Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
such a good idea but somehow so not enjoyable to read. had to dnf about 60% in
I had really wanted to like this one, as I had seen lots of love for it on social media. Maybe I’m a cynic, but I wasn’t a fan of the direction Mix Tape took. I don’t know, it was like watching something that you know there will be devastation, but you can’t look away and what’s left in its wake makes you uncomfortable . The nostalgia was good, the writing good, but I just couldn’t get on board with it as a whole. Rounded up to 3 stars because there are definite positives.
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I discovered this title on one of the many “Best Books of 2020”. I wasn’t familiar with it so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did. I only wish I had listened to the mix tape songs as I was reading the book.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, so I am conflicted by Mix Tape by Jane Sanderson. Firstly, I do love a good love story especially when the story involves first love that has broken down for whatever reason and then rekindled as adults. I love that those people who once knew one another then have to rediscover each other as adults. I love that.
However, when that comes at the cost of other established relationships I find it hard to feel empathy with the characters. Yes, people are flawed and yes this can happen in real life. I think for me, probably because where I am in my life I know I would feel devastated if my partner rekindled a romance with his first love.
It is a well written book and Jane Sanderson should be proud of what she has produced. Personally, I think I need to know what happened with tertiary characters to be able to fully commit to the romance of Dan and Ali.
Mix Tape by Jane Sanderson is available now.
However, when that comes at the cost of other established relationships I find it hard to feel empathy with the characters. Yes, people are flawed and yes this can happen in real life. I think for me, probably because where I am in my life I know I would feel devastated if my partner rekindled a romance with his first love.
It is a well written book and Jane Sanderson should be proud of what she has produced. Personally, I think I need to know what happened with tertiary characters to be able to fully commit to the romance of Dan and Ali.
Mix Tape by Jane Sanderson is available now.
medium-paced
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I picked this up, and was looking forward to reading it. As a Gen-Z child, I hoped it would introduce me to knew music, and that could enjoy the story at the same time. And it did not disappoint. I think I cried at least three times.
The tenderness from which the characters were created was beautiful. There was depth to all of them, and this led to a beautifully crafted story, with twists I did not expect.
I would recommend this book, it was sad, but beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
When Alison left Dan for Michael, it seemed there were not enough pages for them to get together again, and for them to resolve their romance. But they did get back together, which brought more tears, as Alison revealed her past that Dan did not know about.
And Peter (arguably my favourite character as he was the only queer one, and I tend to hang on to them) his story was painful, and full of sadness. Him and Toddy, a 'friend' from the steelworks were caught on camera, by Catherine's (his and Alison's mum) boyfriend, Martin. This led to Peter attempting ti take his own life, only being rescued by Alison. Alison destroyed the photographs, and at some point, we learn that Toddy did a hit-and-run on Martin, killing him. Alison found Peter, with some of Dan's help, and they were reunited. Peter's ending was not necessarily a happy one - he was alone and was working a hospitable porter - but him and Alison and been reunited, and that was most important.
The tenderness from which the characters were created was beautiful. There was depth to all of them, and this led to a beautifully crafted story, with twists I did not expect.
I would recommend this book, it was sad, but beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
And Peter (arguably my favourite character as he was the only queer one, and I tend to hang on to them) his story was painful, and full of sadness. Him and Toddy, a 'friend' from the steelworks were caught on camera, by Catherine's (his and Alison's mum) boyfriend, Martin. This led to Peter attempting ti take his own life, only being rescued by Alison. Alison destroyed the photographs, and at some point, we learn that Toddy did a hit-and-run on Martin, killing him. Alison found Peter, with some of Dan's help, and they were reunited. Peter's ending was not necessarily a happy one - he was alone and was working a hospitable porter - but him and Alison and been reunited, and that was most important.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Suicide attempt
While mix tapes are a bit before my time, I have fond memories of cassettes as my first car had a cassette player. I guess you could say that I made mix tapes by making my own playlist and burning a CD, which I would then burn to cassette. Anyway, it’s not the medium but the music that plays a big role in Mix Tape, a story of first love reunited through the power of Twitter and YouTube links to songs. It’s interesting, sweet and has an excellent soundtrack (which of course you can listen to on Spotify).
The story is told through the eyes of Daniel and Alison across two different time periods – their youth in Sheffield in the late 1970s and the current day in both Edinburgh and Australia. Daniel and Alison met as teenagers and fell in love, but Alison was always very protective and secretive when it came to her house and family in a poorer suburb. To Daniel, that doesn’t matter and she becomes part of his family. But to his mother, Alison is hiding something that isn’t good for her son. Fast forward to present day and Daniel is a music journalist in Edinburgh. He has a son and partner, and is getting by through writing about gigs, music history and everything in between. Alison now resides in Australia and is a bestselling author with two children and an esteemed husband. When she is forced to join Twitter by her publicist, a friend of Daniel’s alerts him to her presence. So he sends her a song. And Alison sends one back. It’s the new version of the mix tape he made her as a teenager and neither of them could understand the consequences…
Mix Tape is a great idea for a novel and it is well executed. The story of the protagonists’ shared past and each of their current day lives is interesting alone. Having the story told in alternate chapters from Daniel, then Alison’s point of view means the reader never has to want for more for each story. I enjoyed the music banter between Daniel and his friends and Alison’s turmoil with her family and friends as she starts to spread her wings. Having lines of song also captured in the narrative made for good sleuthing! I personally would have liked to see the mix tape listing at the back of the book to make it harder to peek (although I probably would have). A lot of great music is also mentioned (bonus points for including the best band in the cosmos, The Killers). I think the song from the Arctic Monkeys (also of Sheffield) is just right for this story. The mix tape also captures the emotions that are riding high during each part of the narrative. As for the narrative, I enjoyed the style and flow. The only part I found dragged a little was after Daniel and Alison meet and the ending. There are a lot of strong emotions going on here, and it would have been nice to summarise it a bit more to get back to the fun stuff. (Although I know from reading Netherwood that Sanderson is not afraid to be tough on her characters!)
Overall, Mix Tape is an easy, enjoyable read that I only paused reading to listen to the music!
Thank you to Penguin for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
The story is told through the eyes of Daniel and Alison across two different time periods – their youth in Sheffield in the late 1970s and the current day in both Edinburgh and Australia. Daniel and Alison met as teenagers and fell in love, but Alison was always very protective and secretive when it came to her house and family in a poorer suburb. To Daniel, that doesn’t matter and she becomes part of his family. But to his mother, Alison is hiding something that isn’t good for her son. Fast forward to present day and Daniel is a music journalist in Edinburgh. He has a son and partner, and is getting by through writing about gigs, music history and everything in between. Alison now resides in Australia and is a bestselling author with two children and an esteemed husband. When she is forced to join Twitter by her publicist, a friend of Daniel’s alerts him to her presence. So he sends her a song. And Alison sends one back. It’s the new version of the mix tape he made her as a teenager and neither of them could understand the consequences…
Mix Tape is a great idea for a novel and it is well executed. The story of the protagonists’ shared past and each of their current day lives is interesting alone. Having the story told in alternate chapters from Daniel, then Alison’s point of view means the reader never has to want for more for each story. I enjoyed the music banter between Daniel and his friends and Alison’s turmoil with her family and friends as she starts to spread her wings. Having lines of song also captured in the narrative made for good sleuthing! I personally would have liked to see the mix tape listing at the back of the book to make it harder to peek (although I probably would have). A lot of great music is also mentioned (bonus points for including the best band in the cosmos, The Killers). I think the song from the Arctic Monkeys (also of Sheffield) is just right for this story. The mix tape also captures the emotions that are riding high during each part of the narrative. As for the narrative, I enjoyed the style and flow. The only part I found dragged a little was after Daniel and Alison meet and the ending. There are a lot of strong emotions going on here, and it would have been nice to summarise it a bit more to get back to the fun stuff. (Although I know from reading Netherwood that Sanderson is not afraid to be tough on her characters!)
Overall, Mix Tape is an easy, enjoyable read that I only paused reading to listen to the music!
Thank you to Penguin for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com