A deeply personal and lyrical meditation on the passage of time, David W. Berner’s Daylight Saving Time: The Power of Growing Older is a memoir that lingers in the quiet spaces between moments, urging readers to reflect on the impermanence of life and the wisdom that comes with experience.
Table of Contents
Review
Profound, poetic, introspective.
There is something universally unsettling about realizing that time is not a force to be managed but a current we are all inevitably carried by. Scientists have long debated whether time is an absolute reality or a construct of human perception, and yet, for each individual, it is as tangible as the first gray hair or the unexpected creak of a once-youthful knee. Berner’s book is not an answer to time’s mysteries but an exploration of how it shapes, stretches, and deepens the human experience.
With a style that mirrors the meandering rhythm of memory itself, Berner takes readers through the landscapes of his past and present, from quiet coffee shop corners to moments of sudden clarity on long walks. Structured like a series of intimate journal entries, the book follows his reflections on aging, legacy, and the simple yet profound beauty of everyday existence. It is not a story in the traditional sense, nor a manual on how to age gracefully, but rather a companion for those tackling the shifting light of their own years. His musings touch on encounters with literary greats, the pull of the American West, and the soft, persistent ache of nostalgia, all while never losing sight of the moments still unfolding.
One of the book’s great strengths is its immersive and poetic language. Berner’s prose is luminous, painting each scene with a careful balance of restraint and emotional depth. He has the rare ability to turn the most mundane details—a discarded coffee cup, a shift in the autumn wind—into something resonant. The writing carries a rhythmic cadence, a quiet confidence that makes it feel as if the author is speaking directly to the reader, sharing wisdom over a well-brewed cup of coffee. The book’s appeal is undeniable for those who find comfort in reflection, its uniqueness lying in its seamless blend of personal storytelling and philosophical rumination.
A particularly moving section comes when Berner, standing before a train’s powerful rush, contemplates the immovable force of time, comparing it to the weight of all the moments we hold onto. In that passage, there is an almost cinematic quality—one can feel the chill in the air, hear the metallic clatter, sense the quiet hum of thought behind his words.
Readers who seek fast-paced narratives or conventional storytelling may not connect with this book, as it thrives in subtlety and slow contemplation rather than plot-driven momentum. However, those who have ever looked out a window and pondered the meaning of passing years, who find comfort in the works of Pico Iyer, Joan Didion, or Anne Lamott, will feel at home in Berner’s world.
In the grand, ongoing conversation about time, mortality, and meaning, Daylight Saving Time is a whisper rather than a declaration—but it is the kind of whisper that lingers long after the book is closed. Like the golden glow of late afternoon light stretching through an autumn window, Berner’s reflections remind us that while time cannot be paused, it can be savored. This book is not just about growing older; it is about learning to truly live.
About the Author
David W. Berner is an award-winning author of fiction and memoir, including The Islander, Walks with Sam, and A Well-Respected Man. His work has earned awards from the Society of Midland Authors, Chicago Writers Association, and others. He has been a Writer-in-Residence at the Kerouac Project and Hemingway Birthplace Home.
Book Details
- Title: Daylight Saving Time: The Power of Growing Older
- Author: David W. Berner
- Genre(s) and Sub-genre(s):
- Main Genre: Non-Fiction
- Sub-genres: Memoir, Personal Reflection
- Theme(s): Aging, Change, Contemplation, Time, Legacy
- Minimum Audience Age: Likely 16+ (due to reflective themes on mortality, aging, and existential topics)
- Main Language Used: English
Book Themes
(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)
- Sexual themes: 0 (None) – No explicit or implied sexual content.
- Religious themes: 1 (A few) – Mentions of faith (e.g., Warhol’s faith) but not central.
- Violence, self-harm, etc.: 1 (A few) – Brief reference to a shooting and past struggles.
- Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 0 (None) – No strong language or profanity detected.
- Other adult themes: 2 (Considerable) – Themes of aging, mortality, and existential reflection throughout.
Rating
- Content: 5
- Writing Style: 5
- Appeal to Target Audience: 5
- Uniqueness: 5
- Editing: 5
- Other Factors: 5
- Overall Average: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Links
Related
Book Review: The Islander by David W. Berner
Have you ever wondered what light sounds like when it whispers secrets of solitude? In The Islander, David W. Berner invites readers to discover this answer through Seamus Damp’s story.
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