Monday, February 08, 2010

It's all fun and games until somebody loses an eye. Then it's just fun.


It stands to reason that I would enjoy reading novels about the publishing industry.
I love feeling in the know, getting the details of how a book get published, feeding my long-abandoned dreams of getting to read thru the slush pile for fun (I know, I KNOW.)
Olivia Goldsmith's The Bestseller is probably my favorite, although Judith Krantz's I'll Take Manhattan comes close (and the sex scenes are better).

Blind Submission, the latest entry into this rarified realm (snort), is the story of Angel Robinson, who begins the novel as a bookseller and avid reader, and then lands a job as the assistant to the head of a literary agency. Think The Devil Wears Prada (but the boss isn't quite so senselessly insane), only with books.

So, I actually have no idea where I got this book - I think it's a review copy, and it's been sitting on my nightstand for some time now. I really enjoyed it though - despite its sometimes clunky writing, improbably plot twists, and predictable ending, I just really liked following Angel through her days, watching her interact with authors - famous and wannabe, her nutty boss, and her flaky co-workers. Maybe I just enjoyed living vicariously through her, but sometimes that's ok too.

There's nothing wrong with a straightforward, fun book that for whatever reason grabs you and makes you want to keep reading.

4 comments:

Bearette said...

I loved Blind Submission. Actually, all of Debra's books are good (yeah, we're on a first name basis ;) You might want to read Waiting - her memoir about being a waitress.

Caterina said...

That's exactly what I need! A fun book that will MAKE ME keep reading. Thanks!

Kristin said...

I just read U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton, and felt the same way. I have read her whole Kinsey Milhone series, some great, some not so great, but I look forward to each one. Good reads.

Anonymous said...

I've just found your blog through A Life in Books and have enjoyed reading your posts. My favourite insider books are campus novels, especially those by David Lodge. Sasha at marginalia recently posted about another "insider" book. http://silverfysh.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/marginalia-after-the-workshop-by-john-mcnally/