#COLLABOREADS: Memoir March
If you're new to #COLLABOREADS, welcome! Amber and I have been hosting this fun little online book club since way back when in 2015! We pick a theme every month (so everyone's reading different books) and then all link up and share our thoughts (with a handy-dandy R.E.A.D.S. acronym usually--see below!) and link up and become BFFs. You can read more about this whole thing here.
This month was Memoir March!
I decided (thanks to the goodness found at my new library) to read TWO memoirs this month and review them both! They're from ladies you're sure to know, and both pretty new, so they were fun reads this month. Check out what Amber read this month here!
Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song by Sara Bareilles
Riveting.
What part of the book could you NOT get enough of? To be totally honest... nothing about this was particularly riveting. It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't the kind of book that GRABS you and keeps you flipping pages. I really just kept flipping the pages because I had about an hour and a half before Grey's Anatomy came on and I wanted to read this cover to cover before then!
Elements.
How did you relate to/care for the characters? I love Sara's music and saw her in concert at my college a few years ago, so I already knew I liked her... and this was a fun look at more of her story and the background behind her music and her launch into fame. It's clear she's more of a singer/songwriter/performer than a writer, as this doesn't have any particular fantastic writing finesse to it. Not a bad thing, necessarily-- it sounds like what I imagine interviews and conversations with her would sound like, but it's not a fantastic piece of literature by any means.
What's your thought on the plot line and twists and turns? It honestly doesn't have many-- it's mostly a collection of essays that aren't necessarily chronological and don't really build a strong plot line except for roughly following her career. There were stories of her relationships with her managers and record labels that I had never known, so that was an interesting look behind the scenes of the music industry, especially because it became the story behind her hit "Love Song" which I'm sure is now going to be stuck in your head. Sorry.
Associate.
What other books are like this one? Hmm. None that I've read really spring to mind... It's in a similar style to books like Bossypants or Yes Please or Why Not Me? that are just a collection of essays instead of a more continuous storyline, but it's not nearly as funny being that it's not written by a comedian.
Design.
What did you think of it? It's a fun cover-- colorful, bold, basic colors. It did catch my eye at the library, so I guess that's a win!
Stars.
How many out of five do you give this book? Would you recommend this book to a friend? 3/5 stars. If you like her music, it's a fun read, but if you don't know who she is, I wouldn't really recommend you read this!
Wildflower by Drew Barrymore
Riveting.
What part of the book could you NOT get enough of? So, I did like this one more than Sara's, but it still wasn't particularly riveting. I don't know what it is about these memoirs full of scattered essays, but they just aren't my favorite. These might be the last of that style I read for a while.
Elements.
How did you relate to/care for the characters? What's your thought on the plot line and twists and turns? I know Drew from the popular movies everybody knows her from, and I liked the look into her childhood and family roots and how that has played into her career and her own family. I always find family dynamics fascinating, so that was my favorite theme of this one. She cussed more than I expected (if the F word bugs you, be aware it appears pretty often) and I was pleasantly surprised to hear more about some of her famous friendships (Adam Sandler and Cameron Diaz) and to see they are actually genuine! I like little glimpses into reality behind all the glossy celebrity.
Associate.
What other books are like this one? The first one mentioned in this post. :)
Design.
What did you think of it? Loved this cover! Playful, feminine, modern. It fit the book for sure, as the flower theme is a big one for her.
Stars.
How many out of five do you give this book? Would you recommend this book to a friend? A totally solid 3/5, again, if you like her, read this, if you don't, don't.
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ALSO.
We're pushing pause on this whole #COLLABOREADS deal for now. BUT DO NOT FEAR. Did you hear about Amber and I's new baby? It's called Confetti Community-- find us on Instagram at @confetticommunity and join the celebration! We're already finding it to be a sweet, joyful, fun new way to build community with all the online friends we love!