Pushing Leaves Towards the Sun

A novel by Mark L Berry

When Oso gets yanked off his motorcycle and killed by a closed parking lot chain, Billy feels guilty for teaching him to hop curbs and shortcut traffic lights. Billy’s survivor’s guilt drags him down a spiral of one night stands fed by excessive alcohol and reckless driving. Life is short, play hard!

Meanwhile, Oso’s girlfriend Lindy pours her grief into her new music album, Studying Psychology—Mostly as a Patient, as she struggles with whether she can ever let herself love again. Can she turn this tragedy into something productive and meaningful through her music?

Pushing Leaves Towards the Sun explores survivor’s guilt and grief through music and fiction. The lyrics for 11 original songs are developed within. So, this novel rocks—literally! When you’ve lost someone you love, there are no easy answers. Know that you’re not alone in your struggle.

Listen to this novel’s 11 songs as you’re reading.
They’re available below, sorted in chronological order including the chapter in which each appears.
This is a story that you don’t just read, you experience it through music!

One Down and Four Up – from Chapter 2 (Song #1)
Performed by Kim Smith, Dave Morgan, Bill Johnson, & Tom Horn

Lyrics & mp3 - plus Artist links / VIDEO

Can’t Say Goodbye – from Chapter 4 (Song #2)
Performed by Deanna Williams & Don ‘Lefty’ Williams

Lyrics & mp3 - plus Artist links /

If I’m Only Dreaming – from Chapter 6 (Song #3)
Performed by Steve Schafer, Don ‘Lefty’ Williams, & Cleveland Brown

Lyrics & mp3 - plus Artist links /

One Day – from Chapter 9 (Song #4)
Performed by
Shane Clary, Don ‘Lefty’ Williams, Cleveland Brown, & Jeff Mosely

Lyrics & mp3 - plus Artist links /

Screwed at the Drive-thru – from Chapter 9 (Song #5) Performed by Don ‘Lefty’ Williams & Deanna Williams

Lyrics & mp3 - plus Artist links / VIDEO

Man-Made Roadblocks – from Chapter 12 (Song #6)
Performed by Cleveland Brown & Mark D

Lyrics & mp3 - plus Artist links /

Organized Anger (Drum Solo) – from Chapter 14 (Bonus)
Performed by Brian “The Kid” Hilgert / Video

Hey Young Lady – from Chapter 14 (Song #7)
Performed by T.C. Elliott

Lyrics & mp3 - plus Artist links / VIDEO

From a Long Way Away – from Chapter 18 (Song #8)
Performed by Kim Smith, J Starck, Bill Johnson, & Dave Morgan

Lyrics & mp3 - plus Artist links /

Just Another – from Chapter 20 (Song #9)
Performed by Deborah Linden and Mal

Lyrics & mp3 - plus Artist links /

The Family Tree – from Chapter 23 (Song #10)
Performed by Deanna Williams and Don ‘Lefty’ Williams

Written by John ‘Scuba’ Linneman in St. Louis, MO
Lyrics & mp3 - plus Artist links /

Cats – from Chapter 23 (Song #11)
Performed by Deanna Williams, Cleveland Brown, Don ‘Lefty’ Williams, John Krakowski

Lyrics & mp3 - plus Artist links /