I'm sure reading this as a blog would be amazing but I really struggled with this book. It has taken me so long to finish. I just couldn't get into it at all, which is why it's taken me so long. I've had to read it like I would a blog, daily and even then I've eye rolled and struggled.

I'm glad it's over!

It Starts with a Fish is a delightful collection of stories that will have you laughing out loud and nodding in agreement as you flip through the pages. The short sections make it easy to pick up and put down, perfect for reading on the go or during a quick break.

Although I had never heard of Emily Kemme's blog before, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the snippets featured in this book. It made me curious to learn more about her writing and I can see how this book will attract new readers to her audience.

My only wish is that I had known more about the blog itself before diving into the book. It would have added a deeper level of connection and meaning to the stories. However, even without that background knowledge, It Starts with a Fish was a solid and enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone looking to dip their toes into Emily Kemme's writing.

At times, it can get very random but I think that can add to its appeal. You never know what’s coming ahead. That said, you might feel like you have to read and read to get to something good. The writing is optimistic which is perhaps expected from mom blogger pieces. I did question its depth or lack thereof but maybe I’m expecting this book to be like my regular melancholic reads. Overall, its writing might be for people who are after something quick, random and playful.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I received a free copy of It Starts with a Fish from Netgalley and Loudhailer Books in exchange for an honest review.
It Starts with a Fish is a laugh-out-loud, share-a-knowing-smile, relatable read. The short sections make it easy to meander through, taking it in at your own pace. I enjoyed reading snippets from this blog, though I’d never heard of it, but it wasn’t necessary to know. Rather, I think this will bring new readers into Emily Kemme’s audience as they will undoubtedly want more about where these stories came from.
However, I wish I’d known more about the blog itself rather than going in without any foreknowledge. It would have felt more special, more substantial. Instead, it was a solid, enjoyable read that I would recommend as a place to test out reading Emily Kemme’s blog.

A random collection of blog posts mushed together. Having never read the author’s blog, to me this was haphazardly organized, jumping all over the place and lacking any cohesive narrative or flow. None of the “posts” were particularly riveting, focused on non-events and the mundane minutiae of daily life. Not really sure why anyone felt the need to publish this as a book when one can simply find the blog if interested in following the author’s daily life.

Thank you netgalley for letting me read and review It starts with a fish.

I found this book very informative and interesting. It was fun to see how the author dealt with family, life, blogging, and raising kids.

Some of the book was pretty entertaining to read about.

I was always so excited to find out what was on the next page.

netgalley
#itstartswithafish

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review. I liked the cover and the description, but there is where the like ends. I am not the target audience for this book, so it was not a good match for me.

I understand other reviewers comments about feeling as if they've stumbled upon someone's conversation.

"It Starts with a Fish" came from reader requests to publish posts from the author's blog; Feeding the Famished. I imagine the selections chosen were the most popular posts. So, this is a culmination of several years of "relationship building" that I was not a part of.

To me, not having read this author's blog, the stories had no order or theme. It was just jumping from thing to thing. It did inspire me to go find her blog. I read a few and her chronicles of daily minutiae were just not my style.

Princess Fuzzypants here: In a series of blog posts, the author explores many facets of her life and her world. The title comes from a fish her daughter adopted who may have met an untimely end when the same daughter adopted a cat and did not put up any defences for the fish. A lot of her writing is bittersweet, life with a wry angle. There is a little self-deprecating humour but not the guffaws of someone like Erma Bombeck. It perhaps as much a reflection of the times as it is the author.

I found myself speed reading through some posts while I lingered over others. Hers is an interesting point of view. Four purrs and two paws up.

It Starts with a Fish is a collection of blog posts detailing events or even non-events in the author’s life. It’s a random amalgamation of experiences running from 2015 to 2020 and covers family, pets, friends, and everyday occurrences.

While I thank the author for the clean script grammar- and punctuation-wise, I must confess I did not finish the book. It’s very rare that I don’t finish one, especially one to review. However, about forty pages before the end, I had to give up.

This is not a reflection on the posts themselves, it was the amalgamation into one book that did it for me. As blog posts, these work very well as they are a glimpse into the author’s life and can be read and savoured as posted. Altogether, however, they felt like too much information all at once. I was hoping for more humour or life lessons, and maybe if these were read weekly or monthly, the “telling” of experiences would work for the reader. But this felt more like a diary. If I knew the author, this might have been different, but I guess I didn’t feel the personal connection and the posts didn’t resonate with me. Another reason the book didn’t feel right was that info was repeated. For example, if the stories were read when posted, the author may have to remind the reader of family names or other info just to bring them back to where the previous post left off. Here, reading the posts one after the other, you’d have the reader reminded each time of a family name or the fact that a certain person played this role in the family.

I commend the author on putting so much of herself out there for the world to see, but the format was not enough for me to hold my interest.

Thanks to NetGalley and Loudhailer Books for the opportunity to review the book.

This was a quick read, and the essays were overall enjoyable, written with humor and heart. It's a perfect book to pick up now and then to read one or two essays and reflect on them. The author strikes a nice, mild philosophical tone that I liked, even if some of the essays weren't relatable to me.

This is a book of short stories written in blogs.

I'm afraid this wasn't for me as it had no structure to it and I was unable to connect to anything which ended up making my mind wander. I felt as though I was being preached to.
There really is nothing good about it I can say. I do apologize.
As a teacher would put at the bottom of this "Must do better"
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. xxx

I have never read any of the blogs by this author but really enjoyed these little views into her life and family often laughing out loud at anecdotes that reflect similar situations in my household. An enjoyable read.

An intimate open group of essays about her life.Entertaining interesting really enjoyed.#netgalley #itstartswithfish

Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me, I really wanted to like it, LOVED the title and though hey this is different.
Sadly it just didn’t work for me, the blog posts etc . I don’t know it was just like reading a random persons day but just nothing to keep me hooked or anything.

This is a collection of blog posts that made me feel like I was reading someone's daily diary, and not an exciting one at that. The author's musings just weren't interesting or relatable to me. I felt like I was reading a stranger's emails sent to their friends and family: very bored and far removed from the events and people mentioned.

If you're curious as to the author's writing style, I'd recommend going to her blog and reading a few posts before purchasing this. The best part of the book was the adorable cover.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Not really my cup of tea I'm afraid. I am Definitely not the typical demographic for this book. I was invited to read it and I'm afraid I only read a quarter before I decided I had read enough.

This is definitely a conversation piece. These short stories give you all the feelings. A quick read that’s an intimate reflection on the author.

Hmmm... I read it, but didn't find it funny in the least. In fact I wondered why it had been made into a book. I found it rather boring in spite of looking forward to reading a book by a new author, at least new to me.

Her blog articles may have made her feel good about her writing, but they were mostly instances of ordinary life. My life is far more interesting and I would not think of publishing them as a blog thinking that others would care to read the blog. I, too, have had the attorney, mother, etc. life and thought I'd be able to relate to what another woman would say having the same careers, but no, it was not to be. She may have many followers who will love it, but I will not be among them.

I'm afraid my review is not flattering, yet for NetGalley I must give an honest opinion, I wish I had more positive things to say about the book.

“It Starts with a Fish”- A Smorgasbord of Stories from Feeding the Famished,” by Emily Kemme is a collection of blog posts from the author’s blog, “Feeding the Famished”. Each chapter is based on a post; posts encompass 2012-2020. During this time, the author’s children grow up and become accomplished young adults, and the author also “grows up”, by acquiring self-assurance and maturity from writing her blog.

The book is somewhat enjoyable- a mix of humor and the philosophical, at times a bit “preachy”. The first chapter is “It Starts with a Fish”- caring for a fish can be the first step to respect, empathy and anything else the world deals us. This is a good book to keep on your night stand. You can read a chapter or two at a time and ponder it. If you are familiar with the author’s blog, then this will give you a closer connection to the Ms. Kemme.

You may not agree with the author’s political views, but I believe you will agree that this is a book with heart. School, sports, cycling, house remodeling, vacations and holidays are all topics that the author considers as she sorts out how to have an enriched life.

Thanks to Net Galley and Loudhailer books for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.