Review of Savoring the Moments

Post by **Christabel Uzoamaka** » 11 Apr 2022, 15:21

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Savoring the Moments" by Charles Sacchetti.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Savoring the Moments by Charles Sacchetti is a heartwarming collection of reminiscences. Sacchetti grew up in a Catholic, Italian household. He had a childhood that was typical of most in the southwest Philly neighborhood he grew up in during the ‘50s. His childhood experiences of learning to stand up for himself and enjoying the simple moments laid a solid foundation for his adult life. Now advanced in age, Charles Sacchetti compiled this short collection of different memorable stories of his lifetime, starting from when he was a child. Some of his stories are exciting, and some can teach valuable lessons. But all of them feel like a hug from a grandparent. Just like its title suggests, this is a book that celebrates the moments that slip by with time.

I enjoyed how well this book flowed. It was such an easy read. Sacchetti began by explaining what it meant to grow up in his neighborhood and how the times required you to grow a backbone if you wanted to earn respect. He eventually went on to tell a few stories from his teenage and adult years, including when he got a sleek blue car to use for a date. Each story is independent of the other, but there was no confusion. Even though each story just reminisces an event from the author’s past, the book still seemed cohesive and seamless.

The stories in this book are nothing spectacular or thought-provoking. The author had a regular childhood and a relatively stable adult life. So, the normalcy of his life translates into the pages of his book. However, his writing style, witty side comments, and funny personality added extra spice to make Savoring the Moments an enjoyable read. It felt like Sacchetti was right in front of me because of the casual way with which he wrote. He was quick to accept his “Italian” stubborn streak when he tried to outrun a hurricane, which I found hilarious! He also featured a few family members, so his tales did not feel monotonous or tedious to read. Instead, most of his stories will make you laugh heartily.

This book is in no way a tell-all memoir. It is only a collection of very short stories that the author can tell in friendly gatherings. There is no heavy theme to unpack, but there are a few lessons a reader might learn from some stories. So, if I had to mention anything I disliked about the book, it would be that I felt that there could be more substance to it. Other than this, Savoring the Moments was a well-written and professionally edited book.

This collection is perfect for a light read for readers who enjoy short stories that are not out of the ordinary. If you’d like to pass some time, this book is a good pick. Even better, since the stories are independent of each other, readers can start at any point in the book and skip any chapters they would like to. Because I had no tangible issues with this book, I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.

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Savoring the Moments
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Aisha Yakub · Post by **Aisha Yakub** » 13 Apr 2022, 10:23

I like that readers could start at any point because the stories are independent of each other. Great review.

Ceeco2002 · Post by **Ceeco2002** » 15 Apr 2022, 16:24

Seems like an exciting read. I appreciate that the author welcomes and lets the readers into his life and experiences from childhood to adulthood. Nice review!