Passionate Book Reader

Technically Speaking, I loved it!

Reviewed: 11-16-24

I found this audiobook to be quite enjoyable and believe it has the potential to be adapted into a successful movie. While the plot follows a familiar romantic trope, it is executed in a refreshing and engaging manner. The characters are well-developed and believable, and the narrators deliver excellent performances that bring the story to life.

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Abrupt Ending

Reviewed: 11-08-24

The memoir, narrated by Julia Roberts, Riley Keough, and Lisa Marie Presley, presented an unusual listening experience. However, the abrupt and incomplete ending left the impression that the work was unfinished, akin to Prince's memoir. Regrettably, this book appears to be a commercial venture aimed at Elvis Presley fans rather than a substantial literary contribution. It's dark and depressing. I didn't enjoy it.

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DID NOT LIKE IT

Reviewed: 09-13-24

I was expecting more from Viola Davis but didn't realize she had such a foul mouth. I couldn't passed that.

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An Emotional Journey

Reviewed: 07-27-24

I love when I stumble upon a book that turns out to be a worthy treasure. From the outset to the conclusion, I was captivated by the emotional journey depicted. Lenox and Mercy, two sisters with opposite personalities, are reflected in their respective offspring, Judah and Dion. While Lenox treads a perilous path, Mercy pursues legitimate gain and upholds her moral principles, albeit not without some compromise. A tragic event transpires, propelling the family into a downward spiral. Each character is meticulously developed, and the plot unfolds seamlessly like a well-oiled machine. Prepare for an exhilarating rollercoaster ride!

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DNF

Reviewed: 06-10-24

I tried on several different ocassions to read and listen to this story all the way through, but unfortunately, I found the pace to be exceedingly slow. While I hold great admiration for Connie Briscoe, I couldn't finish this one. Sorry Connie.

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Really Informative

Reviewed: 01-04-24

This was a really good book about sensitive children and parents. It teaches you how to be discerning with sensitive people and how to respond to them. Some people you have to be gentle with and others more firm. It teaches you how to recognize your limitations and stop feeling guilty for saying no. I also like how it doesn't read like a medical textbook, but uses real-life experiences to help you understand each chapter.

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Excellent Biography!

Reviewed: 11-18-23

I truly enjoyed this book. It was a perfect balance of who Tupac seemed to be. I think if he were still alive he would feel proud of this book. Other people can be our mirror, and our best mirrors is our family who know is and watched us grow up. I love how no one seemed to have been left out of telling the story about Tupac albeit Billy Garland who was mentioned as an afterthought and perhaps he was since he was mostly absent from Tupac's life. Tupac remained close to his family, as a protector and a provider. At times he was as much compassionate as he was an obnoxious rebel. I don't doubt that hard-core Hip-Hop's influence changed him, but I also think growing up in poverty, he rapped what he witnessed as if he had taken on the souls of the poor, the drug dealers, hustlers, and pimps. Mostly rapping as an eye-witness to those things and then eventually becoming like the associates he surrounded himself with.

Stacey's writing is excellent! I can tell she spent years interviewing and doing her homework with this book because it came together so well. I wish there was more, but Tupac's life ended young as he spoke death into the universe, he got it back. I do wish things could've ended differently for him. I wish he became a celebrated actor like Denzel Washington or Will Smith. It seemed like he was trying to change paths, but it was a little too late.

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1 person found this helpful

Worthy? Blameworthy? Trustworthy?

Reviewed: 10-28-23

As a fan of memoirs, this has to be my least favorite. From the start, the book is dismal, and we find ourselves on the ledge with Jada as she contemplates suicide. Thankfully, she doesn't go through with it, but the book sets the tone for bumpy melancholy ride.

(Spoiler Alert)... there are no 'ah-hah' moments, just a summary of Red Table Talk discussions blended with philosophical and spiritual rhetoric, such as the anecdotes at the end of each chapter, which after awhile sounds like a promo for us to buy the books being referenced. Notwithstanding the fact that Jada doesn't seem to heed her own advice nor accept responsibility or express remorse. A lot times, Jada comes across as self-absorbed, callous, and stubborn. Not one time do I recall hearing her say she apologized or felt bad, except for not being able to make up with Tupac before he died and she did NOT want to marry Will. Frankly, she still doesn't want to be married to Will. She was appalled that he referenced her as his wife at the Oscar's. A separation does not mean divorce, maybe she doesn't see it that way, but this is part of Jada's obscured thinking. This lack of reality and avoidance makes her not take ownership, which is typical for narcissist types of behavior. For example, Jada uses flowery words that minimize her behavior. It's NOT an "entanglement" that she had with August Alsina. It was an affair. A marriage agreement of transparency that says it's OK to be with someone else is an "open-marriage," but Jada likes to label it to appease herself.


I think BOTH Jada and Will are  "blameworthy"  for their marriage.  If it's that complicated then it's better to just keep quiet. Both are worthy of love but obviously it doesn't exist with each other. The "connection" that Jada wants, Will doesn't have, but he doesn't want to accept rhat reality. And all of their ambiguities blended in with their philosophies as to them trying to "figure it out" only makes sense to them, And maybe that's all that matters but it doesn't make what they share "trustworthy. "

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Not What I expected

Reviewed: 07-22-23

This book was disruptive. I'm not sure what point was trying to be made, but the book was randomly all over the place for me. What was the agenda? theme? just random topics laced with opinions. The title was a bit misleading, too, and made me think it was about disrupting overthinking or something of that sort. I was wrong. Anyway, I gave it a try, and by chapter 4, I was pretty much done. To each its own, but this book wasn't it at all.

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Strong Woman, Mom, and Wife

Reviewed: 06-20-23

Looks are definitely deceiving. I assumed Sonya Curry, in all of her beauty, was probably a dainty and pompous girl when she was growing up. Then, once she became a mom with famous children, I assumed it would perpetuate conceit. I was TOTALLY wrong! Sonya was/is the complete opposite of everything I had assumed. The reason I was drawn to her book was because of Steph Curry, of whom I'm a fan. This book did not disappoint me. Sonya is tactfully candid about her upbringing, her mistakes, her faith, and parenting. She's a stern buy loving mom who is smart, spiritual, and stubborn at times. However, she has raised three beautiful and successful children, mostly by herself. I can tell she wore the pants in her marriage by her strong will and assertiveness. Dell is mentioned like an afterthought, so if you are expecting her to discuss the divorce, you won't get that here. Sonya was respectful and discrete to a degree. She and Dell were really night and day, it seemed, and only married out of necessity, it seemed. Sonya is such a strong-willed woman that it will take a man with a spine to be able to handle her. She definitely needs someone who is smart enough and strong enough to challenge her. Now that her children are grown, I believe she's found her nitch with writing. This book was enjoyable, and many wives and moms will be able to relate to it. I wish Sonya the best. I hope she considers a parenting podcast or a ministry podcast.

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1 person found this helpful