Reader Reviews:
“Thoughts of Johnny Cash or Hank Snow’s renditions of I’ve Been Everywhere might bounce around in your head while reading Joe Giordano’s new book Stories and Places I Remember. Giordano’s globetrotting career sent him to the destinations around the planet, and those travels make for a tantalizing read with 26 fictitious tales.”
“Giordano’s first story originates from his birthplace, Brooklyn, where you’ll be initiated into the world of stickball and a Halloween trick-or-treat dare filled with humor and an overall sense of nostalgia. The tales will also take you to Texas, Greece, Italy, and an Irish pub predicament with a corpse. Giordano has a talent for portraying his characters and their dilemmas in a creative way. You’ll have bouts of laughing to feelings of sympathy and empathy. And some cliffhangers, too.”
“Giordano’s other novels include: Birds of Passage: An Italian Immigrant Coming of Age Story, Appointment With ISIL: An Anthony Provati Thriller, and Drone Strike: An Anthony Provati Thriller – all previously reviewed in Ambassador and worth reading.”
“With less than 200 pages, this is a perfect book for anyone who is looking for fast-paced, entertaining stories. And remember, there’s a time and place for everything. Just find time for this one.” – Robert Fanelli Bartus Jr., Ambassador Magazine of the National Italian American Foundation. Spring 2021, pg. 72.
“Joe Giordano is a powerhouse talent whose writing skills span genres and continents. Fresh off publishing three excellent novels and a ton of short fiction, he has now treated us in his anthology, Stories and Places I Remember – shimmering glimpses of the world as he has seen it, from the Middle East to Mediterranean countries to Brooklyn to Texas. He shifts easily from mystery to straightforward observational memoir to the surreal to 20th century immigrant cultures to Texas barroom. His voice moves without missing a beat among all those settings, and his characters stay with us long after the last story.” – Five Stars, Dan VanTassel, publisher The Zodiac Review
“From the innocence of youth to the adventures of adulthood, from the streets of New York to the heat of Texas and beyond our borders, Joe Giordano’s Stories and Places I Remember is more than just a collection of short stories defining different times, places and some pretty quirky events.”
“Joe Giordano manages to change his tone with each tale just enough to feel the story, become part of each scene and still leave space for chuckles and a chance to travel back in time to memories or incidences we all have or have heard about. Feel the heat of Texas, life in the Big Apple, finding a priceless family treasure and possibly making a buck off it for something you might think is important. Recognize the differences in us all and think about what you may or may not do in the character’s place. Not everyone is “above board,” but each character feels pretty realistic.”
“Perfect when reading time is at a premium and a smorgasbord of great reading is a must! Read a story at a time or escape into the entire collection all at once. Well-written, entertaining from start to finish.” – Five Stars, Dianne Beth Bylo, Tome Tender blog
“A wonderful, entertaining collection of stories that starts in the streets of Brooklyn and takes you around the world. I first thought it would be a collection of his own stories from his own youth, so I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed that the adventures were a collection of stories from different individuals.”
“While each story is different, I loved how Joe put them together in such a personal manner. He draws you into their story, making you feel as though you are right there and re-living that moment in time with them (I found so many similarities to some of my older family members in the first few chapters!). At times I laughed and at times my heart was sore for the individuals and the stories. I found that many of the stories had an interesting lesson attached to it that we learn as we get older.”
“Each story is short but you feel a connection to the individuals and their story. I love how Joe manages to make each story flow, it never felt choppy or awkward. You can read the stories all in one sitting or come back and cherish each story over time. This is an excellent collection of short stories that will make you laugh, warm your heart and make you tear up.” – Five Stars, Carla Dawson, Working Mommy Journal.
“I found Stories and Places I Remember: A Collection of Short Stories by Joe Giordano to be a fun read. I was entertained from start to finish. I enjoyed every single story. The over twenty five stories were a delight to read. I laughed out loud at times and warmed my heart at others. It was great to read.”
“I am giving Stories and Places I Remember: A Collection of Short Stories four and a half stars. I would love to read more like his by Mr. Giordano in the future. I recommend it for readers who need some good laughs.” – Amy Campbell, Locks, Hooks and Books blog