Brian Naranjo was born in Houston, TX. After spending his formative years in Cut ‘N Shoot and Conroe, he joined the Navy in 1990, at the age of 18. He was trained to be a military journalist, and served in Japan and Guam, working as a writer, disc jockey, television producer and public affairs representative. He left the Navy in 2000, and eventually started work for the U.S. Government, in public affairs. Today, Brian lives in Kansas with his wife, two children, a dog and two cats. He’s the author of two novels – Childish Things and The Tamale List.

There goes the neighborhood!

What happens when a Hispanic family moves onto a well-established white Midwestern cul-de-sac, dropping their language and culture into the vacated house of a popular widow? The answer will surprise you, and is found in The Tamale List, a light-hearted look at friendship, family, racial stereotypes and the way these elements can make or break a neighborhood.

The residents of Hacienda Court have their own little comfortable existence. They’ve raised their children, worked, and enjoyed their lives, talking, laughing and playing together. But their utopian street changes forever – for worse and for better - when a new family lays claim to The Widow’s house, and the amusing and mildly tragic events which follow will take you on a fun ride that leads to a surprising finale.

The Tamale List Video Trailer...Click Here to Open in New Window!

“The city could be Anytown, USA or the world. The setting is Indianapolis, Indiana. Families, neighbors, friends--the Carlsons and Kelleys are long term residents. New comers, interlopers, those unfamiliar---Grandma, Maria and Jose arrive in a pickup, loaded to the gills, to take up residence in the Widow's long vacant house at the end of the street. Oddity is not an acceptable diversion which many, on the street of "normalcy", can get their arms around. Respectability takes a beating. Marital disharmony surfaces. Friendships falter. Racism seems to be the angst factor.

         As a reader, I was caught up in the story, the relationships, the reality, the values, and the mystery. The pace meanders up and down Hacienda Ct.---moving just quickly enough. The book offers serious food for thought as our neighborhoods experience change. It is, finally, hopeful. A personal guide to preserving tradition and values.” -- Margi Marsett

“This book brought back so many memories. Having grown up making tamales with my Grandmother, this book captured the love and warmth that is found not only making tamales with your family, but also when they are given away as gifts. It is a tradition that is forever preserved in these pages.” – Laura Yambrick

              “The Tamale List resonates throughout suburban America, as family traditions compete with the faceless cul de sac neighborhoods sprawling across the country. Naranjo’s engaging story puts faith back into the American dream of owning a home in a true community- one where the word neighbor means more than just living next door.” – J.D. Cooper II

Childish Things     
by Brian Naranjo

Boot camp. Millions of young men have done it, survived it, been changed for the better by it. Kevin Grapas knows this, but that doesn’t take away his apprehension, his homesickness or his worry on the eve of his rude awakening to the U.S. Navy. In a final bid to hold on to the waning days of his childhood, Kevin teams up with his favorite cousin for one last night of freedom. The two reminisce on their time growing up – and a world of memories and possibilities emerge.  

Set in the 1990s, just before America’s first war in Iraq, Childish Things is the story of a boy’s transition into manhood, and offers an intimate exploration of how understanding the past can hold the keys to the future. 

Jim Santos says -

Kevin and Eugene take us on whirlwind trip into a past life filled with laughter, fear, frivolity and tears. Childish Things isn't just their story - it's every young man's story.

I don't know whether this novel is loosely based on Brian Naranjo's own life experiences or if it is a true autobiography, but that doesn't really matter. The story is captivating and filled with tons of emotion.

In one scene Kevin shares a story of a trip to drop off Eugene's neighbor, Scott, at his girlfriend's house. Kevin gets a ride aboard Eugene's brand new Ford Escort (manual transmission). What starts out as an innocent enough ride to help a friend hook up with his girl turns into a night of comical errs and "escape by the skin of your teeth" action. His description of events at Jack-in-the-Box was so vivid that I had to take break from my reading to stuff some cologne-laced cotton swabs up my nostrils. Can anything really smell that bad?

The book meanders down the twisting road of life as kids growing up - fun times at the grandparents home; the angst of bringing home sub-par school grades to a father awaiting with clenched fists; the potential loss of an older brother involved in a life-threatening motorcycle accident; a cousin that would have made a convincing Perry Mason. We learn that the decisions Kevin makes throughout his life are made based on his reactions to his environment until he reaches that point in his life where he comes of age. He finally comes to the realization that you can never really return home.

Eugene is a friend we all might have had or wished we had. He has had a tremendous impact on Kevin's life which he unselfishly shares with the reader. Kevin teaches us about the value of our family and our friends. Most importantly we learn about ourselves. After finishing the book I felt Kevin's great sense of loss at losing Eugene to the next great thing. I also closed the book with a tremendous sense of hope. Eugene leaves not only Kevin but all readers with one inescapable truth: that we all must never quit!

 

 

KelleyJane Paradise says -

Childish Things is a book that pulls you in on the first page and holds on to you long after the last. I enjoyed the reading, as I often felt as though I were right there in the conversation... or a part of the memory...

I found myself laughing aloud at things I have forgotten were earth-shatteringly funny as I child.... realizing now that I might not remember the gravity of many situations that my son may face.... and the "Childish" perspective with which he may face them.

Happy and more than sad, the book flows through many years and emotions. Thanks to the author for his humor and creativity.