It’s 1968. The town of Shoreline isn’t on any maps because it isn’t even a town. “Wedged between the northern limits of Washington State’s biggest city at 145th Street and the Snohomish County line at 205th Street, Shoreline is an afterthought—an aptly named sixty-block strip of unincorporated King County stretching from the banks of Lake Washington on the east to the bluffs overlooking Puget Sound on the west.”
This coming-of-age memoir lets us in on the rich inner life of a pubescent boy. There is adventure. There is adversity. There are funny scenes, tender moments, and memorable characters. 1968 was the year Gordon turned thirteen.
It was the year he had a Seattle Times paper route and noticed that “bad news isn’t just plentiful, it’s as relentless as the precipitation around here and has a way of soaking through your skull and seeping into your consciousness.”
It was the year he discovered a talent that would change the trajectory of his life.
About the author:
About the author:
The Boy From a Town That Isn’t Even a Town is Gordon Braun’s first published work. He attended Cromwell Park Elementary, Cordell Hull Junior High, and Shoreline High School in his hometown of Shoreline, Washington.
After a record-setting track and cross-country career as a schoolboy, he was rewarded with an athletic scholarship to the University of Washington where he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees. Gordon is a retired business executive, consultant, teacher, and coach. He lives in Bellingham with his wife, Carrie Gaasland.
Nice to get a head's up. I moved with my family to Shoreline in 1954, went to Paramount Park Ele, Meridian Park Ele, Cordell Hull Jr, Butler Jr, and Shoreline HS.Graduated in 1966. It was a wonderful place in the 50's and 60's. I hate to see all the apartments going up but then I hated to see all the swamps and wild places drained and cleared for new housing. Still, it's a good place to live.
ReplyDeleteI was 2 years behind Gordon in attending Cromwell Park Elementary and likely share similar recollections of childhood in "our town." My dad bought our home in 1959 and we moved in Jan 1, 1960. He was a WWII Vet. I will love reading Gordon's book. I tell my granddaughter about my wonderful days attending Cromwell when we take walks there to the playground. My sisters and I are all married, but the 3 of them and their husbands moved on. Unlike Gordon, I still remain here in my home town, raised my own kids in my childhood home, and watched carefully when modern culture and politics collided. My book might tell a different perspective about life in the 80s-90s. Next year will find me living elsewhere, the changes going on around us are too unlivable as respect, responsibility, and accountability are tossed to the wind. Sad to say goodbye! Shoreline, you were a great town that gave many of us a golden future.
ReplyDeleteHere is the playlist from the book. We just set up a curated list on Spotify. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Robinson—Simon and Garfunkle
Do You Know the Way to San Jose—Dionne Warwick
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy —Ohio Express
This Guy's in Love With You—Herb Alert
Angel of the Morning—Merilee Rush
Look of Love—Sergio Mendez and Brasil 66
Jumpin' Jack Flash—Roling Stones
A Beautiful Morning—The Rascals
Rock-a-Hula—Elvis
Light My Fire—The Doors
Last Train to Clarksville—The Monkees
A Day in the Life—The Beatles
Honey—Bobby Goldsboro
Suzie Q—Credence Clearwater
Inna-Gotta-Da-Vida—Iron Butterfly
Born to Be Wild—Steppenwolf
Overture—Man of La Mancha (Broadway Cast)
Man of La Mancha (I Don Quixote)—Man of La Mancha (Broadway Cast)
The Impossible Dream—Man of La Mancha (Broadway Cast)
Cattle Call—Eddie Arnold
Hey Jude—The Beatles