The Things I Wish I'd Said

By Michele Cozzens

Ever wish you could go back and give a better answer when questioned by someone out of the blue? Former newspaper columnist Michele VanOrt Cozzens goes back to columns she wrote in the early 1990s and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932172211
• ISBN13: 9781932172218
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Sandy Point Resort
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Revisiting the past

We've all had our forehead-slapping moments when we come up with the perfect comeback, the wittiest repartee or the sharpest retort way too long after the moment to matter anymore. Unfortunately, we don't usually have the opportunity to go back and right the wrongs, but if you were by chance a newspaper columnist, you could certainly reflect on your earlier pearls of wisdom, reinforcing or shredding as the need arose. Telling it like it was, Michele VanOrt Cozzens reflects on a series of her articles, published back in the days when she was the PG-13 Carrie Bradshaw of Oakland. If you are fortunate enough to have read "I'm Living Your Dream Life", you're already on the inside track for this book, which touches on a range of topics, from home, family and friends through pets, Elvis, telemarketing, home improvement, beauty pageants, boxing, disc golf, and the Grateful Dead, among others. Running the gamut of emotions, the stories are about real life, and will touch chords of recognition in every reader. Funny, poignant, reflective or sad, it takes you deep down into the soul of the author, and will alternately touch your heart and your funny bone. Amanda Richards, July 13, 2005

Michele has done it again

The Things I Wish I'd Said is another winner with me. I could see these stories unfold either because of the imagery that Michele provided or in some cases reflections of my own past experiences. This books makes you think of the good and bad in the world in which we live. I recommend this book to any reader. I also want to thank Michele for another wonderful book.

Couldn't Have Said It Better

This book was one of the most down-to-earth collection of essays I've ever read (and I've been a bookworm all my life). Cozzens effectively moves the reader from her views of life in the 80's to current day, without unnecessary Monday-morning quarterbacking of her younger days. She addresses life's daily events with a light touch and good humor (telemarketers at dinner, home improvement). Just as easily, she brings you through thoughtful reflections on death, loss, and disappointment. The reader is left seeing the strength of a complex person who thrives in a joyous family despite challenges shallow and deep from the rest of the world. I loved it!!!

Finally! An Author That is NORMAL.

I've been reading a lot of memoirs and essay collections lately and this is the first of many where I actually found MYSELF and MY LIFE within the pages. First of all, who can't relate to the notion of what it's like to stay awake all night replaying a certain scene or confrontation where instead of walking away unsatisfied with your response, you walk away in the wake of the perfect comeback line? I can think of hundreds of things I wish I'd said. Michele VanOrt Cozzens has a smooth, conversational writing style and by the end of the book, I felt like I was listening to a friend tell me about her day-or about her family. I especially related to the story about the death of her mother, (my own mother died two years ago), and when she further discusses the death of her 20 year old niece who took the herb ephedra and suffered a fatal heart attack, my own heart nearly broke in two. On a completely different note, I loved the piece entitled "Deadhead Withdrawal," where she explains what it was like to be a Grateful Dead groupie in the San Francisco Bay Area and "The WASP and Mr. Alger," where she lambastes author Isabelle Allende for a comment she made at a writer's workshop proclaiming that "waspy literature is dead." Waspy literature is certainly not dead. And "The Things I Wish I'd Said," is a perfect example to prove that statement incorrect. I highly recommend this book.

The Book I Wish You Would Read

I am an aspiring writer and I read CONSTANTLY, but I have never felt compelled to write a review for a book online until now. "The Things I Wish I'd Said" is an incredible read and I can't say enough about it or recommend it high enough. One of the things that you will get from this book if you read it is the fearless honesty of Michele VanOrt Cozzens. There is no subject too taboo or personal to cover. She reveals intimate feelings about life that make you feel like you really do know her. By the time I finished her book I felt like I knew her as a friend. There is a section in the book (titled "Wings") that is honestly one of the sweetest and most romantic things that I have ever read(and I am a guy). I actually walked around the office, demanding that people read particular sections of the book and brought it home for my girlfriend to read as well. Lest you think that Michele only covers deep or romantic topics, her book also covers a wide range of topics....and it is funny. Very funny. I absolutely urge everyone to read this book. This is the first book by Michele that I have read, but I guarantee that it won't be the last. She has a fan for life.