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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This is one of my daughter's favorite books, and for good reason. Having read Joan Didion's account of mourning, I couldn't help but think of this as the Year of Musical Thinking. It's a great read, and it often felt like conversations I have with my husband about music (only his and Sheffield's musical tastes don't quite line up all the way -- but they are close enough to feel comfortably familiar).
I enjoyed the concept of this book, but its execution fell a little short. Without intending to sound brutal (it is a non-fic), I felt like the emotional capacity was either lacking or overdone in certain spots, so that is seemed almost adolescent and trite at times. Although the author was experiencing a traumatic event in his life, I think maybe time away from the subject would have allowed him some perspective and maturity, which would have possibly enhanced the way in which it was written.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
A touching story of love and loss through the lens of 80s and 90s indie rock. The story is riddled with well written gems like “your wife is the person you fail in front of for the rest of your life”. It was comforting to read about the same fears all young married people have, and I wrote down many of the thoughts (and songs) that the author put forth.
a great memoir of a love gone too soon, yet cherished forever.
Wavering between 3 and 4 because I couldn't get as much out of it without understanding the music references. Ultimately 4 for the honest writing and humor/grief blend that's almost impossible to get right. Would recommend.
This book celebrates the ways that people relate to music and find one another through it. Rob Sheffields bittersweet tale of he and his wife's love of music and the ways it brought them closer is sarcastic, witty, heartbreaking, and beautifully and humorously written despite the tragic subject matter of his wife's sudden death. To sound cliche: I laughed! I cried!
Absolutely heartbreaking... without being utterly soul-crushing. The way in which Sheffield reflects upon his relationship with his wife and how he deals with the aftermath of her tragic death define bittersweet. And not only is the story of their relationship beautiful, but Sheffield's observations about music, culture, and life during the late 80s through early 00s connect in so many subtle ways. I can't recommend this book enough.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced