention to "Don't Call Me Jupiter." I have always been obsessed with 70s culture and Tom did not disappoint. Bross excels at imagery: shag carpet, bell-bottoms, mood rings, free love, and a never-ending supply of drugs. While these pop-culture references are standard for the 70s, they take on poignant meaning when shared through the eyes of a child.
Bross was far from average as a child. Keenly aware of his surroundings and exceedingly intelligent, this memoir allows the reader to experience his tumultuous childhood. The story takes us from one extreme to another, marking change as the only constant in Tom's life.
Surrounded by his siblings, we fall in love with his sisters. Tom's writing is rich and the "characters" are full-bodied. It is easy to forget that they are real people and these events truly happened. Bross has shared a part of his soul with the reader- a true gift in the world of literature.
Tom Bross' wit and magnetic presence on Bookstagram brought my attention to "Don't Call Me Jupiter." I have always been obsessed with 70s culture and Tom did not disappoint. Bross excels at imagery: shag carpet, bell-bottoms, mood rings, free love, and a never-ending supply of drugs. While these pop-culture references are standard for the 70s, they take on poignant meaning when shared through the eyes of a child.
Bross was far from average as a child. Keenly aware of his surroundings and exceedingly intelligent, this memoir allows the reader to experience his tumultuous childhood. The story takes us from one extreme to another, marking change as the only constant in Tom's life.
Surrounded by his siblings, we fall in love with his sisters. Tom's writing is rich and the "characters" are full-bodied. It is easy to forget that they are real people and these events truly happened. Bross has shared a part of his soul with the reader- a true gift in the world of literature.
January 19, 2025
The writing style is artistic and humorous, a fun and engaging read for sure. When I began the book I misunderstood it to be a review of his childhood memories coupled with a therapist’s analysis of their effect on him as an adult. It turned out to be more of a true recollection of memories throughout his life, which is perfectly acceptable, just not what I was anticipating from the way the book began. However, absent of any sort of outside analysis, I felt the writing began to drag toward the end with no hint of a resolution to the intrigue of the beginning. That feeling of resolution never came because the story sort of abruptly ends and later begins again in book 2 of this three. book. memoir. The very last page put a bit of a bad taste in my mouth as it felt like the premise had shifted from personal tales to the sensationalizing of interfamilial trauma. Maybe it was more of a mocking-my-own-misery tone, but that didn’t translate well to me as the reader and I don’t think I’ll continue reading the next book.
Tldr; Writing style was great throughout. Story started off strong but dragged on. 3.5 stars
Tldr; Writing style was great throughout. Story started off strong but dragged on. 3.5 stars
November 9, 2024
This is a memoir that reads like a very engrossing fiction. I found many parts of the book unbelievably hilarious they made me laugh out loud. Then I felt bad because some parts were actually truly sad. I reminded myself it’s really the author’s actual childhood that I was reading.
Overall, a very well written book by a highly skilled writer. I loved the humor, the tell-it-as-it-is attitudes, and of course, the old photos. Look forward to reading parts 2 and 3.
Overall, a very well written book by a highly skilled writer. I loved the humor, the tell-it-as-it-is attitudes, and of course, the old photos. Look forward to reading parts 2 and 3.
June 12, 2021
There were so many times during my reading I found myself laughing out loud … other times I was baffled and taken back by the hippie family life. To say Tom uses humor to diffuse serious crazy circumstances would be putting it lightly. Once I started this book it was hard to put down … and I can’t wait to read the next two.
January 19, 2025
Had to put in my dnf pile. Very depressing and neverending. I swear I tried. Just couldn't finish it.
November 23, 2025
This 3 book series should be one book.
September 3, 2022
This book captivated me from page 1. When I finished and saw there was a second one, I immediately went to Amazon to order it. Then, I discovered the third book is coming out this fall, and the author has a website where you can purchase the entire series. So, I cancelled the Amazon order and ordered the entire series directly from the author. (I figure Amazon doesn’t need any more of my money! Ha!) I am anxiously awaiting for the series to arrive in October. Bross is a talented writer with many fascinating stories to tell. He does a superb job with the audio for Book 1, too. I often listened to it while getting ready in the mornings, so my husband heard bits and pieces. He ended up getting hooked and had to read it, too. There were several times it has us both laughing out loud. It really is a testament to the power of humor as a coping mechanism. The author’s adventures would definitely make an entertaining and thought provoking movie or Netflix series. I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy memoirs.
November 28, 2021
Tom’s truth…..so much emotion reading what he went through growing up and all that the family had to endure. One minute laughing and then crying and then stopping to comprehend all that you just read. I couldn’t put this book down, I have read it twice waiting for the second book. Which I have also read!!! I admire my cousin for writing his story that I am sure was tough to relive.
Amazing story! Amazing author!
Amazing story! Amazing author!
March 23, 2021
Unique Revealing Memoir
When trying to understand another human being, the phrase
"Walk a mile in my shoes" comes to mind. It would be hard to accomplish that feat with Tom.
But after reading the unique, revealing first installment of Tom's riveting memoir, I was fast and furiously turning pages, asking what could possibly be happening next?
When trying to understand another human being, the phrase
"Walk a mile in my shoes" comes to mind. It would be hard to accomplish that feat with Tom.
But after reading the unique, revealing first installment of Tom's riveting memoir, I was fast and furiously turning pages, asking what could possibly be happening next?
September 15, 2021
You will never be able to put this book down until you are done reading, then you will wait for the next one to come out. It will touch your heart in hidden places. It will make you laugh, cry, scream with anger, be thankful and all the while, wonder... Beautifully and bravely written.
May 17, 2022
These are great books! I've read both #1and#2. They are loaded with irresistible narratives that roll right along. Funny, heartfelt stories that take me back to my own life experience and leave me begging for #3.
January 11, 2025
great book!
As advertised: laughed out loud, cried on the inside, thoroughly enjoyed this writing style. Can’t wait to start the next one. Highly recommend!
As advertised: laughed out loud, cried on the inside, thoroughly enjoyed this writing style. Can’t wait to start the next one. Highly recommend!
July 25, 2024
I enjoy reading memoirs by authors who have great recall and storytelling skills along with what I would consider an "unusual" childhood. Tom Bross is one of those authors. His childhood, as recalled during sessions with his therapist, is so different from anything I could imagine and makes for a great read. I must read his next book right away!
June 3, 2025
Crazy family, crazy life, just crazy!!
February 17, 2025
Somewhere between 4.5 - 5 ⭐️. It’s always such a treat to read a memoir where the author has an incredible story to tell and the ability to tell it in a captivating way. This memoir is right up there with The Glass Castle and The Tender Bar. Totally enthralling and hard to put down.
March 13, 2021
Excellent read that makes you laugh and cry. Look forward to book 2!
June 3, 2021
What a heartbreaking and funny story of young boy growing up. Some parts were a bit shocking to read and I can't imagine growing up like this. To read about the love he had for his family after all he was exposed to is a remarkable testament to the power of any family. I could not wait to read each chapter to find out what was to happen next and cannot wait for the next book.
March 14, 2022
Great book, hard to put it down! Tom paints a world with his words and story, putting you right in the middle of it. Looking forward to reading book #2.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews