' This is another book I was gifted for my birthday. ' Too much exposition! I liked this better than some of her other books, but it was not as good as Good in Bed or In Her Shoes (which was made better by the very good movie adaptation). Overall Performance: Narration Rating: Story Rating:.“Spares no bon mot in exposing Hollywood’s sexism, ageism and incurable penchant for extravagant silliness.” - Kirkus Reviews “Ruth is a multidimensional heroine, and Weiner gives her real heart and soul…Contemporary women’s fiction at its finest.” - Booklist (starred review) “Olivia Thirlby captures the youthful cynicism and insecurity of youth Ruth Saunders…Thirlby’s consistently clear characterization keeps the listener engaged with the story.” - AudioFile

In turns, Thirlby embodies Ruth’s varied emotions, sounds excited, exasperated, embarrassed, sensuous, petulant, funny, and sad.” - Publishers Weekly

The narrator’s portrayal of the young, naïve Ruth is convincing and nuanced. “Olivia Thirlby’s reading captures the heart and soul of Weiner’s novel. It’s also a gentle reminder that, as Mick Jagger sings, ‘You can’t always get what you want,’ but with enough effort you might get what you need, and that makes the next best thing feel all right.” - Washington Post “Snappy…Weiner’s tenth novel, showcases her humor and style. “Jennifer Weiner is a dynamo of a writer: witty and engaging.” - USA Today She is raised by her grandmother and after college, they go to LA together so she can become a TV writer. But they're still so good! This one centers around Ruth, who lost her parents and was disfigured in a car accident as a child. 'I recognize that all of Jennifer Weiner's books are similar, if not the same: woman with problem battles world, wins. Set against the fascinating backdrop of Los Angeles show business culture, with an insider’s ear and eye for writer’s rooms, bad behavior backstage and set politics, Jennifer Weiner’s new novel is a rollicking ride on the Hollywood rollercoaster and a heartfelt story about what it’s like for a young woman to love, and lose, in the land where dreams come true. But her dreams of Hollywood happiness are threatened by demanding actors, number-crunching executives, an unrequited crush on a boss, and her grandmother’s impending nuptials.

Four years later, she’s hit the jackpot when she gets The Call: the sitcom she wrote, The Next Big Thing, has gotten the green light, and Ruthie’s going to be the show-runner. Blockbuster #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner returns with an irresistible story about a young woman trying to make it in Hollywood…Īt twenty-three, Ruth Saunders headed west with her seventy-year-old grandma in tow, hoping to be hired as a television writer.

The next big thing jennifer weiner