Reviewed by JD Jung)
Every once in a while, I come across a memoir that doesn’t try to impress—it simply asks you to slow down and reflect. Colored Pebbles by Del Staecker is that kind of book.
Told through a series of stand-alone stories, this memoir highlights the people, lessons, and events that shaped this author’s life. I appreciate this structure; it makes the book easy to absorb in pieces while still feeling cohesive.
Staecker writes with humility, grace, and forgiveness. He doesn’t avoid difficult topics such as a deadly illness and the lack of love from his mother. He gives credit to his military experience and the skills he acquired in “junk jobs,” that helped him throughout his life. He acknowledges how near-death moments solidified his belief in a higher power, and approaches this with honesty rather than preachiness.
One of the most memorable moments for me were his meetings with Yul Brynner. Instead of a glamorous celebrity story, it becomes a deeply human one. Not only did Brynner command such a presence, but he continued to work in intense pain while battling cancer. It clearly left a lasting impact on Staecker—and on me as a reader.
“The Darkest Pebble” was another standout, and the reveal genuinely shocked me. This demonstrates how trusting your intuition can be the difference between life and death.
I appreciate how open Staecker is about his writing process. He acknowledges that he sought therapy when others warned him that he was getting too close to his characters. He also advises that in order to write a memoir one must ask the question, “How did I end up this way.” That level of introspection adds depth throughout the memoir.
The “colored pebbles” metaphor is simple but effective. This is a thoughtful, reflective memoir that gently encourages you to look at your own life—and the moments and people who helped to shape who you are today.