I wanted to get a Kindle (Paperwhite! Haha) with my LDS money, to read e-books/use LDS. Was told by S that that meant if I chose to borrow NLB e-books, might have to convert it before use. And then it clicked - NLB e-books? Then I Googled, realised that there's an available version for Android too (hurray!), decided to borrow it.
Found this on the Hidden Gems featured e-books collection (I know, ?! ?! right?), picked it up because - it's local and therefore familiar, but also because I'd remembered leafing through this before at the Japanese book cafe store at The Central. I loved the initial bits, those which spoke about her foray into DJ-ing and the radio industry.
Maybe because it's a local book, but I could totally imagine her reading it to me (in her voice) in my head as I read. Halfway, I googled reviews for the book (bad choice!) and maybe I might've been influenced, but for all the wit & humor & anecdotes, I really, really didn't like the parts about the extra-marital affair. Maybe I'd been influenced (googling was a bad choice), or maybe because it reads Memoirs of a DJ (admittedly subheaded Life in Progress, :p) but I think I expected it to be entirely focused on forays into the media industry in SG (but for the parts that were, they were good!)
I finished reading this in slightly over a week.
But overall, this was mostly pleasant familiarity & my inclination to this book surprised me, given how attracted I was to its local familiarity - this coming after I realised midway that teaching had deprived me of reading good fiction, partly because The Fault in Our Stars didn't count, you see :p
But I think, despite its flaws, I liked it sufficiently for it to be quite an easy read, undeniably because of it's familiarity too :-)
Before I read this book: I've never really heard of Vernetta Lopez because I don't listen to Class 95FM and just like other regular teenagers, I mostly listen to 987FM or 913FM instead. But I was still pretty interested to pick up this book because hey, radio DJs must be funny and entertaining right? So this book must contain funny and entertaining bits of Vernetta's life! :) And so begin my journey into Vernetta's world..
After OH HELL THIS MEMOIR IS THE BOMB. It's actually pretty inspiring because I can really feel Vernetta's passion in radio stations and deejaying and aaaaaaaah ohmygosh it makes me want to try out deejaying too :') because it sounds like an interesting and fun job!! :') and this memoir also makes me picture Vernetta as a really cool gal hehehe :D The best parts of this book was when Vernetta describes her job and experiences! And I quite respect her because despite her first failed marriage, having to deal with the annoying press and mental breakdowns, she still managed to stay strong and hold on and she is still successful in her career! Dang I wish I can grow to be as strong as her when I grow up hehehe, definitely this read is definitely a thumbs up! :D
There's always a silver lining. When God closes the door, he opens a window. God works in mysterious ways. Things happen for a reason. I can't adjust the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
It was nice to read about such a well-known radio personality - and for those of my generation or older, "Denise" from the sitcom Under One Roof. I appreciated the author's sincere candidness, thoughtfulness and her down-to-earth manner. Of course, coming from a DJ, the writing was eloquent and there was much humour. I really enjoyed the book because it shows how these artistes are very much just like any one of us, with their own quirks, personalities and insecurities.
I believe she did not include the details of her first marriage in her book out of spite, just as a part of the journey she has been through. And it was inspirational to read how she went through the lows of life to bounce back again.
Vern should come up with an audiobook! I kept hearing her voice while reading the book.
It's a candid, at times self-deprecating, mostly funny recount of her life experiences so far. Yes, the famous ex is mentioned but I think she told her side of the story in a dignified and matter of fact way. Anyway, that's all in the past and it's evident she's much happier now with the current husband.
She's funny and very entertaining. Not bad for her first book. Always wanted to know about her divorce, so this is her side of the story. But at least, she's strong to go through the darkest days of her life. Wish her happiness for her new marriage.
entertainingly candid! her honesty esp about her darkest days was endearingly heartwarming. for all her infectious sense of humour, tis one lady you don't want to mess with!