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traciotr's review
2.0
*I received a copy of this book thanks to a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
I am finally getting around to doing a review of [b:What Comes Next and How to Like It: A Memoir|22609326|What Comes Next and How to Like It A Memoir|Abigail Thomas|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1427161113s/22609326.jpg|42099149] after receiving it several months ago. I was really hoping to like it much more, but found it lacking the usual emotion and feeling of a memoir. Instead, it seemed more of a series of snippets of various experiences, in no particular order. I thought the description by another reviewer was very fitting, as she called them "stream-of-consciousness vignettes".
There were a few recurring themes throughout, that of the author's long-term friendship with a man named Chuck, and of aging in general. However, I didn't feel that Thomas delved very deeply into anything, and the book read more like blog or diary entries. It almost seemed as if she was simply detailing many events as an impartial observer, rather than actually living through the events. Also, due to the title, I thought that she would certainly be relating how she coped after her husband's accident and eventual death. Oddly enough, she mentions her husband only a few times and simply refers to him being hit by a car and never being the same.
Overall, if I could give partial stars, I'd rate this a 2.5, but this just wasn't a book that spoke to me. Again, I'm definitely in the minority, as it has many more 4 and 5 star ratings than lower ratings. I'll just chalk it up to the fact that everyone is different, and we aren't all going to feel exactly the same about a particular book and that's what makes sites such as Goodreads interesting. :)
I am finally getting around to doing a review of [b:What Comes Next and How to Like It: A Memoir|22609326|What Comes Next and How to Like It A Memoir|Abigail Thomas|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1427161113s/22609326.jpg|42099149] after receiving it several months ago. I was really hoping to like it much more, but found it lacking the usual emotion and feeling of a memoir. Instead, it seemed more of a series of snippets of various experiences, in no particular order. I thought the description by another reviewer was very fitting, as she called them "stream-of-consciousness vignettes".
There were a few recurring themes throughout, that of the author's long-term friendship with a man named Chuck, and of aging in general. However, I didn't feel that Thomas delved very deeply into anything, and the book read more like blog or diary entries. It almost seemed as if she was simply detailing many events as an impartial observer, rather than actually living through the events. Also, due to the title, I thought that she would certainly be relating how she coped after her husband's accident and eventual death. Oddly enough, she mentions her husband only a few times and simply refers to him being hit by a car and never being the same.
Overall, if I could give partial stars, I'd rate this a 2.5, but this just wasn't a book that spoke to me. Again, I'm definitely in the minority, as it has many more 4 and 5 star ratings than lower ratings. I'll just chalk it up to the fact that everyone is different, and we aren't all going to feel exactly the same about a particular book and that's what makes sites such as Goodreads interesting. :)
literallykalasin's review
3.0
At about the midway point of this memoir about family and friendship, Abigail Thomas admits she hates chronological order. The layout of this very quick book would agree with that statement; this memoir doesn't so much tell a story as it instead lays out brief vignettes of everyday life. Some recount big events, like her daughter's cancer, and some are quiet moments -- making food, recounting a dream, painting in her shed. It recounts a life lived, and children raised, a friend made and kept for 35 years, but at the end of the book, I felt no more enlightened or moved than at the beginning.
The writing is pleasant and the format is brief and breezy. It is certainly a cosy little read. At the same time, I can't see myself coming back to this as a book with a plot that I can recount. It's the reading equivalent of cotton candy; sweet and pleasant, eventually fading into nothing.
The writing is pleasant and the format is brief and breezy. It is certainly a cosy little read. At the same time, I can't see myself coming back to this as a book with a plot that I can recount. It's the reading equivalent of cotton candy; sweet and pleasant, eventually fading into nothing.
readouid's review
4.0
Thomas applies her unique balance of immediacy and detachment, intimacy and non-self-judgement to the brink of aging, the brink of death. For such sad subject matter, you can feel her buoyant joy. She grapples with some of the toughest stuff, yet finds plenty of small pleasures. Every thing I read by her I want more of.
jacklynruth's review
4.0
This story is told in very short chapters. Each is connected in some way to another. We learn about the best friend Chuck. The daughter who has cancer. But most all is Daphne the dog who destroys everything. The most expensive dog the author has owned and yet despite it all is loved. I enjoyed the dog stories in the book the most.
ryndleto's review
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
Some of the authors writing was really pretty, but I don;t understand the plot or character growth that occurred. This book felt like walking through an uninspiring museum. I wanted to learn something cool so bad so I paid attention but I didn’t learn anything of interest.
melissakuzma's review
4.0
I pretty much read this book in one sitting. Once I started, I just couldn't stop. As she did with Three Dog Life, Abigail Thomas completely won me over talking about her dogs, but there is oh so much more. Next time we go to Woodstock I'm just going to go to Cucina every night and wait for her to come in so I can tell her how amazing I think she is.
snackbeast's review
4.0
I hate giving star ratings to memoirs...it's like I'm judging someone's life experiences as "good enough." Normally, the only rating factor I incorporate is the quality of the writing. This was different. Ms. Thomas is a phenomenal writer and storyteller, AND the "story" was deeply moving, full, honest, and cringe-worthy. Nothing was hidden away, even the ugliest, darkest bits of her life were left out in the open for everyone to see.
As cliche as this is going to sound, I laughed, I cried, and I wanted more at then end...which is why I've already shelved "Three Dog Life" for future reading.
As cliche as this is going to sound, I laughed, I cried, and I wanted more at then end...which is why I've already shelved "Three Dog Life" for future reading.