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picketfences's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
one of the best live music stories i have read.
emmettspot's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
It was a little disconcerting to read a book published in 2019 that had such parallels to the real events of 2020, but with a different outcome nationally. It’s interesting to think about the choice of (extreme) safety compared to a “return to normalcy” and how that plays out differently, with both pros and cons. Overall, it’s good that I didn’t read this closer to the peak of the pandemic. That being said, it sucked me in almost immediately, and it did a great job of describing the experience of live music/performance (the loss of which I felt during the pandemic, despite my support for more ways to increase accessibility to the same).
timinbc's review
3.0
Well, gosh. This was published in 2019, probably written in 2018. Pinsker COULDN'T have known how things would turn out. But here we are.
The premise was reasonable, if very lightly detailed. I'd have liked to see more about how Hoodies got developed, because that tech - and self-driving cars - seems to have leapt ahead while not much else did.
My first problem was that I have read too many musician books in the last 18 months. They all drone on, just as this one does, about how the Dull People just don't dig how, like, cool it is to lose yourself in the music, to appreciate the awesome power of droppin a G-flat major diminished 7th at JUST the right time, and the sweat, and the lights, and ALRIGHT ALREADY. WE GET IT.
I couldn't buy Rosemary's selection as a talent scout AT ALL. It's as implausible as having a serial bankrupt sex abuser reality-show host as ... well, never mind. And why would she be *successful* as a talent picker? It's as likely as asking me to recommend Greek poets.
And what about Rosemary's luck? She meets about four women (not counting Alice) and they are all sexually attracted to her. Given her background, I wonder how Rosemary even knew what her own preferences were. Meanwhile, all the men are bland and nice, which I assume is to keep them from mattering in the plot (which may have been a good choice).
I also had trouble with SHL's business plan re the shutdowns. Just not credible or necessary.
But after all that, Rosemary screwed up, and learned about herself, and broadened her mind, and actually decided to DO something, and it was something reasonably believable.
I'm going to have to look up her Nebula-winning shorter stuff. I suspect this one might have been better as a shorter effort.
The premise was reasonable, if very lightly detailed. I'd have liked to see more about how Hoodies got developed, because that tech - and self-driving cars - seems to have leapt ahead while not much else did.
My first problem was that I have read too many musician books in the last 18 months. They all drone on, just as this one does, about how the Dull People just don't dig how, like, cool it is to lose yourself in the music, to appreciate the awesome power of droppin a G-flat major diminished 7th at JUST the right time, and the sweat, and the lights, and ALRIGHT ALREADY. WE GET IT.
I couldn't buy Rosemary's selection as a talent scout AT ALL. It's as implausible as having a serial bankrupt sex abuser reality-show host as ... well, never mind. And why would she be *successful* as a talent picker? It's as likely as asking me to recommend Greek poets.
And what about Rosemary's luck? She meets about four women (not counting Alice) and they are all sexually attracted to her. Given her background, I wonder how Rosemary even knew what her own preferences were. Meanwhile, all the men are bland and nice, which I assume is to keep them from mattering in the plot (which may have been a good choice).
I also had trouble with SHL's business plan re the shutdowns. Just not credible or necessary.
But after all that, Rosemary screwed up, and learned about herself, and broadened her mind, and actually decided to DO something, and it was something reasonably believable.
I'm going to have to look up her Nebula-winning shorter stuff. I suspect this one might have been better as a shorter effort.
karrama's review
5.0
A book for right now (2020 pandemic lockdown) published last year...and a little too close to home but not something I could put down.
mikime's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
I really loved this (audio)book, it hits quite close to home for me.
Here are some quotes, I'll add a longer review sooner or later.
"She was the code, and she was being overwritten."
"Making music in the darkness, then making music against the darkness."
"Music is a virus and the vaccine and the cure."
"We need something new. Borrow a guitar and learn how to use it. I that isn't your thing, figure out what is. Invent your own gebre, carve your initials into something, brand them, paint them, shoot them, transpose them, change them entirely and sculpt yourself out of a new medium. Instruments and tools are synonyms, we can still construct ways to belong. Our song is a work in progress. "
Here are some quotes, I'll add a longer review sooner or later.
"She was the code, and she was being overwritten."
"Making music in the darkness, then making music against the darkness."
"Music is a virus and the vaccine and the cure."
"We need something new. Borrow a guitar and learn how to use it. I that isn't your thing, figure out what is. Invent your own gebre, carve your initials into something, brand them, paint them, shoot them, transpose them, change them entirely and sculpt yourself out of a new medium. Instruments and tools are synonyms, we can still construct ways to belong. Our song is a work in progress. "
lautmaler's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
kdahlo's review
4.0
Very nice near-future setting, with added resonance due to the pandemic themes. I thought this book was very original and enjoyable. I really enjoy Pinsker's ideas, but I feel like she is a bit too nice to her characters for my taste. My favorite piece of her writing is "And Then There Were (N-One)" which is just a touch more cynical, while still being packed full of cool ideas and humor. Obviously this is just a taste thing, I feel like I know readers on both sides of me in terms of this preference. I just read Parable of the Sower/Talents which is incredibly harsh, so maybe that's part of why I'm feeling the contrast. If you read Octavia Butler and think "boy I wish these people could catch a break, this is just too brutal", this book may be for you? If like me you are just a touch more morbid and grim-dark, or think it's interesting when characters have profound and troubling flaws I think this book will feel a little 'light'. Still very good.
alicebme's review
4.0
Not so sci-fi anymore, I guess. This book made me nervous, but I couldn’t put it down. It doesn’t matter what kind of music you like. You’ll enjoy this book.
thephdivabooks's review
3.0
In a dystopian world where public gatherings have been made illegal, one woman raises her voice to stand up for the power of music, art, and human connection. A beautiful story that will definitely speak to the heart!
I am one of those rare people who, although I absolutely like music, don’t tend to listen to it much. I’m usually listening to audiobooks or podcasts! But even I can say there is something about music and having that in common with another person that can be magical. Often, I find that listening to music with others gives this sense of shared experience, where the emotions each person is feeling are in sync, even if they are different. Our hearts elevate together and calm together.
The idea of not being able to connect with other people is a terrifying one. In A Song for a New Day, a terrorist attack on a major stadium just before the band takes the stage leads to a decision to make public gatherings illegal. It is to help keep people safe. And yet, what sort of life are people living in the wake of this decision?
For Luce Cannon, she feels like she has lost her place in the world. Primed to take the stage before the attack, she now has no where to go. Her family turned her away when she needed them most, and now she holds small illegal concerts, trying to find a way to reconnect with others.
Rosemary Law grew up in the world that has banned public gatherings. She has a job that requires no contact with humans at all. Her first experience with a virtual concert fundamentally changed her. So when she takes a new job finding musicians and organizing virtual concerts, Rosemary is forced to go out in public. And when Rosemary finally experiences not only the power of music, but the power of human connection, she may be the voice that can make a difference.
I wasn’t prepared for how much this book would effect me, but its such a beautiful story. The idea of missing out on those connections with others—that is a powerful story! Seeing Luce lose her way, and Rosemary begin to discover what she has so long been sheltered from made me really think about the world we live in, and how virtual connections can’t quite replace what we get from real human connections. This one is full of heart!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
I am one of those rare people who, although I absolutely like music, don’t tend to listen to it much. I’m usually listening to audiobooks or podcasts! But even I can say there is something about music and having that in common with another person that can be magical. Often, I find that listening to music with others gives this sense of shared experience, where the emotions each person is feeling are in sync, even if they are different. Our hearts elevate together and calm together.
The idea of not being able to connect with other people is a terrifying one. In A Song for a New Day, a terrorist attack on a major stadium just before the band takes the stage leads to a decision to make public gatherings illegal. It is to help keep people safe. And yet, what sort of life are people living in the wake of this decision?
For Luce Cannon, she feels like she has lost her place in the world. Primed to take the stage before the attack, she now has no where to go. Her family turned her away when she needed them most, and now she holds small illegal concerts, trying to find a way to reconnect with others.
Rosemary Law grew up in the world that has banned public gatherings. She has a job that requires no contact with humans at all. Her first experience with a virtual concert fundamentally changed her. So when she takes a new job finding musicians and organizing virtual concerts, Rosemary is forced to go out in public. And when Rosemary finally experiences not only the power of music, but the power of human connection, she may be the voice that can make a difference.
I wasn’t prepared for how much this book would effect me, but its such a beautiful story. The idea of missing out on those connections with others—that is a powerful story! Seeing Luce lose her way, and Rosemary begin to discover what she has so long been sheltered from made me really think about the world we live in, and how virtual connections can’t quite replace what we get from real human connections. This one is full of heart!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.