Title: A Bag of Tricks: Short Stories and Poems
Author: Peter Leibert
Publisher: Author’s Tranquillity Press
ISBN: 9781959453475
Pages: 113
Genre: Short Stories / Poetry / Memoir
Reviewed by: Gabriella Harrison

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Peter Leibert reminisces on his boyhood, teenage years, and adult life in A Bag of Tricks: Short Stories and Poems. There are many hilarious anecdotes recounted in the book. Some of these are due to the cultural differences between England and America. The author recalls a time when he was playing some jigs and reels on the streets of New London during Sail Fest, and his boss walked by but refused to look at him, probably wondering why he was begging on the streets. He then states how it’s seen as begging in America but regarded as an honourable profession that provides young musicians a chance to hone their skills in England and other countries in Europe.

The author also reminisces on the good old days, in which there was shared trust and an open-door policy that allowed delivery people to unpack deliverables in places like the kitchen. He also mentioned how the mailman could come into a house to drop the mail even when the owners were away, and there was no need for the alarms being used today, which hadn’t even been invented.

There is no definite order to the recollections, so it’s easy to read the stories and poems in any order. Also, the book can be read in one sitting, with some stories being only a page long. At the same time, this brevity can lead to some confusion as to the message the author is trying to convey. There is a lovely mix of quirky and intriguing characters in the book, and the author displays a talent for bringing characters to life through detailed descriptions.

The love the author shows for his family is heart-warming. He also displays an understanding of the important role each creature has and respect for animals. He often puts himself in their shoes, as in the poem “The Beaver Lady,” who would do anything to protect and provide for her young. He also displays an affinity for cats and recounts the impact different cats like Painter and Mama Kitty had on him, and his sorrow whenever he saw a dead cat.

The book also shows the author’s keen observation skills, even as a small boy. An instance is when he noticed that his ninety-four years old babysitter was unhappy and harming herself.

I noticed a few grammatical errors while reading the book, which necessitates my suggesting additional proofreading. The book also deals with the sensitive topic of self-harm and has poems and stories about alcohol consumption and smoking, which makes it inappropriate for children.