Mini Reviews: Midnight in Austenland and Girl Walks into a Bar...

Monday, June 15, 2015

Midnight in Austenland 
by Shannon Hale
★★★

This book was fun and light. Charlotte is a successful business woman whose husband leaves her and their two teenage children for another woman. She discovers Austen’s work and takes a vacation to Austenland. This one tends more towards Northanger Abbey than Pride and Prejudice, but don’t expect too much from the mystery in the book. You should definitely not be reading this series for depth. It works as a standalone novel, but I’d recommend reading Austenland first. It’s the better of the two books and introduces the place and quite a few of the returning characters. 

BOTTOM LINE: Pure fluff, but enjoyable fluff. I read it during the Dewey Readathon and it was a great choice for later in the day.

**Side Note: Have you guys seen the Austenland movie? It's hilarious and I loved it!



Girl Walks into a Bar... 
by Rachel Dratch 
★★ 

Rachel Dratch tells her story in the latest in a line of hilarious memoirs from SNL alums. Where Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were more entertaining and gave more life advice, Dratch seems to dwell on coming to terms with being type-cast. She also talked a lot about getting offered bad roles and how her career changed after her time on SNL. 

She also had an interesting turn of events that drives the book. She unexpectedly got pregnant when she was 44. Because of this she talks more about dating issues in her 30s and then struggles when she became a mom. The audiobook is fun because the author reads it. It even includes some Debbie Downer SNL clippings. 

BOTTOM LINE: Easy quick read, but I would recommend Fey or Poehler’s book instead.

6 comments:

Kay said...

I read Austenland several years ago on a weekend when I was sick. I remember liking it, but don't remember much else. Have not seen the movie. Think it might be good to have a reread and then watch the movie. Then read this next one. Thanks for reminding me about it.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Kay - The movie was hilarious. It didn't take itself too seriously.

thecuecard said...

Dratch was always quite funny on SNL. Is she a single mom now? Or did she get married? & Does she plan to continue with movies or stand-up comedy? hmm. Haven't seen her lately.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

thecuecard - SPOILER ALERT - She is a single mom. She and the other guy were casually dating at the time, so they didn't get married, but they are raising the baby together. She said she only gets offered bit parts in things, but at this point she's ok with that.

Care said...

I was thinking of listening to the Dratch book soon - it was the next on my list after Fey and Poehler. Might be awhile though, so many good audiobooks have been recommended lately that this is falling in the queue.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Care - I know, there are an abundance of riches when it comes to audiobooks. This isn't one I would rush to pick up.