"Don't Jump: A Memoir of Sex, Drugs, Rock N Roll, and My Complex Relationship with My Mother" by Vicki Abelson

Melody: A delightful book. Honest, cutting, great comedy and personal insights that touch the heart and mind. Well done, Vicki Abelson!

Canada on Sep 04, 2017

Amazon CustomerAmazon Customer: Vicki Abelson's " Don't Jump " book takes you on a high octane ride through the 80's up until the early 2000's. I know- as a former talent agent and person who was in casting - I rode that same music and comedy scene from that era , back in the day in NYC. And yes, there's that mother issue that I so identify with. Andi Stone is clever, talented, narcissistic, witty ,good looking , insecure as a single women and as a mother and wife. She's also as lovable as she is annoying. When Andi as a single woman and as a married mom, are down - you feel tremendous empathy for them. When they pull themselves back up - you find yourself cheering them on. Truly wanting them to succeed.The sex, drugs, rock n roll and comedy are so vividly described that you can't help but wanna sing along to Karma Chameleon on MTV while your toking it up and realize that you have to much hair product on. Don't Jump is a real page turner , and the thing is .. you find yourself really caring for Andi Stone . Her escapes and struggles are as humorous and outlandish as they are emotional ..and as a woman, very relatable. Again , and there's that mother issue. I honestly didn't want this book to end. I can't wait...

United States on Dec 05, 2016

CDA: I couldn't put this book down. I often read at night to help me fall asleep--this book did the opposite. It should've worked--I like to read either fiction or memoir/biography so I can focus on someone else's story and not think about my own--which keeps me awake. I usually get lost in the details of someone else's life and drift off. The compelling voice of the narrator/central character, the colorful array of friends, lovers, family, colleagues, clowns and jokers surrounding her, the roller-coaster story, and unique, smart writing style of this book kept me saying "just one more page" which turned into "one more chapter" which turned into "it's 3 am and I have to get up in 3 hours!" I literally had to take the book off my night stand and put it aside until I had time to read during the day or I wouldn't have slept at all until I had finished it.

Abelson's heroine, Andi Stone, could accurately be described by many of the lyrics of Sara Bareilles' gorgeous ballad "She Used to Be Mine" from the musical "Waitress"--though Andi would probably never describe herself in these words--not enough snark; but underneath the snark and wit and snap and sass, this is how I saw...

United States on Jun 22, 2016

Shaz: What can I add to the well deserved praises of this author? Well to be honest, Andi is one cool chick.
From the latch key child of divorce, desperately missing her father, feeling distant from the mother that she lived with; to the wife and mother that she would later become, we are taken on a wild adventure and intimate look at the life of Andi Stone.
With marijuana always in the background for that added boost, Andi had confidently become a popular waitress at the hippest, star studded cafe/bar, a stand up comic with a no fail closer, and then a major promoter of clubs and bands; allowing this reader to learn how a club becomes hot and then not.
She shares the real and raw emotions of her complicated love relationships and as the biological clock is ticking, finally marries the love of her life and settles into motherhood.
The highs, lows and insecurities of a showbiz career for a guy with a wife and kids to support would be enough to drive any man to a toke and a tequila. The fictitious showbiz names to protect the innocent (or guilty) keep one guessing and finally figuring much of it out.
I admire the author for having the guts to share and admit to her trials...

United States on Nov 19, 2015