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The Next Best Thing: A Novel [Hardcover]

Jennifer Weiner
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (276 customer reviews)

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Book Description

July 3, 2012
Actors aren’t the only ones trying to make it in Hollywood.…At twenty-three, Ruth Saunders left her childhood home in Massachusetts and headed west with her seventy-year-old grandma in tow, hoping to make it as a screenwriter. Six years later, she hits the jackpot when she gets The Call: the sitcom she wrote, The Next Best Thing, has gotten the green light, and Ruthie’s going to be the showrunner. But her dreams of Hollywood happiness are threatened by demanding actors, number-crunching executives, an unrequited crush on her boss, and her grandmother’s impending nuptials.

Set against the fascinating backdrop of Los Angeles show business culture, with an insider’s ear for writer’s room showdowns and an eye for bad backstage behavior and set politics, Jennifer Weiner’s new novel is a rollicking ride on the Hollywood roller coaster, a heartfelt story about what it’s like for a young woman to love, and lose, in the land where dreams come true.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Weiner is coming off a year in Hollywood, and she puts the experience to excellent use in this utterly engaging story of a showrunner who, after six years of slogging, finally gets a series on the air, only to discover that her troubles are only beginning—meddling studio execs, egomaniacal actors and one crushable but unobtainable boss." (Time)

"Spares no bon mot in exposing Hollywood’s sexism, ageism and incurable penchant for extravagant silliness." (Kirkus )

"Full of warm and interesting characters as well as a wealth of insider industry detail (Weiner was a cocreator of an ABC Family sitcom), this is a must-read for Weiner’s many fans and anyone who enjoys smart, funny fiction." (Library Journal)

"An entertaining story about the dream-crushing compromises on the road from page to screen." (People)

“A knockout. Perfect comic timing meets effortless dialogue and an engaging plot…. Enjoy your place on top of the lit world, Jennifer Weiner. You've more than made it.” (The Miami Herald)

"Jennifer Weiner is funny and dead-on when it comes to building a satisfying summer read.” (New York Daily News)

“Ruth is a multidimensional heroine, and Weiner gives her real heart and soul. Readers will root for her to get everything she ever wanted—not to settle for the next best thing. This is contemporary women’s fiction at its finest.” (Booklist (starred review))

“Weiner’s snappy new novel showcases her humor and style." (Washington Post)

“A fascinating glimpse into the television industry…Weiner’s strong sense of comedy comes through in her characters’ witty banter and Ruth’s writing. You will cheer her on in her quest to find success and love.” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

“Weiner is a chick-lit writer with chops—and she puts them to expert use in this funny, feel-good tale.” (Better Homes & Gardens)

About the Author

Jennifer Weiner is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including Good in Bed, In Her Shoes, which was made into a major motion picture, and The Next Best Thing. A graduate of Princeton University, she lives with her family in Philadelphia. Visit her online at JenniferWeiner.com.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Atria Books; 1st Printing edition (July 3, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1451617755
  • ISBN-13: 978-1451617757
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (276 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

JENNIFER WEINER is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including Good in Bed, In Her Shoes, which was made into a major motion picture, and The Next Best Thing. A graduate of Princeton University, Weiner lives in Philadelphia with her family. To learn more, find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or at JenniferWeiner.com.

Customer Reviews

It felt like I was reading some high school short story that just never ended. hadtofinish  |  33 reviewers made a similar statement
Great story with great characters. Melissa L.  |  29 reviewers made a similar statement
I'm having a difficult time even finishing this book. Cal  |  18 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 52 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Difficult to finish... July 26, 2012
By Cal
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have to begin by saying that I'm an avid reader and have read every one of J. Weiner's books. I'm having a difficult time even finishing this book. I'm 2/3 finished and fight every night to read more. Sadly, I think this is the worst book she's written... I'm totally uninterested in the plot, characters, etc... There are definitely better summer reads out there if that's what you're after!
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57 of 68 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST Thing July 3, 2012
Format:Hardcover
Once upon a time, I worked in film and television. And I remember my boss telling me, "Nobody sets out to make a bad movie." And then she'd tell a story about an infamous flop, and how amazing the original script had been. I thought about this story as I read Jennifer Weiner's The Next Best Thing, a take on the television industry from one who knows whence she speaks. At the center of her tale is Ruthie Saunders, Weiner's skinniest protagonist to date. But Ruthie has her own body image issues, owing to a horrific childhood car crash that left her orphaned and scarred in more ways than one. Fortunately, Ruthie was raised by a loving grandmother that saw her through years of painful reconstructive surgeries, during which the two of them found comfort in television shows like The Golden Girls.

That's what Ruthie has always wanted to do, write for television, and readers get to know both her and her grandma as they follow Ruthie though her dues-paying years. All of which lead up to her big break--the chance to produce her own show. It is also called The Next Best Thing, and is a sitcom about a slightly heavy underdog and her grandmother making their way in the world. Much of the book entails Ruthie's struggles to bring her vision to life, while juggling her personal relationships.

Just now, I started to type, "First and foremost, this is a Hollywood satire." And then I deleted. Because while this absolutely IS a delicious Hollywood satire (which is sure to please fans of the Showtime series "Episodes"), I think any Weiner novel is automatically a novel about women, our relationships, our insecurities, and our dreams. I say "our," because I think there is a very universal appeal to Jennifer Weiner's flawed protagonists.
... Read more ›
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22 of 28 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Summer Read! July 3, 2012
Format:Hardcover
Jennifer Weiner's books are consistently good reads. The Next Best Thing is a story about a writer in Hollywood that provides the reader with a behind the scenes realistic picture of the process behind getting a new show on the air. It is also a love story between a grandmother and a granddaughter thrown together by circumstance. And the love they both find in Hollywood.

Ruthie's parents died when she was young in a terrible car crash that left Ruthie fighting for her life and disfigured. Her grandmother gives up her retirement to raise Ruthie and she raises her well. Her grandmother works hard to instill a sense of self worth in Ruth. She is her biggest supporter. And heads off to Hollywood with Ruth when she wants to write for television. Ruth works as an assistant and works her way up while working on her writing skills.

Weiner's Hollywood is portrayed with all imperfections. What sells is what really matters. Good writing and good stories are rarely appreciated in the world of network sitcoms. Quality be damned. If women are not stick thin then they aren't worth anything. Cosmetic surgery abounds. These realities pepper the journey Ruth embarks on as her concept and script for The Next Best Thing go full circle.

Loved the ending! How delicious! A perfect conclusion for Weiner's two Golden Girls. The Next Best Thing is out on July 3rd. Excellent summer read...be sure to give it a shot.
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Hard to finish July 27, 2012
By shoegal
Format:Hardcover
I've read all Jennifer Weiner's books and loved most, tolerated some. This one was shockingly awful, even as a beach read. I say shockingly because I can't believe the same author who wrote a character struggling with an adulterated version of her work being produced would allow this drivel to be published. To make a long complaint short: 1) it was confusing, as other reviews said. The secondary characters were hard to tell apart and it was hard to even see their significance at times. There was excruciating detail in some areas but then no info about other plot developments. 2) The characters were repetitive, both within the story and from Weiner's other books. I get it, she wants to give a voice to the "non beauties" of the world. But our main character Ruthie continually finds success and friendships, so it's hard to sympathize with her constant (and I mean constant) deliberating about how no one will ever love her and she's worthless. There's self deprecating reflection and then there's whining, and this definitely falls in the latter category.
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23 of 30 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Weakest effort yet July 8, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
Bought this, at full price, like I do every one of Jennifer Weiner's books. I'm always hoping that each new title will finally be as wonderful as "Good in Bed" and "In Her Shoes." And it never is. Name-dropping, stereotypes and clunky pop culture references (like anotheer reviewer mentioned, gee, I wonder who "Cady" is supposed to be!), at the expense of character and plot development, make her latest work especially unreadable.

It is perhaps unfair to rate a book after only getting halfway through, but I had to stop reading when the author introduces George. He's one of the writers for the sitcom "The Next Best Thing." He's also a COMPLETE ripoff of 30 Rock's Twofer -- African American, Harvard, from a well-heeled family, and his paycheck comes from another budget because he's part of a "diversity initiative". That last detail was the basis of an entire episode of 30 Rock! There's a difference between homage and plagiarism.

I'm wondering if Weiner has some software that spits out these formulaic books. At this point they're clearly being churned out with little effort by the author (not to mention her publisher -- how does lifting AN ENTIRE CHARACTER, however minor, from someone else's work pass basic fact-checking?!) to meet deadlines and keep those royalties rolling in. I guess that's what happens when writers have to produce on demand.

I'm not sure if I'll slog through the rest of The Next Best Thing, but I'm willing to bet the narrator has a baby, since that seems to be the only happy ending available in Weiner's ouevre.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars She did it again
I love Jennifer Weiner she can always make me laugh.
Read the book. You will not regret it. Then go read Good in bed because that's my favorite.
Published 2 hours ago by lori hansen
1.0 out of 5 stars This is not the next best thing.
I believe you have better things to do today rather than pick up this book. I was so happy to get another book by this author- I adored Good in Bed. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Yoshi Kuboki
3.0 out of 5 stars The Next Best Thing - Started out good then it fizzled.
I enjoyed the first third of the book, then it became boring with too much detail about putting the TV show together.
Published 2 days ago by LORRIE BERNSTEIN
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Yet
All of Jennifer Weiner's books are fantastic but something about this one really drew me in.
I was in love with all the characters from the first chapter. Read more
Published 5 days ago by erin iocco
5.0 out of 5 stars Read Some Chapters 3 times
Jennifer is a great writer and knows how to tell a story. I loved and hated the main character, I rooted for her, admired her and chided her.
Published 6 days ago by L. Tabas
1.0 out of 5 stars the Next Best Thing
Sorry, I love Jennifer Weiner, but I could NOT finish this book. I basically put it down and asked "Who cares?? Read more
Published 7 days ago by Suzanne
4.0 out of 5 stars The next best thing
Easy read. I enjoyed it and really liked the characters. Great story and interesting read on how a script becomes a tv show.
Published 8 days ago by readergirl
4.0 out of 5 stars different, but likable
This wasn't my favorite Jennifer Weiner book, but I did enjoy it and don't regret purchasing/reading. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Stephanie Frank
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my new favorites
This book is excellent! Give it a chance if you think it is slow it really is not it is a wonderfully inspirational story! I really liked this book!
Published 15 days ago by Woweecalvin
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this!
Ever wondered what it takes to get a network comedy on the air? Wonder no more.

I absolutely loved every page of this story.
Published 15 days ago by NFL Fan
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