Reviews tagging 'Pandemic/Epidemic'

Coming Up for Air: What I Learned from Sport, Fame and Fatherhood by Tom Daley

1 review

james1star's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

I did quite enjoy this memoir and would recommend it, it just wasn’t a new favourite. Daley’s book follows a somewhat linear narrative starting in 2012 and finishing in 2021 but certain chapters and parts zig-zag chronologically focussing on the particular topic he’s talking about. There was maybe a bit too much technical parts about diving for my personal liking but not excessive in comparison with the parts I was more interested in which I’ll list: 
  • Sexuality, coming to terms with it and coming out in the public eye 
  • Mental health, dealing with burnout, internal and external pressure, mindfulness and ways to deal with it 
  • Body image in regards to men and toxicity within sports 
  • Grief, how to do it and love forward, the many ways one is impacted ~ I cried in public when he was talking about his dad omfg he sounded like such an amazing person, Tom he’d be so so proud of all you’ve accomplished 
  • Gay family and parenting, viewed but outsiders, how to make it work, hurdles to overcome 
There are others but these are the major points of discussion. I found them all quite interesting and I enjoyed hearing Daley’s personal take. As a gay man there were also parts I could relate to well such as this quote where he felt he had to ‘Overcompensate for not fitting the mould’ in terms of achieving success in diving, something I very much felt and still do but want to love on from. Overall a decent read (listen ~ totes recommend the audiobook narrated by Daley himself) and a solid 4 star book.

I wish Tom, Lance and Robbie all the best you’re such an amazing and adorable family, something I aspire to have in the future too! 
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