The Way of The Ray

Simple Answers for a Simple Life

Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
215 Pages
Reviewed on 06/16/2022
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Author Biography

Voted one of Cleveland's best fiction writers, Michael has written several thrillers and dark fantasy novels. These include "The Castle Chronicles" series, the short story collection "Bits & Bites: Tales from a Twisted Mind," the psychological thriller "The Haunting of Matthew Keys," and his bestselling dystopian thriller, "THE FALL"

    Book Review

Reviewed by Michael Froilan for Readers' Favorite

Everyone, whether believers or not, has a take on religion and God. The Way of The Ray: Simple Answers for a Simple Life is a wholesome book that tackles these serious topics light-heartedly. It has a multifaceted theme that can be categorized as an autobiography, memoir, or even a self-help guide. It is a gem that sheds light on diverse matters and shimmers with worthwhile wisdom. Michael S. Vassel describes the information provided as an insightful creed he adopted from his lifelong friend Rick. Vassel does an excellent job of thoroughly defining what this involves. The Way is about remaining grounded and standing firm in your truth, regardless of what the world and life throw at you.

What I loved about this perceptive account is that reading it felt as if I was conversing with a friend I hadn't seen in a while. Michael S. Vassel's writing style is easygoing with traces of humor. At times I couldn't contain my laughter. The author doesn't hold back when stating his beliefs while avoiding being critical of readers' views. In his own words, "We all see things differently." This unblemished truth is just one of many noble pieces of advice that I'm confident readers will glean from the pages. What I admired most was how unapologetically honest Vassel's approach was from start to finish. He flawlessly intertwines his life stories without diluting his intended messages regarding the sensitive topics he discusses. Dynamically illuminating to the very end, I'm positive that people from every walk of life can gain something from The Way of The Ray!

K.C. Finn

The Way of the Ray: Simple Answers for a Simple Life is a work of non-fiction in the religious and philosophical subgenres. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by Michael S. Vassel. The book shares the author's life experiences and hard-learned lessons, outlining the hard-won wisdom from years of ups and downs that have been woven together to form the tapestry of the author’s life. Reviewing the lessons learned, the book offers insight into the simple actions that can lead the way to the sort of happiness that lasts a lifetime.

I adored this book from start to finish, as well as the openness of the author in sharing so much to help others. I enjoyed the simplicity of a normal person sitting me down and telling me what worked for them, without any bold but ultimately empty promises of fixing my life for me. Michael S. Vassel has truly tapped into something wonderful and accessible in this book, with delightful prose that breaks down the barrier between reader and author and transforms the book into a conversation between two human beings. The world we live in is a difficult one; it’s complicated and there are many hazards awaiting us out there. It’s also a lonely path sometimes, but after spending an afternoon reading through The Way of the Ray I can honestly say that I felt less alone. Knowing that someone else was feeling the way I felt, even if our specific experiences were different, helped a lot and I felt myself taking on board a lot of wisdom for my own life.

Foluso Falaye

Michael S. Vassel looks back at the insights he gained from his time on Earth and shares them with readers in The Way of The Ray. At 58, Michael has experienced a considerable amount of both wonderful and heartbreaking moments—which contributed to his spiritual and profound outlook on life. Michael's visits to other churches as a child show us the crucial moments when he learned about other Christian denominations and how different their practices were to his Catholic upbringing. His narrow escapes with death and tragic situations reveal why he has a reason to believe he is not alone in his journey through life. The Way of The Ray is a beautiful, inspiring memoir that combines Michael's stories and the insights he gained at different stages in his life.

Sensational, humorous, and raw, The Way of The Ray gives readers some deep life lessons while keeping them hooked with several engaging and funny stories. After reading the book, I found my mind continuously returning to some peculiar events in it, like the life-changing moment when Michael was introduced to the philosophy of "The Way of The Ray" and when he discovered his love for dancing—which I found quite relatable. In addition to being witty, expressive, and easy to follow, Michael S. Vassel's writing displays an exemplary level of introspectiveness and self-awareness. Whether you are trying to figure life out or you believe you have it all figured out, you will find something new to learn about faith, friendship, family, setting boundaries, discipline, marriage, and other key life areas in The Way of The Ray.