ginath13's review against another edition
5.0
An essay collection from a reader to other readers. An oversimplification really. Peter Orner is one of my soul mates on this earth and just as we have so very many things in common, the one that stands out the most right now is that we need stories like we need air!
meredith_summers's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
denimchild's review against another edition
4.0
I was really wavering between 3 and 4 stars for this one, but I decided to give Am I Alone Here? 4 stars because some of the passages were just too good. According to Goodreads I highlighted 59 extracts in this book, and I'm not surprised. Many of the stories were moving, funny, etc. but there was a bit of lull midway, that the author couldn't full shirk off.
Lots of quotable material, but too many rhetorical questions. Sometimes this book read like an extended Carrie Bradshaw monologue.
For the most part however, I enjoyed this book, and I enjoyed reading about the passion Peter Orner has for books.
chidseyca's review against another edition
5.0
I'm glad I own a copy for reference. Wonderful introduction to many new writers (for me), including the author!
alexlanz's review against another edition
Refreshingly plainspoken. I liked the pictures by his older brother.
becquebooks's review against another edition
4.0
I tend to really love books on reading and writing, which this book combines with some wonderful literary analysis and touches of memoir. Oddly, for me though, I can't for the life of me remember where I read about or heard about this book, but I tracked it down and put it on hold at the library, so it must of have been somewhere. I'm glad I found my way to it.
robingustafson's review
5.0
Peter Orner's personal reflections on reading resonated with me. This is one I will refer back to. I especially enjoyed being introduced to authors and stories that I was not familiar with
balletbookworm's review
4.0
An interesting collection of personal essays. Orner contrasts what he is reading - or finds he NEEDS to read at times - with his personal life. Gets a bit navel-gaze-y on occasion, but the range of authors he writes about is really awesome (particularly the short story writers). Orner has a toss-off line that states he prefers literature where families have trouble communicating and it's a through-line between his reading and memoir.