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eamcmahon3's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't realize that the author was instragram famous until over half way through. I think that's a testament to her story and writing style.
I think this book is a love story. It tells of the love of the desert, adventure, an unconventional life, the self, difficult parents, growing up, failing, first loves, pets, and more.
The writing style is beautiful. One of my favorite quotes is, "I knew bad things could happen to everyone. People die every day. They die in extreme sports accidents and accidents on the way to their office. Some people get a sudden terminal diagnosis. Some people die trying to sail oceans, summit mountains. Some people's beloved dogs slip their collars, dig a hole under the fence, and run out into the street. Some people keel over, stone-dead, while tending to the rose garden in their front yard.
I didn't want a rose garden. I wanted a story to tell, no matter what risks it would require to tell it."
I think this book is a love story. It tells of the love of the desert, adventure, an unconventional life, the self, difficult parents, growing up, failing, first loves, pets, and more.
The writing style is beautiful. One of my favorite quotes is, "I knew bad things could happen to everyone. People die every day. They die in extreme sports accidents and accidents on the way to their office. Some people get a sudden terminal diagnosis. Some people die trying to sail oceans, summit mountains. Some people's beloved dogs slip their collars, dig a hole under the fence, and run out into the street. Some people keel over, stone-dead, while tending to the rose garden in their front yard.
I didn't want a rose garden. I wanted a story to tell, no matter what risks it would require to tell it."
jl27's review
5.0
Brianna has captivated me with her writing well before she could proudly call herself a published author. I can't exactly remember how or when I started following her on the 'gram, but it's been years. Long enough to know pieces of most of what she gives us in this book. She just tells her stories well.
So well, in fact, that, as it turned out, she felt she had to tell other stories to get her through her own hellish occurrences, until she was able to return to herself, and get her own truths out. These are truths that I never have held against this seemingly kindred spirit and beautifully broken person who I don't know. However, they are truths for which a contingent of people have basically tried to have her burned at the social media stake at every turn, for a long time now. They've infiltrated all sorts of weird internet corners trying to take her down. They're deeply rooted in their displaced convictions, so it was no surprise seeing their fabricated views here in the form of GR reviews before the book ever was published. Lack of surprise didn't make it any less of a weird reminder that people just can be so small-minded at times.
Apologies for that digression; but it is part of the story.
Essentially: whether you actually know Brianna personally, or just feel like you do because she's put so much of herself out there into the world, or because you share her love the desert and wild places, and/or your dogs are your world, and/or you are learning to take alone-ness and make it your comfort zone, you'll likely enjoy this beautifully written collection of bits and bobs about her life. I gave it five stars for the writing alone, but I also believe in and support women like Brianna, who are trying to find their way and grow, and are willing to put themselves out there to the world as part of their growth process.
Kudos, Brianna.
So well, in fact, that, as it turned out, she felt she had to tell other stories to get her through her own hellish occurrences, until she was able to return to herself, and get her own truths out. These are truths that I never have held against this seemingly kindred spirit and beautifully broken person who I don't know. However, they are truths for which a contingent of people have basically tried to have her burned at the social media stake at every turn, for a long time now. They've infiltrated all sorts of weird internet corners trying to take her down. They're deeply rooted in their displaced convictions, so it was no surprise seeing their fabricated views here in the form of GR reviews before the book ever was published. Lack of surprise didn't make it any less of a weird reminder that people just can be so small-minded at times.
Apologies for that digression; but it is part of the story.
Essentially: whether you actually know Brianna personally, or just feel like you do because she's put so much of herself out there into the world, or because you share her love the desert and wild places, and/or your dogs are your world, and/or you are learning to take alone-ness and make it your comfort zone, you'll likely enjoy this beautifully written collection of bits and bobs about her life. I gave it five stars for the writing alone, but I also believe in and support women like Brianna, who are trying to find their way and grow, and are willing to put themselves out there to the world as part of their growth process.
Kudos, Brianna.
hifrench's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Maybe it’s because I’ve been a Briana fan girl for a decade, but wow. Her story. Her storytelling. Her resilience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Injury/Injury detail
ejbhill's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
hedymarie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
oprah_wimpy's review against another edition
5.0
So glad I purchased as an audiobook. Absolutely moving listening to it in her own words. I laughed. I cried. And then really really cried. I'll be coming back to this one again. Bravo Brianna on a fantastic memoir and first book.
kaitinreallife's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
While this book was a really good read, I feel like I liked never leave the dogs behind more.
This book felt less emotional than the second but maybe that’s what I get for not starting with this book 😂 it was still a powerful read but it was just missing that emotion piece.
This book felt less emotional than the second but maybe that’s what I get for not starting with this book 😂 it was still a powerful read but it was just missing that emotion piece.