It’s the winter of 1984. Twelve-year old Herbie and his two brothers—Wally and Cockroach—are enjoying the mayhem of winter break when a late Nor’easter blows through New England, trapping their quirky family in the house. The power goes out and playing Space Invaders to AC DC’s Back in Black album is suddenly silenced—forcing them to use their twisted imaginations in beating back the boredom. At … At a time when the brothers must overcome one fear after the next, they learn that courage is the one character trait that guarantees all others.
This hysterical coming-of-age tale is jam-packed with enough nostalgia to satisfy anyone who grew up in the ‘80s or at least had the good fortune to travel through them.
EARLY PRAISE
“If you loved the ever popular A Christmas Story, be prepared for another classic. Bread Bags & Bullies is a must read! Funny, poignant, and heartwarming—Steven Manchester is a master storyteller.” – Jamie Farr, Actor, M.A.S.H.
“Bread Bags & Bullies is a detailed eye-opening experience of the Big Hair decade. Enjoyable whether you were there or not—or just can’t quite remember it.” – Barry Williams, Actor, The Brady Bunch
“Steven Manchester’s Bread Bags & Bullies captures a simpler time, just before technology began dominating America’s time and attention. This nostalgic story is hilarious, told by a family of characters you won’t soon forget. A must read!” – Ed Asner, Actor, Lou Grant
“Steve Manchester’s Bread Bags & Bullies is a fantastic blast from the past, evoking all the fun and nostalgia of the ‘80s—even my big hair!” – Audrey Landers, Actress, Dallas
“In Bread Bags & Bullies, the writing is so vivid, the pace and rhythm so quick, that I truly felt I was watching it on screen.” – Joan van Ark, Actress, Knots Landing
“Steven Manchester’s latest book, Bread Bags & Bullies, made me recall the town I ‘grew up in’— mythical Mayfield. Instantly taking you back to 1984, the characters and situations are so believable that you’ll want to keep turning the pages.” – Tony Dow, Actor, Leave It to Beaver
“It’s always fun to be a part of history and pop culture. Reading the Waltons’ famous ‘Goodnight, John-boy’ referenced in Bread Bags & Bullies was a special treat—especially since the reply was ‘Night, Erin.’” – Mary McDonough, Actress, The Waltons
“In Bread Bags & Bullies, Steven Manchester’s writing style is very reminiscent of Jean Shepherd’s A Christmas Story—but for the ‘80s.” – Lynne Marta, Actress, Footloose
“Bread Bags & Bullies is not only fun, but educational in its own way. What an entertaining read!” – Marla Gibbs, Actress, The Jeffersons
”. Bread Bags & Bullies rocks!” – Billy Squier, ‘80s Rock Icon, Stroke Me
“You can like this book if you want to. You can leave your friends behind. Because if your friends don’t like this book…well, they’re no friends of mine.” – Ivan Doroschuk, Lead Singer of Men Without Hats, Safety Dance
“In Bread Bags & Bullies, Steven Manchester captures the ‘80s to the smallest detail. With each page turned, memories flood back. Using the lightest of touch, he tells his story with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Bread Bags & Bullies is a delight!” – Nick van Eede, Lead Singer of Cutting Crew, Died in Your Arms
“Bread Bags & Bullies is so—like, totally—‘84, it makes me want to get out my leg warmers and glow sticks, backcomb my hair, and romp around the room to Footloose. And then I remember, I don’t have any hair.” – Thomas Dolby, ‘80s Recording Artist, She Blinded Me with Science
“Manchester’s book, Bread Bags & Bullies, brings to mind many of our techno ditties. ‘How you gonna keep ‘em down on Maggie’s Farm once they’ve seen Devo?’” – Gerald V. Casale of DEVO, Whip It
more
Having grown up in the 80’s, Bread Bags and Bullies by Steven Manchester had me constantly smiling at nodding at the similarities. Although it was me and my sister, and I don’t have any brothers, we still fought as hard as they did. One time I broke my glasses and another time I ended up losing a toenail after one of our fights… and I don’t recall Manchester talking about knives being thrown at a sibling. Those were the days! If my sister and I were growing up now there’s a good chance our parents would be labeled as bad parents. I don’t think they were (for the most part).
It was a different time, not necessarily better, just different. We would have to go outside for hours (and I live in Wisconsin where minus 20 degrees is common) and come inside to be greeted with hot cocoa or tomato soup and grilled cheese. We would play Atari for hours and cereal or oatmeal was what we had for breakfast because we could make it ourselves as our parents rushed off to work. We came home and were expected to vacuum, do the dishes, laundry, and any other chores before our parents got home. But the faster we finished the sooner we could watch MTV!
I could go on and on about all the similarities, but if you grew up in the 80’s you’ll have more fun reading what Manchester had to write and if you want to know what it was like to grow up in the 80’s, than read Bread Bags and Bullies: Surviving the 80’s.
Book Review:
Bread Bags & Bullies~ Surviving the ’80s by author, Steven Manchester, is a terrific story of three brothers who will guide you on a nostalgic, coming-of-age journey with its bumps, bruises and boyhood mayhem. A memoir with fictional embellishment that will bring you smack dab into a time we can all relate to…the ’80s.
This family of characters, with their fears, their courage and their hopes, will have you laughing and shedding a few tears along the way as they draw you into their unique world of a simpler time.
The references within this story are many, and lend to its story coming alive for the reader in a big way, back to the glory-days of youth…
Whether you grew up during this time period, or were raising your kids, the memories will flood your heart and soul with Steven Manchester’s descriptive little treasures that are branded within its pages.
Enjoy the personal journey down “Memory Lane” through the lives of Herbie, Wally, Alphonse (Cockroach) and family…
I’d like to thank the author for my signed copy of Bread Bags & Bullies~
a story I truly enjoyed and highly recommend for those looking to take a trip back in time.
5 Stars
Bread Bags & Bullies~ Surviving the ’80s
#StevenManchester
#LunaBellaPress
Wild Sage Book Blog
Novels N Latte Book Club
Okay, so here’s the thing…
…the story itself was GOOD and filled with all the beautiful memories and wonderful messages that readers have come to expect from this author’s work…but I need to insert a BUT.
While I enjoyed the nostalgia (hello…child of the 80’s here…well, newborn at least), the characters, and the trips down memory lane, I felt like there was something missing. You see, in his previous works, there was always a prominent HERE AND NOW storyline tethered to all the mental walks into the past, yet in this one, it seemed like the characters kept getting stuck in the past. There was even a time or two that they were dreaming or recollecting their past experiences and in the middle of that dream, they reflected on their past…so basically a dream within a dream. It’s not that it isn’t an interesting concept, it just felt to this reader like there was a bit too much of it. Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Manchester is totally above par in the skill department to write this style of story, as he’s proven time and time again, I just think it was too heavily depended on in this case and it made what was happening NOW get lost in the shuffle.
So, did I enjoy the story? Yes! Did I love it as much as his other works? Not really, but I didn’t not love it either. My suggestion…if it sounds good to YOU, READ IT; if it’s just a consideration at this point, check out his other works first, then decide.
*copy received for review; opinions are my own
Bread Bags and Bullies is a wonderful novel that takes place in the winter of 1984. A time I know well (I was a senior in high school). It takes the reader back to a time where teenagers were independent, they went places by walking or riding their bicycles, they were outside regardless of weather. Kids faced and handled their fears and problems. Lessons were learned and there were consequences. So many familiar 80’s pop culture references are woven into the story as a father takes a trip down memory lane after breaking up a fight between his sons. The TV shows, music, games, clothes, toys, food – all brought a smile to my face as I recognized 98 percent of them. Another well-written gem by Steven Manchester that you won’t want to miss.