I Take My Coffee Black

by Tyler Merritt

Libby audiobook 11 hours

read by the author

Published: 2021

Genre: memoir

 

Wow. I'm not sure how this initially got on my radar, but I'm so very glad to have "read" it.  Since it was an audiobook, I don't have as many notes as usual, but I just have to say that this is an impactful book. Please read it!

 

I wondered at times what reading a print version would be like . . . He is super personable and cracks jokes that I don't think are in the print book. There was one story he shared that he said was edited out of the print book for length. That (and listening to him) were worth experiencing the audio version. Also the phone calls with his mom and his dad . . . priceless.

"Maybe friends are given to us by God as a very good gift." I had to stop my car and write this down! I love how he shares the positive impact of good people in his life.

Broken Frame is the name of his band. I looked up one of their songs on YouTube. He has led an interesting life!

When he talked about seeking his dad's approval (as a child AND as an adult), there were definitely tears in his voice. It's incredible to think about the power parents have to shape, encourage, and support their children. (Or in some cases, to tear them down and squash them.)

His Wizard of Oz analogy when he was in Nashville was sweet. He's a very good writer and speaker. 

This book was so so so good. It's a perspective more white people need to hear. At points, it was funny. At others, it was heart breaking. When he reads the names of unarmed black people shot to death by police . . . it reminded me of Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give (also an incredibly powerful book). So sad to have skin color define our relationships and ability to communicate.

The swearing was more than I expected, but not overwhelming. Still . . . I wish he'd left some of it out. My ears are much more sensitive to this than they used to be. "Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouths . . . " is a Scripture I've worked on in my own life! But his swearing at times does not detract from what he is sharing about his life and learning. This book is worth reading!

 

(I wrote the above on 8.19.22. I "got" the print version yesterday. I had been on the waiting list for a few months. I skim read it and returned it right away. I had hoped for photographs - of his parents, his band, him from youth . . . But there was only one photograph of the coat he wore to camp. I'm adding this on 10.26.22.)