Does Anyone Else Struggle to Identify with the Author?
- SPasciuti
- Posts: 415
- Joined: 07 Jan 2018, 20:30
- Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 46410">The Wendy</a>
- Currently Reading: Cinder
- Bookshelf Size: 34
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-spasciuti.html
- Latest Review: Samuel by Samuel kidstar
Re: Does Anyone Else Struggle to Identify with the Author?
- Christina Rose
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1272
- Joined: 27 Jun 2017, 08:41
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 135
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-christina-rose.html
- Latest Review: The Last Leaf to Fall by Amy M. Watson
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
I haven’t reached the end yet, but I can understand what you’re saying about the conclusion. I’ve read self help books in the past that included shameless promotions, and it did take away from the overall appeal. Sometimes, it makes sense for the author to provide the links. Other times it’s out of place and distracting.RASchneider wrote: ↑25 Jan 2018, 10:19 I identified closely with his experience growing up in a mill town (mine was a mining town), being the only person to go to college (we had more than one, but I'd say 80% stayed to work the mines), and struggling with impostor syndrome at a major university. THOSE are good stories. I identify with their authenticity.
Beyond that point, it becomes clear (to me) that the reason for writing the book is to attract clients to his business (Motivational Speaking). Concluding the book with a web address inviting readers to continue their self-help journey cheapened every worthwhile message in the story. Again... IMO, YMMV, FWIW, etc.
- Christina Rose
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1272
- Joined: 27 Jun 2017, 08:41
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 135
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-christina-rose.html
- Latest Review: The Last Leaf to Fall by Amy M. Watson
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
There is definitely an arrogant undertone, and it is difficult to get past. That is probably what has made it harder for me to relate so far.SPasciuti wrote: ↑25 Jan 2018, 16:53 I think the biggest thing I had a hard time relating to was the arrogance. It was definitely weird to feel as though some of the messages were incredibly important but to feel awkward about the way he passed those messages along? Which is kind of silly because I'm a huge supporter of Pay It Forward, but I just didn't like the pat on the back he repeatedly gave himself. It was hard to reconcile that with the idea that he was also proving that he wasn't simply stating things, but that he actually went out and did them and I'm unsure how he could have gotten that point across without seeming arrogant...but it definitely gave me a lot to think about.
-
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 21 Dec 2017, 21:39
- Currently Reading: Great Expectations
- Bookshelf Size: 187
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-shree-reads.html
- Latest Review: Sigfried’s Smelly Socks! by Len Foley
- SPasciuti
- Posts: 415
- Joined: 07 Jan 2018, 20:30
- Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 46410">The Wendy</a>
- Currently Reading: Cinder
- Bookshelf Size: 34
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-spasciuti.html
- Latest Review: Samuel by Samuel kidstar
The arrogance seemed to start (at least for me) around the time that he had cheated on his exam and his Professor caught him. It was just harder to take the stories at face value after he gave his pay-it-forward moment with the kid who was breaking into his car. Something after that, changed for both him as a person and the story he was telling.
- pinklover
- Posts: 380
- Joined: 29 Nov 2017, 20:30
- Currently Reading: The Everett Exorcism
- Bookshelf Size: 34
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-pinklover.html
- Latest Review: Becoming the Dragon by Alex Sapegin
You've got the right point! I do agree with you. His attitude matters most to me on how he manage his ups and downs in life. I admire the way he rules his life. We might have silly things but we must learn from it.shree_reads wrote: ↑26 Jan 2018, 00:18 I understand where you're coming from, but personally I felt it was refreshing to see how different experiences affected him. The chapters of his childhood were undoubtedly inspiring to a college student like me, but I was also inspired by Rob's continuous drive to reinvent himself and try new experiences. I may not have a Porsche, but I could relate to the way Rob felt when his prized possession was damaged by his friend. I'm sure we've all been there. In the end I feel it's not about the details, but the attitude Rob exhibits that is relevant to readers from all walks of life.
- RASchneider
- Posts: 16
- Joined: 19 Jan 2018, 13:01
- Bookshelf Size: 4
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raschneider.html
- Latest Review: "Sigfried’s Smelly Socks!" by Len Foley
Yes... and the "correct" place to advertise oneself is in acknowledgements, author blurbs, etc. Unless the book is sold AS a sales tool for a specific product. In that case, good on ye... shove the plugs in throughout the book. But White "seems" to be writing a memoir/advice book and inserting the website in the actual body of the book comes off as manipulative and suggests ulterior motive for the entire book. IMHO.Christina Rose wrote: ↑25 Jan 2018, 23:41
I haven’t reached the end yet, but I can understand what you’re saying about the conclusion. I’ve read self help books in the past that included shameless promotions, and it did take away from the overall appeal. Sometimes, it makes sense for the author to provide the links. Other times it’s out of place and distracting.
-
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 25 Jan 2018, 09:47
- Currently Reading: The Last Days of Magic
- Bookshelf Size: 16
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cshaffer17.html
- Latest Review: "And Then I Met Margaret" by Rob White
- Christina Rose
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1272
- Joined: 27 Jun 2017, 08:41
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 135
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-christina-rose.html
- Latest Review: The Last Leaf to Fall by Amy M. Watson
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
I agree. Typically, but now always, I'll see the author include these links in an "additional resources" area. I don't mind this at all, and actually welcome the suggestions. Otherwise, it really does suggest ulterior motives.RASchneider wrote: ↑26 Jan 2018, 12:10Yes... and the "correct" place to advertise oneself is in acknowledgements, author blurbs, etc. Unless the book is sold AS a sales tool for a specific product. In that case, good on ye... shove the plugs in throughout the book. But White "seems" to be writing a memoir/advice book and inserting the website in the actual body of the book comes off as manipulative and suggests ulterior motive for the entire book. IMHO.Christina Rose wrote: ↑25 Jan 2018, 23:41
I haven’t reached the end yet, but I can understand what you’re saying about the conclusion. I’ve read self help books in the past that included shameless promotions, and it did take away from the overall appeal. Sometimes, it makes sense for the author to provide the links. Other times it’s out of place and distracting.
- The BookWorm Nagham
- Posts: 190
- Joined: 25 Jan 2018, 14:27
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 84
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-the-bookworm-nagham.html
- Latest Review: Toni the Superhero by R.D. Base
We have to keep in mind that everyone is impacted differently by the same situation; our age, nationality and experiences in life makes us see things differently.
- Spirit Wandering
- Posts: 1010
- Joined: 12 Mar 2017, 16:21
- Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... bastian</a>
- Currently Reading: Apollo's Raven
- Bookshelf Size: 87
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-spirit-wandering.html
- Latest Review: JOURNEY - Becoming the Dream Walker by T.N. Bui
- pinklover
- Posts: 380
- Joined: 29 Nov 2017, 20:30
- Currently Reading: The Everett Exorcism
- Bookshelf Size: 34
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-pinklover.html
- Latest Review: Becoming the Dragon by Alex Sapegin
You've got a point but his memoir must focus on himself. I understand why some part of his story is less effective to other readers if the reader cannot relate to the author himself.Spirit Wandering wrote: ↑28 Jan 2018, 08:56 I would agree, especially as it relates to the story of running with the bulls. I was annoyed by his detailed description of how wonderful his outfit was, as I think it was an example of where his ego often got in the way of the story's message. I understand that he was doing it as a setup for when the outfit is later ruined. However, I don't think the outcome of the story was as effective as it might have been if written with less focus on himself.
-
- Posts: 82
- Joined: 28 Dec 2017, 17:29
- Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... =8714">The Angel's Game</a>
- Currently Reading: Diary of a Snoopy Cat
- Bookshelf Size: 22
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ebookreviewer.html
- Latest Review: Who Told You That You Were Naked? by William Combs
- Reading Device: B06XD5YCKX
- Emma13
- Posts: 52
- Joined: 27 Dec 2017, 11:28
- Currently Reading: The Captive Mind
- Bookshelf Size: 19
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-emma13.html
- Latest Review: A Slice Of Chile by Dr Terry Hannan
This exactly. Once you start to notice it, it becomes so hard to move beyond. The combination of arrogance and unacknowledged privilege (which I think grows as the book goes on) really took me out of his stories and made me question the validity of a lot of his lessons.
-
- Posts: 214
- Joined: 07 Jul 2017, 06:30
- Currently Reading: Big Things Have Small Beginnings
- Bookshelf Size: 351
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-gikonyo-caroline.html
- Latest Review: Concealment by Rose Edmunds