mae🐝

I'm SO glad this audiobook was read by the author himself, MR MCCONAUGHEY HIMSELF!! Hearing him read it and laugh at himself really added to my experience. Do I really value his opinions on life and how to live it......... not exactly, but it was an interesting read nonetheless!! I liked especially hearing about his own personal life before and after he became "famous". That memoir side was more captivating to me than the life advice side of the book.

Now that I've read Sunrise on the Reaping, I felt the pull to go back and re-read Ballad, and I'm so glad that I did! Collins does such a mesmerizing job dissecting this series from perhaps the earliest perspective we will get- young Snow. The character lives and breathes right on the page, standing out so differently from the feelings, motivations, and actions of her previous (although future, in canon) narrator, Katniss. The story itself is a mastercraft in timing, payoff, and illustration. Throughout the story, we're treated even further to the strong characterization of not just Coryo, but nearly everyone around him. It's been a while since I read this book for the first time, and to be honest I forgot how little we really hear from Lucy Gray herself. Maybe if I could say one negative thing it would be that- although even that I can excuse by the fact that the book is not from her perspective! I wonder if we will ever know more about her in the canon, her past or her future.

this book was like lightning in a bottle- so much wonderful wisdom in a small and easy to digest package! I think really my only issue with it is actually an issue with myself- in a month I will have forgotten most of the advice I enjoyed reading, lol. It was well written and snappy, but also heartfelt and took its time. I liked the characterization of Morrie (can I call it that even though it's non fiction) and I found the progression of the storyline and his illness very well timed.

I barely even know where to BEGIN with this book! I was so fascinated from page one in what the author was doing with their VERY particular style. There were moments throughout the first half that I was unsure if it was.... working for me. Ultimately, I do think the book worked for me!!! The style was difficult for me to parse through sometimes, especially at the beginning, but I just kept reading (because the story was proving worth it) and it got easier. I initially began this book as an audiobook, and immediately regretted that decision- the narrator (understandably) was reading every op cite out loud and it was so distracting I could barely pick up the story. I think this was just a particular problem for me- a few people I've seen online recommended specifically checking out the audiobook- but I could not bear it and gather the story at the same time. of course, when I read the book I skipped through the citations in my mind. Most of the time I even skipped the character names, and picked up the gist of who was saying what instead. I liked the way the story progressed and jumped around. I also did come around to the styling, but I could never ever write that way.

it's been a long time since I considered myself a writer. Even longer since I dreamed that one day I could be only that, and profit from it. I chose to read this book knowing absolutely nothing about it, as it was a staff pick at work. I had no idea how directly it interacted with the work of writing, and it is comprehensive! I really enjoyed reading the book, from start to finish. I think really anyone who enjoys reading or writing (even casually) would enjoy this book, and that is a testament to the writing skills of Lamott! There is humor and reflection and hard-earned advice throughout that makes for a interesting and captivating read, regardless of your current status in the "could I be a writer" question.

I feel very middle-of-the-road about this book. On one hand, it was very well written and had a great way of making the reader truly envision the scene. I was drawn into each world, which can be especially difficult when you've chosen to make your stories in such a short format. There is a great deal of talent to bring a reader so completely along for the ride. However, there is where my issues arose- did I want to be along for these rides? Not all the stories were interesting to me, to the same level. There were some descriptions that (while being vivid) were rather unpleasant to read. I suppose some people are a fan of this kind of reading, in favor of pushing their boundaries and expanding horizons. I like the idea of that, and that is realistically why I finished the book. It is also why I'm not giving the book more than three stars.