bookreviews2017-blog

[bookreviews2017-blog]

Binge – Tyler Oakley (Book Review)

Binge feels like home. Over the past several years, Tyler Oakley’s YouTube videos have been both a fun place and a safe space for me. It was because of Oakley’s trailblazing I found a large sense of community in YouTube and Tumblr, which really helped me navigate my late adolescence and early adulthood .  *Confession alert* during undergrad I used to check daily for his new uploads or posts across social media.  Overall, Oakley has been (and honestly, probably always will be) a positive role model for me.  I know I should wait until the end of my post but I must emphasize the urgency for you to read or listen to this book as soon as fucking possible… it is amazing!

Listening to Oakley was a complete thrill and roller coaster ride.  While the entire book is filled with humor and great moments from his life, one part took me off guard.  I lost my cool and started laughing harder than I have laughed since… maybe ever. On a need to know basis, what he did to one of his first crushes while sitting in the dentist’s chair will have you laughing extremely hard belly laughs.  I also happened to be sneaking in a listen at work when my outburst happened. You can imagine the reactions from my colleagues … you need to know this funny story!  The best part about the book is you get the same Tyler you do in his YouTube videos in addition to an honest glimpse into his private life, which comes as a very genuine delivery.  He delves into navigating life as LGBTQ+ icon; his involvement with The Trevor Project; how he was told he was declined a job at Google because he is “too creative,” among other great themes.  The book is an honest walk in his shoes, and for that I applaud him.  I said it before and I must rave again: get his book!

[bookreviews2017-blog]

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man – Steve Harvey (Book Review)

What happens when you are about to go on a second date and just hours before the date you get text-dumped twice (first as a date; second as a friend)?  Well, one of the things I did, on the productive side, is listen to a good colleague when she recommended I read “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” by Steve Harvey.  I am a firm-believer that time heals everything, however, this book became an admittedly much needed confidence booster for how to approach dating and healthy communication. Admittedly, most of my dating advice comes from other 20-somethings so a new perspective is warmly welcomed.

While the perspective in the book is limited in its insular origin (many generalizations, stereotypes, gender role presumptions, woman-shaming, and obvious-from-the-title heteronormativity), it offers one decent perspective.  Harvey uses humorous though insightful analogies for how to communicate with someone different than you, and how to exactly set expectations early in a connection e.g., not waste your time.  He also uses realistic examples to, as he describes, disguise values and standards in pretty talk.  For instance, how to kindly explain how being late is unacceptable while coming across very politely and non-contentious.  Overall, I think he provides a solid and basic introduction to the dating world and communicating – likely to be the most effective for the inexperienced dater or someone needing a pick-me-up. It is well-written and easy to follow. Would I recommend it?  If you just got dumped and need a sliver of hope and advice, then you would not regret the read.

[bookreviews2017-blog]

My name is Ashley and I am a 27-year-old book lover!  Leading up to 2017, I developed some goals for my ravenous ambition to be as productive as possible, and one of my goals to accomplish this dream is to read at least 100 books this year for fun!  Poetry and nonfiction are my favorite genres, however, I hope to read more fiction and step outside of my literary comfort zone.  To expedite my goal and assist in stepping outside of my comfort zone I joined several local book clubs.  Once a week I will attend a new book club.  So far these book choices are ones I would not choose on my own so I am excited about attending these meet ups to step outside of my comfort zone and learn more.  I think my book reviews about the books I read in book club are going to show more perspectives on those reviews than the books I do not discuss with others.

I am writing my book reviews online because I want a new outlet to talk about books (my family and friends can only stand so much book talk).  Hopefully by writing reviews I can offer more insight to someone wanting to read more or step outside of their literary comfort zones by trying a new genre or type of read from what seems familiar.

While setting up my blog, I noticed I can accept submissions from anyone.  Please feel free to submit your own book review and relevant links to your blog and I am happy to publish your review here.  If you would like to publish my reviews or use my reviews, please contact me directly via tumblr.  Business only inquires may go to my personal email: ashleysmithmba@gmail.com.

When I am not reading and writing reviews, I work full-time in book publishing (how fitting, right?).  During undergrad I studied English and dreamed of getting to where I am now.  Life is good.  As an additional challenge to my 2017 goals I am also starting business school this January!  This winter I will graduate from an accelerated double MBA program with focuses in Global Management and Finance.  I love learning and growing, and I am excited for my big year!  Welcome to my journey.

-Ashley

[bookreviews2017-blog]

Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen (Book Review)

“Losing Clarence was like losing the rain.”  My heart sank, my eyes watered and my ears tuned to the ground as I persevered through the marathon autobiographical audiobook “Born to Run,” fittingly narrated by Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen.  For 22 years out of my 27 years, I have grown into a Springsteen fanatic.  From being in Kindergarten and stealing “Greetings in Asbury Park” from my mom’s office to listen to “Blinded by The Light,” to learning most of his music on guitar, to finishing the audiobook, I can proudly exclaim, “Bruce, you are a hero!  Or better yet, you are thee fucking hero!”

Listening to Bruce narrate the audiobook felt like a childhood pal telling me stories while catching up after a brief time apart.  If you are a Bruce fan, you already have your backstory and big highlights: New Jersey, the E Street Band, Patti and the kids, and great lyricism.  All these themes translate into the book and are as modestly as rich as his song lyrics.  I listened to his descriptions and revelations about his own upbringing while he painted a picture of his mind quite clearly.  You see Bruce, you map his mind and you walk away with an intimate interpretation of how Bruce became Bruce; and not in a lights and glamour kind of way.  Aside from his brief relationship with Sinatra and some shit I already forgot because I didn’t want to hear about it, you can hardly tell his life is glamorous because he mainly talks about work and familial support, or lack thereof. The book is a down to earth and raw recollection of his past that can easily be enjoyed by any fan of music or popular culture.  Surprisingly, Bruce talks often and deeply about mental illness.  It is thorough, informative and on its own pedestal: rightfully de-stigmatizing.  And satisfyingly honest.

If you aren’t already on a first name basis with The Boss, by god, you will be after you experience this book, which I highly recommend.

“Bruceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!” 

[bookreviews2017-blog]

100 Books in One Year – My New Year’s Resolution

New Year; new me. LOL. If you are not laughing, you should be laughing!  Five days ago I declared 2017 my year to be the most productive.  One of my goals is to read at least 100 books for fun this year. It fits perfectly into my new plan.

I am just finishing my third book (technically my 3rd out of 4th try but I could not put up with one so I returned it to the library and got another) and it is Thursday, January 5th.  Last night, I posted on my Facebook page to see if any of my friends want to start a book club.  Fittingly, all my best friends from childhood (all living in different cities now) would love to skype in for a monthly book club.  My newer and local friends?  Forget about it.  So I joined an online site called meetup.com and *thankfully* found several book clubs in my area, and joined them all.  While I want to discuss the literature I am reading with other people, I am quite limited on who wants to hear about it; let alone who has read the books I am reading.

Tumblr- my place to write book reviews about everything I am reading, with the disclaimer I warmly welcome any discussion about the reviews of books that I write about, with hopes that something I write will reach someone.  Here’s to a great year ahead.