Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time by Rob Sheffield
This book was hanging out on the “new fiction” shelves at my local Barnes and Noble, and when I picked it up, I was hoping it was similar to a recent read I’d picked up at Half Price Books – <i>Liner Notes</i>. It wasn’t. First, it’s not fiction, but the autobiographical tale of the author’s life prior to, and during, his brief marriage to the first love of his life, a woman named Renee. Second, in this book the music isn’t incidental – it’s an integral part of the author’s personality, Renee’s personality, and the fabric of their relationship, cut short by her sudden death.
It is a beautiful book, never once becoming maudlin or depressing. Instead, it is as lyrical and uplifting as many of the tunes mentioned, albeit with a gritty backbeat only reality can provide.
I read this one in February too – our reviews are pretty much the same :) But, seriously why is this book on the fiction shelves? That’s where I keep seeing it at the bookstore and at my library. Odd.
You write such wonderful reviews that it’s hard to imagine why other so-called reviewers don’t write with a similar degree of color and honesty.
I’ve added this to my wish list at the library. I’ll go reserve it in the most excellent online reservation system as soon as I’m done here.
Thanks!