Book Review: Home Sweet Road
Katie 
I had first heard of Johnnyswim somewhere in passing at some point, I’m sure. I first saw them perform at the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis when I went to see Hanson and was absolutely blown away by their talent and harmony. Really good harmony is usually for siblings, not a husband and wife duo so I found it kind of amusing when Amanda mentioned in the book that she thought Abner had looked like her brother. Maybe there was some higher power pushing them together somewhere along the way.
The book tells the story of how they met and their backgrounds (I had not realized that Amanda’s mother is Donna Summer!) and I got a kick out of how they both went back over what was going through their heads and their plans to try and get each other’s attention (which ended up taking 4 years!) But Amanda’s plan had a few different ideas, “since being a normal human wasn’t an option.” What is it about these guys that we are interested in that makes us forget how to be a normal human, anyway?
The book may also tell you the real reason behind the name Johnnyswim. Or maybe it won’t. Just know every story you may have heard previously is a lie – and they tend to not repeat the same stories twice. I guess use your best judgement if you believe what they actually included to be published!
Abner and Amanda are also all about community with their friends and so they decided to include some recipes from their friends as well and they told about how they used to have community dinners. It was nice to feel like I was part of their world even if it was just for an afternoon.
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
The hugely popular singer/songwriter duo Johnnyswim share their story like never before, showing readers how to find home wherever they are in this visually stunning debut.
Foreword by Chip and Joanna Gaines
Work and life partners Amanda Sudano Ramirez and Abner Ramirez are known for translating the memories and milestones of their journey, as well as the honest realities of marriage, into their spirited and soulful songs. With this beautifully designed, visually stunning book, the duo shares never-before-told stories, beautiful photos, recipes, poetry, and more from their life in a deeply engaging experience as they travel on tour around the country with their three young kids, capturing the family’s raw, intimate, and behind-the-scenes life on the road and embracing home no matter where they are.