| Here I Go Again Author: Jen Lancaster Genre: Humor, Contempory Fiction Publisher: New American Library Release Date: January 29, 2013 Paperback: 320 pages Source: Free from publisher Buy the Book: Amazon |
Book Description
The second novel from the New York Times bestselling author of If You Were Here takes us back to the hair metal 80's.
Twenty years after ruling the halls of her suburban Chicago high school, Lissy Ryder doesn’t understand why her glory days ended. Back then, she was worshipped...beloved...feared. Present day, not so much. She’s been pink-slipped from her high-paying job, dumped by her husband and kicked out of her condo. Now, at thirty-seven, she’s struggling to start a business out of her parents’ garage and sleeping under the hair-band posters in her old bedroom.
Lissy finally realizes karma is the only bitch bigger than she was. Her present is miserable because of her past. But it’s not like she can go back in time and change who she was...or can she?
Twenty years after ruling the halls of her suburban Chicago high school, Lissy Ryder doesn’t understand why her glory days ended. Back then, she was worshipped...beloved...feared. Present day, not so much. She’s been pink-slipped from her high-paying job, dumped by her husband and kicked out of her condo. Now, at thirty-seven, she’s struggling to start a business out of her parents’ garage and sleeping under the hair-band posters in her old bedroom.
Lissy finally realizes karma is the only bitch bigger than she was. Her present is miserable because of her past. But it’s not like she can go back in time and change who she was...or can she?
Review
I received this book from the publishing company's table at SCIBA (10/2012) and it sat on the shelf with the other ARC's. So let me say "Thank You" to the host of The Clean Sweep ARC Challenge for helping me get motivated to read a few of the books in the stack.
Now to the book.
Lissy Ryder is a grown, self centered, selfish, narcissistic, grown woman who is only concerned with what people will think about her at her high school class reunion. In the beginning of the book, Lissy Ryder loses her job, her marriage and kicked out only to end up in her parents house. A complete opposite of the mean girl everyone feared and emulated in high school. I really hoped to like Lissy but...dang!! How long in the book do I have to invest in the main character's bad behavior and self centered actions before they have their Ah Ha! moment. In this book you will have to read to the last three chapters before her eyes are really opened and she gets to see that her ways where not the "end all be all" she thought they were. Personally, I think that is too late in the book.
I have 50/50 thoughts on this read. Pro, it was funny. Con, there were way to many f-bombs. Pros, I liked a few of the supporting characters. Cons, I didn't like Lissy. Pro, good ending.
To help me get though this book at a quicker pace, I bought the audiobook to listen to while I was doing my commute and the narrator for me was a Con. The author narrated the audiobook and I have to say that the voice did not match the blond, starving for a burger Lissy that I imaged. AT ALL! The author has a rougher voice that sounded deep (not high pitched) and older. I imaged Lissy Ryder's voice to be closer to Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde. I think the author might have had her in mind too. Just saying...based off of her description. I think authors really know their material really well but actors and narrators know the craft of acting and not just reading the book to the listeners.
This book is very typical of a rich, shallow Caucasian woman figuring out life at the last minute. There was the brunette dowdy friend with kids and a mini-van. The over barring mother that caused her to be just like her. The father lacking a bad bone. And last but not least the enlighten one who helps her to be better. Husbands, boyfriends and small dog are also included.
And by the way why do we have to keep saying her full name though out the whole book. Slightly annoying.
Now to the book.
Lissy Ryder is a grown, self centered, selfish, narcissistic, grown woman who is only concerned with what people will think about her at her high school class reunion. In the beginning of the book, Lissy Ryder loses her job, her marriage and kicked out only to end up in her parents house. A complete opposite of the mean girl everyone feared and emulated in high school. I really hoped to like Lissy but...dang!! How long in the book do I have to invest in the main character's bad behavior and self centered actions before they have their Ah Ha! moment. In this book you will have to read to the last three chapters before her eyes are really opened and she gets to see that her ways where not the "end all be all" she thought they were. Personally, I think that is too late in the book.
I have 50/50 thoughts on this read. Pro, it was funny. Con, there were way to many f-bombs. Pros, I liked a few of the supporting characters. Cons, I didn't like Lissy. Pro, good ending.
To help me get though this book at a quicker pace, I bought the audiobook to listen to while I was doing my commute and the narrator for me was a Con. The author narrated the audiobook and I have to say that the voice did not match the blond, starving for a burger Lissy that I imaged. AT ALL! The author has a rougher voice that sounded deep (not high pitched) and older. I imaged Lissy Ryder's voice to be closer to Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde. I think the author might have had her in mind too. Just saying...based off of her description. I think authors really know their material really well but actors and narrators know the craft of acting and not just reading the book to the listeners.
This book is very typical of a rich, shallow Caucasian woman figuring out life at the last minute. There was the brunette dowdy friend with kids and a mini-van. The over barring mother that caused her to be just like her. The father lacking a bad bone. And last but not least the enlighten one who helps her to be better. Husbands, boyfriends and small dog are also included.
And by the way why do we have to keep saying her full name though out the whole book. Slightly annoying.
Reviews by Other Bloggers
I recommend this book to adults due to the language.
Challenges
Challenges
This book is number 9 in my Off the Shelf Reading Challenge
This book is number 15 in my Women's Reading Challenge
This book is number 11 in my Genre Variety Reading Challenge
This book is number 22 in my Good Reads Challenge
This book is number 15 in my Women's Reading Challenge
This book is number 11 in my Genre Variety Reading Challenge
This book is number 22 in my Good Reads Challenge
2nd book reviewed out of 11 ARC's on my bookshelf
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