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lsparrow's review
3.0
I enjoyed the premise of this books - plants that mark different moments in life.
henrismum's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
Take away: Mixed feelings. I picked this book because it fit into the FAH reading challenge (a book with a plant on the cover) and it was short. I assumed the author was a horticulturist or similar, someone who spent her life around plants, but Ms. Vaz is a graphic designer and plants have occasionally and casually appeared in her life. That's okay, I guess.
Ms. Vaz is only in her thirties and this is written as a memoir. My advice, come back in forty years with the more to tell us. You're off to a good start, but you're too young to impart wisdom on the masses.
The print edition has drawings, so listening without benefit of the illustrations probably diminished my experience.
Narration: Taylor Meskimen - Surprisingly good, a tad whiny but I would seek out some of her other work.
Normal Speed- Accelerated Speed
New - Second - Third - Committed
Series - Non Series - Non-Fiction - Author
Listening to this book was a chore.
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I didn't want this book to end.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
Ms. Vaz is only in her thirties and this is written as a memoir. My advice, come back in forty years with the more to tell us. You're off to a good start, but you're too young to impart wisdom on the masses.
The print edition has drawings, so listening without benefit of the illustrations probably diminished my experience.
Narration: Taylor Meskimen - Surprisingly good, a tad whiny but I would seek out some of her other work.
Normal Speed
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I didn't want this book to end.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
4.0
My Life in Plants // by Katie Vaz // narrated by Taylor Meskimen
I’m a fan of memoirs, especially serious ones that will teach me something, such as those focused on mental health, working abroad, or the medical field. While I was browsing NetGalley though, I came across this and it sounded really cute. It is short at less than 2 hours and I knew I was about to finish up my other audiobook, so why not? It is delightful! It is like a break from the seriousness and a fresh breath of air. I love my other memoirs but this was so fun to listen to!
The narrator has a voice that seems to work for the chapters where the author is young as well as later on when she is older. She has a good rhythm as well that fit the stories perfectly. There are 39 chapters that are very short and each focus on a different plant. Some plants feature more heavily in their segments while others are mention more in passing. But I found it very interesting that so many of her memories are attached to plants and it eventually made me wonder about my own as well, such as eating tomatoes with my mom, collecting cucumbers from her yard with my grandma, and picking strawberries with my dad and friends. I liked how some stories were more serious than others and also how she looked at herself critically, recognizing both the good aspects of her life as well as the areas of herself where she could improve.
Whether you want a slow introduction to memoirs, a change in perspective for your own life, or just a break from more serious reads, I think you should really consider this audiobook! In my Google search for images for my blog post, I also came across the print copy of this book and really liked the illustrations so I’m sure it would be a lovely print book to own as well!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a fan of memoirs, especially serious ones that will teach me something, such as those focused on mental health, working abroad, or the medical field. While I was browsing NetGalley though, I came across this and it sounded really cute. It is short at less than 2 hours and I knew I was about to finish up my other audiobook, so why not? It is delightful! It is like a break from the seriousness and a fresh breath of air. I love my other memoirs but this was so fun to listen to!
The narrator has a voice that seems to work for the chapters where the author is young as well as later on when she is older. She has a good rhythm as well that fit the stories perfectly. There are 39 chapters that are very short and each focus on a different plant. Some plants feature more heavily in their segments while others are mention more in passing. But I found it very interesting that so many of her memories are attached to plants and it eventually made me wonder about my own as well, such as eating tomatoes with my mom, collecting cucumbers from her yard with my grandma, and picking strawberries with my dad and friends. I liked how some stories were more serious than others and also how she looked at herself critically, recognizing both the good aspects of her life as well as the areas of herself where she could improve.
Whether you want a slow introduction to memoirs, a change in perspective for your own life, or just a break from more serious reads, I think you should really consider this audiobook! In my Google search for images for my blog post, I also came across the print copy of this book and really liked the illustrations so I’m sure it would be a lovely print book to own as well!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
gayathiri_rajendran's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Andrew McNeels Publishing for a review copy. The below opinions are my own.
My Life In Plants is a cute illustrated book with stories about plants and the author's life. The author describes the various incidents in her life via thirty nine plants which were a part of that particular event or memory. I felt that was very unique. The illustrations were so pretty.
This was a very heartwarming and enjoyable book.
My Life In Plants is a cute illustrated book with stories about plants and the author's life. The author describes the various incidents in her life via thirty nine plants which were a part of that particular event or memory. I felt that was very unique. The illustrations were so pretty.
This was a very heartwarming and enjoyable book.
stasiareading's review against another edition
3.0
This book was not exactly what I was expecting. Part of this could be due to the fact that I only read the title and not the description before reading it. I was expecting the plants to have a more integral part of the stories told, be a greater focus, perhaps even some anecdotal plant caring information, I was expecting to hear about a lot of house plants. This was not the case, the plants the author uses to tell her stories are really just a way to tie them all together with the fact that in all these moments plants were involved, present, but they aren't the focal point, more just a tether tying all the stories loosely together. This misassumption aside. I did enjoy the book.
The stories told are mostly about childhood/the early years of adulthood, they are both lighthearted (mostly) and heartwarming anecdotes that many of us can easily relate to, The language Vaz uses is very clear, simple yet evocative painting a clear picture of what she describing without bogging us down. It is a great quick read for someone looking for a book that will make them smile and reminisce about their own experiences growing up.
It made for a great audiobook as the stories shared are short and sweet, if I get distracted and stop listening for a minute, no big deal, going back to the beginning of the chapter or waiting for the next to start doesn't take a lot of time. The narrator has a clear agreeable voice that is very easy to listen to and understand. I think this audiobook would make a great read/listen for someone who is working on English as a second ( or more) language. The only drawback to the audiobook is that I did not see the illustrations included and I bet they are beautiful and fun.
Lastly the cover art on this one I just love.
Thanks to Netgalley for the book.
The stories told are mostly about childhood/the early years of adulthood, they are both lighthearted (mostly) and heartwarming anecdotes that many of us can easily relate to, The language Vaz uses is very clear, simple yet evocative painting a clear picture of what she describing without bogging us down. It is a great quick read for someone looking for a book that will make them smile and reminisce about their own experiences growing up.
It made for a great audiobook as the stories shared are short and sweet, if I get distracted and stop listening for a minute, no big deal, going back to the beginning of the chapter or waiting for the next to start doesn't take a lot of time. The narrator has a clear agreeable voice that is very easy to listen to and understand. I think this audiobook would make a great read/listen for someone who is working on English as a second ( or more) language. The only drawback to the audiobook is that I did not see the illustrations included and I bet they are beautiful and fun.
Lastly the cover art on this one I just love.
Thanks to Netgalley for the book.
darkbaysfordays's review
5.0
So. Much. Nostalgia! A refreshing read where the author really bares her soul. Not only do you get a glimpse into Katie’s life (ups and downs), you get to learn life lessons right along with her. There were many moments in the book that made me smile, laugh, recollect my own childhood/younger years, and reflect on living in the moment and enjoying life to the fullest. The power of plants!
jadebethj's review
4.0
I really thought the art in My Life in Plants was very adorable. I am a big lover of plants, as well as nonfiction shorts, so I thought this book blended to the two quite nicely. I did find that I wanted a bit more of each. I don't know if that's a bad thing, though. You want to be left wanting more from nonfiction stories - that is, if the author is still alive. Then you are interested in the rest of their story.
I also liked the fact that the illustrations felt more light hearted. When there are tough topics that blend with more mundane ones, it's easy to go to the darker side. This was cutesy and sweet on every page, and at this time in 2020, we need that.
I have recently joined plant groups and I plan to post this on my planstagram page (Plants.That.Read) as well because I think it helps people understand how plants can affect your life. I think it has something to do with the healing aspect, the growth and cycle of life aspect, to plants. Either way, care for plants and heal your soul!
If I could give this my own rating I would give it a 3.5! Thank you for your stories Katie Vaz.
I also liked the fact that the illustrations felt more light hearted. When there are tough topics that blend with more mundane ones, it's easy to go to the darker side. This was cutesy and sweet on every page, and at this time in 2020, we need that.
I have recently joined plant groups and I plan to post this on my planstagram page (Plants.That.Read) as well because I think it helps people understand how plants can affect your life. I think it has something to do with the healing aspect, the growth and cycle of life aspect, to plants. Either way, care for plants and heal your soul!
If I could give this my own rating I would give it a 3.5! Thank you for your stories Katie Vaz.
abigaillaurawriter's review
5.0
I adored this memoir crafted around beautiful illustrations and the plants that have been impactful in the author’s life. I loved everything about this book and highly recommended it!
nica00's review against another edition
3.0
This is nice memoir of brief nostalgic musings with plants as touch points.
I’m betting the print version with the illustrations to anchor the stories would improve upon the audiobook that I listened to.
*I received an arc audiobook through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I’m betting the print version with the illustrations to anchor the stories would improve upon the audiobook that I listened to.
*I received an arc audiobook through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.