Bedtime Stories for the Living: A Memoir

First Place Winner in the Nonfiction/Parenting category of the 2022 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest! A devastating diagnosis. A terrifying countdown. Could one stubborn father hang on long enough to share his stories with his children? Jay Armstrong had big dreams. Barely in the prime of life, the thirty-three-year-old husband and dad expected the doctor’s call to be no big deal. But after learning to his horror that a degenerative disease was carving a hole in his brain, he fought hard to make every second count and build a legacy for his kids. Watching the hourglass slide toward empty, Jay rode an emotional rollercoaster as he defied his prognosis and mystified doctors. And in the soul-searing task of recording himself for his children before it was too late, he learned how to savor each moment of vulnerability, laughter, and wild dream-chasing. In this collection of insightful introspection, Jay recounts his journey through whatever fate threw at him. And as he weaves the story of his struggles, triumphs, and all the heartache in between, he demonstrates an impossible courage that will leave you teary-eyed and inspired. Bedtime Stories for the Living is a heart-wrenching and raw memoir that confirms the power of storytelling. If you like brave narrators, witty observations, and lessons on finding the positive, then you’ll be moved by Jay Armstrong’s love letter to the future. Buy Bedtime Stories for the Living for the softest kiss goodnight today! Review: By Emma Megan for Readers’ Favorite Jay Armstrong, a high school English teacher, explains in Bedtime Stories for the Living: A Father’s Funny and Heartbreaking Memoir About The Power of Pursuing Your Dreams how he was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative brain disease. This striking memoir contains wonderful love letters for each of Jay’s children, beautiful true stories, and precious life lessons and advice. It also contains what Jay never told his kids, what he felt like saying to them but failed as life got in the way. In Bedtime Stories for the Living, Jay talks about poetry and books, the importance of writing and its impact on his life, offering aspiring writers valuable writing tips. He also talks about the beauty and the challenges of life, of being a parent, and the difficulty of dealing with a rare disease. You cannot read this breathtaking memoir and still be ungrateful for your health. Bedtime Stories for the Living by Jay Armstrong is the best motivational book I’ve ever read. Jay’s writing style is addictive, mainly because it’s nostalgic, vulnerable, and filled with wisdom and sorrow. In his uniqueness, Jay inspires and encourages not only his children but all his readers to figure out their dreams and to chase the one that brings them joy, to read poetry, and never to ignore their internal voice. He reminds them that they are responsible for how they adapt to change. Bedtime Stories for the Living is truly an empowering book as it speaks to the heart and the mind and delivers inspirational life lessons and unique stories. It’s undoubtedly a must-read. Review: “It is a unique experience to read a book that speaks directly to your heart. If you live with a rare life altering disease, you spend a lot of time in your head. It’s hard to put the thoughts into words. In “Bedtime Stories for the Living”, Jay Armstrong accurately articulates the thoughts of any person living with a rare disease or anyone simply struggling to overcome their challenges.” Kyle Bryant, spokesperson for the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance and host of the Two Disabled Dudes podcast.