I liked this a lot ... it just takes that little something extra (is this a book I want to buy and keep in my personal library for reference, one I would absolutely recommend to others, has profound parts I had to stop and highlight/make notes) to bump to 5* for me. I had no trouble finishing this, it kept my interest, I was moved by the author's situation and how he and his wife handled things. Thumbs up, glad I read it. 

Often I'll get a book recommendation (I'm on several Facebook Book groups) and I'll put anything that looks remotely interesting on my library wishlist. I moved this to my holds, and when it became available, I checked it out and started without even re-reading the blurb to know what it was I was getting into. Took me a minute to realize this was a memoir, non-fiction, not a novel.

This was written in a very conversational tone, like the author was telling his story to the reader. That being said, there was a bit of medical language, technical stuff, but also some nice writing ... "But the box of crayons was perfect, a full panoply of everything you could want ..." I had noticed the word panoply (an extensive or impressive collection) in a previous read, looking up the definition. I think this is only the second time I've heard it in use. 

I studied sign language in college (through interpreting level, although I never really could carry on a conversation). I learned a lot about the deaf culture in classes. My sister learned ASL and has been an interpreter for years (her husband also).  The author's experience with deafness IS very different than deaf culture (born deaf) and he does address these differences. Cochlear implants are viewed very differently. It was interesting to learn a little more of the science behind how they work.

Another memoir I'd read recently [book:The Night the Lights Went Out: A Memoir of Life After Brain Damage|56637945] felt a little similar to this.  That author also suffered with hearing loss after his "lights went out" and ended up with a cochlear implant, and had a similar situation where it was damaged (can't remember if he tried the rice trick).  Hubs has some hearing loss, so the "good ear" being his right ear, always trying to be on that side for conversations ... there was some connection there. Of course very minor comparatively to this author's experience. 

I went with the audio edition ... this is narrated by the author. He made several statements about wanting to be sure that he kept his voice (which can be a struggle when you can't hear yourself speak). He did a really good job, a bit dry, but under the circumstances, quite incredible. There was a slight uniqueness to his speech, not something I can put my finger on. It's something I notice with my SIL as well (had her jaw crushed in an ATV accident, mouth rebuilt) ... there were so many things the author went through, that I doubt any speech shifts were even related to his deafness, but to other factors. 

Per the title (I like the title, and the cover) - "soundtrack" and music plays a HUGE part of this story. The author quotes lyrics from so many songs. I think everyone likes music, but it's obvious how intrinsic it it/was to the author, which makes his loss even more tragic. I note, when songs are mentioned in books, if the narrator sings or speaks the lyrics. Here, they were spoken (which sometimes annoys me when in a novel, the character is singing) ... and it was fine. A little "patter speak" so that even if I didn't recognize the lyrics directly (which I actually did 90% of the time I think) I could tell he was quoting lyrics. Each chapter started with a line of lyrics, and more were included in the text (in Italics). 

On the one hand, a book like this, a look at another life, the struggles and successes, can be very motivational and inspirational. On the other hand, it can be a bit depressing, "how come I feel sad and struggle when I haven't gone through anything like this ... I must not be nearly as impressive a person" That's a me problem I guess. 

Completely clean - no language or sex.