Book Review- Sophia Benoit's Well, This is Exhausting: Essays

Thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with a copy of Sophia Benoit’s memoir, Well, This is Exhausting: Essays, in exchange for an honest review.

In Well, This is Exhausting: Essays, comedy writer Sophia Benoit covers a variety of topics, such as body image issues, overcoming the need for male approval, and the societal pressures that women face. Benoit’s writing is frank and honest, often both thought-provoking and humorous.

I found the collection to be a bit uneven, with some chapters, particularly the ones that were numbered lists, to feel like filler material, while other chapters, such as those regarding her young-adult relationships or the idea of perfectionism for women, to be poignant. A majority of the chapters have footnotes, which again, sometimes worked well to add depth, clarity, or humor, but sometimes seemed unnecessary. Just like Benoit, I also read a lot of non-fiction writing akin to Well, This is Exhausting. Knowing the genre well, made me hyper aware of which essays had a fresh perspective and which ones seemed rehashed.

I could relate to her early dating efforts, especially the idea of being a “Chill Girl.” It made me cringe, but to some extent I could see myself at the same age, doing similar things for male attention. I can also see that behavior in many of my female friends. Benoit is more than a decade younger than me, and we dealt with different technology and lingo in our early twenties, however, the actual problems were all too similar. Benoit’s essays made me consider the disparities between men and women, and how the expectations thrust upon women are both unfair and difficult to shake.

Benoit is an interesting voice and I’d definitely read her future works. I would be most interested if she published another essay collection in a decade or two, when she has the perspective of being middle-aged. Not only would I anticipate the personal shift from experiences/passage of time, but also in a world that is rapidly changing, it would be interesting hear her take on society and feminism.

Yachting Adventure!

Back in September 2019, our friend’s Bryan and Valerie invited us on an afternoon of yachting that they won in a charity auction. Our friend’s Greg and Susan were also invited. The six of us definitely equal trouble!

I’ve been on many different types of boats, but this was my first time on a yacht.

It was a warm, early fall day in Long Beach, California, where we set off from the marina for a three hour tour. You’re welcome for getting the Gilligan’s Island theme stuck in your head!

Our vessel was the Connemara.

I don’t remember the names of the two co-captains/ co-owners, but they were very welcoming and even prepared a picnic style lunch for us. Sub sandwiches for the win!

We sailed past the iconic Queen Mary, which I have had the pleasure of visiting many times. It’s truly a historic landmark in Los Angeles.

Here we all are enjoying the salty air and sparkling sunshine.

A few shots of the yacht, including the interiors.

Our day was lovely and relaxing, until the wind picked up and the yacht leaned so dramatically that I was certain that we were going to capsize.

We did not capsize, but it was tense for about twenty minutes.

We headed back as the sun was starting to set.

Back at the marina.

We ended our day with cocktails at the Shoreline Yacht Club, which is for exclusive use by members of the club, so it was a special experience to be guests of our captains. The drinks were strong and we drank too many!

We had a beautiful day on the ocean. A big thanks to Val and Bryan for including us in this experience. It was a bit extra special, because just over a month later, we would move to Colorado, far away from my beloved Pacific Ocean.

Book Review: Christina Clancy's Shoulder Season

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of Christina Clancy’s novel, Shoulder Season, in exchange for an honest review.

Only child Sherri Taylor is nineteen when she finds herself alone in her small Wisconsin town, with both of her parent’s having passed away. Her parents left behind their apartment and her father’s old watch repair shop, both properties that she can’t manage to sell in a bad economy. Sherri’s life prospects seem bleak, until her childhood friend, Roberta, suggests that they both apply to be bunnies at the new Playboy resort that is opening in nearby Lake Geneva.

Sherri is quiet and meek, while Roberta is brazen and outgoing. No one is more surprised than Sherri, when she lands the job and Roberta doesn’t. Soon, Sherri’s eyes are opened to a new lifestyle, one where she is discovering a sense of power. Sherri leaves behind her depressing apartment and small town, to live in the dorms at the Playboy Club, quickly becoming entrenched in the partying lifestyle of her fellow bunnies. She attracts the attention of several suitors, including a Hollywood stunt man and a trust-fund baby from a prominent midwestern family.

Shoulder Season is a gripping story. I enjoyed the historical elements and even spent some time looking up photographs of the real Playboy property in Lake Geneva to see pictures of the club and bunnies from the early 80’s. I was born in 1977, so this is a bit before my time, but my mom used to tell me about the Playboy clubs and how they were seen as sophisticated and cosmopolitan. Clancy’s writing transported me to that era and gave me a taste of that world. It’s fascinating.

Sherri is a frustrating protagonist. She makes choices that had me screaming at the book. That said, Clancy made me care about Sherri, which is why I was so upset by her choices. As with any great story, Sherri has a solid character arc and is able to find peace and forgiveness. Her redemption isn’t trite at all, it’s balanced within the story.

Shoulder Season has a really surprising plot twist that changes Sherri’s world view. I was caught off-guard by it and it packs an emotional punch.

On a personal note, a small part of Shoulder Season takes place at the Palm Springs Art Museum in California, which is one of my favorite places. We are even headed to Palm Springs next week!

Shoulder Season is a page-turning story with fabulous locations and affecting character relationships. I highly recommend that it be added to your TBR pile. Clancy is a new-to-me author and I look forward to reading her other books.