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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I’ve been a fan girl of Brianna Madia’s for a while and loved learning more about her life story. She’s such an incredible writer and told her story so eloquently! This book will make you want to sell of your stuff and go disappear into the desert for a few days
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
***Read this if you are looking for a review of this book. Most of the reviews on this page are not of the book, they were written before the book came out.
When I finished reading the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed, I was looking for more books that would have a similar feel to them and this book came up on a list, so I requested a copy from my local library.
The book had fantastic reviews on Goodreads, so I thought this was definitely going to be a home run. I didn't find out until about 80% of the way through the book that Madia is actually a social media influencer, and most of the reviews on this Goodreads page were actually written before the book came out by people who never read it. There is also apparently some drama surrounding some of her claims and also some people who seem to despise her for that. I'm not going down that rabbit hole because I just don't care, and I have a life with more important things to do. So this is an actual review of the book, unlike most of the reviews on this Goodreads page.
Overall 3 stars. This was a quick, enjoyable read that was well-written but forgettable. Unlike in most other books about people exploring nature and having adventures, this actually didn't inspire me to want to go out and start living out of a van in the middle of the dessert in Utah. I actually found the most interesting part of the story to be about when Brianna and her ex-husband lived on a docked boat in their early 20's. Otherwise, this is a story of a woman who seems to feel a little "not like other girls" in her approach to life, hanging with her husband and her dogs in a crappy van in the dessert. A fine read. A forgettable read. But I enjoyed it while I listened to it. Except the part about I will say, that although the story didn't completely pull me in, Madia has a way with words and her writing is beautiful.
So read it. Or don't. That's kind of how I feel about it.
When I finished reading the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed, I was looking for more books that would have a similar feel to them and this book came up on a list, so I requested a copy from my local library.
The book had fantastic reviews on Goodreads, so I thought this was definitely going to be a home run. I didn't find out until about 80% of the way through the book that Madia is actually a social media influencer, and most of the reviews on this Goodreads page were actually written before the book came out by people who never read it. There is also apparently some drama surrounding some of her claims and also some people who seem to despise her for that. I'm not going down that rabbit hole because I just don't care, and I have a life with more important things to do. So this is an actual review of the book, unlike most of the reviews on this Goodreads page.
Overall 3 stars. This was a quick, enjoyable read that was well-written but forgettable. Unlike in most other books about people exploring nature and having adventures, this actually didn't inspire me to want to go out and start living out of a van in the middle of the dessert in Utah. I actually found the most interesting part of the story to be about when Brianna and her ex-husband lived on a docked boat in their early 20's. Otherwise, this is a story of a woman who seems to feel a little "not like other girls" in her approach to life, hanging with her husband and her dogs in a crappy van in the dessert. A fine read. A forgettable read. But I enjoyed it while I listened to it. Except the part about
Spoiler
her dog almost dying. Could have lived without that. I get that it happened, but I'm not here for dogs and animals being hurt or killed. It hurts my heart, and I hate consuming any media with that subject. Honestly, if I would have known that that was going to feature so prominently, I probably wouldn't have read it.So read it. Or don't. That's kind of how I feel about it.
A magical wonderful look into a life being lived to the fullest. A true inspiration that anything is possible.
Not sure this is very interesting. I had no idea she was an instagram influencer but let’s just say it doesn’t help.
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
sad
Took me a long time to read this book. I knew Dagwood’s story was coming and I just couldn’t read it yet. I lost a dog in 2021, in a way no way similar to Dagwood’s story, but grief is grief. But our best friends create a little hole in our hearts when they leave. This was a memoir I laughed and cried to. I want to live my life with a little more abandon and knowing strong women are out there doing it, is encouraging. I would recommend.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Updating this because I've read it now.
While this book isn't perfect, it is beautiful. Brianna Madia's voice is unique and insightful. She has a wonderful way of describing emotions and scenery, which is what initially drew me to her writing. I can't wait to see where she takes us next.
While this book isn't perfect, it is beautiful. Brianna Madia's voice is unique and insightful. She has a wonderful way of describing emotions and scenery, which is what initially drew me to her writing. I can't wait to see where she takes us next.