Kerryann K

sensitive writing

Revisado: 03-07-23

Lynne Melnick's book came recommended to me on a booktube episode of great memoirs.

With respect to her talent as a writer/poet, this book has remarkably good, insightful writing.

However, if you came for Dolly anecdotes, they are here but served up in giant doses of trauma and the burden of trauma, the persistence of trauma. It is a drumbeat throughout the book. If you have been through similar experiences and you came here for the Dolly and didn't take the bit that lots of survival would be here too, this is not a fun listen. Lots of heartbreaking stories from her childhood that can leave you in tears and the seemingly wooden, confused way she soldiered on the way a kid does when their innocence is gone but they are still a kid and only left to grow up with the rawness of loss. I think the most commonly used word in this book is "trauma".

So, here is me saying it's a very good book by a talented writer but for me, wow, so heartbreaking. It buried me because the longed for happily ever after is of course not here. There isn't lots of happily ever after when you are arrested in what was stolen from you as a kid and how it sets the tone for all that follows.

I'm not sure what is the modern evolutionary value of having the most horrible experiences burned deeper in the brain than anything else. So yeah, brace yourself if you read this book and you just love Dolly and can't get enough of her. This may not be the listen for you. If you are a good place and can receive what Lynn Melnick is dishing out from her overflowing platter, dig in.

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Absolutely BRILLIANT

Revisado: 01-11-23

This book is a marriage made in heaven. Harry's life and voice, his ability to put his feelings into words, his emotional honesty and his ghostwriter. Just wow.

This book is all the feels. Harry is ALL heart. Every page. Just wow. This man. When he talks about being at war with himself. When you see how he just CAN'T stop himself from being open. I'm glad he is able to live with his own family that he made for his own self. That's the nice thing about becoming an adult. Making your own way, starting your own family.

This book far surpassed my expectations. It is one of the best books I've ever come across and if you have time, I highly recommend listening to Harry read it. I wish him the best. He's awesome. I can't wait to see how far he goes with his journey in life. What a cool person. Stay strong!!

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I wish they would make this a movie

Revisado: 10-25-22

Such a great story, totally holds your attention. The narrator is very good as Miranda, She delivers the authentic teenage girl experience, if you have a hard time with that you may not like this book but it works.

LAWKI is the record of Miranda pouring her heart in her diary "paper is patient" another teenager said generations ago and Miranda has had her own world changed overnight. Her mother is a writer, it's believable that this typical teen will turn to her diary to pour her heart out. Miranda is so real to me. Her innocence and selfishness of a 16 year old, wanting what she wants and unable to see the adult terrors of her mother. So believable. Of course she can't! She is on the cusp of adulthood but she wants prom and a boyfriend and is stuck at home with her mom doing chores and stone cold reality that she cannot face. And every time she turns around if it's not her family putting her on a roller coaster it is Mother Nature.

Watching her family navigate the pitfalls of society collapse and trying to live off a grid with a hastily thrown together pantry, rationing food, in reactive mode makes you think over and over again how would it be for your own family? On a personal level following Miranda's friendship circles, watching her friends get torn in directions in their own ways trying to survive all feel true to me -- one lost to the Church, another making a harsh choice about love. This book is clever and raw and compelling and makes my imagination go for a ride -- I wish they would make this a movie!! Come on Reese Witherspoon!! Take a look!!

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A total treat

Revisado: 01-13-22

Paul Simon is revealing, candid and open about the craftsmanship he brings to his composing/songwriting.

Malcolm Gladwell is enormously intelligent, likeable, has a good voice and most importantly, Paul Simon is at ease during the conversation. I like that Malcolm Gladwell is an unabashed fan of Paul Simon. His joy in learning, his pleasure at the opportunity to visit with Paul Simon about his incredible body of work feels spot on.

In the case of a free roaming conversation with Paul Simon, I cannot think of a better conversation partner.

If you are not a fan of Paul Simon, it is likely you could enjoy its own merit as time spent with a genius.

I like the length of this audio book, just the right amount for a long car trip and as all best work, left me wanting more.

I daresay that after you finish this book you will end up listening to Paul Simon's music and watching performances on YouTube. Recommend.

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great gossip, a good re-listen--narration suits me

Revisado: 07-03-21

First, the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman is a crime against two people that was very real and an absolute tragedy to against humanity and especially to their families.

This book is a fictional re-imagining of the subsequent trial amongst OJ's celebrity peers. To someone like me the book feels very real. It follows the trial and drops hearsay in real time. I do not know how this story would hit if you did not follow the OJ trial. I did. This is a book I've read and now an audio I've listened to.

Another City, Not My Own is an indulgent listen for a true crime person and it's a great listen for anyone that wants to revisit the national obsession with convicting OJ --Dominick Dunne skips facts in this novel and sticks entirely to gossip. It's easy to say whatever you like when you are not under oath. If you are new to the OJ trial this book presupposes tons of prior knowledge. Make sure you brushed up on the trial before you read this. Most folks of a certain age won't have to. Nearly every person in America with leisure to listen, followed this trial. I swear when the verdict was read, the country stopped.

Gus Bailey, the protagonist, is a biased reporter. He has his own reasons for believing OJ is capable of murder. Gus' dinner parties parallels the trial. As the trial progresses the drama among the celebrities that Gus namedrops fluffles along.

The narrative arc follows the trial faithfully, with Gus shamelessly along for the ride, dining out on the crime like an old hen. I love it. If he were my friend and I were super shallow I would not get enough of this. I suppose I am the latter.

A very fun book about a cruel crime. It's a clever book and well done. Can't take that away. Some thing that OJ got away with it in criminal court-- it is a fact he got off, but he was convicted of the crime in the civil court. At the end of the day Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson are still dead.

I do not think that Ron Goldman was just dropping by Nicole's house on an errand to return her sunglasses. Not that it matters.

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perfect for you if you are person that can word

Revisado: 06-25-21

a person that can word, to me, is someone that is reflective and can put thoughts into words. A person that can word is someone that is interested in the words around them. So, if you can thoughtfully express yourself and thoughtfully listen, then this is a great book for you.

That being said, I can word and my husband can word to if I don't rush him or get mad at him for taking time to think before he speaks. So this book is a good fit for me. That's my caveat.

First, I learned throughout the length of the book. I will listen to it again. It is meaty. Or if you are vegan and that's gross, it is nutrient dense.

I love this book because it is not too long. I would rather listen to it 2x then listen to a 12 hour book. I mean they are not scholars, so when I saw it was 6 hours I thought, right on Kim and Penn!! I can start AND finish this book. And I did.

I love this book because Kim and Pen maintain the side bar and conversations that make their out takes so fun to watch in their YouTube videos. I come for the parody and I stay for the out takes.

I like that they are comfortable enough with themselves to be authentic. I thought they were a perfect best friends too. Now I think they are perfect best friends that are not afraid to go at it full tilt with each other (not in a cruel way) and even going to bed angry (not advice, do what works for you)

but yeah...this, they go to bed angry? This was great for me to hear! You really aren't perfect.

This is a great audio, I would 100% rather listen to this book and then read it, it totally adds to the material.

Thanks Holderness Family. I hope you all write another book together!!

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coming to Netflix so I picked it up

Revisado: 12-23-20

First the good, in this case the movie ought to be better than the book--just for the costuming and sets. I have high hopes.

The Bridgerton series is pretty good if you like dukes and balls and mamas. I love all that stuff, I don't mind if the heroine is sassy. This heroine takes sassy a little further, other reviews covered that.

The narrator, wow. Rosalyn Landor sounds like she pinched her nose the entire time she read the book. I want to listen to the rest of the series. This is impossible because Ms. Landor narrates the next several books. She's awful. Other reviewers call her narration brilliant. Maybe. For example, if you took 50 of the least talented narrators in the world maybe she would be the best of the worst. I can see that. I just came off listening to Harry Potter, now, that is brilliant narration. Ms. Landor is decidedly NOT Jim Dale. For that reason, I WILL return this book and listen to a Mary Balogh book and catch Bridgerton on Netflix.

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cringe worthy adulatory rambling

Revisado: 12-21-16

Would you try another book from Paul Burrell and/or Paul Burrell?

It depends...reading a book, or even more intimately, listening to a book narrated by Paul Burrell is like listening to a relative ranting about politics and life.

What other book might you compare A Royal Duty to and why?

Something by Kitty Kelley

What does Paul Burrell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His personality. He's a piece of work.

Did A Royal Duty inspire you to do anything?

I feel like I dipped a toe into a pool of unsavory tell-all instead of memoir that I was hoping to read. So much drama and conflict and rationalization. It's exhausting.

Any additional comments?

The last few chapters about his motivation and justification for writing the book were embarrassing. And bizarre.

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Fun ghost story

Revisado: 07-29-16

Would you consider the audio edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to be better than the print version?

Yes, it was humorous to hear it read aloud.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ichabod Crane, for his appetite and his heart and his longings.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Curtis Sisco?

He was not my favorite but he did not detract from the book.

If you could rename The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, what would you call it?

The Headless Horseman!

Any additional comments?

Short, perfect for a car ride. Has some dated language regarding race that was offensive but not unexpected considering when this story was written.

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Worthy of all the praise

Revisado: 07-29-16

What made the experience of listening to The Help the most enjoyable?

The movie was excellent, the book was excellent but my favorite format for this story is audiobook. This was highly praised by my friends and my expectations were high and I was happy to hear the audiobook exceeds the praise.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Skeeter...Her journey from ambition to understanding what she has taken on is impressive.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

They bring the characters to life.

Who was the most memorable character of The Help and why?

I can't answer that, they all feel like friends.

Any additional comments?

I'll listen to this again. Very good.

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