Musical Chairs
Jen Knox
Indie Memoir/YA
[rating: 5/5]
Available in…
• Mobi/Kindle
… from…
• Amazon
• MobiPocket
Also in paperback
Some time ago, Jen Knox and I swapped memoirs. She sent me a copy of Musical Chairs, which explores her family’s history of mental health diagnoses, her years of strip-dancing, alcoholism, and estrangement, and her struggle for reconciliation. (That’s from the cover.)
I also sent her a copy of Love through the Eyes of an Idiot. In full disclosure, just as I had started reading her book, Jen sent me an email about mine:
I finally posted my review of your delightful book. Oh how it made me remember how lucky I am to have found Chris after all the relationships (if you can call them that) that came before him. He thanks you. I thank you, for writing a great read.
Truthfully, I’m gratified that Jen enjoyed my book. And I did really want to like hers as well— I always want to like a book from a fellow author, and it upsets me when I don’t. But I will tell you exactly what problems I had with Musical Chairs:
-
I ran across numerous line-editing issues, including misspelled words, bad punctuation (like ending a sentence with a comma, in at least two places), and sentences that made no sense in context. The best typo I found on page 152, where Jen wrote about working at the bookstore: “As I cleared dust from a self in the psychology section…” So, was that an ego or an id? (Ba dum bum.)
-
Some details were missing from spots in the story where I would naturally expect them, popping up as surprises elsewhere. For example, all the time Jen was staying with Miss Sarah and her daughter (in the chapter entitled “Miss Sarah”), I thought Sarah was a white, single mother. It was only much later in the book that I was told that Sarah (or at least her daughter) had darker skin, that she was married to a Latino who had treated Jen rudely, and that she had some pretty bizarre racial ideas.
-
Jen begins with a panic attack, and she concludes as the panic attacks disappear… I think. I have nothing against waxing eloquent, as she did in the epilogue; I’m just not sure how she concluded the story. (But otherwise the epilogue did leave me feeling uplifted and satisfied.)
All of my complaints were counterbalanced, however, by the fact that I literally couldn’t put the damn book down! That’s why I’ve been absent this week. I blew through the entire thing in a little over a day, immersing myself in her story every moment I could. Really, no joke, no exaggeration: I read until I got tired; then I napped, woke up, and continued where I left off; lather, rinse, repeat.
Truthfully, before I started the book, I half expected a melodramatic pity party for a life beset by personal tragedy and self-destruction. On the contrary, Jen drew me into her story, the story of a girl I could hardly believe existed.
At one point, I reclined in a hot bath with Jen’s book in one hand and a cup of Earl Grey in the other. I looked at the cup, a commemorative mug, dated November 20, 1994, for the centennial anniversary of the facility at which my Beloved interned. I suddenly realized that at that very time, Jen had run away from home, 15 years old, and was living with her 19-year-old boyfriend. My Beloved was about to launch her career, and during the same autumn, Jen was about to launch herself into boyfriends and sex and statutory rape and the real thing, erotic dances for money, fights and alcohol and the battle for control and delusions and psychosis and abandonment— But through it all, Jen seemed so… normal to me. I genuinely sympathized with her, felt for her in her quest, desired to reach out to her and provide what I saw she was missing in her life. And I smiled when she finally began to find it.
This is the reason I read independent memoirs, to meet people I might never otherwise know, through them to live experiences I could never otherwise fathom, and to win victories I would never otherwise have even pursued. And Musical Chairs generously filled that need.
-TimK
|
Musical Chairs |
Available in… |
п»їLately, I came across an interesting page about buying affordable antibiotics. It details how to save money for ED medication. If anyone wants Trusted Indian sources, read this: п»їworld pharmacy india. Might be useful.
I was wondering about getting antibiotics without prescription. I discovered a good archive that ranks affordable options: п»їbest mexican pharmacy. Seems useful..
It is in point of fact a great and useful piece of info.
I am happy that you shared this helpful information with us.
Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
п»їRecently, I came across an interesting page concerning Indian Pharmacy exports. It explains CDSCO regulations when buying antibiotics. If you are looking for Trusted Indian sources, visit this link: п»їindia pharmacy. Hope it helps.
п»їActually, I found a helpful report concerning generic pills availability. The site discusses the safety protocols on prescriptions. If anyone wants Trusted pharmacy sources, read this: п»їhttps://polkcity.us.com/# pharmacys in mexico. Hope it helps.
This post provides clear idea in support of the new visitors
of blogging, that truly how to do running a blog.
п»їJust now, I came across an interesting guide about Indian Pharmacy exports. The site discusses WHO-GMP protocols for generic meds. If anyone wants cheaper alternatives, take a look: п»їhttps://kisawyer.us.com/# п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india. Might be useful.
Услуга вывода из запоя в клинике сочетает профессионализм врачей, медицинскую точность и заботу. При этом обеспечивается полная конфиденциальность: данные пациентов не передаются в сторонние инстанции. Круглосуточный режим работы позволяет вызвать врача даже ночью — специалисты прибывают в течение 40–60 минут после обращения.
Получить больше информации – вывод из запоя клиника волгоград
Good day! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for
this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at
alternatives for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
п»їTo be honest, I came across a helpful article about cheap Indian generics. It details WHO-GMP protocols when buying antibiotics. If anyone wants Trusted Indian sources, go here: п»їhttps://kisawyer.us.com/# top 10 pharmacies in india. Worth a read.
excellent points altogether, you just won a logo new reader.
What would you suggest in regards to your post
that you just made a few days ago? Any sure?
Fine way of telling, and pleasant article to take information regarding my presentation topic, which i am going
to convey in institution of higher education.
FYI, a helpful overview on cross-border shipping rules. It explains quality control for antibiotics. Source: п»їUpstate Medical.
п»їRecently, I came across a useful guide concerning generic pills from India. The site discusses the manufacturing standards for ED medication. If you are looking for reliable shipping to USA, go here: п»їvisit. Might be useful.
куда пойти на краби медуза на краби
Вывод из запоя на дому — удобно и безопасно. Наши специалисты приедут к вам домой и проведут все необходимые процедуры для скорейшего облегчения состояния.
Получить дополнительную информацию – вывод из запоя вызов на дом в химках
Статья содержит практические рекомендации и полезные советы, которые можно легко применить в повседневной жизни. Мы делаем акцент на реальных примерах и проверенных методиках, которые способствуют личностному развитию и улучшению качества жизни.
Посмотреть всё – https://bandadelriosali.gob.ar/el-camion-de-carne-popular-en-el-club-los-vallistos/carne-popular-en-banda-del-rio-sali-1
Лечение пивного алкоголизма в Люберцах. Мы предлагаем эффективные методы лечения зависимости от пива.
Детальнее – капельница от запоя на дому в люберцах
Nice respond in return of this matter with genuine arguments and telling
everything on the topic of that.
Does anyone know getting antibiotics without prescription. I found a cool archive that ranks best pharmacies: п»їpolkcity.us.com. Check it out.
qq88 mediaqq88 media cập nhật tên miền mới, đăng ký casino trực tuyến qq88 nhận 88k ngay hôm nay
If you want to save money on prescriptions, I suggest checking this resource. It shows prices for generics. Best prices at this link: п»їuseful link.
п»їJust now, I came across an interesting guide concerning generic pills from India. It covers CDSCO regulations when buying antibiotics. In case you need cheaper alternatives, go here: п»їhttps://kisawyer.us.com/# indian pharmacies safe. Worth a read.
If you want to save big on pills, I recommend reading this report. It reveals where to buy cheap. Best prices available here: п»їUpstate Medical.
https://isotopeimaging.com/index.php?route=journal3/blog/post&journal_blog_post_id=8
п»їActually, I discovered an informative guide regarding Indian Pharmacy exports. It details how to save money for ED medication. If anyone wants Trusted Indian sources, read this: п»їkisawyer.us.com. Worth a read.
п»їActually, I came across an interesting guide regarding Indian Pharmacy exports. It covers how to save money when buying antibiotics. In case you need cheaper alternatives, visit this link: п»їhere. Cheers.
https://cool-nails.com/index.php?route=journal2/blog/post&journal_blog_post_id=3
Анонимность и конфиденциальность гарантированы. Мы обеспечиваем полную анонимность и конфиденциальность на всех этапах лечения.
Получить дополнительную информацию – капельница от запоя цена московская область
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site?
The account aided me a applicable deal. I had been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vibrant transparent idea
п»їRecently, I stumbled upon a useful guide about Indian Pharmacy exports. It explains CDSCO regulations on prescriptions. For those interested in cheaper alternatives, visit this link: п»їread more. Hope it helps.
нажмите https://forum.hpc.name/thread/v030/66648/ispravlenie-oshibki-parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-t-double-arrow-pri-rabote-s-massivami-v-php.html
https://sites.suffolk.edu/connormulcahy/2014/04/18/solar-experiment-by-kurt-connor-noor/img_7998/#comment-473664
For those looking to save on pharmacy costs, I suggest visiting this archive. It reveals trusted Mexican pharmacies. Best prices available here: п»їhttps://polkcity.us.com/# pharmacy in mexico.
A person necessarily assist to make significantly articles I
might state. That is the first time I frequented your web page
and so far? I surprised with the analysis you made to create
this actual post extraordinary. Wonderful job!
п»їRecently, I stumbled upon an informative guide about Indian Pharmacy exports. It covers how to save money for generic meds. In case you need Trusted Indian sources, take a look: п»їkisawyer.us.com. Good info.