Lena Dunham's Memoir FAMESICK-Sickness Torment Overshadow Fame

While fame came early on for Lena Dunham with her first independent film TINY FURNITURE (2010) which lead to being noticed. Judd Apatow thought wow, this girl's got talent and entrusted her to draft a TV series to pitch. The pitch's promising premise of a 20 something, present day SEX and the CITY was picked up and made into the HBO hit show GIRLS (2012-2017). Dunham wrote, stared and directed in this series which earned her two Golden Globes and several Emmy nominations. Despite never having watched the show, I was not oblivious to the phenomenon and notoriety it created. I was curious as to the creative ingenuity inherent talent for developing and maintaining this masterful conception. This compelling and often times off-putting bio left me with key takeaways. Firstly, I was disappointed there was little to glean from inventive process. Perhaps Lena was limited in dissecting her innovative mind. Still, writing is definitely her labor of love, her calling, her passion. But she drones on about writing alone in bed. Granted, her ability to imagine and draw out stories is a solitary endeavor. Getting GIRLS up and running was not and the gravitas for susstaining the quality and functioning of the show was not loss on Lena. She grasped the magnitude of people reliant upon her which was anxiety producing. Secondly, she did have a partner and bestie, Jenni Konner; the conduit for keeping the show on track. Konner kept Lena grounded until their relationship fell apart.  Lena laments relentlessly on the loss of their friendship. She had Konner agree to therapy to see if they could reignite their chemistry.  Thirdly, Lena's shared her lurid sexual encounters with TMI. Perhaps this was on par with GIRLS. Putting it out there was never meant to be filtered but felt of morose. Overall, the major focus of this candid and deftly written bio were the litanies of debilitating, excruciating maladies having to do with her uterus and endometriosis crises. It doesn't seem feasible for Lena to have had time between her hospitalizations and chronic ministrations to accomplish any work.  Recuperating and mainly ministered to by her parents, who were preternaturally supportive, their familial bond was stringent. Lena tells her mother her reason for writing FAMESICK. "I want to write this book, I told her. Everything I've been through. How random it was but how all of it needed to happen." Her mom replies, "Oh, Lena, she moaned. It just sounds so sad." Mom knows best. Lena's life felt like an unrelenting state of anxiety, depression and pain. Lena admits the only connection left with Jack, her former long time love, "the biggest thing we now had in common was the shared sense that neither of deserved to be happy." This memoir is an introspection of depression. Fame in all its glory is not Lean's whole story. It's mired in mental health issues and sickness. 

BORN on a BLUE DAY- Inside the Mind of an Autistic Savant; Interesting to Visit Not Reside

Daniel Tammet's 2006 memoir details his life in early with undiagnosed Asperger's and savant syndrome. The book takes the reader into a mind that there is very little insight into which is an extraordinary empathetic and excruciatingly detailed as to derail any interest to learn more. Too much information is not an issue for Tammet, the first born in a household of 9.  There's much to be said for his parent's unwavering support which he credits for encouraging him to pursue his peculiar or precise interests. Of particularly fascination to Daniel was his interest in numbers. His memoir explains what he finds so fascinating which is slightly more exciting or for that matter informtional to the lay person than hearing a phone directory read. Of course, no one has the door stopper phonebooks anymore and his explanations are somnolent and obsolete. The appeal of Tammet's memoir come from his emotional insights as to how he felt and how he felt himself perceived. "It's not true that we don't want to make friends. I was terribly lonely but I didn't know how to fit in." Tammet is not oblivious to the frustration of his parents, teachers and classmates.  He's just didn't understand what was being asked of him or his anxiety would become crippling and render him unable to conduct himself as warranted. Happily, he was able to develop friendships with 2 other loners at different times during his school years.  These boys shared his passion for mathematics or chess, One friend opened his world up to the many cultural advantages within London and exposed him to being around large groups of people. Still, the cruelty he suffered at the hands of most classmates was deeply painful. Tammet's memoirs offer an understanding of the many difficulties which make social interactions so hard to understand or impossible to partake for himself and other's on the spectrum. Perhaps, this insider's insight will shed light on understanding leading to more compassion. It's gratifying to know from the start Tammet is a successful adult.  As a prodigious savant and polyglot he has a prominent career as a writer and creator of educational language websites (French and German.)  Tammet's penchant for finely detailing how his mind fixates on what many would find mind numbing minutia makes reading the memoir in its entirety, a bore.  Less would have been more. 

Poetry Readings at Malibu Public Library Courtyard

All were invited to a free poetry reading in the courtyard of the Malibu Public Library on Saturday.  Being outdoors and being free was good enough for me and my dog Bowie to attend. The librarian/host for the event opened by addressing, "Why poetry?."  She followed her rhetorical question with other why questions. These were cheesy in their assessment of value fond in - say, life. She then read from Walt Whitman's famously life-affirming poems. While her comments were overall, trite - they laid a foundation for appreciating the following poets and Shakespearian thespian. There was a set theme assigned the three poets invited. One got the memo whose poems "had never before addressed the meme of joy." Her poem was in keeping with the day's sugary theme. She ladled it on heavy with the cream. The male poet started off by taking the liberty of speaking on his favored topic of philosophy. Before he went on to his more macabre v. joy poems, he said, "I hope I wasn't being too esoteric."  He was, and it was arid. His poetry along the lines of romantic mysticism; a werewolf attacking his victim was anything but staid. It was cleverly chilling. I got a flavor for what the werewolf was going for. The last invited poet didn't do her homework. She said "I'm going to ad lib". She brought a book of Khalil Gibran's poetry and read random poems as she riffled through the book until the audience called out stop. This didn't win her any accolades from me but surprisingly, her great aunt had a friendship with the famous Lebanese-American poet and she happened to have a correspondence her aunt had written to him. (How she had the poem when it was written to Gibran I'd have liked to know.) However, her aunt "Joy" (how's that for irony) was an amazing writer whose epistolatory correspondence waved poetically of her bucolic surroundings and her yearnings. Aunt Joy's letter was the highlight for Bowie and me as Bowie sat up and paid attention. The last arranged speaker shared her passion for language as conveyed through Shakespeare's mastery of words. She performed "Hamlet's" famous soliloquy and emoted his turmoils exquisitely. The courtroom oration from "Merchant of Venice" was lacking having not failed to adequately set up Shylock's brutal treatment prior in the play. Afterwards, the floor was opened to anyone wishing to share their own poetry. Hats off to the young lady who bravely shared her heartfelt writing. And, regardless of any criticisms I had, Bowie and I very much enjoyed gathering with others outside to listen to the intrinsic beauty of prose and poetry.  This I knows.   

Tana French's THE KEEPER-Murder Mystery Amidst Small Irish Community

Tana French's new novel, "The Keeper" is the third and final book in her Cal Hooper mystery trilogy. Not having read the previous two, I don't think it's something you need to do. But, reading or listening (as I did) to her unhurried storytelling of a small rural town in the Irish countryside is highly recommended. The town that hasn't changed much in generations.  Everyone's family lore is intertwine in the fabric of its hardworking farmers and small business owners.  Cal is the only outsider to ingratiate himself into the long established ties and tribulations of its townsfolk.  Having been born and raised in Chicago, Cal became one of Chicago's finest; a cop turned detective working the arduous and complicated beats of the Windy City. Having retired, the idea of moving to Ireland, the country of his forefathers with its expansive green countryside's appeal to Cal for the simpler, less demanding lifestyle it offers.  Cal was correct in  assuming Ireland would provide the fresh air and solitude not afforded him in the states. What Cal didn't foresee was the deep attachment he would feel for many of the locals. Nor did he expect to find himself immersed in unraveling the events surrounding an apparent suicide of Rachel, a local young woman. Rachel's fiancee is the son of the town's unofficial magistrate and has the local authorities at his beck and call. French is a gifted writer, known for creating mysteries. I find her craft most captivating with her vivid characterizations and natural descriptions of the majestic oftentimes dank surroundings and cozy, fire lit homesteads. Cal is engaged to the level headed Lena, a lifelong resident, longtime widow. Both Lena and Cal prefer to keep to themselves but this proves impossible in a town where everyone is related to someone else in some way or other.  Lena is the last person to have seen Rachel, Eugene's beautiful girlfriend before her body is found in the local river.  Listening to the languid story unfold, told in thick Irish accents along side Cal's clear American intonation made the investigative journey especially enjoyable and engaging. The local pub and general store are the watering holes and meeting places where everyone knows your name, your family, your business and and your connections to everyone else. The varied colors and charms of the town's locals will warm your heart and the nefarious wrangling of the town's wealthy bully will keep you captive and looking to Cal to outwit the villain. Cal has rightfully found himself in a community where friendship holds value and loyalty has meaning.  THE KEEPER is an assured pleasure; an intriguing mystery mired within the well intentioned keepings of its Irish kinfolk.  Enhance your reading pleasure with a pot of tea, a scone with jam by the warmth of a fire.  

David Sedaris' THE BEST oF ME-Might be His Best Collection Yet

Writer, raconteur and rakish vivant, David Sedaris, possesses a never ending gift for gab. His recent collection of fiction and memoir in "The Best of Me" culled from his proliferate body of work maybe his most blistering, bodacious and introspective yet. These compiled sporadic stories seem at first to be at odds with one another till you find they all share profundities and a sense for the bizarre.  Sedaris' self-irony is rampant throughout his reflections and self-perception. In the somewhat grotesque story "Leviathan" Sedaris went in search of an ideal gift and heads to a taxidermist. The taxidermist identifies in seders a kinship for a macabre fascination and shares some body parts stored. At home, Sedaris goes on line to devour more torrid findings. "It's a kind of pornography, and after sitting for 20 minutes, watching one poor animal after another being eviscerated, I erase my internet user history, not wanting to be identified as the person who would find this sort of thing entertaining-yet clearly being that person." There's an ongoing obsession with other people's perception of him and his family. The family may consider themselves declasse' but that's not for anyone outside the family to say.  Sedaris' piquant curiosity and perpetual need to be perceived as worthy are delightfully funny and incredibly relatable. In "Standing By" Sedaris' observations on the trials and tribulations of traveling amongst the masses speaks to acting like asses in transit. "We're forever blaming the airline industry for turning us into monsters: it's the fault of the ticket agents, the baggage handlers, the slowpokes at the newsstands...But what if this is who we truly are, and the airport's just a forum that allows us to be our real selves, not just hateful but gloriously so? Sedaris has hubris but also a lot of humor, candor and self-deprecation that make his work a cause for celebration. This collection was picked by the author himself. I can't but feel the stories are among his most heart-wrenching and disturbing.  He writes about his mother's alcoholism which the family contended and defended. He writes of the fallout from their youngest sister's suicide. Despite the family's problems and squabbles, there's an enduring love that is enviable.  In the story "Now We Are Five" he  reflects on the painful loss of his sister and the family's dynamic as a whole. "Though I've often lost faith in myself, I've never lost faith in my family, in my certainty that we are fundamentally better than everyone else. It's an archaic belief, one I haven't seriously reconsidered since my late teens, but still I hold it. Ours is the only club I'd ever wanted to be a member."  The tender humor, keen writing style and perpetually surprising material, "The Best of Me" will be a favorite read for fans and new ones alike.    

Emma Staub's AMERICAN FANTASY-Is a Fiasco from the Get Go

Emma Staub is an American author in her mid 40s who is touted as a voice for middle aged women. In her latest novel, AMERICAN FANTASY has garnered a lot of good buzz as being a beacon for older women's fantastical fantasies of rejuvenation on a mini-vacation featuring the heartthrob rock band of their youths.  This benign if not jovial premise quickly sinks off-shore.  Annie agreed to go with her younger sister on this short cruise following her recent divorce as an opportunity to recharge.  The cruise features the favorite rock group from their youth and the chance for their fans known as "The Talkers" to co-mingle with the band members who are also in their 40s and 50s.  "Human connection-the hole weekend was supposed to provide. It was to give the middle-aged women the vacation they always dreamed of, with the boys they'd always dreamed of." Sadly, Annie's sister broke her leg leaving Annie adrift; to sail solo.  Not a huge fan of either the rock group Boy Talk or cruises, Annie is game anyway for a getaway that's already  paid for. Annie's roommate, Maira is an old pro on board. Knowing all the ropes, Maira steers Annie affably around the ship. The story's setup seemed benign if not lighthearted. But, truth be told, the 50 somethings with extra skin folds and flabby limbs, dressed in prom outfits or peignoirs for pajama party night were pathetic. Annie, along with the other women on board were seeking a break from their bored, mundane lives and and an escape back to a time in their prime.  So too are the aging boy band members whose heyday has passed and are looking for more pay days using their glory days.  The combustible combination of tensions amidst the bandmates and calculating competition among the women to grab the attention of the bandmates becomes grating. Annie's unassuming demeanor wins her notice from Keith in the band who is struggling with his brother also in the band  Keith was dealing with strains in his marriage and finding meaning in his life. Annie/Keith's happenstance heart-to-heart and lingering farewell kiss on are enough to make everyone on board seasick. Sarah, the managing director on board has numerous knots to secure and plenty of problems to unravel to keep things running smoothly. However none of these tales of behind the scenes or aging in a youth conscious society sustain wind.  Instead, everyone and everything feels shallow. The intended depth falls fathoms short of any profundity. And, its anchoring message didn't proffer an insight of any heft.  "Annie didn't know what was going to come next, and neither did The Talkers, for all their theories and message boards.  There were no guarantees in life. Annie knew that now.  She hadn't when she was younger."  The cruise was mired in a morass of whining and yearning for years since passed.  Don't bother signing up for this tedious journey that is neither titillating, entertaining or clever.  You'll just be stuck in the doldrums.     

Christina Applegates Reads Her AutoBio which was Arduous Listening

There is nothing fun, funny or for that matter, enjoyable from listening to Christina Applegate read her own unflinching account of abuse and self-loathing.  Granted, Applegate's own redemptive purging is purported for sharing and belaboring years of sexual abuse starting at age 5, through her controlling and brutal boyfriend and her painful struggles with multiple sclerosis (MS).  Christina was diagnosed with MS in 2021 while working on the third season of "Dead to Me".   Ironically, working on "Dead to Me" was the happiest and most rewarding work experience of Applegate's five decade acting career.  "You with the Sad Eyes" is the understatement title of Applegate's just released autobiography.  A subtitle should read: You who dares read this will be devastated to learn all of the suffering the pert blonde who become a household name as the bumptious teen Kelly Bundy on the groundbreaking show "Married with Children."  The unquantifiable love Christina has for he daughter Sadie and the single mom who raised her are boundless.  The love she has for her current husband, father of Sadie, doesn't garner the gushing or final acknowledgements paid Sadie - but hey, "you're doing it" you're way Christina.  And, you took the blows and still you did it your way and shared in ways that are not only disturbing and upsetting, it's TMI. And, too much intended for whose benefit?  I finished listening (although I bore it out over two weeks) out of a sense of respect once I commenced to listened.  Congrats Christina on the longevity of your career which have earned you an Emmy and additional Emmy, Golden Globes and Tony nominations.  I'm sorry for your MS diagnosis and the ravages to your physique.  I'm especially sad for the loss of your ability to love life through dance.  I sense you've unburdened a heavy heart.  But, your troubled life  story is not one I recommend for gaining life lessons.  It serves to lessen one's sense of a life having been well-lived but sadly. merely survived.