Estrild

Honest forward and essential, Feb 9 2012

When I first heard about Brooke's book, I was heartened, that someone of note was out there writing a high profile book about it, that the world would see and take note of. Her courage and willingness to share and to help is a big beam of sunshine.

I listened to the book on cd, and I enjoyed getting to know her and hear her tell her tale herself. I expected to be bawling buckets repeatedly through the listening, but found it actually not that depressing to listen to. It is very rational and realistic, told from the perspective and strength of afterwards, with maturity and level headedness. I appreciated hearing her experience, of something that is taboo in our culture, and was… Read more

Peering Through the decades into Teen Life Today, Dec 12 2011

This collection of songs not only is very evocative of the film and all it's feelings, but feels to me as a thirtysomething, like a rare chance to see into the minds of teens today, or perhaps what my mind would be like if I were young now instead of in the late 80's/early 90's. It reminds me of all the difficult, heavy and wonderful feelings I had in my youth, and for that reason I can't play it too often. It also feels like a modern update on the Lost Boys soundtrack, which may have held a similar place in the scheme of things when I was young. I especially enjoy the Muse, the Blue Foundation, Pattinson's icy, heart wrenching song, the Iron and Wine song, which brings me to tears, and… Read more

An honest and valuable bearing of the soul, Dec 6 2011

I am not a Patrick Swayze fan. My husband took out the audio book from the library as something of potential interest from our small collection of options, and I've only seen 3 of his films. I found the book to be the honest outpouring of a sensitive, talented, and tormented man with a unique life, and probably the most important thing he's done, because it is his and it is real, and his life and experiences can help others with theirs. He tells us just how everything happened, including his childhood, his parents, his early years as a teen and young dancer, his emotional responses to things and his feelings about everything, the choices he made throughout his life, and reflections on those… Read more