Reviews

we really got a deep dive into the genius kind of patti smith. her words alongside her beautiful photographs, it felt like I was flipping through the pages of a family album.

oldsouls_lovebooks's review against another edition

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2.0

This photo diary is exactly as goodreads’ 2 star rating suggests: it was ok. I feel bad giving it 2 stars, though, and contemplated leaving it blank because it’s just one of those books that’s entirely subjective and personal to the creator. A Book of Days is merely a collection of photos Patti Smith took along with some photos she didn’t for each day of the year. Most of the photos aren’t great (they’re not meant to be) and the few sentences underneath each photo also offer nothing but Smith’s own random musings that, along with the personal photos, very much represent the casual, free spirited, spiritual, and well-traveled “artsy” person that she is. I’m sure there is a certain milieu on Instagram that this book appeals to and for which it was published but I’m unfortunately not one of them. There’s just not enough here for me and what is is largely forgettable. But I know it’s not forgettable to her, which is why, again, I feel somewhat uncomfortable rating it. It’s something that Patti Smith published so those who are interested could have a physical copy of casual photos with casual musings on life. It’s not meant to be anything other than what it is, so let’s end on a positive note. What I did get out of this was a lot of authors and works I wasn’t previously aware of that I now want to read, because if there’s one thing you can say about Patti Smith it’s that she LOVES art and artists, poets and novelists; particularly of the French variety. I suppose this collection also has reminded me that I really need to start taking photos like I keep saying I will, but never get around to. I’m not and never will have the money or celebrity to travel like she does let alone leave my home state, but that’s not the photos I’m inspired to take. As much as this collection makes me want to visit the grave sites of people I admire and places my history buff heart craves to see (if I can I will), more than anything I’ve thought about taking photos of my home area to document how it’s changed since my childhood. Unfortunately, old buildings that I wanted to take photos of have already been and are currently being demolished, but better late than never I suppose. So thank you, Patti Smith, for reminding to take the damn camera out of the bag and put it to good use.

kb_208's review against another edition

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4.0

A really nice book of photos taken by Patti Smith during the lock down time of the pandemic. Each photo is accompanied by a short writing telling about the photo and the memories that each one has in her life.
I actually saw Patti Smith on her book/music tour this year. She gave everyone in the audience a copy of the book. Pretty awesome. During the show she told stories about the pictures in her book and then would play a few acoustic songs with her bassist. It was a really nice show. The book is very chill and even inspiring at times. Helping you to really look inward at what memories are truly important in your own life.

lilycooper's review against another edition

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5.0

i have yet to find a book that’s not good by patti smith

lenawadera's review against another edition

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Kocham Patti Smith, ale ta pozycja nadaje się raczej tylko do przejrzenia jako ot, ulotną ciekawostkę.

klaraxck's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

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