Likely Stories - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

“Theo of Golden,” by Allen Levi, is a novel about Theo, a man in his senior years, who just shows up in the southern college town of Golden one spring. He goes to a locally owned coffee shop and soon makes friends with everyone around him. Hanging on the walls of the coffee shop are framed pencil portraits of the townspeople. Theo decides to purchase them one at a time, meet with the person in the portrait to get to know him or her, and to gift the drawing. Why would an old-fashioned stranger with a foreign accent go to a small southern college town to spend his money on amateur portraits in order to bless lives? The reasons are unknown to anyone but Theo, but as this beautifully crafted story slowly unfolds, all is revealed.

There is often more generosity behind the meetings than just handing over the drawing. Theo learns of a couple who longs for children, but the stress of their high-level jobs is making it impossible. Theo’s willingness to give his full attention and just listen turns into a life-changing decision for a harried woman. His generosity is not limited to the gift of time and attention. After meeting a custodian at the college, he learns that his young daughter was in a serious car wreck, and without insurance, the girl is not receiving the quality care needed for her to walk again.

Theo arranges a completely anonymous payment for the girl to receive care from the best orthopedic surgeon in the area. Theo also spends his time going on a day bicycle tour of the town with a most eccentric homeless woman, supporting the artist who created the drawings, and is a champion for both a music student and an overlooked street performer. This seems to be Theo’s gift, to be a champion for the forgotten, even if they don’t realize they have been forgotten.

I had three friends at three different times tell me, “You must read this book.” They were correct, and I can testify “Theo of Golden” is now on my list as one of the best and most beloved books I’ve ever read. It is glorious in it’s character development, and the way the story unfolds is graceful and enthralling.

“Theo of Golden,” by Allen Levi. Theo is the main character’s name. Golden is the town. That should help you find this extraordinary read. I know I say this all the time, but you really don’t want to miss this one. You will be blessed.

RECENT EPISODES OF LIKELY STORIES

Likely Stories - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

A charming but mysterious stranger arrives in a college town. He skirts questions about himself and his past, but soon becomes a vital part of the community through his kindness, his generosity, and his willingness to be friends with anyone.Welcome to “Likely Stories.”I’m Diane Kemper.

Likely Stories - The Compound by Aisling Rawle

Love Island meets Lord of the Flies meets Survivor meets Big Brother is a heavy mantle for a book to carry, but it’s an accurate description of what you’ll think of when you read The Compound by Aisling Rawle.

Teaching Under the Influence by Sandra Walters

"Every Kid Deserves a Champion" is a famous quote by educator powerhouse Rita Pearson. For years, teachers have been considered champions for students regardless of their economic background, academic growth, race, or behavior. History.

Likely Stories - Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

Hello. My name is Douglas Henry, Dean of the Honors College at Baylor University, with this week’s edition of Likely Stories. Fantasy writer R.F. Kuang published her sixth novel last year. It’s called Katabasis, an odd but fitting Greek word for her story of academic misadventure.

Likely Stories - A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon

Have you ever felt overwhelmed, and maybe just a bit freaked out, by the absurd enormity of inhabiting a fragile body in a rapidly-changing and dangerous world? George Hall has, a little too often. I’m Gia Chevis, and for this week’s installment of Likely Stories on KWBU, I’m recommending A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon, author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Likely Stories - A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst

A married couple’s long awaited adventure at sea becomes a disaster and a nearly four month long deperation to stay alive.

Likely Stories - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I don't know if there is a more perfect book. I've read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern five times (unheard of for someone like me who does not ever reread books), and each time I find myself utterly captivated by this beautiful, mystical story of love, magic, sweeping talents and mystery, and the ties that bind us to each other.

Likely Stories - The Book of Light by Lucille Clifton

This is Guilherme Feitosa de Almeida, senior lecturer in music theater at Baylor University. I'm here with this week's edition of Likely Stories.

Likely Stories - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo

Have you contemplated spring cleaning? When this bug hit me, I turned to the grand-master cleaner, Marie Kondo, for inspiration. This best-selling author has sold 9 million copies of her classic book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up – the Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Ok, add me, Maggie McCarthy, to the ranks of readers as I set out on my decluttering journey with this instructive read.

Likely Stories - Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur by Jeff Pearlman

I'm Kevin Tankersley and this is likely stories on KWBU. I first learned about the book 'Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur' when I heard the author Jeff Pearlman on 'The Pete Sousa Show' podcast last year. I knew of Pearlman from his writings at Sports Illustrated and ESPN. He was a sports guy. Why would he be talking about Tupac?