Jacob K. Thomas

A very funny coming of age story

Revisado: 05-22-21

This is truly a very funny and interesting audiobook performance by Adam Wade. He is known for his storytelling ability and the openness of those stories. The recording is done in front of a live audience, so it helps the overall experience. The intro is of him trying to talk to a girl, it then progresses on from there with various interjections from him on what is happening at these periods in his life. It is a very funny and interesting detailed story of how an awkward kid grows up into an adult who is still having challenges, but still does the best he can do with everything.

The ending is one of the funniest and craziest stories I've heard in a while. His stories are funny, touching, and very easy to enjoy and frankly, make you want to recommend this for other people to listen to.

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You won't be sorry for listen to this great story

Revisado: 04-19-21

Notes from a Young Black Chef is a very riveting book. Being someone who enjoys cooking as well as keeping up with the food industry, in general, this book from the beginning captured me. I'll admit someone writing their own memoir and they haven't even reached 30 is a little bit strange, but he does have a very good story to tell. Growing up in the Bronx, he like so many black men had to deal with a broken home. In his case, a home that was definitely more fractured than what you would expect for someone in the 1990s. In any case, every chapter provides more insight and gives detail into how he experienced life.

Onwauchi like other celebrated chefs is able to paint a picture of delicious food, with the added bonus of giving you recipes that were part of the theme of those chapters. For instance his Hot Chicken and Waffles (What I wish I'd Made on Top Chef), along with Admittedly Tatiana's Cheesecake. This is something that I haven't seen before, so it was a pleasant surprise.

Some will feel that he is quick to take credit, while also quick to give excuses, however, if you aren't able to provide what you think happens, then what is the book of looking back and analyzing your own mistakes. This book shows the struggle of a young black man searching for his place. Once doing that, realizing his place in cooking, then being told he can't cook the food he wants because that's not what a black person is supposed to cook. That type of food is fine dining. I found the entire book to be refreshing and a good examination of a young black man trying to make his place in the world.

It might be odd to read a book from someone so young talking about his life, but Onwuachi is aware of himself, plus a lot of the critiques that other will and do have for him. Give this a read or listen, you won't be sorry for it.

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History that has to always be talked about

Revisado: 03-28-21

Some may feel the information and the way it's presented is something that is always repeated and it's the same tropes a lot of black men and women are aware of. I come from the point of view that this is information that has to be always be talked about. The reason being, if we stop talking about it, then we will stop talking about it.

Black Women, Black Love is one of those books when you first start to listen to it, is extremely hard to get through, mainly because it is a history of slavery and all of the harshnesses that black women and men went through. The opening prologue really will test you and if you can and want to handle the information. If you think this isn't worth it or feel that the information is cherry-picked to support a narrative, then this won't be the book for you.

The narrator's tone was straightforward, did add certain inflections at certain times to change the mood of the text. For me, it made sense, can't say whether or not, I found it necessary or not. It didn't take away from my listening experience in general.
If you feel that you want to learn more about the problems that black women and for that fact, black men are continually struggling through, then take the time and give this a listen.

Overall this book is quality information and very worth the time to listen to it. It is history that can't be forgotten and always needs to be remembered. Dianne Stewart does attempt to provide some ideas on improving the lives of black women for a better future, but even she does realize it's not an easy fix. Even with that being the case, she does attempt to come up with some solutions, which can be looked at for the future and hopefully beyond.

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A true template for a better life

Revisado: 02-15-21

I have seen and heard about this book for years. I finally decided to go for it and give it a go. What a very different presentation, I think we all know that the 4-Hour Workweek is the template for those who have side hustles or other side jobs nowadays. After reading books about side hustles, shorter workweeks, and such, this is obviously the granddaddy of them all. Keep in mind that a lot of the websites and other information aren't valid anymore, but it was good to hear him provide certain sites, then go and search them out and find out what they are now.

The writing and narration are very blunt and straightforward, Tim Ferriss lets you know that you can do this, but it's not like you can do it without doing some type of work. The style has points of inspiration, with downright points that let you know, this isn't going to be easy. I appreciated the case studies, plus I know I can take information from this point and use it in my real life. I don't think I'll be quitting my job anytime soon, but he does provide good examples of being a better worker, as well as communicating with your colleagues in a way that you can have better productivity in your own life. Lastly, his challenges if you do them, can help you in your everyday life, that can help you be a better more confident person. Give this a listen, there are a lot of things you can take from this.

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A good book that has a good lesson to learn from

Revisado: 02-15-21

Ghost Boys is a book that is based on stories and events that have happened in the last several years, the murders of young black men and boys. Jewell Parker Rhodes' writing weaves between the current event the death then provides background on why and how Jerome was killed. The book goes deep into the raw emotions and feelings of how the biases we have, plus what we make ourselves see. The story for a black man is all too common, but for another reader, it can be a lesson as to what is regular everyday life for so many African Americans. You have to act a certain way. You should be careful of what you do around the police, don't say certain things, etc. Her examination of the struggle that a family has to deal with after the death, something not a lot of people knows or think about.

She delves into the story of Emmett Till and also provides updated information, which is extremely helpful. Rhodes' hope that this book could be used as learning material is thoughtful and I think it could be used in some cases as a template for teaching race issues and why certain people view people in a certain way. Overall this is a good book, it should be read or listened to, whichever you are able to do, you won't be sorry for it.

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Extremely Poor Narration

Revisado: 10-28-18

The Warsaw Uprising of 1944 is a very good story. The overall information in this book is very interesting and frankly I would like to learn more. The downside to this entire book and the reason I I am rating this so poorly is because of the narration of David Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard should've never been given this job. His narration, mainly is voice doesn't allow the listener to understand, enjoy or even want to keep listening. He sounds more like a sports talk radio host than someone who is telling me about one of the most important events in the history of the mid-20th century. If this book is ever voiced again, I would hope they find someone better. His entire performance took away from any interest or enjoyment I would've had.

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One of the best audio books I've listened to yet

Revisado: 03-12-15

If you could sum up Yes Please in three words, what would they be?

Powerful, emotional, truthful

Who was your favorite character and why?

Amy Poehler gives you a look into her over 40 years of life, her ups and downs, along with a lot of truth and great lessons.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Amy Poehler was excellent, her range of emotion, different accents, stories, and various other nuances were very well received.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A different way of telling about ones life.

Any additional comments?

This audio book was great. I enjoyed listening to it so much. I was almost brought to tears more than once. Amy Poehler along with cast of thousands told her life story and gave you great lessons to go along with it. The thought that you shouldn't want something so bad, because in the long run you won't get it, really hit home with me. I love this book and think a lot of people should get it and enjoy the funniness, and outright reality of everything she has to say.

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