Replays

New Jersey flavors both REPLAYS and the author. Hawthorn would not trade his Jersey upbringing with anyone anywhere. Stories occur in the suburbs of Trenton in local taverns with a rediscovered best friend, DP Ski. Or in the Jersey Pines, California, the Bahamas, and Florida—"You never know what you're going to get." The narratives have replayed in the writer's mind for decades. While parts are fictional, Hawthorn experienced much of what happens. Humor, Jersey sarcasm, and eccentric characters permeate the narratives. Hawthorn and Ski ponder and probe their past, personal dilemmas, relationships, God, what has value, lessons learned, and how they've changed.

New Jersey flavors both the author and the twenty-seven short stories of REPLAYS. Hawthorn would not trade where and when he grew up with anyone else on Earth. His colorful Jersey upbringing enlivens his tales—a place where the milestones of yutes fly by sooner than elsewhere. Stories occur in the suburbs of Trenton in local taverns with a rediscovered best friend, DP Ski. Or on a road, past a boulder, going down the shore through the Jersey Pines. Or in California, the Bahamas, and Florida—"You never know what you're going to get." The stories blend friends and events replaying in the writer's mind for decades. While parts are fictional, Hawthorn experienced much of what happens. Plenty of humor, Jersey sarcasm, and eccentric characters permeate the narratives. Hawthorn and Ski ponder and probe their past, personal dilemmas, relationships, God, what has value, lessons learned, and how they've changed. They single out life's little joys—ordinary things that bring happiness in small doses.

REPLAYS is Gary Hawthorn's first book, written after returning home to New Jersey. Hawthorn earned graduate degrees from Drexel, Harvard, and MIT. He worked in state, federal, and international agencies on environmental issues as an employee and consultant. As an entrepreneur, he imported unique French corkscrews—and launched an online tee shirt company offering whimsical designs. Gary's trip home to Jersey provides him a fresh look at himself and his life. He rediscovers an old friend and resamples the character of Jersey people—their passions and idiosyncrasies. He begins writing short stories about his past and present. Many memories have replayed in his mind over decades. They won't let go. The book comes now because the passing years have provided perspective—and maybe a little wisdom. Those years have increased his desire to write about what has mattered most and why. Growing older brings an appreciation for the life he's been lucky enough to live. Gary lives with his wife Lucille in Cape May, New Jersey —Exit 0 on the Garden State Parkway.