Some mini-reviews, Twitter-style, of what I’ve been reading and listening to lately!
My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies by Allen Zadoff
In Adam’s high school, the theater department is split right down the middle: the arrogant actors on one side, the nerdy techies on the other. But when Adam, a techie with a love for lights, falls for Summer, a new actress, he is torn between his friends and his heart. A quick read that falls a bit short of Zadoff’s debut, Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can’t Have, this book is nevertheless a wonderful depiction of a teen boy: his insecurities, fears, struggles, and aspirations.
A compilation of Tina Fey’s musings on balancing career and motherhood, being a boss, comedy, and being a woman, this book was absolutely hilarious. Fey’s true voice shone through, and her anecdotes were laugh out loud. Her comparisons of being a little bit skinny and a little bit fat were especially amusing–this woman is a great observer of society.
A charming audiobook covering the courtship and marriage of Charles Darwin and his wife, Emma, who clashed in their beliefs regarding natural selection and faith. Impeccably researched, Heiligman masterfully weaves together pertinent facts, quotations, and amusing anecdotes into a seamless narrative. Narrator Rosalyn Landor’s British accent is perfect for this production.
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
I finally picked this up after hearing so much hype over the upcoming release of The Last Little Blue Envelope. Following Ginny on her quest throughout Europe as she opens up her aunt’s succession of notes to her is a blast, and Maureen Johnson’s writing is engaging and amusing. The cast of supporting characters is well-fleshed out and three-dimensional, and Ginny’s emotions are true-to-life. I started listening to this on audio during my commute and had to bring the print copy home on Friday so I wouldn’t have to wait until the next week to finish it up!
I'm excited for Zadoff's new book. I like his humor. I just ordered the Tina Fey book for my Kindle so hope to start that soon. I'm glad it's living up to her personality.
My coworker bought Bossypants and let me borrow it but I haven't gotten a chance to read it yet — but she told me it was laugh out loud hilarious too! I also read Charles & Emma (err, well, I may or may not have finished it) for book club. Perhaps a British accent on audiobook would've been a better way to consume that book, because it was a giant MEH for me.
I think I might be the only person in the world who could care less about Tina Fey's book. I find her humorous but, meh, not into the book. I did, however, read the new Zadoff and agree with you that it wasn't as good as his first. Still enjoyable though.