’53 on 35th by J. Conran Meyer

A charming and unique reflection on childhood, ’53 on 35th: A Silent Boomer’s Recollections by J. Conran Meyer may be set nearly 70 years in the past, but its innocent wisdom is truly timeless.

This pseudo-memoir follows the exploits of a neighborhood of young boys/Knights as they discover adventure, freedom, and the mysteries that will be revealed after “kidhood.” As the author explains, this story explores the memories we cherish and those we create, the uncertainty of our rose-colored glasses, and the seminal events that shape our view of the world.

Peppered with anachronistic bits of Americana, which gives the whole tale a cozy, nostalgic hue, the narrative is tangential and unpredictable, yet also poetic in its digressions. Touching on war, families under stress, the blinders of youth, religion, social expectation, and the American Dream, the author weaves innocent recollections with powerful thematic threads.

Fitting in a genre that could be described as imaginative nonfiction, this book stretches the bounds of reality through the lens of memory, and the blossoming perspectives of children. The descriptions are vivid and dramatic, elevating the simplicity of youthful antics to something epic – capturing that singular focus of brotherhood and creativity.

The quality of the writing does vary, with repetitive language, missing commas, convoluted sentences, and grammar that could be polished for clarity, but there is also something authentic in the rough edges. A whimsical snapshot of innocence and imagination, the book is sure to inspire reverie in both young and older readers.