Monday, March 5, 2012

Five Flavors of Dumb - Antony John

Synopsis: The Challenge: Piper has one month to get the rock band Dumb a paying gig.
The Deal: If she does it, Piper will become the band's manager and get her share of the profits.
The Catch: How can Piper possibly manage one egomaniacal pretty boy, one talentless piece of eye candy, one crush, one silent rocker, and one angry girl? And how can she do it when she's deaf?
Piper can't hear Dumb's music, but with growing self-confidence, a budding romance, and a new understanding of the decision her family made to buy a cochlear implant for her deaf baby sister, she discovers her own inner rock star and what it truly means to be a flavor of Dumb. (From Goodreads)



I've been seriously nostalgic for the days when I had friends in bands and my BFF and I would traipse all over the Midwest for concerts. So I turned to this book in order to indulge in the memories of days long gone. It was great watching these band members interact and learn about what it means to be in a group and what the forces are behind some of the greatest rock idols in history. I almost just wish there had been more concert settings, because, I guess that's the perspective I had when it came to rock bands and that's what I miss. 


Although, I guess because Piper is deaf, the audience aspect is a bit hindered. Piper is a fascinating character. She's deaf, but she's quick in learning about the music industry and what it takes to make great music. But really, her position comes down to people managing, and it probably is to everyone's advantage that she's more focused on money than the actual music (a value that someone is trying to eradicate from Piper's thoughts). She's strong and smart. But most of the time she drove me crazy. She's incredibly selfish and very vocal about anything that is taking attention away from her.


There are great relationship dynamics in this book. Piper's family plays a very important role, and I really appreciated that. Piper's brother ended up being one of the best characters in the book and it was cool to see him rise from the background into a prominent position. And the relationship between band members was great as well. One of the weakest characters became one of the strongest by the end and that was an incredible moment. It's interesting how the characters who are quiet in the beginning become the loudest and the dynamic characters in the end have become muted in some way. 


There is so much substance to this book and I do think that the author masterfully pulled each strand of this story together to create something great. It was good fuel for wallowing in memories of the days of blasting music in the car and losing control at concerts.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Five Flavors of Dumb - Antony John

Synopsis: The Challenge: Piper has one month to get the rock band Dumb a paying gig.
The Deal: If she does it, Piper will become the band's manager and get her share of the profits.
The Catch: How can Piper possibly manage one egomaniacal pretty boy, one talentless piece of eye candy, one crush, one silent rocker, and one angry girl? And how can she do it when she's deaf?
Piper can't hear Dumb's music, but with growing self-confidence, a budding romance, and a new understanding of the decision her family made to buy a cochlear implant for her deaf baby sister, she discovers her own inner rock star and what it truly means to be a flavor of Dumb. (From Goodreads)



I've been seriously nostalgic for the days when I had friends in bands and my BFF and I would traipse all over the Midwest for concerts. So I turned to this book in order to indulge in the memories of days long gone. It was great watching these band members interact and learn about what it means to be in a group and what the forces are behind some of the greatest rock idols in history. I almost just wish there had been more concert settings, because, I guess that's the perspective I had when it came to rock bands and that's what I miss. 


Although, I guess because Piper is deaf, the audience aspect is a bit hindered. Piper is a fascinating character. She's deaf, but she's quick in learning about the music industry and what it takes to make great music. But really, her position comes down to people managing, and it probably is to everyone's advantage that she's more focused on money than the actual music (a value that someone is trying to eradicate from Piper's thoughts). She's strong and smart. But most of the time she drove me crazy. She's incredibly selfish and very vocal about anything that is taking attention away from her.


There are great relationship dynamics in this book. Piper's family plays a very important role, and I really appreciated that. Piper's brother ended up being one of the best characters in the book and it was cool to see him rise from the background into a prominent position. And the relationship between band members was great as well. One of the weakest characters became one of the strongest by the end and that was an incredible moment. It's interesting how the characters who are quiet in the beginning become the loudest and the dynamic characters in the end have become muted in some way. 


There is so much substance to this book and I do think that the author masterfully pulled each strand of this story together to create something great. It was good fuel for wallowing in memories of the days of blasting music in the car and losing control at concerts.