Member Reviews
This was an enjoyable book with a look 'behind the scenes' of news broadcasting. Some fun facts and some interesting tidbits. The narrator has a pleasant voice to keep the listener's attention.
Going back to previous coverage of stories must've been bittersweet. Listening to the research the author did to make this book was fabulous. Having memories of the people from the story coverage and reporting on it later just helps people to be inspired. Inspired to search for those that were in their lifetime. The author did a fabulous job keeping things on track and in order.
I was drawn to the title and cover of this audiobook. Being that this is follow up to television News stories audio seems the best fit. The stories were touching and the book was worth the time to read. The writing was not as matured as I would have liked to recommend this to others.
I remember some of these stories. The reporter going back and following up on them was a great read. You often wonder about some news stories that stick with you, what is going on with the people involved, etc. I hope the author follows up on other stories she reported on. The narration was good and kept one interested. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.
Over many years in her career as a news reporter, Jen Maxfield often found herself wondering what happened to the subjects of stories she covered. This thought turned into a book that recapped ten of the top news events Maxfield reported on from her college years to her professional career.
Each story in this book touched my heart in some way or another. There is something about local news in particular that strikes a nerve with me. It's easy to see headlines about tragedies and brush them off but hearing the stories, in part told by the family and friends closest to the incident, provokes a lot of feeling, whether it be anger, sadness, or hope. The fact that I am a New Jersey native and could recall the locations where these stories take place added to that emotion for me. I enjoyed the varied subject material of each story and appreciated that they weren't all tear jerkers with unhappy endings. All of these stories ended in a way that there is potential for hope.
Maxfield not only covered the facts of these memorable stories but also detailed her job as a breaking news reporter-- examples include what it means to be first on site, how to coax stories from mourning family members, and etiquette on approaching a scene. I didn't know much about reporting before this book and found these facts to be interesting. The author also shows a lot of self-awareness in how she views her job. Reporters have to tow the line between doing their job effectively and keeping moral boundaries in place so they don't push subjects away and Maxfield describes how she tries to do that in her career.
My only criticism is this book, at times, felt impersonal, which is something the author reflects on at the conclusion. Maxfield does occasionally throw in details about how she felt at a certain moment in time, but overall, the stories still read like they are extended news' stories. It was also difficult to tell what was initially reported on and what was considered an update to the story.
*Thanks to NetGalley for exchanging an audio copy of this book for an unbiased review!
“In More After the Break, Jen Maxfield revisits ten memorable stories from her career as a TV news reporter, describing in heart-pounding detail how the events unfolded and revealing what happened after the cameras went away.”
What a way to honor the individuals at the center of 10 headline stories. Having lived on the east coast during much of the timeline this book focuses on, I was familiar with several of these tragedies, and enjoyed hearing a different perspective. I felt like I was having a conversation with a friend and highly recommend this unique read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Green Leaf Book Group Press for ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was very interested in listening to this audiobook and found it quite enjoyable. My middle and high school years I was highly involved in the school newspaper and journalism classes. I love the idea of reporting interesting topics to my school community. This book was certainly interesting to listen to. I loved the first hand accounts of what happens and I loved the idea of catching up with those eyewitnesses years later. Some of the news articles I had never heard of. So looking them up after was certainly neat. The book was broken up by story which was nice. I’d love to listen to a sequel of this! Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book!
4.5 stars rounded to 5!
New York news reporter Jen Maxfield follows up on ten news stories that she covered during her extensive career in one of the most newsworthy places in the world!
I thoroughly enjoyed these follow up stories and found most of them very interesting. It was fascinating seeing how people were doing many years later, such as the man who lost his legs in the Long Island Ferry accident many years ago. I teared up at the story of the man who happened to be riding his bike, at a time he normally doesn't, and was killed in a terrorist attack. I learned important lessons, most importantly the perseverance of the human spirit. I learned how good people can be (a young girl pulled over on the street to help a dying dog) and I learned how bad people can be (the man who hit and killed her drove off).
Ms. Maxfield also does a great job of highlighting some issues that still need some work or legislation - such as how the man who hit the girl in the road got LESS time for driving away than he would have if he stayed (because he was drunk, but could not prove he was drunk because he left the scene).
There are many more stories, many more examples, and I don't want to give away all the details of the stories. Suffice to say that many of the people highlighted in Ms. Maxfield's book will stick with me for a long time.
Downgraded .5 stars for getting into some politics at the end of the book. I actually really impressed that she shied away from politics for most of the book, but for some reason at the end she decided to add her political 2 cents and it took away from the book for me. Most of these stories are bi-partisan, and meant to be uniting; bringing together people who are all part of the same human family. But bringing in politics is divisive and leaves me feeling angry and annoyed.
I listened to this book on audio, and the narration is great.
Special thank you to Netgalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the Greenleaf audiobooks and NetGalley for the electronic audio review copy of this wonderful book. In this memoir, Jen Maxfield, a news reporter, revisits 10 of the unforgettable stories she reported on during her career, discussing her own feelings and thoughts as she reported original stories and as she was doing research and follow-up for this book years later. I thoroughly enjoyed the clear, to the point writing style, the audiobook narrator, and this unusual memoir. This is a definite must read.
Not sure if this book is better read in the physical copy. I did not find this book as compelling as I expected it to be, and had hoped for something more engaging. The narrator's voice was not pleasing to me, which dulled my interest in the book overall. I am someone who loves audiobooks, and as of late, listens to them almost more than I read physical copies, but this one fell short for me.
I listened to this book, More After the Break by Jen Maxfield, as an audiobook. I do not often listen to audiobooks but I am absolutely thrilled that I listened to this book. There was just something extra special about listening to the author tell the stories she has covered as a news reporter. Each and every story captured my attention and I learned about some news that I had never heard of before. Each story covered in this book was different, which helped capture my attention. I had never thought about how it feels to be a news reporter, so hearing Maxfield’s experiences of covering different news events opened my eyes to what it’s like to be a news reporter. I felt and experienced all different emotions as I listened to Maxfield tell the different stories and then how all of the people she met are doing currently. So often, we only hear of a news story once and that’s it, so hearing how the news subjects are doing now reminded me that we never really forget what’s happened- we just continue to move forward, no matter how difficult the situation is or was. My eyes were also opened up when Maxwell told numerous times how the news coverage of events can really make a difference in the lives of many. News reporters surely have an incredibly important job- not only to report but also to motivate the viewers into action. Each of the stories that were shared were so inspirational. I know that these stories will resonate with me for a very long time. This book is definitely rated 5 out of 5 stars by me. Thank you to Jen Maxfield (the author), NetGalley and Greenleaf Audiobooks (the publisher) for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. -Chelsea K. Reviewer
I've often wondered about some of the stories I've watched on the news.
Jen Maxfield was able to go back to some she actually reported on. They range from hopeful to sad.
I listened to the audio version and enjoyed it.
I recommend this book..
Jen Maxfield has been a professional journalist since graduating from Columbia University in 2000. She has interviewed countless people (witnesses, victims, survivors, etc.). During these years of talking to people she has often wondered what happened to the people once the camera stops rolling. How have the people moved on with their lives? In MORE AFTER THE BREAK, Maxfield has provided us (in the famous words o Paul Harvey), "the rest of the story".
Each chapter focuses on a specific story covered. The background information is provided reads like a fictional story. The narrative is wonderful and completely kept me engrossed. The book does not read like a lot of other non-fiction books about such terrible tragedies. The events covered are all well developed and very interesting.
I enjoyed learning more about some of the stories Maxfield has covered over the years. I remember some of these events and also wondered what had happened to the people involved. [I have always been a fan of the television show UNSOLVED MYSTERIES, but I always hated not knowing what happened - thus the title of the show, but it always intrigued me. I wanted to find out. Maxfield has interviewed as many people involved in the original story as possible (some would not speak to her, others have since passed). Some of the stories, I was not familiar with, but found just as interesting.
I highly recommend this book. I think readers of a variety of genres will like the stories covered, especially if they were familiar with the event, or even Maxfield's original reporting.
This was a quick, easy, engaging listen.
Most of the stories Maxfield chose to highlight had taken place in the NY/NJ area so I was either already familiar with them or became instantly intrigued by them since I have lived in the area my entire life. I don't know that I would've been engaged with it the same way if I was from another part of the country.
A fascinating look back on one reporter's perspective on news "stories" she covered throughout her life and career.
Some of these stories will be familiar to most readers and some will probably be new to them.
Audiobook is the perfect vehicle for telling these stories and will keep listeners enthralled from beginning to end.
5 out of 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Journalists are people too or so Jen Maxfield leads me to believe in this book. She shares multiple news stories with us, how they affected herself and those she interviewed, and how they are doing now that the trauma of the event is now over. She shares the purpose of news reporting and the struggles journalist go through to get that story. She also exposes the ugly side of reporting but encourages empathy and respect for people whose story is being covered.
I enjoyed Jen's writing style and the way she shared her thoughts. The news stories she was a part of varied from amazing and uplifting, to heartwrenching. I cried more times than I could count listening to this book. This book gave me a different perspective on journalism and I was glad to hear Jen is teaching a new generation to be responsible with their reporting methods. These are stories everyone should hear and I would recommend this book to almost anyone.
Absolutely amazing. It reminded me once more that I have many blessings in my life.
I too evacuated in the threat of severe hurricanes. I have friends and family that have battled cancer and domestic violence.
Your book reminded me that bad things happen to good people. Sometimes we are stunned and not sure where to begin. I will be watching for your next book.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author. I listened to More After the Break: A Reporter Returns to Ten Unforgettable News Stories written and narrated by Jane Maxfield. I am usually a fiction reader but have been reading more non-fiction the last couple of years.
Jane's book, More After the Break, was really interesting to me. As the title says Jane is a reporter and she went back to talk to people involved in memorable news stories. Each chapter is a different news story that she recaps and then talks about how it affected her at the time and later plus what happened when she attempted to make contact with the "story" years later recapping what happened to the people involved in the story in the passing years.. This book was written during the COVID pandemic and also talked about how the news changed as a result of the lockdown and such.
I really enjoyed listening to Jane speak. It was very insightful learning about her career as a reporter and also to what happened to the people she had reported on. She honestly discusses what it is like to talk to people who are in the worst days of their life and how it stays with you as an outsider looking in.
I recommend this book for those who enjoy memoirs and biographies and those who enjoy any type of audio books with great narration.
Thanks again to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to provide feedback on this book.
I really enjoyed Jen Maxfield's look back at some of the stories she covered as a reporter over the year. She did a great job of recounting what happened and following up on where the subjects were now. What I enjoyed even more is the behind the scenes glimpses of she hot assigned to stories and how she felt about doing them. I often feel that way about the news, how a story is so big in the moment and then it just goes away. Great job.
This was just okay for me. The author is a reporter and narrates the audiobook herself. The problem is there is a difference between reporting and performing an audiobook. There is an art to performing an audiobook and using different voices and nuances that draw people in. When the stories did include dialogue, the author just read it in her own voice, and her voice stayed the same throughout. Stories that may have been exciting were read in the same flat reporter's voice. That's fine for a newscast but not an audiobook.
This was a reading and not a narration. The book would have benefited from a professional book narrator.
I liked the fact that the author visited the Subjects of her past stories to get an update on their lives.