A Holiday Shopper’s Guide to…’Reunion: Coda’

“A writer hopes never to offend, but if he must, pray let him offend the gods before the reviewers.” ― Chila Woychik, On Being a Rat and Other Observations

“Writing fiction, especially a long work of fiction can be difficult, lonely job; it’s like crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a bathtub. There’s plenty of opportunity for self-doubt.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

With Christmas less than a week away, and knowing that at least some of you have bibliophiles on your holiday shopping lists, I thought it would be a good idea to recommend my Jim Garraty stories as the perfect gift for those who love stories with relatable situations and believable characters.

Today I’ll be focusing on Reunion: Coda, the second book in the Reunion Duology and, incidentally, my first novel! (Reunion: A Story is a novella, while Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen is a novelette.)

Reunion: Coda

(Book Two of the Reunion Duology)

In Reunion; Coda, Jim Garraty’s journey continues as he navigates the intricate dance between past regrets and present hopes. Now a successful history professor, Jim’s life is a tapestry of unspoken love, haunting memories, and the pursuit of emotional closure.

As Jim reflects on his high school years and the profound impact of his relationships, he grapples with the lessons learned from missed opportunities and the unpredictable nature of life. Through introspective moments and heartfelt letters, Jim uncovers the strength to confront his deepest fears and embrace new beginnings.

Reunion: Coda delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the enduring power of memory. It also explores the significance of friendship and the unpredictable turns that shape our lives. This poignant novel is a heartfelt exploration of the choices that define us, the connections that sustain us, and the hope that guides us on the journey of self-discovery.

Selected Reviews

Pooja Gudka’s Review:

Firstly, the writing was excellent. I felt drawn in from the moment I began reading, and I think it helped that I was already familiar with the characters. I appreciate that his writing is incredibly intelligent and well done without crossing the line into being pretentious.

I thought the themes that Alex Diaz-Granados chose to explore were very meaningful. Lost love, loss in general, and being stuck in the past/memories of the past are things we can all relate to.

I really enjoy the way Alex creates characters because they very much feel like real people. They have flaws, and they have redeeming qualities, just as most of us do.

I won’t go into the details of the plot because with books like this one, giving away too much can ruin the experience for other readers. But, I will say there are some beautiful moments, some heavy moments, some thoughtful moments, and most importantly, the plot deals with the complex nature of relationships that humans have with one another. We crave love, social interactions, and connections, yet when we achieve them, things are often more complicated than we realise.

Overall, I very much enjoyed Reunion: Coda by Alex Diaz-Granados. I had pretty high hopes for this book, and he delivered. If you enjoy a poignant, thoughtful, and well-written book, this one is for you. I highly recommend it. And if you haven’t read the first book in the series, please do, as it will help you understand the plot of this one much better.

Scott Dickert’s Review

A good read! The author does a very good job of telling a story in which the characters feel natural, and the themes are relatable. I was struck by how genuine the thoughts and emotions in the story are; it reads and comes off like the characters are real people, with unique personalities and human thoughts, and aren’t just used as plot devices. A good story and easy read to get lost in.

Denise Longrie’s Review

This novel is a lyrical story of new love interwoven with a story of acceptance of love lost and self-forgiveness. In his mid-thirties, Professor Jim Garraty is lucky in many ways. His dream of teaching history has come true. His books enjoy mild success. At the same time, he’s smarting from a painful divorce.

One evening, as he’s enjoying a drink at a bar, a woman with a full book bag approaches him and asks, “Is this seat taken?” She’s a stranger, but there’s something familiar about her, something that summons memories from long ago.

Alex writes in lush tones, where New York City’s winter gray skies give way to warmth inside apartments. The sun casts long, golden rays and deep shadows. Big band and orchestral music play large roles in the book, setting the mood for joy and reverence.

Another theme is regret over bad choices, missed opportunities, and forgiveness for falling short.