Daniel Bergner

I came across this book by chance, didn't read the back cover, and was surprised when I started reading to find out it was about opera. Probably considered the most classical form of singing there is, it's not what generally comes to mind for me or most people, I would imagine, when someone thinks of singing.

Sing For Your Life follows the early singing and operatic career of Ryan Speedo Green as he gains a foothold in the most elite levels of performing despite the racism throughout the elitist performing arts industries and a lack of financial backing throughout his training.

While interesting I found that there were many times where I was left wanting more in terms of details or elaborated history. Whether this was due to a lack of time in interviewing and writing or a reticence of the subjects to speak freely at the time, or some combination, I'm unsure. I also felt that the end left off at the point where his career was just beginning to rise. It lead me to wonder why the author couldn't follow him a few years further, and again as to the exact deadline and purpose of creating the book itself. A good read, but perhaps a bit lacking in direction.… (more)

Shmeh. I enjoyed the pop-psychology of [b:A Book About Love|27276407|A Book About Love|Jonah Lehrer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463932244s/27276407.jpg|47328267] more. This didn't provide much that I haven't heard elsewhere, although I suppose it's always useful to remember that I will inevitably become bored and uninterested in every relationship I enter. The honeymoon must end and the craving for female Viagra will take over! Womp. A more useful takeaway that the author could have explored more but didn't is that women experience more desire when they pursue and take more agency in their sexual relationships. That comes in on the second to last page, so your guess as to where to take that is as good as mine.… (more)