Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham



From Amazon.com

It’s January 1995, and Franny Banks has just six months left of the three-year deadline she set for herself when she came to New York, dreaming of Broadway and doing “important” work...

Everything is riding on the upcoming showcase for her acting class, where she’ll finally have a chance to perform for people who could actually hire her. And she can’t let herself be distracted by James Franklin, a notorious flirt and the most successful actor in her class, even though he’s suddenly started paying attention. Meanwhile, her bank account is rapidly dwindling, her father wants her to come home, and her agent doesn't return her calls. But for some reason, she keeps believing that she just might get what she came for.

Someday, Someday, Maybe is a story about hopes and dreams, being young in a city, and wanting something deeply, madly, desperately. It’s about finding love, finding yourself, and perhaps most difficult of all in New York City, finding an acting job.


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I experienced Someday, Someday, Maybe by audiobook, and I found it to be a rare exception. Typically, I avoid audiobooks read by the author because while they may be great at creating a world, they often (in my opinion) are not as good at bringing it to life vocally. However, when the author is also an actress I enjoy, I give her a chance.  I'm so glad I did with this one.  Lauren Graham is known for her witty, fast dialogue from her TV Series Gilmore Girls & Parenthood.  This carries over into her writing as well as her narration.  

My husband & I have been on a traveling this summer & have started & stopped several audiobooks due to slow pacing & narration that did more to lull us to sleep than keep us alert & focused.  For the narration of Someday, Someday, Maybe, Lauren brought her fast speaking, comic timing which I think added to the book & made it great for a road trip.

The story follows the lead character Franny Banks through a series of ups & downs as she attempts to jump-start her acting career.  Where this is a fictional novel, I'm imagining that personal experience or at least observation came to mind when the story was being written. The scenarios feel like a realistic portrayal of life as an actress.  There are really two narratives, what is actually happening to Franny and the conversations (both neurotic and encouraging) that she has with herself in her head.  I caught myself laughing out loud throughout the book.  You can't help but root for Franny as she chases her dream (and nears her self-imposed deadline for success).

I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering pursuing a career in entertainment, (it'll either inspire you or send you running in the opposite direction toward an easier/more stable life!) or just anyone who is looking for a fun story that gives hope & heart along with the laughs.

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