Thursday 9 February 2017

Review: Talking as Fast as I can by Lauren Graham

In her first work of nonfiction, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood recounts her experiences on Gilmore Girls - the first and second times - and shares stories about life, love, and working in Hollywood. This collection of essays is written in the intimate, hilarious, and down-to-earth voice that made her novel, Someday, Someday, Maybe, a New York Times best seller.
"This book contains some stories from my life: the awkward growing up years, the confusing dating years, the fulfilling working years, and what it was like to be asked to play one of my favorite characters again. You probably think I'm talking about my incredible achievement as Dolly in Hello, Dolly! as a Langley High School junior, a performance my dad called 'you're so much taller than the other kids.' But no! I'm talking about Lorelai Gilmore, who, back in 2008, I wasn't sure I'd ever see again. Also included: tales of living on a houseboat, meeting guys at awards shows, and that time I was asked to be a butt model. A hint: all three made me seasick." (Lauren Graham)



Review: I am currently working my way through all of Gilmore Girls and so as soon s I heard of this books release, I knew I had to read it. This book told me so much more about this actress that I only know as one character. It has given me interesting insights into life as a tall actress and life when a long running show ends and therefore you are out of a job for the first time in many many years. 

As with all celebrity memoirs, I appreciated the honesty of this book. I liked the fact that Lauren is obviously a little bit kooky and therefore goes off on a tangent and so it felt like listening to a book by Jenny Lawson, or having a really good chat with a friend. Yes, I listened to this book on audio download. Now, normally I feel like this is the best way to read a memoir of an autobiography, but I'm not sure it was the case with this on. Lauren would often say 'see picture 8' or 'see what I mean' referring to a picture on the pages she was reading. I have listened to a few audiobooks before that make mention of the pictures that I, as a listener, as missing out on and I would prefer there to be some sort of acknowledgement that I can't see the picture than just be left looking like a bit of a fool because I can't see what the reader is talking about. Therefore I would say that this is one of those books where you would be better of with the physical book, rather than the audio version. 

That being said, I really loved the fact that this book is read by Lauren herself and so you really do feel like she is imparting facts about her life to you, as she would do to a close friend. You feel like she is sharing secrets. I think it is interesting that she doesn't usually watch her own performances, but that she has had to for the resurrection of Gilmore Girls and therefore is able to give a break down of the best parts of each season. For any Gilmore Girls fan, this was hugely exiting because she talks about the outfits she had to wear and the actors reactions to the new story lines and developments in the series. 

Of course this book is not just about Gilmore Girls. As I have already mentioned, Lauren is completely honest about her life and so we get to hear about the various different jobs she had whilst trying to make it in the acting world. The pressures of having a relationship with a co-star and even the pressures of writing a book. This book peaked my interest and I want to find out more about this actress, her work and her writing and that is the way I like to be left having to finish a book. I am sure that, like me, this book will leave you wanting more because it is such a compelling read!

To get your copy, click here!

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