Jonathon Stalls

Slow down, Wake up, and Connect at 1-3 Miles per Hour

Walk

I was hopeful when I picked up this book because the author states his many privileges and acknowledges that the experiences of different people will be different when they walk or roll.

And I really tried. I really, really tried because I wanted to dive into WALK and enjoy it. But I couldn’t make myself enjoy it. At best I was bored, at worst I was rolling my eyes.

The memories wildly jump around in time, so I never knew where exactly we are, pre-walking time? When exactly? Oh, we are walking, okay. At times I also didn’t know who was recounting their memories, so more often than not I was trying to understand logistics instead of losing myself in the flow of words. And then there are the jumps between present tense and past tense even though it’s one situation that is talked about.

The author is reassuring people that if they “identify as white, this isn’t a personal attack.” (kindle pos. 413) and I’m… I don’t know where to start. I really, really don’t know where to start.

Overall, WALK left a bitter taste in my mouth even though the book doesn’t even manage to show the story. It tells and tells and tells. I felt like I wasn’t allowed to paint my own picture of the situations or analyze interactions. And I don’t know. Everything just felt so… forced. People immediately open up to a fucking stranger.

Everyone is just sooooo inspired. I might have vomited a little bit in my mouth. WALK might be authentic, but to me, it just doesn’t feel that way. At all. It rather felt… missionary and preachy, with a touch of… maybe snootiness?

I didn’t want to read it during my lunch break, so I put it aside and then never picked it up again. So I don’t know if it gets better or worse. And honestly? I don’t care.

I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

I was hopeful when I picked up this book because the author states his many privileges and acknowledges that the experiences of different people will be different when they walk or roll.

And I really tried. I really, really tried because I wanted to dive into WALK and enjoy it. But I couldn’t make myself enjoy it. At best I was bored, at worst I was rolling my eyes.

The memories wildly jump around in time, so I never knew where exactly we are, pre-walking time? When exactly? Oh, we are walking, okay. At times I also didn’t know who was recounting their memories, so more often than not I was trying to understand logistics instead of losing myself in the flow of words. And then there are the jumps between present tense and past tense even though it’s one situation that is talked about.

The author is reassuring people that if they “identify as white, this isn’t a personal attack.” (kindle pos. 413) and I’m… I don’t know where to start. I really, really don’t know where to start.

Overall, WALK left a bitter taste in my mouth even though the book doesn’t even manage to show the story. It tells and tells and tells. I felt like I wasn’t allowed to paint my own picture of the situations or analyze interactions. And I don’t know. Everything just felt so… forced. People immediately open up to a fucking stranger.

Everyone is just sooooo inspired. I might have vomited a little bit in my mouth. WALK might be authentic, but to me, it just doesn’t feel that way. At all. It rather felt… missionary and preachy, with a touch of… maybe snootiness?

I didn’t want to read it during my lunch break, so I put it aside and then never picked it up again. So I don’t know if it gets better or worse. And honestly? I don’t care.

Bookish Thoughts

“I was overwhelmed with love and understanding for this grandmother, for the family, and for Jasen.”

Kindle pos. 621

Disclaimer

I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

Walk Slow down, Wake up, and Connect at 1-3 Miles per Hour

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