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katieinca's review against another edition
3.0
Parts of this book are amazing. The first chapter could be one of those absolutely perfect short stories. Each chapter starts with a mix tape track listing, and I badly wished I could listen to them while reading the particular chapter. The audiobook format really doesn't lend itself to that, alas.
So yeah, some spot on observations, some great music nerding, some totally making me cry my eyes out while driving.
But he can also be kind of annoying, and I'm not exactly sure what his wife liked about him, and there are some slow spots, especially in the first half, where I put it down and didn't care much whether I ever got back to it.
So yeah, some spot on observations, some great music nerding, some totally making me cry my eyes out while driving.
But he can also be kind of annoying, and I'm not exactly sure what his wife liked about him, and there are some slow spots, especially in the first half, where I put it down and didn't care much whether I ever got back to it.
samvanstokkom's review against another edition
4.75
that was just beautiful. rob sheffield has such a charming writing style. this book had everything i was looking for. no 5 stars because rob sheffield bashed XTC >:[
7seventythree3's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve had this little nugget tucked away on my kindle for a long time and finally got around to reading it. I wish I would have read it sooner.
I loved this book. Funny, nostalgic, honest, thought provoking, creative, sad, and entertaining. Their mix tape titles are great (and remind me of my own).
He transported me back and forth in time through music and said things I never quite put words to, but have deeply felt. And although the songs on my mixes are different, the sentiment is the same.
Actually, even though I was immersed in his story about his life, some of the songs/bands he mentions compelled me to stop reading so I could go listen to them and linger on a memory of my own. (Weezer, Veruca Salt, Skinny Puppy, Hole, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Prince to name a few. And Dexys Midnight Runners – ohhhh, Come on Eileen is a song that can carry through the ages for me. Dangit, I’ll be right back I have to go and listen to it).
I identified with his personality. He is quite the romantic, or maybe I am. He gets a little bit sappy and redundant, but I’m o.k. with that in this case. He describes his wife Renee and their life together in such a way, you really feel his heartbreak when she dies so suddenly (this is not a spoiler). I’ll be reading more from him.
I loved this book. Funny, nostalgic, honest, thought provoking, creative, sad, and entertaining. Their mix tape titles are great (and remind me of my own).
He transported me back and forth in time through music and said things I never quite put words to, but have deeply felt. And although the songs on my mixes are different, the sentiment is the same.
Actually, even though I was immersed in his story about his life, some of the songs/bands he mentions compelled me to stop reading so I could go listen to them and linger on a memory of my own. (Weezer, Veruca Salt, Skinny Puppy, Hole, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Prince to name a few. And Dexys Midnight Runners – ohhhh, Come on Eileen is a song that can carry through the ages for me. Dangit, I’ll be right back I have to go and listen to it).
I identified with his personality. He is quite the romantic, or maybe I am. He gets a little bit sappy and redundant, but I’m o.k. with that in this case. He describes his wife Renee and their life together in such a way, you really feel his heartbreak when she dies so suddenly (this is not a spoiler). I’ll be reading more from him.
cshadows2887's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
emcgoon13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
loujoseph's review against another edition
4.0
i wouldn't go over the top in recommending this, i had picked it up at the library because the author had written/edited one of the formative books of my college years, the spin alternative record guide. this book turned out to be kind of a surprise- i mean, i don't think i need to reread it or write a thesis paper on it, but that's the point. i'm a little younger than the author, so it doesn't feel gimmicky to use the mixtape listings as chapter headers- i could probably still relate stories about ones i made.. "giving away" the ending early on also seemed like a good decision, maybe to keep the reader during the sweet parts, but whatever- it works. i guess it got me b/c i remember that feeling that music was going to save me, and my 20 year old self understands just how tragic it would be to get that and lose it...
this book might be the exact opposite of perfect from now on. man, that was a terrible book.
this book might be the exact opposite of perfect from now on. man, that was a terrible book.
lilredkmd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5