Book Details:
Book Title: Two Floors Above Grief: A Memoir of Two Families in the Unique Place We Called Home by Kevin M. O'Connor
Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 318 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Publisher: 18th Floor Publishing
Release date: November 2022
Content Rating: PG for two languages use and use of F-word.
Book Title: Two Floors Above Grief: A Memoir of Two Families in the Unique Place We Called Home by Kevin M. O'Connor
Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 318 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Publisher: 18th Floor Publishing
Release date: November 2022
Content Rating: PG for two languages use and use of F-word.
Book Description:
As a child in the 1950s, Kevin O’Connor knew his house was different than those of his friends. A stately, three-story, nineteenth century Victorian. His bed tucked next to a stage in a former ballroom. His uncle and aunt lived with their three daughters on the floor below. A large electric organ stood stately in a corner of the first-floor mortuary business. Stacked caskets and an embalming room filled the basement.
Nobody had a house like his.
Set from the 1920s to ‘80s, Two Floors Above Grief is full of fascinating details and anecdotes about his upbringing as a funeral home child, brought to vivid life through a compelling collection of letters written by various family members who lived and worked together at the O’Connor Funeral Home in Elgin, Illinois. Blending the twenty-four-hour business of death and its constantly ringing phone with joy experienced through music, radios, pets, backyard basketball games, co-parenting, faith, and celebrations, O’Connor offers a reflective tale affirming the love of family and embracing life.
As a child in the 1950s, Kevin O’Connor knew his house was different than those of his friends. A stately, three-story, nineteenth century Victorian. His bed tucked next to a stage in a former ballroom. His uncle and aunt lived with their three daughters on the floor below. A large electric organ stood stately in a corner of the first-floor mortuary business. Stacked caskets and an embalming room filled the basement.
Nobody had a house like his.
Set from the 1920s to ‘80s, Two Floors Above Grief is full of fascinating details and anecdotes about his upbringing as a funeral home child, brought to vivid life through a compelling collection of letters written by various family members who lived and worked together at the O’Connor Funeral Home in Elgin, Illinois. Blending the twenty-four-hour business of death and its constantly ringing phone with joy experienced through music, radios, pets, backyard basketball games, co-parenting, faith, and celebrations, O’Connor offers a reflective tale affirming the love of family and embracing life.
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Indiebound ~ Bookshop.org
add to goodreads
Meet the Author:
Kevin O’Connor enjoys chronicling the stories of families and friends through tracing genealogical histories and writing. His prior writing includes a dissertation, personal letters, articles, anthologies, and presentations delivered at conferences, seminars, and webinars. He brings people together personally and professionally. Collaborating with friends and relatives, he plans family and class reunions.
He sings and performs in theaters and is active with SMART Ride, a bicycling group that rides annually from Miami to Key West, raising funds for HIV awareness, treatment, and education. Kevin was an elementary teacher, principal, professor, and curriculum coordinator in California, Illinois, and Florida from 1973 to 2020. He authored content and provided training in areas including support for substitute teachers, LGBTQ advocacy, and Sexual Health/Family Life.
Kevin resides in Ft. Lauderdale with his husband, Leon. Their family includes five sons and seven granddaughters.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ linkedin ~ goodreads
Kevin O’Connor enjoys chronicling the stories of families and friends through tracing genealogical histories and writing. His prior writing includes a dissertation, personal letters, articles, anthologies, and presentations delivered at conferences, seminars, and webinars. He brings people together personally and professionally. Collaborating with friends and relatives, he plans family and class reunions.
He sings and performs in theaters and is active with SMART Ride, a bicycling group that rides annually from Miami to Key West, raising funds for HIV awareness, treatment, and education. Kevin was an elementary teacher, principal, professor, and curriculum coordinator in California, Illinois, and Florida from 1973 to 2020. He authored content and provided training in areas including support for substitute teachers, LGBTQ advocacy, and Sexual Health/Family Life.
Kevin resides in Ft. Lauderdale with his husband, Leon. Their family includes five sons and seven granddaughters.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ linkedin ~ goodreads
My Review
I found Two Floors Above Grief: A Memoir of Two Families in the Unique Place We Called Home by Kevin M. O'Connor to be a pretty good read. It was interesting to read about the author’s upcoming living above a funeral home. Though living in a business that brings so much sadness, I love how he was able to show the happy times growing up, as well. All throughout the book, I was able to get to see through his eyes of events that unfolded during this time, particularly during the mid twentieth century. I found the story was fascinating and I loved getting to know him and his family. It was interesting to meet everyone in his life at the time and what it was like for them all. I believe that the book would definitely be a treasure for the family historians in his family.
I am giving Two Floors Above Grief: A Memoir of Two Families in the Unique Place We Called Home four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy memoirs, family histories, and learning about others experiences. I found the author, Kevin M O’Connor to be a talented writer and would love for him to release more books in the future.
I received a paperback copy of Two Floors Above Grief: A Memoir of Two Families in the Unique Place We Called Home from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Amy, Thank you so much for your review of "Two Floors Above Grief." Thanks to you and iRead Book Tours for this opportunity to let other readers know about the book. I am glad your reading enkindled memories for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your review!
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