The Readers' Advisory Matrix for The Way I Heard It, By Mike Rowe
1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
A mix (combines highly narrative moments with periods of fact-based prose)
2. What is the subject of the book?
This book combines memories of the author's past with historical anecdotes.
3. What type of book is it?
A memoir.
4. Articulate appeal
What is the pacing of the book? It is a fast paced book but can be read at a leisurely pace. Short chapters create the pacing.
Describe the characters of the book. Each chapter focuses on a different set of historical or famous people. Mike Rowe is center stage in each chapter talking about his childhood, teen years, and his adult life as he worked his way to being a television host and creating his own podcast. Rowe is relatable to his readers with the way he spins each tale. He is humorous, sometimes a little raunchy but always entertaining. He tells his stories and those of people like the man on the Titanic who survived by drinking excessively.
How does the story feel? Humorous, historical, enlightening, real world
What is the intent of the author? To entertain listeners with his life story and stories from his podcast.
What is the focus of the story? To bring some new facts to stories we have heard before as well as give us insight to how Rowe has lived his life.
Does the language matter? Yes, it helps create the humorous feel of the story and is lighthearted.
Is the setting important and well described? The settings are not as important as the characters that are being brought to life. Each chapter is its own entity so the focus is on what is going on with the characters and not describing the setting.
Are there details and, if so, of what? There are some details so we can figure out who the characters are before he says their names but beyond that the details are not in your face. Some stories feel like they are there just to be there with not much detail and others are detailed enough to keep readers going.
Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear? There are no charts but there are small graphics that are depicting a small aspect of the historical anecdotes Rowe is discussing. They are almost like old school clipart and do not add much to the story.
Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? Yes, through his memories we are taught all three of these things. He shows us learning through his parents, understanding through his historical anecdotes, and experience through his work.
5. Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
1. Learning/experiencing
2. Tone
3. Language
This book sounds so interesting because it intertwines Mike Rowe's life with other interesting individuals. It makes me want to check out his podcast. How did you come to read this book? Were you already a listener to his podcast, or just a fan of his other work?
ReplyDeleteHello,
DeleteI actually saw it as a suggestion on Overdrive through my local library. I did not realize he had a podcast or that he wrote a book. I love his shows so I thought it would be fun to read! I've got his podcast on my list of things to listen to and a friend of mine told me it is really good.
Abby
This book sounds interested. I didn’t know there was a man on the Titanic who survived by drinking excessively! I like that it’s a humorous and lighthearted read, but it sounds like you can learn a lot through reading it as well.
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteI didn't either. There is a disclaimer that his historical stories are "trueish" from what he has heard and read so I am curious where he learned about the Titanic story. He tries to be historically accurate but if you have seen any shows sometimes what we think is fact is not. He has gone back with shows to redo some of his narrating to make them accurate. It is definitely one I think I could get some of my non-reading friends to try. They all loved him on Dirty Jobs.
Abby
I absolutely love Mike Rowe and did not realize he had a book. I appreciated that you included that the chapters are short. I have some readers that prefer short chapters so I find that information helpful. Adding this one to my list to read for sure!
ReplyDeleteHe is great and I started looking around to see what else he has done after reading this book. I guess he had a Facebook series fairly recently! If they like audiobooks each chapter is about 15 minutes and it is broken up into two sections. I appreciated the short chapters and how easy it was to take a break if I needed to. Thanks for the comment!
DeleteAbby
Mike Lowe sounds like a really cool guy so a book about his life would be really interesting. The fact that there are some humorous moments in the book makes it very enjoyable to read. These kind of things always makes a book enjoyable to read.
ReplyDeleteGreat job filling out this matrix. Full points!
ReplyDelete