“I knew your life was going to be different... not this different.”
Brenda Wanty Campbell, President & CEO of SecureFutures
How different? John hasn’t had a home street or mailing address for over half his life. He’s never made a mortgage or car payment or rented an apartment or house. He‘s never had children or a cup of coffee, so he doesn’t know about those things either. Yet, he once held valid driver’s licenses from three countries on three continents.
Does this small-town boy from humble beginnings live in another reality? Yes, after realizing at an early age that if he lived a life like most everyone, he’d get a life like most everyone. John wanted something different. John got something different, and then some, and then some more. His unique perspective on life will leave you enlightened.
From his earliest memories to his latest doings, in MISFIT, the first book in the series, John recounts 36 of his make-you-laugh, make-you-cry, make-you-think stories. Like jigsaw puzzle pieces, once you start putting them together, you’ll begin to see the big picture, the story of John’s life unexpected.
The stories are relatable and, at times, comical, both teachable lessons and entertaining scraps of a life lived on the move. Mister John reflects on his privilege as a white male, even when speaking out against racism and injustice during his youth, and contemplates how exposure to other cultures forever altered his views on American life. From Wisconsin to the UAE to Ecuador, he sets down roots (more so with people than in places), makes friends, and carries out a full and adventurous, if somewhat nomadic, life. From funny tales of indoor snowball fights to an uncanny Kevin Bacon resemblance to America's obsession with toilet paper, Mister John amuses, confronts, and generally makes merry.
“I wanted something different, always on the lookout for such after realizing at an early age that if I lived a life like most everyone, I’d get a life like most everyone," Mister John writes, as he pursues a full-throttle lifestyle at an audacious, almost frenzied pace. As a result, the collection is rich in culture, education, and wanderlust, never losing sight of the need for close relationships with family and friends, while emphasizing Mister John’s growing awareness that he “never felt at home until I left mine.” This will propel readers to wholeheartedly embrace the magic of the present.
Takeaway: Energetic memories and life lessons from a globetrotting adventurer.
Comparable Titles: Andrew Rannells’s Too Much is not Enough, Jenny Lawson's Let's Pretend this Never Happened
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
