This one hit hard. Overall, I really enjoyed the story, even though my heart broke. I liked the writing style and format, especially all of the stories. I’d recommend this to anyone, but definitely mentally prepare yourself before you start reading.

This is a beautiful memorial of a grandfathers love, a tragic tale of the grips of addiction, and a, at once both haunting and whimsical story of life on the road. I can always tell when a book truly touched me by my reaction to the acknowledgements, and this one made me teary. In those acknowledgements, Kindred mentions that he wanted his editors to help him make this narrative “sing” and there’s really no other way to describe it.

I read a lot of books on addiction and recovery. 

This book is okay., but the writing style for me was so stilted and guarded. I realize the situation does not bode itself to laughter and joy, but the writing made me feel as though I was reading a book that was written with "military" position.

Its hard for me to explain, but I could not wait for it over.

A heartbreaking, poignant story of love, loss, addiction and grief.  Sportswriter, Dave Kindred has written a beautiful love story about one of his grandsons, Jared Kindred, who becomes "Goblin", a traveler, a wanderer and an addict. Recounting the years of Jared's life, sharing memories of those who travelled with him on the rails and in and out of a multitude of towns and states, we see Jared through the eyes of others,as his addiction ultimately makes his life choices.
An unflinching account, at times difficult to read and comprehend but a personal, harrowing  account of addiction and it's powerful hold on those we love.
Thank you Perseus Books, Public Affairs and net galley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

A grandfather researches and then described
his Grandson’s life as a nomad addict. Tragic. Heartbreaking. While I appreciated the thorough research and details of his grandson’s life when he was roaming the country by various  means, I wanted more emotion and feeling and less narrative. It very much felt like a reporter’s project which makes sense as the author had a
Career as a sport’s writer.
Thank you to NetGalley and PublicAffairs for this advanced copy. I’m grateful.

DNF at 36%

**I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion**

I had to leave this unfinished at 36%. The author continuously switches between his narrative and interviewing transients who knew his grandson. It's confusing and hard to follow. In the vein of other similar memoirs like "beautiful boy" the author blames himself for his grandson's addiction and is selfish at times instead of helpful.

When one is lost to addiction, what can you do? This is the story of a grandfather trying to make sense of his grandson Jared’s (aka Goblin) unconventional and dangerous life, and ultimately, death.

Immediately after high school, Jared chooses a life of a hobo — hopping trains across the country, drinking a handle of vodka a day, and meeting other “travelin’ kids” on the streets. Jared’s grandfather, a successful sports journalist by trade, aims to piece together the story of how Jared became immersed in this lifestyle, and why it was so hard to get out of it. He interviews Jared’s friends — who know him as Goblin — to paint the picture of what happened to his grandson. What unfolds is a fascinating but tragic love letter to a boy so obviously adored by all who encounter him.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group, Inc. for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

this was a very interesting book written by a grandfather who wanted to understand the life of his grandson who lived in an alternative lifestyle of a train hopper. It was a well written and I enjoyed reading about the alternative lifestyle I didn't know existed. It was a story of heartbreak, love and compassion

Leave Out the Tragic Parts: A Grandfather's Search for a Boy Lost to Addiction by Dave Kindred was the story of a grandfather reflecting on the loss of his grandson. As he navigated the grief of his grandson's short life, he decided to learn more about who he was and what exactly happened to him. His grandson Jared left home at 18 and lived on the road as a train-hopper. With this, he struggled with alcohol addiction. The author reflects on Jared as a kid that he knew, then takes the time to explore Jared as the man on the run. Even in this, he is able to find good in what Jared brought to the friends he met along the way. He also finds the challenges he encounters throughout. This is a story of love told through loss. It's about a grandpa wanting to find answers, but knowing these will not bring Jared back. The story is honest as the author reflects on if he could have done more to save Jared, but also candidly shares this as a tribute to the life he did live. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this moving memoir due to be released in February 2021!

Dave Kindred, who worked as a sports reporter, wrote this book about the death of his grandson. It is a memoir about addiction, the stories we tell ourselves, the stories others tell us, the stories we choose to believe and grief. In his Author's note he writes "I have never written anything more true than this book. I have also never written anything in which I was less certain of the facts." That is because of the unreliability of those who spent time with his grandson Jared. But he shares that he believes that they told the truth as they knew it. He provides their names and dates when applicable.

"Some people don't choose to be homeless, but all train riders chose trains."

Jared Kindred left home when he was eighteen years old. He wandered around and traveled all over America on freight train cars and lived on the streets when now riding the rails. He named himself Goblin and made close connections to those he met riding the rails. Jared was an alcoholic and did not tell the entire truth to those who loved him.

"The mistake we make with addicts is thinking they have any kind of logic."

Jared's family did not understand his life choices. Naturally, they were extremely difficult for them. Jared's mother was not happy with tattoo on his face. She was scared for her child and once asked him did he want to be buried or cremated to scare him into going to yet another rehab. Like me, she along with his other family members did not know that were still train hoppers a.k.a traveling kids, and that they were mainly made up of teenagers and young adults.

"Look at them. Look past the dirt and the tattoos, and look past the scars of their lives, those real and those no less real for being unseen. Look again. See them. Really see them. They are our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters, our grandchildren. They are us..."

Dave Kindred tells of his love for his grandson. He also lays bard how he does not feel that he himself was the best father, he admits his regrets with his own son, he is honest that his love for his twin grandsons, Jared and Jacob were stronger than his love for others in his life.

"Some memories break your heart into so many pieces that those pieces float in the bloodstream to your brain and force everything else out."

He also shows the way addiction affects not only those who are addicts, but on family members as well. He shares that even though Jared/Goblin was hospitalized multiple times, that he still drank. He shows the grip that addiction holds on someone.

"Sometimes we believe what we want to believe rather than what is believable, and I wanted to believe Jared could be an exception, that he could tell me the truth, and maybe he did tell me the truth. But I learned he didn't tell me the whole truth."

I found this to be an unputdownable memoir full of honest admission, pain. love and grief. I liked how he spoke to those who were train hoppers with him and to those who he sang with in New Orleans. Dave Kindred included the memories of Goblin/Jared’s friends and fellow traveling kids, their stories, and phone texts when he could. He showed the kinship between his grandson and the other traveling kids. He also shares how those he rode the rails with came from Maine, Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, New Orleans, California and Indiana to attend Jared's funeral. How one sang outside at his funeral. How they shared pictures of Jared with them riding trains, drinking and looking happy with his arms around them. They told the story of a happy young man who put his friends first, who was quick to smile and had his friends back. Throughout this book it is evident that Jared was deeply loved.

I found this to be a powerful and moving memoir. Dave Kindred laid bare his own flaws as well as the flaws of others in his family. He showed his love, his grief and choices. If you have ever been an addict or if you have ever loved someone who was/is an addict or lost a loved one due to addiction/overdose, you may find some things that you can relate to in this book.

Powerful, moving, heart breaking and informative. Highly recommend.


Thank you to Perseus Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book hooked me from the very beginning and, three days after finishing it, still hasn’t let me go. Its narratival flow is easy to read and ensures that you come back to finish the book. Although it is a different story, it reminded me of Beautiful Boy by David Sheff both in style of writing and the grace in which it speaks about addiction.

It is a story told by a loving grandfather about his grandson’s alcoholism and life hopping trains all over the country. Kindred weaves together information he gathered after seeking out those who knew and traveled with Jared during the height of his addiction as well as recalling their family dynamic. 

I loved this book and not only because it was written well. As much as it broke my heart, it did what all good books about addiction do: it presents the addict as a human being rather than just seeing them as their disease. 

Content Warning: Alcohol (and some drug) abuse.

A quick read, but a powerful story to be told. Bravo to the grandfather that never failed at loving his grandson and for looking beyond his addiction. The search for answers and understanding why some kids leave home and take up train hopping. Why they give up the comfort of their home and family to wrestle with demons on the road whether it be drugs or alcohol? The kids describe it as freedom from responsibility, broken families, failed educational system and search for happiness. My heart was torn for this grandfather’s retracing of his grandson. 
Thanks NetGalley for the chance to read this book for a review. It did not disappoint but left me in tears and prayer for all the lost young souls searching for family outside the home.

This was harrowing to read. Leave Out the Tragic Parts is a grandfather's attempt to piece together what his grandson's life on the road was like, including letters and accounts from other travelers, which were really interesting to read. 

The author’s grandson, Jared, aka Goblin, lived quite the life, hopping trains, seeing the country, meeting friends who became family, and enjoying life. However, Jared was suffering from life-threatening alcohol dependency and was unable to see a future for himself other than the early death that eventually found him. Was Jared truly only happy on the road, or was that life forced upon him by his addiction?

 While an incredibly sad book, it was full of love for family and for life.

A heartbreaking story of a grandson's struggle with alcoholism. I enjoyed how this book was written; using accounts from the people Jared traveled with on the road. Kindred's love for his grandson is obvious and it was nice to see how the family was always trying to support Jared through his addiction. The story did feel a little disjointed at times and sometimes felt like if you were an insider to this family the story would make more sense or flow better. 
*I received this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #PerseusBooks,PublicAffair for the ARC in exchange of an honest review. 
The first few chapters started out slow for me. I stopped and read a whole lot of other books before making my way back to this one. But I'm glad I did come back because this book ended up being really interesting and good. Really heart warming. There is nothing like a grand parents love. I used to hear that all the time when u was younger and did not have grandkids and I never out any faith in it. Well let me tell you, it is so true.  The love a grand parent has for their grandkids is a different love than you have for your children. All consuming. You will understand when you get there trust me!!

This book was really intriguing, however it could use some decent editing. The story was very captivating.

I started this book, but couldn't get into it. Sadly, I never finished the book. I will not be reviewing this book for Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

When I started reading this book I was very intrigued and when I finished my heart went out to Jacob.  It was a hard hitting book and I really enjoyed.

As the grandfather of the addict, Kindred weaves the tale of the boy and man he loved with his whole soul. Often times family dont recognize the illness of addiction before it is too late for them to change it's terrible course. The author loves Jared so much, as does everyone who knew him and shares their stories of him, that you cant help love Golbin as well. 
The entire story is bittersweet, and yes,very tragic. Keep your tissue close, this one will tear your heart out.

I thought this was a really poignant memoir, at times hard to read, but an important story.  You can sense the grandfather's deep love for his grandson.  I use 5 stars for a book I would hands-down re-read.  So while I don't rate this 5 stars (b/c I don't plan to re-read it), I would recommend it to others.