A somewhat non-linear telling of Jian's life experiences from 1982 with his obsession of David Bowie, many lists, being New Wave, fitting in and his dream girl Wendy. There is lots of repetition and detailed explanations of things he experienced. A bit of a flashback to the 80s.

I absolutely loved this book, and don't understand the negative comments. I found the narrative to be most engaging and well-written. I am only 9 years older than Jian, so 1982 was not too far removed from my own teen years. I could identify with so much in the book, and found it to be both interesting and insightful.

I am so disappointed. I really like Jian on Q but you know there are some days when he doesn't have much to say in his opening essay. Unfortunately, this book is a looooong version of one of those essays. Filler. I wish so much that he had had a really good editor. He goes on at length, for instance, about why he picked 1982 as the best year. Pages worth. All I'm thinking is: are you going to get this thing started? Not worth the effort, I'm afraid.

I'm not sure if I was the age demographic for this book. I was born in 1986, and am therefore too young (aka wasn't even born yet) to feel the the nostalgia of being a teenager in the early 80's; yet I am too old to be seen as the "kids these days who have no idea what it was like back then". Perhaps that is why I was offended when I was being told in great length what a telephone cord was. Then a few chapters later, felt lost at the New Wave references. But the main theme, that can be related by all, is the insecurities and self growth that comes with being 15 years old. In the end, this book was very middle of the road for me. I enjoyed it (for the most part), but I won't feel compelled to pick it up again.

I love Jian Ghomeshi's work in both music and on CBC. I fully expected to love this book. But, I didn't. No, I didn't. The three- and four-word sentences were cute for about 100 pages. That is all. Then it became annoying. Yes, annoying. This type of phrasing might work in a pop tune. It does not work (for me) in a book. No, it does not.

Having grown up in Thornhill and having gone to Thornlea around the same time as Jian, I have to admit, when I first heard that Jian Ghomeshi, aka Mr Thornlea, Mr. Student Council, Mr. Lead-Singer-of-Tall-New-Buildings had written a book about having trouble fitting in in high school my first thought was "oh puh-lease. Here we go with another pseudo-celebrity trying to look cool by saying that they were a loser in high school yadda yadda yadda". But I was pleasantly surprised by this book; it largely helps that Jian doesn't take himself very seriously. There is certainly a lot in this book for the former Thornleaer to reminisce about ("I remember The Rock! I remember Countdown dances! I remember Bob Leonard's elbow patches!) but there is also a great deal for anyone who was in high school around that time (I remember adidas gym bags! I remember mix tapes!). Perhaps the most enjoyable parts of the book where when he explains how life and technology was in 1982 to a younger audience. I'll say this Jian's writing style is to Nick Hornby's what Moxy Fruvous is to the BareNaked Ladies. They are not direct copies and the each have their own originalities, but you can definitely see that the influence is there. So all in all this was a good read - a lot of reminiscing, some interesting stories, but there's also a lot in here that anyone going through grade nine and trying to fit in can relate to.

Born in England, grew up in Thornhill from age 7 - globally known for his run in with Billy Bob Thornton - fascinating life.