*** JUDGE'S COMMENTARY, 24th ANNUAL WRITER'S DIGEST SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK AWARDS ***

Einstein Meadows: The Unspoken Perils and Thrills of Living in a Retirement Community by Ned and Nancy Engel is a delightful romp through the lives of some very lively age-advanced folks who take life by the tail and swing it around at will. Readers will want more after they finish this book, so I sure hope the Engels are busy at work on their next senior adventure.

I would love to be a fly on the wall in this husband-wife author team's home. I have no doubt they have a rollicking good time, with zingers and escapades that can fill dozens of books for hungry readers. They are spot on with humor, and they've nailed the characters most of us have met somewhere, sometime in our lives.

The colorful front cover sets the tone and lets readers know what they're getting when they open the book. It smacks of "aging hippie," something many of us can relate to. The back cover copy is marketing at its finest. I appreciate the author photo and brief bios so readers can get to know them and believe what they write about.

The only issue I have is the format of the dialogue. A more traditional novel format will take this book from very good to amazing. Other than that, this book is pretty wonderful. It's well organized and competently written. The little "Dear Reader" boxes are hilarious. The Yiddish dictionary in the back matter is a nice touch and enables those of us who aren't familiar with some of the words and phrases to have a better understanding.

This will be such a fun book to market. You can travel the country and speak at senior centers and retirement communities. Just make sure you have plenty of copies of the book. I have no doubt you'll sell out quickly.

***** 5-STAR REVIEWS *****

A LAUGH ON EVERY PAGE!

Who knew retirement could be so much fun? The characters jump off the page and keep you interested in their antics. It's easy to find a character that reminds you of a real-life person you know. And you'll want to share the fun with your friends. - Garden Mom

NEVER DULL!!

As one living in a retirement community, I thoroughly enjoyed this humorous book. It is a fun read and I am recommending it to my friends and neighbors. You'll love this beach read! - Dee Bedell

FLY ON THE WALL POV!

Funny insider view of an upscaled retirement community! Many surprises. . . I felt like Uncle John and Grandmom were telling stories. . . If you ever wanted to know the "real" life experiences in those senior homes then read "Einstein Meadows" . . . and don't ever be fooled again by those photos of manicured golf courses and fancy dining rooms you see in those fancy brochures. . . they don't tell the whole story! I've started reading Book 2 - cause I can't wait to know what happens next:) - Natalie

GANJAPRENEURSHIP!

A rollicking read sending up baby boomer sensibilities with wit and wackiness. "Ganjapreneurship!" What a gonzo concept. We need it now! - Jonatales

BRAVO!!!

Einstein Meadows is amazingly prescient and FUN!!! Sounds like the kind of place so many of us want to end up.

I say it’s worth 5 STARS. - J.E. Manning

EINSTEIN MEADOWS IS A GREAT READ!

This book is a laugh a minute. The characters are colorful, comical and very entertaining. Every chapter reveals a surprise like no other. Could this be real? We have enjoyed it immensely. - Gerald and Sally

WHAT A HOOT!

Great send up of retirement and HOA life. I recognize some of those folks. What a hoot. - ELR

COMBINES ALL THE PATHOS OF DR. SEUSS WITH THE JOIE DE VIVRE AND COMPASSION OF CATCH-22

Ned and Nancy aren't just Cosmic Twins; they ARE unequivocal Cosmic Renaissance Twins!! Their entry into the publishing world reads like a modern day version of Michelangelo trying to get the Sistine Chapel done on time and on budget.

Of course, Jews weren't exactly welcome during the enlightenment, so we have to go back a little further in time; to note that it compares favorably to Moses' unrecorded remarks at the Temple Mount when he asked God, " Oy, do You really expect me to carry these things down the mountain? They weigh a ton."

Anyway, your first chapter was a real attention grabber (not unlike Galileo's when he proposed that the world was round).
Can't wait for the sequel: "Einstein Meadows - Out to Pasture". The story of two alter cockers crusading to reform their assisted care living residence before they forget for what they're fighting. - Dr. Norm

A MUST READ!

Hilarious!!!! This is a fun & fast read! It can be enjoyed by anyone - young or retired! Highly recommend it! - Rosemarie Gardner, Ed.D.

ZANY AND MADCAP FICTIONAL FANTASY. A QUICK READ!!

Chapter to chapter, Einstein Meadows: The Unspoken Perils & Thrills of Living in a Retirement Community was both zany and madcap. The book was a quick read. I love the short chapters and the longer chapters being scattered with subheadings. It created a quick moving unpredictable type of mayhem, somewhat like the feeling one gets in watching a Marx Brothers’ movie.

Einstein Meadows makes heavy use of Yiddish references and therefore I was happy to find the Yiddish to English dictionary in the back of the book. Not being of Jewish heritage, some of the references were obscure but quickly became understandable with a simple flip to the dictionary. The list of characters, including Sigmund Freud, grew ever longer as the book progressed and consisted of wild but metaphorically meaningful names.

The characters often reminded me of the Larry, Darryl and Darryl sketches on The Bob Newhart Show of the mid-seventies in which Larry’s outrageous stories often held more truth than fiction. I also enjoyed the insertion of Shakespearean-esque asides by the authors. Their appearance here and there drew me into the story and gave me a sense of being a personal confidant of Ned and Nancy Engel the authors and primary characters of this fictional fantasy.

The book ends with a tantalizing “TO BE CONTINUED” I can’t wait. - David Giannascoli, Ph.D.

A WITTY AND OFTEN-TIMES LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY DEPICTION OF A CRAZY NOT SO OLD CAST OF CHARACTERS

A witty and often-times laugh out loud funny depiction of a crazy not-so-old cast of characters finding their way toward a better feeling of community. - Jeanne T. Mendez

A LITERARY GEM!

Well written and very funny. When is the TV series going to air? I'd like to see one of the gold coins you discovered. Plus, would you please tell me exactly where the Eruditie Playpen at Einstein Meadows is located so I can join in; GPS coordinates would be appreciated. In anticipation - Master Martin

EINSTEIN MEADOWS IS DESTINED FOR THE BIG SCREEN!

What a hilarious, wacky, outlandish set of characters that ever got together in a book. Despite the residents’ aversion to anything new, Nancy and Ned (aka the authors) solve the countless problems that plague Einstein Meadows with assistance from the most unusual sources. And then, not to give anything away, almost everyone comes out on the plus side. What a wonderful world. Send them over to my adult community any time. See what magic they can spin. – Barb M.

HILARIOUS!

I was fortunate enough to win a copy of this lovely little book in a Goodreads drawing. I started reading in the backyard and found myself laughing out loud. My neighbor asked me over the fence what was going on. I shared what I’d read so far and suggested she get a copy for herself.

This small book is packed with an amazing number of incredible exploits of a retirement village called Einstein Meadows which was going broke. The tenants lead by a creative few encouraged the residents to make some changes to rescue them all from boredom and make the village a paradise which would attract new members and become financial stable.

The village is governed by an HOA committee you won’t believe. They were persuaded over time to make radical changes which will surprise, delight and possibly scandalize the reader. You will be entertained in any case.

The only thing missing from this wonderful book was an application to get on the wait list to join this incredible community and get to meet the unusual residents. Otherwise, this delightful book will provide everything you could want in a great summer or weekend read.

– Margaret

A MOTLEY CREW OF SENIORS RESCUING THEIR RETIREMENT HOME BY GROWING MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

When does the movie come out? The book was chapter after chapter of laughs. Caught myself wishing a few times that I had retired to Einstein Meadows where I could enjoy the gardens and the never dull dynamic. Eagerly awaiting volume 2 and a movie and TV spin off.

- Hannah

I LOVE HOW YOUR VOICES SHINE IN THE WRITING!

Reading it all was like having a roadside chat with you and Ned. Or sitting on the dock at the lake listening to your many stories and adventures. The characters are wild and engaging (Bella Blozkop being a favorite). Ned's conversations with Dr. Freud were a delightful inclusion (though I prefer Jung - wink). All in all, Einstein Meadows was the perfect garden-side read. I guess we'd better gird our loins

for our future retirement advantures. - Best of luck, Dawn

A DELIGHTFUL BOOK

about the vagaries of faculty. A truly fun read! - Judith Hanna

*** JUDGE'S COMMENTARY, 29th ANNUAL WRITER'S DIGEST SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK AWARDS ***

I can feel the fun Nancy and Ned were having as they created this book. EINSTEIN MEADOWS QUE PASO: Lessons Learned While Letting It All Hang Out is an interesting exploration in genre, mode, medium; and the result is hilarious. I'm not sure if the generational gap between me and the subjects of the stories adds to the humor, but just imagining a retirement community this way and having this much fun somewhat makes me want to join one about 40 years early.

EINSTEIN MEADOWS represents what a self-published book should be -- a place for risks, wild adventures, and the opportunity for something new.

To offer many suggestions for improvement would honestly be to not understand the book. EINSTEIN MEADOWS rejects criticism by being what it is wholeheartedly. This books works so well in its dialog exchanges and dramatic, play-style of storytelling you will be swept up in the characters' tales, eagerly anticipating what lies ahead. I did feel like I was missing something from not having read the original EINSTEIN MEADOWS: The Unspoken Perils & Thrills of Living in a Retirement Community, so I suggest you do.

***** 5-STAR REVIEWS *****

EINSTEIN MEADOWS CONTINUES TO ROCK

Another fun read with a fantastic cast of interesting (and varied) characters. Dumpster Diving Divas, Sexbots that say NO (must be their safe word), a return of Dr. Freud, and the new favorite (Jungian) El Sabio in chihuahua form. Ned and Nancy took me on another incredible ride where even those of a certain age are never too old to turn a bawdy phrase, expand their entrepreneur horizons or get thrown out of hotels. Yes, welcome to Einstein Meadows!

- Dawn Z.

STORYTELLING AT ITS FINEST! - Toni Anderson

AND THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES . . .

Once again it is the characters that carry the book. The authors bring each one to life with their little quirks, making you laugh out loud. The dialogue is great and the tongue-in-cheek humor will have you wondering if you've ever met the characters in real life. Weed, nudity, sex, all with plenty of Yiddish thrown in (Thanks for adding the Yiddish dictionary!) So, grab the book, your drink and head to the community pool and be prepared to share with those around you why you are laughing so hard as you read!

- Garden Mom

GREAT SEQUEL!
If I could stop laughing, I would be able to write a review. But seriously . . . I thought I would get a fast paced read. Forget about that. Between laughing so hard and rolling out of my seat, it took me twice as long to get through this belly laughing book. Mazel tov to you both. - Barb M.

EINSTEIN MEADOWS QUE PASO IS VERY ENTERTAINING

I enjoyed how the authors have a conversation with their readers. Ned and Nancy have created incredible characters that are funny and believable. The adventures of the Einstonians seem realistic because the authors cleverly weave factual material and references to the storyline. One of my favorite examples of this blend of reality and fiction is the sex robots the Meadowites invest their cash from the green grow. When Ned proposes sex robots to the community, he cites topics from the International Congress of Love and Sex with Robots, and provides the name and web address of an actual company that manufactures sex robots. Likewise before the group heads to Amsterdam for the Cannabis Cup, the librarian suggests "The Smoker's Guide", which is a tourist's reference to all things cannabis related in Amsterdam.

I appreciated the playful approach to Freudian theory throughout the book, and the not so subtle, but right on target poliltical commentary.

Einstein Meadows Que Paso is fast paced and a great read! I highly recommend it - Earl

PLAYFUL INSIGHTS

While just as zany, rollicking and wild as "Einstein Meadows: The Unspoken Perils & Thrills of Living in a Retirement Community," this sequel is different in that it has well-hidden instrutional content. Buried under the outrageous reactions among the characters of the book are 10 time-honored pieces of wisdon. These notions come out of the "solution-focused" area of positive psychology. So disguised are these epiphanies that they could be absorbed by even the most resistant of individuals. The format of this sequel is a departure from the format of the first book which was mostly narrative. This time the story moves forward almost entirely by means of dialogue. The overall mesage of this novel seems to be "The times, they are a-changin'. "

Chapter one is a definite help to all readers new to the residents of Einstein Meadows. A brief description is given of each of the array of characters returning from the first book and some new characters who appear in the sequel. Even for those who have read the first book, this first chapter is helpful in getting back into the mindset of this madcap retirement community. The back cover displays a good synopsis of the general story line of the book. However, there are any number of unmentioned unique features in the story line such as the description of a naked medicated Seder, the dumpster diving diva and the parable of "A farmer and a donkey."

The Yiddish dictionary included in this sequel just as there is in the first book is very helpful. It might have also been helpful to incude a marijuana user's dictionary. Those unfamiliar with the jargon of the marijuana culture can get lost at some points in the book. Indeed, there are many sidebar notes to assist those new to the marijuana culture to become savvy. Also scattered throughout the sequel are invitations to the reader to give feedback and suggestions to the authors. This is found to be a very appealing aspect of the novel.

- Dr. Dave

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WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

We need your help to share the joy of Einstein Meadows with everyone. Awesome job - but so easy to do. Simply write 5-star reviews of EINSTEIN MEADOWS: The Unspoken Perils & Thrills of Living in a Retirement Community and/or EINSTEIN MEADOWS QUE PASO Lessons Learned While Letting It All Hang Out and post them on Amazon.

In return, we'll send you the soon-to-be coveted secret decoder which unlocks the characters of the characters. Plus we'll reserve a seat for you at the premier screening of the Einstein Meadows movie or TV series when we get to Hollywood. That will be a real happening!

Not on Amazon, no problem. Send your review to us at createmiracles@einsteinmeadows and we'll post it here.

PEACE & LOVE ! Ned and Nancy

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