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amotisse's review
5.0
Yeah yeah...the title got me straight away.
What girl, regardless of age, doesn't want songs written for/about her by some groovy guy?
Writing, the creative process in whichever form, is a response to life.
An experience, emotion, sensation, conversation, image, person, moment, a witness.
It requires thought, sensitivity, honesty, patience, a certain way of looking at and seeing things...
And then, courage because all creative expression makes us vulnerable.
What is in a song?
layers of music and words telling a story,
a different kind of snapshot,
that brings people together in sounds, vibrations, movement, dance.
That is a special energy,
so if someone felt so inspired as to create a piece of that around you it would (hopefully) be a huge compliment no matter how clichéd or corny.
Surely that means that someone has seen something more than an exterior or appearance. They have taken time to look harder and deeper to know who you are.
So I like this book for it's simple descriptions,
it's monologues marking moments of unspoken treasures.
All the things left unsaid.
We say what we shouldn't and don't say what we should.
I like the insight into how the characters think and feel about life and each other.
Life is amazing at any age but from 18 onwards new experiences are huge. Work, study, music, responsibility, reality, freedom, first love, travel, hopes and dreams...WOW, totally wonderful and overwhelming!
Mandy and Tim are young, lost and fragile.
Music brings them together, binds them, they express themselves through it with their band crushes, mix tapes, love of vinyl and for Tim his lyrics.
There is an ageless maturity in some of his thinking that is quite touching, mixed with humour and a little poetry. I like pensive minds perhaps that's why it appeals to me or the creative process, but it also takes me back.
"You can say so much without words. I guess I didn't mind before when Mandy didn't talk much because you can tell more about people during the silences. I know so many people who talk a lot and talk such a lot of shit that it's nice to have someone who doesn't say that much, but says things that are worth listening to when they do speak." - Tim
"...In those couple of seconds I try to commit every inch of the swell of her breasts to memory, every detail from the curve of her collarbone to the edge of the black lace bra under her shirt. I try to take a mental photograph of that tantalising inch between her skirt and her stockings when she walks, those acres of legs in black nylon. I'm forgetting how to breathe." - Tim
"One person, one moment, can change things forever. Perhaps I've always known this. After all, it only takes the three chords and the two and a half minutes of a great pop song to break your heart or make you feel invincible." - Mandy
Lots of cute awkwardness to love.
What girl, regardless of age, doesn't want songs written for/about her by some groovy guy?
Writing, the creative process in whichever form, is a response to life.
An experience, emotion, sensation, conversation, image, person, moment, a witness.
It requires thought, sensitivity, honesty, patience, a certain way of looking at and seeing things...
And then, courage because all creative expression makes us vulnerable.
What is in a song?
layers of music and words telling a story,
a different kind of snapshot,
that brings people together in sounds, vibrations, movement, dance.
That is a special energy,
so if someone felt so inspired as to create a piece of that around you it would (hopefully) be a huge compliment no matter how clichéd or corny.
Surely that means that someone has seen something more than an exterior or appearance. They have taken time to look harder and deeper to know who you are.
So I like this book for it's simple descriptions,
it's monologues marking moments of unspoken treasures.
All the things left unsaid.
We say what we shouldn't and don't say what we should.
I like the insight into how the characters think and feel about life and each other.
Life is amazing at any age but from 18 onwards new experiences are huge. Work, study, music, responsibility, reality, freedom, first love, travel, hopes and dreams...WOW, totally wonderful and overwhelming!
Mandy and Tim are young, lost and fragile.
Music brings them together, binds them, they express themselves through it with their band crushes, mix tapes, love of vinyl and for Tim his lyrics.
There is an ageless maturity in some of his thinking that is quite touching, mixed with humour and a little poetry. I like pensive minds perhaps that's why it appeals to me or the creative process, but it also takes me back.
"You can say so much without words. I guess I didn't mind before when Mandy didn't talk much because you can tell more about people during the silences. I know so many people who talk a lot and talk such a lot of shit that it's nice to have someone who doesn't say that much, but says things that are worth listening to when they do speak." - Tim
"...In those couple of seconds I try to commit every inch of the swell of her breasts to memory, every detail from the curve of her collarbone to the edge of the black lace bra under her shirt. I try to take a mental photograph of that tantalising inch between her skirt and her stockings when she walks, those acres of legs in black nylon. I'm forgetting how to breathe." - Tim
"One person, one moment, can change things forever. Perhaps I've always known this. After all, it only takes the three chords and the two and a half minutes of a great pop song to break your heart or make you feel invincible." - Mandy
Lots of cute awkwardness to love.
shannonsnextchapter's review against another edition
3.0
My review can be found here https://www.instagram.com/p/BCeHFuPwfsy/?taken-by=lightand_shade
angie1op's review against another edition
1.0
I reborrowed this book twice and still didn't end up finishing it.
The characters were almost like cringy Tumblr blogs turned into people; Mandy is that blog who always reblogs emo bands and is always sad while Tim is the pretentious indie blog who tries too hard to be musically "cool" and makes crappy mixtapes. The characters were almost unenjoyable as the book. Also, the chapters were even messier with the swapping of P.O.V.'s every chapter, or should I say every couple of pages. Yikes.
The characters were almost like cringy Tumblr blogs turned into people; Mandy is that blog who always reblogs emo bands and is always sad while Tim is the pretentious indie blog who tries too hard to be musically "cool" and makes crappy mixtapes. The characters were almost unenjoyable as the book. Also, the chapters were even messier with the swapping of P.O.V.'s every chapter, or should I say every couple of pages. Yikes.
ps_a22's review
3.0
This was such a quirky book. This book really made me realise the importance of decision made in someone's high school career and having a drive for something your passionate for. The ending was beautiful and I loved the idea of the first word of the mixtape spell out the title. A very cute read!
amyjane81's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nicky_m98's review
3.0
More like 3.5 stars
I read this book in one sitting and I enjoyed it but didn't absolutely fall in love with it. Maybe if I read this at a different time I may have enjoyed it more.
I read this book in one sitting and I enjoyed it but didn't absolutely fall in love with it. Maybe if I read this at a different time I may have enjoyed it more.
amy_heferen's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sjwhi's review
3.0
Daniel Herborn's novel is one that just magically caught my eye every time I walked into a bookseller (even places like Target and Kmart, when I'm not even looking for books. I can hear your scoff, play along please). The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the story is the same. You're the Kind of Girl I Write Songs About is the kind of YA contemporary novel I would love to write (that's my 2016 resolution- finish a god damn novel). Despite saying that, this story, while beautifully written, is a slow read. I'm not going to talk it up for you. The novel is told in two perspectives. Mandy, one of the main characters, is bland but it is Tim, the other, who makes this story worthwhile. His background, filled with pain that has made him who he is, is what keeps you turning the pages. He makes the story emotional, soft in some parts, raw in the other. Herborn has put together a beautiful piece of work, and I'm looking forward to see what he can do next.
Recommended for music fans and anyone who appreciates novels similar (but not as painful) as Rainbow Rowell's novels. Everyone loves a happy ending.
Recommended for music fans and anyone who appreciates novels similar (but not as painful) as Rainbow Rowell's novels. Everyone loves a happy ending.
smdavie's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75