I’ve loved Rob Sheffield by the time I finished reading the last line of the book. I couldn’t believe it was over that I wanted to cry. But I always want to cry whenever I finish a really good book. It’s a bittersweet goodbye. It’s like he’s telling me, “thank you for going on this journey with me, thank you for putting up with the story of my life, listening to my mix tapes, letting me share my heart with you. But we both have to move on, go make new friends, discover new music and meet people to share that music with.” I’m still a bit reluctant to move on. I’ve enjoyed being in his world for the last few weeks, I’m not ready to let go.
But that’s just how it is with great books. Even if it makes you sad that it’s over, the joy of being part of that whole experience overpowers the nostalgia and sadness. It’s saying goodbye to really good friends but with renewed spirit to meet new ones (I have started reading his other book, Talking to Girls About Duran Duran: One Young Man’s Quest for True Love and a Cooler Haircut).
Love is a Mix Tape is—more than anything—an experience. Mix tapes mark the chapters in Sheffield’s life—from meeting, falling in love with, and marrying his late wife Renee, to his life before and after Renee. The book is heartwarming, heartbreaking at some parts, nostalgic overall. It’s a love story between man and music. It’s a tribute to the coolest girl who loved hats and made her own clothes and dyed her hair red. It’s a shoutout to the greatest songs of all time (mainstream and underground), and the not-so-great-songs who still made certain people happy.
“Love hurts. Love stinks. Love bites, love bleeds, love is the drug. The troubadours of our times all agree: They want to know what love is, and they want you to show them. But the answer is simple. Love is a mix tape.”
I want to share the great experience with you so bad. Click here to download the Love is a Mix Tape e-book for free. 
