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jolee97's reviews
115 reviews
They Don't Need to Understand: Stories of Hope, Fear, Family, Life, and Never Giving in by Ryan J Downey
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
To start this off, I am biased. I love Black Veil Brides, they are my favorite band, they were the start of my independent music journey, and I love Andy as a person and musician. I met them in October of 2023, and he’s just as kind in person as I thought he would be if not more.
I’m usually not one for memoirs or autobiographies. I don’t care or keep up with celebrities lives. It doesn’t change my life any. However, Andy/BVB did, and that’s what made me drawn to this book. I listened to it via audio book (free on Spotify if you pay for premium, it’s 5hrs and 22mins) where it was narrated by Andy, and honestly with how in detail he was about his life, what he’s been through and done, his recovery, his band members and wife Juliet, I don’t think anyone else should have read it. It wouldn’t have been as impactful or carried the same meaning.
It has beautiful language, it’s raw and doesn’t sugarcoat. It talks about the good, the bad and in between both in events, his choices and his actions. You can see how he grew as a person. You can feel his drive, passion and determination to become who he is today both as a person and band member of BVB. It’s inspiring to me as a creative person who wants to go into a competitive industry, and makes me want to do better. And as someone who has been an outcast through school, this book (and in extension Andy) makes me feel seen and understood.
I connected to their music when I started listening in middle school in 2010, and have continued to connect with their work throughout my life. If someone is a fan of BVB, I highly recommend reading this. If you need something inspirational to show you can get through anything, read this. To show the importance of real life relationships, the choices you make, the company you keep, the habits you maintain, read this.
I’m usually not one for memoirs or autobiographies. I don’t care or keep up with celebrities lives. It doesn’t change my life any. However, Andy/BVB did, and that’s what made me drawn to this book. I listened to it via audio book (free on Spotify if you pay for premium, it’s 5hrs and 22mins) where it was narrated by Andy, and honestly with how in detail he was about his life, what he’s been through and done, his recovery, his band members and wife Juliet, I don’t think anyone else should have read it. It wouldn’t have been as impactful or carried the same meaning.
It has beautiful language, it’s raw and doesn’t sugarcoat. It talks about the good, the bad and in between both in events, his choices and his actions. You can see how he grew as a person. You can feel his drive, passion and determination to become who he is today both as a person and band member of BVB. It’s inspiring to me as a creative person who wants to go into a competitive industry, and makes me want to do better. And as someone who has been an outcast through school, this book (and in extension Andy) makes me feel seen and understood.
I connected to their music when I started listening in middle school in 2010, and have continued to connect with their work throughout my life. If someone is a fan of BVB, I highly recommend reading this. If you need something inspirational to show you can get through anything, read this. To show the importance of real life relationships, the choices you make, the company you keep, the habits you maintain, read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Car accident, Death, and Grief
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Unborn Ghost by Jordan Encee
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Fire & Fate by Serena Valentino
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Blood, Murder, and Suicide