ISBN 978-0-986652
168
pages
$17.95
Table of Contents Contributor Biographies
Back Cover Foreword Fact Sheet
I keep reading and reading, laughing, crying and nodding in agreement.
Lisa MacColl, Kitchener, Ontario
and Lisa's review on Amazon.ca:
Warning: Do not start
reading "Prose to Go: Tales from a Private List" unless you
have time to read it cover to cover. The stories are compelling,
wonderfully crafted, and like decadent chocolate, leave you reaching
for another piece.
The honesty in these
stories is endearing and charming. The writers know their craft, and
draw the reader into their lives with courage, humour and word
pictures that are vibrant and lovingly crafted.
Read this book, and
then buy it for everyone you know.
(5 stars)
So far I have read most of the stories and I'm impressed. These
private stories have depth of reflection, turns of phrase and
emotional honesty that either made me think, get teary or laugh out
loud. Prose to Go is great as a collection because you don't have to
read it in order, you can sample a la carte. Great work!
(5 stars)
Jane Langille, on Amazon.ca
Also 5 stars on Chapters/Indigo
On Chapters/Indigo: 5 stars from Karen MacDonald
Captivating Stories
For me, the experience of
reading ' Prose to Go' was similar to being at a dinner party.
Throughout the evening something said by someone will evoke a memory
from another...and so the stories begin. It felt like meeting someone
new at that party and getting a glimse of who they were from their
story. I thoroughly enjoyed the book; however, I now think of my
breasts as pita breads with nipples.
entertaining, funny but also sometimes touching...
(Line Hamelin, Buckingham, Quebec)
Everything from the simplistic beauty of the day-to-day miracle
to the tragedies that follow one through life is covered in these
pages. Courage rears its head through laughter without denying
the need for tears on occasion...I enjoyed the roller coaster of feelings.
(Reviewed by Donna Fawcett,
writing instructor at Fanshawe College, London, Ontario)
What happens when a group of writers chat back and forth
online? A lot of storytelling and sharing of memories, plus
advice-giving, virtual hand-holding and encouragement. For one group
of writers, the online discussions led to a wonderful collection of
stories, Prose to Go: Tales from a Private List...You'll find
yourself sometimes laughing out loud, sometimes weeping, and often
simply nodding your head in agreement.
Cheryl MacDonald
in Heronwood Heritage News
This is the perfect book to entertain you in the short, vacant
spaces in your life such as when you are waiting for an oil change or
a Doctor's appointment. Mind you, I read it sitting comfortably in my
own living room when I was waiting for supper to cook or the cat to
finish her sleep on my lap. I was pleased to be reading excellent
prose, knowing I was reading Canadian literature as I joined the
authors in the foibles and charms of daily life.
Elizabeth Atherton-Reid, Edmonton, Alberta
Carole Giangrande has read two selections from Prose
to Go on her Words to Go podcast.
http://www.wordstogopodcast.com/
Article about Primary Editor Irene Davis
in Canadian Jewish News July 28, 2011.
Article about contributor Helen Lammers-Helps
in the New Hamburg Independent
July 15, 2011.
Comments from Readers & Reviewers
From GoodReads.com
May 27, 2011 Deb rated it 5
of 5 stars
I was having a bad day. I needed an escape. The fictitious novel I
picked up could not 'take me away' from the realities that were
getting me down.
I put it down and picked up Prose To Go. I read from start to finish
in one sitting. That is simply an immediate 5 STARS to me.
Eighteen professional writers who are longtime friends, connected
because of their passion about writing.
But this is not about "writing". This is a collection of
their own personal "snippets in time" that they share with
the reader with stories ranging from laugh out loud funny, (Joanne
Carnegie's Just Desserts), heartwarming, (Gordon Gibbs', Inside the
Santa Suit) uplifting, (Elle Andra-Warners' Now Should Come The
Laughter), to poignant, (Fred DesJardins' Funny Man Blues).....
Delightful!....And I found out something about professional
writers....they are just like you and me.
Deb Morehouse, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
This is a great little book, obviously very
thoughtfully put together and a very nice run through the emotional
spectrum. It kept me occupied and well entertained on the train to Toronto.
Eileen Reardon, Ottawa
Listen in as writers share confidences with other writers. You'll laugh, you'll cry. You'll love it and wish for more. Kathleen Hamilton, Montreal, Quebec
I love the idea of this book—essays from a
group of authors who embody the spirit of diversity. The stories are
as different as the people who wrote them. What they share is talent,
love of writing, and Canada. Everything about Prose to Go: Tales From
a Private List speaks of professionalism. The more I read, the more I
wanted belong to Bobbi Graham's select group of friends. Maybe next
time she puts together a project like this, she will reach across the
border and include me. I would be honored.
Bobbi Linkemer, St. Louis, Missouri
well put-together...an entertaining read
Rabbi
Reuven Bulka, CFRA news/talk radio
...the kind of book you take to appointments, on trips or on
vacation... small doses of real life...little spaces in one's life
worth remembering.
Sherry F. Russo, Albany, Georgia
I enjoyed Elle Andra-Warner’s memoir of her daughter’s
birth, as seen through the newborn’s eyes. A reminiscence of
the young Peter Falk by Barbara Florio-Graham is equally charming.
Hubert O'Hearn, By the Book Reviews
Review in the Salon section of the Telegraph-Journal,
June 18:
Hampton writer Trudy Kelly Forsythe is one of Barbara
Florio-Graham’s Private List members. Formed in August 2007,
this nationally-spread writing group is comprised of people addicted
to writing. Prose to Go collects some of their stories and divides
them into five themes. Forsythe’s Rolling Stones: ABang ForAll
Generations is included in the ‘WhatintheWorld’ section.
Some of the stories are better than others, but the collection offers
a nice glimpse of the range of short-form writing that’s out
there and is worth a read for budding writers.
–Telegraph-Journal
Editor’snote: Trudy Kelly Forsythe launches ‘Prose to
Go’ today at Benjamin Books in Rothesay from1-2 pm.
I really enjoyed reading these from the heart stories.
S. Slaney, Petawawa, Ontario
From a review of holiday books by E.E. Cran,
in the Atlantic Pages of The
Guardian, P.E.I.
December 31, 2011
The other two books reviewed here are not specifically about the New
or Old Year but contain a miscellany of persons, stories, and events
which seem suitable for the time of year. First there is
"Prose to Go", a collection of short essays by
twenty-three professional writers who have known each other for many
years, whence "Private List" in the subtitle. Most
are funny, a few are very sad, even tragic, ("Funny Men
Blues" by Fred Desjardins, "About Joanna" by Lorri
Benedik). A few are neither, but still worth reading
("Today I Let Go of the Wall" by Julie V. Watson, and
"Places of the Heart" by Irene Davis).
Two
Island writers are represented, Julie V. Watson and Debbie Gamble,
but most of the writers live in Ontario. However Helena Katz
("Driving Alpacas", and "The North Becomes Her")
lives in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. Good, not-too-light
reading for the time of year or for people who think even a 100-page
book is too long. "Prose to Go" is published by
Bridgeross Communications, Dundas, Ontario, and sells for $17.95.
