Little and Often

A Memoir

By: Trent Preszler

Narrated by: Matt Bomer

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

“Little and Often is a beautiful memoir of grief, love, the shattered bond between a father and son, and the resurrection of a broken heart. Trent Preszler tells his story with the same level of art and craftsmanship that he brings to his boat making, and he reminds us of creativity’s power to transform and heal our lives. This is a powerful and deeply moving book. I won’t soon forget it.” (Elizabeth Gilbert)

Trent Preszler thought he was living the life he always wanted, with a job at a winery and a seaside Long Island home, when he was called back to the life he left behind. After years of estrangement, his cancer-stricken father had invited him to South Dakota for Thanksgiving. It would be the last time he saw his father alive.

Preszler’s only inheritance was a beat-up wooden toolbox that had belonged to his father, who was a cattle rancher, rodeo champion, and Vietnam War Bronze Star Medal recipient. This family heirloom befuddled Preszler. He did not work with his hands - but maybe that was the point. In his grief, he wondered if there was still a way to understand his father, and with that came an epiphany: He would make something with his inheritance. Having no experience or training in woodcraft, driven only by blind will, he decided to build a wooden canoe, and he would aim to paddle it on the first anniversary of his father’s death.

While Preszler taught himself how to use his father’s tools, he confronted unexpected revelations about his father’s secret history and his own struggle for self-respect. The grueling challenges of boatbuilding tested his limits, but the canoe became his sole consolation. Gradually, Preszler learned what working with his hands offered: a different per­spective on life, and the means to change it.

Little and Often is an unflinching account of bereavement and a stirring reflection on the complexities of inheritance. Between his past and his present, and between America’s heartland and its coasts, Preszler shows how one can achieve reconciliation through the healing power of creativity.

©2021 Trent Preszler (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Beautiful tribute to the power of Family

In whatever form a family takes whether it be your biological connections or the ones that form from the people that you love or all the animals that come into your life that love you unconditionally, family is essential to humanity. The author has eliminated the essential need for a family and connectivity in this modern world

Loved every word

The Author is neurotic in the best way his ability to describe a setting is remarkable. The Narrator was captivating his voice and his ability to submerge you into the story is extraordinary.

Must Listen

I don’t usually like audio books because the narrator is usually boring or hard to understand. Mr. Bomer made this story come alive and with emotion and sensitivity! The author made a good choice. The book was honest and real. I think the senior Mr. Preszler would have been proud.

Beautifully written story

I haven't read/heard a book in a long time that is so relatable and well told. I didn't want the book to end. The narrator did a perfect job with the story. Well worth the time spent listening to this, but don't expect to be able to multitask while listening because you won't want to miss any of it.

Unforgettable story!

Everyone should read this man’s story of life, death, relationships, and finding who you are. Full of love, hope, insight and a fair amount of sadness, this goes on my top 5 list. Out of pain comes peace in so many ways.

I need more

I want more of hist story and I want more stories like this! I laughed I cried I smiled. thank you.

Beautifully Woven Story of Family Dynamics

This story is well written, connecting the early life of the main character with his current life. This book was a warm relief of how growing up culminates in lessons when losing a parent. Beautifully woven, impeccably read.

Wonderful read

I read the reviews without reading what the book was actually about and took a gamble that really paid off. The narration was perfect and the story was so good! What a treat this was.

I live up here too

Being from northern rural Minnesota, I felt everything. I cried Little and Often while listening.

Just wonderful

The story and the narration were splendid. My hat off to Trent for grappling with loss and frustration and turning it toward something real. In the meantime, it seems he learned so much other than boat building. I’m grateful that he shared his very moving story.