
The First Ten Focus Group Feedback for Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life: A Memoir
Because Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life was Book of the Day, some of our most trusted members have carefully looked over the cover, the description, and other aspects of this book as a part of purchase-intent focus group. We then asked each participant in the focus group if they planned to buy and read the book, and why they planned to buy and read the book or not. Their answer to that question and reasons are displayed below. We call this awesome feature The First Ten Focus Group.
Keep in mind, the responses from the members are not reviews. This is purchase-intent focus group which means the participants are people who have NOT yet bought or read your book. A purchase-intent focus group is an important and extremely useful marketing tool for any product, not just books. For other products, you might walk on the street and show people an item in a package and poll them about whether they would buy if or $X or not. These kind of focus groups are one of the ways big marketing companies find the ideal price points for products and test the effectiveness of different packaging. The focus group can help you identify your market so you how to target ads of your book, and it can (but may not) provide you new useful info about your "packaging" (e.g. your book cover, your book synopsis on Amazon, etc.). The point of the focus group comments is to give you information from people who have not bought or read your book about why they plan to buy your book which will help you in marketing the book. These are not reviews or critiques of your book because they are not from people have read the book. This is a marketing tool, not reviews. The trick of book marketing and book advertising is that you have to convince people who have not read your book yet that your book is worth buying and reading. For marketing, it doesn't matter much if people love your book after reading it if you cannot convince potential buyers before they read it that they will love it.
IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable. This is because we only poll about 20 or so readers, and all readers have to say "no" to almost all books. Over a million books are published each year. Even a very active reader cannot come close to even reading 1% of books out there.
This is also why publishing books is such a tough industry.
Rodel Barnachea

Reading the official OBC review gave me the impression that the memoir is a difficult, painful read. I don't know who the author is before I learned about the book, but now I am more eager to know about him. I cannot relate much to his life, but I will purchase the book even though I haven't read its sample. The primary reason for my purchase is the OBC reviewer recommends it to young adults with self-esteem issues. I've struggled with low self-esteem since I was young and have been through some dark moments in my life, and I want to read who has a similar experience even if his circumstances are much darker.
After I sampled the book, my decision remains unchanged. I would purchase the book for a similar reason I stated in the first paragraph; it's also because I am captivated by the author's writing voice. The memoir's prelude intrigued me and had me wanting to read more. What I liked most with what I read is Kempfer's enthralling voice. I didn't note any errors in the text, so I believe the book is professionally edited. I have nothing to suggest to the author.
First Ten review added on October 28, 2020, at 4:45 am by Rodel Barnachea.
xsquare

I don’t usually read memoirs, and the title comes off as a little too self-pitying. I wouldn’t have sampled this book based on the cover either. However, I was pleasantly surprised upon reading the first ten pages – the author fully acknowledges the self-deprecating nature of the title. I liked the author’s style of writing, and I found the scenes from the first ten pages to be quite compelling. However, as the official OBC review (and the foreword of the book) mentioned the book’s focus on religion, I’ll be giving this book a pass as it’s not really my cup of tea. I did not see any typos, and there was nothing the author could have improved on.
First Ten review added on October 28, 2020, at 4:42 am by xsquare.
edztan15

The blurb and review for this book had me torn regarding my interest in it. On one hand, the struggle and challenges of the author seem intriguing, but on the other hand, the book seems to have a Christian theme to it which is not my cup of tea. Reading the sample, I liked the narration style, and even if it's a memoir, it was never dull and the story is captivating. Reading the first chapter with the author's situation at a motel and him being always treated as an outsider during his childhood, I was intrigued and I felt for him. The book is professionally edited since I did not find any errors in the sample pages. I will have to take a pass on this one though since I got a sense that the book will conclude on being a good Christian, and as I mentioned, it's not my cup of tea when it comes to books.
First Ten review added on October 28, 2020, at 4:06 am by edztan15.
Damis Seres Rodriguez

Both the title and the cover of the book look a little bit condescending to me. Odds are I wouldn't have chosen it if it wasn't the book of the day. However, the Online Book Club review I read rated it perfectly, so that's always a good thing. As for the content that I read, I've never been a fan of memoirs, so it failed to catch my attention. I didn't find any major errors that led me to believe the book is not professionally edited, and I don't think ten pages are enough for me to give an accurate suggestion on how to improve it. Unfortunately, it is not the kind of books that I would usually enjoy, so I won't finish reading it.
First Ten review added on October 28, 2020, at 3:24 am by Damis Seres Rodriguez.
Sou Hi

The cover is not very suggestive and remarkable. However, since it has good responses from the official review and Amazon, I opted for the sample. The copy features Kempfer's life from 1970 when he was just a four-year-old boy living with his parents in Colorado. While his mother was loving, his father was violent and had too high hopes for him, resulting in beatings and insultings.
I've sampled a few truth-based fictions and memoirs, but I like the humorous tone of this one. Thanks to that, the story feels lighter even though his past was quite unhappy. The father, Dennis, was a conflict person. It seemed to me Dennis still loved his son to some extent, but that could not overwhelm his expectation for Kempfer. I'm glad Kempfer's mom was able to get out of her toxic relationship, too. This is a promising book with good editing, so I will buy it. Still, the California part in 2008 is a bit out of place. I suppose it should be moved farther down to preserve time consistency.
First Ten review added on October 28, 2020, at 1:49 am by Sou Hi.
Howlan

The cover looks good. The synopsis gives us a lengthy introduction to this book. The first ten pages start with the narrator at a gay drug bar, beaten and half dead as he seeks for God. The narrator recalls his childhood in the 1970s when he was four years old. He had a friend named Mike who he was not allowed to play with. The narrator recalls his father Dennis's tempers episodes, when his football team lost, when the four-year old narrator mistakenly cussed and when he was not able to cycle with the training wheels on. The narration is fluent and easy to understand. However, I am not going to buy and read this book as I do not enjoy reading memoirs. I like reading fast-paced mystery thrillers. No typos were found in the first ten pages. I found nothing to improve in the first ten pages. The Official Review is present, and the reviewer rates it highly.
First Ten review added on October 28, 2020, at 1:24 am by Howlan.
elisathelvarik

I would not have chosen this book based on its title, cover, and description. I do not delve into memoirs often and do not enjoy heavy, emotional books. The title, cover, and depression detail a very depressing, sad memoir that I would never choose on my own. The official review perpetuated my judgements from the beginning. After reading the review, I was not completely convinced that the book is for me. It did convince me to read the sample due to the religious aspect of the novel. I'm always on the lookout for Christian books whether they are memoirs or not. After sampling, I will not buy and read this book. Even though I appreciate the author's brazen attitude towards telling his story no matter how gritty, I am an extremely sensitive person with incredibly open and clear views towards LGBTQ+. I cannot read or listen to a hard coming-out story or abuse story without crying so this is not the book for me. I do applaud the author for the amazing descriptive writing. I felt the emotions and turmoil from the first ten pages. I also appreciated the message from the author at the beginning explaining his struggle with writing for an "audience" or telling his true story. Many authors feel forced to censor their beliefs or language in order to appeal to a bigger Christian audience, but this author kept his voice and story alive even through criticism. I can respect someone who tells tales of their lives that are not concealed or modified to please others. I have no notes of improvement. I did not find any errors or typos. This book seems well-edited.
First Ten review added on October 28, 2020, at 1:15 am by elisathelvarik.
Samantha Gayle

The cover and title are intriguing, but I probably would have passed over it as I don’t usually read memoirs. The official OBC review was very positive, so I decided to read the first ten pages of the program. I didn’t find any errors, and I wouldn’t change anything I read, as I liked the author’s pacing. I didn’t enjoy the topics discussed. I knew that the memoir would address some negative topics which I didn’t care to read, so I will not finish this book.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 9:02 pm by Samantha Gayle.
Jeremie Mondejar

The title already indicates about a chaotic lifestyle, while the cover portrays a humorous memoir. I directly sampled this book as part of the program. I like the humor embedded in Lewis's tale from having a "dark life into knowing Jesus." While sampling, Lewis acts of lasciviousness towards Mike made him grounded that made him so upset. He was abused later by older boys. Lewis weaves his memoir with a light tone, though it tells about his darkest days. I will not read this book because the topic doesn't fit me. Fortunately, the book flowed well and edited professionally. I can't suggest anything for improvement. The OBC review didn't influence in my decision, though it had a good presentation about the book.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 8:01 pm by Jeremie Mondejar.
moowshiri

It would have been hard for me to read this book had I not been part of this program since I wouldn't say I like reading memoirs. However, I decided to read it in whole after sampling a few of its pages. I loved how Kempfer begins the book with a story of his near-death experience at a gay motel in Hollywood, California. It was very captivating, and it inspired suspense in me that made me want to go ahead reading the book. I also loved the fact that there are no errors in the bit I read. Consequently, there are also no sections in the book that require improvement. It also has an official review from the OnlineBookClub team.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 6:13 pm by moowshiri.
Elvis Best

Since the cover looks attractive, I might have read the book. However, after reading the sample, I wouldn't read it because I do not enjoy autobiography type books. I believe the book is professionally edited, though, as I found zero errors in the sample. The one thing I liked most was the author's honesty in describing the journey of writing and drafting the book for publication. Also, I have no suggestions for improvement. Lastly, I saw an OnlineBookClub review that summarized the book well.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 4:15 pm by Elvis Best.
aacodreanu

Had I not actually sampled the first ten pages as part of this program, I would have chosen to read or sample this book based on the cover, the man with a paperbag on his face is rather puzzling, the title, that goes together with the image, creating a dramatic feeling of guilt in the reader, the genre, memoirs always carrying more weight than fiction, and the Official OnlineBookClub review and that I saw, which gave good reasons for reading the book. I am not going to buy and read the whole book because it is too strong for me. I feel compassion for the author, I am happy that he came out of the bad experiences he had, but all that evil described would do me more harm than good. Reading the first ten pages did not change my mind from my original guess. Based on what I read, the book seems like it was professionally edited. I like the way the author described his childhood memories, the good and the bad, and the protection that innocence provides against full perception of really evil words and deeds that targeted him.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 2:42 pm by aacodreanu.
Rashida10

I decided to sample the book, Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life by Lewis Kempfer, after seeing an official review on OBC about its content. The book seemed professionally edited, and I encountered no grammar errors/typos. Although if I hadn’t read the first ten pages of the book, I would still have sampled it in the first place based on its genre. I liked that the Kempfer lived a life of adventure. But because the story was centered around drug abuse and homosexuality, I will not be buying and reading the whole book. The author could expand the audience by reducing the explicit content.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 1:03 pm by Rashida10.
MariaLivaniou

Upon seeing this book for the first time, I didn't think much of it. The cover was weird, and the title seemed like a cry for attention. Plus, I am not into the "God saved me" kind of stories. So most likely, I wouldn't have given it a second thought. But then I read the first ten pages, and everything changed. I loved the way the author portrayed the events in his life and his rough childhood. It seemed so real, and that changed my mind. Based on the parts I read, it seemed professionally edited. I don't think anything needs to be improved. What I liked the most was that the story started with a messed up image so we could understand how bad things had gotten before we went back to his childhood. The book did have an Official OnlineBookClub review, which convinced me even more that this is a book worth reading.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 11:29 am by MariaLivaniou.
Maria Esposito

I was drawn to this book before I sampled it. The cover design and the title are quite peculiar, but what made me interested in the book is the blurb, as it made me curious as to how the author achieved self-acceptance in the face of the abuse and the hard times he endured. The book has 27 reviews on Amazon, which further confirmed my initial decision, as did reading the first ten pages of the book. The introduction begins with the author's motivations to write this book, explaining his relationship with God through the challenges he faced, and how God repeatedly humbled him through the several drafts of his memoir. Although I usually read memoirs of authors I am already acquainted with, this book really made an impression on me. I admire the author's courage in affirming his love and commitment to God as a person who belongs to the LGBTQ community. There was nothing about the first ten pages I disliked, and the book seems to be well-edited too. Hence, I am going to read it. The book has a positive official review on this website, which further confirmed my initial decision.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 10:33 am by Maria Esposito.
Iva Stoyanova

I wouldn't have chosen to read or sample this book if I wasn't part of this program. I wasn't attracted neither to the title nor to the cover. The genre is one that I have recently started to enjoy but this wasn't enough to make me want to read the book. The official review gave me a good understanding of the book too. I am not going to buy and read the book. Reading the first ten pages and the official review showed me that the book is not something I would enjoy. There are unpleasant scenes and explicit sexual language. Also, it sounds a bit depressing, dark and seems that it's a tough read. Reading the first ten pages didn't change my mind from my initial thoughts of the book.
The book seemed professionally edited and well written. I appreciated the fact that the author is very honest and open about his life story. He is not afraid to share such details with his readers. I am sure the book would be very interesting to its intended audience. However, it's suitable only for adults. I don't think there's something to be improved. The author has done a great job of writing this memoir.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 5:37 am by Iva Stoyanova.
Mutai Marshal

The author was torn between making this masterpiece a Christian book or not. He, however, believes that God lit up the way for him, finally. He starts by dispensing his tragic experience while at the helm of abusing drugs. The book was written from the first-person perspective. The language used was simple and straightforward. I loved most the book's message. It is inspirational and instills hope. The hypnotic book title invigorated my interest in this book, and I would have read the book without sampling. The fascinating review (by OBC) also augmented my interest in this book. Having sampled the first pages, I will buy this book since I love memoirs. I also want to find out how the author battled the lack of acceptance in the society, for being gay. It was exceptionally edited, and I have no suggestions worth improvement.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 3:47 am by Mutai Marshal.
Shrabastee Chakraborty

I wasn't exactly thrilled by the title and the cover. Although I do love the genre and the official OBC review rates this a full 4 stars, I would not have read the book based on these. The first ten pages contained no errors. The author discusses his reasons for writing the book. He describes how it was meant to be one dedicated to God, but later he wanted to bring out the LGBTQ issues. Lastly, he reverted back to writing this book as one that praises God. While I loved the author's honesty and have no suggestions for improvement, this memoir still did not appeal to me. So I am not reading this book.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 2:55 am by Shrabastee Chakraborty.
Nikolas Farmakis

This is the author's memoir about his journey through depression and homosexuality and later his turn toward God and his conversion to Christianity. I would not have read this book based on the cover, the title, or the genre, as I do not usually read memoirs. I will not read this book, as I do not like stories related to depression. The sample I read did not contain any errors, so this book was professionally edited. What I liked most about this book was that it was very original and authentic. To improve, the author should add more tension and emotion to the text. This book has an Official OnlineBookClub review, which did not affect my decision.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 2:54 am by Nikolas Farmakis.
Sanju Lali

I could not guess anything from the cover and the title of this book because "Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life” meant many things to me. Therefore, I read the official review of this book as I was keen on knowing about the contents of this book. The official review helped me to understand that this book shows that for some people, life can be excruciatingly unfair and painful, as in the case of Lewis. This information encouraged me to read the sample of the book before purchasing it. When I read the first ten pages, I realized that this book is professionally edited because I did not find any grammatical or typing errors. The thing l liked the most is the writing style that is easy to understand. The narrative described how the life of Lewis was ruined by his abusive and perfectionist father. However, the book is overwhelmingly depressing to read. The author could have balanced the list of the bad moments in his life with some good moments that he might have had in his life. My suggestion to the author would be to consider the issues raised by me in the above sentence. Considering all these facts, I decided not to purchase and read this book today but wait until the author could help by addressing my suggestion so that reading this book could be rewarding for me.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 1:45 am by Sanju Lali.
Jennifer Donovan Smith

Based on the self-deprecatingly humorous title, I would have been compelled to look deeper into this book even if I hadn't come across it through the First Ten program. The official OBC review speaks very highly of the book and provides sufficient trigger warnings for the content within.
Upon sampling the book, I couldn't help but be disappointed in the fact that this memoir is a religious testimony. I am not religious and have no interest in reading religious pieces. For this reason, I will not purchase the book.
I did find a line in the introduction that really resonated with me, despite my lack of religion:
"Perhaps church attendance wouldn't decline if there was less judgment on what a person went through to become a believer" (Loc. 100.).
However, a line that follows shortly thereafter gave me a bad taste in my mouth. The underlying tone is along the lines of "pray the gay away," and while the author is entitled to his feelings about his own sexual orientation, I couldn't help but be angry at this particular sentence. This single line solidified my decision to not read the book beyond what is required for the First Ten program.
I like that the author is not afraid to lay the truth of his life bare. The opening scene in the prelude grabs the reader's attention in its rawness. I don't have any suggestions for improvement as I feel that an author should be able to tell his or her life story however it feels right.
I found a couple minor errors with punctuation, but otherwise, the book appears to be well-edited. At Loc. 218, a colon rather than a comma should be used prior to the quotation because the preceding phrase is not a dialogue tag:
"That was around the time the little voice in my head made its debut, providing answers[,] 'Because you're different from real boys...'"
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 1:25 am by Jennifer Donovan Smith.
Hazel Arnaiz

Memoirs are not one of my favorites, so I will not sample this book outside the program. The irony on the cover and title were eye-catching. The man with the paper bag covering his face, while giving a thumbs-up was a curious image. The title, with the play of words, added to the mystery of the paper bag. From the blurb and reviews, I was intrigued by the life story but was hesitant about the religious aspect. Sampling the book confirmed my initial guess that I will not finish reading it. The prelude was riveting and had me expecting a fast-paced story. However, the author narrated his childhood when he was about 4-6 years old from the starting chapter until the ending of the sample. The detailed story was fine in the initial pages but went on until chapter 5. I was already wondering when his teen and adult life will begin in the story. It is understandable his troubled childhood had to be established but felt I was reading much about it already. It was dragging, and I preferred something fast. However, the writing skill of the author is notable. I liked his way with words. He handled the language in a way like having a face to face conversation. He made transitions flow easily and smoothly. Meanwhile, I did not notice grammatical and typographical errors from the sampled pages. I also have no suggestions for further improvement. There was an Official OnlineBookClub review as well as from volunteers. They were equally enthusiastic and somehow made me reconsider the book for future reading. For now, I will pass.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 1:09 am by Hazel Arnaiz.
MeganDJ

To be honest, I wouldn't have picked this one based on the title and cover alone, as it definitely sounded too dark of a read for me right now. But after reading the first 10 pages, it sounds like it is a story more interwoven with hope than I originally imagined. With that being said, I will give this book a read at some point. I did not find a single error during my read through. What I liked the most is the author's style of writing: dark humour with a side of brevity. I don't think anything can be improved upon. I did find an Online Book Review, and it definitely helped me see more hope in the story than despair.
First Ten review added on October 27, 2020, at 12:31 am by MeganDJ.
Laura Lee

As the Online Book Club review said, this is a very well-written book. It's a powerful, moving story. I noticed that it was professionally edited. What I liked best was how the author was able to write in "hooks" that made you want to keep on reading to find out more. The "voice" and pacing was excellent. For example, when he was remembering his childhood, longer sentences fit the flow of memories. When he was recalling being sick from an over-dose, worrying that he was dying, the sentences were short and very punchy.
The Amazon blurb is also well done. There is nothing in the execution of the book itself that I disliked. It is exceptionally well-written. I won't be reading it, though, because, my god! What a wrenching, heart-breaking story. It grabs you by the heart and rips it out of your chest. And you can't even dismiss it as fiction, because it's not; it's all too-true. Even without this program, I would never choose to read such a tragic story and nothing in the review or sample pages changed my mind.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 9:53 pm by Laura Lee.
Mallory Porshnev

I liked the cover of this book. It looks professional and entertaining. The OBC review gave it a high rating. Both of these factors along with the genre made me interested to read. I enjoy memoirs. This one sounds like the author had an interesting life. I read the first ten pages and didn't find any editing errors. I like the style in which it's written. The author's humor comes across, and I can tell this will be an enjoyable read. I couldn't find anything to improve upon really. It seems like there is a nice forward to explain what the book is about, and the book then jumps right into the action. I will be giving the rest of it a read.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 9:34 pm by Mallory Porshnev.
Mbrooks2518

I'm not a fan of memoirs, and this book's summary didn't interest me at all, so I would not have sampled this book without The First Ten, and I'm not going to buy it. I like how honest and direct the author is when describing things that happened, like in the nasty motel room, because it quickly captures the reader's attention. I did not find any editing mistakes, and nothing needs to be improved. The official review had no effect on my opinion.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 8:24 pm by Mbrooks2518.
Kirsi Cultrera

Even if I am always inspired by memoirs, this one really stood out. The cover of the book had just the right amount of lightheartedness and humor in it to lighten the melancholy of the story. I would have undoubtedly chosen to read this book based on the cover and given information. I loved the author’s honesty and dry humor, which made the heartbreaking scenes somehow bearable to read. I genuinely liked how he described his encounters with God and his truthful reasoning about religion. Some of his life events were undoubtedly sickening and got me wondering whether he could have censored the sharpest edge off. But then again, doing that would’ve gone against his honesty and overall writing style. Editing of this book was perfect, and there was an Official OnlineBookClub review available. It confirmed my thoughts. This book goes right on top of my reading list.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 5:15 pm by Kirsi Cultrera.
Odette Chace

I'm not a fan of the title or the cover. I don't think either the title or the cover adequately convey the depth of the book. I also find the entire attitude behind statements like "don't mind me" annoying. From the synopsis on Amazon, I believe this work might be a little bit too dark for me to read right now. However, the official Online Book Club review mentioned that the book used humor to keep the tone a bit lighter. Overall, I was looking forward to sampling the book. I found it interesting that in the introduction the author says not to let the title throw you. If the author was worried about giving off the wrong impression (justly so, as that's what happened to me), I wonder why the author still settled on this particular title. I am glad that the author made the prelude so dark. It prepares the reader for what's to come. I believe the work was professionally edited as I did not notice any errors. I'd like to finish the book at a later date.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 5:00 pm by Odette Chace.
Diana Lowery

I could certainly relate to the cover and the title of the book because I have felt that way many times. The blurb had a few words with negative connotation for me [raw, gay, and meth], which made me not want to read the book. The review was very complimentary, but reading the first ten pages convinced me not to read the rest of the book. The opening scene in the motel room was too graphic for me. Even though the introduction alluded to it being a Christian book, I could not get past the fact that there was going to be so much raw material. I did not see any errors. I did like how the author described his debate over how to present the book.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 4:27 pm by Diana Lowery.
Ari Martinez

Based on the book's title, cover, and Official OnlineBookClub review, I would not have chosen to sample it if it were not for the First Ten program. Even though the title and cover are humorous, they instantly made me think it was a self-help book, and I don't tend to read self-help books. Then, the official review mentioned that the book has a religious focus, and I also try to stay away from those types of books. However, reading the first ten pages changed my mind. I will be reading the rest of the book because the story really caught my attention. I also genuinely liked the author's introduction in which he describes the reasoning behind the book - it made me think twice about the biases I had already formed against the book. From what I read, I liked the most the way the author describes his thoughts and emotions. The book seems professionally edited, and I can't think of any way it could be improved.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 2:32 pm by Ari Martinez.
Melisa Jane

I wouldn't have sampled this book based on its title because Bim not into memoirs. After sampling it, I won't finish reading it because of the same reason. I like that, although this is a sad story ( from the passing of the author's brother to his different struggles), the author still includes a lot of humor in it. I don't have any improvement suggestions. I didn't find any grammatical errors while reading. This book has an official OBC review.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 2:10 pm by Melisa Jane.
Jorge Leon Salazar

From the beginning, the author indicates the book is a memory, not an autobiography. Plus, he wants to send a message of hope to anyone who could need it. According to the introduction, the book has a Christian approach, but also towards the LGBT community. It seems as, in the book, the author reflects a conflict between Christianity and being gay.
What is read in the first pages exposes harsh situations that the author has lived through since his childhood. Having a strict, almost maniac father, who expressed no compassion for his little son, made things more difficult for Kempfer. I was struck by the case when his father tried to teach him to ride a bicycle without the little wheels. He had him since the morning without eating exposed to inhumane conditions for a child. It was also amazing when he hit Kempfer on the lawn in front of his house for saying a bad word that he didn't even hear clearly.
The official review offers a broader view of the book and exposes difficult situations from his adult life, like drug and sex addiction. This memoir is moving and interesting. However, I think it raises many sad and troublesome issues and situations. For the present, I will not read the rest of the book. The editing is highlighted since I didn't find any errors. I do not like the cover, but it reflects what a person who suffers the hardships that the author has gone through may feel.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 1:57 pm by Jorge Leon Salazar.
AntonelaMaria

I read the Offical OnlineBookClub review long before this was a book of the day, and I always thought that this is an interesting book. I enjoy reading memoirs. However, after reading the sample, I decided not to read this book simply because I am not emotionally at the place to be invested in such a hard-hitting book. I would gladly recommend it to other readers. I didn't notice any grammatical errors. There is nothing I think needs change regarding the book. I like the writing style, the author seems very honest with his storytelling, and I appreciate it. I like that it reflects the time we are living in and that he was intentional with his story.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 12:34 pm by AntonelaMaria.
Twylla

I love the cover. It seems to represent the book well. I would definitely buy this book. The story of a young man who had to deal with abuse as a child, depression, and drug addiction as an adult, and then living life as a gay man would be very difficult. I hope Lewis is happy today and living a good life. It is incredible to me that a woman would remarry and bring men in the house with a destructive impact on a child. But I am glad that Lewis found God and that he has peace in his heart instead of turmoil and fear.
I looked for the film, “From Concept to Completion,” but could not find it. You might add a blurb in the introduction explaining how to rent/purchase the film. The book seems professionally edited and well-written. I didn't find any errors in the text I read. The OBC review was excellent and sensitive with a very thoughtful analysis. There were 27 very good reviews on Amazon. So this book is well established as a good read.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 12:30 pm by Twylla.
Gabrielle Sigaki

Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life by Lewis Kempfer is a biography that brings the author's life story, with all the difficulties, the negligencies, the abuses, and his depression. If I didn't sample this book, I would read it based on the title since it gave me the impression that it was a humorous but also tragic novel. When I saw its Official OnlineBookClub review, I was interested in reading the memoir. However, I was afraid that the theme of mental illness would be triggering for me, but I was still willing to give it a try. After sampling it, I changed my mind, and I won't read the entire volume since the subjects of depression and the family issues were triggering for me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the fact that the author wrote with humor to make the story lighter, the book seems professionally edited, I didn't find errors or typos, and there's nothing to be improved, in my opinion.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 11:35 am by Gabrielle Sigaki.
Bertha Jackson

The cover and title would have grabbed my attention. The OnlineBookClub review would have made me read the sample of the book. After reading the reviews and the first ten pages of the book, I discovered it is not your standard memoir. The author has made it an interesting read by adding humorous anecdotes. However, I will not be purchasing the book to read today. I may purchase it in the future after I complete the books I have already selected to read. This book appears to be well-edited as I did not find any errors in the first ten pages. I did not see anything I would do differently to improve the book.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 10:35 am by Bertha Jackson.
Timothy Rucinski

The Official Review appears to have captured the essence of the book. And I have to admit, I really like the front cover. The cover would have prompted me to read the back cover. If I had read it, however, I would have put the book back on the shelf. I will not be reading this book as I don't care for memoirs. I certainly don't care for faith-based books unless they are historical in nature. The book appears to be professionally written as I noticed no typos or grammatical errors. What I did like, was the brutal honesty of the writing, particularly the realization that the author suffered from depression even at the age of four. As someone with similar battles with depression, it was significant that he acknowledged this early on. Other than this being a religious book, there was nothing that I disliked about the presentation.
First Ten review added on October 26, 2020, at 9:48 am by Timothy Rucinski.
This book appears to have been Book of the Day more than once. Only responses from the most recent Book of the Day focus group are shown. Older responses have been hidden by default to avoid confusion. If you would like to also view the older first ten responses, you can unhide them by clicking the button below.
Total ~ 35%
Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life earned a score of 35%.
In other words, out of the top-level reviewers who read at least the first 10 pages of this book, 35% plan to read the whole book.
IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable.
Over a million books are published each year. Any given person could not even read .0001% of the books out there. This means readers have to be very selective. Even taking the time to look over reviews and blurbs, let alone read samples, is more time than most readers can afford for most books. The First Ten is a powerful focus group that addresses those issues. It creates a helpful tool for authors, publishers, and other readers.
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