Drunk Log

by Mark E. Scott

If all goes according to plan, tonight will be Jack Current’s last. The young engineer is at the end of his emotional rope and plans to take his own life. But first, a bar crawl through his downtown Cincinnati neighborhood is in order.

Accompanying him during his final hours is a dollar store notebook. The Drunk Log. In it, he documents the evening, ruminates on his existence and remembers his 7-year-old nephew, who died exactly a year earlier. It is a loss for which Jack feels responsible—a lapse in judgement for which there is no forgiveness. Buckling under the weight of oppressive guilt, Jack plans to jump off the scenic suspension bridge spanning the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky.

Drunk Log, is a darkly humorous, deeply introspective exploration into one man’s attempt to find peace in the face of unrelenting pain. Told with a fast clip, the entire book covers about 8 hours and deftly avoids becoming an ominous dirge through relatable—and flawed—characters, unexpectedly funny situations, a budding romance and the wobbly balancing act of a man who must remain sober enough to write in his journal and finish what he started, but drunk enough to jump off a bridge.

Genres: Fiction

218 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2022

Reviews

[Jordan Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drunk Log is a beautify dark story about loss and redemption, with a touch of romance to chase the shadows away. I found myself rooting for main character Jack from the start and through the end I was keeping my fingers and toes crossed for him. The other main character, Aria, was a refreshing love interest who took “hero saving” into her own hands. I’m looking to forward to what new stories Mark E. Scott writes and what new adventures Jack and Aria take.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first installment in this series showcases an author with a strong voice from the start. The consistency in characterization and balance between humor and dark theming is impressive. The arc of the story and the storytelling ability is engaging and also genuinely surprising with the twists.

Thoroughly enjoyed this entry and looking forward to the next. Highly recommend to any fiction lover, and honestly any reader in general!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing Read, Craftily Written.
Drunk Log is a story about forgiveness and redemption found under unexpected circumstances. Despite the darker premise, it was full of light moments and touching humor. I picked it up and couldn’t put it down. Definitely recommend and look forward to more from this author.

[Speaking Volumes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Humor at its finest. A Must Read!

[Jithendra Jithu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drunk Log (A Day in the Life)

By

Mark E. Scott

Rating:5/5

Review:

👉"Drunk Log (A Day in the Life)" by Mark E. Scott offers a compelling narrative that combines humor, introspection, and poignant themes. The story follows Jack, a young engineer, who is grappling with overwhelming guilt and pain after the loss of his 7-year-old nephew. With a heavy heart and the intention of ending his life, Jack embarks on a final journey through a night of introspection, chronicling his thoughts in a log book.

👉What sets this book apart is its ability to seamlessly blend serious themes with humor and maintain a brisk narrative pace. Jack's emotions are skillfully portrayed, drawing readers into his tumultuous journey and making it relatable. The characters surrounding him are thoughtfully developed, enriching the story with their own complexities. Additionally, the book underscores the significance of seeking help and support when facing emotional turmoil.

👉"Drunk Log" transcends being a simple tale; it's a profound exploration of human emotions, the struggle to find a glimmer of hope amidst despair, and the value of connection and assistance during life's darkest moments. The interplay of humor and introspection, coupled with themes of love, loss, friendship, forgiveness, and hope, makes this book a compelling and essential read for a diverse audience.

👉In conclusion, "Drunk Log (A Day in the Life)" by Mark E. Scott is a masterful piece of urban fiction that leaves an indelible impact. Its ability to seamlessly blend humor, introspection, and poignant themes is a testament to Scott's storytelling prowess. Jack's emotional journey, though rooted in darkness, blossoms into a tale of connection, healing, and transformation. This is a narrative that speaks to the heart of the human experience, and it's a must-read for anyone seeking a deeply resonant exploration of life's complexities.

Wow! What a book! I am in love with the book

👉I just loved reading the book ...

Happy reading!

[Booktalkopedia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drunk log is a hilariously, darkly and profoundly introspective urban fiction story of a man's quest to stay as sober as possible to finish the log book before clocking out on his life. It’s an encapsulation of love, loss, friendship, forgiveness and hope.

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We follow a young engineer named Jack who is on the verge of committing harm to himself. The pain and regret of losing his 7- year -old nephew has been drowning him since last year and he has finally mustered up everything to say goodbye. But before that he has decided to chronologically record his final moments through a log book.


As he begins to pen down his thoughts, memories and remorse, the story becomes clearer. 


This book pleasantly surprised me as I was expecting it to be a light hearted humorous read however the author has navigated through some of the knife edged situations that would make a person balance their life’s worth on regrets, desperations on one scale and hope and clemency on the other. The protagonist’s emotions and actions are absolutely well written, the other character attaches deep layers to the story while the MC adds in the depth. The narration is fast paced and will instantly pull you in from the very first page. This is the first book in the “A day in the life” series.


The author kept the focus on grief and suffering of the protagonist but at the same time he also assured that there is help in the forms of people who care and other ways of dealing with sorrow that doesn’t end up in harm or ending one's own life. In this story it was another character.


The book has a deeply emotional cord attached to it and it will resonate with all the readers. So, this book is for everyone.

[Mary Kollner Mendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from page 1. It was a quick read, but that is probably because I didn't want to put it down. Now I can't wait for the second book to come out, so that I can continue to learn more about Jack and Aria. When I saw the title "Drunk Log," I thought it was going to be just a bunch of slurred rants from a man on a binge. Wrong!!! What it is a story of loss, forgiveness, friendship, and family, all set in wonderful Cincinnati, Ohio. How great to read a book with so many Cincinnati references. Having lived here my whole life, I could practically map out the character's travels. Be prepared to laugh, gasp, and possibly cry. It's a great read by a talented author. Hoping others will decide that Cincinnati is a great setting for stories.

[Anna B · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He wondered how all of this could have happened in just a single day, in just a moment, really, if he believed it at all.”

Mark E. Scott’s Drunk Log takes place over the last intended hours of the protagonist’s life before he throws himself off the Roebling Bridge. Poignant and darkly funny, the book is a smooth, quick read that demands to be devoured in a single sitting. It’s a book of grief and hope and the weird happenstances of city living, not to mention a quasi-guidebook to the bar life in Cincinnati - as long as you’re not in the mood for a Black Russian.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Can’t wait for Scott’s next installment in the series!

[Catherine Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading these books, although I preferred the second book. The first book is understandably a little difficult to read due to the nature of the story, and perhaps that is why I didn’t enjoy it so much. There are some triggers for people who may have experienced similar traumatic events, but the story unfolds with enough sensitivity and humour that I feel it carries well. I connected with our protagonists Jack and Aria, and I can imagine myself joining them in the bars on the night of their dramatic and life changing activities. The books made me feel sad, made me laugh, and finally made me feel happy, and I look forward to reading the third book in the series.

[Bill McQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The protagonist, Jack, speculates that “if all you had to do to get to the truth was hand a piece of paper and a Bic pen to someone, it would change the world.” The book describes his attempt to add enough alcohol to that mix to at least get to his own truth. It opens with a gut-punch, and is in turns sad, funny, hopeful, and relatable. Mark E. Scott has a unique sense of humor and writes characters that are believable and engaging. I found myself racing through the last 50 pages to find out what ultimately happens to Jack and Aria, and was not disappointed.

[Blay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was easy to read. The content makes you kind of laugh, but at the same time it makes you sad or it at least makes you think. Perspective of a man with already mastered drinking skills who puts his thoughts straight to a paper, trying to shut everything off - for good. The reader follows his struggle, empathizes with him at (relatable) moments and makes a lot of "Ha's" in mind whilst reading it, because you figure out that life will serve you with a lot of random moments, unexpected events that you have little to no control of.
I am looking forward to the sequel.

[Ben Rayman]

I simply have to laud Mark Scott for applying his left-brain abilities and structuring the guilt in a way which many can relate when an unfortunate accident takes the life of a loved one. Although Drunk Log has some "humorous" parts that came from the flow of booze, one does not lose the "pain" Jack has encountered, but still haunts his soul. Nonetheless, I sense Jack will rise above his loss as Mark weaves the words in his forthcoming creations.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

There are moments in life that will connect you to the world or spin you around in deep thought. Feeling pain mixed with hope graced this journey with bits of humor that in no way take from the seriousness of suicidal awareness. In just one mindset it can change a life.

[Speaking Volumes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Rocks!

[Bob Hottenroth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Dang good book.