Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A pining contemporary romance shrouded with the difficulties of mental health and neurodivergence. Sounds of Yesterday is a different and daring read, since its 1st person perspective is attached to Rob, who has level 1/high functioning autism spectrum disorder. In the writing of this story, it's clearly an own voices narrative as I can't imagine anyone who is neurotypical being able to pull the depth of disassociation and emotional turmoil that comes with being different yet trying to rationalize the romantic interludes of those around them.
In terms of the above, the story is both fantastic and fascinating, and is an enlightening read. Rob stumbles through relationships, through the average banality of it all, looking for triggers when there are none and missing the red flags when slapped in the face. Its detriment, however, is that it is in a journal format that runs much longer than necessary. Rather that go from crisis to crisis, it lingers on micro aggressions and tiny wins that drag the plot, bogged down in disassociative episodes that while serve the narrative become too much when viewed in entirety. While some might criticize the ending as middling and maybe without needed closure, this does speak as a contemporary novel first and romance second, which makes it true to its genre.
The book is well-written with impeccable clarity and skillful editing, and possibly one of the better examples of autism in its rawness while navigating everything from school, work, family, and relationships. If there is someone in your life you don't understand, read this, you'll gain some empathy.
In terms of the above, the story is both fantastic and fascinating, and is an enlightening read. Rob stumbles through relationships, through the average banality of it all, looking for triggers when there are none and missing the red flags when slapped in the face. Its detriment, however, is that it is in a journal format that runs much longer than necessary. Rather that go from crisis to crisis, it lingers on micro aggressions and tiny wins that drag the plot, bogged down in disassociative episodes that while serve the narrative become too much when viewed in entirety. While some might criticize the ending as middling and maybe without needed closure, this does speak as a contemporary novel first and romance second, which makes it true to its genre.
The book is well-written with impeccable clarity and skillful editing, and possibly one of the better examples of autism in its rawness while navigating everything from school, work, family, and relationships. If there is someone in your life you don't understand, read this, you'll gain some empathy.
This is a really interesting book - and I've really struggled at trying to figure out how to rate it. I've also struggled with what to say.
I can say that without a doubt, I am beyond glad and grateful that this book exists. It made me think in a way that most books do not, and it gave me a different perspective on a lot of things in my own life.
The back and forth between yesterday and today initially felt a bit odd, but as the chapters filled with memories, combined with the present day continued to pass I found myself really resonating with how the book was written. The language is a bit monotone, but I think that it was meant to be that way - it makes the reading a bit moodier, and realistic. I love the insight into the neurodivergent mind - the accumulation and buildup of the love, the longing, the heartbreak, and life - it all flows into that, it's just a story about life.
I loved the use of music within this story - the comfort that brought to me was rather startling but it worked out so very well. I also adore the playlist at the end!
I'm really grateful for this one - and I am truly grateful for Jacob Hubbard and his beautiful writing and impressive debut novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jacob Hubbard, and Celestial Seaside Publishing for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
I can say that without a doubt, I am beyond glad and grateful that this book exists. It made me think in a way that most books do not, and it gave me a different perspective on a lot of things in my own life.
The back and forth between yesterday and today initially felt a bit odd, but as the chapters filled with memories, combined with the present day continued to pass I found myself really resonating with how the book was written. The language is a bit monotone, but I think that it was meant to be that way - it makes the reading a bit moodier, and realistic. I love the insight into the neurodivergent mind - the accumulation and buildup of the love, the longing, the heartbreak, and life - it all flows into that, it's just a story about life.
I loved the use of music within this story - the comfort that brought to me was rather startling but it worked out so very well. I also adore the playlist at the end!
I'm really grateful for this one - and I am truly grateful for Jacob Hubbard and his beautiful writing and impressive debut novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jacob Hubbard, and Celestial Seaside Publishing for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Autism representation in a way I haven't seen before.
So I have read plenty of books with Autism representation and enjoyed most of them. One issue that I have with some though is that my Autism is usually a bit more disabling than most characters in books. In my experience most books have Autistic characters showing level 1 Autism. In the Netherlands we don't use levels so personally I'm not diagnosed with a level, but with me living in a 24/7 care institute for managing my Autism I would say I'm somewhere around level 2. I haven't found any kind of person like me on that regard in books before. Most Autistic protagonists live on their own if they're adults and manage their daily life without needing to speak social workers daily. They don't have meltdowns that need professional intervention else they don't go away. And that's okay, those Autistic people definitely exist and deserve their representation too. But representation with someone like me I haven't seen before I read this book.
This book, is one big exception and made me feel incredibility seen. The main character of this book has self destructive stims. Stims they can't hold back even if they try. And I don't do those myself anymore, I very much used to in my childhood. Seeing that on page, humanized in a way that makes it just a part of Autism and not something infantalizing, made me feel at home in this book from the start.
One thing in the Autism representation that also really stood out to me is that you can read the character getting stuck on mental things. I struggle with this the most myself in my daily life, that I just don't understand things, even with multiple explanations by brain can't grasp it. But also getting stuck on thoughts and spiraling from there was something that very much happened in the book. These scenes were both beautiful and painful to read. It was like a big mirror in front of me that made me understand myself better from an outward perspective which was nice, but also a big confrontation with my own limits. It was good, but definitely hard as well.
Outside of the Autism representation the book is very much about moving on from a relationship that ended. I read a lot of romance books where the whole plot is basically the opposite, so for a change seeing the aftermath when things don't work out was beautiful in it's own way. Breaking up with your partner is messy and can leave you unmoored for a long while and this book showed all sides of that struggle. The main character was living his own life but kept relating everything back to their partner and just wasn't able to mentally move on. Seeing him slowly work through his feelings made me look back on my own breakups and how I might not have handled those all the best. And to be honest in the book it also isn't handled the best, this stuff is messy. But following this journey was an amazing read.
Concluding this book was a refreshing read with Autism representation in a way I really needed.
I received an eARC from Netgalley and this was my honest review.
So I have read plenty of books with Autism representation and enjoyed most of them. One issue that I have with some though is that my Autism is usually a bit more disabling than most characters in books. In my experience most books have Autistic characters showing level 1 Autism. In the Netherlands we don't use levels so personally I'm not diagnosed with a level, but with me living in a 24/7 care institute for managing my Autism I would say I'm somewhere around level 2. I haven't found any kind of person like me on that regard in books before. Most Autistic protagonists live on their own if they're adults and manage their daily life without needing to speak social workers daily. They don't have meltdowns that need professional intervention else they don't go away. And that's okay, those Autistic people definitely exist and deserve their representation too. But representation with someone like me I haven't seen before I read this book.
This book, is one big exception and made me feel incredibility seen. The main character of this book has self destructive stims. Stims they can't hold back even if they try. And I don't do those myself anymore, I very much used to in my childhood. Seeing that on page, humanized in a way that makes it just a part of Autism and not something infantalizing, made me feel at home in this book from the start.
One thing in the Autism representation that also really stood out to me is that you can read the character getting stuck on mental things. I struggle with this the most myself in my daily life, that I just don't understand things, even with multiple explanations by brain can't grasp it. But also getting stuck on thoughts and spiraling from there was something that very much happened in the book. These scenes were both beautiful and painful to read. It was like a big mirror in front of me that made me understand myself better from an outward perspective which was nice, but also a big confrontation with my own limits. It was good, but definitely hard as well.
Outside of the Autism representation the book is very much about moving on from a relationship that ended. I read a lot of romance books where the whole plot is basically the opposite, so for a change seeing the aftermath when things don't work out was beautiful in it's own way. Breaking up with your partner is messy and can leave you unmoored for a long while and this book showed all sides of that struggle. The main character was living his own life but kept relating everything back to their partner and just wasn't able to mentally move on. Seeing him slowly work through his feelings made me look back on my own breakups and how I might not have handled those all the best. And to be honest in the book it also isn't handled the best, this stuff is messy. But following this journey was an amazing read.
Concluding this book was a refreshing read with Autism representation in a way I really needed.
I received an eARC from Netgalley and this was my honest review.
Readers who appreciate nuanced explorations of love, loss, and self-discovery, particularly those interested in stories that delve into the complexities of the autism spectrum and the human experience, will find a rich and stimulating companion.
Thank you for the copy of this book from the publishers who sent me it through Net Galley to read and review. I found Rob to be a mixture of likeable and not at times. But that has more to do with me relating to him with my own autism than anything. I related to a lot of how he saw and dealt with the world. This was refreshing to read such a relatable book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But my heart broke for Rob at times too. He deserved way better than what he got through relationships.
Jacob Hubbard’s Sounds of Yesterday feels like crashing a deeply personal diary party. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s as if Hubbard has ripped a chapter straight out of his life and slapped it down on print. This brutal honesty is both captivating, heartbreaking and inspiring.
If you're curious about what it's like to walk a mile in someone else’s brain, Rob’s neurodivergent perspective is an eye-opening detour. It’s like getting a backstage pass to a mind that works differently, and it’s surprisingly heartwarming. Sure, it’s challenging at times, it's frustrating at times, but it also makes you appreciate the little things in life (and maybe question a few of your own assumptions).
What truly shines, though, is the portrayal of Rob's support system. His mom, grandpa, and friends are the unsung heroes of the story, their unwavering belief in him a constant source of warmth and resilience. It's a beautiful reminder of the power of human connection in navigating life's storms.
If you're curious about what it's like to walk a mile in someone else’s brain, Rob’s neurodivergent perspective is an eye-opening detour. It’s like getting a backstage pass to a mind that works differently, and it’s surprisingly heartwarming. Sure, it’s challenging at times, it's frustrating at times, but it also makes you appreciate the little things in life (and maybe question a few of your own assumptions).
What truly shines, though, is the portrayal of Rob's support system. His mom, grandpa, and friends are the unsung heroes of the story, their unwavering belief in him a constant source of warmth and resilience. It's a beautiful reminder of the power of human connection in navigating life's storms.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
First and foremost thank you for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was definitely very unique and different than what I normally read. It read like a diary. Real, raw and super personal. I think this is why many didn't know how to review it. I didn't mind it at all.
Not really a romance & it's important to know that before going in. The main character is neurodivergent and he is the narrator of the book. It gives a beautiful look into how the mind of a neurodivergent individual works. & the writing reflects that which I thought was amazing.
Another reason this is not a romance is because this is post break up. It goes over loss and grief after a break up. So it's like a love story but the aftermath.
I really enjoyed the community and support aspect of this book. It warmed my heart.
Overall, I liked it and am excited to see what else Jacob writes.
I implore you to go into this book with an open mind. It's beautiful when a book can give you insight about how people different from you live their lives and process things and even more beautiful when it teaches you something.
This book was just not good. Liked the neurodiverse rep but that's about the only good thing the story has. Lot of kinda weird jokes, bad writing, and confusing layout/plot
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated