This week flew by, I’m still not convinced it’s actually Friday. We saw The Florida Project over the weekend and I absolutely loved it, but unfortunately I can’t seem to find a photo of Willem Dafoe anywhere on the entire internet so I’ll have to go with the closest thing I have.
I don’t know what to say about Smile. Roddy Doyle is a favorite of mine, and this isn’t the first time I felt like one of his books straight up punched me in the face at the end. But that sounds bad! So this is like that but good? I don’t know, like I said I don’t know what to say about this one.
Moving on to A Selfie as Big as the Ritz. I have to say, this is kind of a terrible title, and that story was probably my least favorite in the collection. I think I avoided this for quite a while because of the title, but so many trusted readers loved it, and I’m glad I gave it a shot. I love her writing and I’m dying to read more from this author.
I have some reader friends who loved Heather the Totality, but I’ve also seen it on lots of people’s “worst of 2017” lists. I always like to take a side, and here I can see what my friends liked about it, but I fell more in the hate camp. I don’t think the writing is bad at all, although no way would this have been published as is if it weren’t written by ‘the guy who created Mad Men.’ Two major problems with this book. First, it is way too short. It could have been so much more effective if characters were more developed and if it took the time to create a real tension and build up to a climax. It definitely reads more like an idea for a book than an actual book. Second, the message of this book is apparently “Daddy Knows Best.” Women, don’t listen to your instincts, they are wrong! But daddy will swoop in to protect you even though by all counts he is being totally reactionary and irrational. This is a purity ring in book form. Having said all that, this is both short and thought provoking so it’s kind of worth it and would be a good book club pick.
I am so glad I picked up I Blame Dennis Hopper. Illeana Douglas has long been a favorite of mine, and it was really fun to read about her adventures in movie-making. Her love of movies is really charming and she makes me want to rewatch a few that I don’t remember as being that great, just because of her enthusiasm. She definitely wasn’t interested in digging into gossip or burning any bridges, which is fine, but you know she’s got plenty of material if she wanted to go that route. She doesn’t even mention her ex-husband’s name which is such a fun burn. I loved reading her stories and I’m so glad that she says only good things about Matt Dillon.
Today I am putting off finishing Less because I love it so much I just don’t want it to end. I’m going to have more to say about this one. This is getting to all of my feelings! I love the writing and the character and the story, and it has some beautiful metaphors about getting older and about lost loves and I guess I have to finish it but then it will be over. I’m sad now.
