A gentle book. Similar vibes as "Less" (https://www.amazon.com/dp/031631613X?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_4Z8P32NKBCE8FGZ84GVA&skipTwisterOG=2).

A weird writing style that I now love, the story of a man told in snippets, like sips of wine. A day, an event, we see our hero once every eight years. The day in his childhood when everything changes, a day when his adoptive family gets his heart broken, World War II, Civil Rights movement, everything moves on in between. Some days are dramatic, once-in-a-lifetime tragedies that we've all experienced, some are regular days that are so meaningful they help explain a life well lived.

I'm reminded of the lyrics to "Time Marches On" (https://genius.com/Tracy-lawrence-time-marches-on-lyrics), we see a photograph in the movie on life, and can guess how we got from Point A to B. The style allows a lot of flexibility that I didn't know I would appreciate so much.

I appreciate how things happen "off screen" but influence everything about our characters. Things from years ago still matter, sometimes. Sometimes we never get over that loss, that hurt, that triumph, and dwelling on the past can hurt so good sometimes. Sometimes those days are what defines us, and Yates does a good job finding those days for his characters. The events are a bit dramatic (several natural disasters), but the characters, they make the story. The love, the family they find and make and chose, make the story as wonderful and gentle as this.

A story read for the characters, the writing style breaks down any "plot" into something weird and squishy. But I'm a fan, and of course I'm not wondering what days define my life.

I really enjoyed this novel, it read like a memoir which I’m really into but it focussed on 12 seperate days of the main character’s life across his 96 years. I enjoyed it more than I expected to!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book covers everything from love to loss and to adventure. The book is short but it reads much longer than it is just because of how it is broken out.

Over the span of twelve chapters, the book follows the story of Isaac Dahl, each chapter focusing on a memory in his 96 years of life.

This is such a beautiful story of life, love, loss and genuinely everything life could put you through. There are many significant moments, many historically important events, and many absolutely mundane glimpses into one's life. Each chapter truly felt like a letter from a life-long friend updating you on their latest adventures. I found myself wishing I knew more of what was going on in the gaps in between the chapters, but the book does such a good job at keeping you up with everything that's important. I cared for these characters, I rooted for them and wanted to see them succeed from the very first chapter, and so many moments in the story brought me to tears. There's such a pure love for people and for life laced in the pages of this book, and there's so much I will keep with me for a very long time.

I listened to the audiobook for this, and the narrator did such a good job, bringing these characters to life in the best way possible. Absolutely loved every second of it.

Many thanks to RB Media & NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Each chapter of this novel is from a journal or diary entry in the life of Isaac Dahl, about a decade apart. Some notable historic events coincide with the entries, but it is mostly about Isaac and his twin sister, their lives and loves. It is an interesting structure, especially when one entry references things we learned about in previous chapters. Although many sad things happen, as in any life, the overall feeling is of sweetness and a love for life.
I could say more about the specific decades, but I don't want to spoil it. The book will be available starting July 23rd, 2024. Take the journey with Isaac, and enjoy!
My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for an advance copy of this audiobook for review purposes.

Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for allowing me a copy of this audio book in return for an honest review.

This wonderful story follows the life of Isaac Dahl, told over twelve chapters, with each chapter being one day in his 96 year life. Starting in 1926 through to 2014 we glimpse the life of Isaac, his twin sister Aggie, and their friend Bo. Through many ups and downs, including both local and global events the trio stick together. This is a journey of love, family, hope and resilience.

Paul Bellantoni narrates this touching account in a voice so similar to Tom Hanks that it had me thinking of Forrest Gump. He did a beautiful job of bringing the characters to life including the awkward squeak of a teenage boy’s breaking voice that had me cringing in shame for the kid.

Final thoughts: This really was a stunning tale, the characters were realistic to the point that I miss them now it’s over. The prose was engaging, pulling me down into the plot which was at times hilarious and at others devastating.

Who would enjoy this book: Those who like fictional life stories, modern history and family drama.

Beautiful! I love how the story jumped and let the readers fill in the blanks. This is actually a quality I usually find a tad annoying but the vague but emotion driven way the author delivers this story was perfection. The characters were honest and funny -lookin’ at you twin sister- I laughed out loud a few times. The relationships and how they develop and progress until Isaac’s conclusion are heartfelt and bonding in a way I think we all aspire to have in our lives as we look back when we’re in our final days.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

A very good and very enjoyable read that has similar vibe to a Man Called Ove.

Read by an enthusiastic narrator, this book comes alive with the old man's voice as he recalls a dozen times or incidents that happened over his 96 years of life. I didn't find his life all that strange honestly, but very interesting! I found the author very introspective as he ponders and works through his particular life circumstances, being a talented writer who happens to be a gay man with a very close family.
I have not lived through tornados or avalanches and his descriptions made me feel the horror of them all. Isaac let me into his life and I enjoyed the ride.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review..

What a story! I loved the concept and the execution!

Isaac tells us the story of his almost 100 years of life by picking 12 key moments and giving them each a chapter. As with life, some chapters are more important than others. Some are heartbreaking. Some are exciting. Some just… are.

I did wish that a few of the chapters went into more depth. I felt like maybe an opportunity or two was missed. I appreciated the historical fact weaved in among personal anecdotes and emotions.

Overall, this was a hit for me! And I did shed tears on more than one occasion.

4.5 Stars

I liked this book, each chapter one story from Isaac's long life. Aside from one of the early stories, I didn't find the events of Isaac's life very strange. The characters were all great, I especially enjoyed Isaac's sister Aggie. This story works particularly well as an audiobook.

I really enjoyed this book. Each chapter tells the story of a section of Isaac's life - from surviving an avalanche as a child, to WWII, to the civil rights movement, the AIDS crisis, and beyond. Usually, books that skip through time like this are frustrating for me because I often struggle with the lack of details of what happened in between. That didn't happen here. It was a beautiful story with well-developed secondary characters and storylines. We get enough details of what happened in between that I wasn't spending each chapter trying to guess what that was. Wonderfully narrated on audio, which made it a nice companion for my work commute.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

12 chapters, each about an event in Isaac Dahl’s life. It was an interesting premise and I enjoyed the characters but I felt like it was missing something. It needs an epilogue to tie up the story.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I grew attached to the characters in this book. Each chapter is a day in the life of Isaac Dahl, each spanning 8 year intervals. I didn’t think I would have time to love anyone, but the main character, but that ended up being a poor assumption. This story is so well told and each chapter, though only a day, brings emotion and so much feeling. I could visualize what was happening so clearly in my head. I absolutely loved it and will read more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for providing an advanced copy.

Rounding up from 3.5 stars. This book took a while to really engage me. For the first few chapters, I didn’t feel much connection to the story or the characters. But around 40% into the book it hooked me and I fell in love with not only Isaac, but Aggie and Bo and many others.

Isaac Dahl, at ninety-six, highlights pivotal moments he lived through. He is a journalist who takes you on a ride through storytelling. This character captures life's emotionally personal and historical events, how his life was forever changed at eight years old, the harshness of life during the Dust Bowl, the horror of WWII, and the impact of the Civil Rights Movement. Issac's character conveys the fear and heroism of this period, which is deeply humanizing. His relationships underscore themes of friendship, love, and the passage of time.

The book's structure, which focuses on single days that are prominent themes, draws readers into each moment. The book weaves the idea that life has loss and love bound together. The resiliency and the relationships we create have lasting impressions on our stories. This book celebrates how people and moments carve out who we are and will leave a lasting impression on its readers.

The audiobook is superb in its recording, and the narrator embodies the character's emotions and brings the story to life.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and HighBridge Audio.

What an inspiring book. I listen to the audiobook version and I really enjoyed it. It definitely made me think. Don’t skip this one in publication day.

Isaac Dahl looks over his life at the age of 96 in a series of 12 vignettes. Many thanks to NetGalley for this lovely ARC/audiobook.

The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl consists of 12 chapters, highlighting 12 different days (in 8-year increments) throughout the protagonist’s 96 years of life.

These chapter feature Isaac’s adventures throughout his life including the dust bowl, to war, to civil rights, and AIDS surge in the 80s. It also features his close relationship with his twin sister, his best friend, and a family that grows over time.

I feel like the author takes monumental historical moments—the bombing of Bikini atoll or integration efforts, and glosses over the events. It keeps the book easy and light hearted, but misses an opportunity to provide context and complexity. I would have like to learn how Isaac ends up on the right side of history so to speak. What informs his opnions. How these events impact his life moving forward. While his relationship with loved ones is fleshed out, his mindset, regrets, lessons learned, and who he is isn’t as well developed.

The result? I saccherine look through time, through the eyes of a gay, white man. I recommend if you are looking for a Forrest Gump-esque summer beach read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books, for the ARC.

This was such an enjoyable read! Looking back on your life, which moments, events, or days - if you will - would you highlight? Living to be 96 and choosing only 12 seems like it would be a challenge. It makes sense, then, for the days Isaac chooses to often also be connected to major historical events involving some people who are with him throughout his life and others who are other there for a short while.

It's "strange" how life works out. Countless things happen to us of both mundane and major significance. They all add up to who we are and what we've done with the time given to us in this one life.

Since these are stories being told by an elderly man who is looking back on his life, I am hesitant to be too critical about a couple of things because they may be intentional. I feel that there wasn't much in the way of explanations or reflections about some of the very tragic/traumatic/upsetting/painful things that Isaac experienced. But, maybe Isaac just isn't the type of person to expound on such matters? Maybe he either doesn't recognize how much these events have impacted him or he wasn't moved in ways we are readers would expect him to be? He is a journalist, after all, so maybe he didn't consider how he should include more of that in his memoir because it isn't what he's accustomed to writing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.