the annie blog

Stephen Sondheim: A Life by Meryl Secrest

I got this book through a Reddit Gift Exchange of some sort. I was anxious to jump in. It worked ok for me.

I really wanted to know more about the person rather than the productions. I feel fairly well-versed in the productions. I have been exposed to him most of my theatre career. I have been involved in a few of his productions. With that, I learned much. I wanted something more in-depth.

I devoured the first part of the book was my favorite. I loved learning about his school years and his family. So, it does provide a balance. I was just hoping for more biographical info during his hey-day Regardless, I enjoyed revisiting many of these shows. I had show tunes in my head as he plodded along his career. It was a fun read, but not as juicy as I was hoping.

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So, I thought I’d discuss some of the books I’ve been reading. Or have read.

Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting: The Astonishing Power of Feelings by Lynn Grabhorn.

I started this book a couple of years ago and stopped. I took notes and highlighted all through. Then, I picked it up last month. I continued annotating, but not with much gusto. I feel that it just didn’t speak to me during this season as it did previously. And that’s ok. We change. I still gleaned information, but not like I did before. I feel wiser than when I first started the book, and I don’t mean that to be snarky. Things have just changed for me. I have changed. In a good way. I think.

I am normally an avid reader of self-help type books as I am continually looking to improve. So, is this book something I would recommend? Possibly. Maybe to a newbie in the self-help world. But, if you’ve read the gamut of self-help type books, then you have probably read most of these ideas.

Nonetheless, reminders like this are exactly why I continue to read these types of books. I need those reminders. I am not perfect.

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