Easy Trouble is a collection of letters and short stories written by my brother, Brendan, 35, who is currently incarcerated at Central Michigan Correctional Facility. With an instinctive talent for writing, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Literature from the University of Michigan. Through his writing, he express himself with an unfiltered look into his life inside the United States prison system, sharing his story, personal reflections, and daily challenges. An attestment to the persistence of the human spirit. As his brother, I created this blog with him after exchanging many heartfelt messages, reading about his experiences navigating prison culture and adjusting to life behind bars. Here, I share his stories and messages to give insight into his current situation and journey. Readers can connect with him through JPAY. Michigan Department of Corrections Location: Central Michigan Correctional Facility. Inmate ID #511007
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant - Anne TylerThe Bright Book of Life - Harold BloomThe Book of Power - ed. by Mitch HorowitzThe Deep Blue Good-Bye - John D. MacDonaldNightmare in Pink - John D. MacDonald I don't know how it took me so many years to first hear about the Travis McGee series. Written … Continue reading Books I Read This Month (December 2024)
A visit is a Dickensian prospect--it's the best of prison, it's the worst of prison, etc. It's the only place you can touch or be touched without weird or menacing undertones. When I saw my friend last year, it was my first hug in years. For two hours, I felt somehwat normal by not putting … Continue reading “Waiting to Visit, Waiting to Leave, Waiting All the Time pt. 1”
A Man With No Country - Kurt Vonnegut Water For Elephants - Sara Gruen I remember seeing the Kurt Vonnegut book prominently displayed in bookstores when I was a teenager first starting to explore bookstores. It was published in 2004-05. Vonnegut is the celebrated author of "Slaughterhouse Five" and "Cat's Cradle," amongst others. He is considered … Continue reading Books I Read This Month – October 2024
There's a lot of haters in prison. They hate when you try to better yourself, they hate when you work hard, they hate when you get big. Most of all, they hate when you have "money." They don't think you deserve it. They bemoan their destitution and live off $20 state rip. They don't bother … Continue reading jPay Message #687
Books I Read This Month - July 2024 The Thanatos Syndrome - Walker PercyHer Fearful Symmetry - Audrey Niffenegger Anytime you hear about 20th century Catholic writers, Walker Percy inevitably comes up. He is the most notable Catholic writer post-Vatican 2. Although he's personally religious, this novel is not didactic or preachy, but it is … Continue reading Books I Read This Month (July 2024)
Easy Trouble 