The Hollywood Book Reviews commends “Adventures of a Rideshare Driver” by Charles Campise
The Hollywood Book Reviews commended Charles Campise’s book, “Adventures of a Rideshare Driver,” saying that the book “is a captivating read that will resonate with anyone who has ever taken a rideshare, driven one, or simply loves a good story. Charles A. Campise’s ability to find humor and humanity in his everyday encounters makes this book a delightful and thought- provoking journey through the streets of any city. It’s a reminder that behind every ride is a story waiting to be told.”
In the modern age of technology, some traditional jobs have disappeared while new jobs have emerged, engaging people in different ways. Additionally, some professions have evolved, adapting to contemporary needs and becoming more user-friendly. One such example is online cab booking, which has transformed and sustained the profession, making it more accessible and efficient in today’s era. The book Adventures of a Rideshare Driver offers an in-depth look into the life, pros, and cons of being a rideshare driver. Charles A. Campise’s book provides readers with a glimpse into the daily grind and adventurous encounters with various personalities each day.
“Adventures Of A Rideshare Driver” by Charles Campise was reviewed and praised by Barbara Bamberger Scott of the US Review of Books, highlighting that “the episodes presented are brief, focused on generally short encounters with clients, many of whom left him positive reviews. He offers practical tips for anyone wanting to take up this form of employment: carry paper bags, a first aid kit, hand wipes, and some assorted candies to give to customers.”
Charles Campise retired from service in the foster care system in Texas in June 2014 after forty-four years. Then he began looking for something fun to do. He found an offer from a ride-sharing company on the fourth day of retirement, signed up, and was driving one week later.
He has had a memorable and sometimes bumpy ride in his chosen career, and he never failed to put this into his journal. In the long run, this journal transformed into what would become Charles’ timely and relevant book, “Adventures Of A Rideshare Driver.” Recalling his everyday routine in order to complete his book, the author has shared his creative process.
For many authors, the creative writing process is about just sitting in one corner and writing. Not thinking, just writing. When you are not aware of yourself, you begin drifting into thoughts you’ve never had before and start writing things you have never written before. For Charles, the same thing is true. He would do so upon arriving home. Then he would go to the computer, recall a funny moment while he was driving from his recent shift, and give the event a title on the computer. Early in the morning, he would rise and type out the full story over his first cup of coffee.
In partnership with Author Reputation Press, Charles Campise held a successful book signing event during the 2024 Los Angeles Festival of Books (LATFOB) at the University of Southern California. The Los Angeles Times held its much-awaited annual Festival of Books on April 20–21, 2024. The LATFOB is considered to be one of the world’s most significant literary gatherings. It has been held every year since 1996 with the goal of bringing together the people who create books and the people who love to read them. It is attended by more than 550 authors, celebrities, storytellers, and hundreds of exhibitors.
Recently, “Adventures Of A Rideshare Driver” by Charles Campise is displayed at the 2024 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all.
More than 13,500 attendees gathered in San Diego, CA, for the largest library event in the world. The ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition took place at the San Diego Convention Center from June 28 to July 2. Total attendance was 13,532, with 8,439 of them being attendees and 5,093 being exhibitors, authors, illustrators, press, and staff.
Here’s an excerpt from the review written by Hollywood Book Reviews that highlights:
“ The storyteller is an extrovert who loves sharing his life experiences and educating people about the history of Texas, especially Austin. He strives to make his passengers feel comfortable and ensure they enjoy their ride by offering as much help as possible. However, his eagerness to assist and engage sometimes leads to embarrassment, as some people find his behavior too much. In addition to sharing his personal rideshare experiences, the author also provides guidelines for fellow rideshare drivers. These tips aim to improve feedback and create a friendlier, more comfortable journey for passengers, adding a special dimension to the narration.
Adventures of a Rideshare Driver mirrors the author’s daily grind, with moments that are both captivating and mundane, much like the journey of human life, which includes happiness, sadness, numbness, and boredom, all essential parts of our existence. Overall, if you enjoy the travel literature genre, especially when narrated in a diary-like format, you might find parts of it somewhat tedious. However, if you are new to this style and enjoy human stories and observing everyday life, you’ll find it interesting. The book is structured into several chapters, each about a page long, allowing for convenient breaks and restarts, much like the natural pauses we take in life.”