Customer Reviews

How Perfect is That

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A couple of years ago an advertisement for Sarah Bird's The Flamenco Academy: A Novel caught my eye, and I stopped by a local Austin, Texas bookstore (BookPeople) to hear a reading. In the pages of The Flamenco Academy: A Novel I became a Sarah Bird fan. However, after reading her other books, especially, The Yokota Officers Club: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle) and The Mommy Club (Ballantine Reader's Circle), I fell in love with Bird's writing and became an earnest Bird stalker. As you can imagine, I excitedly anticipated the release of her new book, How Perfect Is That.

At the same locally owned bookstore, I grabbed a front seat to hear Bird talk about her new book that characterizes Austin's elite -- so that it is. Not being able to wait for the time or space to read the book, I called in sick and settled down to read How Perfect Is That. So what if I got fired for being a no-show, it was worth it.

That Sarah Bird knows how to create a character, and How Perfect Is That gives readers a slew of tasty characters to devour. From Trey Biggs Dix to Kittie Lee Teeter, Bird is an attuned anthropologist who gives her audience a tour through Austin's social scene with several side trips to its prominent bastions of counterculture, politics and dropouts. Certainly, Bird is a Uniter-Not-A-Divider, as she cooks the worlds of the do-gooders, homeless and social climbers into one juicy dish.

With so many things in life that disappoint, thank goodness Sarah Bird is not one. If you liked any of Bird's previous six novels, you will love this book. If you haven't read her other books, get started!

This is one smart, funny book. Sarah Bird is a wonderful writer and she's outdone herself with this achingly insightful look at Austin, Texas, from the homeless hoboes to the insecure super-rich. It's funny, it's true, there are characters you care about. Read it as quick as I could and loved every minute.

Blythe Young has been given lemons... and has no idea how to make lemonade with them.

She was recently married to a very wealthy man and part of a well-known family, but sadly is now divorced and she made the mistake of signing a pre-nup. So she's broke, wearing last years fashion, living in her friends pool-side cabin, and all while trying to maintain her socialite status but failing miserably. Her last chance is to cater an upscale garden party for one of her ritzy friends but that is a total disaster and the last step off the social ladder for her.

She's bankrupt, being hounded by an IRS agent, and stalked by her irate employees who have not been paid for months, she has been publicly humiliated, and is addicted to pharmaceuticals (oh, and have I mentioned that she hasn't had a Pap smear in ten years). Luckily for her she remembers a friend (the only one she can remember and whose calls she's been ignoring) and runs to her for help. The only problem, her friend still resides in the same housing co-op she did back when they were in college. While residing amongst the tattooed, the pierced, the rasta-wannabe's and the musically hip, she begins to face her sins and make amends for her behavior... but not without getting into all types of scrapes and scuffles along the way.

I thought this was hilarious! Blythe is a narrator you will not soon forget. Her story is one full of ups and downs but mostly one of hope. She gets herself into all types of wacky situations and is always in some type of trouble - even when she is trying to do something good it backfires on her. She is funny, sarcastic, witty and clever. All the other characters were quirky and unique and they were just tons of fun. The story is set in Austin, TX and from what I've read from other reviewers - the descriptions of Austin are very accurate and there is a lot of Austin-insider info were someone who is not from or has never been to Austin might not fully comprehend. That was definitely not the case with me and I do fall under the category of never been. This is a quick, easy read with an uplifting message that I would definitely recommend.

Loved this book! With snappy wit and insight, Sarah Bird delivers yet another wonderful reading experience. The characters are sharply defined in a way that makes you almost hurt for them, yet wanting more and more. Unlike many books I read, this one kept strong throughout--it was with real sadness that I turned the last page. I hope Ms. Bird won't keep her readers waiting too long for our next fix.

I decided that I wanted to read HOW PERFECT IS THAT by Sarah Bird because it sounded like a good book to read during the summer. Based on the description, I thought it would be a light, entertaining book with a cute little message in the end -- you know...normal chick lit fare. However, after reading this novel, I hesitate to call this book chick lit because of some of the negative connotations associated with that word (don't get upset with me, I happen to love good chick lit.)

The first half or so of this book definitely had "chick lit" elements; however, I actually found the messages in this book to be quite deep -- surprisingly so. As I was reading the last few pages of this book, I was actually tearing up -- real tears of joy. I found HOW PERFECT IS THAT to be almost an inspirational book for me, and it had with some wonderful words of wisdom about love and the value of friendship. This book made me think of all the things in my life that I'm grateful for (as well as those things that I should really work on); and I just wanted to call all my good girlfriends and tell them what they mean to me. (I didn't do that because they'd think I'm nuts, but I hope they are reading this review now and realize what they mean to me!)

Now, I know this review might sound like it's going overboard; and I think some people who read this novel might find it "corny" and feel that the story is tied up entirely too nicely. However, I have to say that I really appreciated this book. That's not to say that HOW PERFECT IS THAT is by any means the "perfect" book or even my favorite book of the year -- I just like that this book made me evaluate my own feelings and actions.

I have to admit that I wasn't always this crazy about this book. I didn't exactly love the first half of it because I found the character of Blythe to be so terribly annoying. After reading the entire book, I understand that that was the author's intent; however, Blythe really was despicable! I got more than a little tired of all her snide comments and how she treated everyone she encountered. Having said that, I did think that the writing was extremely smart and witty; and I found myself laughing at her social commentaries about the Texas wealthy crowd as well as Texas politics.

What I definitely liked about this book is that it shows that even the most unlikeable character (i.e. Blythe) can redeem herself. Trust me when I say that Blythe did a full 180! So ultimately, this book is about redemption. Yet, it's also about forgiveness -- forgiving others as well as ourselves. And, there are lots of other messages too like realizing what's important in our lives and doing things to actually make a difference (like helping those less fortunate than us.) I also loved that HOW PERFECT IS THAT featured the strength and importance of female friendships!

One of my absolutely favorite scenes in this novel is when all the richy-rich (and shallow) women are sharing their feelings at a retreat. It really jumped out at me:

"Friends. Our friends exasperate us. They annoy us. They compete with us. They gossip about us. We gossip about them. But we wouldn't be who we are without them. Millie told me that each friend God gives us is sent for a reason. Maybe she was sent to comfort you. Maybe you were sent to comfort her. Maybe she was put in your life to prod you to become more than you think you can be. Maybe she is the aggravation in the oyster that makes you form a pearl. Maybe she was sent to make you laugh or talk or think."

This book was hilarious. I laughed almost from the first word all the way through. And while I couldn't connect with Blythe on a personal level it was entertaining to try and find reason in her messed up logic. She's been cast aside from her once glamorous life and is trying to wide a wave that has long left shore. While she can't seem to realize it, all of her problems are her fault, not her ex-husband or his "evil" mother.

Her look on life is a bit disheartening and I can't say I want to trade places with her, however seeing what she comes up with is hilarious. From the Ruffies to the tandem recumbent bike to the "off label" spa clinic this book just kept me laughing. There are so many moments when I was thinking she's screwed now, but somehow she comes up with something.

I know I keep mentioning how funny this book was, but I couldn't stop laughing. Even when I was talking to my bf about what was happening in the book he would chuckle. It's a great pick me up, cause if you feel like you have nothing well Blythe has even less, and she's making due (kind of). It's good chick lit and it was a pretty quick read.

Sarah Bird has very cleverly written an engaging and humorous depiction of Austin, Texas...from the homeless to the haute couture. Social climber Blythe Young has hustled her way to the top of Austin's elite society. But a nasty split from her patrician husband leaves her penniless and worst of all, a social outcast! To make matters worse, her catering company is failing and she is wanted by the IRS. With her life in a shambles, she is taken in by her old college roommate, whom she had disdained during her ascent into high society. Absolutely hilarious antics ensue when Blythe vows to regain her prominent social standing.

Ms. Bird has brilliantly crafted a creative, witty storyline with a delectable cast of unique, complex characters. Her writing is very imaginative, descriptive and laugh-out-loud funny. Through this compelling story, Ms. Bird makes an indirect comment about Austin's high society...their lifestyles and politics. She also teaches a wonderful lesson on the value of female friendships. I thoroughly enjoyed this truly entertaining novel and I highly recommend it!

We've all heard the saying, "When you're at the top, the only way to go is down." Well, Blythe was at the top. She had it all: the perfect husband, the perfect house and money raining down around her. With nowhere else to go except plummeting off of her perfect cloud, Blythe's life does just that. Now a divorcee, Blythe kicks herself constantly for signing that dratted prenuptial agreement and although her life is in shambles, it leads to some great laughs for the reader. HOW PERFECT IS THAT by Sarah Bird is a perfect summer read with drama, suspense and the perfect amount of gossip to fuel our fun-loving little hearts.

Blythe's story is that of a ruined socialite. She had it all and then in the blink of an eye lost it all as well. Her catering business is now the only thing that is keeping her head above water and even that is plummeting to the ground. What's a girl to do when her clients want pāté but refuse to pay her an advance to purchase the goods? Why, she makes it with Crisco, that's what.

Living in a carriage house, Blythe is trying to survive and attempt to feed herself and her business. Only problem is that everyone keeps coming after her for money! Even her employees want to be paid now! Ha! With a cocktail of liquor and psychiatric medications keeping her going, Blythe must find some way to turn her life around and gain the ability to once again stand on her own two feet. Seeing her old friend Millie as her only escape, Blythe will run to her and beg sanctuary. Will Millie stand with Blythe through thick and thin or will Blythe's escapades push Millie to the edge?

I thought HOW PERFECT IS THAT was absolutely hilarious. Bird does an amazing job of instilling realism and humor into her story in such a way that we don't really question whether or not this could actually happen. Of course it can! Nobody could possibly be creative enough to make up Blythe and her odd ways of going through life...right? Bird's creativity flows through the pages as we encounter events with Blythe that will both drop our jaws and have us rolling on the floor in laughter at the same time.

One of these moments for me was right near the beginning where Blythe decides that she must drug the people at the party she is catering so that they won't realize how bad the food really is. That scene was unbelievable and hilarious at the same time. I felt horribly guilty for laughing, but how could you not? Bird's writing makes you laugh, makes you feel. I absolutely loved that about the book and I imagine that anyone else with a tender spot for stories that make you feel something would love this as well.

For a quick, fun, summer read I was expecting good characters but fairly shallow depictions. Instead, I found that Bird's main characters were very well developed with multiple layers of complexity. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. This adds depth to the story and acts as another handhold for the brain to attach to. Through the characters, we were more able to fully dive into the story and become one with Blythe. Due to her mishaps, this wasn't always pleasant, but being able to feel that connection with a character in a story was fantastic.

HOW PERFECT IS THAT was a lovely book with wonderful characters and a good deal of tension to pull the reader in. I loved the story and I believe my rating should reflect that. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for some good women's fiction, a nice summer read or just something different to carry the mind away. This was a fun story, an emotional story and a great work of fiction by author Sarah Bird.

Blythe Young has made some serious mistakes in her life and is on a dangerous downward spiral. She has lost all that was important to her. Her friends, her husband and worst of all, her status. She is now forced to work for her money and has a "the world owes me" attitude. With the IRS hot on her trail, how will she survive? She can't go home and she drugged her clients so she can't exactly ask for her check. Then a lightbulb appears and she realizes that she does have somewhere she can go. Her college roommate, Millie, who has a heart of gold will surely take her in. In her desperation she uses the only means she knows to get what she wants. She lies and sucks up. Will Millie take Blythe under her wing and show her the error of her ways or will Millie the saint become as frustrated and fed up with Blythe as everyone else seems to be?

I really enjoyed this book. If you have ever made a mistake or lost touch with someone important to you then you will be able to relate to Blythe in some way, shape, or form.

Thank you to Sarah from Pocket Books for sending me this book to review.

I love books that have a healthy dose of high fashion. This gem of a book delivers the red soled pumps and the couture closet every girl dreams of. Unfortunately the leading lady, Blythe Young, manages to lose everything when her slimy husband dumps her with no notice and kicks her out of the mansion with nothing more than what she could carry. Having signed a pre-nup, she is stuck with no friends, no money, and a very bruised ego.

Powering through on the drug cocktail of champions, she tries to keep her once thriving event planning business afloat by throwing one last ditch effort of a tea party to impress her former friends. Unfortunately nothing goes as planned, and she ends up on the run from the IRS and quite possibly the DEA.

With nowhere to go and no money in her pocket, she ends up going back to where she started, her old stomping grounds at college. Her old friend Millie is still living at the Seneca House, she is a den mother of sorts. Blythe had stopped talking to her bosom buddy when she struck it rich, and is pleasantly surprised to find that her old friend holds no grudges and wants to extend the olive branch.

Blythe manages to wreak havoc in the house, and because of that she might not be able to stay. Having to move back to the college slums has given her a new lease on life, she has to decide what makes her happy and what she wants to gain out of life, but luckily she has the help of her friend Millie.

A little bit of romance and a lot of backstabbing keep this book interesting. Check it out! If you liked Girls in Trucks, you will love this book.