I Didn't Know What to Say, So I Just Said Thanks was an enthralling and wonderful read from the start. David Joseph created beautifully described characters, and each story was an emotional journey. One of my favorites would have to be Fishing, as the tale resonated with me, and the ending was deeply poignant. The story from which the book derived its title was another that stood out because of the amusement it provided with the clever ending. Another two stories that deserve special mention are Leaving Town and Widowers, both thought-provoking tales of changing times and getting older. It isn’t possible to mention all 19 of the short stories in this anthology, but be assured that each one is a delight to read.

David Joseph crafted each of these stories with a high level of attention to detail and life-like characters. I Didn't Know What to Say, So I Just Said Thanks is an engaging book, and I found myself reluctant to put it down. I ended up reading over half of it in just one sitting and was eager to return to it as soon as I could. Some accounts are very short, but no less brilliant for being so, and others are a lengthier read but can still be finished easily. Characters like the young man who goes to work at Orville’s gas station, and Roland who demonstrates his compassion when he comes across a terrible accident, are what make this book so relatable to everyone. I would recommend it as a read that will suit anyone across the generations - this book will appeal to all readers.

In I Didn’t Know What to Say, So I Just Said Thanks, David Joseph has written 19 short stories over some time that could stretch from 2000 – 2016 but could have been written just the other day. Each story is unusual in its own right and each ends uniquely, showing different twists, turns, and thoughts which makes for a wonderful read and gives the reader food for thought. The characters in each story catch the reader's attention from the opening line and gently guide them through to the end, and then quietly leave the reader to contemplate the story just read. Each story has its inspiration, insight, hopes, and sorrows, and shows how human nature copes with what life brings.

David Joseph has written each story with such grace, tenderness, inspiration, and thoughts that are inspirational in themselves. In each one, the reader will find something to ponder and think about how wonderful life can be and how each person deals with what life throws at them. In I Didn’t Know What to Say, So I Just Said Thanks, the stories interlink with each other in an inspiring and thought-provoking way. I found each story has a message for the reader. Thank you for a light but very inspiring read with much depth.