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There are currently 21 member reviews
for Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets
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Donna W. (Wauwatosa, WI)
Great Memoir
I loved this book! It had smart, witty writing, a modern love story, and a heroine that had me routing for her the whole way.
Jessica Fox lets us have a glimpse into her life in this charming memoir, and it is handled in such an intelligent way with such clear writing that I was hooked from the very start. I look forward to more from this author.
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Debra P. (Belmont, NC)
Memories
This memoir was very emotional for me as I went through a very similar long distance relationship with a German national during the late 80's. That relationship ended badly so many of my emotional scars were reopened as I read this book.
That said, one of my favorite features is the way Jessica Fox used quotes from different books to start every chapter. Each quote was just a slight preview of the coming chapter and I was inspired to read some of those books. I also liked the use of Herman Melville as her muse.
The book moved very fast and I was intrigued to learn the outcome of her relationship with Euen.
Also, the book provides an excellent visual for Scotland, in particular Wigtown and I would definitely love to visit someday, especially since I am also a booklover.
I liked the book and will recommend it. The only weak part for me, and maybe because of my emotional tie through my own history, was the book seemed slow and tedious sometimes as we were privy to so much relationship drama. I felt that Jessica was truly blinded by love and refused to see many of the warning signs that may have saved her the devastating heartbreak she experienced. That's why I am curious to see what is her status now.
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Lisa R. (Salem, OR)
Books and romance!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing was very reflective of the way real people think and act, as far as the personal and romantic part went. I loved reading the descriptions of Scotland, and living in a bookshop would be a dream! Once I started, I didn't want to stop reading until I found out what happened. At the end of the book, I realized I wanted more, wanted to know what happened in their lives next.
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Lee M. (Creve Coeur, MO)
Rockets or Romance
A sweet (do authors cringe at this description) thoroughly enjoyable book. A little slow starting hence a 4 instead of 5. No lurid sex, no violence and no phony drama, just a solid story and fantastic descriptions of Scotland's scenery and residents. You sense a knowledgeable author. Is twenty-six too old to experience a "coming of age" story? I think not, as this book soundly proves.
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Dawn C. (Meridian, ID)
Not About Rockets
I guess the first thing about the book is that it is not about rockets. Jessica A. Fox worked at NASA and then Hollywood and was lost & fed up with her life. She Googles used bookshops in Scotland and finds the Bookshop in Wigtown. She calls the owner Euan. Life in Scotland is oh so different as she entrenches herself in the town. Her descriptions of Scotland make me want to go there! Lots of plot, not just another romance book, but really a personal journey of taking a chance on your dream for yourself.
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Martha L. (Warner, NH)
The quirky path
Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets by Jessica Fox is a new book being published in July. It is a memoir about Jessica as she chooses a new path in her life. She left a job at NASA in California and moved all the way to Scotland to a used bookstore and found love. Sometimes you need to find a new path, especially when new visions surround you.
Memoirs are books that are written as a narrative containing personal observations. They are intended to be true and honest reflections while in many cases they are actually self-absorbing. Not in this case! While the book does chronicle Jessica's search for a new path, it does not grandstand or overwhelm the reader with all the things that she did, as many do. Jessica has managed to balance herself between an honest recount and a reflective narrative.
The story was quirky, heartwarming and romantic. There is a huge cultural divide between the west coast of Scotland and the west coast of California. Jessica manages to bridge the divide pretty well during her first visit. However, once she left she realized that she loved the owner of The Book Store and the town of Wigtown. Luckily, the love was reciprocated. But twists in the path for them, both personal and governmental do intercede in their relationship.
Jessica's story reads quickly. I found myself wishing for a positive conclusion, but not feeling secure in its existence. The language, feelings and descriptions make the book more interesting. Each chapter begins with a thoughtful quote that in some way enhances the chapter. Often Jessica is having a heart to heart with Melville, just to round out the importance of following one's heart.
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Cynthia C. (Peekskill, NY)
Wigtown Bookstore
After a bit of a slow start, I ended up enjoying Ms. Fox's memoir. When she wrote about dealing with customers at The Bookshop and life in the small town, I found the book very engaging. However, I thought more of the book would be about her experiences working in the bookshop, which I would have enjoyed.
I must say, I'm not really a fan of either Jessica or Euan. She seemed a little "angsty" and he, passive/aggressive. Having said that, I would be curious to know if she & Euan are still together & if she's still in Wigtown.
An ARC of this book was given to me in exchange for my honest review by Book Browse.
