Don't Call Me Jupiter—Book One "Tightrope"

Memoir of a Reluctant Hippie Kid

By: Tom J. Bross

Narrated by: Tom J. Bross

For fans of Running with Scissors, The Glass Castle, and Educated, comes a true coming-of-age memoir about a vagabond family led by a self-absorbed, eccentric hippie mother during the age of Aquarius.

Devastating family drama, abandonment, and drugs are balanced with laugh-out-loud humor that will keep you turning pages. You'll laugh, cry, and be left begging for more. The story begins with an episode that occurred in 1974.

When Tom Bross (age 12) experiences a sudden move from Davis to San Anselmo to live with their God Family. Just two months later they move back to Davis with no place to live. His brother and sisters are dropped off at their friend's houses. Tom ends up in the garage of one of his mother's ex-lovers. It's from this dreary location that he recalls his family's truly strange transition.

Led by his mother, the Martha Stewart of Hippies, they transform from a normal conservative, mid-western, Catholic family into a clan of liberal, psychedelic-bus-tripping, pot-smoking, nature-loving, California free spirits. And with most dysfunctional families they come with a cost.

Author's Note: “Imagine a 1970’s version of Shameless but with less booze, more weed, and way more hallucinogenics.”

DON’T CALL ME JUPITER PROVIDES AN ACCURATE, VISCERAL, ENTERTAINING, REAL-LIFE PERSPECTIVE INTO THE UPS AND DOWNS OF SURVIVING A HIPPIE CHILDHOOD WITH A NARCISSIST AS A MOTHER. AS YOU DIG DEEPER INTO HIS STRUGGLE YOU LEARN HOW TO FORGIVE WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET.

©2021 Tom J. Bross (P)2021 Tom J. Bross

Absolutely loved this book!

This book was so funny and sad. I loved it! Definitely recommend reading it! Thumbs up!

Can't wait for the next book!

Loved the raw honesty, life lessons and love for your siblings and mom even through all the dysfunction.

Loved it

I laughed and cried and laughed! I can’t wait to start the next one. Hoping it is made into a movie or limited series soon.

How love of family and resilience trumps all!

I disliked how self absorbed Mare was and LOVED how her children thrived in spite of it.

Slow start, but worth the wait!

I almost gave up in the beginning, but so glad that I didn’t! Tom brought the ‘70’s back in spades. Hearing the book in his voice added to the experience. Great talent!