aseamusing's review
5.0
I've been in a major reading slump recently and was hesitant to pick up another book for fear of getting through a couple of chapters, setting it down, and never returning to it.
Not with this book. I devoured it in a day. The writing was easy to digest but the narrative jumped around enough to keep the momentum up to keep you hurdling through. Comedic moments get your spirits up as Jay writes you through some bleak and low times full of failure and uncertainty.
Definitely recommend this book to folks interested in memoirs (especially by creatives) and anyone who needs assurance that eventually there's success on the other side of failure. It's just not always the success you might have initially imagined it being.
Not with this book. I devoured it in a day. The writing was easy to digest but the narrative jumped around enough to keep the momentum up to keep you hurdling through. Comedic moments get your spirits up as Jay writes you through some bleak and low times full of failure and uncertainty.
Definitely recommend this book to folks interested in memoirs (especially by creatives) and anyone who needs assurance that eventually there's success on the other side of failure. It's just not always the success you might have initially imagined it being.
chickiebean_loves_books's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Five things about Sea of the Unknown by Jay Swanson 3/5⭐️s
1. I stumbled upon Swanson’s Youtube Channel (self-named) while looking for footage of Montmartre Cemetery fir a personal writing project. One of his many videos popped up in the list of recommendations. I had no idea who this fast talking, whirlwinds d of a person was. Watching that video (which did include a pass by of the cemetery…so not exactly helpful for my purposes) felt like walking into a conversation that had already started. It was kind of confusing but also intriguing. I watch YouTube mostly for books, journaling, old hone restoration, research, and old movies. This was something I knew was out there but had never been interested in - people documenting their existence. I subscribed.
2. I soon realized this guy was a posting machine. So. Many. Videos. Videos of Paris, jogging, apartments, coffee, bikes (has anyone ever had more trouble keeping a viable bike?), meals with friends. Videos of editing videos? I still do not understand the existence of that phenomenon but okay. I definitely didn’t watch it all…but some.
3. After a few months I realized he’d held my attention without actually doing much. I mean…the man is always moving and talking and doing but the videos aren’t generally more than like a visual diary entry - of a stranger’s life. Why was I still watching?
4. Eventually, I realized he’d self-published some books. One of which is this memoir. I thought it might clue me I. To the start of this monologue he is speaking to the world. And it DOES.
5. It’s a well-written prequel to the prolific vlog he keeps up and provided so much context. It’s wise and funny and a little narcissistic but many memoirs are. Overall, it was interesting to read about how he’s gone about trying to pursue his dreams. Personally, I think he chooses the hard way most of the time and that gets a little frustrating to “watch” but humans do that. No stones through from my direction.
1. I stumbled upon Swanson’s Youtube Channel (self-named) while looking for footage of Montmartre Cemetery fir a personal writing project. One of his many videos popped up in the list of recommendations. I had no idea who this fast talking, whirlwinds d of a person was. Watching that video (which did include a pass by of the cemetery…so not exactly helpful for my purposes) felt like walking into a conversation that had already started. It was kind of confusing but also intriguing. I watch YouTube mostly for books, journaling, old hone restoration, research, and old movies. This was something I knew was out there but had never been interested in - people documenting their existence. I subscribed.
2. I soon realized this guy was a posting machine. So. Many. Videos. Videos of Paris, jogging, apartments, coffee, bikes (has anyone ever had more trouble keeping a viable bike?), meals with friends. Videos of editing videos? I still do not understand the existence of that phenomenon but okay. I definitely didn’t watch it all…but some.
3. After a few months I realized he’d held my attention without actually doing much. I mean…the man is always moving and talking and doing but the videos aren’t generally more than like a visual diary entry - of a stranger’s life. Why was I still watching?
4. Eventually, I realized he’d self-published some books. One of which is this memoir. I thought it might clue me I. To the start of this monologue he is speaking to the world. And it DOES.
5. It’s a well-written prequel to the prolific vlog he keeps up and provided so much context. It’s wise and funny and a little narcissistic but many memoirs are. Overall, it was interesting to read about how he’s gone about trying to pursue his dreams. Personally, I think he chooses the hard way most of the time and that gets a little frustrating to “watch” but humans do that. No stones through from my direction.
sondaire's review
5.0
This book was such a good read. It teaches lessons that are relevant to everyone in at least some small way, and to read the progression of a life in such a way felt like a joy and a real privilege. There were points at which it jumped around slightly, but as long as you were paying attention it wasn't really an issue. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone who is struggling with their dreams, or just anyone who wants to read a tale from the heart about what life is truly like.
More...