Words, Words, Words

It took me less than three days to finish Rob Sheffield's equivalent of a sophomore album - his second book, Talking to Girls About Duran Duran. I was a huge fan of his memoir, Love is a Mix Tape, so I had high hopes for this book too.Now I didn't live through the 80s, I'm not a Duran Duran fan, not Irish Catholic, and didn't recognize the majority of these songs by name, but I ripped through this book. I would get to the end of a chapter (each chapter title a different song) and think, "oh...just one more". This allowed me to finish the book in record time.Talking to Girls About Duran Duran is Sheffield reminiscing over old 80s tunes and 80s culture (especially new wave music). But of course it is so much more. It's more windows into Sheffield's life, a life I admittedly fell in love with upon reading Love is a Mix Tape. Each chapter recalls a different 80s tune and it's importance in his life. Although towards the end he talks more about his life and less about the music, I didn't care. This might turn some people off, but I find Sheffield's teenage self (who dominates the majority of the chapters) to be adorably shy, and his writing witty.Sheffield understands the grave importance music plays in our lives, how intertwined it is with everything we do. And he understands life, or at least understands its indeterminability, its subtle nuances. Talking to Girls About Duran Duran is sprinkled with insightful observations, "I was too young to know adult life is full of accidents and interrupted moments and empty beds you climb into and don't climb out of." His writing is fresh and surprising and I love it; with phrases like "glitter encrusted sex cookies" how could you not? He knows how to manipulate a story, making the reader care about his memories, like picking up garbage on the freeway or clipping his grandfather's toenails, because he can plant you right into his emotions, whisk you straight back to the 80s.I recommend this book to fans of Sheffield's work, the 80s, music, memories, and life in general. It was an enjoyable 269page trip through the decade that no one seems able to completely leave behind.