This month, I wanted to find something funny and cheerful to review, so I went through my Kindle library to look at the books in my queue.
When I came across, Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham, I knew I’d found a winner. I ordered this book when it first came out, but had to stop reading it to work on the launch of This Awful Awesome Life. I soon accumulated a long list of books to review for the magazine and articles to research, so the book fell off my radar, but never far from my thoughts.
I’m so glad we have talented actors like Lauren Graham to entertain us. It was a pleasant surprise to find out she has a B.A. in English from Barnard College of Columbia University and a genuine reverence for the written word.
This is not a memoir written by a ghost writer and rubber stamped with the name of the person it’s about. It is pure Lauren Graham and it’s clear she thinks and writes as fast as she speaks.
Lauren Graham became one of my favorite actresses when I watched the first episode of Gilmore Girls. She somehow manages to exude a lovely chaos and an unexpected calm at the same time. It's a rare quality whether she's on set, giving an interview or writing a book.
Talking as Fast as I Can is fun and entertaining. Graham gives us some rare glimpses into her private life and career. She also dispenses advice with wit and kindness.
What emerges is the story of a woman who has sacrificed for her career with gratitude and wonder instead of bitterness and regret.
When she speaks about the actors, producers and directors she's worked with, she always mentions the writers, film crews, and assistants with equal kindness.
It is a rare treat to read her synopses of each season of Gilmore Girls and how she felt about the storyline and her character, Lorelai Gilmore. She shares what it's like to move on from the series, work in films and find a new home on the set of Parenthood.
It's also easy to understand why Gilmore Girls felt unfinished because it was. She talks about the decision to go back and finish the story and what it felt like to walk back in time - a time that moved forward and transplanted the cast in a present day not of their choosing, but full of possibilities. It’s also exciting that the reboot of the series, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life ends on a cliff hanger and depending on when work can safely resume, there are plans for a Season 2.
It's a fun read and you will be swept along. Graham writes with the same energy as Lorelai after her third cup of coffee.
Other books by Lauren Graham include:
Someday, Someday, Maybe (2013)
In Conclusion, Don’t Worry About It (2018)