[Audiobook]
By: Steve Martin
Narrated by: Steve Martin
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Dates Listened: December 1, 2019 - February 9, 2020
Length: 4 hours 2 minutes
Source: Audible
Why did I read it?
This is actually a book that I own a physical copy of and read many years ago. My dad had gifted it to me for Christmas when I was 14 or 15. Maybe because I loved the Father of the Bride movies and Cheaper by the Dozen and he wanted me to actually know stuff about the actor. Who knows, this was a typical dad thing. When I put it in my audible library, I was thinking about that and, if you have been here before you know why, I wanted to hear it from Steve Martin himself.
Born Standing Up focuses specifically on Steve Martin's stand up career. He talks a bit about writing for some variety shows and a bit about his movies but only as it relates directly to his stand up. My teenage self didn't even know Steve Martin started in stand up until I read this book. Which is probably why my dad gave it to me.
Steve Martin really has his finger in everything and he did it all (but also what seemed like nothing) in his stand up. He got his start at Disneyland as a young teen. He eventually made his way to the magic shop where he learned a lot of tricks and how to entertain. Then he moved over to Knotts Berry Farm where he performed in a stage show they have their. He plays the banjo. He has props. He called his stand up anti-comedy that he spent years and years refining it. He shares how he went from doing stand up shows to literally no audience to selling out huge theatres. It was really quite interesting.
Of course, hearing Steve read his book is the best. More-so in this case than any other, only the author can read this book. He reads lines from his stand up so without his knowledge of the purpose, the intonation, etc. the joke makes absolutely no sense. It was wonderful to hear him share the story. Also, between every chapter he plays the banjo. This makes the book so authentically Steve's and is an excellent touch.
Rating: 4/5
That's right, I'm giving it a 4. This was all new information and it was told so well you have to like it. Also, a little backstage pass to Disneyland? Okay.
Recommendation: If you like Steve Martin in anything, give this a listen or a read. I can tell you I enjoyed listening as an adult more than I enjoyed reading it as a teen. As most teenagers, I didn't realize the quality and learning of an autobiography. It's a short book and a quick read and well worth the 4 hours.
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Thursday, March 5, 2020
From a Certain Point of View
[Audiobook]
By: Various Authors
Narrated by: Various Narrators
Publisher: Random House Audio
Dates Listened: March 16 - November 23, 2019
Length: 15 hours 3 minutes
Source: Audible
Why did I read it?
It's Star Wars. Duh.
From a Certain Point of View is retelling of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. It is 40 short stories, written by 40 different authors, telling the story from another point of view. It was made in honour of the 40th anniversary in 2017. When I found it I thought it was a great concept that I could get behind.
Overall, this was an enjoyable listen. Some of the stories were really grabbing and unique. Some of the stories give shoutouts to some of the other films with information we don't necessarily know watching Episode IV. Some of them really fill out the story and galaxy as a whole and makes Star Wars even more to love. One of my favourites was the first story told by a storm trooper on the senate ship during the kidnapping of Princess Leia. We heard a story from Aunt Beru which was nice. That guy who does the Star Wars in the style of Shakespeare books wrote a soliloquy for Palpatine. There was also an amusing story about all the paperwork storm troopers have to fill out if their ship is damaged. There were some really great stories in there.
However, there were also some not so good stories. Honestly, it got pretty slow in the middle there. It felt like they were grasping for stories and they probably were. They told the fight in the Mos Eisley cantina from at least 4 perspectives. I get it, there were a lot of people in there but you lost me. They also had a really weird chapter giving a back story to the trash compactor monster. Apparently she was just trying to baptize Luke??
The narration was well done. I don't believe they had 40 narrators to match the 40 authors, but there were quite a few telling the varying stories and they all did well. The other pro of listening as opposed to reading is that they would add in the themes sometimes to match what was happening in the films. There were also some added effects like droid beep boops, light sabers being drawn, shots fired, etc. These were not at all distracting but as a whole really added to the experience. I have no complaints about the production of this book.
One thing that bugged me about this book was that some of it seemed like it was written for the purpose of Walt Disney World and Disneyland building Galaxy's Edge, the Star Wars themed land. For example, a lot of characters drank blue and/or green milk. Does this really exist in that galaxy far far away? I do not believe so. However, it is a very popular snack in Batuu at the parks. I thought it was just a weird galactic thing they invented for the parks, but here it is in the book. There were other things that I feel like Disney told people to add in to enhance the park. Am I really complaining about the magic of Disney? Yeah, I guess so. It was like a blue milk commercial up in here.
Rating: 3.5/5
Overall it was really great but I have to take a little away for those really slow bits and the blue milk.
Recommendation: If you like Star Wars, give this a listen/read. It really only adds to the story and, I feel, doesn't ruin the awesomeness that Star Wars is. Join me nerds!
By: Various Authors
Narrated by: Various Narrators
Publisher: Random House Audio
Dates Listened: March 16 - November 23, 2019
Length: 15 hours 3 minutes
Source: Audible
Why did I read it?
It's Star Wars. Duh.
From a Certain Point of View is retelling of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. It is 40 short stories, written by 40 different authors, telling the story from another point of view. It was made in honour of the 40th anniversary in 2017. When I found it I thought it was a great concept that I could get behind.
Overall, this was an enjoyable listen. Some of the stories were really grabbing and unique. Some of the stories give shoutouts to some of the other films with information we don't necessarily know watching Episode IV. Some of them really fill out the story and galaxy as a whole and makes Star Wars even more to love. One of my favourites was the first story told by a storm trooper on the senate ship during the kidnapping of Princess Leia. We heard a story from Aunt Beru which was nice. That guy who does the Star Wars in the style of Shakespeare books wrote a soliloquy for Palpatine. There was also an amusing story about all the paperwork storm troopers have to fill out if their ship is damaged. There were some really great stories in there.
However, there were also some not so good stories. Honestly, it got pretty slow in the middle there. It felt like they were grasping for stories and they probably were. They told the fight in the Mos Eisley cantina from at least 4 perspectives. I get it, there were a lot of people in there but you lost me. They also had a really weird chapter giving a back story to the trash compactor monster. Apparently she was just trying to baptize Luke??
The narration was well done. I don't believe they had 40 narrators to match the 40 authors, but there were quite a few telling the varying stories and they all did well. The other pro of listening as opposed to reading is that they would add in the themes sometimes to match what was happening in the films. There were also some added effects like droid beep boops, light sabers being drawn, shots fired, etc. These were not at all distracting but as a whole really added to the experience. I have no complaints about the production of this book.
One thing that bugged me about this book was that some of it seemed like it was written for the purpose of Walt Disney World and Disneyland building Galaxy's Edge, the Star Wars themed land. For example, a lot of characters drank blue and/or green milk. Does this really exist in that galaxy far far away? I do not believe so. However, it is a very popular snack in Batuu at the parks. I thought it was just a weird galactic thing they invented for the parks, but here it is in the book. There were other things that I feel like Disney told people to add in to enhance the park. Am I really complaining about the magic of Disney? Yeah, I guess so. It was like a blue milk commercial up in here.
Rating: 3.5/5
Overall it was really great but I have to take a little away for those really slow bits and the blue milk.
Recommendation: If you like Star Wars, give this a listen/read. It really only adds to the story and, I feel, doesn't ruin the awesomeness that Star Wars is. Join me nerds!
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
The Tao of Bill Murray
by: Gavin Edwards
Publisher: Random House
Dates Read: October 13 - December 10, 2017
Pages: 313
Source: Own it
Why did I read it?
It was October. I was in Chapters. I saw a book about Bill Murray and I bought it simple as that.
The Tao of Bill Murray is a one-of-a-kind book depicting one of my favourite people on this planet: Bill Murray. I realize I read this more than two years ago and am just writing the review on it, but it deserves it's own review. I love Bill Murray. Do I know him? Of course not, but he is a very special person to me. It's crazy, but sometimes when I watch a Bill Murray film I don't hear Bill Murray talking, I hear my dad. He's just special to me so the world has to put up with my great love with the genius.
Bill Murray does what he wants, when he wants. He comes and goes as he places and can be found in the oddest of places wearing the oddest of things. This book is written in two halves: The Ten Principles of Bill and the Films of Bill. Edwards interviewed numerous people who have come into contact with Murray from costars to interviewers to the random people he has surprised on the street. Through that he shares how a person could live a life like Bill Murray. In the introduction Edwards shares a conversation he had with Melissa McCarthy (who starred with Bill in St. Vincent - an EXCELLENT film). He shares that he feels like Bill Murray is teaching us how to live and McCarthy agreed. The ten principles are shared through numerous stories of how Bill seems to live and, you know what, it's not bad advice.
After this Gavin goes through every film Bill has been in, talks about it, and talks about the part he played in it. I mean it, they are all in there, from starring roles to cameos (yes, even Agent 13 in a tree in Get Smart is in there). This part of the book is so good. The only reason I watched Zombieland is because of this book talking about his insanely epic cameo. It's just all so good.
Rating: 4.5/5 (Come one...it's Bill Freaking Murray)
Recommendation: Does anyone I know love Bill as much as I do? No. Does that mean I won't recommend this book to you? No. Read it. Bill Murray is the greatest. He doesn't have an agent. You have to call a 1-800 number, that is very hard to get, in order to get a hold of him, maybe. Sometimes I think about working at a wine store or Kinkos in New York City so that I can receive a script for him. I consider attending the Pebble Beach celebrity golf tournament to catch a glimpse of him in person. I look at trips to Charleston, South Carolina for a one-in-a-million chance to have Bill Murray cover my eyes and say "guess who." Just read about this quirky, whimsical, one-of-a-kind man!
Publisher: Random House
Dates Read: October 13 - December 10, 2017
Pages: 313
Source: Own it
Why did I read it?
It was October. I was in Chapters. I saw a book about Bill Murray and I bought it simple as that.
The Tao of Bill Murray is a one-of-a-kind book depicting one of my favourite people on this planet: Bill Murray. I realize I read this more than two years ago and am just writing the review on it, but it deserves it's own review. I love Bill Murray. Do I know him? Of course not, but he is a very special person to me. It's crazy, but sometimes when I watch a Bill Murray film I don't hear Bill Murray talking, I hear my dad. He's just special to me so the world has to put up with my great love with the genius.
Bill Murray does what he wants, when he wants. He comes and goes as he places and can be found in the oddest of places wearing the oddest of things. This book is written in two halves: The Ten Principles of Bill and the Films of Bill. Edwards interviewed numerous people who have come into contact with Murray from costars to interviewers to the random people he has surprised on the street. Through that he shares how a person could live a life like Bill Murray. In the introduction Edwards shares a conversation he had with Melissa McCarthy (who starred with Bill in St. Vincent - an EXCELLENT film). He shares that he feels like Bill Murray is teaching us how to live and McCarthy agreed. The ten principles are shared through numerous stories of how Bill seems to live and, you know what, it's not bad advice.
After this Gavin goes through every film Bill has been in, talks about it, and talks about the part he played in it. I mean it, they are all in there, from starring roles to cameos (yes, even Agent 13 in a tree in Get Smart is in there). This part of the book is so good. The only reason I watched Zombieland is because of this book talking about his insanely epic cameo. It's just all so good.
Rating: 4.5/5 (Come one...it's Bill Freaking Murray)
Recommendation: Does anyone I know love Bill as much as I do? No. Does that mean I won't recommend this book to you? No. Read it. Bill Murray is the greatest. He doesn't have an agent. You have to call a 1-800 number, that is very hard to get, in order to get a hold of him, maybe. Sometimes I think about working at a wine store or Kinkos in New York City so that I can receive a script for him. I consider attending the Pebble Beach celebrity golf tournament to catch a glimpse of him in person. I look at trips to Charleston, South Carolina for a one-in-a-million chance to have Bill Murray cover my eyes and say "guess who." Just read about this quirky, whimsical, one-of-a-kind man!
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Some Audiobooks I Have Missed
As I said last week, it has been a while. Oops. I have listened to quite a lot of audiobooks as I drive a lot. It will become evident that I really like to listen to celebrities read their autobiography. Let's jump right in!
The Bassoon King
By: Rainn Wilson
Narrated by: Rainn Wilson
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing
Dates Listened: Dec 22, 2017 - Jan ??, 2018
Length: 8hrs 49mins
Source: Overdrive
Why did I read it?
I love 'The Office' and Dwight is awesome. That's all.
The Bassoon King follows Rainn's life from a nerdy Dungeons and Dragons, bassoon playing kid to The Office and beyond. It was really enjoyable to here about his time in university, his crazy times in New York City, and, best of all, his time on The Office. Rainn also talked a fair bit about his Baha'i religion and the work and organizations he has started with that. It got a little weird in there for a short time, but overall I learned about something I had never even heard of and it was Rainn so, who cares?
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommendation: If you are an office fan, go for it. If a whole chapter on Baha'i is really going to throw you off, skip it. Overall it was funny and quirky and I enjoyed it.
Scrappy Little Nobody
By: Anna Kendrick
Narrated by: Anna Kendrick
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Dates Listened: Jan ?? - March 4, 2018
Length: 6 hours
Source: Overdrive
Why did I read it?
I like Anna Kendrick.
Again, here we are following Anna Kendrick from her childhood, to her Oscar nominee, to Twilight to Pitch Perfect and beyond. Honestly, hearing about her time on Broadway as a child was likely my favourite part. I have always wondered about the kids on Broadway and we got just a little peak through Anna. A lot of it was just enjoyable stories from her life surrounded by her films. I enjoyed it.
Rating: 3/5
Recommendation: If you like Anna Kendrick, give it a listen. She's a funny gal and it was enjoyable hearing her tell all her stories. Also Broadway.
My Happy Days in Hollywood
By: Garry Marshall
Narrated by: Garry Marshall
Publisher: Crown
Dates Listened: March 7 - July 20, 2018
Length: 11hrs 6min
Source: Audible
Why did I read it?
If you ask me who my favourite director is, I'll say Garry Marshall. Do people laugh at me for that? Yes. But he has such a light, bright, magical touch and I just love it.
Every chapter in this book is based on a specific work he has done. There are a few chapters at the beginning around his childhood and then we move into him writing for TV shows (including The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Lucy Show), creating shows (like Happy Days), and directing films (Overboard, Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, Valentines Day, etc. etc.). Honestly some of my favourite movies are Garry's. Beaches?? If you haven't seen Beaches get out of here and go watch it. It wasn't until I was an adult that I put together all the films that he made and I loved. Every project had a chapter dedicated to it where he would just talk about how it came about and some things that happened during each project. I really liked that it was laid out like this and it allowed us, the fans, to here all about our favourite shows and films.
Rating: 4/5
Recommendation: This just may be my favourite autobiography that I have listened to thus far. The late, great Garry Marshall himself reads it. Which means you get the Bronx accent and the joy emulating through it all. I am very glad I bought it on audible because sometimes when I watch one of his films, I go back and relisten to the chapter about it. Highly recommend if you like anything he has ever made. I did not realize he had worked on so many things until I listened to this and I think everyone should know the work he has had a hand in making.
Talking as Fast as I Can
By: Lauren Graham
Narrated by: Lauren Graham
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing
Dates Listened: March 18-20, 2018
Length: 4hrs 38mins
Source: Overdrive
Why did I read it?
I like Lauren Graham. I love both 'Gilmore Girls' and 'Parenthood' so what more could you ask for?
Again, we follow Lauren Graham through life. It is actually advertised as from Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, which is true, but we also get a look at childhood, university, etc. Did you know she always dreamed of being on the Great White Way (aka. Broadway) and she was? Lauren was in lots of commercials and some short spoofs on shows before 'Gilmore Girls' and then 'Parenthood'. This book includes some special chapters about those shows and Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. It was a nice read.
Note: If you listen to this book, go to a Chapters and flip through and look at the pictures. It is a major con that she talks about them as though we can see them, but we cannot.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommendation: This book is extra special for two reasons. The first, Broadway. It's enough. The second, it gives you a really special look at A Year in the Life and how magical it was to go back to the characters we love. She said that she purposefully wrote down as much as she could during that experience because she wrote nothing the first time around. This book is worth a read/listen if only for the fact that you wish you were a Gilmore. #teamJess
Uncommon Type: Some Stories
By: Tom Hanks
Narrated by: Tom Hanks
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Dates Listened: March 30-April 25, 2018
Length: 10hrs 5mins
Source: Overdrive
Why did I read it?
Tom Hanks is one of my favourite humans on this planet. He is America's dad and I love him.
This is the only non-autobiography on this list of things I have missed. It is a collection of short stories. I quite enjoyed them. I won't lie, there were a couple that just didn't feel right having Tom Hanks read them to you. He is like our dad and their are just some things you just don't want to hear your dad tell you (some of it is a little...PG-13 and it just felt weird). I liked how some stories came back to characters we had already met. Some were simple about a girl buying a typewriter. Some were outrageous about a group of friends building a spaceship and going to space. Some were pure entertaining like when a man bowls a perfect game and then becomes famous for it. Unlike other celebrities writing short stories, these were all enjoyable AND Tom Hanks read them to you. There could be nothing better (although I still wish he got someone to read the romantic ones about young people. Come on dad!).
Also, it is very important to note that Tom Hanks loves type writers. I didn't realize until I was pretty far in, but I think that every story has a typewriter in it.
Rating: 4/5
Recommendation: Do you love Tom Hanks? Listen to this. In fact, I would lean towards listening over reading just to hear his voice read it to me. Also, the central theme appears to be typewriters so who can complain about this?
Where Am I Now?
By: Mara Wilson
Narrated by: Mara Wilson
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Dates Listened: July 22, 2018 - January 29, 2019
Length: 7hrs 22 mins
Source: Audible
Why did I read it?
Do you remember Mara Wilson? The little girl from Mrs. Doubtfire and Matilda? Yeah, she was a big part of my childhood so when I saw her 6 year old self on the cover of a book I listened.
If you are a child of the 90s, maybe you feel a little bit like you grew up with Mara Wilson. I did. Then she disappeared for around 15 years and only resurfaced quite recently. She shares about her time on and off set as a child, losing her mom at a young age, mental illness, and what she's up to now. It was good but I found the focus a little too much on artsy/hipster stuff that I just don't know or understand. She is now based in New York doing what seems to be a lot of indie plays and playwriting.
Rating: 2.5/5
Recommendation: It was kind of nice to hear where Mara disappeared to (also learning her name because what child would know that?). It just seemed like she was trying to put her whole serious adulthood art into her childhood art which just didn't really add up to me. The stories through her childhood and teens were overall enjoyable and then she lost me a bit in her adult years. Still, 90s kids, feel free.
The Bassoon King
By: Rainn Wilson
Narrated by: Rainn Wilson
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing
Dates Listened: Dec 22, 2017 - Jan ??, 2018
Length: 8hrs 49mins
Source: Overdrive
Why did I read it?
I love 'The Office' and Dwight is awesome. That's all.
The Bassoon King follows Rainn's life from a nerdy Dungeons and Dragons, bassoon playing kid to The Office and beyond. It was really enjoyable to here about his time in university, his crazy times in New York City, and, best of all, his time on The Office. Rainn also talked a fair bit about his Baha'i religion and the work and organizations he has started with that. It got a little weird in there for a short time, but overall I learned about something I had never even heard of and it was Rainn so, who cares?
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommendation: If you are an office fan, go for it. If a whole chapter on Baha'i is really going to throw you off, skip it. Overall it was funny and quirky and I enjoyed it.
Scrappy Little Nobody
By: Anna Kendrick
Narrated by: Anna Kendrick
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Dates Listened: Jan ?? - March 4, 2018
Length: 6 hours
Source: Overdrive
Why did I read it?
I like Anna Kendrick.
Again, here we are following Anna Kendrick from her childhood, to her Oscar nominee, to Twilight to Pitch Perfect and beyond. Honestly, hearing about her time on Broadway as a child was likely my favourite part. I have always wondered about the kids on Broadway and we got just a little peak through Anna. A lot of it was just enjoyable stories from her life surrounded by her films. I enjoyed it.
Rating: 3/5
Recommendation: If you like Anna Kendrick, give it a listen. She's a funny gal and it was enjoyable hearing her tell all her stories. Also Broadway.
My Happy Days in Hollywood
By: Garry Marshall
Narrated by: Garry Marshall
Publisher: Crown
Dates Listened: March 7 - July 20, 2018
Length: 11hrs 6min
Source: Audible
Why did I read it?
If you ask me who my favourite director is, I'll say Garry Marshall. Do people laugh at me for that? Yes. But he has such a light, bright, magical touch and I just love it.
Every chapter in this book is based on a specific work he has done. There are a few chapters at the beginning around his childhood and then we move into him writing for TV shows (including The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Lucy Show), creating shows (like Happy Days), and directing films (Overboard, Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, Valentines Day, etc. etc.). Honestly some of my favourite movies are Garry's. Beaches?? If you haven't seen Beaches get out of here and go watch it. It wasn't until I was an adult that I put together all the films that he made and I loved. Every project had a chapter dedicated to it where he would just talk about how it came about and some things that happened during each project. I really liked that it was laid out like this and it allowed us, the fans, to here all about our favourite shows and films.
Rating: 4/5
Recommendation: This just may be my favourite autobiography that I have listened to thus far. The late, great Garry Marshall himself reads it. Which means you get the Bronx accent and the joy emulating through it all. I am very glad I bought it on audible because sometimes when I watch one of his films, I go back and relisten to the chapter about it. Highly recommend if you like anything he has ever made. I did not realize he had worked on so many things until I listened to this and I think everyone should know the work he has had a hand in making.
Talking as Fast as I Can
By: Lauren Graham
Narrated by: Lauren Graham
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing
Dates Listened: March 18-20, 2018
Length: 4hrs 38mins
Source: Overdrive
Why did I read it?
I like Lauren Graham. I love both 'Gilmore Girls' and 'Parenthood' so what more could you ask for?
Again, we follow Lauren Graham through life. It is actually advertised as from Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, which is true, but we also get a look at childhood, university, etc. Did you know she always dreamed of being on the Great White Way (aka. Broadway) and she was? Lauren was in lots of commercials and some short spoofs on shows before 'Gilmore Girls' and then 'Parenthood'. This book includes some special chapters about those shows and Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. It was a nice read.
Note: If you listen to this book, go to a Chapters and flip through and look at the pictures. It is a major con that she talks about them as though we can see them, but we cannot.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommendation: This book is extra special for two reasons. The first, Broadway. It's enough. The second, it gives you a really special look at A Year in the Life and how magical it was to go back to the characters we love. She said that she purposefully wrote down as much as she could during that experience because she wrote nothing the first time around. This book is worth a read/listen if only for the fact that you wish you were a Gilmore. #teamJess
Uncommon Type: Some Stories
By: Tom Hanks
Narrated by: Tom Hanks
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Dates Listened: March 30-April 25, 2018
Length: 10hrs 5mins
Source: Overdrive
Why did I read it?
Tom Hanks is one of my favourite humans on this planet. He is America's dad and I love him.
This is the only non-autobiography on this list of things I have missed. It is a collection of short stories. I quite enjoyed them. I won't lie, there were a couple that just didn't feel right having Tom Hanks read them to you. He is like our dad and their are just some things you just don't want to hear your dad tell you (some of it is a little...PG-13 and it just felt weird). I liked how some stories came back to characters we had already met. Some were simple about a girl buying a typewriter. Some were outrageous about a group of friends building a spaceship and going to space. Some were pure entertaining like when a man bowls a perfect game and then becomes famous for it. Unlike other celebrities writing short stories, these were all enjoyable AND Tom Hanks read them to you. There could be nothing better (although I still wish he got someone to read the romantic ones about young people. Come on dad!).
Also, it is very important to note that Tom Hanks loves type writers. I didn't realize until I was pretty far in, but I think that every story has a typewriter in it.
Rating: 4/5
Recommendation: Do you love Tom Hanks? Listen to this. In fact, I would lean towards listening over reading just to hear his voice read it to me. Also, the central theme appears to be typewriters so who can complain about this?
Where Am I Now?
By: Mara Wilson
Narrated by: Mara Wilson
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Dates Listened: July 22, 2018 - January 29, 2019
Length: 7hrs 22 mins
Source: Audible
Why did I read it?
Do you remember Mara Wilson? The little girl from Mrs. Doubtfire and Matilda? Yeah, she was a big part of my childhood so when I saw her 6 year old self on the cover of a book I listened.
If you are a child of the 90s, maybe you feel a little bit like you grew up with Mara Wilson. I did. Then she disappeared for around 15 years and only resurfaced quite recently. She shares about her time on and off set as a child, losing her mom at a young age, mental illness, and what she's up to now. It was good but I found the focus a little too much on artsy/hipster stuff that I just don't know or understand. She is now based in New York doing what seems to be a lot of indie plays and playwriting.
Rating: 2.5/5
Recommendation: It was kind of nice to hear where Mara disappeared to (also learning her name because what child would know that?). It just seemed like she was trying to put her whole serious adulthood art into her childhood art which just didn't really add up to me. The stories through her childhood and teens were overall enjoyable and then she lost me a bit in her adult years. Still, 90s kids, feel free.
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