Greetings from Belleville, New Jersey: Collected Writings -- What They're Saying

 Greetings from Belleville, New Jersey: Collected Writings came up as we were putting together our upcoming reading list, and several members were immediately drawn to its sense of place and memory the way it captures everyday life, humor, and humanity with such warmth and authenticity. It’s the kind of collection that invites reflection, nostalgia, and lively conversation about how our hometowns shape who we become.

Greetings from Belleville, New Jersey

collected writings by Anthony Buccino 

Anthony Buccino created a time machine throu
gh words and stories of growing up the 1950s, 1960s and beyond based on life and growing up in Belleville, New Jersey. 

You don't have to be from New Jersey to enjoy this book, you just need an inclination to remember when chasing the mosquito man and his big blue DDT cloud was a great thrill for kids on their bikes or running in their Keds!

And who can forget the excitement on hearing the bells of the approaching ice cream truck to the neighborhood?

If you remember defrosting refrigerators or the simpler things of times past, you'll enjoy Buccino's essay collection.

More than forty essays and reflections on everything from junior high school bullies to selling pretzels for Ed Strat at Belleville High School football games at Municipal Stadium. This collection includes the Excellence in Journalism award-winning Don the TV man.

Kindle Amazon

Sister Dressed Me Funny -- What They Are Saying

 Here are a few reasons why we believe Sister Dressed MeFunny would be an excellent fit for our club this festive season:

The themes of memory, family, identity and humour align beautifully with the end-of-year mindset many of our members bring  when we think back on our lives, our childhoods, how things shaped us, and what it means to come together.

Your book’s blend of nostalgia, quirky childhood stories and a warm, honest voice offers both charm and substance  perfect for a book-club discussion that balances laughter with reflection.

Sister Dressed Me Funny adventures close to the edge through humility and humor with these chronicles of catholic school nuns, Cub Scout contests, Grandma's house in the country, junior high school bus antics and more.

Tales about, of all things, a naked statue and the catholic school tie, Italian American family roots and that dress his sister made him wear.

Buccino's essays cut close to the edge of humor, humiliation and heartbreak chronicling education by the strictest nuns in the world at a school where the statues of saints were said to dance the Twist if you prayed real hard.

A wistful reminiscence of life on the farm with chicken coops and too many cats in what is now at the very least suburbia; being the butt of the Cub Scout skit gone wrong in front of the entire pack, and, of course, that dress his sister made him wear.

Essays recount childhood the 1950s and 1960s and later in Belleville and Nutley, N.J.

Published by Cherry Blossom Press. 

Nonfiction/Memoir

On Amazon

Covers vary by edition