Hey David,

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed Behind Everyman, I finished it in a matter of two nights over the course of about 3 hours. Totally hilarious to the point where I just couldn't set it down and had to recommend it to all my friends. Any idea when your new book is coming out? Any recommendations for other authors that follow BE's genre?

Hillel Greene
Upper West Side, NYC

Mr. Israel-

I finished reading BE in under a week, near record time for someone that values catnaps more than reading... I liked it, it was sweeet...but lightly sweet...like cotton candy that melts in your mouth. As a 30 something male I can relate to your angst at turning 30, only to realize how close 40 feels now. I think you've left yourself a nice opening for a sequel. Have you read any of Tony Parson's books: Man and Boy or Man and Wife? Similar genre to your book, I'd say.

I commute to work via ferry boat (looooong commute - 4 hours a day) so I have plenty of time
set aside each day for reading. I've actually kept track of every book I've
read since 1999. And right now you're in good company...I've just finished
reading "A Parchment of Leaves" by Silas House and "Gilead" by Marilynne
Robinson. Have you read anything by those two authors? Silas House can lay
down a sentence like a poet - not to take anything away from you - each
writer has their own style - their own way of weaving a story. Yours was
almost "journal" like and I really like that style of writing. (have you
read "Local Wonders" by Ted Kooser - it's also written in the style of a
journal and it was my favorite book last year).

Anyhow since I have all this time to read I'm always searching for new
material and in the case of your book my wife was perusing the new book
section at our local library and came across your book. She was struck by
the line on the back of the book that says:

"Everyman thinks his days at his dreary office are numbered at last."

That line was fitting for me because I used to sit in a dreary office all
day - eventually the company went out of business late last year and I was
unemployed for 2 1/2 months (through the Holiday season no less!). That was
both a joy and a burden. I was always dreaming of a way out of that
place...see I too work in an administrative role - construction
administration...but dream of doing bigger things...who doesn't though -
it's especially tough in my thirties because I should have everything
figured out in life by now...right? Truth is I don't. And 40 is just around
the corner...I think I'm beginning to understand why men experience mid-life
crisis!

So I read the back cover and chose to read your book over the other two
choices she brought home that day. Another interesting note...I enjoy
reading authors from my generation...I was born in '69...barely making it
into the X-Gen group. I feel like I can sympathize with other people that
grew up in the same era that I did.

By the way I was AMAZED that you wrote this book in a month...that's quite
an accomplishment! I'm lucky to put together two cohesive sentences in that
time - let alone 188 pages worth! (as a side note I do write everyday - for
about 10 minutes...I leave my wife notes in the morning...journal
like...since I don't see her during the day...)

I encourage you to keep writing...and to keep writing to your audience...men
just like you...we're all feeling the same things you are. We're not all
jocks and we're not all married to Desperate Housewives...we still struggle
(even in our 30s) with trying to figure out why we're here. I could see you
weave a tale about meeting your love on the subway...I could also see you
write (like I mentioned earlier) a sequel to "Behind Everyman"

Whatever you choose to write - just keep it real.

With warm regards-
John Paulsen
paulsenhouse@comcast.net


p.s you coming to the Seattle area anytime soon?

Dear David,

I just had to tell you that I loved, loved, loved your book Behind Everyman. It was so tender, honest, so true to life. It really spoke to me, and I am beyond glad that you wrote it. You have a great name, and I can hardly wait for your next book!

All my best wishes to you,

Heather Vogt
Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hi David,

So, what's the best way to wrap up the weekend and prolong those Sunday Blues? Read Behind Everyman of course! Not to overuse the hackneyed expression, but it made me laugh (out loud) and it made me cry (I wish I were kidding with that one).

Even better than lounging around on my sofa on a gloomy Sunday night, was that while reading the book (and simlutaneously inserting one or two guys' faces who've driven me batty in the past) in place of Everyman's, is that I could hear your voice dripping with sarcasm and self-depricating humor all throughout.

It was great to meet you on Friday. I wish more people had come to Tim's 50th Dire.

I've attached a poem of mine, just to return the sentiment of sharing...maybe you'll laugh and cry when you read it?

Take care,

Jules Bures

(p.s. - I'll never look at a minicarrot the same, never again!)

Cambridge, MA