Waiting for Pops by John Philip Riffice

"I guess what shocked me the most wasn't what Mom said, but more the fact that she sounded fun, you know, like Pops was." Page 64

Pops was always polite and a great dad...Mom on the other hand started drinking and made life miserable for the entire family.  Poor Johnny Ryba.....it was difficult to have a mother like he did.  He was thankful for his dad.

WAITING FOR POPS is a nostalgic trip back to the 50's with Johnny Ryba and his family.  The book is told through Johnny's eyes as he weaves from the present to his past and is so well written you will feel yourself being drawn right into the pages of the book and sharing the experiences.

The Ryba family appears to be normal, but as you continue the nostalgic trip, you will see that the family would be called dysfunctional in today's terms...an alcoholic mother, a workaholic dad that allows work to help him escape the problems at home, a sister who needs a lot of care, and Johnny who has to deal with it all.  Thank goodness he had his dad to help him through it...dad was always there for him whether he was actually present or not.

Johnny definitely had a difficult childhood...."I look back now and realize that I had more problems as a kid than more adults have as adults."  Page 140 Your heart will break at some of the things Johnny had to endure.

The book continued with Johnny turning into a man...and that included swearing.  I enjoyed the book...the ending will surprise you and is definitely worth waiting for even though it includes regrets, betrayal, heartbreak, forgiveness, and an ending that fits perfectly with the book title.  Great writing and a great book.  5/5