Seamus Cullen, a middle-aged copy editor, is placed on leave after being absent from work. He thinks back to his 20s and the carefree time he had with his buddies at a period in his life when they all shared a love of indiscriminate cannabis use. Young Seamus views Steve as an intrusive, dangerous lunatic. Rock-guitar rebel Roland is regarded as talented. Bob Cottleman strikes him as imposing and ambitious, while Patience Moore, better known by her high school alias Pash, appears honest and sincere. But now that he's older, he begins to view them much more clearly and differently. In I. J. Baker's Bongs For Steve: A Memoir, Seamus Cullen reflects on his carefree days with his cannabis-loving friends, their long conversations, and their dramatic and quirky relationships.

If you were high before reading Bongs For Steve, you're likely to enjoy a stronger sense of ecstasy. If not, it will provide you with a relaxed, tranquil experience. The story is filled with hilarious, insightful, and lengthy discussions covering a range of themes, including cannabis use, a deceased buddy, and the protagonist's first brush with sex. Though primarily lighthearted, simple, and pleasure-driven, I. J. Baker's novel offers a deep understanding of the characters and related subject matter that shows some of the most valuable aspects of life, such as love, friendship, work, and family. This is a must-read for readers who want to live in the moment, cannabis fans, and seniors who enjoy reminiscing about their youth. Without question, it is a book that gave me the greatest euphoric buzz.

Bongs For Steve: A Memoir by I. J. Baker is a psychological novel with a twist as the story follows Seamus Cullen as he learns to relive after losing his job. Seamus was no longer doing well at his job as a copy editor. Coming to the office and often being drunk was becoming a habit. When his chief sub-editor told him to take paid leave with conditions, Seamus was afraid of the change. Although he felt nothing most of the time, alcohol and drugs gave him clarity unlike any other. Would the forced break prove to be exactly what Seamus needed? Or would that be the opposite of helpful?

Hilarious at times and dark at others, Bongs for Steve is a cohesive and entertaining story of self-discovery. It is almost a coming-of-age story as readers witness Seamus coming to terms with what his life has become and how he can overcome his issues. He experiences new things, many first times, and accepts his realities. Author I. J. Baker creates an entertaining and very interesting view of a life lived for passion and pleasure. In between all of this, Baker makes sure Seamus has friends and family to fall back on. The focus on relationships and the support these provide (even when high) was the main theme of the story. The ending is so hopeful and clear that I felt a rush of satisfaction. Seamus’s growth and his confidence are a great turn, and I loved the path he takes to get there. His arc is fantastic, and I enjoyed how it drove the story forward!

I wasn't sure what to expect from a Readers' Favorite review, and especially as the novel is difficult to pigeonhole and offers some support for an activity that in many jurisdictions remains illegal.

Overall I was very impressed with KC Finn's assessment and also those of Foluso Falaye and Rabia Tanveer below. They all got it that the book was fiction (not withstanding the title's referring to it ironically as a memoir) and they were all familiar enough with the story to pick key themes.

Better, each found different elements of this multi-layered story to applaud. It was great to read from Finn how much she enjoyed the extensive passages of dialogue and why, that Falaye found it to be light-hearted but rich, and that Tanveer found the narrative arc so appealing and got such a kick out of the ending.

Thank you to all three of you for your thoughtful appreciations.