Book Title: Radio Head
Author: Rebecca Laclair
Publisher: Mill City Press, Inc.
Number of pages: 388
Genre: fiction, music
Release Date: November 27th 2015
Favorite Book Quotes:
“I never met anyone else who can do it, get an earful of everything that makes up a person just by touching them. It’s a one-sided conversation, a blind confessional, listening to a stranger who can’t hear me. And lonely.”
“Songs are all about those things, even when the lyrics aren’t. The rise and fall of the tempo and the melody tell all the talkers’ stories of troubles, of triumphs, of people hurt or lost, or reunited. There’s nothing the talkers can say that the music hasn’t already told me.”
“I can almost feel the warmth of their regard for one another when I realize I’ve been holding my breath, longing for my own connection, a hand to hold mine that won’t let go.”
“”You got to tune in to the pulse of the moment. It’s a chance encounter, Shelby, that’s what she used to say.””
“”We’re all observers of people, students of the human condition, aren’t we, Zach? Its how we navigate the social arena, and realize the truth of ourselves – within the context of our interactions.””
“”The sound of your voice is a part of me.””
“”I think what Auden was getting at here is that we not only have feelings about the events of our lives, but we insist on having those feelings. We nurture and coddle them by reliving those events in New relationships, gravitate towards movies, books-and in your case, songs-which identify with your own personal experience.”
“Music and feelings are innate. Each other’s cause and effect. You hear music, you respond. You feel, and music interprets your emotions.”
“”…give yourself permission to explore your own truth.””
“Music is the language of every person on this planet, but it all boils down to the same thing..””
“”Words can be misunderstood, used against you, teisted, and thrown back in your face. Not music. I always understand music. It’s the only thing I trust and the only people who know me are the people who trust it too.””
“There is a thread tying each song back to him, speaking his story. I can hear him, but I’m stumbling to find the connection between Zac and his band’s music”.
“I’ve never known anyone like you…I can’t begin to figure you out, but that only makes me more attracted to you. I want to know you. Everything there is to know about you…”
“If we’re honest about our true nature, all who are honest will know us…”
” But my language, the sounds of which aren’t words but say more than words have, or ever will have, the capability or power to convey.”
“We immerse ourselves in the patterns, rhythms, notes, and lyrics of the songs we create.”
“A song can have several meanings or memories attached to it, depending on who hears it, when, and the significance to them at the time.”
“Neither of us speaks. What on earth would we say? We’ve found our own truths in our connection, and even a kiss is unnecessary tonight.”
“…but he doesn’t know who he is. So how can he know what he wants?”
“My song is about not looking back, but looking forward. It’s about taking chances. It’s about being heard, really heard, and being given a voice to speak the unspeakable.”
“We have something together that is ours alone, an uncommon treasure, and he doesn’t want to hide it any longer.”
“Placing my hand in his, I hear him immediately. The soul of my being is amplified, my own song amplified to twice the volume. My mirror self. It’s nearly flawless, without the distortion of his former habits. Alive.”
“I can, and I hope we can learn to translate what we hear into something bigger and more valuable than what we’ve settled for apart.
Goodreads synopsis:
Shelby Rey can hear you like a song. With one touch, she’s in tune with your every hope, every secret. When a celebrity-psychiatrist takes an interest in her case, Shelby comes face-to-face with Zac Wyatt, the lead singer of the world-famous rock band, Grounder. For Zac, success isn’t enough though. He wants a shot at his first solo album, fame above and beyond Grounder. But the genius behind every one of Grounder’s hits is Stanford Lysandre, their heroin-addicted, self-taught lead guitarist. Zac is so jealous he could kill him. Determined to win, Zac realizes that Shelby can do what he can’t —hear the music inside him, uncover his feelings, and help him create his own singular style. As Shelby gets closer to the band, she discovers Stanford’s secret to writing his music. It’s a power very familiar to hers, but life-affirming and not destructive. Can Shelby hide her connection to Zac’s enemy?
My Review:
5/5 stars
**I received this book for free from Sara Lien of Lien Public Relations in exchange for an honest review**
I was drawn to this book right from the get go. I thought it was such an interesting idea to have the main character be able to match music to an individual. In life, you can easily get a certain vibe from people, so it was really cool that the character in this novel can hear music specific to each individual she comes into contact with.
I was also drawn to this book because music was such an influence in many of the characters lives. Each of the characters used music to express themselves in their own individual ways. I personally have always liked lyrics of songs because of the feeling the words give you. I admit that I am not the best at expressing myself, but I can always pinpoint a song that expresses what I am feeling.
For me personally, I like when you read books where the characters have something unique about who they are, but that they initially keep it to themselves. I’m always drawn to characters who keep some part of who they are to themselves until they meet someone who they trust enough to share it with (which of course happens in this book).
The writing of this book was so beautiful and lyrical. Even though I don’t know much about music, the feeling the author gave in describing how the characters felt about one another through music was amazingly unique. I have never read a book where so much is described through music and what you could hear. It gave me a different feeling than reading books that describe things through visuals. What is also unique about this book is that the author gives you a third person view of the story but from different character perspectives. I absolute LOVE when authors do this (but so often it’s only through the eyes of two characters and in first person).
LaClair is able to write in multiple perspectives all through the same situation. What I mean is that it gives you an idea that each individuals will see certain situations how they want to see them. Some readers may find this chaotic in a way, but I thought this was a way for readers to see how chaotic things can be in ones life.
I really feel that anyone would enjoy this book. From those who LOVE music, to those who enjoy reading from different points of view. You will absolutely be immersed in this book.
*be sure to check out my other posts from the lovely Rebecca LaClair
Top Ten Quotes and Mini Interview
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Living in a World of Book Quotes 