I’ve been talking a lot about Meredith Schorr’s Blogger Girl lately. As many of you know, I was one of the bloggers she interviewed in a countdown to the book’s cover reveal and launch. This is my third time reviewing a book of Meredith’s, and I’m excited to do it. But in the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I am mentioned in the acknowledgements of Blogger Girl. That’s HUGELY flattering and unexpected honor. And I didn’t know that when I read the advance copy, so rest assured that what I am telling you here is an honest review.
A brief summary: What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved? Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out.
A chicklit enthusiast since the first time she read Bridget Jones’s Diary, Kim, with her blog, “Pastel is the New Black,” has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that “chick lit is dead” once and for all. Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm.
While Kim’s day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story. Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chicklit scene with a hot new book that’s turning heads–and pages–across the land. It’s also popped into Kim’s inbox–for review. With their ten-year high school reunion drawing near, Kim’s coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah’s book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a “blogger girl” makes the grade in her off-line life.
As a blogger, I really enjoyed reading Blogger Girl. Meredith really captures the nuances of blogging, particularly because in addition to writing books, she also blogs. She knows what it is like trying to get the tone just right; to offer constructive feedback without being mean; to find time to blog in the midst of all the other things going on in your life. So that part of the book was really fun because I could identify with it.
At the same time, Meredith gives us an interesting story. Kim’s dislike of Hannah is palpable, and although I felt it was largely justified, I also found myself wondering if a part of the dislike was rooted in envy. Kim’s blogging, but Hannah is published. (Side note: That’s not to say every book blogger wants to be an author. I offer myself as an example. I’m pretty certain there’s not a book inside me. If it turns out I eat those words one day, I’ll be as surprised as everyone else). The Kim/Hannah conflict, in addition to Kim’s burgeoning relationship made for a very entertaining read. Without giving too much away, what I like about the relationship part of this book is that Kim’s not being unrealistically sensitive to what is going on around her. Her insecurities are all too relatable for many of us. That’s one thing I’ve always liked about Meredith’s books, that authenticity. And it is here again in Blogger Girl. The best part of the book was, to me, the end. Again, I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say this. Kim finds resolution. We don’t know what it means for the future, but it wraps things up in a very satisfactory way.
I don’t think any fan of Chit lit will be disappointed with Blogger Girl, and Meredith’s fans certainly won’t be. Add this one to your list!