Overview

A collection of humor columns she successfully slipped by her editor over a 30-year reporting career, her second and final installment, Off the Hook Too!, keeps the laughter alive and rounds out The Compleat Works of Nancy Besonen

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9781615998265

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Reviews

"""It takes a special person to write a weekly humor column year after year and decade after decade. There have to be times when life is not funny, you're just not in the mood to be humorous, or you simply can't think of a damn thing to satirize, or poke fun at. So hats off to Nancy Besonen because judging by this collection of her weekly columns in the L'Anse Sentinel she has a genuine talent for finding humor in everyday life. But then she does live in the U.P. where a well-honed sense of humor is a necessity."" -- Tom Powers, Michigan in Books ""Her 167-page book is full of funny essays on a wide variety of topics-you don't have to be a Yooper to appreciate them. Divided into 18 sub-sections, Besonen's collection covers fishing in 'Hook, Line and Sink Her', getting older in 'Aging Gracelessly' and unusual aspects of nature in 'Call of the Wild'. In 'Reading Marches On', she notes the enjoyment of reading to children: 'The payoff is great, right down to the tiniest grandchild who literally devours books. We just pull the pieces out of her mouth and read to her from what's left. It's best not to read her book all at once but to savor her writings over a longer timespan."" -- Ray Walsh, Lansing State Journal ""Besonen has written a book that reads like standup comedy, � la 'up-north' humor. If you have only heard of northern Michigan or are an actual resident (Yooper) you will find the clever writing in this book enjoyable Short chapters make reading easy on the days there isn't much time to read. The entire book does not have to be finished to find out whodunnit, although it's still difficult to put down."" -- Carolyn Wilhelm, Midwest Book Review ""Nancy Besonen's weekly columns in the L'Anse Sentinel always made me smile, or chuckle and, quite often, even snort with mirth. Besonen connects so well with our quirky Yooper culture and its priorities. Her perspective of our everyday lives is hilarious and reminiscent of the late Erma Bombeck."" -- Terri Martin, author and U.P. Notable Book Award recipient ""A veteran journalist, Nancy Besonen has a wonderful gift for sweet and tangy, humorous writing and storytelling. She uses visual, nuanced language to paint portraits of Michigan's Upper Peninsula's people, places and events, infusing culture, history and geography. Her colorful tales, filled with wit, action, twists and turns, are a must-read for those in Michigan (and beyond), as she inspires us all to think about our own life journeys."" -- Martha Bloomfield, award-winning author, oral historian, artist and poet ""Besonen, a gifted journalist who moved north from Chicago for the fishing and brought with her a deep sensibility for the U.P, both teaches and inspires. This is true nonfiction at its best, both wit and investigative journalism. I am glad she collects it here."" -- Mack Hassler, former professor of English, Kent State University for U.P. Book Review"

"""It takes a special person to write a weekly humor column year after year and decade after decade. There have to be times when life is not funny, you're just not in the mood to be humorous, or you simply can't think of a damn thing to satirize, or poke fun at. So hats off to Nancy Besonen because judging by this collection of her weekly columns in the L'Anse Sentinel she has a genuine talent for finding humor in everyday life. But then she does live in the U.P. where a well-honed sense of humor is a necessity."" -- Tom Powers, Michigan in Books ""Her 167-page book is full of funny essays on a wide variety of topics-you don't have to be a Yooper to appreciate them. Divided into 18 sub-sections, Besonen's collection covers fishing in 'Hook, Line and Sink Her', getting older in 'Aging Gracelessly' and unusual aspects of nature in 'Call of the Wild'. In 'Reading Marches On', she notes the enjoyment of reading to children: 'The payoff is great, right down to the tiniest grandchild who literally devours books. We just pull the pieces out of her mouth and read to her from what's left. It's best not to read her book all at once but to savor her writings over a longer timespan."" -- Ray Walsh, Lansing State Journal ""I recommend Off The Hook Too! for its humorous anecdotes, thought-provoking content, informative commentary, and down-to-earth essence."" -- Sharon Brunner, U.P. Book Review ""Besonen has written a book that reads like standup comedy, � la 'up-north' humor. If you have only heard of northern Michigan or are an actual resident (Yooper) you will find the clever writing in this book enjoyable Short chapters make reading easy on the days there isn't much time to read. The entire book does not have to be finished to find out whodunnit, although it's still difficult to put down."" -- Carolyn Wilhelm, Midwest Book Review ""Nancy Besonen's weekly columns in the L'Anse Sentinel always made me smile, or chuckle and, quite often, even snort with mirth. Besonen connects so well with our quirky Yooper culture and its priorities. Her perspective of our everyday lives is hilarious and reminiscent of the late Erma Bombeck."" -- Terri Martin, author and U.P. Notable Book Award recipient ""A veteran journalist, Nancy Besonen has a wonderful gift for sweet and tangy, humorous writing and storytelling. She uses visual, nuanced language to paint portraits of Michigan's Upper Peninsula's people, places and events, infusing culture, history and geography. Her colorful tales, filled with wit, action, twists and turns, are a must-read for those in Michigan (and beyond), as she inspires us all to think about our own life journeys."" -- Martha Bloomfield, award-winning author, oral historian, artist and poet ""Besonen, a gifted journalist who moved north from Chicago for the fishing and brought with her a deep sensibility for the U.P, both teaches and inspires. This is true nonfiction at its best, both wit and investigative journalism. I am glad she collects it here."" -- Mack Hassler, former professor of English, Kent State University for U.P. Book Review"

Author Information

"Nancy Besonen is a former Chicago South Sider whose problem with fishing landed her in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, reporting for the L'Anse Sentinel to help support her habit. Her weekly humor column titled ""Off the Hook"" filled vital white space while having raucous good fun with every aspect of Northwoods living, and beyond. Nancy and her husband, Don, have three children and a small herd of grandchildren who provide love, laughter, frequent spills and abundant inspiration."

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