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Summary: Flashback to the Eighties
Review: A great and easy read. Loved it the first time and could directly relate with her situations with past loves and music in the eighties.
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Summary: Laughing out loud alone generally means you are insane....
Review: But you will have to let people think what they want about you when you read this book. My friends and I have been getting into reading a lot these days and sharing with each other, but I tend to stick with the ones that have characters in the present and are around the same age as I am. This is seriously one of (if not the) funniest books I have ever read. And I am happy with myself that I found this before any of my girlfriends did. That makes me proud. If you are in your mid to early twenties and loved ONE BAND OR SINGER IN PARTICULAR AS A CHILD, this book is for you. If you listened non-stop to one song in particular of theirs, this book is for you. And, if you haven't already expressed how crazy about them you were and had a t-shirt MADE with their name and picture on it, then, by all means, this book is for you. I will give nothing away about this book. You will just have to read it and thank yourself for your sore abs later.
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Summary: Not Just Funny
Review: Elise Juska's debut novel is not just funny (although it did make me laugh out loud many times). It's also beautifully written; Juska brings a luminous clarity to her descriptions of everyday life, and many of her phrases are so startlingly original that any aspiring writer would envy them. The story is bittersweet and moving; an account of a young woman's attempt to make peace with herself and with her childhood. And Juska's storytelling is controlled and sophisticated -- she makes postmodern techniques look fresh and useful, even in 2003. A highly recommended novel by a very exciting new writer.
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Summary: Light, easy, fun read.
Review: Eliza is in love with Jack Wagner. The lyrics to "All I Need" constantly flow through her head, and when she needs to calm herself down or is bored, she writes them down to make herself feel better. It's funny, I remember thinking this song was just ridiculous back then, but obviously our tastes are a little different (my sing-it-in-my-sleep song was probably more like "Bizarre Love Triangle"). The cheesiness of the song, at least in my eyes, doesn't detract from the overall theme of the book, which is how can Eliza get out of the '80s and early '90s and into the 21st century. Or wait, maybe that should be the theme? Just kidding. Actually, the author does a great job of sneaking in references to the 80's and 90's without making the story sound too retro.I really enjoyed all of the references to popular trends from the 80's that I had forgotten, like Shrinky-dinks, Strawberry Shortcake, fluorescent clothing, and so many others. They are all mentioned in the book, and it is worth reading to the end and holding onto just for that very reason. It's funny, but I was able to relate to the rock star obsession. How many of us can honestly say we weren't obsessed with a rock star at a certain point in time? Of course there's a fine line between idolizing them and dating them, and many of us have crossed that line too. The reasoning behind why Eliza continued to do this, but ended each relationship for silly reasons (remember Seinfeld?) was fairly sound. I'm starting to think about how I carry myself and could be similar in some ways to Eliza - that has to say something in favor of the book. The author is just terribly funny, and this book made a fairly good read. It dragged in parts, but overall I was interested enough to finish it, mainly to get all of the 80's and 90's references, which are the highpoints of the book. Pick it up for a great trip down memory lane!
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Summary: Clever, engaging and fun
Review: I absolutely loved Ms. Juska's debut novel, and will certainly keep my eyes peeled for her next one. It was so cleverly written, with the protagonist's first person account of twenty-something angst intermingled with said character's own effort to write a novel. Not to mention the great 80's pop-culture references woven throughout...anyone in their late 20's or 30's will surely relate! Overall a fun & engaging read...I finished it in two days. In the interview at the back, Ms. Juska confesses that this story was more comical than her other writings (short stories) to date. I urge her to continue with this genre - she has a keen talent for it!
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Summary: The 80's references were great, but that was about all
Review: I am a really big fan of the Eighties, And when I saw a book called 'Getting Over Jack Wagner" I had to read it. Elise Juska the story of Eliza, a twenty-six year old who has one dating rule. Date only rock stars, even if they are not famous yet. This book is just giving the reader a look at some of Eliza's date and the friends around her. But over all this is not one of Downtown Press better books. If you are a fan of the eighties then you will enjoy all of the pop culture references but that is about all.
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Summary: The 80's references were great, but that was about all
Review: I am a really big fan of the Eighties, And when I saw a book called 'Getting Over Jack Wagner" I had to read it. Elise Juska the story of Eliza, a twenty-six year old who has one dating rule. Date only rock stars, even if they are not famous yet. This book is just giving the reader a look at some of Eliza's date and the friends around her. But over all this is not one of Downtown Press better books. If you are a fan of the eighties then you will enjoy all of the pop culture references but that is about all.
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Summary: I really give it 2.5 stars
Review: I really wanted to love this book. The title drew me in immediately. I, too, loved Jack Wagner in the 1980's. (Actually, I still think he's pretty hot and I love his singing voice.) But this book just didn't do it for me. I love a book with a good love story and, ideally, lots of laughs. Sure, there were some funny parts, but I never really laughed out loud. I was amused by Eliza's tales of her "rock star" boyfriends from her high school days. But there was no real romance in the story. I thought Andrew was good for Eliza and was rooting for them to get together. Call me shallow, but I like a nice, happy ending. There was no closure to this book. I see most reviewers really liked it, but I give it 2.5 stars and can't really recommend it.
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Summary: Pop Culture --- and 80's Fun At It's Best
Review: I was hooked by the title - I confess. I mean, as longtime "General Hospital" fan, I was immediately drawn to Jack Wagner. I mean -- come on, it's not every day you see a book called, "Getting over Jack Wagner". How hilarious. Once I picked it up and read the back cover, that did it. I was sold. Having medium hopes for it --- it takes a lot to be a GREAT chick lit book these days, but I was completely and happily surprised. I loved the whole pop culture and 80's flashback side of this book. It made for a wonderful backdrop to the life and times of Eliza and her fancy for rock star's. What girl doesn't love a bad boy with a guitar? Not this one --- that's for sure. This look into herself and her habits is hilarious, really smart and truly romantic. I loved it didn't want it to end. I truly enjoyed every page. Give it a shot --- you'll be happy you did. A real winner!
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Summary: I love the 80's-lets hope there's a strike back
Review: The book is clever I must say. I loved the way the author told the story. It hits so close to home for me, because I love rockstars myself. But don't be fooled and think its a love story because its more of "finding yourself" type book. I do hope there is a second because the first leaves you hanging in a way. I did love it, and I loved that it was centered around good rock bands and hit songs. Its worth the money I think, or at least borrow it from a close friend.
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