Kind of a memoir-as-novel, built around a cross-country road trip in which a mother and adult daughter redefine their relationship via a collection of mix tapes defining different periods in the daughter’s life. It’s an interesting device, but an ultimately limiting one, as the symbolism of the various tapes will be unclear to anyone not familiar with the artists and titles. There’s a rich portrait of the evolution of a family here, but Franklin loses points for a predictable, even sappy, ending. ( )

Laney and her mother drive from the west coast to the east while listening to mix tapes. Each one holds a special set of memories and after years of distance, caused by her mother's illness, Laney finally opens up about her life and loves during that missed decade. Mixed tapes may be a thing of the past, but I loved the Side A and B that started each new section. The book feels episodic since we are viewing small chunks of her life at a time, but it all ties together with her friendships and relationships. A perfect book to read during a road trip.

It certainly got me thinking about the songs that are tied to specific moments in my life. Blur's "Tender" reminds me of the first year my husband and I were dating, "Sweet Baby James" instantly transports me to a James Taylor concert with my Dad, The Beatles "Fool on a Hill" and KT Tunstall's "Through the Dark" for my semester in London. I'm singing the lyrics of Salt-N-Pepa's "Shoop" while standing in line for a haunted house with friends. Amy Winehouse belts "Back to Black" from my car stereo during my first year as a reporter at a daily newspaper. Counting Crows "Round Here" and Elliott Smith's "Between the Bars" are on a loop from my senior year in high school. Other songs take me back to trips I've taken, like Sophie B. Hawkins' "As I Lay Me Down" (a jr. high trip to Florida) or Jump Little Children's "Cathedrals" (Europe wanderings). Each memory is a vivid reminder of the power music has in our lives. ( )

I think people born in the 70s will be able to relate to this book the most. Great story! ( )

a coming of age novel set to mix tapes as mother and daughter drive cross country. ( )