Reading Ginny Andrews’ writing is like sitting down with a dear friend and just shooting the breeze. You know, if the breeze happens to include stories about yoga sessions gone wrong, adventures on the “yellow dog” (the school bus), and how not to react in an unexpected lockdown drill, among other shenanigans.
With wit and wry insight, Andrews regales the reader with tales of her missed cues and missteps in this journey we call life. I’ve often said that my epitaph will be “It seemed like a good idea at the time,” and I think Andrews might say the same. Even something as seemingly simple as rubbing some Bengay on the aches and pains of impending middle age turns hilariously, awfully funny. (And she had a coupon to buy the Bengay! She is my people!) Her monologues are filled with those things that have you wanting to crawl in a hole when they happen, but you know you’ll laugh at them. Eventually.

I think Ginny Andrews and I would be BFFs if we moved in next door to each other! Pizza and Dr Pepper and swappin’ stories for the win.

So if you’re one of those totally put-together people who’s never put a foot wrong, someone who always knows the right thing to say and the right way to act, this may not be your kind of book. But if, like me, you’ve said to yourself, “Well, that didn’t go the way I expected,” then I think you’ll be snort-laughing your way through Good Talk…Good Talk like I did, and you should read it immediately.

Ginny Andrews’s new book, Good Talk… Good Talk, is the perfect antidote to the rather dour early November. It’s breezy, it’s candid, it’s relatable, and it’s laugh-out-loud funny.

Presented as a series of essays – monologues, really – about everything from attempting meditation to fitness classes to an epic BenGay overload and beyond, and she does it all with self-deprecating humor that makes you empathize with her plight, murmur, “Same, girl, same,” and dissolve into hysterical laughter, often at once.

And yet, beneath the humor there’s a very real, very flawed (as are we all) human being trying her best to navigate a world that changes daily, seems to mock us as we age, and didn’t come with any kind of a manual. From her childhood experiences with religion to her confession that “Andrews is awkward,” there is a poignance that grounds her stories in the emotional truth of being a single woman in her forties. As she writes, “It’s cute to compare your ten-year-old self to your twenty-year-old self, but anyone thirty and above… it doesn’t fare well for us.”

If you like your humor with a side of insight, you will appreciate Good Talk… Good Talk. If you can look at yourself in the mirror and realize that, yes, you have bumped into store mannequins and apologized, that horror movies kept you awake at night as a child, and that you do take longer than others to catch on to the latest fads (or just basic household skills) you will not merely love this book, you will identify with the author.

Run, carefully lest you trip, to the nearest bookstore (or, let’s be honest, the nearest computer or tablet) and buy a copy of Good Talk… Good Talk. You will begin the month of November with a smile on your face, secure in the knowledge that you are not alone – Ginny Andrews is there to make sure.

Goes well with: Pizza, possibly a whole one, and Dr. Pepper.

Cute and funny. A good read. Not all of the collection was relatable but many were. the author writes in a down to earth way that made it clear to see her in the stories. No one is perfect and someone willing to show that side of themselves made this a nice collection.

Good Talk … Good Talk by Ginny Andrews is a relatively short, fast paced, and humorous collection of monologues written by a 40-something former high school teacher and coach who is trying on comedy for size. After reading her lighthearted and thoughtful book, I think comedy is something that will fit her pretty well.

In each of the short 21 chapters of her debut, she shares little vignettes or essays about awkward encounters in her life. Andrews employs self-deprecating humor to provide not only insight to her life but society’s response as well. Her writing is easy to follow and I found myself laughing at many points throughout her vivid story-telling. If for nothing else, you should do yourself a favor and pick up this book to read chapter 8: Bengay in the Night.

I found this book to be an easy read. My only criticism would be the overall structure of this book. Because each chapter as written as an essay, it’s almost like each chapter is standalone rather that components of the book as a whole. As a reader, I would have liked to see more of a thread through all of the chapters that tied the book together a little more succinctly.

Recommendation: I enjoyed getting a peak into Andrews’ life. The stories she shares are sometimes emotional and often funny, proving that none of us should take this life too seriously. If you’ve ever found yourself replaying an awkward interaction in your mind, you just might relate to this book. I would recommend this as a quick weekend, pick-me-up read!

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

This book is fun, funny, and oh so relatable. I feel so much better after reading this book. I will definitely keep this book because when I make a mistake, or do something clumsy, or embarrassing, I will pick up this book instead of beating myself up, because I will always know there are others like me. I know a few people who could use this book and it will make a great Christmas present.
I received an ARC from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley.

I found this book to be very relatable in many aspects. As someone who constantly apologises to stationary things and cringes when I make mistakes or embarrass myself. It was great to read this and try to embrace all the weirdness.