Here I Go Again by Jen Lancaster
Publisher: NAL Hardcover (January 2013)
Source: Publisher via Blog Her
Formats Available: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio
Format Read: Hardcover
Synopsis from Goodreads: Twenty years after ruling the halls of her suburban Chicago high school, Lissy Ryder doesn’t understand why her glory days ended. Back then, she was worshipped…beloved…feared. Present day, not so much. She’s been pink-slipped from her high-paying job, dumped by her husband, and kicked out of her condo. Now, at thirty-seven, she’s struggling to start a business out of her parents’ garage and sleeping under the hair-band posters in her old bedroom.
Lissy finally realizes karma is the only bitch bigger than she was. Her present is miserable because of her past. But it’s not like she can go back in time and change who she was…or can she?
My thoughts: Jen Lancaster has been on my TBR list for quite a while. I’ve got both Bitter is the New Black and Bright Lights, Big Ass sitting on my shelves right now. I suspected that her sense of humor would be right up my alley, but I had no idea just how much.
Here I Go Again struck a chord with me immediately. As Lancaster described Lissy, I began to form an immediate picture of her in my mind. The funny thing is, she looked just like that girl from my own high school days. You know the one, head cheerleader, dating the quarterback, brand new flashy car and a group of her very own minions.
I’m not usually a spiteful person, but I was sort of happy that life had taken a turn for the worse for Lissy. As the story progressed and Lissy matured, my opinion of her did as well.
I talked a little bit about the concept of a soundtrack for your life in my review of The Song Remains the Same by Allison Winn Scotch. This idea comes back to life in Here I Go Again. Not only did the music in the book convey what Lissy was going through at any given time, it also transported me back through my own memories.
For grins I created a station on Pandora chock full of some of my favorites from high school. Whenever I’m having a bad day, I put that station on and am amazed at its effect. It gives me an appreciation for a time when things were different and somewhat simpler and helps me to appreciate today for what it is. Do you have a station or album that you go back to time and time again because it makes you feel good?
Here I Go Again is a laugh out loud funny book that I didn’t want to put down. I absolutely devoured this book and Lancaster’s wit and humor. This book while probably not for everyone, jump started my desire to read and pulled me out of a funk. For this, I am grateful.
I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own.
© 2013, Teresa. All rights reserved.
Sounds excellent.
I LOVE soundtracks of a persons life.
I have a few songs pinned away for sure.
I’m also making a list of songs that my father loved for my daughter. He passed away before she was born and one day I want her to have a list of songs she can listen to and remember him.
What a great idea Juju! I think you’d really like this one.
Lancaster has been on my wish-list for years, as in I Wish I Had More Time To Read list. I loves listening to Sirius 80′s on 8 because, like you said, it takes me back to a simpler time.