I don't read much nonfiction, but when I'm in the mood to try something in this section I generally choose nonfiction narratives. Nonfiction narratives are books that read like a novel. One of the few times I come across a title that makes me pause and ponder, which is how I found My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me, at my library.
Description: An Emmy Award-winning writer shares her misadventures in dating. When she finally got over a hard relationship she runs across a novel her ex-boyfriend wrote about their relationship at a Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
Review: Hillary Winston is an Emmy award winning writer, most notably known for her work on the TV shows My Name is Earl and Community. Like all of us, Hillary has her string of bad relationships but hers hit an all time low that I'm sure puts all of ours to shame. While perusing the new releases section of her local Barnes and Nobel bookstore, Winston found herself portrayed on the pages of her ex-boyfriend's thinly veiled fiction novel in which her own character was barely disguised and conversations, dates, issues, etc. they'd had are written up word for word. Devastated and humiliated, Hillary decides to seek revenge in the form of writing her own true, nonfiction memoir to set the record straight.
Self-conscious, soul baring, and told with large doses of self deprecating humor, Winston holds nothing back, including her own ego, in her effort to make sense of her own horrendous relationships (and a few that I would actually call triumphs). She starts her retelling from her misstep in not acknowledging the first boy who really cared about her in fourth grade that basically foreshadows all of her bad relationships. Thereafter she continues to fall for jerks (that's really an understatement) who really don't want anything to do with her besides fulfill their own sexual urges.
I couldn't help but laugh and at the same time cringe at reading her dating disasters. And I will tell you, the girl has a knack for picking out the worst guys ever. Most of the time, however, I wanted to give Hillary a hug, chocolate, and large bowls of ice cream. It's easy looking outside in that Winston's problem is herself, plagued with extremely low self esteem and equating sex with love and approval. I cheered when Winston came to her own conclusion. I think she's extremely brave to expose her self, warts and all, to clear her name but I think she accomplished much more. Winston's memoir is funny, sensitive, and in the end will last and sit much longer on the nonfiction shelves with its bright pink cover facing out for all to see.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is strong language and sexual content in the book. Recommended for adults only.
If you like this book try: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler, Honeymoon with My Brother by Franz Wisner
Description: An Emmy Award-winning writer shares her misadventures in dating. When she finally got over a hard relationship she runs across a novel her ex-boyfriend wrote about their relationship at a Barnes and Noble Bookstore.Review: Hillary Winston is an Emmy award winning writer, most notably known for her work on the TV shows My Name is Earl and Community. Like all of us, Hillary has her string of bad relationships but hers hit an all time low that I'm sure puts all of ours to shame. While perusing the new releases section of her local Barnes and Nobel bookstore, Winston found herself portrayed on the pages of her ex-boyfriend's thinly veiled fiction novel in which her own character was barely disguised and conversations, dates, issues, etc. they'd had are written up word for word. Devastated and humiliated, Hillary decides to seek revenge in the form of writing her own true, nonfiction memoir to set the record straight.
Self-conscious, soul baring, and told with large doses of self deprecating humor, Winston holds nothing back, including her own ego, in her effort to make sense of her own horrendous relationships (and a few that I would actually call triumphs). She starts her retelling from her misstep in not acknowledging the first boy who really cared about her in fourth grade that basically foreshadows all of her bad relationships. Thereafter she continues to fall for jerks (that's really an understatement) who really don't want anything to do with her besides fulfill their own sexual urges.
I couldn't help but laugh and at the same time cringe at reading her dating disasters. And I will tell you, the girl has a knack for picking out the worst guys ever. Most of the time, however, I wanted to give Hillary a hug, chocolate, and large bowls of ice cream. It's easy looking outside in that Winston's problem is herself, plagued with extremely low self esteem and equating sex with love and approval. I cheered when Winston came to her own conclusion. I think she's extremely brave to expose her self, warts and all, to clear her name but I think she accomplished much more. Winston's memoir is funny, sensitive, and in the end will last and sit much longer on the nonfiction shelves with its bright pink cover facing out for all to see.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is strong language and sexual content in the book. Recommended for adults only.
If you like this book try: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler, Honeymoon with My Brother by Franz Wisner
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Wow. This is normally not the type of book I really want to read, but I want to run and order this book immediately! I love someone who can be self-deprecating, that always endears them to me, and now I'm a little more than curious about these guys she's picked in the past:)
I'm honestly embarrassed to admit I had no clue that nonfiction could be presented as novels, probably because I avoid that genre.
Her true life tale sounds like something many women could relate to. No wonder Girl Code is warranted, I'd probably want to step in and offer her chocolate too.
Does she mention the title of book her ex wrote? Now I'm curious about that one as well. LOL
This one sounds like fun, in a wince-along-with-the-narrator kind of way. What an awful situation to find yourself in! But the self-deprecating humour sounds like it lightens it up :)
Wow - that would be a total nightmare. Luckily I haven't had any really bad break ups. I'm am definitely curious about the book now. Did she say what the fictional book was called?
Jenny: SO horrible! I have no clue what she saw in these guys.
Missie and Alison: No, there's no mention of what the book is called, probably because she doesn't want to rise his sales. LOL.
You know I wouldn't have really looked at this one, but oh wow! Your review really has me curious. It sounds like something I'd enjoy! I need to put this one on my wishlist!
Hi! Thank you for visiting my blog. It's nice of you to follow. I'm following back as well =)
This is my first visit in your blog and I'm happy to be here. Your review about "My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me" is so fun to read. I once fell in love with a JERK too! I don't know what kind of guys this girl fall for but my first bf way back in college is a total jerk I might say. I was his gf M-W-F and then another girl for T-Th-S, and who knew what he does and who he sees every Sunday?! Anyway, sorry for too much blabbing! I just remembered my first bf-experience when you mentioned JERK LOL! (BITTER?! :)
Have a great week! See you around in the blog-o-sphere!
~APRIL
This is something I'd probably never read if it wasn't for the title and now your review. I understand writing a book based on your experiences but to write a book so closely based on your real life and not even attempt to disguise the characters is horrible. At least Hillary gets her own revenge.