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 - Love, Sivvy by R.L. Toalson

I'm Joe Riley, and this is Likely Stories. I recently accompanied my wife, a school librarian, to the Texas Library Association convention. She won an award, and I'm proud of her, but this is not a review of her, but rather of a book she picked up there: an autographed copy of 'Love, Sivvy', a novel inspired by the life letters and diaries of young Sylvia Plath.

Likely Stories - Saints and Liars by Deborah Dwork

I consider myself a fairly courageous person, but I will confess after reading this book, I’ve decided maybe not. To purposefully travel to foreign countries to put yourself in harm’s way to protect complete strangers is a level of bravery reserved for the military, not your neighbors.Welcome to “Likely Stories.”I’m Diane Kemper.

Likely Stories - Trouble Boys by Bob Mehr

Hi, Malcolm Foster here, operations assistant at KWBU and habitual stacker of books that one day, hopefully, will eventually be read. For this week's episode of Likely Stories, I’m combining two of my passions. Music and the written word.

Likely Stories - The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand

Hi, and welcome back to another edition of Likely Stories. I’m Paige Connell, and I teach English at Midway High School. Growing up, I went to a private school for many years, though it wasn’t a boarding school, and whether it’s in real life or in pop culture, I think there’s just something about the prestige and allure of a private academy that makes people want to know all the potentially lurid details of life behind the curtain.

Likely Stories - Why I Love Horror by Becky Siegel Spatford

I have a confession to make. I hate jump-scare horror movies. I always have. I don’t enjoy being startled. It took me until adulthood before I could even watch fireworks without bracing myself for the next explosion. (Truth be told, I still kind of do). I’m not a huge fan of gory horror movies either. And yet, I absolutely love horror novels.

Likely Stories - Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word and Me by Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor

I’m Kevin Tankersley, and this is Likely Stories.

Likely Stories - The Land and Its People by David Sedaris

My name is Maggie McCarthy and today I will be reviewing The Land and Its People by David Sedaris.

Likely Stories - Two Old Women by Velma Wallis

I'm not a huge fan of hot weather. My summer reads tend to be set in cold climates, in wintertime- books that take me away from the heart of Texas. Two Old Women by Velma Wallis is a perfect diversion.

Likely Stories - A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L Peck

Imagine if one day you suddenly discovered that the tenets that have governed your life, through no choice of your own, have been undeniably broken. This is exactly where protagonist Soren Johanssen finds himself at the start of Steven L Peck’s novella, ‘A Short Stay in Hell.’

Likely Stories - Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

Haven’t we all thought at one point how nice it would be to get away from the hustle and bustle of workaday life and return to living in simpler times? To disconnect, to live off the land, to embrace true family values? It sounds so refreshing in theory, but I’m not sure I could hack it in reality.