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twinwaffle's review against another edition
2.0
Although it was a nice story, this book was a disappointment. I didn't feel emotionally attached to the characters, and the writing felt sort of flat. And while I'm sure for the sake of the book, the author didn't write about the hours and hours in which nothing profound was said by the bus drivers, it just seemed odd and unrealistic that the drivers would be so philosophical and spiritual and stuff every time they opened their mouths. It was quite predictible, too, and I was quite bored halfway through the book, and I couldn't wait to finish it so I could start something new.
blairfrank's review against another edition
3.0
I like the way Rachel Simon interwove parts of her childhood with parts of her current experiences riding the bus with her sister. Many times I found myself in shock thinking about how her and her siblings were being treated. I fell in love with Beth's (mostly) easy-going nature and the bus drivers' capacity to embrace each person on the bus as individuals. At one point, one of the bus drivers commented about all the different roles he had to be: listener, nurturer, helper, hero, counselor, etc. It is very reminiscent of my own career and how I am perceived to others I am frequently in contact with daily. Many life lessons can be pulled from this novel.
applegnreads's review against another edition
3.0
somewhat dated but a thoughtful story. read for book club.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Non fiction Memoir.
Rachel's sister Beth has mental retardation. She lives in a subsidized apartment, has a boyfriend (also with mental retardation), but has no job - except to ride the city's buses all day, every day. Beth remembers drivers' birthdays, their coffee and lunch preferences. The year Rachel spends riding the bus with her sister is a year of personal growth - for Rachel and Beth. The experience opens Rachel's heart and teaches her to risk heartache. Excellent and moving.
Rachel's sister Beth has mental retardation. She lives in a subsidized apartment, has a boyfriend (also with mental retardation), but has no job - except to ride the city's buses all day, every day. Beth remembers drivers' birthdays, their coffee and lunch preferences. The year Rachel spends riding the bus with her sister is a year of personal growth - for Rachel and Beth. The experience opens Rachel's heart and teaches her to risk heartache. Excellent and moving.
caseygrim's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
mschrock8's review against another edition
5.0
Even though it's non-fiction, I'm truly enjoying this book.
Imagine my thrill and full heart when the author referenced The ARC and I was reading across the table from a ZTA sister.
I am rooting for Beth, all the way! She can be difficult, ornery & hard to understand, but love prevails. May we all learn some patience from this book and these situations.
Passed on to me by Mom.
Imagine my thrill and full heart when the author referenced The ARC and I was reading across the table from a ZTA sister.
I am rooting for Beth, all the way! She can be difficult, ornery & hard to understand, but love prevails. May we all learn some patience from this book and these situations.
Passed on to me by Mom.
jenmooremo's review against another edition
4.0
What a delightful and heartfelt read! Rachel Simon has a gift/knack for describing both the physical appearance of her surroundings but also the ability to show us people on the inside just as they are. I'd recommend this book to just about anyone, especially if they have a sibling whom they at times love to love and yet still drives them crazy from time to time. This was definately an easy book to pick up and read and a hard one to turn the last page.
cstaude's review against another edition
5.0
This book was fascinating to me! I read it on the recc of the librarian at the school where I work. (I love librarians, don't you!?) She told me how it moved her to really think about life and how we evaluate what makes a "good life". The main characters are a pair of sisters; the elder is workaholic, conflicted author and the younger is a woman who deals with being mildly mentally delayed. What the older one learns from the younger one about acceptance and coming to find true joy in life is, to say the least, inspirational! I also found the culture and thoughtfulness of those in the service industry of bus driving to be an eye-opener. Not everyone who works in what many would consider to be a rather mundane career as driving a bus would appear is the same. They think deep thoughts, explore philosophy, are philanthropic, and are really amazing individuals!
Read this book... then keep it and read it again every once in awhile. I will buy it for my Kindle so I can do just that!!!
Read this book... then keep it and read it again every once in awhile. I will buy it for my Kindle so I can do just that!!!
lucidstyle's review against another edition
4.0
I did cry at the end. I found this book to be touching and thoughtful. Beth’s willingness to share her childhood and her relationship with her sister are not only informative in revealing the challenges of living with and growing up with mental retardation, but present a delightfully accepting view of knowledge gained from “regular” folk, bus drivers. I appreciate this book for the celebration of simplicity and for showing the value of taking time for fostering human relationships and immersing oneself in those real, tangible elements of life. They are happening all around us.