Molly

I listened to this book on a road trip and actually stopped listening and downloaded a John Grisham book instead because, after awhile, the book became tedious. It is a good story but, for me,too much time is spent on each scene in order to make it resonate with the reader. I like historical fiction but I just didn't need to know so much stuff- it detracted from the story.

I know why I downloaded this - the reviews made it seem intriguing although I knew there was some gossip appeal to it. I guess I assumed it would be well written since Andrew Young must have a certain level of intelligence. It is painfully bad. I could have gotten the same information from a good investigative reporter and I wouldn't have had to slog through it.

The irony of the whole experience is that Andrew Young came across as dysfunctional as John Edwards which I am sure wasn't his intention. I would definitely skip this one.

I have never read anything by Jess Walters and so was truly taken by surprise by the sheer intelligence of this guy! The metaphors, the rich, snappy banter of his writing is a treat after some of the bad sitcom-like books I sometimes download by mistake. The story is straightforward and also very touching amid all of this verbal acrobatics. Loved it.

I just finished reading Just Kids and I have been touched. The story is fluid and full and the way that Patti Smith looks back on her life, her values changing over time, her art but mostly the chronicle of her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe is inspiring. What comes across is a wonderful poignant love story of a deep, deep friendship. You also get a completely different view of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe than what the press would have us believe. This is the part that touched and surprised me. I still gravitate almost instantly to fiction but this was a wonderful ride.

I don't usually read fiction and I don't generally like to read about men who can be arrogant jerks, but this book has had me captivated for the past four days. I not only learned about the life and times of Steve Jobs which is fascinating but how he managed to create the products he did, what his genius really was and how he did indeed change the world. This is a book that I will remember for a long time.

Such a treat to read something as well written as this book. But like so many of the books I have read, the story settles into you over time and stays with you. I highly recommend it.