Memories, Dreams & Deflections

My Odyssey Through Emotional Indigestion

By: Valerie Gilbert

Narrated by: Valerie Gilbert

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

A continuation of the serendipitous saga commenced in Raving Violet, Valerie Gilbert’s first non-fiction collection of short stories, Memories, Dreams & Deflections: My Odyssey Through Emotional Indigestion, picks up the sojourn of this sassy, single mystic, mired in her mind and cloistered above the streets of New York City.

This volume explores Valerie’s intrepid and irreverent search for healing inside and out (both medical and mystical), the quest for peace (and quiet) and, as always, true love.

©2014 Valerie Gilbert (P)2014 Valerie Gilbert

At times funny. Always thought provoking.

This is the second book I have listened to by this author.
Although I do not agree with her taken on love, life and misery case in point a contract of souls between murderer and victim I found that in this book in particular much of what she has to say makes sense.
No fluff no sex in the city although in my minds eye I did call up Carry Bradshaw in Manhatten while listening to this. Much of the musings of Carry and Valerie has one thing in common - how life influence us and we it.
I did not listen to this book all in one go. Certain sections like the chapter on tort reform was at first glance not a perfect fit in this compilation until near the end when the authors passion comes out loud and clear and you realize...oh heck. Naturally. Media influence all we do. This particular chapter was facinating.
Other chapters like where the author meets her ex-husband in a park after a few years and loves everything about him, not because he has turned into the perfect man or because she got high..rather because of what she learned from him, took from their time together was sweet and funny.

The narrator and author is one and the same and although this is a thing I would discourage most, this woman has classical training and the clarity and obvious vested interest she brings to the production is clear.

I would not hesitate to listen to more books narrated and or penned by this gifted author.

WaAr

Words of Wisdom Through Life Experience ~ Riveting

It’s been a journey with author and narrator Valerie Gilbert with her four books I voraciously consumed! She teaches, yet amuses, with her innate quirky style, have a nod of agreement here or chortle of amusement there. But inevitably I learn something new and appreciate the WAY she teaches.

In this book she discusses issues no doubt touching a reader’s life. Financial woes keep her from getting medical help when needed. How does she cope? Her sensitivity to anything environmentally unsafe has her standing tall on her soap box. In fact, in this book she’s on it a lot! She’s right of course and her passion with her belief shines bright and strong.

Another issue in her life involves men, the wrong men, the desire of the right man, the online dating and her frustration finding the love of her life. Many a reader could relate to this.

I also love the way Gilbert narrates. Who better can narrate her inner turmoil and lessons learned than she? She’s an actor and narrator, having over 100 narrations under her belt.

Gilbert is generous with her life experiences and what has brought her to where she is today. I’ve certainly enjoyed taking the journey with her. She has been extremely influential in my understanding what is truly important in life with her ebullient, effusive narration of life’s well-learned lessons.

A journey worth hearing.

Humorous storyteller about a real life situation. Valerie's various solutions to save her uterus despite those pesky fibroids. Her melodic voice makes story even more fascinating. I could listen to that voice over and over again.

Serendipitous Indeed and Sage Revealings

MEMORIES, DREAMS, AND DEFLECTIONS was a great listen. I thoroughly enjoy listening to Valerie's viewpoints, musings, and wisdom. She has some amazing stories and I feel that life is made up of stories. Ones like these that are for sharing. Listening to her has given me good things and situations to think about and some perhaps to re-think.

Valerie tells it like it is, no holds barred which I like. She's frank, intimate, and thought-provoking. If you're reading this and considering this audiobook, get it.

I always love hearing an author narrate their own story, especially an autobio. She has a wonderful voice and it's like she's talking right to you. Definitely recommended.

Audiobook received in exchange for an honest review.

Humorous stories & blunt discussions

Here is another collection of the life adventures of Valerie Gilbert, mystic, cat lover, cheese aficionado, and native New Yorker. In this particular book, she takes us through the trials and tribulations of her first marriage, the on-line dating scene, chasing after tennis balls, and navigating our complex health care system.

I’m hard pressed to say if I liked this or Raving Violet best. Valerie Gilbert is definitely outspoken about so many things and her life is so very different from my own. I enjoy her talking about her life so plainly and bluntly. I don’t have to agree on every point; I just have to listen and enjoy the show.

Her adventures with on-line dating showed both the sad state of on-line match ups, but she told her encounters with humor. I especially liked the tale of the man who insists there never be cat butt in the bed. Of course such demands probably lost him out on an entirely different kind of kitty in the bed too. If Gilbert is this forward in her books, I can only imagine that she is also as upfront via on-line dating and I hope that New York offers up some like-minded gentlemen for her to meet.

The only dull spot for me was when she went on at length about her marriage, ending it, and then bumping into her ex some time later. It was a bit drawn out and I let my mind wander a bit in the middle. For the most part, she told this section with humor, even if she lingered a bit too long over the topic.

I do applaud her for talking so very frankly about the women’s health issue of fibroids. Ugh! But sooner or later, most women suffer from them. Coupled with this discussion was her wending her way through our government-provided healthcare system and the numerous doctors and examinations she had to go through. I have never had an IUD, but I have heard from other women how uncomfortable the insertion of one can be. Gilbert gives you the full color version and it is as educational as it is cringe-worthy. This is definitely a topic that more women should chat about, and I am glad that that Gilbert was so open on her own experiences.

All in all, it is another entertaining glimpse into another person’s life. Strange and far away, and yet there were touchstones that I resonated with.

Narration: Valerie Gilbert narrated her own novel and she did an excellent job with this one. She had all the emotion and fire of her first book. The audio production was top notch with this book.

Awesome

Just as the first book, this one too is very entertaining. I love Ms. Gilbert's voice, such a pleasure to listen to her while talking about her real life experiences. She is hilariously irreverent, has opinions with which I agree on most things. This book made me laugh, think, nod and shake my head, but most of all I find it uplifting. I totally recommend it, as I do the first one, 'RAVING VIOLET". I am looking forward to Swami Soup. Thank you Ms. Gilbert!

Entertaining

Any additional comments?

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book. I listened to the book on audible and quickly learned that it was more of a journal from the author how she feels some of her past experiences etc. I thought some of the stories were entertaining hearing about her ex husband and realizing their marriage didn't work because he had issues not blaming herself. I struggled with parts of the book hearing about psychic ability, not settling for a blue collar worker and how TV companies excetera are out to harm the world. all in all I found the book entertaining learning about Valerie, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and it's nice to hear somebody that does not waver and believes what they believe without regret. it was also entertaining to hear the book actually told by Valerie.

Another Great Book by Valerie Gilbert!

Where does Memories, Dreams & Deflections rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Within biographies/memoirs, high! I think this is Valerie Gilbert's second best book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Valerie... of course.

What about Valerie Gilbert’s performance did you like?

As always, she has a great voice, kept me engaged and is uncompromisingly herself!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At times, I didn't necessarily agree with some of the things that Valerie said, but then again, that's why you listen to someone's biography... to understand their unique point of view. She is a very interesting lady.

Any additional comments?

Just like all of the other books in the series, this is a highly interesting read and well worth purchasing. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Valerie's point of view (whether I agreed or not) and think that everyone should take a listen!

An Odyssey

Any additional comments?

This was an unusual audiobook with its strong and unique voice concerning the many aspects of being human. Its writing style flowed with a wonderful sense of humour and insight. A free review copy was gifted by the author/narrator

Quite a ride!

Where does Memories, Dreams & Deflections rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

99% of my listening is to fiction, so, as an autobiography, it's right up there.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Why, Valerie of course!

Have you listened to any of Valerie Gilbert’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Snippets, so difficult to compare

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did find it funny in parts, but it's a life, there has to be emotion

Any additional comments?

Narrated by the author, who is excellent, good sound quality, well produced work