Same Kind of Different as Me


I think I might be the last person in Tarrant County to read this book. Despite my anticipation to read it - for literally years now - for some crazy reason I've just now gotten around to picking it up.
Wow.
I've heard that response from others - family, friends, and even the Barnes and Noble lady - but they couldn't have overestimated the impact. What a powerful story.

The book's tagline sums it up: "A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together."
My favs:
- Comprehending the story through (modern day slave) Denver's dialect. Besides all the meaningful stuff, HILARIOUS story of his solo road trip to the Colorado mountains - UP the Colorado mountains - a homeless man in his 60's, with no travel experience whatsoever and a week-old driver's license.
- Drawing insight from (art dealer) Ron Hall's self-deprecating and honest interpretation of life-changing events and friendships and relationships.
- Laughing out loud - often. And of course, spilling buckets of tears in the process.
- Learning about a woman's character and commitment to serve and embrace a shunned group of our society.
- Reading about that woman's tireless best friend serving with her, and then never leaving her side as they struggled through Deborah's devastating sickness and eventual death. What a deep friendship.
- The quality of writing surprised me - it's really, really good. Lyrical and descriptive and page-turning. The dialogue is so true-to-life and conversational, it's easy to imagine just sitting around a campfire and listening Ron & Denver tell their story in person.
- Really impressed with Lynn Vincent, who collaborated with Ron and Denver in writing Same Kind of Different as Me.

So, my meager thoughts on this locally written best-seller. My only regret is that I wish I would have read it earlier! Thankful they put their story in words. Enjoy!

Comments

Alyssa said…
Definitely worth the read! An all-time favorite of mine. And anyone who can catch Ron and Denver live at a speaking engagement should do so!
emily said…
Literally started our family on this new path of ours over 2 years ago. Such a beautiful story.
Krista Sanders said…
Loved hearing what you thought. Makes it even more appealing. Just one thing: you aren't the last. My loss until...
Julie said…
Luke and I both just read this book on our cruise... and I thought I was the last to finally pick it up! :) It was excellent.
TJ Wilson said…
A-knew you've been a fan, friend.
E - hope to hear more about that, really cool.
K - of all people not to have read!
J - I wanted to read it aloud with Corbin the whole way through. bummer that we weren't on that cruise last week!
Renae said…
I haven't read it yet, either. It is sitting on my shelf. You've inspired me to go pick it up! Thanks for a great review.
Jessica Brogdon said…
I just finished it too! Challenging and inspiring and surprising. How about Debbie's response to her husband's unfaithfulness?!!! What a woman. What a story. What a God.
Luke said…
Seeing how this is probably the only time I'll have already read one of the books you mention and be able to comment on it, I'm jumping on the opportunity! I completely agree. It takes a lot to get me to continue pondering a book days (even minutes) after I've read it. I've re-lived this one no less than ten times over the last couple of weeks.
meh said…
My little book club is getting ready to read it...so excited!!
tanya said…
Hi TJ,
I read often but this is my first time to comment. I am Joanna's sister. You have a beautiful family and I learn a lot from you! I particularly enjoy your book reviews. I tried to check out this book from the library but I am #12 on the reserve list! Looking forward reading it. Thank you!
TJ Wilson said…
Tanya - so glad you stopped by! Fyi, I saw the paperback of this book at Mardell a few days ago for $6.99 - pretty good if you have to wait that long!
tanya said…
TJ! How did you know?! I actually couldn't wait and went to Mardells after I posted and got it for $5.99! Finished it the same day!