Based on a popular New York Times Op-Ed piece, this is the quirky, heartfelt account of one man's quest to meet his neighbors-and find a...
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reviews
Aug 10, 2011
Melissa
rated it: 
"Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
Say, who are the people in your neighborhood?
The people that you meet each day."
from Sesame Street
As regular readers of this blog know, our family is in the process of moving. So far, we've visited approximately a dozen houses in various neighborhoods, all of which look nice enough.
With moving, I'm always a bit apprehensive about what types of n More...
In your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
Say, who are the people in your neighborhood?
The people that you meet each day."
from Sesame Street
As regular readers of this blog know, our family is in the process of moving. So far, we've visited approximately a dozen houses in various neighborhoods, all of which look nice enough.
With moving, I'm always a bit apprehensive about what types of n More...
Jun 11, 2011
Iris
rated it: 
In the Neighborhood: The Search for Community on an American Street, One Sleepover at a Time (review I wrote for my Book Club)
This is a non-fiction book. The author, Peter Lovenheim, takes action after a tragic murder/suicide in the neighborhood. He wonders if things would have been different if the murder victim had known her neighbors better - would she have sought refuge with them and perhaps been spared? He takes an unusual approach - he asks his neighbors if he can sleep over with More...
This is a non-fiction book. The author, Peter Lovenheim, takes action after a tragic murder/suicide in the neighborhood. He wonders if things would have been different if the murder victim had known her neighbors better - would she have sought refuge with them and perhaps been spared? He takes an unusual approach - he asks his neighbors if he can sleep over with More...
Apr 24, 2011
Joni
rated it:
It left me with a sense of sadness. The author's current neighborhood experience sounds like little has changed there over the years (from what I recall knowing as an outsider - I lived in the same town but a different area.) and the street with large lovely homes on well manicured lots contain people who are too busy and disconnected to create a sense of neighborliness. We used to connect through carpools, school bus stops, paperboys, and lawn care. Now those things have been replaced, leaving
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Dec 08, 2010
David
rated it: 
Excellent book about the author's attempt to foster community on his street in suburb of Rochester NY, where he has come back to live as an adult after also growing up in same house. He gets inspired in part by the dissolution of his family through divorce and mainly by a murder-suicide that occurs on their street and the sad realization that the couple was essentially unknown to their neighbors.
The hook is that he tries to get to know people better by arranging to "shadow" More...
The hook is that he tries to get to know people better by arranging to "shadow" More...
Aug 02, 2010
KatieCamarena
rated it:
I used this book for a freshman composition course that had the theme of "community." In the beginning, the book provides an interesting look into the lives of his previously-unknown neighbors. Lovenheim wants us to feel like we're missing out by being so isolated in our homes, and he does bring up valid points to this end. Namely, we are safer and more efficient if we have proximity-based relationships.
Even with its emphasis on the efficiency and--dare I say it?--quaintne More...
Even with its emphasis on the efficiency and--dare I say it?--quaintne More...
Jul 17, 2011
Erin
rated it:
I'd give this one somewhere in the range of 3.5 to 4 stars. It's basic premise is pretty obvious - that we are an increasingly privacy-oriented culture and we don't know our neighbors and our communities as well as our parents and grandparents did. Lovenheim sets out to remedy that in his own community by interviewing and spending time with several of his neighbors. The book is split between descriptions of these neighbors and a more general pondering of what neighborliness is and how it appl
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Jan 16, 2011
Debbie
rated it:
Really well done book; highly recommend it. The author grew up in the same house in which he now lives with his children in Rochester. There is a murder suicide on the street, and it prompts him to examine the sense of community and neighborhood (or lack thereof) on his street. He goes about the task by extensively interviewing neighbors, even sleeping over at the houses of those who are willing. In addition (and some of the most enjoyable portions to me), Lovenheim spends time with a mail carri
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May 31, 2011
Maria
rated it:
My grandmother died at 92, but not before telling me 92 times that what was wrong with the world today was that we don't know our neighbors. And Peter Lovenheim agrees.
In this short but emotional read, Lovenheim makes the case for making friends with our neighbors, a shocking thing to do in today's society. While grandma would have no trouble asking for a cup of sugar or a ride to the store, and her backyard hose had a mug resting on top of the faucet for her mailman's daily drink, More...
In this short but emotional read, Lovenheim makes the case for making friends with our neighbors, a shocking thing to do in today's society. While grandma would have no trouble asking for a cup of sugar or a ride to the store, and her backyard hose had a mug resting on top of the faucet for her mailman's daily drink, More...
Apr 19, 2010
Janet
rated it:
This book made me realize and appreciate that I live with someone who could be considered the perfect neighbor, and many have called her just that. She says her secret is to "treat your neighbor as yourself"-- watch out for people, assist them when they're sick, loan tools and services, and generally just be concerned for their well being. The author of this book ventured out into his own upper middle class neighborhood outside Rochester, NY (where he had grown up and then moved back
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Jul 04, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
I found the first half of this book rather preachy. I felt a little attacked for not knowing my neighbors, which have been me being defensive, as the author was attacking himself for not knowing his own neighbors probably more than he was attacking you average American. Nevertheless, I think he pushed it too hard.
After a certain point though, he was mainly just describing the relationships he formed with his neighbors. It was really interesting and made me want to know my neighbors More...
After a certain point though, he was mainly just describing the relationships he formed with his neighbors. It was really interesting and made me want to know my neighbors More...
Jul 06, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Well, I was only slightly disappointed by the book because its collection of upper class neighbors made me feel a little distant from them. The author also has a bit of a challenge in determining how to approach his neighbors and then how to navigate the awkward dance with some of them once a connection is made.
I read this book because, as a recent homeowner, I've been struggling with the push-pull between staying connected to my distant friends and determining how best to forge rela More...
I read this book because, as a recent homeowner, I've been struggling with the push-pull between staying connected to my distant friends and determining how best to forge rela More...
Feb 15, 2012
Susie
rated it:
Our library board read this as a different way to hold discussions on just what our community is. As for criticisms that Lovenheim did not give a clear picture of just how pretentious this community is, I'm glad that he made light of the success of the area; in this way, we could relate more to the people. They have the harried, rushed mornings and evenings that many of us do, and have more in common with us than we might think at first.
When you are reading this (or after), it's fun More...
When you are reading this (or after), it's fun More...
Mar 07, 2011
Adrienne
rated it:
What a cool concept--Peter decides that the best way to build community with his neighbors is to have sleepovers at their houses. My favorite bits of this book were: asides into neighborhood building in general (which include some interesting asides into the personal preferences of builders, trends, etc), discussion of how other neighborhoods build community, and Lou (one of the neighbors).
It's a different sort of book, and it feels very much like an experiment, so I suppose I can forg More...
It's a different sort of book, and it feels very much like an experiment, so I suppose I can forg More...
Feb 26, 2011
Jo
rated it:
Blessedly brief. I was fascinated by the familiarity of a local neighborhood being dissected. I know the street and the houses and the surgeon who caused the murder/suicide scenerio worked on my husband's ACL.I think the theory that each neighborhood has to be a tight knit community is somewhat specious. I'd rather encourge people to live near family. What was not made clear is that this is a VERY exclusive place to live, filled with upwardly mobile, financially comfortable families. The familie
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May 01, 2011
Julianne
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This book about how we are strangers to our own neighbors these days resonated with me as we have lived in our house almost 3 years and I barely know our neighbor's names. Maybe I should start asking them if I can sleep over at their house to get to know them better like the author of this memoir did. Some of the neighbors he meets are a lot more interesting than others, which makes the tone of the book a little uneven. However, the part where he examines the events of a murder-suicide that t
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Feb 06, 2012
Sally
rated it: 
Still wish I could put in the ".5" as 2 is too low but it didn't hit 3 when compared to other recent reading. This is not a novel but rather a sociology book and needs to be approached in that manner. His approach to making friends in the neighborhood was so different from how I would have approached the situation I found it difficult to relate (can't even relate to asking my neighbors if I could spend the night to observe their life!). Although for 13 years I lived in a neighborhoo
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Jan 10, 2012
Explore the lives of my neighbors? Count me in! Peter Lovenheim's search to connect with his neighbors is triggered by a tragedy of "disconnection" in the neighborhood he grew up in and then returned to in order to raise his own family. He does a good job telling a personal story while intermingling stats and information that relate to the rest of us. I was a bit creeped out by the sleepover aspect--I'm surprised he was able to get as many neighbors to agree as he did-especially the si
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May 28, 2011
Heather
rated it:
I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I would have given it 5 stars, but it dragged in a couple of small passages and I didn't love the way he closed the book. BUT - I think it's a really timely non-fiction about how we often know the people we meet on-line better than the folks living across the street. But is the person across the country going to be there for you if you need some to watch your kid in an emergency, water your garden when you go on vaction, or give you a cup of sugar
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Aug 18, 2010
Valerie
rated it:
I admit I read it because the author and subject matter are local - about a very upscale neighborhood in a Rochester, NY suburb about 20 miles from where I live and a murder-suicide that took place there aeveral years ago. An exploration of why and how this could have happened...and whether or not it could have been prevented if the neighbors had not been so private and isolated.
I also must confess that I drove through this neighborhood and located the house in which the murder was More...
I also must confess that I drove through this neighborhood and located the house in which the murder was More...
May 11, 2010
Joshua
rated it:
This book has an interesting hook regarding the disappearing nature of community in the author's neighborhood--which is likely a trend everywhere. The story itself is just not as interesting as Lovenheim moves away from the sociology aspect and then begins to delve into the life stories of his neighbors. Some of whom are just more interesting than others.
I live in a neighborhood but I wouldn't say I'm an active participant as I tend to gravitate toward the trend of not knowing the peo More...
I live in a neighborhood but I wouldn't say I'm an active participant as I tend to gravitate toward the trend of not knowing the peo More...
Jan 09, 2012
Rebecca
rated it:
The topic is interesting: after a tragic killing on his street the author examines the lack of community on his street by sleeping over at neighbour's houses. Some of the experiences are interesting to read, however the book felt like it was missing analysis of the author's position and how the socio-economic and racial make-up of the neighbourhood factored into the sense (or lack thereof) of community. It definitely inspired lots of interesting discussion in our book club, which made it a worth
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Jun 21, 2010
Kathleen
rated it:
This was a thought-provoking take on a sad reality of modern American life: being a stranger in one's own neighborhood. Lovenheim's reflections on his street and his attempts to befriend his neighbors have prompted me to reconsider my own relationship with neighbors and the significance of neighborhoods in general. There were a few weak points (Lovenheim's slightly self-congratulatory tone at times, the unaddressed fact that his affluent suburban neighborhood might be slightly different from t
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Apr 11, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. I purchased it on the first day that it was available in the bookstore, and I would have finished it later that day had I no other commitments. It's very readable and thought-provoking. Whether you live in the Rochester area or not, this book strikes a nerve and engenders some critical questions: How does my neighborhood compare to the one described in the book? What can we do to make every neighborhood a more neighborly place?
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Apr 30, 2010
Valley Cottage
rated it:
While I think Mr. Lovenheim probably forced some of his revelations in the book, the premise was intriguing and I did find myself absorbed in the cast of characters (his neighbors) that he discovered in the narrative. While it wasn't the best book I ever read, it certainly got me thinking about changes I could make in my own neighborhood. It's a great 'Think Locally' book about reaching out to those around us.
Sep 22, 2010
Chrissy
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I love American social commentary. This book, which reminded me of Bowling Alone, tells author Peter Lovenheim's story of looking for real, sustainable community on his neighborhood street. His search method is a bit unconventional: he approached neighbors that he didn't know well, explained his desire to learn more about their lives, and asked to spend the night so that he could follow the course of their normal day. He shares his discoveries about the modern American neighborhood in chapter
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Aug 13, 2011
Bud
rated it:
In this book, a Guy attempts to do the right thing and get to know his neighbors by actively entering into their homes via sleep overs. Then he tries to really get to know them...imagine that. My fucking neighbors open my mail and throw it in the hallway. That's what happened when I ordered day of the Jakal off Amazon. Motherfuckers threw it in the middle of the hallway.
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Jun 29, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Fortunately, I guess, this book really did not resonate with me. I live on a great cul de sac where I know all of my neighbors, some better than others, but almost all of whom I wouldn't hesitate to go to borrow things, seek assistance, offer help or have a pleasant conversation. Some of the anecdotes were touching, but generally I found the stories tedious.
Jul 26, 2011
Kyla
rated it:
I loved the concept- approaching his neighbors and getting to know them after a tragedy happens a few doors down. The book wasn't wide, if you know what I mean - it didn't widen out to encompass the broader world and research and we only got to meet a few neighbors in depth...but they stick with you.
May 01, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it:
Interesting but kind of annoying. He moves back to his childhood home (given to him by his parents) in a very upscale neighborhood and explores the non-relationships among neighbors by 'sleeping over.' But I do want to get Becky to drive me to Sandringham Rd in Brighton next time I visit Rochester.
Apr 21, 2010
radio interview (aarp radio show - can't find a link?) w/ the author was very thought-provoking - look forward to reading it as soon as I find a copy!
just found a link on Diane Rehm - will listen tomorrow!
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-0...
just found a link on Diane Rehm - will listen tomorrow!
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-0...
