While I was on tour, certain questions seemed to come up in each city. Often I was asked about how the dogs were (fine), how Barbie was doing (fantastic), and how Fletch was faring without me (feral.)
A lot of folks wanted to know who I'd cast in a movie about my life (Elizabeth Banks since we have the same kind of unfortunate hair), if my new neighbors bug me (they don't), and did my mother ever find out what a "reach around" was (she did.)
Questions were posed about our move to the suburbs (no, long story, house sank), if I'd sampled the local cupcakes (yes), and if I've been keeping up with the dieting and personal training (shut up.)
But most of all, everyone wanted suggestions on what books I love, thus I present my long-promised Summer Beach Reading List.
A few of these haven't yet been released, but I'm listing them anyway since they're totally worth pre-ordering them from the bookstore of your choice. Plus, they'll all be out in time to check out from the comfort of your favorite beach chair.
Here goes:
Bought by Anna David - I read Anna's Party Girl a couple of years ago and dug it because I am all about an imperfect protagonist. Knowing that a lot of her book about addiction and recovery was autobiographical made the story all the more interesting. In Bought (which is in no way based on her life) she explores the world of high-priced Hollywood escorts. There's a definite Washingtonienne vibe to it, which you may recall is one of my favorite reads, even though I have to cover my eyes on the d-i-r-t-y parts.
Hedge Fund Wives by Tatiana Boncompagni - I adore a good chick-lit-y, lifestyles of the rich and flawed, revenge-filled novel and HFW does not disappoint. Boncompagni also wrote Gilding Lily and her new book is equally glamorous and gossipy. Read with a crystal glass of chilled champagne at your side.
A Bump in the Road by Maureen Lipinski- Lipinski's novel is about what happens when a blissfully child-free couple comes home from Las Vegas with a wee bit of extra baggage. Her book reads like a memoir, which I love, and what's ironic is after writing a book about accidentally getting pregnant before being ready, she found herself in the exact same position. Plus, the story takes place in Chicago and I'm always a fan of anything local.
At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream by Wade Rouse- I'm all mad right now because Wade is coming to my home bookstore next week while I'm in New York so I won't get to tell him in person that his book about trying to recreate his own version of Walden Pond (complete with sparkle tank tops and rabid raccoons) made me laugh so hard my dogs hid. No book has been this fun since last year's Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello.
Dogged Pursuit: My Year of Competing Dusty, The World's Least Likely Agility Dog by Robert Rodi - I cannot read any pet books where the cat/dog/whatever dies in the end, so if you're the same way, you'll be very happy with this delightfully self-aware memoir of a year spent on the dog agility circuit. Rodi's take on the dog people is particularly classy, too. He could have gone very Best in Show and mocked everyone but instead he takes a higher road and turns the book into a fish out of water story where his own personal growth helps him assimilate. Funny, charming, and heartwarming!
The Motion of the Ocean; One Small Boat, Two Average Lovers, and Woman's Search for the Meaning of Wife by Janna Cawrse Esarey - To quote, um, myself, this is "the quintessential summer read for anyone seeking an adventure in life, love, or self-discovery." Basically this book answers the question for anyone who ever asked, "What if we just bought a boat and sailed away?" Loved this one SO MUCH.
First Comes Love Then Comes Malaria by Eve Brown-Waite - This has the same kind of vibe as the above only in it, Eve finds out what happens when she and her husband move to deepest, darkest Africa to work for CARE. (How do these gals get their husbands to do this huge stuff, I wonder?) (I haven't been able to coerce Fletch into finishing assembling all the furniture I bought a month ago.) (I even threatened him to have to keep his underwear in a drawer I assembled myself, and still, nothing!) Wait... what was I saying? Oh, yes, this memoir is pitch perfect and made me want to travel to war-torn Uganda, which is pretty much not going to happen.
I'm Down by Mishna Wolff -You know how funny this book is? This book is so goddamned funny that Fletch actually read my advance copy while we were on vacation last year, bringing his grand total of all things read since I've known him to this one memoir, two Chuck Palahniuks, three zombie books, and 8,000 gun magazines. Basically Mishna's story is about a white girl being raised in a poor neighborhood by her white father who refused to believe he wasn't black. It's not exploitative or mean; it's just genuine and hilarious and I can't recommend it enough.
Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison - Did you love the NYT best selling Shoe Addicts series? I certainly did. In this book, Harbison brings all the snark and wit and style that made her last books such fun PLUS she throws in the elements of '80s nostalgia and an homage to Sephora. It's like she asked herself, "What kind of book would appeal completely to Jen?" Well, guess what - she nailed it. Again. (Released July 7.)
Notes from the Underwire by Quinn Cummings- Hey, remember the smartassed kid from The Goodbye Girl? Yeah? Well, instead of going down the traditional childstar path of drug binges, crotch shots, and dry cleaner robberies, she instead grew up to be one of the most talented writers I've ever read. Her book debuts later this summer and is too charming to be missed. (You'll thank me.) (Released July 7.)
Rage Against the Meshugenah; Why It Takes Balls to Go Nuts by Danny Evans- This is a powerfully honest book about the effects of male depression which doesn't sound funny... yet it is. Long before we ever became blogfriends, Danny had a post 9/11 experience that mirrors many aspects of my life with Fletch, except he had the added responsibility of children. I feel so privileged to have had an early look (and a very small hand) in this hilarious and uplifting book. (Released August 4.)
Spin by Robert Rave - Rave does to the world of PR what The Devil Wears Prada did for publishing. The only way to describe this book is dark, dishy, and absolutely delicious. I dare you to read it without trying to figure out who's really who. A perfect Labor Day weekend read! (Released August 18.)
Born Round: The Secret History of a Full Time Eater by Frank Bruni- All I'm going to tell you about this book are the names of the other people who loved it so far... Elizabeth Gilbert, David Sedaris, Curtis Sittenfeld, Nigella Lawson, Michael Pollan, Anne Lamott, Augusten Burroughs, Tom Perotta, and Adriana Trigiani. And, oh yeah, one asshole who didn't read the cover letter closely enough to get her very-lame-in-comparison blurb in on time. (Released August 20.)
So... that should keep a book in your hands and your toes in the sand until Labor Day weekend when I'll have my Fall Reading List put together.
As for me, I'm stuck reading boring old classics all summer in an attempt to get cultured up for my new memoir. Don't you worry, though... I may be stuck reading Shakespeare, but I'm sure as hell going to take the Bard to the beach.
