I read THE WHOLE THING in the car on the way back from the reunion and I laughed my ass off and I cried. I want to get more copies. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED it. You tore the roof off it.
--Moira Meltzer-Cohen, New York, New York
I read almost 200 pages today! I love it... and I don't like to read! I've even teared up a couple times.
--Shelly Dupris, Oxford, Mississippi
I read the whole thing tonight! Although I have a unique connection to it, I think anyone would find it incredibly funny, touching, and romantic. You Ann Arbor folks may even recognize some of the characters, places and events in it. It would make an excellent Christmas gift for both teens and adults and you'd be supporting a really wonderful person. Enjoy!
--Karen Cunningham, Georgetown University
Ben, I just finished Ending in Angels and I couldn't put it down. It brought back so many memories of growing up and Slauson and Pioneer. I hope you have more books like it in you!
--Jimmy Berg, Ann Arbor Pioneer Class of 1994
I picked up your novel yesterday and finished it over the course of the day. The narrative is woven together beautifully and I think the story itself, while obviously based on your personal experiences, is universal. If you've ever been in love, been rejected by a love, or been in junior high this book is not to be missed.
-- Rebecca A. Katzman, Residential College, University of Michigan
Ben, I bought two copies of your book at poker on Monday. I started it this afternoon at 4 and just finished it at 10. THANK YOU!
--Matt Latham, The predictable drunken poker player
Ben, your story ripped my heart out, in the best possible way, and I just had to say thanks. Thank you so much for that story. I am filled with this butterfly in the stomach, nostalgic, hopeful feeling that happens when a great movie or book or piece of music affects me in the most positive way.
--Tim Haldeman, Saxophonist
I truly enjoyed it. Full of strong stuff and strongly written.
--Thomas Toon, Professor of English Language and Literature
Remarkable. Would be useful to anyone working with adolescents with chronic illness.
--Erica Perry, Peer Mentoring Program Specialist, National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
It’s like The Catcher in the Rye meets On the Road meets The Wonder Years.
--Evan M. Locey, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I wanted you to know I read your book Ending in Angels, and I loved it. It's one of those books that had me rationing out the number of pages I'd read per evening because I didn't want it to end. I'd have consumed another hundred pages gladly. Thanks again for writing a book that touched me very deeply.
--Christopher Potter, Ann Arbor News
In Ending in Angels, Ben Graham artfully weaves together threads from his protagonist’s middle school, high school, college and present day experiences, the result being a beautiful portrayal of the tapestry of his life. Graham keeps the reader engrossed, entertained by his hilarity, touched by his poignancy, and inspired by his journey. This book should be on everyone’s must read list.
--Suzanne Dugger, Professor and Coordinator of School Counseling Program at Eastern Michigan University
Your book has now traveled to Nashville and San Francisco with me and I’ve finished the read. I really liked it, Ben. Since I know you and your family, I could see parts of your personal history in there, of course. It was well written and engaging. I found when I finished it, I wanted to go back and re-read some parts for clarity and memory. I think it’s a great book for our teens with arthritis and their parents. Though there might be some issues with language here and there. But I get that that is a reflection of the real world.
--Dawn Hafeli, Vice President for Programs, Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter
I found myself thinking of the Spring Break scenes well after finishing the book, trying to remember if they took place in a movie I’d seen recently, or in a Russell Banks book I was reading. And that’s a huge compliment. I’m getting Ending in Angels mixed up with Russell Banks’s work!
--Rose Jacobs, Associate Editor, Financial Times Magazine
Lovely. This book is beautiful, thoughtful, funny and honest. It is easily relatable, even though the experiences in the book are not the same for everyone. The way in which the story is woven together makes me want to never put it down and when it ends I just want it to keep going.
--Cheryl Stimpson, Washington, D.C.
The book really made me think about my life. It was inspirational. It actually made me want to be a better person.
--Joshua Hoodin, Chicago, Illinois
I definitely laughed and I definitely cried. I’m such a cliché!
--Sophie Catherine Reich, New Orleans, Louisiana
It’s a great story. But I love that it also has these kernels of truth.
--Carissa Van Heest, Oberlin College
Just wanted to let you know that I finished reading your book on Sunday. It was very good, except for the parts that made me cry. Having two sons I could totally relate to some of the things that you wrote, and of course there are things in there that being female just made me laugh. I just wanted to let you know that you did a wonderful job.
--Debbie Montpas, Flint, Michigan
This vacation I was finally afforded the time to read your book... it was GREAT. I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you for getting me a copy.
--Steve Armstrong, Pioneer High School Teacher
Just finished Ending in Angels. Enjoyed. Waiting for a sequel or prequel!!!
--Joe Chiesa, Semi-professional bridge player
I finished your book a few weeks ago. You’re a good storyteller: funny, thoughtful, and very honest. Is there a sequel?
--Mark Gunderson, Ann Arbor, Michigan
I picked up this book at a college reunion celebration a few years ago, and perhaps it is because the author and I are now Facebook friends and I lived across from him in our dorm and never got to know him and we both just got married... I don't know, but I picked it up, and opened it for the first time recently. There were moments when the writing or the fine details of physics were a little difficult to follow, but what I truly appreciated about this story and where I think the value in it lies for me, is in the inner dialogue of the protagonist, as he struggles as we all do, through adolescence and first love. This part is communicated wonderfully. His descriptions in moments are phenomenally clear, poignent, and insightful and more than a few times did I laugh out loud at the scenarios and interactions he describes. It has been said that women's and men's travel writing differs fundamentally as men write about what they did, where they went and what they saw and women write about what the travel did to them. Like most generalizations, I take issue with this statement, and Graham's work here is a prime example of why I love travel writing: for the miles experienced internally as well and externally. As well, I appreciate the honesty with which this book is presented. It's self-published, and I am glad that the author is going to school to be a school counselor. This would make a fine addition to any school counselor's shelf (as an aspiring school counselor myself). Thanks for the story!
--Britt Doughty-Godchaux, Residential College, University of Michigan
--Shelly Dupris, Oxford, Mississippi
I read the whole thing tonight! Although I have a unique connection to it, I think anyone would find it incredibly funny, touching, and romantic. You Ann Arbor folks may even recognize some of the characters, places and events in it. It would make an excellent Christmas gift for both teens and adults and you'd be supporting a really wonderful person. Enjoy!
--Karen Cunningham, Georgetown University
Ben, I just finished Ending in Angels and I couldn't put it down. It brought back so many memories of growing up and Slauson and Pioneer. I hope you have more books like it in you!
--Jimmy Berg, Ann Arbor Pioneer Class of 1994
I picked up your novel yesterday and finished it over the course of the day. The narrative is woven together beautifully and I think the story itself, while obviously based on your personal experiences, is universal. If you've ever been in love, been rejected by a love, or been in junior high this book is not to be missed.
-- Rebecca A. Katzman, Residential College, University of Michigan
Ben, I bought two copies of your book at poker on Monday. I started it this afternoon at 4 and just finished it at 10. THANK YOU!
--Matt Latham, The predictable drunken poker player
Ben, your story ripped my heart out, in the best possible way, and I just had to say thanks. Thank you so much for that story. I am filled with this butterfly in the stomach, nostalgic, hopeful feeling that happens when a great movie or book or piece of music affects me in the most positive way.
--Tim Haldeman, Saxophonist
I truly enjoyed it. Full of strong stuff and strongly written.
--Thomas Toon, Professor of English Language and Literature
Remarkable. Would be useful to anyone working with adolescents with chronic illness.
--Erica Perry, Peer Mentoring Program Specialist, National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
It’s like The Catcher in the Rye meets On the Road meets The Wonder Years.
--Evan M. Locey, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I wanted you to know I read your book Ending in Angels, and I loved it. It's one of those books that had me rationing out the number of pages I'd read per evening because I didn't want it to end. I'd have consumed another hundred pages gladly. Thanks again for writing a book that touched me very deeply.
--Christopher Potter, Ann Arbor News
In Ending in Angels, Ben Graham artfully weaves together threads from his protagonist’s middle school, high school, college and present day experiences, the result being a beautiful portrayal of the tapestry of his life. Graham keeps the reader engrossed, entertained by his hilarity, touched by his poignancy, and inspired by his journey. This book should be on everyone’s must read list.
--Suzanne Dugger, Professor and Coordinator of School Counseling Program at Eastern Michigan University
Your book has now traveled to Nashville and San Francisco with me and I’ve finished the read. I really liked it, Ben. Since I know you and your family, I could see parts of your personal history in there, of course. It was well written and engaging. I found when I finished it, I wanted to go back and re-read some parts for clarity and memory. I think it’s a great book for our teens with arthritis and their parents. Though there might be some issues with language here and there. But I get that that is a reflection of the real world.
--Dawn Hafeli, Vice President for Programs, Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter
I found myself thinking of the Spring Break scenes well after finishing the book, trying to remember if they took place in a movie I’d seen recently, or in a Russell Banks book I was reading. And that’s a huge compliment. I’m getting Ending in Angels mixed up with Russell Banks’s work!
--Rose Jacobs, Associate Editor, Financial Times Magazine
Lovely. This book is beautiful, thoughtful, funny and honest. It is easily relatable, even though the experiences in the book are not the same for everyone. The way in which the story is woven together makes me want to never put it down and when it ends I just want it to keep going.
--Cheryl Stimpson, Washington, D.C.
The book really made me think about my life. It was inspirational. It actually made me want to be a better person.
--Joshua Hoodin, Chicago, Illinois
I definitely laughed and I definitely cried. I’m such a cliché!
--Sophie Catherine Reich, New Orleans, Louisiana
It’s a great story. But I love that it also has these kernels of truth.
--Carissa Van Heest, Oberlin College
Just wanted to let you know that I finished reading your book on Sunday. It was very good, except for the parts that made me cry. Having two sons I could totally relate to some of the things that you wrote, and of course there are things in there that being female just made me laugh. I just wanted to let you know that you did a wonderful job.
--Debbie Montpas, Flint, Michigan
This vacation I was finally afforded the time to read your book... it was GREAT. I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you for getting me a copy.
--Steve Armstrong, Pioneer High School Teacher
Just finished Ending in Angels. Enjoyed. Waiting for a sequel or prequel!!!
--Joe Chiesa, Semi-professional bridge player
I finished your book a few weeks ago. You’re a good storyteller: funny, thoughtful, and very honest. Is there a sequel?
--Mark Gunderson, Ann Arbor, Michigan
I picked up this book at a college reunion celebration a few years ago, and perhaps it is because the author and I are now Facebook friends and I lived across from him in our dorm and never got to know him and we both just got married... I don't know, but I picked it up, and opened it for the first time recently. There were moments when the writing or the fine details of physics were a little difficult to follow, but what I truly appreciated about this story and where I think the value in it lies for me, is in the inner dialogue of the protagonist, as he struggles as we all do, through adolescence and first love. This part is communicated wonderfully. His descriptions in moments are phenomenally clear, poignent, and insightful and more than a few times did I laugh out loud at the scenarios and interactions he describes. It has been said that women's and men's travel writing differs fundamentally as men write about what they did, where they went and what they saw and women write about what the travel did to them. Like most generalizations, I take issue with this statement, and Graham's work here is a prime example of why I love travel writing: for the miles experienced internally as well and externally. As well, I appreciate the honesty with which this book is presented. It's self-published, and I am glad that the author is going to school to be a school counselor. This would make a fine addition to any school counselor's shelf (as an aspiring school counselor myself). Thanks for the story!
--Britt Doughty-Godchaux, Residential College, University of Michigan
