A Journey of Reflection: A Memoir of Cherished Memories

Kindle Customer: Well written, funny, and real. A great read for anyone with a sense of humor and an understanding of mental health.

United States on Oct 19, 2023

Amazon Customer: Tom is very open about his personal issues in a way that is very heartwarming. It is written in his voice, so if you like The Best Show you will love this. There's also a lot of funny parts

Canada on Aug 06, 2022

The other brother DarylThe other brother Daryl: If you are a writer, broadcaster, comedian and are savvy, creative, funny, and from New Jersey, you might be Tom Scharpling. If you aren't, buy this book.

Canada on Apr 24, 2022

suspectX: I only got into The Best Show earlier this year but honestly the further and deeper I dig, the more it has enriched my life in ways I never thought possible. Needless to say I have a LOT of catching up to do, but was made aware that Tom wrote a book about his life before it was released. I don't think I have ever made a quicker, more deliberate and necessary purchase of literature in my entire life. The book offers a lot of insight into Toms life, the life of his comedic partner Wurster, and the history of The Best Show; both on WFMU and independent. Even if you are oblivious to The Best Show, Scharpling & Wurster or rudey-poo Jersey life: splash some cold water on your face, get a clue, and buy this book ASAP. Well worth it.

Canada on Sep 12, 2021

Teresa D. LeeTeresa D. Lee: Radio comic and television writer Tom Scharpling embodies the spirit of New Jersey as he recovers from depression while learning to write for television in tandem with his weekly comedy improv platform show in his comedic memoir.

Tom Scharpling grew up in New Jersey with a family of independent entrepreneurs and access to the New York music scene in the late 1970s through early 90s. His childhood includes great adventures like setting high scores at pinball, a family court battle against arcade bullies, watching a classmate attempt to score a switchblade in Times Square while going to see Billy Joel in 1983 and even auditioning for The New Monkees! He also worried intensely about his mother’s health and nearly succumbed to depression at the end of high school. Luckily his life didn’t end there, and he eventually channeled his music obsessions into radio comedy on his weekly platform program, The Best Show on WFMU. A passion for prank phone calls and rock and roll both indie and hard led to a life changing relationship with punk band Superchunk’s drummer John Wurster and some lively improvised radio comedy like the legendary Rock, Rot, and Rule call about a fake book...

United States on Aug 15, 2021

Conrad Van OrtonConrad Van Orton: A nicely written, candid and spirited memoir - perhaps even something like a magical mystery tour - that gives the reader a clear picture of how Scharpling became what he has become.

United Kingdom on Jul 20, 2021

Tavie: This is the most relatable book I've ever read.

I'm not a man. I'm not from New Jersey. I possess virtually no comedic skill. I can't improvise; I certainly can't speak on the radio. I know precious little about most popular music. I can't voice a cartoon character, I've never been a writer for television or otherwise, and I certainly am not a cult broadcasting legend with thousands of loyal fans and listeners. Phone calls make me nervous. I've never owned a dog.

As little as it seems I have in common with Tom Scharpling on the surface, I had to put this book down when I reached page 51. I had pre-ordered it, as a fan of The Best Show and a fan of Tom's work, and had feverishly looked forward to reading it. When it finally arrived, I dove in, finding myself laughing out loud by page 2. (I consume a lot of comedy so it takes something really funny to make me actually LOL.)

But page 51 got me. Page 51 brought memories of my childhood depression and traumatic hospitalization for severe anxiety hurtling back to me. I read on a few more pages, and my teenaged nights of staying up all night, staring at the bottles of pills in my parents' bathroom cupboard, came...

United States on Jul 19, 2021

kerry v gibbs: This is an excellent read. I have been listening to the Best Show for over 10 years now and I have never laughed so hard. Now Tom has written a revealing book that offers insights to his character and laugh out loud stories. Highly recommend this book

Canada on Jul 15, 2021