The Autobiography of Vivian

I thought that Vivian Lives and Vivian were both very good books. Vivian Lives made me laugh and cry and I was totally wrapped up in Vivian's life and her story. I read this book in a week flat, which must be a record for me! I would recommend this book for teens and women in their 20's.

After finishing "A Remembrance of Things Past" by Proust (which was great but not necessarily a light read), I was in the mood for a "fluffy" book that would be fun and give my brain a break. I work in a bookstore and this book was on a display table so I glanced over the summary on the back cover. The website address (vivianlives.com) was included there and that night I checked out the site. It was so cute, light-hearted and fun that the next day I purchased the book. Obviously, I would not recommend this book if you are looking for something intellectual or thought-provoking. But that isn't the intent of this book so I think Ms. Krantz succeeded in creating a loveable, relatable character that is living a life that is a dream (to me, anyway). If you take it for what it is and that is what you are looking for, you will love this book and Vivian (and become a regular at her website like I have!).

I loved Vivian's story. From the beginning, I felt like Vivian and I were old friends. Like we bumped into each other in a store and decided to go for a cocktail and catch up. The way the book is written is refreshing and easy to follow and I loved how she (Viv) would ask me what I thought of what was happening in the story. (if I agreed, disagreed, could relate, could imagine?) It was a refreshing and familiar and added to the fun I was having. In the book Vivian alludes to a not so nice boyfriend from her past and I could appreciate why she seemed uncomfortable opening up and discussing all the details. It was strange, but good-strange, to read a autobiography where the woman who is the focus of the tale seems a little uncomfortable in the spotlight. I felt like she wanted all of us who were reading her book to enjoy it and get a good laugh. So, the things about her life that were'nt that rosey were only touched on. And the people, places and moments that were thrilling for Vivian, were on the table for the reader to enjoy and at least in my case, be inspried by. Vivian's book made me take another look at the life I've been living and gave me the confidance to rethink some of the decesions that I've made and will need to make in the near future. One of the best things about this book was watching Vivian rise up the corporate ladder. I could realte to how nervous and awkward she was when she first got the job at vh1. As a junior administrative assistant myself, I know how tough that can be. But I thought Vivian held the position of low woman on the totem pole with dignity and grace. Vivian's novel shows you that "you've got to be in it to win it" and that's why it was my very favorite read this summer. Vivian filled me with optimism and made me smiling and even laugh out loud. The best twelve dollars I've ever spent!

I absolutely LOVED this book! You actually feel like you are having a conversation with your best girlfriend over latte while you are reading this book. I laughed out loud so many times from getting her first "Brazilian wax" to her crashing out at her boyfriends place for the first time after a night of cocktails, not knowing that her turqiouse undies were in plain view the next morning - she wakes up and he says, "So...what's up J-Lo?" Vivian is so extremely honest and forces us to remember that "one" guy in every girls life that may have not treated us so kindly and was somewhat abusive to us. Yes, we've all been there at one time or another. But, she keeps on going on and is bound and determined , "I will show him". She makes you remember what it's like to go on first dates and the games that men/women play IE; The Rules.I seriously think that anyone - no matter what age you are, you will laugh-out loud at this book! I can't wait until her next novel - ...

This book is told by Vivian in an honest, down-to-earth and funny tone. Vivian takes us through the last year or two of her life, starting when she first won a song-writing contest and got to visit New York City, and continues when she decides to move to New York City with her best friend. Vivian tells about her move to New York, the ups and downs of getting a decent job, describes some boyfriend ups and downs, etc. This book is an autobiography; however, since it has a lot of Bridget-Jones meets New York City type of stuff (but better) you can just as easily place it in the "Chick Lit" category. Vivian doesn't hold back too much in this book - she is pretty honest! I enjoyed how she told both the good and the bad, and went into details when it was necessary. There are love scenes in this book, but they are told with enough tact and eloquence that I would still recommend the book to everyone. So many of the "Chick Lit" books out there have some downright crude wording in them - this one doesn't. Vivian also talks about how she went from being a waitress, to an Administrative Assistant at VH1, to finally having her own website. When you finish this book, you will feel as though Vivian is your friend. I recommend this book to all women out there, especially the ones who are trying to make it on your own!