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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 780
EAN: 9781400083039
ISBN: 1400083036
Label: Three Rivers Press
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 240
Publication Date: December 04, 2007
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Release Date: December 04, 2007
Studio: Three Rivers Press
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Mix tapes: We all have our favorites. Stick one into a deck, press play, and youâre instantly transported to another time in your life. For Rob Sheffield, that time was one of miraculous love and unbearable grief. A time that spanned seven years, it started when he met the girl of his dreams, and ended when he watched her die
in his arms. Using the listings of fifteen of his favorite mix tapes, Rob shows that the power of music to build a bridge between people is stronger than death. Youâll read these words, perhaps surprisingly, with joy in your heart and a song in your headâthe one that comes to mind when you think of the love of your life.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
This is one of my favorite books. It's heartbreaking and affirming. Being a teen in the 90s, the musical references were spot on for me. They were lost on my mother, but I expected as much. Still, the truth of the story reaches you, whether you know the songs or not. The creation of a mix tape is one that hasn't fully transferred to the creation of a mix CD, and Sheffield makes me miss the days of 90 minute time constraints. Beyond the music and mixes is a love story that is relatable. His love for his wife and the solid foundation of their relationship is something that probably everyone hopes for. His coping after her death is real, human and poetic for those reasons. A worthwhile read, and a book I read over and over again.
Rating:  -
I'm from the '80s, and I'm a die-hard fan of the simple, accessible, durable, abuse-taking technology that is the cassette. So of course I really appreciated a book that extolled the virtues of cassettes, which are talked about in thorough and extensive detail, from the different kinds of tapes, to the reasons why they are better than CDs (and they are).
The characters in this book have an amazingly diverse taste in music. They also manage to be simultaneously on the forefront of hip while being incredibly cheesy--sometimes in that annoying "ironic" way that OKs it in pop culture, and other times lame beyond the point of any irony. In a way that makes the writer seem very honest, and also not that concerned with image despite having met rock stars. So you see, even the writer for Rolling Stone listens to country music and buys burritos at Wal-Mart!
If you don't know the music (or the '90s pop culture) he is talking about, it will go right by you. But if you are familiar with it, you'll say "hey!"
His writing was very reflective of Rolling Stone--loaded with pop-culture references, including over-analysis of them. Some of this started to give me a headache, especially his half-serious interpretation of male/female new-wave duos, but I also found it funny.
He talks a lot about his relationship over the years. In some parts I felt like he had too many inside-jokes or things that are special and meaningful to himself, but to the reader comes off like a couple gushing about themselves--and listening to two people's exclusive happiness is usually boring to others. The chapters also stayed in one place for awhile, just talking about mundane couplehood.
His wife dies, and he describes the feelings and stages that he goes through. The death was very sudden, and having the status of "widow" or "widower" at a young age is also uncommon. He writes honestly, without any feelgood sentiments tacked on. People who have lost someone will probably identify. For awhile he doesn't do much of anything. Eventually he is able to move on, though a little sad at moving on because it is without her. This book is his tribute to his life with her.
This was a quick, fun book, which also dealt with serious subjects at the same time.
Rating:  -
Do you know anyone who takes what life gives them but doesn't really have a plan of any kind? Actions only taken when given by a charismatic friend or when forced to by law, nature or an accumulation of unavoidable circumstances? Although this is a very touching love story and I really liked the author's direct style, I found the aimless, fatalistic existence a bit frustrating at times. The author did not make choices so much as acquiesce to events around him. He hates a song until someone tells them it's their favorite song - then, voila! He likes it too!
I found the eclectic selections of music interesting and irritating at the same time. The crazy collection of disco, country, new wave, rock, etc. I always get the feeling someone is trying too hard to be uber-cool when they refer to some obscure song from a critically acclaimed but generally atonal band. What I DID like and in a way somewhat opposed to the prior comment is the appreciation for top 40 along with all the other esoteric stuff. Makes it seem more like someone who just likes what he likes irrespective of whether the music maker is from an "acceptable" genre.
I thought the story, although very personal, was very touching. I won't ruin it for those who will read or listen to the book but I found the description of the relationship very moving. In my opinion, the author painted a very compelling image of what life was like with his love. I'm missing the humor part though. I've read some comments about how funny the book was. What? Did I miss a chapter or two? Funny in a kind of "oh yeah, my relatives are a little wacky too" way but not much more than that.
Overall, a quick and compelling read that will make you feel and think. Maybe 3 and half stars...
Rating: -
Before I-pods and ripped CDs we all made mix tapes. I'm sure most of us over a certain age still have them safely hidden away somewhere, never quite having had the nerve to throw them out(broken cases and all) We named these tapes, gave them away to friends or lovers and assigned them different purposes. Remember the break-up tape, the I'm so infatuated with you tape, the party tape, workout tape, road trip tape, stolen off the radio tape etc etc. It took hours to create a mix tape, attempting to get the songs in perfect order without cutting off the last one. Now imagine, nearly 20 years later having the courage to scour through and listen to all those tapes again. The joy of rediscovery, the nostalgia, the OMG I forgot all about that song which reminds me of that party/girl/boy/car/ moment. You might also experience pain or sadness over that long lost love. Well this is what LOVE IS A MIX TAPE is all about.
I absolutely adored this book. Rob Sheffield style of writing is so honest, natural and funny that you'll feel like your talking with an old friend. He manages too capture the spirit of the 90's perfectly too as he tells a moving autobiographical account of his years spent with wife Renee. Anyone who lived through that time and is into Pop culture will find something relatable here.
This is a tragic love story and on the very first page we learn that Renee has died, we just don't know how or why. We then flash back to the time to before they met as Rob experiences an awkward adolescence and discovers his love of Indie rock. One night Rob meets the sweet Southern girl of his dreams and although only 25 they soon marry. It's not a perfect marriage however; they're broke most of the time, they fight, they get a dog, they drink Zima (remember Zima?) but they always listen to music as one. Rob and Renee ultimately get 7 years together and even though I knew that Renee was going to die when it actually happened I was left stunned. Sheffield depicts the ache of new love and utter helplessness of losing it beautifully and following Rob through the next grief stricken chapters was at times hard to take.
Throughout this story it is always about the music and each chapter begins with a dated mix tape complete with side A/B track listings. Some of the tapes were made by Renee others by Rob but you're sure to have a lot of moments remembering your own life's soundtrack as you journey along with the music. You might even find a couple of new favourites. Cheers.
Rating:  -
Unfortunately it is not until his wife dies that the book becomes funny. It probably gives Rob Sheffield the time and space to see his own life in interesting ways from his point of view unlike when his girlfriend/wife was alive he seemed almost obsessed/ occupied with hers.
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