Book Review- Taylor Bell's Dirty Rush

PLOT- Taylor Bell recalls her true story of her time in the Beta Zeta sorority at a college in Delaware. Initially, Bell is reluctant to join the sorority, but as a legacy, she is actively pursued to rush. 

LIKE- I picked up Dirty Rush based on positive professional reviews and a fun endorsement from Jen Lancaster. I adore Jen Lancaster. Somehow, I didn't realize that Dirty Rush was based on a true story until I had started reading, which made everything even more outrageous.

I was never in a sorority and the colleges that I attended didn't even have them. I don't think any of my close friends were in sororities or fraternities. Basically, I'm unfamiliar with them, except for what I've seen in popular culture. That said, I find the entire set-up fascinating. I just can't understand who would willingly put themselves through rushing and dealing with all of the drama. Bell does come out of the experience with some close friends, but I'm definitely not convinced of she wouldn't have made deep connections if a sorority hadn't been part of her college experience. Her friendships are solidified when the president of the sorority goes after Bell, releasing a doctored sex tape and trying to assassinate Bell's character while getting her tossed from Beta Zeta, Some of the other sorority members see what is happening and as Bell gathers proof, they stand by her side. There is a surprise twist when we find out about a terrible secret that Bell's older sister, a former sorority member, has kept hidden from her sister. Bell's story is truly shocking.

I loved that Bell was able to get Rebecca Martinson ( the sorority president who went viral for her scathing rush instruction email) to write a forward. It sets the tone for the entire book, letting the reader know that Bell has a good sense of humor regarding her experiences. Despite the intense bullying that Bell endures, her memoir has plenty of laughs. 

DISLIKE- This is a guilty pleasure read. A few years ago, I would have been embarrassed to admit to reading Dirty Rush. But you know what? I'm going to own it. Sometimes, you need a little trashy reading.

RECOMMEND - Dirty Rush is certainly not going to be everyone's cup of tea. It's shocking and has a scandalous/ TMZ type of vibe. Bell's humor and the quick pace make this a perfect beach read. I enjoyed the ride.

Book Review- Jen Lancaster's Twisted Sisters

I love Jen Lancaster... when she is writing non-fiction. She writes true stories that are quick-witted, filled with pop-culture references and ones that feel like they are being told over a bottle of wine with a best friend. 

I'm not so enamored with Lancaster's fiction efforts, in particular, her latest novel, Twisted Sisters. It's a clunker. It wasn't bad enough to stop reading, but it came close. The real problem is the lack of connection to the main character, Reagan Bishop. 

If there is something more extreme than a type-A personality, that would describe Reagan Bishop. She is extremely driven and cannot understand anyone else who does not hold themselves to her set of standards. She is exceedingly condescending and judgmental to practically everyone in her life, but she reserves a special dose of it for her two sisters, Geri and  Mary Mac. 

The primary problem with the story is the flat, one-dimensional character that is the protagonist. I just didn't like her at all. I've really come to like Lancaster's narrative voice in non-fiction and I could often see glimpses of it in Reagan, although it was none of the self-deprecating humor, just nasty, mean-spirited jabs. 

Reagan Bishop may be my least favorite character in literature. Blah. Naturally, she does go through a series of events that lead her to change her ways, but it's too little/ too late to root for her. Additionally, the events that lead to the change are supernatural. Admittedly, the book did go places that I didn't anticipate or find predictable, but that doesn't mean that it was good. The supernatural parts of the story were a snooze-fest and they were a distraction from the heart of the story, the sisterly bond.

I highly recommend Lancaster's non-fiction books, which there are several, but I can't recommend Twisted Sisters. 

Book Review- Jen Lancaster's If You Were Here

I have a lot of love for Jen Lancaster as an author and I think that's what has bumped this review to three stars. Lancaster always makes me laugh and when I read her books, I feel like I am hearing a close friend spill about their life. She has a great way of bonding with readers, drawing me in and making me feel like I am a friend. As a writer, I think that this is a wonderful skill and something that a lot of other writers are unable to accomplish.

If You Were Here marks Lancaster's departure from non-fiction, a story about a couple who buy the house used for the character Jake Ryan in the John Hughes classic "Sixteen Candles." The house ends up being a complete renovation nightmare and surrounded by bitter neighbors who didn't want the house sold in the first place. The couple quickly go from bliss to homeowner hell.

As a long time fan of Lancaster's non-fiction books, I had a difficult time separating the two main characters of Mia and Mac from Lancaster and her husband, Fletch. Mia and Mac were just so similar in tone to the way Lancaster has always portrayed her husband and herself. I felt like Lancaster had always wanted to buy the Jake Ryan house, so she inserted herself/her own personality in a fictional scenario. Even though I love Lancaster, I wanted different characters for this story.

Also, with the notable exception of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", I am not a John Hughes fan. I don't at all relate to his movies and they in no way resemble my teen years. I know that his is a huge icon for many people my age, but I just don't get his movies. This immediately made it difficult for me to relate to the character of Mia in the story and I feel that this was a significant reason for my feeling distant.