Peggy Zortman reviews I’m Just Lucky to Own My Own Car – a first book by Joe Taylor

I recently purchased this short book (about 100 pages) at Watershed Books in Brookville. It is also available on Amazon.

Last night after dinner I picked it up with the intention of reading a chapter or two. When I put it down Bill was asleep on the couch, the TV (on mute) was lighting the room, Chase, Former Shelter Dog was late for his ‘last call’ and I had finished reading the book.

Joe Taylor is a local writer with an interesting past, present and future. This book includes excerpts from all chapters of his life. Each chapter is a story in and of itself; so if your time is limited, you could well enjoy it story by story.

Even the intriguing title makes you want to read this book, and Joe explains how and why it was chosen in the first sentence. It is informative – showing me a past I was blessed not to have had. It speaks of things many of us never had to endure and it shows how determination, a willingness to learn, courage, and a good sense of humor can be used to make dreams come true.

Without giving away the entire book, I quote Joe in the title of Chapter Two…”Life – Faking it, Making it, Losing it.” Joe’s language is colorful and unapologetic as he describes his life (slightly embellished) and takes the reader along on a train ride with plenty of twists, turns, near misses and a few laughs. A ride that could have been (and once was) a train wreck is saved by sheer determination, intelligence, a lively imagination and a lot of luck.

It is evident that Joe has lived life to the fullest and his book leads to no final destination. Joe still has a lot to do. I, for one, am looking forward to his next venture into the land of writing.

I highly recommend, I’m Just Lucky to Own My Own Car.