Today I'm hosting a stop on the TLC Be Frank With Me Book Tour.
Be Frank with Me
author: Julia Claiborne Johnson
publisher: William Morrow
source: TLC Book Tours
hard cover: 304 pages
"foodie" read: No
random excerpt: They had a conference on a park bench. Frank was was wearing a loud laid zoot suit I'd never seen before, with tax-yellow suspenders, yellow pocket handkerchief, dice cuff links, and two-toned shoes. Xander, in ancient jeans and a T-shirt, looked like he was having a session with his new bookie, Little Frankie, whom he'd met while working as a grip on the set of a remake of Guys and Dolls. (ARC p. 205-6)
teaser (from tlc page): Reclusive literary legend M. M. “Mimi” Banning has been holed up in her Bel Air mansion for years. But after falling prey to a Bernie Madoff-style ponzi scheme, she’s flat broke. Now Mimi must write a new book for the first time in decades, and to ensure the timely delivery of her manuscript, her New York publisher sends an assistant to monitor her progress. The prickly Mimi reluctantly complies—with a few stipulations: No Ivy-Leaguers or English majors. Must drive, cook, tidy. Computer whiz. Good with kids. Quiet, discreet, sane.
When Alice Whitley arrives at the Banning mansion, she’s put to work right away—as a full-time companion to Frank, the writer’s eccentric nine-year-old, a boy with the wit of Noel Coward, the wardrobe of a 1930s movie star, and very little in common with his fellow fourth-graders.
As she slowly gets to know Frank, Alice becomes consumed with finding out who Frank’s father is, how his gorgeous “piano teacher and itinerant male role model” Xander fits into the Banning family equation—and whether Mimi will ever finish that book.
about the author: Julia Claiborne Johnson worked at Mademoiselle and Glamour magazines before marrying and moving to Los Angeles, where she lives with her comedy-writer husband and their two children.
connect with the author: facebook | twitter
recipe inspired by the book: None this time. But if coerced a little, I would make chocolate chip waffles.
author: Julia Claiborne Johnson
publisher: William Morrow
source: TLC Book Tours
hard cover: 304 pages
"foodie" read: No
random excerpt: They had a conference on a park bench. Frank was was wearing a loud laid zoot suit I'd never seen before, with tax-yellow suspenders, yellow pocket handkerchief, dice cuff links, and two-toned shoes. Xander, in ancient jeans and a T-shirt, looked like he was having a session with his new bookie, Little Frankie, whom he'd met while working as a grip on the set of a remake of Guys and Dolls. (ARC p. 205-6)
teaser (from tlc page): Reclusive literary legend M. M. “Mimi” Banning has been holed up in her Bel Air mansion for years. But after falling prey to a Bernie Madoff-style ponzi scheme, she’s flat broke. Now Mimi must write a new book for the first time in decades, and to ensure the timely delivery of her manuscript, her New York publisher sends an assistant to monitor her progress. The prickly Mimi reluctantly complies—with a few stipulations: No Ivy-Leaguers or English majors. Must drive, cook, tidy. Computer whiz. Good with kids. Quiet, discreet, sane.
When Alice Whitley arrives at the Banning mansion, she’s put to work right away—as a full-time companion to Frank, the writer’s eccentric nine-year-old, a boy with the wit of Noel Coward, the wardrobe of a 1930s movie star, and very little in common with his fellow fourth-graders.
As she slowly gets to know Frank, Alice becomes consumed with finding out who Frank’s father is, how his gorgeous “piano teacher and itinerant male role model” Xander fits into the Banning family equation—and whether Mimi will ever finish that book.
about the author: Julia Claiborne Johnson worked at Mademoiselle and Glamour magazines before marrying and moving to Los Angeles, where she lives with her comedy-writer husband and their two children.
connect with the author: facebook | twitter
recipe inspired by the book: None this time. But if coerced a little, I would make chocolate chip waffles.
I'm sort of at a loss for words. I didn't love this book...and I didn't hate it, either. It just was. I'm not really sure what the author was hoping to convey. Beyond Frank, our eccentric, maddening, lovable 10-year old with a flair for clothing, words, and history, the characters were pretty boring. They all seemed broken or imcomplete in some way.
I know this isn't much to go off of, but I can't think of anything to say beyond it. Maybe the books begs for a revisit (a couple of years down the road), but as of today - it was just sort of "meh".
As far as food goes, it wasn't a foodie read. A few things were talked about: chocolate chip waffles, hot dogs, coconut cake, chocolate cake, pasta, an omelet and salad, some stuffed shells and martinis.
More than anything, this book just makes me want to spend a day rewatching Casablanca and some other old films.
Want to see what others thought about the book? Check out the rest of the TLC Be Frank with Me Book Tour schedule:
Tuesday, February 2nd: A Bookish Way of Life
Wednesday, February 3rd: Walking With Nora
Thursday, February 4th: Doing Dewey
Friday, February 5th: Book Hooked Blog
Monday, February 8th: Lesa’s Book Critiques
Tuesday, February 9th: From the TBR Pile
Thursday, February 11th: A Bookworm’s World
Monday, February 15th: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Tuesday, February 16th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Wednesday, February 17th: All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
Thursday, February 18th: Thoughts On This ‘n That
Wednesday, February 3rd: Walking With Nora
Thursday, February 4th: Doing Dewey
Friday, February 5th: Book Hooked Blog
Monday, February 8th: Lesa’s Book Critiques
Tuesday, February 9th: From the TBR Pile
Thursday, February 11th: A Bookworm’s World
Monday, February 15th: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Tuesday, February 16th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Wednesday, February 17th: All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
Thursday, February 18th: Thoughts On This ‘n That
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
