Readers and critics have their say in this collection of a few of the many comments made by those who have read Sarah Bird's books.
About How Perfect Is That
http://www.valuewit.com/2008/05/how-perfect-is.html
Sarah Bird, who wrote Yokota Officers Club, Flamenco Academy and some other yummy books, has written a new book called How Perfect Is That. Can't wait to read the book that has a line saying:
Ah, Pemberton Heights, the creamy-white filling squirting out of Austin’s exclusive Tarrytown Twinkie."
For you real live Pemberton residents (all three of you) who read Value wIT, get over to Texas Monthly and read an excerpt from Sarah's book and see if you notice yourself. The rest of you, head to Book People on June 10th at 7:00 pm and hear Sarah talk about the book and get her to sign your copy. I'm going. I'll be the girl in the dark glasses.
Comments
I love Sarah Bird. The Boyfriend School was a great book, but an unfortunate movie with Shelly Long and Steve Gutenberg. Wish I could go hear her do a reading. I'll just settle for ordering the book on Amazon, I guess.
Posted by: Glennia | May 28, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Oh goody! I can't wait.
Posted by: hokgardner | May 28, 2008 at 08:49 PM
i think this is really houston society under the veil of austin. i live in pemberton and either i don't run right crowd or am just too lazy to care. either way, it does seem like a good read!
Posted by: pillowprincess | May 28, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Love me that Sarah Bird. She pens some mighty fine lines.
This new book of hers sounds like a hoot. Hey-- by June 10th, we'll be firmly ensconced in our downtown high rise and we can stroll over to this reading! Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: austin homeboy | May 28, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Seems like all the Value wIT readers should be invited to your new digs!
Posted by: Value wIT | May 28, 2008 at 09:28 PM
I am with you pillow princess...totally clueless on who she's talking about - but I will for sure read the book as I loved her writing!! Bitsy, you know everyone around here...do you recognize any of em'??
Posted by: tootsie | May 28, 2008 at 09:57 PM
That Sarah Bird is really brilliant and surely concocted the characters from bits and pieces of all sorts of people. She writes another book set in San Antonio (Mommy Club) and it's got some great characters that are so San Antonio-y. She has a way capturing a type.
I agree that the excerpt does seem Houston-like, but I can't wait to read the whole book to sniff the Pemberton parts - real or concocted. Sarah's son did go to St. Andrews so there was probably plenty of fodder that stimulated some of the characters.
Posted by: Value wIT | May 28, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Tootsie, does the name Trey make you scared?
Posted by: Poolboy | May 28, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Two things--
1. I'm estimating that we won't be settled at the condo in toto til August at the soonest -- for the first few weeks, we'll be in disarray and shuttling between downtown and the current house. But yeah, we'll be glad for our friends to come by. We will be working on the interior for at least two months. Warning-- we are going to be total jerks about no high heels on the hardwoods-- we wanted polished concrete, but they wouldn't allow it.
2. Since y'all seem to like novels about Austin, you should avail yourselves of the quintessential tome of this stripe-- The Gay Place by Billy Lee Brammer. (The word "Gay" in his title means "festive." However, Billy Lee was amused to find his novel sometimes stuck in Human Sexuality sections of bookstores.)
Posted by: austin homeboy | May 28, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Can't wait! I love that Sarah Bird! "Alamo House" is another fun Austin read. And I, too, enjoyed "The Gay Place" for its Austin political insight.
Posted by: Shelly | May 29, 2008 at 09:02 AM
About the Flamenco Academy
Read this book. If you haven't you might not recognize the obsessed, irrational, almost other worldly kinds of things that love will drive a person to do and to think. I stumbled onto Flamenco Academy as I was ending a relationship. Reading it was as if Bird had tapped into the depths of my heart and lived each moment with me. She gave life to the obsessive passion that Rae had for Tomas, for flamenco and for every thread that might possibly connect them. She so captivated me in the gripping story that it was all I could concentrate on until I finished. I will certainly be looking forward to more from Ms. Bird, such a powerful storyteller.
Kirsten, Chico, USA
Fabulous story. A riveting tale of the lopsided friendship between a shy girl and a naughty narcissist, a passionate obsession with a sexy gypsy musician, and the heart of flamenco. Beautifully evoking historical Spain as well as modern-day New Mexico, the poignant and unsparing voice of the narrator takes us on a journey unlike any other in contemporary literature. Don't miss this book, whatever else you read all summer!
Lulu Penfield
A terrific contemporary tale. This is a terrific contemporary tale that focuses on two intriguing scenarios. First the obvious romantic triangle between the students this is well written and holds the audience attention as they wonder if friendships will end and who if either of the girls will gain the boy. However, even more interesting and refreshing is that the novel is the story of Doca that grips the reader as few subplots can. Fans will appreciate this strong tale that pay homage to the art of flamenco music and dancing.
Harriet Klausner
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About the Yokota Officers Club
Sara Bird has exposed the heart and soul of kids that have survived as dependants in the military. I picked up the book to read about my home from 1966 to 1970. I was one of the lucky extroverted ones ('Kit' in the book). I went to 13 schools in 12 years. I never realized,in my adult life, why I always felt like I was on the outside looking in, until I met Bernie in the book. Sara's book 'fills in the holes' and answers the questions, 'just where is Daddy going now?' Blending fact & fiction I found this a wonderful read. Laughting and crying in the same chapter is very cleansing. And the use of 'smells' envoked powerful memories. My love,affection and respect for my Japanese friends is only deepened. I am humbled by Fumiko's story. Thank you Sara for your literary tallent.
V Meindl
Great book! I had never read Sarah Bird before, but now I am going to try and find every book of hers. I would recommend this book to anyone!
Jemima J.
A great book, even for a younger generation. I'm sixteen, and I just finished this amazing book. It definitely seemed a little 'adult' at times, but I would still reccommend it to anyone, young or old... this book was amazing! Though this is a subject that I would previously have had no interest in, I laughed frequently as I read, associating the vivid characters with others from my life. This novel brought me such a broad range of emotions; the last few chapters struck a part of my heart that I'm sure I won't forget for a while to come.
Alexa
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About the Boyfriend School
Discover Sarah Bird's wonderful characters, snappy dialogue, humor, romance and original plot. I've lent this book to several friends and had to fight to get it back. They were charmed. It's not only a delightful read; it's a delightful re-read. My highest recommendation.
John Brady
What makes a woman fall in love? Reveals a lot about a single woman's desire to find love, romance, and passion. This book shows the process many women encounter on the road to finding the right man, with lots of humor and quirky characters. It is not complex or hard reading, but the story has been one of my favorites for over 10 years. If you can find this book -- BUY IT!
Sheren
Yes the title sounds cheesey, ah but it's just so good. This book is a funny, interesting romp with single Gretchen Griner and the weird people that write romance novels. This is something that will keep you interested and laughing. So get over the title and come to your senses. This a quality book. Rob
I still remember the staggering shock I felt as this book unleashed its big surprise twist. I shook my head and blinked my eyes and re-read the paragraph just to make sure. I never saw it coming.
'Punstress', San Diego, CF
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About the Alamo House
This is a story about being at a crossroads in life, wondering which way to turn or staying in the rut and not bothering at all. It begins with a young woman in a bad relationship who doesn't really want to leave, thereby cutting off the possibility of getting married, but knows she should try something... By the end of the story we are rooting for Alamo House and plotting the destruction. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading other books by this author.
Margaux Paschke
This is a hilarious but touching novel that hit me perfectly as I went through a divorce and had me laughing all the way through it (the book not the divorce). Even though I'm a man, the book was on the nose and it's description of working for a terrible non-profit left wing newspaper was perfect.
Bob Francs
