Reprint of an article posted on Writers Community UK.
Can you tell us more about your book “Uber Chronicles: Field Notes from the Front Seat” What is it about?
I started driving for Uber about six or seven months ago and soon on I felt compelled to tell the stories about what was happening in my car--who…
What is your book about?
I drive for Uber a bit, and I decided that I would write about each and every passenger, about my experience of finding them, greeting them, the conversation, the silence, the good-bye.
How did you come up with the title?
I did a Facebook contest! Got lots of suggestions from my friends.…
Here's a book review of my first Uber Chronicles by Breana Johnson originally published on Oui Share.
What if you took on a gig-based job? What if you changed your lifestyle and earned money doing something you enjoy … spontaneously, freely, and on your time? That is precisely what Jessie Newburn did. She decided to…
One of my Uber Chronicles stories.
My next passenger is at a Royal Farms convenience store off of Route 1. She’s Ethiopian, a little short, a little bit overweight, and she looks to be in her early 30s. After we leave the parking lot, we have to circle back to the store because…
Book Review of Uber Chronicles: Field Notes from the Front Seat
By JenLyn Fitz
Uber has become extremely popular since it was founded in 2009 by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp. And it’s currently available in more than 66 countries with Uber drivers in 449 cities worldwide.
Uber makes it really easy…
What was the inspiration behind this book?
I think most people get into grooves (or ruts) in their lives about where they go, who they call a friend, places they shop, hobbies they do. Driving for Uber is an amazing way to see, first hand, people’s lives beyond one’s normal paths. Uber takes you, as a…
One of my Uber Chronicles stories.
Next up, I’m wandering through a mess of a mall parking lot trying to find my rider. My GPS is telling me to turn right, now left, then left again, oops, rerouting, now right. Finally, I text the guy. Can you give me a landmark, please? He’s…
One of my Uber Chronicles stories.
Beep.
My next passenger is also on campus, which makes me happy. University of Maryland, College Park, is my alma mater, and I haven’t spent much time here since I graduated in the mid-’80s. Navigating to my passenger has me driving around campus in an area of…
A book review by Ahmed Ehimare Audu after my first Uber Chronicles book was published.
The book Uber Chronicles: Field Notes from the Front Seat was loaned to me by a friend to whom I had spoken about my interest in driving professionally for Uber. “Read it,” she said.
At first I…
I see my rider standing outside the Harris Teeter grocery store. He’s dressed in athletic clothing, looking nonchalant as heck. He sees me approaching and casually waves his hand in acknowledgement.
His Uber manners and protocol are good. He states his first name. Pauses. Waits for me to acknowledge that he is, indeed, my passenger…
One of my Uber Chronicles stories.
I pick up a young guy from his job at a nearby fast-casual restaurant. He’s a junior in high school (the same school I attended). He’s Black, has dreads and is of slight build. Bam! He sits in the front passenger seat. He’s my second-ever, single-passenger, front-seat…
One of my Uber Chronicles stories.
You smell like pot.
That’s the first thing that comes out of my mouth when two white, early-20s guys get in my car. They chuckle. Yeah, it’s legal now, they say. Yes, I know, I respond.
I tell them I’m not much of a smoker, having quit smoking…