Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time Audiobook

" Engaging with lots of great music selections (Each chapter began with a mix tape collection). A sensitive portrayal of grief. I can't quite put my finger on why I think of it as "lightweight," but there you have it. Still, it's a fast read with some good moments. "

" Sheffield's love of music is evident, but his tastes are incredibly bland and pedestrian. Most of his work has come during the most moribund period of both rock history (he ludicrously claims the 90s as the best decade in rock based on his love for Pavement, the band he more ludicrously claims made the Feelies dispensable) and for the most moribund magazine of the period: Rolling Stone. His tale of woe and the transformative power of love is thus a mixed bag, inspiring us with the music that helped him get through the turmoil, and causing us to cringe whenever he attempts to use drugs, baseball, or film as metaphor. In the end, his fey and precious tastes paint him as a twee, modern hipster who never really opened up to the world in the way he suggested--only to that one particular girl--and that is a precious and cliched tale. Worse, he plays the tragedy for all its worth by suggesting that the doctor told him that his wife was 'young and healthy' and had merely been unlucky to die of a pulmonary embolism. This might have been easy to swallow if he hadn't shown the couple--despite huge efforts to minimize it--as extremely unhealthy, both being chain smokers, borderline alcoholics, and junk food junkies (Renee had started to become obese) whose idea of exercise was to watch the dog take a crap in the back yard. Despite whatever genetic predisposition she may have had to have this episode, there is no doubt in the minds of any who know biology that environment played a huge role in her demise. She was not, as he suggests, 'young and healthy' and he consequently loses our sympathy for his tragic tale. "

" Surprisingly depressing, but still very good. I enjoy the way he mixed in music references. "

" Not in-love with this yet. Maybe it's a slow start. "

" You don't have to be a music buff or know everything about the 80's, punk rock or early 90's bands to love this book. It's funny, fast-paced and enveloping. "

" Fantastic book for all music lovers. Anyone who appreciates the way their favorite songs and musicians can bring back memories and emotions that might otherwise be forgotten, will love this book. "

" Cute read if you were born in the late 60s/early 70s and like music. "

" This book is perfect for all music lovers. It can be sad and funny at the same time. He writes so well, like the kind of guy I'd have a crush on; socially awkward, quiet, music geek. "

" I was really excited about this book, but unfortunately, it just couldn't pull me in and I lost interest and gave up. "

" I laughed and I cried. This book was great from the very first line. I had high expectations of this book and they were definitely met. If you love music, read this book. If you love love, read this book. "

" loved this book written by a self depreciating romantic infused with great music, specifically from the 90s. can't wait to read his other book. "

" One of the best books I read in 2009. "

" A touching memoir about love and music. "

" This was much better than I expected. About becoming a widower at a young age. Quick read. "

" A little depressing, but like how he using songs to tell his story "

" It has a nice conceit - mix tapes as the structure of the book and of life. The best parts were him dealing with the death of his wife, while their courtship, marriage, and his early life all felt too ironic, jokey, and self-conscious. Also, the music "criticism" is populist, but random. "

" I could relate to some of this book quite well, and it did make me laugh, but overall I found myself a little bit bored. "

" For anyone who has ever made a mix tape, particularly in hopes of snagging a significant other - this is a must read book! I loved this book, I can't wait to read it again. "

" This isn't just a book, it's real love in paper form. "

" If you've ever lost someone important to you and want to feel like you're not crazy, read this book. It's not the best writing, and he could have developed his story better, but it's honest and heartfelt--which goes a long way toward making a book last. "

" Sheffield writes for Rolling Stone and music mags and this is a memoir about his relationship with his wife set to the music of the 90's, which I am all about and while I read it I went back to my middle school mix on my ipod a lot. "

" did not like this at all, can't believe I finished it. maybe it was a generational or gender thing. "

" Sometimes you lie in a strange room, in a strange person's home, and you feel yourself bending out of shape. Melting, touching something hot, something that warps you in drastic and probably irreversible ways you won't get to take stock of until it's too late. (pg. 63) "

" I laughed, I cried, it was better than.... "

" Absolutely one of the bests. <br/>completely dilutes the whole modern day music and actually gives us (the youth) thought on just how significant classic music was and how it can bring happiness to each and every individual. "

" Initially it is hard not to confuse Rob Sheffield with Rob Gordon, but as his story of loss and immense grief unfolds, this thought fades. Started out as a 3, because of the Nick Hornby comparisons, but in the end I'm giving it a 4. So heartbreaking. "

" It was okay. I felt the grief but the stories were sort of contrived. "

" I had high hopes for this but what i thought would be a nostalgic music recount was a widows mourning... and i don't mean to take anything away form that, learning about Renee was nice, but i thought it would be different. 2/5 "

" Engaging with lots of great music selections (Each chapter began with a mix tape collection). A sensitive portrayal of grief. I can't quite put my finger on why I think of it as &quot;lightweight,&quot; but there you have it. Still, it's a fast read with some good moments. "

" Thought this would be a quick throwaway read. Not so, dear readers. Rob Sheffield will make you cry. Read and see if you don't wish someone loved you like that. "

" LOVED IT!!! except for some cussing - grr. "

" I don't follow Sheffield's writing- so I don't know if he fits the mould of pretentious rock journalist- but this story is wonderful. the guy knows his stuff, and it is both sweet and incredibly jarring. puke, I know. "