Tap, Talk, Tidbits, and Tips from author Bernard M. Patten reads more like an autobiography than a guide book. Patten speaks honestly and openly about his journey to discovering tap dance. His writing style is conversational, inviting the reader into his experiences of studying and practicing tap. It is an inspiring read that can be applied to many other disciplines besides dance.

Patten explains how dance can become a part of one's daily life not as a chore or a class that demands one to sacrifice time to learn but as an extension of one's natural habits. It's not a how-to book but a journal that goes through the various stages of Patten's metamorphosis from an individual who thought tap was a fun pastime to finding out how tap works to heighten one's sense of self, building alertness, stamina, and balance. It's really a wisdom building book. ( )

This book was not what I was expecting at all, but this turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I had anticipated a how-to of sorts but what this turned out to be was more of a memoir, a love note for the author’s favorite pastime. He shows that there is more to tap dancing than just clicking your feet on the ground, but neurological connections that can help you be a healthier and more rounded individual.

The wit and wisdom of the author is almost like when I used to listen to my own grandfather talk about the adventures of his past, talking about woodworking and his many projects, what he’d learned during the process of creating something out of nothing. I will always remember seeing the merriment in his eyes, his dedication and enjoyment apparent, even years after he quit woodworking. This is the feeling I felt as I read through this book, like sitting down to hear the wisdom of the previous generation.

The book did feel a tad disjointed to me, as the subjects are all over the place instead of being in cohesive sections, and the writing is not mature, but more like you’re having a convention instead of reading, which did grow on me the more I delve into the text. One of my favorite parts was the comparison to typewriters and tap dancing, which was very intriguing, especially when he talked about tap sounds in audio and movies being dubbed by typewriters. It was these little tidbits that truly won me over.

It’s apparent that Tap Talk is written with whit and whimsy, the ebb and flow comforting, and making me want to dust off my own taps shoes, as I used to be a dancer in my youth. The author shows that age doesn't matter, and the importance of living in the now, and finding joy in what you do. Though this wasn’t what I had originally expected, I enjoyed this read nonetheless, and recommend it to anyone and everyone! ( )