Review of Just a Fan

Creole · Post by **Creole** » 19 Jun 2025, 21:04

I am not a concertgoer, and I don't know much about the rock and roll era, but the author certainly knows how to enjoy what he loves. This memoir will undoubtedly resonate with music lovers. I appreciate your engaging review.

María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda · 19 Jun 2025, 21:07

My rating is four out of five. I cannot give it a full five due to the two negatives I mentioned above. Also, even though most readers would not notice, Lyman's creative and inconsistent use of commas distracted me somewhat. I now have to decide who is going to be the lucky recipient of this enriching memoir of a rock aficionado.

I can understand that. The line between creativity and plain oddity is a blurry one. I do love the cover! And I'm not much of a concert-goer, but I think this counts as a cultural recollection of the time period the author experienced.
I'm glad to see pop up your name not just at the riddle forum @Diana Lowery!
Great review!

Post by **Anu Anand** » 19 Jun 2025, 21:17

This sounds like a nostalgic and passionate ride through music history, especially for concert lovers and memoir fans. The personal touch and humor seem like a fun bonus too. Looking forward to checking it out. Congrats on BOTD!

Diana Londonyo · Post by **Diana Londonyo** » 19 Jun 2025, 21:38

Wow! This is my first visit to the forum, and there are so many coincidences, the reviewer's name is Diana, it's my name too! She is a teacher, I am a teacher too! She wonders how the author could afford traveling that much on a teacher's salary, I wonder so too! LOL
Just that made me wanna read the drug, sex and rock and roll memoir of a fellow colleague

Beth Cunningham 1 · Post by **Beth Cunningham 1** » 19 Jun 2025, 22:18

This was such a well thought out review. I took the time to read the sample and thought the idea of writing from a fan perspective was so unique. many of us attend a multitude of concerts in our lifetimes and have cool, even life changing experiences but only get to share them with a few people.

Silent narrative · Post by **Silent narrative** » 19 Jun 2025, 22:34

Just a fan-I picked this up thinking it’d be a great gift for some music-loving friends—and it still might be—but I ended up really enjoying it myself. Lyman shares stories from nearly 900 concerts he’s attended, and his honest, funny style makes it all feel very personal. As a fellow teacher, I also connected with his side notes about school life.

The book is organized by band instead of timeline, which made it a bit tricky to follow at first. Some chapters include dates, others don’t, and the blurry photos were a bit disappointing. But once I stopped trying to keep everything in order and just enjoyed the stories, it was a great ride.

My favorite part was when the author shared more about his personal life, not just the concerts. There’s some mature content so it won’t be for everyone.

I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a fun, honest memoir for anyone who loves live music and the wild stories that come with it.

Dayana Alvarado 1 · Post by **Dayana Alvarado 1** » 19 Jun 2025, 23:27

He didn't let work, age or money stop him He organized himself and lived his passion to the fullest.

Shan Mohammad · Post by **Shan Mohammad** » 19 Jun 2025, 23:30

Just a Fan by John R. Lyman is a heartfelt, nostalgic memoir that goes far beyond the surface of being merely "about sports." It’s a deeply personal account of what it means to be a true fan—not just of a team, but of moments, memories, and the people you share them with.

The book revolves around the author’s long-standing devotion to the University of Michigan football team. Lyman artfully interweaves the highs and lows of Michigan’s football seasons with his own life experiences, family relationships, and personal growth. Through his eyes, we see how sports fandom becomes a thread that connects generations and shapes identity.

Lyman’s writing is candid, humorous, and sometimes bittersweet. He doesn’t just recount wins and losses; he reflects on how fandom helped him bond with his father, connect with his own children, and find meaning in tough moments of life. The beauty of Just a Fan lies in its relatability—even if you’re not a Michigan supporter or even a football fan, you’ll recognize the emotions that come with cheering for something bigger than yourself.

One of the book's strengths is its balance. It neither glorifies sports nor dismisses their emotional impact. Instead, it paints a realistic picture of how our attachments to teams and traditions can mirror the way we experience hope, disappointment, joy, and loyalty in real life.

Verdict:
Just a Fan is more than a sports memoir—it’s a touching reflection on life, legacy, and love. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy memoirs, sports literature, or simply well-told stories about what it means to care deeply about something.

Shan Mohammad · Post by **Shan Mohammad** » 19 Jun 2025, 23:30

Just a Fan by John R. Lyman is a heartfelt, nostalgic memoir that goes far beyond the surface of being merely "about sports." It’s a deeply personal account of what it means to be a true fan—not just of a team, but of moments, memories, and the people you share them with.

The book revolves around the author’s long-standing devotion to the University of Michigan football team. Lyman artfully interweaves the highs and lows of Michigan’s football seasons with his own life experiences, family relationships, and personal growth. Through his eyes, we see how sports fandom becomes a thread that connects generations and shapes identity.

Lyman’s writing is candid, humorous, and sometimes bittersweet. He doesn’t just recount wins and losses; he reflects on how fandom helped him bond with his father, connect with his own children, and find meaning in tough moments of life. The beauty of Just a Fan lies in its relatability—even if you’re not a Michigan supporter or even a football fan, you’ll recognize the emotions that come with cheering for something bigger than yourself.

One of the book's strengths is its balance. It neither glorifies sports nor dismisses their emotional impact. Instead, it paints a realistic picture of how our attachments to teams and traditions can mirror the way we experience hope, disappointment, joy, and loyalty in real life.

Verdict:
Just a Fan is more than a sports memoir—it’s a touching reflection on life, legacy, and love. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy memoirs, sports literature, or simply well-told stories about what it means to care deeply about something.

Chi Chiu Michael Mak · Post by **Chi Chiu Michael Mak** » 19 Jun 2025, 23:55

You can feel the author's enthusiasm for bands. They are definitely not 'just a fan'. Thanks to the book, I came across to some good music recommendations. I can't wait to listen to them.

Post by **twinkle09** » 20 Jun 2025, 00:08

'Just a Fan' is a heart warming memoir that the author shares with readers about his exepriences in attending rock concerts all his life. The adventure,the addictions and the music makes up for an unforgettable lifetime memory. I look forward to enjoying my read. Thank you for a wonderful review!

Post by **Seetha E** » 20 Jun 2025, 00:08

Just a Fan by John R. Lyman is the perfect book for concert enthusiasts. It may evoke memories of personal experiences for some readers or inspire them to create a journal of their own. Thank you for a comprehensive review!

Bettny Andrade · Post by **Bettny Andrade** » 20 Jun 2025, 00:40

This book tells the story of a professor who attended 900 concerts and recounts each of his experiences and how he managed to travel to each of the venues to enjoy the concerts. The passion he has, or must have had, for music and these bands is impressive. The cover of this book reveals various concert clips and issues associated with musicality. The narrative is quite descriptive and has a touch of humor.

Post by **Atieno Magero** » 20 Jun 2025, 00:53

Just a Fan is a unique and captivating memoir. The memoir predominantly highlights the author's vast concert going experience. The author has attended 900 concerts and I must say that I'm excited to read about his adventures. It's unfortunate that the book has blurry photos. However, this is still a must read for me.

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 20 Jun 2025, 01:04

It is good to read that the adventures are narrated in an honest and humorous manner and that everyone could enjoy reading the book. I have not read a lot of literature on concerts, but this one does make it very interesting. It is great that the author included how he was able to afford all the costs associated with attending them. Thank you, @Diana Lowery, for the review.