Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: a painful and gritty memoir with humor, wit and stark realism

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry is a painful and gritty memoir. The opening line: “Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead” says it all. The riveting story of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry from his childhood and his dream of fame, to addiction and recovery in the aftermath of a life-threatening health scare. A story of a young boy being shuffled from his mother’s in Montreal to his father’s in Los Angeles. A story of a fourteen year old nationally ranked tennis star in Canada. A story of a twenty four year old who would land the role of a lifetime and the fame he always dreamt of. To the outside world, Matthew Perry had it all. However, hidden behind the smile and wise cracking jokester was a man who was lonely, feeling unworthy of love and in a dark battle of addiction to drugs and alcohol. Matthew Perry’s journey to sobriety is filled with his trademark humor and a stark realism that many have never seen and he takes readers on this journey with frankness, self-awareness and extreme vulnerability. 

Many who know me know that I love Friends. It is my comfort show. A show I watch when I want to laugh and to relax. My favorite character has always been Chandler Bing. The vulnerable man who uses humor to hide his fears, insecurities and loneliness. Matthew Perry has been one of my favorite actors for years and his death in 2023 hit me hard. When he released this memoir, I was torn about reading it. I wanted to read it and yet, I was afraid. Recently, I got the opportunity to listen to the audiobook. I usually don’t listen to audiobooks; but there is something about this book and listening to Matthew Perry narrating it. It was difficult to listen to. It is deeply intimate and eye-opening. I was in tears, knowing he had come so far, so filled with hope and yet he is gone from this world. His voice reminds me of someone else I know who battled with addiction and it added to the pain of his story. He intended his memoir to help those who struggle with sobriety and I pray that it does. I highly recommend Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. 

Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing 

is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

 

The Ghostwriter: where there is one last story to tell

The Ghostwriter by A.R. Torre is a story of a world famous, bestselling romance author with a deep and haunting secret. Four years ago, Helena Parks lied. She lied in front of the police, her friends and family, and told a story. Her best one yet because they all believed her. With fifteen bestsellers and millions of fans, she shouldn’t be surprised. After a terminal diagnosis, Helena has one last story to tell. The one she has been keeping secret all these years. It will have a jaw-dropping twist that no one will see coming. But she needs help. She enlists a ghostwriter. Another bestselling author, Marka Vantly. The two authors have been fierce competitors and rivals for many years. Helena feels that Marka is the only writer with the ability to capture the darkness. She may already be dying physically, but this story will be the one to kill her soul. 

From the back cover synopsis, A.R. Torre warns readers that this book “is not a romance” as A.R. Torre also writes romances under the name Alessandra Torre. It is described as suspenseful with dark secrets and wow, does it deliver! From the very beginning, Helena tells readers that they don’t know the whole story, no one really does. She is determined to reveal the truth after her death and she does it in the firm of one last book. She enlists her rival, Marka, and the two begin the process of writing her last story. The most painful and darkest story yet. Helena is a woman filled with grief, pain and guilt. She has created a harsh and eccentric façade in order to protect her secret. I enjoyed the development of her relationship with Marka. This story kept me guessing and I was on the edge of my seat until the end! I highly recommend The Ghostwriter! 

The Ghostwriter is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Dancing with the Sun: a fight for survival brings recovery from the past

Dancing with the Sun by Kay Bratt is the story of Sadie Harlan, through a life and death situation, learns to confront the past and move forward with her life. One weekend while her husband Tom is away on a camping trip, Sadie realizes that items are missing from their home in South Carolina. Fearing the worst, Sadie books a flight and visits their daughter, Lauren, who is attending a summer internship in Yosemite. Lauren convinces to take a short hike into the park and despite her anxiety, Sadie follows her. Soon they get hopelessly lost and a sudden rainstorm catches them unaware and unprepared. Their short hike turns into a fight for their lives as they search for food, water and the way back. They face injuries, exhaustion and natural predators. While facing almost certain death, Sadie and Lauren open up to each other about the past and their future plans. Will they be able to get out of the park alive? Will Sadie discover strength and resourcefulness? Will Sadie finally forgive herself and learn to let go of the past?

One of my worst fears is being lost in the wilderness without supplies and without a way home. Dancing with the Sun certainly is a story to remind people to always be prepared when going into the wild. On a deeper level, it is a great story about a woman who realizes that she’s holding onto the past and refuses to allow herself to love and be loved and experience the fullness of life. When faced with the possibility of death, Sadie learns an important lesson about letting go and moving on. I was able to finish this book in a few hours as it drew me in and refused to be put down. I had to finish. I had to know if Sadie and Lauren survive. I highly recommend Dancing with the Sun.

Dancing with the Sun

is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Fault in Our Stars: a story of living in the moment

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a story about two-crossed lovers who are battling cancer while experiencing the angst and rebellion of adolescence. The story opens with Hazel, a cancer survivor, who has to be on constant oxygen due to the medication which keeps her cancer at bay. She is pressured by her mother to attend a support group for teenager cancer patients. She reluctantly goes where she encounters a new attendee. Augustus “Gus” Waters is 17 and immediately drawn to Hazel. They discuss their favorite books, Hazel’s is An Imperial Affliction written by Peter Van Houten, who has become a recluse since the book’s publication. Together, Hazel and Augustus go on an adventure of discovery and romance.

I enjoyed this book for the beautiful story. It is rare for me to say that when I didn’t like the main character. I feel that Hazel is too philosophical. At one point, she rants about eggs for breakfast and why not for other meals. I don’t know about you but I grew up with “breakfast” foods for lunch or dinner, just like I’ve had “lunch” or “dinner” foods for breakfast. I also didn’t understand her willingness to get into a car and go to Augustus’ house when she makes it clear after the meeting that she seems to be annoyed by him. I also didn’t enjoy Hazel’s “life sucks, cancer sucks” rants that seem to be her personality. I know that cancer is a very difficult disease. I have seen and watched many people suffer. While some have survived and others have not, not once did I see a “poor, pitiful me” attitude. Even when at the end and the bleakest reality was facing them, I have seen optimism and hope until their last breath. I enjoyed Gus the most. I enjoyed his flair for life despite his cancer. I enjoyed the interactions between Gus and his friend, Isaac. There is one scene (which I won’t spoil for you) that I laughed and said “That’s being a teenager!”

There are so many great quotes from this book that could summarize the theme. However, I feel the precise of the story was summarized in the line “Grief does not change you. It reveals you.” I find this statement to be very true. Grief has a way to reveal the inner strength of people but it can also reveal someone else’s weakness. The Fault in Our Stars is an enjoyable story filled with laughter and tears.