Sounds Like Settling: A Short Story

Ten Thousand Words or Less, Book 2

By: Justin M. Johnson

Narrated by: Tom Jordan

Length: 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Derek Knight is more than just a little frustrated with his day to day. But an unexpected trip to a new place might just change more than his perspective.

©2017 Justin M. Johnson (P)2017 Justin M. Johnson and CCS Publishing

Muscling through life, everyone can relate

In less than 25 minutes, Sounds like Settling takes you on an epic where a presumably middle-aged married father with a job he loathes checks out from reality for a little while.

The setup in the story is hilarious, and expletives fly, but tastefully so. Not knowing what to expect, I laughed out loud driving in the car as the pictures painted are all too familiar. Dad gets up a bit earlier than everyone else so there's some peace and tranquility for an hour before the "avalanche comes down the mountain". I may have rewound this scene more than once.

Another clear picture is the workplace where people make stupid small talk, bicker about nonsense and inflate who they are and what they have going on. Paperwork never ends, emails flood the inbox, and it all eventually becomes too much. Dad decides a few minutes before his scheduled lunch break screw this, I'm taking off, and proceeds to drive around town with no plan. Ultimately, he stops at a fine restaurant, orders an expensive lunch, and pontificates on it all. It was easy for me to put myself in the story.

How does the story end? Find out for yourself.

I received a copy of this book from the narrator (thank you again, Tom, I love listening to your work, and this one was quite different for you!) in exchange for an honest review.

Great short story! Terrific narration!

Yes, it's short, but it's meaningful and engaging. There's something about a short story, told well, that makes for a great "break" in your day. This was like a breath of fresh air.

Tom Jordan's narration was wonderful. He captured the characters and brought the listener along on the journey of the main character as he made his transition to a happier place in his mind - can't spoil it for you, you'll hear it happening if you get the book. :)

Recommended for anyone searching for a great little escape from their daily grind.

An engaging short-story that many listeners will resonate with

Sounds Like Settling is an engaging short-story that many listeners will resonate with. The protagonist is father and husband with a mundane job, who loves his wife and children, but has gotten so entrenched in his life’s chaotic challenges that he is FED UP. The narrator, Tom Jordan, does a wonderful job of connecting you to the story, bringing you into the main characters’ thoughts as he goes on a small adventure and slowly comes to terms with his situation, turning things around for the better. It’s encouraging and pleasant short story that leaves the listener thinking about all the good things in life and what the future has in store for us all.

May today be the day you loved each other least

Any additional comments?

Oh my goodness but this hits way too close to home. Especially the distinction between love and enjoyment. The first half of this story embodies the feeling of being crushed under a mountain of minutia and grayness like a less funny Office Space.

In the lunch hour scene the person I empathized with but kind of hate, in that self loathing kind of way, finally gets to exhale. The unwinding is palpable in his slide into self reflection. And I get to like him for the first time. The unexpectedly optimistic, life affirming ending was very satisfying. Act 2 was filled with as much hope as Act 1 lacked.

The narration matched the story's emotional arc, which is really saying something with this story. The lows and the highs feel earned and honest.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.