Though How to Train a Rock is a collection of 'short insights and fiction flights', these short stories have the power to move. I found myself, laughing, crying, rallying a cause, laughing and crying some more. I believe it is the combination of humor, wit and tender sadness that the author uses throughout the entire book that creates such a stir of emotions. That Paul Steven Stone is an author who writes from his deepest beliefs and experiences is obvious and the result is one fantastic journey. Buy it, read it, give it as a gift. You won't be disappointed.

"How to train a Rock" is a collection of the author's writings from his newspaper column, "A Stone's Throw". With titles such as: Listen to The Wind, Perhaps Love, If You've Been Wrongfully Murdered, What Happens to Snow That Never Falls, Dear Lord, Can I have a Raise, and many more - you will read stories that make you laugh, wonder, scratch your head and say "Huh?", and maybe even shed a tear. It is an enjoyable collection of stories that are well written, insightful, and sometimes philosophical.

My favorite quote from the book was when I first opened it and read:

"BUY THIS BOOK AND SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS!
I lied."

You may not save hundreds of dollars but you will have an enjoyable book to read.

This book was sent to me for review as part of Library Things Member Giveaway Early Reviewers program. Thanks are due to both the author and LT for their consideration.

I'll have to be honest here. I was a little skeptical about this book before reading it. The author describes it as "Short Insights and Fiction Flights". I had no idea I what I was entering into; and expected some kind of off the wall humor, such as that you find in bathroom readers. The first story did not do much to alleviate my concern, as its subject is dog droppings on the front yard. Imagine my surprise, no, perhaps shock is a better term when the fifth story rolled around. Now, we had been leaving humor behind already for some beautiful, lyrical poetry in Listen to the Wind and an emotionally powerful essay on a child abused at the hands of a church leader. But nothing had prepared me for Pretty White Gloves, which is an insight on the descent into hell for a Vietnam War veteran. I was floored. This story kicks you in the guts. I know I have been imprinted with it for life.

From there it was a wild swing of elegantly written articles covering just about everything under the sun. Yes, there was certainly humor. And beautiful emotional articles; most centering around the author's personal life and experiences.

This book is a collection of some of the author's best articles from a long running column of his called "A Stone's Throw". I loved it! The writing is exceedingly good. I recommend it to everyone. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to review this book, or I am sure I would never have discovered it; and I would really have been missing out.

This book was such a fun read that I read it in one sitting. The book is a collection of Paul Steven Stone's column he wrote called "A Stones Throw". The collections included his displeasure with neighbors allowing their pets to leave gifts in his yard to the story of "Henry J. Worthmore, Jr." and his death. The angels are making recommendations to God as to what should be done with this man. I laughed as I read it. The he has the heart touching stories like "The White Gloves" that tear your heart out and make you ask, how could we have let this happen? This is definately a book I will share with my friends, recommend, and re-read.