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There are currently 21 member reviews
for Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets
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Wendy E. (Mechanicsville, VA)
Interesting premise
Like so many other first readers/reviewers, I had a tough time at the start. Once she gets to Scotland the story picks up. Those readers hoping for more "adventures in bookselling" will not find it here. There is a good bit of 20 something angst. But the Scottish adventure and the romance should keep most readers engaged and perhaps inspire a few "wild hair" trips.
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Vicki O. (Boston, MA)
You Won't Learn about Rockets
This engaging memoir is NOT about a dysfunctional family. It is Jessica Fox's story about how instinct led her to leave a job as a filmmaker at NASA and Google helped her find her destination – a second hand bookstore in Wigtown, Scotland. Waiting for her is Euan, bookstore proprietor and future romantic interest. Fox spins her tale with keen and often humorous observations about her new relationship and her adopted countryside. It's an entertaining enough read and one that may even bring a smile to your face.
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Betty T. (Warner Robins, GA)
The Witless Fox
I began reading this book with great enthusiasm which was quickly dampened. The first part of the book is very slow and quite boring. She lives a high stress life in Los Angeles that she wants to escape. Then she takes off for Scotland on a whim. Okay, that I can relate to. I've done similar trips.
The bookshop sounds delightful (for those of us who LOVE the physical books.) Wigtown is quaint with pleasant people. She was warmly welcomed. A romance blossomed between Jessica and Euan, the shop owner.
It was fun to read of the cultural differences -- Brazil wax, anyone? I'm sure Jessica hurt for a few days after trying to remove the wax. And the party where the local townspeople were told to "dress American", so most of them came with pillows and cushions stuffed into their clothing so they would be "fat Americans". Jessica learned quickly that in that little town, if one person knew something everyone would very shortly know it. But they were all supportive of each other.
What really kind of bothered me was that Jessica, 25 years old, seemed to just kind of drift. She really didn't pay much attention to details, such as visa details. She also seemed to let Euan by with quite a bit. Yes, he was a really nice guy to everyone but she didn't draw any lines. But then she was on a visa living with him. And Euan has a fairly passive personality meaning he has problems making a decision. There's the usual ups and downs of a relationship. But there's the added problems of cultural differences and visa complications. You are never really sure how it will work it.
If, like me, you are curious as to how The Bookshop looks (after all, it says it is so huge), check out the following link. http://jessicafox.info/
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Mary Ann B. (Louisville, KY)
Lost in Wigtown
Jessica Fox's memoir of finding love in the world is an okay read. With the description of the book, I thought it would be more about her adventure working in a bookshop. It is actually about her deciding to do major changes in her life. That premise is okay also, except she's 26. If you like 20 something angst, this is for you.
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Freya H. (Phoenix, AZ)
Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets
Following a dream is one of the most intriguing things about this book. That Jessica chose Scotland AND working in a book store was wonderful. The characters were interesting, and the book went quickly. However, I'm baffled by the title.
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Bobbie D. (Boca Raton, FL)
The Bookstore
Jessica Fox, then age 26, has written a memoir called, Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets. Other than the fact that she was employed for a period of time at NASA, the title seems to be a misnomer. She is a film director doing free lance work, even while at NASA. Needing a vacation, she searches the internet and finds a book store she is intrigued by in a small town, Wigtown, Scotland. Her time spent there is the center of the story. As a Jewish American, she is carefully observed by the locals, especially the owner of The Bookstore, Euan. Jessica takes us through her ups and downs, her romances past and current, her insecurities, and even her chats with "Herman Melville". She likes to use the Yiddish word "shpilkus" quite often which I interpret to mean restless or edgy.
She begins each chapter with a quote from an author and the exact physical location of the book, (ex-second shelf on the left in the gallery). They were fun to read.
I was interested enough to finish the book.
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Anne M. (Austin, TX)
Don't waste your time
This is one of the worst-written books I have ever read -- the "prose" is overwrought and the "action" it's supposedly non-fiction is pretty much non-existent. I don't know if Jessica Fox's movies actually get made or distributed, but if so, I don't know how.
The book is the story of her "meet-cute" with a bookshop owner in Scotland, and the resulting "relationship" that develops from her month-long stay after she essentially invites herself "working" at the shop. No idea how Euan stands her nor she him: both of them are the biggest passive-aggressive types I've ever read about. Save your money and time and don't bother.
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