The One and Only Vivian Stone is a delightful read. Vivian Stone is a comedienne in old Hollywood. Margot Dubois hadn’t heard of her, but in cleaning The One and Only Vivian Stone is a delightful read. Vivian Stone is a comedienne in old Hollywood. Margot Dubois hadn’t heard of her, but in cleaning out her grandmother’s home after her death, Margot finds a shoebox of cassette tapes recorded by Vivian. It’s a bit of a mystery. How is Margot’s grandmother connected to Vivian? Why are the tapes there?
The story alternates between Vivian’s life and Margot’s, as Margot listens to the tapes and learns all about Vivian—a true trailblazer of an actress. We spend a little less time with Margot, but enough to be privy to her own love story that unfolds alongside listening to the cassettes.
The One and Only Vivian Stone is easy reading, with a few sad bumps along the way, that makes you feel good overall. A good amount of romance. A little bit of mystery. And overall good times. Recommended.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite quote:
“Every scar, every imperfection, is a reminder. Not of how damaged we are but that we’ve lived.”...more
LA Women follows two 1960s icons, Gala Margolis and Lane Warren, as their paths intersect over the years. Gala is a “pre-Raphaelite” beauty who pranceLA Women follows two 1960s icons, Gala Margolis and Lane Warren, as their paths intersect over the years. Gala is a “pre-Raphaelite” beauty who prances through Hollywood, always the center of the room and the conversation. Life comes easy for Gala, she’s successful in everything. On the other hand, Lane is more stoic. She has built a name for herself as a reporter and writer, and seems to envy, despise and admire Gala, depending on the day or moment.
LA Women’s pacing is on the slower side, but the story moves. I appreciated the character development and how Gala and Lane’s path draw nearer and farther throughout the years LA Women pacing takes us through. There are things to like and dislike in both characters, including their seeming inability to actually support one another.
There’s a lot of sadness in this book. It showcases how two strong and fierce women, independent and successful, can crumble or lose themselves when hitching their lives to a man’s.
Overall, I enjoyed LA Women and recommend it. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite quotes:
“…for assuming everyone was like her and doing drugs only for the objectively right reasons (to feel even better than you already did) instead of the wrong ones (to fill a gaping hole).”
“I spent years turning men into gods, but it turned out I was the star I’d been waiting for all along.” ...more
This American Woman was great. I was mildly skeptical when I was offered this advanced reader’s copy; sometimes, books by comedians are too funny for This American Woman was great. I was mildly skeptical when I was offered this advanced reader’s copy; sometimes, books by comedians are too funny for me. I hadn’t heard of Zarna Garg. But the rave reviews helped convince me to give This American Woman a chance and I’m so glad I did.
Zarna Garg has a unique story and, yes,, she’s hilarious. I loved reading about Zarna’s Indian upbringing, her family, and the way her brain worked. And in equal part, I loved hearing about Zarna’s immigration experience. Meeting her husband, Salabh, who seems to be a delightful human, raising her kids and being a self-admitted tiger mom. And then, almost unbelievably, deciding as a middle-aged woman, Zarna deciding to become a famous comedian and MAKING IT HAPPEN. Zarna is evidence that working hard and chasing dreams can yield the desired outcome. Zarna is incredible.
I think most readers will enjoy this memoir. It’s funny and light, despite addressing some serious topics. There’s a ton of inspiration, too. I highlighted a lot of quotes. There are some non-PC jokes, mostly about being Indian, that Zarna makes at her own expense—but that is what I expect from someone who has made their career as a comedian based on their identity. This is so good. Could not put it down. I expect this to be a contender for a top book in 2025 book lists. Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Running from guaranteed security in a developing country is like pulling the plug on your own life support just to see what happens.”
“ One terror that I had lived with for almost two years slowly subsided: the grueling, daily effort to escape the gravitational pull of a life of security without freedom.”
“… after many years, I have arrived at the conclusion that most women are just culturally brainwashed to accept that you have to sacrifice who you are to get what you want. Even if that means setting yourself on fire.”...more
Lola Kirke's Wild West Village fell flat for me. I can really enjoy a pop culture memoir, so despite some lackluster reviews, decided to accept this aLola Kirke's Wild West Village fell flat for me. I can really enjoy a pop culture memoir, so despite some lackluster reviews, decided to accept this advanced reader copy. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to care what happened to Lola. The home life is interesting-ish, but the storytelling is bland. As much as I wanted to care about what happened in Lola's life, I just couldn't bring myself to. Unlike other readers, the 'who' of is involved is opaque to me; I hadn't heard of Lola prior to this book and most of the people she does reference by name are unknown to me. Overall, not recommended, but, as always, grateful to the publisher & NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
I love a cult story... so add a cult story with a bit of Hollywood, and make it a memoir? Yes, please. I never watched One Tree Hill, so I didn't knowI love a cult story... so add a cult story with a bit of Hollywood, and make it a memoir? Yes, please. I never watched One Tree Hill, so I didn't know anything about Bethany Joy Lenz before picking up this book. Bethany has had a few other roles, but her fame comes from playing Haley, the prim adolescent in Tree Hill. Bethany's story is told well: from her childhood, to her beginnings with the cult, to her time within it, and her time escaping it and moving on, it is all well-written and pulled me in.
I have tremendous respect and admiration for Bethanys' ability to take a seemingly objective view of how she was influenced and controlled by her cult's leader, Les, despite the hugely harmful impact it had on her life. Bethany weaves personal experience in with what she's learned about mind control tactics, sharing the highs of feeling so loved and accepted, followed by the deep lows of shame and being othered. And of course, the pieces about acting in NYC, LA, and eventually Wilmington, NC are a delight to read.
Bethany Joy Lenz is a true life heroine and she was brave and bold to share her story with the world in this way. Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
I was excited to get this ARC because I’ve enjoyed a few of Melanie Benjamin’s previous novels. I’m happy to report I loved California Golden as much,I was excited to get this ARC because I’ve enjoyed a few of Melanie Benjamin’s previous novels. I’m happy to report I loved California Golden as much, if not more, than the others.
The Donnellys: Carol, mother but no matriarch; Mindy, eldest daughter and default caretaker; and Ginger, youngest in every way. The three live on the beaches of Southern California. Carol is a surfer. It’s the 1950s and 60s, so the number of female surfers is small. But Carol has always felt most alive when she is moving her body athletically. Carol shrugs off societal norms, including those of motherhood. Mindy and Ginger are acutely aware they are not their mother’s top priority. They aim to be good, hoping it will anchor their mother home. Both begin surf journeys. Mindy picks it up quickly, while Ginger always maintains some fear of the ocean.
This book spans a long period of the Donnelly lives. We see the women grow closer, farther, closer. Their love for one another is tangible, beautiful and complicated. Ginger joins the Brotherhood in Laguna Beach, a cult-like community selling hash and acid. She follows her boyfriend Tom, an abusive, racist and ridiculously charismatic drug dealer to the lowest lows. Mindy gains fame as a movie surf double who breaks into the Hollywood scene. Mindy’s flame burns out quickly, and she finds herself on a tour of Vietnam, performing songs and dancing for the tired and injured soldiers. And then, Carol, always on the brink of abandoning her daughters to follow her heart.
Following these women from child to adult covers a lot of ground. Some of it is heart wrenching (as noted, domestic violence, drug abuse). I loved the writing and the depth of the characters. I was eager to know how the journeys of heart, mind and body would unfold. It was one of those books I didn’t want to finish because I knew I’d miss the characters (but Benjamin did land the ending in a way that worked). Highly recommended. I’ll be moving some of Benjamin’s older novels to the top of my to read shelf. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
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