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danielwest's review against another edition
4.0
If Jessica Hopper had been coming up in the 2010's and biking through Wicker, Ukrainian Village, and West Town, perhaps she would have accompanied her bike rides with a pair of bluetooth headphones and a punk mixtape, as long as it didn't blot out the sounds of the city. But since the working-class poetry of Night Moves takes place in the early 00's, it seems that Hopper has substituted a cinematic soundtrack for a reader. The openness with which Hopper writes makes it clear that we're an essential piece of the story. Reading this book before and after my own nights out in these same neighborhoods transforms my own night moves--and the changes that these neighborhoods have gone through in a decade and a half--into the soundtrack for Hopper's writing, influencing my experience of Night Moves and resulting in a nostalgia for what Chicago has lost, a respect for what Chicago holds firm, and a sensitivity for what Chicago will become.
demimancy's review against another edition
5.0
I work for the University of Texas Press, so I read this early. It is remarkable.
cctheunicorn's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
I’m rating this quite low considering I didn’t have a bad time reading it. I do think this is a book for a very niche audience. I went in expecting an essay collection about music, and Chicago (which is my fault for not reading the blurb carefully enough) but it’s journal entries. I’ve never been to Chicago and was a fair bit younger than the author in the time she’s writing about, journal entries didn’t lend much description of places or the pop culture at this time which is a prevalent part of this collection. So this didn’t really work for me but I think if you grew up in the same place and at the same time as the author this would probably be a fun read. I did feel nostalgia for a memories and events that I’ve obviously never experienced, which it credit to the writing.
I’m rating this quite low considering I didn’t have a bad time reading it. I do think this is a book for a very niche audience. I went in expecting an essay collection about music, and Chicago (which is my fault for not reading the blurb carefully enough) but it’s journal entries. I’ve never been to Chicago and was a fair bit younger than the author in the time she’s writing about, journal entries didn’t lend much description of places or the pop culture at this time which is a prevalent part of this collection. So this didn’t really work for me but I think if you grew up in the same place and at the same time as the author this would probably be a fun read. I did feel nostalgia for a memories and events that I’ve obviously never experienced, which it credit to the writing.
oceanwalk's review against another edition
3.0
This book is not a traditional memoir of writer Jessica Hopper's life in Chicago. Instead, she lets you into her life via unrelated vignettes, that range from intriguing and amusing to pure hipster. But good or bad, you never get the sense that Hopper is editing her stories to show a specific side of herself. Instead, this is just her experiences put to paper, with no filter. If you're looking for more specific thoughts on music, I'd recommend "The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic." But if you want to get inside this music writer's head, "Night Moves" may be for you.
morganmullin's review against another edition
5.0
A short collection of vignettes that sometimes pack a wallop of deeper meaning and sometimes are just a slice-of-life glimpse into a particular time and place (Chicago in the early 2000s), Hopper’s Night Moves is the sort of quick-melting treat that reminds you of all the little things that make a life. The extreme specifics of club playlists and party menus blend into your own memories, and the reminder that you can choose a home, a family, and a way to be is a deep comfort. It made me crave summertime and wasting time with friends. It made me remember I still have time left to mess around and make mistakes. It made me feel like you keep growing and not knowing always.
abbeyjfox's review against another edition
4.0
this book reminded me why journaling is important and awesome. it also made me miss chicago, which hasn't happened since i left 2 months ago. i will forever fangirl jessica hopper.
starcrunch's review against another edition
4.0
Do not read unless you want to be sad for a long gone Chicago and your lost youth.
checkyoshelf's review against another edition
2.0
This book has its moments (mostly that Hopper sites the authors you should actually read when wanting to read about a Chicago gone but not forgotten.) but most of it reminds me of my early 20’s and living in the exact same place at the same time. I laughed out loud at the cringey-ness of my younger self. Wicker Park. Ukrainian Village. The bands. The bars. The name dropping without references. Kill Hannah.