The Moment: Wild, Poignant, Life-Changing Stories from 125 Writers and Artists Famous & Obscure Paperback – January 3, 2012

I began reading this volume with admittedly low expectations, having just slogged thru four - count `em , FOUR - volumes of "6 Word Memoir" collections by the same editor, none of which I could recommend. Anyone who's interested can read my separate reviews for those selections. Suffice it to say that a major problem with those publications was that they didn't seem to be very much like memoirs at all, but rather more like advice, mottos, regrets, confessions, or even, in some cases, epitaphs. Although in the book at issue here ("The Moment"), the editor couldn't seem to resist including a couple of pages of "6 Word School Moments from Teens", I can't hold that against him because they were well-written and relevant. So by the time I began reading this book, I had, perhaps understandably, practically given up all hope that Larry Smith was capable of editing a book that I would find worth reading. However, I was pleasantly surprised and am happy to say that my tenacity was rewarded! I love the fact that there are biographical blurbs for each and every contributor at the end of the book, sequenced in order of appearance. Reading these before reading each author's selection enhanced my enjoyment of the text. Perhaps the quality of the writing in this book has something to do with the fact that most of the selections were written by WRITERS (as in people who make a living by knowing how to use words well). Although each selection is brief, they are not absurdly so (which cannot be said for the "6 Word" series). These narratives seem to have a more intense emotional impact in some cases simply because they are so concise and condensed. If so, rather than breezing through them, it is worth it for a reader to take their time to appreciate and savor how thought provoking some of the stories are. Although not every reader (especially young ones) may know what it's really like to have a child, or be incarcerated, or gay, or Jewish, or in a war zone, or have a terminal disease, or be in a catastrophic accident, most of the experiences are infinitely relatable: just about everyone probably knows what it's like to dream, have a relationship, fail, succeed, grow up, fall in love, hope, feel liberated, have a friend, be rejected, or grieve. The format (someone not just telling about an experience they had, but telling WHY it was important to THEM) makes these stories especially insightful, compelling, uplifting, entertaining, and even exciting. Not every story will strike a chord with every reader. But I'm pretty sure that anyone who reads this collection is sure to find one that will. Of course, as is my custom, I feel obligated to point out the few typos: The story on page 37 ("No Consolation" by Neal Pollack) was great, but, in speaking of his grandfather's voluntary involvement with an athletic organization, the author indicates the "culminating" of that experience (page 37) at a particular point in time, and then, on the next page, the "culmination" -- of that same series of events -- happening on a different occasion. To me, there can only be one high point or pinnacle, not multiples. On page 254 ("Denial" by Kathie Richie), there is a sentence that seems to have one too many "you"s ("behaviors that you make you think" - the first should probably be omitted). In the contributor's biographical notes at the end of the book, two are out of sequence on page 343: The entry by John B. Carnett ("Birth") is actually found on page 306 (not 307), and the entry from Dar Wolnik ("Four Long Years") appears on page 308 (not 306). Lastly, on page 344, the last sentence of Stephen Tobolowsky's biographical note needs one letter to change the phrase, "he may be know for" to "he may be known for". All in all, I can (finally!) unreservedly recommend this volume edited by Larry Smith as a very worthwhile read.

My husband went to see some of the authors read their essays at a bookstore in SF, and recommended this book to me. It was a ridiculously fast read and super satisfying especially for me who has about 10 minutes of personal time each night before I fall straight to sleep each night. It is enough to complete a few essays and feel satisfied. My favorite was the essay about the New Yorker photographer's near death experience in the middle east, but they were all great.My only (minor) complaint is that I wish the bios of the writers came directly after each story, because it was really cool to hear about who each writer was. Flipping back and forth, not easy on a kindle.Besides that, keep it coming!

As might be expected from a collection of very short memoirs by 125 people, there is considerable variation in quality. Frankly, some of the pieces sounded to me like school assignments, while others were truly unforgettable. In general, the authors appear to be mostly young, urban, and non-religious. This would be a great book to say, fill odd minutes on the subway or while waiting at in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The strength of all the Smith projects (smithmag.net, the 6 Word Memoir books) is their celebration of the genuine. Of life as it *is* lived, not how we would like it to be lived. Of people and their connections to one another. Of the way the grand and the mundane are often colocated. The Moment scales up the scope of each writer's entry from the 6-word level, but still keeps it petite, leaving each entry short enough to be enjoyed in a single sitting (you may find yourself reading 5-10 at a whack), capturing much of the same immediacy and betcha-can't-read-just-one feeling as the 6-word books, but with a far heftier emotional punch. Like life, It's funny and sad in equal measure. And it's unafraid to bring a clear-eyed honesty to each.

The kisses, the lovemaking, the revelations and the pain. These short, easily read passages run the spectrum of hightened personal emotions. Even though several deal with crisis in a critical moment, the most painful comes from Byron Case, the wrongfully convicted young man in a Missouri prison. His short piece, "The Verdict" will stay with you for days. I encourage everyone to read "The Moment" and realize your own great Moment.

I sit down and say to myself I'll read a story or two and end up reading ten or twenty. Each one as thought-provoking as the next. I'm not exactly what you'd call a "reader" but I'm having trouble keeping this one down.

This book will transform non-readers into page-turners. For avid readers, it will be over too soon, leaving you wanting more, now. "The Moment" is perfect for our over-tapped, short-attention-span culture. Throw away that excuse, "I don't have time to read," because in a mere two pages, these ultra-short stories will captivate. Some will get your heart racing, others will make you laugh aloud or bring you to tears; all will make you grateful you found this book.

The Moment is just that...stories from different writers about some moment in their life that was signficant to them. There are some really great stories in here and I enjoyed turning the pages to see what the next story would be.