"When John and I talked about his life, for the memoir or anything else, what he remembered came alive because of his words, his presence in language. Not talking about, not making a dead likeness, a recitation of something past and gone, but by being present in time and space. The point was always to be open to the moment."

In the wonderful way that reading one book leads to another and another, and sometimes a whole series of books, listening to albums by Better Midler and Bonnie Raitt led me to one of my favorite singer/songwriters. As a lonely teen playing records in my bedroom, I noticed that Midler's "Hello in There", and Raitt's "Angel from Montgomery" were written by the same person --- John Prine. I certainly needed to add one (or several) of his discs to my collection. That was many, many decades ago, and my enjoyment of the man's music has never waned. I was lucky enough to see him perform live in 1995, and it was an unforgettable evening.

I'm glad this book came along to help me get to know him even better.

Piazza had been tapped by Prine to write his memoir, but Prine died in early April 2020 from complications caused by COVID-19, and that project got very far. The writer and songwriter met many times however. Finding that they had much in common, Prine and Piazza became friends - visiting favorite haunts, and listening and playing music together. Much of the book is about the times and laughs they shared.

There were some surprises to be found here. I did not know that in his youth, Prine was a master of the pommel horse. (I still have trouble picturing that . . . ) And, not really a surprise at all, he LOVED old diners and craved meatloaf.

Reading this is a bittersweet experience. I'm glad for what he left us, but wish he could have stuck around a lot longer.

"John seemed happiest when he didn't know exactly what would happen--driving, walking around, browsing in a record store or antiques shop, especially playing music or sitting with friends or family over a meal--when he was being there, then. Tasting the food, hearing the joke, the music, seeing the sunset. Sharing the moment, seeing and hearing the same thing."

Living in the Present with John Prine is a warm scrapbook of one of the most down to earth country/folk singer songwriters of all time. There’s so many anecdotes in the book that make you love Prine and want to be the one having the conversation with him. Prine was as witty in life as he would be in song, and Piazza is able to keep up. One of their early conversations in Living in the Present made me laugh out loud and served as a sort of welcome to the party, we’re glad you’re here vibe. Kind of like when you go up to the bar for another drink and the bartender says this one’s on us. There is plenty of sadness to go around in Prine’s life, but much like Piazza reminds us, Prine refuses to ruminate or place blame. Living in the Present felt like a good reminder to do as much. To accept things for what they are, and to remember the small quiet things that bring us joy, even if it’s a jukebox smoking in the corner.

I'm a massive fan of John Prine and it was such a privilege to read this propulsive narrative encompassing his life and career. I learned so much about his earlier life and work yet could have read 300 more pages.

After reading this short (just over 200 pages) book, I feel like I know John Prine, the person. This is a conversation with John Prine and doesn't include much about how each song was written. Readers looking for that should check out John Prine's "Beyond Words" book. Unfortunately, what was intended as a complete memoir was cut short with John Prine's 2020 death from COVID complications but what was left is definitely worth reading. A great read for John Prine fans. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for an advanced reader copy.

First let me say that I love John Prine. So being 100% the target audience of this book, I can honestly say that I loved it. The stories at the start of the book let me get a feel for Prine’s personality and realize that the humble man that I loved as an artist and songwriter was legitimately who he was. So if you are a fan of John Prine, you will absolutely love this book.

Now, if you are not already a fan of John Prine, this book will probably not be for you. I do however have a simple fix! Go listen to all of John Prine’s albums. I’ve yet to meet someone that listens to his music and doesn’t eventually fall in love with it. Once you’ve done that, this is the time to read the book. The homework of listening and then reading afterwards will be worth your time, I promise.

Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

John Prine was an American country/folk singer-songwriter who has been around since the early 1970s. I've been a fan of John Prine for over 40 years. I've seen him many times in concert and was happy I attended his last concert here in Toronto (The Tree of Forgiveness tour). I think his death during COVID probably hit me the hardest of all the celebs who had passed away during that time.

Tom Piazza spent time with Prine at home and on the road with the intent of writing an article about him before Prine asked him to work on a memoir about him. They ended up enjoying a two year friendship before he passed away. Piazza shared moments that showed Prine's sense of humor, his love for the simple things and the way he saw the world a little differently than most. Even after surviving cancer, Prine didn’t dwell on the past or future ... he was all about appreciating what was right in front of him (especially food and dessert!). Prine's songs were simple but packed with emotion, real life, heart and a touch of wry humor.

I enjoyed this book. I like that there were actual interviews with Prine transcribed so we got to know Prine in his own words and his sense of humour. In addition to spending time with Prine, Piazza also spent time with his family including Prine's wife, Fiona, his sons and his late older brother, Dave. It was nice to see the intimate pictures of Prine as a regular guy. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Appreciating John

Remember when Covid started its roar? Things started shutting down around mid-March 2020. I remember cancelling Saint Patrick’s Day with the kids, amidst alarming reports from across the globe. Then Covid was given a face when Tom Hanks caught it. Then, after a few days, we heard that John Prine was hospitalized.

Singer Josh Ritter once told of preparing to board a rickety old plane during an apocalyptic storm. He was only reassured when realizing that John Prine was also boarding, commenting something to the effect of, “Nothing can happen to John Prine!”

John died of Covid on April 7. Man, it struck hard. If it can happen to John…

“Living in the Present with John Prine” is not a memoir, although it was originally intended to be one. It started off as an agreement between John and author Tom Piazza to collaborate on Prine's autobiography. They shared a friendship for only two years before things ended abruptly with the shock of John’s unexpected death. Instead, what we get here is John’s humor, intelligence, and wit on full display. His remarkable personality shines through as he relays stories of his childhood, his time in the service, his poolhall-hustling days, and his musical journey.

This is a concise book, a brief glimpse into the essence of the artist behind some of America's most touching and lasting songs. Reading it is like rediscovering lost moments with a loved one you miss or finding film footage of precious times you had somehow forgotten.

Thank you to W.W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. The publication date for this book is September 9, 2025.

I guess I just process death differently than some folks. Realizing you're not going to see that person again is always the most difficult part about it. But that feeling settles, and then you are glad you had that person in your life, and then the happiness and the sadness get all swirled up inside you. John Prine

"When I Get to Heaven"
And I always will remember these words my daddy said
He said, " Buddy, when you're dead, you're a dead pecker-head"
I hope to prove him wrong
That is, when I get to heaven
And then I'm gonna get a cocktail
Vodka and ginger ale
Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a cigarette that's nine miles long
I'm gonna kiss that pretty girl on the tilt-a-whirl
'Cause this old man is goin' to town… John Prine

This book was such a sweet account of a later-in-life friendship, never mind that it happens to be with one of the most talented, yet down to earth, singer songwriters on the planet. Part biography, part love letter part this is a lovely account of one of music's finest and a life cut cruely short by COVID.

My thanks to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for an advance copy of this book about a growing friendship with a legendary singer songwriter, memories shared between the two of the past and of the future, and how it was all cut short.

John Prine was a man who preferred to let his songs to the talking, about life, about love, and about himself. Autobiographical biographical was how Prine described his songs, drawing on his on experiences, good and bad, and the lives of others that he saw or dealt with. A man comfortable with those he knew, and not much for new people in his life. Until Prine met Tom Piazza. These two bonded over music, art, lives lived and something more. They played music together, rode in cars, shared meals, and even more importantly Prine finally found someone who could help him bring his life to book form, something he had long avoided. Until the scourge of the 21st took Prine away. Living in the Present with John Prine by Tom Piazza is a bit of memoir, a travel book, a musical history and more importantly a book about friendship, cut off way to short.

Tom Piazza was at a concert when he decided to do another musical profile, after twenty years. Piazza was a biographer and a writer for magazines, television and fiction. The man he wished to profile was the singer/songwriter John Prine, a man loved by fans and respected by his musical peers, creator of songs like Angel of Montgomery and When I Get to Heaven. Prine was not much for the press, and not much for sharing about his art, Prine preferred to let the music do his talking. However a quick meeting turned into something more than a profile, but a friendship. Soon Piazza was riding with Prine in his recently acquired on Ebay '77 Coup DeViille, complete with a broken passenger seatbelt, and illegal license plates. Staying up late and playing guitar, singing songs and bonding over shared miseries and experiences. Sharing meals and talks about the future. There was even talk of a memoir, something Prine had been uninterested in, until he meet a collaborator he could trust. Through good times and health problems these two remained friends, until COVID in 2020 took Prine away.

A book about music, life, love, cars, hot dogs and friendship. While I liked the discussions on everything else, it was the friendship that spoke most to me. While music fans lost a musical legend, Piazza lost something more. Which comes quite clear in this book. Piazza is a beautiful writer, knowing just how to set a scene, be it buying shoes with a man he really just met, or playing music at 2 in the morning, swapping guitars and riffs. There is also parts of the memoir the two men were working on, which shows what a great work we have lost. Piazza really captures the man, not in a hagiographic sense, but as a human, with problems and issues, who lived a an interesting life.

The book is sad as one knows how it ends, and all the triumphs for Prine are clouded by the fact that we know the hour and the day that Prine will be leaving the World. However as a celebration of both friendship, life the power of music and just going on it is a real achievement. I did not expect to be so affected by a book like this. As slim as the book is it carries a punch far above its weight class, and has a great narrative. I wish we could have read the story about the Prine's life, the way he would want us to know it. However this glimpse is a gift, and we should all cherish it. I will have to seek out more by Tom Piazza.

Living In The Present with John Prine by Tom Piazza is a wonderful look into the singer songwriters life! The Oxford American Magazine, my favorite periodical, published the introduction to this beautiful story. Tom has put together an inspiring collection of time spent with John Prine! What a lucky guy!! Anyone who reads this and doesn’t know Prine’s music will rush out and buy an album. I highly recommend everyone to read this wonderful book.

John Prine was very talented and I love that he had such an impact on others (such as Tom). What a great opportunity! Thank you.

I just loved this book. John Prine is one of those artists who, when someone says his name, you find yourself smiling. I saw him in an airport about 10 years ago and that’s exactly what I did. I left him alone to his privacy, but now I regret that.

He was a unique talent who managed to say things in a way no one else did and did so with a grounded, down-to-earth voice.

This brief book covers, by and large, the last few years of Prine’s life, as presented by author Piazza, who started as a fan, met Prine for a profile gig, and ended up becoming a close friend. You will visit a shoe store, learn about the subject’s taste for hot dogs, bear witness to a jukebox fire, and simply get a sense of who Prine was as a man and why he connected with audiences.

What I love about the book is that Piazza figures out how to convey his affection for Prine without turning him into a saint, and without exaggerating the nature of his friendship.

If you have any affection at all for Prine, do yourself a favor and read this book. It’ll bring him back to life and remind you, if a record is not nearby, why you love him so much.

Many thanks to W.W. Norton and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

Living in the Present with John Prine by Tom Piazza reads like a conversation with a close friend. The art of storytelling is alive in these pages. Piazza and Prine, though friends for a relatively short time, developed a quick friendship in the years prior to John's death. Here you will find a patchwork story of their adventures together, reflections and musings from John in his final years, and a non-linear telling of John Prine's history. I highly recommend this book to any fan of Prine's. You'll find a story written with a whole lot of love, not a sterile biography. This book will give you insight into the way John lived his life. the things he loved, and the way he thought about the world.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC. I enjoyed it so much! The thoughts expressed here are my own.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
This is not a traditional biography, or really a biography at all. It’s a memoir of friendship that manages to give us more insight into John Prine than any traditional biography possibly could. The author brings you along as he and John pal around joking, singing and searching for spontaneous fun. Along the way we learn who John Prine was behind his witty songs and then we share the pain of the author’s loss. I would rate this book as absolutely essential for Prine fans, as well as anyone who just loves a good story.