I am so excited to have my first ever book review here at Down Under Views!
To celebrate this wonderful even along with the soon to be released second book from my wonderful friend Susan Helene Gottfried, I decided to put up my review of her first book up as my first review. 
There is an awesome contest coming up, so be sure to stop back in just a couple minutes!
On to the review…
About the Book
A band’s demo tape is intended to introduce listeners to their music. Likewise, this collection of short pieces allows readers into the fictional world of Trevor Wolff and his band, ShapeShifter.
Originally published online between April 2006 and March 2007, the Demo Tapes: Year 1 brings together the moments that parallel – but never encounter – Susan Helene Gottfried’s debut novel, Trevor’s Song. Arranged chronologically and with introductions to each, this is a must-have volume for anyone who’s ever wanted to hang with a rock band.
The Long Version
In my opinion, one true measure of a book is whether or not you want to continue reading the book through stressful events. Recently, The Demo Tapes, was put to this test by yours truly and passed with gold stars and a bottle of Ping’s soy sauce.
The husband took me into the doctor and the book I grabbed to read just so happened to be The Demo Tapes. Right from the beginning, I was drawn into the lives of the ShapeShifter band as well as the people who loved them. I’m not a rock n’ roll chick by any means, but I found the well-formed characters to be endearing right from the start. People I couldn’t help but want to get to know more.
I didn’t want to put the book down, even as I sat waiting for an x-ray – and not even when I sat down later to wait to hear the results of the x-ray.
Gottfried’s writing style is easy and relaxed, so the reader’s focus is exactly where it is supposed to be: the characters.
Even if you aren’t familiar with Trevor Wolff and ShapeShifter, you can enjoy this introduction to the band. The fly-on-the-wall vantage point you get in this book will make you feel like you’re hanging out with the guys on tour, stopping over at the Voss house to hang out and laughing it up with them as they experience life.
The Short Version
I definitely recommend this book even if, like I said before, you’re not familiar with ShapeShifter. This book is still worth a read.
My only complaint is that it ended.
PS. I’m fine, by the way. Definitely on the mend.
Rating: 4.5 stars
[What do the stars mean?]
***
Shapeshifter: The Demo Tapes – Year 1
By Susan Helene Gottfried
http://westofmars.com/
ISBN: 978-0557023448
Length: 132 Pages
I’m so sorry about the technical difficulties that have been happening around here lately. They’ve been weird. Sometimes the site is down for me but not for others. Sometimes it’s down for one friend, fine for me and find for other friends. EESH. Stop already, okay?
Hello and welcome to the first ever What I’m Reading. Every now and then I put up my massive list of books that are on my TBR self. (Yeah, I was eventually forced to by a shelf.)
Woohoo!