Musings on Minutiae

by Wes Locher

Welcome to Weston Locher's Musings on Minutiae where the author offers up hilarious observations and insights on topics of great importance such
Chock full of humorous essays and personal anecdotes, Musings on Minutiae will keep you laughing for as long as you have a pulse.

Genres: Humor, Memoir

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Wes Locher has written video games for developers such as FableLabs (Serious Weirdness, 2018), Based on the Play (Re*Sequenced, 2018), Nanobit Software (Lost in Fame, 2017), Pulsetense Games (Post-War Dreams, 2017), and Pocket Gems Games (Future: Uncertain, 2015). His comic books have been published in the USA, UK, and Canada by Alterna Comics (Unit 44, 2017), Titan Comics (Adrift, 2015), Markosia Enterprises (The Undoubtables, 2014), Arcana Studios (Chambers, 2013), and many others. He's the author of the nonfiction book Braving Britannia: Tales of the Life, Love, and Adventure in Ultima Online , and a collection of humorous essays called Musings on Minutiae, published in 2010.

Wes’s father was a journalist. His mother was an English teacher. Wes is genetically doomed to write for all eternity.

Visit him online at www.weslocher.com.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was thrilled to receive this book comprised of short, humorous tales free for review. Within this small publication, Locher finds humor in everything from childhood to work to relationships to apartment living and even his pets. It promises to keep the reader laughing.

Musings on Minutiae is composed of several types of comedy. There are those stories that are easy to relate to leaving the reader laughing out loud. While other tales are more the "you-had-to-have-been-there" variety which merely induce a smile. Sprinkled throughout are everyday accounts in which witty Weston is able to portray immense amounts of humor by skewing the angle. Life's most mundane minutes would be delightfully entertaining with Weston Locher around.

This book is ideal when consumed in small doses. The three to five page chapters make this the perfect bathroom book. Just don't be surprised when you hear chuckling behind that closed door.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a series of entertaining but very short essays. I liked the author's style and sense of humor, but I think the stories needed to be developed more. Instead of using short snippets, the book would have been better with longer, more involved stories, like Sedaris does. Another annoying aspect of the book is how impersonal it is. Reoccurring characters, such as his girlfriend, are never given names leaving me to wonder does the nameless girlfriend really exist or did he just make her up. Overall the book is entertaining and the author shows promise.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just received this today and read it while my son was at the doctor. I read the first 5 or so "musings" and was literally laughing out loud so much that the receptionist had to come over and check it out as well. I promised her she could borrow it when I was done (and possibly) share it with her book club. The preface alone cracked me up, and I can so relate to "Condiment Commitment". I am with you Weston on barbecue sauce and admit I have paid the ridiculous .10 for it. I am so glad I found a book that is sheer enjoyment. No profound statements to make, no large lesson to be learned, no harsh reality to face. Just real life observation and humor. Well written and executed, I think everyone can find something to identify with. Locher's voice is the voice we often speak only to ourselves about the absurdities of everyday life in Plain Town, America, particularly in places like Ohio, where the author hails from.
I found myself nodding throughout the book at life's little trials and tribulations that sometimes we all want to vent about-and that is what Weston Locher did in Musings on Minutiae. Things such as office chairs, recess, and home chores our parents foisted upon us are surely all things most have experienced and mused about.
I particularly liked "Going Green-to the Extreme" and "Three Handshakes You Should Never Give or Receive". I think it is a great testament to relationships, particularly that between a son and a father-may make for a humorous father's day present. I know my 3 brothers can relate to the many things Locher spoke about with his own father-son relationship.
I don't think it matters if you read the essays straight through, or pick and choose depending upon your mood. After all, the point (to me at least) of the whole collection, is to just muse upon life at any given moment, whether from the present or the past. It is a great little gem. Don't miss it.

[Dennis Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weston Locher has written a wonderful side-splitting little book,"Musings on Minutiae". He has dredged up anecdotes from his family life as a young child and decided to share them with us.

If you`re down in the dumps and you need a good laugh, and you can spare an hour or two, then go out and buy Weston`s book. It`s obvious that he loves his family very much. I think perhaps he gets his sense of humor from his dad.
I`ll share just one short incident: During a family gathering, perhaps Weston wants to be the center of attention, so he decides to stuff the family cat in a large box just to see what happens. It seems the cat was smarter than Weston. The cat waits in the box, not making a sound. When Weston becomes impatient, he decides to tip the box up and just peek inside. BAM !, the cat flies out and decides to attach his claws to Weston`s lower lip. Now, that`s funny!

All of Weston`s little stories are like that; short,sweet and to the point hilarious. This is Weston Locher`s first book and I guarantee you, it won`t be his last. It was so great I read it in one sitting.

[Claudia (CJ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Musing on Minutiae Humorous Essays, Anecdotes, & Childhood Memories. I won this book from First Reads on Goodreads! What can I say.......... but I loved it! I was bothering my family with "read this part" or "listen to this one"! Lots of real Laugh Out Loud moments too.

Short little musings about all sorts of different things. Like unusual things that happened while growing up (we all can relate to those) being out on your own, having CATS! we all have been there too! Enjoyed them all, my favorites, really liked the dentist one, angry feline and loved grandmas comment! So many funny things I can't write them all down and make this a short review. Loved reading about his family.

For a debut book I was really impressed and look forward to read more from Weston Locher in the future!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was an easy read for a person who doesn't have time to sit down and read for hours at a time. Weston Locher's personal experiences were hilarious and I found several experiences a lot like things that have happened to me, making the stories more personal and, well, hilarious! I recommend this book to someone who needs a good laugh with not a lot of time to get it.

[Nanci Arvizu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

Very well written, the memories of a grown man who still cherishes all the experiences in life. Very funny stuff

Weston Locher is a talented writer, who made sure the manuscript was perfect before letting it go (or who ever did his editing did a GREAT JOB!) I love it when a book is entertaining and easy to read.

Weston is going to be my guest on Page Readers, Wednesday, July 9th at 2pm Pacific. I'm betting this is going to be a FUN show!

[Barry Parham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this excellent collection of biting observations about growing up in spite of family, surviving as an adult and as a cat-owner, apartments and other dangers, and much more. Hilarious, and highly recommended!

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really very cute. Some of life's little things made funny by a really humorous author. Weston Locher should continue writing, especially about covert spelling bees. Very fun little book to read.

[Kimberly Gillispie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a funny book!! A true, laugh-out-loud read!! You will not regret picking this one up!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect litte, blog length musings on a wide range of subjects. Weston made me laugh out loud several times and I only wish the book were twice as long!

[Wes Locher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book and therefore could discuss how great and life changing it is, however, I'm opting to let the following reviews from Amazon.com (that weren't cross-posted to Goodreads) do the talking.


5/5 Stars - "'Musings' was a great and funny book. The stories we short enough that you can take to work, right before bed, or even in the bathroom. The author's humor is so addictive I caught myself saying, "just one more story..." at the end of EVERY story. I cannot wait to read more from Wes Locher!"
- Amazon.com user: J. Charles Jessup

5/5 Stars - "Once in a generation something very special occurs in the literary realm. Often from the far-reaches of our collective imagination, someone's muse finds a way to speak to us all through two identical vowels surrounded by a pair of consonants; one formed on the lips, the other on the palate. Book. Buh-ook. This "book" causes us to completely reconsider WHAT we are, WHO we are, even WHERE we are....
I ABSOLUTELY HATE BOOKS LIKE THAT. Why should I have to change? I'm fine just the way I am. The last thing I need in my life is some clown piping up with unwarranted advice in my already complicated life. It's because of people like this that we have silly things like warning labels, crosswalks, and bridges. Maybe I like having a little excitement in my life?
Mr. Locher's collection of short stories and observations will not ask you to change one iota of your precious id or ego. He will simply ask you to accompany him on a meandering journey down his memory lane- which you'll start to notice bears a striking resemblance to your own. At it's worst, this book had me chuckling. At it's best, I cackling like a fool at the ceiling and trying not to wake up the people upstairs. Snag this one for your Kindle or iPhone- the price is a steal!"
- Amazon.com user: hornpreux

5/5 Stars - "Just finished Musing on Minutiae Humorous Essays, Anecdotes, & Childhood Memories. I won this book from First Reads on Goodreads! What can I say.......... but I loved it! I was bothering my family with "read this part" or "listen to this one"! Lots of real Laugh Out Loud moments too."
Short little musings about all sorts of different things. Like unusual things that happened while growing up (we all can relate to those) being out on your own, having CATS! we all have been there too! Enjoyed them all, my favorites, really liked the dentist one, angry feline and loved grandmas comment! So many funny things I can't write them all down and make this a short review. Loved reading about his family.
For a debut book I was really impressed and look forward to read more from Weston Locher in the future!
- Amazon.com user: Claudia

5/5 Stars - "What a great way to spend a snowy, desperately long winter's day--enjoying the humor & mental images of funny Wes Locher. This book cures what ails you with laughter by the pagefull. A must-read no matter where you live!"
- Amazon.com user: Mutijude

5/5 Stars - "These hilarious short stories are perfect for potty time. Set the book next to the toilet and you will find yourself spending way more time there then you planned!!! So funny, it is addictive. I have already read the book twice!!!"
- Amazon.com user: Tami Gingrich

5/5 Stars - "This is the most entertaining collection of writings that I've come across in a long time. Weston's witty way with words, his wry humor, and his wide-ranging choice of topics all make for a memorable and hilarious read. While I love each writing, my personal favorites are "Easter Egg Dyeing," "Saving the Day with Vague Answers," and "Mayonnaise!" I highly recommend this book!"
- Amazon.com user: 4katz

5/5 Stars - "Musing on Minutiae made me chuckle, laugh out loud, and question the meaning of life through a cat's eyes. This is definitely a book that I can refer back to for a good laugh. I especially liked the variety in topics from roller skating to buying toothpaste to kids/ewoks! The author really has a way of making just about anything hilarious."
- Amazon.com user: Cutiepie Ink

5/5 Stars - "Musings on Minutiae is hilarious! Do yourself a favor and pick up this book, you won't regret it! This is observational humor at it's finest!"
- Amazon.com user: Aragog

5/5 Stars - "This book is hilarious! The author has a real gift for storytelling and I found myself laughing so hard, my face hurt. It still hurts. Buy this book!"
- Amazon.com user: Whitney Locher


Oh, and by the way... this book is life changing.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must be honest, reading this book on Notepad was not the easiest so I may be too stringent on this review. I think I had better read Weston Locher's next book in an actual book. The first letter of all the words were cut off for all of the sentences and there were lots of numbers thrown about. If I read this book in regular book form, I may have given it five stars.

Aside from that, I did chuckle out loud several times when reading it and there were several times that what he wrote brought back childhood memories. I am a tranplanted Hoosier and he is a tranplanted Buckeye so I that his comments on the frigid weather in winter and very hot muggy summers were true. That is also the reason that I now live in Texas.

I enjoyed his exaggerations like this one: "Eventually I was making coffee so thick that it had to be chewed." I especially enjoyed his discussion of his collections. I still have my rock and fossil collection collected mostly from the front and back yard of my childhood home. And the part about his pencil collection and his parents who missed the point and proudly presented him with a large set of identical yellow pencils. How about a mood pencil? pencils from the different countries instead. This rang through to me too, because my father often missed the point of my collections too.

Also like the discussion of different kinds of handshakes. Always hated the "dead fish" handshake but it never occurred to me to write about it.

So, I think one of Mr. Locher's talents is seeing the humor in things that people notice and ponder but never take it to the next level.

Looking forward to his next book.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel bad for not liking this book. I've corresponded with the author and he seems cool. He was kind enough to send me a free e-copy for my review and I was hoping to be able to give him a good one. Looks like I'll have to settle for an honest one.

The book reads more like a series of blog posts rather than a collection of essays. The title is very apt, they are musings, not whole thoughts, raw material that isn't turned into "something". The one or two page long stories are mostly "once we visited Philly and my dad had to keep feeding the meter! Then I fell in mud." or "I don't like to pay attention at boring work meetings. Then I have to BS because they asked me something!" There's no voice, these are all common events that everyone has experienced but there aren't even nuggets of wisdom, wit, or cleverness that make me care about the book's version of events rather than my own, or a work colleague.

A lot of these essays seemed like first drafts, the ones people write and then need to return to, look at again with fresh eyes and rewrite. Beginning essays with "Last week I..." etc just added to my feeling that these were jotted down and submitted as is. Ultimately, I didn't feel that any of the essays were trying to tell me something, no story, nothing important, and not really anything clever. Disappointing.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm afraid Weston's trying to hard to be Dave Barry and therefore has yet to find his own voice. On the other hand his error helped me recognize the potential danger of unconsciously committing the same crime.

[Reading For Sanity · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this review and others at http://readingforsanity.blogspot.com/...