If you’re reading this, I hope you’ll forgive me a bit of an introduction to my review of These Desired Things. I think a review of this book deserves a proper setting of the table.For several years, I only knew of Steve Matchett the broadcaster. He is a key piece of the F1 on NBC Sports commentary team: the witty and charming Professor of Racing Mechanics, alongside the also stellar Leigh Diffey, David Hobbs, and Will Buxton.During those years of watching F1, I fell in love with the sport and learned so much by taking in Steve’s insights each race weekend about the cars’ engineering and how they respond to certain conditions. So, when I learned that he’d authored several books about F1 racing, I was intrigued to hear his storytelling voice. As expected, I was not disappointed. Life in the Fast Lane, The Mechanic’s Tale, and The Chariot Makers are all delightfully insightful stories about Steve’s time in the sport of F1.I’ll admit that in those first three mostly non-fiction books, I had somewhat selfishly taken for granted Steve’s innate ability to recount an interesting story and make you feel as though you were there yourself: he’s a long-tenured veteran of the sport, of course he can tell a great story of the glories of Michael Schumacher. He had lived and breathed F1, after all.But, now on to this latest work, which is a departure from his prior three non-fiction works centered on F1 racing. In short, I’m quite honestly amazed at the creativity, heartfelt thought, and ability to use multiple mechanisms to interlace these short stories together. While reading These Desired Things, (if possible, I recommend a fire and a glass of your favorite pour to set the mood), I found myself saying aloud more than once “this is really, REALLY good.”I continually came back to one recurring feeling: beautifully immersive. It was the first thought I had while reading the first chapter, as though I could feel the sandstorm punishing me along with the characters, and it continued throughout the final pages. I found myself plunged into the surroundings of each short story – whether a desirable place to be (Brazil or Maranello), or a thoroughly undesirable place to be (in the trenches as the Great War raged in France or a cold room not designed for but repurposed for quiet yet frustrating study). I was beautifully immersed in each.I have no doubt that everyone who reads this collection will have different stories they relate and respond to more than others. Without giving too much away, and taking nothing away from the strength of the entire book, for me, these moments stood out in particular:- Sempre FerrariThis chapter reminds me of my own trips to Italy: the palpable enjoyment of life in all its eternal simplicity that exists there, and that there is always “domani”. I also particularly related to the promise of the field glasses being honored. A beautiful moment.- (The Piano) Room 101Steve describes the intricacies of the room like only a race mechanic can. The room is absolutely brought alive, again leaving the reader no other option but to feel as though they’ve not only been transported to the very room itself, but into the protagonist’s psyche as well.- Fragments from FranceYoung Steve’s interactions with Mr. Goodman and his everlasting influence were so relatable to me. I had my own version of Mr. Goodman, who also happened to be a veteran (though of Vietnam) and an avid sports fan (though he was perched in the seats at Fenway Park as opposed to Donington Park). Like Steve, I also never wanted to disappoint him, and my Mr. Goodman also left an indelible positive influence on me.With These Desired Things, Steve has built upon the narrative strength of his prior works, but added delightfully imaginative and emotive fiction. If you couldn’t tell, my advice is to pick up this book and allow it to transport you to each wonderful little world it encompasses. You won’t regret the time spent.