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bbckprpl's review against another edition
5.0
Yeah, I didn't really know a lot of this music... I am not up to date on the cool indy bands, and I never was. But I am sadly current when it comes to things like life and loss, and so found this to be moving and tragically real. There's kindness and moments of startling clarity and aimless, endless driving through the mountains, and I loved every page of it.
I continue to make mix tapes, and playlists, and mix CDs, because there are just songs that are just right for certain things. There are songs to hate by, songs to cry with, songs to sleep by, songs to be absorbed by... and music is as full of memories as any smell, any taste, any picture.
Just as an example of something that I really loved -
"It was bewildering and humbling to keep discovering how many brave things people can fail to talk themselves out of doing. There are a hundred excellent ways to talk yourself out of (writing a note like the one she sent me), and I've used them all."
Me too. I can talk myself out of just about anything... distract myself until it's too late to call, it's too far to go, all the stores are closed, and everyone else in the world who can still sleep is sleeping. And then I can spent the night berating myself for being a coward, cajoling & bribing myself into doing it 'first thing in the morning,' writing it on one to-do list after another. And I am constantly surprised that there are people in the world who just pick up the pen, or the phone, or the cookies they've just baked, and get it done: They just do the thing that seems impossible to me. I am in awe of those people ~ the ones who always remember to care.
Anyways... this book made me cry, which isn't fair, because now I have to make a new bookshelf, and go through my list again.
I continue to make mix tapes, and playlists, and mix CDs, because there are just songs that are just right for certain things. There are songs to hate by, songs to cry with, songs to sleep by, songs to be absorbed by... and music is as full of memories as any smell, any taste, any picture.
Just as an example of something that I really loved -
"It was bewildering and humbling to keep discovering how many brave things people can fail to talk themselves out of doing. There are a hundred excellent ways to talk yourself out of (writing a note like the one she sent me), and I've used them all."
Me too. I can talk myself out of just about anything... distract myself until it's too late to call, it's too far to go, all the stores are closed, and everyone else in the world who can still sleep is sleeping. And then I can spent the night berating myself for being a coward, cajoling & bribing myself into doing it 'first thing in the morning,' writing it on one to-do list after another. And I am constantly surprised that there are people in the world who just pick up the pen, or the phone, or the cookies they've just baked, and get it done: They just do the thing that seems impossible to me. I am in awe of those people ~ the ones who always remember to care.
Anyways... this book made me cry, which isn't fair, because now I have to make a new bookshelf, and go through my list again.
ana_315's review against another edition
5.0
didn't expect it, but it was actually a fantastic read. in the beginning, i was dragging through it, kinda bored and not impressed but as i progressed everything got better and better. with words so simple, Rob Sheffield has managed to touch my heart in a way no other book ever has. i felt the emotional punch so many times and the impact and the thoughts that came with it were extremely powerful to a point where i actually felt the pain he was going through. a huge plus is that i made an exquisite playlist with all the songs mentioned and discovered a lot of amazing artists and i love that about this book. but the best of the best is, as i've said, how reading it made me feel. left a great taste.
bimmbles's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet and sad and full of hope. I’ll read anything Rob writes forever, probably.
amesish's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most genuine love stories I've ever read. Heartachingly beautiful. Rob Sheffield makes falling in love both epic & relatable, and by the time his wife dies, his loss becomes the reader's loss. Highly recommended for anyone who knows how a single song can transport you to another place and time...
belwood303's review against another edition
3.0
picked this up from the library because I love music and this looked fun. this book is not about music it is about grief and the loss of a spouse at an early age. still, it was a thought provoking and interesting read. and the second music critic I've read that talks about how pro woman the 90s were and how we have gone backwards since then.
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
5.0
"Love is a Mix Tape" is a beautiful story about grief, connection, and music. Sheffield's book explores the relationship he and his wife had and how they connected through a variety of mix tapes. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific mix tape (yes, the songs are listed at the beginning of each chapter) and how those songs fostered connection in his life.
Sheffield's writing is excellent. I highlighted several poignant quotes. He's very personal and vulnerable about losing his wife so young. Like most books about grief, it's a tough read, but it's worth every second.
It made me feel very nostalgic, remembering all the mix CDs my friends and I used to make each other. It's sad that it doesn't happen anymore. Are people making each other Spotify playlists? I hope so. Speaking of Spotify, some lovely soul made a playlist of all the songs on the mix tapes in this book.
Sheffield's writing is excellent. I highlighted several poignant quotes. He's very personal and vulnerable about losing his wife so young. Like most books about grief, it's a tough read, but it's worth every second.
It made me feel very nostalgic, remembering all the mix CDs my friends and I used to make each other. It's sad that it doesn't happen anymore. Are people making each other Spotify playlists? I hope so. Speaking of Spotify, some lovely soul made a playlist of all the songs on the mix tapes in this book.