Someday, Someday, Maybe
A charming and laugh-out-loud novel by Lauren Graham, beloved star of Parenthood and Gilmore Girls, about an aspiring actress trying to make it in mid-nineties New York City.Franny Banks is a struggling actress in New York City, with just six months left of the three-year deadline she gave herself to succeed. But so far, all she has to show for her efforts is a single line in an ad for ugly Christmas sweaters and a degrading waitressing job. She lives in Brooklyn with two roommates - Jane, her best friend from college, and Dan, a sci-fi writer, who is very definitely not boyfriend material - and is struggling with her feelings for a suspiciously charming guy in her acting class, all while trying to find a hair-product cocktail that actually works.
Meanwhile, she dreams of doing "important" work, but only ever seems to get auditions for dishwashing liquid and peanut butter commercials. It's hard to tell if she'll run out of time or money first, but either way, failure would mean facing the fact that she has absolutely no skills to make it in the real world. Her father wants her to come home and teach, her agent won't call her back, and her classmate Penelope, who seems supportive, might just turn out to be her toughest competition yet.
Someday, Someday, Maybe is a funny and charming debut about finding yourself, finding love, and, most difficult of all, finding an acting job.
My Review: 7.5/10
I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book. Something a little wistful and light. Or maybe I had no expectations at all. And I may not have read it if Lauren Graham herself had not narrated it.
I'm not sure I've ever read more realistic or relatable dialogue. Franny is not stupid or naive or blind. She makes the choices and mistakes that she makes because of a willful desire to be something that fits in with the things, the life, that she wants for herself. She wants to be someone who dates this guy or works for that agency, who takes these roles and fits in this particular lifestyle, as if getting what she wants will get her there, ultimately making her happy. This seems, to me, human nature (and error) at it's finest. Chasing the things we think we want while determinedly dismissing or refusing the things we need, the things that, if we really understood ourselves, we'd want, the things we'd thrive with.
And despite Franny's lessons and growth on her journey, the book isn't heavy. There was intelligent humor and an easy way about the narration that draws you in, as if you're hearing some personal anecdotes from a close friend. Becoming invested in Franny is effortless.
I loved the circular plot, the way things that ultimately propelled her forward happened early on, rather than in her present. It was refreshing.
It was such an enjoyable read. I really hope Lauren Graham continues writing stories.
