A Sneak Peek at Born to be Mild

Some memoirs are written to celebrate a life. Others are written to explain one.

In Born to be Mild, James Hees does neither.

Instead, he tells stories.

With the keen eye of a journalist and the timing of a seasoned storyteller, Hees introduces readers to a cast of unforgettable characters, improbable situations, and moments that are by turns funny, unsettling, and surprisingly moving. His humour is rarely loud. More often, it emerges from the contrast between ordinary people and extraordinary circumstances.

What makes Born to be Mild unique is the voice behind the stories. Hees spent years as a journalist, listening carefully, observing closely, and searching for the details that reveal something larger about the human experience. Those instincts are present throughout the memoir. The result is writing that is sharp, honest, and often unexpectedly funny.

The humour in Born to be Mild is not found in punchlines. It comes from the absurdity of real life: mismatched shoes, questionable decisions, narrow escapes, and the strange characters who drift in and out of our lives. Even in its darker moments, the memoir maintains a warmth and humanity that keeps readers turning the page.

As we prepare for the release of Born to be Mild, we invite you to enjoy this brief excerpt from the opening chapter.

Ron reminded me of my uncle Paul as he slumped against a weeping birch tree, wearing mismatched shoes. He was outside a battered building called Second Chance. A scuffed black oxford with no laces was on one foot, a ripped brown loafer on the other. Fashion was no longer a concern for Ron. Nor was paying the mortgage or getting the kids off to school. His top priority on this day was sharing the contents of a plastic jug with the friend sitting beside him. As Bob took a large swig, Ron praised their beverage of choice. “A delightful intoxicant!” he muttered. Inside the jug was his favourite recipe, three parts tap water, one part Lysol. Workers at the shelter called it non-beverage alcohol. Ron called it affordable. “Buck-fifty and I’ll be feelin’ no pain.”

Born to be Mild by James Hees will be available soon.