Originally posted at http:rockread.westofmars.com
My book club read Laurie Gwen Shapiros The Matzo Ball Heiress. We loved it; it was a great romp through a fun story, and one most of us in my book club could relate to in one way or another.
Then I picked up The Anglophile, her follow-up. I didnt love it. I may not have finished it.
So what possessed me to pick up her first book, The Unexpected Salami?
Well, Matzo Ball was that good. And as a bonus, The Unexpected Salami has a rock theme: Rachel, our heroine, turns tail and runs home when the drummer of the band shes been living with gets shot.
Definite rock theme there, especially when The Tall Poppies go on to have moderate success.
All the elements are there! A book by an author whose penned another book I loved. Bands. Music. Rock and roll. Whats not to like?
Well, Rachel, for one. Shes whiny and so totally unlikeable, getting to the end of the book was difficult. It was a slog, a chore. It was, at times, torture. I kept wanting to smack her and tell her to grow up, get a clue, take some responsibility already. Not something you want to be reading as youre trying to relax, unwind, and get ready for a good nights sleep.
Since this is Rachels story, liking her is absolutely necessary. And since I couldnt do that, I hated the rest of the book, too. It might have worked part of the plot is her indecision about the men in her life with someone who had at least one redeeming quality.
No go.
Im now 2 for 3 with Ms. Shapiros books and that 2 stands for dislike, not like. Loving that sophomore effort Im thinking that was the anomaly.
My book club read Laurie Gwen Shapiros The Matzo Ball Heiress. We loved it; it was a great romp through a fun story, and one most of us in my book club could relate to in one way or another.
Then I picked up The Anglophile, her follow-up. I didnt love it. I may not have finished it.
So what possessed me to pick up her first book, The Unexpected Salami?
Well, Matzo Ball was that good. And as a bonus, The Unexpected Salami has a rock theme: Rachel, our heroine, turns tail and runs home when the drummer of the band shes been living with gets shot.
Definite rock theme there, especially when The Tall Poppies go on to have moderate success.
All the elements are there! A book by an author whose penned another book I loved. Bands. Music. Rock and roll. Whats not to like?
Well, Rachel, for one. Shes whiny and so totally unlikeable, getting to the end of the book was difficult. It was a slog, a chore. It was, at times, torture. I kept wanting to smack her and tell her to grow up, get a clue, take some responsibility already. Not something you want to be reading as youre trying to relax, unwind, and get ready for a good nights sleep.
Since this is Rachels story, liking her is absolutely necessary. And since I couldnt do that, I hated the rest of the book, too. It might have worked part of the plot is her indecision about the men in her life with someone who had at least one redeeming quality.
No go.
Im now 2 for 3 with Ms. Shapiros books and that 2 stands for dislike, not like. Loving that sophomore effort Im thinking that was the anomaly.
