Linda Marie

The Opposite of Selfishness

Revisado: 08-04-20

I am from the generation of albums, turntables and one record at a time. I always listened with the album cover in my lap, reading, rereading and studying the pictures dreamily. I did not see any sign of what unfolded in Remain in Love. It is such a sad surprise in part and a heartwarming story of true love and artistic generosity. I just love this couple and how they seem to have never lost sight of how blessed they are. I am not religious but there was some magic at work that brought these two together. This is a very good place to escape from our current concerns.
I listen to lots of books so my ear is tuned to professional readers. It took a bit to get used to Chris’s reading but I grew to really enjoy his kind of dorky (sorry)and earnest voice.

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Mesmerizing

Revisado: 07-30-17

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Jon Ronson has the most beautiful voice. I would be happy listening to him read software instructions. I get the impression he loves humans, not despite, but because of our flawed humanness. His warmth and lack of judgment for people he is investigating comes across quite clearly. His research is thorough and writing is blessedly lacking in hyperbole.
Like David Sedaris, his work is enhanced by hearing him read.
We (westerners) are so toweringly conflicted on the subject of sex. And instead of getting enlightened it seems we are going backwards. The loud selling of sex juxtaposed with the searing shame hoisted upon anyone daring to venture outside a very narrow and arbitrary norm is illustrated with heartbreaking clarity in The Buttefly Effect. The internet has allowed a world where sexual fantasies can run wild. The upside of that should we manage to conquer our absurd shame is to find out sex often has very little to do with actual sex. Like our fingerprints, we are all so very different in what satisfies our needs. The downside of course is the sad and dishonest education young people receive from finding out about sex from pornography. Jon Ronson has woven a huge subject together with great heart while managing to issue what feels like a challenge to wake up not to the evils of pornography but the horrible consequences of shame and secrecy.

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White What?

Revisado: 02-27-17

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If you are a white person listening to this shattering sermon and do not feel a need for a total reset, you may have missed something. In a month of terrifying social and political upheaval my own puny concerns have a vivid truth as I am lining them up alongside the demand to step outside the myth of equality in America. The humiliation of my arrogance that donald tRump could not possibly become president is mirrored in the humiliation of my own culpability in that myth. Mr. Dyson is not careful with his words, they are painful to hear. On my way to Obama's first Inauguration ( huuuge) I thought we were heading into a new world. I was so proud of this country. What a wake up.

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40?! Try 60!.

Revisado: 07-18-16

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. After 40 women are all basically the same age. There was very little in this book any woman well into the Ma'm phase would not identify with.

What was one of the most memorable moments of You'll Grow Out of It?

The embarrassing, cringe inducing, achingly familiar complete awfulness of dating a man that wears loafers without socks. Are they stamped out of a mold on an undiscovered planet that might be called Tasselvania?

What does Jessi Klein bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice obviously. If a memoir, autobiography,etc is read by the author I always choose to listen. If that person is also hysterically funny all the better. I will still buy the book, It is hard to find especially juicy passages in the audio books..

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did, although I wasn't sitting. I was gardening, walking my dog, hanging out the laundry, all the while laughing like a crazy woman.

Any additional comments?

Thank you Jessi Klein and take comfort that you are stil 20 years from flyers offering cremation services.

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Such a Good Friend.

Revisado: 10-31-15

What about Debra Winger and Gloria Steinem ’s performance did you like?

I can imagine there were many who would love to take on this project. DW was such an inspired choice, her slightly gravelly voice and access to the humor and deep humanity of GS comes across beautifully. I could almost see her nodding in agreement as she read.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several, her easy friendships with the working women and men she encounters in her travels speaks volumes. I would love to find myself sitting next to her on a long flight.

Any additional comments?

If you are not familiar with Gloria Steinem, here is a good place to start. No matter what your politics may be, her kindness, loyalty, curiosity and unwavering willingness to learn from every experience is clearly a lesson in speaking the truth.

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Worth Revisiting

Revisado: 10-20-15

I read the book in 2005. With the story in the news again I decided to listen this time. Was pleased it was read by the author. That ratcheted up the drama considerably. MM is really quite funny, amazingly grounded and self effacing. This incident happened barely ten years ago, it certainly foretold a wickedly vile new direction for investigative journalism. Recommended!

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