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These first reviews are from Goodreads.com
Elani Roman rated it, it was amazing
This is a heartwarming memoir of the author's memories and coming of age as a young man in a small town. It is written in a conversational style, just like you were on the porch, drinking an ice cold drink; the author brings you deep into his world of friends, family, and especially his best friend Terry. You will be taken on back roads racing, a house fire, kindness shown with a brown bag and french fries, heartbreak, and many other adventures. Also there are lessons of the author's parents shared, one from his dad was always having Chap Stick in his pocket to meeting an 81 year old grandparent for the first time. There are so many endearing moments sprinkled throughout this book. There was part of a quote from the author in a response on how he would answer a question from God, "Sir, I did the very best I could with what you gave me to work with..." You have to read the book to get the full quote :) But I felt that was a theme all the way throughout the book, including pictures at the end to help the reader connect with the story. You get a real down to earth look into the author's life. I'm an older reader so I went down memory lane as there are several references to growing up in the 80's. It is a good read if you like memoirs and want to travel back in time. This book takes you there.
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T.S. rated it, it was amazing
In Our Teenage Years, author T. J. Wray chronicles his life growing up in a small town in Oklahama in the 1980s. He recalls growing up in a dysfunctional home, working as a newspaper boy at minimum wages, becoming a teen dad, and reveals his innocent adventures as a teenager with his best friend Terry. The young boy we meet here is someone who makes mistakes and learns from them.
While Wray lacks the flair of a veteran writer, he tells his story in simple words, touching readers’ hearts with his candid approach, a humble narrative, and profound insights.
With its lively stories about a bygone era when life was simpler and happier, the book will delight readers who grew up during the 1980s
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In my local library there are many books of memoirs on the shelves. The majority of those books are about the rich and famous. This book however contains the memoirs of a very ordinary man who was anything but ordinary. No matter what life threw at T.J he was always positive, worked hard and achieved. […] This book will make you laugh and make you cry. I couldn't stop laughing at the memory of the fishing trip and the alligator. […] Thank you for sharing your memories with everyone T.J. A very special book that I enjoyed reading.” ~ Shirley Revill
“My first thought after reading this book was that this is proof that no matter what someone has been through, they can overcome and continually strive to move in a positive direction. The narrator (and author), T.J., describes his adventures and ‘misadventures’ in a small town in Oklahoma in the 1980's. Most of these were with his best friend Terry. The friendship and unbreakable bond he had with Terry is a gift that few people are lucky enough to experience in life. If anyone remembers the 80's, they will certainly be able to reminisce as the author relays his anecdotes from this period in time. […] There is a common thread throughout the book based upon the life lessons that are relayed either directly or indirectly by the author through the stories. They are worth noting and were some timely reminders to me of what is really important in life. I want to thank T.J. for this as I needed these reminders in so many areas.” ~ Leslie Ray
“… many of the stories in this book were echoes of my own childhood. […] TJ's adventures made me smile, made me laugh, made me sad, made me nod my head in agreement and made me wince. […] I almost felt like I was reading my own life story. […] I could relate to 90% of this book, and to be honest it felt like I was reading a book written by a close friend. A close friend who went through an awful lot more and tougher times than I did, but still came out smiling and regardless of religion (race, color, creed or nationality) with a proper sense of right and wrong and the understanding that treating people with respect and tolerance is the way to make the world better. Thanks TJ for sharing that with us all, it was a blast. And now bring on the 90s.” ~ Adrian
“T.J. Wray is going to tell you a story about his life as a teen and you know what? It is going to make you laugh, break your heart and have you thinking back to your own life as a teen! Our Teenage Years: Growing Up In A Small Town is the story of what made T.J. Wray the father and man he is today. It’s the story of friendship, dysfunctional families and having to grow up far beyond one’s years too fast. It’s also the story of love and loss and mistakes and triumphs. […] Told completely in his own words, no fancy phrases, just from the heart writing, this story is sweet, heartwarming and a testament to the strength of the human spirit to overcome obstacles and pushing forward without whining or blaming the world for their lot in life. Seriously, we read fiction to be entertained, this is our chance to read a true story filled with heart as one man exposes his very soul in an effort to entertain and give each of us a chance to look back on the life that we, too, survived and grew from! A real hidden gem that deserves to be read from an author who puts on no airs!” ~ Dianne
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This review is from LitPick.com
“…I want to challenge you guys for a third time…Spend your time wisely and search for your Personal Legend.”
T.J. Wray offers many snippets of advice such as this in his memoir, Our Teenage Years: Growing up in a small town in the 80’s. In this memoir, the reader discovers the teenage moments that made T.J. (the author) the adult he has become. As you bounce between T.J.’s early teen years to the choices and consequences of being 19, you learn how one person can impact another, how doing your best at all times is the most important lesson, and how memories are the greatest way to share laughter!
T.J. Wray grew up in Texas and was a teenager during the 1980s. His early teen years were riddled with harsh lessons learned from being poor and being at the mercy of unloving adults. His mid-teen years included finding a job, a purpose, a life-long best friend, love, and hard decisions about his future. Overall, this memoir shares the best memories of a man who understands the value of individual moments.
Opinion: Five Stars
Opinion: Five Stars
This memoir caught my attention immediately. I, too, grew up in a small town, so that connection was already established, but it was more than that. T.J. Wray does not soften any of the reality of his life — he tells it as it happened, including every cruel, sad, or ugly moment. Immediately upon reading the first chapter, I knew I cared about the author and was invested in knowing that things were going to turn around for him (which they do!).
These reviews are from Amazon.com
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Loved these stories! Relatable anecdotes are the best. Each story reminded me of a brother, cousin, close friend or former classmate. Good luck in your future, T. J. You've earned it. God bless you.
Simply impactful!
Format: Kindle Edition
The 1980s, a decade much different than our current one, were different in fashion, music, and social behaviors. For T.J. Wray, the 1980s were a decade of growing up and chalk-full of stories and memories that should never be forgotten. Born into a bad homelife, T.J.’s parents divorced when he was young. He and his sister were taken to live with their father in Texas in an unstable living environment, then an unstable and hazardous family life when their stepmother was introduced into the picture. At the age of thirteen, T.J. left to live with his mother and stepfather in Guthrie, Oklahoma. This living arrangement proved to be unsafe as well, until he started high school and met his soon-to-be best friend, Terry. Eventually, T.J. and Terry hit it off and were inseparable. "Our Teenage Years" is full of stories from T.J.’s decade of growing up, including jobs he held, girlfriends he acquired, and every crazy story you can think of involving two teenage boys. Currently having kids of his own, they have urged him to write down all of his stories so as not to be forgotten. Most of his stories even include life-lessons that are beneficial for all readers to hear. Taking his teenage years into account has made T.J. fully understand the impact of living a positive life, and challenges his readers throughout the book to achieve individual positivity toward different areas of life.
T.J.’s story is of a true underdog who started out with literally nothing, and through sheer positive work ethic and attitude, he was able to change his life. Starting with his first job as a paperboy, he continued to show each of his bosses that he had what it took to do the job and complete it correctly. Hearing of T.J. as a teenager, I would say he was the complete package of the perfect son-in-law for a couple’s daughter – hard working, went to church, didn’t smoke, drink, or do drugs, and was just overall a good kid. Of course, the occasional stories thrown into his book also show that he was a teenage boy, and enjoyed the pastimes of fishing, shooting guns, working on automobiles, and hanging out with friends, even if the pastimes weren’t done completely legally; but hey, it was the ‘80s, a different time for sure. The way T.J. writes is very personable and easy for readers of any age to relate to. "Our Teenage Years" is the first book in the “My Life” series, with his next one, "The ‘90’s: Life on the Road" on the shelves. I would highly recommend both reads for a light-hearted and pleasant read.
This was T.J.'s first book that he as written, and I believe that he 'hit it out of the park'!
It takes place mostly in Oklahoma in a small town with folks with big hearts.
T.J. had it rough, no other words to describe it, but does he cry and moan about it... NO..
there are so many lessons to be learned and remembered by reading this book.
Not too many characters, mostly just T.J. and his friend, but many tragic things that happen along the way in this young man's first 18 years of life. And many laughs to.. I think I almost peed my pants about Kanye East! If you want to have a great afternoon and evening, shedding some tears and laughing out loud, certainly crack this book open.
We all have memories, some good and some bad, but do we have the guts to tell it like it is and not try to sugarcoat it, not many of us.
He alludes to another book that picks up in the 90's and I sure hope that he is working on it, because I truly want to know the 'rest of the story'.
Please read this, and take this young man's advice
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