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… |
mostbet şifrə sıfırlama https://mostbet2013.help/
На протяжении всего периода лечения специалисты клиники контролируют динамику состояния, анализируя результаты лабораторных исследований и поведение пациента. Такой подход позволяет своевременно корректировать терапевтическую схему и предотвращать осложнения. Применяемые методы терапии соответствуют современным стандартам и одобрены медицинскими сообществами.
Получить дополнительные сведения – https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-v-kazani16.ru/narkologicheskaya-klinika-kazan-otzyvy
Такая карта делает лечение обозримым и дисциплинирует решения: пациент видит цель и порог перехода, семья понимает, зачем нужно соблюдать «тихие» часы, команда сохраняет управляемость и не «крутит ручки» ночью.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – платная наркологическая клиника петрозаводск
Этап
Получить дополнительные сведения – https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-chekhov8.ru/chastnaya-narkologicheskaya-klinika-v-chekhove
https://corevitalpharmacy.com/# CoreVital Pharmacy
Your luck is waiting — set it free right here, right now – https://plmotiliu.com , The casino that turns strangers into kings overnight .
При выводе из запоя в Ростове-на-Дону используются разные терапевтические подходы. Основной задачей является устранение токсинов и восстановление работы систем организма. Врач подбирает терапию индивидуально в зависимости от состояния пациента и длительности запоя.
Ознакомиться с деталями – вывод из запоя на дому недорого
Every win here leaves a scar of pure joy – http://atamsulosin.com/mostbet-777/ , Where legends are born and jackpots explode — join the action now .
NovaMen Pharmacy: NovaMen Pharmacy – NovaMen Pharmacy
Where adrenaline signs the cheques – http://gntopama.com/mostbet-kasino-recenzie-a-skusenosti-2026/ , This place was built for exactly this version of you .
One spin One chance One legendary story — yours – http://gntopama.com/mostbet-kazino-2026-125-bonus-250-fs/ , One more bet and reality logs out of sobriety .
Generic Cialis price: CoreVital Pharmacy – CoreVital Pharmacy
Spin like tomorrow already belongs to you – https://atamsulosin.com/mostbet-777/ , One spin Total domination Your move .
Статья охватывает практически все аспекты SMM: от контент-плана до работы с блогерами. Понравилось, что автор не просто перечисляет услуги, а объясняет, на какие метрики реально смотреть и как оценивать ROI. Вот ссылка: https://iwatt24.ru/uslugi-smm/
https://primelinepharmacy.com/# ed meds by mail
Where fortune meets fire — and you’re in the middle – http://aranitidine.com/mostbet-casino-polska-2026-pelna-recenzja-i-opinie-eksperta/ , Where every spin feels electric and every win feels legendary .
Spin until the word “unlucky” needs therapy – https://plmotiliu.com/tikitaka-casino-review-2026/ , Your pulse races faster than the reels .
J’ai remarquй https://dragonia-casino-24.fr/ en cherchant des plateformes avec beaucoup de rouleaux, de jackpots et de mйcaniques intйressantes.
Play like a king, win like a legend – https://anchormusicnews.com , Epic moments, massive vibes, insane payouts — welcome home .
Ignite your luck — the fire is already burning – https://aranitidine.com/big-bass-bonanza-slot-review-2026-guide-from-a-15-year-igaming-vet/ , The hottest slots and live action are calling your name .
https://nmgazeta.ru/nmnews/2783885/zenit-i-spartak-gotovyatsya-k-glavnomu-matchu-tura-rpl.html
The thrill isn’t coming — it’s already inside you – https://gntopama.com/mostbet-kazino-2026-125-bonus-250-fs/ , One spin One chance One legendary story — yours .
One spin and physics files for bankruptcy – https://atamsulosin.com/mostbet-casino-recenze-2026/ , Feel alive with every spin, every card, every win .
Fortune Tiger cartinha x10: melhor sensação do ano ou só sorte pura? Vote!
melbet problema login http://www.melbet63048.help
This excellent website really has all the info I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who
to ask.
One card flip and silence turns into thunder – http://aranitidine.com/wazamba-casino-review-2026/ , Your next epic win is already in motion .
Hi, Neat post. There is an issue with your web site in web explorer, may test this?
IE still is the marketplace leader and a huge section of people will miss your
excellent writing because of this problem.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and
visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to
create your theme? Superb work!
buying ed pills online: cheap ed pills online – discount ed meds
Spot on with this write-up, I truly believe this web site needs
far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the advice!
Алкогольный запой – это критическое состояние, возникающее при длительном злоупотреблении спиртными напитками, когда организм насыщается токсинами и его жизненно важные системы (сердечно-сосудистая, печёночная, нервная) начинают давать сбой. В такой ситуации необходимо незамедлительное вмешательство специалистов для предотвращения тяжелых осложнений и спасения жизни. Наркологическая клиника «Основа» в Новосибирске предоставляет экстренную помощь с помощью установки капельницы от запоя, позволяющей оперативно вывести токсины из организма, стабилизировать внутренние процессы и создать условия для последующего качественного восстановления.
Разобраться лучше – поставить капельницу от запоя на дому новосибирск
mostbet demo mines http://www.mostbet73618.help
One click and the whole algorithm blushes – https://xglimepiride.com , The lights flash for you — not for everyone .
One flip and the whole timeline shifts in your favor – https://gketorolac.com , One card flip and silence turns into thunder .
CoreVital Pharmacy: CoreVital Pharmacy – Buy Tadalafil 5mg
Where legends are born and jackpots explode — join the action now – https://gperiacti.com , Step into the ultimate playground of fortune and excitement .
Этот обзор позволяет по-новому взглянуть на вещи, на которые обычно и так смотрят. Мы упоминаем факты, которые мало что меняют, и события, значение которых трудно определить, но они всё равно здесь.
Вот – казино
PG Soft no Pix: melhores cassinos pra depositar R$1 e sair girando em 2026
Quem já tirou 1000x no Jogo do Tigrinho em 2026? Mostra o print aqui nos comentários!
Когда выезд особенно удобен и оправдан, важно понимать не только эмоционально, но и по конкретным признакам. Есть ряд типичных ситуаций, в которых именно формат «на дому» становится наиболее реалистичным и безопасным вариантом, а стационар можно рассматривать как следующий шаг, когда острота будет снята и человек станет более сговорчивым.
Выяснить больше – narkolog-na-dom-kruglosutochno
how to get ed pills: PrimeLine Pharmacy – buy erectile dysfunction pills online
One more round and gravity starts taking your orders – https://gpdifluca.com/tikitaka-casino-bonus-2026/ , Where ordinary players leave as myths .
https://primelinepharmacy.shop/# low cost ed meds
Вывод из запоя в Ростове-на-Дону является востребованной медицинской услугой, направленной на восстановление физического состояния пациента и снижение рисков осложнений. Длительное употребление алкоголя вызывает тяжелые нарушения в работе организма, и самостоятельное прекращение приёма спиртных напитков часто приводит к абстинентному синдрому. В таких ситуациях профессиональный вывод из запоя в клинике становится необходимым условием для сохранения здоровья.
Изучить вопрос глубже – вывод из запоя капельница на дому
Jogo do Tigrinho estratégia conservadora: R$0,20 por giro e paciência
В этом интересном тексте собраны обширные сведения, которые помогут вам понять различные аспекты обсуждаемой темы. Мы разбираем детали и факты, делая акцент на важности каждого элемента. Не упустите возможность расширить свои знания и взглянуть на мир по-новому!
Где можно узнать подробнее? – https://blogs.opovo.com.br/girolusofono/2018/07/17/descubra-qual-e-a-maior-palavra-da-lingua-portuguesa-ja-registrada
Fortune Ox explosão de símbolos: já ganhou 1000x com uma única ativação?
PG Soft 2026: qual jogo novo da PG você mais quer ver lançado?
Этот обзор предлагает структурированное изложение информации по актуальным вопросам. Материал подан так, чтобы даже новичок мог быстро освоиться в теме и начать использовать полученные знания в практике.
Ознакомиться с теоретической базой – https://dadandburied.com/2010/09/23/mmmm-babies