The Only Pirate at the Party

If you have ever seen Lindsey perform via Youtube or live in concert, this book provides a glimpse into her beginnings, her roots, and her passion. I have seen her live in concert three times in three cities and she never disappoints as a dancer, musician, or as an amazing human being full of drive, passion, and faith. A MUST READ!

Just what I expected from Lindsey Stirling, she is funny and made me laugh and there were parts I sat and cried. I could relate to many of the stories she told, of being different and marching to a different drum. Her rise to fame was not an easy road and she'd have it no other way. Very inspirational and I recommend it without reservation.

Success in any form takes countless hours of practice and skill honing. It's not for everyone to be so driven, passionate and ultimately successful. The book is so utterly honest and personal, I could see a little bit of myself between the pages that I could relate to, as can others. Recommended for all age groups to see how Lindsey did it her way!

I never read any thing non-fiction let alone biographical; but I absolutely loved this book. Lindsey doesn't spare herself shame, doesn't hide from short comings, and ultimately teaches some life lessons along the way; I would recommend this to anyone who asked.

Lindsey tells it like it is. She is one of the most talented person I have ever seen. She plays her violin, dances very well, does photography, does her own editing, well, actually, she does it all and then she writes about it in her tell all book. You can't tell that I love her as well as her book. I learned a lot of things I didn't know even though I have been following her since she started on YouTube. I couldn't put the book down then I was sad when it finished. It was fantastic.

I received the book the day it was released by preordering it. I like that option! It's the convenience of going out and getting the book the day it's available, but without having to leave my house! The book is amazing and truly inspiring.

This beautiful book perfectly exemplifies the inspirational story Lindsey has to share with us all, everything from her message to the world on overcoming even the hardest struggles, endless laughter in childhood memories with a boundless imagination, the fun life growing up outside the box and life as a musician in the ever-changing industry! On top of learning a lot about Lindsey's life and her road to becoming a successful musician by molding into her own unique category and proving that being different is a great thing, I learned so much about myself after reading her insight and how each and every one of us has the power to achieve anything through practicing a positive mindset and by expressing our true inner selves.

I just love it so much, every page was an adventure. Everything from smiles, laughs, tears, and advice on overcoming struggles that each of us will face at some point in life. There is so much I learned that I find very applicable to situations in my life and how I can help make a difference and ultimately find inner peace and happiness with my own self, and for this I am so grateful for the inspiration held in each page.

Lindsey and Brooke wrote this beautifully from the heart and I definitely recommend everyone dive into the adventurous and inspiring life of Lindsey! I also had the opportunity to meet Lindsey and Brooke at their book signings and chat about the book! Definitely a very amazing experience I am so grateful for, they are so so sweet :)

Very funny, thrilling and touching. It will make you smile, laugh and maybe get you on the edge of tears a few times. But what I really love and appreciate about it is this. Writer is completely honest with its readers, no lies, no hidings. If you want to know better this beautiful person, here is your chance.

I love Lindsey's music and everything she does. This book is an interesting insight into her life and her experiences from childhood, teenage years, touring, making music, and how she became famous.. A Must Buy!

Reading this book was an emotional rollercoaster ride for me. Lindsey's stories about her teenage years are very relatable for me. Reading at how she was able to overcome such problems brings me hope. And some parts made me laugh as well. Worth reading!

This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I had to stop reading a couple times for a few minutes so that I wouldn't get the pages wet with my tears. That's not to say this book doesn't have happy moments, it does and it makes you laugh.

If you follow Lindsey Stirling and wanted to know how she got to where she is now, I think this is a great book, easy to read and fun to read. Her stories are so much like her, that you can see her in every chapter. Learning about her is very interesting. If you don't know who she is, I doubt this book will get you to understand her.

Comparing Lindsey Stirling to other people would be like comparing the sun to the other stars. Everything she does is pure Heaven, and listening to her talk about her life is no exception. I'm in love with her.

She's been my idol since I discovered her music in early 2012. I went to see her on her first tour and every subsequent tour. Reading this book has just proven to me event more that she is a great role model and someone I will always look up to.

My daughters are big fans of Lindsey, and one of them requested this as a delayed Christmas present. I hurried and read through it first and I really enjoyed it. Lindsey's story is interesting and well told, probably thanks to her sister and co-writer Brooke. I would have called myself a casual fan before, because I enjoyed the videos I'd seen of hers and the concert I attended with my girls, but I don't think I would have picked up this book if not for my daughter. I'm so glad I did, and I'm a real fan now. I took to YouTube after reading the book to watch some of her music videos with new appreciation for Lindsey's talent and hard work.
I found Lindsey's struggles to be very relatable even though I've never faced anorexia or been rejected on a national talent show. I think we all face demons and deal with disappointment, and it was nice to read her perspective and the lessons she's learned through her trials and experiences. I found the descriptions of the showbiz world and life on tour to be quite interesting, and I enjoyed reading about her relationships with her family members and bandmates. When I got to the end of the book, not having heard about Gavi's recent passing, my heart just broke. I would be really interested to hear from Lindsey on the things she's experienced and learned in the past couple of months going through that kind of heartbreak.
Anyway, bottom line - even if you're a casual Lindsey fan, I think this is worth reading.

If you've been following me for a while, you know that I've tried several memoirs by YouTube celebrities and did not like any of them. If you haven't been following me for a while, you're probably rolling your eyes a little and thinking, "Then why are you reading this, huh? Didn't you learn your lesson the last three times?" In response to this question: 1) No. And 2) What's a lesson?

I've actually been listening to Lindsey's music for only about a year (late in the game, I know). I wish I could say that it was an independent discovery, but I don't even have that claim to fame. Someone I know likes her music a lot, so I got them her two CDs as a gift. Curious, I played a few of her songs on YouTube and was blown away - by the music, the crossing of genres, the talent, the dancing, the energy, the outfits.

My favorite songs by her are probably Senbonzakura, which is a cover of a Vocaloid song; Master of Tides, which is an incredible live performance with a nautical theme; and Minimal Beat, which is pretty much what it sounds like, paired with a montage of Lindsey on tour, greeting her fans in a multitude of countries in a multitude of outfits. If it sounds like I'm hung up on the outfits, that's because I am. Her fashion sense = life goals.

But it sucks learning the dirt on your favorite celebrities because sometimes when you peek into their closets you find not just skeletons but meanness. Nothing is worse than finding out a celebrity you love and adore is actually not a nice person. So that was a definite fear of mine when I was debating on reading THE ONLY PIRATE AT THE PARTY. But then her memoir got nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award, so I bit the bullet and checked it out from the library.

I really shouldn't have doubted.

Not because this memoir sucked, but because it was so awesome. Shame on me for thinking that somebody with so much talent, passion, energy, and intelligence wouldn't be able to string to words together. I finished THE ONLY PIRATE AT THE PARTY in a day, basically. Lindsey talks about her unconventional childhood, her Mormon faith (which actually causes some pretty sticky restraints on her wardrobe - that poor stylist, haha), her road to stardom, and her struggle with anxiety and eating disorders. She was charming and real, and just awkward enough to make you feel like you were actually reading somebody's private journal, and hearing their inner-most thoughts.

It really made me appreciate how difficult it is to achieve fame when you're starting out from nothing. I know most celebrity memoirs make that claim, but Lindsey shared some of her humiliations, like being shunned by a famous singer and his orchestra at a concert they were performing at together, and her rejection from the judges of America's Got Talent. I found it inspiring how she always tried to look for the silver lining in even the worst situations, and kept looking for new opportunities.

Honestly, I haven't been this psyched about a memoir since Mara Wilson's and Felicia Day's.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

I have read quite a few books, and many biographies, but this is draws you in like no other book I have read to date. Brooke conveys Lindsey's quirk and individuality masterfully. Run, do not walk, to your nearest bookstore an grab this book! NO! do not order it online, you do not want to wait that long.

This is the story of a normal girl from Provo, Utah overcoming odds against public and her own personal opinion to become, not only a huge success online with over a billion views, but one of the most enduring and greatest moral role models of our time. This book takes you deep into Lindsey's world and on a journey you will not soon forget as you laugh out loud and ball up crying.

To watch her videos is one thing, to see her perform is an experience, but to ride along on her journey is an entire thing altogether. She stands as a unique and uncompromising artist, performer, director, businesswoman, and now author. What an excellent read!

The music industry has always run on Sex and Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll!! But not for Lindsey Stirling.

The Only Pirate at the Party is Lindsey Stirling’s autobiography…. Okay, is it still an autobiography when you co-write it with your sister? That’s not like having a ghost writer, right? Anyway, this is Lindsey’s story about carving out a career in music her own way.

I’m not exactly someone who follows TV “talent” shows and their stream of supposedly talented winners, let alone the people who lose those “talent” shows. I guess you could say I prefer a different kind of music, one that isn’t aimed at generating money off of teenagers voting and selling them insipid cover versions of songs. So it is odd that I would stumble across a crazily good dubstep/electronica dancing violinist who was one of the failed contestants on America’s Got Talent (now there’s an oxymoron title). It was the incongruous appeal of Lindsey’s music that had me interested in her background and thus, this book.

Lindsey’s story of success is not only interesting, but deeply personal. She discusses all sorts of personal issues, such as her love of Jesus – as defined by a 19th century con man – and her battle with anorexia. The starkest moments come in the audiobook version when Lindsey talks about her longtime bandmate/friend Jason Gaviati. Between the time when the book was written and when the audiobook was recorded, Jason died of cancer. Like I said: deeply personal.

Even if you aren’t a fan of her music, there is a lot to be taken away from this story. Lindsey’s tale of success comes from hard work and making her own opportunities. And how can you not enjoy the music?

How can those evil people that judged Lindsey about her creativity and uniqueness try to censor away such amazing talent from the general population. It makes me think what other hidden talented individuals are out there lacking that motivation that pushed lindsey over others' expectations. Remember to stay true to yourself "The only reason I am successful is because I have stayed true to myself"

I really enjoyed Lindsey Stirling's (and Brooke Passey's) book! I finished it in less than 2 days. It really is nice to see behind the scenes of Lindsey and what made her who she is today! She is always so modest, but she really is talented in many ways other than just the violin playing. She is such in individual that is so creative and never gives up. Her public persona gives off so much confidence and happiness. She has always been a social butterfly, but seeing her struggles to get to where she is today really made her real and down to earth.

I have respected her for her multiple talents. It is so awesome to see her put all of them together and to have made such a successful career for herself. I have always been interested in the violin and dancing, but neither were ever my forte. I was hoping she would talk a little bit more about the passion for dancing and being able to bring that into her career. She talked only a little bit about it when she had to find a way to be original for Junior Miss, but I was hoping to see some of that struggle and development like when she was on the YouTube dancing show (the name is slipping my mind). I have done cosplay myself but am not creative when designing or thinking of creative costume ideas. And sewing, no way... I have though, made some home fan videos (Matrix and Legend of Zelda) and doing the editing for that was something I felt I had in common with Lindsey and her talent and passion for editing her own works to perfection.

This book was just amazing overall, hands down (and Im not just saying this because Im a big Lindsey Stirling fan in general, I mean I totally am, but thats not why I loved this book; more like only a small part of why I loved this book to be more exact) I also should mention this is the first memoir Ive ever read as well. Brooke does an amazing job with her writing skills and making everything run smoothly from chapter to chapter. She knows her subject (Lindsey aka her sister) very well, so well the whole time I was reading I picture it in exactly Lindsey voice as I was reading it ^_^ I love Brooke's use of humor and seriousness throughout each part of the book because it kept making me want more. This book makes you laugh and cry all in one, and to me thats the best kind of book/author to read and have. Each section of the book was amazing as it gave me a closer look into the side of Lindsey's life we don't get to see on a daily basis, from building self confidence to family dramas, and friendship this book covers it all. I loved seeing this side of Lindsey and learning more about her then I ever did before. My favorite parts were the toughest parts when she shared about her family life, her eating disorder, and self confidence issues overall. Throughout these parts I wanted to just give Lindsey a big hug, and at the same time feel inspired by her struggles as well. Reading this book has made me gain more respect for Lindsey not only as a person but as a true artist as well. I use to consider Lindsey my hero and role model for life, and this book just makes those feelings even more true for me. The only part I truly disliked is I need/want more. I wish the book turned out to be 500 pages instead of 200 plus pages. Some of the topics I would have liked them to have gone more in depth with but I understand the reasons they may have kept some stuff out. I really hope her and Brooke will continue to write more in the future as they make the perfect writing duo together. 5 million out of 5 million stars for this one! You will not be disappointed. A total must read for any hard core Lindsey/Brooke fan out there, and also for those haters out there too. This girl is amazing, and like the old saying goes, never judge a book by its cover. Lindsey is a great person inside and out. Her book only proves that to you more and more as you dive deeper into each chapter of this amazing book. I loved it to pieces and pieces :D

For those of you familiar with violinist Lindsey Stirling’s hyperactive—but always cute—cheerfulness and enthusiasm, this is a distilled and bottled version of all that sunshine in concentrated form. Right off the bat she explains why it’s good to be a pirate, though not when your mom tells you to wash the dishes.
As expected, this is basically in chronological order, a good idea as we see the development of that giant personality through childhood. I’m frankly amazed by how much she remembers of those years; it’s probably just me, but I hardly remember anything from that age. Plus her father seems to have recorded every moment of her life, if you’ve ever seen the video playing during one of her concerts. The Tooth Fairy story is the best, especially her kid rationalization as to why her friend got more money than she did.
That kind of quirky thought process is showcased throughout the book, but once she gets to a certain point she also opens up about her worst moments, especially fighting an eating disorder and depression. I can see a lot of people recommending this book to those currently suffering, to let them know they’re not alone.
But the bulk of this book showcases her humor; she can even be sarcastic without sounding snarky, which is not easy. One chapter is about her experiences with alcohol and drugs; it’s as long as this sentence. If you’ve seen any of her personal videos on “The Tubes,” you’ll find her just as silly here, and that’s exactly what I was looking for when I picked this up. Nothing better in a book—or a person—than a sense of humor.
The biggest laugh of many was when she thought she heard escrow and got it completely wrong. {Escrow ≠ escort.}
4.5 pushed up to 5/5

I really enjoyed reading this book and learning more about Lindsey Stirling's journey. I remember hearing about Lindsey Stirling about the time that her album "Shatter Me" came out. I liked this book for the same reasons I like her music. It is full of spunk and originality. It is the real deal and it felt genuine. It didn't sugar coat anything or make her seem like a "perfect celebrity". She shows her vulnerable side and shares her struggles along with the triumphs. You could really see and feel her personality come through the pages. I admire her for standing up for what she believes in and not giving in to the pressures of the Music Industry. Sometimes it's easy to believe that celebrities are always confident and never doubt themselves. I liked that even though Lindsey found herself in situations that may have been out of her comfort zone, she didn't shrink from them. She pushed forward. That is inspiring to me and makes me feel like I can do the same thing. I really enjoyed this book and I feel like I got to know the person, Lindsey Stirling, better.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. This book was amazing. The book that I want to review is called The Only Pirate At The Party. It was written by Lindsey Stirling and Brooke S. Passey. The publisher is Gallery Books. This book is an autobiography. It talks about the life of Lindsey Stirling. It is the first book she has written. It was published on January 12, 2016. If you are not familiar with her work she is a very talented violinist. She has traveled on tours in many different countries.
The book starts out when she was a little girl, and moves through the rest of her life including college. It talks about her life when she was a little girl and her family, and what she did to make life as a violinist a reality instead of a fantasy. In the college part of the book she was having trouble trying to start her career. Then she gets friends to help her career into a success.Then for the last part of the book she talks about stories that have happened so far in her career. Which I found interesting. I liked this book because I like her work a lot and when I heard that she wrote a book I was so excited. I thought it was a great novel and well put together. I liked it so much I couldn’t put it down. I do encourage you to read this book if you like reading about famous people. I do think this is a good book and hopefully will like this book how I liked it too. Thank you for reading this book review.
-James

Ladies, Gentlemen, Lindsey Stirling, Brooke S. Passey, Stirlingites, and Phelbabuddies alike, this is my OFFICIAL SPOILER-FREE BOOK REVIEW for "The Only Pirate At the Party." My SPOILER-FILLED REVIEW will be up BY TOMORROW. Anyway, let's set sail shall we (;-))?

The moment Lindsey AND Brooke announced they were writing a memoir about, well Lindsey, I was both excited as a fan can be, but I was also very VERY nervous seeing how this is their first BOOK publication like ever. Could they pull of a memoir? Then I remembered I've read Stephen J. Stirling's Persona Non Grata a year prior to this book's announcement and I already stated how much fun and amazing it was to read THAT. So, in the end I became less scare and more excited.

So, now that I finally managed to complete "The Only Pirate At the Party," there is only one question that NEEDS to be answered and that is, "is this book any good?"

I have never read an autobiography as fun, as emotional, as ENTERTAINING as this one in my life. The minute I opened page one, I immediately imagined Lindsey WAS sitting right inside my brain and reading the book to me. And, no, I didn't pick up the audio book until today actually. I wanted to see the difference between reading on my own and reading via audiobook. With or without the audiobook, it truly felt like both Lindsey and Brooke actually made a time machine (in the form of a book of course) and took the reader back in time and discuss all of Lindsey's major life events. I'll get back to the audiobook portion later on with this review.

In actuality, the writing is a tad bit general. Like at times, I felt I was kind of reading an advertisement from a magazine or whatever and I am not sure whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. Also, my only bit of criticism is that there could have been some key timeline points. Like let us know what year this event happened in Lindsey's life. Sometimes, the story would randomly jump us back and forth through various time eras in Lindsey's life. Adding the year or at least something like "Flashback to something years ago" would have been a lot helpful.

Other than that I had a blast reading this book. I was laughing at moments when I wanted to laugh, I cried at moments when I wanted to cry. To me, autobiographies would often feel forced and make the person you want to learn more about seem less interesting than they already are. When turning every page of this book, Lindsey Stirling went from being an incredible inspiring and interesting individual to a INCREDIBLY INCREDIBLE INSPIRING AND INTERESTING INDIVIDUAL (I call it the 5 I's ;-)). This wasn't forced at all and I was hooked from start to finish.

Now on to the audiobook, Lindsey Stirling can READ A BOOK PEOPLE. Any words coming from her own voice is always a joy. However, one of the chapters was out of place. Like when I was listening and reading, one chapter that appeared later in the book came early in the audiobook. Let me know if this has happened to you as well.

Anyway, I am really glad my wish came true in hoping this book be good. It was more than good. It was real page turner. Please, I highly recommend you find SOMEWAY to gain access to "The Only Pirate at the Party." If you have picked it up and got her and Brooke to sign it, let me know what you think of it.

Thank you for reading my review and don't forget at a spoiler-filled review will be up by tomorrow (so if you haven't read the book, don't look for the post titled SPOILER-FILLED BOOK REVIEW, TRUST ME, YOU WILL REGRET IT) Once again, thanks for you time, enjoy your books, have fun, and as always, KSLL :-)

There's a reason I have this book - Lindsey Stirling is one of my favourite performers. Could that person still come across though in the written word? The answer is a resounding yes.

You get insights into the events of her childhood and youth that helped shape her. You get a crystal clear image of how central to her life her family and faith is. Her sense of humour and her charm is in every page. You get insights into her struggles with eating disorders and depression. You get a peek into how much her life has changed in the past few years - the highs, the lows, the lessons, the joy, and the people she tours with.

The book is her opening up and sharing, and if you're a fan or just want to learn a bit more about who she is - this book is a must read.

Lindsey Stirling's book, The Only Pirate At The Party, had me engrossed right from the start. Her voice really shines through and helps you get to know the genuine, talented person behind the violin riffs and sweet dance moves. She starts from her not-the-richest, but fantastic childhood and goes all the way to the present with her sold-out shows and after-tour blues (and everything in between). She opens up about some of her deepest struggles, her faith, friends, family, and drive to realize her goals along with constant self-improvement. She has an amazingly clean sense of humor, which is a huge breath of fresh air. Even if you don't usually enjoy biographies or autobiographies, you will enjoy this one if you're a musician, a fan of Lindsey, or interested in what she's doing. As a young entrepreneur in a different industry with morals and standards, I really appreciated her honesty, the ups without hiding the downs, and her insights that were tastefully written. She doesn't write from a place of "arrival", but a realization that there is always more to reach while staying humble, faithful, true to yourself, and a blessing to other people. Well done, Lindsey; people like you definitely make the world a better place.

Love this book!! I was worried buying an autobiography from someone I really look up to in fear that it would be self centered in a sense of "I accomplished this and that oh and this!" but Lindsey proved once again to be amazing. This book has her silly personality while also getting serious about struggles along the way. I really enjoyed the part on her eating disorder because it gave me a new insight I never thought of! But overall the stories about getting where she is today are AWESOME + Hilarious and I plan on reading this book again at least 10 more times. You won't regret reading this!

Confessed Stirling-ite here, this book was on my Christmas list! I was excited when I got the book this morning, and dove right in. I couldn't put it down and just finished reading it minutes ago. The book is interesting, inspiring, refreshing, and fun to read...just like Lindsey's songs and original music videos! I loved how personal and relate-able her stories are. Getting a glimpse inside the head of someone who's music I love and relate to, yet who is so different than me in lots of ways (I'm a 47 year old "Dude" for starters, to quote Lindsey!) is fascinating. But I think the reason I loved reading her story the most is to hear (and thereby share in) the incredible story of her triumph over obstacles that many people fail to conquer. Its the story of making a dream come true through perseverance, grit, and staying true to her principles instead of joining the herd. This book shows why Lindsey Stirling stands on a stage of her own that is beyond, and far better than what Hollywood, the music industry, and our image-obsessed culture has erected for its Titans of celebrity.

At first, I didn't think I'd buy it and it's not because I don't like Lindsey, because I do. It's because I usually do not buy autobiographies. That being said, I took the plunge and used one of my credits and I'm glad I did.

I'll admit it. Listening to Lindsey tell the story of her life in snippets was like listening to a friend catching you up on their everyday life. The chapters were funny, and some were so touching. I admire Lindsey for continuing to be open and honest about her faith in God. Not just that, but admitting some fun, but embarrassing tidbits!! Some parts were funny, and others tugged at my heart strings. The audio evoked a lot of emotions, and I am glad that Lindsey took the time to record this and share her story with the world. If you've been hesitant to buy this audio book, download it now!

Lindsey, if you ever read fan reviews, I wish you continued success. May you keep dancing, and doing what you love.

Awesome book! I could not put it down! I read it all in one afternoon. The book takes us through Lindsey's cute childhood in a home with caring parents and no surplus of funds for "extras". It then progresses through her teen years and early 20s as she battled anorexia and self image issues.The book then shows her determination to succeed after being rejected on America's Got Talent. The book shows how she approaches challenges like planning a tour. It also showcases her love for her fans and her desire to help others get through some of the same issues she faced. @GrampaFredF

A story in Lindsey's own voice, full of happiness and hope but with sad and difficult times too, with her refreshing spirit and no problem to embarass herself, with faith and an inner strength that is adorable - and with a message to never give up, to live your dreams but to always take care of you and enjoy all the good moments. I loved the book. I love her music and her style and her videos and her smile and how she stays herself no matter what. I hope we'll hear much much much more from her!

Thanks for sharing, Lindsey!

I love Lindsey Stirling. I'm not a die-hard fan, but I listen to her music and I watch her videos. She's always seemed quirky and funny, as well as being talented. So, while I love her as an artist, I wasn't impressed with her as an author. It's obvious from the writing that she is funny in real life, but speaking and writing humorous sentences are two ends of the spectrum. I think the structure of the book is what ultimately did her a disservice. She tried to follow the "traditional" autobiography format, but I think a structure with specific events as chapters (instead of themes across years of time) would have served her style of writing better.

Overall, it wasn't a bad book. It's inspirational, but I don't think anyone that has never heard of her will pick it up.

I got the audiobook. It is full of funny anecdotes from Stirling's life. Mostly light-hearted, with some serious subjects. I enjoyed the last half of the book more because I was more interested in hearing about her emergence as a successful artist than her childhood. It was sad when she read the parts about Gavi, she got choked up during her read. It was a bit surreal because the book was finished before his passing and she did the read just a couple months afterwards. Overall the book was a good lead-up to her Brave Enough album concept, and the strong and inspiring person she is today.

Let me start by saying I’m biased. I’ve been a fan of Lindsey’s for quite a few years, ever since she started to develop a YouTube following. I also met her several years ago at a VIP meet-and-greet before one of her early concerts here in Pittsburgh.

That said, I found her autobiography (co-authored with her sister, Brooke) enthralling and very informative. It’s hard to write anything specific about it as I don’t want to give any spoilers, and I want you all to enjoy it with the same freshness as I did. If you are a fan, this is a must-read book. Given its surprisingly high Kindle price, I splurged for the hardback and wasn’t disappointed.

A surprisingly wonderful & impactful book. Lindsey's candid story goes beyond the typical momentary motivation, and has inspired me by her commitment to keep going. On a few occasions, listening to the audiobook caused tears to well up as she described similar struggles I've had and emotions I've felt. Listening has given me a lot of confidence to continue on this path that I love so much.

I highly recommend listening to the audio book version of this book. Lindsey narrates the book herself - which I thinks adds a lot of emotion to the book. A fantastic look into her life, work, and beliefs. One of the best biographies of a contemporary artist that I've read lately. I've been a fan of her music and videos for awhile now, but I didn't really know anything about her as a person. It's refreshing to find that she is such a upbeat person as you might imagine her to be, and despite the issues that she has dealt with - as someone who also had an eating disorder in high school I empathize what she went through. I can't recommend this audio book enough.

I absolutely loved this book. I've been a fan of Lyndsey Stirling for a few years now, and was very excited when I found out she was writing a memoir. To understand more of why she is the way that she is, and how dedicated and determined she has been to get where she is in her career is wonderfully inspiring.

She chronicles her America's Got Talent story along side memories of growing up in Arizona with her sisters; her battle with self esteem and body issues along side her devout faith to her church. An entertaining and heart wrenching combination of hilarity and self doubt, this book is a must read not only for fans of Lindsey Stirling, but for anyone looking for a little bit of inspiration to follow their dreams.

I enjoyed the book! It's an easy, quick read you can complete in a few hours/afternoon. Nice to read about someone whose faith is important to them, even if she and I don't see eye to eye on it. Unlike so many others in Hollywood and the music industry, she doesn't drink and hasn't done drugs. Really refreshing to see that. Her music is awesome and I appreciate it more having read this.

Let me start off by saying I'm not a Mormon or a big fan of Lindsey's music. I really only love a song she covered and I've watched dozens of times on youtube. That said I love reading biographies and this is one of the best I've ever read. It's a heartwarming story that is full of laughs and very hard to put down. In my opinion this should be the best book of 2016. It's a great read for everyone. I highly recommend it!

Really enjoyed this book! Inspiring, funny, and down to earth! It made me want to share quotes and stories from the book with my hubby whenever I could. A fast read, but will have you appreciate all your personal quirks and love them!

I love Lindsey Stirling's music and it was so interesting reading about how she started her career and the struggles she went through to get to where she is today. Being in a creative field is HARD. But she overcame so many things. Loved it. Also, she's hilarious. I laughed way too much reading this.

I loved this book! It was funny and entertaining and made me realize that it's not as easy being famous as it might seem, especially when you have different set of religious standards to uphold. I have always loved Lindsey Stirling's music and her music videos but this book made me love and appreciate her even more as a real person, with weaknesses, who works hard to overcome. love how she talks about how difficult it was to break into the music world, and how she had to live off of very little, but she saved and worked and prayed and never lost hope.

Frank, hilarious, mostly lighthearted, sometimes starkly soul-bearing, page-turner, inspirational, down-to-earth, with the tone of talking with your best friend. Lindsey Stirling is an amazingly creative musician, dancer, and all-around lovable weirdo who defies all boxes and dances around them. Her sister, side-kick and partner-in-crime, Brooke, did an excellent job writing her true character-laden story with her! Every teenage girl... Aww heck... Everyone should read this book!

This is the story of a common girl who never really fit in the mold. Lindsey Stirling's memoir is filled with sweet, funny, epic and heartbreaking moments. From her humble childhood, going through her aggressive battle with anorexia, to her mission in New York, to finally reach a big audience with her musical performances, this story is a rollercoaster of emotions. Granted, it's not really long, I finished it up in less than a day. Stirling was 29 at the time of release of this book and, obviously, it was going to be rather short. However, it's an unmissable piece for every Lindsey Stirling fan, and it can also be enjoyed by non fans in a lesser way. Recommended.

I can't say enough good things about Lindsey Stirling and her music, and now I can say the same about her book. which sheds so much light on so many parts of her life. Anyone who's read this book will know what I'm talking about when I say that after finishing the last page, I threw all of my Andre Bochelli cds in the garbage! If you're a fan of Lindsey's music, you have to read it. One of the only true role models in the music industry.

This book was incredible. It really showed a lot of depth and emotional experiences that Lindsey Stirling has gone through and I admire it greatly. The book taught me a lot about self love and I've learned to care for myself so much more from this stunning book. Thank you so much Lindsey! Love from your number #2 fan.

Lindsey's comical, amusing, and relatable voice came through loud and clear in her book. It was a delightful read filled with meaning and laughs. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Lindsey Stirling and her work.

Honestly, this book calls to mind the phrase "never meet your idols." Apparently it should be appended with "...and never read their autobiography either."

Putting personal distaste aside for a minute, the book is a simple enough read; it is only 254 pages with large print and ample spacing. As far as complexity goes, an average middle schooler could read it without issue. Its not a bad book for burning through during an afternoon.

Still, despite how short it is, there is a lot of anecdotal fluff about her childhood friend/family relationships in the beginning. I'm ball parking that 70% of it is about random people she knew as a kid that were ultimately inconsequential, 20% is about how much her parents sacrificed because they were poor, and 10% mentions becoming acquainted with the violin.

Much of what is written is disjointed recollections about things she feels is relevant to her as a person (her religion, her perceived personal problems, etc) , with a sprinkling mention of violin related stuff. Most of what is mentioned regarding the violin is just a constant reiteration of the fact that she played a lot and dealt with self-doubt.

She mentions her stint on America's Got Talent, and divulges absolutely nothing interesting about the experience. She cried about it. That's the gist of it.

Anyway, I came away feeling like she was a self-centered, self-righteous, snobby girl. Honestly, she wrote that the fact that her gigs got her parents into places like Disneyland for free somehow balances the sacrifices her parents made for her while growing up, she describes meeting people with legitimate causes for eating disorders (such as molestation) and then whines about her therapists looking for a reason for her anorexia and depression because she didn't have any reason for it. She constantly whines through the book about her early lack of success because she feels confident that she is basically God's special little snowflake. Oh yeah, and don't think you'll get through the book without all sorts of references to her mormon religion and God.

And then theres the chapter (a whole 5 pages) about a few bad dates. I ended up glossing over that entirely.

And she literally talks about how she gets endless praise for what she does, and doesn't have time to return the love to all her fans. She's *busy* you know!? And, PLEASE, if you see her in a church "remember its the lord's house, not lindsey's house" Gosh!1! And, oh my god,if I talked to all my fans I'd never get to be a person!!1! -- This lady is seriously full of herself.

By page 150 I wanted to be done with this book.

Just when you think you've gotten to the part of the book that pertains to her actual experience touring and entertaining, and think it is going to span the rest of the book, you realize its just a few short chapters...and that it is the least interesting part of the book. -- But perhaps that's because I felt mentally done with the book by page 180?

Anyway, with the exception of a few good anecdotes and chapters, the book felt like one constant complaint about how everything was so hard for her and no success was ever really good enough.

Honestly, I really looked forward to reading this and I really, really wanted to like it. I think I was looking for something more interesting, more motivating, more inspiring.

Before reading this, liking Lindsey Stirling felt like cheering for the underdog, a relatable girl. Now I'm just kind of disgusted by her as a person. If the book hadn't been a gift I would have gladly returned it.

So why 3 stars? Because, while I personally regret reading this, I can see how others might enjoy it. And judging by the other reviews some people clearly do. I realize that my opinion doesn't appear to be that common, but it is my honest opinion.

Absolutely love it! I am a massive fan of lindsey so i had to buy this book when i heard about it. i got to page 34 and had to close the book because i was reading in public and tears were forming in my eyes! it is so moving and inspiring and i am loving reading it. i highly recommend it if you are a fan of lindsey, or autobiographies or just want to read a moving and inspiring recollection of someone's life. LOVE IT!

this book is inspirational and will make you look at your own life differently. Parts will make you giddy as a schoolgirl and other parts will make you bawl your eyes out. And this is coming from a 34 year old man.

There's a reason I have this book - Lindsey Stirling is one of my favourite performers. Could that person still come across though in the written word? The answer is a resounding yes.

You get insights into the events of her childhood and youth that helped shape her. You get a crystal clear image of how central to her life her family and faith is. Her sense of humour and her charm is in every page. You get insights into her struggles with eating disorders and depression. You get a peek into how much her life has changed in the past few years - the highs, the lows, the lessons, the joy, and the people she tours with.

The book is her opening up and sharing, and if you're a fan or just want to learn a bit more about who she is - this book is a must read.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. This book was amazing. The book that I want to review is called The Only Pirate At The Party. It was written by Lindsey Stirling and Brooke S. Passey. The publisher is Gallery Books. This book is an autobiography. It talks about the life of Lindsey Stirling. It is the first book she has written. It was published on January 12, 2016. If you are not familiar with her work she is a very talented violinist. She has traveled on tours in many different countries.
The book starts out when she was a little girl, and moves through the rest of her life including college. It talks about her life when she was a little girl and her family, and what she did to make life as a violinist a reality instead of a fantasy. In the college part of the book she was having trouble trying to start her career. Then she gets friends to help her career into a success.Then for the last part of the book she talks about stories that have happened so far in her career. Which I found interesting. I liked this book because I like her work a lot and when I heard that she wrote a book I was so excited. I thought it was a great novel and well put together. I liked it so much I couldn’t put it down. I do encourage you to read this book if you like reading about famous people. I do think this is a good book and hopefully will like this book how I liked it too. Thank you for reading this book review.
-James