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Ely Air Lines: Select Stories from 10 Years of a Weekly Column: Volume 2 of 2
Buckle up and fly with Mike and Linda Ely to discover amazing people, interesting places, and the conquest of flight. Since 2007, readers have enjoyed engaging articles weekly in the newspaper column, Ely Air Lines. Now you can step aboard to enjoy a collection of stories explore the vast realm of the flyer’s world. (Volume 2 of 2)
330 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 30, 2021
Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of a finished book from Lone Star Literary Life partner in exchange for my honest review. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher. The copies used in this review are finalized copies sent to me in exchange for my honest review. #partner #LSBBT
The authors, Mike and Linda take a unique approach to compiling stories from their column into a collection of books and making them available for public consumption. I thoroughly enjoyed the flow of the book and it was easily understandable for someone with no prior knowledge of aviation. I found the short stories both entertaining and engaging. I definitely enjoyed being able to gather knowledge in regards to the flights and get a first-hand read of some of the challenges pilots face when performing.
One of my favorite short stories in the book was "Pitts and Pumpkins." I enjoyed reading about their participation in the Pumkin Chuckin contest. I laughed out loud reading this and thought to myself, "could I chuck a pumpkin out of a plane and hit a target on the ground," the answer was no. This is just one of many stories in volume 2 of the collection of stories. Each story is unique in a sense where you, as a reader, are able to be captivated by the telling of factual events. There are many tales such as this one that are informative, entertaining, and heartwarming.
The flow between writers in each story allows for the reader to continuously get a different perspective of the retelling. There were many of these short stories that had me on the edge of my seating wishing they didn’t end. Be prepared to have your search engine open on your computer, you are definitely going to want to look up more information about some of the aircrafts listed. If you are a native Houstonian or live in Texas, you will especially enjoy the stories that involve that focus on Texas pilots. You will truly get that “everything is bigger in Texas” vibe from those reads.
If you are someone who is interested in personable, factual, and enticing aviation stories then I highly recommend this read. This book continued to have me engaged from start to finish. The short stories and column writing style allows for the reader to easily transition from story to story. I promise, at the end of this book, you are going to feel like an aviation enthusiast.
The authors, Mike and Linda take a unique approach to compiling stories from their column into a collection of books and making them available for public consumption. I thoroughly enjoyed the flow of the book and it was easily understandable for someone with no prior knowledge of aviation. I found the short stories both entertaining and engaging. I definitely enjoyed being able to gather knowledge in regards to the flights and get a first-hand read of some of the challenges pilots face when performing.
One of my favorite short stories in the book was "Pitts and Pumpkins." I enjoyed reading about their participation in the Pumkin Chuckin contest. I laughed out loud reading this and thought to myself, "could I chuck a pumpkin out of a plane and hit a target on the ground," the answer was no. This is just one of many stories in volume 2 of the collection of stories. Each story is unique in a sense where you, as a reader, are able to be captivated by the telling of factual events. There are many tales such as this one that are informative, entertaining, and heartwarming.
The flow between writers in each story allows for the reader to continuously get a different perspective of the retelling. There were many of these short stories that had me on the edge of my seating wishing they didn’t end. Be prepared to have your search engine open on your computer, you are definitely going to want to look up more information about some of the aircrafts listed. If you are a native Houstonian or live in Texas, you will especially enjoy the stories that involve that focus on Texas pilots. You will truly get that “everything is bigger in Texas” vibe from those reads.
If you are someone who is interested in personable, factual, and enticing aviation stories then I highly recommend this read. This book continued to have me engaged from start to finish. The short stories and column writing style allows for the reader to easily transition from story to story. I promise, at the end of this book, you are going to feel like an aviation enthusiast.
January 24, 2021
"When evidence of past eras is erased, when only a couple of original hangars and some photos and maps exist, there will still be stories to remind us of intriguing people and fascinating adventures."
Ely Air Lines Volume 2 by Mike Ely and Linda Street-Ely is a delightful collection of stories from the Elys’s column in a Texas newspaper that showcase the many facets of airplanes, airports, pilots, and everything in between. The stories include just about every topic related to flying, including air racing/contests, medical missionary work, philanthropy, crop dusting, and chunking pumpkins at targets. This couple's enthusiasm for piloting and aircraft in general is more than evident in each well-told story.
With Ely Air Lines, be prepared to be thoroughly entertained and to learn a few things along the way, such as the origin of those delicious Biscoff cookies (yum) offered on Delta Airlines. Most of the stories relate to smaller aircraft, situations, and personal stories, but some of the larger aircraft/airlines grace the pages as well. Because the stories are varied and come from a published column, they are polished and well written and definitely appeal to a wide audience.
An interesting aspect of most of these stories is that they are told from the point of view of both Mike and Linda. This construction makes sense when telling a story about the same event because they both bring their own observations and memories. The views are presented almost seamlessly, indicating that these two are definitely in sync and share a passion for flying but can still inject their own unique flare for storytelling. Their style of narration is a great way to fit both perspectives into such charming and succinct tales.
All the stories are entertaining and enlightening, but I will say that the one about the history of the airport in Knock, Ireland, is a favorite because I visited Knock in October 2019 with my mom on a faith-based pilgrimage. Out of all the cities and religious sites in Ireland that we visited, Knock was our favorite and holds a special place in my heart. I also really enjoyed reading about the flying priests, learning how and why so many diverse people became interested in flying over the years, and laughing at the aerobatics and stunts that never fail to enthrall, both live shows and on the silver screen.
You do not have to be a pilot or even a flying enthusiast to enjoy these stories because whether you have flown among the clouds or have kept your feet planted firmly on terra firma, almost everyone has been affected by flight in one way or another. Moreover, these stores are about real people and events that have shaped the lives of professional and amateur pilots and aerial aficionados alike, in addition to influencing the evolution of airports and runways over the years. There really is a story or two or ten in Ely Air Lines for everyone.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Ely Air Lines Volume 2 by Mike Ely and Linda Street-Ely is a delightful collection of stories from the Elys’s column in a Texas newspaper that showcase the many facets of airplanes, airports, pilots, and everything in between. The stories include just about every topic related to flying, including air racing/contests, medical missionary work, philanthropy, crop dusting, and chunking pumpkins at targets. This couple's enthusiasm for piloting and aircraft in general is more than evident in each well-told story.
With Ely Air Lines, be prepared to be thoroughly entertained and to learn a few things along the way, such as the origin of those delicious Biscoff cookies (yum) offered on Delta Airlines. Most of the stories relate to smaller aircraft, situations, and personal stories, but some of the larger aircraft/airlines grace the pages as well. Because the stories are varied and come from a published column, they are polished and well written and definitely appeal to a wide audience.
An interesting aspect of most of these stories is that they are told from the point of view of both Mike and Linda. This construction makes sense when telling a story about the same event because they both bring their own observations and memories. The views are presented almost seamlessly, indicating that these two are definitely in sync and share a passion for flying but can still inject their own unique flare for storytelling. Their style of narration is a great way to fit both perspectives into such charming and succinct tales.
All the stories are entertaining and enlightening, but I will say that the one about the history of the airport in Knock, Ireland, is a favorite because I visited Knock in October 2019 with my mom on a faith-based pilgrimage. Out of all the cities and religious sites in Ireland that we visited, Knock was our favorite and holds a special place in my heart. I also really enjoyed reading about the flying priests, learning how and why so many diverse people became interested in flying over the years, and laughing at the aerobatics and stunts that never fail to enthrall, both live shows and on the silver screen.
You do not have to be a pilot or even a flying enthusiast to enjoy these stories because whether you have flown among the clouds or have kept your feet planted firmly on terra firma, almost everyone has been affected by flight in one way or another. Moreover, these stores are about real people and events that have shaped the lives of professional and amateur pilots and aerial aficionados alike, in addition to influencing the evolution of airports and runways over the years. There really is a story or two or ten in Ely Air Lines for everyone.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
January 28, 2021
I've always had an affinity for travel books (usually of the Bill Bryson variety). There are quirky characters to meet, adventures to be had, and a hilarious disaster or two to recount. Ely Air Lines, Volume 2, is a collection of short stories which fits right in as a great way to vicariously travel when I cannot physically travel.
What struck me right from the start is Mike and Linda have quite different, yet complementary, writing styles. Stories are told by both authors, giving the reader deeper insight into the adventures of the authors. Mike's writing is lush and descriptive. For example:
"We moseyed with Red and Marilyn down a dirt road from their home on the airstrip, along a northern California beach. ... Mist from crashing waves refreshes sea kelp collectors and beachgoing dogs taking their two-leggers for a jog."
Linda's writing is delightfully full of facts and information. For example:
"After investing $3,140 and about a hundred hours of his time, his garage eventually housed about 12,500 of the twenty-five cent pudding cups, worth around 1.2 million air miles..."
Either of these sections would draw me into a book. But knowing I can have both writing styles in the same book is even better.
Short stories are easy to take in at your leisure, a story here while you are waiting in line, a story there when there is a commercial on TV. The stories here are grouped together by similar topics. Everything from plane races to weather to a flying Grandmother are covered. I've read a couple of other reviews of Volume 2 which both mention the Pumpkin Chunkin story. I loved that one as well. My aim is notoriously bad standing next to the trash can. I can't even imagine trying to hit a target with a pumpkin from a moving plane! I also thoroughly enjoyed the section "Spoils of Flight" where we learn about how flying impacts our sense of taste and the history of Biscoff cookies!
I am certainly no airplane aficionado, nor do I understand the math or physics involved in aeronautics. Mike and Linda made these aspects of flight and navigation approachable. Who knew that planes have 'pants'? Or that pilots go off on camping trips in their planes? Certainly not me! And personally, I love Mike's idea of a Winnebago-esque plane!
There are a few photos in volume 2; I wish there were more to showcase all the destinations and different plane types. I did enjoy the doodles and drawings associated with each section.
This collection of stories is recommended for anyone who likes to travel vicariously. Or to plan trips based on recommendations from world-travelers like Mike and Linda. Or, if you were learning to be a pilot, this book would be an excellent book to read along with your studies.
What struck me right from the start is Mike and Linda have quite different, yet complementary, writing styles. Stories are told by both authors, giving the reader deeper insight into the adventures of the authors. Mike's writing is lush and descriptive. For example:
"We moseyed with Red and Marilyn down a dirt road from their home on the airstrip, along a northern California beach. ... Mist from crashing waves refreshes sea kelp collectors and beachgoing dogs taking their two-leggers for a jog."
Linda's writing is delightfully full of facts and information. For example:
"After investing $3,140 and about a hundred hours of his time, his garage eventually housed about 12,500 of the twenty-five cent pudding cups, worth around 1.2 million air miles..."
Either of these sections would draw me into a book. But knowing I can have both writing styles in the same book is even better.
Short stories are easy to take in at your leisure, a story here while you are waiting in line, a story there when there is a commercial on TV. The stories here are grouped together by similar topics. Everything from plane races to weather to a flying Grandmother are covered. I've read a couple of other reviews of Volume 2 which both mention the Pumpkin Chunkin story. I loved that one as well. My aim is notoriously bad standing next to the trash can. I can't even imagine trying to hit a target with a pumpkin from a moving plane! I also thoroughly enjoyed the section "Spoils of Flight" where we learn about how flying impacts our sense of taste and the history of Biscoff cookies!
I am certainly no airplane aficionado, nor do I understand the math or physics involved in aeronautics. Mike and Linda made these aspects of flight and navigation approachable. Who knew that planes have 'pants'? Or that pilots go off on camping trips in their planes? Certainly not me! And personally, I love Mike's idea of a Winnebago-esque plane!
There are a few photos in volume 2; I wish there were more to showcase all the destinations and different plane types. I did enjoy the doodles and drawings associated with each section.
This collection of stories is recommended for anyone who likes to travel vicariously. Or to plan trips based on recommendations from world-travelers like Mike and Linda. Or, if you were learning to be a pilot, this book would be an excellent book to read along with your studies.
January 31, 2021
Featured on Lone Star Book Blog Tours. Lone Star Blogger Team average rating: 4.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews