Title: A Guy Named Charley: My Refusal To Be Average
Author: Charley P. Riney
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1532061073
Pages: 202
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

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Canadian poet Rupi Kaur once said, “My heart is beating, and I’m breathing, and nothing anybody has ever done has changed that.” In author Charley P. Riney’s book A Guy Named Charley: My Refusal To Be Average, a powerful memoir about one man facing severe health problems and refusing to be overcome by them takes shape and inspires us all to fight against the odds given to us by others.

In this autobiographical book, the author shares the story of his life, from his childhood and the events that shaped who he is today; from humorous tales of roosters scaring him away from birds for life, or serious tales like the way a basketball helped him cope with the loss of his mother weeks before leaving for college, to the way athletics and education helped him find purpose in life. From there, the author eloquently shares the tragic circumstances of his health, from several heart attacks, heart surgery and several other health struggles. Yet through it all the author shares the mentality he adopted, which was to consider himself above average so that he could overcome his illnesses and continue to push the boundaries that doctors and health professionals bestowed on him.

The author’s tone throughout the book is what really made this memoir so engaging. Often lighthearted, other times emotional or inspirational, the author’s descriptive narration of his life combined with the compelling events that shaped his life made this memoir inspiring throughout the book. It felt as if you could have been sitting down to a cup of coffee with the author, talking casually as if you were old friends about life and where it had taken one another. It was definitely a memoir that felt personal to both the author and the reader.
This is a memoir meant for anyone who enjoys inspiring athletes and athletic leadership, stories of overcoming great odds against life or in particular health struggles, or anyone who enjoys the memoir genre as a whole. As someone who themselves struggles with health issues daily, it was refreshing to see someone positively battle the illnesses without losing the hope, confidence or power to life their life as best they could.

This is a must read book. Informative, personal and a fairly quick read, the memoir is something that will inspire us all and bring about a sense of hope. Filled with great stories of athletic experiences, the fight for one’s health and the fight to retain disability help from the government; and an author who’s writing feels not only natural, but relaxed and inspired in every page, this is a book you won’t soon forget. Be sure to grab your copy of A Guy Named Charlie: My Refusal to Be Average by Charley P Riney today.